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.

N.Y. Jets: Potential Lame Duck In Flight Path

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Depends On Your Point Of View

New York Jets: Gang Green will continue playing hard for Todd Bowles through final six games of season, but will front office reciprocate with a contract extension?

The Jets are playing beyond expectations, right?  

Why, then, is Todd Bowles' future with the Jets still in question?  

That's all I hear from most media pundits - Todd Bowles is coaching for a contract extension.

What a bunch of bunk!

I don't know how Mike Maccagnan feels about him.  After all, the Jets had already initiated the process of searching out a new head coach before reaching an agreement with Maccagnan.  Although he would eventually have his interview with Bowles and the two moved forward together.  Or, so we think.

Bowles is now 19-23 in 42 games as Jets head coach.  The Jets went 10-6 in his first season, but all people bring up is his 9-17 record since last season through the present time.  That's just unfair.  Despite Maccagnan's off-season quasi roster purge, Todd Bowles has already coached this year's youngsters and leftovers to within one victory of last season's total.

On the positive side, the Jets are 4-6 so far this season, largely due to the performance of their defense and quarterback Josh McCown.  On the negative side, the Jets are 4-6 due to Mike Maccagnan's roster maneuverings, leaving Todd Bowles caught somewhere in the middle.

The Jets still have a tough schedule ahead:

• Panthers
• Chiefs
• @ Broncos
• @ Saints
• Chargers
• @ Patriots

They can easily lose four (or more), and with any luck win three.  This is not necessarily where Jets fans wanted to be at this juncture as it pertains to next year's draft.  Playing all out for Todd Bowles isn't getting the Jets any closer to resolving their decades long problem at quarterback.  

But these players will not let up on their coach, which is a testament to the culture of professionalism established by Todd Bowles, and just as important.  Look no further than the Giants, whom find themselves in a complete state of dysfunction.  If anything, credit Mike Maccagnan for purging the locker room of pollutants.  But credit Todd Bowles for setting the team's demeanor.

While the present moment is not necessarily the most appropriate time for presenting Bowles with a contract extension, it should, however, be one of the first things the Jets front office does upon season's end.  

There's no way they can let him enter the final year of his contract as a lame duck coach.

What a mistake that would be.

Mike Maccagnan Lulling New York Jets Into Same Old Holding Pattern

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Whose Jet Is This Anyway?

SUNDAY

Atlanta Falcons

vs.

New York Jets

FROM

TANK CITY

New York Jets: One Call From Woody Johnson Can Change Everything; He Must Be Willing To Pay A Heavy Price First.

Nothing puts matters in perspective like time.

Head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan are now in their third year together with the Jets.  Their respective contracts expire after the 2018 season.  So far, there has been no mention from Woody Johnson about extending Maccagnan, nor has there been any word from Maccagnan with regards to extending Todd Bowles.

Here's the condition ...

To date, the New York Jets are arguably no better off today, than they were on the day they fired Rex Ryan and John Idzik.  Yet, the Jets ironically are in infinitely better hands.

If I were an outside, independent auditor, though, hired to provide Woody Johnson with an organizational progress report, I'd tell him he has a really good coach on his hands, but that his general manager is blowing it.

I'm not suggesting Mike Maccagnan should be fired, a la John Idzik - far from it.  I still believe Maccagnan and Bowles are good football people who can potentially turn this organization around.  Instead, the general manager simply needs a firm directive from his higher up, then needs to execute said directive, and not deviate.

In other words, what we have here is a failure to communicate.  That is why I'm suggesting Woody Johnson wire Maccagnan from England, instructing him to cut the crap, and rebuild the team from the ground, up, post haste.

Coach Bowles is just coaching the players Mike Maccagnan gives him, and doing a good job of it. Outside of eight victories, I feel nothing regarding the Jets last 23 regular season games should reflect poorly on Todd Bowles, and that he is an innocent party to Mike Maccagnan's lack of conviction.

After two-plus years, Maccagnan is proving just as wishy-washy as the general managers which precede him.  I say that because he's made no distinction between trying to win straightaway, from trying to survive, or trying to rebuild.

