Link: Sky’s The Limit?
Writing for SNY.tv, Michael Salfino is unabashed of his expectations coming out of the win for the Jets this past weekend.
The Jets are one of the handful of championship contenders. They can now lay a convincing claim for having the best defense in football led by five guys who will probably be in the Pro Bowl come February (baring injury). And they seem to have a franchise QB in the making, the second rookie QB to beat Bill Belichick (Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 being the other).
Wow, have things changed since January or what?
Michael has been a tough but fair critic of the Jets and to see him so buoyant about this team is worth noting. I do think that this team has the potential to be special, but it’s hard for me to get too far ahead of myself after just two games. I’m seeing the spark, and I like the Jets schedule during the middle part of this season. I want this team to be in the hunt, I’m just going to temper my enthusiasm (something I didn’t do after the Titans win last year) as this plays out over the season.
What do you think?
Its nice praisw, but I dont like receiving praise especially this early. For some reason when people mention Jets and championship in the same sentence something usually goes wrong. Reference to previous yrs:
2004
2005
2008
Look, I love the 2-0 start. But let’s keep things in perspective here. Can we stay relatively injury-free? Will the tough schedule impact us more than it has thus far?
Let’s play it cool and act like we know how to handle early success. I mean, it’s the JETS.
In following the jets for over 30 years, it is sooo hard for me to get ahead of myself. I’ve seen too many things happen too many times over the years. I will say this though. Before the season started, I loved the move at head coach and I loved the Sanchez pick in the draft. So maybe this is a new beginning!
I am not tempering my expectations. AFC Championship game with home field advantage throughout the playoffs is my expectation.
Call me crazy but we when I look at the AFC I don’t see a team that scares me including the super bowl champs.
Like you said Bassett, 8-3 makes me temper my enthusiasm. The defense is Top 5 in the league, but the offense still has a lot of strides to make before I start dreaming of Miami. Let’s take it one game at a time. Considering my expectations weren’t high to begin with, I want to enjoy the ride.
This article is ridiculous! Revis is hall of fame bound? Jets are superbowl contenders? cmon! You can’t make those kind of predictions, or assumptions. It very well may happen, and I would be loving it, but its way too early and we’ve been way too bad for along time! Surprising this is coming from someone at SNY.
As a Jets fan, and we can all agree to this, that we have watched, and sat thru so many horrible seasons, collapses, “Same ol Jets” talk from everyone else……..I think we have started to write a new script, with a new coach, finally a young QB, a new team, and a hunger and enthusiasm I have never seen from a Jets team, at least that I can remember, maybe 98 w/ Vinny………..so its ok to get excited after weeks 1 and 2, lets just not start Super Bowl(s) Championship talk just yet, lets go game by game………….Lets enjoy each game and each week, 1 at a time
I’m very happy with the team’s early success but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Not to take anything away from the wins but clearly these were two very winnable games. The Pats are a shadow of the team they were two seasons ago. As for the Texans, they were projected to make the playoffs this year, but are still an unproven team.
ive been a jet fan for too long to get ahead of myself but i think we can all agree that we are taking a step in the right direction for years to come…i feel the team got a good winners attitude now and we dont have to draft out of necessity but just for extra pieces of the puzzle which we werent able to do in a while
Let’s see how the next two weeks go. Chris Johnson is the first real running threat, and you’ve all seen what Brees has done. Titans first. Let’s get to 3-0.
Early wins can be misleading. Didn’t the Bills start something like 5-0 last year? Won’t really see what we’ve got til our bye in week 9.
The Jets season is OVER if Jenkins, Revis or Washington are done for any long period of time.
Although i’m giddy, like the rest of us, i think we just need to take it week by week…
Let’s get through a successful December before throwing those 2 words that begin with SB around.
so please everyone relax.
Look at it this way. Would you rather be 2-0 in 1st place or 8-3 and in first place.
I would choose 8-3 and look what happened in the end.
All we are doing is setting ourselves up for failure in the long run.
Every loyal jets fan will tell you that while this latest buzz and hype is flattering, and welcomed, we’re only two games into the season. This is an article that could be written after shutting down the saints on the road, and silencing the patriots again up in foxborough, but its all a bit too premature.
On Sunday, John Madden commented on the low level of football that is played during the first few games of the NFL regular season. He specifically noted the decline in performances during the 2nd half of games as teams are yet to be conditioned. This Pats team has alot of new faces that will require time to adjust and dont forget they were essentially beaten by the Bills in week 1.
I do believe we have something special brewing in the meadowlands, but the jets are are multiple tests away from being declared contenders.
While i am perhaps Darelle Revis’ biggest fan, i think declaring him a hall of fame corner at this juncture might be pushing it.
we still need to see how sanchez can perform against teams that have had ample scouting time and material.
lets enjoy what we have, lord knows as fans we deserve it, but lets not get too ahead of ourselves..lets just enjoy the ride….
