TJB Classic: 2004 Jets At Steelers Playoffs
Our buddy Drack had a great idea … what if we did posts to look at some of the history of their matchup this week? TJB Classic links the TJB faithful to vault-like footage of games, highlights, etc., of a memorable matchup between the Jets and that week’s opponent.
This week’s installment of TJB Classic takes us back to 2004 (seems longer, doesn’t it?) and the NFL Divisional Playoff Game between the Jets and the Steelers at Heinz Field. In the end, the Jets lost to the Steelers 20-17 in overtime in what has become known as “Doug Brien’s Last Stand”.
In all honesty, I debated whether I should submit this game for a TJB Classic installment. It is memorable for all the wrong reasons and a reminder like this is not what a psychiatrist would prescribe for Jets fans right now. In the end I decided to post it because of a tie that’s binding 2004 and 2010 Jets.
The offensive coordinator for the Jets in 2004 was Paul Hackett. Simply put, most Jets fans couldn’t stand the guy. His opponents in Jetslandistan felt Hackett’s offensive game plans were simplistic, repetitive and lacking in flexibility, particularly when it came to attacking an opposing team’s weaknesses. And then there were the dump-offs to RBs…loads of them in every game.
Does all this sound familiar? FWIW, after the Jets offense failed to score a touchdown in this playoff match against Steelers, Hackett was fired.
This game is packaged in two formats. The first is three-minute highlight reel under the banner of “Great Games in the Ben Rothliesberger Era”. Don’t worry, the commentary is neutral:
If you have more time to spare and like the theater of NFL Films, catch the 46-minute Game of
the Week feature on Hulu. A nice recap once you get through the opening BS. The call of Bob
Wischusen/Marty Lyons is very telling:
A few personal observations:
- The Jets haven’t had a dynamic punt returner since Santana Moss.
- Reggie Tongue?!
- Boy, what bad clock management (a hallmark of the Edwards era) at the end of
regulation. - Doug Brien had a solid year for the Jets. If you watch the Hulu video, you will see that the snap was horrible on his first field goal attempt and he nailed it. The next attempt late in the game that hit the crossbar…he was on target but just short…47 yards on a very cold night is no gimmee. The last one…yeah, that was a miss. And a bad one at that. What a shame.
- More similarities to 2010: The Jets defensive coordinator in 2004 was Donnie Henderson, a former DB coach from the Baltimore Ravens.
- Say what you want about Pennington but when he has been healthy, his teams went to the playoffs.
58 Responses to TJB Classic: 2004 Jets At Steelers Playoffs
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Oh Goody, the first of many “Guess what piece of furniture/electronics Brendan destroyed in a Jets-induced fury” games.
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Tom in Raleigh says:
The first? Boy…here I thought you had been a fan for longer.
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Well, that was my freshman year of college, so I had just gone from a domesticated house pet in my Mom’s home to a wild animal of drunken behavior.
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Reading this, I feel like i just got punched in the gut.. again.. These last few weeks, i’ve been getting used to that happening on Sundays.. Thanks for the psychological abuse a few days early.. haha
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I never understand statements like these. Patrick Ewing is one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, Pennington wasn’t good for five full seasons.
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Well, the fact that he didn’t play five full seasons at all means my statement isn’t far off.
He played 66 regular season games in 6 seasons. That’s 11 games/season.
You’re comparing him to a guy like Ewing, who is one of the best players in the NBA…ever.
And it all depends on what you see as good.
Is 17 TD’s, 16 INT’s and 3350 yards “good” (Chad’s ’06 season)? Because Sanchez is on pace for more TD’s and yards with less INT’s than that.
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Oh, because that’s the only way to measure a player.
I guess Tony Gwynn isn’t a better professional athlete than Chad either.
And people actually defending Chad vs. Ewing is Exhibit A why he is overappreciated.
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Oh no.. the title argument again. Cal Ripken Jr. must be a hack. Dan Marino too… and definitely John Stockton/Karl Malone.. god, they were awful.
