I’ve been asked by a handful of people over the last few
weeks as to why I am yet to write an article regarding the New York Jets’ strikingly
unorthodox off season. I don’t
really have an answer to that aside from the fact that writing said article
would inherently mean that I must seriously attempt to understand a collection
of moves that have befuddled many New Yorkers and NFL fans across the
country. Do I include myself among
the perplexed? Well… uh… I am confused – that I know for
certain. Any other feelings I hope
to resolve by the time I sign off.
In looking at the Jets’ offseason, the most relevant
developments surround the quarterback position. But, before I get into that, let’s look at some of the
things the Jets have done well since
their cross-hallway rivals took home the Lombardi Trophy.
1. Kept their top picks.
There was absolutely no way that Peyton Manning was going to sign with
New York. In fact, it’s hard to
imagine any team ranked lower on his list of potential signees with the
exception of the other team that calls the Meadowlands home. If the Jets wanted to acquire elite
talent like Manning via trade, it would have certainly cost them the number 16
overall pick, which is by far their best draft slot in the Rex Ryan era. By advancing to the conference
championship game his first two seasons, the Jets drafted later than teams that
had 11 or 12 win regular seasons since the draft order for postseason teams is
dependant on how deep they go in the playoffs and not based on their regular
season performance. Although
neither of New York’s past two first round selections have reached
national-accolade status, two year pro, Kyle Wilson, improved drastically in
his second season and is probably one or two more removed from a pro bowl. Last draft’s top NYJ choice, Muhammad
Wilkerson, already has three more sacks to his name that previous
pass-rusher-turned-bust, Vernon Gholston.
I like what they’ve done under Rex and hopefully the improved position
will work in their favor.
2. Re-signed Sione Pouha.
Everyone’s favorite you-know-by-his-name-he-was-born-to-play-D-line guy,
Pouha was actually one of the Jets’ best defensive players last season in which
he emerged as the unquestioned leader of the defensive line with the departure
of Shaun Ellis and Kris Jenkins.
Pouha is a classic Rex Ryan type guy and this has absolutely nothing to
do with their mirroring physiques.
The loss of Jim Leonard in the secondary hurt and it was imperative that
New York maintain some of its defensive veterans.
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| Landry's physical style of play will fit right in with what NY is trying to do on defense. |
3. Signed LaRon Landry.
This was the best move made by the Jets. The departure of the aforementioned Jim Leonard meant the
Jets had a potential hole in the secondary. For four million dollars they got a fine deal. Landry is a good, potentially great strong safety. He hits very hard and is good in coverage. From Leonard to Revis to Wilson to
Cromartie, Rex Ryan has made his affinity for secondary talent well
documented. Landry, who made
consecutive Pro Bowls in 07 and 08, should fall right in line with those listed
above. If he can maintain good
health there is no reason to think he can’t return to that form.
Alright, I’m feeling more optimistic about next season than
when I began writing this column…
The decision to extend Marc Sanchez’s contract has to be one of the most downright
moronic moves I have ever witnessed a front office make. You can tell me it was done to settle
some locker room tension. You can
tell me the Jets extended Sanchez’s contract so they could “get it out of the
way.” You can tell me it was a
reward for making the AFC Championship game two out of three seasons. Yet, strangely enough, none of these
reasons have anything to do with his ability, which is really the only reason
athletes should be getting paid.
You cannot convince me that this was an individual
performance-based extension and you certainly cannot make the case that it was
for noteworthy improvement. Did
Sanchez post career highs in 2011 for passer rating, completion percentage,
passing yards, and touchdowns?
Yes. However, he still
ranked just 23rd in rating and 28th in comp.
percentage. Those numbers are up
four and one respectively from his second season. Likewise, Sanchez’s increased yardage and touchdown totals
were only because of his career high number of attempts. Completely ignore the fact that he
lofted 18 interceptions and coughed up six fumbles, which are numbers that are
too high regardless of how good one may be in every other department.
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| As part of Mark's extension, he is encouraged to dress as comfortably as possible to all practices and team meetings. Said Mark, "Have you ever noticed how annoying it is to try to throw a football under a blanket? My arms get SO COLD!" |
At this stage in his career, Sanchez has been an adequate
leader who seems to elevate his play to some extent in meaningful moments. He has been fortunate enough to play
with an elite offensive line and defensive for the duration of his career as
well as in a system that stresses the running game. For Sanchez optimists (my self included, I think), the
prevailing mantra has been: let’s just give it some time; it is certainly too
soon to abandon hope. But even the
most gung-ho Sanchatics cannot make a real case that he is anything more than a
potentially operable quarterback.
