We'll be live blogging all of the action here and at 12SD tonight. I'll be in and out for most of the game, but shouldn't slow down the fun. Here are your particulars....

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (ESPN, 8:30pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: NYJ -3, O/U 36

While some teams like the Redskins and Dolphins have banned their players from using Twitter, teams like the Jets have embraced its networking potential. At the current time, New York currently has eleven players using Twitter, and has even hired someone to help the team's players with their posts and accounts. Via the Associated Press....

The Jets have even hired someone responsible for assisting players with social networking.

"We now have more than 80,000 people following our various players and our organization," Higgins [Executive VP of Business Operations] said. "That means that at any given moment, we can reach 80,000 fans directly, rather than having to get a newspaper story to get a message out. I just don't see how you don't embrace such a powerful tool."

Sanchez was leading the Jets with 40,244 followers, followed by Rhodes, center Nick Mangold (6,548), tight end Dustin Keller (5,292) and Feely (5,127).

"It's a good way of not being mean to a fan where you're not able to stop and give them an autograph," Rhodes said, "but you can go online and see what's going on."

Higgins said the timing simply worked out for the Jets, whose new coach, Rex Ryan, is all for his players speaking their minds.

"He's the type of guy who says, 'Say what you're feeling, but make sure you back it up on the field,'" Keller said. "That kind of goes hand-in-hand with the Twitter thing. You have to be smart and it gives us an even better opportunity to get closer to fans."

Obviously using Twitter needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but for teams to completely ban their players from using it, is a terrible idea. As Higgins illustrated above, the Jets alone have 80K followers, and fans appreciate the direct communication. The NFL has already gotten behind Twitter, but it'll be interesting to see the success and trust of the teams that embrace the phenomenon.

Tweet this: Jets encourage players to use Twitter (AP)

It's usually pretty inappropriate for a man to rip another man's shirt off in public, but to do so at a charity even is even more so. Boomer Esiason did just that to Mark Sanchez, at Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons of Hope Gala, but that wasn't even the awkward part. No, that would be the gentleman in the crowd, trying to catch the subsequent pass from the Jets' QB. Via Hot Clicks....

Now that is funny....I don't care who you are. As far as Boomer goes....I think I'll pass on that one.

Sports Video Of The Day (Hot Clicks)

I would be pretty bitter if too if I were the Jets, but this might not be the best way to honor the great Brett Favre. If you head over to Jets.com, you can buy any Favre merchandise for 50% off! Via Watchdog....



Yes! Now I can get that pink Favre jersey tee that I always wanted, and I don't have to pay $18!!! Sweeeeet.

Celebrate The Historic Career Of #4 (Jets Shop)

FOX and CBS are probably throwing shit against the wall right about now, but the rest of America is thanking their lucky stars for the Ravens, Eagles, Raiders and Texans. Why is that? Well because it knocks the Jets, Cowboys and Patriots out of this season's playoffs....HUZZAH!

If you happened to watch the Bills epic collapse against the Jets, then you probably saw the Shaun Ellis fumble recovery to give the Jets the lead. What you may not have seen is the referee on that play getting absolutely destroyed during Ellis' romp to the endzone. The Sports Hernia provides the photographic evidence, but here's video of said destruction....

Yep, that's a broken nose. But at least he didn't get completely blindsided for no reason like this ref during a High School game in Texas last week.

Ed Hochuli's nose would've broken the field (The Sports Hernia)

I know a lot of you don't even get the NFL Network, and probably missed the wild end of the Jets-Pats game, so here are your highlights. The Jets had a 3rd and 2, with the chance to end the game, and the ran to the left for just a yard. With no timeouts and a little over a minute on the clock the Pats moved down the field, and Matt Cassel hit Randy Moss on a 4th and the game to send it to overtime.

After that score, I thought this one was over and the Pats were going to win the toss and run down the field. Favre had something else in mind and he picked the NE defense apart, complete with a huge 3rd and 15 pass to rookie Dustin Keller, on the way to a Jay Feely attempt to win it....

