Biron’s patience paid off as the 32-year-old posted wins in consecutive starts in a six-day span. With the impending Olympic break, Biron did his best to showcase his skills before the league’s March 3 trade deadline.

Islanders coach Scott Gordon said Biron is handling the team’s three-man goaltender situation professionally. Dwayne Roloson and Biron started the campaign as a platoon before Rick DiPietro’s return from injury last month.

Roloson started Sunday night against Ottawa and made 31 saves before the Ottawa Senators scored a trio of third-period goals to send the Islanders into the Olympic break with nine losses in its last 11 games.

The logjam regulated Biron to third-string status that resulted in a conditioning stint in AHL Bridgeport. But Biron returned against Nashville last Tuesday after previously appearing for the Islanders back on Dec. 27. He made 24 saves in a win over the Predators and logged another 38 stops to push the club to a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Biron’s successful week can give general manager Garth Snow leverage in trade talks while also providing the Islanders fledging playoff hopes a much-needed boost before the two-week stoppage for the winter games.

“Marty is at the point where he just wants to play and he’s not thinking a lot about what’s going to happen before and after the deadline,” Gordon said. “With all the inactivity he when Ricky came back, it’s gotten to the point that he’s just happy to be playing.”

The team’s goal-scorers seem happy that Biron is back. Through two games, the Islanders have scored eight regulation goals. That support was lacking in Biron’s earlier appearances as the Isles scored just nine goals in Biron’s seven games before his inactive stretch from Dec. 27-to-Feb.9.

“He’s probably loving the fact he’s getting some goal support [in] making his job a little easier,” Gordon said.

Biron’s start against Steven Stamkos and the Lightning came after DiPietro was scratched with the flu.  He is 203-173-25-22 with a .911 career save percentage and a 2.61 goals against average.

The Islanders are also getting contributions for another Martin: rookie Matt Martin. The 20-year-old tallied two assists in his NHL debut and used his 6-2 frame to give the Isles toughness that had been lacking earlier this season.

When Tampa Bay’s Mattias Ohlund checked top overall draft pick John Tavares hard into the s bench-side boards, Martin immediately skated over to confront Ohlund before Tampa’s Nate Thompson stepped in.

Martin fought Thompson exchanged numerous punches in a fight that ended in a draw. Martin registered 91 penalty minutes in 53 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers before getting promoted.[book id='' /]

Islanders Martin Biron Feature Wrap

Trainor Communications has provided us with this sound from the game.

Henrik Lundqvist

Marian Gaborik

Ryan Callahan

Martin Brodeur

Ilya Kovalchuk

For more information contact Bob Trainor at trainorcomm@gmail.com.

Notes:

• New York has posted a record of 12-4-2 vs. New Jersey since the start of the 2007-08 season; goaltender Henrik Lundqvist improved to 17-6-5 in 28 career regular season appearances vs. New Jersey, including a record of 16-3-4 head-to-head vs. Martin Brodeur.
• The Rangers tallied one goal in three power play opportunities (4:36), and are now five-for-nine (55.6%) on the man advantage in the last two games.
• Henrik Lundqvist stopped 41 of 42 shots to improve to 23-21-6 on the season, including a 12-13-4 mark at MSG; he has now held opponents to two or fewer goals in 21 of his last 28 games dating back to a 2-1 win at Buffalo on Dec. 5, posting a 12-11-5 record, along with a 2.33 goals against average, a .921 save percentage and one shutout over the span; it was Lundqvist’s sixth 40-plus save performance of his career and second of the season, having registered a career-high 45 saves on Jan. 12 vs. New Jersey.
• Rangers Alternate Captain Ryan Callahan notched the game-winning goal and added a power play assist in 22:22 of icetime; he has recorded four points (two goals and two assists) in the last two games; Callahan also led all skaters with six hits, and registered a team-high five shots on net.
• Marian Gaborik opened the game’s scoring with a power play goal at 7:20 of the second period to extend his point streak to five games, registering eight points (six goals and two assists) over the span; he is currently tied for the NHL lead with 13 power play goals, which marks his single-season career-high.
• Rangers Captain Chris Drury tallied the Rangers’ third goal at 9:59 of the second, registered four hits and won a team-high 10 faceoffs in 16 attempts (63%); Drury is now two points shy of 600 career NHL points.
• Brandon Prust tallied his first point as a Ranger with an assist on Drury’s second period goal, and finished the contest with two fighting majors; he is currently tied for the NHL lead with 21 fighting majors on the season.
• Michael Del Zotto registered an assist on Gaborik’s power play goal, and has now recorded a power play assist in each of the last two games; he leads the team with 14 power play assists and ranks third with 17 power play points.
• Matt Gilroy recorded one assist in 14:00 of icetime, and now has two assists in the last two games; the Rangers have now posted a record of 6-3-1 when he registers a point.
• The Blueshirts’ next practice is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8 (11:00 a.m.), at the MSG Training Center.
• The Rangers will conclude their three-game homestand on Wednesday, Feb. 10, vs. the Nashville Predators at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.); the game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on Henrik Lundqvist…

“He played very well.  He made some good saves early.  When they mounted on us in the third period, he made some great saves.  We need it, that is how you win.  We are not the only team, every team that wins gets goaltending.  Henrik is the backbone.  He played very well tonight.”

