Is It Time For The Knicks To Panic?

In any normal NBA season 16 games in would be too early to be of any cause for concern by your squad's quality of play. But 2011-12 is NOT a normal season. With about a quarter of the season complete the Knicks stand at 6-10 but more so than that have played poor enough to, for me, be called the most underperforming team in the Association. With arguably the best front court in the sport, the Knicks were favorable to go deep into the playoffs which they have failed to do since the last shortened NBA year in 1998-99 (50 games).

So is it time to panic Knicks Fans?

As a diehard fan of this team the answer is YES. Just forget about the record for just a second and look back at every game so far. You can only be proud of the way they played in 3 of the first 16 games (@Sacramento, @Detroit, vs. Philadelphia). On the flipside they were fortunate to get past Boston on Christmas Day, loss to Golden State, dealt with back to back home defeats by Toronto and Charlotte. And now are in the midst of a 6 game losing streak where they cannot buy a basket and are not getting any positive production from anyone on the roster.

Here is some more reasons that give you concerns as a Knicks fan:

1. the Knicks are 3-6 at home.
2. offensively are 17th in scoring, 4th worst in shooting %, and have the 3rd most turnovers
3. defensively are 15th in rebounding and commit the 4th most fouls in the league
4. also have 100+ points in regulation 4 times this season.

-Johnny Montalbano

-follow me on Twitter @MontalbanoNY for all things sports. You can also listen to me on "Review and Preview" Wednesdays from 5-6pm on WCWPSports.org

LIU Post Lady Pioneers Mid-Season Breakdown

As play-by-play man, and having been to almost every game for the LIU Post Lady Pioneers I thought it would be a good time for a mid-season review. OK so I know its a little past mid season, but its still close enough. Of course, not being a member of this team this is still just my perspective, and how I see things. With it being my second year covering this team I feel like I get at least a pretty good read on the players and the team as a whole. Hope Im right...

With a record of 11-5, and 3-2 in ECC play the Lady Pioneers are playing some very good basketball to this point. After another up and down start, which made this team off to a similar start as last year they have really hit their stride in conference play. Currently on a 3 game winning streak, and winning 6 of their last 7 games (Including a big 14 point victory over #1 ranked in the country Bentley Falcons) this Lady Pioneers team is doing a whole lot right.

The best, and most appropriate place to start this off is with the great play thus far of senior captain Felicia Joyner. Joyner is tied for 5th in the conference averaging 17.7 points per game on 43% shooting from the field. The hot shooting includes a whole lot more than just strong moves to the rim, and her patented step back 15 foot jump shot, she is also 2nd in the conference, shooting 38% from 3 point range. Joyner's leadership on the court shows through every game. After the loss of 2 time conference player of the year Janea Aiken, some wondered if Joyner could fill that void and be the go to player that is often needed in this conference. She has not disappointed, and when a big run, or key bucket is needed, there is one player that this team knows is the one to find. In her second year as a captain she has made sure that there is no void in any facet on this team.

Along with Joyner's great play has been the great play of Nicolette Marciniak. In my only other season covering this team, (last season) Marciniak played along side the tough presence down low of Alyssa Lombardi. Lombardi was the big rebounder, and tough defender that is a key asset to any team. At times last year Marciniak looked like she had a great future on this team and did a lot of damage down low. There were also times when she seemed to almost get bullied down low and it looked like she was looking for help, that could only come from within herself. In 20 minutes a game in her sophomore year she put up respectable numbers, over 8 points and 5 rebounds a game. Still though, Lady Pioneers fans needed to wait and see if Marciniak could be the defender and fearless competitor that was lost in Lombardi. This year Marciniak has not disappointed. Now playing over 26 minutes a game Marciniak is averaging a double double on the season, including her last 3 games that were played with a mask to protect her broken nose. (I say double double realizing she only averages 9.9 rebounds a game. Its close enough, and she Will finish the season averaging over 10 and 10.) She has seemed to really dedicate herself to tough defense. Her 11.1 points per game are a big help to this team, and her 9.9 RPG are good for second most in the conference. However, Marciniak had surgery on her broken nose today, and we will see how long she is out of action for. With the toughness and desire she showed, expect a fast return.

