Flush Bowles

Welcome to Hell. The Jets season spiraled out of control before Halloween, and now at Thanksgiving weekend, it is more apparent than ever that this team needs a full rebuild. According to Football Outsiders innovative DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) system, the 2016 Jets are the 2nd worst team in the league, behind the Browns, with a 27th ranked offense, 23rd ranked defense, and 32nd ranked special teams. This is inexcusable from the seventh highest spending team in the NFL, according to overthecap.com.

Even worse, is that our head coach, Todd Bowles, is more worried about keeping his own job than the future of the franchise. With a second year player, Bryce Petty, and rookie, Christian Hackenberg, the coach has decided to stick with journeyman failure Ryan Fitzpatrick. At 3-7, no one is fooled. This isn't a decision to delay the inevitable. There isn't a soul in Florham Park who believes this team can run the table and compete for a playoff spot.

Head Coach

Todd Bowles has big shoes to fill, replacing the tough talking Rex Ryan last year, and he hasn't lived up to the billing. In 26 games as head coach, the Jets are 13-13, however he has a 1-7 record against teams with winning records. The team has never come out the locker room ready to play under Bowles' reign. They often come out flat and need to ask a game manager to help come from behind. The calm, often boring Bowles, does not have the right personality to be a head coach. He can't inspire a grape. There is no better example of this as to when he was clearly out-coached by Rex Ryan in Week 17 of last year. With the Bills just playing the role of spoiler, they came out ready to win while the Jets looked like they were still hungover from their New Years Eve party.

The most damning evidence against Coach, is that the players have quit on him. Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson have skipped or have been late to multiple team meetings, showing a clear lack of respect. Where was Bowles, when Geno Smith got his jaw broken last year under his watch? Also, his fear of losing the rest of the locker room is the only reason why Bryce Petty isn't starting against the Patriots Sunday. A good head coach demands respect from his team.

Offense

Ryan Fitzpatrick, must have dirty pictures of Woody Johnson and an intern. That's the only thing I can think of as to why he is still starting quarterback of the New York Jets. Not only did he wait until the day camp opened to sign a contract after blowing the Jets season last year, but he lost his job twice this year, only to keep getting another chance. Fitzy is like Mike Myers, you can't kill him. He just keeps coming back worse and worse.

The one thing that worries me, is that as bad as Fitzpatrick has looked, the decision makers still believe he gives us the best chance to win. That's not a good sign for the future of quarterbacks Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, or Mikey Mac's decision making when it comes to the most important position on the field. Jets brass passed up on 10-1 Dak Prescott to pick Hackenberg in the second round (a decision many questioned on draft night).

Quincy Enunwa has been the lone bright spot with the pass catchers. Brandon Marshall has been a non-factor since Eric Decker went down with an injury, and should just stick to being a TV talking head at this point. Eric Decker needed two surgeries, and could reportedly miss some time next season also. You know the position is a mess when some fans are looking forward to butterfingers Devin Smith returning from his torn ACL. I liked the addition of tight end Austin Sefarian Jenkins from Tampa, but an ankle injury has hampered his production. It'll be interesting to see if he can return to form after the bye week.

Matt Forte was a strange signing this offseason, replacing Chris Ivory. The 30 year-old currently has the seventh most carries in the league, but is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. He has also been a non-factor in the passing game, which is a big change of pace from how he was used in Chicago. The other issue is that backup Bilal Powell is a similar type of player. The team, which has been pathetic in the red zone (only scoring a touchdown in 40% of red zone appearances) is missing the big bruiser. 

The offensive line is going to need to begin a complete rehaul in 2017.  The line's stalwart, Nick Mangold is due $9 million next season, with no guaranteed money, so if he doesn't restructure his contract, I can see the team letting him go. Ryan Clady, who is out with a torn rotator cuff, is likely gone also, being due $10.5 million in 2017 with only $500,000 being guaranteed. I can see the Jets going for the less sexy pick, and looking to sure up the left tackle spot early in the draft this year. Brian Winters, Breno Giacomini, and James Carpenter should be back next year.

