Really? Over a Hot Dog?

After three consecutive losses to offset their 3-0 start, the New York Jets were in need of a big break. And on Sunday afternoon against the “playoff-bound” (Richard Seymour’s words, not mine) Oakland Raiders, they got one.

Behind 100-yard ground games by both Thomas Jones and rookie Shonn Greene, not to mention the patented Rex Ryan defense, the Jets scorched Al Davis’ crew 38-0.

But the next day, the focus was not on the sheer domination of New York’s running game, which averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the win, nor was it on the four turnovers caused by the defense or Calvin Pace’s three sacks. The focus wasn’t even on the rookie Mark Sanchez’s two touchdowns…

…actually, the focus was on Sanchez, but not for anything he did on the field.

On Monday morning, the football community (the media portion) was up in arms over video footage from CBS’s broadcast depicting Mark Sanchez trying to discreetly eat a hot dog on the sideline during New York’s win. Mark was immediately criticized for his “actions.” It was called disrespectful, improper, unbecoming of a football star. The cries of reporters all across the nation with nothing better to talk about actually led to Mark making a public apology for what he did.

What he did? He didn’t do anything. He got hungry.

Through this “crisis,” one referred to by some in media as “Hot Dog-Gate” (you’ve got to be kidding me), we’ve learned more about Jets head coach Rex Ryan. He might be the most levelheaded guy in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, he’s insane, but the good kind of insane. Here was his response to the hot dog “fiasco”:

“It is unfortunate that here we have a great game, run for 300-some yards – breakout game – 38-to-zip score, get a shutout and now the focus is on the hot dog.”

Couldn’t have said it better.

Are we really chastising a man for eating a hot dog on the sidelines? Where exactly is the uproar for that justified? Look at the situation, look at the score. I’m a Jets fan, been one since Boomer Esiason was quarterback. I could care less that he was eating a hot dog. He could have been eating a 3-pound lobster while chugging a Keystone and finish it off with a nice Cuban cigar – it was 38-0!

Granted, what Sanchez did was unconventional, and coach Ryan made sure to tell him that afterward. But he also told him to be smart next time and get him one too.

Jasper Howard Updates

Yesterday police arrested Johnny Hood for interfering with police officers. Hood reportedly gave the wrong name to police officers when they tried to question him. However, he has not been charged in the death of Jasper Howard. Hood's attorney said that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was not aware of the stabbing.

A lawyer for a Bloomfield man he said that police have notified him that they will have a warrant for his clients arrest. Deron Freeman, the Lawyer, declined to name his client but said that he was at the scene of the stabbing but did not actually stab Howard.

It has also been released that Brian Parker, a reserve wide receiver who is academically ineligible this season, was the other victim in the stabbing but only sustained minor injuries. Coach Randy Edsall has said that two other players were present, and one applies pressure to Howard's wounds in an attempt to save his life. Edsall said he will leave it up to those players as to whether they play in this weekend's game or not.

The team will wear a JH helmet sticker for the rest of the season in memory of Howard. They will also bring either his jersey or helmet to all of their remaining games. Edsall said that the team will be putting together a package of memorabilia for his unborn child. The package will include a game ball from Saturday's game against Louisville.

West Virginia Will wear a number 6 helmet sticker Saturday and both teams will participate in a pregame moment of silence and handshake. Clemson cornerback Chris Chancellor, a high school teammate of Howard will switch his jersey number to number 6.

Jasper Howard

This morning began like an other Sunday morning for most students on campus. Many students were likely sleeping in after celebrating the end of homecoming week the night before. But as students woke up we saw alerts from UConn in the form of text messages, emails, and banners on the student page, there had been a stabbing early this morning and the perpetrator was still at large. Then the rumors started to fly. Some may have seen Facebook statuses suggesting it, other heard it from friends, all hoped it wasn't true. However as the day went on we all had to come to the realization that it was true, Jasper Howard had died.

Howard, 20, who came to UConn from Miami, was not only the first person in his family to go to college, but it was announce at today's press conference that he was an expectant father. Senior captain Desi Cullen said, "Hearing the news that he's a father breaks my heart. The idea that he will grow up without a father to raise him will be extremely tough for that child. Along with Jazz looking down on him, that child will have 105 uncles to look up to. As a team, we're going to make sure that we don't just get through these times, but that we grow from it and become better men because of Jazz."

Howard was coming off perhaps the the best game of his career against Louisville. He had recorded eleven tackles and he a key strip and recovery in the third quarter as the Cardinals were getting ready to score. Last season Howard had led the team with four interceptions, and led the Big East with an average punt return of 10.9 yards and 1TD. His career ended with 96 tackles and four interceptions.

Police reported that the stabbing occurred after a fire alarm was pulled in the Student Union, which resulted in over 300 people being evacuated from a dance being held there. Howard and a second victim were brought to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford. Howard died a few hours later and coach Edsall identified his body before calling Howards family to let them know what had happened. Edsall said, "There's nothing in my job description that says you have to identify bodies, and that you have to make the phone calls to the parents, but that's part of the job."

Police announced that the second victim was a UConn student, and had been released from the hospital. His identity was be withheld as the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information relating to the incident are asked to contact the police at (860) 486-4800.

For more on the Press Conference Click Here

Halftime: UConn 14 - Louisville 13

A back and forth game here at the Rent this afternoon. UConn struck first with 10:50 left in the first quarter on a 16 yard dash by Andre Dixon, which capped off a 6 play, 61 yard drive. The drive was set up thanks to an interception by Redshirt Freshman Blidi Wreh-Wilson off a Lawrence Wilson tip. After a Louisville punt, UConn threatened again, pushing deep into the Louisville red zone thanks to a nice 26 yard run by Andre Dixon and a 3rd down pass interference call on Louisville. However, UConn couldn't capitalize, as 2 false starts in the red zone pushed the Huskies back and Dave Teggart missed a 27 yard field goal wide right. Louisville tied the game on their next possession, capping of a 19 play 80 yard drive in which they completed 4 consecutive 3rd downs. On 4th and Goal from the 1 yard line Louisville running back Bilal Powell punched in the touchdown on a bootleg to the left. UConn took the lead back quickly, as Endres completed a beautiful pass along the left sideline to Kashif Moore for 67 yards, and eventually set up an Andre Dixon 1 yard run up the middle for the touchdown. Louisville follwed up with an 8 play 77 yard touchdown drive of their own and attempted to tie. UConn blocked the first extra point attempt, however, Redshirt Freshman Jerome Junior was called for offsides. On the ensuing re-kick, Louisville kicker Ryan Payne missed the extra point wide right. The score at halftime now stands UConn 14, Louisville 13. Andre Dixon leads UConn on the ground with 16 rushes for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cody Endres is 6 of 13 for 141 yards and 1 interception, coming at the end of the half.