Breaking it down to position now, I'll start with the guards. Junior captain Ashley Caggiano has performed very well this season, despite her offseason freak calf injury limiting her play. As great as it is to see her leadership as the floor general, and the key threes that she has made throughout the season, for me the biggest improvement I see in "Cagg" is her decreased number of turnovers, and her smart, and accurate passing. Last year in 26 games Caggiano averaged 2.3 assists per game, and finished the season with 71 turnovers. So far through 16 games this season she has 4.3 assists per game (good enough for 4th in the conference), and even better shes in the top 10 in the conference in assist/TO ratio. Another huge improvement from last season to this one is backup point guard sophomore Alexis Peters. Starting out with A/TO ratio this time, Peters is 5th best in the conference. Her passing has been on point and in key situations filling in for the injured Caggiano. Peters' numbers are up across the board. She's filling up the stat sheet putting in 6 points per game, 2.2 APG, 4.4RPG, and a very impressive 1.8 Steals a game. Her new agressive mindset has been big in her increased role this season. Along with Caggiano and Peters are Kenyatta "Kiki" Sears, and the two freshmen Chelsea Williams, and Ariana Ijaduola. Sears has been very impressive on the defensive end, and always shows great tenacity staying in front of her opponent, and continuing to be the best on ball defender the Lady Pioneers have. Sears is also a leader in the conference in steals with 1.9 per game going along with her over 6 points a game, and over 2 assists per game. Williams has really impressed in her minutes on the floor in her freshman season. In a game earlier this year she put up a career high of 17 points. So far this season she has 4.5 points a game and has been very key to the depth of this team. Because of the incredible depth on this team, Ijaduola hasnt seen a whole lot of court time, but the time she has seen we see a lot of promise, and court smarts on both ends of the court.

Adding to the depth of this team is the amount of talent in the front court. Leading the way down low along with Marciniak are the two Iona transfers Sam Kopp, and Cat Lutz. The 6'2 Kopp has come in and put up impressive games on both ends as the Lady Pioneers starting center. There are a lot of strong post players in this conference, and though she is new to the team and the ECC she has held her own, and then some, against all of them. Kopp is averaging over 8 points per game, 7.5 RPG and almost a block a game. Her and Marciniak teaming up down low has held tough scorers like ECC leader Tanicha Carter (averaging over 18 ppg) to 1-15 shooting, and Bentleys second best player Jacqui Brugliera to only 9 points and 0 rebounds. She has had an immediate positive impact on this team. Along with her transferring this season was Cat Lutz. Lutz is the first front court player off the bench for the Lady Pioneers and has provided serious instant offense. Anyone who has listened to a broadcast of any of the Lady Pioneers games has surely heard me call her "RFD" or Range For Days. Her ability to hit 3 point shots 2 or 3 feet behind the arc with consistency is something incredible to watch, and Im sure frustrating to defend. When I asked about her range in an interview she responded "People were starting to guard me at the 3 point line, and I just kept taking a step back". If only it was that easy for everyone. Lutz, a 6 footer is averaging 9 points a game along with almost 4 RPG. She is also the teams leader in 3 pointers taken, and made, while making 38% of her 3's, good enough for 3rd in the conference. After Lutz off the bench its Shayna Gatling, and Nijah LaCourt combined, these two back up forwards are averaging over 6 points a game along with 6 rebounds per game. They split time with each other and both have had big games, scoring, rebounding and on defense. These two girls not only make the depth on this team even more of an asset but are going to be absolutely vital with the loss of Marciniak for as long as she is out.

Overall Coach Deirdre Moore is impressing again with the work she has done with this team. Coach Moore has one of the toughest full court presses to beat that we see all season, and on both ends she is a great motivator, play caller, and is just a very smart coach that her players seem willing to always go the extra mile to play hard for. After losing key players last year this team has not missed a beat. With a tough stretch coming up without Marciniak, and games still against a very tough University of DC team, a very talented, and familiar Molloy team, and always a tough rival in NYIT, the Lady Pioneers will have to fight just as hard as they have to finish the season atop the ECC.

