New York Jets Becoming Darlings of NFL

After win number three against the Tennessee Titans, Rex Ryan's New York Jets are becoming unlikely darlings of the NFL. With another solid performance by rookie QB Mark Sanchez, and the Rex Ryan pressure cooker defense, the Jets go 3-0 and are starting to really look like a sure NFL Playoff team. Okay I said it! Why not? Sanchez The Kid became the first rookie QB since the NFL/AFL merger to win his first three games and looks more like a seasoned veteran than a first year kid, showing a resiliency to bounce back after committing mistakes, and an ability to put the nails in the coffin when the opportunity arises.

AP Photo Ed The Fireman

After playing a stellar first quarter in which he threw for one TD and rushed for another after the Titans rookie Ryan Mouton fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff return, Sanchez slipped back to rookie mode in the second quarter - fumbling the ball deep in Jets territory - and allowing the Titans back in the game. The defense also had a setback in allowing the first TD to be scored on them this season (wow! it took three games to give one up) when LenDale White brought it in from 5 yards out. Sanchez and the defense both showed they could bounce back from adversity later in the game, with a little help from the Special Teams. Brad Smith forced Mouton to fumble on another kick return and Larry Izzo recovered for the Jets on the Titans' 23 yard line. Four plays later Sanchez hit Jericho Cotchery for the go ahead points which the NY Jets never relinquished.

But the details are not the important thing here for the Jets. The important thing, and the thing which will make the New York Jets winners this season is that they're playing football and they're having fun playing football the Rex Ryan way; tough defense and special teams, strategic offense which sets the opposing defense up for big plays, and a loose, fun, confident, winners attitude. And the players and fans and media respond to this attitude by making the NY Jets the new up and coming Darlings of the NFL. There's no denying it any more. These guys are fun to watch and will be fun to watch as long as Rex Ryan is the Head Coach. It's a nice change after the last few years under the other guy (what's his name in Cleveland?). So let's sit back and enjoy Jets fans. Spark up those barbecues and bring on the beer! The New York Jets are fun to watch again. Play ball!



Reebok New York Jets / Titans of New York AFL 50th Anniversary Mark Sanchez Replica Team Color Jersey

Jets Get Patriots Monkey Off Their Back

After all the big talk the past week by Rex Ryan and his New York Jets leading up to the home opener against the New England Patriots, the Jets finally backed it up. They outplayed Tom Brady and the Pats in a 16-9 Jets victory, the first home win against New England in 9 years and a huge statement to the AFC East, and the rest of the NFL, that this NY Jets team is gonna be a force to reckon with. The aggressive Rex Ryan defense continued to play exciting rush-the-passer schemes; blitzing much of the time and not allowing Tom Brady to get comfortable in the pocket to complete passes. And Darrelle Reevis and company were brilliant in the secondary, virtually shutting down perennial Pro Bowl Receiver Randy Moss (having Patriots TE Wess Welker out didn't hurt the Jets either).

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Once again Mark Sanchez "The Kid" played solid football for a rookie (or a veteran for that matter)! After a slow first half in which Sanchez only atempted five passes, completing two for a net minus two yards, The Kid played a good, mistake free second half; going 12-of-17 in the second half for 165 yards and the only TD of the game. Sanchez didn't throw an interception (he did fumble the ball early in the game but it was recovered by the Jets).

What I said after last weeks win in Houston still holds true. If the Jets defense continues to bring the pressure on ala Rex Ryan (they're starting to resemble the Baltimore Ravens D), and Mark Sanchez continues to play smart mistake free football, and they can get a good running game going, they're gonna be good. That's alot of If's! But so far they've done all those things. It's only two games so far, but all indications are that the 2009 NY Jets can back up their talk and beat some good teams. Hey, they beat Bill Belichick's Patriots. So look out Tennessee Titans. Here come the NY Jets!

NY Jets New Era Gets Off To Good Start

The NY Jets Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez Era got off to a nice start with the first game of the 2009 NFL Season. Sanchez The Kid looked like a seasoned veteran at times, making some mistakes at others, including one interception and an illegal hit on the ensuing return, and almost threw two more int's. But overall The Kid played at Pro speed and was surprisingly good, going 15-24 for 207 Yards with a 104.0 Rating! He was almost refreshing to watch.

AP Photo David J. Phillip

I know, I know! Don't get carried away now. I mean...these are the New York Jets after all. I'm sure it's not gonna be peaches n' cream the whole season, but if Bart Scott and the Jets defense continues to pressure opposing quarterbacks and take away the run the way they did today to the Houston Texans and Matt Schaub, and the offense gets the ball into Leon Washington's hands, they should be pretty good this season. Especially considering they did it today without Shaun Ellis and Calvin Pace. I can't wait to see the defense once they're both back.

Kudos to Rex Ryan who breathed fresh life in to the Jets Defense as well as the whole team with his straight forward cockiness inherited from his dad. His team clearly outplayed the opposition. Rex's dad Buddy Ryan is probably pretty proud right now! But one game does not make a season; and there are 15 more games coming up, with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots coming up next week. So don't count your green eggs just yet Jet's Fans. Lets see what happens. Hopefully the misery is behind us. It seems like it'll at least be interesting to watch this year; unlike the last few years under the boring Mangini regime. Now that the NY Jets have a coach with a personality the team will have a personality too. So sit back and enjoy. Enjoy and be entertained. Isn't that why we're watching anyway? This season certainly promises to be entertaining at the least...and if we win? It's a new era so let's dream.


Highland Mint New York Jets Mark Sanchez Draft Photomint