Prove them right, Zach.
Please! For the sake of all Jets fans. For my personal well-being.
Just prove the Jets right.
I’ve seen the wristband and the wall in your parents’ living room. I know you wake up every day looking to “Prove Them Wrong.” I respect it. I appreciate it. Now go spend the next decade proving them right, instead.
Start on Sunday.
Show the football world why the Jets selected you with the second overall pick in the draft. They traded Sam Darnold to clear your path down Zachs Fifth Avenue. They chose to build around you rather than doubling down on Sam. Validate that decision.
I’m begging you.
Us Jets fans need things to work out this time. Our team has rarely gotten it right. Ken O’Brien had moments, Browning Nagle never did. Boomer Esiason and Neil O’Donnell had big names but little success. Vinny Testaverde got close. Chad Pennington got hurt. Mark Sanchez got Tebow’d. Geno Smith got punched. Darnold got Gase’d.
Things never seem to work out for us. It’s been 52 years since Super Bowl III. We’re tired of rooting for the same old nonsense. But you, Mr. Wilson, can change the narrative. Please, take us Zach to the Future. Help us forget our past.
We don’t want to think about fake spikes or butt fumbles. We’re done with shovel passes, seeing ghosts and Snoopy Bowl suffering. Pull the plug on Heidi Games, burner accounts and mononucleosis.
We don’t want to hear about Mark Gastineau’s personal foul in Cleveland or Leon Johnson’s halfback option pass in Detroit. We’re done talking about Peyton Manning staying in school and the HC of the NYJ haphazardly scribbling on a napkin. We’re sick of the Idzik 12, foot fetishes, and “brilliant offensive minds.”
No more Vernon Gholston, Blair Thomas, Dee Milliner and Johnny “Lam” Jones. We never want to hear about Lou Holtz, Rich Kotite or Adam Gase again.
We want to give Joe Namath’s interview with Suzy Kolber a big kiss goodbye.
We’ve unfollowed Jamal Adams and Le’Veon Bell on social media. We’re tired of hearing that our head coach thinks he’s “rich as f*ck,” or that our owner “hopes this team actually shows up.” No more rooting against our own team in hopes of securing the first pick in the draft.
We’ve tripped over our own logo in the end zone for the last time. No more firing General Managers AFTER they run our drafts. Put away the Pick 6’s, PSLs and advice from Peyton Manning.
We want to forget about Brett Favre’s torn biceps, Chad’s torn shoulder and Vinny’s torn Achilles. Give the hook to I.K. Enemkpali’s right hook. We’re done living in Tom Brady’s shadow.
Enough googly-eyed press conference memes. No more Cover Zero Blitzes. We can’t take any more planes flying over practice or 1-15 seasons. Oh, and Woody, you most certainly CAN have too much Tebow.
Please, Zach. We’re pleading with you. End this endless string of ineptitude for us. No more Mud Bowls. Only Super Bowls. Take the chip on your shoulder and go get a chip for that trophy case in Florham Park. We don’t expect it to happen overnight, but a Lombardi will prove them right, one day, for sure.
It won’t be easy. You’re about to go all gas, no brake with an organization that’s mostly been stuck in reverse. We believe in you, though. We’ve heard the hype. We’ve watched the tape. We’ve listened to all the experts and analysts and coaches who have gushed over your arm talent, praised your work ethic and admired your leadership qualities.
We think you’re the one to lift us from the green and white abyss. We trust you’re the pilot to finally help us take flight.
We need things to work out. This time has to be different.
Please, Zach. For the sake of all Jets fans. For my personal well-being.
Prove us right.
Follow @ByJasonKlein