N.Y. Giants: Ben McAdoo Decides Eli No Longer The Mann

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Ben McAdoo twice watched Eli Manning defeat his Green Bay Packers 

en route to winning the Super Bowl and being named MVP each time.

New York Giants: In What I Can Only Describe As An Act of Supreme Folly, Head Coach Ben McAdoo Culminates Season Long Criticisms of Eli Manning By Benching Greatest Quarterback in Team History.

Ben McAdoo served as the Green Bay Packers tight ends coach between 2006 through 2011, then served as quarterbacks coach through the 2013 season.  During his time there, he won a ring and enjoyed a daily up-close look at two of the games all-time great quarterbacks.

As tight ends coach, McAdoo was in Green Bay for Brett Favre's final two seasons with the Packers.  His arrival, however, came the season after Favre led the NFL with 29 interceptions.  So perhaps that matter escaped him once bewitched by the likes of Aaron Rogers.  Only Ben McAdoo was still tight ends coach when Rogers led Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory in 2010 over Pittsburgh.

Rogers had been starting for four seasons prior to McAdoo's promotion to quarterbacks coach.  Therefore, how much did he actually contribute towards Rogers' continuing development during their two years working together?

By 2012 and 2013, Jerry Reese's failures as Giants general manager were making desperate people out of head coach Tom Coughlin and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.  The latter would become the first scapegoat, and after the 2013 season was replaced as offensive coordinator with Ben McAdoo.

At that point, Eli Manning was coming off the third season of his career in which he led NFL in interceptions.  I chalk up most of that to Kevin Gilbride's aggressive down field passing.  He and Eli routinely led the league in most yards attempted per pass play.

Enter Ben McAdoo, who institutes a rather awkward style of West Coast offense.  During his two seasons as coordinator, Eli set career highs in pass attempts (albeit much shorter attempts), career highs in yardage, career highs in completion percentage, and in 2015 threw a career high 35 TD passes.

That's all fine and well.  But Jerry Reese's continuing failures as general manager nonetheless resulted in back-to-back 6-10 seasons requiring a second scapegoat, namely Tom Coughlin.

Ben McAdoo was then elevated to the position of head coach following the 2015 season.  And as we know, Jerry Reese spent money like a drunken sailor trying to reinvigorate a moribund defense.  And for a season, it worked.  The Giants actually fielded one of the league's best defenses, and carried over Super Bowl aspirations heading into the preseason.

McAdoo, however, would inevitably become the latest victim of Jerry Reese's machinations as were Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride before him.  Much of the Giants present situation indeed falls on the general manager.

So why was it that Ben McAdoo would unleash harsh criticisms towards Eli Manning during the opening weeks of this season?  In fact, he's implied in more ways than one how Eli doesn't quite fit his system.

And there's the rub ...

When your quarterback is getting sacked within three seconds or less, when he's been sacked at least 50 times in his last 28 games, there is no freakin system!

When the general manager has no interest in rebuilding the offensive line and reestablishing a respectable rushing threat, there's no system.

When you're the second head coach guilty of turning a blind eye every time Odell Beckham insults the 90-plus years of Giants tradition and lifts his leg to decorum, there is no system.  How could there be with faux suspensions, and no repercussions for players guilty of giving up?  Ben McAdoo lost his locker room.  He did.  There's no disputing that fact.  Massage the situation all you want.  There are players whom quit on him.  It is what it is.

If the Giants are 2-9 this season, Jerry Reese is certainly to blame.  All other attempts at change have failed.  And so at the end of this season, he must go.

McAdoo must surely follow because Tuesday's decision to bench Eli Manning is just absurd.  If I'm not mistaken, he watched up close as Eli Manning and the Giants beat Farve and his Green Bay Packers in that epic arctic NFC championship game of 2007, then watched Eli Manning and the Giants defeat his precious Aaron Rogers and the Packers again four years later.  Each time Eli went on to win Super Bowl MVP honors.  Yet, McAdoo has determined benching Eli Manning is in the best interest of the team, and a Giant first step towards a better tomorrow.

