JETS VS. BRUINS | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

 

AVALANCHE VS. JETS | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

 

LIST OF SPORTS FRANCHISES FROM NEW YORK

 

JETS VS. STARS | GAME 3 | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

 

STEELERS DESTROY JETS | NFL 🔥

 

JETS FIRE ROBERT SALEH AFTER 2-3 START, TAB JEFF ULBRICH INTERIM

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Upset by the team's 2-3 start, Jets owner Woody Johnson made a stunning and unprecedented move Tuesday morning, firing coach Robert Saleh and naming defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach.

Johnson, with his first in-season coaching change in 25 years of ownership, said he consulted with general manager Joe Douglas, but he called it "my decision and mine alone." Woody Johnson and his brother, Christopher Johnson, the vice chairman, broke the news to Saleh in his office at the team facility.

Saleh was shocked, sources said. He was escorted to his car by the director of security, a source confirmed, in what was described as protocol.

"This is probably the best team I've had in 25 years," Johnson said on a conference call with reporters. "I just felt that the best way to go forward was a new direction. Taking Jeff Ulbrich and making him the interim head coach, I thought that would get the most out of this team and give us the best chance that we all want to have, which is going to the playoffs."

Saleh, who promised multiple championships when he was hired in 2021, finished with a 20-36 record and no playoff appearances. The Jets have a 13-year playoff drought, the longest active drought in the NFL, but they began the season with Super Bowl expectations, in large part because of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Jets' Week 4 loss to the Broncos shook the organization. The next day, the Johnsons and team president Hymie Elhai expressed their concerns to Saleh in a meeting, according to multiple sources. In a sense, Saleh was coaching for his job on Sunday in London, where the Jets dropped their second straight game -- a 23-17 loss to the undefeated Vikings.

"It's not just the last two games that has precipitated this decision; it's a longer time frame," Johnson said. "I've had a couple years to think about this, and, yeah, I just think we can do better. The team can do better as we have this new leadership."

Ulbrich, in a midafternoon video conference with reporters, described the change as "four hours of craziness." He addressed the entire team Tuesday, saying his message to the players was, "It's time to lock arms."

He has some big decisions to make in the next 24 hours as the Jets begin preparations for Monday night against the Bills. The biggest one involves embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who could be stripped of his playcalling duties. Ulbrich was noncommittal, though he did say he would consult with Rodgers. A source confirmed that Saleh was prepared to demote Hackett, only to be fired himself just minutes later.

"I do not see changes in, necessarily, titles and positions," Ulbrich said. "As far as responsibilities and the process itself, we're going to take a hard look at that."

That includes whether Ulbrich will relinquish his defensive playcalling to another coach on staff.

The struggles on offense, in particular, have pained Johnson. Sources said he forced Saleh to change offensive coordinators after the 2022 season, replacing Mike LaFleur with Hackett. The Jets traded for Rodgers, who, after missing nearly the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles, has failed to elevate the unit this season.

Addressing the offense, Johnson said, "I think one of the reasons that I decided to make a coaching change at the highest level is exactly that. We need to find ways to win, and so we're not going to find those ways by doing the same thing over and over and over."

Under Saleh, the Jets started six quarterbacks -- Zach Wilson (33 games), Mike White (7), Rodgers (6), Joe Flacco (5), Trevor Siemian (3) and Tim Boyle (2).

"We've been underperforming for whatever the reason, and we're going to take a hard look at all of it," Ulbrich said, speaking of the entire team.

"I really believe, we lock arms, we commit to the process that we put in place, and we will have success. We will," Ulbrich added.

Despite the Sept. 30 meeting with Saleh and team brass, there was a sense in the organization that Johnson would wait a few weeks before making any major changes if the losing continued. On Monday, Saleh expressed confidence that they'd get it turned around, telling reporters, "I'm not panicked. Nobody in the building is panicked."

Still, there were signs of locker room grumbling after the loss in London.

"I'm going to be honest, people get tired of hearing the same s---," linebacker Quincy Williams told SNY. "People have to take accountability from the top to the bottom. That's all I have to say ... people have to start taking accountability. I'm tired of saying the same thing every week."

Johnson said Rodgers had no input into the coaching change. He said he spoke to Rodgers after Sunday's game, claiming Saleh's status or a potential move wasn't discussed. There had been speculation of a rift between Saleh and Rodgers, dating to Saleh's decision to fine the four-time MVP for taking a vacation to Egypt during the mandatory minicamp. Publicly, both men denied any friction in their relationship.

