I get tired of this darkside stuff, can't we shelve it for a little while? I'm a 35 year vet, certainly paid my dues, but we have a new coach AND new QB who both look like the real deal, I can't remember having both at the same time, ever. I know if we don't win the Super Bowl this year and every year all these "darkside" ghouls will come on here preaching about how they were right, but if we're ever going to remove the culture of losing some of you people need to get over this shit and enjoy the moment.
It sure is nice to come out and play and not feel helpless against a good team. I may catch shit for this, but even last year it was nice (at first) to have Favre and know that the other team actually had to respect our passing game and that we had a QB who could actually win a game for us. That obviously changed. Win or lose, at least the Jets should be in the game, every game. Changing the culture of losing is only done by winning games. Doesn't matter whether the fans think we will lose or whether they are pessimistic. If you win games, you develop a winning culture.
Wow My sense is this post was to point out that the dice can easily land less than favorably. The key to anything outcome related is stacking the odds in your favor. To me, that's what's different about this team - we have a franchise that is optimally managing the odds, risks and talent. If you believe that there is a football god who threw a bolt at Vinnie in 99, well you probably are just waiting for something similar to happen now (and isn't everyone scared of crossing the street, just a bit). I believe it's all about the coach managing the resources he has. And while luck will always play a role, I believe that we have a staff that knows how to put this franchise in the best position to win, both on the field and off the field. And the fact that they're doing it in a ridiculously entertaining way makes it all the more exciting. And the monster under the bed are Titans. Even though the Titans are thinking revenge, they're probably more thinking about just how the heck they're going to deal with our blitzes (and the likely fact that Rex knows Chris Johnson screens are a blitz buster). Frankly, I'm more concerned with our inability to get a running game going, and even without Fat 92, the Titans are significantly better on defense than anything Sanchez has seen. But guess what - he's a rookie, he's bound to make mistakes and we need him to make mistakes to learn. But we'll be doing it at 2-0, rather than 0-2. So, there is a monster under the bed. Tennessee - that defense and style should be more difficult than the Pats, plus they will be pumped at 0-2, having lost their perfect season to the Jets (I was in Tennessee that day and it was UGLY). And if the Jets lose, so be it. Because even if they do, Our QB will learn from it, and our coach will have prepared this team as well as any coach could have, and we'll probably have fun watching Kerry Collins hit the deck with our band of lunatics believing they can win the game on their own, helping the franchise as our QB grows. And if we face Tennessee in January, our QB will be a different QB. But on the other hand, I expected a rookie the past two weeks.
^ Without haynesworth, the Titans really aren't the same team. Their CBs are exposed because the pressure isn't the same. And they have one person who runs their offense in Chris Johnson.... But, in the world of Parity of the NFL. A desperate 0-2 team against a 2-0 team that's feeling high and mighty does look like a loss for that undefeated team even if it wasn't the Jets. Its just how the NFL seems to work. But - great teams know how to not let those desperate teams get over on them. This is a true test for this team to see if they can keep their foot on the throat of their opponents all season and stay consistent.
I'm going to take a different tact than most of the people in this thread. I think the darkside has nothing to do with realism, but rather your outlook on life. Personally, I've been labeled as a sunshiner who is "off the rocker" all preseason long. At one point during the debates this preseason my sanity was even called into question, and I got countless remarks of "you're trying to secure sunshiner of the year aren't you?" The truth is, through two games of the season my vision of what this Jets team would be is a lot closer to the truth than any "darksider" could have possibly predicted. My vision of this team had nothing to do with rosy green colored glasses and oh look I got lucky... my beliefs were based in logic, knowledge of football, and perceptions about the talent on this roster. Saying that you're a darksider, and that you're also a realist simply because you then agree AFTER the Jets go and have a great game is nothing but a giant cop out. Sorry to say, realism vs illusion comes into play with your perspective and perceptions more than with your outlook on life. Your outlook on life is what determines whether you are a "darksider" or a "sunshiner." We're all Jets fans, we've all been through the same painful experiences together. Some people just choose to keep believing, others choose to be cynical until proven otherwise. So I say nay to the OP's theory, though nicely outlined.
Good post! The concept of a darksider or sunshiner being a realist is nonesense. Realism is based on objectivity and knowledge not point of view. An objective opinion can be either dark or sunny depending on your personal interest and because it's an opinion objectivity has nothing to do with being right or wrong. You and I disagreed where the Jets were heading this year. So far the team looks more like your vision of what this years team would be than mine. That said, while I don't objectively believe the Jets are going to the SB this year, I do believe that getting a QB they believed in and a HC they believed in was a positive sunshiny move regardless of the wins and losses. How this all plays out this year we shall see. Two weeks in your vision is very solid.
Thanks winston. I'm not trying to toot my own horn with the last post but rather just illustrate that being a sunshiner / darksider really has nothing to do with anyone's understanding of the team and how they'll perform. Obviously predictions are based in forecasted projections, not facts and results so even the most accurate prediction isn't necessarily completely based in reality... but people try to do the best they can with what they know. Like you, I just want to see someone's status as a darksider / sunshiner stop being equated with their intelligence and understanding of football and the Jets.
Agree I must agree with this as well. Sounds eerily like our country who should ignore right/left and just get to the reality of the issues. The good news is there's little to be objectively negative about. I can't think of 3 teams who I'd rather be rooting for, for the foreseeable future, based on the present reality.
Nice post and actually a "Realists" post but the truth is the title is wrong. Darksiders are NOT realists they are called darksiders for a reason. Darksiders are constant "worse case scenerio" individuals who preach the bad and constantly carry the grey cloud over their heads in their posts no matter how good things are and when things are bad they take over the boards with their constant Bashing. Realists are simply people who can cheer for our team but can remove the "Green Glasses" when need be and tell it like it is. They often get called darksiders by people because the truth hurts especially when it isn't good about the team or player. as for Sunshiners... Sunshiners are gay....j/k They are always with the "This is It, We are going to win everything" mentality. There is no bad coach or bad plays especially when they fall in love w/a player they can do no wrong. -Darksider: So we'll go 2-14 Big fukin Deal it's the SOJ Sanchez is a Bust just Watch -Realist: 2-0 is Nice we took care of business, beat a semi-depleted Pats team and Have The Titans next who will play tough. One game at a time. -Sunshiner: CHAMPIONSHIP! I Just bought Every Players Jersey! OMG This is a Hall of fame Defense I am telling you! We will not allow any TD's this Year!!!
I couldn't of said that any better, argh Sunshiners hate them, my roommate, is an eagles fan and every year he thinks the Jets will make the Superbowl :drunk:
