Joe Benigno talks Jets fandom, says lacking 2023 playoffs could be ‘greatest catastrophe’ in staff historical past

Publish columnist Steve Serby huddles with former WFAN persona and Jets superfan Joe Benigno earlier than coaching camp kicks off this week.

Q: What do you consider the Jets being on “Hard Knocks”?

A: I hate it. I don’t prefer it. I don’t prefer it in any respect. I believe it’s a distraction. Now, with that stated, the opposite time they have been on “Onerous Knocks,” they went to the [2010] AFC Championship recreation. I don’t know if [head coach Robert] Saleh’s gonna deal with “Onerous Knocks” the best way Rex [Ryan] dealt with it. Rex type of embraced it. I don’t assume they’re gonna be embracing it. So I’m not thrilled about it.

Q: Who’re a number of the personalities you’re trying ahead to watching on “Onerous Knocks”?

A: I don’t actually care. I’ll watch it as a result of it’s my staff. I don’t care about personalities, I need to win a championship, bro. It’s been 55 years since we received a Tremendous Bowl. We’ve gone past the Rangers. Bear in mind just like the Rangers’ 54 years was just like the Holy Grail? Oh my god! 1940! No person’s chantin’ 1968! However that is gonna be 55 years. Fifty-five (screeching voice)! I used to be 15 after they received the Tremendous Bowl. I’m gonna be 70 in two months. And we haven’t even been again, OK? Sufficient stated. I may care much less about personalities. All I care about is profitable a championship earlier than I die.

Q: How a lot does Aaron Rodgers have left?

A: I believe he’s bought so much left. And right here’s the factor too with Rodgers: This isn’t Brett Favre, who didn’t need to be right here. This man needs to be right here. This man’s truly embracing being with this staff. And I believe he realizes, that if he wins a Tremendous Bowl with the Jets, he goes from, OK, yeah, he’s a first-ballot Corridor of Fame quarterback and all that, however he goes up like 10 ranges if he wins a Tremendous Bowl with the Jets. Let’s be actual. He’d be the soccer equal of [Mark] Messier. And I believe he understands that, he realizes that.

Q: The place does he rank in at present’s NFL?

A: You bought [Patrick] Mahomes one, bought [Joe] Burrow two, if you wish to give me [Josh] Allen three, I suppose I can reside with him being third … I’ll say Rodgers might be subsequent.

Q: What sort of life like shot do Rodgers and the Jets have of profitable a Tremendous Bowl?

A: I believe it’s life like. … I don’t know if it’s gonna occur this 12 months. Look, I’ll put it this manner: We bought two years to win a championship. Let’s say this: We gotta win the division this 12 months. I need a division title and a house playoff recreation. We’ve received two division titles because the merger. We haven’t had a house playoff recreation because the 2002 season.

Q: So that you’re considering Rodgers will probably be right here for 2 years?

A: Except they win a Tremendous Bowl this 12 months, then I can see him strolling away, and he can go, see ya. God bless you, thanks a lot. I’ll be constructing the statue in my basement, and you’ll go go away.

Q: Why are you optimistic that he’ll be right here for 2?

A: I believe he needs to play for 2 extra years. And I believe he does need that Tremendous Bowl. So I believe in the event that they don’t win it this 12 months, I believe he’s coming again to attempt to win it, I actually do.

Q: When was the final time you have been this optimistic a few Jets staff heading into coaching camp?

A: Nicely, I wouldn’t name it … let me say ***** cautiously ***** optimistic. How’s that? As a result of I’m a Jet fan. And my baseball staff [Mets] didn’t precisely give me good karma going into the soccer season, ya know what I imply?

Q: When was the final time you have been this ***** cautiously ***** optimistic?

A: I’ll say going into the 2010 season, after they misplaced to the Colts within the [AFC] Championship recreation in ’09.

Q: Have you ever ever gone into a darkness retreat?

A: Not alone (snigger out loud).

Q: What do you want finest about this Jets staff?

A: Nicely, I believe we’ve bought an excellent protection, nevertheless it’s gotta get higher as a result of it doesn’t pressure turnovers.

Q: Quinnen Williams?

A: Love him. The most effective defensive tackles in soccer, and I’m so blissful they bought the deal completed.

Q: Sauce Gardner?

A: Nice. Phenomenal. Received the jersey. Love the man. Has an opportunity to be one of many nice corners of all time.

Q: Garrett Wilson?

