Nantz Eager to Call Jets-Bills on Sunday
Published: Thu, October 30, 2008 - 9:41am ET
By Randy Lange
Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Eric Mangini, Laveranues Coles, Buffalo Bills, Phil Simms, Brett Favre, Jim Nantz
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10/30 — Here's a quick early Radar entry to alert you to a "Jets Two-Minute Drive" show that Eric Allen and I are proud of.
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, the CBS "A" team, will be working Sunday's Jets-Bills game. We sat down with Nantz this week for our guest interview and Nantz was exceptional, talking about his relationship with Simms, his podnuh since 2004, and about his father, whom he wrote about in his moving book, "Always By My Side," which was published in May.
But of course, Nantz also talked about the Jets-Bills game at Ralph Wilson Stadium — the two have never called a game in this rivalry before. (They've called seven Jets-Patriots games.)
"I'm anxious to have this little AFC East rivalry unfold before me and it’s a crucial game," Nantz told us. "Every game right now inside that division, there’s just so much riding on it.
"The Jets, at 4-3, can you imagine for their sake what a win would do up at Buffalo, would suddenly do at the halfway point of their season? And if you look at the Buffalo side of it, same thing. They’re coming off a tough loss, but they have a chance to get to 6-2 and create a little separation from the Jets for the time being before they meet later in the season.
“It’s just a huge game here the first weekend of November.”
This will be the 17th Jets game the Nantz-Simms team has called since '04. (For those who care, the Green & White record in those games is 6-10) and their first since they worked the first two games this season. I think this week's show is a good listen. You can find it on the newyorkjets.com home page or on the Multimedia Home page.
Catch of Distinction
Laveranues Coles' touchdown reception Sunday was significant for more than just beating the Chiefs. It was the first game-winning score in LC's career in the last two minutes of a game or in OT.
In fact, it was the first GW touchdown for the Jets since Santana Moss and Chad Pennington hooked up for a 3-yard toss with 26 seconds left to beat Jacksonville, 13-10, back on Nov. 23, 2003.
Such passes are old hat for Brett Favre, of course, although they don't happen as often as you'd think for a QB who now has 41 fourth-quarter comeback wins to his credit. A year ago his 82-yard pass play with Greg Jennings pulled out the Packers' win at Denver 16 seconds into OT.
But the last time Favre threw a strike that turned a loss into a win in the last two minutes of a game was in 1999, when he hit Antonio Freeman for 21 yards with 1:05 left to lead Green Bay past Tampa Bay, 26-23.
Yellow Fever
On Monday, John from Staten Island asked a question about "more offensive penalties than I can remember." Well, if his memory only goes back eight years, he's right. The Jets offense this season has had 22 penalties marked off against it for 131 yards.
That extrapolates to 50 penalties for 299 yards for the season. And that is a lot for the Jets. The last time the O drew more penalty yards was 2005 with 334 yards. And the last season that was comparable in both flags and yards was 1999, when the offense was hit for 50 penalties for 376 yards.
So yes, work needs to be done there. But the Jets still remain in the top 10 this season in penalties, and since head coach Eric Mangini took over in 2006, the Jets are still first in the NFL in fewest penalties and penalty yards:
| Team | Penalties | Pens/G | Rank | Pen. Yards | Yards/G | Rank |
| JETS | 167 | 4.3 | 1st | 1,317 | 33.8 | 1st |
| Seattle | 185 | 4.7 | 2nd | 1,388 | 35.6 | 2nd |
| Denver | 191 | 4.9 | 3rd | 1,406 | 36.1 | 3rd |
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (37)Ira Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 10:15am ET"While i was at work today i was on hold and the company had a sports trivia on their hold system. If anybody cares the most lop sided score in college fottball history was back in 1916. Georgia Tech had 32 possesions and scored on all of them at defeated the Cumberland Bulldogs 222-0. maybe the Jets can get some game films of that and get some ideas. GO JETS!!!!"
HOGAN Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 10:51am ET"All right something Mangini does well, but def slipping."
mike ex jet fan Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:05am ET"Ray .. So make me understand your comment on Favre .. What your saying is arguably & I believe 1 of the greatest QBs in history & might I say he's been throwing high percentage of INT"S his whole carreer .. Winning Sbs championships has every record a QB can have .. All of a sudden come's to the jets & forgets how 2 play ??? , Every1 makes mistakes his are justified Are yours ?? Just asking"
Larry Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:26am ET"Im sure he iseager. Im watching the game with the volume muted. He is the most anti-Jet biased announcer ive ever heard call a game. Im surprised h didnt have a nervous breakdown when Brady went out. We better be ready this week because if they thought Oakland was a hostile environment this is going to be even worse. They slapped us last year ad theyre going to be lookig to do it again."
sal Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:33am ET"is it the ghost of fabini? new players will do that, growing pains for the o-line, got to get the paper, sounds like magini is blamin Favre according to NFL network, didnt know Favre called the plays."
sal Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:35am ET"ghost of fabini? new players will do that, growing pains for the o-line,I hope Mangini isnt puttin this on favre, Didnt know Favre called the game DECLINED: REPEAT OF COMMENT 2 MINS EARLIER FROM SAME GUY"
mike ex jet fan Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:37am ET"Randy..Didn't catch the bloggers name doesn't matter .. But asked if Curtis Martin was coming 2 be assistant running back coach ? Wouldn't that be like asking Donald thrump to manage the local 7/11"
Todd Berry Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 11:48am ET"We can all sit here and blame Brett for his interception all day but what I don't understand is how Mangini and Scotty get away scott free for their horrible game plan and coaching! The Pat's are tied for 1st place with a QB who has not played since high school. Everyone say it with me COACHING which we don't have!!!"
