Namath Weighs In on Revis, Sanchez, SB Plans
Posted by Eric Allen on August 5, 2010 – 2:11 pmEven though most of Jets Nation is a little nervous about Darrelle Revis’ absence from training camp, the greatest Jet is confident the NFL’s top corner will be lacing up his spikes soon.
“Not worried at all,” Joe Namath said when asked today about Revis. “I’m confident he’s going to be here. I know Mr. Johnson wants him, I know Rex wants him — we all want him here. Just my experience of being around here the last day or so, my confidence is growing tremendously in believing we’ll have Revis.”
A confident player himself, Namath thinks there’s no problem with the Jets’ Super Bowl expectations.
“Justified. This is what I’m saying: This team that I’m looking at today is more suited to be able to follow through with the championship or to get a championship than what we’ve had out there,” he said.
Namath is at SUNY Cortland today to take in the Jets’ fourth day of training camp, make some appearances for the “Hard Knocks” cameras and promote his new venture, BroadwayJoe.tv, which editor-in-chief Randy Lange will detail in a separate blog. Despite heavy rains this morning, Namath took in the Jets’ entire morning workout, and was a member of the final group exiting the practice field, exchanging pleasantries with Mark Sanchez and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
“He’s a workaholic. Mark has the attitude that he’s going to outwork people, he’s going to convince his teammates that he’s ready and he expects everyone else to be ready,” Namath said. “As a player, knowing what it was like for me as a rookie and then the second year, it’s a big difference because you really don’t know the offense as a rookie — you’re learning. Mark this year is like, ‘Let’s go play.’ It’s not impeded with the learning process so much even though there is continuing education when you’re out there.
“But he’s raring to go, he’s ready to go. That’s a big difference from last year.”
Namath likes Sanchez’s approach to learning. He finds it refreshing that the second-year passer is inquisitive and the Hall of Famer feels he has won his teammates over.
“I never gave Mark any advice — he doesn’t need any. He comes from a tremendous background from his family and getting his work ethic together, he asks questions,” said the only Jets’ championship quarterback who was wearing his Super Bowl ring for the occasion. “Mark is the kind of guy who wants to know. He doesn’t have a definite answer in his head. He brought with him a good work ethic and a will to improve. He’s won the team over as far as his position and as a leader on the team because he works so hard.”
Namath, who will be inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Aug. 16, is also happy Jason Taylor won’t be working hard to sack Green & White passers anymore.
“I couldn’t help myself not wanting to go over to Jason Taylor today and say it’s good to see you in green — the kind we wear, not that funky green they wear down there in South Florida,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been watching Jason Taylor play most of my life. What a player. I hope he stays healthy because he brings a lot to this team if he’s healthy.”
Not unlike most observers, Namath is curious to see how the offensive line performs after releasing Alan Faneca. Both second-year veteran Matt Slauson and rookie Vladimir Ducasse have worked with the first team throughout Week 1.
“I’m more worried about our left guard position more than I’m worried about anything. Our offensive line is a major factor, letting the offense produce,” he said. “If our horses up front can do their jobs similar to what they did last year, we’ve got a good shot out there. But as you folks know, defenses have been known to win championships and our defense is pretty good.”
As Hark Knocks cameras followed Namath around, the humble legend smiled. You couldn’t help but look at his white shoes once again — New Balance sneakers this time — and think that this man helped football get off the ground and into another stratosphere.
“I’m here visiting because of football and to be a part of the Hard Knocks situation, which is a lot of fun for the players and everyone else around,” Namath said. “It’s a little different than when we played, of course. I guess we weren’t as used to the popularity the game has now, but this training camp we have the most legitimate contender we’ve had.”
Tags: Brian Schottenheimer, Darrelle Revis, Hard Knocks, Joe Namath, Mark Sanchez, Rex Ryan
Posted in Eric Allen | 40 Comments »
By 37 year fan on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Hemsted , Long Island 1972 – Broadway Joe ran all the way across the field in training camp with two knee braces on to say hello to us kids when I was 5 years old . Just to say hello to some kids ….Go Jets
By biglen on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
As an old JET fan, it’s good to see Joe Willie around.I’m very confident this year,probably the first time since….oh,who can even remember..
