Beware the Band Wagon Jumper!
There is a type of animal that lurks in the forest that is more dangerous than any other. Beware the bandwagon jumper!
Leaping onto every passing media train, the bandwagon jumper, from his stellar vantage, believes that he is the first to see the locomotive, even though all he really does is stand alongside the tracks and wait for the train to pass. The trouble is, he can see nothing else. He is a moth, always searching for the light. Like Plato’s cave dwellers, he is unaffected by anything but the passing images in front of his eyes. If things look bleak, he does not see the way out of the darkness. If things look promising, he cautiously expresses his belief in the promise of the thing. But, if things start to look good, he climbs aboard for the ride, confident in his conclusion, insured by the triviality of his investment. He knows that if he’s wrong, he can simply jump right off again.
I relate this cautionary observation to Jets’ fans, this week, but only to a limited population of that larger species. Not to those who have just climbed on board, for earnest or craven purposes. I do not offer this insight to bandwagon jumpers of the journalistic variety, or any other sort. I do not offer this to rally rousers, cheerleaders, energy seekers, excitement junkies, sudden inspirees, tambourine bangers, camp followers, profit seekers, anxious bettors, drum pounders, glad handers, front runners, chumps or chimps. I offer this missive for the benefit of the REAL fans, who were here when the Jets went 1-6 in the middle of the season, and who stuck by the team. The ones who fought with one another about Schotty, and who picked over Sanchez when he was, himself, throwing picks every five minutes, and who gave it to Rex when he infamously benched the team’s best special teamers (and when he let the clock run out against the Dolphins in the first game). I write this for the ones who died a little when Kris Jenkins grabbed his leg, and who shouted “get up, get up” when Leon took his terminal spill.
To those fans I say that it’s good for us to remember, at such a time as this, that our new-found friends, our fair-weather buddies, our love-em-in-the-sunshine compatriots, know nothing about this team. They don’t know who was on the roster before the final cuts, who got traded mid-season to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards, what really happened in the Atlanta last-minute loss. They don’t know how much that second, Ted Ginn return, smarted, and how amazing it felt to watch Baltimore, the Dolphins, the Jaguars and the Broncos all lose in a few hours on that fateful Sunday, BEFORE the Colts game in week sixteen. These people know nothing. Reading their columns and listening to their ill-informed speculations will tell us nothing about our team, and nothing about our chances this Sunday.
So, this week, let’s keep our mouths shut. For all anybody will know, Jets’ fans are on the same page as the bandwagon jumpers. Giddily, stupidly, optimistic. Let’s keep our real feelings a secret until Sunday. Nobody will know that, once the game starts, we’ll cling a little harder to our jumping three year olds, as they watch us for signs that they ought to shout J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets, and offer us a high five. Nobody will know that our beards itch, because we haven’t shaved in three weeks. Let’s not tell anybody that we’ll be pacing throughout the third quarter punching our fists into our hands nervously analyzing the offense’s efficiency. Let’s not tell anybody that a Jets win would be better than an orgasm—way better. Let’s pretend to be just like everybody else.
After it’s over, maybe in sixty minutes or maybe 120, we’ll meet here and talk like old friends. The bandwagon will have passed us by, and not a moment too soon. Our fair-weather friends will be flying south for sun and surf, and good riddance. Between us, we’ll lick our wounds and signal our glories and revel in the pleasure of the spotlight gone by. Then, like all REAL fans, no matter what the outcome, win or lose, we’ll settle it all into memory. Later, we’ll start reading the draft wires and thinking about next year. We’ll be just like everybody else, again.
Still, every once in a while, we’ll be able to remember this moment when we had it all in our hands. Every sports fan deserves a few of these moments. I’m 59 years old. If I listen really hard, I can still hear the sound of the band.
70 Responses to Beware the Band Wagon Jumper!
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NamVetJet says:
Nice writing brother.
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Row says:
Melodramatic much? I wanted to say this when you wrote your game recap but knew it would get lost in the shuffle: who cares? I usually love your stuff here, Andrew, but it seems a little petty to get caught up in who is a “real” fan and who isn’t. It’ll tell you what, I’ll take bandwagon fans any day of the week because that usually means my favorite team is finally in the playoffs and perhaps, like now, even doing well in them.
