Question:

What do these following Jets games from last year have in common?

Week 1, 2010: Ravens @ Jets

Week 5, 2010: Vikings @ Jets

Week 14, 2010: Dolphins @ Jets

Answer:

Each of these three games was a washout.

I have always been against the idea of domed stadiums.  Football is meant to be played in the elements– in the snow, the rain, the mud.  So, I wasn’t at all upset when the Jets and Giants decided not to put a retractable roof on New Meadowlands Stadium.  After all, New York isn’t Seattle, it’s not like it rains all the time.

Well, I take it back.  I want a roof.  Mother Nature seems to want every Jets game to be played in the rain.  And while it’s fun to watch a game in the elements when I’m sitting at home on my couch, it’s not as much fun when I’m drenched in the stands sitting in ridiculously priced seats.  And, no, I don’t want to buy a poncho for $10.  For the cost of the tickets, they should give everyone a poncho if it rains.  If you’re not going to give me a roof, at least give me a poncho.

Despite the rain, the Jets game was a good one.  Plaxico Burress to Sanchez could be one sweet connection this year!  The Bengals stink and it’s always fun to watch your team beat up on a bad one (even if it doesn’t really count).  I can only imagine how much more fun the game would’ve been if it had been played in a nice, comfortable dome.

Another thing I don’t like about the rain (and this is also partially true because it was a preseason game, of course) is the empty stands.  I want my fellow Jets fans out there supporting their team and, the fact of the matter is, when it rains some people don’t come.  Unless you’re a witch, you’re not going to melt, go out there, take your seat, and cheer.  I’d say that roughly 30-35% of the seats in New Meadowlands Stadium were occupied during the Bengals game.  That number dropped dramatically after halftime, but you can’t blame people for leaving then, they did their time.

The rain scared away the fans.

It poured during the Jets first preseason game.  Let’s hope this isn’t an indication of more wet weather to come during the regular season.  But, hey, I guess the more important thing is that the Jets look pretty damn good.