“The NY Jets are doing so much to encourage fan involvement compared to the Giants!”
This was music to my ears, talking to fans, as I sat at the free Green and White Scrimmage last night at Met Life Stadium. Fans on the field as players come out the tunnel, fans holding the huge flag, reward points for so many opportunities, players autographing willingly, etc.
I happened to be sitting next to a family that reinforced what so many around me were saying. In fact, the wife used to be a Giant fan while the husband and two kids were Jet fans. On the night before Christmas two years ago, one son wrote, “I want my Mom to become a Jet fan” on his list. As Moms do (for their children), the next morning she was dressed all in Jet gear, doing the greatest Cheer in the world J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, and is now a devoted fan.
As she said, “the Jets care about and keep offering new fan friendly happenings”
Now we’re on to a new regime and excited about all the offseason moves. Of course, injuries can change any team’s fortunes, but it’s part of football. Some of the injuries so far are not season enders, thank goodness. I do feel horrible for Antonio Allen, such an unselfish player and out with, what seems like more and more common, a non-contact injury for the year.
Last night the fans got to see a practice/scrimmage before the first preseason game next week. I must admit I was disappointed in some fans (it definitely wasn’t all fans) booing Geno after a tough start. But Geno showed some real mental toughness and growth, finishing strong with two touchdowns to great addition, big, strong, Brandon Marshall.
The running backs looked tough and fast. Chris Ivory is always great, but Zac Stacy (other than goal line fumble) looked solid and Bilal Powell (Mr. Dependable) burst through for a long TD run.
On defense, the players that stood out to me were Buster Skrine and Trevor Reilly. There looked to be good pressure on the QB’s but there still was no real tackling allowed once the pressure got to the QB.
Nick Folk was already in great mid-season form hitting all his field goals.
The evening ended with a great fireworks display by the Jets and so many fans happy that the NFL season is back!
