Interesting how this game actually has Cleveland ties. We all know that Bill Belichick got his start in Cleveland ('91-'95) and caught more than his fair share of grief from us Browns fans. (mainly surrounding his treatment of fan favorite Bernie Kosar) He started his head coaching career with the Browns going 3-13, 6-10, 7-9, 7-9 and then posting an 11-5 record in 1994. (2nd best in the AFC that year) He then went on to have 5-11 record the following year, but I still believe that was due to the midseason announcement of the team's move to Baltimore and the distraction it had become. Would it not have been for Modell's moving of the original team after '95, who knows? Maybe Belichick would have stayed with the Browns and we would have had one or two Super Bowl wins by now? Wishful thinking, I know. Well we all now how his career has gone.
What of Eric Mangini? Well he got his start in 1995 under Belichick with the Brownies, and followed Bill throughout the years to New England, where he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator following the departure of Romeo Crennel to the Browns. He has been the HC of the J!-E!-T!-S!, JETS! JETS! JETS! since 2006. I am sure I do not have to rehash the whole "Spygate" claims he made against his former boss, but there is a great deal of bad blood between the two now.
The game tonight may actually be pretty boring, other than it being a divisonal rivilry game with lots on the line for both teams. I see a defensive-minded game were the team with the ball last wins. With all of the injuries NE has, and a practice squad member at running back behind Matt Cassel, I just can't see Darth Belichick using his knowledge of the Force to pull this one out. Cassel has been adequate, but that's not good enough versus the 10th ranked defense for yards in the NFL*. NYJ only gives up a little more than 75 yards a game on the ground so Cassel will be looked to do more through the air. It does not bode well for him. I see a vintage Brett Favre game tonight, couple TD's, couple picks, tons of yards and the win.
Jets 27, Patsies 20
Till my next unread and mindless post -
HERE WE GO BROWNIES! HERE WE GO! WOOF! WOOF!
*Source - http://www.nfl.com
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DB edit 11/14/08
My prediction was only half right. Jets win 34-31 in OT. Well at least I picked the Jets. That wasn't a defensive battle at all and Matt Cassell looked bound for the HOF! 400 freakin' yards? Nice! But a word to the wise, Derek Anderson was last year's Scott Mitchell, could Cassell be this year's?
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