Tom Coughlin Extended to 2014

Giants fans should be very happy about this one! Head Coach Tom Coughlin, after finishing the season, under intense pressure, with his second Super Bowl Championship with the Giants received a contract extension that will retain him through the 2014 season.

Tim Tebow to the New York Jets?

Peyton came in to Denver, so we know what that means...Tebow is on his way out.

Did I Predict the Placement and Location of the New San Diego Chargers Stadium?

As many of you know, I am currently shopping my manuscript titled The Calling to Lead and a while back, I wrote about the manuscript's connection to the city of San Diego.

Peyton Maning gets that Mile-High Feeling...What About Tebow?

The GIANTS may have won the Super Bowl and the season may have ended, but that surely does not mean the NFL is out of the news.

The Champions Come Home

Yesterday afternoon, the Super Bowl Champion Giants came home, and today was the day to celebrate. The day began with a ticker-tape parade up Lower Broadway, aka the "Canyon of Heroes," to City Hall, where Mayor Bloomberg presented them with keys to the city. We saw song and dance that rivaled Michael Strahan's 2008 Classic! After that ceremony ended, the Giants headed to their true home, New Jersey, where they held a large celebratory rally at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants are the Super Bowl Championships...AGAIN!

It has been quite a 2011-12 season for the New York Giants. Tonight, in Indianapolis, they won Super Bowl XLVI and are the WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!! A few months ago, I was quite concerned about the Giants even making the playoffs and mistakes the front office would make, but like the strong leader he is, Tom Coughlin brought this team together, focused them and they won the NFC East; beginning a memorable playoff run, which rivals the 2007-08 season, where they won their right to the Super Bowl in San Francisco two weeks ago.

Super Bowl Bound!

The Giants are going to the Super Bowl again! And they will be meeting none other than the New England Patriots; the team they defeated in Super Bowl XLII! The road to the playoffs for the Giants was both convincing and challenging in defeating Atlanta, Green Bay and San Francisco. Led by their elite quarterback, Eli Manning, their strong leader of a coach, Tom Coughlin, and their Big Blue Wrecking Crew of a defense, they turned around what looked like a losing season to a magical run!

In the AFC, the Patriots' Offense dominated, Tom Brady had another stellar season and the team played hard this season for Myra Kraft, owner Robert Kraft's wife, who passed away in 2011.

I make no secret that I am a Giants fan and am openly rooting for them as they take the field to attempt to win their 4th Super Bowl. This will be an excellent game and will be a ratings powerhouse for the NFL.

And just think, the NFL could have been locked out this year...

Tebow Time

Yesterday's AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots turned out to be the highest rated Saturday Division Playoff game in 18 years! And this is for no other reason than Tim Tebow.

This season, Tim Tebow has become one of the most polarizing figures in sports, and for fully unfounded reasons. A few years back when he was playing for the University of Florida and led them to a National Championship, he made an ad for Focus on the Family, which aired during the Super Bowl, with his mother, that many saw controversial. Many saw this as a message as a shot against those who support abortion and from that moment on, he was a marked man in the eyes of the left. As he entered the NFL, they criticized his style of quarterbacking, they criticized his loving display of Christianity and made every attempt to minimize him. Despite that, Tim Tebow rose up, faced the challenge and did the job, leading his team, the Denver Broncos, to winning the AFC West and into the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Although the Broncos were not successful, and played against a team that was running up the score after a win seemed eminent, Tim Tebow continued to take every snap and continued to play every down to the best of his ability.

His team has been inspired by him, fans respect the heart with which he plays and in his actions, Tim Tebow accepts the role of a leader, lives the teachings of Christianity and possesses an immense character and humility that should set an example for everyone from America's youth to tomorrow's football player. A player like Tim Tebow should be honored and I believe he has much potential, both on the field and off the field, for success in life.

NFC East Champs and Off to the Playoffs

The clip above is WR Victor Cruz's touchdown catch and "Salsa celebration." He was a major contributor to the Giants victory over the Dallas Cowboys, awarding them the NFC East Championship and a home playoff game next week, where they will face the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite the crazy roster moves of General Manager Jerry Reese in the truncated off season due to the lockout, the Giants were successful this season. It wasn't always pretty, but they won at key times.

