The Rundown: Is Ryan “Going to the Well” Too Much?
In yesterday’s press conference, Rex Ryan asked the crowd to bring their lustiest lungs for the matchup against the Jaguars. In essense nothing wrong with that, right?
“Obviously, our team has got to give you reason to cheer and give our fans reason to cheer and that’s what we’re out to do this week. We do need to get that going.
“When we played New England, that was the loudest stadium I had ever been in. In that two-minute situation, it was unbelievable. There was no question this wasn’t just the Jets. This was their team, our fans’ team.
“We need a great effort this week, so I am challenging our fans. I know they’re going to challenge me, and rightfully so, but it’s my job to get this team ready to go. Be prideful that this is your football team and we can accomplish everything we set out to do and I think when we get that energy from our crowd, that might be the difference this week.”
As Accuscore has predicted, it could be a very close matchup for the Jets, and anything to disturb David Garrard might be a help. If the Jets fans can get Tom Brady to take multiple delays of game, what do you think could be done against Jacksonville?
Still is this something that Ryan can continue to do with fans? Whereas Mangini maybe mentioned the fans and needing their help once during his intro press conference, or would speak about it in abstract, he’d never have openly asked for fans to cheer for the team. With the team on the edge of a knife in terms of the season, how will this play for Ryan on the long-term?
Will it get old and will New York fans get jaded from it after a while? This isn’t exactly Saint Louis, where fans don’t even know the word ‘boo.’
Even though the stadium was out of control crazy for the Patriots games, it’s clear that Rex Ryan and some of the team aren’t feeling the love, according to the Daily News.
“Lately the fans seem like they’re taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach,” guard Brandon Moore said. “I don’t know if it’s the ‘Same Old Jets’ thing or what, but I guess they have reason to be hesitant. We’ve had a couple of hiccups.”
At least Moore recognizes the fact that the fans are wavering because of the team’s play. I don’t know if two offensive meltdowns, one special teams meltdown and at least one coaching/defense meltdown can be defined as “hiccups” … that’s more like cardiac arrest to me.
From a fans perspective, it always seems like the Jets has an inherent knack for getting you amped up about the team, only to dash those same hopes as quickly as a fan allows themself to get excited. 3-0 this year, 8-3 last year .. need I go on?
Rich Cimini asked Marty Lyons about how it feels playing in a place named Giants Stadium as a Jets player, and here’s what he said.
The Jets have dropped four of their last seven at the Meadowlands, which Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor recently dubbed a “hellhole.” Maybe the decades-old issue, not having their own stadium, is valid.
“I don’t buy that,” said Marty Lyons, who played with the Jets from 1979 to 1989. “I think sometimes we allow them to use that as an excuse. It’s no excuse. It comes down to execution. They didn’t execute against Buffalo and Miami. The fan support has been amazing this year.”
Although I wouldn’t disagree for the New England game that support was “amazing” does it seem a little like some “light pandering” by saying that about the season as a whole?
For me, one of the biggest things that tells me how ready fans are for a game is how many people are at their seats for kickoff. Let’s face it, as Jets fans, tailgating has been historically the best part of being a fan, so I took a quick scan for the Dolphins game, I was shocked how many people weren’t in their seats. The Dolphins are probably the longest and most bitter rivalry for most fans, so to see that, especially after that Monday Night loss was surprising.
I respect the fact that Ryan will ask for the fans help, I think that’s something most coaches are afraid to do. That said, I just wonder how much he can continue to do it, and not start to unintentionally cause some bruising with the fans in the process.
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The paper butchered what Rex was saying to begin with…. the guy is the coachwe need for this town and he says what he means.
Brian…. Based on what you read on this site everyday your surprised fans arent in their seats yet at kickoff?Most Jet fans are the most negative in the league.
I love being a Jet fan but have lost a ton of respect for alot of “my so called” Jet fans out there. I am so tired of the stadium being quiet as they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Is Ryan taking a chance by challenging the fans to get loud. No in my opinion but so what if he does. He is trying to reach out and get the organization on the same page for the ultimate goal…..fans included.
I think it’s a great thing that coach Ryan cares about his team’s fans so much. I cannot recall a previous Jets’ coach that was so connected to the fanbase. And I’m gonna bet that crowd is gonna come out and be three times as loud as it was for week 2.
