Every NFL season, there are franchises that make the decision “Super Bowl or bust”, no matter the cost.
They use this flawed logic to control their off-season moves. They sign high risk free agents, cut star talent, and push rookies into game deciding roles.
In 2010, the New York Jets are that team.
Last year the Jets were under the radar until they were able to sneak into the playoffs with wins over two teams who were on auto pilot.
New York won two playoff games using a dominant defense and a strong rushing attack, a successful formula employed by many teams throughout the years.
The Jets’ Super Bowl dreams came to an end in Indianapolis, falling to the Colts when Peyton Manning showed them why he’s the best quarterback in the NFL.
In an effort to maintain the momentum generated with last season’s unlikely playoff run, New York started the off-season with a bang by renting Antonio Cromartie for one season to play opposite stud cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Since then they have begun to make some questionable decisions.
First, they let running back Thomas Jones go in favor of LaDainian Tomlinson, even though Jones out paced him in every statistical category.
Then there was the trade for troubled wide receiver Santonio Holmes and the addition of an aging Jason Taylor.
The Jets put the icing on the cake in the 2010 NFL Draft when they selected cornerback Kyle Wilson and closed out the weekend by releasing Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca.
Despite what some may think, the Jets now have more questions than answers.
Can their draft class of Wilson, running back Joe McKnight and guard Vladimir Ducasse step up and produce or will they make rookie mistakes that burdens the team?
Will Tomlinson and Taylor be able to produce like they did earlier in their careers?
Can Holmes stay out of trouble after his four-game suspension and become the deep threat New York needs?
For a team that has invested so much in making its first Super Bowl in 42 years, that’s a lot of questions that need answering.
This much is certain: Jets’ fans will be livid if New York doesn’t make a serious Super Bowl run – or even worse – if the Jets fail to make the playoffs this season.
Regardless of what happens, you have to give the Jets credit for the risky moves they’re making, even if they fail miserably.
