When discussing the most heartbreaking seasons in Jets’ history, 2001 doesn’t seem to be brought up very often.  Though other seasons have involved either more painful playoff defeats or regular season collapses, when taken as a whole, the 2001 season was truly painful.

On January 28, 2001, the Jets named Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach Herman Edwards as their new head coach. Edwards replaced Al Groh, who resigned after a 9-7 finish to 2000. Though Groh was (and still is) one of only two Jets’ coaches to leave the franchise with a winning record—Bill Parcells is the other—the Jets lost their final three games and missed the playoffs. In contrast to Groh, who was a disciplinarian, Edwards was a more player-friendly coach.

The season got off to a rough start with the team losing its season opener, a 45-24 rout, at the Meadowlands to the Colts. With the Jets down 38-24 but inside the red zone in the 4th quarter, QB Vinny Testaverde fumbled, and Colts DE Chukie Nwokorie picked up the ball and returned it 95 yards for the game-sealing touchdown. The Jets were scheduled to travel to Oakland in Week 2, but the 9/11 tragedies led to the NFL taking the week off—all scheduled games were moved to Week 17, which would be played on the weekend of January 6, 2002.  (More after the jump...)

Opinions vary if the Jets can be competitive this season, but most recognize that the team is in rebuild mode. I don’t see the team making the playoffs, but I do think we’ll see a lot of improvement from last year. I’m not talking about record-wise, but improvement via the young, developing players. John Idzik has done an excellent job, so far, with the draft and signing free agents. For most teams in a rebuilding stage I’d expect three to six wins, but this Jets team is in better shape than that.

I’m projecting an 8-8 season for the Jets if they get the quarterback situation sorted out and baring any major injuries. 

Here's how it happens:

Week 1 the Jets play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at MetLife. I think the Jets defense will be too much for the Bucs offense. New Jet, Chris Ivory, will win the game for the New York with his brutal running style. On a note of later season concern, the Jets' passing game will struggle against a much improved Tampa Bay secondary (*cough* Revis *cough*). (W)

Week 2 (TNF) is at New England. It’s tough to win in Foxborough and Tom Brady will always be the difference maker. The defense will struggle against Brady in the primetime spotlight, and New England will pull off a win in a shootout. (L)

Week 3 is at home against the Bills. Geno Smith will have a big game and torch the now Mike Pettine-led Bills defense, in a blowout win. As seen in 2012, I believe the Jets defense will have trouble stopping Bills running back C.J. Spiller, but they’ll protect the end zone. Smith takes the first game against first round pick, QB EJ Manuel. (W)

(More after the jump...)

This week, as we suffer through the very slow time of the year for football fans, I thought I would write about a very inspirational former Jet. Dennis Byrd, defensive end/tackle, played only four seasons with the Jets, beginning in 1989.  

Byrd recorded 20 sacks during his first two seasons, which, even today, is a significant number for any Jet defensive player. But his career will never be remembered for sacks, tackles, or any stats. In November of 1992, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dennis suffered a severe neck injury. The impact of the injury would prevent Dennis from walking for a while, but it would end his football career for good. (More after the jump...)

He's on the market once again.

Running back Miguel Maysonet has been waived by Philly, after the team added ex-Cowboy Felix Jones last week. There was also some talk of disagreement between the GM and Head Coach, as Chip Kelly expressed some disinterest in the running back, but GM Howie Roseman hooked Maysonet up with a five figure signing bonus. 

Whatever the case, the New York Jets now have an opportunity to nail the player that I, personally, have been very high on since before the combine. 

Maysonet played one year of college ball at Hofstra before the entire football program was cut from the school, and he transferred to Stony Brook University, a school further east on Long Island.

Maysonet would become the Seawolves offense, rushing for a total of 4,725 yards on 695 carries (6.8 yds/carry avg) and 48 rushing TD's, during his three years at SBU. Maysonet was used very sparingly in the receiving game, receiving 18 passes for 191 yards and 4 TD's. 

Miguel Maysonet, at 5'9", 209lbs, has drawn comparisons to Ray Rice and, especially, Alfred Morris, who was drafted late in 2012, out of a small school like Maysonet. 

With the probable cutting of RB Mike Goodson, the Jets will have Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Joe McKnight and John Griffin on the roster. Maysonet isn't a necessity, as the running back core looks better than last season. But Ivory has had injury problems, and is very unproven. That could be the mantra of the entire RB core. Acquiring another promising young back would only help bolster the competition. That is, if he falls to the Jets' waiver claim, or clears waivers to become a free agent.

Maysonet could add to the Jets' diverse class, and yes, he could be that fill-in player for the hole in JetNation's heart at the loss of a different back with potential, Danny Woodhead.

Update: Maysonet was awarded to the Browns, per their waiver claim. The Browns had a higher waiver priority than the Jets, so NYJ couldn't have won him if they wanted to.