I never really thought of Shula as unsportsmanlike, but I guess he was before my time. Obviously as a Jets fan I never really cared for him.. what kinda stuff did he do tho?
The biggest problem I had with him, aside from the tarp in the game we're discussing here, is that he was on the competition commitee and very influential with the league. Miami always had a favorable schedule, rarely played in the cold, always had a few home MNF games in December and always got a lot of calls. Whenever something didn't go his way he was a huge crybaby on the field and I don't doubt that carried over into league meetings. Later in his career he was always pushing his idiot kids on teams that didn't want them, first as players and then as coaches.
Generally, not a long history of bad things; maybe it was really just the Jets - Phins AFC Championship game. But, yes, he had the tarp deliberately removed from the playing field during an incredible torrential rainstorm a day or 2 before the game and the entire field could not take another drop of water for the kickoff. The field instantly turned into mega-slop; hence the Mud Bowl. To me, Shula majorly tainted his entire career by this one action; it was unsportsmanlike and was a pussy move. I still seathe when I hear Shula's name or mention of the Mud Bowl.
I hated Shula as much as anone BUT he was smart to do wha he did w/ the tarp. it's homefield advantage, Beilichick did it a few years ago w/ Indy. It's homefield advantage and this idea that we definitely would have won if the tarp was down is nonsense. It was still raining that day and we lost TWICE to Miami in 1982 on dry surfaces. Could we have beaten them? absolutely but we should have beaten them in the mud too. We were as good or better than they were.
The thing I love about Shula is that he is so respected as a great coach. The guy did less with more talent than any coach in NFL history.
He on alot of games, his teams were always competitive but he underachieved in postseason. Heshould ave had moe Championships than just the 2 in '72 & '73. I have always felt Shula was a bit overrated.
First of all, he probably broke the rule to keep the field covered when it rains. Does playing by the rules mean anything? But he knew that there was nothing else to be done other than to play the game in the mud which took the speed advantage and the ability to make cuts that the Jets had in Wesley Walker and Freeman McNeil. It was a disgrace that he allowed the championship game to be played in the mud and he wouldn't have removed the tarp if it wasn't going to hurt the Jets game. But he probably was already used to getting unfair advantages with the ref calls as someone pointed out. So that's why a lot of people have lost a lot respect for him.
Todd's play in the 82 playoffs was responsible for the Jets great run. I watched the 82 Championship again, and it was eye opening. The Jets Defense played great, but at the same time, there were several opportunities for game-changing INTs that were missed. Neither offense could move the ball and it really came down to which defense made the best plays. The fins were already ahead by 7 when the Duhe INT returned occurred. On the play the Jets right side of the line completely caved giving Duhe penetration. Also, give Walton some of the blame for calling the same swing play for the 40th time that game. Finally, Walt Michaels deserves some of the blame for playing extremely conservatively. One key play that stands out was right before the half when the Jets had the fins punting from their goal line. Instead of sending 11 guys and taking a chance on a block that might change the game, he sent Harper back. The punter ripped a 60 yard kick over his head.
Todd's play in the '82 playoffs was not responsible four our run. Freeman had 200+ yards rushing AND a TD pass at Cincy plus darrol ray's around 100 yd INT return sealed it, in LA he had the one great trow to Walker but that game was won w/ defense- specifically 2 late INTs by lance Mehl. In miami Todd's poor [lay was the difference, you an say the D should have picked off more Woodley passes bu the bottom line is Todd thrw 5 INTs and didn't lead our O to a single point.
The bottom line is we played on the same field that day, Miami made plays and we didn't. Earlier in the year Miami lost a game when a guy w/ a snow plow cleared a path for NE's kicker to kick the GW kick- THAT was illegal and the reason Miami lost that game- the reason the Jets lost at Miami was b/c they played worse than Miami. Miami beat us THREE times that year, they were the better team.
O'Brien is MUCH better than Todd! Had Ken O'Brien played on the teams that supported Richard Todd - the Oline, Freeman McNeil, Wesley Walker, et al - not to mention the Sack Exchange - the Jets would have won the 1982 NFL Championship among other things...
Make sure you qualify, O'Brien in prime vs. Todd in prime; O'Brien definately had a yellow streak running up his back the last couple of years he played for us.
Todd played very well in both playoff wins and the bomb against the Raiders was the key play in changing that game. INT's at the end of games are a lot harder to come by when the opposition is playing from in front.
after setting a record to getting sacked...Todd was born with a yellow streak. 119 Games Played in the NFL 124 Touchdown Passes 161 Interceptions The TD/Interception Ratio should be enough to convince anyone who isn't wearing green tinted glasses that Richard Todd is no Jet Icon or hero or anything like it.
the Low Point was December 14, 1980 when Richard Todd led the Jets to a 21-20 LOSS to (then Winless) New Orleans. Anyone remember the "Aints?" Todd blew the game to them...
Todd took the Jets deeper into the playoffs than either O'Brein or Pennington who both had equally loaded teams.
First off, in regard to Todd, he got intercepted way too much, that's a fact. But don't over do it, in that regard. It was a different game back then. Offenses were a lot more risky and not as advanced as today. Alot of real fine QB's had what would be looked upon today as very poor td-int. ratios. As far as toughness is concerned, anyone who saw Todd vs. Miami, not only with the broken rib and flak jacket on,,, but then finishing that game on one ankle, and leading them to victory, wouldn't question his toughness. And as far as Kenny O's toughness is concerned, HIS PROBLEM WAS HE WAS TOO TOUGH. HIS first five or six seasons, he held the ball until the last second and TOOK A MILLION HITS. When most qb's would just throw a ball away, O'brien would hang in the pocket and take tremendous hits. He took far too many hits and then eventually became a little hestitant, but don't question that guys toughness. His toughness is the reason he took too many hits.
