Giants and Jets Will Have Neutral End Zones This Weekend At MetLife Stadium

The New York Giants and New York Jets both play games in the Meadowlands this weekend and the scheduling congestion has created a problem regarding which team logo should be painted in the end zones.

The Giants kick off early Sunday afternoon while the Jets have a Saturday night game which will force MetLife Stadium to have neutral end zones with no team names for both games for the first time ever.

Although the Meadowlands facility has had quick turnarounds on events before, this one is uniquely challenging.

“We are always prepared to host two consecutive football games, whether college or NFL,” said Ron VanDeVeen, president and CEO of MetLife Stadium.

“However, due to the timing of Saturday’s 8:25 p.m. New York Jets game followed by Sunday’s 1 p.m. New York Giants game, coupled with the current weather forecast, the decision was made to use neutral end zones for this weekend’s contests. This decision will allow for appropriate maintenance of the playing surface throughout the weekend.”

For the Giants and Jets, who are the only NFL franchises sharing a stadium, the problem starts with both of them not even playing in New York. And for those of us who still call it "Giants Stadium," putting "New Jersey" on both end zones might be the permanent solution. 

Mom drops off Giants’ Eli Apple at first day of practice (VIDEO)

New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple may be 20 years old, but he's still not grown up enough to deny his mother the pleasure of driving him to his first day of practice as an NFL player.

Early Thursday morning, the NFL rookie's mom, Annie Apple, posted a video to Twitter of herself driving Eli to the training facility at MetLife Stadium. According to mom, she's been driving her son to football practice since he was a kid and couldn't pass up the chance to drop him off at training camp again.

"It's Eli's first day," Annie says, with excitement in her voice.

Eli's first day as a NY Giants😊. It's hard to turn off the mommy meter at these pivotal moments. Corny & proud. #tbt pic.twitter.com/uA3WpoxAFA

— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) June 23, 2016

The proud mother then posted a video of her son walking toward the bus, narrating his every move, with the hashtag #MommyCam.

"Look at Eli," Annie, a Twitter star in her own right, says, proudly. "Aw, he's putting in his bag in the bus with other grown people."

NOOO!!!! RT @SurvivinAmerica: #tbt Eli reporting for OTAs. #MommyCam pic.twitter.com/oIU1AMgZKC

— Woof Blitzer (@I_Exude_Sarcasm) June 24, 2016

Apple — a New Jersey native who was the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft in April — is probably hoping his new teammates don't see the 'aww...mom' moment.

But really, who hasn't been in that situation? At least before you got your driver's license.

Brandon Marshall's wife has response to Cullen Jenkins' 'girl' insult during Jets-Giants game

Cullen Jenkins got a little up-close-and-personal — maybe too personal — with Brandon Marshall during the Jets-Giants game on Sunday.

You remember, Marshall said he got into it with Jenkins because Jenkins "disrespected" Marshall's wife with a comment he made as the halftime buzzer sounded at MetLife Stadium.

“Some things are off-limits, and he made a comment,” Marshall said. “He said my ‘girl.’ He didn’t know I was married. I don’t care. There’s not enough money on this earth for someone to disrespect my wife.”

Well, on Tuesday night's episode of Showtime's "Inside the NFL," Marshall's wife, Michi, got a chance to respond to Jenkins and praise how her husband rushed to her defense. Michi was a guest on the show, which has Marshall as a regular panelist.

"Well, I didn't know what happened until afterward," she said. "Even the next day, I got a text [regarding Marshall confronting Jenkins] that said, 'Oh, it's so sweet.' It's like: What happened? But I will say, chivalry is not dead, and I'm happy about that. But because it wasn't a detriment to the team, I'm OK with it." 

She was probably referring to the fact that Marshall wasn't penalized for the verbal exchange on this play: 

Marshall also spoke about the incident again during the show.

"Hey, crime of passion, man," he said. "Listen, there are some things that are off limits on the football field. And I think talking about guys' kids and wives is off limits. But I have to say, Cullen Jenkins is a stand-up guy. He not only apologized during the game, but he called me [Monday] and also apologized again."