Overall Id say this team is every bit as talented as last years Conference Champion squad. With the depth they have and the ability of any number of players to beat you on any given night, along with the defense they've been playing pretty much shutting down every teams best player this team has a Very Promising rest of the season, and has all the makings of a team that could make another run at the end.


Joe Szadok
@CorporalJoe

The Bulletproof Man

By Jason Comack

Somewhere in the Jets front office hides a bulletproof man.

Rex is the brash one. The one who makes bold proclamations that it's Super Bowl or bust. He sometimes becomes even a parody of himself.

Mark is the sexy one. With QC looks and success off the field, that doesn't correspond to how he plays on the field.

Santonio is the egotistical one. The epitome of the “diva” wide receiver.

Bart is the hot-head. Who gives the finger to the Patriots with one hand, and to the media with the other.

Greg is the traitor. The one who looks around at all this chaos in his work environment and speaks his mind, breaking locker room code.

Brian is the scapegoat. Falling on the sword of a myriad of problems.

Mike is the bullet proof one. The man who brought all these characters to town. The man whose consistently poor drafts have left the roster devoid of talent. Yet, Mike seems to be untouchable, unaccountable and immune to blame.

Maybe he's not wearing a bulletproof vest, but instead a cloak of invisibility.

The Jets have only one player remaining from his 2008 draft (Dustin Keller.) Vernon Gholston, the sixth overall pick, was a colossal failure. Amazingly of his six picks that year only two (Keller and Lowery) remain in the league.

The Jets only had three picks in 2009 after Tannaenbaum aggressively traded up twice. Mark Sanchez has been a profound disappointment. Shonn Greene, in a league where running backs grow on trees, has been at best average. Matt Slauson has graded out as a poor blocker in both his years starting.

Keeping with tradition 2010 Tannenbaum stocked the roster with four draft picks. First round pick Kyle Wilson has been hot and cold at best. Second rounder Vladimir Ducasse has been nothing short of a train-wreck.

Two drafts, not a single impact player to be seen.

While Tananenbaum has had draft hits (Revis, Ferguson, Mangold) they are few and far between. Drafting is far from a perfect science. JaMarcus Russel can go number one and Victor Cruz can go undrafted. By limiting his number of draft choices ever year, Tannenbaum has limited his chances of success.

Tannenbaum models himself after Al Davis, Jerry Jones and Dan Synder. Preferring to grab headlines rather then championship rings.

Eventually Mike will run out of people to blame. Eventually there won't be a convenient scapegoat. Eventually someone will point their finger at the person who created this mess. And maybe, someone will finally take off his bulletproof vest.

Bowl Mania Day 4

By Jordan Lauterbach- College Sports Saturday- Saturdays at 11 a.m.

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas- 7 Boise State v. Arizona State

Kellen Moore walked into expectations in ways that a Boise State quarterback hadn’t before. It was Moore’s redshirt freshman year that his team beat Oklahoma in miraculous fashion. You all remember it. After all, what College Football fan could forget? A host of trick plays, including the most famous two point conversion of all time, sealed perhaps the biggest post-season upset of all time.

That was all the work of Jarred Zabransky. No one would have envied the kid sitting on the sidelines, for which the reins to one of the nations’ more talked about programs would be handed to only a few months later. Who would have thought then that it would be Moore who would become the legend at the up and coming school in Idaho, not Zabransky?

Sure, Jarred has that year. That game. That play. He was the quarterback that started the Boise State legend. Moore was the quarterback that built it.

140 touchdowns, 14,374 passing yards, and only 26 interceptions later, Moore’s career ends on a Thursday night in Las Vegas, more than a week before the big boys play. It’s a bit depressing, isn’t it? Andrew Luck’s career will end with (perhaps) a BCS win. Tim Tebow’s ended with a romp in the Sugar Bowl. Matt Leinart’s ended playing for a national title.

Moore’s will end playing for a tire trophy.

But, in many ways, this is fitting. The fact of the matter is Moore and Boise State have always had an uphill battle. It comes with the territory when you play in a non-BCS conference. After all, shouldn’t teams with easier schedules and less competition be held to higher standard? This is, like it or not, also part of Moore’s legacy. He simply didn’t face enough good competition to bring his team to a national title or win a Heisman Trophy.