By Kaya on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
This site is cinfusing. Where is the New Conferences? I only see Monday. I don’t see Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursdays? What gives
By Randy Lange on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Kaya, the site is also confusing for the editor-in-chief. A box that had to be checked on my end to put those other transcripts in the LATEST NEWS menu was not checked. Now they are checked. Now if you click MORE NEWS at the bottom of the LATEST NEWS menu on the home page, those transcripts will show up in the full LATEST NEWS index. Thanks for letting me know.
By BLEED4GREEN4EVER on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
ITS GREAT 2 SEE BROADWAY JOE OUT THERE DURING THE HARDKNOCKS ERA FOR OUR BOYZ. ITS GOING 2 BE A GREAT YR 4 US. ITS ABOUT TIME THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZED & WE WILL BE A FORCE 2 BE RECON WITH. I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE 1983 & THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN SAY THAT WE WILL BE GOING 2 DALLAS 4 OUR SUPER BOWL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT ITS GOING 2 HAPPEN. LOVE U GUYS J.E.T.S. JETS, JETS, JETS…..4EVER- BLEED 4 GREEN 4 EVER GOD BLESS & HAVE A GREAT SEASON IN 2010, I WILL BE WATCHING ON DIRECT T.V. NFL TICKET IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA …….GO JETS I BELIEVE IN U GUYS…..
By CNY50yrJetsfan on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
I believe with all my heart that we will be SB champs this season!! Glad to see Broadway Joe and “hear”how he feels about the team, Revis and Mark!!!
Go Jets!!!
By david obert on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
I have been a Jet fan for a long time before Joe. But a super Jet fan when I witness and said to myself that is the greatest quarterback I ever seen, that was a bowl game, Joe I believe came in second half and when the Jet sign him with a big bonus I was thrilled at 14,and been a Jet fan thur it all. It has been way to long lets do it Jets!
By Russell on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Just my personal opinion, but before everyone packs their bags to go to the Super Bowl, can we please at least win the first game of the regular season against the Ravens. I remembered last time the Jets were supposed to go the Super Bowl. Came up a bit short, didn’t we? Take nothing for granted. I’m still not a big fan of this Hard Knocks program being taped while camp is in session. If they wanted to make a movie or television series, they could have done it in Florham Park. Training camp is for what it’s supposed to be, training camp, building team chemistry, and getting ready for the upcoming season, not working on future movie or television careers.
By tampajet on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Its great to see joe willie with the team.i think the o line could be a little better with out fanica because his pass protection was not great and most of the running is to the right side.the jets wanted better protection on the left side.hie pass protection was aproblem the last 2 years with the steelers.
By originaljetfan on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Did Joe ever officially retire as a jet, the team should sign him to a one day contract , let hinm retire as the only member of two SB teams 42 yrs apart.
By richard lowenthal on Aug 5, 2010 | Reply
Have to laugh when people say they are old Jets fans. Starting my 44th year as Jet season ticket holder. Even played trumpet in the big band that played in a band shell in the open end zone at Shea, and had the little jet plane go around the field after a td. Still remeber Jet-Oakland AFC Championship game and the next year’s loss to KC, with Schmidtt picking up Namathe by the shirt when he tried a bootleg for a td. Lots of fond memories and several letdowns. Time to get past the last 30 minutes of an AFC championship to get to the Super bowl.
By mike on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
i was thinking today. i might be crazy, but does anyone else think derrelle revis’s holdout could be a way to drum up a little more rating’s for hard knocks. nothing like a little drama to help ratings.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
I forget who wrote that biography of Joe a few years ago that revealed how much more pain he was always in throughout his career, pain that neither he nor the team nor even the press ever let on about. For that alone he’s a legend. The guy was apparently lucky to be walking after about 1967.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Headlines of relevance for Jets fans, especially those who’d give Revis the moon: Dumervil signs a huge extension and then tears a chest muscle four days into practice, putting him out at least five months and maybe for the year. Johnson signs a huge extension on a team that has much bigger challenges than trying to give any WR the biggest contract in the league. (Does anyone but Johnson himself really think he’s even close to the best WR playing today?) Both scenarios that could befall the Jets if they wimp out in the face of DR’s selfishness. I’d rather be the team that doesn’t fall for this junk and goes out and wins it all anyway than just another team that caves in to the New Extortionism.