He is benching Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith of all people, which is complete folly.  Davis Webb is expected to get some reps over the final weeks of the season as well.  But what can be learned about him when he will most certainly be playing under extreme duress due to the Giants inept offensive line?  Not to mention, if the Giants indeed continue their losing ways, they will surely utilize what could end up being a top four draft pick on an available quarterback.  So what exactly is the point?

Eli Manning, who this season became only the seventh quarterback in NFL history to surpass 50,000 yards passing, whose streak of 210 consecutive regular season starts is second only to Brett Farve, is being pushed aside in favor of Geno Smith?

Really?

Dan Reeves was an outsider who once dictated when the Giants career of Phil Simms would end.  Now we have another outsider, Ben McAdoo, triggering the demise of Eli Manning.

Week thirteen ... Eli ... clip board duty.

Ponderous!

Damn tight ends coach.

N.Y. Giants: Eli Trapped in Unsafe Working Condition

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The Good Old Days?

New York Giants: Eli Manning Surrounded By Ten Big Blue Question Marks; What A Great Time To Start Geno Smith!

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they got a lot worse.

Brandon Marshall, and the Giants lone legitimate scoring threat, Odell Beckham Jr., are both out for the season with fractured ankles sustained during last Sunday's game against the Chargers.

One has to wonder if the Fates are just piling on now.

When Eli Manning takes the field this Sunday against the Broncos in Denver, he will be surrounded by ten giant question marks, all of which spell big trouble.

Having to break in a whole new compliment of receivers, I feel, is putting Eli directly in harms way.  In fact, the odds of him sustaining his first major injury, or even a potential season ending injury, I believe, are suddenly sky high.

I'll tell you why.

In weeks One and Two, Eli sustained eight sacks, and another 13 QB hits.  Adjustments were made, and as a result, Eli remained relatively untouched against the Eagles in Week Three, and in Week Four against the Bucs.  The offensive line allowed no sacks and just seven QB hits in those games, but that was because Eli was getting the ball off within three to four seconds or less (much faster than he's accustomed to).  And, he also was still throwing to a full compliment of receivers.

In Week Five against the Chargers, the already maligned offensive line was playing without center Weston Richburg (concussion protocol), while John Jerry was playing with a strained hamstring.  The starting front five allowed five sacks, and another seven QB hits.  Eli was under duress when he threw somewhat high on the play Odell Beckham fractured his ankle (but that's football).

Suffice it to say, the offensive line has proven they're incapable of providing even low level protection.  Ereck Flowers, in particular, continues being a liability on the left side.

It's not like Eli can turn to the running game.  Behind the offensive line's compounded inability to create daylight, the Giants are presently 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, 28th in total rushing yards, tied for 28th in rushing attempts, yet actually rank 21st in yards per attempt.

Do we have to bring the tight ends into this?

Do we need to bring Ben McAdoo's ponderous play calling into this?

Yeah!

But with respect to Sunday's game, will Eli Manning and his new receiving corp be up to speed against a very good Denver defense?  Will Eli be able to get passes off within three to four seconds again? 

That's why I say, if these new kids on the chopping block aren't operating with the necessary smarts, and playing at the required speed, Eli is in big trouble.

What's going to happen against the rest of these defenses the Giants still must play?

Seahawks?  Rams?  Chiefs?

The more I think about it, the more I feel this might be a great time to start Geno Smith!

N.Y. Jets: Unrepentant Rex Ryan Returns to the Green Apple Swinging

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

PIGSKIN

Thursday Night Football Edition

WEEK TEN

Review Season Results

Week Nine Record:  4-7

Overall Record:  60-46-3

Schmear of the Week:  5-4

Bagels in the Basket:  +14

THURSDAY NIGHT

Buffalo Bills

vs.

New York Jets

FROM

House of Snoopy

MY PICK

JETS -3 (Bills)
I'm siding with discipline over dysfunction.
I think the game will devolve into a defensive struggle.
It's worth noting Nick Folk has been lost for the season.
Otherwise, there's been much about this game that smells push.

New York Jets: Rex Ryan Pulls No Punches in Return to Big Green Apple.

First it was a punch to Geno Smith's jaw.  Now Geno gets a slap to the face.

Like a bull through a fine china shop, D-Generation Rex is back, and he's unrepentant as ever!

