Football Jets

The 2009-2010 season was the greatest season in my life as a New York Jets fan.

I just want to say thank you to all of the players and coaches who have made this regular season captivating and the improbable playoff run riveting and unforgettable.

The future of the Jets looks bright, but before everyone starts talking about all the positives for next season, we should reflect on a few of the thrilling moments and lasting impressions with which the Jets players  thoroughly entertained us with this entire year. Their skill and passion for the game alongside the cockiness and bravado made being a Jets fan this year something truly special.

Big, Loud, and Proud Rex Ryan proclaiming confidence like the clear favorite in the face of unimaginable odds. And for proclaiming us dead when we actually had a faint heartbeat.

Mark Sanchez going through every phase of being a rookie while saving his best for when it mattered most.  Two playoff victories ties Joe Flacco for most ever by a rookie and his AFC Championship game performance was truly magnificent.

Being 23 minutes away from the Superbowl. Next year lets get some home playoff games – in our brand new stadium!!!

Revis Island. Single handedly making defense cool.

The entire defense. Witnessing that level of play week in and week out made me believe in stops and not just hope for them.

Running the football. Old School football is still relevant and Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and Leon Washington were the best at it.

Braylon Edwards.  Braylon we new you were due for a big catch, but the 80 yard AFC Championship game touchdown reception from Mark Sanchez was even beyond our wildest imagination. We all witnessed the  longest offensive play in New York Jets playoff history.  That trade was awesome.

Jerricho Cotchery. Love the toughness, soft hands and intelligence you bring to the table.

Dustin Keller you are a huge part of our future, and  your three touchdowns during the playoffs makes you a top flight tight-end.

The Owner and General Manager for assembling an all star cast of players that appears to be primed for a good run in the near future.

The fans for chanting J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets loud, real loud. And to Fireman Ed for telling us when to do so.

I know I am proudly riding the  Green Wave on the new era Jets.

Thank You,

Robert, lifelong Jets fan

The New York Jets shocked the football universe by having two rookies lead the Jets past the San Diego Chargers.

In the second greatest game ever played by the Jets franchise, the 2009-2010 New York Jets are in the AFC Championship Game.

The improbable 17-14 win over the hottest team in football – Chargers had 11 consecutive victories going into the game – moves the Jets into a rematch with Indianapolis for the right to play in the Superbowl.

Great Effort. Defense played with a lion’s heart and the entire team contributed to this amazing victory.

Brilliant game Mark Sanchez. You made history and we believe you can take us to the Superbowl.

Shonn Greene. Two postseason games both of which he rushed for over 100 yards and scored a crucial touchdown.

Thomas Jones. When we needed one yard we knew you could get it for us.

Darrelle Revis. Again the game turned on your interception. Your half speed run was stride for stride with Vincent Jackson running all out.

Jim Leonard. That toughness and determination makes you an integral part of our defense.

Special Teams. Well coached and well executed.

Dustin Keller. Great hands.

Coaching Staff. Great minds.

I am the Happiest Person in San Diego

By the way, check out my NFL Playoff Predictions from September they were pretty close, got 3 of the final four correct and of course I got Jets over the Vikings in the Superbowl.

In a Playoff Win for the Ages

Jets Defeat Bengals.

The New York Jets, who were way outside looking into the playoffs just a few weeks ago have now become the NFL Cinderella.

Total Team Effort. Sanchise Delivered. Defense Delivered. Running Game, Special Teams and Coaches Delivered. Dustin Keller Played Great. How about that for playoff experience for Mark Sanchez.

This win needs to be celebrated.

Love Rex Ryan. Before the game, the New York Jets coach did an indirect Joe Namath type guarantee by passing out a practice/off day schedule to the entire team through February 9, 2010 – the day of the Superbowl Parade.

A common theme this year is Darrelle Revis leading the Jets defense to wins. On Thursday night this was no different as Revis locked down Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrelle Owens holding him to only 3 catches for 31 yards. Literally this guy is the reason the Jets are now 6-6 and only a game behind Denver for a wild card position.

However, this big, kinda sloppy win did not come without loss. Quarterback Mark Sanchez forced the organization to hold their breath when he hobbled off the field following a third down scramble for a first down in which he chose to dive at the end of the play instead of slide. Ironcially, this is exactly what Rex Ryan was trying to avoid by having Mark Sanchez taught how to slide FEET FIRST  all week by World Series Champion Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. The dive got the first down but the collision with the field turf in Toronto caused Sanchez to sprain his posterior cruciate ligament in his healthier right knee since he already wears a brace on his left knee from an old college injury.

Good News is that if he can handle the pain he should be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week, another must win game if the Jets have any post season aspirations.

Rushing and defense has been the bread and butter for the Jets all season long. Against Buffalo this was the case as Thomas Jones helped set a franchise record for the most rushing yards in two games against the same opponent in the same season. The Jets defense held Buffalo to less than 100 yards total offense in the second half and quickly ended the Buffalo game winning drive opportunity on their final possession. Defensive end Shaun Ellis sacked the Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on first down and then Darrelle Revis intercepted a long pass to Terrelle Owens on second down allowing the Jets to run out the clock for the victory.