By wayne on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Revis not bigger than the team…I hope they find a way to get him his money…but the must important unit on any football team is the OL and that unit must be kept in tact at all cost…Doesnt matter if you’re Peyton are Tom, your team isn’t going anywhere without its OL…Leon wantd every down back money.He overestimated his value, even though said he didn’t know whether he could handle the load, then got left out in the cold. If Revis is going to make his decisions based on what happened to Leon, then this will end very ugly….Like maybe the team will have to trade him…..you can win championships withOUT an all world CB. You can’t WITHOUT AN OL.
By GaryC on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
I remember having an autograph book having Joe, Barkum , Caster, Steve Tannen and others signing it at Hofstra.Those were the days when players thought about the fans.
By Performing on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Mike, you are right on the money with the Revis scenario.
If Woody scripts this correctly, Revis will sign on the last day of
the “Hard Knocks” shooting. So camp ends up on a high note
and everyone in Jet Land is happy. La di da!
Being up here in Cortland, Jeff Cumberland is definitely the story so far as this year’s Westerman. His pass catching ability is obvious and he has a huge frame. The blocking is another issue. This is one guy we need to see in game like conditions. Also the Jets must create a spot for him on the regular roster. If they try to hide him on the practice squad, he’ll be picked up quickly.
Donavon Warren went from a possible #2 draft to dropping off the map. Watching him closely this week, he doesn’t have the NFL speed to compete
at DB. Switching to safety is possible but he looks to be gone because of the numbers.
By Fish Hunters on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
I’ve figured out how to get Revis in camp. He has 3 years remaining on his deal at $1 mil, $5 Mil and $15 mil respectively. Give him this offer next 3 years at $11, $10 and $10. All guaranteed dollars including a $10 mil signing bonus (1st year base still $1 mil). With the promise of working on an extension once the new CBA is in place. Why do it this way? They’re so far apart on a long term deal and we need him in camp now. He’s probably going to hold out this season at $1 mil. Don’t know if he’ll sit out the $5 and $15 mil years currently on his contract; but you can bet he’ll sit out this one. Let him know this is the final offer and we will buy back years 2 and 3 if it comes to that. I believe he wants to play. So we give him $30 guaranteed over 3 and he’s probably going to get more once we negotiate a longer term deal later.
By Mike Jet Vet on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Broadway Joe can’t tell you how good it is to see him on a field again even if it is just for comradery and support ..oops JOE hard knocks not you to really Joe ? love ya man your great in my eyes but please leave the silk socking in the bachelor pad
By Vincent on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Great to have Broadway Joe so deeply involved. Let’s hope his presence adds extra motivation to what seems an already highly motivated team. Pity about what is happening with Revis – let’s hope they get it sorted out soon.
By Alex G on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
The Passing of the Torch (From Joe Willie) to the Kid (Sanchez) has lifted the 42 yr Curse from the JETS lol. thats My superstition theory, lol but I feel good about our Jets this yr. I feel 11-5 12-4 is within reach and they can win the East. special yr ahead for us Jets Fans.
Fish Hunter, your math sounds good hopefuly he will settle with the Jets and Maybe this was part of the HBO Drama as I wrote in an earlier post this could be some sick joke on the Leauge.time will tell but looking foward to a great season.
By tkgilb on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
To Jets Fan Since ’64 – I’m starting to believe you and GaryC must be on the Jets payroll. Dumervil’s situation is one of the prime reasons Revis is holding out and the comment you made about Joe Namath goes to show that you really are ignorant in the purest sense of the word concerning what players go through. Do you know how many players play hurt and injured during their careers? How many times they are shot with pain killers so they can go back out on the field? How many surgeries they undergo? Do you even know the lifespan of an NFL player? And yet contracts are heavily favored towards the owners. You all sit back and enjoy while these guys brutalize one another, then you call them names and belittle them when they stand up for themselves. You really need to be educated on off the field issues because your biggest concern is winning a SuperBowl.
By tkgilb on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
And furthermore, stop believing everything you read in the media. NEWSFLASH: IT’S NOT ALL TRUE!
And to GaryC – What days were those when players thought about the fans? Yeah players think about fans to a certain extent, but when it comes to the business side of the NFL, fans aren’t even considered. Why? Because you all are too emotional. The information you have is limited to what you read in the media. Which is heavily intertwined with opinions and misinformation.
Stop the Revis hating and encourage players to stand up for what is right for themselves. Teams do it all the time. I don’t hear any of you bashing the Jets for the way they handle contract situations. Oh yeah, that’s because they never tell you about that.
Don’t think for one minute that the Jets are squeaky clean in this whole Revis situation and everything falls on Revis. That simply is not the case.
By Performing on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Matt Slauson has looked better than Vladimir Ducasse all week.
How about Slauson getting the LG spot this year and moving
Ducasse into Woody’s spot at RT?
This short WR Larry Taylor has no shot to make team the way they are using him. I would move him to RB and try him returning kickoffs. Problem is with Woodhead, they probably won’t keep two undersized RBs.
Speaking of Woodhead, he has looked great running the ball but his pass blocking is awful.
By Mike Jet Vet on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Hey Revis oops I mean Tkgllb NEWSFLASH your one comment alone forgetting the others tells the story of how misguided and uneducated you are about whats going on here stand up for whats right for themselves is that how you put it .. As you insinuate to us idiots players don’t really or should they care about the very fans with hard earned $$ most having to save up for months just to take family members to a single game which FYI enables these greedy players the platform enabling them to whine for any1 listening .. Here’s another NEWSFLASH PROFESSOR WITHOUT THE FANS THERE ARE NO PLAYERS GOT IT
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
tkgilb, GaryC told me to stop the Holmes adulation just yesterday, so there goes any conspiracy theory about us being in lockstep. I don’t know when you started watching pro football, I started watching (and playing) in 1963. But it’s obvious you never saw Namath play in the pros or in college. To compare his injuries to practically anyone who ever played football is the single most ignorant thing I’ve ever read on this site, just go ask the doctors who worked on him. And learn to talk in specifics, saying that the only way to “stand up for what is right for yourself” is by asking for an absurd amount of $ at the expense of your teammates for the flimsiest of reasons (“I have to be paid the most because Al Davis is insane, waaaaah!”) is utter nonsense. Makes no difference how much money the front office has, the main point is that DR is willing to screw up the team out of pure ego. But anyone who writes like you do probably does the exact same thing in his own life, so what should I expect?
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
Hey richard lowenthal, what an honor to have been in that Jets jazz band, which as I recall was sometimes pretty hip with its song selection back in the day. (I seem to remember the occasional song by Parker, Davis, Adderly, Mann, Hubbard, Herb Alpert, and others.) Thanks also for reminding me about that little Jet plane, haven’t thought of that in decades. Though I have occasionally thought about those short green (yes, green, not gray) dresses and skirts the cheerleaders wore even on the coldest, windiest of days!
By GaryC on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
to tkgilb, I live outside of indy so if jets are paying me it must be as a scout or an informant on the colts.But how can you seriously say players today treat fans better than the Players did in 60′s and 70′s.hey revis has the right to ask for anything he wants, but the jets have a roster to pay and Revis just has himself.
By GaryC on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
to jet fan tom, thanks for the mention that we do have our differences but it is friendly banter and if everyone saw eye to eye it would be a dull world.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
I’m down with that, GaryC, and I got no problem with tkgilb disagreeing or bantering either. But when he tries to tear down the church of Joe, he needs to be smacked down AND HARD! And he’s on a fool’s errand with Revis, kissing butt on a guy who, to my great surprise given what we saw the first few years, doesn’t know what the heck he’s doing with his career yet. If he signs and stays with the team, watch him break down in tears when they win it all, admitting he was young, green, and stupid. That’s what almost of the problem children, except the truly troubled ones, do in the end.
By GaryC on Aug 6, 2010 | Reply
were still early on the Cumberland trail, but if jets do carry three tight ends it might only leave room for at most 5 wideouts.
By french fan on Aug 7, 2010 | Reply
just one thing to say to the jets community :
here in Europ, New York Jets is a big favourite SB winner.
good luck
By that other Tom - Jets fan since '64 on Aug 7, 2010 | Reply
CURSE OF THE WEEB – maybe with Namath spending time with Sanchez (three bad knees – two greatr arms) the curse will be overcome. After SBIII the Jets promoted Weeb to GM+Coach and GM Weeb cut half the team and Coach Weeb and all his successors have never been able to return to SB.
