J-E-T-S

The Jets have made it to the AFC Championship game. This is the time for me to admit that I've always like the Jets going back to their win in Super Bowl III.

They were a dynamic team with the likes of Joe Namath, Emerson Boozer, Matt Snell and Don Maynard. Namath was a charismatic, larger than life figure who became a pop icon in the 60's and 70's. It's unfortunate to see his drunkenness on national tv a few years ago, but that's another story.

The Jets were always a star-crossed franchise and like the Pats had some dismal years in the 80's and 90's. I enjoyed their teams of the 80's with the "New York Sack Exchange" defense lead by Joe Klecko and Mark Gastinueu. It was Klecko who broke QB Steve Grogan's leg during the 1985 season. Grogan would stage a heroic comeback at the end of the season to lead the team into the playoffs and a spot in Super Bowl XX.

During the 1994 season the Jets were lead by former Pats coach Pete Carroll. Bill Parcells would have one of his greatest post-game responses after a 24-13 win. Carroll lasted only two season.

There were some great times when Bill Parcells left the Pats to coach and "buy the groceries" for the Jets when they were owned by the late Leon Hess. He took most of his staff with him including defensive coordinator Bill Belichick. He also signed free-agent Curtis Martin to a contract and eventual ticket to Canton.

When Parcells left in 2000, billionaire Woody Johnson bought the team. He had a huge public falling out with Bill Belichick who declined to "become the HC of the NYJ". Johnson publicly ridiculed Belichick, questioning his mental status.

I've always enjoyed the "Tuna Bowls", "Border Wars" or whatever you might call them. When Rex Ryan became head coach prior to the 2009 season, he upped the ante. He made his famous statements about not kissing Belichick's rings and said they would eventually visit President Obama at the White House.

As a regular reader of the NY Post, Ryan is the booming voice for the franchise. He has made his share of mistakes and said stupid things. They backed into the playoffs when the Colts decided to rest their starters in the last game. That is life in the NFL.

He has tweaked the Pats at every opportunity, but I find him entertaining. He is in the nation's largest media market and it plays out well on the stage. The NFL is always fighting its image as being the "No Fun League".

I'm a Pats fan to the very end and wish it could be us in the AFC Championship game. I'm also a fan and historian of the game. I've always like the Jets. They are one of my favorite franchises. I think fans miss a lot when they hate another team. The Pats and Jets have such a long relationship.

My dream match-up would be the Jets and Vikings in the Super Bowl. I'm not sure who I would want to win, but would be happy no matter what the outcome.