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i am not comparing to ewing. i dont care about NBA basketball.
i am just saying that Pennington was a solid QB. he had some good/great years. his bad years were mainly due to injury. i am happy we have sanchez now, that is not the point of my comment.
the wrist injury in ’03 was a fluke. the shoulder injuries in 03 and 05 are why we eventually cut him for favre. i am giving him a pass for 2007, not even Peyton Manning could have been good with Adrien Clarke and Anthony Clement on the line.
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My comment was in regards to the Ewing comparison, which is why I brought him up again. Pennington was a decent player for a few years. He’s not “underappreciated”, if anything he’s overappreciated.
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Pennington was an okay QB. The team never gave him a good receiving threat over the middle.
I can see the comparison in that he was never fully appreciated.
Still Ewing was a MUCH better player than Chad ever was.
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Jet fans need to ask themselves: Have the Jets as an organization moved one inch beyond what they accomplished under Herm? If we go 10-6 this year and win one playoff game? And don’t tell me about where we’re going as a franchise –you could have said that four years ago, eight years ago, twelve years ago…
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+1
And in Rex’s Rookie season none the less.And for Mark Sanchez he was a rookie.Us Jet fans need to stop taking all the Sanchez criticism to heart.It’s the national Media who is always unfairly judging Mark Sanchez in just his second season.And whenever we struggle, we want to start believing ESPN and all that other nonsense is right.They are nothing but opinions and the real games are played on Sundays.Did anyone think the Giants would win the World Series?Did anyone think the Rays would win the world series?Did anyone expect the Cardinals to make it to the Superbowl 2 years ago? NO!!! They were all either never picked from the start and the Experts only go with the Teams that have accomplished something in the last decade.Jets are building something right now despite the struggles and Once we win a Championship we will finally get the respect.Until than we are still irrelevant.
Check this out
Patriots-Had a Dynasty with Brady
Colts-Won a Superbowl with Manning.known as 12+ wins each year.
Ravens-Won Superbowl in 2000.Always established as defensive team with Ray Lewis.
Steelers-Won 2 Superbowl’s with Big Ben.
Giants-2007 Superbowl
Eagles-Vick Factor.Constant Playoff team.
Saints-Superbowl last season.I can go on, but those are a few examples.Until we accomplish something, we will always be knocked by the media.
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But B-, the pressure is on Rex and this team to solidify themselves as a solid year-in; year-out SB contender. Or else we’re left looking at last year’s team as a hockey team that simply got hot in the playoffs — it’s nice, but nothing more. We’ve got 9 wins, that’s great; but we got 9 wins last year and barely made it in, over a wretched field. Nine wins doesn’t make it in this year. Maybe 10 or 11 doesn’t make it in this year. IF we end up as the annual tough team we envision ourselves as being, then last year is preserved as the start of something good rather than a great one-shot.
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That’s a quibble (to be expected, from a team PR person). We lost to the eventual champions in a well-played game. Coming out of that season you might have thought we’d progress. Same old Jets is more depressing than people make it out to be. It doesn’t have to do with epic collapses, as much as being told to be contented with 10-6 and a heroic playoff loss, every three or four years. Then back to square one.
Brendan –can you please answer my question; Do you work, either as an employee to a third party or as an independent contractor, or as a consultant, or n any capacity, for the NY Jets or Woody Johnson, or anyone affiliated with either?
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I’ve answered this question enough lately. Just because I’m not a lemming and jump on board with other people’s views it means I have to be a Jets employee?
No, never have, and probably never will. Get over it.
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We’ve been to 3 AFC Championship games since Namath under Michaels, Parcells & now Rex IN HIS ROOKY SEASON WITH A ROOK QB! & you think this is a repeat of the Herb tenure?
Rex creates overachievers(last 2 games notwithstanding) & Herm underachievers. Sanchez is clearly NOT ready for primetime & Rex is doing a decent job considering we have a below average QB.
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its funny that you get questioned because you support the team that everyone is supposedly a “fan” of
where do these people come from…really?
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I think you are confusing years. The Steelers lost the following week to the Pats, who won the Super Bowl. So they lost to the team, that lost to the team that won the Super Bowl.
