Ask Gang Green Nation

Gholston has been an enormous disappointment. The learning curve from being a 4-3 defensive end to becoming a 3-4 outside linebacker has been steep. He only has 12 tackles and still has no sacks. Frankly, he has looked like there has been cement in his shoes.

With Calvin Pace getting a big free agent contract and Bryan Thomas returning as an incumbent starter, the Jets were not counting on Gholston to do big things. He was a luxury pick The plan has always been to use him primarily on pass rushing downs in 2008 so he can develop at his own pace. However, the team is disappointed in his utter lack of progress as a rookie, and Eric Mangini indicated as much this week to the press.

Smooth is a relative term. Even though the offense was new in 2006, Pennington had an entire offseason and training camp to learn the playbook. He was also familiar with his supporting cast. Favre came in halfway through camp and knew Bubba Franks and David Clowney only so there were many more bumps in the road earlier in the year with him. However, they have been fewer and fewer as the season has progressed. Favre seems more comfortable with the playbook.

There’s no doubt this team is better off with Favre. Everybody knows the knock on Pennington is his arm strength. A lot of people thought that related to the deep ball, which isn’t true. The reality is that the Jets still rely primarily on short routes. Pennington throws a good deep ball. Where he struggled was getting the ball on time into a tight window. Favre is a master of this. This was especially important in the road win at New England a few weeks back, where he somehow kept zipping the ball to covered receivers. Favre also seems to exude a confidence in the team. The Jets have a swagger knowing that they have a legend under center who can pull a game out no matter the circumstances. They blew two leads in that New England game in crushing fashion, and Favre promptly led them to a winning drive in overtime.

There’s no doubt this team is better than the 2006 team. It goes beyond Favre, although quarterback play is one of the reasons. The ‘06 Jets benefitted from a ridiculously easy schedule and a coaching staff using smoke and mirrors. The offensive line is much better. D’Brickashaw Ferguson is significantly more polished. Alan Faneca and Damien Woody are big upgrades over Pete Kendall and Anthony Clement. The running game is much better because of this offensive line. That squad also did not have a back like Thomas Jones. The defense is significantly better. Kris Jenkins over Dewayne Robertson at nose tackle has turned these Jets into an elite defense against the run. Calvin Pace over Victor Hobson at outside linebacker has beefed up the pass rush. Darrelle Revis is a shutdown number one corner where Andre Dyson was not. The 2008 Jets win a hypothetical matchup by at least 10 points.

The defense is vastly improved and certainly a bright spot against the run, but I have to go with offense. The defense has been putrid against the pass. Favre has always been one of my favorite players so getting to watch him every week has been a treat, and Washington is the first threat to take it the distance on every play the Jets have had since I don’t remember when. D’Brickashaw Ferguson has also matured greatly this year after an uneven start to his career. Playing next to Alan Faneca instead of the turnstile known as Adrien Clarke probably has something to do with this. Ferguson looks like he might end up being a cornerstone at left tackle and worth the top five pick.

Great question. You are not alone. Two weeks ago I was talking to my friend who hadn’t seen any of the scores, and he asked me whether the Packers beat the Titans. It took him literally a half minute before he realized his mistake.

In the era of free agency, players are always switching teams. Fans root for laundry, not players. The rest of the league might think of this team as the New York Bretts, but we have adopted him as one of our own. 95 out of 100 comments I heard from fans right after the deal were positive. It’s been four decades since we’ve seen a Super Bowl win. We just want to see another Vince Lombardi Trophy. It doesn’t matter who brings it or how. I think most Jets fans would gladly take Michael Vick if you could guarantee signing him would bring a championship. It might be different if we had five titles under our belts in the past three decades like you guys, but the mindset of a Jets fan is desperate to win it all, especially looking at the success of our archrivals in New England.

Ainge was lucky to make the roster. He was badly outplayed in the preseason by another rookie named Brett Ratliff. The Jets decided to keep four quarterbacks. He’s a guy I’ve never been enamored with dating back to his days at Tennessee. He always impressed me as an underachiever. A guy with that kind of talent should have been a first day pick. Ainge definitely has all of the physical tools, and I loved getting a guy with his kind of upside late in the Draft. However, for every guy similar to Ainge who puts it all together, there are probably ten who don’t. I’ll stay hopeful, though. Once Brett Favre hangs it up, there will probably be a three way competition between Ainge, Ratliff, and Kellen Clemens to take over. Hopefully one of those three has what it takes to make it as a starting quarterback in this league.

A veteran team leader created a huge distraction and potentially a suspension for himself in the season’s most critical stretch. People are not happy.