And if Vinny was the starter from the beginning of the season, maybe we win one of the three games we lost with Foley starting. It's impossible to know which team is better, but I think you're downplaying just how good that '98 team was. There's more potential with this team because it's younger and already at least near their level and is a win away from going to the Super Bowl. But the '98 team had a lot of veteran talent, an all-time great coaching staff, dominated some very good teams, and was it not for a Same Old Jets 6 turnover game in Denver, probably wins the Super Bowl without breaking a sweat.
I honestly believe the '98 team was easily the 2nd best in the league that year. I was at the game that year where they played and DESTROYED the Falcons (albeit with Flutie as the starter) who they would have met in the SB. That was also the most insane crowd I've ever been to at a Jets home game. The fans literally stood the entire game and remained deafeningly loud the entire game. I wish it were always like that. I also think they beat Denver if that AFC Championship had been at home. This team is very good, but I think the '98 team was better. But not by much.
Doug Flutie was the starting quarterback of the Buffalo Bills that season (a playoff team - they lost to Miami in Miami in the wildcard round) You are thinking of Steve Deberg, who was 44 at the time (44 rings a bell) and filling in for the injured Chris Chandler.
This is a very tricky debate. I think this team is CLEARLY more talented on paper than the 98 team was. However, I also think the 98 team was FAR more consistent and efficient as a UNIT week in and week out. The biggest advantage that team had over this team was a veteran quarterback having the season of his career. Sanchez has shown flashes of brilliance and has been rather clutch at times but he's still far too inconsistent to be considered a reliable strength of our team. But again, if you look at it on paper, there is no comparison in talent level. This year's team has a better offensive line, a better secondary, better linebackers, better tight ends, and is at least equal at WR, RB, and DL. IMO, the ONLY advantage the 98 yeam had over this team was at QB. But it's a significant one.
With Jenkins, I'd take this D by a mile - he's a game changer and the 98 DL was a lot of smoke and mirrors. Even with last week, I'd take BB as my coordinator, though not by as much as I would have said last week. That 98 team still has a special place - first Jet team I watched to win a playoff game. I pray to change this answer in about 33 hours.
Couple notes on the offense. 1) Charlie Weiss created the best offensive balance and flow that I've ever seen a Jet team have. 2) The run game was unable to get it done. Curtis Martin's challenge is that he always gave it his all and was as steady a RB as you can see. Unfortunately for him and us, in big games when everyone else raised it, or against superior talent, he didn't have that extra gear to go to.
2010 team > 1998 for primary reason that Vinny felt like a carpet bagger to me. The loss to Denver just further reinforced that Vinny was unlucky and the next season injury added more bad karma. The "homegrown" Sanchize is, hopefully, here for a long time. A win this Sunday essentially wipes '99 off the books.
Ya outta ya mind wit dis. Shaw, Mahtin had a bad game in da '98 title game (da blockin' was bad; Terrell Davis woulda had a rough time dat day if he was playin' faw da Jets), but was othawise a good playoff pafohma. Look up da numbas.
Let's hope that Rex's Guys do a better job of holding onto the ball tomorrow than Bill's Guys did in 1999 in Denver.
1998 was definitely a better team. As mentioned they blew out some very good teams and had a strong offensive flow and defense. This team has seen its inconsistencies and nail biters. With all that said however a win sunday will erase all the 1998 talk for a long time.