He never appeared to let that bother him. Moore typically played well, no matter who the opponent was. Whether it was Virginia Tech, TCU, or Louisiana Tech, a noticeable change in skill level was never evident.

If it wasn’t for a faulty kicking game, Moore might be leaving the college game undefeated.

This is why few worries should be paid to the quarterback’s and his team’s motivation going into a very early bowl (for a one loss team) against Arizona State.

The Sun Devils finished the year 6-6, losing five of their final six games. Opponents like Washington State and California put big numbers on the defense. A perhaps promising season turned into a calamity rather quickly. The Head coach lost his job, the team has presumably lost its confidence, and the program awaits a new beginning.

It is doubtful that that new beginning will come in the final game for a Boise State legend.

Time will tell whether Kellen Moore is remembered as a college football great or just another mid-major stat hound with the gaudy numbers to prove it. Will he be more Leinart or Colt Brennon?

That answer most likely depends on two factors:

1. How Boise State matures as a program following his departure and the Broncos ascension into a big time football conference.

2. Moore success in the NFL
Those answers may take years to come to fruition, but one can be sure that the newly married quarterback doesn’t care about either right now.

It’s all about Arizona State and hoisting that golden tire.

Isn’t that a lasting image to be proud of?

The Pick: Boise State

Bowl Mania Record: 2-3

Follow Jordan on Twitter @jlauterbach1

Bowl Mania Day 3

By Jordan Lauterbach

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl- 18 TCU vs. Louisiana Tech- 8 p.m.

For a team that lost two games by a combined nine points and hasn’t lost since the first day of October, you would understand if TCU feels a bit disrespected. One would think that a two loss defending Rose Bowl champion who beat a top 5 team on the road in November would at least get to play after Christmas Day, if not on New Year’s Day. But alas, these were the unfortunate cards that Gary Patterson’s group were dealt.

TCU’s season started out with a dud when Robert Griffin III and Baylor put 50 on them on the first Friday night of the season. Ironically, this was probably one of the top five individual games of the year. The loss represented a change in identity for the Horned Frogs.

For years, TCU was the anti- Boise State- strong defense and just enough offense (if sometimes underrated) to win. This year, it was the offense that made the Horned Frogs fun to watch. Ranked in the top ten, TCU scored over 40 points a game. Quarterback Casey Pachall tossed 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He threw five touchdowns against Boise State on November 12, proving that he can play well in really big games.

It wasn’t a bad defensive year by any means, but it wasn’t up to the standards of past Paterson coached units. A 21 points allowed per game average was no doubt skewed by the 50 and 40 points given up to Baylor and SMU, respectively. After those two games, the defenses highest points allowed total came against Boise State (35), which isn’t something to hang their heads over considering the offensive power house that the Broncos are.

Louisiana Tech could pose two problems for TCU.

One, they’ve played every tough opponent on their schedule tough. The Bulldogs fell at Southern Mississippi 19-17, home against Houston 35-34, and at Mississippi State 26-20 in overtime. Of their four losses, only one (Hawaii, 44-26) can be considered bad.

Two, Louisiana Tech could be a lot more motivated to play in the game than TCU. This kind of bowl is where 8-4 teams usually find themselves, not 10-2 teams. A lapse in motivation early in the game combined with an opponent with a penchant to play up to “superior” opponents could cause major issues for the Horned Frogs early in the game.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron threw 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions in six games. That kind of ball security will be key in a game that is nothing but an uphill battle.

If they don’t let the game get away from them early, TCU has enough fire power and pure talent to battle through early struggles. But, if Patterson doesn’t prepare his players to be hit hard early, this could spin out of control

Question of the game: Can TCU weather any early Louisiana Tech surge and let pure talent find its way?

The Pick: TCU

Bowl Mania Record: 1-3

Bowl Mania Day 2

By. Jordan Lauterbach- College Sports Saturday: Saturdays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Beef O Brady’s Bowl- St. Petersburg- Florida International v. Marshall, Tuesday 8 p.m.

This has all the makings of a lopsided evening. Neither team scores a ton of points, but FIU can play defense in ways that Marshall is going to have a hard time matching.