J! E! T! S! JETS! JETS! JETS!
When you install PSL’s and drive the average fan out of the building this is what happens.
This is great. Rarely do you see a coach try to encourage the fans participation.
Yeah the Jets are screwing over the fans with PSL’s, but this seems genuine from Rex, really there isn’t much fans can do at a game to help the team. You an only observe, and boo or cheer. But to openly embrace the fans is rare.
Sure you hear the league mention the fans, but that is only when it is convenient for them. The league views fans a disposable, or easily replaceable.
Yeah the Jets are struggling so far this year, but this is the key point in the season, it’s better they struggled early, than collapse like last year.
And yes expectations are high, but did you really think the Jets were going to the Super bowl with a rookie QB. Be excited about the team, but be realistic.
Next year, expect it.
I’m with JDB — especially about seeing a coach actively try to recruit the fans — it’s great to think that after sitting on the sidelines for years, the fans can actually be part of the action, as it were.
He’s also right about the expectations — admittedly, I got a bit overexcited like most with the 3-0 start, but now that I’m back to Earth, I am psyched about this team and where it’s headed. Still saying 8-8 this year, but I truly expect to really be a force next season.
If I ever had tickets I’d be in the stands cheering from kickoff. But *cough* someone is raising the ticket prices and adding psls, so I’m going to be able to go to less games than the few I can already make.
Emotion IS Sports. Emotion IS a drug. Emotion can work FOR you or AGAINST you. It can hurt you physically or mentally if you over use it. It can also be used by others to abuse you. Individually you can fall anywhere in the spectrum and be right or wrong at the same moment. Collectively, emotion can create or move whole worlds or destroy them.
In esence, the answer is yes, Rex Ryan can go to the emotion well too often, it can work agaist him, and us !!!
What is the context of the question? From what I recall they were asking him about why Firemen Ed wasn’t on his A game. Not only is that a dumb question, but when Rex gives the only good answer you could possibly give, the media runs with it, calling it a tired act. Its just getting old at this point. How can a simple motivational response to a dumb question during a routine, weekly news conference become news? Its being talked about on the radio too. I don’t get it.
It disgusts me that our stadium is quiet, and that our teams head coach has to “BEG” us to make noise!
Hell, Oakland has had a crappy team for years and a lousy owner. Yet every year their fans come to the game ready to KILL the opposing team each week! War paint and all !!!
Our Jets have been more consistent and have been better the last few years, so why shouldn’t we NY Jets fans be cheering our butts off (like that September Patriots game) each and every week!
We shouldn’t need Rex Ryan to ask us, it’s our team, our duty, and we should be doing it anyway !! If you do not intend to make noise then don’t go the stadium, because your not needed!!
On a side note: If your a mute, just stomp your feet and clap your hands!
Drew,
The stadium seems sort of empty at kickoff and I have never understood it.
Can anyone help me out? I’m going to be in Pennsylvania this weekend and I want to find out if the Jet game will be televised in that area. Where can I find this info?
Is that Geroge W. Bush next to Ed?
While the seats weren’t full at the start of the Miami game, they filled up soon enough, and on multiple 3rd downs, I thought that the crowd was just as loud as it was for New England. But you know what, allowing 21 points on a fumble return and two kickoff returns in the third quarter will quiet even the craziest of crowds. That being said, most of the fans were still there for the final drive when Sanchez got all the way down to the 9-yard line. When he and Keller converted the 4th and 10 play, the place went absolutely bonkers.
We can be as loud, if not louder, than any other stadium in the league, but when the team stinks it up like it did on multiple occasions in that Miami game, we as fans can only take so much.
Why can’t a fan base be loud every week? College teams consistently get camera-rattling loud in their stadiums, I don’t see why it’s out of the question for the Jets’ fans to do the same. Especially since we are one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports.
jetobsessed 28…..
I saw the same thing… That is effing fantastic. When i saw it i thought that guy looked like a mix between GWB and Tom Coughlin.
Great catch
I think the Jet fans need to be loud and crazy every game I agree with Rex – the team played well and the hometown played a huge roll in some penalties against NE that game. The crowd can be a huge advantage in any sport.
