Oh man.

That Brett Favre is something, isn’t he?

Color us unconvinced, even now. And conflicted, as Jets fans and Favre haters.

We think we might be starting to come around if it weren’t for Favre’s sideline nonsense that the NFL Network kept cutting to. Jets score to make a 17-6 lead a 23-6 one? Favre carries on like he’s just been anointed Pope.

Granted, that touchdown ended up meaning a lot more than anyone thought it would because the Jets are the Jets and they had to do their best to blow that one. But Favre came through. Brett Favre. That guy.

The Nooner has made no pretenses about its transfixion with Favre all season, and it’s not about to end now. He provides endless comedy with his “Aw, shucks, I just chuck it” mentality and down-home American vanity.

And now he sometimes provides Jets victories, and for that we have to be thankful.

But we’re still going with the wait-and-see approach. Until the Jets win their ninth game of the season, ensuring that they can’t finish 8-8, they’re the Same Old Jets.

We feel like Randy Quaid in Major League.

Wild Thing, you move me.

Favre leads Jets to statement win over Pats in OT; Quarterback on pace to annihilate single season record for most tears shed in post game press conferences (record currently held by Brett Favre- 1996, 2007).

Yanks aquire Swisher from White Sox; Outfielder’s .219 batting average adds welcome consistency in center field over Melky Cabrera (who is good for 7 homers in the first 8 games, then hitting with Helen Keller-like efficiency) and Brett Gardner (who is a terror on the basepaths, but apparently can only hit for an average of .003).

Video of Jordan losing to mutual fund CEO in one-on-one game surfaces;  Embarrassing loss evidently what forced Jordan, an avid gambler, into position of manager of basketball operations for Bobcats (had Jordan won, opponent would have had to eat his jock strap circa 8 Crazy Nights).

Jerry Jones certain the Cowboys will make the playoffs; Dead serious look on his face shows conviction… or fear… or sadness…. it’s hard to say really.  Regardless, he looks curiously good for his age right?

Knicks catch fire from beyond the arc in dismantling of Grizzlies; 19 made 3-pointers marks single game franchise record, and eclipses entire 2007-08 total.

Nets fall to the banged up Pacers 98-87.  But to be fair, the Nets were also without their catalyst at guard, Devin… ummm… Devin…. The guy who got smoked by that British guy in the v-neck sweater.

Brodeur-less Devils give up lead to Rangers, lose 5-2; “At times he looked shaky,” Devils coach Brent Sutter said of goalie Kevin Weekes, “namely that 7-second or so stint in the 2nd when he managed to give up 4 goals… Yeah, that hurt us a bit.”

Monument of Babe Ruth removed from Yankee Stadium; Will be guarded closely during move after David Wells publicly expresses his desire to turn it into a Flavor-Flav-esque necklace to wear when he goes out drinking.

Yankees sign reliever Damaso Marte to 3-year deal; Marte, whose $6 million option for ’09 was declined by the Yankees last week, says he doesn’t mind settling for a lower annual salary, “Honestly, I couldn’t care less so long as I don’t wind up back in Pittsburgh.”

Mike Piazza’s writing a book. Insert joke here.

We poked fun at Piazza in today’s show, and to be honest, we feel a little guilty about it. Piazza is one of our favorite players of all time, and he’s without question the greatest offensive player in Mets’ history.

Beyond that, he carried himself with class throughout his tenure in New York, inspired our hatred for Roger Clemens, and regularly drops SAT words in his visits to the SNY booth. Dude is smart. We hope his book turns out to be the next Ulysses.

But that won’t make us stop from making jokes about him. Not because we think he’s gay (which isn’t something to joke about anyway); we’re actually in the small camp that believes he isn’t. Technically, the joke is on the New York media, whose giant gay witchhunt for Mike Piazza culminated in history’s only example of a man holding a press conference to confess his heterosexuality.

And once you do that, even if you’re more or less forced into it by the New York Post, then you’ve made yourself an easy target for comedy writers under deadline pressure. Sorry, Mike. You’re still awesome, but that’s just not going to stop us from making fun of you.

Speaking of which, a joke from Nooner rehearsals that never made the air, upon Piazza’s retirement:

Mike Piazza announced his retirement from baseball today. Fans are curious as to whether he’ll wear a Mets or Dodgers jersey at his Hall of Fame induction, and fashionistas are curious as to whether he’ll have a beard for the ceremony or if he’ll leave her at home with their kids.

Our apologies. We love you, Mike. Not in that way.

Well, maybe a little in that way. And that’s fine.

Knicks fall to Spurs despite absence of Parker and Ginobili; Win marks first of the year in San Antonio for the aging Spurs, who had recently fallen to Dallas, Miami, and a local senior rec center team at home.

Johan Santana finishes third in voting for NL Cy Young award, losing out to Giants young ace Tim Lincecum; Both pitchers endured shaky bullpens throughout the year, as Lincecum had 6 wins blown by his relievers, while Santana’s bullpen cost him 26 additional wins, compromised his 401k, and ran over his dog.

Hal Steinbrenner proves Hank isn’t the only brother that can shake up the media; Drops bombshell that the Yankees are willing to spend money in their efforts to field a championship team.