Defense

The emergence of Leonard Williams this season makes Sheldon Richardson expendable. The three-headed monster in the defensive line doesn't work well together anyway. Whether you think it's because of a lingering effect of his leg injury, or laziness after signing a big contract, this is Mo Wilkerson's worst year as a Jet. The D-line, which should've been the teams biggest strength just hasn't lived up to expectations. Word of Sheldon and Wilk skipping team meetings and practices doesn't bode well for their leadership ability, and could hurt Richardson's trade value.

Three out of the four linebacker positions are set for the near future, with rookies Jordan Jenkins and Darron Lee alongside second year player Lorenzo Maudlin learning on the job. David Harris, who is due $6.5 million with no cap hit, could be asked to take a pay cut. The leader of the defense for the past ten years is starting to show wear and tear on his body. Harris is on pace for less than 100 tackles for the first time since 2011.

The Darelle Revis homecoming has been nothing short of a disaster. After showing signs of erosion, Revis Island is being flooded this year, giving up 100 yards receiving to the likes of Terrelle Pryor and Kenny Britt, when he used to hold Calvin Johnson to 50 yards. Revis himself even admitted he's getting old. I'd be very surprised to see the Jets let Revis come back at $15.3 million with only $6.3 guaranteed. Revis will either renegotiate his contract or be cut. Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams , who is a free agent in 2017, seem to have taken a step back this season as well.

Calvin Pryor's deficiencies in coverage have come back to hurt the Jets several times this year, but his playmaking skills are invaluable on this defense. Marcus Gilchrist has played well in the second year of his contract, getting two interceptions, and not being a liability in the passing game.

If the Jets cut or trade Revis, Clady, Mangold, Richardson, Harris and Marshall they will have $49 million in cap space. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of those guys come back with a renegotiated contract. Unless the team can find an answer at quarterback, wins in 2017 will be hard to find. They are scheduled to play the AFC West and NFC South, two pretty tough divisions. 

Woody Johnson has tried to patchwork the team in previous years, but it hasn't worked. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2010, and needs a full rebuild. They can keep Bowles on one more season and make him the scapegoat at the end of that season, or bring in a new coach now to help build the team he wants. It will be an interesting offseason for Gang Green. 

McGregor Owns New York

UFC 205 lived up to all expectations. The event has set the largest gate in Madison Square Garden, is in the running for the most purchased UFC event in history, Conor McGrergor's win makes him the first UFC fighter to hold gold in multiple weight classes, and was of course the UFC's debut in the Worlds Most Famous Arena.

A majority of the crowd didn't show up until the Khabib Nurmagomedov and Michael Johnson fight, missing the historic first MMA fight in New York between Liz Carmouche and Katlyn Chookagian, and the 3 other early prelims (including two first round knockouts). Khabib's expert grappling and groundwork should be enough to entitle him to be the next contender of the 155 pound title. Nurmagomedov has been outspoken about only fighting for the belt in his next fight, even yelling at Dana White during the fight. The Russian then did a heel turn, calling out McGregor and taunting the Irish fans in attendance.

Next fight up had local hero Frankie Edgar win in typical Frankie fashion. Edgar, who is famous for being to be able to withstand a lot of punishment, was caught with a devastating head kick in the second round by Jeremy Stephens, but was able to outwrestle him for the win. There were a lot of chants of "Who the Fook is that guy" at Stephens, off of McGregor's comment at the press conference. There is a lot of questions about where Edgar goes from here. The Featherweight division is in a holding pattern, with McGregor having to decide which division he wants to stay in, and Jose Aldo holding out. I can't see Frankie getting a third chance against the Brazilian interim Champion, but it's possible he fights the winner of Anthony Pettis and Max Holloway. Another possibility is moving down to 135 for the winner of UFC 207's Dominic Cruz and Cody Garbrandt Bantamweight Championship fight.