Henrik Lundqvist on beating New Jersey…

“It doesn’t matter who you play.  The top teams are not that much better than the teams that are in 10th place, they are just more consistent.  The game, itself, is not tougher.  They have been very consistent, that is why they are up there.  Don’t get me wrong, they are a very good team.  It is going to be just as tough to play a seventh place team.  It was a fun game, a lot of action.  We scored some huge goals in the second period.  It was a good game to get.”

Marian Gaborik on the upcoming Winter Olympics…

“Everybody is focused on the season here.  The Olympics hasn’t started yet.  When the day comes we will focus on that but the main focus is the season right now.”

“Every time you win at the Garden, it’s awesome,” said St. John’s coach Norm Roberts who saw his team snap a three game losing streak and win 52-50, their first conference game of the season over the 11-6  Bear Cats.  “Every time you win a Big East game it’s awesome,” added Roberts.

His team is 11-5 overall, 1-3 and more importantly this was a win that was needed. Because now the Storm will be tested as they get into the thick of the conference schedule. St. John’s also snapped a three game losing streak to the Bearcats dropping two games they played against them last season.

And for Hardy, who matched a career high with 19 points, the win was extra special. He was the impact player from the Bronx who spoiled the homecoming of Bearcat freshman Lance Stephenson, the all-time PSAL scoring leader from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn who won four city championships on the same Garden floor,

Hardy would get fouled in the final moments of a game that saw both teams have their lowest point productions of the season. He went to the free throw line, made both, going a perfect 6-for-6 at the charity stripe. But those final moments, of an otherwise dull contest are what make Big East Basketball contests at the Garden so unique when two New York City players are involved in the outcome.

“We just wanted to spoil his homecoming basically,” said Hardy about his reunion with Stephenson who considered St. John’s but opted for Cincinnati. “They needed a win but we needed it more being that we didn’t have a win in Big East play.  So we just wanted to get in his head and keep him from scoring as many points as possible.”

Stephenson struggled, the entire game finishing with seven points and could not get the ball inbounds in the final seconds. Hardy would win the battle forcing two deciding turnovers that got him to the line. “There are a lot of positives except the last 10 seconds,” commented Cincinnati coach Mike Cronin who saw his team fall to 2-3 in the conference.

What Roberts hopes for is more significant play from Hardy. The close conference games like this one would not have been won by the Storm the past few years. “Everybody has a role and Hardy knows his role,” said Roberts adding that his point guard can score and be aggressive.

And more importantly, after losing a tough conference game at home to Providence last week in Queens, this win showed that the Storm may be getting close. “We’re going to have to grind it out to get confident in what we’re doing,” said Roberts, “because we’re really, really close.”

FORDHAM RETURNS TO GARDEN AND ANOTHER LOSS: In the second game of the Garden doubleheader the Fordham University Rams made their first appearance at the arena since 2002.  It was not a good return as Fordham lost their eighth straight losing to Dayton 74-58 in an Atlantic 10 Conference game.

It looked promising for the Rams, (2-13, 0-3) in the first half but Dayton went on a 11-0 run in the second half.   Brenton Butler led Fordham with 20 points and his 3-point basket with 10:33 left in the game was the last field goal for the Rams.

“I thought the kids played hard again but Dayton was able to constantly bring in fresh players from the bench” said interim head coach Jared Grasso who is 1-9 since replacing Dereck Whittenburg on December 3^rd. “I am proud of our effort but we have to be 40 minutes good, not 25 or 30.”

Next for the Rams is another conference tilt at their Rose Hill gym on Saturday against the Rhode Island Rams at 2pm.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

After the season opening loss to Boise State, Oregon rattled off 10 wins in 11 games. Their only loss was to Stanford on November 7^th 51-42. Four of their wins were against top 25 teams (Utah, Cal, USC, and Oregon State). Their win over Cal was when the Golden Bears were ranked number six in the nation at the time, and their victory over USC was when the Trojans were ranked number five. The Ducks won those two games by a combined score of 89-20.

Oregon enters the Rose Bowl with one of the highest powered offense in the country. They rank 25^th in Total Offense with 424.7 yards per game, sixth in Rushing Offense with 236.1 yards per game, and seventh in scoring with 37.7 points per game. The offense starts with the exceptional play of Junior Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. He is the key to the Ducks spread offense. After a slow start, Masoli finished 2009 with 2066 yards passing, 15 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He also added 659 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. LaGarrette Blount’s suspension gave way to Redshirt Freshman’s LaMichael James’ emergence in the Duck backfield. James developed into a star by running for 1476 yards and 14 touchdowns, while gaining 6.9 yards per carry. Masoli’s two favorite targets through the air are receiver Jeff Maehl (686 yards and six touchdowns) and athletic Tight End Ed Dickson (551 yards and six touchdowns).

