FRANKLY I'M A LITTLE BITTER by ST

If I hear another fan or broadcaster talk about how the Jets had a great season, I'm coming after them like Lawrence Taylor. I know, I know. Off a losing year, to make the Final 4 is a terrific accomplishment. But, like I harped on last week, opportunity was banging on the door and while early on they got off the couch to answer, in the end, let the knocking continue until it left with the Colts for Miami. The drive at the end of the 1st half for a TD by Indy was inexcusable. The New York defense was great by the numbers, but not necessarily when it mattered. Remember, I'm a certifiable lunatic who watches every snap of every Jets game. I have a theory about defenders in big games. It's on the coaches to drill it into their head the value of knocking down passes and recovering fumbles. Down 17-6, Manning & the Colts took over with just over 2 minutes left in the half. From his own 38, Peyton chucked one deep down the middle which Austin Collie hauled in for a 46 yard gain. On the play, New York safety Erik Coleman had the pass defended really well. Except, instead of just jumping up to swat it away, he tried to time his jump and reaching with both hands for an interception, whiffed. This turned momentum completely and Indy cruised to the Super Bowl. Sorry, that's stupid, selfish football by Coleman. We saw the same exact thing in the NFC title game. Early in the 2nd half, the Saints had taken their first lead, 21-14 against the Vikings. It's 1st and 10 after Minny had moved into New Orleans territory. Adrian Peterson fumbled, and instead of falling on the ball, Saint linebacker Scott Shanlee tried to be a hero by picking the ball up and running. He lost control and the Vikings recovered. Brett Farve made them pay leading a TD drive to tie the game. Obviously New Orleans recovered and stole the game, but that is stupid, selfish football. He just falls on it, they have the ball at midfield with a 7 point lead. It's the defensive player's equal of the reach. When an idiotic ballcarrier decides to reach the ball for an extra 2 feet, showing zero value for posession. In the playoffs, or 4th quarter of close games, it's on the defensive coaches to preach smart play. If the ball is within your natural reach, go for an interception, otherwise knock the freaking thing down. If a fumble bounces up into your gut, fine, otherwise just fall on the freaking thing. Dumb, dumb, dumb. More on this as we get into Sportstalk.