ESPNNewYork.com - Go ahead and start believing, Jets fans

dthomas53 · Oct 15, 2010

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/columns/story?columnist=cimini_rich&id=5686694

By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- They've overcome bad injuries, bad weather, a bad offensive game, a bad defensive game, bad clock management and bad behavior off the field.

And yet here they are, one of the hottest teams in the NFL, visiting the Denver Broncos Sunday with a chance to tie their longest winning streak of the century -- five games.

These are your New York Jets, flawed but fearless -- a good team even on bad days. They know how to win, an acquired trait seldom associated with this franchise.

The Jets' 9-2 record over the past 11 regular-season games is the best in the league, and it could easily be 11-0. There was that last-second loss to the Atlanta Falcons last December (Tony Gonzalez!) and the one-point defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener.

Do you believe in this team? Or are you reluctant to buy in because of the heartbreaks of seasons past?

"We're trying to rewrite history, not relive it," safety Jim Leonhard said. "Rex [Ryan] has tried to change the mentality. We're not Little Brother anymore, we're not second fiddle to any team. We feel like we've put together a team that can do special things. We're going to walk it, we're going to talk it. On Sundays, we have to prove it."

This team is far from a juggernaut, but it has perfected a winning formula. The Jets have become like the New England Patriots of 2001 and 2003, a mature team that rarely beats itself and figures out how to win with a play or two in the fourth quarter. The Jets have more playmakers on offense than those early championship teams in New England, but you get the drift.

Consider: The Jets have turned their two bugaboos from last season (too many turnovers and three fourth-quarter collapses) into positives. They've gone four consecutive games without a turnover, tying an NFL record, and they've pulled out three games that could've gone either way in the fourth quarter.

"We learned a lot last year, and we've carried over some of those lessons to this year," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said.

What the Jets are doing is really simple. It starts with a good plan from the coaches, and here's all the proof you need on that: They haven't allowed a first-quarter point in five games, the longest stretch in team history. That means they're well-prepared.

They're also not doing dumb things with the football. Remember Shonn Greene's fumble in the second quarter of the opener? That was the Jets' last giveaway -- 274 minutes, 9 seconds without a turnover. You can't help but play winning football when you protect the ball that well.

Much of that, of course, stems from Mark Sanchez, who hasn't thrown an interception in nine months. As a rookie, he committed 23 turnovers in 935 plays -- one every 40 snaps. This season, it's zero in 310 plays, a ridiculous improvement.

"For the most part, when you look at his decision grade, it's far and above what it was last year at this time," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "His decision grades are clearly in the high 80s to 90s, and last year it was probably high 60s, low 70s -- a big, big jump."

The Jets have experienced some slippage with their pass defense, largely because cornerback Darrelle Revis has played in only 2½ games because of a balky hamstring. They've been able to overcome some bad numbers, thanks to timely interceptions and sacks, but their resourcefulness will be put to the test by the Broncos (2-3).

If the Broncos were any more pass happy, they'd be in the Arena League. Kyle Orton is averaging 48 pass attempts over the past three games, with an underrated corps of wideouts that could produce three 1,000-yard receivers -- Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney. It's a New England-like passing game (coach Josh McDaniels' roots) that attacks all parts of the field.

The Jets realize their defensive stats might not look pretty, especially if Revis doesn't play, so they will have to take a complementary approach. They should be able to keep Orton under the 300-yard mark if their running game plays keep-away, controlling the clock. A big play or two on special teams, which is becoming a weekly occurrence, also would help.

There will be other challenges. Coming off a Monday night game, the Jets have a short week, long travel and the altitude factor in the Mile High City -- a bad combination. Looming is a one-week vacation, Ryan's promise to the team for its bye week.

Distractions? You bet, but the Jets have a way of dealing with this sort of stuff; it's almost part of their DNA. In seasons past, this would be a clunker, for sure. This team adapts.

Go ahead, it's OK to believe.

"It's human nature. [Fans] just don't want to buy in because they've been disappointed before," Leonhard said. "I understand, but this team is different."
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Hell of an article by Cimini. Gotta love that quote from Leonhard, basically saying f*** SOJ.