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TJBfan (twitter @infresco4) says:
amen. I used to get bashed all the time for being a Jets fan, now suddenly people are rooting with me.
Little do they know when i fall asleep at night I only dream of Sunday. We are one game away from a Super Bowl appearance and the energy is simply amazing.
As you said the real fans will be there regardless of the outcome, right now I’m loving life especially when we were written off as a 4 to 7 win team at most.
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Ed says:
Well done, Andrew. Well done.
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Maximum Jets says:
Jumpers welcome.. but we know who you are.
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Adam says:
If this season is all you could go back on as struggles to overcome than you have caught the bandwagon, Never mind the struggles of this season that were clearly documented. These were positives compared to the last 40 years, to name a few:
* Rich Kotite
* Joe Walton’s nose picking
* The fake spike
* Dennis Byrd
* The Mud Bowl
* The Denver letdown
* The 10-1 start dropping last 5 in ’86.
* Vinny blowing out achiles first game of 99.
* Chad breaking wrist in exhibition.Plenty more if I gave some thought.
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JesusRevis says:
There was a great video on inside the NFL following the Jets regular season win over the Bengals. They showed the Jets in the locker room and Thomas Jones giving the game ball to Rex Ryan. It was one of the best Jet moments I have ever seen. If anyone knows where I can find this video, I would greatly appreciate it.
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johnsec.125 says:
i’m loving it. for a long time it hasn’t been easy being green. now, the empire state building is bathed in our colors, and the tri-state area is excited about OUR team. so much for the second class franchise, always in the giants shadow. let em all jump on.
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Joe B. says:
Good piece Andrew. The bandwagoners used to bother me, but I’ve realized that moments like this are so rare, I can’t let anything dim my happiness and enthusiasm. I also agree with TJBfan about how much less crap I’m getting right now for being a Jet fan. Win or lose on Sunday, this has been a hell of a ride and I’ll go into next season high as a kite about the future. With that said, let’s geld the Colts on Sunday!!!
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WRXWgnNY says:
We’re still considered the underdog right now which is fine, it makes the upset and victory that much more rewarding! Till Sunday when the Colts “hand” us the victory…
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kerry who? says:
jesusrevis there is a snippet of tj giving rex the game ball after the week 17 win. you can find it by clicking on the jets-colts preview on nfl.com/videos
as far as the bandwagon jumpers, i think many of us are in that boat. as i left my seat and walked up the steps to the lower level exit at the miami game (after sanchez threw the game ending pick) it was quite a scene. same old jets chants, bottles and snow being thrown. i was devastated, and the only thing my dad could say to me was “they needed to win this game to prove they were legit”. well now that weve come this far, its hard to believe that there were certain fans that didnt hop off the bandwagon. we were buried in the ground, even rex thought so. i just cant describe this feeling right now. we are going to the super bowl, and if its against the vikings, im guaranteeing a win.
play like jets
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Overall nice post but I agree that it got a bit melodramatic towards the end, last 2 graphs especially.
As much as I hate bandwagon jumpers, I’m a slut for Jets coverage, meaning that anytime I’m in the car or in front of the TV I’m checking sports channels for Jets talk. Most of the time the idiots annoy the hell out of me but at least with us doing so good, it’s nice to hear the praise.
I got into a (brief) on air argument with Michael Kay a few weeks ago when I told him the SOJ is pathetic and was created by the media to have something to chirp about. I also asked him if he’d heard about SOD (same old dolphins), SOB (same old Bills or Browns) etc. He was not happy and naturally, pushed the button and cut me off. I know you can’t win with these guys but if felt good to get him riled up. Now of course (after stating that we’d never beat SD), he’s jumping on the wagon. -
Whats even worse in the Jet fan who is now back on the bandwagon.
Guys like Joe Beningo who kills the Jets at every moment is now the “biggest” Jet supporter ever.
He had Cotchery on before the 1st Indy game and flat out said ….. You guys have no chance to win this game. It then noted that the Jets have killed him for years and this team in the SOJ.
Today he had Cotchery on and was in love with him and this team. And rambling how this teamis special and so on.