Kicking off the pay-per view portion of the card, Raquel Pennington defeated her former head coach on the Ultimate Fighter, Miesha Tate. Tate announced her retirement after the fight, but said it was a spur of the moment decision. I wouldn't be surprised to see her return. Chris Weidman didn't have the same home town advantage as Frankie Edgar, getting caught by a flying knee by Yoel Romero when going for a takedown early in the third round that busted him open.  Yoel called out Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping after the fight.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk had a fairly easy title defense against Karolina Kowalkiewicz, aside from a flurry by the challenger in the fourth round. Then, Tyron Woodley and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson had the Fight of the Night with a closely contended Welterweight Championship fight. Woodley almost had the fight won twice in the fourth round, rocking Wonderboy, and then unable to pull off a tight guillotine choke. After a brief confusion, Bruce Buffer read the scores, saying two judges scored the fight 47-47, with Woodley getting a 10-8 fourth round, and one judge scored the fight 48-47 for Woodley, giving the fight to Woodley by majority decision. Then, during Woodley's interview with Joe Rogan, the decision was changed to a majority draw, with Woodley keeping the belt anyway. This should set up an immediate rematch.

There was no doubt that the Irish fans had taken over Madison Square Garden. Conor McGregor was the most popular fighter, and Philly's Eddie Alvarez was booed heavily. Everyone was on their feet for this fight, with The Notorious One toying with Alvarez, knocking him down three times, before putting him away with a four-punch combo in the second round. UFC dropped the ball by not having two belts for McGregor, needing to borrow Woodley's belt after Conor ranted to Joe Rogan. McGregor came up with another catchphrase telling Joe Rogan how he's rubbed a lot of fighters the wrong way and "I want to apologize... for absolutely nothing". This led the Irish crowd taking over Midtown Manhattan, chanting 'Ole, and the "McGregor Wonderland" song late into the night outside of MSG.

A more humble McGregor approached the media at the post fight press conference. He admitted his girlfriend is having a baby and is nervous about it. He wants to take some time off to be with his family, and will probably fight again in the summer. McGregor also claimed that he'd like an ownership share to get him to fight again. Seeing how the new owners deal with this situation will be interesting. Conor is no doubt their biggest draw, but can they let one man call his own shots?

Before the fight, Dana White said McGregor will have to relinquish one of his belts, and a week later, there has been no talk about which division he will stay in. At Featherweight, he has Jose Aldo waiting for his rematch, as well as Frankie Edgar, Max Holloway, and Anthony Pettis. At Lightweight, the possible contenders are Khabib, Tony Ferguson, and a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz. There are also rumors McGregor will move to 170 to become the first fighter to hold gold in three weight classes.  It will be something to keep an eye on.

UFC 205 was a historic event that lived up to the hype, unlike the disappointing UFC 200. The Octagon didn't feel out of place taking center stage at Madison Square Garden. Dana White said they're probably only running MSG once a year,  but will hold show all around the Empire State, with UFC 209 scheduled for Brooklyn in February.

UFC+NYC+MSG=GOAT

On the 23rd anniversary of the inaugural event, UFC 205 marks the long-awaited debut of the Octagon in New York's Madison Square Garden. It took a lot of political BS to cut through, but the World's Most Famous Arena will get one of the most stacked cards in the promotions history. Seven current or former champions will step foot in the cage, with 3 title belts up for grabs.

The show is headlined by a champion vs champion battle, with current Featherweight Champion 

Conor McGregor taking on Philly's own Eddie Alvarez for the Lightweight Championship. The controversial fight keeps the featherweight belt hostage, as it is McGregor's third fight outside of the weight class since winning the belt in December 2015. Only two men, Randy Couture and BJ Penn, have won belts in two different weight classes, but Conor would be the first to hold two belts consecutively. 

Don't count out Eddie Alvarez though. Alvarez was a big underdog when he knocked out Rafael Dos Anjos on UFC 200 weekend. Alvarez will be wise to try to take the fight to the ground and out wrestle the Irish brawler. If Alvarez is able to withstand McGregor's initial onslaught, this will be a dog fight that will probably go to the judges.

Both guys have done a tremendous job building up hype for this fight. Emotions almost spilt ov'er at the pre-fight press conference in a wild scene. Conor was late again, and after answering a few questions, Eddie walked out until McGregor arrived. Conor arrived in high fashion, rocking a Gucci mink coat, and pretending to come in riding a horse. He snatched the absent Alvarez's belt, and when Eddie came back, he grabbed the belt back and slid his chair out of the way. McGregor responded by picking the chair up Stone Cold style and had to be held back by Dana White and security.

