Morrison's Pub Hosts Jets Fans In Good Years And Bad

It's not easy being a New York Jets fan, but win or lose, the Jets will always be number one in the hearts of most regulars at, the Metropolitan Avenue establishment known for its burgers with ham on top and buffalo wing specials.

Proprietor Declan Morrison, who also owns the on Austin Street, is a huge sports fan with a special affinity for all things Jets and Mets.

It shows, just from the atmosphere that almost pours out of the front door of the pub. Any Forest Hills Jets fan would feel right at home — though offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer should maybe watch his back if he ever stops in.

The most important rule of the establishment is "love the game," and patrons know that they can watch contests in a friendly atmosphere that tolerates anybody: even New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys fans. After all, if Jets fans can deal with years of heart-breaking, late-season folds, they can put up with anything.

Several New York Giants fans looked downright comfortable sidled up to the bar, even though their team was not playing on any of the eight high-definition TV screens scattered throughout the place.

Eric McCormack and Keith Ruckdeschel, regulars who prefer Big Blue, joked with one Jets fan the whole game. Ruckdeschel even shared the common grievances. "They gotta get rid of Schottenheimer," he said. "They have a quarterback who's not ready."

"Last week, they threw the ball too much," said Kelly Erickson, a Jets die-hard who has been frequenting Morrison's for about five years. "They need to run the ball more. If you run the ball and have great defense, you win games...Pound and ground."

With a 6-2 record, Gang Green is tied for first place in its division with the New England Patriots. And the crowd at Morrison's appreciates all the victories.

The group at Morrison's is clearly an opinionated crowd. Everyone has something to say about the team, from the head coach, to new running back LaDanian Tomlinson to Schottenheimer and his unanimously awful play-calls.

Ultimately, any observer can tell it's a group that wears its collective heart on its sleeve.

They praised every aspect of the 2010-11 Jets, except for quarterback Mark Sanchez, who averaged a "C," and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who got raked over the coals.

"I love Rex. He was funny on HBO, " said Sunday fixture Ed Neisch of head coach Rex Ryan and his expletive-filled preseason appearances on the reality show Hard Knocks.

Henry Toro opined that the rest of the team — from the running backs to the front office — is "doing what they're supposed to do," but Sanchez is "overrated."

As beers on the bar got warmer and Sunday's game came down to the wire, Gang Green's Forest Hills deployment got a little restless.

On the gridiron at Ford Field, Sanchez looked at sea in the first half of an away game against the Detroit Lions. But something happened, seemingly in response to the comments at Morrison's. The second-year quarterback turned on the heat in the final 10 minutes of the fourth quarter and led his team to a 23-20 overtime victory, and a swell of applause from the regulars at Morrison's.

Sanchez looked like he matured by the second. Maybe the Jets could go all the way this year. Why not dream big?

There was at least one person in the place who wasn't too concerned one way or the other.

Bartender Joanna Marie Rosalia admitted that she doesn't really follow professional sports, but a New York Super Bowl would be exciting. "Jets fans are very enthusiastic," she said. "And they're good tippers, too."