Former Punter Greg Gantt Dies

Former NY Jets punter Greg Gantt, from Alabama, died on October 26th at age 59. He was suffering from heart disease and diabetes. Gantt punted for the NY Jets during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.


He returned to Birmingham Alabama after leaving the Jets to work in the recycling business.


A graveside Service will be held at Southern Heritage Cemetery at 1:00 pm Monday October 31st.

New York Jets Flying High Over San Diego!

The New York Jets won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.  LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for nine yards to the New York twenty-nine yard line on the first play of the game.  It seemed like things were off to a good start. Three plays later, Mark Sanchez threw a short ten yard pass to Tightend Dustin Keller; who then managed to fumble the ball.  San Diego recovered the ball and returned it thirty-seven yards for a touchdown.  At the thirteen minute and eleven second mark of the first quarter, the Jets were already down by seven points.

The Jets received the ball on the next possession, after a touchback from a Nick Novak kick, and went right back to work.  Sanchez hit Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes for eight yards to the New York twenty-eight.  After a first down from Shonn Greene, Sanchez hit Plaxico Burress for fifteen yards out to the Jets forty-six yard line.  The Chargers donated an additional five yards on an Offsides Penalty by Antonio Garay.  Then Greene made a contribution of his own on the next play, rushing for twenty-four yards to the Chargers twenty-five yard line.  Vaughn Martin, of San Diego, was Offsides; landing the Jets at the Chargers seventeen yard line. At this point the Jets began to self destruct in the Red Zone, so Nick Folk came on to complete a thirty five yard field goal.  At the eight minute and twenty-eight second mark the score was San Diego 7, New York 3.

New York’s Aaron Maybin sacked Quarterback Philip Rivers for a seven yard loss on third down; causing Mike Scifres to punt.  On third down of this possession, Sanchez hit Keller on the San Diego thirty-four yard line.  Keller then delivered again on third down, making a reception at the Chargers twenty-three.  But Center Nick Mangold returned Keller’s ten yards to San Diego on a Holding Penalty; landing the Jets with a first and twenty to go.  After an Offsides penalty by Cam Thomas of the Chargers, Sanchez threw an interception. The pass intended for Burress was picked off by Eric Weddle and returned for twenty-five yards with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter.  In a little over three minutes, Rivers managed to move the San Diego Chargers forty-five yards to the Jets thirty-one yard line ending the First Quarter; after two twelve yard catches by the big Tighend, Antonio Gates.

At the start of the Second Quarter Rivers completed a pass to one of his most prolific receivers, Vincent Jackson, for fifteen yards.  Runningback Mike Tolbert then ran for twelve yards on two carries; landing the Chargers at the Jets twelve.  Three plays later, on third down and two, Rivers hit Gates for a Touchdown.  The score was now Chargers over the Jets fourteen to three.

The Jets finally answered the call after the second San Diego touchdown. Greene rushed for nine yard to the New York thirty-two.  After three consecutive penalties, one for five yards by the Jets and two for nineteen yards by the Chargers New York landed at the forty-nine yard line. Yes, one of those penalties was Pass Interference on Quentin Jammer of San Diego.  Greene rushed for five more yards before Sanchez hit Holmes on a sixteen yard gainer to the Chargers twenty-eight.  San Diego’s Donald Butler contributed another three yards on their second Pass Interference penalty of the Second Quarter.  Sanchez then threw to Tomlinson for a nineteen yard addition to this drive, placing the ball on the Chargers six yard line.  At the eight minute and seven second mark New York called a timeout. After their returned to the field San Diego was charged with an Offsides penalty by Jacques Cesaire landing New York at the three.  Three minutes later San Diego called a Timeout.  Only two plays later, Sanchez found Burress for a touchdown.  All of a sudden the score was Chargers fourteen and Jets ten; we now have ourselves a game.

At the two minute and fifty-three second mark, New York called a Timeout with the Chargers threatening at the New York eight.  The Jets are then hit with a Pass Interference penalty; placing the ball on the Jets seven yard line. Rivers hands off to Tolbert who finally rushes for a Touchdown on the third attempt; with a minute and sixteen seconds remaining. At Half time the Chargers twenty-one and the Jets ten.

The Jets opened Third Quarter with rigor and purpose. On New York’s first possession Sanchez ran right for twenty-five yards to the Jets thirty-seven.  The Jets picked up an additional five yards on an Offsides Penalty by the Chargers Travis LaBoy. Three plays later Shaun Phillips sacked Sanchez for a loss of eight yards; leading to a punt by T.J. Conley. But New York’s defense held and they got the ball back after three and out.

Sanchez then proceeded to move the ball around and mix up his play calling. Utilizing Greene, Jeremy Kerley and Keller they moved the ball to the San Diego nineteen yard line with four minutes and seventeen seconds remaining in the Third Quarter.  Then Sanchez hit Burress for another Touchdown; bring the Jets within four points of San Diego.

The Jets defense rose to the occasion by sending Rivers and his crew to the sidelines after a quick three and out.  But the Jets shot themselves in the foot with penalties. Mangold was call on an Illegal Player Downfield for five yards and again for a Holding Penalty, which cost New York another ten yards.  The Jets were forced to punt at the beginning of the Fourth Quarter.