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honestly surely what are you talking about…i’m sure you were on the bandwagon when we started out the season great. so now we’ve had some tough games and all is lost? we’ve regressed. you do realize we essentially lucked our way into the playoffs last year with indy not playing their starters and extremely lucky other circumstances and yet we still made it to the afc championship…we are in much better position this year than last. we’ve gone through a little skid but by no means does that diminish our chances. we won 9 games in the entire regular season last year, how exactly are we back to square one? We have a better shot at making the postseason this year than we did this time last year, so why would we not be able to damage once we get there?
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literally had to watch the two brien misses through my fingers, as i tried to cover my eyes but i couldn’t look away…6 years later.
how did that game happen?!
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After this game the organization felt they were a TE and PK away from a championship. They traded their 1st rd pick to Oakland for TE Doug Jolley (wwhhyyyy!) and then drafted PK Mike Nugent (a kicker) in the secound round.
Heath Miller was the TE everyone wanted the Jets to pick. Well at least we get to see him play against the Jets this weekend.
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Ughhhhhhhhhh! That Doug Jolley trade! Good God. ::Banging head into desk::
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Lets not even discuss the drafting of Bryan Thomas (when we had 2 great pass rushers in Abraham & Ellis) over Ed Reed.
Sure we needed a safety, but heck lets draft a backup who will become a starter 4yrs later instead of one of the greatest safeties in the history of the game
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You writers and media do a great job keeping the past alive.sometimes I ask my self who’s worse the media or the team.The other day on loudmouths after cliff lee signed with the phills ,they were saying why are players staying away from ny I have the answer ?the media .the only teams that could win championships are the yankees and giants .and on occasion the mets,as for as the jets they are the only team not to win or been to a championship since 69 .when the jets were winning .The media said the teams they beat are no good .now they loose and they suck .I have the answer leave new York and move to another city .just like the browns when they left Cleveland to Baltimore a couple of years later they won a SB .colts move to Indy. They become a good team and win a SB years later also .Maybe its time for the jets to make a change also since all they here is hate and negativity from the media and some fans.Its a dam shame that our 2 year QB with a winning record has to put up with so much abuse .The kid looks so screwed up Im more worried about his mental health than him being a good QB,No Im not in favor of them leaving NY but when do you say enough is enough,Hopefully the JETS win. the SB I know thats what is going to take, but we as fans and writers ,need to support the team more no matter what.
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The legacy of this game was Terry Bradway completely mis-reading what happened and over-reacting by spending a 2nd round pick on a kicker the following year. I said at the time it may have been the dumbest thing the Jets have done in my lifetime, and it looks no better in hindsight.
It was much easier to find one scapegoat in Doug Brien than to recognize the problems that put the Jets in position to lose that way. I guess it’s a good thing that the organization has moved on from pinning problems on one fall guy instead of looking at the deeper issues. *Cough* Sal Alosi…
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I say this and this only. HERM EDWARDS WAS THE REASIN FOR THAT LOSS TO PITTSBURGH!
Herm went conservative in that game when he had that defense reeling and backpeadling. Thats all on Herm.
Also, Justin McCareins………… Yes Justin Mc “Fryingpans” had one hell of a game against the Steelers. He was destroying them that game and really opened the game up for us. He had 5 rec for 82yds. Now I know eventually he had to go… and I understand the Baltimore game when he dropped an easy pass, but he was giving the Steelers the business that game!
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Thank you. That loss was COMPLETELY on Herm. Of course, the media, led by simpletons like Cimini, took the easy way out and blamed Brien.
At that point the longest field goal ever at Heinz Field was like 47 yards. And Herm was having Chad take a knee to set up a 47-yarder in the cold at night in a playoff game.
Herm should have been fired on the spot.
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Bent says: I always blamed Herm too.
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never mind that we had the league’s leading rusher in Curtis Martin to grind out a couple of yards
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A lot has been made (though not in this post) of how we’ve never won in Pittsburgh. Why the hell does anyone care about a stat like that? When is the last time we played there? Either this 2004 playoff game or maybe the year after (have conveniently deleted most of ’05 from my database, err, brain). It’s not like there’s a curse that spans decades, it depends on the teams each time they play.
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My only point is that for all the hype, here we are, precisely where we started, unless we get that eleventh win. And frankly, twelve years after Parcells, that’s pathetic.