Oregon’s defense has been strong for most of the season. Their statistics are middle of the pack for the NCAA, but they rank third in the Pac 10 in total defense and pass defense. And while they rank fifth in rush defense in the Pac 10, they rank first in average yards per carry (3.4 yards per carry). Their 32 sacks also rank third in the Pac 10 and tied for 22^nd in the nation. The Ducks are second in the Pac 10 with 13 interceptions. Led by speedy linebackers Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger, and their versatile safety TJ Ward, the Oregon defense is an underrated unit that could surprise everyone with their play versus Ohio State.

Just like with Oregon’s offense and Jeremiah Masoli, Ohio State’s offense revolves around Quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has struggled throwing the ball, completing just 55.8% of his passes for 1828 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But Pryor also is the Buckeyes’ leading rusher with 707 yards and seven touchdowns. Pryor’s favorite target is sophomore receiver DeVier Posey (52 receptions, 727 yards, and seven touchdowns). Posey has caught almost twice as many passes as the second leaving receiver, Dane Sanzenbacher (27 receptions).

But the big reason Ohio State finished the 2009 season 10-2 is their defense. The Buckeyes rank fifth in the country in points per game given up (12.2), fifth in total defense (262. 5 yards per game), fifth in rush defense (83.4 yards per game, and 17^th in pass defense (179.1 yards per game). Ohio State also ranks second in the FBS in interceptions with 23.

The 2010 Rose Bowl is a matchup between teams with different football philosophies and will be a clash of differing styles. Will Oregon’s fast-paced, no huddle offense be able to break through the rock solid Ohio State defense? Who will win the matchup between Oregon’s fast, aggressive defense and Ohio State’s conservative offense? Can Ohio State rebound from their past BCS Bowl failures? The Ducks speed and offense appear to be too much for Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Look for Oregon to get several big plays against the Buckeye defense and the Ohio State offense struggle versus the Duck speed on defense as the Ducks win 31-17.

Ego’s aside, the Vikings need to let Favre lead…

The proof is definitely in the pudding and if you cared to take a taste last night watching Monday night football, you would come to the same conclusion. The Vikings need to cater the offense around what Favre can do. In a methodical run first offensive approach the Vikings mounted no offensive threat; 82 total yards (53 rushing, 36 passing) and four first downs. In the second half the Vikings were a different team with more purpose led by Brett Favre. In the second half he led the team to 30 points, completing 21 of 31 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Another big stat, first half rushing 14 carries for 53 yards, second half rushing 19 carries for 70 yards and two scores.

So much for poor play in December….

The Cowboys entered the month of December being highly criticized for their so-called past failures during the holiday season. And the one player being most scrutinized for these shortcomings was their quarterback Tony Romo. After dropping their first two games in December the critics were relentless, and Romo was caught in the middle, but he could hardly be faulted for poor play. Since the two losses the Cowboys rebounded with impressive wins over the Saints and Redskins. When you look over Romo’s play the past month, seven touchdowns, 300 yards passing per game, and no turnovers, he’s been as good as good gets. He’s been as big a reason for the Cowboys success this season and being in their current position. In their Week 17 season finale they’ll face the Eagles for all the marbles; NFC East Division title and a shot at the second seed in the NFC (a first round bye). So much for Romo’s poor play.

Riding Warner into the post season…..

The Cardinal’s head coach Ken Whisenhunt may be conservative by nature coming from his early coaching roots in Pittsburgh, but he’s no gambler. It appears he likes the sure thing like the rest of us. Against the Rams he let his veteran quarterback Kurt Warner sling the rock early and often to build the early lead. In the first half Warner tossed the pigskin 23 times for 216 yards and connected on two scores to put the Cards ahead 17-0 at the half. With the big lead Warner only needed 15 passes in the second half, conversely the ground game was quiet with 13 runs in the first half and got most of its work in the second half (16 run plays). We’d expect to see more of this formula going into the post season.

More fantasy Notes

“Late Season Heroes”

With the chance to play more, the Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart has the most of his opportunity. With starter DeAngelo Williams (ankle) sidelined, Stewart has started the last two weeks and totaled 315 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. He’s also added four receptions for another 30 yards and a score. With a meaningless season finale it’s hard to imagine Williams suiting up if his ankle is less than 100 percent, against the Saints (who may rest some starters) Stewart could have another field day.

The Cowboys may have found that missing piece that will help their passing game stay off the ground in the post season. Over the past five weeks Austin has returned to that form that burst onto the scene in weeks 5 & 7. In his last five games the Cowboys big play threat is averaging over seven catches and 110 yards per game with a total of four touchdowns. He’s easily Romo’s favorite downfield threat.

Jerome Harrison has emerged as a late season hero with his big performances over the past two weeks. The Browns running back has rushed for over 430 yards in his last two games as the teams starter and added four touchdowns. While his big numbers have come against poor run defenses, the totals are still staggering and enough to move him (if he’s the starter in Cleveland) up the rankings some for next season.

