Photo Credit: Marianne O'Leary
It was a tough year and a true disappointment for the New York Jets organization. The Jets, led by their young quarterback, Mark Sanchez never had any momentum throughout the season. To say the least, it was an up and down rollercoaster and it just seemed that the players weren’t always on the same page.
After an embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins in the last game of the season, the New York Jets found themselves outside of the NFL playoff scenario for the first time in three years. The Jets ended their season going 8-8, a record that certainly did not appeal to many fans bleeding the green and white.
So what actually happened at the end of the season?
Regarding the team’s corrupt and divided locker room, it’s one thing when a third-string quarterback [Greg McElroy] publicly speak out, but it’s a whole different ball game when a veteran and a future Hall of Famer confirms it.
On Wednesday night, during Showtime’s “Inside The NFL,” LaDainian Tomlinson was the guest of the show. In trying to understand the main reason for the New York Jets collapse, Tomlinson was asked numerous questions by the panel, which included J.B., Cris Collinsworth, and Warren Sapp.
It was surprising to see LaDainian Tomlinson answer the questions the way he did. The man had come out of his shell, had taken the gloves off, and finally spoke the truth. When asked about the relationship of Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes, LT continued by saying:
“Sigh. It was as bad as I’ve ever been around, LT said.” “Honestly, I’ve been around some locker rooms, quarterback and receiver situations and what not, but it’s as bad as I’ve been around. It was at the point where I think the players could no longer do anything about it. There was nothing that the players could do.”
Finally, a veteran who has some guts speaks the truth. How many times have we seen coach Rex Ryan sweep this under the rug? Way too many instances if you ask me. The fact that Ryan couldn’t control his team in the end is a bit troublesome. The New York Jets tend to give the impression of being loud and confident, but if the team doesn’t preach the same attitude inside the locker room, then to me, it’s no longer a sign of dominance, it’s just a lame excuse to get people’s attention.
What do we take away from this?
LaDainian Tomlinson probably won’t be coming back to New York, which would explain the reason for his comments. After all, LT had already confirmed that he was opposed to accepting a veteran’s minimum salary. There were rumors that Tomlinson wanted to play one more year and retire with the San Diego Chargers. That would certainly be a good send off for LT. It’s either that or playing for the New York Jets and who the heck wants to do that?
Jets owner Woody Johnson has already confirmed that star wide receiver, Santonio Holmes will return. In many ways, Holmes could be the reason for the disease so it’s crucial that the organization makes the right decision.
Here’s one more thing to think about. Woody Johnson has also said that he supports Mark Sanchez, but will not rule out a veteran, such as Peyton Manning. With the Indianapolis Colts’ organization burning in flames combined with the Jets front office’s history in the free agent market, something tells me that it will be an off-season to remember for the New York Jets.
What do you think? Will the New York Jets stabilize their locker room by the start of next season or should they part ways with the slow-developing quarterback in Mark Sanchez?
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It is a lot easier to open up when someone has already opened the door for you to leave…or you’ve opened it yourself. It would have been nice to have all this aired out early in the year and gotten it fixed. You would think LT would have been a leader on this team and gone public with this if he felt staying private wasn’t working. I respect his game and his HOF career but some of his comments “after the fact” in both SD and NY trouble me. I would have liked to see these comments from LT in Week Four instead of…after walking out the door. But I am glad he said his piece and manned up, not acting as another unnamed source. I do credit him for that. Rare.
Good take on it Bruce. Yes, you would’ve wished many more Jets players stood up and really grabbed the reigns. None of them did due to the fact that there’s not many veteran leaders on this team. They got rid of many leaders, Thomas Jones, Alan Faneca, Damien Woody, Shaun Ellis and there’s a few more, which really left this team weak in the interior. Rex Ryan’s bravado can only do so much and to be quite honest, it probably was getting tired to the players. LT even confirmed this. Yes, I truly admire LT for speaking his peace, but I agree that at least ONE leader should’ve said something early in the season. Again, we weren’t in the locker room so we really didn’t know how chaotic it was. Jets need some serious cleaning up to do. Thanks for the comment.
So, here’s the million dollar question: How do the Jets fix this problem?
You’re right on that JW! That is the million dollar question that owner Woody Johnson and staff need to answer.. Seriously, in order to fix this problem, first order of business would be for Rex Ryan to stop talking so much unnecessary trash. Two, bring in a QB that is more talented that Mark Brunell… the man is 40 yrs-old for goodness sakes. The Jets need someone to challenge Sanchez. Fix the O-line, I don’t know what they see in Wayne Hunter, but it’s not going to work. Three, really discuss whether Shonn Greene is your tailback. I like the guy and I really attributed his lack of success to the O-Line, but right now any change is good for the Jets. Jets need a safety… but as I am rambling on, I understand now that the Jets really have some serious problems. Quite simple, the only way to fix this problem is to WIN. Bottom line. Hopefully that answered your question. Thanks for stopping by.
Absolutely nothing said by LT was to the detriment of the team as he gave an honest opinion of what he witnessed within the Jets’ locker room . At the same time Greg McElroy implied with his own statement the same thing . Sanchez has been coddled in college and he’s been coddled by Jets’ coaching staff and front office , merely because they perhaps see him as the second coming of “Broadway Joe”. If Rex Ryan would simply shut the hell up get about of coaching the team and holding the players accountable then perhaps the Jets wouldn’t be in such a mess !
The Jets are no closer to being the best team in the tri-state much less NYC as their coach had tried to suggest earlier this season as Paris Hilton could be seen as a suitable candidate for Ph.D at either Harvard or Yale !
tophatal …………..
Great points, especially about Sanchez being compared to Broadway Joe. I agree 100%. Mark Sanchez in my opinion will have one more year. If this problem persists… then he will definitely be looking for another job.
It was refreshing to hear LT speak as frankly as he did. Truly the Jets have more issues to deal with than those that players/media/fans have with Sanchez.
I just finished a piece about Sanchez and putting his performance this season in perspective. Let me know your thoughts. http://sports-glutton.com/2012/01/21/is-mark-sanchez-responsible-for-the-jets-failures/
cheers!
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I think everyone in the world agrees that the Jets have bigger problems. Will be sure to take a look at your piece, I am sure you’ll have some great points.
The Jets have major issues to fix. Sanchez looked pretty awful this year and he hasn’t set himself as the franchise QB. Do they take a shot at Peyton?
LT was nonexistent all season. He needs to change teams or hang it up IMO
Sanchez was very inconsistent and lacked confidence when the pressure was on. I am sure if the cards were right, the Jets would make a bid for Peyton. New York loves making splashes in the offseason. I think if LT doesn’t get a spot in San Diego, the future Hall of Famer would definitely retire. Thanks for the comment Alex.
The Jets locker room surely is cancerous. Their problems all lie with one man: Rex Ryan. Locker room issues have gotta fall on the coach.
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Cancerous is exactly the word Sam. It is surprising that coach Rex Ryan has not received the brunt of the criticism. I suppose the media gave him a pass given the past two years. That won’t be the case next year. Thanks for the visit again Sam.
Somehow, somewhere, the Jets got a little too big for their britches. The buck obviously has to stop with Ryan and I think he shouldered that blame.
Either way, the Jets are a perfect example how NOT to run a team while the team that plays in the same stadium as them is the perfect example of how to.
If the Giants win the Super Bowl, Rex Ryan and the Jets can’t talk for another 10 years. Curious to find out how exactly the Jets will turn it around.
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