Since 1998 the Jets have made the divisional round a number of times ('02 and '04 off the top of my head). However, neither of those teams had as much promise for the future as this team has. '04 wasn't even close, as we were led by a QB who had already proved that injuries and arm strength were going to keep him from being an elite QB. Martin was aging, and Lamont was gone at the end of the season. The offensive line was good, but half aging and half hitting free agency. And the same can be said about their defense. Herm Edwards was also exposed as being an awful game manager. 2002 is the season that can compete with this year. Pennington seemed to be the next Joe Montana. Curtis Martin was still the future. The Coles/Chrebet combo was good, but Chrebet was almost done of course. And our pass rush, led by John Abraham, was up there with the best in the league. However, their secondary was spotty, and there were holes in the O-line. No matter what happens next week in Indy/SD, this Jets team has shown us the most promise since the Jets nearly went to the Super Bowl in 1998. Our QB has recently shown us that he is, in fact, our QB of the future who plays big in big time games (see 0 ints in last 3 games). Shonn Greene is the most talented pure RB we've had since C-Mart. No doubt TJ finds holes and is a productive back, but he's not a game changer like Greene is, and Leon can't carry the ball 25 times a game. 3/5 of our O-line is going to the pro bowl, and the other 2 (especially Moore) could make a case for it. And Mangold, D'brick, and Moore are still under 30. And this is just the promise for our offense that is our weak link. Our defense is built to be dominant for half a decade. Revis is the best defensive player that has ever put on a Jets uniform. Sheppard is gone after this year, but Lowery has proven this year that he is a solid corner. Our LB corps is the best in the business. Even BT is really playing well, and David Harris is every bit as good as any 3-4 ILB in the league. And our Dline, built around the NT, has found 2 anchors in Jenkins and Pouha. Rex is a proven winner, and all you hear the Jets players saying is how they've all bought into everything Sexy Rexy says. Mike Pettine has been a nice complement to The Ryan run defense, and even if Schotty leaves, we have a former Super Bowl coach who can step in and be our OC next year. That win yesterday not only got me excited for next week, but for the next 5-10 years. It's certainly getting a little ahead of myself, but we have the framework to take over the AFC East consistently, and compete for a Super Bowl year in and year out.
We thought there was a very bright future for the team when Mangini took the Jets to the playoffs in his first year. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Anyways, this won't be the most successful season since 98 unless the Jets win their next game.
I have to say after the 41-0 thrashing of the Colts in 02 I really thought we were headed to the Super Bowl. While I'm confident in this team's chances, it's still an uphill battle from here on in.
i know everyone is excited, but i disagree. Pennington and Co blasting the colts in the playoff after winning the division was the best. I really believe we were the second best team in the NFL that year. Raiders beat us and then had the terrible luck to play a team that had their playbook. the raiders center went all mentally ill before that game too. right now we are on par with 04 in my mind.
This season is about as comparable to 02' as humanly possible. I mean it is even set up for Sanchez to have the same type of game Chad had against Oakland, an ok game for a young QB after his great playoff debut, but to be honest, I agree with you if after last night against cincy you didnt get excited about the future with the way Sanchez/Greene/Keller played you are nuts. Our team is built to be elite for the long haul which is awesome, as crazy as it would be to go all the way this year, our team is set up to be dominant for a long time. Sombody copy/paste the ages of our starters on both sides of the ball from that other thread.
The Jets chances in 2002 were about equal to their chances moving forward this year. In 2004 there was no way we get by Pittsburgh and New England with Chad at QB.
penny10jet - best post I've seen in a while (probably because I agree with its spirit). This is the first time since August 1999 that I believe the Jets are built to compete for the SB. The '02 and '04 teams had artificial ceilings in Herm's coaching. We didn't have (or use) a game-breaking running game and no one feared our passing attack. This team has the coaching and front-office that ensures that we will get the right guys, and then best position them to succeed in every game and on every down. Not skipping a beat when losing Jenkins is absolute proof of that. And the talent is overflowing. You're right - we are set for the forseeable future. Our trajectory is directly correlated to Sanchez - and yesterday showed us that Sanchez will learn and improve.
This defense is much better then those two teams but that 04 teamed got robbed, they had heart and played to win and they got screwed by Doug Brien, the 04 Jets should have been in the AFC Championship game, no doubt..what they would have done in that game? we will never know...Go 2009 Jets!
We almost DID get by Pitt with Chad, we would have if not for Herm and Brien. But yes, NE probably would have smoked us.
Well said. What Rex and Co. have accomplished in 1 year is simply fantastic. They have set in place a good recipe to be competitive for the present and the foreseeable future. Getting a playoff win under their belts is an added bonus this year. Regardless of how far they go from here on out, they have had to weather success, failure, adversity and injuries. They seem to be very resilient and learn quickly. Throw in a new stadium, Leon and Kris back, a few more players and the next couple of years looks promising. Its been a long time coming!
I really thought we could make a run in 2004. When you are lining up for a 43 yard FG to win it and go to Foxboro for a chance to play to go the super bowl, you feel pretty confident. But yes, the FUTURE of this team is much brighter.
this is the best defense and coaching we've had since then. Not to mention we have a rookie QB so I expect to be here next year too.
Not so sure it's a more successful season than 1998 just yet. Obviously if we win next week then it is, but the 98 team crushed the regular season and took home a division title which is definitely an accomplishment. Regardless, you have to like what you've seen this season.
This is a team players want to play for now, with Rex and a good, young team with a bright future. FAs will want to play here. (hopefully we are allowed to sign a FA or two....)