I tell every Pats fan I know that they are the luckiest team on the face of the earth (see last week Bills game), but that was just "never give up" Football right there. 1st place in the AFC East was on the line and both teams seemed to want it as much as the other. The Jets took the top spot tonight, but that division isn't ending without a fight. God I love the NFL.

I caught this commercial after going back and watching Monday Night Countdown from last night, and I think it's safe to say that the NFL Network's commercial for the Jets-Patriots game will make you sick to your stomach....

A "Heroes" parody? Ugh. The only my they could have made that more nauseating was to play the Foo Fighters "My Hero" in the background. I understand that networks need to attach their promos to someone, but when it's Favre, I immediately just roll my eyes. It'll be interesting to see if Papa and Collinsworth, fawn over Favre as much as the MNF crew did earlier in the year.

Well, it looks like L.T. is going to be limited tonight, so the Chargers are going to turn to the electric Darren "Pocket Hercules" Sproles to fill in. Not a bad replacement if you ask me. We're all hoping that ESPN at least tries to tone down the Favre talk tonight, but it doesn't seem likely as they've shown him walking into the stadium about seven times already. If you want to play the Favre mention imbibing game, don't let me stop you, but I think your liver will hate you in the morning.

The game kicks off at 8:30, so I'll see you around then for the live-blog.

"Win tonight, you've got the Raiders next week, and then you're 2 and 2."- Keyshawn Johnson
"Yeah that's nice. Christmas next week as the Raiders come to town."- Tom Jackson

How interesting is it that the chargers have had a dick announcing all their games so far? Stockton, Enberg and Kornheiser (Via Anon)

Haha....way to start things off on a good note, Anon. Oh and if you care there's a WNBA Playoff game on ESPN2 and DWTS starts tonight as well. It's certainly a packed night.

"That's more than discussing the new Mustang."- Chris Berman on Bill Ford Jr. wanting to fire Matt Millen.

Thomas Jones is definitely a beast, but do we really need the "Transformers" noise when they're showing him half naked? Just a thought.

"The good thing about being short is that everyone else is tall...."- Emmitt Smith

He did make a good point saying that you have leverage, but it still made me chuckle. Stu Scott also referred to Emmitt as not being the "tallest brother". Oh Stu....if only Mary Kate was around to see you now!

So can someone tell me why ESPN just aired a "Two and a Half Men" promo when it airs on CBS against Monday Night Football? Just curious because that seems like a bad idea to me.

Picks:
Ditka- Jets
Keyshawn- Chargers
Cris Carter- Chargers
Tom Jackson- Jets
Berman- Chargers
Steve Young- Chargers
Emmitt- Chargers
Stu- Chargers

Why do we care who Stu Scott thinks will win? (Via Anon)

Very good question.

"Pick a guy, let it fly. Playoff bound. The Jets ain't going, if Brett ain't throwin'"- Cris Carter

That was poetic. Let's start this thing....
__________________________________

8:30- It's game time folks. If anyone is playing the "Brett Mention Drinking Game" raise your hands now, so I know who'll be the drunk as hell after the first series of the game.

"Brett Favre, he was his old, but he wants to beat his brains out tonight."- Tony Kornheiser

Really? That seems a little harsh. Kickoff coming up after the break.

"This could be Brett Favre's last Monday Night game."- Mike Tirico

Oh god. Tony is doing a Cosell impression. Unbelievable. I still love the helmets clashing though. Here we go.....Jets ball to start it.

8:40- Leon Washington is popped on the kickoff and it will be Jet ball from the 23 yard line. Favre to Cotchery for five on first down is followed up by a screen to Jones that picks up a first down. Nice play recognizing the blitz there. Jones with the run for about seven.

"Jets moving the ball on San Diego, and what else is new?"- Mike Tirico

First incompletion for Favre and it's 3rd and 4....Play action....overthrown. Jets punt it away.

Can we start a fake laugh count for Tony's jokes? (Via Anon)

Sure! Great idea.

"GO CHA-GAHS!" - Tony Kornheiser doing a Schwarzenegger impression (Via SS)

8:47- San Diego's offense doesn't look very exciting early on, and.......

Right on cue! Rivers is picked of and that's six for the Jets. David Barrett with the INT and the return.

7-0 Jets.