Chivalrous and forgiving. What a guy.

Dez Bryant says last-place Cowboys will still 'run the East' (VIDEO)

Dez Bryant didn't let Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Giants take any of the bluster out of the Cowboys' goal of winning the NFC East title — even before he hit the locker room.

The Cowboys, who have now lost four games in a row since Tony Romo went down with a broken collarbone in Week 2, face an uphill battle to even make the playoffs. But that didn't phase the sidelined wide receiver as he was walking off the field at MetLife Stadium and brashly told Giants fans that the Cowboys are "still gonna run the East" this year.

#Cowboys @DezBryant leaves the field with a promise - "We still gon' run the East!" #WFAACowboys #NFL pic.twitter.com/5u5gyo2IiT

— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) October 25, 2015

Considering that the Cowboys (2-4) will go with either Brandon Weeden or Matt Cassel for at least the next three weeks, that's a mighty bold statement from Bryant.

Romo isn't expected to return until Week 11, which means the Cowboys will have to play the Seahawks and the Eagles in the next two weeks without him.

Bryant is hoping to get back on the field for next Sunday's game against Seattle. But beating the Seahawks with Cassel or Weeden at quarterback is going to be a tall task.

But, as with every year in the NFC East, it's crap shoot. And this year might be the wildest division finish ever.

49ers fan runs onto MetLife Stadium field, gets carted off by NJ State Troopers (VIDEO)

One 49ers fan thought it would be a good idea to run onto the field at MetLife Stadium during the Sunday Night Football matchup between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

Only thing was, the New Jersey State Police wasn't having any of it.

#MetLife #fanOnField pic.twitter.com/m7xCA0vTy6

— Kennected (@KennectedArtWrx) October 12, 2015

The jackass fan appears to head-butt one state trooper while fighting security's efforts to get him off the field — peacefully.  The troopers eventually had to pick the fan up by his arms and legs and carry him the rest of the way.

Heres the fan that ran on the field: He started swinging at the cops too😂😂😂 Watch the guy in red start flailing😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LzCurQ4WOG

— Gone Studying (@Hayes_Hair13) October 12, 2015

The Niners moron was jeered by Giants fans as he was led off the field. And if the charges he probably faced weren't enough, New York fans can only hope he heard his team lose in dramatic fashion from a holding pen.

Odell Beckham Jr. gets crowd's approval for 'almost' making another one-handed catch (VIDEO)

Odell Beckham Jr. almost broke the Internet again after almost making another sensational one-handed catch during a preseason game Saturday night.

In the second quarter of of the "Snoopy Bowl" between the New York Giants and the New York Jets, OBJ almost came down with a gravity-defying, one-handed grab by the sideline.

And it has to come to the point these days where the Giants' star receiver now gets roaring cheers even for near-misses — although he did almost make the catch over all-world cornerback Darelle Revis.

Unfortunately, on this one, OBJ had one foot out of bounds. But the Giants fans didn't mind.

.@OBJ_3 was this close to breaking the internet all over again. And breaking #RevisIsland. #NYJvsNYG http://t.co/0kxSmKl8Jv

— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2015

Sounds like almost does count in Giants football.

Geno Smith on fans' boos at MetLife Stadium: "You'd think we were on the road"

If anything was proved in the New York Jets' Green and White practice Saturday night, it's that no matter where Geno Smith plays, Jets fans will still not be patient with the erratic signal caller.

Even though the Jets traded for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team is still counting on Smith to be their opening-day starter — even if the decision hasn't been announced yet.

Smith has been sharp through nine practices, drawing a positive reaction from the fans who have watched practices at the team's facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. But the mood changed when they traveled 30 miles to their regular season home at MetLife Stadium.

Smith found that out on his second series in 11-on-11 drills when he was sacked, fumbled the ball and heard a smattering of boos from the more than 10,000 fans who showed up in the Meadowlands.

And how did he react to the boos Saturday night? 

"Man, I had a smile on my face,'' he said. "The camera should have zoomed in on me -- I had a big smile on my face. You'd think we were on the road today.''