10-6 this year, one playoff win, shows zero meaningful progress over twelve years. Zero.
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Why can’t we all have your sunny outlook on the Jets?
You don’t consider a rookie Head Coach with a rookie QB getting to within 15 minutes of the Super Bowl “progress”?
Or the fact that they are very likely to improve their record from that first season to the second?
Or that the team is young in the right areas and will continue to improve with more experience?
Damn it all, I’m switching teams, how much for a Skelton/Hall/Anderson jersey?
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Bent says:
Since this is TJB Classic, it would be remiss of me not to provide you to the two gems that this game spawned on TJB itself.
Two of the best early TJB posts (EVER!) from –
And…
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Wow…all of those comments and I am the first to say “Fire Schotty”.
I never did like Herm. He had little heart and almost always looked confused on the sideline.
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i cried after this game. I ran out in a field and started screaming at the top of my lungs. I was in 7th grade and i went to a school full of steeler fans in south central PA in a blue collar town. My heart was completely crushed……and now theyre doing it to me again.
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Herm was a terrible coach, but we’re under no obligation to drink Rex’s Kool Aid. Is he even an average NFL in-game coach at this point? I don’t think so. Brendan, you’re not taking my point. After every single one of our recent “good” years (Parcells, Pennington’s break-out, Mangenius, Favre at 8-3) we had exactly the same outlook we have now. Things have turned around, we’re getting better, give us a year or two. That is by definition zero progress. Would you agree that if we win no more than ten games in the next three seasons, we’ve stalled out where we always do? Seriously: What is the metric for this season by which it’s a success or failure? If you;re telling me 11-5 and one playoff win, I’m telling you that’s not what the organization was selling us going in and is absolutely Same Old Jets.
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I understand your point perfectly, I think it’s a hard one to make. You can’t compare situations like those to this situation, different players, different coaches, different regime. Apples and Watermelons, if you ask me.
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I’m beating a dead horse but at the end of the day you have a.) what you’ve done to this point (wins/losses) and hope. My point is, here we are again, the exact same place: ten wins, and hope. Period.
Look at New Orleans –they made a definite transition to league elite under Payton. We have nowhere near made the transition to league elite –i.e., a team that might win it, year in and year out, over a period of three to five years. Maybe next year –again.
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Look at Nawlins’…they went 7-9 and 8-8 before their 13-3 Super Bowl run last year. So we’re halfway through that progression and well ahead of that curve.
The Saints were never a Super Bowl contender until last year. They had the 10-6 record in Payton’s first year, lost to the Bears in the snow in the playoffs, came back and struggled the next two years.
Hm, early success, trouble getting over the hump, talented roster with inexperience at the Head Coaching position. Sounds a lot like these Jets you say haven’t made any progress.
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Didn’t it take them 4 years total and 3 years after losing the championship game their first year to win it all?
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Whhy dont we go to a 3-5 defense again this week shut down wallace and ward with revis and cromartie dont let them run and jam heath miller at the line so our “safety’s” dont have to cover him too much.
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One of the few games I openly wept after. Those are the games that make us as paranoid and negative as we are today.
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Me as well, usually can hold my emotions in pretty good, but not this one, that game was the worst loss for me personally I have ever watched the Jets go through, worse than ’98 for me.
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Don’t know if everyone saw this already but (per Manish) Digs practiced today and looked pretty good. Pryce was back on the practice field, too. We need all hands on deck for Sunday, so this is a good development.
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Someone has to bring facts to an emotional story. Doug Brien ranks 10th all-time in NFL field goal accuracy, with a success rate of 80.9% and he scored 105 points in each of his 2 Jet seasons. His first miss against the Steelers hit the crossbar, from 46 yards away. I’d take 81% this year. Yes Jet fans are disappointed with him, however he had an NFL career I would die for.
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Bent says:
I don’t blame Brien at all. I actually liked him better than Hall and Feely.
I blame Herm.
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I locked myself in my room after this game for thirty minutes saying “It’s not fair!” over and over and over again. Thanks for bringing back some great memories and inspiring LOADS of confidence!