Football Reporters Online

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-Football Reporters Online

Super Bowl XLVI is here. We can’t avoid it, Jets fans.  Regardless of all the promises made and past AFC Championship appearances, we need to get through this Sunday.

Super Bowl 42, the Giants’ historic upset of the then undefeated Patriots was a bit easier to swallow for Jets fans.  I don’t recall many Jets fans, if any at all, cheering the Patriots to cap off the first unbeaten season since the ’72 Dolphins.  Especially since Eric Mangini selling out his former boss in the Spygate scandal sent the Pats on the destroy everything and take no names streak that brought them to the precipice of 19-0. If it took our city rival Giants to knock them off?  So be it, I guess.  Would have been better if it was the Jets, huh?

I may not have been one of the only Jets fans who wasn’t exactly enamored with the fact that the Giants won that game. Here was my rationale: by about Week 14 or so when the Patriots were steamrolling the NFL, I kind of made up my mind that the Pats were going undefeated and winning the Super Bowl. Who thought the Giants, or any NFC contender for that matter,  had a chance?  I had plenty of time to digest it so that when it happened, it wouldn’t have really mattered all that much.  And then when Plaxico Burress caught that pass in the end zone, I thought to myself “Now I have to hear about this from Giants fans the rest of my life.”  The fact the Giants defeated the undefeated Patriots instead of the Jets.

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By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-FRO

The New York Jets controlled the big apple during the post season over the last two years. In fact, Jets fans like myself anticipated that the team would finally be the Kings of New York instead of the Giants. After all, since 2008 the Giants hadn’t come close to returning to the Super Bowl, while their former weak sisters nearly went there twice.  The Jets had control for once in New York.

But a whole new season can make a really big difference, considering where New York’s two teams are right now. Not only have the Jets free fallen into the murky abyss, they may have lost their chance to seize control of New York permanently at this rate while the Giants approach another Super Bowl.  Both teams were in control of their destiny this season.  The Giants took control while the Jets let control slide from their hands.

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By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter from Football Reporters Online, Levy’sBakeryProductions.com & @LevysBakeryProd

New York Jets fans were not sure which Jets would be on the field against the Miami Dolphins on the first day of 2012 received a response to which we have seen time and time again..

The New York Jet faithful deserve to see a return on their investment.  With high prices come high demand to deliver.  An AFC title game appearance last year and taking control out of their own hands this year has not been looked favorably looked upon by season investors. Rex Ryan had everyone believe they were Super Bowl bound in the preseason.  If Rex was investing in futures and offered advice, everyone would have lost this season.

There will be plenty of time in the weeks to come for the blame game to start as to the downfalls during the Jets season. But in Game 17, the thorns were Santonio Holmes and, once again, Mark Sanchez. its beyond reproach to call out Brian Schottenheimer for Sanchez, who has not proven his high NFL Draft status since he first started as a professional..   The team has been corralling Sanchez long enough he can not fight out of situations he is unprepared for, it has finally crippled the team.

Younger fans and season ticket holders are not used to seeing their team implode like this.  They are used to seeing a team go to the playoffs, players step up to make last minute clutch plays for wins, and a coach who likes to show his bark is worse than his bite.  But these are the real Jets, the ones your father told you about.  They team they spend their hard earned money to see to be disappointed at the end of the season as well.

Holmes’ actions during the Dolphin game should not be overlooked, especially since he was designated as a Captain. But, frankly, his frustration is understandable. Remember, Holmes resume involves experience with a clutch, Super Bowl quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger…and he caused trouble there anyway. Here, he must be stunned to play on a team that was supposedly poised for a Super Bowl run under the field leadership of a completely clueless, inconsistent, less than professional standard QB in Sanchez. He’s right. In a game this important, how does he go completely ignored by the hack under center?

This team is unfortunately descending in the wrong direction once again. There should be a litany of changes this off-season, but nothing will effectively reverse another brewing Jet catastrophe.  The Jet fans have seen this and are accustomed to it.  The Jet investors do not want to hear promises from its board that can not be backed up.  If the Jets fans were true investors, imagine the leadership changes they would be able to vote on.

