It was a really un-Jets-like second.
When Boss Scribes gave Darren Mougey the chance to shoot again at Aaron Rodgers’ unflattering portrayal of his ultimate February assembly, the place the quarterback complained about having to fly throughout nation on his dime for what amounted to a 15-minute session, the Jets GM took a move — twice.
“I understand the question,” Mougey mentioned at a Monday press convention. “I addressed that at the combine, but today I just want to talk about the draft and Jets players.”
Whereas the reply was quick and innocuous, it was important.
Jets historical past, going again to Rex Ryan, and manner again to Joe (Willie) Namath, gives ample proof the group is far about media splash, not backing down, and eager to be the focal point regardless of not making the playoffs since 2010.
What higher manner for the brand new mixture of Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn to grab the second, and uphold custom, by blasting Rodgers, who used his nationally televised spin zone (ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show”) to inform the Free World the Jets didn’t bathe him with love and affection throughout the assembly.
If Mougey or Glenn had voiced their beef with Rodgers the retaliatory soliloquys would have set the Valley of the Silly on hearth and lit up areas the place they nonetheless cherish again pages. As a substitute, Mougey took the mature route; a path often known as the excessive street, hardly ever taken by the Jets.
So, Mougey’s resolution to not present oxygen to Rodgers bloviating was a small turning level for the best way the Jets are setting their “culture.” If it’s not only a false begin, it’s a key second for Gang Inexperienced.
It collides with a actuality far completely different than the previous two years with Rodgers because the face of the franchise. The Jets received’t possible be enjoying as many nationally televised video games below the brilliant, however irritating, highlight of prime time. This is likely one of the advantages of not bringing Rodgers again.
And in his first yr as coach, Glenn received’t have any unsure media moments that Rodgers usually instigated.
Neither the sane or insane would ever assure a complete Jets season might move with none controversy, particularly with Woody Johnson nonetheless round.
Nonetheless, the best way Mougey dealt with the Rodgers’ query gives a residue of hope. And that’s a very good factor.
FINDING THE GAMES
Can’t complain about discovering NBA playoff video games?
Subsequent season shall be a unique scenario.
This time round, for those who’re unsure when a sport begins simply flip to TNT, ESPN, ABC and one can find a sport. If Knicks-Pistons is what you might be trying to find, add MSG to that record. Subsequent season? If the Knicks or Nets are within the playoffs, native retailers (MSG, YES) have been eradicated from carrying first-round video games.
Cash is the rationale: By banning native carriers from playoff protection, Adam Silver believes the league can maximize income for its new TV companions by making the first-round video games unique to them.
After the 2025 playoffs TNT can be out of the combo, however there shall be loads of networks to cope with to additional confuse viewers.
So, NBA followers shall be enjoying Disguise and Search with Amazon, Peacock, NBC, ESPN and ABC. The retailers will all be within the NBA biz.
Good luck.
STILL MADD ABOUT AROD
“So, imagine my surprise when [Bud] Selig and [Rob] Manfred expressed no opposition to FOX Sports hiring A-Rod as a full-time TV analyst in 2017 or then a year later when ESPN hired him to be the lead analyst on Sunday Night Baseball,” Madden writes.
And he reacted with disgust.
“I found myself shaking my head in consternation as to how the man, who Selig and Manfred went to such lengths to convict as the most grievous steroids cheat of them all, wound up as one of the primo faces of baseball only three years later,” Madden writes. “It was as if those five years of all those A-Rod lies and legal assaults of the baseball establishment had never happened.”
Nicely, they did occur. However as Madden concludes, the Foxies and ESPN fits didn’t give a rattling.
EXTENDING DRURY CRITICISM
If anybody thought Chris Drury was main a charmed life, they’ll level to the Rangers GM getting a “multiyear” contract extension, regardless of the seeds of chaos he planted within the Backyard contributing to the Blueshirts ending out of the playoffs.
Whereas Drury has been principally Teflon in the case of the media, PIX-11/WFAN mouth Marc Malusis has been a constant Drury critic. The previous two weeks Malusis has hammered Drury for his position within the Rangers demise.
Surprise how he’ll react, on his Sunday radio present, to James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan rewarding Drury with the extension?
AROUND THE DIAL
ESPN’s protection of Day 1 of the NFL Draft turned in to the Shedeur Sanders Present. But in some unspecified time in the future did the main target shift to turn out to be extra about preserving draft analyst Mel Kiper’s fame? For weeks Kiper had Sanders going No. 1 within the draft. … TNT’s Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and their manufacturing staff introduced a lot wanted readability to the tip of Recreation 3 Thursday evening. After the sport ending buzzer sounded prematurely, earlier than the ball was even touched, giving the Pistons one other probability, albeit slim, to tie the sport, Harlan and Miller mentioned timekeepers for the NBA playoffs are from impartial groups. This was a blunder, not residence cooking. … Simply questioning if Shannon Sharpe’s resolution to “step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties,” to cope with sexual assault allegations, was extra the Bristol School’s resolution than his? Sharpe indicated he could be again on “First Take” by the beginning of the “NFL preseason.” How can Sharpe be so certain? … TNT’s Ian (The Hen) Eagle within the third quarter of Pistons-Knicks Recreation 2 after gamers hit the Backyard flooring diving for a free ball, Eagle requested: “What year is it?” Very good.
* * *
DUDE OF THE WEEK: CASSIDY HUBBARTH
She just lately wrapped up her ESPN sideline reporting profession. Hubbarth, who’s headed for Prime Video, distinguished herself in a job that may be demanding and tough given it’s at all times dwell and infrequently on the fly.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: BOB NUTTING
The Pirates proprietor is in rivalry for the worst professional sports activities proprietor in America. He has an outstanding pitching workers, a few partaking stars and a loyal fan base however refuses to spend. Stashing the money is just not a recipe for successful.
DOUBLE TALK
What Tom Thibodeau mentioned: “It’s playoff basketball. We have guys that have been in a lot of big games.”
What Tom Thibodeau meant to say: “We had to win Game 3.”
