The media what's with these guys. A little background before we start, this piece was started before the Jets game, which I luckily got tickets to (Thanks Pete!) this weekend. Even though nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to our loveable Jets I'm going into this thinking we should and will win. That being said where's the respect? 

From the media on a game by game basis I see the Jets get a few positives and few negatives but overall there always seems to be a caveat. For instance NY's own Chris Russo of the Fan has pounded the Jets for playing the schedule they have, and winning ten games against what he deems are inferior opponents. I've had a few friends say the same thing.  My response - so what? The Jets aren't responsible for picking who's in front of them, there's no 'team' AD saying I don't want my boys to get too embarrassed this year. There's a system, the Jets are not exempt and they play within that system. A buddy of mine (Steelers fan), was adamant in saying the jets sucked because of the schedule they played, I argued to no avail until finally I made the point that the Pats have all by 2 common opponents, yet at most 2 wins more than us, his response they suck too!  Hey at least he's consistent.

The media also says the Jets aren't talented. Any one who heard last weeks Fins game on ESPN MNF would know Tony K's dog throws better than Pennington. It's still the NFL and no team is lying down, so for us to get 10 wins with our glaring lack of talent means we need to either evaluate the evaluators or our coach should get enshrined in the Hall today. Yes our QB is average I'll admit that, but at the 'key positions' LT, CB, DE, and RB we have some degree of talent. I'll also say that I personally think we need an up grade at RB, a Vince Wilfork (read: space eater) / Richard Seymour (read: incredible talent) on the DL, and a smarter / faster corner opposite Dyson (read: either miller get your head out of your ass or we're drafting a CB in 2 years!). But last I checked the Steelers won the Championship with a sub par secondary, missing their best DL player, and a steady but not great LT (the guard gets all the acclaim). So no team is perfect, but for everyone to harp on how talentless the jets are, it just seems like they are using it as a justification to say well the schedule is the schedule but they still suck!

Then the media says well its the schemes. Mangini is working some kind of voodoo and putting these players in the right places. My, this sounds strangely familiar. Sounds like the excuse many put on the pats after their first run on the title. If that's the kind of criticism that's out there about us, then you know what I'm all for smoke and mirrors as Al Davis says JUST WIN BABY!.

In reality yes the schedule is weaker than others but considering the Jets had all of 4 wins last year and are one draft class removed, I wouldn't expect the NFL to put us up against the world champs in the first game of MNF just because we think we had a good draft. Yes we can use some upgrades on the team but who can't. And of course coaching matters, after 4 years of Herm using more motivation and less x's and o's to get the job done, Mangini's smoke and mirrors seems easier to follow. I guess the media just needs something to talk about since the better in every way Giants are cruising to Mia to play in the big gam... if they can make the playoffs