The Golden Panthers are ranked 16th in the nation in defense, allowing under 20 points per game. But, like anything in this game of matchups, don’t think for a moment that FIU is a top 20 defense just because of the high ranking. Allowing 19.4 points a game is easy when the only BCS win on the schedule is Louisville. Allowing 31 points in a loss to Duke doesn’t exactly inspire confidence either.

Golden Panther running back Kedrick Rhodes rushed for over 1,000 yards, but only found the end zone 8 times. Quarterback Wesley Carroll threw 14 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Taking care of the football will be a key against a Marshall team that doesn’t score a lot of points.

FIU finished the year with three straight wins, two of which came on the road.

Marshall needed an overtime win over East Carolina in the final week of the season to clinch bowl eligibility. They finished the year on a two game winning streak, but easily could have lost both games. A November 17 win over 2-10 Memphis came by only a single point. 13 fourth quarter points prevented both embarrassment and post season elimination.

Marshall ranks 98th in offense, scoring 22 points a game. This, combined with a defense that barely cracks the statistical top 85, has contributed to some blowout losses. They lost 44-7 to Ohio, 30-10 to Virginia Tech, 68-28 to Houston, and 59-17 to Tulsa.

Marshall just isn’t a competitive football team. How they finished second in the Conference-USA eastern division is a testament to how bad that conference was.

Question of the game: Over/under 25 points? Yes, that’s a serious question.

The Pick: Florida International

Bowl Mania Record: 1-2


Follow Jordan on Twitter @jlauterbach1

Bowl Mania Day 1

Yup, I'm Back

By Jordan Lauterbach

Gildan New Mexico Bowl- Temple vs. Wyoming, 2 p.m.- Wyoming’s strength is in the running game. They rank in the top 35 in rushing (32). That category is the only one that the Cowboys sit in the top 60 in the country. Production wise, it’s an even split between running back Alvester Alexander and freshman quarterback Brett Smith. Alexander averages just a hair under five yards a carry and has found the end zone six times. Smith has scored 10 touchdowns on the ground and has thrown for 18.

Wyoming won three of its last four games, losing only to Boise State on November 26. Smith threw two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 22-19 season finale win over Colorado State. Those turnovers left the Cowboy quarterback with 8 in 2011.

Temple finished the year ranked third in defense. The pure statistical ranking is a bit misleading because of the schedule and two shutouts in the middle of the season. However, they did give Penn State a game, losing by four in week three. After losing dominant pass rusher Mo Wilkerson to the NFL, the continued defensive dominance is certainly impressive.

Question of the game: Can Wyoming’s freshman quarterback keep the Cowboys in the game against Temple’s strong defense in a bowl game environment?

The Pick: Temple

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Utah State, 5:30pm- Ohio was a half away from capturing the MAC title three weeks ago. The Bobcats were up 20-0 on Northern Illinois at the half before it all came crashing down. 16 fourth quarter points and Ohio was watching the Huskies hoist a trophy that was thought to be in the bag at the break.

It’s hard to determine how this type of loss will affect a team headed into a bowl. A second straight year playing on the first day of bowl season may not sit well with a team that was so close to a championship.

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Tettleton had a great regular season, throwing 26 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. He also ran for nine touchdowns, seven more than senior running back Dante Harden.

Fun fact: Ohio has never won a bowl game.

Utah State’s fifteen minutes of national fame came in the first week of the season when they took Auburn to the brink in Jordan-Hare Stadium. That 42-38 loss took a lot out of the Aggies. The lost four of their next six games, making bowl eligibility look like a pipe dream. However, five wins to end the year tumbled them into the first Saturday of “the season.”

That’s the most fascinating contrast to this game. Ohio is better, but Utah State is hotter- and presumably less angry about the way the season ended. The Aggies can also run the ball. Robert Turbin ran for 1416 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Question of the game: Is Ohio still hanging their heads over the MAC championship game?

The Pick: Utah State

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: San Diego State vs. Louisiana- Lafayette, 9p.m. - A veritable home game will do the Ragin’ Cajans some good. Four of their final five games came away from home, including a 45-37 heartbreaking loss at Arizona in the final week of the year.
Luckily for Louisiana-Lafayette, they were already bowl eligible when the road stretch came into play, running off six straight wins after an opening week loss to Oklahoma State. They were 2-3 once the win streak came to an end.

