INDIANAPOLIS -- As today is the AFC championship game and the New York Jets are playing, there has been a ton of pre-game hype about this game. Part of that hype has included the Jets playoff history (which is short) and particularly their performance in championship games.
A couple of those championship games have connections to Miami. The Jets one and only Super Bowl title came in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts. The Colts were coached by Don Shula, who went on to coach the Dolphins and is the winningest coach of all time.
Another game Jets fans and media speak much about is the 1983 AFC title game. Dolphins 14, Jets zippo. In typical New York fashion, this loss has been rationalized and blamed on, of all people, Shula. I'm not making this stuff up.
Google "Jets and tarp and Shula" and you'll get a ton of articles, including this one this week in the Newark Star-Ledger, in which an otherwise respected journalist claims Shula ordered the grounds crew at the Orange Bowl not to place the tarp on the field on a day it was raining in Miami in order to give the Dolphins an advantage.
Aside from how stupid that sounds based on the fact it means it was raining on ground the Dolphins as well as the Jets were using, I actually decided to do what journalists used to do, and go to a source on the topic to find out the truth.
"Tha'ts an insult to my intelligence," Shula told me moments ago when I asked if he ordered the tarp in the Orange Bowl not to be used on the field. "If there was ever a coach that wanted to play a game on a fast track, I was that guy. I've heard of the Jets accusing us of not putting the tarp on the field or some nonsense like that but it's ridiculous.
"I did a radio show where they asked me about that and one of the hosts was obviously a Jets fan and he said I did that. I told him, 'You've got to be stupid to think I would something like that.' I like playing a game in the best possible conditions. It's the truer test for both teams."
Well, that settles that. Shula isn't re-writing history here. He's got no agenda because his reputation has already been written, both good and bad.
And he recognizes that on the bad side of the ledger is that fateful Super Bowl III that, as he says, "was the Joe Namath guarantee game."
That was New York's one and only NFL championship. And it set the stage for Shula coming to Miami.
"That game had a big impact on my career because after we lost, my relationship with the owner was never the same," Shula said. "Carroll Rosenbloom was the owner than and he'd get on the phone and take a lot of heat from his New York buddies for losing the game and then he'd get on the phone and pass the heat on to me.
"I lasted another year in Baltimore after that, but it was never the same between us. It's the main reason I ended up in Miami."
Shula said he'll be watching the both title games today, including the AFC game between the Jets and Colts.
"What the Jets have done is pretty amazing with a rookie quarterback and to come the way they've come," Shula said. "Mike Westhoff is a is friend of mine and I'm happy for him. And I'm happy for Brian Schottenheimer because he's Marty's son and Marty Schottenheimer is a close friend of mine."
So Shula likes some of the folks on the Jets.
But ...
"They're going against one of the best guys to play the game and there's not a lot they can do about that," Shula said. "I would never pick against Peyton Manning. It's unbelievable what he does. Whatever the situation is in the game, you never feel like you're safe if Manning is the other quarterback. He's one of the best of all time and when he's done he'll probably have all the records.
"You can't pick against him."
And Shula doesn't. He's picking the Colts.
[BLOG NOTE: Yup, we'll have a live blog in the comments section during the AFC title game. Go there, discuss the action with fellow Dolfans and others, and enjoy a big afternoon of football.]
I agree the Jets are gonna lose and lose big today :)
Posted by: Auda | January 24, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Come on Colts! We are pulling for you!
Posted by: Standley23 | January 24, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Um... Joe Rose said that we not only did the tarp thing, we ran the sprinklers all night as well. On the radio last week. Had to slow down Wesley Walker and Freeman McNeil.
Joe was there, too.
Posted by: Matt | January 24, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Joe Rose if full of crap. He wasn't there the night before. He had no say on game day. And he was a guy Shula never talked to so how would he know?
Joe Rose is an actor on the radio. That's all.
If I have to believe Don Shula or Blow Rose, I'm going with Shula
Posted by: Willi Chirino | January 24, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Gonna love watching the Jets crash and burn today. Never rooted for another team not named the Dolphins so hard!
Posted by: Finheavenblows! | January 24, 2010 at 11:12 AM
J-E-T-S! Jets, Jets, Jets.