The NFL's most notorious foot connoisseur named Ik Enemkpali a captain for this Sunday's Jets/Bills showdown at the House of Snoopy - the same Ik whom broke Geno Smith's jaw.

Only Rex...

This will be Buddy Ryan's offspring's first game back to the House of Snoopy since getting unceremoniously getting canned as Jets coach after posting a 4-12 record last season.  On that note, I would argue former Jets GM John Idzik did Rex no favors over his final two seasons as coach.

In the process, the players lost a very popular and powerful motivator, and the only coach to ever guide the organization to two straight AFC championship games.

Rex Ryan is no doubt a defensive whiz.  That said, he makes a better pack leader than head coach.
He seems to thrive in a locker room stylized after Delta House.  And I'm one who believes you can't always give players what they want.

Personality wise, Todd Bowles couldn't be any more different.  He is no defensive slouch himself, and perhaps is a more complete coach as well.  The atmosphere around the Hangar has certainly been more workmanlike and composed since his arrival.

While this particular game is not as dire as I'm about to make it sound (yes it is) this is nevertheless one of those games where the Bills seemingly have everything to gain, while the Jets have everything to lose.  The Jets are 5-3 this season, while the Bills enter Thursday's game with a 4-4 record.  Both teams have gone 2-2 over their last four, while the Patriots remain undefeated.

In other words, unless something earth shattering radically shuffles the AFC East standings, both the Jets and Bills should start focusing on the Wild Cards, which in turn makes this game of paramount importance.

A victory would put the Jets in the driver's seat.

In the mean time, both teams would still need to outplay the Steelers and Raiders, and whomever else sneaks into the AFC playoff picture.

N.Y. Jets: Bowles Boils Over After Cross Country Plight

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

Turbulent Skies

New York Jets: Loafers Need Not Apply!

The Jets departed on a two week sortie, and nearly didn't make it back.  Their coast to coast run from New England, to Oakland, then back to NYC was distressing at best - partly due to mechanical in-flight issues, and partly due to several players perhaps fearful of being on the same flight home as Coach Bowles.  Suffice to say the mission was an utter failure.  They came nowhere close to hitting their targets, and returned with casualties to key personnel.

Insult and Injury Sandwich an Otherwise Competitive Effort in Coach Bowles' much anticipated first game at Foxboro as HC of the NYJ.

Week Seven Final

Jets         23

Patriots  30

NYJ 7th straight loss at Foxboro

Ryan Fitzpatrick got sacked and fumbled on the Jets second play of the game.  The Patriots recovered, and immediately parlayed that into an early field goal.

The Jets then short circuited on their very next possession at the New England 2-yard line, after marching 78 yards on 15 plays, only to settle for a tying field goal.

Fast-forward...

After another Nick Folk field goal put the Jets ahead 20-16 with 12:50 left in regulation, New England proceeded to score 14 unanswered points.  The Patriots promptly marched 80 yards in 10 plays to take a 23-20 lead.  Then, with 5:32 left in the 4th quarter, Tom Brady initiated another 10-play, 68-yard scoring drive giving the Patriots their ultimate 30-20 margin of victory.

Meanwhile, the Jets not having Chris Ivory running on all engines was not anticipated.  The power back compromised his hamstring during the Jets very first play of the game.  Were Ivory playing at full strength, who knows what sort of control the Jets could have exacted over the Patriots - as the overall effort and respective play sandwiched between the opening and closing minutes of the game was otherwise competitive.

Generally speaking, though, a hamstrung Chris Ivory is going to mean a compromised Jets attack. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Eric Decker, and to a lesser degree Brandon Marshall, managed just enough offense to trick one into thinking potential upset, if only fleetingly.

Chris Ivory's curiously hampered effort:

• @ New England - 17 rushes/41 yards - 2 catches/12 yards, touchdown. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick:

• @ New England - 22 of 39, for 295 yards, with two touchdowns.

Tom Brady very literally performed his usual one man gang routine.  He completed 34 of 54 attempts for 355 yards, with two touchdowns, and was also New England's top rusher.  Tom Statue scrambled for 15 yards on 4 carries, with another touchdown.

Gang Green (in the face) suffered their biggest blow in the closing minute of the game, when center Nick Mangold injured his neck during the Jets final possession of the game.