Maccagnan indeed took over a team that upon his hiring went 4-12 the previous season.  By throwing a lot of money at it, and bringing in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets achieved a 10-6 record in his first season at the helm.  But that same plan garnered no such results last year, as the Jets once again found themselves in last place of the AFC East after a disappointing 5-11 season.

Maccagnan entered this season cutting ties with some of the very same higher priced players he monetarily gifted back in 2015.  And so everyone thought he was going to start deconstructing, and finally rebuilding this the right way.  At least that's what everyone was led to believe during preseason.

Jets fans were going to pay special attention to college football this season so as to scout the Jets #1 overall pick in next year's draft, right?

If you're coming off a 5-11 season, then further deplete the roster entering this season, why bother bringing in Josh McCown?  I understand Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenburgh needed someone to work with.  So the better question at this point is why is Josh McCown still starting?

It appears to me that last minute touchdown taken away from the Jets against New England in Week Six isn't the only screw job befalling Gang Green this season.  Again, I contend Mike Maccagnan's lack of command directive is screwing Todd Bowles.

Let's face it, outside of that spirited effort against the Patriots, the Jets only credible achievement this season came and went with their victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  A victory over the then homeless Dolphins, and defeating the hapless Cleveland Browns, were perhaps the worse things that could have happened to the Jets, because all that did was inspire false hope.

Again, why continue starting Josh McCown?  Why not trade trade Muhammad Wilkerson and Matt Forte by the deadline?

What is Mike Maccagnan saving, this season?

He realizes the 49ers and Browns have yet to win a game, right?

Entering Week Eight, the AFC East, North, and West, are clearly defined by the Patriots, Steelers, and Chiefs.  Whichever team that does not win the South, will be in the pool of teams competing for Wild Card spots.  One must ask how many of those teams does Maccagnan think the Jets can overcome?

J.J. Watt is out for the season as the Texans try to win with a rookie quarterback; Marcus Mariota has yet to really blossom in Tennessee; Baltimore's Joe Flacco might be out for some time.  Are these conference variables that will enable the Jets to outclass the field; Miami, Buffalo, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Houston, Denver, Baltimore, or Oakland; for one of two Wild Card spots?

Say the Jets barely make the playoffs.  Then what?  This team is still losing altitude in the long run, regardless.  Shifting around the same pile of money will only get the Jets so far.  It's been demonstrated time and again.

Buck trends.  Stop this vicious cycle.  Salvage the future by just letting go.

This is precisely why Woody Johnson needs to step in, and tell his general manager exactly what he wants.  Before that can happen, though, Woody needs to take a long look at himself in the mirror as well.

He's the one who created a culture where people work simply to save their jobs.  There's no conviction, long-term commitment for a plan, no stick-to-it-iveness.  Each passing administration merely adds to the growing scrapheap of failed, short term ideas.  That's because Woody never demands a definitive course of action.  He always leaves that to the people he puts in charge.  In some respects, that's commendable.  That's why I'm not asking Woody to become meddlesome.  I'm suggesting Mr. Johnson give his general manager clear marching orders.

Nothing more.

I'm suggesting he eliminate the confusion in Maccagnan's mind, by reassuring his general manager that reconstructing the Jets requires long-term employment and front office commitment.

Losses be damned.

Fans must overlook Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick, and take a wider look at life in the NFL.  Show me a winning organization, and I'll show you a stretch of consecutive seasons when they sucked really badly.  If Woody really cares about turning around his organization, and establishing a winning culture the right way, he must first be willing to pay a similar toll.

Otherwise, he has good people in place.  That's not the problem.

They need direction.

Without it, the Jets will continue circling in this never ending holding pattern.

N.Y. Jets: Mission Improbable Suddenly Not So Far Fetched

From the desk of:  WALT MICAHELS REVENGE

WEEK SIX

New England Patriots

vs.

New York Jets

New York Jets: To The Chagrin of Fans In Search Of The Elusive Number One Overall Draft Pick, Gang Green Is Suddenly Playing Must See Football.

