September 11, 2010

What the NY Jets Can Do That the FDNY Cannot

By Jack Cashill
The simple answer is this: field its best team. The reasons why the New York Fire Department cannot do so are complex, but when understood, indefensible -- especially after September 11.Two good windows on this paradox are the HBO show "Hard Knocks," this year featuring the Jets, and "102 minutes," a fair-minded book by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn on the fight to survive within the Twin Towers."Hard Knocks" follows a given football team through its pre-season training. The fringe players provide the real drama of the show as they struggle against high odds to make the team. Unlike most other professions, especially firefighting, the coaches are free to choose whomever they like for whatever reasons they like.They are certainly under no imperative to hire women. None dare try out. As to handicaps, these merely get a player sent home in a hurry. The coaches do not attempt to field teams that "look like New York." I doubt if they even keep statistics...(Read Full Article)