A time for..... The New York Jets to wake up!

Millions of men and women love sports. In fact, many are obsessed with their favorite sports teams. I understand this because I am the same way. I am obsessed with my favorite sports team (the New York Yankees and New York Jets). Unfortunately, many times in our love of our sports teams, we forget the importance of loving God. So I write this blog as a reminder to focus first on loving God, before we love our sports team.
 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up in accordance to their needs, that they may benefit those who listen

                                                                                                -Ephesians 4:29

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:

A time to be born and a time to die.  

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I have a very good friend whose mother recently passed away. He is a good man. He provides for his family, he is there for his wife and kids; he has helped many people at our church- myself included. I never met his mother, but she raised a fine man. I am confident his mother played a role in him becoming the man he is today. I hope he got a chance to tell her that. Shortly after hearing of my friend’s mother’s death, I read an article in Sports Illustrated about Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (The Full Man Ti Oct 1, 2012) where in the same day- he lost his grandmother and his girlfriend. His girlfriend was only 22 years old. In the story Manti claims his girlfriend told him “Send roses while they can still smell them, tell people you love them while they can still hear.”  The story goes on to tell how well he performed 3 days later in a football game. But the story could have ended after the quote from his girlfriend. God makes it very clear that there is a time for everything, including our death. The truth is we never know when that is going to occur. God also tells us that we should not talk badly about other people, in fact he tells us to do the opposite. We should all take the time out to thank our mothers for putting up with us and raising us. We should tell our friends how much they mean to us (yes, even you big tough guys). God tells us to do it for a reason. He wants us to be like Him. He loved us so much that He let His Son die on the cross for our sins. Surely He wants us to love each other the same. We are put on this earth to glorify God, but our time is limited. We must use it wisely to glorify Him and tell someone what he or she means to you- while they can still hear.

Speaking of dead-The New York Jets stunk yesterday. This game was a joke. This team looked great against the Buffalo Bills the first game and then stunk in every other game. New York fans love to blame people when our teams lose. I used to love blaming Alex Rodriguez for every early postseason exit (and he deserved it every year before 2009). So I must blame someone for the fact that the New York Jets stink this year. I blame owner Woody Johnson. This man has decided this year he will not spend any money on this team. He has decided he will not allow Mike Tannenbaum to spend money this year. There is no other way to explain this New York Jets roster. The New York Jets are several million under the salary cap and still have huge holes in key spots. Woody Johnson has always spent money on this team. During past years free agents like Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, Damien Woody and Alan Faneca. They have also traded for expensive players like Kris Jenkins, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.  These players for the most part have been great for this team. Obviously, Mike T has surrounded himself with people who understand talent. This is why this year has to be about money. After paying far too much to retain Holmes. The Jets have made players like Mike Devito and Matt Slauson take pay cuts. Really? These guys don’t make a lot of money as it is. This brings us to Tim Tebow. That move is all about Woody Johnson wanting the New York Jets to sell jerseys, tickets and appear on Sportscenter. Outside of ticket sales, all of this has happened. “You can never have too much Tebow!” That is a quote from our owner. This business is about entertainment- another point from our owner.  Then the Jets get guys like Austin Howard (who I actually like) off of a practice squad to fill a huge hole at right tackle. They spend no money on a proven wide receiver (Chaz Shilens is a legit 3^rd wideout at best) and they have not had a good blocking tight end since Ben Hartsock. How can you have a ground and pound team without a blocking tight end? Or a proven fullback, John Connor hits people hard when given a chance, but nobody is mistaking him for Tony Richardson or even Richie Anderson. This year has to be about money or they would have signed a real blocking tight end after they correctly got rid of Mike “false start” Mulligan. If this was not about money the New York Jets would have signed a real right tackle like the one the Houston Texans released the end of last year. They certainly would have signed a proven wide receiver when every fan on the planet realized we had no depth behind Holmes.

So at this point the New York Jets should go out and sign Paxico Burris (because Holmes is now hurt), at least he can score in the red zone. The Jets should trade for a blocking tight end. I think Hartsock is still in the league. 

Rex Ryan wants a ground and pound team- he doesn’t have one. Mike T didn’t give him one because Woody Johnson wouldn’t pay for one.

I have not written about the Yankees for a while. I was too upset about the loss to the Minnesota Twins in the game that Phil Hughes started. I have seen Phil Hughes melt under pressure. I have seen him pitch a good game for 4 innings and just cave at the first sign of trouble. I can see why Joe Girardi would not totally trust him. I have seen the New York Yankees score 14 runs and Phil Hughes have to be pulled before 5 innings (and not be eligible for the win). I can see why Girardi would not totally trust him. BUT there is a time when boys become men; there is a time when a pitcher turns the table. I think Phil Hughes deserved that chance the other night. Hughes pitched 6 plus solid innings before he got in trouble with the bases loaded. He just struck out a batter for the second out when he got pulled from the game. Now you bring in Boone Logan with the bases loaded to pitch to a batter (Denard Span) who had not gotten a hit off Hughes.  The look on Hughes face told you he wanted that chance. Based on the way he pitched he deserved that chance. If he gets that out he takes another step to becoming a dominant pitcher with the ability to get out of jams (Andy Pettitte anyone?). Unfortunately, he wasn’t given that chance and he and the New York Yankees lost.

Yesterday, the New York Yankees came back from a 5-1 deficit to win a huge game in Toronto. Phil Hughes started that game and was awful. I have a feeling- just a feeling that he would have pitched much better, had Girardi trusted him with that last out in the 6^th.

The Yankees will win the division- but it will be because of The Tampa Bay Rays.

Now that I got that off my chest, it is time for a devotional and prayer before bed.