Santonio Holmes

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Five reasons why Geno Smith should remain the Jets starting QB

Posted by fantasyfurnace on January 3, 2014
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 15 Comments

Now that the NFL regular season has come to an end, the almost annual debate about who the Jets starting quarterback should be begins anew. However this time around, we think there really isn’t any need for the Jets organization to do anything except to insure that Geno Smith is under center when the 2014-15 season begins.

#7 Geno Smith should be the starting quarterbackPhoto: Charles Wenzelberg

#7 Geno Smith should be the starting quarterback in 2014. Photo: Charles Wenzelberg

1. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. In the most inconsistent of seasons in memory, the Jets, if you will recall, would win a game, lose the next, win a  game, lose, win, lose, and so it went… However there was one positive. It began with Geno Smith’s benching during the blowout to the Miami Dolphins on December 1st.

What followed in the team’s remaining four games, was a transformation of the rookie quarterback. He passed for just under 800 yards, threw 4 touchdowns ( 2 INTs), and posted a respectable 83.6 passer rating while guiding the team to a 3-1 record. A nice way to end a season; an even better way to begin a new one.

2. There are no other quality starting QBs out there. Who could the Jets bring in either to start or compete with Smith for the starting role? The only one available, now that Jay Cutler has been resigned, is Matt Schaub and he will be signed as a starter by another team leaving just Mark Sanchez to provide any pre-season competition for Smith. Frankly, we can’t see the fans clamoring for the return of outcast Mark Sanchez in 2014.

3. The past track record of rookie QBs who are now elite. Just culling through the past performances of some of the best modern day quarterbacks, one can see why it is usually best to give top draft picks some time to iron out the kinks while their professional maturation takes hold.

Some examples include Peyton Manning 3-13 in his rookie season. Aaron Rodgers went 6-10. Eli Manning 1-6. Drew Brees 8-8 in his first season followed by a 1-6 record in year two. And Cam Newton, 12-4 this season, went 6-10 and 7-9 in his first two campaigns with the Panthers. That’s not to say that Geno will turn out to be another Peyton or Drew, but after an 8-8 start, why not wait and see?

4. Durability. After multiple games with countless hurries, hits, and sacks, Geno Smith managed to start every one of the team’s 16 games in his rookie season. Not a feat worthy of a Pro Bowl appearance, but a noteworthy one just the same.

5. Lack of a talented supporting cast. Seriously, are there any wide receivers or tight ends on the Jets that had opposing teams’ cornerbacks shaking in their cleats? Nelson and Kerley didn’t. And, in case you’re wondering, an injury riddled Santonio Holmes finished the season with just 23 catches for 456 yards and only one touchdown.

#10 Santonio Holmes drops a pass vs the Miami Dolphins. He hasn't lived up to all Photo: Charles Wenzelberg hype in N.Y. Photo:

#10 Santonio Holmes drops a pass vs the Miami Dolphins. He hasn’t lived up to all the hype since coming to N.Y. Photo: Charles Wenzelberg

To their advantage,  before next season, the Jets will be $40 million under the salary cap and own around 10 draft picks which should make them more than able to bolster their anemic offense and thus help Geno Smith improve greatly in his sophomore season. Providing him with talent, in addition to having one full season under his belt, there is no reason why Smith should not garner the starting role next year.

“The team believes in Geno and the way he has played over the last four weeks speaks for itself.” -WR David Nelson

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NFL 2013: Week #11-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 16, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Injuries, home field and jockeying for a playoff berth are reasons for teams laying it all on the line and we think our five Best Bets this week are exactly that! The surprising Jets winning in Buffalo and the Kansas City Chiefs losing their first game of the season make up two of this week’s predictions…

Home team in CAPS

Jets Over the BILLS- With Bills WRs  Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods both sitting out this week with injuries, and the Jets WR Santonio Holmes and TE Kellen Winslow (the Jets’ leading receiver before his suspension) both returning to the lineup, this should be enough of an edge for the Jets to avenge their 27-20 loss at Met Life Stadium back on Week 3. The Bills haven’t had their bye week yet and their schedule, Ed Reeds Jets debut, and a better defense will spell victory for the visiting Jets.

