Below is the next installment of our Reader Spotlight, if you’d like to have your own FEATURED post, click here, and email me your answers to the questions, as well as a photo of yourself to samlsheryll@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing your responses!

Gang Green Nation Reader Spotlight: Russ Sharpe

The Basics:

What’s your name and/or username? James Russell Sharpe / Russ Sharpe

What city/state do you live in? Baltimore, MD

How old are you? 64 years old

The Miscellaneous:

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Stick to your Guns”

If you could grab lunch with anybody in the past, present or future—dead or alive, who would it be and why?General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.; CO of the 332^nd Fighter Group, 15^th Air Force. Gen. Davis is a personal hero of mine. Son of the first black U.S. Army General Officer. He graduated from West Point, after being “silenced” for four years, only spoken to on duty. He became a fighter pilot and a combat leader. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. General. I would want to just listen to his stories about the Air Force, flying, war, combating racism and his philosophy of life.

If you were stranded on a deserted island for the rest of forever, which musical artist would you be listening to, and which television series would you be watching? I’d be listening to Bob James & watching Star Trek, The Next Generation.

The Jets Related Questions:

How did you become a Jets fan? I became a Jets fan watching them on TV Sundays as a kid in Brooklyn, NY starting in 1964.

What’s your favorite Jets memory? What about your most painful Jets memory? My favorite Jets memory is from October 20, 2013, I was at the game vs NE at MetLife with several Patriots fans around me, one who got drunker as the game went on. In that game Brady threw a pick 6 and the Jets won in OT on a Nick Folk 42 yard FG, after missing a 56 yarder that the Pats got a “vaulting” penalty on! It was great so great seeing those smug Pats fans eating humble pie after being beaten by Geno Smith & the Jets.

My most painful memory is the January 15, 2005 playoff game vs Pittsburgh. The Jets’ kicker Doug Brien missed two consecutive game winning field goals at the end of regulation. The Steelers won in overtime.

In your humble opinion, who is the most dominant Jet to ever play and why? In my opinion, Mark Gastineau is the most dominant Jet to ever play. He was one of the dominant defensive linemen of his generation and the most well known member of the Sack Exchange, still holds Jets record for sacks in a season.

Who is your favorite Jets player and why? My favorite current Jets player is Quincy Enunwa, a big WR with heart. Quincy plays like a Jet all the time, never like a prop! Quincy catches the ball and gets tough yards after the catch, he also blocks well during runs. I see him as a leader on this young team and the Jets best offensive player, he is a pro!

If Woody Johnson handed you a blank check and gave you a choice to be a part of the New York Jets organization in any capacity, which position would you choose, and why? (It could be GM, Head Coach, Quarterback, Linebacker, Head of Scouting, Waterboy—the sky is the limit). Vice President of Football Operations. This is the position that oversees all aspects of the game on the field: the GM, the Head of Scouting, the Head Coach, they all fall under the VP Football Ops. My imprint could be seen on all aspects of the team’s operations.

Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles get fired after the season and Woody Johnson decides to name you the next GM, giving you one very clear goal: win the Super Bowl within the next 4 years. What is your strategy to make the Jets a Super Bowl winner? What is your strategy to build this team into a perennial Super Bowl contender?

• Build from the inside out: get good offensive linemen thru the draft and free agency
• Build a modern innovative coaching staff. A good CEO & leader as head coach, with talented forward thinking offensive and defensive coordinators. People that can build a winning game plan around the strengths of the players they have. People that can adjust on the fly. People that aren’t afraid to fail.
• Be committed to my coaches no matter what, so they won’t be afraid to fail.
• Always acquire players for value not for show.
• Demand excellence from everyone in the organization.
• Never be afraid to be bold.
• Draft wisely
• Look for talent at all levels of college football
• Sign talent when you have it
• Spend the money needed to get talent
• Always use common sense
• Don’t be afraid of making a mistake
• Be patient