Every public company makes a push by the end of the year or their fiscal year.  The Jets did not do that this year.  They made no push to guarantee their stockholders a return going into the playoffs. With no dividend  paid this year, analysts might conclude there will be a repeat performance next year.  That is, unless management makes the right decisions and boosts the moral of their stockholders.  Only way to find out is to see who show up for kick off in 2012.

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter from LevysBakeryProductions.com & @LevysBakeryProd

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of watching the Jets face the Eagles at the home of Steve Renner.  Steve is one of the founders of the Jet Nuts tailgating group.  You could always spot them from their bus and Jet Nuts logos.  Now the game may not have been the best, but the afternoon with the Nuts was very enjoyable.  It was easy to see why many enjoyed tailgating with the Jet Nuts for over 20 years.

The core group of the Nuts were there for the game.  Even the eldest, Bill Borm who had been attending games since the then Titans of New York.  The Nuts are a warm, friendly bunch who have been attending games together even before the Jet Nuts name came about.  Always willing to welcome others, they all treated me as if I had been a Jet Nut for years.

The Jets/Cowboys game was the only game they brought their bus to this season.  With a drop off in participation, they were losing money and not covering their costs.  They ended up selling the bus to a Jets fan group in Virgina.  They use the bus for whatever games the Jets go to in Washington, Baltimore, and other surrounding NFL cities the Jets travel to.

They do have a plethora of memorabilia to remind them of their days as Jets Nuts.  From pictures and parking passes to the original Jet Nuts sign they had on their first bus.  Many autographs, stickers, shirts, and other merchandise with the Jet Nuts logo on it remains with them all.  Steve even has his original seat back from Giants Stadium.  How he got them, I can not tell.  They even have a wall size Jets banner from the stadium lot.  That story will be left for the documentary.  Let’s just say Steve’s wife acted fast and got it down before any security noticed.

One of the Jets Nuts did not want to keep his tickets past the first season at the new MetLife Stadium.  He felt zig-zagging up several escalators was a hassle, waiting on long lines at the bathroom, and dealing with obnoxious Jets ticket reps was just the tip of the iceberg for him.  The fact he had his seats since 1972 and “records were lost” making him a ticket holder since 1977 was an insult.

He said Steve had to wait on line for the bathroom for about 45 minutes.  One can miss a lot of the game just waiting on line for the bathroom.  I have heard this from several fans.  There was also a complaint about less port-a-pottys in the non PSL parking section.  It is a hard job to keep distance between a man, his beer, and the bathroom.

This Jet Nut even showed me his season ticket billing statement from 1983.  At that time, p[purchasing preseason tickets were optional.  Also, it was optional to purchase parking.  His total bill came to $208 for two seats.  I can remember in 1985 looking at our season tickets with a price of $25 on each ticket.  It seem professional football has skyrocketed in price and inflation over the years.  Professional football tickets have seen inflation and cost skyrocket over the years.

The elder statesman of the Jet Nuts, Bill Bohm, seems content on watching games at home now. Bill began attending games at the Polo Grounds watching the then Titans of New York to watching the Jets play on TV aboard the Jet Nuts bus last season.  As Bill’s knees got worse, he could not walk into the stadium.  Bill seemed pleased just attending the games with the rest of the crew and remaining on the bus to watch the Jets play.  Someone would always stay behind with Bill as everyone else ventured into the stadium.  Bill never stepped foot into the new MetLife Stadium.

Steve and a handful of the Jet Nuts are happy setting up their small grills and tailgating on a small patch of grass.  Steve now prefers buying better cuts of meat for less than in bulk for about 50.  They still enjoy what they do but with less people around.  Steve and the others had hoped the younger generation would have taken over the bus and the festivities, but that never happened.

Steve was given a trophy by the Jet Nuts for attending his 100th consecutive game.  That is over 12 years of attending games without missing one.  I am sure others may have done this, but I do not think their friends would give them a trophy for that feat.  I do not think any players can say they have ever missed a game.  I know in hockey they give out “iron man” awards for those who have gone long stretches without missing a game.  It goes to show how a concentrated group of Jets fans not only care about each other, but acknowledge accomplishments for being a fan.