Continuing his bounce back season the Ravens tight end Todd Heap has really come on the last couple of weeks as a big-time redzoen target. In his last two games Heap has been targeted four times in the red-zone and has scored on all four plays. For the season Heap has 51 receptions, 551 yards receiving, and six touchdowns; all big improvements from last season. Expect to see his number called again on Sunday against the Raiders.

There’s no question that one of this season’s biggest late season hero has been the Chief’s running back Jamaal Charles. For those owners that were lucky to nab him just before the fantasy playoffs, they were able to ride his hot foot right through their league post season. In weeks 14-16 (most fantasy leagues playoffs), Charles averaged 19 fantasy points (399 yards rushing, 76 yards receiving, & two rushing touchdowns). Not a bad late run for a back up running back when the season started.

Even though they may not have anything left to play for in the regular season, it may make great sense for Philip Rivers and the Chargers to keep doing what they do best. Over the past two and a half months only the Colts have been as good and no one’s been better than Rivers. The Chargers have rattled off nine straight wins and look like a formidable opponent for everyone heading into the post season. Why? It’s very simple, Rivers has masterd the art of the vertical game. In his last nine starts Rivers has thrown 18 touchdowns and passed for 263-yards per game. He has been unbeatable as a starter (17-0) in December and appears poised to lead San Diego deep in the playoffs. Fantasy owners would agree Rivers should keep doing what he does best.

If it ain’t Broke don’t fix-it….

The Colts have been in this precarious position once before and to put it simply, “don’t fix things if they ain’t broke.” The Colts offense led by Peyton Manning has been not only outstanding, but at times this season it has been dominant. Manning is the epitome of consistency and every week he seems to be in a class of his own, finding ways to keep winning. While the Colts remain unbeaten they have not been perfect, but when Manning (33 touchdowns in 2009) passes for 300 yards every game (nine times this season) they are awful tough to beat. With two games left and a chance for an unbeaten season, the Colts really want to keep riding that winning feeling right into the post season. Rest may seem like a good idea, but when you have an offense and a Peyton Manning firing on all pistons while tamper with that formula. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.; let your players play.

Expect the Eagles to keep soaring…..

The Eagles and Donovan McNabb may be one of the few favorite fantasy offenses left this season with great incentive to go out this weekend and keep doing what they do best. McNabb was banged up a bit early in the season, but since has begun to take flight with his explosive Eagles offense (28.5 points per game/ranked 2nd). One of the keys has been the explosive DeSean Jackson (8 touchdowns) and McNabbs favorite red-zone target tight end Brent Celek (7 touchdowns). The Eagles are now using a full rotation of receiving opitons; last Sunday against the Niners McNabb completed passes to eight different receivers. With Brian Westbrook expected to return to action this week, there’s really no reason to expect anything different from Andy Reid’s offense. It should be all about passing and scoring once again as McNabb will look to soar on Sunday against the Broncos.

More fantasy Notes

The Texans quarterback Matt Schaub appears to be just warming up. With consecutive 360-yard passing games and three touchdowns to just one pick, Schaub looks like a lock to have a big passing day against a Dolphins secondary (ranked 23rd against the pass) that surrendered three touchdown passes to the Titans last Sunday.

The Niner’s offense in recent weeks has managed to get back to the basics and hand the ball to running back Frank Gore. With 41 carries in his last two starts Gore has ran for 274 yards on the ground and scored once. With the Lions (ranked 24th against the run) and Rams (ranked 27th against the run) next on the schedule Gore looks to finish strong in 2009.

The Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has been making the most of his oppoprtunity as the team’s featured running back with Ronnie Brown on IR. Williams is averaging nearly 100 yards per game over his last six games and has scored six times. With the Texans (ranked 17th against the run) up next Williams looks to be a very good start in Week 16 for fantasy owners.

Quietly and before anyone could forget about him the Chargers superstar receiver Vincent Jackson is back at it doing what he does so well. The playmaking wideout has put together back to back 100 yard receiving games while snagging 12 balls along the way. This past Sunday against the Bengals he was a one man wrecking creew catching two passes for scores. Although the Titans are healthy and playing well, because of his 6′5″ frame, Jackson is always a tough matchup and a must play.

Very much under the fantasy radar, the Packers tight end Jermichael Finley has been a solid go to receiver for the past several weeks. In his last three games Finley is averaging a cool 74 yard receiving with a total of 21 receptions. The tight end also has three touchdowns over the same span and looks to continue to be the Packers go-to target over the middle. Next week he’ll have a very good matchup against the Seahawks 29th ranked pass defense.

Whatever it is, though, this is a different man than the one who lashed into his team last week for lack of hustle against the New York Islanders.

“I didn’t say too much to the team about it,” the coach said. “They are professional athletes and they know what went on here prior. We haven’t won consistently here. You want to win on the road, but you are not going to get anywhere if you don’t establish yourself at home.”

