Derrick Mason

Long-time Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason decided to sign with the Jets and leave Baltimore for one big reason: a chance to win a Super Bowl. Mason was a member of the Titans team that came inches away from a title in 1999.

“This is an opportunity I’m coming to [at] the end of my career,” Mason said. “I can still play a lot of good football but I wanted to try to take every opportunity to try to win the Super Bowl. And for me this was the best place to try to do that. Number one on my list was to win and win quickly.”

The 37-year-old was cut by Baltimore soon after the lockout was lifted, but the Ravens were willing to re-sign him for a renegotiated contract. Mason caught 61 catches for 802 yards last season and has reached the 1,000 yard plateau in eight of the last 10 years.

Just one week after being released from prison, wide receiver Plaxico Burress is already talking about playing football in the Meadowlands — but not necessarily for the Giants. In a press conference on Monday, Burress said he’s wiling to play for any team, but hinted at a desire to play for the Jets.

“For me to go to one side to the other side and win a championship in the same [city], how many people have done that? And do I have the capability to lead a team to a championship? Without question,” Burress said.

Burress caught the game-winning touchdown for the Giants to defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The Jets already have a star-crossed receiving corps consisting of Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery.

According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are re-signing wide receiver Laveranues Coles. New York had waived Coles on Aug. 29. The 32-year-old isn’t expected to dress for the Jets’ game Monday night against the Patriots. He played last season for Bengals and has 674 catches and 49 touchdowns for his career.

Luckily for Lee Evans and the rest of the Bills passing attack, vacations to Revis Island have been put on hold for another week. As The Associated Press reported, a hamstring injury that cost Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis a half vs. the Patriots and the entire game against Miami will cause him to miss another contest this Sunday against the Bills.

The Jets could certainly use him after Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall torched the New York secondary for 10 catches, including eight against Antonio Cromartie, for a total of 166 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Kyle Wilson has been equally horrendous, and will apparently lose his starting spot to veteran Drew Coleman.

Looks like that holdout really helped Revis get into game shape.

This is usually the reaction for LaDainian Tomlinson after he plays the Patriots. (AP)

The history between LaDainian Tomlinson and the New England Patriots has been a little rocky. Who are we kidding? The history has been like a gigantic boulder rumbling down the side of a mountain. The two sides just don’t get along, and now Tomlinson, who recently signed with the Jets, can look forward to playing the Pats twice a year.

Just ask LT. He’ll tell you he’s cool with that.

“The Patriots have always been one of them teams that, it’s hard for me to swallow that pill of losing to them, so it’s going to fun to play them twice a year,” he said to the media on Thursday. “And, it’s going to be one of my main goals to beat them twice.”

Tomlinson has had an up-and-down career against the Patriots. Sometimes he has been the heralded running back who never gets his due because he plays on the West Coast, while other times Patriots fans laugh and say, “Really? This guy is one of the best running backs of all-time?”

Tomlinson’s teams have a 3-5 record vs. the Patriots, with two of those losses in the playoffs. Here is a look back at LT’s career vs. the Patriots, dating back to 2001.

Oct. 14, 2001

Tomlinson had a decent game against a stingy Patriots defense in this early season matchup. He rushed for 74 yards with a score on 24 carries, and caught three balls for 13 yards. An OK day, but the Patriots ended up coming out on top, in what would be a recurring theme of that 2001-02 season.

Tom Brady led the Patriots back from a 10-point deficit and Adam Vinatieri nailed a 44-yard field goal to win the game. Sound familiar?

LT was running the ball pretty well against his earlier opponents, putting up three 100-plus-yard games before heading to Foxboro. The Patriots may have given the rest of the league a blueprint for how to stop LT that season, because the running back did not reach the 100-yard plateau again until the Chargers’ 15th game of the season. If you weren’t counting at home, that’s nine straight games.

Sept. 29, 2002

LT got a little bit of revenge on the Patriots in this game. OK, a lot of bit of revenge. He scorched the Pats defense for 217 yards and two TDs on 27 carries. His touchdown runs were for a game-tying 37 yards and then 58 yards on the game-winning score.

This was the Patriots’ first loss in 13 games, after they ran through the 2001 season and beat the Rams in the Super Bowl.

It was a little revenge for the Chargers running back, and he would go on to have a big season, rushing for 1,683 yards and 14 scores.

Oct. 2, 2005

LT and the Chargers would have to wait a couple of years to get another crack at the Patriots, but when they did, they brought some pain to Foxboro. The Chargers whipped the Patriots, 41-17, and LT had his second straight good performance vs. the Patriots.

He had a combined 168 yards (rushing and receiving) and scored twice. This was one of the worst beatings the Patriots had taken in recent years in Foxboro, and the Chargers showed they had a balanced attack. Drew Brees also threw for two TDs, keeping the defense off balance.

The win also snapped the Patriots’ 21-game home winning streak, just more bragging rights for Tomlinson.

Jan. 14, 2007

Patriots fans will remember this game for a long time, thanks to one of the biggest plays in Patriots postseason history by Troy Brown.