A: Oh my god. Great. Liked him at Ohio State. I watch plenty of the Massive Ten and the SEC, OK? I used to be doin’ a dance after they drafted him. Love him.

Q: Mekhi Becton?

A: Catastrophe. Wake me up when he’s truly on the sphere enjoying and performs a complete 17-game schedule. Wake me up.

Q: How do you’re feeling concerning the offensive line?

A: I believe it’s gonna be higher than we expect, I do. Alijah Vera-Tucker’s again, I like this child [Joe] Tippmann they drafted out of Wisconsin. Let’s see what occurs with the sort out place. To me, if worse involves worse, you may put AVT again at sort out. That might be a worst-case situation … AVT again at sort out, Duane Brown on the opposite aspect, put Tippmanm at middle and make [Connor] McGovern a guard. I may see them doing that.

Q: Allen Lazard?

A: I like all the fellows they introduced in. I’d prefer to see them sign Dalvin Cook, I’d convey him in, ’trigger I’m apprehensive about Breece [Hall]. Look, he’s bought the identical harm [ACL] that [Saquon] Barkley had, and it took Barkley actually a few years to get again to high kind. So I’m a bit of apprehensive about Breece Corridor. We are able to’t have sufficient weapons. Usher in Dalvin Cook dinner, I’m all for it.

Q: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett?

A: I gotta see what he’s, I don’t know. And I take a look at it this manner, too: I put no inventory in him as the pinnacle coach in Denver, which means nothing to me. Look, simply since you’re a foul head coach doesn’t imply you’re a foul offensive coordinator. And I take a look at it this manner anyway: Rodgers is mainly the offensive coordinator so far as I’m involved.

Q: You weren’t a fan of his father, Paul Hackett, when he was the offensive coordinator from 2001-04?

A: A lot too conservative.

Q: What do you want about Robert Saleh?

A: He’s an unbelievably good man. The man couldn’t be a nicer man, and that could be my greatest concern about him, and it has been since Day 1, that he’s too good.

Q: What was it like enjoying golf with him on Wednesday?

A: He simply couldn’t have been nicer. What else can I say?

Q: What sort of golfer is he?

A: He’s good. He hits the ball a ***** looong ***** freakin’ means off the tee. He advised me he has over 500 balls — he has a ball from each golf course he’s ever performed.

Q: Joe Douglas?

A: He redeemed himself final 12 months with [Garrett] Wilson and Gardner. Let’s see what occurs this 12 months. I wished the broad receiver from Ohio State, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as a substitute of [Will] McDonald, however we’ll see what McDonald seems to be. I’ll give him for his three years of drafting, we don’t know what this 12 months’s gonna be but, a C-plus.

Q: How do you see the AFC East?

A: Ours for the taking. I believe Buffalo is overrated, that’s an enormous hit dropping their defensive coordinator [Leslie Frazier]. They don’t have any working recreation in anyway, their working recreation is Allen. I believe that there’s points with him and Stefon Diggs. I believe Miami’s overrated. You recognize Mike White’ll be enjoying in some unspecified time in the future, Tua [Tagovailoa’s] gonna get damage. I don’t love Mike McDaniel as a coach, Dolphin followers love him, they assume he’s the subsequent Don Shula. Inform me the place that’s, ya know? Look, Invoice [Belichick] continues to be in New England, and that makes them harmful, however I don’t assume Mac Jones is any good. The division’s there. Take it! The division’s there for the profitable.

Q: How would you’re feeling if the 12-year playoff drought will not be damaged?

A: Let’s put it this manner: If the Jets don’t make the playoffs this 12 months, it is going to be the most important catastrophe within the historical past of the franchise. And that’s sayin’ one thing. Let’s be trustworthy.

Q: However you’re not anticipating that.

A: They higher make the playoffs. … I anticipate the worst, and I’m by no means upset. That’s how I method ever 12 months. I advised you, I’m ***** cautiously ***** optimistic. However there may be the likelihood, as a result of I’m a Jet fan since 1965, and I bought the hemorrhoids to show it, and you would put it in there. OK? All proper?

Q: What drove you rising up?

A: My father [Joe] died [heart attack] once I was 13, in order that type of set the tone for my life a bit of bit. I type of checked out myself now I’m on an island on my own.

Q: Was your father a Jets fan?