Hahahaha, I said the same exact thing. A cross between GW and Tom Coughlin
I think the bye couldnt havecome at a better time for the fans. There was a growing sense of panic amongst all of us, and hopefully a week away will get everyone to realize we have a real team that just needs a couple of breaks. We have a chance every week, bottomline, so as fans if we can give the team an edge, we need to step up and do that.
I go to every game, and I have been amazed by the negativity from fans at the Bills and Dolphins games. Yes, the Jets played poorly, but there is no way the fans attitude didn’t effect the play on the field. Every time a bad play happened it felt as if the game was over. Admittedly, I’m 24 and have been a season ticket holder for only 3 years, so I’m not as tainted as some of the “seasoned – Same Old Jets” Fans. But, I truly dont buy that excuse. Why come to the game with that attitude? The jets play at home 8 times a year (hopefully more in the future)…so for those 8 games, bring it. As I said earlier, the jets can win any game…it doesnt matter how, but as Jets FANS, we need to help anyway we can.
I agree with you, Mikey.
The Pats fan in my office and even the other Jets fans around called me a homer before the season started just because I told them I think we have a shot to win _any_ game this season.
No, I didn’t say every game, and I did not say I thought they would or should win any game this season. But this team definitely has a shot ANY given Sunday.
I was at the Rutgers vs South Florida massacre last night, and the defense reminded me of the Jets. It’s SO fun for me to watch my team dominate on the defensive side of the ball.
The Jets defense has already proven that it CAN be solid and cohesive without Kris Jenkins. Jets fans should be getting giddy that we may be on the verge of cheering for a perennial contender! We may even still have a shot this year!
revis – go here for maps of the NFL broadcast schedules every week:
http://the506.com/nflmaps/
looks like PA will be showing the steelers unfortunately
i am going on sunday and plan on being violently loud. was at the pats game as well and that was up there with the loudest home crowd i’ve ever heard, with the possible exception of the 2002 colts playoff massacre.
I don’t think it will get old from Rex as long as he knows when to ask the fans to get loud. This is a rallying cry for a team on the brink of falling out of contention @ 4-4. Its an all hands on deck, lets get this thing going call from our leader.
However, if the Jets fall flat and find themselves @ 5-8 and out of the playoff picture and then he comes out in the media asking the fans to get loud then I can see fans having a negative reaction.
Rex wants any advantage he can get over the other team and that includes crowd noise. As fans we have to take it upon ourselves to do our part.
Thanks Brian
Fans aren’t in their seats by kickoff because they spend as much time as they can grilling and eating and then make a mad dash for the stadium five minutes before game time. Unfortunately, between the idiotic security check, bottleneck escalators and tight concourse it takes at least 20 minutes to get to your seat (even on the lower level.) Trust me, I’d been doing it for 30 years. But no more (thanks Woody/PSL!)
Formerly Section 108,
I’ve been doing it for a long time as well, but i’m still in my seat before kickoff and everyone else should be too.
I have been going for more than 10 years and have been to every game this year(including both preseason games!). Although there are some tailgaters that are reluctant to leave the parking lot, I think the main culprit is the poor design of the roads around the Meadowlands that delay fans every week—perhaps the situation will be better if less traffic results from increased fan use of the train option. Is the kick-off attendance that much better at Giant games?
I’ll say this — the NE game was certainly one of the loudest games I have ever been to, and I’ve been to over 200 games. On top of that, the continuity of screaming and yelling was incredible — during the down periods of the mid-2nd Q and mid-3rd Q was STILL loud (in fact, the back-to-back delay of games happened right in the middle of the 3rd Q).
That said, the Tennessee game was pretty darn loud too, but obviously not the juice NE had. Then the rain played a part in the Buffalo game being a dead crowd. However, the worst feeling I had was the re-match against Miami. The crowd was dead. We could have been 5-3 going into the bye week, this was the Dolphins who just beat us, and I thought it would be INSANELY loud — but anyone who went to the game knows what I mean. It felt like everyone was sitting on their hands, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The nervous silence was palpable. The cheering was forced. Fireman Ed (despite his flaws, still gets the crowd going) rolled his eyes and said “Holy S**t!” when no one was standing and cheering. I was in agreement.