The Jets were written off before they ever reported to training camp.  And according to some, that was the intended plan.  Tank the season (discreetly, of course) in an attempt to secure the number one overall selection in next year's NFL draft.

Consecutive losses to open the season against the Bills and Raiders, by a aggregate 66-32 score, had Jets fans thinking they were greenfully on their way towards last place, and finally on their way towards resolving a decades long crisis at quarterback.

Only now, Jets antagonists, and even some of their own fans, are growing increasingly bitter because they're failing to get even that right.

Defeating the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns were only somewhat understandable victories.  The Jets couldn't help but be better than them.  What are you gonna do..?  Their 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, however, was far more unexpected, and conflicting.  I'm sure the Jags are all still kicking themselves over that game.  As I'm sure there's one or two Jets fans whom kicked themselves in the posterior over it as well.

Not winning a Super Bowl in 48 years kind of does that.

Nevertheless, the New York Jets are winners of three in a row, and locked a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East entering Week Six, along with Buffalo, and Sunday's opponent, and primary nemesis, the New England Patriots.

Which ever team wins Sunday between the Jets and Patriots, will be the undisputed leader of the AFC East, at least for one week, that is.  The Buffalo Bill will sit out this Sunday with a bye.

Think about that for a second ...

It would have been irresponsible for anyone to have suggested before the season started that the Jets would be locked in a three-way tie for first place entering Week Six.  The Jets playing the Patriots for sole possession of first place in Week Six was never even a fleeting consideration, much less an improbable one.  And for a fan to have gone as far as predicting the Jets would have a legitimate chance at actually winning this game would surely have invited sports bullying upon him/her self.

But the truth of the matter is that Coach Bowles has his Jets playing hard-nosed, fundamental football.  He's done the best he can do considering the team's roster and circumstances, and you can't blame him for that.

Not too long ago, Rex Ryan's Jets featuring Mark Sanchez at quarterback, and a defense led by Bart Scott, earned an epic and improbable playoff victory against the Patriots at New England, and a trip trip to the AFC Championship Game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

These Jets aren't nearly as talented as that team.  This team is still rebuilding in the aftermath of the Rex Ryan years, who in turn took over Eric Mangini's roster and gave it a little tweak.

I digress ...

These Patriots, in their present state, can be beaten.

The Patriots defense, to date:

• the most yards allowed per game.
• the most yards allowed per play.
• the second most points allowed per game.
• the second most points allowed overall/season.

That being said, if anyone can make a quarterback look amateurish, regardless of defensive personnel, it's Bill Belichick.

Even Mark Sanchez had a strong running game guiding his way, and making play-action a viable option.  I'm not sure these Jets can execute ball control and time management well enough to disrupt Tom Brady's playing time.

The Patriots are still scoring points at their usual rate.  Tom Brady, however, is under siege.  New England's pass protection has been negligible at best.  Tom Brady has always also been a statue in the pocket, so perhaps this is the week Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams finally break through for their first respective sacks of the season, if not more.  And where there's sacks, there's the potential for turnovers.  So at least the Jets have that to shoot for.

Jets transient quarterback Josh McCown is no stranger to the game.  There's no reason for him to feel overwhelmed by the Patriots come Sunday.  Instead, it would be nice to get another calm, cool, collected, performance from the 15-year veteran.  If he keeps completing 71% of his passes against the Patriots, the Jets could indeed gain some much needed altitude within the division.  He'll need to be at least as good as his modest season averages, because Bilal Powell has a strained calf, and so the Jets running game will be compromised.  Matt Forte is probable.

Yes, these Jets are way different than the team a young inexperienced Mark Sanchez led in 2010 against the Patriots.  Those Jets had more talent operating around him, and a Pro Bowl center like Nick Mangold to hide behind.  Where as these Jets are instead supposed to be competing to be among the worst in the league along side the Browns, 49ers, and the suddenly moribund Giants.

Problem is Coach Bowles isn't letting the Jets lay down on themselves, which flies in the face of the front office's unofficial, top secret objective of tanking.

To the chagrin of many Jets fans, their recent counterproductive success, coupled with their upcoming game against the New England Patriots, have suddenly transformed the team into must see football.