J… E… T… S… Jets! Jets! Jets!
Woohoo, the Jets took care of the Oakland Raiders 23-3 today to advance to the playoffs for the 4th time in 7 years. The Jets have this stigma from NFL fans as being a lousy team year in and year out, however, there’s no denying the fact that they’ve made the playoffs 4 times this decade, with a 58-54 record during the 7 seasons from 2000-2006. Add the fact that most prognosticators predicted between 4-6 wins for the Jets this season, they proved them all wrong finishing with 10 wins. I’m included in that group of prognosticators when I predicted they would win 8 games, and I was being overly optimistic at the time (although, I have no way to prove it).
Coach Mangini, in his first year as coach (and youngest in the NFL), has me believing the Jets will be competitive each year he is coach. What else can you ask for as a fan? With any luck, he will turn into our own Bill Cowher, who has been coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1992. He has brought stability to the Steelers, which I think is very important for NFL teams that see so much turnover in players each year. But, it would surprise me if Mangini hangs in there to be coach for over 5 years, nonetheless 15 years. The NY media is relentless and will ask for Mangini’s head the first sign of a problem.
At QB, not a lot of Jets fans consider Pennington to be the type to bring the Jets to and win the Super Bowl, especially after having shoulder injuries the past two seasons that required major surgery. Well, Pennington has come through with a great season, starting all 16 games for the first time in his career. His numbers are a little off in terms of interceptions, but I (the amateur analyst) attribute that having a tired arm as he’s spent the past 12+ months rehabbing and/or playing football with no off-season, that would be tough on any QB. Also, there’s no denying the fact that when he has started over 10 games in a season, the Jets have made the playoffs 3 out of 4 times. I’ll take those odds with him until he retires.
From here on out, each game the Jets win during the playoffs is extra icing on the cake considering the expectations fans had from them prior to the season.
J… E… T… S… Jets! Jets! Jets!
J – E – T – S…Jets…Jets…JETS!!
A few points….
1 – I am excited about the Jets’ chances going into New England. As good as the Pats have been at home, and considering their dominance over the Jets in the Brady era, it’s got to be in the Pats’ heads that the Jets took care of them a mere 7 weeks ago on their own turf. The Jets know the Pats more than the Colts. I think it will be a good game. I will be on a flight on Sunday, hope I can catch the game.
2 – Best sign I saw on TV today from the Meadowlands: “Thanks Herm! Best trade we ever got!” Held up by a kid no less.
GO JETS!
Good points Joker. I missed the sign, but read about it in a newspaper article. From what I understand, the Jets drafted Mangold with the pick they got from Kansan City. Definitely a solid player all season. Too bad the center position isn’t very glamorous or Mangold would easily win Rookie of the Year.
As for the Pats, I predict a very close game that will come down to the team that scores during the 2 minute drill at the end of the game, making sure they do whatever they can to make sure I have a heart attack. It should be exciting.