NEW YORK, NY — The NFL Trade deadline came and went last week with a number of organizations attempting to add reinforcements in hopes of a potential playoff run in January while others went the opposite route in looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft and beyond.
The New York Jets surprised the NFL world last Tuesday by jettisoning two of their best-known players, defensive end Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner in trades to the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. The Jets received a treasure trove of first and second-round picks from each team. In addition, the Cowboys sent defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets, while the Colts dispatched wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
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The Jets had only one win up to the November 4th trade deadline, and it was apparent they would not be making the playoffs for the fifteenth straight season, the longest such drought in professional sports.
Although both Quennen Williams and Sauce Gardner have Pro Bowl appearances on their resumes, their play this year has not lived up to their reputations. And while it may not have been their fault, they did not transform the Jets into a winning franchise.
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Jets general manager Darren Mougey, who did not draft either player, felt the way Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Branch Rickey did about his lone star player in the 1950s. The late Mets broadcaster, and Hall of Fame outfielder, Ralph Kiner was fond of talking about his frustrations of negotiating a contract with the tightfisted Rickey. “We can finish last with or without you,” Kiner would always say with a chuckle. Rickey eventually traded Kiner to the Chicago Cubs.
Mougey, and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, made it clear they were not going to hold a fire sale at the NFL trade deadline.
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There were rumors swirling that running back Breece Hall, who is one of the few Jets having a good season, was certain to be dealt. He stayed put, because Mougey was not interested in sending him elsewhere unless he got a prime draft choice in return. He was not interested in a generic third-round pick which is often the compensation NFL teams receive when trading a name player. Mougey sent a message to his colleagues that no one should take advantage of him.
Long-suffering Jets fans did not flood sports talk radio stations with angry phone calls over the team parting with players who were popular. They understand the team’s need for draft capital, especially when it comes to finding a franchise quarterback from the college ranks. The Jets have fared poorly in that regard as the selections of Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson attest. In fairness, Smith and Darnold have found success after leaving the Jets.
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The Jets have a terrific wide receiver in Garrett Wilson, and a promising tight end in rookie Mason Taylor. However, as Dan Leberfeld, who hosts a popular Saturday afternoon show on the SiriusXM NFL channel, and the publisher of “Jets Confidential,” likes to say, “It’s the quarterback who makes the receivers, and not the other way around.”
FOX Sports parts ways with Mark Sanchez after incident and arrest in Indianapolis
These have not been good times for the last quarterback who led the Jets to the playoffs, Mark Sanchez. Last month came the shocking news that Sanchez had been stabbed in Indianapolis. The story got stranger when he was arrested after allegedly attacking a 69-year-old truck driver who claimed the stabbing was in self-defense.
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Sanchez, who was always good with the media, had been a FOX Sports NFL analyst since retiring as a player. This past Friday, FOX announced it was parting ways with Sanchez, and was replacing him with another former NFL QB, Drew Brees. This represents a second chance for Brees, who was hired with great fanfare a few years ago by NBC when he hung up his cleats but was let go because he was deathly dull.
Remembering and Paying Tribute to Bob Trumpy
Bob Trumpy was a terrific tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1960s and early 1970s and then went on to become an NFL broadcaster for NBC. He had deep baritone pipes which commanded the attention of viewers. Although he was a former player, he did not pull punches when a current player made a mistake or did not give his best effort. Trumpy passed away last week at the age of 80.
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Trumpy’s passing is certain to be acknowledged at next month’s Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame ceremonies. It is an oversight that he had not been inducted into that august body. Hopefully, he will get that honor posthumously next year.
Kenny Smith enjoying his time on ESPN with “Inside the NBA”
Lefrak City native Kenny Smith, who enjoyed both a lengthy NBA career, and achieved even more fame being part of the “Inside the NBA” studio show on TNT, is expanding his television horizons. Now that “Inside the NBA” has moved to ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports is having him take part in “First Take,” hosted by the pride of Hollis, Stephen A. Smith (no relation), as well as provide analysis on selected NBA telecasts.
Antoan Richardson joins Braves as first base coach
It did not take former Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson long to find an employer who met his compensation request. Last Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves announced Richardson would be the first base coach under new manager, and Rockland County native, Walt Weiss. Richardson will be reunited with longtime Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner who was snapped up by the Braves after Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns fired him the Friday after the season ended for the Amazin’s.
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Coaching personnel decisions rarely get fans worked up, but they knew that Mets hitters liked the job Richardson was doing, especially the $765 million man, Juan Soto. The fact that the Mets let him walk over what could not have been a lot of money (the Braves are not known for being profligate), had many of their fans wondering if David Stearns and team owner Steve Cohen were channeling their inner Jeff Wilpon. Now that would understandably trigger PTSD among the Flushing faithful.
Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico at Citi Field this Saturday, November 15th
Nearly two months after the Mets played their last home game in their disappointing season, baseball returns to Citi Field this Saturday, November 15 as teams from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will do battle on the diamond (Tickets Available Here).
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Expect to see several minor leaguers, current MLB players, and some well-known retired ones like the former Met and Yankee Robinson Canó.
BagelFest set to return in Queens this Sunday, November 16th
It will be a doubleheader of sorts at Citi Field this weekend. On Sunday, November 16, BagelFest returns for its second event in Flushing. While the bagel is synonymous with New York City, the carb delicacy has become popular across the USA. Expect bagel artisans from the Deep South and the Pacific Coast to be at Citi Field on Sunday to be displaying their wares.
“Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost” out now on Apple TV
Actor and diehard Knicks fan Ben Stiller pays tribute to his late mom and dad, Anne Meara, and Jerry Stiller, better known as the iconic comedy duo of Stiller & Meara, with a documentary simply titled “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”
Image Credit: Apple TV
Ben interviews family members, as well as sharing home movies and tape recordings, to give us a more serious behind-the-scenes picture of two people who provided the gift of laughter. It is airing on the Apple Television streaming service.
You can read more of Lloyd Carroll’s columns posted weekly on The Queens Chronicle.
