Nineteen current Jets have appeared in playoff games, ranging from 11 for running backs Keith Byars and David Meggett to one for
linebacker Mo Lewis, the lone remaining member of the '91 Jets team that
went 8-8 and squeezed into the playoffs in overtime of the season finale.
"That was my rookie year," said Lewis, who this season made his first Pro Bowl. "We were just happy to get to the playoffs.
When we went down to Houston, we weren't really ready, and not one of us knew the next year would be a disaster.
"This team believes it can go far into the playoffs. It's much different between '91 and now."
Much different. For one, the Jets are coming off their first title of any kind since joining the NFL in the 1970 merger. For
another, at 12-4 they set a team record for victories. And, in Bill Parcells, they have a coach who has won two Super Bowls and been to a third.
Such key players as quarterback Vinny Testaverde (two games),
running back Curtis Martin (three), cornerback Otis Smith (five), linebackers Pepper Johnson (nine) and Bryan Cox (five), and tackle
Jumbo Elliott (three) all know what the playoffs are about.
"It's another world," said Byars, who is expected back from a broken hand for the home game Jan. 10 against either Jacksonville,
Miami or Buffalo. "It's the time when everybody has to step up."
The way the Jets have stepped up in class this season -- particularly in winning their final six games -- even impressed the
hard-boiled Parcells. Of course, with Parcells making personnel decisions as well as coaching, his judgments on players have been
critical to the club's rise.
Just this year, Parcells signed free agents Testaverde, Martin, center Kevin Mawae, Cox, Byars, defensive end Anthony Pleasant,
guard Todd Burger and, earlier this month, Meggett. All have made
significant contributions, and only Meggett hasn't been a starter.
"I think one of the things that is advantageous of having them is when you do take a course of action, they are able to explain to
the other players what you are doing," Parcells said of his veterans. "For example, we gave these players a couple days off
and told them to enjoy themselves, get in one workout. But Thursday night, we are not having a party because it is New Year's Eve.
"You can't control them all, but they will have to practice pretty hard on Friday, and those other players can explain it to
them, explain what you're trying to do.
"I got some young kids on my team who don't have a clue; you have to spoon-feed them everything."
Not that youth is wasted on the Jets. Parcells points to two of his most productive players, receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne
Chrebet. Both gained more than 1,000 yards, and they combined for 18
touchdowns. Johnson is in his third season, one fewer than Chrebet.
"You don't have to tell Keyshawn or Wayne too much about what
is going on," he said. "They get it."
The strong stretch drive should mean some of the other youngsters are well tested, too.
"I think these last four games, I can't think of a circumstance that would have served us better," Parcells said of wins over
Seattle, Miami, Buffalo and New England. "We had to come back against Seattle. We had to go on the road to tough places, to Miami
and to Buffalo. We had to sustain the energy (against New England) even though a lot of people were saying it is not that important.
And we did it."
