2012 New York Jets: Highs and Lows

Jan 22, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; New York Jets coach Rex Ryan at Ladd-Peebles Stadium after watching the Senior Bowl north squad practice. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The off-season is finally upon us, Jet Pressers. The Super Bowl is past and the off-season begins. As we all know, there are going to be a lot of changes between now, and when we see the Jets again for mini camp. This morning, let’s put a period, finally on the 2012 campaign, and look back at some highs and lows. Believe it or not, there were some highs:

HIGHS:

• The Play of Antonio Cromartie- Antonio took on the role of number one cornerback when Revis went down, and had himself a Pro Bowl season.  Quarterbacks only completed 46% of passes thrown his way.  It was one heck of a season for “Alcrotraz”.
• “BeastMo”- We know who I am talking about, second year defensive lineman, Muhammad Wilkerson.  He came on in the second half of the year, showing the world the potential he brought with him when he was drafted in the first round in 2011, becoming the second ranked defensive end behind JJ Watt.  5 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries were among his highlights of 2012.
• Joe McKnight 100 Yard Kick Return for TD- Instead of talking about this one, why don’t we just watch it.  Scroll down the screen just a bit to relive this play as we saw it on that Monday night against the Texans:

• Win Over the Indianapolis Colts- One of the strongest wins the Jets recorded all season was against a team that was ultimately destined for the playoffs, the Indianapolis Colts.  Week 6 at MetLife Stadium, the Jets controlled this one from the opening kickoff, winning this one 35-9.  Mark Sanchez had one of his few efficient games that day, going 11-18 for 82 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs, and the big story was Shonn Greene’s top day of the year, running it 32 times for 161 yards and 3 TDs.  At least for one day, the “Ground and Pound” showed some potential.

Turn the page, and we will review some of the lows.

Sep 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets player Santonio Holmes (10) is helped off the field after an injury against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

LOWS:

• Santonio Holmes is lost for the season- Our offense was not exactly lighting the scoreboard up on a week to week basis as it was.  That afternoon against the 49ers, when Santonio Holmes crumbled to the ground, flipping the ball in the air as he did, we knew we were in trouble.  What were we left with?  Nah….you saw it, it’s not even worth discussing.
• Darrelle Revis is lost for the season- There isn’t much to say here.  Remember the press conference that Rex Ryan announced the injury?  It was like he had lost his best friend.  Not a pretty day for the New York Jets.
• Jets lose two game at home by a combined 64-9- We knew that the offense wasn’t any good, but over the two afternoons spent at MetLife against the 49ers and Dolphins, we learned how bad they really were.  This was the pinnacle of not being able to get out of their own way, as they were shut out against San Francisco, and managed nine points against the Miami Dolphins.
• Tony Sparano- What can we say about this hire?  I know!  We are glad that it’s over.  He was brought in here to be the mirror image of Rex, working with the offense.  Well, if you think about it, he was.  Rex’s defense doesn’t allow the offense to score points, and neither did Tony’s offense.  At times you thought it was golf, that they thought the lowest score would win.
• The plan for Tim Tebow?- No matter how we felt about the guy, and you all know how I felt, he was here.  With that, they needed to figure out how to use him, and they never did.  They had a backup quarterback, let him go, and in return, received a player that they had no idea how to use.  What a big waste of time.
• And finally, how could we forget…………………….

I thought everyone could get a good laugh looking at the butt-fumble one more time.