Tomlinson had a decent day on the ground, rushing for 123 yards with two TDs, but the Patriots somehow managed to escape San Diego with a win. After the controversial celebration by the Patriots at the middle of the field, LT just snapped.

Those are some harsh words for a team that just beat you on your home field. One thing teams shouldn’t do is feed the bear they call Bill Belichick, and LT gave him plenty of tape to show over and over again every time the Patriots played the Chargers.

Sept. 16, 2007

“I think the Patriots actually live by the saying, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.’ ” — Tomlinson

Tomlinson was quick to jump on the pile of people denouncing the Patriots domination in the 2000s, and man did he wish he didn’t say those words. The Patriots destroyed the Chargers, 38-14, and Tomlinson ran for a miniscule 43 yards on the day.

The Patriots really wanted to put a hurting on the Chargers, and you have to wonder if LT would have been better off keeping his mouth shut. In a matter of a year, LT had called the Patriots classless and cheaters. Boy, should he have kept his mouth shut.

The Patriots would go on to win all their games in the regular season and … we know, never mind.

Jan. 20, 2008

Tomlinson didn't have much to say after this game. (AP)

Two rushes, five yards.

That was Tomlinson’s stat line in the biggest game of his life. Yes, he was slowed by a knee injury, but who can forget LT sitting on the sideline with his helmet on, visor on … in a Chargers winter parka.

It was classic LT that season against the Patriots. They knocked him around in the first meeting and the super Charger never even stepped on the field to make an impact in this game. However, it wasn’t the Patriots’ best game ever, either. The Pats squeaked by the Chargers and the visiting team had ample opportunities to turn drives into points, but the Chargers never came through and the Pats were on to the Super Bowl.

This really was the beginning of the end for LT in San Diego, because he failed to show up in a big game again for the Chargers and Michael Turner kind of showed that he could be a feature back in this league.

Oct. 12, 2008

This was LT’s last shot against the Patriots in a Chargers uniform, and he played decently. But everyone could clearly see that this had become Philip Rivers’ team. Rivers threw for 306 yards and three TDs, while Tomlinson did what he had to on the ground.

He grinded out 74 yards on 20 carries and also had 44 receiving yards as the Chargers beat the Brady-less Patriots, 30-10.

So now, Tomlinson will get two cracks at the Patriots per year. The Chargers clearly didn’t think he had anything left in the tank, and the Jets were willing to get rid of Thomas Jones to bring in LT. We’ll just have to wait and see if LT will be smiling or hiding behind the mask after games against Brady and Co.

A week ago, Bill Belichick was not in the most cheerful of spirits after his failed decision to go for a fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line. Now, seven days later, Belichick can sit back in his office in jollier spirits after the Patriots overpowered Rex Ryan’s Jets, 31-14, in a Sunday afternoon showdown in Foxboro.

Yet, while Belichick may be able to put on a merry Monday morning quarterback face this week, a few of his former coaching pupils find themselves either in the losing column, on the hot seat or just plain out of work.

Since Belichick first became a head coach for the Cleveland Browns in 1991, there have been multiple coordinators, assistants, scouts and other personnel who have sought to create their own legacy to follow in the footsteps of their great mentor. Although some have fared better than others since leaving Belichick’s staff, the majority of his coaching family tree has experienced a degree of difficulty making the transition from acting behind-the-scenes to manning a franchise of their own. Here is a look at how the five most prominent graduates of Belichick’s Coaching Academy have performed since departing from their teacher.

Charlie Weis

When Belichick left the Jets to be named head coach of the Patriots in 2000, Weis followed him from New York to New England. Serving as the offensive coordinator until 2004, Weis engineered the initiation of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system. Assisting in Tom Brady‘s development as the franchise quarterback, Weis helped guide the team to three Super Bowl titles before leaving the Patriots to take over as Notre Dame head coach in 2005. Since then, Weis has not enjoyed the same success as he did in New England. With a 35-26 mark and a 1-2 record in bowl games, Weis has recently come under massive scrutiny, allowing many to speculate that his days as the Fighting Irish coach could be numbered. Indicating a 6-5 record was not good enough when he replaced Tyrone Willingham, Weis has already stated he would not argue with a firing if that is the end result.

Eric Mangini

Hired as the Patriots defensive coordinator in 2005 after serving as the defensive backs coach, Mangini left New England for the Jets in 2006. Accepting the job Belichick had turned down seven years earlier, Mangini instantly became Belichick’s nemesis, causing their relationship to sour. From avoiding postgame handshakes to refusing to acknowledge each other’s success, these two coaches spiced up a rivalry for three years. Referred to as “Fredo” (the disloyal son in “The Godfather”) by Patriots defensive lineman Ty Warren, Mangini opened the door for New England fans to detest him even further after accusing Belichick of recording the Jets’ defensive signals in 2007 during the infamous Spygate incident. In his three years overseeing the Jets, Mangini struggled, including a late-season collapse in 2008 that ultimately cost him his job. Mangini’s tenure in New York ended with a 23-25 record along with a 2006 AFC wild card playoff loss to the Patriots.

