B/R:Jets Community Leaders End of Season Roundtable Discussion

Following the end of another disappointing New York Jets season, the community leaders for the Jets, decided to get together via email and discuss the good times and bad times that made this season what it was.

1.What were your feelings going into the last game against the Dolphins knowing the Patriots had already won their game?

Angel: I already knew the Jets' playoffs hopes were slim. It would've been nice to see Buffalo pretend to be a football team on Sunday, but I didn't expect to see it happen.

Once it was official that the Pats would win, all I really wanted was for the Jets to look competitive. All of the extra storylines don't matter. I wanted to see a win.

Jonathan: That the Ravens better lose, and that we better take care of business.

Sergei: I was hoping for a miracle out of the Jags and that the Dolphins weren't as good as their record said they were.

2. Overall, how would you compare this season to last year?

Angel: This season was more disappointing than last year. When your team is terrible from the onset, you learn to deal with the problems.

It sucked because in 2007 the Jets were inexplicably bad. It was supposed to be an improved team from 2006's playoff campaign! But this year? The 2008 season effectively tore our hearts to shreds.

It battered our egos, made us question our intelligence for supporting this team, and left us with our heads hanging in shame.

Jonathan:This year was worse, getting Favre and still going 9-7 was painful. 

Sergei: Any time you spend a lot of money and bring in a QB with the caliber of Brett Favre you cant help but have high standards. We all knew they would eclipse their win total from 2007 but wanted so much more. Disappointment is an understatement.

3. When did you think the wheels started coming off the wagon?

Angel: If I'm being honest—when we squeaked past the Kansas City Chiefs. Any other team, that game is a loss. Sure, the next game was the destruction of the Rams, and then the two-game stretch came that made everyone believe the Jets were contenders..

But if you look at that Chiefs game and how Tyler Thigpen dissected this team—how the Jets stuck with letting Favre throw the ball despite Leon Washington having 67 yards on three carries—you will see the tale of the 2008 season.

Jonathan: The 49ers loss. 

Sergei: The loss to Denver takes the cake. After such strong performances against the Pats and Titans the team looked beyond lost on the field. The misery was felt both on the sidelines and in the stands.

4. What was the best moment this year?

Angel: Stomping the Titans. I know my answer is supposed to be beating the Patriots, but it's not. Watching the Jets stomp the Titans, end their undefeated streak, and do it convincingly made me feel really good about this team.

Jonathan: Shaun Ellis saving our season (at least for a little bit) against Buffalo. 

Sergei: The win at New England. Having blown the lead but still managing to earn the W was incredible. I don't care if i had four heart attacks while watching.

5. What was the worst moment this year?

Angel: Losing to the San Francisco 49ers. It's not because the Niners are a terrible team. It's more because we went out there looking like a team with no business being a contender.

We played 49ers football. It looked like we weren't even on the field. Nothing we did worked, and everything they did made us look foolish.

Jonathan: Favre getting booed at the end of the Dolphins game on Sunday. 

Sergei: The loss to Seattle kind of told you how this season would end not to mention how painful it was to watch.

6. Does Brett Favre come back next year? why? If not what options will we have with the QB position?

Angel: I hope not. It was fun, Brett. It was pretty exciting. But it's time to get back to football. I don't want to see the Jets making a bid for PSL's and merchandise.

I want to see a contender on the field. And then the rest will come. Favre apologists can say all they want for the old man. He's great, and will be in the Hall of Fame. But he's not the up for the job in New York.

Personally, I like Brett Ratliff a lot. He's poised, has a great arm, and looks like he could be the QB of the future. If the Jets weren't so afraid of politics, they would have admitted that Ratliff outplayed both Clemens and Pennington throughout training camp last year.

I don't want to see the Jets make a move for Matt Cassel.

Jonathan: Yes, he won't go out getting booed, and without Mangini around, he will try to see if he can play well next year. 

Sergei: I hope so. Despite what the media says I feel he can still compete for at least another year. If the Jets choose to bypass Clemens and go to Ratliff they can keep those J-E-T-S Brett Brett Brett billboards plastered around the tri-state area.

7. Are there any players the Jets should attempt to make moves for in the off-season?

Angel:  Braylon Edwards. The word is that Cleveland is very unhappy with him—the city and the team. He'll come here, instantly make the WRs better, and be a needed offensive spark.

Coles is on the wrong side of 30, and he and Cotchery are both the same kind of receiver. Adding Braylon Edwards would bring a new dynamic to the Jets' offense.

Jonathan: Anquan Boldin.  If we can get him, Favre may want to come back even more. 

Sergei: T.J. Houshmandzadeh. While probably unrealistic just imagine how much better this receiving unit would be with him.

8. Who is your offensive, defensive, special teams, and overall MVP for 2008?

Angel: Offensive MVP: Thomas Jones and Nick Mangold, Defensive MVP: Kris Jenkins and Darrelle Revis,  Special Teams MVP: Leon Washington and Wallace Wright, and Overall MVP: Thomas Jones and Kris Jenkins

Jonathan: Offense: Thomas Jones, Defense: Calvin Pace, Special Teams: Leon Washington, MVP: Brett Favre (he had the team in it till the end, even while probably hurt)

Sergei: Offensive MVP: Thomas Jones, Defensive MVP: Darrelle Revis, Special Teams MVP: Leon Washington, Overall MVP: Thomas Jones and Brett Favre

9. Do you have any words of encouragement for dejected gang green faithful?

Angel: Man up! Stop the whining, stop the crying. I don't care how many years of misery you've been through. This is your organization, and these are your Jets.

Stop being so disgraceful. It's bad enough you guys sell your tickets to Dolphins' fans for home games. You're going to deny the team you've given your loyalty to all these years?

Take a lesson from Raiders' fans, ladies.

Jonathan: Mangini has been fired, Favre may come back because of this, and we have a chance at Cowher.  Hang in there. 

Sergei: If you aren't used to heartbreak by now with this team you must be a newbie. It could be a lot worse. Just look at the Lions.

We would also like to thank all the New York Jets B/R writers who have made this team page amongst the most recognizable over the course of the season.