I understand why — it was the injuries and the two bad losses. But I almost felt like the team played lifeless in the first half because of the dead aura. I know the NE game came off a suprising win and Jet fans had little expectations, whereas now the expectations rose so the good feelings are in check — but Rex is correct here. He heard how we acted against NE, where did that go? He made a voice mail and everyone got loud? If that’s the case, he can’t go the well enough. If it was something else, he is wondering aloud — where is that noise?
There are certain things that happen during a game that just kill fan energy—the Miami game had 3 of these!!! The 2 kick-off returns and the fumble return just sucked the juice out of the crowd. The team has to accept some responsability for fan noise(or lack there of).
spindoctor — the crowd was silent before that.
But you did make me think of another factor. Against both NE and Tenn we won the coin toss. That was why we were so loud! Just kidding. But we elected to kick both times. That amped up the crowd a little. Then, we are on DEFENSE. Jet fans are SMART, we get loud for our D and quiet for our O — you don’t want to distract the QB.
So, starting with the ball kept us quiet, and then the score was 0-0 for so long, there was no real wake up call until the 3rd Q, when we kicked off and they went 3 and out… the defense didn’t see the field again until the 4th Q, after 3 TDs against us.
A decent point Rex should be aware of…
… that point being we don’t get loud when our offense is on the field and they were on the field most of the game, thanks to 3 returns.
They should give out a free beer 1hr before kickoff. This way we can end tailgating on time and be drunk n rowdy. lol.
Since I’m yelling and screaming at Jets games, I generally don’t notice when the crowd is quiet. Yet, this season it seems to me that the stadium is the loudest that it’s been since 2002 (I don’t think any of us will ever forget the Packers game). The place went bonkers in 2006 when Leon returned that KO late in the 4th quarter against the Colts, but the Pats game was the loudest it’s been in the stadium since I’ve been a season ticket holder (before that, ‘98 was consistently loud and, IMO, the only louder season, so far). So, if Rex is using the Pats game as a barometer, stop allowing special teams TDs or tossing 6 INTs against inferior teams. I think the crowd is excited about the defense and Sanchez, but we’re not puppies, we need something to cheer for and bad football won’t cut it.
As for empty seats, the Pats game was the 1st game of the season and there was lots of excitement, so I got there early. But, the Miami game is a big tailgating game, so there were massive crowds by the gates before 1 pm and security took forever. The Jets have to do a better job of getting people through security before games. I wanted to be there for kickoff, but couldn’t get in fast enough.
BTW, anyone notice that Bill Simmons predicted that the Jets will lose by 2 TDs to the Jags?
SD,
Oh I noticed, but I love reading the guy and don’t hold it against him. He’s a Pats fan and still looks at us like his little brother. In 2 weeks we’ll hopefully get our chance to have him, and everyone else, respect us more.
SD99
I saw it but he is hot and cold with his handicapping NFL games.
The Jets are a 7 point favorite and he is taking the Jags to win big? Dosent make any sense. Just trying to needle the Jet fans a little.
But he is funny as hell though
I hate the fact that the Jets lost at least three games (if not four) that we shouldn’t have lost. But I love to hear Rex talk, love to hear him ask the fans to step it up and make some NOISE.
I’ve been a Jets fan since the Jets were the Titans and played in the Polo Grounds, and Rex is my favorite head coach this team has ever had–even including the Big Tuna.
As for the stands not being full at the start of games, I think it’s the insanity of game-day TRAFFIC. My brother-in-law had seats on the 50 yard line for a Giants game, got off the exit just before kick-off, but didn’t make it to his seats until HALF TIME!
There are times i love listening to Francessa and there are times I want to punch him in the face…
This is a time I want to punch him in the face…. His opening Jet nonsense about Ryan using the fans and the Jets D is mediocre at best is absurd and once again shows that I am not sure if Fat boy even bothers watching Jet games.
Thank god he is a Yankee if not I would never listen to his ass
plus his reason for picking the jags is somewhat misguided. have the jets really reached the “injury point of no return”??
the D (run D especially) has been just as good without big Jinx. the offense has actually been better without Leon. so he can pick the jags all he wants, but his reasoning doesnt make sense, to me at least.
of course these injuries hurt, but if he had actually watched the games, replacements for injured players (Pouha and Greene) are not the reason why we have lost.