Despite the two-game losing streak, the Jets are only one game out of first place in the AFC East. Their game against the Bills (3-2) is for a share of the division lead.

- Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer

SIXERS REPORTEDLY TALKING 'ALL POTENTIAL OPTIONS SERIOUSLY' WITH NEW ARENA, 'INCLUDING [NEW JERSEY]'

Could the Sixers’ efforts to get a new arena land them on the Camden Waterfront? It seems like it might be picking up steam.

Last week, the city of Philadelphia put out an independent study regarding the Sixers’ proposal for a new arena at Market East in Center City.

While most of the study helped the Sixers’ cause, the biggest sticking point continues to be the project’s impact on Chinatown. We highlighted those concerns in a previous post.

If the end result is that the city chooses not to green light 76 Place, it will be the second time the Sixers tried to build a new arena within the city. The previous unsuccessful attempt was a couple years ago when the team proposed an arena near Penn’s Landing. The city instead awarded the land to the New York-based Durst Organization. The Durst Organization has yet to begin development.

The Sixers are in a tight spot if they want to get their new arena done by 2031 when their lease at the Wells Fargo Center ends.

With options dwindling in the city of Philadelphia, could the team look across the Delaware River? A report from ROI-NJ’s Tom Bergeron is giving legs to the idea that the Sixers could turn to Camden and the state of New Jersey to meet their needs.

Bergeron has previously reported that Governor Phil Murphy would welcome the Sixers with open arms — and why not? Bringing an NBA franchise to South Jersey would be a huge boon for the state, specifically the city of Camden. The Sixers already have their state-of-the-art practice facility on the waterfront. Harris-Blitzer Sports & Entertainment already owns the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. New Jersey also hosts two NFL teams in the Giants and Jets (those teams still carry “New York” in front of their names, for what it’s worth). The dots aren’t difficult to connect.

While HBSE would still fund the construction of a new arena in New Jersey, they could be eligible for significant tax breaks, per Bergeron.

“The project, which would be self-financed by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (the entity that owns the Sixers), would be eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives.

Because the project would contain both an arena and a full-scale mixed-use component, HBSE could be eligible to receive two Aspire tax credits worth up to $400 million each.

In addition, the Governor’s Office aims to work with the Legislature to enable the structuring of up to $500 million of special-purpose bonds supported by fees and surcharges on tickets, concessions and parking (meaning there will be no impact to New Jersey taxpayers) to support the development of an arena.”

Jersey wants the Sixers and it sure sounds like the Sixers are more open to wanting Jersey with each setback with the city of Philadelphia.

- Paul Hudrick

PRIVATE JETS PARKEND AT AGUSTA AIRPORT | 2024 US MASTERS

 

NHL ROUNDUP: SHARKS EDGE SENS, GET MAGNUS CHRONA FIRST WIN

USA TODAY Sports 

- Reuters 

 Thomas Bordeleau scored both goals and goaltender Magnus Chrona posted his first career win as the host San Jose Sharks claimed a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Chrona, making his fifth career appearance, made 31 saves -- 13 in a perfect third period -- for the milestone moment. The Sharks snapped a nine-game skid in their first game after dealing away a pair of key forwards in Anthony Duclair and Tomas Hertl ahead of the trade deadline. Mikael Granlund collected two assists.

Tim Stutzle scored for the Senators, who are winless in seven games and completed a four-game road trip. Goalie Joonas Korpisalo stopped 19 shots.

San Jose, which also traded away goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen on Friday, had newly acquired goalie Devin Cooley, who was traded from the Buffalo Sabres, serve as backup.

Canucks 5, Jets 0

Nils Hoglander, Elias Pettersson and Pius Suter each collected one goal and one assist as host Vancouver claimed a shutout victory over Winnipeg to solidify its hold on the top spot in the Western Conference.

J.T. Miller and Phillip Di Giuseppe also scored for the Canucks, who have won four straight games in which they have surrendered a total of only three goals. Defenseman Quinn Hughes collected two assists. Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves

The victory, which opened a nine-game homestand, may have come at a cost. Vancouver's No. 1 goaltender Thatcher Demko left the game early in the second period for an undisclosed reason after stopping all 12 shots he faced. Casey DeSmith made 10 saves while sharing the shutout.

Lightning 7, Flyers 0

Anthony Duclair had a goal and an assist in his debut for Tampa Bay, which exploded with four first-period markers in jolting visiting Philadelphia.