The co-main event is for the Welterweight Championship, between champ Tyron Woodley and contender Stephen Thompson. After his upset win against Robbie Lawler, Woodley called out GSP and Nick Diaz, looking for a big money fight. Wonderboy, who is on a seven-fight winning streak felt like he was being overlooked, and called out the champ. 

This fight should be exciting. The kickboxer, Thompson, has 4 wins by knockout in his last seven fights, and the boxer, Woodley, has had 4 of his last 5 wins come via the knockout. Tyron Woodley is the underdog in this bout because of a suspect gas tank. He's going to have to connect with an early punch like he did against Robbie Lawler to have his best chance at a win.

The Women's Strawweight Belt is on the line as two undefeated Polish women battle for the gold. Joanna Jędrzejczyk is a firecracker and throws punches in bunches. The world started to take notice of her after co-main eventing Ronda Rousey's fight against Holly Holm, and has a chance to steal the show in what could be the biggest PPV in UFC history. Karolina Kowalkiewicz is not a walk over either, but she doesn't have knockout power, and I find it hard to see her matching Joanna's output over 5 rounds.

On top of the 3 title fights, there are 4 more fights that could headline most Fox shows. Chris Weidman could earn a title fight against Michael Bisping with a win in his home state against Yoel Romero. The All-American wrestler has youth on his side against the 39-year old Romero. Miesha Tate returns after losing her Bantamweight title at UFC 200 against Racquel Pennington, in a stylistic mismatch for the former champ. 

Frankie Edgar looks to crawl his way back into the title picture at 145 after his loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 200. The featherweight division is in a holding pattern, with McGregor going for superfights, and an upset Aldo threatening retirement over grumblings with UFC brass. A win against Jeremy Stephens may be "The Answer" to get Frankie back in contention. Finally, Michael Johnson and Khabib Nurmagomedov fight in essentially a number one contender's fight. Khabib was originally reported to fight Alvarez on this card, and has voiced his disappointment of his treatment by the UFC.

New York City waited 23 years for a UFC card, and Dana White and new owner WME-IMG didn't disappoint. Madison Square Garden will be rocking tonight, and I'll be in the building for the best card in the history of the organization. Enjoy the fights everyone!

Rock Battle

Two of my favorite bands, KoRn and Avenged Sevenfold both released their new albums, The Serenity of Suffering and The Stage respectively, within a week of each other. Korn chose a more traditional type of release, releasing four singles before the album came out on October 21. A7X followed in the footsteps of pop acts Beyonce and Kanye West and announced the album was coming out October 28 the night before, after performing on top of the Captiol Records building in Los Angeles.

The Serenity of Suffering is the 12th studio album from the nu metal legends Korn. It was also the second album since the return of guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. It also brought back the old Korn sound, a change from the bands attempts at a more industrial metal sound. This album is one of the band's heaviest since 2002's Untouchables and really blew me away. 

You can hear the pain in Johnathan Davis' voice as he delivers lyrics like 

This cancer finds everything I hide

Living my life horrified

Nothing will keep this pacified and out my life

(Life) Does nobody know I'm insane?

in the first track Insane, one of my favorites. Another stand out for me was A Different World, featuring Slipknot and Stone Sour front man Corey Taylor.  Two songs I liked that weren't previously released as singles was Everything Falls Apart and Black is the Soul.

If there is one criticism I have of the album is that is a little too much of the same. Korn, like bands Disturbed and Five Finger Death Punch, have a distinctive sound that they don't really deviate from. The chest-thumping bass and screaming/singing of Davis has been a staple for me since the first time I heard Got The Life on TRL in 1998.  

I give this album a 4 out of 5.

Safe is the last word I would use to describe The Stage, the seventh studio album from So Cal rockers Avenged Sevenfold. After a lackluster follow up to 2010's Nightmare,  Hail to the King  was the first album written without the help of long time drummer The Rev, who passed away in 2009. The album took fans on a look back at rock icons, that often times seemed like an imitation more than an inspiration. HTTK drummer Arin Ilejay was replaced by Brooks Wackerman on The Stage, making him Avenged's third drummer in as many albums, and it seems like they finally found what they were missing.

