Jets: Erase The Ghosts !

Before I can get pumped on this coming season, I have to reflect on the hard times that the Jets have gone through in the past years. These are the ghosts of Jets Past.

"MISSED" That's what the New York headlines printed last season after losing to the Steelers which should have vaulted the team to the Championship Game to face the Patriots. The "past" is over as we've been in the playoffs 3 of 4 years.

But how has the team changed? Parcells started it with "buying the groceries" but Bradway and Edwards took it from there. Charley Winner, Ken Shipp, Lou Holtz, Mike Holovak, Walt Michaels, Joe Walton, Bruce Coslet, Pete Carroll, and Rich Kotite couldn't do it.

I've been watching this team since 1970 (35 years -- my entire life) and the Jets are on their way. Something special is happening and you can see it in their eyes. This team is hungry. The recent success this team has had erased the demons of the past. It makes us forget about all the bad times.

So, before getting this season underway, let's forget about all the QBs that couldn't win the big games -- Al Woodall, Richard Todd, Matt Robinson, Pat Ryan, Ken O'Brien, Tony Eason, Browing Nagle, Boomer Esiason, Bubby Brtister, Frank Reich, Neil O'Donnell, Jack Traduau, Glenn Foley, and Qunicy Carter.

Let's forget about Richard Todd throwing a few times to A.J. Duhe in the Mud Bowl.

Let's forget one of those 24 second drives by Marino to win a game in the Orange Bowl.

Let's forget that 1-15 season (and the 3 - 13 season).

Let's forget about Mark Gastineau's late hit on 3rd and 10 that prolonged the Brown's drive in the divisional playoff game.

Let's forget about Parcells' decision to for trick plays with Ray Lucas and Leon Johnson's poor quarterback impressions in the final game vs. Detroit.

Let's forget about that horrible injury to Dennis Byrd.

Let's forget about Dan Marino's fake spike play and the rest of the season when the team quit on Pete Carroll.

Let's forget about the infamous Paul McGuire prediction that the Jets wouldn't win another football game the rest of the year after starting 10-1 and he was right.

And let's forget that infamous Bubby Brister flea-flicker play.

Let's forget about the Blair Thomas' fumble in that Monday Night Football debacle vs. the Bears.

And let's forget about Eric Allen's interception return in a game vs. the Eagles.

And let's forget about the early retirement of Al Toon due to concussions.

And let's forget the unfortunate premature death of Dick Steinberg.

And let's forget about Peyton Manning not coming out of college for the Jets to draft at #1.

And let's forget about trading a #1 overall pick to the Rams to draft James Farrior.

And let's forget about the drafting of Johnny "Lam" Jones and Roger Vick and Blair Thomas.

And let's forget that we chose Dave Cadigan over Michael Irvin.

And let's forget the troubles of Everett McIver.

Oh, and let's forget Keyshawn's book.

And let's forget the 1981 Jets / Bills wildcard game ending in Richard Todd's interception.

And let's forget that Tony Meola was a Jet in training camp.

And let's totally forget Mike Haight and Don Boyd Odegard.

And let's forget that tough loss in Tuna Bowl I.

And we must forget Garrison Hearst’s 96 yard TD in San Francisco in overtime.

Let's forget that Lou Holtz quit on the team.

And let's forget John Riggins getting a mohawk.

Let's forget losing both games in 1987 with replacement players.

Let's forget the horribe FA signings of Ronnie Lott, Leonard Marshall, Art Monk, Dexter Carter, and Jeff Graham.

Let's forget Parcells cutting Hugh Douglass.

Let's forget the Astro Turf on the stadium floor.

And let's forget the real grass/sand they replaced it with.

Let's forget the early retirement of Al Toon due to numerous concussions.

Let's forget the 524 yard offensive performance in Baltimore for the season finale with the Playoff spot on the line and we lose.

Let's forget Joe Namath leaving the team. Let's forget Joe Namath's drunken state to Suzy Kobler on national TV. Let's forget about John Abraham puking on the sideline of a Raiders playoff game.

Let's forget Mel Kiper ripping the Jets every year for having no clue what the draft is all about.

Let's forget the Jets blowing a 10 point lead in the AFC Championship vs. Denver.

Let's forget Vinny Testervede blwoing out his achillies in the Season Opener with high expectations.
Let's forget we have a Generation Jets cartoon.

Let's forget Damien Robinson bringing guns to the stadium parking lot.

Let's forget our offensive lineman beating up limo drivers dressed in Santa outfits.

Let's forget Shrek and the Green Lantern becoming unofficial mascots.

Let's forget the Rick Mirer vs. Ray Lucas QB controversary.

Let's forget the Heidi Game.

Let's forget Bill Belechick's one day reign and then quitting as the H.C. of the N.Y. Jets.

Let's forget about Leon Hess saying "Just Win Now" and then goes out and hired Kotite.

Let's forget that we ever had the Baha Men sing at half-time.

Let's forget losing 4 players to the Redskins in one off-season.

Let's forget the Paul Hacket offense.

Let's forget Joe Klecko's acting in Burt Reynolds movies.

Let's forget Mark Gastineau's marriage to Bridgette Neilsen.

Let's forget Mark Gastineau crossing the picket line to play with the scabs.

Let's forget Joe Walton picking his nose on the sidelines.

In between all of this mayhem, was numerous other painful seasons, moments and loses and poor signings and draft picks and coaching changes. Let's forget about our Tight Ends that couldn't catch -- Becht & Brady. And then last year we had the Eric Barton bonehead play as well as the Doug Brien missed field goal to forget about. You couldn't have scripted a more crazy history.

This team needs to put all these ghosts in the past as there is hope. This team is NOT the "Same Ole Jets."

Yes, there were some good times over those "Dark Years" but the bad far out weigh the good. The Jets are not the most talented team in the league (there are some holes) but they play with heart and they have a great game plan. This rollercoaster ride is not over yet. As a long time frustrated Jet Fan...I want more. Leon Hess uttered the words, “Win Now,” a few years back. Well, it is “now” again. Let's put a smile on his face in his grave. So, here is my message to our AFC Eastern Division Champs: Stay focused. Play hard. Ignore the hype. Make us proud. Erase those ghosts.