Ira Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 12:00pm ET"Larry, You're right about the crowd in Buffalo. the fans are really into it and its a lot harder to win there then in Oakland. But i have a hunch the Jets are so overdue for a good complete game it will happen this week."
Scott Behlendorf Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 12:30pm ET"people need to relax about the Favre interceptions. He won the game!!! thats Favre! What Qb wins games with a MINUS TO RATIO? Favre!! lets get off his INT.s as to blame..the coaching needs help!! you have the QB, now use him right.. And people please..get over the INT's !!! thats the way it is...AT least with Favre, you are ALWAYS IN THE GAME!!!"
Ken Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 12:57pm ET"Guys, it is all about BALANCE with the RUN and PASS. Farve doesn't know the JETS WR good enough yet to just pass, pass, pass. You have to establish a BALANCED attack. And I don't understand why the JETS haven't been using the PLAY ACTION FAKE with Farve. Farve is known for his great Play Action Faking. So WHY aren't the JETS using PLAY ACTION to help hold the "D" with Farve?"
Jeremy Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 1:06pm ET"Need to see Keller work the middle of the field. Need to see TJ & Leon touch the ball 30 times. If Baker & Franks are out why not just put a Big body on the end and run the ball and use the Play/Run Action to get LC, JC & Stuckey some big play. Shotty hasn't showed any signs of learning from his mistakes-very troubling. B. Smith needs to handle a couple snaps every game for change of pace!!! "
Ray Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 2:03pm ET"Well mike ex, my response to your drivel is simply this. First, start putting your comments on the proper radar so ANYONE can remotely understand what your talking about. And second, you were responding to "ray" whom I don't know and don't share the same opinions with. Any other stupid accusations? Just asking."
Row Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 3:14pm ET"CBS-sports did report on a disgruntled locker room. www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/11069967 Personally I feel a coach should make the best calls for the team. If I were Herm Edwards, I would start LJ every week I could, b/c that's what's best for the team. You get paid to win football games, so if Eric has a problem with running the ball or telling his OC to take a seat, then he is not a Coach."
mike ex jet fan Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 3:18pm ET" Ray .. Don't remember saying or asking which Ray it was just responding 2 a comment .. Getting a little defencive are we .... Ray or am I talking to the ray ??????????????????????????? "
MikeMc Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 5:04pm ET"Todd Berry you are delusional, how can you blame Mangini when the ball is in Favre's hands. Stop it everyone! The players are responsible for the execution on the playing field. There is no quit in these guys & thats a reflection of the coach. All the greats are lucky to have 1 or 2 rings in their careers, Mangini works hard & the players respect him. He will get the job done quicker than Cowher."
Xavion Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 5:52pm ET"Its Phil simms that is such an antiJet Biased I think Jim Nantz is Ok I knew Nugent was going to miss that kick as soon as phil simms stated that hge has never missed against Miami. He is a Jet Curse When we win this game he will have nothing nice to say. He blame Buffalo but not comend the Jets I'll bet on it. "
Xavion Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 5:57pm ET"This is a crucial Game. We win and Ind handles the Pats Its a 3 way Tie for the Division and a chance for us to move ahead Right now Miami is the only team with more than one Division Win and they are on the bottom and Guess what only one game behind the Jets. Miami is playing better football then us with less talent. This is an indictment of the coaching Mangini & co are not getting the Job done"
Xavion Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 6:03pm ET"Allow me to correct myself I dont think its the Coaching I think it 's the Play calling. TheTeam seem to be playing hard. They 're fairly disciplined Its bad calls on Offense and Defense that kill us How do you not make Adjustments to cover middle of field. Use more Play action On teams that have to be cautious of a running game that is killing them. Call plays that take adv of mismatches."
Wayne Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 6:37pm ET"MikeMc, I don't know how long you've been a Jet fan but I'm going on 40 years & a good coach with good gameplans would be doing much better then Mangini. He is emotiionless on & off the field & is anything but a motivator. A Bellichick wannabe, he doesn't prepare his team to exploit the opponents weakness. Against the Raiders he comes out w/o a RB & has Favre dump it off for 12 plays in a row."