The Jets slim but improving playoff hopes rest in the knee of Mark Sanchez. If he can not play then backup Kellen Clemens will be under center and the Jets will be left wondering what if.

We have to keep telling ourselves Mark Sanchez is just a rookie.

The problem is we were so caught up in the USC quarterback hype, the out of the gate 3 game win streak and the Sanchise that we seemed to have forgotten that Mark was just a rookie. Sanchez started just one season at USC. Basically he lacks experience and his learning on the job is giving him the experience he needs.

But wow, after that third game the defense and the running game made all of Jets Nation think that maybe, just maybe the stars were aligned and the Jets were going to do something special this season. Amazing things happen in sports all the time, and it just seemed like this was the Jets time.

At 4-6 and with Mark throwing 4 more interceptions against the New England Patriots this is obvious not the Jets time.

The New York Jets have to win football games. On Sunday they again found themselves playing catch-up and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-22 at home. This difficult loss to swallow against a very average NFL team puts the Jets record at 4-5 and really diminishes any playoff aspirations for the team.

With only four wins and seven games remaining, the Jets will likely need to go what is seeminly improbable 6-1 the rest of the way to get to 10 wins which possibly would be enough to make the playoffs as a wild card. This game on Sunday was tough, as Quarterback Mark Sanchez orchestrated a go ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter to take the lead. The defense, which started the game very slow but was starting to produce results in the second half were unable to stop the Jaguars on their final drive. Big play after big play the Jaguars marched down the field. At the end was a Maurice Jones-Drew rush that looked like an easy touchdown run but he intelligently and unselfishly took a knee at the one yard line. By doing so, the Jaguars were able to drain the last couple minutes of the clock before kicking the chip shot go-ahead field goal as time expired. The brilliant heads up play prevented Sanchez from getting another opportunity.

This loss hurts and without going into details about how the Jets squandered opportunities within the game to get a must needed win Football Jets wants to cry.

But that is too late as Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan has already been crying about the game and the team. In front of the entire team during the morning meeting following this loss Rex Ryan had an emotional moment that brought him to tears. Ryan thinks the Jets are much better than their 4-5 record and the 5 losses over the last 6 games against mostly very average  opponents. Ryan will need to save any hope for the playoffs by going to New England and facing Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and a fan base which is still spinning from the Sunday night meltdown by the coach and team against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts. The decision to go for it on their own 28, up by 6 points and with just a couple of minutes remaining was hugely controversial and in my honest opinion borderline idiotic.

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez lost another game for the team by throwing 5 interceptions. The Buffalo Bills won in overtime 16-13 in what was a gift. Buffalo is one of the worst teams in football. The Buffalo Bills scored only 3 points last week against the then winless Cleveland Browns. Yet, Buffalo managed to keep the game close and pull even late and should have won it in regulation but the Buffalo kicker choked on a game winning field goal as time expired. The Jets were not so lucky in overtime as the Bills kicker booted the game winner.

Jets Mark Sanchez Throws 5 Interceptions Against Buffalo

The storyline of this game is the Jets quarterback which led them to an impressive 3-0 start has now led them to three straight defeats evening the team’s record at 3-3.  Sanchez threw the ball over and over again right into the arms of the Buffalo defense and time after time. Jets fans booed constantly from the Meadowlands and head coach Rex Ryan almost put in backup quarterback Kellen Clemens.

Yet, despite all the turnovers the Jets had chances in overtime. Receiving the kick the Jets ran the ball down the field. Running well all day were Thomas Jones and Leon Washington who combined for 318 yards. In fact, Thomas Jones 210 yards broke a Jets record held by Curtis Martin, yet the Jets became the 7th team in NFL history to lose a game with a 200 yard rushing effort by a single player. A crucial play in overtime was a Jets run inside the Bills 10 yard line that was called back for an obvious holding on the offensive line. The play was stupid, considering if he lets the defender tackle the Jets running back it would still have been a first down or at worse a very makable field goal. Instead the Jets get pushed back and out comes Jay Feeley to win the game, only the holder couldn’t catch the snap cleanly. Good Grief. Jets deserved to lose this game.

Wow, Oakland Raiders next week. That is no gimme, as Oakland shocked the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Jets should be 4-2 or 5-1. The debacle in Miami on Monday Night was one thing, a turnover plagued game at home against the pathetic Buffalo Bills is another. Both those teams were starting backup quarterbacks and had only one win coming into the game.

This team needs to wake up.

Sanchez TRY SCRAMBLING for a 1st down once in awhile. You have great protection, if you are in trouble and your receivers are covered just tuck the ball and run. Several times it would have worked in the fourth quarter and overtime. Instead, you throw the ball at the jersey’s worn by the Bills. Just mind boggling to watch. The Bills had not won an AFC East game since 2007 so basically they are familiar with losing close games. Despite trying their best to lose this game, Mark Sanchez tried even harder.

Monday Night Football

Miami Dolphins 31 New York Jets 27 in an instant classic in the Miami verse New York rivalry.

