New York Jets: How the Disappointing 2012 Season Was Triggered Years Ago

"We always talk about here how you need to have talent and character. You can't have one without the other. I think we have good players and good people." 

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told that to The Star Ledger in December of 2008. A month after that statement the Jets named Rex Ryan head coach.

Three seasons later the Jets find themselves faced with having to endure the worst possible Super Bowl matchup, their in-town rivals the Giants, and their arch-enemies the New England Patriots—a no-win scenario.  

It's an organization and fan-base at a crossroads. For the first time under Ryan people are doubting whether or not the "Ryan Way" is the proper course of action. Even Rex Ryan has recently doubted whether or not his actions have put unnecessary pressure on his players.

Since Ryan’s arrival the Jets have made a habit of acquiring “questionable” characters. The exact reasons for doing so are unclear, but it’s probably along the lines of once these players are introduced to the “Ryan Way,” they’ll fall under the spell of their outspoken coach’s bravado, and once embracing that swagger, they’ll become successful. 

It’s similar to how the Oakland Raiders won while coached by John Madden. A bunch of unwanted individuals, castoffs coming together and winning to the chagrin of the rest of the league.  

That’s fine, until the winning stalls, and what’s left is a locker room consisting of several individuals with dubious personalities, and in the case of this season, that stalling soon turned into ceasing.

Since Ryan’s arrival the Jets—under Tannenbaum’s direction—have signed or traded for the following “low character” players:

Braylon Edwards: Assault in 2009; DWI in 2010.

Antonio Cromartie: Florida State University Academic Scandal in 2009; late child support payments for seven kids in five different states in 2010 (needed a $500,000 front from the Jets to pay).

Santonio Holmes: Admitted drug dealer as a teenager; assault in 2006; possession of marijuana in 2008.

Plaxico Burress: Domestic disturbances in 2008; accidental shooting in 2008 (spent nearly two years in jail); civil lawsuits in 2008 and 2009.

Clearly these acquisitions contradict the statement Tannenbaum made in 2008. In fact, the organization has made a habit of conflicting and dubious decision making in recent years.

Prior to Rex Ryan’s hiring, the Jets made it clear that whatever head coach they did hire would have to be only that, just a coach and nothing more. In regards to the new coach having no say in personnel decisions, owner Woody Johnson told The Star Ledger, “There’s no way you can do (both).” Until Bill Cowher became linked to the position, that is.

According to ESPN, the Jets were then willing to let Cowher replace GM Mike Tannenbaum with a candidate of his choosing. Before that, though, Tannenbaum said he would be willing to adjust his position to accommodate Cowher.  Ultimately, Cowher passed on the job and Ryan was hired, ushering in an era where there seems to be few principles.

Perhaps they chose Ryan because they wanted to stray as far away as possible from Eric Mangini and his character-first philosophy, in which case Ryan was the ideal candidate. In no situation was this more apparent than in the September 27, 2010, game against the Miami Dolphins.  

Less than a week before the team was to play the Dolphins, star receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested for a DWI, after his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit at .16. To make matters worse, current teammates at the time, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Vernon Gholston, were both passengers in the SUV. 

Now after putting himself and his teammates in serious danger, the Jets organization determined that only a first quarter benching was enough discipline. To put things into context, later that season the Patriots benched Wes Welker in their playoff meeting with the Jets because he poked fun at Rex Ryan’s foot fetish video at a meeting with reporters, though never directly mentioning Ryan. 

So with the season coming to an end, is it really a surprise where the two teams find themselves based on how each organization operates?

Only weeks before the Edwards incident several Jets players and coaches, including Ryan, were criticized for “harassing” reporter Ines Sainz at practice, and the next time the Jets faced the Dolphins the infamous Sal Alosi trip occurred.

Currently making headway for the Jets was their recent public support for former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and their starting quarterback (for now) Mark Sanchez. After Ryan and Tannenbaum both publicly stated that Schottenheimer would indeed return next season, the coach now finds himself in St. Louis after telling the Jets he was resigning.  

That’s interesting, however, considering it’s not likely he would’ve just walked away from the $3.2 million that was owed to him, leading some to speculate that an agreement was worked out with the team so the coach would walk away amicably.  

And finally that brings us to Mark Sanchez. When asked about Sanchez, Woody Johnson said, “We think he’s our guy. We’re blessed that we have a guy that we feel can climb the ladder, and he can do everything.” But when asked if Sanchez would definitely be the team’s starting quarterback next season, Johnson replied, “There’s no such thing as 100 percent. Barring whatever, yes.”  

Presumably the "whatever" he was referring to was the possibility of adding Peyton Manning, and with it yet another shallow message from the organization to its players and fan base. Once again starting to sour on their personnel, can anyone truly believe what this franchise says? 

The Jets seem to be an organization without an identity, completely lost as to what kind of a team it consistently wants to be. They tried to be the Patriots under Eric Mangini, and when they started hating “Mangenious” as much as Bill Belichick, they tried the polar opposite in Rex Ryan. 

Even under Ryan, numerous times they expressed their desire to be a ground-and-pound team, yet Schottenheimer implemented an offense primarily focused on throwing the ball.

Right now the organization can be only described as distrustful, and it all starts at the top. The front office is just as much at fault for the season as the players are. In fact, the only people responsible for the players are those in charge and their apparent willingness to accept talent over character. 

Until the people in charge hold themselves accountable for their actions and rethink their decision making, there will be no reason or example set for the players to do the same.