And tonight the Rangers finally won at home with a very good 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

“I am thinking I am playing really well, but the guys in front of me are playing really, really well,” said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who had 33 saves. “They are really making a difference.”

Actually what worked was the fear of Torts. After lashing out at his team last week and then benching Ales Kotalik and Wade Redden for two games, the Rangers responded with impressive wins on the Island, Philadelphia, and in Carolina. They are hustling, playing strong off the puck, and taking chance.

More importantly, they are winning games they would have lost two weeks ago.

“I think it comes from being embarrassed from that night against the Islanders,” said Vinny Prospal, who scored two goals in tonight’s match. “We had a team meeting and there were things that were said, that needs to be changed or there may be changes in the locker room.

“We have been playing more disciplined hockey and we have been scoring a little more.”

Now, the benchings and rippings are classic Tortorella tactics. Prospal knows that, as he has seen it in Tampa when “The Paper Italian” ran that club.

“I have seen it a few years ago in some other players,” Prospal said. “Torts, you always know him very well. He always tells the players to step up and play better. It’s all business and he doesn’t mean it in a personal way. It’s all hockey to him.”

And since last Wednesday, the Rangers have been playing nothing but sharp, crisp, games with many of the players stepping up in key spots.

Chris Drury has three goals in the last four – including the game tier in the first period – after Tortorella moved him down in the lineup. The coach said he feels the pressure is off his captain, which allows No. 23 to play “within himself.”

And Kotalik seems to be playing sharper hockey after getting two games rest. Yet, that’s the response Tortorella wanted from his players when he challenged them last week.

“I think we get strong play, strong goaltending, and big goals at key times,” said Marian Gaborik, who scored a beauty breakaway from a sharp angle in the third period off Tomas Vokoun for his lead leading 26^th goal of the season. “I think we’re playing defensively better and we come away with a key offensive or defensive play at key times.”

And that’s what Tortorella was looking for. Look, the Rangers will not be this good every night and there will be some stink bombs out there, but there’s still time for the team to turn the season around. If the Blueshirts can continue with the effort, then they should be fine going into 2010.

And Tortorella should keep his happy disposition up.

With three straight wins against struggling opponents, the 7-6 Jets come back to the Swamp this Sunday to face a once playoff bound team now fighting for its life as well, the 6-7 Atlanta Falcons. Losing starting QB Matt Ryan and one of the NFL’s top RBs Michael Turner to injury has not helped. Still, the Falcons have other weapons, can still put up points, and have played some good teams tough. The Jets, once 3-0, will have to prove that their recent turnaround has been about THEM and about simply enjoying the weakest part of their schedule.

The big question in Jet camp is,  will QB Mark Sanchez be playing? Barring any set backs, the NY Post reports that yes, Sanchez will return. It’s a huge game for Gang Green in 2009. A win puts the Jets at 8-6 and perhaps ahead of a few of the four teams that remain tied for the last playoff spot in the AFC. The Jets won’t however, risk the future of the Sanchise. The coaches will ask Sanchez for an accurate perosanl report on his progress since spraining the MCL in the left knee weeks back.  Head coach Rex Ryan said. “He knows how important this game is to us. He knows that his safety is important to us. I think he’ll definitely be honest with us. He always has been.”

We all know the story that led to this by now right? The Jets brought in Yankee skipper Joe Girardi to teach the rookie how to slide. Days later, the rookie then went on instinct instead, falling head first in Toronto to gain a first down only to injure his other knee for the second straight time in two games. Sanchez didn’t travel to Tampa the following week where backup Kellen Clemens threw erratically yet managed to not turn the ball over; a staple for the Jet game plan in 2009. Ground and pound, no interceptions, stifle THEIR offense with a smothering playmaking defense.

This strategy got the Jets off to a great start. Then Sanchez became interception happy as the Jets plummeted to 4-6. Out came the color coded wristband warning while reminding Sanchez of high risk throws at the wrong time. The interceptions decreased. The injury against the Bills though, left the Jets without their signal caller temporarily. From the looks of Clemens’ performance against the horrid Bucs, the Jets will welcome back Sanchez with open arms. Atlanta does have the 29th ranked pass defense but is Clemens the guy who can expose that? From the looks of last week the answer is no.

The Jets will come into the game with the leagues top rushing offense in yards gained and top defense in yards allowed. Stats that certainly were bolstered over the past three weeks against sub par clubs . Carolina’s star RB Deangelo Williams was not at full speed during the Jet win. Buffalo  backup turned starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick struck little fear while the Bills rushing D was ranked last in the NFL. Then came 1-11 Tampa Bay.  Wins are win though and the Jets avoided three trap games, a feat in itself for a franchise that too often, gets trapped.

