Does This Jets Team Have Any Fight?

Oct 28, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (left) shakes hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (center) and 11-year old Dante Cano before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

As we look back on the first half of the 2012 season, a lot of questions arise. Certainly there are the questions about certain players, such as the quarterback, and the running game. Not to mention the underperforming defense. We can get to all of that. But there is another question that has begun to arise, and that question is, “Does this Jets team have any fight?” You want to know the troubling part? It’s a valid question, and you have to question Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez’s leadership as to why it’s a valid question.

The Jets do sometimes show some fight. Heck, they came back against the Patriots, and probably should have won that football game. You have to give the team credit for it, they showed a ton of heart that day. They fought and they clawed, and nearly beat their arch enemy. But, we know they are going to be up for that game. There is a ton of media hype behind it. Rex Ryan talks it up as the biggest two games of the season. Yes, it may be huge, but there are 16 games. The problem with Rex is that he talks those games up like they are the Super Bowl. They aren’t the Super Bowl, they are two out of 16 games.

Opposing players have accused the Jets twice of quitting. When there is smoke, there is fire, as they say. They were shut out by the 49ers, and only put up 9 points against the Miami Dolphins. Coincidentally, those are the two games that they were accused of quitting in. I don’t think it is so much a coicidence. It’s actually pretty accurate, if you look at how they performed in those two games. You see any fight in the team? I sure didn’t. And Rex looked defeated, beaten down, after both games. That’s scary, because he didn’t have any clue as to the answers.

You all know that I am a fan of Mark Sanchez, but he can not be held blameless either. People get on him about his demeanor during press conferences, and I understand that. My concern is his demeanor in-game. Look at how he handles himself during the game when things are not going well. He hangs his head. This is NOT leading your football team. Ever see Peyton Manning hanging his head after a poor drive? Heck, no. He was barking out instructions to his team on Monday night, after they scored a touchdown! Ever see Tom Brady hang his head in game? Not really. He knows how to lead. Mark Sanchez has the talent in him, he needs to show the leadership skills now.

If Rex and Mark don’t step up and lead, the Jets will have a long second half. Why? Because they won’t have any fight. Except maybe against New England.