Let's talk turkey (and football)

For the first time in memory, I am spending Thanksgiving (also known as Turkey Day) at home this year. And that's just fine by me. Not that there is anything wrong with spending Thanksgiving away from home.

All of my life (as far back as I can remember), I have enjoyed Thanksgiving in someone else's home (mainly my aunt and uncle's, who put out a great spread but live about 3 hours away and my neck and back can't take the long car trip at this point) or else at some hotel somewhere (typically someplace warmer and/or more exotic than here, often involving chocolate). But I am quite looking forward to making the traditional Thanksgiving meal, in my own kitchen, with the spouse and the kid; eating it right here; and then watching the Jets tackle the Bengals.

Anyway, for those who are interested, here is what we are making for our first Thanksgiving:

Brined and roasted turkey (courtesy of Emeril Lagasse)

Simple and amazing cranberry sauce

Mushroom stuffing (courtesy of Rachael Ray)

Brussel sprouts

And for dessert:

Mark Sanchez. Oops. I meant Paula Deen's pumpkin cheesecake. ;-)

(Can you tell we watch a LOT of Food Network, can you?)

Speaking of Mark Sanchez -- and the New York Jets -- could you guys please win a football game by the start of the fourth quarter and spare us fans having to make appointments to get fitted for a pacemaker? You boys are killing me. Though considering the amount of turkey I plan on consuming tomorrow, I may not be able to stay awake into the fourth quarter of tomorrow night's Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals matchup at home (in New Jersey) at New Meadowlands Stadium.

In the meantime, I wish everyone reading this blog post a very happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful -- and will be giving thanks -- for each one of you.

Also, GO JETS!!!

Suddenly everyone's a Jets fan

Okay, maybe not everyone is a New York Jets (of New Jersey) fan, but this football season it seems that the greater New York City metro area (New York-New Jersey-Connecticut) has gone from feeling (Big) Blue to seeing (Gang) Green.

Some may attribute the increase in the number of Jets fans (particularly female fans) to this guy, Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez, who, btw, has yet to throw an interception this season (a record -- though now watch, this Sunday he'll get picked off three times by the Denver Broncos):






















Or maybe I should say Jets super sexy GQ QB Mark Sanchez:





















But I think the real cause of all the Jets excitement is this guy, Jets coach Rex Ryan:






















Sure, Rex Ryan may not have the sculpted abs of Mark Sanchez (I'm not even sure Ryan has abs), but he is far more entertaining -- and has breathed life (and a lot of unprintable words) into what was considered until recently an also-ran NFL franchise.

There is also the fact that the Jets are Number One in the AFC East (at least this week), with a 4-1 record (though I may have just jinxed them) -- and everyone loves a winner.

Whatever the reason, I believe the Jets bandwagon is big enough for everyone to climb aboard -- even you, Tom Brady.

GO JETS!!!

Sexy man, definition of

No, I am not referring to New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who led the Jets to a 38-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo this afternoon. (Though I know many women who find Mark Sanchez very sexy.)

I am, of course, referring to the man who, after a hard day of computer troubleshooting, slaved over a hot stove and oven all afternoon making his ladies a delicious dinner of homemade Buffalo-style chicken wings (in honor of the New York Jets trouncing the Buffalo Bills -- sorry, Dave S.) and potato skins -- then helped me clean up and... vacuumed the floor (with the Valentine's Day present he gave me).

If that isn't the definition of sexy, ladies, I don't know what is. (And look how cute he looks in his yellow latex gloves and apron. Swoon.)

In the words of Salt N Pepa (and En Vogue), what a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. (Yes, he is.)

Jets deserved an Emmy for yesterday's performance against the Patriots; ditto the Giants vs. the Cowboys

Forget the Emmys, people. Last night the real drama was taking place in Dallas, in Jerry Jones's $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium, where an NFL record crowd of over 105,000 watched in stunned silence as the Cowboys lost to the Men in Blue 31 - 33 in the final seconds of the game. (There's a great little video summary of the game over on the home page of NFL.com, called "In the nick of Tynes," which unfortunately did not contain an embed code.)

As a result of last night's win over their divisional rival, the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants now are alone atop the NFC East with a 2-0 record. To which I saw: WOOHOO! (And yes, I plan to enjoy it while it lasts, which will be at least a week. : )

Also making headlines -- and deserving of an Emmy for most dramatic turnaround after the half -- are the New York Jets, who stunned the New England Patriots yesterday with a 16-9 win. Two words (and they ain't "Mark Sanchez," though he was pretty great): DE-FENSE. And the Jets had it, in spades. Though Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady (aka Mr. Gisele Bundchen) getting four delay of game penalties didn't hurt the Jets either. (See boys. This is what happens when you bang supermodels. It weakens your game.)

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous going into the half, but what a difference 20 minutes makes! Pretty much bottled up by the Patriots in the first half, Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez came out with his "guns" blazing, throwing some real beauties, including a deep strike to Jerricho Cotchery that went for 45 yards and a pass to Dustin Keller that resulted in a touchdown.

As a result of yesterday's huge win, the New York Jets are now alone atop the AFC East leaderboard with a 2-0 record. To which I also say WOOHOO!

Until next week...

Mark Sanchez pilots Jets to 24 - 7 victory over Houston Texans

Wow. What a game! What a rookie! And not only does Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez know how to fill out a uniform, he knows how to throw and pass a football! Touchdown!

Sanchez, in his first NFL start, away, while he made a couple of rookie mistakes looked like a pro -- and threw way fewer picks than Brett Favre.

Running back Leon Washington was amazing, as was fellow running back Thomas Jones. And the Jets defense? Brilliant. Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is an animal!

Yeah, yeah. I know it's only one game -- and the first game of the season -- but I am PSYCHED, people.














And yes, those are my pictures. And they're so grainy because I took them while screaming at the TV. GO GO GO GO JETS!!!

If this keeps up, the spouse may need to get me a Sanchez #6 jersey for my birthday (which is 11/6) -- and new vocal cords.

How to get more women to watch football: Get more QBs like NY Jets' Mark Sanchez

For those who haven't heard (and care), yesterday the New York Jets announced that rookie Mark Sanchez will be their new starting quarterback when their season opens Sunday, September 13. While I feel bad for perennial also-ran Kellen Clemens, I, like many of the sports writers here in the Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT), feel that Sanchez was the right call, though probably for different reasons.

Sure, sure, Sanchez led the USC Trojans to a 12-1 season last year, including routing Penn State at the Rose Bowl, and he's won all sorts of awards for his football prowess. But how does he stack up to the likes of Tom Brady?

Well, my friends, just take a look...

Schwing! (Or whatever the female equivalent is.)

Truly, it is a shame to make that man wear a jersey all the time. But rules are rules. And I guess it's good for commerce. (For the record, 6 is my lucky number -- and the date of my birth. Karma?) Btw, to see more pix of Mark "Cougar Bait" Sanchez on the beach, check out GQ's "Built for the Beach" piece featuring Sanchez and supermodel Hilary Rhoda (some eye candy for my male readers).

Truth be told, I would watch the Jets anyway -- and will. (Only two more weeks until the 2009-2010 NFL season officially starts!) But to paraphrase Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, You wouldn't watch a quarterback just because he's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help? Yup.

(Note to readers: I will officially be breaking out the thongs on September 13.)