As I said in the past, I saw a possibility of 11 wins, but I was expecting 5. We are an overmatched team in many ways (not a lot of playmakers on D, pass rush, penalties, go-to WRs, early on ST), but this team just refuses to give up. And the credit goes all around.
1.Props to Chad Pennington- I knew Penny was a great leader in New York, and I knew he was a great teammate from how he handled his benching last season. I did not realize that Penny was as big of a difference maker has he's been. I saw him as a stop gap until Henne was ready, now I want to give him an extension. I will never say a bad word against Penny. No matter how much he killed us as a Jet, for what he did for us this one season, I am grateful.
2.To Joey Porter and Vonnie Holliday- We say Keith Traylor give up on the team last year, and we saw the JT saga get ugly. Vonnie was being asked to play a position he never played before and to sacrifice snaps for some of our younger guys. He did what was asked of him, and he's made plays. Joey had a horrible season last year, and he came into the year thinking we were doing rebuilding. He could've been all bark and no bite, but he set a career high in sacks and has turned the D around.
3.Matt Roth, Andre Goodman, and Nate Jones- When Roth made the switch to OLB after the first preseason game I'll admit I thought he was a goner. While not a great pass rusher, he's been very good for us in run support. We knew Will Allen would be good for us (and for once he's actually gotten some INTs), but Goodman and Jones have been great. After early struggles, Goodman has been lights out this year and since Jones became the nickleback he's been solid in coverage, and a great blitzer.
4.Eric Walden,Courtney Bryant, and Joey Thomas- 2 guys cut in preseason and resigned mid year, and another mid year waiver pick up. Why are they on the list? Since they've joined the team, ST has gotten a lot better. Simple as that.
5.Patrick Cobbs and Greg Camarillo- Two guys nobody thought/wanted on the team, and they've done everything that's been asked of them. Both have been great for us, and I'm upset that Cam got hurt when he did, but they earned their contracts.
6.The TEs-Fasano brought out the best in Martin, but both have proven themselves to be playmakers and not just guys that will move the chains. Without them, we are not in the hunt.
7.The rookies-They've all done well. Jake,Merling,Langford, Carp, Bess. I applaud their efforts
This does not even include The Trifecta.