Just another reason why I not only hate the bandwagon fan but even worse when they are “Jet” fans
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OMG27 says:
Great post Andrew. I would like to clarify however, that the Jets need success like this to grow their fan base. No one would, or should, choose to support a team who never shows any sign of life. (ie- if you just moved here from Madagascar and had to pick an NFL team to follow, I doubt it’d be the Browns). So it only makes sense that people are showing support for the NY Jets right now, and if our current success continues, their loyalties might just stick. Now that doesn’t make them a fair weather fan anymore than you might be accused of jumping on the bandwagon just because of what Namath did back in ’69. So I say we welcome our fair weather friends and invite them to stay as long as they would like. It gives us the chance to dream about a world where we could go out to a bar in central Jersey and see just as many Jets fans as Giants or Eagles.
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Drew – exactly. These guys are whores, most of the time they are saying what they think will get ratings. It’s more about their personas then any intelligent discussion. I was so happy that it was Simms/Nance who called the last game, one of the few intelligent announcer teams out there. Esiason is also pretty good, so many of the others are just clowns.
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Brendan says:
Screw the doomsday Jets fans. Calling for the team to lose so they can say “I told you so” when they’re right and a “I’m so glad I was wrong!!!!!!” when they lose. Being a real fan doesn’t mean you have to love everything about your team, but you can’t flat out root against them or pine for their downfall. It’s about supporting the team whether they are good or awful.
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My Pet Goat says:
I tell you the type of fan that drives me crazy, it’s Jets fans like my own father (a devoted Francesa listener) who were shocked (shocked!) that the Jets could possibly, somehow, someway beat the San Diego Chargers. My old man has nothing more than a passing interest in the team, yet finds time to repeatedly call me during the first two rounds to ponder how the SOJ were going to squander these games. I love him, but I spent the first half with my phone off last week.
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NYCPARKINGEXPERT: I definitely agree with you on the Jets coverage! Funny thing is I emailed into Sports on the 1 a few weeks back before the Jets played against the Bengals, got blasted for giving a prediction of the JETS winning by more then a touchdown….
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greene says:
there is nothing wrong with people jumping on the wagon when the team is winning.
the problem comes when people JUMP OFF the wagon when the team is losing.
i say, HAIL to the new fans, SMITE the ones that left us prior.
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A. Simmons says:
Great writing, melodramatic, yes. But awesome writing. I’m with you brother.. You might as well just call this ‘the Giants fan from two years ago that now like the color green’
In Rex We Trust!
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Kerry who,
Thanks man, I actually just saw that on NFL.com, but I would love to find the full video if anyone else knows where it is.
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SuperGrover says:
I don’t care at all about anybody rooting for the Jets.My son was born 40 years ago when we won the first SB.I had the pleasure to enjoy the game with him in south Fla this sunday and relished every moment.If we make it to Miami in two weeks,I’ll be taken him and my grandson to their first Superbowl,and when I’m gone he will have the memory of this event with his son,even if it takes another 40 years.My phone is never off to my kid.
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greg sec130 says:
I agree Brendan. As I said to you a few weeks back:
Bash the team, because if they lose, you are ‘right’ and if they win, you are happy to be wrong.
It’s the easy way around being too insecure to take any kind of a leap of faith.
When these people come back to me later I do not get in the way of their happiness — they want a winner as badly as I do, but I do not accept their ‘apology’ for what was actually an emotional hedge.
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jetsfan says:
check out this statistic on the Jets Defense compared to the Ravens in 2000
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Daniel says:
Nobody can spoil this for me. it just isn’t posssible.
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Interesting Stats..Jets defense compared to the 2000 Ravens defense
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JetObsessed28 says:
nice find jetsfan.. very interesting.
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AKA Jack says:
I’ve been a Jets fan since I was old enough to know what the Jets where. My dad had seasons tickets at Shea and every year I got to go to a couple games starting when I was 6. The biggie was on my birthday.
Then the unthinkable happened. My father got transfered to Boston right as I was going into Jr High. It was pure hell being a Jets/Mets/Rangers/Knicks fan in Boston but I never stopped. Not when through all the years of futility, not through all the success the Pats had. My entire family flipped to the Pats and there have been literally years of good natured (and some not so good natured) ribbing on this topic almost always at my expense.
