How Long Will Coles Simmer?
Laveranues Coles hasn’t spoken to the press since Favre was traded to the team, and his good friend Chad Pennington was let go and signed with the Dolphins.
Apparently this came to a head Monday when Coles was standing by a water station on the sideline after a deep pass came his way and a fan yelled “Chad could never throw it that far.”
Coles then responded, telling the fan “f*** you!”
Ugh … people, why antagonize an already tenuous situation at best? Coles will come around, but it’s not going to be easy, he and Chad were like brothers, so it’s going to be hard for him to just flip a switch. Even if what the fan said was classless and stupid, he did have a point. Comparing Favre and Pennington’s arm is an absurd concept, but the reason that Coles is so loyal to Pennington has nothing to do with how Pennington throws the ball, but has everything to do with the character of the man.
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That he felt the need to say it out loud and to Chad’s best friend on the team was a specifically chosen remark that should have gotten the same response from everybody within ear shot that Coles gave.
HEY LC, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! If you were so sad to see Chad leaving and u are blood brothers then why did you leave for the Redskins for all that $$$ in the 1st place, your really established yourself as a little cry baby my man, I love you and all but ENOUGH!
Very well said, Bassett.
Let up on Coles. I’m sad to see Chad go and I don’t even know the guy.
Coles wants to have his cake and eat it too. Remember these quotes from earlier in the off-season:
“I played hurt. I ran clear-out routes for Jerricho (Cotchery). They praised me for my toughness and not worrying about my numbers. They tell me that I’m an unselfish player.”
With Farve throwing darts, maybe Coles won’t get hit like he’s sitting on tee this year. As for the clear-outs, Coles is going to start getting the ball down field more often — he’d better be ready to catch them.
Why is he being such an ass? He should have come out by now, welcomed Brett to the team, and expressed his sadness at seeing Chad go. He’s supposed to be a team captain, but he’s acting like the front office just broke his Hello Kitty thermos. Grow up!
I happen to disagree with Bassett regarding the fan’s comments. The fan spoke the truth. LC was the one who was classless and stupid. And if he loved Chad so much, why did he leave the JETS for the Skins. I am getting tired of these self centered, classless athletes.
First of all, Coles is supposed to be a professional, and professionals, while human, are supposed to be above confronting fans. It comes with the territory, and how this has become acceptable behavior is beyond me.
This says nothing of the fact that the comments made (and admittedly, we’re all getting this second hand) were pretty benign. If someone had shouted “Hey Coles, Pennington sucks and so do you!”, well, I might be able to understand his reaction a little better.
As for antagonizing a tenuous situation, I’ll have to disagree with Bassett here. This is a “manufactured” tenuous situation by Coles himself. I am not suggesting that he doesn’t have the right to be upset at his friend being cut/replaced. But am I the only one who finds his reaction completely over the top?
Again, he’s a professional, guys get cut and traded every season, and you have to deal with it. It’s part of the business.
This whole thing seems much more about Coles desire for attention than Pennington, at least at this point.
Coles is way out of line. But who takes him seriously? He lost all credibility when he left for Snyder’s $ 5 years ago.
I was at Sunday’s afternoon practice and Coles was standing and laughing with Favre. He never liked talking to the press, and now he has an excuse. I really couldn’t care less if he never talks to the press again, as long as he makes plays.
i’m not saying that coles wasn’t out of line … he totally was, and I wonder if he’ll be voted captain of the team this year … should be interesting to see.
my point is, the fan antagonized a situation that’s already antagonized.
You know what? We the fans can really suck sometimes. And don’t give me the “I pay my hard earned money” crapola. It’s training camp. Whoever this guy was, i find it sad that he is so needy that he needs to draw attention to himself by barking stuff like this out. I have news for you guy, your not that witty.
This notion that players have to let fans say things to them that would get a regular guy popped in the face is getting out of hand. Let’s try remembering that occasionally.
I just think this is being blown out of proportion. We know he’s a temperamental guy with a chip permanently implanted on his shoulder, but so what? He’s always played hard. I believe it when Mangini says LC’s got no problem with Favre and he’s just bummed about losing his best friend from the team. And why would he want to talk to the press when we all know they’re going to try to provoke him just like that fan did to sell some papers?
