Jets Hit the Second Half at a Crossroads of the Rex Ryan Era

October 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan reacts during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

The Jets are 3-5. Here is where the Rex Ryan era stands. The first 2 years were trips to the AFC Championship game, followed by a year of 8-8, where the team became unglued. Coach Ryan lost the locker room, and vowed to not have the same thing happen in 2012. Well, here we are. The team is 3-5. Rex says the team is closer than it was in the past, but that is the record, and like Bill Parcells says, “You are what your record says you are”. So the Jets are a 3-5 team, and you want to know what else they are? They are at a major crossroads of the Rex Ryan era.

Though they are 3-5, the Jets second half schedule is one of the easiest in the NFL, 6th easiest to be exact. The schedule ahead includes games against the Seahawks, the Rams, the Cardinals and the Bills again. The Jets are going to have to win a lot of games in the second half, as any less than 6 wins is likely to keep them out of the playoffs. But, with a weak schedule it can be done. That said, it’s going to take a lot of fight from the New York Jets. This next eight games will be a true test as to the character of this football team.

But, character is something that has been called into question on a couple of occasions during the first half of the season. The Jets have had two very bad losses, to the 49ers and the Dolphins, which is very un-Rex like to happen within an eight game stretch. That certainly causes eyebrows to raise in its own right. But, taking that one step further, opponents accused the Jets of quitting in both of those games, which cannot be tolerated. Once can be ignored, but to hear the accusation twice means there is fire to that smoke. When a team can be beaten into quitting, that points directly to a lack of character with said team. Not acceptable.

Oct 28, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) calls out a play against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Dolphins won 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

So here we sit. The Jets have eight games to prove the character they have. Will they fold, or will they be up to the challenge? We will find out. It starts at the top, with Rex Ryan having them ready to fight each week, and it trickles to the quarterback, Mark Sanchez. Mark has not played well of late. Whatever the reason, he has been maddeningly inconsistent, driving all of Jets Nation nuts. If I am correct, that Rex Ryan will not make the move to Tim Tebow, Mark has to be better. Despite the lack of support, he has to play better. He has to raise his game, and get his teammates to raise their games right along with him.

This is the roster, for the most part, we are going to be working with going forward. That being said, this group, led by Mark has to raise their play, and do it quickly. This is their chance to show just what type of character they have, and set the tone for the balance of the Rex Ryan era.