Tony says it's a horrible start and I think that's the understatement of the year.

"They have so many toe injuries on this team that I assume they must practice barefoot and step on their toes" - Tony Kornheiser (Via JFein)

I don't even know what that's supposed to mean.

8:54- Chargers back with the ball again and LT picks up a few yards on first down. Rivers almost picked again and he is just throwing to the Jets at this point. 3rd and 8....

Got it to Buster Davis. First down. Rivers going deep! Great play by Lowry catching up to Vincent Jackson and knocking it down. Second down goes nowhere and it's third and long again for the Chargers....

Tell Rivers that his team is the blue team. (Via Anon)

Well he finds the blue team, and Buster Davis again, and picks up another first down. Same exact play as before. 1st down Chargers. Sproles for two yards but Jackson fights for a first down on the next play.

"Really good job by Phillip Rivers."- Ron Jaworski
"So you feel better about him now than you did 45 seconds ago?"- Tony Kornheiser

Tomlinson with another carry and it'll be third and short....incomplete as Rivers scrambles. Kaeding will come on for a FG attempt....

Good. 7-3 Jets with 5:40 left in the first.

There's only one "LT" and his name is Lawrence Taylor. (Via Anon)

True, but it makes it much easier typing to just call him LT. I'll be wary of this going forward though.

9:04- Jets ball from the 27 and Favre hits the rookie Keller for a medium gain. Interesting.....ESPN still hasn't fixed the down and distance graphic, but they've gotten rid of the player intros.

Oh man. Cromartie drops a sure pick six and he was heading downfield before securing the ball. Thomas Jones up the middle and FUMBLE! Picked up by Jammer and he gets it inside the 20 of the Jets. Great strip there.

Where is Hochuli? Wasn't that Thomas Jones throwing an incomplete pass? (Via Mal)

Tomlinson gets a short run and then absolutely wholloped by Eric Barton on second down. 3rd and 7 and Rivers hits Davis running across the field yet again. First down. Whoa....Rivers fumbles the snap but almost runs it in following the gaff. 2nd and Goal....

TOUCHDOWN Chargers! Rivers to Tolbert on a great play action and that's just what they needed. 10-7 Chargers.

9:15- Five yards for Leon Washington on first down and Favre follows it up with a strike across the middle. The draw doesn't go anywhere from midfield and that's the quarter....

10-7 Chargers after one.

Make that 17-7.....Favre throws one to Coles that is fought for by Cromartie and he takes it back for six. That was quick.

"There's a downside. He throws a lot of interceptions."- Tony Kornheiser

Really? Wasn't aware of that. WOW! Now Leon Washington takes a kickoff all the way back inside the Jets five!!! Now we're playing. For some reason the Jets are still trying to run at the goal line. Second down.....

TOUCHDOWN! Favre to Coles and hopefully Laverneus can stop whining about Pennington being cut.

17-14 Chargers.

9:27- ONSIDE! No good, but definitely a good try.

OK - right after the KO return, the NY fans in the stands are holding up the letters "J-E-S-T". (Via Mal)
"J-E-S-T"??? (Via Anon)

Damn, I missed it. Someone will get the screengrab though. Too funny.

S2N should negotiate a deal to blog the Monday night games.......AA can't be getting all the fun. (Via SS)

Hey, he had all the great games last year. It's only fair.

LT goes nowhere on first down but picks up about eight yards on a second down screen. 3rd and 1....first down. LT right up the middle. Tomlinson again and I think we know

"It's too small to matter, but it becomes the Achilles heel of the foot."- Tony Kornheiser

I'm so confused, but luckily Rivers hits Chambers down the middle for six and we don't have to hear any awkward laughing or silence.

24-14 Chargers and we've got a shootout.

9:34- I have to say that while I'm not LOVING this broadcast, it's certainly less annoying than last week's. I think ESPN might have actually discovered that the less Kornheiser talks....the better.

Jets ball and Castillo goes down. That's not good for a struggling D. You know what is good for a struggling D though? Brett Favre throwing passes directly to your secondary! Another pick for the Chargers D and they take over at the 45.

