Origin of the name
(By Raúl Cancio) Living between La Guardia and JFK airports is not exactly synonymous with rest. So how do they want the neighborhood football team to be called? But it wasn't always like that. When it was founded in 1960 to compete in the AFL, they played at the Polo Grounds, and were called the Titans back then. After being repurchased by Werblin in 1963, the colors were changed, they moved to Shea Stadium, and they were named the Jets, which not only reminded them of the noise in the neighborhood but also phonetically worked well with the neighboring Mets.
Owner: Woody Johnson *
The owner of the Jets always moves in that difficult balance that billionaires who own a sports team must maintain: stay away from the sports side and firm in the economic side. Johnson doesn't always achieve this, and makes controversial decisions, like keeping Rex Ryan after hiring a new general manager. Now he is said to be regretful and starting a new phase with the intention of letting those who truly know take charge.
General Manager: Mike Maccagnan ***
Maccagnan was not the favorite to get the general manager position for the Jets, but in his interviews he made a great impression and got the job. Everything he has done this year with the coach, in free agency and in the draft is more than promising and confirms what he already did with the Houston Texans, which is to prioritize defense first, second, and third. Security and sobriety in his first year leading the Jets.
Head Coach: Todd Bowles ***
In Arizona, some are pulling their hair out because of the loss of Todd Bowles. Desired by half of the league, the great defensive coordinator chose the Jets as his destination. Since the defense was already well established, it seems like a very logical decision. In New York, they will play with great aggressiveness on that side, being able to dominate from the DL and with a secondary that will have to take care of itself as the blitzes will be the order of the day. The doubts with Bowles' signing are in the offense, which is what the team most needs to improve and what the coach doesn't have much recognized experience in. This first year will serve to evaluate him in that aspect.
STADIUM: Met Life Stadium, a palace in New Jersey *****
(By José Villelabeitia) The Jets, just like their NFC counterparts, the Giants, don't even play in New York, but in neighboring New Jersey. Although that is nothing new, they have been doing it since the day they decided to rent the stadium from the NY Giants and leave the legendary Shea Stadium. With the fever of new fields, the Giants Stadium became outdated, instead of renovating it, it was 33 years old, both teams agreed to co-finance a new stadium with private funds that would be more in line with the NFL's new requirements, something that even allowed a controversial cold-weather Super Bowl to take place.
FAN BASE: Sufferers but always tireless ****
(By José Villelabeitia) Being a fan of the NY Jets is equivalent to being a fan of Atlético instead of Real Madrid in the city of Madrid. One has to ask themselves, "Why are we Jets fans?" If a franchise has represented defeat, being the poor sibling, but above all, being a constant laughingstock, something that the viperous New York press appreciates, that would be the Jets. Despite that, they have one of the most loyal and fanatical fan bases in the league. Their chants of "J-E-T-S", their snowball throws, and especially a unique fan like "Fireman Ed" are an essential part of the NFL.
CHEERLEADERS: In eight years they have risen to the elite ****
(By José Villelabeitia) The NY Jets cheerleaders, despite their short time in the league, have earned a place among the best in the NFL. Known as "The Flight Crew", they were originally beautiful girls who carried the team's flags on the sidelines, replacing the boys. Their great success encouraged the team's management to create their own cheerleading squad in 2007. They hired a celebrity from the Cowboys' cheerleaders, and in just eight years, they have earned their own space.