know they don't want to go 2 hours on these documentaries, but it could have gone a bit longer (Namath is that important historically). In addition, I would have loved to have seen these squeezed in: (1) More details on his 1970's NY Jets statistics and the teams performances. (2) Footage of the Jets losing to KC in the 1969 AFC Divisional playoff game. Most people -- including Namath and the Jets -- felt that team was better than the 1968 team. It was Joe Namath's last playoff appearance and the Jets would not make the playoffs for another 12 years. (3) Interviews with Alabama QB's who followed Namath, Stabler and Todd, and how difficult it was to follow Namath (Todd with the Jets, Stabler at Alabama). (4) Would have been nice to have worked a few seconds of Leon Hess into the documentary. He was the guy who backstopped Namath's huge contract -- the other Jet owners (there were like 4 or 5 of them in the 1960's) were hesitant about the huge outlay. Hess said if the contract didn't work out he'd personally assume the excess, not the team. (5) More analysis of the knee problems: how would they treat it today, what they used back then (12" needles?) vs. what they use today. Imagine if Namath had access to the medicine of the 1990's, let alone today (see today's story on Greg Cook by PETER KING for a similar storyline).
(5) More analysis of the knee problems: how would they treat it today, what they used back then (12" needles?) vs. what they use today. Imagine if Namath had access to the medicine of the 1990's, let alone today (see today's story on Greg Cook by PETER KING for a similar storyline).[/QUOTE] I remember when they showed him jogging to midfield at the Beaver Falls HS game. I thought to myself, "damn, he looks like he could run pretty well on those two replaced knees at age 70 or whatever he is." Imagine if he had the treatment they had today.
When Rex Ryan says Play like a Jet he should reference Joe Namath. It disgust me when the players on the current team get mad at one of the only people who should have the rite to speak about the team when the words he speaks are the truth. He is the greatest Jet of all time and should be respected as such.
^That's another thing that gets overlooked in regards to Joe - he had a hell of a lot of heart and was a great competitor (Gerry Philbin's critizisims not withstanding). I remember the trainer for the Jets, whose name escapes me just now, saying that Namath often played when he should have been in a hospital bed. He was a tough dude, and should encompass the idea of "playing like a Jet".
Another thing that they totally left out (probably at Joe's insistence)....Joe had a very contentious relationship with the NY media, esp. the newspapers (no doubt that's where Richard Todd got his teachings). That is why you see Sal Marchiano in this documentary; he was in TV and he and Namath got along great (they even partied together). Namath had contentious relationships with Paul Zimmerman (NY Post), Larry somethingorother (NY Daily News), and Dick Young (Daily News). Zimmerman, who has suffered a stroke, made up with Joe years ago. Namath reportedly said "what the hell were we fighting about 30 years ago ?" -- I'm glad he and Dr. Z made up.
Watched it again tonite. Imagine if he had wheels when he was a Jet? Really a good show...should be required viewing for every Jet fan. Especially any Jet fan that doesn't understand what he was about and what he did for the franchise.
Excellent show. Shocking it took so long for HBO to hit on this topic. He changed the most popular of all sports. Could pick apart many things left out or glossed over. As a poster above mentioned the lack of stats for this time period (led the league in INT...6 TD game against the Colts were a few of the stats they through out) they didnt go into much detail on why he was the NFL's first real gunslinger. My memories of Joe are quite simple. He made you proud to be a Jet fan. Like Jordan was for the Bulls..stats aside...he was the most colorful NFL player in a time when players were so black and white. His incredible release..his down field accuracy...when Maynard was going deep and the ball was in the air..the feeling of being so positive that the play would succeed was unheard of in that day. Dryer said it best when he said Joe just glided back into the pocket. You watch old footage of a great baseball player from the 60's...a great basketball player..and it seems old. To this day when you watch the old clips of Joe in the pocket ready to release...the form...its perfection.
One thing about Namath that few realize is that he is probably the only QB in history that had a 2 step drop. He could go back 2 steps and throw the ball 60 yards. You look at QBs today and most take 5-7, Happy Feet Sanchez probably takes 10.
Footage from that game would have been interesting, for sure. I do not agree however that the '69 Jets were better than the '68 Jets. '69 Jets never got untracked. The record is misleading. I believe they lost to every team the played w/a winning record that season.
Another thing I picked up on that was when he said they couldn't look inside to see what was wrong back then. Apparently, there was no scoping available at all. They wouldn't know what to do until they open him up and back then that was an 8 inch cut or so.
The closest I've ever seen since was Dan Marino. Regarding Sanchez, I disagree with you. His ability to extend plays with his feet is better than any QB we've had since I can remember. Real starting QBs, not the Kellen Clemens of the world.
Gee you don't like our QB? What a surprise! Got news for you, Sanchez is here at least five more years.
Sanchez is here for one more season. Unless we get a decent backup then he will be here until next November.
The only QB you've liked since we've been on here is Clemens, so excuse me if I take your word with a grain of salt.
I don't make predictions. Not sure too many people predicted Chad leading a 1-15 team to the division title after he did leave, I know that. Funny how the same people who hated him now hate Sanchez, definitely a pattern there. And the one guy you both liked still can't get himself a job.
I liked watching the highlites from 68 AFLTG. I get goose bumps everytime I see the long pass to Maynard that sets up the winning score. Probably the most important pass play in our history, and in gusting wind. The pass was only a 50 yard play in the stat sheets, but it sailed at least 65 yards in the air. Great stuff, and the guy was partying the night before!
