Lichtenstein: It's A New Season And All Is Positive With The Jets ... For Now
By Steve Lichtenstein
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This season, I am saying "No!" to negativity when it comes to the Jets.
For those of you who have perused this forum, I tend to lean on sarcasm when the Jets are the topic. So much so that many fail to grasp that I have been a diehard fan my entire life.
Unfortunately, even during their not-so-bad seasons, the Jets' uncanny inability to break through to glorious heights for the first time since 1969 has hardened my soul. I overcompensate by ranting about their deficiencies in advance in the hope that it will lessen the depression later.
I've become one of those weathermen who predict every raindrop will lead to the storm of the century.
But what has 45 years of diminished expectations gotten me anyway? Go ask my wife and kids. Despite all my preparation for Gang Green's inevitable failures, I am no less miserable watching them play.
The rest of those days are ruined. After particularly excruciating defeats, that mood often carries over to and through Mondays.
My emotional hedges haven't been working. I always take the Jets' opponent against the spread in pools. Of course, I would eagerly give up any winnings if I had the power to reverse the final score.
So as the Jets open training camp on Wednesday in Florham Park, it is past time for me to change my outlook as to what I want from my fandom.
Starting now, no more doom and gloom.
I can't be concerned with the past. The air of negativity hangs over MetLife Stadium like a black cloud. It can't be quantified, but I'd bet that it has had some effect on the team's performance.
There has to be silver linings, even for a team coming off a 4-12 disaster.
The offseason house cleaning helped. New general manager Mike Maccagnan and new coach Todd Bowles are off to promising starts.
OK, so they have the same quarterback.
But here's the big picture: Even if Geno Smith continues to suck the life out of the franchise with ungodly turnovers (41 in 30 games), there is an alternative this season.
While Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't taking any team to the promised land, he has been a serviceable signal-caller during his 11 seasons. Jets fans would kill for the 17-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio Fitzpatrick posted last season for Houston before he fractured his leg in December.
The hope in camp is that new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey works his magic on Smith to develop him into a somewhat competent QB, like Gailey did with Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh.
If not, there is no longer an outside agenda preventing Bowles from removing Smith in favor of Fitzpatrick.
It's not unreasonable to believe Smith will take a few steps forward this season, especially if his weapons remain relatively healthy. Veteran Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker should form a solid pairing out wide, while Jeremy Kerley has the potential to be a very good slot receiver.
More exciting will be watching whether second-round draft pick Devin Smith can raise his game to the next level and make an immediate impact with his speed. Not since Santana Moss was jettisoned in 2004 have the Jets had such a deep threat.
The upgrade at the receiver position pales in comparison to how the Jets overhauled their secondary. Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie returned as free agents to lock down their respective sides of the field. Buster Skrine, another free agent, has a lot to prove covering the slot following a penalty filled season in Cleveland, but he's got to be better than Kyle Wilson.
He's got to be.
And that's the attitude I'm taking into the 2015 season. I am positive it will be better than it was.
So what if star defensive end Sheldon Richardson will be out for the first four weeks due to his suspension? What a wonderful opportunity for No. 6 overall draft pick Leonard Williams to be thrown into the fire right out of the gate.
It will also help make the Jets decision on Muhammad Wilkerson easier. Wilkerson's unhappiness over his contract situation (he is due $6.97 in this his last season of his rookie deal) portended to be a huge distraction this camp.
But Wilkerson showed up, making the competition along the defensive front more interesting as the season progresses. Wilkerson has every incentive to show he belongs in the top rung of the defensive line pay scale.
The old me would have fretted about relying so much on an unproven 21-year-old rookie. As well as Maccagnan's over-the-hill gang of free agent signings. And Smith in general.
Not this season.
I'm not going negative.
Check back with me if the Jets fall to beat Cleveland in Week 1.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Jets and the NHL, follow Steve on Twitter @SteveLichtenst1
