While listening to my fellow Jets fans whether through conversation, forums or sports talk radio they often reference the same several personnel \u201cmistakes\u201d the Jets have made over the past few years causing the team severe harm.<\/p>\n
Kind of like watching the presidential debates just saying it doesn\u2019t make it true.\u00a0 Here is a list of the four most popular myths regarding decisions the Jets made which have been detrimental to the team:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Jets should never have gotten rid of running back Thomas Jones:<\/strong><\/p>\n While Jones had some very memorable moments with the Jets and was a quiet leader, Shonn Greene was handling<\/a> the bulk of the running back duties during the 2009 playoffs as Jones was dealing with a knee<\/a> issue.\u00a0 Many fans point to the Greene\u2019s injured<\/a> ribs during the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts as a turning point in that game as Jones, forced into a full-time role, was not playing up to his usual level.<\/p>\n The Jets wanted<\/a> to re-work Jones 2010 salary, something he was unwilling to do, so they released him.\u00a0 Jones would eventually sign a two year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs while the Jets signed<\/a> veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson to replace the departed Jones.<\/p>\n Both the Chiefs<\/a> (10-6 AFC West winners) and the Jets (11-5 Wildcard) made the playoffs during the 2010 season but neither team made the playoffs in 2011, Jets (8-8) \u2013 Chiefs (7-9).<\/p>\n While Jones was a fan favorite and played hard the stats would show the Jets got more production out of Tomlinson and releasing Jones was not a mistake. Both players retired after the 2011 season.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Jets shouldn\u2019t have released guard Alan Faneca:<\/strong><\/p>\n Signed <\/a>before the 2008 season Faneca was considered to be the best free agent guard available at the time.\u00a0 He had previously played<\/a> 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a major upgrade to Adrien Clarke who had a miserable<\/a> 2007 season starting at left guard eventually being benched<\/a>.<\/p>\n After two seasons with the team the Jets decided to release<\/a> Faneca, 33 at the time, after he had a mediocre 2009 season allowing 6.5 sacks.\u00a0 A training camp battle between second year player Matt Slauson and rookie Vladimir Ducasse to replace Faneca followed with Slauson winning the job.<\/p>\n The Jets finished<\/a> 11th<\/sup> in the league that season in total offense, 4th<\/sup> in rushing<\/a>, allowed 28<\/a> sacks, and made the AFC Championship game for a second straight year.<\/p>\n Faneca signed<\/a> a one year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2010 which turned out to be his last year in the NFL.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jets should have never released wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery:<\/strong><\/p>\n While Cotchery is a \u201cgamer\u201d his numbers had steadily declined <\/a>and had 41 receptions for 433 yards during the 2010 season.\u00a0 The Jets began<\/a> to look at alternatives at wide receiver and it seemed Cotchery would have an even more limited role in the offense, so he asked to be released.\u00a0 The Jets granted the request allowing Cotchery to pursue other opportunities.\u00a0 He was acquired<\/a> by the Pittsburgh Steelers and, even with Ben Roethlisberger throwing him passes, has 20 receptions for 279 yards in 19 games.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jets should have kept fullback Tony Richardson:<\/strong><\/p>\n While the Jets have had some transition at the fullback<\/a> position as John \u201cThe Terminator\u201d Connor has recently been released, replaced<\/a> by Lex Hilliard, Richardson<\/a> will be 41 by year\u2019s end and retired <\/a>after the 2010 season.<\/p>\n It was revealed in the HBO football reality show \u201cHard Knocks\u201d there were questions if age was finally catching up with Richardson as he was on the roster \u201cbubble\u201d, although he did play out the 2010 season.<\/p>\nHere are the 2010 regular season statistics for both Tomlinson<\/a> and Jones<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
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2011 Season:<\/h3>\n
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