One Year Later

I'm sure most of you realize this is my first post on GGN since I've joined before the 2011 season started. I've been watching the jets since 2002, and of course I'm still watching them, still suffering like the rest of jet nation. Anyways, it's January 23rd and this was a heartbreaking day in Jets history, and it happened one year ago. More after the jump.

January 23, 2011 I'm extremely excited, juiced, pumped etc. for what is to commence at around 7:00 that night. Our jets where once again in a prime postition to reach the Super Bowl for the 1st time and our oppenent was the Pittsburgh Steelers. A team we JUST beat 5 weeks prior. Everything was set, we just beat the Colts, the Patriots and now Pittsburgh was in our way, a team we were clearly better than. But then the game started. Despite the terrible start, we surged back (thanks Mark) and came SO CLOSE to getting one more possession (thanks defense) but the result was something we all are used to. Failure, letdown, disappointment, so close, chokers, and same old jets.

As gut wrenching as that day was, we had hope for the next season to take that next step, throw off the same old jets label and bring glory to a loyal fanbase. Sadly, we dropped the ball towards the end of the season and watched two teams we loathe reach the same position we were in 364 days before. Thanks to luck, the damn Patriots reached a super bowl, and on the road, bad conditions, and their share of luck... the Giants made it back to the super bowl. Right in our faces, showing the jets how to get it done when it really mattered, cramming this down our throats and our bombastic head coach's. Setting up an epic lose-lose matchup for us fans, Giants vs Patriots AGAIN!? Whoever wins we lose, and we all get to watch. The scrutiny that lies ahead from the media and other fanbases is coming, but what are the positives in this seemingly anti-jet matchup?

Watching the Giants AND patriots, two big rivals make it right in our faces is a killer. This will surely make the jets much more hungry to dominate the league next year. Another much needed wake-up call, for our head coach and players. Whoever wins, this will make us stronger. If the giants win, we are pressured to respond and take the city back... and if New England wins it will make us hungry to dethrone them from their NFL, AFC East throne. It gets me excited for the offseason. I want to see the FO make moves, improve this team after a year of disappointment, build on a GREAT and YOUNG core of talent we have, and go out and re-take the city and NFL by storm.

This is my hope for the jets this offseason and soon 2012 season. With just a few key moves, this team will be in primed position to finally take that next step, and rock the NFL. With the Giants and Patriots currently in the Super Bowl one year to the day we lost to pittsburgh, this team will be stronger, hungry, motivated and determined to bring joy and a Super Bowl to this great, yet suffering fanbase. What a glorious day that will be.