Staying Put

By Eddie Castro

This Sunday was the last week of the regular season for the NFL. The excitement now turns to the playoffs as teams from the AFC and NFC battle to reach the Super Bowl, which will be held at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Unfortunately, the hometown teams, the Jets or the Giants, won’t be a part of it as both teams failed to reach the postseason. It is the second straight season that both teams will not make the playoffs. This year hurts a bit more than the others considering there are two teams in New York and not one will play in the Super Bowl that’s held in the East Coast. With no postseason in the “Big Apple” this year, there are sure to be some big changes from both teams. Could changes at the head coaching position be one of them?

The New York Giants had a rough start to their season, losing their first 6 games. This year Eli Manning without a doubt had perhaps his worst season since his rookie campaign, throwing just 18 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions. All year long the team was decimated with injuries on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. However, Coach Tom Coughlin found a way to turn things around as the “G-Men” went on to win 7 of their final 10 games. Giants’ owner John Mara said that he would like Coach Coughlin to return in 2014, but no decision has been finalized. Although there were 5 coaches fired this pass Monday, Coughlin is not expected to be on that list. The fact is he’s a Super Bowl winning coach. He knows how to win, and considering all the holes he had to plug with the injuries, he still found a way to make the team play hard after their 6-game skid. The team finished in 3rd place in the NFC East division with a record of 7-9.

As for the Jets, well they may have surprised a lot of people this year for a team that was projected to win about 3-5 games. With the team being offensively-challenged, they played in-consistent football all year long. Rookie quarterback Geno Smith had his share of ups and downs this year, which is expected from a rookie QB. Smith had problems protecting the ball committing 8 fumbles (4 of them lost), throwing just 12 td passes and 21 interceptions to go with it. It appeared to be a situation designed for Smith to fail.  Despite not much weapons on offense with Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, Jeff Cumberland and Kellen Windslow missing time due to injury or suspension, the Jets continue to fight hard to get wins. Before the season finale against the Dolphins this past Sunday, Coach Rex Ryan was told by owner Woody Johnson that he would return as Jets head coach next season. Ryan did a great job with limited talent on the roster, and with the team having a lot of draft picks this year and money to play around with to perhaps sign a star player, the future could look bright for the 2014 campaign. The Jets finished with a record of 8-8.

Sports Notes: (Football) NFL playoffs, AFC: The Kansas City Chiefs head to Indianapolis to play Andrew Luck and the Colts, Saturday @ 4:35PM. The Chargers head to Cincinnati to battle the Bengals on Sunday @ 1:00PM.  The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (#1 and 2 seeds receive first-round byes). NFC matchups, The New Orleans Saints play the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday night @ 8:10PM. The 49ers look to return back to the Super Bowl as they battle Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers Sunday @ 1:00PM. The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers (#1 and 2 seeds) receive first-round byes.

From everyone here at Our Time Press, we want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!! Any comments? E-mail me at Castroeddie714@gmail.com.