Soarin' to New Heights

After a short hurricane induced delay of the annual Jets-Giants preseason matchup, New York will be thrown into a frenzy tomorrow evening as the Big Blue takes on Gang Green. The Giants are one of the oldest teams in the league whereas the Jets were first members of the AFL but entered the NFL in the sixties. Like the Mets-Yankees rivalry, the Jets have always been deemed as the clumsy little brother when the Giants, like the Yankees, have always been successful or just straight out better. But one blustery New York morning, the tides began to change. Just a year after the Giants had successfully launched their unforgettable Super Bowl victory against the Patriots, the Giants were already on the decline while the Jets were on the rise. Rex was first as Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum hoped he could reverse the 40 year old hex. Then came the franchise quarterback or, "The Sanchise," followed by the doberman of all linebackers, Bart "Can't Wait" Scott to lead the defense. During the 2010 campaign, the Jets picked up the so called troubled but immensely talented Browns receiver, Braylon Edwards. Despite coming up big for the Gang Green, Edwards also dropped crucial passes while making numerous head scratching mental mistakes. After Ryan counted out the team he said would be Super Bowl champs, the Jets went on a terrific run in late December into January as they won many big games including Indianapolis, Cincinnati twice, and San Diego. When the Jets came rolling into Lukoil Stadium for the AFC Championship Game, they were flying high but had crash landing as Peyton and CO. celebrated there first Conference championship post- Dungy. Over the next few months,the Jets restocked on what they were missing. But of course with additions come subtractions as key players such as Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca departed. That summer the Jets basically took all three key additions off of the other teams' hands. Immediately adding the washed out LaDanian Tomlinson and Everyone's Favorite Father Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers and once Super Bowl hero but always convicted Pittsburgh receiver, Santonio Holmes. Once again the Jets got the wild card spot in the playoffs after letting a stellar year slip away. In their first game, the Jets retaliated against the Colts beating them on a rare Nick Folk field goal. Next week they took on the Pats and for the first time in what seemed like ages they beat the hated Patriots on the road. Once again, the Jets hot streak ended in the AFC Championship Game as the Pittsburgh Steelers were victorious. After the lockout the Jets lost key players such as Brad Smith, Shaun Ellis, Braylon Edwards, and James Ihedigibo. But they signed Plaxico Burress who should help them out in the red zone where they have always struggled. I see a lot of good things coming the Jets's way as they have continued to overcome adversity.