"Whose fault is it in that case?" - Tony Kornheiser

Come on Tony, you're an analyst. Why don't you tell us? (Via JFein)

Because he knows nothing about Football. 7 minutes to go and the Chargers offense is just chipping away at the Jets. 2nd and 4 and Sproles picks up a first.

"I'm not sure you can overstate this....they're 0-2."- Tony Kornheiser

If you have to preface a statement with that, then you already have. Rivers hits Tolbert over the middle and it'll be 3rd and short with 5 minutes to go. Timeout Chargers.

"We've head a penalty free first half to this point."- Mike Tirico
(about a 20 second pause)
"Well that's good."- Ron Jaworski
"Thank you for that."- Tony Kornheiser
"You like that in depth analysis?"- Ron Jaworski

TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS! Rivers to Gates and this one is getting ugly....

31-14 Chargers with 3:17 left.

9:53- Leon Washington again with a nice return and the Jets will get it at midfield. TJ gets about eight on the draw and Favre follows that up with a pass to Cotchery for the first down. 1st and 10 from the Charger 33 yard line. Favre hit Cotch again and that's the two minute warning. A penalty sends the Jets backwards and it's 2nd and 11...

Favre on the scramble and he slides after a three yard gain. Boy he just looked like a kid there didn't he? 3rd and 9....BLITZ! Sack and that hurts as Favre is dragged down out of field goal range. The Jets punt and it's downed inside the five. That'll probably do it for the half unless Norv wants to run it up....

31-14 Chargers at the Half. I'll see you in a new thread to start the second.

The way that networks, newspapers and radio stations are covering Brett Favre is almost more interesting than him playing for the Jets this season. There had been rumors that the Jets were being extremely selective about who Favre interviewed with and now NY Daily News has a shaft by shaft account of the situation....

While their reaction is reminiscent of the Secret Service swooping in to protect the President, it should come as no surprise. When Favre arrived at Jets camp, a rule was immediately set: He would give no one-on-one interviews.

Last week, the Jets' stated policy concerning Favre was altered. The "policy" now seemed to be highly selective and exercised at the Jets' discretion.

On Monday, Favre did a one-on-one telephone interview with ESPN-1050's Michael Kay. ESPN-1050 is the radio home of the Jets (WABC-AM airs Jets games, too). ESPN-1050 promoted the interview as Favre's first "exclusive" one-on-one since joining the Jets. The next day Favre went on WFAN with Mike (Napoleon Solo) Francesa.

While Favre likely did not get paid for the ESPN-1050 interview, this was definitely a form of checkbook chatter. ESPN-1050 got the spot because of its partnership with the Jets. Unfortunately, the interview was a snoozefest with Favre basically repeating much of what he had said since arriving at the Jets Hofstra bunker.

Yes, Jets scribes were shafted here, but the organization had a good excuse. This was just business. The Jets were taking care of a partner. The real kick in the butt came Tuesday when Francesa planted his fanny inside a tent at Hofstra.

WFAN is the radio home of the NFL champion Giants, but there sat Favre yakking live one-on-one with Francesa (seen also on YES). Even Eric Mangini hung around, playing the role of Favre's wingman.

Gang Green operatives breaking their own rule for business purposes is one thing, but allowing Francesa to access Favre gave those covering the team every right to be ticked and also feel like rented mules. Before you say "Who cares," realize this: The beat writers are an essential link between fans and a team. When an organization deprives them of one-on-one access, they are depriving you of original information, too.

Very Interesting. I can completely understand giving ESPN 1050 the first interview following the trade, but the WFAN is baffling. Raissman, who wrote the piece, even goes on to say that the Jets have also yet to grant its local TV partner, SNY, and sitdown with Favre. How would you feel if you were SNY and a Giants radio station in WFAN got an interview before you did? I'd be pretty upset.

Also, Newsday's Neil Best has a collection of quotes from various announcers in regards to Favre coverage this year. It's a really good look into their thinking, so check it out. Here's a small sample....

