Prime Time

I thought I'd get in a post before tonight's Yankees-Athletics game because, quite frankly, now that I'm a working (and somewhat responsible) adult, I'm not going to be able to stay up until 1 AM watching a regular season game in April. Tonight, the NFL released its 2010 schedule, and as a Jets fan, I could not be more thrilled. Thanks to the charismatic Rex Ryan and the fantastic season the team had last year, the New York Jets have FIVE prime time games on their schedule: Baltimore and Miami in September, Minnesota in October, Cincinnati on Thanksgiving, and New England in December.

The Jets also picked up Jason Taylor today, who absolutely hates Jets fan, but who cares? Plenty of athletes have hated New York, shown up to play here, and succeeded. HBO is absolutely salivating at the idea of guys like Ryan, Taylor, Tomlinson, Holmes, Cromartie, Edwards, and even Sanchez on this year's edition of Hard Knocks. Finally, the Jets are not second fiddle to the Giants in New York. They are the main attraction. You have to wonder if signing Rex Ryan up as head coach is the greatest move the franchise has ever made. Maybe it's too early to tell, but no matter what, he puts "fannies in the seats" and brings the team a TON of publicity. He also has this thing about him that makes people want to play for him.

Although it's Yankee season, training camp is not far behind. The Jets have made enough moves this off season, so no one in Jets-land really cares about the draft this year. Sure, it would have been nice to add Brandon Marshall to the receiving core, but not for a first round pick. Adding the troubled Santonio Holmes for just a fifth round selection was a great no-risk move for the team. They got to the AFC title game with Edwards, Cotchery, and Keller. Now, they have another gun to go to.

The schedule doesn't mean too much, other than the fact that the new stadium will be hopping with excitement this year. For once, win or lose, the Jets will own the back pages in New York come September. That is of cours unless the Yankees want to repeat, which is totally fine with me.