The New York Jets are returning serve on those accusing the team of tanking.
"People make all these predictions and stuff, and things go the opposite way," running back Matt Forte told The New York Post at a charity event held inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. "Like everybody's saying with tanking and that stuff. We don't care what anybody else says, it's about us."
Forte added: "A lot of people are jumping ship before the season even starts, but I welcome that. All of y'all can jump ship, but it just shows you were never on board in the first place. ... We're going to stick together, and we're going to play out the season to the best of our ability."
This storyline was bordering on tired the moment the Jets finished their summer roster cleanout. After getting rid of Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Eric Decker, David Harris and more over the last two seasons, the team's immediate direction was clear. Even owner Woody Johnson admitted that the Jets were staring down a youth movement in hopes of a better future.
The thing about it all? Fans have largely accepted it. A New York Post survey of season ticket holders found a majority willing to digest a losing season or two for something the Jets have not had since the late 1960s: A franchise quarterback; a steady forward momentum.
Another thing? They might actually benefit in the short term by playing younger bodies over veterans who were close to the end of their careers anyway. Outside of the quarterback situation, which could become worrisome given the candidates for the job and the surrounding talent, this is often an effective way for teams to clear out the remainder of their non-functional parts and build from the ground up.
At this point, the only animus over tanking is from players tired of being asked about it.