22 year old college dropout wins $9.15 million in the World Series of Poker main event;  First Kanye West, now this guy?  Expect to see universities worldwide completely deserted by 2015.

Jets bring back veteran Ty Law for one-year deal just in time to play Pats; According to one anonymous Jet, even if Law isn’t ready to play, having the one-time Patriot there to give tips on their playbook could make the signing worth while regardless.

Rangers fall to Oilers in shootout as Edmonton closes out 7-game road trip on a high note.  Now, with smiles on their faces, the Oilers can head back to the down-home comforts of sunny Alberta for some relaxation.

Niners fall to Cardinals in valiant effort on Monday Night Football; Strong showing compells motivational genius Mike Singletary to only show top of his ass crack to team, rather than drop his pants entirely.

All things Favre update…  Favre’s nephew sets high school record; Gunslinger’s dog slated to replace Duke, who was tragically hit by a bean delivery truck, in Bush’s Baked Beans ad campaign.

Monument Park move to new stadium under way; Giambi caught slipping a golden thong plaque in with retired numbers.

What happened?

We were all set for another crummy season of Jets football, filled with expectations and concluding with an 8-8 record and a mediocre draft pick that will inevitably be misused.

Then something changed, the Jets won three in a row and all of a sudden they’re heading into Foxborough for a showdown with the Patriots for first place in the AFC East, which somehow looks like one of the stronger divisions in the NFL despite its notable lack of Tom Brady.

Sign us up for not buying it. Why? Because these are the Jets. And no matter what anyone said about how bringing in Favre “changed the atmosphere” around the Meadowlands, we still see storm clouds on the horizon.

Why? Well, for one, we’re not so sure Brett Favre knows how to play football. Honestly, has anyone watched this guy play? He just chucks it. It’s the Emperor’s New Clothes. He’s not good. Sure, his durability and impressive arm strength probably put him among the 15 best quarterbacks in the NFL history, but that’s, well, history. Now he’s old, he still throws the interceptions, he doesn’t fully grasp the offense, and, most importantly, he’s on the Jets.

The same old Jets. No matter what anyone says. We’ve got our fingers crossed, but if we had to make a prediction, we’ll still say they finish at 8-8. Sorry. We’ve just been beaten down too many times to thing Gang Green is anything more.

The Giants took commanding control of the NFC East with a win last night over the rival Eagles; It has been hastily challenged however, by Philly coach Andy Reid that the Eagles actually won the game.  Throwing this unprecedented red flag puts all of the Eagles’ remaining timeouts for 2008 at risk.

The Jets laid an absolute drubbing on the Rams, putting up 40 points in two quarters on their way to an eventual 47-3 win; The historic win was thanks in large part to Thomas Jones’ 149 rushing yards, which was clearly prompted by Brett Favre’s stellar backfield hand-offs and the Rams’ fear of potential gunslinging.

Knicks hand Jazz first loss of season in 107-99 win at the Garden; The win marked the first time since 2005 that the Knicks reached two games over .500, but was tainted by the need for several dozen fans to be taken out in ambulances and treated for shock.

Unclear of whether the Yankees want him back, Pettitte files for free agency; After struggling through the second half of last season, the southpaw is hoping the Yanks will still turn to him for his intensity, leadership, and willingness to cheat and admit it years later.

We’re haters. We’ll admit that. See Favre, Brett for details.

But we actually like Stephon Marbury. Maybe it’s because he’s a local boy or because we own a pair of his $9 sneakers or because he’s got a scalp tattoo.

Or maybe because, easy though it may be to dismiss Steph as just another talented athlete who went overboard on fame and fortune, he seems different. Steph’s lunacy transcends the realm of Gary Paytons.

Yeah, he’ll screw an intern in the back of an SUV now and then or cause trouble in his team’s clubhouse, the usual spoiled athlete nonsense. But then he’ll go on Mike’d Up and confess his love for his sister or announce plans to give free sneakers to every high school basketball player in New York City. Not so straightforward.

Steph’s a deranged NBA jester, and we enjoy watching his work on, off, and in court.

We just wouldn’t want to let our kids hang out with him.

Luckily we don’t have kids, so it’s not a pressing concern. But man, if our son was on the Lincoln High basketball team that Steph yesterday said he could practice with, well, we’d probably push for a transfer.

Because like him or not, Stephon Marbury is a crazy person. A fun one, yes. Good for jokes, and maybe mostly harmless. But crazy. Nuts. Loco.

It comes down to something we call The Michael Jackson Dilemma. Michael Jackson made awesome music for a really long time and was obviously driven to insanity by the pressure surrounding his career. Now he looks like an alien and touches children.

That doesn’t make Billie Jean any less awesome, but it means you can’t let your kids hang out with him, no matter how many monkeys he promises to show them (Ed. note: If Michael Jackson offers to show you his monkey, say no).

Steph likely won’t give any Lincoln students the Neverland Ranch treatment, but we can’t say that for sure, because we can’t say anything for sure about Stephon Marbury except that nothing is certain when it comes to Stephon Marbury.

It’s what we love about him, but it’s what forces us to implore you: Keep your kids away from Stephon Marbury.