The Fan Hub

New York Jets legend Joe Namath has gone on record as being against the team’s signing of wide receiver Plaxico Burress, telling ESPN that he thinks Burress’ route running is subpar and that he’d be surprised to see him and quarterback Mark Sanchez really click this season.

Honestly, isn’t it time for Joe Namath to just go away? Yes, he’s probably the best player that the Jets have ever had and arguably the first truly marketable superstar in NFL history, but if you’re going to be an ambassador for the franchise then shouldn’t you support the franchise? If Namath wants to be a football analyst and offer honest opinions, then by all means, he should go right ahead. But when you get paraded around as a Jets legend at official team functions like games and training camp, then you should keep your criticisms of the team to yourself.

Let’s face it, Namath is probably the most overrated quarterback of all time, the primary example of how one game — and one media storm — can make a career. Namath is in the Hall of Fame purely because of his guarantee before the Jets’ win over the Colts in Super Bowl III. It’s certainly not for his career numbers, because there aren’t too many Hall of Fame quarterbacks with nearly 50 more interceptions than touchdowns (220 to 173), completion percentages barely over 50 (50.1%), or quarterback ratings like Larry Sellers’ social studies grade (65.5). Yes, folks, Kyle Boller was a more efficient quarterback than Joe Willie. Although who knows, maybe Namath thinks his career numbers were all just the fault of receivers running bad routes.

Add to that the fact that Jets were extremely gracious to Namath after his embarrassing episode on the sideline with Suzy Kolber back in 2003, supporting him through his alcoholism rehab and welcoming him back into the fray with open arms. So maybe it’s time to return that favor.