Posted by: Joey Goots | January 24, 2010 at 11:13 AM
I love the Jets. I hate Shula and the Dolphins. Lucky I don't know squat about squat.
Posted by: Greg Goatee | January 24, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Pulling for you peyton! there is enough of new york in flordia no need to bring in more. Go Colts!
Posted by: Raphael Coccia | January 24, 2010 at 11:16 AM
the jets are coming to your locker room to play for the ring of the lords .
Posted by: Mark | January 24, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Rose was joking. It's yet another Jet myth.
I am so freaking sick of the Jet hype & suckfest that has invaded even the So Fla sportsradio.
Do any of these weakdicks down here who are suddenly positive toward the Jets & their fans actually think any NY station would give us the same love & attention & tolerance?
This is not even about the Jet team anymore -- they have had a very good season & taken advantage, etc. It's about their Jersey Shore Fans & Media-whores.
I have been unable to watch any tv sports & bareky listened to sports radio the past week .......please, Dear Lord, let it end today.
Posted by: The Seer | January 24, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Shula manhandled the jets for years... I remember those disgustingly ugly jerseys that almost looked like dodo...haha.. Shula is the man and the jets always have excuses just as they will today when they lose... Fat rexy will say... "it wasn't fair.. They should never have played manning... And Wayne.. And their offensive line"... Hell rexy their just a better team buddy.. They will be able to make a coors light commercial out of his press conference after losing.. Fat ass
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Don Shula is the man. Spike play on the Jets.
Ha ha ha ha.
Posted by: FLPD | January 24, 2010 at 11:29 AM
I agree with you Seer, I will never listen to 640 am ever again after they labeled themselves Jets radio for the playoffs...
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 24, 2010 at 11:35 AM
What rational person would want to see the Wets win and play in the superbowl. Their state sucks, their fans suck, their team sucks. "F" the jets, may they never win another playoff game again. We hate you jet fans...hate,hate,hate,hate,hate,hate,hate,hate,hate,hate you. Now go back to that toilet bowl city and flush yourselves.
Posted by: Crazy as a fox | January 24, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Here's to hoping and praying the Jets find a way to lose! Nothing could be finer than a crashing airliner!
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Sanchize as they call him will be on his back all day. Colts D will step up!
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Lets hope they loose. If they get into Miami's locker room, the Dolphins will need at minimum to fumigate it or tear it down. Just imagine what a pack of pigs lead by a giant bore hog named Rex Ryan would purposely do to Miamis locker room? I would not be pretty and it would small really bad.
Posted by: John Valdes | January 24, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Jets have no chance unless they knock Manning out of the game early. Don't be surprised if they try and do just that. Expect a few late hits, hits to the head on NY. I think it's a gamble they're going to have to take. Without Manning the Colts are just another mediocre team with a crappy QB. Needless to say I bet on Indy and the under today.
Posted by: Chris | January 24, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Not happy about this constant Rex Ryan coverage. I am hoping Crowder's comment disappears with a Jets loss.
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:47 AM
I am scared that the Phins have to let the jets use the facility if they win. Some numbskull might use the facility in other ways. Fumigation and sanitation. Brandon Marshall for a 2nd rounder.
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:49 AM
O line for Indy is good. I don't see Manning getting knocked out. If that were to happen, Sanchez would get knocked out by Freeney.
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM
This one dimensional Colts team against this aggressive #1 defense in the NFL is not a good look for Peyton. It reminds me of all the playoff teams Marino played for that wasn't balanced enough to win. Manning is a talented QB, but he cannot run the ball or stop the Jets from running it. Just look at 85 and 92 Dolphins at home in the AFC Championship games in games they were favored. Inability to run the football REALLY hurts you in the playoffs. That said, I hope the Colts kick the CRAP out of the Jets.
GO DOLPHINS!
Posted by: Matt from Brooklyn | January 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Why are people worried about the Jets?
They suck... They've had a free pass for 4 weeks in a row... Its the Colts fault these losers are in the playoffs, time for them to correct their mistake....
