Jets Takeoff is taking off! Welcome to all readers.
I guess the best place to start is to explain why I’m here writing about the New York Jets, and what type of coverage, commentary, and posts readers can expect on this blog.
The story of how I became a Jets fan is this: The first thing I remember about football at a young age was owning a Tony Dorsett jersey. My favorite player was Danny White. My favorite uniform was silver, blue, and white with a star on the helmet. Only one problem: The Dallas Cowboys weren’t on television every week. I certainly wasn’t going to root for the Giants. And there was something special about Ken O’Brien, Al Toon, and Freeman McNeil that led me to the Jets during my early years. The Jets were the team I could watch every week, and that’s exactly what they became. Long before Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys and fired Tom Landry, it was J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets for me.
So I grew up with Joe Walton and eventually Bruce Coslet and Pete Carroll. I followed the tenure of Rich “I have no answers” Kotite. Kotite was right, he didn’t have any answers and after two seasons he didn’t have a job. I was in college when the Jets allowed Bill Parcells to shop for the groceries and he restored credibility to an organization desperate for it. And I watched every week as Al Groh kept the Jets mediocre for one season before resigning and heading to Virginia. And then there was Herm “You play to win the game” Edwards who, “Hello,” didn’t win enough games. In came Eric Mangini and so did one year of the playoffs, then two disappointing years to follow and he was out the door like so many Jets coaches in the past. The point is I’ve been wearing green since I can remember. The green of James Hasty, of Blair Thomas, of Rob Moore, of Johnny Mitchell, of Boomer Esiason, and countless others who didn’t win a lot of games but who were all winners to me. They were Jets. And so were Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Martin and Chad Pennington. They did win some football games and gave Jets fans hope and some Sundays to remember. Today, at 33, I have the jerseys and the sweatshirts and the hats and I never miss a game. Sundays are spent with the Jets.
Now, I get to write about Rex’s Jets, report on the development of Mark Sanchez (and Jets fans better hope he develops), and watch as a first-year head coach navigates his way through an unforgiving league. Will the Jets be able to replicate the defense Ryan built in Baltimore? Will a wide receiver emerge along with Jerricho Cotchery to provide Sanchez with a consistent target? Will the offensive line keep the rookie on his feet? How great will Leon Washington be now that he’s looking for the type of money great players receive? These are just some of the questions heading into the season, and in two days we’ll begin to find out the answers. Jets Takeoff will be here every step of the way. I hope you’ll be here with me.
I’m truly honored to be writing for such a respected news organization, and I’m excited about being able to write about the New York Jets. I hope readers will gain insight and perspective from my posts, and I look forward to interacting with Jets fans as we watch our team play each week. So welcome to the site. I hope you come back often.
Jets Takeoff is ready for takeoff!