For years, the media has pummelled Tom Coughlin and while part of me thinks the Giants management used Reese to set up Coughlin's firing (he is in the last year of a contract), it looks like that move was an epic fail.

Tom Coughlin, the consummate professional, has made quite the impression on his team. He doesn't talk so much that he puts his foot in his mouth, he doesn't boast, he goes to work and lets his team do the talking with their play. He was handed a relatively inexperienced Offense, due to Reeese's moves, and dealt with a Defense decimated by injury throughout the season. It got ugly at times, but he didn't blow up, he didn't melt down, he didn't pull any stupid media stunts, he explained the situation to his team, while making sure they play by the rules, and imparted the idea to them that it's their play which will result in the Giants having a winning season or a losing season. Coughlin laid down the gauntlet and the team responded.

Throughout his NFL career, Eli Manning has played under Coughlin and has taken his fundamentals into his play, doing what he can to win. Many a fourth quarter comeback this season, Eli marched the offense down the field to save the day. Eli Manning, as his career progresses, has built himself into the durable, elite quarterback that can carry a team on his back, leading to his statistically best season.

Coughlin's coaching leadership and Manning's leadership through play has inspired many on this team to step up when it counts. Victor Cruz, in his second season, came into his own as a player, WR Hakeem Nicks had a stellar season, even with injury, and TE Jake Ballard is stepping up to be a fine replacement to TE Kevin Boss (which I believe was Reese's dumbest roster move) On the Defensive side of the ball, Jason Pierre-Paul and Michael Boley are emerging to be the young leaders of this defensive unit, stepping up to not only plug the holes we saw against New Orleans, but to save Perry Fewell's job as Defensive Coordinator.

The Giants naysayers are already stating how they won't advance past the Atlanta Falcons, but with the heart this team has shown the past few weeks, I'm not writing them off. Let us not forget about the 2007 season; Coughlin was against the wall, they survived through a slump and ended the season on a high note. There are some similarities and the playoff journey begins next Sunday, 1PM at MetLife Stadium!

Ramifications of the Second Half Collapse

After tonight's defeat, it's clear the New York Giants are tanking, and tanking fast! To be honest, I did not expect them to be as far as they are. At the beginning of this truncated off-season due to the lockout, GM Jerry Reese made some bold dumb roster changes on the offense with the release of Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Tight End Kevin Boss, Center Shaun O'Hara, passing on Plax (not that bad of an idea, in my opinion, but there are many who would have wanted him back) and not drafting Mark Ingraham. With these changes, there were no big time free agent signings, which led me to believe that he was putting it on the coaching staff to make the youngsters ready for prime time. For a while, it was working, but they are all still quite young and this inexperience, combined with injuries, are catching up with their grueling second half schedule. This is not a good situation and fans should take note.

Most importantly, this slump is NOT TOM COUGHLIN'S FAULT! He is a stellar coach, led his players to a Super Bowl victory and has done his best under very troubled circumstances. Knowing Coughlin is in the last year of his contract, the personnel moves made by Reese, the fact that he did not hire Coughlin, and the availability of Bill Cowher, it troubles me that Reese is setting up Coughlin and will not face action for his roster decisions. I continue to stand by Tom Coughlin, as I did last season. What needs to be done is for the Maras and the Tischs to FIRE JERRY REESE. And with these bonehead personnel moves, I'm not the only one who thinks the heat in the kitchen may be increasing.

The Giants have some very tough remaining games, but if they can perform well against their NFC East Rivals, (two games remain against the Cowboys and one against the Redskins) they could still be in the fight. These youngsters must, when not on the practice field, spend time in the film room or in the weight room to stave off any more injuries. And if they miss the playoffs, Giants fans can hope Jerry Reese will be set free to destroy the roster of another NFL team.

Loss

After a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer, Apple Founder and CEO Steve Jobs has passed away. While some have criticized Jobs, the fact of the matter is that, as Rush said the other day, he is the epitome of American Exceptionalism. His ingenuity, intelligence and drive not only made money for himself and his company, but it revolutionized the way Americans received technology and media, while also helping to increase the productivity in America, as well as incentivizing competition so that the technology could be further enhanced. Every American, in their everyday habits of communications can look up to Steve Jobs and say "thank you!" The above picture is a makeshift shrine/memorial to Steve Jobs on the steps of the Apple Store in New York City, on 5th and 59th Street, in GM Plaza.