J. ust
E. nd
T. he
S. eason
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Yeah I was there too...and we not only kept the tarp off and ran the sprinklers but coach Shula flew Csonka in to help Stevenson and Kuchenberg and the coaches with the bucket brigade in order to add more water on the field. As I recall we had a couple of helicopter drops as well...let see...oh yeah the other day I saw the Easter bunny hopping down 95, I coudn't catch him but I think he was wearing a Jets jersey. A_ _ holes!
Posted by: Captcrunch | January 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Maybe Rex Ryan would get knocked out on the sideline. A run right at Ryan. See if he wishes he was still in his 20s.
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Seriously, Revis is going to have a tough time containing their receivers. Wayne is a great route runner. I see a big day by Collie and also by Clark.
Posted by: Calphin | January 24, 2010 at 11:53 AM
carlito---
y'know I'm usually w/ you..but they haven't had a free pass the past 4 weeks; they kicked ass the last three games. I hate them like cancer, but seriously, they've seized their Game 15-gift w/ both hands.
Posted by: The Seer | January 24, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Jets 60 Colts 3
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM
that seems to be the "wisdom" up here.
Posted by: nyfinfan | January 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM
J-E-T- S. Journey - ends - this - sunday.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Years of exposure to industrial pollution have caused their tiny jet brains to malfuntion. I'm surprised they haven't started living underground like the Morlocks in The Time Machine.
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 24, 2010 at 12:08 PM
NJ--
I did not see east-west game ystrdy--
any draft day gems emerge?
I cannot believe I'm actually looking forward to the Senior Bowl next week!
Posted by: The Seer | January 24, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Dear Abby, In a strange way i kinda hope jabba the coach beats the colts because the colts gave up their shot at a perfect season. I think im more upset the colts think the perfect season is meaningless. Also since we beat the Jets TWICE this year they really shouldnt brag too much about goin to the the superbowl. Lastly New Orleans would CRUSH them regardless. Signed confused fin fan.
Posted by: Bigwillystyle | January 24, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Fact is ny scum fans won't be blogging by halftime..They will be at the local store getting more old Milwaukee because that's what those ny dooshbags drink... Haha all this denial and trash talk will end at halftime because dumb new yorkers always talk trash before because they can't during and they for sure won't be able to after.. And that guy that said ny 60-3 is an idiot... Fact whether jets faithful will admit it is that they will be lucky to put up 16 and the jet fans and everyone else that has a brain knows it won't be enough!!!!!
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:18 PM
The Jets sucked then and do today.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | January 24, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Seer , i also missed most of the game. From the little i saw , o'brien schofield the DE from wisconsin who was converted to OLB for the game stood out. He played pretty good for never have played the OLB position before and had A INT. Could be a good 4rth round pick. Don't forget if you have the NFL NETWORK they are going to be showing the practices on T.V. all week starting tommorrow from 3-5 pm. The practices are alot more imprtant than the game and you'll see the miami dolphin coaches in action
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Remember the Rich kotite days... Haha that was a freakin joke!!! Man I can remember enjoying to play the jets with that bum!! Haha...I'm not gonna even get into Pete Carrol... Haha wow a proud franchise!!! Haha pathetic
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Hey Gmano50 , how about keeping the insults strictly on jet fans and the jets instead of where somebody lives. There's alot of scum and trash in florida too.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Did 640 really call themselves Jets radio for the playoffs?! Who? What? When? Why? If true i wont be listening to them anymore either.
Posted by: Bigwillystyle | January 24, 2010 at 12:25 PM
It's a blog take it easy... Sunday morning fun.. Can't let it get to ya!!!!
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Gman , it's not just today . I read some of your BS !!! yesterday . Keep the insults coming at the jets and it's fans but leave the other BS!! OUT.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:30 PM
I remember the 1982 (Jan./83) AFC Championship Game so well. Dolphins FB Andra Franklin was having some problems with his blood pressure, and he had to be taken out of the game. A.J. Duhe made 3 interceptions. One of them was for a TD that put the Dolphins up by the final score of 14-0. His uniform was so full of mud that you could scarcely tell who intercepted the pass. I'll never forget Dick Enberg's call:
"And that's gonna be intercepted ... A.J. Duhe ... WHAT A DAY FOR DUHE!!!"