The Jet Nuts are that rare breed of Jets fan.  They remind of the Jet Pack who I have written about before.  A bunch of friends who decided to get a bus and create something bigger for other Jets fans.  Not only did they include their friends, but whoever wanted to come over and enjoy the party with them.  For over 20 years many have celebrated with them and wanted to be a part of them.  Unfortunately, some things have to come to an end.  Many Jets fans have realized this over the past few seasons.

There are many other tailgating groups still around.  Sal & Carmine still have their usual set up, Dave and the guys in L5, the Flagman Frank Conway over by the Racetrack, the L7 Tailgate which was founded on Twitter, and many others all across the parking landscape.  But the big groups that started at Shea seem to be dwindling.  Even though the Jet Nuts had their first bus 20 years ago does not mean that was when they started as a group.  That was just when the bus attracted enough attention for others to join them for years to come.

We covered other issues this past Sunday.  I do have to save some of it for the documentary, you know.  Not giviving it all away right now.  I was glad To meet Steve, Bill, and the rest of the Jet Nuts back in 2008 and even happier they allowed me to share a game with them at Steve’s house.  Hanging with them did not feel like I was with one of the typical tailgating groups I mentioned before.  With the Jet Nuts, one feels more like family.  That is how they treat each other.  Even though they had their ups and downs dealing the the Jets, PSL’s, and tailgating, the Jet Nuts will always remain Jets fans no matter where they watch a game or or how many of them set a grill up at the stadium.

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter from LevysBakeryProductions.com & @LevysBakeryProd

Sunday’s Jets romp over Kansas City was the last Jets home game I will be filming at for my documentary.  Since August 2008, I have attended as many home games as I could to to tell countless fan stories.  Some long time season ticket holders watch the games from home while others still attend with fewer friends beside them.  There have been a few season ticket holders I have talked to who have passed away, leaving voids amongst friends and family at the games.

This last game I ventured over to the Izod Center and the non PSL parking.  I had not heard any perspective from those ticket holders yet and I needed to.  It seemed the consensus was the same from everyone I talked to.

Many non PSL holders seem to prefer parking over by the Izod.  They say it is easier to park and one does not have to wait on long lines to leave the lots.  There is easy access to any main roadway where ever you are going.  One can find a great spot for tailgating with plenty of space and not be disturbed.

Many say the walk over to the stadium takes about 15-20 minutes.  No one seems to mind the walk.  They would rather have that walk over rather than park close and fight others just to get out of the parking lot.  The non PSL lots do fill up closer to kick off as many single game ticket holders park over there.  It seems the more casual fan can find a good spot amongst the tailgaters but may have to arrive early depending on who the Jets are facing.

Even though there is a little walk, some PSL holders will park in the non PSL section.  Why?  To be able to tailgate with friends.  They prefer to keep their tailgate group together rather than break it up because the Jets say they can not park together.

Funny thing about some of these non PSL parking permits.  Some are paying $15 per game where others are paying $20 per game to park there.  I head different stories from several on different prices.  I believe the PSL holders who chose to park there pay the higher rate where the non PSL holders pay a lower ate.  I find that quite interesting.

It just seems no matter where season ticket holders park, there will always be mixed feelings on the situation.  There are pros and cons with everything.  But the bottom line here is everyone has at least one negative comment to say about the organization.  I have yet to meet one person that will say everything positive.

For many years, there was always one constant when it came to tailgating.  That constant were the Jet Nuts.  You could always tell where they were by their bus in the bus parking lot.  When I talked with Steve and the guys last season, they were not sure if they were coming back for the 2011 season.  As it turned out, they didn’t.  The costs did not warrant them to come back with the bus.  They came back in a small group and did casual tailgating, but that was it.

Steve and the guys were putting out more than they were seeing.  When you take that into account with others not purchasing a PSL or any type of season ticket there was less money to rely on.  Like other tailgating groups, they saw a decline in numbers that made it harder to keep a long standing group together.  The Jet Nuts had been together as a group since Shea Stadium.  But when an organization decides to make a change, it does not always benefit everyone.