Hey, LC, ya kiss ya mutha wit that mouth?
the fan who made the comment is a retard. He know coles would react, and thus give rise to a new ny media-spin that coles is “disgruntled”. If your brother was a plummer who works hard for his money and someone said he couldnt replace a toilet handle, wouldnt you tell him off too? please. If i was there, ide say the same. Who comes to training camp to instigate a player? The same thing happened with Roy Williams (although the fan said that Williams was taking plays off) and Lions security kicked the bum out. One good move by the Lions.
Gary,
Wasn’t Coles traded to the redskins (I think for McCarens)? If so then he had no choice but to go to the Redskins. Either that or he could have retired from the NFL.
Pennington took money out of his own pocket to get LC back here. ( I think we traded S Moss) So the guy feels he owes Chad a little repsect by acting this way. This is not a new act by LC. When the games count he will make plays. Thats all that matters. If he wants to act like a baby….Let him!!
I get you’re upset LC but its been almost a week, get over it and lets’ get rolling. Wow a fan said something about Chad, you haven’t heard worse before? How about having some thick skin. Enough already, you wanna avoid dealing with it, then just talk to the reporters and the story ends. Keep staying quiet and responding to fans like that and it will keep festering.
Dan, Coles left via free agency. He left for more money. We traded a draft pick for McCareins.
Once the games start and LC catches a couple of long TD’s from Brett, he will be the happiest Jet.
Ok, that fan was out of line. But besides Philly fans we Jet fans are the most vocal/ critical. It comes with the territory. Hopefully LC realizes he over reacted.
Coles left as a free agent in 2003. (McCareins was acquired from the Titans in 2004 for a draft pick). He was traded back to the Jets in 2005 for Moss. It was widely reported that Chad offered to take a pay cut to get Coles back, but that never happened.
aren’t all fans and Jet writers comparing pennington and favre since this trade has occured??
how is a fan wrong for shouting something that is true, and on EVERYONE’s minds?
as much of a fan that i am of coles, i’m embarrassed of the way he has acted. he is unable to act professional about anything that he disagrees with on this jet team.
the fan was not talking poorly about coles’ actual family, or THEN it would have been crossing the line.
The fans are paying Coles’ salary. They have the right to say whatever they want. This is New York … and it’s not like he insulted his sister. Coles was totally wrong. Plain and simple. That being said, Coles is right not to talk to the press right now. He seems to realize that he would say things he would regret (see above). Let him cool off. There doesn’t seem to be any problem with how he is working with the team so there really is nothing to worry about.
Both were wrong. There’s no point in saying anything bad about Chad at a JETS practice; he’s no longer part of the team, and regardless of what you think about his football skills, he was a team player and did his best for the team at all times. But Coles was wrong and bears more of the burden; he’s supposed to ignore nonsense like that and keep his mind on the game. As long as LC remains professional and plays hard, I could care less how he feels about Favre.
Classless and stupid?
More like honest and accurate. If Chad showed anything, it was the grace in which he took his release.
He said “it’s a game.” How mature and sober. No hard feelings and no swearing at the fans who pay your salary.
I understand they were friends but we now have a shot to go deep into the playoffs with Favre. That should help Coles come around.
jvsvn -
So if you are paying someones salery you can say anything you want to them? Is that the gist of your post?
First of all,m we do not know how Coles and Favre are relating. As someone pointed out, he saw LC and BF laughing together, so I would imagine Coles is not holding it against Favre. I would also imagine that LC can and is keeping his personal feelings from effectind his professional conduct. LC should not let the fans be able to push his buttons or he will be in for a rough time, because once they realize they can, they will be unmerciful.
Coles has every right to not talk to the media, as long as he is doing the right thing by the team.
Isn’t LC’s refusal to talk to the media far more preferable than if he were talking to them? If he had voiced his feelings, the muckrakers would be all over it, creating controversy where there is none. I think the fact that he’s shown this much restraint menas that he just needs some time and he’ll be fine in a week or two.
Captains are players their fellow players respect and the coaches look at as leaders. There is no way Coles or Baker are captains or even captain material. They are both selfish and not team players. My predictions are Harris, Faneca, Favre and Nugent.
We should trade coles for some other decent wr and a draft pick, like bowe from KC
The concepts of friendship and loyalty seem abstract when mixed with football and fans.I am not certain that those concepts are fodder for our blog.
