Jets Takeoff

THE GIANTS GET IT RIGHT, WHILE THE JETS DON’T GET IT

From Paul Schwartz, New York Post:

Following the 2007 season’s Super Bowl glory, HBO sought to feature the Giants in the next summer’s “Hard Knocks” but that request was quickly dashed. Can you imagine Tom Coughlin opening the front door of his inner sanctum to a bunch of cameras and microphones intent on revealing all the behind-the-scenes stories of camp? “C’mon in guys, we’re just getting down to cutting some players, this should be some good stuff.”

Not happening.

“It never got further than me — although I think it’s a safe bet that the coach and GM agree,” co-owner John Mara yesterday told The (New York) Post. “I think the way it was positioned was ‘We know you probably won’t be interested, but if you ever change your mind let us know.’ I happen to like the show and I think they do a good job with it. It’s just not for us. We are at training camp to get our team ready for the season — not to be part of a TV show.”

The show goes on without the Giants and it won’t only be HBO infiltrating the Cortland countryside. Just watch. The national media will flock to the Jets, and why not? They’re regarded by many as Super Bowl favorites, there’s never a dull moment around (Rex) Ryan, and with the additions of LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio CroMartie and Jason Taylor, the ongoing Darrelle Revis saga and the matinee-idol appeal of Mark Sanchez, there’s something for everyone.

To be sure, the Giants have issues, but they’re grounded in football, not fireworks. This training camp is about retribution, not ratings.

“Our fans don’t want promises or predictions,” said Pat Hanlon, the Giants vice president of communications. “They want results. This has been a tremendously challenging offseason. We all got called out at the end of last season. Our football operation — Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin, our scouts, coaches and players — has worked its [butt] off to put us in position to erase the memory of last season. Training camp is the next step in the process of achieving the ultimate objective: victory. And it requires absolute commitment and focus.”

And peace and quiet; the way the Giants like it.

The way it should be.

THE JETS SHOULD NOT BE ON “HARD KNOCKS”

Let me go on the record as saying I’m not a fan of the Jets appearing on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this preseason. This can only be a distraction for an organization heading into a year where expectations are as high as they’ve ever been in my lifetime.

In any event, the AP has a story on the show today. HBO will air a 12 minute preview at 11 p.m. tonight and the show will begin on August 11, the first of five Wednesday night episodes.

The Jets seem more than willing to provide entertaining footage. This is all you need to know about the Jets mindset heading into the season:

“Rex Ryan lives for this,” said the President of HBO Sports, Ross Greenburg. “This isn’t about, ‘Oh, you can bring the cameras in.’ This is like he’s swinging the door open and waving everyone in. ‘Come on in! Let us show you what we do here.’ I’ve never seen this kind of enthusiasm for bringing the walls down and showing people how an NFL team works.”

This is not a good thing, Jets’ fans.