Mike Francesa delivered a masterclass after the lowly New England Patriots defeated the talented-on-paper New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The well-known New York sports radio host had a complete meltdown after the 25-22 verdict, which marked a fifth straight loss for Aaron Rodgers and company. Francesa called it an “all-time Jets debacle” that all but ended New York’s season.
Here are a few segments from “The Mike Francesa Podcast” released Sunday.
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On interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and the coaching staff: “They had to go outside the organization and bring in experienced people. Because they had nobody in the room who could coach this team. And that has been my worst fear and it has come to fruition. And not only come to fruition — it has, today, been exclaimed in highlights. I mean, just bold print. I mean, you’ve got to be kidding me. This defensive coordinator, who has now become an interim head coach, has a better chance to become president than he does to be a head coach next year. I have a better chance to be an astronaut than this guy has to become a head coach in the future. He is worse than (Robert) Saleh. The team has regressed! In every way.”
On Aaron Rodgers: “I’ve come to the conclusion that isn’t Aaron Rodgers. It’s somebody else in that body. This has all been another bad trick. I’ve come to the conclusion that if the Jets had traded for Jim Brown in his prime they would have made him a third-down back! They could ruin any player. I didn’t think you could ruin Aaron Rodgers. They have! They’ve turned him into a bum! And these head coaches, they cut to the offensive coordinator, he looked like he was waiting for a bus! They asked the coach at halftime, and his statement just made no sense at all.”
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And on kicker Greg Zuerlein: “Bill Parcells used to say to me, ‘If my kicker doesn’t kick 80% of his field goals he’s somebody else’s kicker.’ Zuerlein has to be somebody else’s kicker or nobody’s kicker! Get rid of him! How many games can he lose in one year?! Extra points, field goals.”
On late-game execution: “How can they not get a play in — the whole time they’re coming down the field you know if you score you need a two-point play! You’re going to be up five! And you get a delay of game! How is that possible? What are you guys doing on the sideline?! Everything the Jets touches turns to garbage. Complete and utter garbage. I never thought they could top some of the stuff they’ve done in the past. But you know what? Today was as low as low could possibly be.”
Francesa wasn’t the only radio broadcaster who expressed frustration Sunday. Patriots radio broadcaster Scott Zolak took the officiating crew to task after a few questionable calls.
Featured image via Peter Ackerman/ Asbury Park Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC