Jets Takeoff

I don’t feel the need to write an obit on the 2009 season because these Jets are by no means dead. In fact, they’re just getting started.

New York had one of its best football seasons in the history of the franchise in 2009. Not only did the Jets make the playoffs and advance to the AFC championship, but they did so in dramatic fashion, with a rookie quarterback, rookie head coach, and the league’s No. 1 defense and rushing attack. They did so after dropping to 4-6, did so after picking up their seventh loss of the season in Week 15 at home against the Falcons, and did so by winning their final two regular season games and two playoff road games. It was a pretty remarkable run.

For a fan base that’s pessimistic, no one can be disappointed with how this season went. And Jets’ fans should be excited about what’s ahead.

When it comes down to it, Peyton Manning is just too good. The Jets, even with Darrelle Revis and the rest of the No. 1’s, had no shot against the NFL’s best player. There’s no shame in losing to the Colts, certainly not on the road in the playoffs. Yes, they were ahead 17-6, and yes, that late second quarter TD by the Colts was huge. Jay Feely could have been better and it wouldn’t have mattered. Shonn Greene could have stayed on the field and it wouldn’t have mattered. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning.

But these Jets will be back. Right now they’re the favorites in the AFC East heading into next season. Braylon Edwards and Leon Washington should be back. Lito Sheppard and Kherry Rhodes may be gone. The Jets could use a cornerback, some help at wide receiver, and maybe even a punter, but that’s about it.

Things seem to be in place for a bright future for the New York Jets.

For the first time since the Bill Parcells Era, the Jets will be playing in the AFC Championship Game this afternoon in Indianapolis. It might not be fair to call this one a rematch of the Week 16 battle between the Jets and Colts. That’s because the Colts took their starters out in the third quarter of that game. That’s unlikely to happen today.

It’s Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Joseph Addai against the league’s No. 1 defense. It’s Darrelle Revis, the NFL’s best defensive player, against Manning, the NFL’s best offensive player. It’s the league’s top rushing attack, New York’s Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. It’s a stellar Jets’ offensive line. It’s first year head coaches, Rex Ryan and Jim Caldwell, guiding their teams to the championship game. It’s a chance to go to the Super Bowl.

Amazing how I can go back and forth on this one. You have to give the Jets a chance given how hot, and confident, they are. And how can you bet against the league’s top defense and rushing attack. But then again, this is Peyton Manning we’re talking about, and I refuse to bet against him.

Jets’ fans should enjoy this, as unexpected as it’s been. Who knows when it will happen again.

Colts 21, Jets 20

At a pep rally for the Jets held during rush-hour on Thursday in Times Square, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled  a large sign with the Jets logo saying “Welcome to Revis Island.” The sign will remain posted in Times Square as long as the Jets are in the playoffs.

So it’s official. Manhattan is now “Revis Island.”

If you’ve been following this space, you know what I think of the Jets’ cornerback. He’s the best in the NFL.

I’m sorry, I don’t get this one.

Rex Ryan sent a game ball to Marty Schottenheimer after last Sunday’s win over the Chargers, the team that fired the father of New York’s offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, following a 14-2 regular season and a first round exit from the playoffs.

I guess I just don’t get it. Am I missing something here?

From the time of the Jets’ loss to the Falcons, when everyone including head coach Rex Ryan thought the season was over, to now – the AFC championship game – it has been quite a ride for Gang Green.

The Jets deserve a ton of credit for getting here, though they’ve also gotten about as lucky as one team can get. I know the Jets don’t like to hear this, but consider the following:

1) The Colts pulled their starters in Week 16, ahead in the third quarter, and New York ended up winning the game.

2) The Jets beat a Bengals’ team that didn’t play with any urgency in the final game of the season.

3) The Jets beat a Bengals’ team that wasn’t very good in the first round of the playoffs.

4) Nate Kaeding.

Give the Jets credit for beating the Chargers on the road in the playoffs. But be fair. They’ve received a lot of help, and luck, along the way.

Okay, so the Jets advance to the AFC championship game against the Colts. It will be a rematch of Week 16, only this time, Indianapolis’ starters will play the entire game, and that’s bad news for New York.

You’ll hear it all week: If the Colts didn’t pull their starters early in the third quarter ahead by five, the Jets would not have won. It is true.

Now they go back to Indy and go up against the NFL’s best player, four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning. Good luck this time around, New York.

Now comes the true test. This San Diego team is for real. This isn’t the Colts resting their starters. This isn’t the Bengals not playing for anything or not really playing at all. These are the Chargers, a team that hasn’t lost in nearly three months. Eleven consecutive wins for a team loaded on offense with stars like Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Darren Sproles.

The Jets enter the second round of the playoffs today in San Diego with the league’s No. 1 defense and No. 1 running game. They will need both to step up big time. The Chargers have trouble stopping the run so the Jets have to hope for big games from Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. The less Mark Sanchez passes the better. Just like I said last week, at some point in today’s game he’ll have to make a play. It won’t be as easy for him as it was against the Bengals.

I’ll take the rested team, at home, with the better quarterback. Chargers 27, Jets 17

As someone who believes strongly in the power of good coaching, Ihave to consider head coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer worthy of a game ball.

Since the Jets fell to 4-6, and after they lost to the Falcons when even the head coach told you the season was over, this tandem has done a remarkable job. It all starts with Sanchez. They’ve put him in positions where he is set up to succeed (the passes to Dustin Keller on Saturday being the perfect examples). And that’s saying a lot. They’ve taken a mistake-prone rookie quarterback and virtually turned him into a mistake-free QB.

Ryan has gotten the Jets into the second round of the playoffs. And how about his work with the defense?  His team has taken on his “we’re going to beat you” mentality. It showed in last Saturday’s playoff win.

Schottenheimer called a brilliant game at Cincinnati. Look at how much faith he had in Shonn Greene. I’ve had my doubts about him, but he put together a great game plan.