It was hardly the first time Geno Smith has been booed at MetLife Stadium, but the Jets quarterback said he's confident he'll turn those jeers into cheers, "I know how to handle it now." 

And he got a chance to prove it. The boos got a little louder on Smith's next series when he was nearly was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie, who had tight coverage on Brandon Marshall, and then missed Marshall badly on the next throw.

Welcome home, boys. https://t.co/EEAqjp8vqw

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 8, 2015

After redeeming himself with a 35-yard TD pass to Marshall, the fans were cheering.

"We did it tonight, and hopefully they're a little bit more patient during the season,'' Smith said after the offense's 35-0 win over the defense. "It's a four-quarter game, and the only thing that matters is we win the game. You've just got to understand that fans are going to be fans, and you don't want to put too much emphasis on that. I don't worry about it. I think it's more important for my teammates to see how I react to it more than anything.''

Smith said the boo birds still have to give him a chance.

"Hopefully," he said, "they're a little more patient during the season."

Deal to close New Jersey's Izod Center to be announced Thursday: Report

The Izod Center — the New Jersey state-owned arena that has been part of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey for more than three decades — is expected to close its doors at the end of the month.

Under an agreement expected to be announced Thursday, the birthplace of the Devils, past home to the Nets and the House That Springsteen Built, will finally be taken off life support and most likely close its doors within weeks.

The once state-of-the-art venue — which opened in 1981 as Brendan Byrne Arena, named after the former New Jersey governor before being renamed Continental Airlines Arena in 1996 and then the Izod Center in 2007 — has reached a deal with the Prudential Center that grants the Newark venue official hosting rights to the Izod Center's events calendar. 

A source familiar with the agreement pushed through by a Gov. Chris Christie task force, told NJ.com that, as part of the deal, the 34-year-old Izod Center — which has been struggling financially in the wake of growing competition — will remain dark for the two-year duration of the contract.

Since the Devils, Nets, and the Seton Hall University men's basketball team all stopped playing games there at the end of the last decade, the IZOD Center has held sporadic events and a steady stream of identity recognition.

While the Giants and Jets got a shiny new MetLife Stadium next door, the Devils and Seton Hall moved into the Prudential Center and the Nets went to Brooklyn, the IZOD lay there decaying and confused — a neglected companion for that Xanadu monstrosity.

State Sen. Paul Sarlo criticized the Sports Authority's board — in which all 18 members are appointed by Christie — for not taking any bids from companies who could privatize the operation. Sarlo said he's unsure what will happen to the 18,000-seat arena after it's shuttered.

The two-year agreement calls for all future events currently scheduled for the Izod Center to be moved to the Prudential Center, effective Jan. 31. According to the Izod calendar, those include concerts by Chris Brown and Maroon 5, a Ringling Bros. circus, and a Disney event.

But, for anyone who braved the traffic, endured the lousy teams and the building's imperfections, being sprung from the Exit 16W toll for a game or show, it didn't matter.

Even if meant being stuck in the swamps of Jersey.

Jets hold moment of silence for two slain NYPD officers (PHOTO)

The New York Jets held a 10-second moment of silence before Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in honor of the two slain NYPD officers.

Jets center Nick Mangold wore a black NYPD cap and held it over his heart during the singing of the anthem at MetLife Stadium.

The officers were killed Saturday afternoon by a gunman who then killed himself. The gunman has posted online that he was specifically targeting police.

Later, Mangold seriously injured his ankle in the second quarter and was carted from the field.

Nick Mangold of New York Jets carted off field with ankle injury http://t.co/iDGyTXWvTE
— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) December 21, 2014

At least he got a chance to pay tribute before the game.

DeSean Jackson has customized 'I can't breathe' cleats made for Giants game (PHOTO)

Many athletes are throwing their support behind the protests recognizing the death of Eric Garner by wearing 'I can't breathe' t-shirts in pre-game warmups.

Garner, who died while in a New York City police officer's chokehold, is heard on an eyewitness video saying 'I can't breathe' several times right before he took his last breath. A grand jury chose not to indict the police officer in Garner's death.

Now it appears that Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be showing his support during a game when Washington plays the Giants in New Jersey on Sunday.

