LOOKS LIKE JETS WON’T PLAY MO
Long-suffering fans need to acknowledge franchise headed in right direction
Aren’t you fed up with the loud vocal minority too jaded to see that the Jets are finally doing the right thing? Aren’t you annoyed by the same, old tired rants from a segment of Jets fans wallowing in misery? Aren’t you irritated by the defeatist outlook?
It’s exhausting being subjected to this gloomy babble by a group of people too worn-down to appreciate what is happening with their team now.
The first three seasons under Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles have been far from perfect, but these guys are headed in the right direction. Smart and sensible fans understand the importance of stability when setting a proper foundation for sustainable success. So, here’s a matter-of-fact message to the perpetually fatalistic non-believers unwilling to let go of past failures: Shut up. You’re being counterproductive with your woe-is-me world view. Nobody wants to hear any more about the agony you felt three decades ago over Richard Todd’s five-interception mess in The Mud Bowl. Nobody gives a rat’s derriere about the Rich Kotite Era or the blown double-digit lead in Denver with a Super Bowl berth at stake once upon a time. Doug Brien’s pair of missed field goals in Pittsburgh registers a perfect 10.0 on the ThingsThat-Don’t-Matter-Today scale.
None of that means a damn thing for the present or future of this franchise.
And while we’re at it, can we please grab a shovel, dig a hole to the center of the Earth and finally bury this stupid “Same Old Jets” nonsense that oddly provides comfort for some older fans unwilling to break free of past heartache?
“I understand the frustration at the organization as far as not seeing change quick, but it’s going to take time,” rookie safety Jamal Adams told the Daily News. “Maybe it could come quicker than what’s expected, but all we can do is go out there, work hard, gel as a group and continue to make change. We can’t really focus on how fans are feeling about us. All we can do is put our head down and keep working.”
The gloom-and-doom outlook seemingly cuts along generational lines. Younger fans appear to be on board with a team that includes some promising young pieces such as Marcus Maye, Leonard Williams, Jordan Jenkins, Adams and others. They know that talent upgrades at several key positions and better depth are needed, but they aren’t blinded by mistakes from different decision makers. They understand that a franchise that has gone sideways for so long won’t magically transform into a dynasty. So, they’ve appreciated the steps taken so far by the guys in charge now.
Playing hard and being competitive are invaluable components that the clueless contingent has actually mocked. “That’s the first thing you got to accomplish if you want to change the culture,” second-year outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins told the News. “To change the identity of the team, you need to let
(other teams) know it’s going to be a long, physical game. This team is going to be a team that never quits. In my mind, that should be the first steps toward changing the direction of the program.”
Bowles is changing the culture. The lazy loud-mouths and keyboard warriors on social media quick to fire everybody and start all over because — well, the Jets have stunk in the past! — deserve our pity. They certainly don’t deserve a championship.
“It’s my seventh year in the NFL and third with the Jets,” cornerback Buster Skrine said. “This is my favorite team by far just because of the positive attitude... We’re having fun at practice even though we now know we’re not going to the playoffs. You don’t get that on other teams. Usually teams crumble by now. Everybody has their guard up because they don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the year. But this team is a family.”
There is no Easy button to move in the right direction.
“You got to get guys with similar mindsets,” said Super Bowl champion wide receiver Jermaine Kearse about how to get the right players in your locker room. “You can’t have a group of people thinking this way and then a group of
people feeling that way. Because then you’re not going to get anywhere. You got to have everybody thinking the same thing… So, you get a core set of guys and have them set the standard. Then everyone else will follow.”
Shockingly, this doesn’t happen overnight. Patience is required. It’s ludicrous to blast the 5-9 Jets entering Sunday’s game against the Chargers when every objective person knew this team would endure growing pains this season.
Kearse appreciates the support from fans, but he isn’t impacted by some irrational voices.
“Fans don’t know what they’re talking about,” Kearse told the News. “I’m mostly talking about the fans, who base their opinions off what they see on TV and the announcers. Now if there’s a person who watches the All-22 (tape) and then comes out and makes valid points, then you give credit. But for the most part, they have no idea what’s going on... That’s why I don’t listen to them. You have the option to give that attention or not. Some people take it to heart. Some people can block it T out and keep pushing.” he loud dispirited minority shouldn’t ruin it for everyone else. Believe it or not, some long-time diehards have the right perspective despite past disappointments. “The pain fully goes away when you win a championship,” said 54-year-old season ticket holder Kenny Scarabaggio, who attends virtually every road game too. “Look at the Red Sox. Hopefully, the Jets do the same thing down the road. Get off the schneid and win three out of nine years. That would be great. But all I want is one. That’s all I want… They’re headed in the right direction. Hopefully, sooner or later, we’re in the Promised Land.” There’s nothing worse than being paralyzed by the past.