From the eight and half minute opener the title track sets the stage, pun intended, for the band to take the listener on a 75 minute trip into space, exploring the topic of artificial intelligence and the Big Bang.  

As an A7X fan I never know what to expect, and that is part of the fun of following their band. The Stage sounds almost like a piece of art rather than a rock album. The first half of the album features some of the best thrash metal in the band's career. My favorite track was Sunny Disposition, which features a full blown orchestra that only Avenged can make work. 

Creating God sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is slower than the first half, but just as good. The band explores an astronaut stuck in space in the track Higher, and Girodano Bruno, an astronomer burned at the stake in the 1600's for herecy, in the track Roman Sky. However, the band saves the best for last with a 15 minute epic, yes 15 minutes. Exist could be the most adventurous song in the band's catalog, yes even more so than a rock opera featuring necrophilia. The song starts with a 6 minute instrumental representing the Big Bang, which is followed by Shadows singing, and then a speech by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. It has be heard to be believed. 

The Stage was described by the band as being a "grower not a shower" and that is the best way to put it. It isn't the best album to try to get someone into the band, but it seems like they are making music that makes them happy. With the return of Synister Gates and Zacky Vengeance's dueling guitars, the wild drumming of Brooks Wackerman, and the haunting singing by M Shadows, it is safe to say Avenged Sevenfold is back!

I give this album a 4.5 out of 5

Here Comes the Pain... Again!!!

UFC 199 was an amazing event in the Octagon. Future Hall of Famer Dan "Hendo" Henderson left fans with an iconic lasting image of him, knocking Hector Lombard out in 1:27 of the second round. Dominick Cruz completed his over nine-year feud with Urijah Faber, which lasted through 3 ACL tears and the demise of the WEC. Michael Bisping, who debuted on the 3rd season of TUF also completed his ten-year journey toward Middleweight gold, defeating Luke Rockhold in 3:36 of the first round.

What transpired outside the cage could be what this event is more remembered for though. The much-anticipated rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor was announced for UFC 202. The fight taken off of the UFC 200 card after Conor refused to fly to Vegas for a press conference. Both fighters wanted the fight to take place, and Dana White knew that it would make a lot of money for him, so this was a no-brainer.

Revered MMA analyst, Ariel Helwani was asked to leave his ringside seat right before the main event and had his press pass revoked indefinitely for breaking news that Zuffa wanted to break themselves. Countless journalists, even those outside of the MMA world, have sided with Helwani, who opened up on the UFC's hypocrisy on his MMA Hour podcast. It is a must-listen this week.

Then....

there was the news that broke the internet. The man who is mostly responsible for my love of MMA, the former WWE and UFC Champion, Brock Lesnar's return fight was announced for UFC 200. Until Ariel Helwani broke the news that Lesnar's return was imminent, it seemed unfathomable. Then, during the main card, they aired a UFC 200 promo, and at the very last second, The Beast appeared, confirming the news. 

Lesnar, who came back to WWE in 2012, following his loss to Alistair Overeem in 2011 at UFC 141, is still under contract with the pro wrestling company. WWE's website called this a "one-off" with the UFC. In an interview with SportsCenter this morning, Lesnar said "The haunting fact that I didn't really want it to be over, so here we are. I'm taking a leap and gonna get back in so that 20 years from now I can say I did it, [instead of saying], 'What if I would have just did it?' To get in there and prove to myself, more importantly, that I can. That's why."

Brock's opponent, Mark Hunt, is no tomato can. The Super-Samoan has walk-off knockout power, and Lesnar was prone to getting rocked in his fights even before his bout with diverticulitis. However, I'll analyze this fight more in depth as we get closer to the event. 

