I was going to post this in my schedule thread but it it deserves it own. Its on monday night at 8:00 and but they play the show almost every day a couple times a day
April 1 1 p.m. -- NFL Replay NFL Replay - 2006 Wk 4 - IND @ NYJ - NFL Replay features four of the most exciting games from the weekend. NFL Replay games air in a 90-minute fast-paced format, without halftime and other elements not critical to the outcome. April 2 8 p.m. -- America's Game 1968 New York Jets - Re-live the story of the 1968 Jets through the eyes of Joe Namath, Don Maynard and Gerry Philbin. Narrated by Alec Baldwin. April 3 2:30 p.m. -- NFL Films Presents J-E-T-S - Explore the depth of the NFL Films archive with unique perspectives on football's greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor. J-E-T-S stories include: Spelling, NY Titans, Boozer and Snell, '86 Shootout, and Curtis Martin. 3:30 p.m. -- NFL Films Presents The Legend Of Broadway Joe - Explore the depth of the NFL Films archive with unique perspectives on football's greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor. The Legend of Broadway Joe stories include: Joe and the Magic Bean, Namath Bio, George Sauer, VA QBs.
I'm glad they included Philbin. I know it's sacriledge to say, but I've heard and read Joe's side of the story so many times--what else is there to know? But the Jets defenses of the late 1960's have been very over-looked and under-rated. Starting with the defensive line; I love the Sack Exchange but the front line of Philbin, John Elliot, Verlin Biggs (All-Stars in 1968), with Paul Rochester and Carl McAdams was just as destructive. Behind them you had a stellar trio of LBs in Baker, Atkinson, and Grantham, and we know what the secondary did in the Super Bowl (4 ints). Even after the Jets went south after 1969, the Jets defense continued to be a dominant group for the next couple of years and was the top rated defense in the combined league in 1970. As I've posted elsewhere, a 2nd Super Bowl in 1969 would've shined a Hall of Fame light on a player like Philbin who had a half dozen Pro Bowl/All Star seasons to his credit. Can't wait to hear the defense's side of the story on Monday night.
Am I the only one who is impressed with overall production on the NFL network. Another thing- I don't have a HD box running yet, but the signal in particular from NFL Network is incredibly sharp.
Yeah, NFL Network has been great! They just need to start Re-airing some old games..particularly the 1968 AFL Championship Game!!!
I recorder SB III back in early Feb. I messed it up a little and I am kind of surprised that they haven't re-aired it by now.
So... I'm watching this now. Of course its warm and fuzzy, but I have 2 questions for the old fellers... Did Philbin really hate Namath that much? Sure comes off that way... And Maynard comes off as a "pay me or cut me" uncoachable type. I'm struck with the notion that (a) players back then were as spoiled as today and (b) that he doesnt seem like he was a very good team player. Would love any thoughts/insight, as this predates me a by a few years... thanks guys!
I love anything to do w/ the 68 Jets, but why do these damn telecasts always hafta make me get so emotional?
Players back then were as concerned about money as they are today. Maynard was fine. He was not an uncoachable type. He was a very good team player in Super Bowl 3. He could have sat the game out. Instead he played and acted as a decoy. Still the only HOF receiver (includes WRs and TEs) to play in a SB and not catch a pass.
If you read Krieger's biography, Namath, Philbin was very vocal about Joe even after the Super Bowl because of the way he performed in 1969. He feels the Jets should've repeated and blames Namath for a lack of focus and leadership. According to Krieger, the whole team reported to camp fat and out-of-shape. Obviously, they pulled it together enough to repeat as division champs and hung with eventual champion Kansas City at Shea for 3 quarters, but couldn't punch it from 1st and goal at the 1. If the Jets win that game, you could argue that the Jets would've defeated both the Raiders and Vikings as the Chiefs went on to do. A 2nd Super Bowl would've changed everything about the way the Jets were perceived, even if they still went 0 for 70s': --The Jets would've been toasted as the cream of the AFL, winning the only two pre-merger Super Bowls, and tying the Green Bay Packers. --Namath would never have been called underrated again. --Perennial allstar/Pro Bowlers Winston Hill, Larry Grantham, and yes, Gerry Philbin, most likely would've earned Hall of Fame nods. --You can be damn sure 68 Jets would've made the top 20 in America's Game series rankings! Still, you hate to see your heroes talking each other down. Philbin always reminded me of Klecko, because of his size, ferocity, and lunchpail style. And now he reminds of Joe in another way, his criticism of a fellow player. Oh well.
I just got done watching the episode. How was that team not voted as on of the Top 20, I will never know. They should have been selected before teh 69 Chiefs were. I can wait for that episode to be on DVD.
One thing that always impresses me watching those old Jets was the way these guys tackled...they still managed to belt people but they did it with their arms wrapped around the ballcarrier so he didn't get away. The jet defenders consumed the opposition. Philbin looked like a great white shark breaching out of the water and burying Lamonica on that one play.
