“A Tale of Two Cities”

No two NFL teams are more different than the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.  While the Jets have suffered frustration the past 44 years after winning it only Super Bowl in 1969; the New England Patriots have won three Super Bowl Championships and appeared in two others the last 11 years.  The Jets offense is run by a first year quarterback with just one game under his belt.  The Patriots offense is conducted by a veteran quarterback who someday will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  The Jets are verbose and flamboyant.  The Patriots are concise and inconspicuous. 

Each team’s personality is a direct reflection of its coach.  While Patriots coach Bill Belichick is quiet and secretive Jets coach Rex Ryan likes to let his feeling be known.  Usually in a bold manner.  Shortly after his arrival in New York, Rex proclaimed “I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings.”  He later proclaimed the Giants, the Jets crosstown rivals “Old News.”  On more than on occasion, he has guaranteed the Jets would win the Super Bowl once saying “Last year I thought we’d win it.  This year I know we’ll win it.”  At the beginning of last season he boasted about his players, “This has the chance to be the best team I’ve had since I’ve been the coach here.”  The team then proceeded to go 6 – 10, his worst record as head coach.

This season Rex has been quiet.  No boasts, no prediction.  Let’s hope that the now quieter Rex with his new Belichick like style can bring the Jets some Belichick like results…