I will be visiting with Steve and some of the other Jet Nuts before the Eagles game this Sunday.  I am sure the Nuts will have a lot to say about past and current tailgating affairs.  I already know their famed bus will not be there.  Steve sold the bus to a Jets group in Virginia.  So without the bus, a true era for the Jet Nuts has ended.

As more time passes, the long standing committed Jets season ticket holder seems to be fading out of the tailgating scene.  Being replaced by a younger, rowdier, eager to spend season ticket holder.

The make up has changed at Jets games.  The veteran fans see it.  They see less of their friends and fresher faces around.  The changing of the guard has happened.  The Jets have officially lost a seasoned, dedicated group that stuck with them for 40 years for a contingent that seems to care more about spending and  status.

If you do not believe me, check out Twitter and Facebook.

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-Football Reporters Online

Last year I wrote an article about the Jets and their stock price.  It seems not much has really changed in one year.  Sure the Jets made it to the AFC Championship game last season, but their stock still underperformed according to analysts.  This season, their stock seems to be sliding amongst fans.  Some are ready to dump their stock while others will stay invested.

The question usually asked is “What stock do the Jets have?”.  The PSL‘s and season tickets are the stock.  Season ticket holders invest their money in the team in hopes the Jets (the stock) perform to their expectations.  This season has been one of fluctuations.  After this past weekend, analysts are not hopeful on post season performance.  The Jets and some however, will remain hopeful and release reports that state such.

Joe Namath who is probably the Jets biggest analyst has mentioned the same comments two seasons in a row on the Michael Kat Show on ESPN Radio.  He said the Jets are not as great as they think they are.  For two season Joe Namath has seen the Jets stock under perform and overvalued.  Some investors (PSL/season ticket holders) feel the same way.  They are waiting for the day the Jets stock is worth the price they are paying and finally see a return on their investment.

There are some stockholders who could care less.  They will invest as much as they can for years even if the stock constantly declines.  They will invest in tickets, PSL’s, merchandise, and anything else that has the Jets name attached.  These investors will tell those who either stop investing or do not invest as much that they are not as invested as they are.  Because they invest more that they are a bigger shareholder.  It does not matter how much you spend on your stock, all Jets shareholders are equal.  Unless you actually own the team or work in their offices.

The Jets need to win just about every game to ensure they can get a Wild Card spot.  December has proven to be a hard month for the Jets to win in previous seasons.  This is a hurdle they need to overcome and prove they can increase the value of their stock before the postseason.  If the Jets fall short of their goal, some might continue to ponder if the Jets stock will ever be worth more than what the team says it is worth.  Many investors feel they were over charged for an undervalued stock.

As it stands now, there will be no rally for Jets fans to get their team ready for the postseason.  If the Jets look like the team many remember, there may not be a postseason.  The dividend many PSL and season ticket holders hope for are home playoff tickets.  Many wait for that opportunity.  But it is up to the Jets to make sure they play at home as opposed to on the road.  Many fans have gotten accustomed to seeing he Jets on the road in the playoffs.  Sometimes, the tickets are cheaper at other stadiums rather than seeing them play at MetLife Stadium.  With no home game, no dividend.

With the Jets win over Buffalo today they are now 6-5.  Even though they are in the wild card hunt, a lot still needs to happen.  There are still too many unforeseen factors to see if they Jets will make the postseason.  Even if they do, they need the New England Patriots to perform miserably if the Jets have a chance at winning the division and securing at least one home playoff game.  Just like the stock market, no one can predict what the future holds for the Jets and their investors.

Even modest gains and spikes do not mean a stock is a safe bet.  Same goes in football.  The Jets need to do more than just win a game here and there.  They need to outperform the other teams.  If a stock wants to look attractive, it needs to out perform competitors and show gains to a potential investor.  Otherwise, that investor might invest in the competitor.  In the Jets case, the only other team locally are the Giants.  There have been some ticket holders who went from the Jets to the Giants and vice versa.  I have spoken with them during tailgating.

Many Jets investors stand behind their team.  They will be at every game until the end of the season.  They will believe the Jets can pull it out and make a run for another shot at the AFC Championship, and maybe a Super Bowl.  But what seems to be a sure thing sometimes isn’t.  The Jets have lost games they should have won, and won a few thy should of lost.  It all depends on which Jets show up the rest of the season.  There is no predicting the outcome of a game.  As one can not predict accurately a stocks future.

