Believe it or not, the Jets did not
go 0-16 this year.
Obviously, the Jets didn’t light
the world on fire either. With bold and brashness (specifically from the mouth
of your head coach) comes high expectations, and when 6-10 happens, you get…. The
Jets. There isn’t a quick fix with the Jets, the flaws are numerous and the cap
situation is bad. But like we’ve seen time and time again: it all gets better
with improved quarterback play.
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Jets fans have seen this look from Mark Sanchez
over the years.
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Four critical plays come to my
mind with this Jets season: a Mark Sanchez interception on the final drive
against Houston, a Stephen Hill drop in New England, which left crucial points
on the board late, a Mark Sanchez fumble in overtime in that same game, ending
the game, and a Nick Mangold bad snap/Mark Sanchez fumble that ended the game
(and season) in Tennessee.
I’m not saying the Jets win those
games if those plays are avoided (especially Tennessee) or the Jets make the
playoffs if those plays happen (the QB play was too bad), but you could argue 6-10
goes to 9-7 just like that. Unfortunately, those plays did happen.
Change comes from the top, and that change is
in progress with the general manager position. Mike Tannenbaum did some good
things for New York, his last two first round draft picks Muhammad Wilkerson
and Quinton Coples seem like home runs, but bad contracts, signings, and trades
have put the Jets in a bad situation. His firing was step one in a recovery
process.
If New York does indeed land San Francisco’s
Tom Gamble, it would be a huge win. Gamble has been key in building what may be
the deepest roster in the NFL, striking gold with mid-to-late round draft picks
at an abnormally high rate. If Gamble wants the job, snatch him. Do not hire
Scott Cohen, a Mike Tannenbaum disciple. Go fresh.
It’s ridiculous that owner Woody
Johnson would force a general manager with a head coach, but that’s exactly
what he’s done. If a new GM wants his own guy, he should, but I guess that’s
not the thinking of Johnson. Rex Ryan is a great defensive mind, but his
loyalty and offensive handicapping is holding the Jets back. I’m not against
Ryan staying, but there have to be major improvements
for year five of the Rex Ryan project. The Jets will also look into a new
offensive coordinator. Hue Jackson and Norv Turner should all be at the top of
the list. I’d also be thrilled if Broncos offensive line coach Dave Magazu was
listed as a candidate. Magazu has had success in Carolina and Denver in that
position and has been tutored under some great offensive minds.
Time to cut bait with Tim Tebow.
The Jets would save $1.05 million dollars if cut and I think it’d be in the
right move unless Jacksonville wants to work out a deal. Personally, I’d sign
Matt Moore and go with him to start the season. Moore is an unrestricted free
agent and I would be surprised if he went for more than $3.5 million on the
open market. Moore will come cheaper than Alex Smith and Mike Vick is… Mike
Vick. He can be a dynamic playmaker but too often fails on basic reads, is a
fumbling machine (sound familiar?), and gets injured too much. I guess when you
phrase it like that he’s perfect for the Jets though.
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Shonn Greene hasn't shown enough to
remain the Jets starting running back. |
The Jets defense ranked eighth in
total defense despite having a slow linebacking core and losing Darrelle Revis.
Antonio Cromartie played at an all-pro level and the Jets would be wise to see
what Cromartie’s stock is around the league. Trading Cromartie for a second
round pick with Revis returning wouldn’t be a bad move, as long as this team is
taking on most, if not all, of Cromartie’s remaining $21.5 million dollars. To
get under the cap, cutting Calvin Pace and Bart Scott must happen. Pace is
pretty much useless at this point, and Scott has his moments but is two steps too
slow to be a starting linebacker.
David Harris woefully
underperformed this year and could use a new battering mate beside him. The
Ravens Dannell Ellerbe is intriguing, but the Ravens will likely dish out more
than what the Jets, or anyone, would want to pay. There are a few guys who had
down years and thus might come cheaper like Manny Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander,
and Keith Rivers. Obviously, there aren’t too many good ILB’s out there and
second year backer Demario Davis might get the nod to start. Davis has the athleticism
but struggled to get comfortable when given the opportunity this year.
The Jets will also be looking for
two new outside linebackers. This should be addressed with the ninth overall
pick, specifically Oregon’s Dion Jordan, Georgia’s Jarvis Jones, or LSU’s
Barkevious Mingo. My personal favorite is Jordan, who has unreal length and athleticism
(he was a wide receiver and tight end before switching to defensive end). You
can’t go wrong with any of these guys, however, and one of them will likely be
on the board. I’d also address the other outside linebacker position by signing
Paul Kruger. Kruger doesn’t get the credit he deserves from the national media,
racking up 14.5 sacks the past two seasons. If the Jets don’t have the cap room
for Kruger (I predict he looks for around ten million/year), Connor Barwin and
Wallace Gilberry could be options.
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Antonio Cromartie's stock has never been higher-- so
the Jets should explore their trade optons.
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But in what has become a trend in
No Huddle’s off-season diagnosis, it comes down to the quarterback play. If
Norv Turner does come in, maybe he can help correct Mark Sanchez, but probably
not. Sanchez has very, very poor footwork and is so mentally fractured that it
may be beyond fixable. Let Sanchez, Moore, and McElroy compete this training
camp and have the best man win, which will be Matt Moore. A healthy Santonio
Holmes, a (hopefully) improved Stephen Hill, and a dynamic Jeremy Kerley leave
the Jets with an overall solid wide receiving core.
Finally, re-sign Braylon Edwards
and Mike Devito if not for the simple fact that they actually like being Jets.
How many people can you say that about? Tannenbaum severely overvalued the
formula of “talent>chemistry” the past few years. Losing guys like Jerricho
Cotchery, Tony Richardson, and Damien Woody have been bigger losses than almost
anything.
I like Sanchez, but that doesn’t
mean I think he is a good quarterback. I desperately want him to succeed but I
don’t think he will. Two years ago the New York Jets were on the verge of a
super bowl, yet somehow the window closed before it really ever opened. Only
the Jets.
--Chris Cappella--@C_Cappella
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