"We should be paying part of his salary."- Jim Nantz

"I'm hoping it's more play action. I hope he's holding the ball more, dropping deeper. I want to see him throw it down the field more because everyone says 'gunslinger, great arm,' but Green Bay led the league in short passes."- Phil Simms

"He's certainly given a shot in the arm to this city. It's been great. It seems like it's all we talk about on the radio."- Boomer Esiason

"As far as adapting to terminology and plays, if there's anybody in the league who can do it, it's him, because of the experience he's had. Football is football. You read coverages. Coverages don't change much. It's just the approach to the offense."- Dan Marino

"It's like being dropped in the middle of Japan, trying to speak that language and you have to figure it out for yourself ... You might see some ugly picks early in the year. You might see early throws that look like he doesn't know what he's doing. It's because he doesn't."- Rich Gannon

It's a shame that Gannon probably won't to get to call any Favre game this year (#1 and 2 teams will get all of them) because he seems to be the only analyst being realistic. Good for him. CBS will be banking on him early in the season, so it will be interesting to see how Nantz, Simms, etc. cover him. I'm not rooting for Favre to have a bad season, but rather hoping that CBS doesn't sugarcoat things if he does.

Brett Favre, Jets run quarterback sneak on media (NY Daily News)
CBS hoping to bank on Jets' Brett Favre bonanza (Newsday)

Here it comes. You just knew that the Favre madness wouldn't be slowing down just yet, but rather just beginning. There are various reports, including one out of Boston, that the main CBS game for Week One is going to be the Jets at Dolphins. CBS plans to send the top team of Nantz and Simms to Miami with the ammo of Brett's first snaps as a Jet and Pennington's revenge....

“It’s great for the NFL, it’s great for the AFC East, and it’s great for CBS — I know they’re ecstatic,” [Patriots' Owner] Kraft said of the network that carries most AFC games. “I like the last time we played the Packers; if it can be like that it would be good [New England won, 35-0, in Green Bay in 2006]. But he beat us in the Super Bowl in ’96 and I remember that long pass he threw (to Antonio Freeman) — that was not a great way to start. I think he still has more wins against us; he’s one of the few active players who has more wins against us than losses. I hope we can straighten that record out.”

Favre's addition has already had an impact on the way the Jets are perceived by the league's television partners. Kraft, who is chairman of the NFL's Broadcasting Committee, said that CBS is planning to send its top announcing tandem to Miami to broadcast the Jets season-opener against Pennington and the Dolphins on Sept. 7

I guess the decision is a smart one giving the situation, and the fact that there are not really any other good AFC games that weekend. I'd personally rather watch the Jaguars and Titans, but we all know the Jets and Patriots are going to be the story all year long for CBS. Start preparing yourselves now.

Kraft talks about Favre and Brady (Boston.com)
Favre improves AFC, says Kraft (Providence Journal)

I don't think Jenn Sterger is inherently bad at what she does (she does pretty well on camera), but it's amazing how one little comment from Brent Musburger has landed a FSU student in various writing jobs from blogs to Sports Illustrated. The girl even landed on the E! show "Byte Me: 20 Hottest Women of the Web" at #19.

Well according to the Randy's Radar (the official Jets' blog) she's got a new gig and is now an employee of the New York Jets....

Jenn Sterger, a southern girl with flair, is taking her act to New York. In an effort to improve their gameday experience, the New York Jets have hired Sterger as the club’s gameday host.

“It will be fun. It’s going to be sassy,” Jenn told me recently of her new role. “I plan on fully embracing my new role as a New Yorker.”

In her new position, she will interview celebrities and will host a pregame “Keys to the Game” segment and the club’s pregame components up until player introductions. She’ll also play a role during TV timeouts and at halftime.

“I thought it was a great project. I think it’s really cool that you guys are trying to integrate a new kind of media into your gameday experience,” she said. “It’s going to be fun and more interactive for fans. If it gets them in the seats earlier and out of the freezing parking lots a couple of beers earlier maybe, so be it. I promise I’ll put on as good a show as I possibly can.”

I do have to agree that it's definitely a cool idea, but with the whole that went down last year, they might want to be careful with how much she "interacts" with the fans. Also, just a random question here, but what celebrities are going to Jets games in the middle of the Winter? Just curious.

Jenn Sterger Set for 'Sassy' Jets Role (NY Jets)