Ragin’ Cajun quarterback Blaine Gautier threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Gautier is, by far, the main weapon on the Louisiana-Layfayette offense.

San Diego State finished 8-4 in the first year of the post- Hoke era. They put 35 on Boise State in a loss on November 19. Quarterback Ryan Lindley threw 20 touchdowns this year and 8 interceptions (3 of which came in the same game). Running back Ronnie Hillman scored 19 touchdowns.

Question of the game: Ranked 83rd in defense, does Louisiana have enough on defense to stop Lindley and Hillman?

The Pick: San Diego State

Listen to College Sports Saturday every Saturday at 11 am (eastern) on wcwp.org and 88.1fm

Follow Jordan @jlauterbach1 on Twitter

So What Exactly Are The New York Jets?

Here we are, in early December, with just four weeks left to play in the 2011 NFL regular season. Many teams by now in the NFL know what kind of team they are on offense and on defense. On offense are they a group that relies on the running game or mostly of great quarterback play? On defense are they a squad who can stop the run? Can they get to the quarterback? And/or can they prevent the long play? Well, one team that hasn't shown you a consistent identity that is competing for a playoff spot is the New York Jets.


First off, let me preface by saying that I am a football fan. I don't hate a team yet at the same time I don't consider myself a diehard fanatic of one team, I am simply a football junkie. Now saying that what exactly are the New York Jets? 13 weeks into this NFL season and the only thing that has been consistent of Gang Green has been their inconsistentcy in all facets of the sport.

• It's starts with the quarterback who has clearly taken a step back in 2011.
• The offensive line has yielded almost as many sacks as they did all of 2010.
• The RB position has had its moments but it's nowhere near where it should be for this team.
• The receivers and tight-ends have been all over the place all season.
• The defense is simply not the defense of two years ago and even last year.
• The secondary has been, well, good and it has been bad.
• Special teams started out strong and have taken a step back the past few weeks.

So forget about the areas and just focus on the games they've played. If you dissect every quarter of every game, what exactly have the Jets showed you to prove they can be a legitimate squad down the stretch? They were dominated opening night against Dallas and thanks to QB Tony Romo they were able to come back and win. Despite beating Jacksonville 32-3 they really did very little on offense and the QB did not have a great game. Gang Green then went on a tough three game road trip and loss all three to simply better teams. Even though they would win the next two games against Miami and San Diego, the Jets were bailed out by mistakes by Miami and mostly domination by San Diego. Now week 9 against Buffalo was their best played game against the Bills, everything went right in Buffalo. In their last four games all the Jets did was be totally pushed around by New England, Buffalo, and Washington but came out on top in the latter two. They did play well in Denver but could not stop the Broncos offense when it mattered the most.

So with only four weeks left, a two game winning streak that really was more luck than great play, and needing a lot of help in order to make the postseason the chances of the Jets making the playoffs are in a word slim. Why? Simple, what exactly have the Jets showed that they could make it. They can only use the "a win is a win" manta so many times.

-Johnny Montalbano

-Follow Johnny on Twitter @MontalbanoNY and listen to his analysis of the week that was and the week that will be on "Review & Preview" Wednesday's from 5-6pm on WCWPSports.org

Just A Normal Jets Win

If all you did was look at the boxscore following today's Jets game against the Washington Redskins, it looks like the Jets had a nice, easy fifteen point victory. However, that is definitely not the case with this 34-19 win for Gang Green, as they actually were trailing 16-13 with under five minutes to play.

The opening possession of the game for the Skins was simply a horrendous showing of defense on the Jets' part, as Rex Grossman (yes, him) looked excellent against the other Rex (the loud one) and his defensive unit. Skins running back Roy Helu showed some burst breaking out a few solid runs and finishing off the drive with a TD from two yards out.