RB Thomas Jones, 4th in the league rushing at 1167 yards, is having an outstanding year. Jones will be called upon again to set the tone. For rookie RB Shonn Greene ball security issue has become a problem for offensive coordinator Brian Shottenheimer. Shotty would probably would love to integrate the big play Greene into the gameplan even more. Greene’s yards per carry numbers have been solid each week (6-41 yds last week). . A team like the Jets, that is foundated on defense and no turnovers though, can’t  give the keys away to the castle to a guy who is holding them loosely like Greene has been. As for quarterback, if the reigns are handed over to Clemens again, he’ll have to be better than he was last wee when he went 11-23 for a mere 111 yards. This while missing some very makable completions. The Jets feel though, that Clemens did what was asked of him “We have confidence in Kellen, I thought he managed the game exactly how we needed it,” Rex Ryan said.

Last week the Jets held the Bucs to zero first downs in the first half. Tampa was 0-14 on the day on third down. Darelle Revis once again shut down a top wideout, holding Antonio Bryant to just 22 yards. Falcons backup QB Chris Redman did not struggle last Sunday the way Bucs QB Josh Freeman did, in throwing for only 83 yards. Redman  was 23-34 303 yds in last weeks loss to the Saints.  Future hall of fame TE Tony Gonzalez (788 yds 5TDs) and WR Roddy White (915 yds 8 TDs) are a Falcon pair,  who pose big threats in the passing game. The Jets will benefit however, if Turner remains sidelined. RBs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling though have combined for an average of 3.7 yards per carry, a far cry from Michael Turner’s 4.9 a carry. Turner suffered a high ankle sprain and has missed two straight games. His status is day to day. Ryan suffered turf toe weeks back as well and is also day to day.

At the start of the season Atlanta was looking to grow from their 2008 playoff appearance in QB Ryan’s rookie season. The addition of Gonzalez was thought to have been a key addition for a franchise with serious hopes of a deep postseason run in 2009. Once at 4-2 now at 6-7, the Falcons, like the Jets are still alive but need help and can’t afford another loss.

For the Jets, it will get harder after Atlanta.The undefeated Colts and first place Bengals are the final two opponents on the schedule. Or maybe not. The Colts could be resting starters by then. The Bengals may be doing the same should they clinch the AFC North by then. Cincinnati will also be dealing with the sad loss of  WR Chris Henry,  who died this morning after falling out of a pickup truck during a domestic dispute. The Jet Report sends out it’s condolences to the Henry family and the Bengals franchise. It will be a sad weekend for the entire league because of the Henry situation. Nonetheless, the games will go on. For the Jets, Sunday has become yet another win or else scenario.

THREE KEYS TO THE ATLANTA GAME

JET DEFENSE FORCING TURNOVERS: If Clemens is back the Jets will  DEFINITELY need some short fields. Sanchez won’t be at 100 percent if he  does return, so let’s hope those Revis and Kerry Rhodes interceptions keep coming. Three turnovers will go a long way for Gang Green Sunday.

THROW IT SMART, DON’T THROW SCARED:  Clemens or Sanchez need to keep with the color coded wrist band and throw it smart but throw it effectively. Being conservative doesn’t mean playing scared. Recently it seems as though both Jet QBs are passing while hoping NOT to get picked off. This pair needs to hit open guys. Leaving convertable plays on the field is not playing it safe. Jet passing yards need to come up as do the completion rates. We want over 50 percent completed and at least 175 to 200 yards in the air. That will seal the deal in a game the Jets have control of.

WATCH WOODHEAD: Danny Woodhead is getting more involved. Did you see the third down grab last week? Tough catch, nice run too. The Wayne Chrebet meets Wes Welker type rookie is a great asset to team with a conservative air attack. On a  cold day, this guy could lineup in the slot or backfield. Look for him to move the chains or make a big play on Sunday as the Jets look to increase his role in December.

follow TJ Rosenthal on twitter @ thejetreport

So, in no particular order, here are the first three of Jimmy Scott’s Top 6 Most Shocking MLB Events of All-Time: The Games:

1.  1989 World Series Game 1

Pre-game, Game 3, San Francisco, 1989 World Series.  The Oakland A’s were up two games to none.  Then, the ground shook.

The Bay Bridge collapsed.  More than 2000 buildings were toppled.  63 people were killed and 3,757 were injured.  Game 3, scheduled for October 17th, wouldn’t be played for 10 days.  The A’s would sweep, the first World Series sweep since 1976.

Other than the natural disaster, this was not one of baseball’s most interesting Fall Classics.  Sweeps are never as fun to experience as a 7-game series (think 1991 Twins/Braves), unless your team is doing the sweeping.  It’s unfortunate for both the sweeping Athletics and swept Giants that this World Series is best known for what took place off the field.

2.  1986 World Series Game 6

One could call this game The Bill Buckner & Mookie Wilson Future Card Show Appearance Game.  In other words, it was Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.  Note this followed Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS, in which the Angels Donnie Moore gave up a game-tying home run to Dave Henderson of the Red Sox.  Moore would eventually commit suicide, partially because of his pitching error (he pitched the following inning without the Sox scoring).  But compare Moore’s fate to Bill Buckner’s.  Buckner, a very good hitter, was hobbled and usually replaced for defense.  But on the field in the bottom of the 10th at a packed Shea Stadium with two outs in Game 6, Buckner “let” a ground ball hit off the bat of Mookie Wilson go past his glove and through his legs.  Ray Knight scored the winning run from second base, the Mets came back from the brink of a long and cold winter to win not only Game 6 but Game 7 as well.