The traffic is no excuse, it is Sunday, not like you are coming from work, leave enough time, not like the traffic is unpredictable.
But traffic is only half the story. I used to leave my tailgate at 45 minutes to kick off (I parked far away) and was amazed at how many folks were still putting dogs on the bbq and in full tailgate mode, it was like the tailgate was more important than the game.
If you are one of these so called fans, ask yourself, am I a JETs fan or a TAILGATE fan??
You can drink and eat anywhere, you spent good money on tickets and parking, get your arses in the seats before your team runs through the tunnel.
Sack – Minor correction, it was Miller with the KR against the Colts.
As for Bill Simmons, he is hopeless when it comes to predicting the Jets. He said he regretted picking them over Oakland on the Saturday before the 38-0 win and if he’s patting himself on the back for predicting them to lose to Miami when he said the Jets can’t match up with them (which was nothing like the reason they lost), then he is kidding himself.
Wise Old Jet Fan–
I’m not saying fans CAN’T leave early enough to allow for the insane traffic and get into their seats before the game begins. I’m saying fans DON’T leave early enough, DON’T allow for the insane traffic, and DON’T get into their seats on time.
I’d also say that it’s likely that fans WON’T leave enough time in the future–so likely I’d be willing to bet $100 that the stadium seats won’t be full before kickoff this Sunday, or any other regular season Sunday of your choosing.
I think Rex challenging the fans is great, it definately worked vs the patriots. There’s nothing I love more than a rocking stadium when were on D on 3rd Down. There was a surprisingly low number of people in their seats at the begining of the phins game but it got pretty loud towards the end. I expect this game to get loud especially with the coach demanding it. Anyone who goes it is your job to keep everyone in your section cheering! LETS GET LOUD!
Simmons compounds his lack of Jets knowledge with this gem (also from this week’s column):
“I’m confused every time I look at Joe Namath’s stats. Has there ever been a more overrated legend? I know his knees went on him early, but he finished with 173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions and a 65.5 QB rating. He played in three playoff games total. His career record was 62-63-4. And he gets lumped in with Montana, Elway and everyone else? Really?”
Obviously he doesn’t realize that there are other QBs that have more interceptions than TDs in the hall (including Blanda, Baugh) or that the amounts of yardage he was setting were groundbreaking at the time. This comment came just after he described Kurt Warner as a lock for the hall of fame, despite acknowledging that he has only had 6 good seasons.
i think getting in and out of the new stadium is going to be a lot better. they are redesigning the traffic flow and have the new train station. you will have less people driving to the game, and better roads and parking lots. it should be a lot easier, or else whoever designed the thing did a terrible job
I read Simmons predictions. The only part that bothered me was that he barely had any reasoning for the Jets to lose, which if youre goign to make a bold prediction atleast back it up with something that explains your reasoning. There isnt 1 phase of football that the Jags do better than the Jets, but i’ll give Simmons a pass here because I like reading his stuff, and he is a pats fan.
I look at it this way, I have been a Jets fan since the infamous 1992 Bruce Coslet team when Jets went 8-8 and got destroyed 28-0 in the game where a win meant playoffs for the jets and a win for houston oilers meant nothing. So I’ve been around pretty much nothing but misery and heartbreak. However even as the most downtrodden fan even if you expect the worst you can still cheer for the best. And if you don’t think jets will ever get to promise land then I suggest you find a new team to root for, because we definitely don’t need Red Sox fan-a-alikes of the pre World Series days. No one cares that you expect the team to ‘let you down again and again’, if you aren’t willing to hope, cheer and anticipate the best then switch to the Patriots….their bandwagon has enough room for you, you poser and faker.
Bent,
I am not old enough to have said I watched Joe Namath play, I only know what my Dad tells me. Based on what ive heard and what ive read Namath was a superior player playing with inferior teammates.
I do disagree with you on Kurt Warner though, and I believe he is a lock for the hall of fame. He has been to 3 superbowls, winning 2, and his career numbers are hall of fame worthy. 198 TD’s compared to 125 Int’s and a rating of 93.3.
