Jets Welcomed Back to Florham Park by Thousands
Fans from all over New Jersey and surrounding areas come out to see the public practice.
Photos
Thousands of fans lined up on Thursday morning to see the New York Jets for their very first public practice this preseason at their Florham Park home.
Fans traveled from all over the tri-state area to be the first to catch a glimpse of Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, and all other members of Gang Green in the borough's Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
The practice, which is the first of two public practices that will be held this week, started at 12:30 p.m., but some devoted fans got there as early at 8:30 a.m.
Around 11 a.m. hundreds of people started filling the line to get into the Fan Fest, which started at 11:30 a.m. In the hour leading up to practice, kids participated in many activities at the fest, including bounce houses, face painting, and football games.
Many youth football teams from all over the area including Long Valley, Denville and Basking Ridge came out together to see the NFL squad make its first appearance back on its home turf.
Long Valley Raiders football coaches John Coleman and Ed Noonan took their kids–who are part of the youth football team–to see the Jets practice and to learn from some of their drills.
"They do some of the similar drills we do in our practices, which is pretty cool," Coleman said. "You always hear about the practice, but to actually get down here and actually see it is pretty neat."
Ethan Glick, 17, of Montville, has been a Jets fan his whole life, and came to the practice with two of his high school friends for the first time. Glick was happy to have his favorite team practicing just a few minutes away from him.
"I'm glad we can get out here and see the team in person," Glick said. "I'm excited to see Tebow; I hope he can spark the offense. I'm also looking forward to see how (offensive coordinator Tony) Sparano can turn them into a winning team."
Rising Whippany Park High School senior Ben Remaly, of Whippany, also said he's appreciates having the team up close for practices.
"It feels like the community has really accepted them and its nice to know that they're so close," he said.
Colleen Maisto, of Warwick, N.Y., said she woke up at 5 a.m. to be the first in line to see Tebow.
Maisto, a devout Christian, said she became a Tebow fan once all the Tebow mania hit. Maisto said she was never a football or Jets fan before Tebow, but after seeing his religious connection, she now considers herself a "die hard" fan.
"I'm so taken in," she said, "seeing his standing for the Lord, his work ethic, his commitment to the team, and his commitment to his faith."
The second public practice will be on Friday at 11:20 a.m., with Fan Fest and the Jets Shop opening at 10:20 a.m.
Todd J
6:59 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
The pictures were great, but there should also be pictures of all the disappointed kids who left after not being acknowledged by any of the players. Kids were waiting a long time for the possibility to shake hands, get autographs, or at least get a friendly wave from a player, but while I was there with my kids none of this took place. We did encounter plenty of security who demanded that no one touches the green tarp that surrounds the field. The 3 1/2 foot high tarp blocked a lot of kids' views and the only way for them to see was to pull it down a bit. The actual Fan Fest was nice, but you had to walk through the merchandise tent to get to it. (I understand the sales opportunity so I overlooked that part.) I've worked with professional teams before so I know how important the fan base should be to the Jets. They didn't show it today when it counted, which was players having some sort of interaction with the fans. Maybe they were tired from greeting all those fans in Cortland so they made no effort today.
maryanne
8:31 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Same as last year at Florham Park. No changes. It's a rough day for the kids, no doubt.
Dan
9:02 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
If it were the Giants, Todd, they would've made the effort. Little brother is nothing like Big Blue.
Nose Wayne
9:14 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Giants would have made all the effort to greet and say hello. Does anybody remember the ticker tape parade and FREE party at the stadium ? BIG HEARTS,BIG BLUE !!!!! Maybe that's why you haven't won the "S" word !!!!!
James P. Page
7:29 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
When are the Jets Season ticket offer going down from $50 a Seat to $25? They already have alot of disappointed fans, they are going to need to do something to fill those seats....
KTitan
8:23 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Hey Nose Wayne - WE'RE talking about the Jets not the Giants. I knew a idiot Giant fan would put in his/her comments. They're talking about a day the fans can see the Jets! Who cares about the Giants!!! Everywhere the Giants show up it is only because they get paid!!!! Big Heart - Eli didn't win those Super Bowls - his Defense did!! Big Blue - my *******
James P. Page
8:43 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
In all due respect, the Jets have how many Super Bowl Rings? (insert noise of silence for responce here) Uh, one...
Individual Players don't win Championships, Teams do....
The Jets Players and Staff don't have time for their fans. They are too busy trying to figureout IF they can have at minimum a 6 and 10 season. The GM is NOT doing well providing any depth on the offense, and unless the defense scores some touchdowns, the Jets are in for a very long season.
FourScore
9:21 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
"Eli didn't win those Super Bowls - his Defense did!!"
Really now Linda??? It's surprising Eli got the MVP award in both super bowls if he really did nothing.