The Dolphins went to the Super Bowl the next week and they were dominated by the Redskins. Still, the Dolphins had a real chance to win. Armando will remember this: Joe Theismann threw a pass that was deflected up in the air. Both Kim Bokamper and Theismann went for the ball, and STUPID FRIGGIN Bokamper didn't jump to get it - instead he waited for it to come down into his arms. This gave Theismann the opportunity to bat it out of Bokamper's hands. If Bokamper had made the interception, it would have been for a TD, putting the Dolphins ahead 24-13. The Killer "B" defense was pretty good at protecting leads, and it's doubtful Washington would have made a comeback. It would have been one of those odd games where the Dolphins would have been outgained 2 to 1 yet still would have won.
Stupid Bokamper. For all your quickness, you were a mediocre linebacker turned lineman who was easily manhandled by big offensive linemen.
Sorry to sound so bitter.
Anyways, I just can't get the hate on that so many of you have for the Jets. They are Americans after all. Sort of.
Posted by: Nathaniel Dodsworth | January 24, 2010 at 12:32 PM
I'll keep your feelings in mind captain...NOT!!!! Get over it
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Buddy I'm from ny too!!! Grew up their for over ten years... It's fun and stupid cracks... Get over it!!!
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Anybody listen to Colin Cowherd, ESPN this past week. He was told by someone on the jests staff that good ole Rex eats close to 7000 calories a day and is up to 350lbs. Do you know how many big macs it would take to equal 7000 calories a day? Your talking 14 big mac's a day!! So the point is...if the media scrutiny doesn't get ex over the next few years, like it got to Buddy in Philly, God knows his caloric intake will. He'll have a massive heart attack and drop like a watermelon from the empire state building!!
Posted by: Angry Fin Fan | January 24, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Gman. Grow up !!! You're sounding just as obnoxious as the very people your insulting. You're dolphin fans a bad name. You won't be taken seriously on here.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:36 PM
giving.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:36 PM
I tell ya to get over it and u saynim acting obnoxious.. Your a fool.. Your angry and all of a sudden your claiming the voice of hundreds of bloggers because u get offended.. Buddy who is the tru person.. U crack on here all day long and I make a few stupid comments and all of a sudden your mother Teresa.. Please buddy.. Just let it go
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:38 PM
My two favorite teams are the Miami Dolphins and whoever plays the jets.
Posted by: Michael from Mobile | January 24, 2010 at 12:39 PM
LMFAO !! Forst of all i'm not your buddy. second of all Look at who's angry and acting like a fool.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Jet fans and dolphin fans have been doing This stuff since I was a child.. Go to games against each other and that krap takes place.. Went to ny to watch the phins and jets an I can't begin to tell u the things that people were saying about me and Miami this and that.. Just like we do when they are in Miami.. It's fun.. Excitement... Energy... Nothing more than that... Sorry if u were offended.. But don't make it like I am some horrible Fan ad everyone here is perfect in what they post.. Please!
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:42 PM
First.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Ok . lets take this at the jet and it's fans.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Fair enough!!!
Posted by: Gman050 | January 24, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Today should be interesting to say the least.I doubt that Shula would want to play on a soggy field.You could take a 15-0 team and play a 0-15 team on a muddy field and it would be even.Remember the Fins at Pittsburgh in 07 and we lost 3-0?
Posted by: beerndrums | January 24, 2010 at 12:46 PM
My two favorite teams are the Miami Dolphins and whoever plays the jets.
Posted by: Michael from Mobile | January 24, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Yes. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend".
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 24, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Hey NJ, what do u think of Donte Stallworth, besides he's a skumbag...Clevland is releasing him and he's down to his last chance in the NFL...should we bring him in on a minimum signed deal and take a look or is he not even worth the effort???
Posted by: bobbyd12 | January 24, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Bobbyd12. first what's up and are you ready for today ?? NO WAY !! do we bring his swine flu virus near the miami dolphins. This guy had his chances and killing a guy IN MIAMI won't sit well with the people from miami.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 24, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Working today NJ... I know he skumbag, just curious on ur thoughts on him
Posted by: bobbyd12 | January 24, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Bidness is bidness. A straight up Jets win pays 300 on betus.com.
Posted by: PriceMaster | January 24, 2010 at 01:03 PM