New York Jets: The New "Bad Boys" of the NFL?

To say the least, it's been a crazy week for the New York Jets.

Since winning their season opener against the Houston Texans 24-7, they've been fined for violating the league's injury policy (failing to list Brett Favre on injury reports last year), suggested that they would "embarrass" the New England Patriots in their home opener, and proceeded to beat them 16-9.

Now, the San Francisco 49ers are accusing the Jets of tampering with unsigned draft pick Michael Crabtree.

It's just the latest chapter in the sorry Crabtree saga, but it's also another negative against the Jets.

It's also contributing to the new brash, antagonistic image for the Jets.

After the failure of the Favre/Eric Mangini era, the team brought in Rex Ryan and drafted USC quarterback Mark Sanchez (which brought a rare cheer from the draft crowd in New York City) in an attempt to turn around the team.

So far it's working, as the team is 2-0.

But the Jets have also rubbed a lot of people the wrong way this past week.

Though neglecting to mention Favre's injury was mostly the fault of Favre and Mangini, it was inexcusable under the league's injury policy.

Even teams that prefer vague injury reports (such as the Patriots) at least keep them complete.

We have no evidence yet that the 49ers' accusation is grounded in fact, but if it is, the team is taking a step towards becoming the NFL's most hated franchise.

While the Jets may not have an identifiable owner like Jerry Jones or Al Davis to whom such actions may be attributed, management will catch plenty of criticism nonetheless.

But as long as the team continues to play as well as it has, and Sanchez continues to play like this year's Matt Ryan, Jets fans ought to stay excited.

Coach Ryan may very well be ushering in a new era for the green and white. Regardless of the problems the public relations department might encounter, everything ultimately comes down to the product on the football field, and barring a collapse on par with last year, the Jets will be a playoff team in 2009.