This football game was a Monday Night masterpiece with back and forth lead changes in the fourth quarter with both vertical passing and a variety of running plays by both teams.

In the end, the Dolphins used the so called wildcat formation to run in on third and goal to take the lead with just 6 seconds remaining in the game. Several key third down conversions on that drive and during the entire game kept the Dolphins wildcat on the field all game long.

Chad Henne Looked Brilliant

Chad Henne has been a starter for two weeks and we made him look like Joe Montana. 20-26 for 241 yards and two touchdowns.

Jets Defense

The Jets defense looked bad, Like on your heels bad. Like negative 1 fantasy points bad. All game it felt like we needed one stop, and that stop never came. I hardly remember any great defensive plays all game, except possibly Kris Jenkins up the middle rush to break up a play in the backfield and Kerry Rhodes goal line stop on 2nd down during the Dolphins game winning drive.

This defense is so good but where are the interceptions, fumbles and sacks?

Braylon Edwards

Braylon Edwards is a beast and probably one of the best in season additions for any team in recent memory. Edwards showed great hands during several clutch receptions. Most impressive was Edwards ability to get vertical to make a catch and his hand strength in holding onto some balls he had to fight for against the defensive backs of Miami. If the Jets had won this game all the attention would have been about the positive impact of Braylon Edwards and the immediate confidence Mark Sanchez showed in him.

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez made some throws that were so precise and well timed that Jets fans have to feel blessed that we have such a young talent. Against the Dolphins, Sanchez may not have put up gaudy numbers, but his opportunities were limited due to the emphasis on the running game by both teams eating up the clock. Though when he did drop back to pass his accuracy was very good including a couple of deep throws. Mark Sanchez also showed his cool in the fourth quarter leading two touchdown scoring drives and at the end of the half leading to a go-ahead field goal. Mark Sanchez did enough to win this game with everyone on the offense contributing. If you only were to watch the offense you would have thought the Jets won by a comfortable margin because you would expect the one of the NFL’s best defenses to have held the Dolphins very average offense to at most a few scores.

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has been great and probably will be great for a number of years for the New York Jets. He just wasn’t great on this particular Sunday. Three interceptions and a fumble doomed the Jets against the New Orleans Saints.

The Jets played good enough to win (if you don’t count the turnovers). New Orleans high powered offense came to a crashing halt against he fearsome defense of the New York Jets. Drew Brees who usually throws for over 300 yards in his sleep met his match on Sunday, scraping by to manage only 190 yards passing and no passing touchdowns. The offensive juggernaut of the Saints was held to just one field goal through the first three quarters. The Saints had scored an average of 40 points the first three games. On Sunday they only scored 24. And most of those 24 points were gifts.

Mark Sanchez made the worst quarterback mistake, throwing an interception in the red zone that is returned for a touchdown. A 99 yard touchdown interception return that put the Jets in an early hole.

The defense made two 4th down stands. One of which was on the goal line which kept the score close. Until Mark Sanchez made another terrible quarterback mistake. A fumble in the end zone that was recovered by New Orleans for another touchdown. Another gift that put the Jets in a deeper hole.

However, the Jets made a game of it in the second half, after Mark Sanchez led a drive down the field which was finished by a Thomas Jones 15 yard rush up the middle through an outstanding hole created by one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. The Jets again stopped Drew Brees and got the ball back with a chance to tie but couldn’t get it done on their next drive. The Saints offense finally got going and they drove down the field for a Pierre Thomas 1 yard touchdown run, the Saints only offensive touchdown of the game.

The Jets 24-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints leaves them at 3-1, tied for the best record in the division with New England. New England beat the undefeated Baltimore Ravens following a win against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite reports that New England might be down, it appears that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have other plans. The Miami Dolphins won their first game against division rival Buffalo Bills. Both of these teams at 1-3 appear to be playing for draft position, apparently leaving just the Jets and Patriots to fight for the division crown.

At Miami on Monday night is the next game for the Football Jets. We need to get our offense going as our defense should be able to stop the Wildcat offense led by backup quarterback Chad Henne who replaced ex-quarterback Chad Pennington following another season ending shoulder surgery.

Lets Go Jets.

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The defense looked OK for the first  three quarters. But when the thousands of Jets faithful needed the defense to rise to the occasion in the fourth quarter the Jets defense obliged by shutting down the Titans. Lineback David Harris had a sack and an interception during the fourth quarter to lead one of the NFL’s best defenses.

Head Coach Rex Ryan is 3-0 and sitting alone on top of the AFC east division. ”I’d like to say that this is exactly what I predicted, but we played three outstanding football teams”. The coach has a swagger about him that the players seem to be following. Some claim Rex Ryan has a big mouth, but when you can back it up with wins then it is easy to be confident. ”We’re 3-0 right here. Maybe that says something about us.”

Jerricho Cotchery caught both touchdown passes from Mark Sanchez and is quickly becoming his favorite target. The fourth quarter touchdown put the Jets in the lead for good giving the Jets their first come from behind victory of the season.