And speaking of loss, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis passed away. His contribution to football is wide-reaching and his media knowledge helped to benefit the Raiders in the early years of the AFL-NFL merger. Davis was a unique and driven businessman, who despite his rough spots, will be remembered for his many positive contributions the NFL, well into 2011. With the Raiders on an upswing this season, look for them to remember his words: "Just win, baby!"

Plax to the Jets

Giants fans remember that touchdown catch and remember it well. The guy had a reach above his opponents and an ability to get away from defenders to get open. Then, on that fateful night, while clubbing in New York City, (without NFL security) it all blew up.

As a Giants and Jets fan, I was following closely as to where Plaxico Burress will end up this season, in his return engagement to the NFL, after his 20 month sentence on a gun possession charge. The decision has been made and Plaxico Burress is now a Jet.

I'm still very frustrated with Plaxico's actions in blowing up the Giants 2008 season. It was unlikely the Giants were going to re-sign him, as they don't put up with malcontents. Examining this contract, it's a one year stint, so he's still on probation. Plax is on the clock and it's imperative he must avoid the drama, as the Jets are gaining the reputation of becoming an organization who gives malcontents a second chance, but will cut them loose if they don't meet their potential, as occurred with Braylon Edwards. There is the potential he will do well, as he will tandem with former Steelers teammate, Santonio Holmes, who just signed a new contract with the Jets.

The AFC East, to say the least, with the changes and additions three teams have made will be an interesting division to watch this year!

The NFL Returns!!!

Cue the music...


Fear not, ladies and gentlemen, there will be a football season, as the players and owners have come to an agreement to end the lockout! This would have ended badly for everyone involved (it took years for Americans to get over the Major League Baseball Strike) and for an industry that averages $9 billion in profit, there was NO WAY they were going to cancel the season! In the early days of player transactions, we've already seen some big moves with the AFC East Teams bulking up against the Jets, as the Patriots have signed Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, while the Miami Dolphins have traded for Reggie Bush.

In the NFC East, the big question among Giants fans is whether or not Plaxico Burress, with his reinstatement, will re-sign with them. Giants fans are divided on this one and I'd like to remind them what happened in the 2008 Season as a result of this behavior.

With so much happening this week, I'll let the late Leslie Nielsen ask the big question:



YES, I AM!!!

Locked Out

Many predicted it and after a week of trying to discuss a resolution to a new collective bargaining agreement, the talks broke off and the lockout has begun.

This was not a surprise and the NFL is doing itself no favors by shutting down an organization that produces $9 billion in revenue. There are still about 4-5 months until training camp opens, but as of now, the 2011 season is in limbo. This could get ugly and even though the President stated otherwise, I believe we'll be seeing the White House involved...remember DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA Director, is a close Obama ally who served on his transition team and donated to his campaign.

At least we have baseball, and if there is no 2011 season, let's hope the NFL (and their likely new commissioner, as Goddell won't last, as a result of a work stoppage under his watch) can have the rebound baseball has since their 1994-5 work stoppage.

Back to Football

As a Giants fan, this one caught my eye. Apparently, Tiki Barber is coming out of retirement and will re-enter the NFL, at 36 years old, four years after retiring. The line is that he misses the game, but the fact that he has some financial and personality issues may be closer to the truth. Thankfully, the Giants will release him when he is officially back in the NFL. They don't need him, as a result of Brandon Jacobs, DJ Ware and likely Amhad Bradshaw at Running Back, but his baggage would make his return to the Giants even more troublesome. With the controversy and disdain surrounding his statements and the love the fans have for him, he shouldn't be a Giant. Former Giant, Antonio Pierce, had some strong words about Tiki, in terms of lack of leadership in the locker room, and I fully agree with him! When someone who is supposed to be a leader makes it all about himself/herself, nobody will follow.

There's talk that Tiki will go to the Bucs to play on the same team as his twin brother Ronde and if that's the case, I feel really bad for the fans of Tampa and wonder if it will help them sell tickets, something with which they've struggled the past couple seasons. I'm sure that many NFL watchers will be observing this experiment with Charlie Sheen enthusiasm.

My prediction: he lasts a season and doesn't play in every game...assuming there is football in 2011.

