Some Positive Holiday Points on the New York Jets

Dec. 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan shakes hands with San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner after the game at MetLife Stadium. Chargers won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Merry Christmas, Jets fans. Happy holidays to you and all of your friends and families. I wanted to start this morning with some positive thoughts. Later on this morning you will hear my Christmas wish, but to start, let’s have some positivity, what do you say? Despite the debacle that has been the 2012 New York Jets, this team does have a lot of things going for it. They don’t have to start completely from scratch, let’s talk about some of the positives that they can hold on to.

REX RYAN

It’s interesting to talk about Rex Ryan these days, as in some ways, he is almost as polarizing as Tim Tebow is. People love this man, or they hate him, and nobody is in between. He’s brash, sometimes too brash for his own good. He’s also loyal, again sometimes too much for his own good. But one thing he is NOT, is the PROBLEM. Take a look at how he has done in his four years as coach of the team: 34 wins, and that is assuming the Jets lose this week. There are quite a few teams in this league that would KILL for 34 wins in the past four years. And that is not to mention making 2 title game appearances in four years. There aren’t many teams that can make THAT boast as well.

Also, don’t discount the fact that Rex Ryan wants to be here, which is hugely important. How many coaches have been through the doors that have been looking to get out of here as fast as possible? Even Bill Parcells, we knew wasn’t here for the long term. He pointed the team in the right direction, and bailed. Don’t forget the Herman Edwards’ exit, where assured the team, and the fans, up and down that he would be back as the head coach but then bolted to the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s another one that wanted out of here. The Jets have had an endless parade of quarterbacks that have either wanted out of here and just stopped here, or that haven’t been very good at all.

Rex Ryan is a talented head coach, who wants to be a part of the Jets for a long time. He needs more time. Don’t wish him out of here gang, he’s a reason to be happy this holiday season.

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) catches a punt from the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. Titans won 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

JEREMY KERLEY

Here is a guy for the Jets, and Jets fans to feel good about. This young man, in only his second season, has stepped up in a big way since the injury to Santonio Holmes. Heading into the final week of the 2012 campaign, Kerley has recorded 53 catches for 739 yards and two TDs. You would like to see hin get in the endzone a bit more to make a bigger impact, but all in all, not too shabby. Is it number one wide receiver material? Probably not. But, the prospect of having Kerley in the slot, with Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes on the outside is quite the exciting thought.

MUHAMMAD WILKERSON

The man otherwise known as “BeastMo”, has caused quite the stir in 2012. He has 5 sacks overall, and two in the last three games. Mo has forced three fumbles, and has spend countless amounts of quality time in the opponent’s backfield. He had a pass deflection Sunday, he has a blocked field goal to his credit, and there is plenty more. 66 tackles on the year, and that is only the beginning for this guy. He has done just about anything he could possibly do this year for the Jets, and he is only going to get better.

Dec 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Danario Alexander (84) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the first half at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

ANTONIO CROMARTIE

Everyone thought the world was going to come to an end for this defense when Darrelle Revis went down with his season ending knee injury. But, that was the farthest thing from the truth, thanks to this guy. The defense maintained a high level of play and more, thanks to Cro. “Bad Cro” has taken the rest of the season off, and been replaced on a full time basis by “Good Cro”. He has blanketed receivers without the benefit of “Revis Island”, and has recorded 3 INTs of his own. It’s great to have Antonio on our side.

AUSTIN HOWARD

Don’t forget that this guy came out of 2012. As the weeks go by, it seems more and more like we have found our right tackle for the future. I know it is not saying much, but he sure is better than the guy we used to have in that spot. I’d prefer not to say his name, I would hate for you all to get sick on Christmas morning. Howard has done a good job. Has he had his problems, of course he has. But these opponents aren’t stupid, they are lining their best guys up against him. Have we EVER heard his name called as often as the other guy? Nope. That’s because he is pretty good, and going to only get better.

Here are some reasons to be happy and look forward to this team with hope. Merry Christmas.