Well my time has arrived. We have the makings of a solid team and organization we can ride for years. Watching this team this year has been pure pleasure and makes up for much of the past few decades and this is why I have remained a fan. I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I love this coach and this team and the direction we are headed. If others want to jump on board now I don’t care. Nothing they do or say is going to change how much I am enjoying this ride.
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That said, I do not mind bandwagon fans when they are innocently just not that interested in following the Jets so much. Maybe they were huge fans that lost interest in sports when they had kids — I’ve seen that a lot. NOw, they are re-living their youth. I can live with that. Some people simply never have time. It’s human nature that fans will come out of the woodwork — them I don’t mind.
It’s the ones that stick around to bash the team at every turn, then try to join the celebration with carefully placed egg on their faces, store-bought olive branches, and imitation half-eaten crow.
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I admit, i like my humor offensive and trashy, but the Dirty Sanchez stuff is annoying at best..
i’m getting a bit tired of the references and the t-shirt links..If i’m alone in that thinking, so be it..
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Ferraro41 says:
Nice article Andrew. Of course, there are still deniers out there. John Clayton basically wrote an article saying yeah the Jets are a surprise, but they’re still lucky and picking the winner in the AFC Championship is easy: the Colts will win.
Side note: is there a creepier looking guy in the world? He looks EXACTLY like Mr. Mackey from South Park….”Jets are bad….mmmkay”
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Jon Clayton reminds me of that “Tales from the Crypt” show that used to be on HBO..
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I have been surprised this week at how many Patriot fans seem to be rooting for the Jets to win. Most of them say now that Mangini is gone, the level of hatred isn’t the same, plus, they just absolutely detest Manning and the Colts.
Just remember, it’s spelled J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!
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You are not alone Obsessed28.
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ganggreen7695 says:
i have been rocking my vinny jersey martin and even neil o donnel ya i said it neal o donnel just to let people know im a die hard that and its hard to miss my right forarm tattooed large i might ad of the JETS logo.
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subwayfare says:
I guess, technically, I’m a bandwagon fan. I jumped on when I was six. In 1969. It just never occurred to me that it was possible to get off. Ever.
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Scouse Jet says:
I’m not a Vet Jet like the vast majority of you guys. I got hooked after going to my, so far only, Jets game at Giant Stadium against KC in December 08 during a family holiday over to NYC from here in Europe.
The team that season was pretty damn weak but as I say I was hooked.I wear my Harris jersey I bought at the stadium game time, and my son would wear his Vilma one too if he could still fit into it. Hoping to get to a preseason game this summer in another trip over.
Members of the Jets Jury I rest my case. I am a newby but not a bandwaggon jumper.
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Jeff says:
Man soo many people have come out of the closet rooting for the Jets recently its ridiculous. Again I am not all to surprised. But I am glad to know I’ve been through the good the bad and of course the UGLY (2005)- in case anyone remembers that – right Bent?
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I love that, even during the season, when the Jets were rolling to make a playoff run and the vaGiants were losing, the ‘G men’ still got top billing.. But now I see “NEW YORK’S TEAM- THE JETS” plastered over cover after cover.. And you’re exactly right, they’re whores.
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Bent says: I can vouch for Jeff…he was here in the lean times!
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StvDoe says:
Bandwagoners are welcome as far as I’m concerned. The more the merrier. Most will leave when times get tough, but a few will become long term fans and that’s how you build your base.
The fans I can’t stand are the nattering nabobs of negativity. (Ya gotta be in your 50′s or older to get that one.)
Hank and Hank Jr. for example, or the aforementioned Benigno. They see themselves as “realists”, but fail to see that that makes them less than fans.
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niko1677 says:
JesusRevis I have tried posting this several times…hope this one comes through
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gr33n says:
Reading the posts, I have to agree. I was a casual fan until I jumped on the wagon in the great 2-5 to division crown comeback season of 2002. I only missed one game since then, up until this season.
(Missed a couple this season, because my life got crazy moving for a job and stuff. A job that interferes with Jets games…definitely almost makes me want to quit.)
I would love to see these wagoners stick, because I’m sick of second-class status in NY. Let them come!