All told, this game cost the Jets considerable altitude in the AFC East standings, while sustaining injuries to three key offensive players whom touch the ball most - Center, QB, and RB, in that order.

Oh no! Not you again: Geno Smith

Week Eight Final

Jets         20

Raiders  30

Geno Smith emerged from the Black Hole of Oakland only to remind everyone just how little he's improved after three years in the business.  His appearance was made possible when Ryan Fitzpatrick (re)injured his non-throwing thumb that will eventually require surgery.

Moving forward, Ryan's availability will be based on his personal threshold for pain. He's been listed as a go for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.  Taking snaps under center will prove most difficult, with handing off a close second.

I think Jets fans would even favor playing Fitz wearing oven mitts rather than risk falling further behind New England in the standings with Geno at the controls.

• Geno completed 27 of 42 pass attempts, for 265 yards, 2 touchdowns, and one INT.

Not the most terrible looking line, but the visual was easily worse.  Smith has moments when he shines, but the lights quickly go out and his mind fades to black when put under NFL duress.  The Jets better hope Fitzpatrick can gut this out, otherwise Geno Smith will smear his own thumbprints all over the Jets chances for the postseason.

So, is Chris Ivory hurt, or not?

Chris Ivory's performance against the Raiders was even more peculiar than that against the Patriots.   He rushed 15 times for 17 yards - that's no typo folks.  He also caught 3 passes for 24 yards.

So what gives?  Is he hurt or not?

The Jets did not just suddenly forget how to run block.  And while Mangold's situation is certainly a hovering black cloud, I do not think his injury impacted the running game so greatly that the Raiders defense was able to limit Chris Ivory and Zac Stacy to a mere 28 combined rushing yards on 18 carries.

Something else is at work here, and I do not believe it was necessarily the Raiders.

If Ivory needs a week off, better give it to him against the Jaguars.  A proactive rest now could potentially benefit the team later.  I say with great confidence - no Chris Ivory entering December means no playoffs for the Jets.

Taxing his barking hammy for a third straight week could spell trouble.  Take that to the hangar Jets fans.

Otherwise, if the Jets thought they were going to abandon the run, and match Tom Brady in a shoot-out, then what a colossal mistake it was.

Adversity at the Gates: Todd Bowles negotiating his first Gang Green crisis.

Todd Bowles is pissed off - and that's good.  A return to health, a little luck, and constructive well directed anger can potentially transform the Jets into a fearsome second half opponent.

Half way though the regular season, though, they're already running low on margin for error.

As a defensive minded coach, Tom Brady's overall performance must have been an assault upon his senses.  Everyone on the east coast knew Brady was either throwing, or running the ball himself - because that's all he did!  What a ponderous game plan, or genius if you consider the source.  I digress.

The Patriots made no secrets; employed no deception.  Brady and Belichick effectively said here's what we're doing, we defy you to stop us.  And, well, the Jets failed in that endeavor, crushingly, late in the game.

We are, after all speaking of a capable defense though.  The recipe to beat Brady is public knowledge. You must hit him, often.  The Jets sacked Brady three times, and hit him another five times through most of the game - just not late when they needed to most.  But, hey, it's not like they lost to Steve Grogan.

What transpired the following week in Oakland, however, inspired Todd Bowles to utter a word I haven't heard used by a head coach in decades.  Bowles dropped a #loafing bomb when summarizing their deplorable defensive effort against the Raiders.  Indefensible lapses in brain function, poorly executed and missed tackles were all topic one.  I'm sure the Defense was incredulous and embarrassed when presented the game film.  If they weren't already, I'm sure Coach Bowles humbled them with haste.

Moving forward, the last two games were on the players.  That damage is now a matter of recorded NFL history.  The next game will reflect on Todd Bowles more than anyone.  That's just the nature of the beast.  The previous two weeks called for corrective measures, attitude adjustments, what have you...  So, the next move was his to make.

That said, adversity is designed to knock one down.  How one recovers is what matters most.

I like Todd Bowles.  I like his demeanor and style.  But that doesn't win games.  Players win games, just ask Rex.  I would add Bowles is far more poised and adept at administering discipline, and generally concerning himself with all aspects of the game than Ryan ever was. Two weeks does not a season make, and this is already a smoother flying Jet than its been in a few years.