Therefore, much like it is too soon to proclaim Sanchez a bust, it is
also certainly premature to extol Mark as the future of the team to the tune of
3 years and 40 million dollars with 20 guaranteed.
And then came Tim Tebow.
It’s hard to think of a scenario where this is a good
move. Then again, it’s hard to
think of a scenario where it is a bad one. Tebow gives the Jets options – and options are never a bad
thing. Tebow puts pressure on
Sanchez to perform, but wasn’t one of the leading reasons for the extension to
assuage him? Tebow is a positive
locker room presence, but why do the Jets seem to think that winning the battle
in the locker room will win the battle on the field? And what about that so-called rivalry with the Giants
(although I’m sure most Giants fans would say there is no rivalry until the
Jets achieve success, much like Yankees fans feel towards Mets fans)? I hope I’m right when I say media
members suggesting the move was made to steal the media attraction away from
the G-men is nothing more than an erroneous self-fulfilling prophecy.
These plans are probably unlikely to work. Some are overly optimistic and/or
theoretical. Yet, as I said
before, I still don’t know if this is a bad
trade if these are the motivations behind it. Confusing? Yes.
Detrimental to the team?
Probably not.
That is, of course, unless the Jets attempt to run what I
fear they will. Unfortunately for
me, this is the only reason behind the trade for which the Jets have offered
any confirmation.
September 11, 3:08 PM:
@Late_Nightt (me): Attention NFL
coaches: the wildcat is dead, it's a carpet for my tv room
I get the Sparano aspect; it was Tony who initially brought
about the wildcat on that fateful day against New England. I also get that Tebow’s option-style
offense was effective last season, most notably in his Thursday night shocking
victory over the Jets. However,
this still cannot make me understand why something that has gone extinct for
the most part around the league can be not only revived, but taken to a whole
knew level in terms of its fixation in an offensive system.
Rex Ryan has suggested that Tim Tebow could get around 20
(20!) (20!) (20!!!!!!!!!!!!) plays out of a wildcat formation each game. There’s a reason nobody does it
anymore; it doesn’t work. There are a very limited number of
plays that can be run out of the wildcat.
Most consist of the following parts: (1) pre-snap or immediately after
the snap motion from a wide receiver or runner, (2) a handoff (fake or real) or
a counter run… That might be it. Granted, with Tebow or a capable passer
taking the snap, the possibility for a pass is always present, but even still
the number of wildcat plays that end up being runs vastly outnumbers those that
conclude with a pass. And if, for
the Jets in 2012, wildcat runs do not outweigh wildcat passes, then doesn’t
that suggest that Tebow is a more capable passer than is Sanchez?
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| If the prospect of seeing this 20 times a game doesn't excite you... it means you still have a pulse. |
In other words, if the Jets end up frequently passing out of
the wildcat, why use it in the first place? Sure, the defense will have trouble anticipating the play if
runs and passes are intermixed, but how
is that any different than any play out of any formation that has a running
back? Why take Sanchez out of
a rhythm that God knows how long it takes him to find? If pushing the reset button on the
locker room is paramount, why run an offense that makes the wide receivers (and
likely catalysts for trouble) nothing more than decoys?
And, most baffling of all, why would a team want someone whose
throwing motion gets shit on more than a rest area toilet seat take throws away
from a 40 million dollar quarterback?
Ryan has never been praised for his offensive genius, but
this is just plain stupid.
I don’t think the wildcat should ever be used, but I could
live with five plays a game. If Tebow
can make those five count, who can argue against acquiring him? The question is, will we start to want
more than five? More than ten?
More than twenty? Maybe by week 17 Tebow will be the
unquestioned starter and the decision to acquire him will have saved the
season. Sanchez will be robbing
the bank, but at least the Jets will have their quarterback of the future.
Or, maybe I’m totally over thinking this whole thing. Tebow was an impulse buy and nothing
more. He’s a flashy pre-owned
coupe on sale in perfect condition that you just couldn’t leave in the lot even
though you drove up in a new beamer.
I mean, after all, we’re talking about the Jets.
-AW
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