Through: Mike Tannenbaum

I liked Tannenbaum. But his position as Jets GM was a stretch. He came aboard in 1997 as a critical attache to the impressive but brief Bill Parcells era.

In a changing world order in the NFL in the 90s, Tannenbaum was the preeminent "capologist." He slotted contracts into a jigsaw puzzle, knowing how to frontload, backload, and find loopholes to maximize value on an NFL roster. Basically, this is the guy Mitt Romney wants doing his taxes.

His first role with the Jets was Director of Player Contract Negotiations. Which was on display big-time in 2010 when we saw a real life take-it or leave-it offer to former starting QB Kellen Clemens on Hard Knocks.

Every team needs a financial guy and hatchet man like Mike T, but to make him your #1 football exec? He was as out of place as a football personnel man as he was trying to field punts on TV.

Basically Tannenbaum's regime as Woody Johnson's GM was marked by some success, but mostly he was a stooge for ownership making one hollow PR splash after another. On-field, actual football came second. You could almost set his tenure to music.

It's really more of a parody. Thinking more of a Seinfeld/Naked Gun musical montage set to Kenny Rogers.

"Through the years, when everything went wrong. Together we were strong. I know that I belong right here with you...Through the years, I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out..."

The Tebow thing was really the last straw. For there to be all the hullabaloo for a guy who didn't contribute at all, when the resources and attention could have been paid on someone who could actually help the football team, that is unacceptable. And the owner can't fire himself.

I don't know who should replace him. I don't know if Rex Ryan should be back, though the defense played with a lot of heart. I can't imagine Sanchez or Tebow back. But here is the one thing and Backtime tweeted as much on Black Monday:

Dear NY Jets: If you hire Norv Turner I will have to drive to New Jersey and talk to somebody.

I of course mean as offensive coordinator. I would argue that is the single most important move this offseason. Hopefully a real football man will make it.

Hard Knocks Ready To Take Off

It's T-minus one week to the Season Premiere of HBO's Hard Knocks, and I can't remember a higher-profile training camp than the beloved New York Jets, bunking in Cortland, NY in August 2010.

There are plenty of reasons that GM Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Rex Ryan should be looking up. But the real hard knocks have begun already with the holdout of Darrelle Revis.

Clearly the Jets brain trust anticipated this situation with their all-world corner, and signed an accomplished cover guy Antonio Cromartie from SD (10 picks in '07) and drafted a major playmaking corner in Kyle Wilson from Boise.

Rex Ryan's attack defense requires outside guys to take care of their island while he throws everyone else at the quarterback. The Jets may be set up there with or without Revis. So the Jets actually have some measure of leverage against the NFL's king of coverage.

From Revis' standpoint, he is living off the 6-year, 30-million dollar deal he got as a 1st round pick in '07. The one player in the League that is equal or better than Revis at his position, the Raiders' Nnamdi Asonugha, got a 3-year, 45.3 million extension in March of '09.

Whether or not the Raiders overpaid for the #1 ranked player in Madden 2010 is a matter of historical debate. But Revis feels he's entitled to that sort of deal, and that has been backed up by the Jets' brass, who said last year that he'd be taken care of.

While the Revis situation has vaulted to the #1 headline in an August that will be filled with them, HBO will still have plenty to enjoy.

> Rex Ryan: Year 2

> Mark Sanchez: Year 2

> LaDainian Tomlinson: Career 2

> Kris Jenkins return from torn ACL

> Moving Targets up top: Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes

> Pass rusher Jason Taylor: Can he still bring it?

> Pass rusher Vernon Gholston: Can he ever bring it?

Plus there's hard news: QB Erik Ainge has checked into rehab for drug dependency. And there's the collateral tabloid damage that's developing from the Jets situation with Brett Favre in 2008.

Most importantly it's the Jets' most anticipated season maybe ever. Let's hope it doesn't peak on pay cable.

Good Riddance, Homer Dome

Yes the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome will continue to be an eyesore amid the Minneapolis skyline, but fortunately later today it may host its last Major League Baseball game ever.

I'm not just rooting for the Tigers because the Twins are the hotter team, and thus a tougher opponent for the Yankees, but because The Metrodome is an atrocious baseball stadium.

It was a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility when it opened in 1982, but let's face it - it was never really meant for baseball. And the Twins themselves were always second-class citizens there in their home stadium.

Just yesterday, with a rare jewel of a baseball game - a 1-game Divisional Tiebreak (they only come around so often) against the Detroit Tigers on tap, the Twins were forced to move the game to Tuesday because the Favre/Vikings had a Monday night game.