After spending a week back in the Hangar getting lubed and retrofitted by Todd Bowles, I can't wait to see how the Jets respond this Sunday at home against the Jaguars.

A loss would incite a home crowd maelstrom - victory, a hero's welcome.

Snoopy Bowl 2015: Gang Green Leaves Giants Feeling Blue

From the desks of:  

DO IT FOR THE DUKE  and  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

* * 2015 * *

SNOOPY BOWL

FINAL

N.Y. Jets        28

N.Y. Giants    18

Let's face it, the only thing worth talking about is the first half.  The rest was a matter of deciding whom gets cut when rosters get paired down to 75 on September 1st.

On the Giants side of the ball, much of today's talk centers around how the offense took important steps forward.  If one very effective scoring drive does a pre-season game make, then I guess Big Blue indeed did well.

After a listless 1st quarter, the Giants put forth a far more comforting effort in the 2nd.

Starting at their own 20-yard line, the Giants mounted a 14-play, 85-yard scoring drive that consumed 8:09 of the clock.  Including penalties, the Giants rushed 9 times during the drive, while Eli put 8 balls in the air.

...and If I may, I found the acute running effort very pleasing.

But, despite being a spectator at last night's game I must have missed all the other positive offensive steps forward being spoken of today.

In the all important 1st quarter, the Jets made 7 first downs against the Giants one.

The Giants were unable to capitalize on a rash of early Jets penalties.  They displayed an overall inability to sustain the run, leading to many impotent three-and-outs.  Rashad Jennings had 9 rushes for 28-yards, or, 3.1 yards per carry, and a touchdown.  Akeem Hunt performed better against the B-squads, rushing 5 times for 25-yards, with a long of 15-yards.  They combined on 14 rushes for 53-yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Eli chipped away throwing 10/11 passes for 71 rather inconsequential yards just prior to surrendering a pick-six.  He ended up 12/16 for 91 yards, or, 5.7 yard per pass.  Overall, Eli and Coach McAdoo showed little interest in throwing down field.

At times the pocket just proved too dangerous for making reads.... as if.  The offensive line allowed a pair of sacks and a whole bunch of touches.  Add that to a poor night of run blocking, and that spells trouble ahead.

On a more positive note, I watched Odell Beckham Jr. having a wonderful time on Revis Island.  He was targeted 6 times and completed 5 receptions, highlighted by another one of those remarkable one-handed catches, albeit with one foot out of bounds.

Subtract Eli's pick-six, and the defense still allowed 21 points depending on your personal accounting methods.  

To be fair, Ryan Fitzpatrick should have connected on that 1st quarter post to Eric Decker for a touchdown.  The Giants secondary presently has more problems than a math book.  And besides, all teams usually score on that play - it's just a matter of shading the safety and timing.

Good job by Fitzpatrick...

However, a high school team would have handled the Jets screen pass to Zac Stacy that went for a 24-yard touchdown.

Why did that play work so well?  

Answer: The play itself was well set-up.  Once the Giants began over-pursuing the run, calling a screen pass was a lay-up.  So obvious in fact, it bordered sickening if not for being a pre-season contest.  The Jets had spent the majority of their previous plays pounding the ball on the ground.   Overall, Zac Stacy and Chris Ivory combined on 19 rushes for 98 yards.  And just so you know, Tommy Bohanon put the Jets well over 100-yards for the game.

If you're a Jets fan, take everything I said as Giants fan, convert it, and be happy.

You can't help but be satisfied with Ryan Fitzpatrick's efficient performance.  He completed 9/14 passes for 127 yards (9.1 ypp) and threw a pair of touchdowns.  And as noted, the ground game had its way against the Giants defense, rushing behind a good offensive line led by Nick Mangold.

Why couldn't they do that for me? - something Rex Ryan might say...

If you're a Giants fan, stop scratching your head.  You're just gonna make it bleed.

