Possessiveness is generally not an attractive quality in any relationship, but it's especially true when it comes to the Jets, whose zany antics, trash talking and underdog persona have captured the hearts of the entire Tri-State Area over the past two seasons. But Mayor Bloomberg and NJ Gov. Chris Christie got into a catfight yesterday over which state is the true home of the team—and this is one argument that can't be solved with a Mariah Carey song.
Gov. Christie got things started yesterday when he argued that the Jets, whose stadium and facilities are all located in NJ, belong to NY in name only. "Today when they're practicing, where are they practicing? New Jersey. And when they play their homes games, where do they play? New Jersey. And where do most of their players live? In New Jersey." Bloomberg responded later in the day with his own version of a history lesson, reminding people that the Jets first played at the Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan, then at Shea Stadium in Flushing. "We can all root for the Jets, but they don't call him Turnpike Joe," he said, referring to Jets legend "Broadway" Joe Namath.
The Jets are even getting two very different kinds of rallies across the Hudson: there's a pep rally this afternoon in Times Square with giveaways galore, hosted by Bloomberg, Jets owner Woody Johnson, and a handful of Jets players. Then on Saturday, there will be a NJ pep rally at the teams Florham Park practice facility; officials expect between 4,000 and 5,000 fans will show up to form a human tunnel to send the team off ton their journey to Pittsburgh. Coach Rex Ryan, who has been on his best behavior this week, tried to play peacemaker, saying, "There's enough of the Jets to go around."
There's also enough Ryan love to go around, both literally and figuratively. The loudmouth, rotund Coach has gone from lovable drill sergeant to distraction to savior as the season has progressed. After Sunday's commanding defeat of the Patriots, he's been given more and more credit, even from Giants players. Virile cornerback Antonio Cromartie gets it completely: "I am not surprised. It's just the kind of guy Rex is and how he carries himself. Who wouldn't want to play for him? ...Everyone sees how Rex is and how he loves to have fun, he loves to come out and joke around. At the same time, he's a business person, too. When it's time for work he works. We all try to make sure everyone here enjoys himself, too. This is the most fun I done had in the five years of my career."