Super Bowl XLV: Well, at Least the Game was Good

Super Bowl XLV has come and gone, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. The game was quite exciting, with both teams having highs and lows throughout the game, and the game itself went down to the last few minutes!

Over the years, the Super Bowl has become a great big cultural spectacle and this year held true. Leading up the game, Dallas was hit by some nasty winter weather, which is not a regular happening in North Texas, that canceled many flights DFW and prevented fans from arriving early. The thaw from the cold temeratures also forced ice/snow to fall from the roof of Cowboys Stadium, causing injuries. Fans were also turned away at the doors to Cowboys Stadium (and those who weren't turned away were redirected to different areas of the stadium) because the temporary seats were not yet ready.

On game day, the musical performaces did not live up to expectations. Christina Aguilera sang one of the worst renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner and even GOT THE LYRICS WRONG; coming nowhere near the caliber of performances by Whitney Houston or Carrie Underwood, but closer to the performances of Roseanne Barr or Frank Drebin. The Halftime Show featuring the Black-Eyed Peas and a really bad Guns-N-Roses cover did not come off well, causing fans to wish they were watching Bruce Springsteen from 2009 or U2 from 2002.

The commercials were not bad, but nothing to the level of Reebok's Terry Tate-Office Linebacker, Audi's Green Police or Coca-Cola's "Mean" Joe Green. I was able to pull out one honorable mention and my top 3:

- Honorable Mention: VW and The Force: A little boy is dressed as Darth Vader trying to "use the force." His Dad came to the rescue, unlike the 2010 holiday commercials I spoke about (1:50) on Cavuto.



- Snickers 2011: Building on the success they had from last year's Betty White commercial.




- Bridgestone with the beaver: Because the driver had Bridgestone tires and was able to weave out of the way of the beaver, months later on the same route, was able to stop short in front of a large tree cut down by the beaver to block the driver from a fallen out bridge/raging river.



- And the best one was the Chevorlet/OnStar/Facebook commercial: The young man gets a goodnight kiss from his first date with a pretty young lady. As he's driving his Chevrolet home, he calls his OnStar to check his Facebook newsfeed, where he learns that his date updated her status to "Best First Date, Ever."



This commercial speaks to the power of Facebook, the impact is has on American culture and the fact that nearly 10% of the world population is on Facebook. Maybe it is also indirectly foreshadowing what will happen on Oscar night this year.

Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Let's get it out of the way, as a Giants and Jets fan, I am disappointed over the outcome of the playoffs and the teams playing in the Super Bowl; (I can hope for a Giants/Jets Super Bowl AT THE MEADOWLANDS in 2014) shouldn't be a surprise.

Now that the gripes are out of the way, both teams deserve a well-earned tip of the cap for making it to the Super Bowl.

Green Bay Packers: During the 2010 season, this team was injury riddled, and even had to turn to a backup quarterback in Matt Flynn, against the New England Patriots, but despite the loss, he put in an inspiring performance that showed heart (and also raised his personal stock). With their strong defense led by Dom Capers and the phenomenal play of their starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, the Packers won the games that needed to be won during the tail end of the season and were able to earn the final spot in the playoffs (they really should be sending the Chicago Bears some champagne since they didn't show up in that regular season finale). Head Coach, Mike McCarthy, has significant playoff experience, leading the Packers to an NFC Championship game at Lambeau in 2007, so he was able to impart knowledge on how to survive in the playoffs. They faced some very tough teams in the playoffs and survived each one, earning their trip to the Super Bowl, again, thanks to the Chicago Bears.

Pittsburgh Steelers: I may be no fan of Ben Roethisberger because of his disgusting off-the-field behavior, but they have a darn good head coach in Mike Tomlin. With the trade of Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to the Jets and the four game suspension of Roethlisberger, Tomlin appropriately filled the quarterback position, held the team together and came away with a 3-1 record before Big Ben came back. He also kept a close watch on Roethlisberger and acted like a mentor to him, and there have been accounts that his off-the-field behavior is improving as a result. With their bruising defense coached by Dick LeBeau and led by the likes of Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, along with an offense that can move the ball and a mobile quarterback, the Steelers performed well in the playoffs (and yes, the Jets played a good game) and despite the criticisms they did not have to play the Patriots, they also earned their trip to the Super Bowl.

