It is time for fans to finally unite

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the New York Jets prepare for the upcoming season, it’s time for the divided fan base to unite and support this team for another memorable year.

It seems every year for as long as I can remember, the fan base of the New York Jets go into training camp deeply divided. Controversies concerning the quarterback position often are the leading causes of the division, but hardly the only rift I’ve seen develop over the years.

Related Story: The greater meaning of Ryan Fitzpatrick

Just in this year, we’ve seen gaping traverses spring up over the Muhammad Wilkerson deal and then the Ryan Fitzpatrick stand off. Things can get ugly within a fan base when major issues arise, and nobody knows that better then Jet fans. Social media has seen it’s share of “name calling” and other various attacks between fans through the offseason and into the early days of training camp. Even with the signings of both Fitzpatrick and Wilkerson, the grumblings continue in many circles of the fan base.

The time for the fans to get together and put an end to the endless bickering has arrived. It is time to get behind our team and support their efforts to bring us a winner in 2016! Hey, maybe you didn’t like the Fitzpatrick deal, for whatever reason, I personally didn’t like the financials, but it’s done, as Jet fans we need to rally behind him and let him know he’s our starter!

Camp is underway and the roster will become clearer as preseason approaches, as fans we should all be optimistic. Yet I hear so much negativity surrounding this team. I know that as Jet fans, many of us become used to disappointment and heartbreak, I’m a “hardened fan” myself after 40+ years.

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For me anyway, this year is slightly different.

I can see where general manager Mike Maccagnan, along with head coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey are taking this franchise.

They are building something sustainable, and that is something fans haven’t seen in a very long time!

Their efforts should become the rallying point for Jet fans to set aside their differences and unite.

I’m not claiming “this is the year”, I’m not even going to proclaim that this will be a winning year.

I have my concerns about the final make up of the roster when it arrives, but I promise you, I’ll be rooting for each and every one of them come Week one. I think we all owe that to this team.

Faces are changing quickly on the Jet roster since Maccagnan took the reigns and there will be more in the near future. His scouting department are finding talent that is younger, faster and stronger then what we’ve ever seen in the past. It has become an exciting time to be a Jet fan again.

must read: Breaking down Week 4 vs Seattle Seahawks

So, let’s put aside our differences, cease attacking each other and enjoy what Jets’ training camp has to offer. Win, lose or draw, this team will be exciting to watch this season, and it will get one step closer to hopefully contending for the “Big Prize” in the future.  Whatever the results this year, as a fan base we can unite and make MetLife Stadium the loudest and most unnerving place for opponents to play in. Let’s do it together!