ICYMI:

N.Y. Giants: A Big Blue Crucible Built For Two 

N.Y. Jets: Sucker Punch Was A Slap Of Reality

N.Y. Jets: Sucker Punch was a Slap of Reality

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

Extra Baggage:

• Smoking pot while driving in excess of 130mph with a child and registered yet loaded gun in the vehicle;
• The inability of well compensated NFL athletes failing to settle a dispute over $600 dollars in an adult manner; 
• Sucker punching people; at your place of work particularly at this age in one's life....?
• How one malcontent can derail an entire team's hopes for success;
• Individualism, and entitlement, 

....are all acts, and the machinations of immaturity, persons incapable of grasping life beyond boundaries set for themselves since high school and in their neighborhoods.  These are persons whom failed to grow up and join the real world in a timely manner,  where civility matters.

New York Jets: That wasn't just a sucker punch, and a broken jaw sustained by Geno Smith.  That was reality smacking the Jets square in the face.

Had the FAA ever gotten their hands on Air Woody's old operational records, they'd have banned the New York Jets from the skies years ago.

As if...

Eric Mangini was too methodical and yawn inspiring for New York, although he and Mike Tannenbaum were arguably on to something.  On the other hand, Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan were an intoxicating flighty mix whom reached their ceiling, but eventually crashed and burned.

Somehow, Rex miraculously crawled out of the wreckage unscathed.  Good thing too; on the one hand he was good for business.  Woody's next move, on the other hand, was not.  He insisted Rex Ryan stay on as head coach, but mandated that the next incoming GM work with him.  But that created an untenable situation for Rex as a lame duck coach under potentially hostile over site.

Enter John Idzik.

Once settled in, he operated less like the general manager of a football team, and more like a TSA agent searching for Tannenbaum's little black box.

In the course of his 800 day reign of error, John Idzik scattered the Jets' leftover charred remains throughout the hanger at Florham Park, dispensed their usable parts to the local competition, seized the capital budget, and essentially set the company on a course of regression.

That being said, Idzik's greatest accomplishment as GM of the Jets might very well have been sabotaging Rex Ryan's final season as head coach (maybe even in defiance of Woody's stipulation).

In any event, credit Woody Johnson for acknowledging his own failed operation.  As a businessman, he smartly reorganized - in a manner any beleaguered fan base could want, dream, or ask for.

This past off-season made it evidently clear the Jets haven't benefited, much less employed this much competency since swindling Bill Parcells away from the Patriots.

Within a few shorts months on the job, Mike Maccagnan not only cleaned up the mess left behind by non-personnel types Mike Tannenbaum and the exceedingly incapable John Idzik, but smartly advanced the Jets forward without even having played a game yet.  There's no escaping Maccagnan did in a few shorts months what John Idzik could not throughout his entire time in office.

Generally speaking, I'm an organizational guy.  I believe success starts at the top and matriculates its way down to the field.

That said, Mike Maccagnan certainly gets my vote.  His selection of Todd Bowles as head coach also has my support.  On the next level down, I feel the Jets will be well served by Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey, and to a lesser degree Defensive Coordinator Kacy Rogers.

I think they're a tremendous foundation for which the Jets can build a serious contender upon....

Eventually!

Here's the thing....

That wasn't just a sucker punch, and a broken jaw sustained by Geno Smith.  That was reality smacking the Jets square in the face as well.

If history has taught us anything, it's teams generally win regular season games with decent quarterbacks, win playoff games with very good quarterbacks, and generally win championships with great quarterbacks.

Unfortunately, Geno Smith was none of the above.  In fact, the Jets have fumbled and stumbled over their QB situation ever since their dirty tryst with Brett Favre.

Until the acquisition of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith was all the Jets had.  Planting the notion Smith was to start the 2015 season was merely applying lipstick on a pig.

When you get down to it, a lack of quarterback has made all these coaches and GMs look stupid, in a manner of speaking. Get a good quarterback, and all these supposed loser coaches and GMs suddenly look like geniuses again.

That's the nature of the beast.  And if I may digress, that's precisely why the NFL has endless rules in place to protect the quarterback.

All those rules couldn't help Geno in the locker room though.

Without a quality QB, your team will suck.

Period.

The Jets will have a good defense this season.  But losing Geno because of some thug's lack of professionalism doesn't really detract from Mike Maccagnan's inherited problem at quarterback.



Mike

N.Y. Jets: Rex's Last Stand

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

New York Jets: Woody Johnson Dropped The Hammer; Announces The End Of D-Generation Rex.