A: I wouldn’t say particularly a Jet fan, however my father was the man that turned me on to Joe Namath, although, when he was at Alabama. Subsequent factor I do know, Joe Namath’s being drafted by the Jets in New Yawk, and I’m like, “Oh wow! That is my staff!” And that’s how I turned a Jet fan.

Q: Did you want all of the New York groups?

A: I turned a Met fan in 1962. Right here’s this model new staff, and I stated, “I’m gonna be a fan of this staff.” What a mistake that was. My first reminiscence of any sport was the [Bill] Mazeroski house run [against the Yankees in the World Series] in 1960, OK?

Q: How did your mom react to you being such a fanatic Jets fan?

A: That was additionally a problem as a result of all of them wished me to go to medical college, OK? Within the early days, my kin type of frowned on me being into the sports activities like I used to be.

Q: Your mom was not a sports activities fan, proper?

A: No, she wasn’t, however then because the years went on and he or she remarried, she would inform me on a regular basis that you must do one thing to get into the sports activities world. She began pushing me in that route. Sadly, she handed away earlier than I bought into doing sports activities radio. She handed away in 1990, so she didn’t see me turn into a chat present host.

Q: What 12 months did you marry Terry?

A: 1994. Actually, our anniversary is developing Sunday.

Q: How has she dealt with your Jets obsession?

A: She handles it very properly. She knew what I used to be when she married me. I wasn’t doing radio but when she married me, I used to be nonetheless a few year-and-a-half away or no matter it was from that occuring. However she was very supportive of me doing that. I used to name “Mike and the Mad Canine” on a regular basis, I used to be on FAN as a caller, and he or she was very supportive of that. … She at all times says to me, “If there was one factor I may get for you, it could be a Jet Tremendous Bowl championship.”

Q: Once you have been a caller, Joe from Saddle River, what relating to the Jets made you essentially the most ticked off and spurred you to name in?

A: The place would you like me to start out? When did I begin? [It was] 1995, in order that was truly whatchamacallit’s first 12 months … [Rich] Kotite. … The Spike Recreation, Pete Carroll, dropping the final 5 video games of that season … the entire catastrophe with Bruce Coslet after they have been 8-5 in ’93, they misplaced the final three video games to blow the playoffs that 12 months … dropping that house to Houston the final recreation of the season when he may have made the playoffs and mainly not even displaying up. … There’s plenty of issues.

Q: So that you and Kotite began on the similar time?

A: Fortunate me. And keep in mind this: All of the years that I did radio, I didn’t see one in all my groups [Jets, Mets, Knicks, Rangers] win a championship, not one.

Q: When did you start to bitter on Kotite?

A: Most likely about midway via the primary 12 months, I knew this man was a catastrophe.

Q: It’s essential to have had him on the present, no?

A: I by no means had Kotite on, by no means.

Q: Why not?

A: I by no means tried. I didn’t need him. Who wished him? I didn’t need him on.

Q: Your favourite Jets rising up?

A: Namath and George Sauer stand out.

Q: What did you consider Joe Klecko?

A: I liked him. He’s the best defensive participant within the historical past of the franchise — sorry, Darrelle [Revis]. And by the best way, guys like you must begin, ’trigger I’m doing this, you must begin pushing for Mark Gastineau to get within the Corridor of Fame. … He’s one of many premier go rushers of all time. … He was a trendsetter with the sack dance, give it some thought.

Q: What was it like for you watching the New York Sack Alternate?

A: It was nice, we had an incredible line of defense. The one downside was that we crapped out within the playoffs, ya know? Richard Todd hitting Invoice Simpson in 1981 within the Buffalo catastrophe, Richard Todd hitting A.J. Duhe wide-open within the Mud Bowl catastrophe, ya know? What can I inform ya?

Q: The place does Revis rank in cornerback historical past?

A: Deion Sanders is the very best cowl nook of all time. Should you requested me, OK, you’re beginning two all-time cornerbacks, I bought Deion on one aspect and I bought Mel Blount on the opposite aspect. I’ll say high 10, however possibly like 5, six, in that vary. I’d have to consider it a bit of bit. … I used to be very upset after they let [Revis] stroll away, and he goes and he wins a freakin’ Tremendous Bowl with the Evil Empire. And let me say this too: I gotta see what the precise quantity is of Jet first-round draft selections — I’ll throw the names on the market — that received Tremendous Bowls with someone else … John Riggins … Jonathan Vilma … Keyshawn Johnson … James Farrior … Burgess Owens … clearly Darrelle Revis. … There’s in all probability a few others that I can’t consider off the highest of my head. Very miserable.