The return of #81 Kellen Winslow & Santonio Holmes will give the Jets the edge vs the Bills this Sunday. Photo Associated Press

The return of #81 TE Kellen Winslow & WR Santonio Holmes will give the Jets the edge vs the Bills this Sunday. Photo Associated Press

Lions over the STEELERS- Clearly a must-win game for the Steelers, however the visiting Lions have too many weapons to combat any fight that Pittsburgh might muster. Matt Stafford has been on a roll and is on pace to throw for the third most yards in a season in NFL history. Reggie Bush, Megatron & company will prove too much for the lackluster Steeler offense.

TEXANS over the Raiders- With fourth string quarterback Matt McGloin slated to get his first NFL start while Terrelle Pryor rests his sprained MCL, this could be a long day for the visiting Raiders. The Texans have the number 1 pass defense in the league which will force McGloin to make errant throws and rely on a running game devoid of a healthy Darren McFadden (hamstring).

BENGALS over the Browns- Even though the Browns took the game in their first meeting at Cleveland 17-6, the Bengals offense has begun to gel and become a more cohesive unit over their past few games. Winning both games against a rival team in the regular season is like winning both ends of a double-header in baseball; possible but difficult.

BRONCOS over the Chiefs- If our pick is correct, this will spell defeat for the Chiefs for the first time this season. Denver is undefeated at home this year (5-0) and even a wobbly Peyton Manning is better than a healthy Alex Smith. Coach Andy Reid, for all those superstitious ones out there, is an overwhelming 13-1 following a bye-week for his career.

#18 Peyton Manning grimaces after getting hit vs the Cargers at QualcommStadium. He'll be more than able this Monday Night vs the undefeated Chiefs. John Leyba, The Denver Post:

#18 Peyton Manning grimaces after getting hit vs the Chargers at QualcommStadium. He’ll be more than ready this Sunday Night vs the undefeated Chiefs. John Leyba, The Denver Post

NFL 2013: Week #5-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on October 4, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Another 3-2 week for our staff here last week bringing our season record to a pedestrian 11-9. Maybe now that the season is a quarter over it will get easier…we’ll see. Three games that we’ve included this week that look the most intriguing are the 49ers-Texans, Saints-Bears and the Packers-Lions. Here’s our take. and  all of our five best bets…

Home team in CAPS

Broncos over the COWBOYS- We’re not sold on the ‘Boys early dominance (2-0) at home this season. Besides playing in one of the weakest and most inept divisions this year, their “Win one-Lose one” style of competition will not fly against the more talent-laden Broncos who have won 15 regular season games in a row now. The Cowboys, and not many other teams, do not have that potent a secondary to keep Peyton from connecting often with his vast array of offensive weapons.

#18 Peyton Manning congratulates #87 Eric Decker after scoring a touchdown vs the Raiders in Denver on MNF 9/23/13 AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

#18 Peyton Manning congratulates #87 Eric Decker after scoring a touchdown vs the Raiders in Denver on MNF 9/23/13 AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

49ERS over the Texans- The Texans lost their comfortable lead and ultimately the game to the Seahawks last week at home. They will now be travelling to Candlestick which is not an easy place to help turn your game around and Matt Schaub does need to turn his game around! Two major injuries for Houston loom large in DE J. J. Watt (groin) and LB Brian Cushing (concussion). The home crowd should also help Colin Kaepernick try and get back into his comfort zone.

Saints over the BEARS- Great matchup of two teams that are currently sitting on top of their respective divisions, in a season which is now a quarter over. We are still very impressed with the Saints defense which is ranked 6th in the league at the moment. Coming off their Monday night win, the Saints duo of Sean Payton and Drew Brees seem to be working on all cylinders. Too early in the season for the weather in the “windy city” to factor into this game as well.

PACKERS over the Lions- The Pack return to the welcome combines of Lambeau Field for a key divisional game with the offensive minded Lions after blowing their last game in Cincinnati vs the Bengals. In what should be a high-scoring affair, Aaron Rodgers enters this game undefeated against Detroit (8-0) for his career. He has posted 18 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions in those eight games. Wouldn’t be surprised is the final score is 38-24.

#12 Aaron Rodgers looks to make it 9-0 vs the rival Lions on Sunday Photo: Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette

#12 Aaron Rodgers looks to make it 9-0 for his career vs the rival Lions on Sunday Photo: Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette

FALCONS over the Jets- Atlanta, who was ‘desperate’ for a win last week against the Patriots need this week’s victory even moreso before the Saints completely run away with the division. The Jets’ defense is ranked 2nd in the league which should help to keep this one close for most of the contest but if they’re on the field too long that edge would be eliminated. The absence of Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill won’t help the Jets’ cause either.