Jackson had his friend Marcus Rivero design a customized pair of "I can't breathe cleats" for the game at MetLife Stadium.

Rivero created the cleats this week and posted a picture of them to Instagram with the caption: "This pair was done as a symbolism for the recent events. [Jackson] requested these, I just made his idea a Reality. Thanks again Desean."

"I can't Breath(e)" sorry last night took a bad photo, but yes Breathe had an E. This pair was done as a symbolism for the recent events. @0ne0fone requested these , I just made his idea a Reality. Thanks again Desean. #SolesBySir #1of1 #customcleats #httr #IcantBreathe #customHuaraches #redskins #washington #makeTheSwooshPop #blessed #thankful

A photo posted by MRivero123 (@solesbysir) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:33am PST

Rivero told TMZ in October that customizing a pair of cleats can cost a player up to $1,000.

Just wondering how much an NFL fine for wearing the shoes might cost.

Jessie James Decker announces she's doing concert during halftime of Jets-Pats game

If Jets fans thought they heard the last of Jessie James Decker this season, think again.

James Decker, the tweet happy wife of Jets receiver Eric Decker, announced Thursday morning that she will be doing a concert during halftime of the Jets-Patriots game on Dec. 21 at MetLife Stadium.

How did the country singer — known for defending her oft-injured hubby on her social media accounts — give fans the news?  By Twitter of course:

So excited to announce I'm doing a Holiday halftime concert at the #Jets game on 12/21 w/ @JetsFlightCrew !! #happyholidays
— Jessie James Decker (@JessieJDecker) December 11, 2014

Bet she sings "Stand By Your Man."

MetLife Stadium must wait years to host Winter Classic, says NHL commissioner: Report

Important people surrounding MetLife Stadium fought long and hard to get a Super Bowl in the Meadowlands — and finally saw their vision come to fruition last February.

But if they were hoping for an NHL version of a wintertime event, they'll have to wait ... years.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said it would be at least that long before MetLife Stadium would get a chance to host the annual Winter Classic.

Yankee Stadium hosted games between the Devils and New York Rangers, and between the Rangers and New York Islanders, last January, and since MetLife Stadium was prepping for the Super Bowl that week, a hockey game there would have been a logistics nightmare.

Bettman made it clear that the annual event will be held around the country before returning to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area in the near future.

"Every city, every club wants one," Bettman said at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, where the 2015 Winter Classic will be played Jan. 1 at Nationals Park. "We're going to move things around before going back."

Because there are three New York-area hockey teams, the NHL had to hold two outdoor games last January so no one would be left out, Bettman said.

"Playing in New York and New Jersey is a unique situation,'' he said. "We have a lot of other teams and a lot of other stadiums who want a game before we can come back."

No way Commish, Devils fans do feel left out.

Jets-Dolphins tickets selling as low as $11: Report

Forget the mall and Black Friday for low prices. If you are really searching for a bargain, look no further than MetLife Stadium and Green Monday.

Thousands of seats are still available for Monday night's Jets-Dolphins match-up where prices have tumbled as low as $11 on the secondary market — in what will be the cheapest ticket in MetLife Stadium’s NFL history.

By Sunday night, seats could be had for as little as $11 on the open market for Gang Green’s game against the Miami Dolphins, reported the N.Y. Post.

The tickets had a face value of $66 a piece, not including licensing fees paid by season-ticket holders. The average secondary-market price was $65, says TiqIQ, which tracks prices of resold ducats.

The previous low was set by the Jets’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 2, 2012, when the lowest average asking price was $113, TiqIQ data show.

Adding to the non-demand for Jets ticket sellers is the 8:30 p.m. kickoff for “Monday Night Football.”

East Coast prime-time games regularly drive down prices because local fans don’t want to be out after midnight on a work or school night.

So much for the City That Never Sleeps reputation.

In reality, between 50,000 to 60,000 fans will be at MetLife on Monday night, estimated Chris Matcovich, TiqIQ’s vice president of data and communications.

“Essentially, the Jets’ fan base has thrown in the white towel,” Matcovich said.

