The Franchise Changer?

By Jon Matthews

When Steve Carell left The Office, we all thought it was over. NBC made an unbelievable decision to have Will Farrell replace him for a few episodes and then had James Spader take on the full-time position. This move was franchise changing. It changed the culture of the show from a comedic standpoint, as well as retaining most of their current fan base. When things start to get stagnant, or a period of adversity is reached, a franchise changing decision is the boom or bust move that determines the success or failure in your future. In this case, it is clear that James Spader (Or Ed Helms for that matter) is not meant to sit in the office for the now very famous role of Michael Scott.

The Jets have just had the most disappointing season since Ryan’s tenure began. As usual, Rex Ryan kicked off the year with his Super Bowl aspirations. Where he went wrong was giving both Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes captain tags. They were the most immature players on the team, and they hurt more than helped at the leadership positon. Holmes especially is a me-first player that seems more concern with accruing stats than wins. He has already worn out his welcome in one city, and on his way to doing it in another. This was a worse decision than Universal Music Group giving William Hung (American Idol Reject) a three-album deal including “Hung for the Holidays”.

The season started off well. There was up’s and down’s, but they found ways to win. Later in the season, the team flamed out and neither of their captains were around with a match or spark. They had two three game losing streaks, and they controlled their own playoff destiny with the last three games. Win and they were in. Sanchez couldn’t get anyone the ball. When he did, the receivers were dropping them or they’re overthrown. His passing mechanics looked worse than John wall’s opening pitch at the Nat’s game.

Now the season’s over and they home where they deserve to be. McElroy gate opens up, and now everyone is pointing the finger. Rex Ryan sobs during a press conference and Bart Scott flips the bird. The Jets are in a serious need for a franchise-changing move. They need to clean house and some how start a new regime, and it starts with Sanchez. Now, everything in the next paragraph is a complete long shot, and at best unlikely to happen. Not only do these moves make little to no sense for their medium-long term future, and it also refutes everything the Jets have accomplished the past 3 season, but with that said...

As of now, Peyton Manning is still a Colt. In an interview with Stephen A Smith on ESPN Radio, Rex admitted that Manning is a hell of a player and if he was available that’s something any GM should look into. Media venues usually push the issue with certain franchise decisions. New York media will easily push for this to happen. The Jets should look at this as an extremely big opportunity to start fresh. A Colts-Jets trade would help both parties. The Jets could trade two first round picks for a win now situation with Manning. This would work out great for both franchises. Mark Sanchez can sit behind Manning and learn for two years. The Colts will have their QB of the future in Luck and picks to supply talent around him. Sanchez could be retooled like the Packers did Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre. The Jets would have their second chance with a franchise QB, and possibly a super bowl run. It would all be pending because of the age of the defense and other offseason personnel changes. Rex can go about with this move like CBS did when they cut Charlie Sheen and brought in Ashton Kutcher to replace him. Act as if there’s been no change to the show, and reclaim the spot at the top.