Q: Was the Mud Bowl (the AFC Championship in opposition to Miami in January 1983) your most agonizing defeat?

A: No, essentially the most agonizing defeat needed to be Cleveland, in January of ’87, with the 20-10 lead with 5 minutes to go within the recreation. That needs to be the worst ever. And, in fact, it was extended when [Mark] Moseley missed that chip-shot area purpose to type of delay the agony, ya know what I imply, within the overtimes.

Q: Why was that one worse than the Mud Bowl? That was not an AFC Championship recreation.

A: No, I perceive that. I believe it was worse than the Mud Bowl due to the truth that we had a 10-point lead with 5 minutes to go (snigger), ya know what I’m sayin’? The Mud Bowl, we didn’t rating some extent in that recreation, it was nuthin’-nuthin’ at halftime, proper?

Q: What have been your feelings after the Mud Bowl?

A: I wasn’t blissful about it. I’ll say this: I in all probability nonetheless felt that we had an opportunity going ahead with that staff. Now, I didn’t know on the time that Walt Michaels was gonna get fired, OK? And Joe Walton was only a horrible head coach, I imply he stunk.

Q: What was your response when the Jets handed on Dan Marino within the 1983 draft?

A: I used to be very upset. I used to be past upset. I watched Marino in school, I knew this man was gonna be a big-time quarterback within the NFL. It’s humorous as a result of again then, keep in mind, we’re not watching the draft on a Thursday evening like it’s now. And I keep in mind calling the previous Sports activities Telephone they usually saying the Jets drafted this quarterback that I by no means heard of earlier than out of Cal-Davis, Ken O’Brien … Who the hell is Ken O’Brien, proper? That set them again at the very least 10 years. Which may be ***** the ***** greatest mistake within the historical past of the franchise, not drafting Marino.

Q: In 25 phrases or much less: Joe Walton?

A: Completely horrific head coach. After I consider Joe Walton, I consider Joe Walton on the sideline along with his hat backwards selecting his nostril, that’s what I believe.

Q: Dennis Byrd?

A: Ah man, I used to be at that recreation. Tragic. The pall that was over the stadium when Byrd went down. Horrible. Horrible.

Q: Leon Hess?

A: Nice man, nice humanitarian. I didn’t assume an excellent proprietor. It took him too a few years to lastly determine, “I need to win a Tremendous Bowl,” and it was too late.

Q: Invoice Parcells?

A: Nice head coach. Was not blissful along with his tenure with the Jets. Ought to have made the playoffs the primary 12 months in ’97. … You inform me why he caught with Rick Mirer — who stunk! — so long as he did to start out the 1999 season. He couldn’t wait to go to Ray Lucas on that [1997] Lion recreation when the man by no means threw a go in his life as a quarterback, and he waited until we have been like 1-6, or no matter we have been, till he determined to go to Ray Lucas in ’99. Invoice did flip the franchise round, there’s little question, I give him that, however once I look again at Parcells, I don’t look again at him very favorably as a Jet coach.

Q: Had been you upset when he left the sidelines after three years?

A: Yeah, in fact. Typical Invoice. It was typical Invoice. And let’s be trustworthy with this too, Belichick, he set him as much as look unhealthy.

Q: How so?

A: I don’t assume Belichick actually wished the Jet job. As soon as Leon Hess handed away, that was it.

Q: Had been you on the “Belichick HC of the NYJ” press convention?

A: No. I used to be doing the [WFAN] overnights then, I used to be truly sleeping, and I keep in mind someone calling me and telling me what occurred and I couldn’t consider what occurred. Couldn’t consider it.

Q: Describe dropping the 1998 AFC Championship recreation at Denver.

A: I recall all Invoice’s guys let me down. Dave Meggett not fielding the kickoff, Keith Byars had a significant fumble on that recreation, even Curtis [Martin] fumbled in that recreation. … Victor Inexperienced getting burned by Ed McCaffrey proper after we took the 10-0 lead … all of that.

Q: Vinny Testaverde’s Opening Day torn Achilles in 1999?

A: Oh, my god, unbelievable. And right here’s the factor, too: Bear in mind Tom Tupa comes within the recreation, he’s the punter, however he was the second quarterback then. Tupa is available in and throws two landing passes to Keyshawn Johnson! Proper? After which Invoice decides he’s gotta put Rick Mirer in within the fourth quarter! And we wound up blowing the sport. What was that each one about? Why the hell did he take Tupa out? I’m nonetheless ticked off at that.

