J E T S Crash and Burn

No Santonio, it is not okay. There have been numerous post-mortems (here's one from Grantland and Football Outsider's terrific Bill Barnwell citing leadership problems) but, honestly, there were probably too many problems with the team too pinpoint just a couple in an article. Clearly leadership is a problem on that that team is an issue, but this starts at the top with Rex Ryan and Brian Schottenheimer rather than with veterans like Santonio Holmes (don't get me wrong... Holmes is a schoolboy biatch). Rex Ryan has already taken the blame, as he should, but Schottenheimer has somehow remained above the fray. As a Jets fan (I know, right? Pray for me...), I hope that Schotty gets hired for a head coaching gig in Jacksonville or somewhere anywhere else. As long as he is their problem and no longer making inexplicable play calls from the Jets sideline. I know the United States in general has had a long history of children trading on their father's name, but how long can Schotty keep this con up? In my mind, he has to go. Preferably like 2 years ago. So if you have a timeline Rexy, that would be handy right about now.

The rest of the Jets' offensive problems are a bit harder to tackle. Holmes' recent contract extension (good call on that one guys... not at all premature) makes it very difficult to get rid of the erstwhile "Captain." The running game has been borderline non-existent and is not looking to get much better with the possible probable loss of LaDainian Tomlinson, and his pass catching ability, to free agency or retirement this upcoming off season. The offensive line, another leading cause of the inability to run, is another hard fix. Although some of it had to do with injuries, they just looked bad as a unit throughout the season (wasn't D'Brickashaw Ferguson supposed to be good?). After a season that started full of promise, the future looks somewhat bleak right now. This season's post-mortem, as most post-mortems are I guess, is terribly depressing (and I didn't even talk about Cromartie. PLEASE do not get me started on Cromartie...).

Are the J.-E.-T.-S. Grounded?

Even though the Jets finally got a big win over the Chargers, certain people still think so. Watching the game, however, I did not get a warm and fuzzy feeling about how the rest of the Jets' season will go. Shonn Greene finally got the run game going and the secondary, especially my future best friend Darrelle Revis, looked pretty good. That being said, the offensive line still looked way sketchy, despite the return of center Nick Mangold, and Sanchez was rushed a number of times, including on an interception returned for a touchdown on the first drive. The run defense continued to look shoddy giving me the feeling, in a, sadly all too normal for me, ridiculous bout of overconfidence, like I could rush for 5.0 yard per carry against them. Disconcertingly, there were a number of unnecessary penalties indicative of an undisciplined team. It was enough to make me feel like I was back in the bad old goddamn Jets days. A lot will be learned coming off the upcoming bye week. The Jets need to win at least one of the two games following the bye against the Bills and Patriots if they are going to shift from pretenders to actual, official (kinda, sorta, maybe, hopefully) contenders. And, if not, at least the Knicks will starting playing soon. What's that? There is a good chance the NBA season will be canceled? Ehhhhh... at least Brett Favre is gone.