Dr. Z Posted: Wednesday October 25, 2006 11:17AM; Updated: Wednesday October 25, 2006 11:41AM ~ ~ ~ 18 19 New York Jets (4-3) You don't think Eric Mangini is doing a good job? Well, this is a team predicted by some to possibly be the worst in football this year. I don't think the Jets are a playoff team. Running not quite there yet, despite the big surge against Detroit. Defense not really big-league. But they've gone from last year's 4-12 hopeless to a club that can pull out of tight spots. They can win at Cleveland, and beat the Texans at home, and then Green Bay, Buffalo, Miami and Oakland. Of course you realize that we only play 'em one at a time here, but gosh, if all that comes true, then we're looking at a 10-6 record and you know what that means ... ssshhh, the postseason. > http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/dr_z/10/25/rankings.part2/index.html
Fact is, we had injuries last year, and people overlooked the talent before this season, by looking at our record last year.
The biggest fact is that Chad has played 7 games for us this year. If he had not gotten hurt last year we'd have won 7 to 9 games, even with the aging offensive line. His injury was huge for us though, because if he had not gotten hurt we'd still have Bradway and Herm here and the future would still look bleak.
10-6, while possible, would be a mirage. Although there are several well worn cliches here: "We can only play who's on our schedule", and of course: "you're as good as your record says", the issue of the super soft schedule has to be taken into account when talking about this year's Jets.
I don't like the press we are starting to get, although I don't think that 9-10 wins is out of reach, especially if we can improve the D and running game. It seems like when my expectations are highest, something horrible happens. I like being pleasantly surprised.
But who were the Jets supposed to be? This team just won 4 games; And then had to start with a new Head Coach, Offensive/Defensive Coordinator, big question at QB, questions at RB, transitioning to a new defense, 2 rookie OLineman to pair with a journeyman RT... Soft schedule, but it's not as if the Jets are some top team, they're average and only lost to Indy in the final seconds, and 7 to New England. Jets are decent.
Absolutely right. Last year -- the year after almost making the AFC Championship game -- we had the perfect storm -- and the wheels fell of. This team is not great but in reality -- THIS team not the one last year -- is the one coming off of 10+ wins. I did not believe for a second that we were a 3-5 win team. I think 10-11 would be unbelievable though.
The Jets were supposed to suck this year and they don't. However, if they compile a 10-6 record, you'd have to take into account who they played. They're decent for a rebuilding team. They'll wind up with a decent looking record and for a team in transition, this is really good timing since getting crushed all season long while trying to rebuild wouldn't be good for the morale of players nor fanbase. This schedule, if nothing else, should buy Tangini time to continue the process they just started. Lets not equate a 10-6 record with a soft schedule with a 10-6 record by a team not playing a schedule thanks to a 4-12 season the year before.
Not quite. Neither of the teams you mentioned were rebuilding with all new management teams. It would be hard to find a good comparison to the 2006 Jets.
