Let's all try to stay positive

Well, this season didn't work out the way we wanted it to. 8-8 and no playoffs after being right on the door step for two straight years. It's disappointing and had some really heartbreaking losses (personally, the one i'd love to have back would be that sunday night game against the patsies). But we don't need to start acting like it's the end of Jets football as we know it. There have been some coaching moves that a lot of us question too, which is understandable, but let's take a good, long look at all this and put it into perspective.

Well first of all, we got our wish, Schottenheimer is finally gone. We've been asking for that for a long time, and our wish finally came true. Now the Rams can deal with him (or maybe his system will work out for sam bradford, who knows?). We now have Tony Sparano, who many of us scratched our heads at the thought of, with good reason. His Miami offenses generally weren't that good, aside from in 2008 when they were 12th (with none other than Chad taking snaps). It seemed even more puzzling when we learned that Bill Callahan was interviewed for the Job as well, and he has a great track record of running offenses. Let's take a look at this though. I don't think Rex necessarily wanted an offensive mastermind, he wanted someone who would have a physical mentality that would run the football effectively, which is what Sparano can bring to the table. Our team thrived under that mentality. Let's also remember that even though those Miami offense weren't that good, they did take their vertical shots. Remember that sunday night game last year against us where they opened with a deep bomb to hartline that was overthrown? Schotty's offense was apparently too complex and confusing. At times it seemed like he outsmarted himself with his playcalling. He also didn't run an offense that fit the players' strengths. Sparano mentioned in his opening conference call that he wanted to make sure it fit the players. Let's also remember that Mark can throw a nice deep ball when he's accustomed to it (watch this to refresh your memory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkopzVbcXkQ ). It's understandable to have reservations about sparano, but at least try to look at the glass as half full.

Then there's Mark. I've expressed my support of him in several other elaborate posts and comments, so i'll just keep it simple here. Before that three game slide at the end of the season, he was having a career year that a lot of us were happy about. He just ended on a really mucky note. For most of the season his stats were right in the middle of the pack in the league. And he never had a chance in that Baltimore game, let's be honest.

Let's look at our roster. First of all, understand that no team is going to be 100% rock solid at every single position. It just doesn't work like that. Let's look at what we have. We at least know who our Quarterback is, we have some solid Running backs that may be added to in the draft, we have a great receiver in Holmes who we just need to set straight, a very good receiving tight end, we have the best corner tandem in the league, two pro bowl O-lineman that just had off-years, a solid Defensive line, and David Harris. That's not bad at all. The most obvious positions of need are wide receiver, outside linebacker, safety, and right tackle. I have a strong feeling that we're gonna bring back Braylon, and possibly draft another receiver or two in the mid-late rounds, and an outside linebacker is very possibly going to be our first pick. Safety and right tackle are both question marks, and i'm sure the FO is aware of that. I'm expecting them to do something. This is still a very talented roster that just needs a few more pieces to get back on track, and was also the victim of some general dysfunction and locker room problems.

This wasn't as awful of a season as the media has made it out to be. The entire NFL universe hates the Jets, so the media, analysts, and rival fans aren't gonna leave out any chances to insult us and kick us while we're down. It's not like we went 4-12 and are in total rebuilding mode now. We have plenty of potential to make a run next year. Rex knows he made mistakes, and is gonna learn from them. He's an inexperienced head coach that can grow just like anyone else. We got away from what was successful, and we're not gonna make that mistake again (at least i assume we're not). You're never far away in this era of the NFL, one good off season could put us in the #1 seed of the AFC next year and on a path to the Lombardi Trophy that we all want so badly. Now admittedly, i haven't been a Jets fan for a very long time (only since 2007) so i haven't been through what many of you have, but we're still one of the most loyal fanbases in the NFL, sticking it out through all that this team has been through. A lot of us have grit that all the Patriots, Giants, Ravens, Dolphins, and Steelers fans don't. We should be proud to be Jets fans. Let's stay positive and look forward to what should be a great 2012 season.

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!!!!

P.S. I'll be honest, i really am not a fan of the possibility of Daboll.