Time For T-Rex Ball!

Now that the Baltimore Ravens are out of the playoffs, the New York Jets can officially announce their new head coach. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has agreed to a four year contract to become the new head coach for the Jets.

Sources claimed that the Jets made an offer to Ryan "about an hour" after the Ravens lost the AFC championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ryan's contract will be similar to that of other first year coaches this year, but a Jets source said it was almost identical to the $11.5 million deal that the Rams gave former New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday.

Ryan was hired by the Ravens in 1999 as a defensive assistant and took on the coordinator's role in 2005. The title of assistant head coach was added before this season.

I am looking forward to seeing a defensive minded coach on the Jets sideline. I think he will be a great asset to this team, and help the Jets' defense look more like that Ravens defense!

Look Who is Coming to New York

A few weeks ago, I made the prediction that the Miami Dolphins will go into the last game of the season with a chance for a division title against the New York Jets in the Meadowlands. At the time, the Dolphins had an easy road, but still needed to execute. Well here they are, winners of 8 out of their last 9 and one of the hottest teams in football.

This game is definitely something to watch next Sunday. There are so many unbelievable stories about this game. Miami QB Chad Pennington has a shot to go back to New York, against the team that dumped him after last season, and take his surging Dolphins to the playoffs. There is no doubt about it, Pennington wants to win this game more than any other game he has ever played in his career.

On the flip side, the Jets organization can look like total idiots if they lose. They gave up draft picks to acquire Brett Favre. There is a chance that this could be the worst move the Jets have ever made. Imagine if the Jets get beat, don't make the playoffs, and Favre retires after the season? Then they would have given up a ton just to go 10-6 and have Favre on their team. What an embarrassment this would be to them. They better hope they can pull this out.

Another great story is the Miami season itself. A team who struggled to win 1 game a year ago and gave up their best player (Jason Taylor) is on the verge of a 10 game turnaround and stealing the division. Even if they don't win next week, it is arguably the best turnaround of any NFL franchise ever.

I am neither a Dolphins or a Jets fan and this game is extremely interesting to me. My prediction is that the fish pull off a 23-20 win. Not only are they one of the hottest teams but the Jets are so inconsistent, I don't have faith in them showing up. Especially after an embarrassing loss in Seattle. So although many teams are going to be fighting for a playoff spot next week, make sure you keep an eye on this one, it's sure to be an amazing game.

Miami Dolphins... Playoff Bound?

After hearing nothing but Brett Favre's name on ESPN the last few weeks of summer, it got me thinking. Who benefited the most from this deal? Initially I thought it worked out equally for both teams. The Jets get arguably the best QB of all time, and the Packers get to move on and develop their star waiting to happen. Although it seems to be working out great for both teams, I feel like the Miami Dolphins got the best end of this deal. In 2007, they went 1-15 and were the laughing stock of the league. After bringing in mastermind Bill Parcells and hiring Tony Sporano to take over the head coaching duties, the fish are already 5-4, second in the AFC East and just 1 game out of first place. Even if the Dolphins lose every game from here on out, it would still be a tremendous turnaround. Now, how are the Fish doing it?

Yes Parcells is a football genius and knows how to turn teams around. And yes, Tony Sporano is proving to be a solid coach. But I'm pinning their success on Quarterback Chad Pennington. Yeah that's right, you read correctly, Chad Pennington is a major part in why the Dolphins are a legit contender this year. Miami got Pennington for basically nothing because the Jets dropped him. He is a veteran QB who knows how to manage the game and has been limiting his mistakes dramatically this year. Many critics (including myself) have bashed Pennington in the past for not being able to throw the ball down field, but after seeing him bomb a 40 yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr, it seems that Chadwick has improved that area of his game. With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams complementing him nicely in the "Wildcat" offense, and Joey Porter talking the talk and walking the walk on defense, Pennington and the Dolphins seem ready to make a serious run for the playoffs. From here on out, they have an easier schedule than any other team in the league. With games they should win against the Raiders, Rams, Chiefs, and the 49ers. Their other 3 games are division games against the Pats, Bills, and Jets. (Miami already beat New England and Buffalo this season) Don't be surprised if the Dolphins get into the playoffs with 10, maybe 11 regular season wins.

If this should happen, this might be the best 1 season turnarounds the NFL has ever seen. From barely winning 1 game last year, to potentially having a 10 win season and getting into the playoffs is something no fan, expert, or even the Dolphins could have imagined. So keep on eye on Miami from here on out, they really are a great story. Miami's last game of the season is at the Meadowland against division rival New York Jets. Wouldn't it be great to see Pennington and company have a shot at the playoffs in the last game of the season against the team that cut him? I sure think so.

Nonsense Rumor: Favre to Jets?

According to a friend, The New York Jets just waived Punter Joe Smith. Why do I or you or any one care? Because said Punter wore uniform number 4.

I did some research and apparently there is an un-retired QB who wears no. 4 who may be on the trade block.

This is probably inconsequential and possibly, Joe Smith still has a job and I received poor information. Also possible, you heard it here first. So there. Take that Chris Mortensen.