New York Mets vs. New York Jets: Who's Better?

The New York Mets and New York Jets have at least two things in common.

The two are the "second-place team" when it comes to fans and championships in the New York City and surrounding areas, and they are both teams that could have made the playoffs if they didn't collapse in the last weeks of their seasons.

But there are lots of things they don't have in common.

Let's go through the teams' talent and performance last year to see whose better.

Leadership: David Wright vs. Brett Favre

Jets: In football, the quarterback is usually the leader, and that was no different for the Jets. Brett was a great QB during the first 11 weeks of the season, but he went downhill after that, bringing the Jets' playoff hopes with him.

Mets: The Mets are a team with lots of leaders such as Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. However, the Mets primary one is David Wright. Wright was not much of a leader last year, but it look like the 26-year-old is growing into the guy the Mets want.

Winner: Mets

Head Coach/Manager: Rex Ryan vs. Jerry Manuel

Jets: Ryan will make his Jets coaching debut next season. The Baltimore Ravens defense never ranked lower than sixth during Ryan’s time with the team.

And since 1999, the Ravens rank first in the following:

Fewest points allowed; Fewest rushing yards allowed per game; Most shutouts; Most takeaways; Most interceptions; Most interceptions returned for touchdowns; Third down conversion defense.

If that is not good work, then I don't know what is.

Mets: Let's look at Jerry Manuel's past.

He led the White Sox to an American League-best 95-67 in 2000. That was a 20-win improvement from the previous year. Manuel took home AL Manager of the Year honors as well. 

In 1997, he was the bench coach for manager Jim Leyland as the Florida Marlins won their first World Series title.

Winner: Tie

Speed: Thomas Jones vs. Jose Reyes

Jets: Jones' stats speak for themself. The nine-year pro has plenty of speed. Last season, Jones racked up 1,312 rushing yards and rushed for 13 touchdowns.

Mets: Jose Reyes is the fastest guy in baseball. Reyes' 2008 MLB season was a slow one by his standards, as he stole 56 bases—in 2007 he had 78.

Winner: Mets

So after all the fuss, we now see the Mets are better than the Jets, even though it may look closer on the outside.

The Jets may need more help than the Mets, but the Amazins are not ready to win a championship.

I think they are one Ben Sheets or Oliver Perez away.

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