Monday Morning Cheerleader – Ann-Marie of the Jets Flight Crew
By By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
After a late nosedive against the Falcons grounded Gang Green’s playoff hopes, Flight Crew member Anne-Marie explains why it might soar again in 2010 — if not a Week 16 upset
One more stop. Up 7-3 with 1:42 left and Atlanta facing fourth-and-goal from the 6, that’s all the Jets needed to secure a fourth straight win, an 8-6 record, and a firmly packed snowball’s chance at the playoffs. But when Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez in the end zone, that snowball exploded, much like the ones fans fired at the field as they watched their team’s top-ranked defense finally surrender a touchdown. Take that slip-up, add three Mark Sanchez picks and three botched field goals, and you begin to understand how a home team with everything to play for fell to a squad already eliminated from playoff contention.
If only these Jets had the moxie of second-year cheerleader Anne-Marie, who e-mailed Monday Morning Cheerleader early in the season to hype the Flight Crew. This Hofstra running back’s daughter grew up watching NYJ (“There are no Giants fans in my household!”) and is now a retail manager and buyer for — not making this up — her parents’ lingerie boutique (“When I’m not cheering, I’m doing bra fittings”). Anne-Marie also studies acting, practices photography, and talks up New York’s prospects… for doing better next season.
ESQUIRE: Was today’s loss as heartbreaking for the cheerleaders as it was for this Jets fan/interviewer?
ANNE-MARIE: It’s definitely heartbreaking. We are with the team from the beginning. We feel that emotion. But it’s not all down the tubes. We have a new QB, a head coach with a lot of heart, and amazing players. We have a promising team for next season, so we keep our chins up and push on.
ESQ: The team’s three field-goal opportunities resulted in a botched hold, a miss, and a blocked kick. Are they trying to make their fans tear their hair out?
A: [Laughs.] No, I don’t think they’d do that intentionally. When the fans are up and happy, the team is happy, and when they’re down, we are down too. Give the Falcons defense credit — they played great. We also couldn’t run the ball as well as we normally do.
ESQ: Despite losing all-pro nose tackle Kris Jenkins to injury in Week 6, the Jet defense still dominates. How much fun is it exhorting the crowd to cheer for them?
A: We don’t have to do much work. The fans know we have the number-one defense. Today they really brought it, especially from midway through the game to the end. Like when we beat the Patriots earlier this season, the fans are a big part of it. They don’t say they bleed green for nothing.
ESQ: Is there a cornerback in the league better than Darrelle Revis?
A: I don’t think so. Rex Ryan says he’s the defensive player of year. His record of shutting down the top receivers is unbelievable.
ESQ: Meanwhile, the offense lost all-pro kick returner/running back Leon Washington in Week 7, yet the Jets are also tops in rushing. Surprised?
A: No. I was really bummed when we lost him. He’s one of my favorite players to watch because he’s so talented. But with our offensive line, we can run the ball no matter who is carrying it. And Thomas Jones is a pretty tough running back. He’s been major for us the past few games.
ESQ: What do you think of the emotional Rex Ryan’s first year as head coach?
A: He’s done a fantastic job. He loves his players, and his heart and spirit is really reflected in their desire to play hard and win. He’s made a world of difference. He’s a cool guy. Even when you see him on the screen, you’re like, “Yeah!”
ESQ: And what about dreamy, hot-dog-chomping, interception-throwing rookie QB Mark Sanchez?
A: A guy’s gotta eat. He’s a growing boy. He’s hungry. I wish we’d had some hot cocoa on the sideline for him today. He’s doing good. He had his longest touchdown pass today, and Braylon Edwards caught the ball. I was so happy for Edwards — he had a great game. It’s a learning process. We can’t expect miracles from someone who is brand-new to the NFL. Sanchez is a leader who’s earned the respect of his teammates. He’ll be better next year. He just has to slide more than going headfirst.
ESQ: Looks like he’s growing another mustache. Was he trying to protect his delicate Southern California skin from the cold, channel Joe Namath, or what?
A: I hear a beard keeps a man warm. He can pull it off. I don’t think the cold affected him more than it would any other quarterback. He’s been out practicing in short sleeves, he’s been here in the cold for a few months, he’s getting used to it.
ESQ: How chilly was it today? Are your Santa outfits warmer than the regular ones?
A: This was definitely the coldest game I’ve experienced, and I forgot my toe warmers, so it was like I had ice cubes in my boots! We just kept dancing to keep ourselves warm. Our Santa outfits are warmer than our two-pieces, but we also have a fleece-lined flight suit — you wear some Under Armour beneath that, you stay pretty toasty.
ESQ: The Jets aren’t quite mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but it’s pretty bleak. What are their chances of wrecking the Colts’s undefeated season next weekend?
A: We just have to go in with a fresh start and be on top of our game. You never know. We didn’t think we could beat the Patriots, and we did. Anything is possible. I’m optimistic, and hopefully we’ll win the next one.