I was actually witness to this type of mess on October 2, 2004. I was the producer for Penn State - Minnesota at the Dome. It was a 7 PM CT start. The fact that Minnesota won 16-7 to run their record to 5-0 was beside the point. Read: Multi-purpose facility.

Earlier that same day, the Twins, who had secured a playoff spot, were fighting for home-field advantage in the final regular season weekend versus the Cleveland Indians. The game started at 11 AM CT to accommodate the Gopher football game later that same day. But after 11 Innings and a 5-5 score, the game was suspended so that Metrodome personnel could ready the field for football. Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire was irate.

"We're in the middle of a mess now...We don't need a stadium? C'mon."

The Twins wound up winning in the bottom of the 12th, on Sunday.

The way the Twins have been treated by their landlord is only part of the story. While the building has hosted two World Series Championships, it is still a joke as a baseball venue.

There's that ridiculous baggie in right field covering up the folded up extra football seats.

The air conditioning system can be manipulated to create more/less intense wind currents to help/hurt the team that's batting.

And we've seen countless quality Major League outfielders lose the ball up against the Dome roof, which of course is the same color as the baseball.

Next year, the Twins will finally move to their own stadium, and I look forward to my first trip to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis - where the home team will really be the home team.

Vikings Fans: Consider Yourselves 4-Warned

Dear Minnesota Vikings fans,

You have Brett Favre as your Quarterback. Mazel Tov. When you celebrate his 40th birthday on October 10, you can revisit the highlights of his career:

>His one Super Bowl title, 13 seasons ago.
>His 12 Postseason wins (only 3 this decade).
>His 269 straight starts (he'll play even when he's hurt, costing the Jets the playoffs).

No QB in NFL history has thrown more interceptions, and no QB in NFL history has intercepted more headline-grabbing opportunities, sending newsrooms around the country scurrying at his whim.

Brett Favre will take the field tonight in purple, and we have not changed our stance from earlier this off-season. Below is "A Wing and a Prayer: Buyer Beware" (a Backtime Re-Air).

May 12, 2009

In 2008, the New York Jets and their fans experienced the career of Brett Favre in a microcosm.

There were the dramatic inconsistencies in a 3-3 start.

There was the spectacular run of 5 straight wins, including huge character checks in wins at New England and Tennessee.

There was the monumental collapse down the stretch as the Jets lost 4 of their last 5 including embarrassing losses to San Francisco and Seattle.

For quite a while we couldn't complain, Brett Favre was exactly what we had hoped for. Then when we needed him most, he was exactly what we all feared.

When the Jets sputtered to the season's finish line, Favre's decisions were horrible. He threw 2 TD and 9 picks. He clearly was having arm problems, but the Jets couldn't sit him, and he surely wouldn't sit himself. He had a consecutive games streak to maintain.

Brett Favre was bigger than the team. In the one sport in which that premise is certain to fail every time. Brett Favre was going to gut it out on the field to service his own pride. A quarterback with a weak wing doesn't rally teammates, it hands games to the opponent.

Brett Favre may be a warrior, but he's not a winner. Not at this stage of his career anyway.

Now he's flirting with coming back again. This off-season tap dance is a rite of summer and is very reminiscent of Roger Clemens' act through the last few years of his career. He gets his very own spotlight, negotiating platform, and ESPN beat reporter.

And why is he coming back? To stick it to the Packers. The team that gave him all the patience and leverage that Favre required until they no longer wanted to cooperate. Good motivation, revenge. Against your former coaches and teammates that backed you all along. I guess you need an edge when you get to a certain age.

The Jets' opening game against Miami last season tells you everything you need to know. After the Jets' 20-14 win, the TV cameras were all over Favre as the game ended - he got a handshake here and there, but he was still a stranger on the Jets. Favre's teammates all were eager to hug and offer best wishes to the opposing QB, former Jet Chad Pennington, who was heroic in defeat.

Pennington's Dolphins would later win the AFC East at the hands of the Jets. He got his revenge, but wouldn't claim it against the guys he fought with for so long.

Will the Packers be as excited to embrace Brett Favre after the first Vikings/Packers meeting in '09? Not likely.

You see, Brett Favre's teammates, both past and present, know that they're just extras in a one-man show.

The New York Sanch Ezchange

As many of you know, we here at Backtime are not ashamed of our endless passion for the New York Jets. This is career post #99, so it would be fitting to pay tribute briefly to our own #99, that wacky character from the hey-day of the Sack Exchange.