Trying to understand how LC feels about the loss of Chad is something only he can understand…and how he deals with that feeling is none of our business unless his level of play is effected.
Understanding the environment in which Coles grew up might shed light on his behavior, and those so quick to judge him might better understand that chip on his shoulder. if they grew up in his home and in his neighborhood. There are complexities specifically related to Coles life few of us have lived through…things that leave emotional scars that take a lifetime to get over.
Two seasons ago when healthy LC had 91 receptions and almost 1,200 yards of production. That was with Chad. He will do even better with Brett.
What Coles produces on the field has little to do with what he is going through in his crisis about his best friend leaving the team. Frankly, I admire and respect his loyalty. and fully expect LC to not have that interfere with his quality of play.
LC was an integral part of the heart, soul and productivity of this team and will be again.
The mean spirited commentary some of you bring is never based on the facts generated by his on field performance, or the true relationship he shares with his team mates. They are subjective gut feelings some of you have based on just plain not liking the guy.
We CANNOT trade Coles. It is financially impossible.
(That is becoming the new “Vilma is too small to play OLB in a 3-4 system”)
Anyway, why on earth would the Chiefs trade Bowe?
Still LMAO over spent’s “Hello Kitty Thermos” comment up top…
Coles not talking to the media…thats a good thing. All he has ever done to the media is whine.
He is a great player. The less he talks the better.
Bent-
Are you saying we should trade Coles to the Saints for Vilma and play him outside? ;)
simma down now, simma down
Terry Bradway must love moronic fans who blame Coles for taking millions from the Foreskins.
No way the Foreskins would have signed Coles if TB had tendered him enough for a first and third round pick. And, in those days, the difference was only several hundred thousand dollars.
Terry Bradway opened the door by his incompetence and Coles did the smart thing by walking through it. We could have even matched the salary but chose not to do it (and probably could not because of the cap which made the original decision to make a low tender so stupid).
Amazing this revisionist history.
Coles may or may not be a jerk but the a–hole is and was Bradway.
h
I always had a lot of time for Chad and the way he has dealt with this situation has only added to my admiration.
Coles though, alwyas has been and always will be a total jackass. Either he hates running clear-outs and wants to catch a deep ball or he doesn’t, and let’s not forget htat he and his good budd went 4 – 12 last year (yes I know, they aren’t the only two players on the team..). He’s not a Mangini ‘type’ player, he’s a hangover from the disaster that came before. Maybe we’ll luck out and he’ll retire after this year.
Anyway, I just have one comment about what you wrote Bassett. Why do you think it is an ‘absurd concept’ to compare Pennington and Favre’s arms? After all, they are both QBs and a large part of their role is to throw the ball. If one guy limits you with his am range and the other doesn’t surely it’s a valid discussion to have regarding the tactical options available to the team now, and a part of that discussion would be an arm comparison, wouldn’t it?
I’m not criticising what you said at all, don’t get me wrong. Just curious to know what you think, that’s all.
Cheers
if i was coles i would get to that guy beat the holy s#@$ out of him but its is true the arm strength deference b/w chad and brett but coles knows that and he needs time and if we as fans keep delaying that by making comments like those we are gonna screw up our season, you just need one player to divide the locker just one
DanF – I hope your suppossed recollection of the fans cheering chad’s injury on TV is better than your reccollection of Coles leaving the jets to Washington (traded for mccareins??)
Jetchick, we are not used to such indebth and poignant postings. Please give some of us time to adjust.
Liam, love the SNL reference. I have the best of Cheri O’teri DVD. Where is she now?
The Ed(itor), (above) :”And if he loved Chad so much, why did he leave the JETS for the Skins. I am getting tired of these self centered, classless athletes.” is totally off base, and has no appreciation of “the concepts of friendship and loyalty” (thank you, JETCHICK, above).
Over the past many years — since they both were drafted — Pennington and Coles talk to one another at least four or five times every week. Chad named his son after his dearest teammate. Chad gave up a chunk of his salary so that the Jets could get back Laveranues from the Redskins. And — in an ultimate act of love — in game after game, Coles hangs himself out to dry, getting creamed time after time by corners and safeties, leaving many of us in the stands to wonder; “How does he get up?” Even suffering severe concussions does not lessen his affection for his favorite (but not strong-armed) QB.