However, what took place on the Jets' ensuing possession was something that really impressed me. The Jets for the last few seasons have been awful in the first quarter offensively. But finally, the Jets showed some life in the first quarter, actually scoring a touchdown, on a really solid 17-play, 74 yard drive with Shonn Greene finding the endzone to tie the game up at seven. So there's a positive...But as a Jets fan, here's what really bothers me: why couldn't the offense find the endzone until just under FIVE minutes left in the fourth quarter?! It's very frustrating to watch a team that has the ability to put together excellent drives, but just is not consistent.

Time to say another good thing I noticed. Shonn Greene has arrived! Coming into the game with only two touchdowns all year, he gave his fantasy owners a huge day as he scored THREE times! He ran very well, and that's something we haven't seen for a majority of the season. Now how could I write about the Jets and not mention Mark Sanchez, right? I thought he played well. I'm happy with the performance, but I'll leave it at well. He had a couple of occassions where he slightly overthrew an open receiver, but he didn't make any mistakes, which is always fantastic news. He also escaped pressure a few times and made a couple of critical third-down conversions, extending plays just enough to convert. And of course, he made the beautiful game-winning throw to Santonio Holmes for 30 yards (easily, the deepest ball thrown).

Are there things for the Jets to work on? Yes, obviously. Letting Sanchez throw the ball DOWN the field would be great...I've kind of forgotten what that looks like...but I liked the play-calling better today than most days, even throwing in the Jeremy Kerley Wildcat! As a Jets fan, you learn that your team isn't going to get the most aesthetically-pleasing wins in the world, but anytime you get a win, you'll gladly take it!

-David Otero

Catch David Otero on the Sportswire every Tuesday from 6-7 pm on 88.1
FM and WCWP.org, and follow him on Twitter @David_ODog.

What We Learned From Week 11

• We start locally with the Giants and their mishap to the Eagles. It was the G-men's second straight loss in what looks like another second-half swoon for this football team. With a win the Giants not only could have landed themselves in comfortable playoff position for the final six games but also all but eliminate Philly from a playoff push. Now Big Blue will have to contend with not only the Eagles but also a Dallas Cowboys team which has played better than their 6-4 record. With the Giants, their next three games (@New Orleans, Green Bay, and @Dallas) could truly define if Big Blue will play deep into January or end abruptly.

• Speaking of local, that brings us a team that has more problems than the injury-plaqued Giants and that's the Jets. Gang Green began Week 11 in Denver and became the latest victim of "Tebow Time" as Gang Green's defense could not do anything right on the Broncos last and game winning drive. That loss leaves the Jets at 5-5 and in the span of just 2 weeks has turned this team from a potential AFC East winner to a possible no-show come postseason. The latter seems more realistic today and why not, 11 weeks into this season the true Jets have shown themselves for all of 5 quarters (the 4th against San Diego in week 7 and all game against Buffalo in week 9) What exactly has Gang Green showned you to feel confident they can turn it around? QB = inconsistent, RB's = not where they should be, Offensive Line = bad, Entire Defense = inconsistent.

• Finally, week 11 was the week of the backup player. Three second-string players really defined why.

1. Vince Young, QB, Eagles: Hey it wasn't the best performance but for a QB who hasn't started a game in almost one calender year (November 21, 2010) he did something that Philly has had a tough time with in 2011: taking a 4th quarter lead and holding on to it. And it was Young who led the Eagles on that go-ahead 18 play, 80 yard drive that took roughly 9 minutes off the clock and eventually resulted in the game-winning TD.
2. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders: It's always going to be difficult to replace a RB who is 5th in the league in yards per attempt in Darren McFadden who has been nursing a sprained right foot for the past three weeks but Bush has stepped into his shoes and done quite well. Including last week's effort: 30 rush, 109 yards and a TD in Oakland's win over Minnesota. When McFadden returns look for a real duo in these two.
3. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Since the injury to Detroit's top back Jahvid Best, the team has been looking for some efficient run game. Well they got that from Kevin Smith who really struggled to stay with the team. But he showed a burst of speed and ran for 140 yards and added 61 through the air. A big reason why the Lions were able to complete their comeback against Carolina.

-Johnny Montalbano

-Follow Johnny on Twitter @MontalbanoNY and listen to his analysis of the week that was and the week that will be on "Review & Preview" Wednesday's from 5-6pm on WCWPSports.org