The sky’s the limit… if the Jets sign Matt Jones.
Otherwise the 2009 Ravens season is the limit.
I will not ask for much this year, other then winning the AFC East Divisional Championship. Anything more is just icing on the cake!
Lets take it easy here Buffalo was 4-0 last year. It’s a long season
Last time we all got sucked into the giddiness we were 8-3 and had just beat NE and the Titans. I think we have to beat the Titans again before we start to set ourselves up for Jets dissapointment again.
But seriously, I prefer the wait and see approach. No one clinches a playoff spot at 2-0, but it’s a nice start.
Although I am happy for these 2 wins, I cannot be TOO excited. I just go back to that 8 – 3 start last season just to remind myself that this season is a MARATHON and not a SPRINT! I hate cliches, but got to take this season ONE GAME AT A TIME!
108 said it the best
yes this season has started out better than anyone would have thought, but 2 games is all we have player
it will be very interesting when defense’s stop loading up to stop the run and start giving sanchez some respect. this is when i think the jets really will crush teams.
setting up screens, tj up the middle and those mid level passes to kellens will drive team crazy. i mean look at dallas clark last night. not only will dustin do that, but he will become that all pro te this year
sky the limit is a lil wayne song just to let you know and i was listen to it last night, just wanted to say
People will always be over the top with Superbowl claims in week 2…matters not.
There is reason to be excited though….there were so many analyst who had us pegged for last place and winning only 5-7 games tops. It’s not that we are 2-0, its that’s we are 2-0 and our defense has dominated very potent offensive teams.
If we split the season into 4 game stretches our first 4 game stretch:
Stretch 1
Texans, Patriots, Titans, Saints
Stretch 2
Dolphins, Bills, Raiders, Dolphins
With all due respect to the teams in stretch 2, the teams in stretch one possess more talent. Add to the fact that our defense should only improve when we get Pace back for that second more favorable but very important stretch(3 division games)……
When all is said and done by week 9(our bye week), there is a good chance we are still in the running for a playoff spot.
The difference is, and this article hints at it, is that while it’s only been two games on the schedue (thus only 2-0), the players and schemes and attitude this team is showing is one that usually is that of an IMPROVING team (which everyone expected us to be) and a team that will not suddenly suck without injury (defense, running game, great coaching in all three facets). Everyone believed this team was on the right track to develop INTO this, but that they are already performing at this level gives people hope that it will get BETTER.
Another thing to consider: Everyone was excited at 8-3, but that doesn’t mean just because everything fell apart on us last year and we lost 4 of 5 that we should never get excited again. It would be like refusing to admit you like someone because your last girlfriend left. I’m right back on the horse — this team is real.
At 8-3 last year and with tickets ready to go to the Denver game, I ended up getting blitzed at Thanksgiving dinner and shot my mouth off to our friends who are Patriots season ticket holders. I should have known from years 2000, 2001, 2004, but outrageous claims of how “no one can beat us!” and “It’s going to be a NY-NY Superbowl!” came flying out of my mouth. Well, I had to eat a hefty piece of humble pie to say the least. If this team is still in first place in December, sure, but for now, I’m enjoying the excitement over Sanchez, Coach Rex, and his fantasy-team, quarterback killing defense.
Beat Tennessee!!!!!!
like everyone else i am giddy about all the coverage and praise thrown at the jets over the past 2 weeks. but i agree we have to not get ahead of ourselves
Tennessee is a good team. Fisher is a good coach. they are 0-2 and desperate. so the jets need to be ready for any and everything this week (onsides kicks, fake punts, etc). the titans are coming in here backs agains the wall and willing to do anything to win
Agreed. It’s a nice start, but need i remind you that in the last two games there were several “easy” INTs that were dropped against Sanchez. Those mistakes will be caught eventually, and the games will be different because of it.
It pisses me off! Wallace writes in Newsday about “curbing” all the SB talk…the only one talking such nonsense are the beat writers themselves! No self-respecting Jets fan utters HOF, SB, and playoffs after a year like the last one and after only 2 games this year!
titants have johnson and a good D…contain johnson and we win…they’re recievers aren’t elite and nothing to worry about…scaife is alittle above average and im saying that being a nice guy…and K.COLLINS isn’t better than brady and schuab..i believe are O outthinks and outdoes their D and we come out of this game with a good solid victory…just my thoughts…
oh and by the way…i understand where everybody is coming from with this cautious attitude…but i have to say be alittle more confident in this new jets team with its new found confidence and coach and QB…i been around as a fan for a long time and lived through alot of debacles in my time…but i also have to say i haven’t seen a jet team this agressive in a long time…i am excited and im not just hopeful i really think we will win the divison and make a solid run into the PLAYOFFS…call me crazy but i feel just as confident as the team im supporting…just my thoughts…
I’ll sum up my feelings by using the 3 words greg sec 130 shouted out.