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Bent remember when LT ran through us in 05? Im sure those 24yds we held him in the playoffs were nice. Not to mention the day when Bollinger threw for 300 and we had no idea how he did it. Or how about when Bollinger scrambled, I can still hear the announcers just laughing at how “slow” he scrambled, which was true and funny.
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what i just saw really pissed me off. i was reading an article/blog type of thing on nfl.com, and warren sapp straight up calls the jets one dimensional, saying they have no chance to go into indy. sure indy is fired up because of their undefeated nonsense, but for these analysts to give no chance/credit to the jets week in and week out is utterly ridiculous. this young,maturing team has proven more than anyone couldve asked for, and has exceeded all expectations. do we really need to upset a team each week and win the super bowl to finally get recognition? give me a break
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Doug says:
Great post. As a sincere Jet fan and follower (Do not take my lack of comments for inconsistency. I read every post on this site and am quite dedicated to my team) I have an interesting view of the bandwagoners. My true love for the Jets started 11 years ago, when I was a 10 year old 5th grader watching my family’s Jets make the AFC championship. Despite my family ties to the Jets, I was not a true fun. I bandwagoned then to become an “official” Jet fan, but from then on I have grown up a loyal follower of this amazing/horrible/amazing/horrible franchise.
And I still can’t argue about Schotty because I just don’t know anymore! As soon as I can put faith in the fact that i hate him he has a run of beautiful gameplans. It’s not fair.
OOOH Wallace Wright is my favorite player.
I still love Sam Garnes for returning an INT for a touchdown once.
I remember Tom Tupa starting at QB
I know what team Anthony Becht plays for. (cards)
See? Bandwagoners can turn into future die hards.
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jameson says:
Well done Andrew,
But who cares? I live in Southern California, and I have been attempting to recruit Jets fans for years now. It is no easy task. The fact that green and white is starting to pop up is alright with me.
Buy the swag! Show your pride, er, bandwagon guesses…. It doesn’t bother me none.
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m eazii says:
Hey did any of you guys know that chris berman from nfl blitz is a long time jet fan…tom jackson pointed it out…he always use 2 bash the jets and he seemes very excited and amazed in the show after the chargers loss that our jets made it to the afc championship…I guess that’s another one jumping on the bandwagon but hey they are more than welcomed
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kd bart says:
Yes, I did. Berman’s family has had season tickets with the Jets going back to the Shea days. He’s talked about it on and off over the years.
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I had no idea until this past nfl blitz show…he seemed very overwhelmed by the fact that we are 1 game away from the superbowl, probably how most of us felt at the point…man im so excited, im only 22 and been a jet fan since 10 years old, but now im a die hard fan…seems like I am going to be able to witness a lot of good things happen for this franchise in the next couple years! GO JETSSS!
INDY IS SO SCAREDDD OF US! -
Eddie DiGio says:
StvDoe
Great post. As you can see Hank and Hank Jr are no where to be found. And I say good riddance. There are no two people on this blog that are less deserving of enjoying this teams success as far as I am concerned. They only posted when the Jets were in turmoil, and in my opinion to promote themselves and piss off all the rest of us who knew that this team had it in them to better than .500
Dont worry about Francesca jumping on the bandwagon, we already knocked off his Chargers and the great Phil Rivers, but we are still a joke. If we pull out an upset in Indy this weekend, I wanna hear him spin it or bring up some holding call in the 2nd qrt as the reason we won the game. The guy is such a baby when he doesnt get his way
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Zartan says:
We did the whole banwagon jumper thing last season, and it helped us none!! lets just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I knew the jets would make it this far, now it’s time for them to impress me.
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todd says:
haha, i’ll gladly take the pink hat wearring fans and obnoxious co-workers who have made fun of the jets for years jumping on the bandwagon to get a super bowl win.
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Ben Nevis says:
Andrew Weiss-
It’s not the average fan who said the Jets had no chance this year that I mind.
It’s the professional pundit who picked against the Jets again and again and again, no matter who we were playing, no matter what the match-up.
I don’t expect the average fan to watch film of our games, but I do expect someone who’s getting PAID to comment to watch tape BEFORE he opens his mouth.
For instance, any pundit who said we had absolutely NO CHANCE against the Bengals the SECOND TIME we played them this year (after we CRUSHED them in the last game of the season)–these are the pundits who should receive the greatest ridicule, epecially those pundits who now on the Jets bandwagon.