A city-based Dolphin fan club bought 1,100 tickets for Monday’s game — 900 from the MetLife box office and 200 from secondary sellers.

So expect to see a sea of aqua.

'Fire John Idzik' billboard has new suggestion for Jets owner (PHOTO)

There is a new twist to the "Fire John Idzik" billboards which have been popping up around MetLife Stadium. The newest sign on Route 3, the main thoroughfare right outside the stadium where the Jets play, not only calls for owner Woody Johnson to clean house and fire Idzik — the Jets embattled general manager — it also suggests Johnson (and Jets fans) would be better off if he sold the franchise.

The latest billboard appeared one day after the Jets embarrassing 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills Monday night in Detroit, reports NJ.com.

The signage is a result of the work being done by firejohnidzik.com. The site is run by disgruntled Jets fans and refers to "The Florham Park Circus" and pleads for the Jets to "Clean House."

So it looks like they're going to need longer banners on those planes that fly over Jets games.

DEA Agents surprise NFL teams with drug checks after Sunday games: Report

Federal drug enforcement agents showed up unannounced Sunday to check at least three visiting NFL teams' medical staffs as part of an investigation into former players' claims that teams mishandled prescription drugs, according to the Washington Post.

The San Francisco 49ers' staff was checked at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after they played the New York Giants. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' staff was checked at Baltimore-Washington International airport after playing the Redskins, reported the Post.

 The Seattle Seahawks, who played at Kansas City, confirmed via the team's Twitter account that they were spot-checked as well.

There were no arrests during the spot checks, said Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman, Rusty Payne, after the inspections. 

"DEA agents are currently interviewing NFL team doctors in several locations as part of an ongoing investigation into potential violations of the (Controlled Substances Act)," Payne said.

The nationwide probe is being directed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York — where the NFL is headquartered — but involves several U.S. attorney's offices.

The investigation was sparked by a lawsuit filed in May on behalf of former NFL players going back to 1968. The number of plaintiffs has grown to more than 1,200, including dozens who played as recently as 2012. Any violations of federal drug laws from 2009 forward could also become the subject of a criminal investigation because they would not be subject to the five-year statute of limitations.

The operation was still ongoing, and other teams may be checked later.

'Jets rebuilding since 1969' banner flies over MetLife Stadium before game (PHOTO)

A little less than two hours before kickoff between the Jets and Steelers on Sunday, a small plane flew over MetLife Stadium with a banner that read "Jets rebuilding since 1969."

It was the second time in five days, a disgruntled New York Jets fan took to the sky to express disappointment with the current state of the team. 

A slightly clearer picture of today's banner. pic.twitter.com/Z6VfY8GRvw
— Seth Walder (@SethWalderNYDN) November 9, 2014

Although there wasn't a "Fire John Idzik" banner in the sky — like the one that made news last Wednesday — a fancy billboard with the same sentiment turned up near the stadium.

Considering that Jets ended a seven-game losing streak with Sunday's 20-13 win over the Steelers, it's easy to call this a banner week for Gang Green.

Jets fans start "Fire John Idzik" website: Report

After years of quarterback letdowns, underachieving players and lousy coaches, one group of Jets fans have had their fill and are directing their frustration at one single person, the current head of the whole mess — general manager John Idzik.

Four fans' disappointment with the 1-and-7 team came to a head after listening to Idzik’s rambling news conference on Monday and they decided to take matters into their own hands — or more precisely, their fingertips.

They created a website titled: “firejohnidzik.com”

“We were so disgusted after the game on Sunday, that the last thing we wanted to hear was that ridiculous press conference,” said Jason Koeppel, one of the site’s creators.

Koeppel, along with his brother Jared and friends Matthew Wolferman and Greg Kohler called each other after Idzik’s rambling comments Monday and decided to put this site together with the goal of putting a "Fire John Idzik" billboard in the Meadowlands.

"Join other long suffering Jets fans in our quest to rid the organization of our CLOWN GM. Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a billboard in the vicinity of MetLife Stadium and let the Jets know that their most loyal fans are demanding change. 

"Show Woody that we paid our PSL's. We put up with the massive rip-off that is MetLife Stadium and the absurd price of tickets & concessions. But we will no longer put up with John Idzik running the show." 

