Ryan challenges the fans
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- January
- 26
The day that Rex Ryan came on board, he took a moment during a question about Vernon Gholston to issue a challenge to the fans. Here is what the new Jets coach said.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Ryan said. “There’s some talent here that I think if you put them in a certain style of play you’re going to see some great things. I expect to always be in the top five in the NFL in defense. With that being said, I want to challenge our fans.
“Our fans are part of our defense, in particular. They’re obviously part of our whole football team, but in particular you can see the value of your fans in how you play defense at home. I bring that up because I’m excited about this opportunity. I know the Jets’ fans. This is going to be great. This is a great marriage right here, I can honestly say. The style of defense that we’re going to play, with our fans, ‘whoo,’ it’s going to be rough on people.”
I didn’t really see what he was challenging the fans to do. It seems like he had the beginnings of what he wanted to say and then backed off a little. Is he saying he wants them to scream their lungs out at the Meadowlands? That the fans need to be less critical?
And are you willing to go along with him?
This entry was posted
on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 8:35 pm by Jane McManus.
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Jane McManus 
I was happy when he mentioned it at his presser.
I’ve gotten into heated debates, over the past few years, about the Jets not having a home-field advantage.
I’ve felt that the fans are relatively quiet, especially when things aren’t going well, when the D needs some energy.
So, yes… I agree, and hope he coaches the fans, too, on what it takes to create a home-field advantage, other than just showing up, and saying J*E*T*S when told to.
Burf –
I agree 100%. I have been a season ticket holder for the last 15 years – and after getting the price of my same seats in the new stadium – maybe not anymore – but I digress. Our fans are very opinionated, but an aging bunch. They rarely stand, and have to be coaxed into some genuine stadium noise. I Don’t see this getting better anytime soon.
I’ve been amazed at the huge number of empty seats when the Jets are losing (and the game not totally out of reach). Is getting to the car early really that important?
If the fans on these blogs would cheer during the game as much as they bitch on these sights we’d have a huge advantage at home. I totally agree with Ryan as fans can be the 12th person on the field. It generates the players to give more when they know the fans are totally behind them. It amazes me when fans don’t show up or leave early. It’s a game and there are two teams out there to watch…...not everyone gets the opportunity to see a professional game. During the 80’s my husband and I used to get up early drive 3 hours to Green Bay in hopes to get tickets. Because GB went thru a rough patch we got tickets easily and good seats too. Now that they are winning not so and have to rely on tv to see GB and Jets. So Jets fan..come on..you have a great opportunity to help turn the team around. I wish I could be there.
KDog – - My main online presence in Jetsland, is in the Jets Newsgroup (alt.sports.football.pro.ny-jets). I’ve been there for years, really knowledgeable fans, but whenever I criticize the home fans, several season ticketholders go ballistic on me (I gave up my seats in the early 90s). They always tell me I haven’t a clue, since I can’t really hear how loud they are, on TV… which isn’t true, of course, with the parabolic mikes the networks use. And I agree, I don’t see it changing since they’re so defensive about what great fans they are, but maybe Ryan’s challenge will help make them reaccess. It would be great if Jets fans could up their game, so our opponents dread coming to Jetslandistan… but, there’s just so much SameoldJetsfan-itis afflicting the fans
With the new PSLs and ticket price increase you will not be getting too much noise from the fans. Most of the seats will be “CLIENT SEATS”. Big business transaction will be the agenda of the day. Many fans will be rooting for the visiting team or be from out of state and some from out of country. Fireman ED will be as big an attraction as the game itself. Most of the noise will be coming from the no PSL “Upper Deck Crowd”. Because they will be the majority of the real J*E*T* fans. Eventually you will see the same thing in the NFL that you see in MLB. Each team will have their own network like the Yankees have the YES network and the Knicks & Rangers have MSG. We will have to subscribe to their network to get J*E*T* games. So, why don’t they just bring in audio noise.
I know I will be shot down but I had season tickets back in the Shea days and it was a wild, wooly crowd back then. After the move, while I admit, I have only attended about 10 games in all the time they’ve played in NJ, seems the fan base is a bit different in terms of alligence to the Jets. Sure there are the usual diehards but many never made the trip over the Hudson. Additionally, I guess the SOJ aspect has made many cynical. All in all, makes for a not so supportive bunch. Just my opinion.
What does he mean when he says “rough on people”?
If its rough on the opposition, thats the point.
If its rough on our own players, I guess thats good too.
Do we all have to wear little model jets on our heads.. a la Cheese heads???
Why don’t they have fan appreciation day, and eliminate the PSL garbage…then he’d see a deeply vocal fan base
As a fan that splits season tickets, I can tell you that we are really supportive when the game is competetive. We are hard on opposing teams, as well as our own team at times. If people have watched Jet games and wonder why the fans seem dissapointed at times, then they are not truly paying attention. If people say that we aren’t supportive fans based on the last 5 games, then so be it. I saw no real reason to cheer the team that was outcoached, outhustled, and showed no emotion while there season was sliding down the tubes.
In reading all of your comments, none of you said the one thing that really matters??? It’s called “Giant” stadium!! It’s no different then when you “have” to go to someones home for one of those “dinner” party’s that you’ve had on the calander that you’ve been dreading for weeks. You’ll hang in there until the right monment to cut lose, and then your out! No one likes driving over the “G” and no one likes the parking!! so just like that dinner you can’t wait to get out! Beat the traffic beat the parking!!! Now if the Jets wanted to do something to make the fans stand and cheer and make them want to stay to the the last tic of the clock, offer the fans insentives to say. Ala free parking return, free “EZ” pass rebate. The fans get nada yent and get jacked up for everything! I only go when the ole lady gets free passes to the company lux suite, me sit in traffic for three hours to listen to follow fans bitch and moan??? for what?? a twenty minute ride when on any other day??? To see the look on Bret Favre’s face thats telling me “Oh man what did I get myself into this time out here in smelling NJ”??? I could be home with my rifel and my dog hunting!! Instead I’m out here with these drunk Jet fans???
I can see that better from the comfort of my big screen TV without the “BS”
Sorry Jane didn’t mean to run off like that!! I love your Blog and enjoyed the web-cast with Mike. Even though the season is over we still have so much to talk about, why NOT do it again???
CIAO