N.Y. Jets: Players Owe Coach Bowles Victory Over Buffalo

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

WEEK TEN

Buffalo Bills

vs.

New York Jets

New York Jets: Talk of Blaming Todd Bowles Just a Bunch of Buffalo Patties.  After Week of Venting, Players Owe Their Head Coach Better Performance.

If I'm not mistaken, this is supposed to about progress, right? 

After going 10-6 in Coach Bowles first season as head coach, the team makes a concerted effort to overhaul the roster.  And that's why I say his 13-28 record since 2016 is more reflective of that decision than anything else.  But it is the right decision.

The Jets go on to post back-to-back 5-11 seasons by stitching up their quarterback situation with the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown.  The 2016 season actually reflects fairly well upon Bowles, but the 2017 season for some reason not so much. 

This year, the Jets finally draft whom many believe is their long awaited franchise quarterback.  The team enters Sunday's game with an unsettling 3-7 record.  In their three victories this season (against the Lions, Broncos, and Colts), Darnold and the Jets average a whopping 41.3 points per game.  But we all know they're not that good.  In their six losses this season (against the Jaguars, Vikings, Bears, Browns, and two against the Dolphins), the Jets average just 12.3 points per game.  But few believe they're really that bad.  Therefore somewhere in the middle lies the truth.

All coaches have their detractors no matter what.  The media and a growing faction of fans have been busy these last few years listing their every critique of Bowles play calling ability and game management, down to his seeming inability to extinguish repeated and sometimes potentially ruinous mistakes regarding comportment and/or execution.  Now they're insisting Todd Bowles be graded according to his record.  Moreover, they're even saying a loss against Buffalo would be unforgivable.  As if to say his entire narrative will be written during this one game.

That's where the naysayers lose me, because they along with everyone else know damn well Sam Darnold is out this week with a foot injury.  And that the same dude whom helped the Jets to a 5-11 record last season will be the same dude taking snaps this Sunday.  I would also argue some of this vitriol is being fueled by the Jets present three game losing streak, which is completely understandable.  But I think people lose sight of recent injuries to Bilal Powell and center Spencer Long which negatively affect the ground game, not to mention Sam Darnold being deprived of several wide receivers.

Woody and now Christopher Johnson must slam the breaks on their repeated acts of impetuousness.  They are on their fourth head coach and general manager, respectively, of the new century.  That averages out to 4.5 years per tandem.  That's no way to build a winner.  What they need now most of all is patience and to maintain continuity.  Not until Mike Maccagnan reaches deep into his treasure chest of salary cap reserves and starts spending for high-end talent should Todd Bowles be judged for his results.

As an aside, Mark Sanchez had a much better offensive line and a pro-bowl center protecting him than does Sam Darnold.  Something for Maccagnan to consider.  Something else to consider, either Jeremy Bates is offensive coordinator, or quarterback coach.  He shouldn't be both.  Let Bates continue as the OC if they must.  However, Maccagnan might want to seek out a new quarterback coach this off season for his prized player.

In the meantime, the education of Sam Darnold continues.