Heres the difference that Simmons needs to remember sometimes.
I am not old enough to see Joe Wille play but I and every other 32 year old person and younger knows who Namath was.
I know Warner has the stats but i just dont think HOF when his name comes up
That wasn’t my point. I think he’s a hall of famer too, but Simmons isn’t taking into account the fact that Namath had some incredible years and some bad ones too and played in an era when QB ratings, TD/int ratios and yardage totals were typically lower, so by the standards in those days his numbers were elite, probably moreso than Warner’s.
Top 5 in yards – 7 times (Warner 4)
Top 5 in QB rating – 5 times (Warner 4)
Top 5 in TDs – 7 times (Warner 5)
Consider yourself pwnd, Bill Simmons.
Also, I think he’s actually been to two and won one. Right?
Warner 1-1 with St. Louis and 0-1 with Arizona–the fact that he went to the Superbowl with 2 different teams increases his HOF chances significantly.
Check out Serby’s article on Thomas Jones. That ought to fire the fans up for this Sun!
Warner went twice with the Rams, and once with the Cardinals.
WArner: 2-time league MVP, 1-time Superbowl MVP, 2nd all-time in completion percentage(behind Pennington)—it will be tough to keep him out of the HOF
Okay, he went to three and won one. We were both wrong!
Again, I wasn’t saying he didn’t deserve to go, but Simmons’ criteria for having Warner go in seemed hypocritical, especially when he suggests Namath wasn’t worthy.
Bent,
You’re right, it was Miller and his 103 yard KO return in 2006…only to see Peyton, of all things, run it in for a score to win the game. But, it was a great and exciting game (I still don’t understand why Mangini on side kicked to start the 2nd half).
Namath is in pro football’s HOF because he was the first superstar pro football player, the first pro athlete to be fully embraced by Madison Ave., a cultural icon, and the reason the AFL merged with the NFL. His contribution to the NFL is really unparalleled. Oh, and he was a great QB, who was a ROY, MVP and Super Bowl MVP. Namath still has the quickest release, paired with a powerful arm, of any QB in history…only Marino was close. It was also a different era in protection for QBs and coverage of WRs. If Namath came out today, he’d routinely toss for 5,000 yards and 30 TDs, even with his bad knees (which would be much better cared for and treated today).
Simmons was just way off-base. There are plenty of guys in the HOF whose stats, by today’s standards, seem mediocre. Maybe he wants to toss out Gale Sayers and Lynn Swann, too.
The least deserving hall of famer I can think of is Andre Tippett. I’m sure Simmons would disagree.
I saw Namath play at Shea, and he was amazing. He could read a defense as well as the best and respond with great quickness. His release was a thing of beauty. As for the rest of the team, yeah, they stunk it up plenty of games, but Joe N also had some great weapons, like the great Don Maynard and Matt Snell.
I love Bill Simmons also but I saw some comments from Drew and others before about Francesca’s show today, I was listening in my truck- the guys straight up HATES Rex Ryan!!! I dont know what it is about guys from his generation, Hank HATES Brett Favre, my Dad HATES A-Rod, and NO MATTER WHAT they do, they never give them any credit!
Rex’s Defense has been MEDIOCRE? Is this guy smoking crack? Is he pulling a Russo and intentionally provoking the audience? I was going to call FAN but I dont know the laws regarding the FCC because I would have gone flippin nuts.
Anyone notice that the Jets went from almost last in the league in pass defense to top 5 since Rex came over? What about 2nd in total defense? How about the fact that the Ravens are a shell of the D that they once were.
Rex has done some things that might be fair to criticize but he came in here and took this defense to a level that Mangini could never have done in his wildest dreams.
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Well I am a fan. I do not have season tickets. I try to go to a game atleast once a year. I am always jealous when I watch games on TV and I hear the crowd noise. I would love to be there. There is nothing like the crowd getting loud and crazy for their team. I have been to a hand full of games but not too many really loud crowds during my time there. I still loved being there. I have a sense of pride when I go. I am going this Sunday and can’t wait. I will be sure to answer Ryans plea.I hope we will make it real tough for the Jags. I want my ears to ring! GO JETS! We need everyone all hand on deck! It shouldn’t matter who the opponent is.!