Anonymous Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 7:07pm ET"Sometimes you have to run to set up the pass & sometimes pass to set up the run.Shottys playcalling has been predictable & rubish.The secondary has been too inconstent.Hey, they got schredded by Raiders & Chiefs no name QB's This is unacceptable after spending 100 million to solidify the O & D lines.Favre has been under extreme pressure every game & would be alot more effective if he had more tim"
SCOTT Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 7:17pm ET"One thing thats missing. Favre changing the play at the lind of scrimmage. I heard he chnaged over 70% of ther plays at the line in GB. I don't think he is doing it here...could be wrong, but I don't see that option, whether he knows the offense or not..."
mike ex jet fan Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 7:26pm ET"Mikey MC ... your right again the coaches are doing G8.. Oakland game 3 possessions in over time & couldn't hit the fifty yard line .. Definitely sighs of g8 coaching .. B Cowher would have blown them away & never been in that situation & his player do have rings .. How many has mangini gotten us ,, Your right sure glad we have mangini & not Cowher "
sal Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 9:03pm ET"another note, they dont even bother w/play action either, i guess they are planning 2nd qtr onside kicks, or maybe 3 and short passinng plays, or practicing brad smith end arounds,etc."
sal Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 10:24pm ET"mike is that gr8 as in great or gate as in g8, if mangini dont get it right cowher would be gr8 w/ this team, im rooting for mangini and tthe GM i hope they get it right"
mike ex jet fan Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 10:33pm ET"I'll say it again our 3-4 D isn't working.. last week changed up we rushed 5 or 6 got 4 sacks we ran the ball 14 times with Tj won the game ... Oakland game didn't change up D no sacks ran the ball what close to 30 times over 220 yards lost the game... . U have 2 throw 2 win games period & mix the run in all good teams throw 1st then run .....This is 2008 not 1940... U PLAY 2 WIN THE GAME"
Ray Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 3:34am ET"Mike ex, nice backpeddle, you should be a db. Or is this Mike Vet oh wait I mean michael ex. "
Larry Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 9:54am ET"IRA. Your optimism always picks me up on a bad day. I love it. Im screaming for a win every week too. Going back to about game 3 of last year there is just such a total lack of confidence in this coaching staff every game scares me. This total breakdown of discipline,missed assignments and horrible game plans all comes from ineffective coaching. Individual mistakes are on the players."
MikeMc Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 2:19pm ET"Wayne I go back 35 yrs as a fan & 15 as a season ticket holder. My biggest fear is coaching change, I feel this is the reason we have not had any longterm success, new coaches new philosophy, new players & a new 5 year plan. I believe in Mangini, he knows football & as long as the players respect & play for him we'll win or at least be in the hunt. The players need to perform, thats their job!"
Kevin Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 2:34pm ET"This is a HUGE game for the Jets if we want to really be a contender within the division. The Jets need to get off to a good start to build momentum early. Looks like Harris will be out, but I think Bowens will do a nice job in his place and will see some differnt looks from the defense. I just hope to see a more balanced offense and maybe take advantage of the banged up Buffalo secondary."
Kevin Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 2:36pm ET"Also, Evans has owned the Jets. The key matchup Sunday will be Revis vs. Evans. I'm also excited to see the Lowery and Parish matchup. "
oldtimegreen Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 3:21pm ET"Randy, A tad nebulous, no? Is the posted "Penalties" chart for the entire Mangini regime; just for the offense; or entire team??"
Randy Lange Said:
"A tad nebulous? No. You've got to read the lead-in: "Since head coach Eric Mangini took over in 2006, the Jets are still first in the NFL in fewest penalties and penalty yards." The chart is for all penalties, for the entire NFL and for the entire Mangini tenure from 2006, Week 1, through 2008, Week 8."
Southernlady Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 4:18pm ET"Let me just say this, if Mangini is blaming Brett I have lost all respect for him as a coach. I think that is not only distasteful but it does nothing to help this team come together and move ahead. Brett has supported both Eric and Shotty this whole time and to blame him now is a complete disgrace on Eric. How does that help the chemistry of this team?"
MikeMc Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 6:15pm ET"Southernlady, theres plenty of blame to go around, its clear you are all Brett all the time. Brett needs to take care of the football, Qb's get the credit when things are going well & they get the blame when they throw 11 picks. Be a Jet fan not just a Favre fan."
Tom Spicer Said:
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 9:01pm ET"MikeMc l would like to give you the same advice you gave to Southernlady you blame Favre but I have not heard you say anything about how bad Schotty is or how bad our O line is & I have even heard you say the Mangni has done a good job but he is 18 & 21 "
MikeMc Said:
Sat, November 1, 2008 - 9:40am ET"Spicer ,your probably right. Its not how I truly feel though, I'm just trying to bring balance. When I read about all this undying love for Favre & this vitriol for Mangini & co. I feel compelled to respond. I have posted in the past that there is plenty of blame to go around incl. Mangini , Favre, the O-line, Baker falling,Coles dropping passes,No gholston,drew coleman can't cover, Nugent & more."
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Ira Said:
Thu, October 30, 2008 - 10:09am ET"Randy, Great post. A few things. What John mentioned makes sense with the new o-line and a new QB. They will be in sync better the 2nd half of the year. That 03 TD catch by Moss i remember he was defended by R. Mathis who was a rookie. You could just tell he was going to be a good one even then. And both LC's catch and Moss' were both in the same corner and side of the field."
Offensive Comment?