Jetsrajoke
11:04 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Linda C - This is not a Jets blog, Twitter or Facebook page so any Giants fan voicing his opinion shouldn't be scrutinized. On another note, you must have read "Football for Dummies" or seem to think you're an expert analyst on how teams win championships. Here's a little lesson on Eli: (SB XLII) Trailing 14-10 with 2:42 remaining, Manning led the Giants 83 yards on a game-winning touchdown drive during which he avoided several near-sacks and threw a 13 yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds remaining. Fast forward to 2011 (SB XLVI) - Once again trailing the Patriots in the final minutes, Manning led the Giants 88 yards down the field for a go ahead touchdown run by Bradshaw. Do yourself a favor, think before you type. Respect the game and respect the players by recognizing talent under pressure. Eli did it twice. Yes, I'm a Giants fan but I was reading the article because I'm a sports fan. But after seeing your comments I felt I teach you a little lesson on football since you obviously have no clue. Now go to your room.
sammy
2:05 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Agree that Giants fans should stay out of this since its a story about the Jets. But your comment demonstrates how little you have to cheer for. Barking about Eli demonstrates your total lack of understanding , especially with any talk about who on the Giants is deserving. Ask any of them , and the team mates will all say the same thing ... it is a TEAM effort. And when the team wins , the quaterback , if they played especially well, which he did, will be honored . Unless their is someone on the defense that stands out so much , aka LT, than they would be so honored. good luck to you and your Jets team... hope you are wowed beyond the normal expectations of a lackluster or horrible season.
Tryclyde
4:43 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
"Eli didn't win those Super Bowls - his Defense did!!"
Yeah, that's why he won Super Bowl MVP for both of them. In addition, the Giants won SB 46 because of their powerful offense. You're obviously a bitter Jets fan just making things up.
Karl
12:59 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Linda, Did you see the two Green Bay playoff games those two Super Bowl winning years or were you in a drunken stupor at game time like most Jets fans? Mark Sanchez will never play at that level in this lifetime.
Helen Bognar
8:55 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
There were ALOT of TEBOW supportere there.....we waited so my Nephew perhaps can get an Autograph from him...however..none! Perhaps the people sitting in the VIP section got one. We got 5 autographs from players...should have been more since the fans who were NOT VIP'S stood in the hot sun for hours for an opportunity! Sanchez at least acknowledged the kids with wristbands! The VIPS had a nice shady area!
Todd J
9:16 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
My kids are too young and couldn't wait through the 3 hour practice for the possibility that a player might come by at some point. Again, disappointing.
Tammy
10:19 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Funny, these people didn't seem disappointed: http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20120823/NJNEWS/308240004/Fans-flock-Florham-Park-Jets-practice?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Helen Bognar
11:52 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Those were a select few in the VIP area.
Todd J
10:24 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
I'll bet you won't find any articles written about disappointed kids. They'll all be positive. I was just mentioning what I experienced with my kids, our friend's kids, and many other young children and parents I saw.
melissa
12:16 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
I was there yesterday my son had a great time. He got signatures from some players. I thought it would be more but it wasnt. My son was happy with what he got..
Nose Wayne
1:29 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Gang Green, why didn't you take the gang out to the kids and give the kids some signatures ? OH, to busy healing your wounds from the other"NJ" team that gave you a whooping in your own stadium.
GIANTS STADIUM
2:21 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
nose wayne, no matter how crappy the design of the new stadium is, or what name it is; it will always be GIants Stadium even if the jets are the home team because thats our house. we got the hardware and all little brother has is tebow to get some media attention and a big mouth coach who knows nothing about offense.
Giants are the successful big brother, Jets are the little brother who acts up cause its the only way they get any attention.
to all jet fans, i will talk trash all the time about the jets because after they made it to the afc championship thier dumb fans celebrated and talked trash like they won the super bowl
Marlee Carrasquillo
3:52 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
We were there today...got one autograph...the kids were pretty disappointed the players ony went to one section the VIP section...except #14 McElroy who signed away for anyone who wanted it. None of the other players even acknowledged the fan. Oh well...you live and learn.
3RD STRING
4:08 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
McElroy is one of the few nice and true professionals on the jets. not too mention hes got a much better arm than sanchez and tebow. while in bama he showed he could efficently run a run heavy offense without turning over the ball.
i feel bad for him he was in a more professional organization in bama than he is with the Jets.
Nose Wayne
4:13 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Marlee, Become a GIANTS fan !!!!!!! OH,Giants Stadium, never said it was a crappy design, you said that.And yes, sad we have to share our stadium to a bunch of loosers. Guess they don't care about their fans, but disappoint the kids !!!!! SHAME ON YOU JETS !!!!!!
Bridget Polanin
3:16 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Could have come into hair salon Studio 360 in Chatham Sat. Afternoon where Tim Tebow was getting hair cut!
Nose Wayne
9:37 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Could have spent a few minutes with the fans if they knew a little while before he got there
dgfag
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