The Ed(itor) asks: If he loved Chad so much, why did he leave the Jets for the Skins? Answer: Coles took the Redskin offer at the insistence and advice of Pennington, who told Laveranues that he owed it to himself and had no choice but to take the $13 million today, because tomorrow could leave one with a broken leg. But their separation left both with deep sadness.
And I and I hope a few others are saddened by the macho bs of some of the contributors here. Coles was elected a team captain by his own teammates, who know first-hand his gutsy and unselfish play. No one on the Jets is more respected.
Laveranues received the award from Jet beat writers for being the most accomodating player to the press last year. If Coles wants a week or two to himself,
to ignore the press, and to reconcle himself to the loss of his dear friend, he is entitled to it.
He does not deserve to be villified by a few bloggers who apparently do not know what it is to relish and enjoy the friendship of a dear friend.
i think we should just leave LC alone…who cares if he doesn’t want to speak to the media…why is that bothering any of you in the 1st place…is he not gonna give his 110% on the field like he always does…why are you guys pushing him away…its like you guys want to black ball the guy…do you guys really think stucky, smith or clowny are better than coles…if so…then your higher than a blimp…the only problem i had with coles was with his contract but thats done and behind us now for at least the moment…until then…leave the guy alone…and the hell with the media…just my thoughts…
The Finn
Well stated, articulate and to the point. The unfortunate thing is our posts get ignored by the very people that need to read them the most.
True wisdom and understanding scare a certain type person because they might actually have to think rather then react.
finn
i agree 100%…i would also like to add…who in their right mind will say no to 13 million dollars…that was alot more than the dumbies we had running the show here offered…and who by the way told coles he’s gonna be on the team…if you dont remember who the dumbies were…they would be…harm and bradway…
I agree with Ed, the fan had a point, and LC’s reaction just shows what a tempermental cry baby he is and all this talk about “understanding” and “feelings” are ridiculous. This is a business, and in business peoples feelings get hurt, so just shut up and work/play well like you usually do. However, I agree with LC not talking to the media until his “feelings” have surpassed, because he will say something stupid or have an outburst like he did in practice the other day.
Jetchick….I am in love with you.
Honestly, I think what it boils down to is that there are those of us who believe “it’s not whether you win or loose, but how you play the game”
And there are those who believe
“it’s not how you play the game, it’s whether you win or loose”
There are those of us who love the Jets for the character that this team has. This team has been very special for the past ten years and has had a very unique identity.
And then Martin and Chrebett left, but we still had Chad and Lavern, but now that Chad is gone it’s the end of an era for those of us who recognized and loved that Jets team. Coles is now the last member of a very special team we once had, but with Chad leaving that team no linger exists.
That’s not to say that this new Jets team isn’t going to be special, it’s already proven to have it’s bright spots but it’s not going to be the same as the one that we’ve had. To me, the team I loved so much is no longer intact. I’m still a Jets fan though.
I honestly would’ve rather watched Chad lead this team than any other QB in the league because he was our guy.
I mean doesn’t that count for something, if it doesn’t than I’m hoping we can sign Brady next year cause he is the best in the league.
Swizzle 81
I am a tad miffed at the logic you employ. Coles is certainly not a “temperamental crybaby” when he makes those tough catches over the middle, and plays through injuries that would sideline most players.
What he does off the field, the relationships he chooses, his desire not to speak to the press is actually none of your business. Mangini is fine with it, his team mates are fine with it, but you aren’t ?
You say to LC “Shut up and go to work” really swizzle…such an enlightened approach to life, business and the work place …very 19th century..
Then your observations about how LC relates to the media “He will say something stupid to the media” Coles is articulate and intelligent. His exchanges with the media are crisp and to the point. The beat reporters admire and respect him and last year unanimously voted him the best Jet to interact with. His team mates elected him a team captain another position he excelled at. in terms of representing his team mates viewpoints to coaches and management. He is respected and admired by his fellow players. It seems the important people get who he is.
You see Swizzle the “feelings and understanding “you poke fun at are human emotions and is what separates some of us from the chimps. Football players are certainly entitled to those basic emotions. If not we can have robots go out there and play the game.