In the high-scoring first, Victor Hedman (two goals, assist) and Conor Sheary scored at even strength. Nicholas Paul and Brayden Point (assist) registered power-play goals as the Lightning led 4-0 just 10:49 into the teams' third meeting of the season.

Flyers goalie Felix Sandstrom made eight saves in relief of starter Samuel Ersson, who surrendered four goals on 15 shots.

NFL ROUNDUP: LIONS TOPPLE VIKINGS,

USA TODAY Sports 

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns, and the Detroit Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 30-24 on Sunday in Minneapolis.

Jared Goff completed 30 of 40 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown as the Lions (11-4) secured the NFC North Division title and a home game in the opening round of the playoffs. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 12 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-36 passing but was also intercepted four times. Justin Jefferson caught six passes for 141 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (7-8).

Gibbs scored on a 3-yard run with 11:07 remaining as Detroit took a 30-21 lead. Vikings kicker Greg Joseph hit a 26-yard field goal with 5:19 left to cut the Lions' lead to six. Minnesota drove to the Detroit 30 on its last possession, but Ifeatu Melifonwu stepped in front of Jefferson near the goal line for the game-clinching interception.

Dolphins 22, Cowboys 20

Jason Sanders drilled a 29-yard field goal as time expired and Miami clinched an AFC playoff spot with a victory over Dallas in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Sanders kicked five field goals -- three of over 50 yards -- and Tua Tagovailoa was 24-of-37 passing for 293 yards and one touchdown for the Dolphins (11-4). Raheem Mostert caught a scoring pass and Tyreek Hill had nine catches for 99 yards for Miami.

USA TODAY Sports 

Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes for Dallas, including an 8-yarder to Brandin Cooks with 3:27 remaining to give the Cowboys a one-point lead. But Miami answered by driving 64 yards on 12 plays to set up Sanders' decisive field goal. CeeDee Lamb caught six passes for 118 yards and one touchdown for the Cowboys (10-5).

JETS' ZACH WILSON 'UNBELIEVABLE ' IN WINNING RETURN AS STARTER

AP Photo

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Benched three times in his career and dismissed by fans and media as a first-round bust, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson delivered the kind of performance Sunday that was envisioned for him as the No. 2 pick in 2021.

"Zach was unbelievable," coach Robert Saleh said after the Jets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 30-6 rout of the Houston Texans at a rainswept MetLife Stadium.

Back in the lineup after a two-game benching, Wilson passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns, posting career bests for passer rating (117.9) and completion percentage (75%). It was his third 300-yard passing day in 32 starts, but his first in a victory. Saleh called it the best game of Wilson's career, and it left teammates buzzing about his resilience.

They described an unburdened Wilson, who, frustrated by the way he has been treated by the organization, vowed to teammates that he'd play with a chip on his shoulder and for the team. That resonated in the locker room.

"He told me, 'I'm playing for y'all. I've got nothing to lose,'" cornerback D.J. Reed said. "He said, 'What's the worst that can happen, I get benched again?' That's what he said and that's the way he played. It showed."

NICK SIRIANNI ON 4 TURNOVERS AND LOSS TO JETS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS. NEW YORK JETS | NFL HIGHLIGHTS

TAYLOR SWIFT, SOPHIE TURNER, RYAN REYNOLDS ATTEND CHIEFS-JETS

Getty

Superstar Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce's most famous fan, is at MetLife stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs' prime-time matchup against the New York Jets.

Swift made an appearance for the second consecutive game after weeks of a rumored romance between the two.

Last week, the 12-time Grammy Award-winning musician was spotted at Arrowhead Stadium next to Kelce's mother, Donna, before riding off into the sunset with Kelce after the Chiefs' 41-10 win over the Chicago Bears.

TAYLOR SWIFT TO ATTEND CHIEFS VS. JETS ON SNF | NFL ON NBC

AARON RODGERS PLUNKS DOWN $9.5 MILLION On Huge New Jersey Home!

Aaron Rodgers doesn't just have a new football home, he's got a new crib, too ... the Jets superstar quarterback dropped nearly $10 million on a brand new, gorgeous New Jersey estate!

The $9.5 million, 8-bedroom, 10-bathroom pad is located in Montclair, NJ, according to Daily Mail, which broke the story ... and was just recently built in 2022.

FLAMES @ JETS | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

JETS @ MAPLE LEAFS | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

WILD @ JETS | NHL HIGHLIGHTS

BENGALS VS JETS | WEEK 8 | MIKE WHITE SHINES ON DEBUT