The top five reasons Rex Ryan is no longer head coach of the Jets are Bret Favre, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Michael Vick, and Geno Smith.

Next on the list are two bean counters hired as general managers.

Further down the list: talking Braylon Edwards away from Marc Sanchez, trading Darrelle Revis - losing both Revis and Antonio Cromartie without bringing in competitive replacements, and Rex's overall disconnect with the offense.

So what happened?

Rex took Eric Mangini's and Mike Tannenbaum's team to another level with back to back AFC championship game appearances.  Then ground and pound lost its juice, Mark Sanchez regressed, personnel decisions failed to keep pace, and Geno Smith has yet to satisfactorily fill the position as the next, next guy (no matter what you think of his performance against Miami).

After Mike Tannenbaum was fired, you might say GM John Idzik effectively conspired against his head coach - the one forced upon him by Woody Johnson.  That right there was a recipe for disaster. Idzik wound up hoarding tons of salary cap money, and entered office already predisposed to firing Ryan after the 2014 season no matter what.

John Idzik also had 12 draft selections at his disposal last draft, and exhibited absolutely no creativity with them, not to mention, that in a draft rich in wide receivers, Idzik couldn't pick one.

On that note, Eric Decker and Geno Smith waited till Rex Ryan's final game to have their best days as Jets.

John Idzik most definitely needed to get fired.  Maybe this will finally clear the air traffic over the Jets practice facility.

Rex Ryan?  I'm not so sure.  Yes, he had his flaws, but his strengths were clear.

There's no escaping however, a team in regression screamed for changes.

Woody Johnson did the right thing.  Now he just needs to make better decisions.




Mike

N.Y. Jets: John Idzik's Retrofit Proceeding Slowly

From the desk of:  Walt Michael's Revenge

NEW YORK JETS: John Idzik's Patience Has Organization Riddled With Anxiety.

He just wasn't that good.  He wasn't.  Five years ago, the winning coach of the most recent Super Bowl champion Seahawks, Pete Carroll, said Mark Sanchez wasn't ready.

Things no doubt started well for Mark Sanchez, but only with Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and tight end Dustin Keller by his side, not to mention a decent running game behind him as well. Mark Sanchez peaked quickly, then devolved just as fast.  For Mark's sake, he and the Jets needed to part ways.

That still doesn't absolve the Jets from doing Mark Sanchez wrong.  They made him rich, but little else.  At the time, Mark was playing for a head coach who didn't involve himself with offensive matters.  By 2011-12, Sanchez was bereft of weapons to work with.  And by 2012, a deteriorated offensive line, otherwise left him on his back, or fleeing for his life.  Why add (literal) insult to injury by bringing up last season?  Playing for two different offensive coordinators, and having to learn a new system under duress, no doubt, additionally made matters worse.

Unfortunately for both Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan, the head coach already squeezed everything out of what Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum had previously started.  Unfortunately for Rex, the need to rebuild came during his watch, regardless of Sanchez.  Even the players Rex wanted imported, and received, were already older.  By the 2011 season, I feel the Jets were disillusioned by their fleeting success.  Mark Sanchez' contract extension was part of it.

Moving forward, if Geno Smith wants to gain perspective into what it will be like to have Michael Vick around, I suggest he call Kellen Clemens and Brad Smith.  Not only did both have to cede the floor to Sanchez, but, the last time the Jets put their football in the hands of a QB drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, Clemens stood witness while Brett Favre abetted in lighting the fuse that helped implode Eric Mangini's lone gig as a head coach.  Will this latest former Atlanta Falcon quarterback precipitate Rex Ryan's dismissal from the only head coaching gig he's known?

Geno Smith will be operating with the expectations of a second year QB - little.  How he performs in camp, I believe will become inconsequential.  He'll have exactly four games to show something, then the Jets will hand the ball off to Michael Vick.  Barring few exceptions, that's the way I see things transpiring next season.

If you can get beyond the dogs, Michael Vick and the Jets have a real football need for each other. If you can't get beyond the dogs, then as a Jets fan, you're having a hard time reconciling Woody Johnson's organizational morals.  In either case, the media will be descending upon Jets camp in late summer like flies on a freshly laid steamy cow patty.  Woody seems to enjoy chaos though.  I can't say the same of the general manager he hired.