Q: Al Groh?

A: Oh please. The staff is 9-and-freakin-4 [in 2000], and he knew, OK, let’s be trustworthy, he already had one foot out the door to go to Virginia, proper? Couldn’t wait to go coach Virginia, after which they lose the final three video games of the season, proper — the final one which catastrophe in Baltimore the place they bought the 14-0 lead, the Christmas Eve debacle. We had a number of debacles on Christmas Eve — [2011 against the Giants and] Victor Cruz involves thoughts as properly. Al Groh — can’t stand him. Left my staff excessive and dry. Couldn’t wait to get outta city. They flush a 9-4 begin and lose the final three video games and don’t make the playoffs.

Q: Herman Edwards?

A: I believed he did a good job. I imply, he took the Jets to the playoffs greater than anyone. I wasn’t too blissful when he left, to be trustworthy, despite the fact that that they had a foul 12 months in ’05.

Q: You additionally weren’t blissful concerning the divisional playoff loss in January 2005 in Pittsburgh?

A: Nicely, the playoff loss to Pittsburgh was fully on him. I imply, you’re enjoying for a area purpose. I do know Chad [Pennington] was banged up in that recreation. … How ’bout attempting to win the sport? Have Pennington throw a go as a substitute of organising for a 40-something yard area purpose in a spot the place no person makes area targets?

Q: Eric Mangini?

A: That’s a tricky name on Mangini. I blame Brett Favre for the ’08 season greater than I blame Mangini. To start with, Favre didn’t even need to be right here, OK? Favre wished to be in Minnesota. He involves my staff, he begins out 8-3, we’re all giddy, that massive win over the Titans, we’re all goin’ delirious, proper? After which he will get damage, he hurts his arm, he’s not the identical, and we blow the playoffs once more. I believed Mangini bought a bit of little bit of a foul rap due to what occurred with Favre.

Q: Vernon Gholston?

A: We’ve had so many horrible No. 2 draft selections … so many … so it’s exhausting to say that he’s the worst ever. However he’s actually within the dialog. Little doubt about it.

Q: Todd Bowles?

A: Ugh … horrible, only a horrible head coach. Ought to have been fired after the second 12 months. He misplaced the staff, proper? He doesn’t have the staff able to play in a recreation that [if] they win, they go to the playoffs in Buffalo [in January 2016], proper? I’m watching Darrelle Revis get burned all the recreation by Sammy Watkins, he makes no changes in anyway, not one. Then, with an opportunity to take the lead the place a area purpose would have gave ’em the lead afterward within the recreation, as a substitute of enjoying it a bit of conservative like he ought to have. He’s bought [Ryan] Fitzpatrick throwing passes and he will get intercepted ultimately zone. The next 12 months he mainly loses the staff — after Week 2, they’re having fights within the locker room … Revis was a statue, we saved trottin’ him on the market — he couldn’t cowl me at that time — and the staff goes proper within the tank. They usually saved him round for 2 extra years after that! What was that each one about? Horrible head coach.

Q: Rex Ryan?

A: I preferred Rex. Say no matter you need about Rex, we went to back-to-back AFC Championship video games, we received extra playoff video games than any coach within the historical past of the franchise with Rex, with Mark Sanchez as our quarterback, OK? All people kills Sanchez — the Buttfumble, all of this — properly, he received extra playoff video games than anyone within the historical past of the franchise because the quarterback — he received 4, all on the highway. The one 12 months, in 2010, he beats Peyton Manning and [Tom] Brady consecutive weeks on the highway. My massive knock on Rex was I didn’t assume that they coached Mark Sanchez appropriately, I actually don’t. He performed him in that silly Snoopy Bowl, he winds up getting damage, we all know what occurred after that. However the massive mistake of the Rex Ryan Period was firing Mike Tannenbaum. He ought to have saved Tannenbaum and Rex collectively, and I believe they might have finally figured it out.

Q: John Idzik?

A: Ugh. Two phrases: horror present.

Q: Adam Gase?

A: Two phrases: horror present. They need to have employed Mike McCarthy, let’s be trustworthy.

Q: The day Geno Smith bought sucker punched within the locker room in 2015?

