Now, it’s time to step up in class
ONE OF the best things to come out of the Jets’ seasonopening victory over the Browns on Sunday was something did not come out of it: A sense of euphoria and satisfaction.
The players were levelheaded, understanding they’ve accomplished little through one week of the season, which is encouraging.
In the immediate aftermath of their 3110 domination of the Browns, the Jets acted as if they’d been there before, knowing they can be much better than they were Sunday and that there is much more work to be done.
And they’re right: The Jets can be much better and they’ll have to be much better Monday night against the Colts in Indianapolis than they were against the offensively challenged Browns.
“You can’t hold onto it. That was yesterday, so we’re moving on today,’’ Jets coach Todd Bowles said Monday.
“It’s one game,’’ Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “For us, it’s not about one game, it’s the long haul and getting better each and every game. Personal satisfaction will not be there until the end of the year if we accomplish all our goals.
“Right now, it’s nice to come in with a win, but we’ve got a lot of work to do — a road game on Monday night against a great Indy team. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.’ ’
The Jets are 10, but so is everyone else in the AFC East after Week 1. The Colts were ambushed by the Bills on Sunday in Buffalo, which was of little help to the Jets, because the Colts, one of the favorites to win the AFC, figure to be angry and amped for their home opener.
So the Jets step up in competition, and it’s a big step up. For starters, the Colts have a real, live franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck. The Browns have had 23 starting quarterbacks since 1999.
In Luck’s three NFL seasons, the Colts have made the playoffs in all three and are 215 at home.
Bowles called the victory over Cleveland “a great win,’’ but was quick to add: “We looked at the film and corrected the mistakes and we’ve got to move on to Indianapolis. We had a lot of mistakes. Emotions are high in the first game, but we’ve got to calm down and play better fundamental football.’’
The Jets have shown progress in each of their games from the first preseason game to Sunday, and that is a very positive sign.
“We made major strides,’’ Jets nickel back Buster Skrine said Monday. “I mean, from the preseason first game to the first real game, two different defenses. Coach Bowles has been pushing us this whole time. We played good [Sunday], but we didn’t play great.’’
So now the Jets go from facing the schoolyard, scattershot Browns backup Johnny Manziel to Luck, perhaps the most technically sound quarterback in the game — who also happens to be surrounded by bigtime skillposition weapons.
“Andrew Luck is good,’’ Skrine said. “He can throw any ball on the field, he can get out of the pocket and run around. He’s just a good smart quarterback.’’
Veteran right guard Willie Colon, one of the sages in the Jets locker room, acknowledged Sunday “wasn’t pictureperfect’’ and likely will emphasize that point to his younger teammates this week.
“It’s going to be our first road game and [the Colts] had a tough time in Buffalo, so they’re going to be fired up for their home opener,’’ Colon said. “We’ve got to stay in our lane and focus on us. We’ve just got to stack the wins and go.’’