Eight Reasons the New York Jets Won't Win the Super Bowl

Rex Ryan became the first coach to sign anything but his name on the side of Adam Schefter's training camp tour bus, signing the Jets logo "Soon to be Champs".

There are a few reasons to buy the Jets as Super Bowl contenders. They made a deep run into the playoffs last year, and have made several roster moves to add firepower where they lacked it last season.

But there are also many reasons not to buy into the hype.

Not too long ago, I was one of those who believed that the Jets' offseason acquisitions gave them a good shot at the Super Bowl. The more I think about it, though, the less convinced I become.

Undoubtedly, I'll catch a lot of flack for perceived "homerism" in downgrading the Jets. The only problem is, I still wouldn't be buying the Jets as Super Bowl Champions even as a fan of another team. Here's why:

1. Other Elite AFC Teams

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts signals under center against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In case some on the Jets bandwagon have forgotten, there are still other elite AFC teams that the Jets will probably have to face in the playoffs on their way to the Super Bowl.

Among those teams? The Colts, the Chargers, and the Ravens.

The Colts may have gift-wrapped a ticket to the playoffs for the Jets in Week 16, but none of these teams will roll over and let the Jets beat them in the playoffs.

2. They Still Have to Surpass New England

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick in fourth quarter against the New York Jets on November 22, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Jets 31-14

The Patriots dominated the AFC East for most of the decade. As much as Jets fans may hate to admit it, one 10-6 season and an early exit from the playoffs doesn't mean the end of the run for the Patriots.

I don't have to tell you how much Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots hate the Jets.

You can't beat a team in the offseason; you have to do it on the field. The Jets will have to wrestle the AFC East title from the Patriots cold, dead hands.

3. Continuity

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INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 27: Thomas Jones #20 of the New York Jets runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Peyton Manning and many of the Colts starters were

The Jets made a name for themselves as a rushing offense last year behind Thomas Jones' 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. Not only that, but they also released offensive guard Alan Faneca.

In doing so, they have put the identity of their offense into question. Are the Jets going to run the ball behind Shonn Greene, or will they air it out to their new toys at receiver with unproven sophomore Mark Sanchez at the helm?

4. Leadership

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Rex Ryan, head coach of the New York Jets, throws a pass during warm-ups before playing against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo

Who are the leaders of this team?

Is anyone to believe that Mark Sanchez led the team to the playoffs? Does anyone really think he can contain the egos of those around him?

One could make the case for Rex Ryan, but he can't lead the team on his own, especially with so much diva power on the team...

Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca were guys that the team rallied behind when they were seemingly down and out of the playoff race, and both have been shipped away.

5. Egos

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets against the New England Patriots at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Bringing on so many new faces may have also created a caveat for a potentially cataclysmic chemistry experiment.

Braylon Edwards is joining the ranks of Terrell Owens as receivers who run their mouths almost as often as they drop the ball.

Santonio Holmes is suspended for four games for his off-field issues, and has his own ego problems as well.

Antonio Cromartie's ego got in the way of him playing run defense in San Diego.

Darrelle Revis' ego is getting in the way of him practicing, and he could even hold out through Week 1.

Most importantly, although Rex Ryan's ego doesn't single himself out, it does single out his team. He has put them on the spot for a run at the Super Bowl, and anything less will be unsatisfactory. Which brings me to my next point...

6. New York Media

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FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: Rex Ryan addresses the media during a press conference announcing Ryan as the new Head Coach of the New York Jets at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on January 21, 2009 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy M

Rex Ryan has asked for it, and the New York media has hyped the Jets to the point of no return. It's Super Bowl or nothing.

There's simply no other way for the Jets to live up to expectations, because that's where the bar has been set by both Ryan and the media.

What Ryan doesn't realize is that the New York media is like a shark, and as soon as they smell blood, they'll attack. Does anyone think this won't become a distraction?

7. Does Anyone Remember the '08 Cowboys?

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 28: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after playing the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 44-6. (Photo by Jim M

They were a team, much like the Jets, that carried immense Super Bowl expectations after falling short in the playoffs the year before.

They were a team, much like the Jets, that had an awful lot of big-time star power, and egos to match.

They were a team, much like the Jets, that was anointed before ever stepping onto the field. Once they got to the field, they couldn't put it together.

They finished 9-7 and were blown out 44-7 to the Eagles that ended all hopes of a playoff bid.

The two teams are not the same, but the Jets play in a division that's just as competitive as the NFC East was that year, with three teams making their claim to a run at the division title.

8. Mark Sanchez Is a Choke Hazard

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets reacts in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated th

As mentioned earlier, the Jets made the dubious decision to trade away their leading rusher that helped them claim the league-leading rushing offense last year. With that, they displayed a lot of confidence in sophomore Shonn Greene. But they also put a lot of pressure on Mark Sanchez to do more on his own.

The only problem is, he's not ready yet.

I don't need to remind anyone that Sanchez threw three picks against New Orleans and Atlanta, four picks against the Patriots, and five to the lowly Bills (who, in Sanchez's defense, had a good pass defense last year).

More telling, perhaps, is this stat line: in the seven games where Sanchez threw more than 27 times, he only had more touchdowns than interceptions twice. One of those came against the 29th-ranked Titans in the third game of their 0-6 start.

The Jets hit the refresh button on their running game, and if they can't get the ball moving on the ground, it may not be pretty.

But Only Time Will Tell...

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 03: Rex Ryan, Head Coach of the New York Jets, has Gatorade dumped on him by players at the end of the fourth quarter in celebration of their 37-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Giants Stadium on January 3, 2010 in E

Believe it or not, I've been wrong before. Plenty of times.

These are just my opinions, although some are based on fact. That being said, share yours with me and why you think the Jets can or can't make a run at the Super Bowl.

Thanks for reading!