I am not naïve; I know the NFL is a business first.  Free agents are like freelancers who strive to get the most for their services.  As a fan of the NY Jets, and seeing my team get so close to winning it all two years in a row, I would love to see the same players get a chance to do it again.  Third time is a charm and why mess with sucess.  I know don’t yell at me, it is unrealistic to keep the same team for another year.  Here me out, being emotional about a team is a part of being a fan.  Even the Jets QB Mark Sanchez, talks about in an interview with Pro Football Talk wanting to bring back as many Jets as possible.   

The definition of team from the Webster’s online dictionary is a number of persons associated together in work or activity: as a group on one side (as in football or a debate).  Isn’t teamwork all about bonding and trusting your teammates? It’s one of the most important keys to success.  In the pros unless the player is a coveted franchise player who will get resigned for big bucks, is it reasonable to assume that a newly signed free agent has instant chemistry with his new teammates and will be a loyal team player to the team that gave him the best deal?  Yes, you say, it’s what they do, what they are paid for. Realistically, when a new person enters your workplace, it takes a while for you to warm up to them and trust them.  Players like Randy Moss who jumps from one team to another, does he really care about the team he is on or is he just collecting his paycheck?  

With the training camps being shortened this season due to the lockout, it will be harder for a newly signed free agent to mesh with his new teammates.  I know new blood brings change and strength to areas where the team needs help, and management will make those unemotional, strategic and economic decisions that are best for the team whether we agree or not.  As for the players who are free agents I can’t blame players like Brad Smith for wanting to go to a team where he will be utilized more.  Won’t you miss him if he goes? He is an exciting player to watch.  

As a true fan I will root for the new players because their wearing my favorite team’s uniform no matter where you were last season and for those players who leave the Jets and sign with other teams I will only hope you fumble, drop the ball, miss the tackle and lose when you play against your former team the New York Jets.