Mark Gastineau wasn't the best player on that defensive line, just the most flamboyant and towed the biggest spotlight.

Joe Klecko was in fact the anchor of that line, first as the opposite defensive end, then as a dominant nose tackle when Bud Carson came to town. The 4-time Pro Bowler should be in the Hall-of-Fame.

Now, roughly 25 years later, it's the Mark Sanchez era. This segment of Jets history is already defined by a man who hasn't taken a snap for pay. The spotlight follows the latest Southern Californian Golden Boy, but is he really worthy of it?

This has to be the most anticipated preseason game in Jets history since...last year. Brett Favre brought a similar circus to town. This year, while the big news was 100 miles south just off the New Jersey turnpike, and while the New York Post ran their exclusive interview with Karen Sypher, it was up to our rookie savior to draw Gotham's attention.

Now I have been on the record here. I like Sanchez and I think he has All-Pro potential, but trade 5 guys for him? Come on. Is that the way Patriots operate?

Sure enough after a couple of fairly pedestrian Kellen Clemens-led drives and 3 points, Sanchez took the reins deep in his own end. And he hit David Clowney for 48 yards on his first fling. He also found soon-to-be-All-Pro Tight End Dustin Keller a couple of times before Thomas Jones plunged in on 4th-and-1.

One drive, one TD. Take a seat. I know you don't want to get anyone important hurt in the first preseason game, but what does Mark Sanchez need most for his development? Reps against an NFL defense, even if it's second and third stringers.

Sanchez gets high marks for efficiency and poise. He went 3-for-4 for 88 yards. Certainly nothing to complain about, except we needed to see more. Look at me being impatient. Just like a Jet fan.

Huddle Up

Everyone says this is the worst sports week of the year, but it’s really only the worst sports 3-days of the year.

Three days with no Yankees is a little rough. The All-Star Game has some meaning that now directly affects the Yankees, so that’s good. And the British Open begins Thursday, one of my favorite events.

But mostly this Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday is a time to reflect and gear up for what’s next: The most insane preseason in NFL history.

Think about the Top 10 storylines involving QBs alone. So let's play Quarterback:

1. What will be the fate of Michael Vick?

He has committed a terrible crime, but paid a heavy price for it. He needs to be reinstated.

But what then? Who will take the chance on a 29-year old ex-con who has made numerous errors in judgment? Even for one of the most unique talents in the history of the sport?

2. Can Favre still bring it?

The old gunslinger’s got a weak wing. It’s the Vikings’ turn to roll the dice. This whole game of Groundhog Day with the media has gotten tedious. But the bottom line is if Brett Favre can still play, how can anyone deny him the opportunity?

Still you have to question his motivation, trying to stick it to the Packers, who treated him as bigger than the team for years.


3. Brady’s back.

The balance of power in the AFC (and entire NFL for that matter) evened out for one year when Tom Brady was lost for the year in the 2008 opener.

Now the Patriots are the class of the league again. Brady is fully rehabbed, and should even be pretty fresh after not getting hit for a year.

4. Bright lights, big city, a bit risky.

All of a sudden the Jets have decided they want to be media darlings. Let’s hand the keys over to rookie phenom Mark Sanchez, he’s got broad shoulders and rugged good looks. He’s exactly what we need!


The Jets traded 5 guys including a pair of defensive starters to move up in the Draft and get him. Do you think the Patriots act this impulsively?

5. The new king of Chicago.

It’s been a turbulent off-season and regime change in Denver. New boss Josh McDaniels decided to punt on 1st down and kick 26-year old franchise QB Jay Cutler into the wind. Now he’s Chicago’s problem, or as Bears fans call him, “godsend.”

6. TO is gone, but TOny’s soap opera continues.

Tony Romo may have finally put his foot down and helped show Terrell Owens the door out of Dallas. Now finally he may have wised up, and done the same to Jessica Simpson. The spotlight in Big D might just have gotten a little dimmer, so maybe it’s Tony’s time to shine. Until his next celebrity girlfriend comes along.

7. What will Drew Brees do for an encore?

In 2008, Drew Brees became the second NFL QB to throw for 5,000+ Yards in a season. And he did it without a household name at Wide Receiver. He may be the most underrated player in the whole league.

8. Whither Vince?

Maybe we should have seen the signs. But how could we? He was cover boy of Madden ’08 for a reason. He carried his college team to a championship and was tremendous as a rookie. Now he sits behind Kerry Collins on the Titans’ depth chart. Can he be washed up at 26?

