NY Jets: End Of An Era

Watching the game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, did you notice how the Fins made a habit of running plays on third and long that were designed to fail?  That is, how many times did Miami throw the ball several yards short of the first down marker on third and long and then hope and pray the receiver would "make a play"?  How did that work out for them?  Not so good, right?

Now, this isn't meant to be a gloating at the enemy, look how dumb their play calling was article.  Because, of course, Jets fans have little to gloat about in this regard.  How many years have we suffered from the same affliction, constantly throwing four yard passes on third and eight and wondering why the coaches thought this was a high percentage play to make a first down?  Do you remember the countless Sundays we watched as a succession of offensive coordinators called these plays over and over, with predictable results?  Now think about this: do you remember the last time the Jets ran a similar play on third and long since Todd Bowles and Chan Gailey took over the offense?  I don't.  I'm sure it's been done, I just can't recall when off the top of my head.  And that's a good thing.  For the first time in what seems like an eternity, third down plays are being designed and run with the idea that maybe we should attempt to move the ball past the first down marker.  What a revolutionary idea.

Maybe it's the new coaching staff.  Maybe it's the new quarterback.  Maybe it's the improved pass protection.  Maybe it's the improved offensive weapons.  Maybe it's a combination of some or all of these things.  Whatever it is, doesn't it feel like the end of an era?  And doesn't that feel good?