Such as Benigno and Carlin on SNY.
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Harvlis says:
Let’s face it, there are peripheral fans who go with the flow. There is nothing better than when it’s your team that’s flowing. Now, I get to see lots of green clothing and hats out there. The more, the better. In addition, all of us who have lived and died with the team get our moment in the sun. I’ve got a feeling, with Rex at the helm, we are in for a nice run here. Imagine, next year, when we get Jenkins and Washington back. Something tells me, they are going to be converting alot of younger fans. Jet Nation is growing. It is only a good thing.
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Keep beating your chest guys, you know were this will end.stop being the same old fans.
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^Beating
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Shamik says:
Interestingly Simmons made an interesting point on his podcast: Jets and Pats both used to be sad-sack franchises in the 80s and 90s and only when they stole Belichick away and founded the dynasty did things get acrimonous between the two fanbases, Mangini not helping. Doesnt surprise me that people even Pats fans are jumping on the Cinderella story. C’mon how many of us weren’t rooting for Kurt Warner last year against the Steelers.
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Joe S. says:
Fatcessa is trying to re-write everything he said about the Jets and Jets Fans after the last Colt Game!!!
What a snake Fatcessa is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He says “Jets fans have short memories”.
Not me that Fatcessa is Spining like crazy!
Keep Giving Fatcessa HELL Guys!!!!!!!!!
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Jets = Misery says:
For the record, I read about follow the Jets every day (including the off-season), and I had to go google who they traded for Edwards. I remembered it was a special teamer, but forgot it was Trusnik (along with the two picks).
I wouldn’t be too sad to have Trusnik back at this point actually.
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NickelDogBlitz says:
which reminds me…. where has “reality” Jet fan been the past 4 weeks?
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Andrew Weiss says:
Misery
Trusnik, as I recall, was crushed to leave the Jets. I think he’ll be back unless the Browns tie him up with a salary offer.
He went with Chansi Stuckey, who didn’t really show much as a Brown. I was wrong about him. I thought he would come around.
BTW, have you thought about changing your name should lightning strike one or two more times in 2010?
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My grandmother is a pretty diehard Jets fan. Has been since I’ve been alive at least (25 years). I really doubt she knows who Trusnik is though.
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NickelDog — reality came on after the win and said he was happy to be wrong and tried to join in the celebration. I told him to F off for the reasons I posted above.
http://www.thejetsblog.com/2010/01/17/film-room-three-home-teams-and-the-f-ing-jets/
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JoeDog says:
If you haven’t worn a Jet jersey to a funeral or a wedding, we don’t want you on board now…
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rusty sanchez says:
adam
my first memories of watching the jets is of my father screaming at the tv telling joe walton to pick his nose -
Max says:
Once a team starts to win there will always be band wagon jumpers. So, let them all jump in. But for the true Jet fan who has been through hell and back, no wagon jumper can experience the inner most ecstacy and joy of a Jet playoff win. Period.
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Lex says:
Agree with the consensus…..bandwagon hoppers will come with winning and i will gladly take it and us true gang green will always know who we are from the second we look at each other…..However those bastards who throw this hissy, pity fits about how rooting for Jets has ruined their life and wait for any chance to bash Their own team…..not a player, not a coach, not a play but Their Own Damn Team! To me thats unnacceptable and shows how disloyal and selfish of a prick you really are….I’m looking at you joe Beningo…i cant stand that negative prick and i have been through the fake spike, every choke, the kotite and everything else yet I never gave up hope or almost hoped they would lose to prove some idiotic point about how the team is cursed or that they are cursed as their fan.
as i posted here when jets were 4-6, if you think youre doing any of us or Jets a favor by being their fan you’re sadly mistaken…..idiots like you give us and our team a bad name. I’ll take a causal, light hearted bandwagon jumper than one of these “grizzled vets” who thinks that somehow their ‘suffering’ as a jets fan was worse than mine or any other true fan and instead of rooting for their supposed team they just threw a pity party to anyone who would listen
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Go Saints! Become a fan of facebook page here: Colts Will Lose Super Bowl 2010!
I hate the bandwagon fan, but I gotta admit that its an honor to finally have them.