Lesnar's UFC return has many un-answered questions. If Brock looks impressive against Hunt, I highly doubt that this would be his last hurrah in the UFC. Vince McMahon would love to have one of his guys in a "fake" sport come in while still under contract with him, and make it to the top of the UFC's Heavyweight Division. The Heavyweight Title has been in limbo lately, and peak Lesnar could beat Stipe Miocic. I already could see Vince salivating at having his chosen man Roman Reigns beating UFC Champion Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 33 with 80,000 fans booing.

However, with the hope and promise of the old Lesnar coming back, you have to wonder what will happen if he's embarrassed and loses a one-sided fight. Lesnar has his amateur wrestling background, but after a five-year layoff how much will the rust effect his performance. Will a loss in real sport hurt Brock's drawing power in WWE in any way? Also, would Brock really want to have a Summerslam match a little over a month after his loss and will he walk away from his fight unscathed? 

In a span of 72 hours Brock Lesnar has turned UFC and WWE's world upside down. The addition of his fight to UFC 200 really makes the event seem special, and leaves the July 9th card looking like this:

Light Heavyweight Championship Jon Jones (IC) vs Daniel Cormier (C) 

Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt

Interim Featherweight Championship Frankie Edgar vs Jose Aldo

Women's Bantamweight Championsip Miesha Tate (C) vs Amanda Nunes

Cain Velasquez vs Travis Brown

The UFC is on roll right now, and with the return of it's biggest draw in history, it doesn't look like it slowing down anytime soon. 

Losing the Beard

There is no denying what Ryan Fitzpatrick did for the Jets last season, with 39 TDs and 3,900 yards, breaking Vinny Testaverde's franchise touchdown record. However, many fans last memories of Fitzy are his three interceptions in a win-and-in game against our former coach Rex Ryan. Now, Fitzpatrick is playing a game that he can't win.

Reports are that the Jets offered Fitzpatrick a front-loaded, incentive laden, 3-year $24 million contract, where he would earn $12 million the first year. Fitzpatrick countered, saying he would accept a 1-year $12 million deal. The biggest road block to that deal is that the Jets have the third-least remaining salary cap in the league, with just $2.95 million remaining, and none of their rookies signed yet. On Boomer and Carton this morning, Boomer Esiason who understands how the NFL's salary caps works a hell of a lot better than I can even pretend to, said that the numbers in a one-year deal are impossible to work out.

It is clear that both sides are at an impasse right now, and the mud-slinging between the two is guaranteed to ramp up as the season draws closer. Let's call a spade a spade here, Ryan Fitzpatrick is a journeyman quarterback, playing on six teams in eleven seasons in the league. Looking at this situation with 20-20 vision, the Jets could have avoided this situation by offering him a contract extension after trading with the Texans for him, but nobody expected him to be our starter, let alone a near Pro Bowler.  The quarterback market blew up this offseason with crazy contracts being offered to the likes of Chase Daniel, but no other team has even talked to Fitzy. 

The Jets quarterback situation without Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't all sunshine and daisies either. Geno Smith, entering his fourth season in the NFL, has always had the intangibles to be a good quarterback, but has never put it all together on the gridiron. While some of that may be due to lack of a supporting cast, which the Jets have now in Decker, Marshall, and Forte. After him are two guys who never played an NFL snap before, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. That's not to say that neither of these three guys are going to be bad, but they are all huge question marks. 

Fitzy and the Jets are playing high stakes poker and bluffing with pocket deuces. 

With a brutal 6 game stretch to start the season (Cin, @Buf, @KC, Sea, @Pit, @Ari), it might not matter who our quarterback is, the season is more than likely going to be over before Columbus Day. 

The other albatross in all of this is Mo Wilkerson. The Jets offered Big Wilk the franchise tag, which would have him earn over $15 million this season. If there is any hope of signing the Pro Bowler long term, how much can we afford to pay Fitzpatrick? The spending spree Mike MacCagnan went on last season, that brought us to the brink of the playoffs, has hurt us this offseason. With "Snacks" Harrison wearing Big Blue this year, and Sheldon Richardson lucky not to be wearing Prison Orange, but likely to be suspended by Judge Goodell, Wilkerson knows he has leverage.

I believe that when all is said and done, barring an injury to another team's starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick will sign with us before training camp. However, will all the goodwill he made in his first season in New York be gone in the fanbase's eyes?

