A few observations that deserve more attention in the debate over the West Side stadium:

1) Make no mistake about it, the Jets are one of the most undistinguished franchises in sports and deliver almost no value to the city's energy. They bring little or no civic pride to East Rutherford, New York, the metropolitan area, or anywhere else. The city doesn't rally around them like it does for the Yankees. When was the last time anyone heard excited office chatter even if the Jets won? If anything, the Jets prevent New Yorkers from watching real football by taking up one of the Sunday afternoon time slots on television. Notwithstanding the debate about whether public funds should be used for stadiums, this team deserves nothing.

2) In an NFL season, each team plays 8 home games. Eight. Even if the Jets go to the Super Bowl, that would only yield a maximum of 3 more games and leave, oh, some 355 days with a vacant facility.

3) Do stadiums and arenas bring about vibrant economic life in their neighborhoods? Let's see. Walk around Madison Square Garden on a weekend night after a Knicks or Rangers game has ended. In fact, MSG seems to have a repellant effect, creating a nowhere-land between Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen (unless you consider Wendy's and the generic Riese restaurant du jour to be appealing economic activity).