It's About Tradition.

News of Fireman Ed "leaving" has left a fan base divided.  As a long time Jets fan it's only about one thing for me. 

Tradition.

             “The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it” 
                      ~Mark Twain


There's no special story behind the J-E-T-S chant.  No magical reason for why it exists. The fact is, it does and has for years.

It started back in Shea Stadium as a battle between upper level fans in opposite end zones, each with their own leader of the chant.  It didn't take long for it to become a staple of Jets home games, and to me, Fireman Ed just happened to be the guy that kept the tradition alive.

For those of us who grew up at Giants Stadium, spending countless Sundays there with our fathers, this isn't about an annoying guy who shouldn't have a Twitter account and grew up a Dolphin fan.  It's about holding on to one of the last traditions that survived when the walls of Giants Stadium got torn down.

For me, many of my 20+ year traditions growing up a Jets fan ended in 2009.  

From tailgates, and familiar faces in Section 140, to running down the pedestrian ramps after a win and being surrounded by long time die hard fans who became family, these traditions all came to an end.

Now in a new stadium, with new faces and a new atmosphere, the one thing that felt familiar week after week was hearing that chant.

Hearing a guy do it at a bar or in a parking lot can make you hate it, but experiencing a crowd of 80,000 fans do it in unison can quickly change your mind.

The Jets don't have much that is uniquely theirs and no matter how annoying it may be, it's part of what has become their identity.

I don't consider Fireman Ed as the face of the fan base, or some fan that I should look up to.  I see him as a man who deserves some respect from the fans for keeping a tradition alive, especially during times when the team needed it most.

To see some fans happy that members of our own fan base have ended such a tradition is a sign of a sadder state of affairs then even I thought existed.  

To those fans the only thing to say is:  you just don't get it.

It's not about the man. The chant can and will hopefully continue without him.

It's about hearing those 7 syllables and remembering feeling the stadium shake underneath you back in September of 2009 during a win vs the Patriots...... and smiling, hoping and waiting to feel that energy again.

One Picture To Sum It Up.....

I'll save the breakdown of those on my watch list for later. 

Best way to sum up tonight's first preseason game against the Bengals?  Who stood out the most?  

That's easy..... 

The USC Connection....... It's about that time.

Turner, McKnight, Sanchez

Let's Get It Started: On My Radar

The time is upon us.

Two weeks of camp are in the books, story lines and camp position battles are a plenty.

I've had my eyes on many players this preseason and tonight they'll be put under the microscope just a little bit more.  As I've said countless times before, my favorite part of preseason is not seeing the first team offense/defense take the field.  It's not even watching our early round rookies.  It's seeing the guys who know they have to impress every practice, every carry, every game to see their name on the final 53. 

That opportunity continues tonight.... and here's a list of specifically who and what I'll be watching: 

1) The Battle of the Big Boys: Harrison vs Tevaseu 

Damon Harrison has had a good showing in camp so far.  He's a wide-bodied, massive DT that can handle the double team and control the line of scrimmage with an athletic ability that can't be taught.  Looking to see if he can translate this skill on the field tonight and possibly take Martin Tevaseu's spot on the final roster or at least earn a spot on the practice squad. 

2) A Look Into The Future - Allen & Bush 

Yeremiah Bell and Laron Landry were solid off season signings and should hopefully help to sure the safety nightmare every Jet fan has suffered through.  Tanny & Co. made even more wishes come true this April by addressing the Safety position and drafting Josh Bush and 7th Round steal of the century Antonio Allen.  Allen has surpassed Bush in camp thus far, I'm looking forward to seeing this young safety tandem roam the backfield tonight. 

3) Who Gets A Catchy Nickname and the #5 Spot? 

After a great camp performance, I'd be surprised to see anyone but Ellis Lankster listed as the #4 CB this season. But who's taking #5?  I'm not interested in seeing Posey or Trufant.  I'm keeping my eyes on UDFA's Ryan Steed and Donnie Fletcher.  Steed was originally projected as a high draft pick but a slow combine time squashed those dreams.  He's been limited in camp and tonight will have lots to prove. Fletcher on the other hand had caught the attention of many at camp, seeing some looks at safety as well as CB.  One is great at man coverage, one is better in zone.  Which one if any steals that #5 spot away from the "little guys"? 

4) There's no Dowtin He Can Play 

It's almost a crime that Marcus Dowtin has been held out of training camp practice as of late. "The Hybrid" is one of those players whose versatility all over the field just can't be overlooked.  He's spent sometime with the safeties this preseason and is the perfect fit in the direction Rex's defense is going.  Looking to see if he can beat out a inconsistent Josh Mauga or hard-hitting Bellore for a spot. 

5) Speedy McSpeedster vs The 7th Round Mystery

I didn't believe until I saw it live at Cortland but the Dexter Jackson rumors are true.  He's fast and can catch whatever is thrown at him, and is a pretty speedy punt returner too.  To gain his spot as the #6 WR this year he may have to beat out 7th round pick Jordan White.  90% of fans fell in love with his stat sheet on April 29th but entering camp with an injury has kept him from showing the talent everyone is expecting him to have.  Let's see what both can do vs Bengals tonight. 

6) Scotty McKnight Didn't Ball with Sanchez at USC - Patrick Turner did. 

Why am I keeping an eye on Patrick Turner?  Because I've been a big fan of his for years.  His size, skill and chemistry with Sanchez is entirely underrated.  I fully expect him to make the roster and hope tonight he continues to impress and earn more field time this season. 


and lastly..... there's one player I'll be watching on the Bengals and here's why.....

7) The Prototypical Slot Receiver - Jordan Shipley 

If there's one team that has enough depth at the wide receiver position it's the Cincinnati Bengals.  Fans have been searching high and low for decent options since the Jets wide receivers suddenly came down with the injury bug.  Despite coming back from a knee injury that kept him out last season, I'd like to add Shipley's name to the mix.  Tonight I'm hoping our defense helps our cause and gets this natural slot receiver cut.  May Sanu, Green and Jones shine so I can finally get the Texas boy in Green & White since it didn't happen in the 2010 draft like I hoped.