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Jets in crisis management mode as Black Monday approaches
(Photo credit: AP sports)
Jets turn to crisis management mode as “Black Monday” approaches Woody Johnson will attempt to right the course of the organization.The Jets have Charlie Casserly and he has Ron Wolf on standby, both are members of the NFL’s Career Advisory Panel. Neither has actually been hired yet as Jetsnation awaits owner Woody Johnson’s “Black Monday” call.
First and foremost let us say that Jets head coach Rex Ryan has a contract in place. At the end of 2013′ unbelievable 8 – 8 season Ryan was given an extension through the 2015 season with an option for 2016 by Jets owner woody Johnson.
However, having said that, it was the 2013 season that was expected to be the season with the 3 – 13 record, this year was to be the start of the rebuilding. A dirty term in NFL circles.
The script, as they say, has been flipped. Rex Ryan went into the 2014 season being told that second year General manager John Idzik was plotting his eventual firing. To that end, Idzik did nothing to dispel the rumor.
Idzik has replaced 34 players on the roster in an effort to make the team his own yet only four of those players contribute. In a draft where the Jets used an unprecedented 12 picks, in a year with heavy depth at the wide receiver position, Idzik missed on all but two of those picks. Of those two, only tight end Jace Amaro has had any impact. The Jets first overall pick, safety Calvin Pryor has been an utter disappointment. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a future because he does, but Pryor did little to help himself this season.
Idzik and company, which includes 14 year veteran scouting department head Terry Bradway have had two forgettable drafts together, both should be held responsible.
It was Idzik himself that announced to the media that he intended to lead the team to sustained success via the draft, something he has no prior experience doing and it showed.
But while reports swirl that head coach Rex Ryan is cleaning out his desk one can’t help but think “there goes another career the Jets have ruined” even as undermanned as he was Ryan’s defense is ranked sixth in the NFL.
Many fans and those in the business will tell you that you hire your General manager and let him hire his own head coach and support staff. Jets owner Woody Johnson knew John Idzik had no experience in player personnel and so he went the route of the super bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. He hired his head coach first, in this case Ryan was in place, while the Seahawks brought in former Jets coach Pete Carroll and hired his GM second, as the Seahawks did with GM John Schneider.
Where did it all go wrong for the Jets you ask in response to using the Seahawks model? Well unlike Seattle where head coach Pete Carroll has control in the draft process, Jets Rex Ryan has been stymied in his efforts for personnel moves.
For example Revis and Cromarte were cut or traded, Idzik relied solely on the continually injured Dee Milliner and a guy named Patterson who wouldn’t even show up, for his defensive backfield this season. Then, let Dominic-Rogers-Cromartie out the door only to watch him sign with the Giants and he passed on signing Revis who had stated he wanted to return with his former team.
Idzik brought in quarterback Geno Smith as his leader and pressed that he start for two seasons. He dispersed of those pesky high priced veterans and emptied the defensive backfield while at the same time failing to supply skill position players. The results of which has been disaster for the entire organization.
In all, Idzik brought in Sheldon Richardson off the original Revis trade deal. Drafted Amaro and Pryor, traded for Ivory and went with free agents Decker and late this year Harvin after a combined 19 draft picks and 34 player moves.Yes, the Idzik experiment was a failure and he rebelled at having Ryan as a confidant and partner in the teams future, everyone including woody Johnson is aware of that situation, but in moving on from General manager Woody Johnson must also consider the part Terry Bradway has or has not played as well. Bradway has been with the Jets for fourteen years or about the same time as Woody Johnson has been the teams owner. There must be accountability in the scouting staff as well. The past two years of draft failures are inexcusable.
The problems with staffing don’t stop there either as offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach David Lee were ineffective in advancing quarterback Geno Smith’s play. Mornhinweg was sporadic this year and had trouble making in-game changes.
When the Jets were effective in their run game the opponent would compensate by putting eight, sometimes nine in the box thus overloading the line, Mornhinweg failed to adjust to pass option play or effectively utilize his tight ends, Amaro and Cumberland over the middle to keep the defense “honest”.
Special teams play was anything but special:
Gone are the days of coach Mike ‘s dominant play as New coach Thomas McGaughey’s had a tough year with big plays lacking and bad field position on returns (he has been actively seeking other employment):
“We’ve been a work in progress. Kickoff return, we’ve been up and down. Punt return, we’ve been awful, to be honest with you. I think we could do a lot of things better in that phase moving forward. Obviously, that always starts with me.”
The Jets average 5.9 yards/punt return. Only the Bears at 5.5 yards had a lower average and the Jets return specialists have made many questionable plays leaving the offense with poor field position.
“Quigley’s getting better, he really is. I think Quigley has an opportunity to be a very good directional punter in this league, His attitude is great, he takes coaching.”
McGaughey said the problems for the unit have been inconsistent play and penalties during returns. The measure of success for the unit, he said, boils down to yardage.
On returns he expects his players to “get a first down.” A ten yard average on returns would have placed the Jets in the top ten of the NFL this season not to mention the difference it would have had in their close games.
Of note though is that Ryan Quigley is on track to set franchise records in gross and net punting averages. All that remains for him to do to break the record is maintain his 45.9-yard gross and 40.0 net at their last game in Miami on Sunday.
Defensive line coach Dunbar has been able to escape media criticism this year, he hasn’t been caught in the cross fire and with players like Damon Harrison, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson it’s easy to see why. There may no longer be a “sack exchange” in New York but the “Sons of anarchy” are certainly holding their own.
Jets reporter Eric Allen questions whether owner Woody Johnson is satisfied with John Idzik’ performance;
http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Is-Johnson-Comfortable-with-the-Jets-Track/984ddc18-6f33-4858-be00-8409bd3f2bfb
No matter what changes are made to the Jets organization you can be sure there will be disagreement amongst the media and fans. Good luck Woody Johnson and consultants you’re going to need it this off season.