According to Koeppel, a 35-year-old season-ticket holder from Hackensack, fans who donate a certain amount get a T-shirt with a logo. He said it will cost around $10,000 to buy the billboard. The site had raised around $500 in the first 24 hours.

The site also has a slideshow labeled the "Idzik Hall of Shame" which highlights his biggest blunders as general manager. And, although Idzik didn't make the call, it includes a photo of T.J. Graham lying down in the end zone on the bumbled "Hidden Player" trick play during last Sunday's blowout loss to the Bills.

Koeppel is hoping the site gets contributions from other angry Jets fans before they send their specific gripes to team owner Woody Johnson.

Jets fan arrested for knocking out Bills fan at MetLife Stadium: Report (VIDEO)

New Jersey State Police have arrested the Jets fan who was videotaped knocking out another man wearing a Bills jersey during Buffalo's blowout of New York at MetLife Stadium Sunday.

According to PIX11, the man wearing the Jets jersey — Christopher Fox from Peekskill, N.Y. — attempted to flee the scene after brutally punching out the fan in a No.81 Bills jersey, but was grabbed by the state troopers, arrested and charged with simple assault.

A witness originally told TMZ Fox exited without being caught.

"His immediate arrest is credited to Metlife’s state-of-the-art surveillance system which features a mega-pixel system that provides un-disrupted video coverage throughout every part of the venue," wrote PIX11's Andrew Ramos.

A NJ Advance photographer captured the moment that Fox (wearing a No. 10 Chad Pennington jersey) was pointed out by another Jets fan and was grabbed by security:

Here's the video first posted by TMZ that shows the knockout punch:

The unconscious victim was taken to an area hospital where he was evaluated. The man suffered no serious injury, officials said.

Jets fan knocks Bills fan out cold at MetLife Stadium (VIDEO)

Jets players had plenty to feel punchy about while being blown out by the Bills at MetLife Stadium Sunday. And one Jets fan in the stands took out his manly frustration on a Bills spectator with a brutal, one-punch knockout of the visitor.

TMZ posted a cell phone video of the Jets fan (in a No. 10 Chad Pennington jersey) throwing a punch in the stands in a fight with another dude in a Bills jersey. The blow appeared to knock the Bills fan unconscious. "He's still down," someone says on the video. TMZ reported the fight broke out "right after the Bills started pulling away."

Witnesses also said the fan who threw the punch exited before security came. One told the site, "The Bills fan had been shooting his mouth off before the fight and the Jets fans took exception."

It did not appear the Bills fan suffered "serious injury."

The State Police told TMZ they have "very good footage" of the entire incident from their state-of-the-art surveillance system — and warn others, "Anyone would be a fool to commit a crime inside MetLife Stadium."

J-E-T-S. Losers on the field. Losers in the stands.

Geno Smith fined $12,000 for F-bomb directed at fan: Report

The NFL fined Geno Smith $12,000 Friday for unsportsmanlike conduct — a penalty pretty much anticipated after the Jets quarterback cursed at a fan while walking off the field following a home loss to Detroit on Sunday.

A frustrated Smith was caught by a television camera yelling “f--- you” at a MetLife Stadium spectator after the Jets brutal loss to the Lions. 

The fan was screaming at the struggling quarterback who, during the Jets third straight loss, threw an interception and lost a fumble — giving him seven giveaways for the season.

The hefty penalty was the same amount Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel was fined during the preseason for flipping the bird at the Washington bench.

“That’s unacceptable,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said Thursday of Smith’s behavior. “Absolutely unacceptable.”

Many fans in attendance for last Sunday’s loss in the Meadowlands were all over Smith for his poor performance, chanting Michael Vick’s name and calling for the veteran backup to replace Smith, who let his emotions get the best of him. 

Smith began his postgame press conference that day with an apology:

“No matter what happened I’ve got to not feed into it,” Smith said. “It’s a part of the job. I understand the fans want to come out and see victories. And at times they get heated and we do too as players.”

Sounds like the heat is turned up just a little higher for Smith.