BAG IT: Jets fans can’t bear to be recognized these days at MetLife Stadium, and were relentless in their attack on perhaps erstwhile starting quarterback Mark Sanchez yesterday. (Anthony J. Causi)
It felt like 79,088 against one yesterday at MetLife Stadium, thousands of out-for-blood Jets fans hammering Mark Sanchez, their embattled and suddenly skittish quarterback, on every errant thrown, interception or sack.
The proceedings were viewed from the perspective of a fan, seated in the lush Coaches Club seats directly behind the Jets bench — Row 9, Seat 13. Plenty of venom and vitriol were expected from Gang Green supporters, after the Jets had spoken all week about how harsh the fans were in the embarrassing Thanksgiving night loss to the rival Patriots.
For nearly three quarters, the anger was directed at one Jet — Sanchez, the one-time golden boy of the franchise, the high-first-round draft choice.
The language was obscene — from wisecracks to biting remarks to personal attacks.
It began early, when Sanchez was booed during pregame introductions and again when he took the field for the Jets’ first drive. His first of three interceptions — on his first passing attempt — further enraged the fans in this section.
“Hey, Sanchez, don’t get clotheslined by an ass again,” one barked.
After his third interception, chants for Greg McElroy began, reverberating throughout the building.
“Somebody get Sanchez a hot dog,” said a mid-20’s male with a dark Green Antonio Cromartie Jets jersey. “Hopefully he’ll choke on it.”
“No wonder Eva Longoria left you,” another growled, this a Jets fan in a Sanchez jersey.
The other Jet hammered in the first half was Nick Folk, who had a pair of field goals bounce off the uprights.
“Nick f—ing sucks, you suck buddy, you suck,” a Jets fan yelled as he guzzled a beer.
That was nothing compared to what was directed at Sanchez.
After each failed possession, every missed connection, the boos grew louder, like a powder keg ready to explode. The chants for McElroy grew louder as Sanchez and the offense continued to struggle after halftime.
“Mc-El-Roy,” they yelled, loud enough to split ear drums. “Mc-El-Roy.”
One older fan, who was quiet much of the sobering afternoon, couldn’t take it any longer after Sanchez was replaced by McElroy.
“Merry Christmas, you a–hole,” he yelled. “They only won in spite of you. You had five All-Pros. Forty-seven years I’m coming here and you’re the worst I’ve ever seen. I hate you.”
McElroy’s entrance into the game had a galvanizing effect, not just on the Jets — who scored the first and only touchdown of the game on his first drive — but the stadium, too. Fans rose, like he was their Messiah, when he entered. They applauded the move and continued to chant his name in approval. Each completion was met with high-fives; when McElroy was intercepted, three different fans immediately pointed to the flag in the secondary that would bring the play back, like it was a reasonable excuse for the miscue.
Jets fans reacted as gleefully to his touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland as they did negatively on each Sanchez interception. The Jets held on, as their defense completely stifled the Cardinals, but Sanchez wasn’t free of the attacks.
“Get used to that clipboard,” “You’re where you belong,” and “Get away from McElroy — you’re bad luck,” came the continuous zings. McElroy, meanwhile, was madly cheered as he jogged off the field. He gave the angry Jets fans a reason to cheer for once, though they didn’t forget their animosity for Sanchez for a moment.