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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 5:48:44 GMT -5
Sept 1, 1996
What a difference a year makes. Yesterday’s entry recalled the Jets 41-3 opening day victory in 1997 over the Seahawks which welcomed in a new era of Jet football. Today, we are looking at a game that took place just 364 days earlier. The Jets and Coach Rich Kotite would open the 1996 season with a trip to Mile High Stadium in Denver. And it accurately foretold a 2nd straight season of misery for the fans and ineptitude on the field. A stretch of bad football unparalleled in Jet history. Hopes were high for Gang Green as they headed into the 96 season. Yes, they were coming off of a 3-13 1995 campaign, but an off-season spending spree would bring them 2 new offensive tackles (David Williams and Jumbo Elliott), 2 new QBs, (starter Neil O’Donnell and back-up Frank Reich) and a new starting WR, Jeff Graham. Add #1 overall draft pick Keyshawn Johnson and the Jets were ready for a turnaround season.   With David Williams out with a back injury and Jumbo Elliott out with a groin injury, the Jets patchwork offensive line was no match for the Broncos pass rush. The Broncos sacked O’Donnell 8 times by the middle of the 3rd quarter (he was only sacked 15 times the entire 1995 season). It got so bad that O’Donnell was removed from the game by the coaching staff who were afraid that he would get hurt from the beating he was taking. In total, O’Donnell threw for 50 yards and lost 53 on the 8 sacks, for a total of -3 net passing yards. The Broncos capitalized on 3 2nd quarter turnovers and jumped out to a 31-0 halftime lead. They coasted to an easy 31-6 victory and went on to finish the season at 13-3 and won the AFC West Championship before falling to Jacksonville in the Divisional playoffs. The Jets would finish the season 1-15 and Kotite would be fired after the season.
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Post by Fishooked on Sept 1, 2015 5:56:41 GMT -5
The darkest timeline.
I went to so many Jets games during Kotite's tenure because people were literally giving away tickets.
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 6:44:15 GMT -5
Pretty sure the only game I saw live during the Kotite era was the 47-10 loss to the Raiders in 1995, when Kotite had the brilliant idea to put converted college QB Vance Joseph on Tim Brown. Brown had 8 catches 150+ yards and a couple of TDs. After the game, Tim Brown would say, "It was strange out there. I started feeling bad for the Jets. I know it's not a good feeling."
I don't care if an opponents hates us, wants to crush us, anything, but don't pity us. That is as bad as it can get.
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Post by Fishooked on Sept 1, 2015 6:54:11 GMT -5
Pretty sure the only game I saw live during the Kotite era was the 47-10 loss to the Raiders in 1995, when Kotite had the brilliant idea to put converted college QB Vance Joseph on Tim Brown. Brown had 8 catches 150+ yards and a couple of TDs. After the game, Tim Brown would say, "It was strange out there. I started feeling bad for the Jets. I know it's not a good feeling." I don't care if an opponents hates us, wants to crush us, anything, but don't pity us. That is as bad as it can get. Everyone remembers that primetime TNT game, what a disaster. FU Jeff Hostetler too |
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 6:55:26 GMT -5
Also on this date, 9/1/04, the Jets would sign QB Chad Pennington to a 7-year contract extension. Typical JEts luck as Pennington would tear his rotator cuff in that 2004 season, then re-injure it again in 2005. Pre-injury Chad was great -- among the best QBs in the game. His 2002 season when he replaced Vinny may have been the best season of QB play the Jets ahve gotten since Namath -- right up there with Vinny in 98.
Post injury Chad was anything but great - just another guy.
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Post by JetRepulsion1 on Sept 1, 2015 7:24:43 GMT -5
The darkest timeline. I went to so many Jets games during Kotite's tenure because people were literally giving away tickets. Dark days indeed. Thank you Kyle stone hands f'in Brady. That's what happens when u select TEs in the first round all the time. Stupid fucking jets never learn, hate their green guts! |
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Post by Peebag on Sept 1, 2015 9:04:36 GMT -5
I watched that whole Bronco game - by halftime I knew that the whole season was lost. How the hell did we win a game that year?
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 9:16:02 GMT -5
I watched that whole Bronco game - by halftime I knew that the whole season was lost. How the hell did we win a game that year?Because this guy came to play every day. Had a huge game against Arizona.  Adrian Murrell deserved better. |
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Post by nyahaybus on Sept 1, 2015 9:16:44 GMT -5
I remember this game too well...Kotite was in so over his head.
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Post by southparkcpa on Sept 1, 2015 9:59:30 GMT -5
I remember working for a company in NYC and JETS tickets would be left in the common area if partners didn't use them.
MANY times those tickets would be there Minday morning.
JETS circa 1990 to 1996.
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Post by 2milehighJet on Sept 1, 2015 11:02:40 GMT -5
Uggh. I was at this game. Not one thing to cheer for.
Its funny, living away from NY, and only getting to see your team live a few times every few years sucks, especially during this era.
I waited 4 years sine the last time in Denver, and the reason I remember that game was Elway threw like a 100 yard bomb for the first score and it was over. Also, they brought in Kenny O for probably the last time in the second half. Oh I got drunk then punched in the head. Youth!!
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 11:17:04 GMT -5
Uggh. I was at this game. Not one thing to cheer for. Its funny, living away from NY, and only getting to see your team live a few times every few years sucks, especially during this era. I waited 4 years sine the last time in Denver, and the reason I remember that game was Elway threw like a 100 yard bomb for the first score and it was over. Also, they brought in Kenny O for probably the last time in the second half. Oh I got drunk then punched in the head. Youth!! Ever try doing any road trips -- living in Chicago I try to make at least one road trip to see the Jets every year. Seen some great games and some awful ones (Baltimore 2 years ago comes to mind), but its always a great weekend. Planning on Dallas this year and a visit to Met Life in October for the Skins game. |
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Post by Peebag on Sept 1, 2015 11:21:51 GMT -5
Uggh. I was at this game. Not one thing to cheer for. Its funny, living away from NY, and only getting to see your team live a few times every few years sucks, especially during this era. I waited 4 years sine the last time in Denver, and the reason I remember that game was Elway threw like a 100 yard bomb for the first score and it was over. Also, they brought in Kenny O for probably the last time in the second half. Oh I got drunk then punched in the head. Youth!! Ever try doing any road trips -- living in Chicago I try to make at least one road trip to see the Jets every year. Seen some great games and some awful ones (Baltimore 2 years ago comes to mind), but its always a great weekend. Planning on Dallas this year and a visit to Met Life in October for the Skins game. Planning on Dallas as well - hopefully we'll still be in the thick of things by then. |
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 1, 2015 11:42:51 GMT -5
Planning on Dallas as well - hopefully we'll still be in the thick of things by then. I guess if we are out of it by then, we can always root for Dallas while thinking about how guys like Connor Cook or Cardale Jones might in Jets uniforms in 2016. |
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Post by 2milehighJet on Sept 1, 2015 12:30:31 GMT -5
Ever try doing any road trips -- living in Chicago I try to make at least one road trip to see the Jets every year. Seen some great games and some awful ones (Baltimore 2 years ago comes to mind), but its always a great weekend. Planning on Dallas this year and a visit to Met Life in October for the Skins game. Planning on Dallas as well - hopefully we'll still be in the thick of things by then. I try to travel as much as work and money allows. Been to Charlotte, NE, Seattle, SD but not every year. That being said, one of the Texas games will be attended. Problem with Dallas is proximity to Holiday, but I think wife is surprising me with Houston which is my birthday. |
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