With two coaches who are strong leaders, mobile quarterbacks, strong defenses, accurate receivers and potent running games, along with fans who travel well, the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will give the world a great Super Bowl! After what they did to the Giants, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm rooting for the Packers to win Super Bowl XLV. We'll see if that actually happens.

Obama at the Super Bowl?

News broke the President, a big time Chicago sports fan (who loves going to games at "Kaminsky Field"), said that if the Chicago Bears win the NFC Championship next Sunday, he will go to the Super Bowl! The game will be played in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium on February 6.

Over the past 45 years, the Super Bowl has grown into a cultural phenomenon and is the most watched sporting event every year. Ratings are huge, advertisers spend millions on air time during the game, ticket prices are expensive and the host city is a major destination during the two weeks leading up to the game. Everyone wants to be involved in the Super Bowl and sitting presidents realize this, as they know the extra headaches their attendance will cause at the game between greater security and the inconvenience a presidential visit will cause to the fans. It is for this reason they stay in the White House or Camp David to watch the game.

The Super Bowl this year is being played in the largest NFL Stadium in the US (over 100,000 fans will be in Cowboys Stadium on game day) and for the price the fans are paying to attend that game, the level of inconvenience will be higher than ever. The media will likely focus less on the game and more on the president and what he is doing during the game, which will inconvenience the fans watching, especially those rooting for the Jets or Green Bay (or Pittsburgh and Chicago). Furthermore, with the president attending, the Super Bowl will an even bigger target to terrorists or those wishing to do the United States harm. (We can hearken back to The Sum of All Fears, as we see an executive visit to the Super Bowl didn't go well...and yes, I realize that is a movie, but we are living in a post-9/11 era.)

The president must realize that the Super Bowl is about the players who have reached the apex of their sport, the fans who are in attendance or watching from home, and not about himself. Even more important is the safety of the president, players, and the fans. It is for that reason, President Obama should scratch this crazy idea and instead, watch his Bears (assuming they win) from the comfort of the White House theater. Yet if he does go, we pray for everyone's safety in Dallas on February 6!

UPDATE, 1/23/10: It's safe to say President Obama will not be attending the Super Bowl, as his Chicago Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship.

A Tale of Two Coaches

Two New York football teams, two coaches; both of whom have been in the news much in the past weeks.

Let's start with Rex. I previously stated that while I think there is much potential for success, there is also the potential for a hard fall. With Saturday's game, Rex and his Jets prevailed, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the final seconds, 17-16, in their home stadium! He finally got his defeat of Peyton Manning! Rex Ryan and his coaching staff had a great game plan and the players implemented it well, especially in the second half, with some spectacular catches and great kicks along the way. Also, Rex was able to snag another YouTube moment in the postgame locker room speech. As they prepare to play the Patriots in Foxborough next weekend, I really wish he'd focus on the preparation and not on himself. While there are some that may think his bulletin board material provides incentives to his players to back up his bravado, I'm still hesitant to join in, as he needs to win the big games. We'll see this Saturday if he'll be on his way to doing just that.

On to the other coach...


I'm late on this, but here we go anyway. Sadly, the Giants did not make the playoffs, and yes it's their own fault (Still very happy I missed that 2nd game against the Eagles, but not happy I saw the game they played against the Packers), but Tom Coughlin came under fire by the sports media, who were salivating for his firing. I am very happy the powers that be at the Giants did the smart thing and retained him. For a mild-mannered guy when not on the field, it was surprising to see his reaction toward this criticism in the postgame locker room speech on Showtime's Inside the NFL.

"If the priest weren't in here, I'd say a few more things!"

That will go down in history as a great line!

Yes, they missed the playoffs (and the Seahawks got in at 7-9, but to their credit, beat the Super Bowl Champion Saints last weekend), but in the end, the Giants had a 10-6 season, a pretty big deal in the NFL. (let us not forget the outcry when the 11-5 Patriots did not make the playoffs a few years ago). Summing up the 2010 season, the head coach is one of the Giants' major strengths. Tom Coughlin has much football experience and instinct (especially when it comes to challenging incorrect calls), plans for games with such detail, and in the end, he brought home the Lombardi Trophy! Considering he taught Tiki Barber how to avoid fumbles, he must reiterate those fundamentals with Amhad Bradshaw. (assuming he's back next season)

Their biggest problem is recruiting. I am still not impressed with Jerry Reese's job as a GM in recruiting players in recent years. He got lucky with a few, but it's been lackluster and I hope the Maras and Tischs realize this. When planning who will play on the 2011 team, the Giants need the most help in Special Teams (Hixon will be back next year), especially punter (bye-bye, Matt Dodge), may need to get younger players who will take over at Offensive Line and at linebacker. Another question many Giants fans will be asking is will they re-sign Plaxico Burress after he's released from prison?