Rivers and his crew returned to the field and managed the clock for over five minutes.  Rivers hit Randy McMichael for a thirty yard gainer; down to the Jets thirty.  It looked like San Diego was about to close this game out.  Then all of a sudden out of nowhere Rivers throws down field to Jackson and Darelle Revis intercepts the pass.  Revis returns the ball sixty-four yards to the San Diego nineteen yard line. After a few plays later Sanchez hits Burress for his third touchdown with eight minutes and forty-four seconds remaining. All of a sudden the score is twenty-one to twenty-four in favor of New York. 

The Chargers hopes faded for good after a Rivers pass on Third Down to Jackson was intercepted by Kyle Wilson; who returned the ball ten yards to the San Diego forty-seven.

The New York Jets took possession of the ball and control of the game at the five minute thirty-four second mark of the Fourth Quarter.  Greene moved New York to the third yard line of San Diego real estate with a minute and forty-eight seconds remaining.  The Chargers called timeout.  After Sanchez was sacked by the Chargers Shaun Phillips for a loss of nine yards, Nick Folk came on to nail a thirty yard field goal. 

Plaxico Burress had the game of a life time; with three touchdown receptions.  Mark Sanchez got sharp as the game progressed.  Sanchez completed eighteen passes on thirty-three attempts, for one hundred seventy-three yards.  Shonn Greene had an awesome day as he rushed for one hundred twelve yards on twenty carries.  Dustin Keller donated fifty-three yards on four pass receptions.

As for the San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers completed sixteen passes on thirty-two attempts for a total of one hundred seventy-nine yards.  Mike Tolbert rushed for fifty-eight yards on eleven carries. Antonio Gates added fifty-four yards with five receptions. 

Philip Rivers must rededicate himself to the game of football if he is to become a Super Bowl champion. San Diego needs the inspiring leader it once had at the quarterback position. Rivers is surrounded by talent, so there is no reason for this team to fail at acquiring those rings.  A new offensive coordinator would accomplish wonders with the Chargers.

While the New York Jets offense continues to improve, I am still amazed at the great effort put forth consistently each week by their defense.  The defense has truly delivered better than quality results for the Jets this season.

The final score was San Diego 21, New York 27.

©Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved (17 USC Sec. 102(a)).

Article by A. Carter for Contemplating New York Jets Football™

New York Jets Stop Miami Dolphins

©Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved (17 USC Sec. 102(a)).

Article by A. Carter for Contemplating New York Jets Football™

Caution, Hazard on the Right!

On the fourth week of the 2011 NFL Season, the New York Jets visited the Baltimore Ravens.  The game began at 8:20 pm.   Predictions were scattered clouds with 15 mile per hour northwest winds and a cool fifty-seven degrees.  But when Inside Linebacker Ray Lewis finished his war dance after racing onto the field, I suddenly remembered another prediction from Ecclesiastes.   “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun”

The last time these two teams met was in the 2010 NFL Season opener at the Meadowlands.   It was a defensive battle from start to finish and the margin of victory for the Baltimore Ravens was only one point.  The New York Jets were held to a total of 179 yards of offense.  But the loss at the hands of the Ravens wasn’t the worst part of the evening; the statistics were!  New York was penalized 14 times for 125 yards.  They managed to convert only six first downs the entire game.  Sanchez came away with nothing after two trips into the Red Zone.  And his quote for the evening, “we need to play smarter”, was an understatement.  The Jets defense was the only bright spot to speak of a year ago.

Monday night in Baltimore got off to an even worse start.  Granted the center, Nick Mangold, was out with a high ankle sprain and the offensive line was out of sync. 

Hence we begin our cautionary tale; Hazard on the right.  On the New York Jets first possession at 12:07 in, Mark Sanchez is sacked by Ravens Ed Reed and fumbles.  Jameel McClain recovered the football and ran 6 yards for a Baltimore touchdown.  Ed Reed had a clean path, from his right, straight to the Jets Quarterback blindside.  Reed was untouched!   It was the same offensive play from December 27^th last year against the Indianapolis Colts.  You remember, Colts Right Defensive End Dwight Freeney!  He blindsided Mark Sanchez twice.  Rex Ryan even made the comment “(D’Brickashaw) Ferguson did the right thing by protecting inside-out and doubling down on the defensive tackle because it was an empty backfield.”  An empty backfield!  Then I wondered, Brian Schottenheimer,  who called this play?  Could it be the guy that designed this play from Bellevue Hospital? 

Try using a Fullback or Wide Receiver on the left side of the offensive line, so Mark Sanchez can have longevity as a New York Quarterback.  Please protect our quarterback Schottenheimer.  This play should not be attempted ever again, unless these changes are adapted.  Balance the equation!  Are you OK Mark?  J  Welcome to Baltimore.

By the second quarter the Ravens had scored three touchdowns on Mark Sanchez fumbles.  Sanchez threw for 119 yards, completing 11 passes on 35 attempts.  Once again he was unable to muster a single touchdown against the Ravens defense.  The Jets were held to only seven first downs.   Rex Ryan’s comment on the defense was "I've been around football a long time and I've never seen anything like that…The performance by their defense was spectacular.”

The only bright spot, once again, for the New York Jets was their defense.   Joe Flacco only threw for 163 yards, completing ten passes on thirty-one attempts.  Ray Rice rushed for 66 yards on twenty-five carries.

There is truly nothing new under the sun. 

!
Look out Sanchez