Me, Mike, and the Mad Dog

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 2002, and I was in high school, and the YES Network was just starting. Before the Yankees game that day, I tuned in to a show called Mike and the Mad Dog. The show was a simulcast of the WFAN sports radio duo of Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo. The pair had been together since 1989, and their show is legendary for being one of the first successful sports talk shows.

I watched or listened to the show on an almost daily basis. Picking up on Mike's heavy New York accent talking about "Derek Jetah and Mariano Riverar" and Mad Dog's quirky sayings like "that's a good job not a TERRIBLE job". They got me through bad losses, like the Yankees 2004 ALCS collapse, and celebrated with me during big wins. On the commute to work and school they kept me company in the car. That was until June 22, 2008.

Mike broke the news on his show that the Mad Dog would be going to Sirius Satellite Radio, and the Mike and The Mad Dog show that I've grown to love was over. Mike Francesa went solo on the show known as "Mike'd Up" and more currently "Mike's On", and a strange thing happened. The 55-year old cranky man who swore against social media became a darling on the platform that he hated the most.

Twitter parody accounts mimicked his accent, people Photoshopped  memes of Mike's famous catchphrases, and Youtube accounts shared clips of him goofing up, like falling asleep while interviewing to Sweeny Murti, thinking a caller was pranking him asking him a question about  Tigers Pitcher Al Albuquerque, and his love for "snowblowahs" turned Mike Francesa into an internet legend.

It was funny to see a large group of people who listen to the same show as you picking up on the same things that made you laugh during his show. At first, Mike got angry at people poking fun at his persona, but that only made it grow stronger. Finally, he realized that we weren't laughing at him, rather laughing with him.

Fast forward to this past Saturday (March 12), the date of Francesacon 3 at Irving Plaza in New York. Francesacon is a whole day put together by Mike Francesa fans to celebrate all thing Mike Francesa. They had people dressing up like him, people with Al Albuquerque shirts, and even impersonators of the Mike and the Mad Dog show doing a live performance. I heard Mike was actually going to attend it this year, and had to go!

I was having a great time at the event, and when the man, the myth, the legend, Mike Francesa took the stage, the whole place ERUPTED with chants of "NUMBAH ONE!" Mike though, had one more surprise up his sleeve. He introduced his former partner Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and the roof literally blew off Irving Plaza.

Over seven years since they made a public appearance together, Mike and Chris were reunited. They riffed and talked sports for a few minutes, but they were there mostly there to promote their upcoming one-time only reunion show at Radio City later this month.

The day got even better when they announced they would take pictures with everyone in attendance. A sea of people surrounded them, and they took their time to take a picture with everyone. Getting to meet my broadcasting idols has always been a dream of mine, and one I never thought I would be able to do. But thanks to Francesacon 3, I was able to accomplish it.

On the eve of the fiftieth Super Bowl the “lost” tape of the inaugural Super Bowl between the Packers and Chiefs was stitched together to be aired on NFL Network. The lack of graphics, instant replays, and other broadcasting technological advancements show how primitive the original game was. This goes to show both how far the NFL has grown in the past fifty years, and how television was instrumental in growing the sport. 

I can’t imagine watching a game without a running clock, a down and distance marker, and the yellow first down line. As technological advances grew, so did the game. The first Super Bowl had 51 million viewers and just 6 cameras. Compare that to Super Bowl 49, which had over 114 million viewers, more than double the first game), and was shot with 36 cameras.

Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who was commissioner from 1960-1989, is credited with having the vision of growing the game by piggybacking with the advancement of broadcast television. Football became more than a sport, it was an event that owned one day of the week. It was under Rozelle that Monday Night Football was created and is now a cultural benchmark. Football is our National Pastime. 

The Super Bowl, the leagues annual showcase became more than just a game. With it’s halftime show and popular commercials, the Super Bowl is now an American Icon. By finding the first Super Bowl In 1967 and comparing it to the game that you will watch on Sunday is like night and day. With it’s humble beginnings now un-earthed in it’s entirety you will finally be able to see how much the NFL has grown.