Two Jersey Guys at a Crossroads

Who would have ever thought one could put Rex Ryan and Chris Christie in the same category. Well, I will! In following the news these past two years, I've discovered these two men are closely alike in many ways (some readers are thinking I am going to touch on physical resemblances, but I'm focusing on personality and leadership), and both are at a major crossroads.

Bill Parcells brought the Jets to respectability in the late 1990s and since Parcells departed, the subsequent coaches from Al Groh to Eric Mangini have been riding his legacy on the team and while they have made playoff appearances, they have not been consistent, have not appeared in any Super Bowls and had quarterbacks of varying successes lead the offense. When the Jets hired Rex Ryan and brought him to Jersey, he brought with him his brash talk, strong defensive play and gained many fans both in the Jets organization and among the fans of Jet Nation. All look at Ryan as the coach who can get the best out of his players and his young franchise quarterback in Mark Sanchez.

Sad to say, New Jersey has not had a great governor since Tom Kean back in the 1980s. Democrats in Jim Florio, Jim McGreevey, Dick Codey and Jon Corzine were seen as tax hikers, big government liberals, big spenders, part of the machine (in McGreevey's case), leader of the machine (in Codey's and Corzine's case) and corrupt (in McGreevey's and Corzine's case). Republicans in Whitman and DiFrancesco have not fared better. While Whitman attracted new businesses to New Jersey, she was a big spender and borrower and in his short leadership, DiFrancesco was also the same, as well as the fact that he had some ethical questions surrounding his past. When New Jersey voters elected Chris Christie, the charismatic and blunt-talking former US Attorney who convicted 130 corrupt politicians, they wanted things done in a different way.

In their respective leadership tenures, both Christie and Ryan have seen successes. Ryan has led the Jets to two consecutive years of respectable winning records and playoff appearances while getting the best out of his players. Christie has held the line on taxes, he has come out strong against public sector unions, he has tried to throw a lifeline to major cities like Atlantic City, and is actively working toward cutting spending in the state. Both Ryan and Christie have shown they are aggressive leaders, both Ryan and Christie say exactly what they are thinking and Ryan and Christie have become YouTube celebrities in their own right.

While they have the potential for great things, there is also the chance they could slip up. This season, Ryan has had his list of problems between the Inez Sainz incident, gaining the reputation of attracting and signing malcontents to play for the Jets, embarrassing losses to the Patriots and Dolphins that cost the Jets the AFC East, the foot-fetish thing (more a strange distraction than anything else), his alleged role in the Alosi incident and his potential to go overboard in his rhetoric. He also hasn't won "the big one" yet, as a head coach.

Christie also has incidents that have the potential to derail his administration between the Schundler Affair, less of a focus on the 6 figure/mid-level/non classroom administrators, (Remember, New Jersey has 614 local school districts with their own Boards of Education, as opposed to the county leadership structure every other state uses. Also, some of the larger districts have 2 Curriculum Supervisors per content area and average around 8-10 Assistant Superintendents) and criticisms relating to the December 2011 blizzard. Furthermore, unemployment in New Jersey is still high and Christie has many conservatives questioning his conservative credentials because he has not joined either the Virginia or Florida Health Care lawsuits making their way through the Federal Court System, as well as the fact that he has mocked some Conservatives or not endorsed them.

With those potential roadblocks, both Christie and Ryan can bring the jury to a decision in their favor by backing up their talk with action; a Super Bowl in Ryan's case and job creation, an embrace of Conservatism and proper education reform in Christie's case. They can also work to avoid future distractions similar to the ones that have dogged them in the past two years.

I think this is a fair blueprint for both leaders and as someone with a vested interest in Rex Ryan's and Chris Christie's leadership (as a Jets fan and resident of New Jersey, respectively), I wish them the best and much success in achieving positive leadership, leading to positive change in their respective organizations.

NOTE: Explicit language in some of the Rex Ryan clips.