But like the famous Steve Bartman Game in the 2003 NLCS, fans forget other circumstances.  Buckner wasn’t the only man to blame.  Boston manager John McNamara, to this day, is criticized for not making the defensive switch, like he did in the regular season.  And while Calvin Shiraldi got two quick outs in the bottom of the 10th, he then gave up consecutive singles to Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchell and Ray Knight.  Bob Stanley relieved and promptly threw a wild pitch during the Wilson at-bat, which led Kevin Mitchell to score the tying run from third and Ray Knight to get into scoring position at 2nd base.  Buckner made the error and Game 6 was won by the Mets.

It was a swift victory, completely surprising.  And because it involved a New York team, because Vin Scully was doing the play-by-play for NBC, and because it was against Boston, one of baseball’s most storied franchises, Game 6 goes down as one of the most shocking games of all-time.

3.  The Pine Tar Game

Just a regular game in 1983.  Reliever Mike Armstrong got the win.  Dan Quisenberry got the save.  Game-winning home run by George Brett in Yankee Stadium.  Only Brett got ejected after the home run, as did manager Dick Howser, coach Rocky Colavito and pitcher Gaylord Perry.  Why was Perry ejected?  For giving Brett’s home run bat to a bat boy and telling him to hide it.  Why did they hide the bat?  Pine Tar.

What is Pine Tar?  It’s a sticky substance that’s source is pine tree stumps and roots that, after an intensely high-heating process, “has a long history as a wood preservative, as a wood sealant for maritime use, in roofing construction and maintenance, in soaps such as Packer’s Pine Tar Soap and in the treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha).” [source: Wikipedia]

Pine Tar is also used on baseball bats to give hitters a better grip.  The rules state Pine Tar is allowed on a bat from the knob up to 18 inches.  In the Pine Tar game, Brett was accused by Yankees manager Billy Martin that the Pine Tar on Brett’s bat exceeded what the rules allow.  Brett was ejected and his home run disallowed after the umpires discussed the rule.  Famously, Brett stormed out of the dugout and had to be restrained.  If you read his lips as he erupted, you can see his choice of language was not appropriate for too many churches or mosques.

The Pine Tar Game is most famous for Brett’s eruption, Martin’s protest, and the resumption of the game 25 days later after the umpire ruling was overturned by the American League office.  Approximately 1,200 fans showed up to watch the final four outs of the game, one in which the Royals would win 5 to 4.

For an interesting viewpoint by winning pitcher Armstrong, read THIS.

Coming Soon: Shocking Games Numbers 4-6.

Jimmy Scott is probably the greatest pitcher you’ve never heard of.  Visit Jimmy Scott’s High & Tight to read more from Jimmy and guests Desi Relaford, Eric Valent & Cassidy Dover.  You’ll also hear a new interview every Monday morning with former MLB players, agents, wives and others; giving new outlooks on this great game we call Baseball.  Go there now to hear Jimmy’s latest interviews with Rollie Fingers, Desi Relaford, Brent Mayne and MLB Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.  You can follow Jimmy on Twitter or Facebook.

The controversial decision by Belichick to ice the game against the undefeated Peyton Manning led Colts from his own 28 with a six point lead and just 2:08 left, backfired.  The stunning 35-34 win, capped by Manning’s game winning TD throw to WR Reggie Wayne with 0:15 left after the Pats failed 4th and 2, leaves the Jets only two games back of the hated Pats. The Jets could find themselves just one off the AFC East division lead while owning the head to head tiebreaker with a win in Foxboro Sunday.

Make no bones about it though, Sunday will be a monumental challenge. Maybe the clubs toughest they will face all year. The 6-3  Pats want revenge for their week two loss at the Meadowlands while QB Tom Brady was shaking off  the rust from season ending knee surgery in 2008. They’ll also look to erase the bad taste in their mouth from having the Colts on the ropes, then letting them off the hook. Nonetheless, it’s as good of a position that a Jet team who has lost five of six could’ve hoped for.

The Pats are not the same team the Jets saw in September. The biggest reason is that Tom Brady is back. The Pats most important player is second in the NFL in passing yards with 2,739, trailing only Manning with 2,872.  Brady is tied for second with Drew Brees for TD passes with 19 (again trailing only Manning who has 20). The Brady to Randy Moss combo has also woken up. After the slow start , Moss is now second in the league in both yards with 891 and TDs with seven. Pesky WR Wes Welker, out early in the year with hamstring issues, is healthy again and once again a threat to eat up yardage if too much attention is focused on Moss.