To “Jets fan since ’64 Tom – whatever happened to Mike Battle? The only Jet with more heart than Wayne Chrebet & remember that half-time band from Elizabeth City State & Winston Hill on kickoffs &&&&&&& I could go on ——-
To Darrelle – man up and honor your six year contract in year four – or the Curse of the Weeb will reach out to get you like it got Bob Talamini and Johnny Sample and ———
To the Jets – keep an eye on Haynesworth during Revis contract talks.
To the Webmaster – why does the “reply” button not work?
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 7, 2010 | Reply
Hey french fan, that’s great to hear, I have a few friends over there who are starting to show interest in the other kind of football. And hey, not too many teams have a player with a name as French as Ducasse! that other tom, yeah, where is Mike Battle, the man who ate glass? Nevertheless, I remember him as a never quite having lived up to his early kick-return ability, and being an only okay DB. And while I have painful memories of ’70s near misses and think Weeb played it way too conservative many times, I can’t blame him for unloading some of the guys he did after the SB win. A few of them, like Sample and Talamini, weren’t going to get any better.
By tkgilb on Aug 9, 2010 | Reply
To Jets Fan Since ’64, Gary C and Mike Jet Vet – First of all, I am also a fan, so I am not knocking fans, nor what they do in terms of sacrificing for their team, (which I believe is your personal issue, because I’m not saving up for a football game, I’m saving up for my retirement).
And why do you say he’s asking for an absurd amount? Exactly how much is he asking for? And do you know that for sure?
And why isn’t he worth it? If Revis were a quarterback and everything surrounding the Revis situation we’re exactly the same, the contract length, him being in his third year, outplaying his current contract, being apporached by the Jets to renegotiate and so on, NONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE ONE NEGATIVE WORD TO SAY. WE WOULDN’T EVEN BE BLOGGING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN SIGNED.
How can you all sit here and judge this man, but if it were the same scenario and he was a quarterback, you wouldn’t be against him.
And to that other Tom-
What God has blessed, no man can curse!!
By tkgilb on Aug 9, 2010 | Reply
And to Jets Fan Since ’64- tkgilb is a she, not a he!!! And I would never tear down the “church of Joe”, (whatever that means). I have the utmost respect for Joe Namath. And I would never minimize his injuries or slight him for all he has accomplished. NEVER. All I’m saying is do you realize how hurt these guys really are. A great percentage of them average 9-12 major surgeries throughout their NFL careers. A great deal of them play hurt, just like Joe did. So I’m just saying, injuries are major issues no matter who it is.
C’mon guys, be real here. The NFL is a brutal business. These owners treat these guys like commodities. These owners make billions of dollars every year. But no one is complaining about them and the way these contracts are structured. IT’S WRONG MAN.
So I’m saying, as fans, we don’t have all the facts, we’re too emotional, too concerned about OUR TEAM GOING TO THE SB, never once considering these guys have lives after football, after the stadium lights go out, after none of you remember their names unless they are a Joe Namath or Hall of Famer.
By tkgilb on Aug 9, 2010 | Reply
Oh and Joe Namath even said he doesn’t blame Revis for holding out. That’s coming from YOUR gOD (i.e. church of Joe). So what sayeth thee concerning that?
And have you noticed, the players are backing Revis. Why do you think they are in his corner and saying to him, Revis, we understand, and we don’t blame you for what you’re doing?
Things that make you go hhhhmmmmmm!!!!! Something to think about, eh?
By Karl on Aug 9, 2010 | Reply
I hope they don’t pay revis another penny, and sit him on the bench. He ate up most of his contract money, which is only half finished, and he’s already skipping training camp because he wants more money. He has one good season and he thinks he’s a hero. Maybe they should suit him up and send him to Afghanistan where the REAL HEROES are, and give him army pay. He’s only playing a game for heaven’s sake!
By Row on Aug 10, 2010 | Reply
It’s nice to be surrounded by success. Namath is a testiment to a great plan fulfilled. Our GM needs to find out what it really takes to put together a team.
By jetsfan on Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Well I don’t understand I like a lot of people really beleave the superbowl is ours this year. But no revis Island mike and woody swollow your pride and get this deal done you know he’s the best and even if we win without him it will not be the same .everytime we get close something stupid happens ars we ever going to prove to the world we are the best???????Besides all you guys kept saying he’s the best know fix it.