You talk about this being business, and I agree. Coles decisions off the field are his business not yours.
The criteria you use to criticize him are based on the emotions and feelings you profess are meaningless. in business. In your case they are highly subjective, and not based on the results obtained on the field of play, or in a broader sense the game of life..
This is sports, players get paid lots of money and they come and go. Chad will be making 12 million over the next two seasons, not bad at all. Certainly nothing to feel sorry about. If he lost his home, then I would feel bad, but not even remotely close. Coles needs to get his head out of his ass and smell the roses, not his own s*** pile.
Paul:Such enlightened and deeply intellectual thinking on your part.. Your wisdom adds so much depth and understanding to our humanity.
“Coles needs to get his head out of his ass and smell the roses, not his own s*** pile.”
Posts like this reflect the lowest common denominator…the gate D mentality if you will.
We were all with you jetchick…,then you had to go and act like a girl. Please lecture elsewhere.
Nick wrote:
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jvsvn -
So if you are paying someones salery you can say anything you want to them? Is that the gist of your post?
————————————-
No Nick, that was not the gist of my post. My gist was this. We’re taliking NFL football here. The whole point of professional sports is to have fans and to have those fans express their opinions about the teams they care about. All the guy said was that Chad would not have been able to make a particular throw. If that is not a legitimate opinion for a fan to express then I don’t know what is. Fans go to games (and practices), they boo, they cheer, they express there opinions about the game and the players. That’s the whole point of the excercise. If Coles, or any other player, can’t handle it then they’re in the wrong business. Like I said, it’s not like the guy said anything personal to Coles that should have offended him. In this situation Coles was wrong. Period.
JETCHICK – Bravo to you for calling out the “Gate D” mindsets, whose meanspirited comments are suggestive of why they probably have few close friends. They can not understand or appreciate that the Chad/Laveranues story of deep friendship and mutual loyalty is indeed a rare and beautiful thing. As true Jets fans, it should touch us, and move us, and make us proud to have had on our team two such fine human beings.
This no doubt flies over the heads of some of our bloggers. So be it. But keep up the good work, Jetchick.
jetchick
Your reaction to Swizzle81 and Paul is offbase.
Swizzle81 said it is good that LC doesn’t talk to the media until he cools off. This is true.
Paul was just saying that LC needs to be thankful. Just because he said s***pile does not equate to the behavior at gate D.
I have said things about LC before and your reation seems to be a little over the top at times. Thats ok though. I like the passion you have towards LC and CP.
TheFinn
What meanspirted comments are you talking about? Don’t over react. Everyone isn’t going to agree. If they did this wouldn’t be my favorie website.
Finn
Thanks for the kind words. It causes fans like us a great deal of pain to have other alleged fans demean the complex and unique character attributes of exemplary players like Chad, and LC.
Few players other then those two, and of course Wayne and Curtis better define the unique spirit and vision of our team over the past decade.
Few players have made the sacrifices for the team and to one another that they have.
Nick:
”We were all with you jetchick…,then you had to go and act like a girl. Please lecture elsewhere”.
So in turn you decided to lecture me. Nick, let me assure you I am no girl…..another sexist gate 6 comment. You see Nick I am a woman….all 5′10” 135 very fit pounds of woman…..got a problem with that Nick?
I don’t know about Nick but I don’t have a problem with that.
Like I said before I like the passion you show towards LC and CP.
Even though Farve is a better QB and Clowney is faster than LC.
LC is allowed to be stupid and classless if he wants around his friends and family. He is not allowed to be classless by spouting profanity at fans.
TheFinn is a kiss ass. Do you have a mostache.
No offense, but Coles and Curtis Martin don’t belong in the same sentence. I appreciate that Coles plays hard in spite of his self-centered, whiny disposition but Curtis was the epitome of class, character and professionalism on and off the field and hopefully some day in a front office.
Curtis gave back money so that the team could sign additional quality players. Coles took salary from a teammate as a prerequisite for coming back to a team he once fled for bigger dollars. That doesn’t necessarily make Coles much different than the average person, most people follow the money.
But Curtis is different.
ED(itor)
Ed says, “LC is allowed to be stupid and classless if he wants around his friends and family. He is not allowed to be classless by spouting profanity at fans.”
And of course the same applies to yo Mr. Ed.