9. Here’s…Carson.

After 100+ TD passes in his first 4 seasons as a starter, he played only 4 games in ’08 with elbow problems. Now his return won’t get as much pub as Brady’s, but will even be more important to his team.

10. Mourning Steve McNair.

Tennessee and Baltimore are just a few years removed from his energy and leadership. He’s just ten years removed from a Super Bowl appearance, and six years from a co-MVP. Last year we missed seeing him on the field. This year, he’ll just be missed.

**********************************************

And that’s just the QBs. Numbers 1 & 2 aren’t even on NFL rosters. While the NFL is generally second on my priority list to Saturday-variety football, it’s hard to compile these kind of storylines on the college side. At least before the season starts. At least this year.

A Wing and a Prayer: Buyer Beware

In 2008, the New York Jets and their fans experienced the career of Brett Favre in a microcosm.

There were the dramatic inconsistencies in a 3-3 start.

There was the spectacular run of 5 straight wins, including huge character checks in wins at New England and Tennessee.

There was the monumental collapse down the stretch as the Jets lost 4 of their last 5 including embarrassing losses to San Francisco and Seattle.

For quite a while we couldn't complain, Brett Favre was exactly what we had hoped for. Then when we needed him most, he was exactly what we all feared.

When the Jets sputtered to the season's finish line, Favre's decisions were horrible. He threw 2 TD and 9 picks. He clearly was having arm problems, but the Jets couldn't sit him, and he surely wouldn't sit himself. He had a consecutive games streak to maintain.

Brett Favre was bigger than the team. In the one sport in which that premise is certain to fail every time. Brett Favre was going to gut it out on the field to service his own pride. A quarterback with a weak wing doesn't rally teammates, it hands games to the opponent.

Brett Favre may be a warrior, but he's not a winner. Not at this stage of his career anyway.

Now he's flirting with coming back again. This off-season tap dance is a rite of summer and is very reminiscent of Roger Clemens' act through the last few years of his career. He gets his very own spotlight, negotiating platform, and ESPN beat reporter.

And why is he coming back? To stick it to the Packers. The team that gave him all the patience and leverage that Favre required until they no longer wanted to cooperate. Good motivation, revenge. Against your former coaches and teammates that backed you all along. I guess you need an edge when you get to a certain age.

The Jets' opening game against Miami last season tells you everything you need to know. After the Jets' 20-14 win, the TV cameras were all over Favre as the game ended - he got a handshake here and there, but he was still a stranger on the Jets. Favre's teammates all were eager to hug and offer best wishes to the opposing QB, former Jet Chad Pennington, who was heroic in defeat.

Pennington's Dolphins would later win the AFC East at the hands of the Jets. He got his revenge, but wouldn't claim it against the guys he fought with for so long.

Will the Packers be as excited to embrace Brett Favre after the first Vikings/Packers meeting in '09? Not likely.

You see, Brett Favre's teammates, both past and present, know that they're just extras in a one-man show.

Jets fans are all Marks

Gang Green has caved in to public pressure once again. Ownership is now about pleasing the fan base and creating buzz. But not winning championships.


Nothing against Mark Sanchez here. He's a good player. The Jets fans wanted him and he wants the Jets, and he's saying all the right things. But the Jets fans also wanted Brett Favre last year.

This past season I did briefly have to institute a ban on Mark Sanchez talk on our college football broadcasts. First, Jack Arute reported on our Arkansas-Texas game, that Mark Sanchez had talked to Colt McCoy after the Trojans had been upset by Oregon State. Later that night Holly Rowe reported from the Alabama-Georgia game, that Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford had exchanged texts in the aftermath of USC's loss.

My perception: Mark Sanchez is a phone whore.


Oh he's out there. He'll be texting and blogging and twittering all over Gotham. Talk about a media darling. He could knock A-Rod off both the back page and Page Six.

Like I said, he's good. I'll be rooting for him. But is he worth 4 extrta guys? Including a 2nd Round pick, two defensive regulars and Brett Ratliff - potentially a legit NFL QB himself (stranger things have happened - I saw the kid kick some ass in an Emerald Bowl upset of Georgia Tech).

Of course not, he's a pipe dream. You've got Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and strong O-Line. Don't turn this over to a rookie. Then again, the last guy threw 22 picks, and he was no rookie. But he was in-demand by the desperate, delirious, dreaming Jet fans.

When the deal got done, don't you think Eric Mangini did a fist-pump or two at Browns HQ? He was the scapegoat for Favre and he passed on Sanchez. And he will use the picks and players to build a winner, not to make headlines.