The Jets are at this point, a shell of their early season selves. They own the NFL’s top rushing attack averaging 170 yards per game despite losing Leon Washington for the year out in Oakland. The swagger of the team is gone though. Or missing at least. Mounting losses will do that to a team. By week four as the Jets were headed to New Orleans in what was at the time, a battle of the undefeated, many were calling the Jets defense the top unit in the NFL.  The 27-17 loss in the Big Easy gave Jet fans the first look at the types of mistakes rookieQB Mark Sanchez could make. A key ill advised interception in the end zone to FS Darren Sharper gave the Saints a 10-0 lead and they never looked back. The loss was followed by the defense then getting humbled for the first time as well, as they got torched for 416 yards by the Wildcat in Miami in week 5. Things got worse the following week as the glue of the defense NG Kris Jenkins was lost for the season to a torn ACL during a  week six OT loss to putrid Buffalo. Run stopping has suffered since. Jones-Drew burned the Jets for 123 yards last Sunday. Sanchez threw an astounding 5 interceptions during the Bills loss, raising the questions of how much responsibility the Jets should entrust the rookie with the rest of the way.

The second meeting between the clubs will renew a rivalry that contains a decade of seething hatred. Bill Parcells left New England for the Jets in 1997 then Bill Belichick returned the favor. Slated to be announced as the new Jet coach in 2000, Belichick pulled a trick play out of his book and resigned as “HC” of the Jets at the press conference announcing him. In doing this he avoided the shadow that Parcells as a front office man would’ve cast over his star pupil. Belichick then went on to return to New England where he was Parcells defensive coordinator in the mid nineties,  to win four Super Bowls in New England. Doing it  with the help of a coaching staff that consisted of many former Jet assistants under Parcells.

The rivalry took another odd turn when top Pats assistant Eric Mangini then usurped Belichick’s wishes to go anywhere but the Jets and signed on to become of course, the Jets head coach in 2006. Mangini was immediately locked out of the Foxboro facility. In 2007 after a blowout loss in the opener, “Mangenius” then complained that the Pats were using cameras to spy on the Jet sidelines. This brought about the controversial “Spygate” incident which threatened to ruin Belichick’s credibility and hall of fame resume as new charges against “Belicheat”  seemed to come out of the woodwork every day.

In the Spring of 2009, new Jet head coach Rex Ryan injected some new blood into the storyline by proclaiming that he didn’t come to New York “to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings.” Given the result in week two,  a 16-9 win over Belicheck’s crew, Ryan looked like the leader of team that could talk the talk AND walk the walk. In fact, after the game, outspoken Jet LB Bart Scott defended teammate CB Darelle Revis, who did a great job on perennial All Pro WR Randy Moss, on a day that included a key interception by the Jets top corner on a pass intended for Moss.

“I hear the easy copout by Randy Moss, saying that anybody can guard … that ‘I can play cornerback if I had safety help,’” Scott said. “That was a one-on-one jump ball. I think sometimes you’ve just got to give the man his credit, understand that [Revis] was the better man that day..[Revis] shut him down. He intimidated him. Randy was coming across that middle real slow. Tell him to man up next time and come across the middle like a man if he wants to be a complete receiver.”

Rest assured Moss and the Patriots haven’t forgotten their performance that day or the words exchanged by both clubs after the game.  When it comes to the Jets- Patriots there is no such thing as a short memory, only a long history of bad blood. This brings us now to the latest chapter in the saga.

While Belichick spent Monday trying to justify why he had no faith in his defense down the stretch at  Indy, Ryan spent part of Monday according to locker room reports, giving a passionate plea to his team that drove the rookie head coach to tears.

Offensive lineman Damien Woody reported “He was talking about the situation — this upcoming game with New England and how we’re still there, how we still have a pulse. He said It’s all about us, that nobody believes in us and that we are the only ones who believe we can get things done..He said, ‘I believe in you; I believe you get can get this thing done,’ and that’s when he really got emotional.” Revis added” I haven’t been a part of a meeting where a coach cried like that.”

Emotions. That’s what the Jets need. They played so well early on when they were driven by them. The Jets have to stick together and begin to believe like winners again, because as Woody noted regarding Ryan’s speech, few believe in the Jets right now. Only the players themselves can help change the perception that the Jets season is for all intensive purposes, over. The chance to reinvent themselves and not waste what was a promising start to 2009, presents itself Sunday. Albeit, it’s the first place Pats they are dealing with. The hated Pats. The Tom Brady and Bill Belichick Pats. Drama and daunting task aside, with a win the Jets will be back in business again in the AFC East.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME:

JET PRESSURE ON BRADY. That how the Jets beat the Pats in week two. Brady was rushed, off his timing, and inaccurate. Much of it due to rust, the other, the Jet pressure. Without pressure, you can forget about it.

REVIS MOSS ROUND TWO: The winner of this battle will give his team the edge. “Revis Island” won the first one but Moss has been on fire since and surely remembers the bravado the Jets spoke with in shutting him down.

EMOTION: The Jets have to play with emotion Sunday. There has to be a “back against the wall” and  “us against the world mentality.” This rivalry seems to bring it out naturally, but the Jets shouldn’t wait to get kicked in the face before they decide to  get themselves going. If they do that in Foxboro,  it may be too late.