IMPROVING INTO BETTER
But this is only 2 games into a long season. We are infinitely better than many thought we would be, Fox Sports moved the Jets to #5 in the power rankings this week, ESPN at #8 and unbelievably enough What If Sports (the Fox computer simulator) has us at #1, and we are winning games convincingly but we’ve all been down this road before and it ended in tears.
We’ll see.
Kewpie to the too numerous to name experts who are aware that it is a long season. Wise bloggers all!
If there is a decline, I wonder how Salfino will address his exuberance. For me, just the attitude around this team was worth the change of HC.
If we are as excited at the end of the season as we are now, it will have been one of the great turnarounds of all time.
Harlan
Look, it’s great to receive praise and respect from the media, but please, tone down the championship talk.
Why do journalists have to be so extravagant? Maybe for material and maybe to they have something to write about when they see “the fall”
Whatever, I guess. It only matters if the coaches and team start thinking too highly of themselves–screw the nostradamuses of the media world.
Two weeks and we’re talking about Championship contenders!!?!?! Come on now!
Some of these media guys are so hurting. Prior to the season, they all had no inkling that the Jets would be a tough team to beat. Now, after the first two games — we are a playoff team.
It reminds me of watching games on TV, where the announcer is praising a runner who breaks a few runs and making the runner sound like he is the next coming of OJ. Then, the runner fumbles the ball and the announcer is questioning whether the team can rely on the running back because he fumbles the ball too often. The runner went from OJ to the bench in five carries.
It is a long season. If we stay relatively healthy, we can play with anyone. if our O-Coordinator was as good as our D-Coordinator — who would beat us?
Commentators should “cool their jets” with this kind of talk. It’s week 3 for heaven’s sake.
Hopefully, the Titans can’t “cool OUR Jets”.
The Jets need to go 10-4 over the next 14 games to insure a playoff berth and potential first round bye. There’s just way too much football to be played over the next 15 weeks of the NFL season to start mentioning the Super Bowl or even the playoffs. But, there were some of us who thought the Jets would be good and that the defense would be dominant. The defense has exceeded all of my expectations. That they are this good without Pace is mind-boggling. And, on offense, we haven’t seen the Clown or Greene, yet. I am uber-excited about the team, but Super Bowl talk is almost reckless at this point.
One game at a time – The Jets are promising on Defense and Special Teams – I need to see the Jets have an offensive explosion to get me sweating playoffs.
The Clown #2, Stuck #3 after not tapping his right foot and tripping over it in the freaking END ZONE! Smith #4 although a good downfield blocker, Leon is “The Seminole” from now on. When the lights are on no one can cover the Clown. He and Greene deserve a long look.
I’m with you, Bassett.
Right now, all we can hope for is really exciting, entertaining football to watch for a few months. I DO believe that we’re going to be treated to a great ride by these guys. But that’s just it — it’s a ride. Let’s enjoy it. And not miss any of it.
Everyone put your green and white on, and a huge smile on your face, but then go outside and take a lovely walk. Kiss the wife and kids, if you got ‘em.
Put on Daily Show and laugh every so often.
Then, on Sunday, enjoy some more great football.
When we start jockeying for playoff spots after Thksgvg, then we can all start gnawing on the arm of the chair as playoffs loom closer.
But for now, let’s enjoy this lovely present Rex and the boys are giving us.
As a veteran of the ‘86 Mets fan ride, I can tell you that having a team that can dominate is the greatest thrill when you’ve bled for years over crap squad after crap squad. We don’t want to miss a moment of it with our fantasies running away with us. The reality is just too much fun.
Then it goes where it wants to go. Up. Down. Sideways.
But the ride will have been sweet.
I don’t blame anybody for not wanting to hear all this praise heaped on the Jets at this point in the season…….I do remember last year (my first) on this blog how some of you were annoying me with negative talk about the Jets, because too many of us were dreaming when the Jets were 8-3……. As it turned out, your fears manifested in the way of a late season collapse thanks to Brett’s Arm (who knew?) and Jenkins’ back. Had that not happened though it could have been special. With a lot of that team back, I believe we have a good team that can be great if things fall our way. I’m trying to curb my enthusiasm, but the way they’re playing right now is unlike anything I’ve seen. We’ll see in 14 more games if I feel the same way.
keep doing what we are doing, solid dominating defence (that sounds good!) and mistake free offence, 0 picks against the Pats (or anyone) cannot be underestimated. I like that our schedule softens some and pace is nearly back, but dont let em get fat heads.
Enjoy the ride but get a grip. Remember 2000, Al Groh’s only season. Jets started out 4-0 yet ended up 9-7. Appreciate each game, take every win you can, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself. Pray for Kris Jenkins to stay healthy, if he goes down, they won’t be the same team.
Can we all say this at the same time………..
Thank you Eric Mangina and Brett Farve.
They should get the game ball, Without them we dont have Rex and we possibly dont have Mark “the Dirty”
So everyone thank Them.
It’s fun to be a J-E-T-S fan again.