A: I believe Geno was one other man that was by no means coached proper. The flexibility was at all times there, he had a big-time arm and all of that. I believe the massive difficulty with him was maturity difficulty when he was with the Jets, I actually do.

Q: The Tim Tebow signing?

A: Ridiculous. Why? Let me say this although, for those who don’t thoughts me saying this: I believe Tim Tebow was blackballed out of the league, all proper?

Q: Sam Darnold?

A: We should always have took Josh Allen. … Look, let’s be trustworthy: As unhealthy as Idzik was, and he was brutal, Mike Maccagnan may need been the worst common supervisor we ever had. … All of the horrible No. 1 picks that the staff has had beginning with Steve Tannen again in 1969, Lee White, we are able to go that far again, all proper? You recognize me. The worst draft selection within the historical past of the franchise was Christian Hackenberg. He took him with a second-round decide! This man couldn’t even see the sphere! He by no means even performed a down within the NFL! The worst draft selection within the historical past of the franchise. Christian Hackenberg.

Q: Zach Wilson?

A: To me, they misplaced out on [Trevor] Lawrence, they usually needed to decide a quarterback, so that they took this man. He was the second-best man, they usually took him, and it was a mistake, let’s be actual.

Q: Woody Johnson?

A: I don’t love him. I don’t know what to consider Woody. I don’t assume he’s an excellent proprietor, I’ll say that. I don’t assume profitable is the end-all, be-all for Woody. I do know he bought Rodgers and all of that, however I by no means actually felt that profitable a championship was his No. 1 precedence.

Q: Three dinner friends?

Q: JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Massive Don … Trump.

Q: Favourite film?

A: “The Godfather” — all three of ’em.

Q: Favourite actor?

A: [Al] Pacino.

Q: Favourite actress?

A: Marilyn.

Q: Favourite singer/entertainer?

A: Frank Sinatra.

Q: Favourite meal?

A: A pleasant, stellar T-bone steak.

Q: Who named your twice-weekly podcast “Oh the Ache”?

A: I believe my daughter [Erin] got here up with it.

Q: You watched Tremendous Bowl III at your property?

A: At that time, we have been residing at my grandmother’s home as a result of my father had handed away the 12 months earlier than. … I believe my mom was within the room, possibly, I don’t keep in mind.

Q: Did you assume they have been going to get killed?

A: No, I didn’t. I used to be truly fairly assured. My feeling again then was, at the same time as a 15-year-old, I believed the three finest groups in professional soccer that 12 months have been the Jets, the Raiders and the Chiefs, to be trustworthy with ya.

Q: What have been your feelings when the sport was over?

A: I used to be delirious. Let me inform ya this, too: I can’t let you know what number of bets I had made with individuals, I in all probability had like a pair hundred {dollars} wager. I had no thought how I used to be gonna cowl these bets if the Jets misplaced. And I keep in mind guys simply throwing cash at me the subsequent day. After I got here into college on Monday, I had guys simply throwing like 5 {dollars}, 10 {dollars}. … One of many guys I made a wager with, it was a 10-dollar wager? He arms me a bag: 10 {dollars} value of pennies.

Q: Sum up what it’s been like being Joe Benigno, Jets fan.

A: Fortuitously, for me, OK. I’m much more than simply that. I don’t assume individuals in all probability notice that, they assume that I’m similar to this wacko sports activities man. However I’m into much more than that. And I believe that the opposite stuff that I’m into, has helped me survive the final 55 years as a Jet fan.

Q: The opposite stuff being what?

A: I’m a really well-rounded dude, ya know what I imply?

Q: Give me an instance.

A: Nicely, I’m a really massive music man, OK? ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s music, I’m throughout it. I prefer to sing, not superb, however I’ve no downside making an ass out of myself. I’ve at all times been an enormous historical past man, undoubtedly at all times into American historical past. I’m massive into the political stuff, all of that.

Q: What message would you give to your fellow Jets followers about this season?

A: I’d say mood your enthusiasm. … Be ***** cautiously ***** optimistic, as a result of, keep in mind, it’s the Jets.

Q: If the Jets received the Tremendous Bowl, how would you have fun?

A: I’ve not had a drink since Evan’s [Roberts] wedding ceremony, which I consider is now about 10 years in the past, as a result of I’ve a really unhealthy abdomen … in all probability as a result of I’m a Jet-Met fan … and I get the gout. But when the Jets win the Tremendous Bowl, it is going to be a double Beefeater martini.