Chad Pennington and the Jets: Making the Most of Low Expectations

It's a good time to be a Jets fan. If they lose, you expect it. If they win, you're ecstatic. There were virtually no expectations for the New York Jets this year. At worst, most fans figured they'd have a losing season and maybe, just maybe, they'd get a crack at another top ten draft pick. It's easy for fans to talk themselves into the "rebuilding phase" sentiment because A) every team goes through it and B) it will pay off in the end. But every once in a while, when a team like this starts winning, it creates a dream scenario for their fans. In the case of the 2006 Jets, they've got everything working: a new, untested a coach, an embattled, veteran QB, a couple of exciting young players. They're a likeable squad, but they just happen to be one that you expected to go 5-11.

But then some crazy stuff starts happening: a revived Chad Pennington and an opening day win on the road, a huge almost-comeback against the almighty Patriots, a win up in Buffalo, a thrilling near-victory against the undefeated Colts, and PPFFFWWWW!!!! A 41-0 drubbing at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars takes you back down to earth. You start thinking about next year until your team holds off the lowly Dolphins and you look at their upcoming schedule: Detroit (1-5) at home and the Browns (1-4) on the road. "Hmmm," you say to yourself. "We could be 5-3 at the halfway point."

There's nothing better than rooting for the underdog, and when your hometown team embodies that attitude, even better. This is the envious position that the Jets and their fans have been granted this year. Eric Mangini might be a doughy Belichick clone who's horrible with the media, but right now he's the best young coach in the NFL if you're a Jets fan. Pennington's arm could fall off at any moment, but that doesn't matter. As long as the magic ride continues, you might as well call him Namath.