As the Jets play out their final game of this wretched season of lost hope at home today against the Bills, a number of their players will have wandering minds, wondering whether their future is with the Jets or elsewhere.
This is what happens when a team that was supposed to be a playoff contender enters its final game with a 3-12 record and a chance to have the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas and Happy New Year, Jets fans have been dreaming of a Reggie Bush April.
Change is coming, and everyone involved knows it.
“It’s impossible to keep your mind off of it,” center Pete Kendall said. “I’m just being honest. Most guys who are on the bubble are aware that they’re on the bubble, and it’s hard to fight human nature. It’s our nature to worry about the things you can’t control. You try and say, ‘Put it out of your mind,’ but that’s far easier said than done.”
Receiver Justin McCareins said, “You don’t know what’s going to happen and no matter what anyone says or thinks, there are so many changes that can be made.”
Especially on a team that has scored the fewest points in the league, one with no set starting quarterback for 2006, a 32-year-old star running back who’s coming off knee surgery and an aging offensive line coming off an injury-plagued season.
Regardless of whether the Jets wax the equally-as-disappointing, 5-10 Bills today or whether they lose a second time to their division opponent, changes are coming – big-time changes.
“I’ve prepared myself to get ready for change after this year, whether it’s people leaving or me leaving,” said defensive end John Abraham, who will be an unrestricted free agent unless he is franchised again. “I’ve pretty much prepared myself for anything. I’ve seen so many people come and go since I’ve been here. I never thought I’d be in a situation to think I might be the one leaving, but … you all know when you get to a certain part of the season, a lot of these guys aren’t going to be here next year.”
Kendall has been fond of saying that every NFL game is an audition for players, whether for their own team or another.
With 12 players on injured reserve and 62 players having played for the team this season, the Jets have had a lot of auditions – some good, some bad, some revealing pretty good potential.
Those thrust into playing roles because of the injuries who’ve opened the Jets’ eyes in a positive way include CB Justin Miller, RB Cedric Houston and Brooks Bollinger, who began the season as the third-string quarterback and will start his ninth game today, entering with a 1-7 record as the starter.
On the sure-to-be-gone-after-today list is CB Ty Law, the Jets’ only Pro Bowl player. Despite a team-high seven INTs, Law is due an $11 million check in March to trigger the rest of his contract, and that’s as likely to be paid as Joe Namath coming out of retirement to start at quarterback next season.
It’s difficult to measure what the atmosphere will be like at Giants Stadium today, New Year’s Day, for the Jets’ finale to a season that’s effectively been over since Halloween.
Will it be a festive atmosphere with fans coming for one last look at this team with hopes for a better tomorrow, or will it be a hung-over, angry vibe from fans who want scalps for this horrible season?
“Hopefully, none of the guys in our locker room will be hung over,” Kendall said, tongue firmly planted in cheek. “I expect we’ll continue to approach the game as we have in the past, in that our effort will be good. The great variable will be, how will our execution be?”
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
Bills at JETS, Today, 1 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TV:
CH. 2
RADIO:
ESPN (1050 AM)
WABC (770 AM)
INJURY REPORT
Jets: QUESTIONABLE: FS Oliver Celestin (ankle), DE Shaun Ellis (hamstring), DT Dewayne Robertson (thigh). PROBABLE: CB Ty Law (foot).
Bills: OUT: SS Coy Wire (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: T Mike Williams (chest). PROBABLE QB: J.P. Losman (thigh).
KEY MATCHUP
Jets LT Adrian Jones vs. Bills right DE Aaron Schobel, who has 12 sacks and two forced fumbles.
NUMBER TO KNOW
.500. The Jets, trying to salvage some semblance of self-respect for this season, can finish 4-4 at home with a win today.
JETS CONCERN
Stopping Bills RB Willis McGahee, who gashed their defense for 143 yards in the teams’ previous meeting.
FOE FACT
After averaging 23 carries and 98.8 yards through the first eight games, McGahee has averaged 17 carries and 49.2 yards over the past seven, failing to top 100 yards in all seven. His per-carry average has fallen from 4.3 to 2.9 yards.
PREDICTION
Bills are 1-6 on the road, but their one win came last week in Cincinnati. Jets figure to come out with a spirited effort at home. Look for them to be able to run the ball on the Bills, who allow 4.6 yards per carry and have yielded 21 rushing TDs this season. That’ll open some passing lanes for Brooks Bollinger. Of course, the win will ruin their chances of drafting Reggie Bush, but only the Jets can lose by winning.
JETS 27
BILLS 17
