Hi there. Feeling rested up? Good. You’ll need it to stomach the final three PR faux pas committed by this year’s New York Jets. So, without further ado, here’s part two of Adam Giambattista, uber Jets fan and fellow Peppercommer’s list of image and reputation atrocities:
4.) Bring back the old Rex Ryan: The old Rex Ryan feared no man, made bold, brash predictions, trash talked opponents and gave one the impression that no one would ever stop him or his team. Sadly, since losing a boatload of weight (and games, BTW), the man’s become the meek and mild Rex. He doesn’t guarantee Super Bowl wins, doesn’t trash talk his nemesis, Bill Belichick of the Patriots and no longer publicly fondles his wife’s feet (Google the latter comment if you don’t believe us).
No, Virginia, this Rex has been roped, tied and muzzled by his bosses, Woody Johnson and John Idzik, respectively. One prime example is Geno Smith. Yes, him again.
Adam’s inside sources tell him Rex had given up on Geno right after the first kick-off of the first game. Alas, Jets GM John Idzik would have none of it since he’d made Smith his second round choice and declared him “the future of the franchise.” Man, if any poorly worded statement ever deserved an immediate SEO and SEM campaign to move it down the search lists, it’s that one. Adam believes Idzik and Johnson are to blame for the dreary play of the franchise and if once again unchained, Rex would become a latter-day Hercules and lead the team back to the top. Color me skeptical on that comment.
5.) Typical Jets: Leave it to GangGreen to lose big all season long to other losing teams and then pull off a not-to-be-believed win over the mighty Steelers. Adam notes that, believing the Jets would be trounced by Pittsburgh, he would have bet every single penny in his son’s 529 college savings account and placed it on the Steelers winning going away. Instead, they broke every bettor’s heart from sea to shining sea. That’s oh-so typical of them.
In that contest, the Jets, say Adam, went back to the playing style that earned them back-to-back AFC championship game appearances. He witnessed retro Rex Ryan-type football the other day and thinks it’s a great step in the right direction (Blogger’s note: I do not concur. It’ll take decades to right this listing ship).
6.) (Don’t) play like a Jet: Adam implores anyone with the right contacts to get in touch with a Jets marketing executive ASAP and ask that the team’s slogan be changed forthwith. He believes, and I concur, that the Jets tagline: “Play like a Jet” rivals BP post Gulf Oil spill for the easiest moniker to knock.
Play like a Jet lost its relevance about four seasons ago. It used to mean playing tough, smash mouth football. But now, play like a Jet means:
– Throwing an interception
– Being the 12th most penalized team in the NFL
– Dropping a guaranteed interception
– Missing a team meeting in order to catch a flick
– Possessing the worst passing offense in the league
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Play like a Jet is perhaps the single biggest PR misfiring of the season. The words have become an albatross around the team’s neck and only underscore what once was and what most assuredly isn’t today.
So, what do you think of the Jets, Adam’s list of six major PR mistakes or life in general? We welcome any, and all, comments.
Oh, and remember, whether it’s the game of football or the game of life, (Don’t) Play Like a Jet.
Your point are well-taken Adam. I’m not saying that a young quarterback can’t make a difference, but I was giving you historical information. There are some great quarterbacks who have played the game, yet never won a Super Bowl. How about Dan Marino? Dan Fouts? to name a few.
Yes, Roethlisberger and Wilson have won Super Bowls earlier than others. But what you fail to realize is that both teams had a vaunted defense. The Seahawks totally dominated Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in this past season’s Super Bowl. Defense and a quality quarterback are what win Super Bowls in my mind and I will take that back to the days of Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain.
Teams will throw the football all season long. But when the winter months come and the playoffs arrive, the ground game will be key. What I was saying is that don’t place all the blame on Geno Smith. The defense has not performed up to its capabilities and there are people who need to be held accountable.
And, to elaborate on Adam’s points, it took him less than two years to begin flourishing at Peppercomm. He’s our big Ben.
Also, Geno has had only one offensive coordinator during his NFL career, and that’s Marty Mornhinweg. Everything should have changed for the better when Mornhinweg came on board, but it has gotten worse.
I agree with you that getting rid of Sanchez was a huge mistake, but think about whose decision that was. I’ll give you a hint. It begins with “John” and ends with “Idzik.” Sanchez was former general manager, Mike Tannenbaum’s, acquisition. Once Woody hired Idzik, he cleaned house, and was ready to start anew with draft picks. So many draft picks!!! John Idzik has had 19 draft picks total these past two seasons, but only three of them have been worthwhile (Richardson, Amaro, and Bohanon). Three out of 19 means he has a 16% success rate at picking future NFL players for the franchise. Idzik has to go.
Greg, love that you’re passionate about the Jets as much as I am. I will forever be in your debt when you talked me out of buying a PSL a few years ago (Seriously, I owe you!), but I have to say you are wrong in stating “ it takes a young quarterback about seven years to fully develop.” I’m just going to throw out a few names and some stats to go with:
-Ben Roethlisberger was drafted, and started for the Steelers in 2004. He won his first of two Super Bowls in his second season in the NFL.
-Andrew Luck was drafted and stated for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. As of last Sunday, he has 74 Passing TDs, 11,584 Passing Yards, and a Passer Rating of 86.2 as has been to back to back Pro Bowls
-Russell Wilson was the 75th pick of the 2012 draft. That’s the THIRD ROUND. He helped lead the Seahawks to win Super Bowl XXII in his second season in the NFL!!!!
Looks like two seasons is long enough for a young QB to adjust to the NFL, IF he has a QB mindset. Geno smith is very athletic, but it’s obviously not enough. He doesn’t have that “NFL QB mindset” that will allow him to read defenses, make audible, and NOT throw it to the opposing team on screen passes. I officially gave up on Geno Smith in Week 3 when he threw a “Pick 6” to Bears Safety Ryan Mundy on the second play of the Jets first offensive series. Everyone in MetLife Stadium saw Mundy sitting in the Flat waiting for the screen pass in front of Chis Johnson, EXCEPT Geno Smith.
This team is a lost cause. They beat the Raiders, who still haven’t won a game, and they managed to beat a Pittsburgh team that had played three straight critical games and suffered a letdown. Plus, Pittsburgh has not been a good road team.
Historically, it takes a young quarterback about seven years to fully develop. The Jets either stick with Geno Smith and wait for things to come together or go with a veteran he can grasp the terminology rather quickly.
Rex Ryan talks a good game but can’t back it up. Yes, the Jets have made the playoffs in recent years but still weren’t able to win a championship. Getting rid of Mark Sanchez was a huge mistake in my opinion. Yes, he made some bad plays, but who hasn’t. Look at the Manning brothers, for example. Eli has won two Super Bowls, yet threw five interceptions last week against San Francisco. Sanchez was coming along, but the Jets didn’t want to devote the time. He’s only in his sixth season. Can he win a Super Bowl? Possibly. I view him as another Ty Detmer.
The problem with any quarterback is adjusting to terminology. Everything changed when Marty Mornhinweg came on board last season. It all takes time.
But, Rex Ryan has had control of the defense all along and it’s defensive side that hasn’t held up its end. The Jets are dead last in total defense and they are the second worst in third down conversions as opponents convert 47 percent of the time. Only Atlanta is worse.
The secondary has intercepted only three passes all season (tied with Washington for worst in the league).
They are not exactly helping out the offense.