To continued prosperity in 2010. :beer:

guinness77 · Oct 15, 2010

Are you sure that was Cimini who wrote this article. Had to be a ghostwriter here. :smile:

dthomas53 · Oct 15, 2010

guinness77 said: ↑

Are you sure that was Cimini who wrote this article. Had to be a ghostwriter here. :smile:
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I did a double-take, too. hmy:

WhiteShoeWillis · Oct 15, 2010

pats-hater · Oct 15, 2010

Who stopped believing???

nyjunc · Oct 15, 2010

I hate how they bring up disappointments of the past. The most recent history w/ this team was making a surprise run w/in 30 minutes of the Super Bowl. That is what is fresh in our minds not the collapse of 2008, 2000, 1997, 1994, 1993, 1986,...

rick34125 · Oct 15, 2010

don't trust cimini. he's evil. an article like this is way premature. he's trying to make the crash harder if the jets lose this week. let the jets win in denver and then we can talk about their dna for winning.

ukilledkenny · Oct 15, 2010

Fuck Cimini. This is like Champ telling me to be more positive about the team.

KWJetsFan · Oct 15, 2010

Damn!! I know we've had a lot of lean years, but I never realized a five game win streak would tie their longest streak in a freaking century.

PJ4Ever · Oct 15, 2010

SufferingJetsFan said: ↑

Damn!! I know we've had a lot of lean years, but I never realized a five game win streak would tie their longest streak in a freaking century.
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I think he means in the 2000s? He wasn't clear on that. Can't be in franchise history can it?

BigGreenUgly · Oct 15, 2010

The Jets had a 9 game streak in 1986. That would be last century.

nyjunc · Oct 15, 2010

PJ4Ever said: ↑

I think he means in the 2000s? He wasn't clear on that. Can't be in franchise history can it?
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It's since 2000.

In 1998 we had an 8 game win streak(playoffs included)

Uzone27 · Oct 15, 2010

He means this century.
I beleive the '98 Jets won out the season with 6 straight,

Uzone27 · Oct 15, 2010

BigGreenUgly said: ↑

The Jets had a 9 game streak in 1986. That would be last century.
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Oh yah..that team started 10-1....SOJ HOF team...

GordonGecko · Oct 15, 2010

The guy is an exaggerating moron. He says in this century to make it sound like a hundred year achievement when it's actually 10 years. Then he says nacho hasn't thrown a pick in 9 months when the Jets didn't even play most of those because it was the fucking off season. What is it with this guy, one day he's killing the Jets the next he's comparing them to Jesus. Get it fucking straight, the Jets are very good and getting better. Write the epilogue at the end you tool instead of getting too high on your own bandwagon

KWJetsFan · Oct 15, 2010

Uzone27 said: ↑

Oh yah..that team started 10-1....SOJ HOF team...
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Yeah, I was trying to think back to that year. Thought maybe we won 5, lost 1 and won five or something.

Ugh! That was a fun year.

kbgreen · Oct 15, 2010

I liked the article but know anything can happen in the NFL.

This may not make sense to most of you but I will be apprehensive about the Jets until they win the Superbowl!

I felt much the same way with SU Orange basketball prior to 2003 and since they won it all it has been all gravey. I don't feel SU owes me anything more. when they lost last year I was disappointed but not distraut the way I used to be or the way I am with the Jets.

So I guess I am a cynic until they actually win the big one.

jetsons · Oct 15, 2010

kbgreen said: ↑

I liked the article but know anything can happen in the NFL.

This may not make sense to most of you but I will be apprehensive about the Jets until they win the Superbowl!

I felt much the same way with SU Orange basketball prior to 2003 and since they won it all it has been all gravey. I don't feel SU owes me anything more. when they lost last year I was disappointed but not distraut the way I used to be or the way I am with the Jets.

So I guess I am a cynic until they actually win the big one.
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you are not alone, I'm all in for this ride but I have my seat belt on.

jcluttrell · Oct 15, 2010

I'm sorry, but what the hell does SOJ stand for?

Uzone27 · Oct 15, 2010

jcluttrell said: ↑

I'm sorry, but what the hell does SOJ stand for?
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Stone of Jordan

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