John Idzik has been catching heat lately, for appearing reluctant to sign any number of formerly available free agents that would have addressed a few needs.  Part of the criticism stems from indeed having the money to spend, being in great salary cap shape, yet laying low.  I'll defend him, and say, just because one has money in hand, doesn't mean it needs to be spent.  I'll side with Idzik's patient approach for now, although I know it clashes with Woody Johnson's sudden petulance.  With extra draft picks to work with, how Idzik does in this year's draft will better define his tenure thus far.

Why fire a guy players love performing for, especially while your team is in rebuilding mode. Therefore, Rex Ryan's job status is a matter best left for, if and when Geno Smith starts to struggle and Rex calls to the bullpen for Michael Vick, or the end of the season, when Idzik's hammer likely falls.

Either way, it's going to be a long season for Woody Johnson, who says he wants to win now. Idzik says he's a patient man, and the more Woody talks about DeSean Jackson, the more he's A) - tampering according to NFL rules, and B) - stepping all over the toes of his new general manager. Naturally, there are rumors circulating that Woody supposedly isn't too crazy about John Idzik.

Funny how cow patties roll down hill, as everyone is still speculating whether John Idzik really likes Rex Ryan, or if Woody even still likes Ryan.  But on the other side of the coin, everyone in a uniform loves Rex Ryan, maybe except Geno Smith, who can't be happy about being placed in a revised (no win) situation.  While John Idzik is a patient man, Rex Ryan may not have the luxury of patience to operate with.

The divergent flight patterns of the Jets triumvirate spells nothing but J-E-T-S trouble, trouble, trouble, ahead.  Therefore, I'm making an early call, and telling Jets fans to keep their seat belts fastened, and trays in an upright position.  The trip from point A to point B is certain to be a bumpy one.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Jets: Rex Ryan Survived John Idzik's Hiring To Coach This Game

From the desk of:  THE JOE KLECKO CONSPIRACY

NEW YORK JETS: Rex Ryan Survived The Hiring Of John Idzik To Coach This Game.  His Defensive Reputation Is On The Line.

The Art of War teaches, know your opponent.  When it comes to Bill Belichick, that's no easy task.  The man under the hoodie is aware of every play ever devised dating back to the 1920's.  While the Patriots can also largely thank Tom Brady for their prolonged success, it's their offensive system that has allowed many different cast members to seemingly seamlessly step in and out over the years, and contribute at high levels.  With respect to Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith, the Jets should only be so lucky.

But unlike his wife, Tom Brady's legs haven't improved with age.  The book on the New England Patriots quarterback was written long ago, and still speaks truth today.  He' a virtual statue.  Disrupt the pocket and the game will change.  And if Gronk plays, defend him as Coach Bill Belichick  himself would - assign one person to hang out with him all day.

If you think that sounds simplistic, then try this one - above all, expect the expected.

If the Jets head coach is worth his mettle as a defensive mind, no one person should have more  knowledge of Gang Green's chief division rival than Rex Ryan.  As a matter of fate or destiny, or what - he survived the hiring of new GM John Idzik for one reason - to coach this game.

The Jets greatest moment under Rex Ryan came on January 16th day in 2011 when they went to Foxboro and defeated the Pats by a 27-21 final.  Including their Week Two match-up, the Jets haven't beaten the Patriots in their five meetings since.  The Jets are still in reasonably manageable shape with a 3-3 record.  But the Pats are getting away from them, and there is still Miami to hurdle first.

If only for a week, Rex Ryan can stand on top of the mountain again, after being dragged through the valley.  The Jets could conceivably spend their beings on this one game, because Rex makes players want to do that.  Whether that propels the Jets beyond Week Eight or causes them to run out of gas matters not today.

Beating New England still may not save Rex Ryan's job.  But today's game here in MetLife Stadium will once again define, if not redefine Rex Ryan's legacy as Jets head coach.  His defensive acumen is on the line.

Offensively, if there was ever a time for Ground and Pound to come through, this would be the week; to keep Tom Brady on the sidelines.  If Geno Smith and the Jets do not turn over the ball, they could conceivably spark a whole new Monday morning conversation.




Mike.BTB