Before anyone can think about putting money aside for that playoff game, the Jets need to do their part first.  Well, other teams need to do their part and lose accordingly as well.  If the Jets performed a bit better earlier on, their postseason chances might be looking brighter.  Just like any public company who offers stock, the better the performance, the better the return.  The Jets need to show that better performance if they want to give their investors the return they are looking for in the postseason.

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter

This past Sunday night, the Jets had an opportunity. An opportunity to show not just their fans, but everyone who follows football that they should be taken seriously. That the Jets are a team who not only want to go back to the AFC Championship for a third straight year, but win and go on to the Super Bowl. The Jets and Patriots both stood at 5-3. All they needed to do was win in convincing fashion against their AFC rivals.

But they didn’t

The Jets lost 37-16 and now sit wondering if they can still make the playoffs. Albeit there are seven games left in the season, but which Jets will show up the rest of the year. The Jets who claim they are Super Bowl contenders who defeated the Cowboys, Chargers, and Bills in convincing fashion? Or will it be the same old Jets the fans are used to seeing from years past. Only the players can determine which version of them will be ready at game time.

The fans are salivating for a championship. Rex Ryan has made predictions, guarantees, and comments about how this is the Jets year and the team that will bring home a championship. Maybe it is time for Rex to stop talking and come through on his promises. Everyone loves how outspoken and confident he is. But all that bravado does not win game or transfer that attitude to the players. The players need to believe in themselves and show that on the field, not Rex Ryan.

For the past few season, Rex has reached out to the fans for support. Season ticket holders get a pre recorded call at the beginning of the season as well as pleas throughout the season. The fans are always there for the team. But Rex has not delivered back to the fans. Rex Ryan also took the opportunity in his postgame press conference to apologize to Jets fans after he challenged them earlier in the week to make this past Sunday’s game difficult for the Patriots.

“I thought we’d play a lot better. I thought we had really improved, I really did. I think we did improve, but when you make those types of mistakes – you fumble a punt, you have a poor timeout … time management was an absolutely critical error. That’s my responsibility. I own that one. You make that many mistakes against that team, there’s no chance. “

The playoffs are not coming up soon, for sure, so the Jets aren’t eliminating themselves from the AFC playoff picture by any means but Rex Ryan recognized, whether it was in jest or not, that the Jets division title chances took a big hit on Sunday night.

“It looks doubtful right now. What am I going to say? Maybe I should guarantee the fact that we’re out of it. The last time I did that, we made the playoffs. Yeah, we don’t have a chance.”

Maybe Rex should not guarantee anything. Maybe Rex should impose a media blackout on himself. Maybe he should just coach and let his actions speak louder than any words he can say. But once again, his words this past Sunday seemed to get him in trouble…..again. This time, getting caught on tape using profanities at a fan during halftime.
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On the video, Ryan and the Jets’ players and staff are seen walking into the tunnel. A fan yells out to Ryan, “Belichick’s better than you,” and Ryan tells him to shut up, adding an expletive for good measure.

This team and their coaches need to resolve any issues they have to make their play playoff worthy. The fans are tired of the talk and empty promises. Please back up that talk with convincing play on the field every game. Show the fans that you REALLY want to go and win a Super Bowl. Not just say it. The Jets show flashes of brilliance, but not often enough. Is this the players fault, or the coaches?

The fans have heard enough. It is time for the Jets to live up to expectations. It is time for Mark Sanchez and Darelle Revis to lead the team convincingly. To show they are a Super Bowl caliber team and not just a playoff contender, which they do not look presently. If they could not beat the Patriots and the worst ranked defense in the NFL, now do they expect to make it to the playoffs?

Impose a media blackout on yourselves. Focus on winning and not talking. Rex Ryan may be a great coach. But he needs to show everyone he can back those words up with actions. Will three times be the charm? Rex said they were going to win even before the season started. Actions speak louder than words. Show us you can win, do not tell us.

Shut up and play.