Now guiding the Browns, Mangini’s coaching career has gone from bad to worse. With a 1-8 record in the first year of a three-year deal, Mangini has drawn criticism for his strict coaching mechanisms and his inability to earn respect from his players.

Romeo Crennel

Winning three Super Bowls as defensive coordinator with the Patriots from 2001-04, Crennel was unable to carry his success over to the Browns. As Browns coach from 2005-08, Crennel failed to deliver a playoff berth, compiling a 24-40 record in four seasons. Entering 2008 with high expectations after a 10-6 2007 season, Crennel watched his young, talented team fall to a 4-12 record that led to his firing at year’s end, making way for Mangini to take over. Even though he is currently unemployed as a coach — opting to sit out this year while recovering from hip surgery — Crennel still can be seen on Sundays — in Coors Light commercials, that is.

Josh McDaniels

Starting out as a personal assistant with the Patriots in 2001, McDaniels assumed several coaching roles with the Patriots before becoming offensive coordinator in 2006. Agreeing to take over in Denver following the Mike Shanahan firing, McDaniels wasted no time sparking controversy in his new organization.

After reports were leaked indicating McDaniels had tried to aquire Matt Cassel from the Patriots to serve as his quarterback, an offended Jay Cutler requested a trade from the Broncos. The disgruntled quarterback was eventually dealt to the Bears.

The bickering did not end there. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall demanded to be traded during training camp after clashing with McDaniels. While McDaniels only suspended Marshall instead of granting him his request, he seemed to temporarily calm the storm as the Broncos began the season 6-0, including a Week 5 defeat of the Patriots by an overtime score of 20-17. With Denver having lost four straight since then, many wonder if McDaniels finally has become exposed. With the Broncos set to host the Thanksgiving night game against the Giants, only time will tell.

Nick Saban

In 1995, Saban was named defensive coordinator of the Browns under Belichick. After a successful tenure with Louisiana State University when he led the Tigers to a 2003 BCS national championship and was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Saban started his NFL head coaching career following the 2004 season, when he agreed to fill the Miami Dolphins‘ vacancy. In his two seasons with the franchise, Saban showed he had difficulty transitioning between the collegiate and professional level, going 15-17 before leaving the Dolphins to return to college. His decision to do so generated a significant degree of controversy. For the past three seasons, Saban has coached the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the AP poll behind the University of Florida.

While Saban’s college history is decorated, his NFL career — like those of many of the Belichick coaching progeny — is remembered only for its mediocrity and controversy.

The NFL coaching landscape is coming into clearer focus. With Josh McDaniels in Denver, Eric Mangini  in Cleveland and Jim Schwartz off to Detroit, the only remaining questions that remain now are whether Herm Edwards remains in Kansas City and whether Giants’ D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s ‘secret’ meeting with the Jets results in a head coaching gig. Rex Ryan, Baltimore’s defensive coordinator, is otherwise occupied this weekend trying to come up with a scheme to stop Ben Roethlisberger and advance to the Super Bowl. Ryan and Spags are considered the finalists to replace Eric Mangini.

Yes, yes — by now you’ve heard. The Patriots’ playoff fate could be determined by whether Brett Favre and the Jets can beat the Dolphins. I can’t imagine that our man Fitzy is too psyched about this turn of events.

This is the same Brett Favre who, as a member of the Packers, beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

This is the same Brett Favre who gave the Pats no love in 2002, when he could’ve punched a playoff ticket for the Patriots with a win over the Jets.

This is the same Brett Favre who managed to look good for just about the only time this season in beating the Pats in a 34-31 overtime win at Gillette this year.

So, obviously, there is a bit of an uphill challenge for most Pats fans who must now bite the bullet and embrace the Jets’ No. 4. In an effort to help in the process, we offer this primer, courtesy of Joe Sports Fan, that offers insight into why you might not only find it acceptable to root for Favre, but why, as an American patriot, you MUST root for the erstwhile star of There’s Something About Mary.

But, if all of that fails, perhaps Patriots fans can find some love in their hearts for the Jaguars against the Ravens?

Follow the Jets-Dolphins game here.

Or, pretend it’s not happening and just root like crazy for the Jaguars by following this game.

You knew the moment the last second ticked off the clock of the Jets’ 13-3 loss in Seattle, the New York tabloids would take no prisoners and leave no bullets in the chamber. For proof of that, we present the following evidence.

The New York Post said, ‘Move over Mets. You’re not the only choking dogs in town.’

The New York Daily News said, ‘Clueless in Seattle.’

Newsday columnist Bob Glauber is calling for Mangenius to get the boot if the Jets miss the playoffs.

The Bergen Record breaks down how the game was lost.

The Newark Star-Ledger on the Jets season collapsing.

Then there’s this great video on YouTube of Jets D-lineman Shaun Ellis hurling a snowball at the crowd (about 40 seconds in). Guess he was frustrated that the Seahawks didn’t hand him the game like J.P. Losman did a week earlier.