N.Y. Jets: Nothing But Problems

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

GANG GASE OFF TO WORSE START THAN LAST SEASON

PROBLEM: Christopher Johnson hires Adam Gase, then fires general manager Maccagnan and replaces him with Joe Douglas after Gase's recommendation.  There's no chain command.  Both men report directly to Christopher Johnson.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase said he intensified practice yet still doesn't understand why the team in underperforming.  He is now contemplating handing play calling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase let Le'Veon Bell play knowing he was hurt.  Adam Gase let Sam Darnold play knowing he was hurt.

PROBLEM: Players have been openly critical of Adam Gase since training camp. 

PROBLEM: Christopher Johnson calls Gase an offensive genius.

PROBLEM: This season's 0-5 start exceeds last year's 0-4 start.

PROBLEM: Le'Veon Bell is LIKEing tweets suggesting the Jets trade him.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase never wanted Bell in the first place and his play calling demonstrates that.

PROBLEM: Just when you thought is couldn't get worse, it does.

PROBLEM: Gase makes Todd Bowles seem like the good old days.  

PROBLEM: Any time Rich Kotite creeps back into the conversation you bet there's a problem.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Green Airing Their Grievances

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

WEEK NINE

New York Jets

vs.

Miami Dolphins

FROM

Humidity Stadium

Jets -3 DOLPHINS

Man, is it going to stink at Miami where the NFL's two most offensively inept teams will go head-to-head in a Toilet Bowl of gastronomical proportions.  The Sea Mammals are averaging a league low 11-points per game.  The Jets come in at 11.1 points per game.  How compelling!  But whereas the Jets are actually trying to wins games and failing miserably, the Sea Mammals are trying to lose and doing a damn good job.  Miami is yielding upwards of 34-points a game.  But make no mistake, the Sea Mammals can't wait to inflict damage against their former coach.  I still give Sam Darnold and Gang Spleen the benefit of the doubt.  Jamal Adams will be playing angry.  That may work for or against him.  And expect a heavy, heavy dose of Le'Veon Bell.  Should Adam Gase and the Jets lose, we all know the local media will descend upon them like flies on a steaming cow patty in July.

An Unhappy Maladjusted Gang Green Airs Their Grievances

If nothing else, of this I'm sure: Christopher Johnson is even worse than his brother.  These highly dysfunctional dynasties just don't get it.  Look at the Wilpons; look at James and Daddy Dolan; then look at the Brothers Johnson.  All fail to implement a firm chain of command.

I always thought Woody Johnson was a terrible front office participant.  But Christopher takes the cake.  Instead of entertaining Jamal Adams' meltdown, Christopher Johnson should have been directing his employee down the hall to see the president of football of operations, or worse, the general manager himself.  Having an open door policy is one thing; undermining you're entire operation is another.  You can not have disgruntled coaches, general managers, and players, all bum rushing the owner's office every time they're unhappy with their life situation.

You would have to rewind back 13 years to Eric Mangini/Rex Ryan under Terry Bradway/Mike Tannenbaum for the Jets last state of complimentary front office competence.  Everything thereafter has been and remains today completely disjointed and dysfunctional.  Clearly hiring Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan out of order (again) taught the Brothers Johnson nothing.  Lest we forget after spending over $100 million dollars on free agents general manager Mike Maccagnan hires Adam Gase, who in turn convinces Christopher Johnson his general manager sucks and needs to be fired.  Johnson then empowers Gase with the authority to hire the next general manager.  Outside of perhaps, Daniel Snyder, who does that?

Trick or Treat!

This week Adam Gase will be disguised as the guy pissing off Le'Veon Bell, who's first seven games as a member of the New York Jets can be summed up with two words: rock bottom.  Bell and Gase apparently talked it out.  Unlike the jilted Jamal Adams who is no longer on speaking terms with his general manager nor his head coach.

N.Y. Jets: Brothers Johnson Foster Subversion From Within

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

THE WATERGASE SCANDAL

Firing Mike Maccagnan was the right move.  But it's the Brothers Johnson whom must ground themselves if the New York Jets are to fly.

Truth be told Mike Maccagnan deserved to be fired.  However, the timing and mysterious  circumstances surrounding his dismissal - not to mention the great folly of it all - are just too typical.  Hence the fan and media outrage.

I agree with those who believe Maccagnan and Todd Bowles should have been relieved as a pair, just as Rex Ryan and John Idzik were relieved together of their respective duties.  Despite enjoying a measure of success during his first season working with Bowles, Maccagnan purged a gaggle of talented players during the ensuing off-season.  But like John Idzik did (or didn't do) with Rex Ryan, Maccagnan spent nary a dollar of his salary cap reserves during Todd Bowles' last three seasons as Jets coach.  And like John Idzik, much of Maccagnan's drafting also left much to be desired ... save for Sam Darnold.  And just as John Idzik didn't hire Rex Ryan, Maccangan similarly didn't hire Todd Bowles.  To the subjective observer it seemed as if both general managers did everything possible to sabotage their respective head coaches.

To that I say look no further than the Brothers Johnson.  This is their standard operating procedure working to the letter.  It's the Jets way.  For the Brothers Johnson have long provided a direct line of communication for their head coach and a workplace environment whereby both head coach and general manager invariably wind up putting more effort into saving their own respective jobs rather than working jointly towards a common cause.  The fact Adam Gase is here and Mike Maccagnan is not only further confirms this dynamic.

Under the Johnsons the Jets have lacked long term vision, front office commitment, and operational discipline.  Each passing administration merely piles on to the growing scrapheap of failed short term ideas.  That's because Woody nor Christopher have never ordered a definitive course of action.  They never once gave a general manager and head coach specific orders and tasked them with seeing things through.  Neither Johnson brother has ever said strip it down; rebuild; or get me to the Super Bowl or else.  For better or worse, the Brothers Johnson have effectively left those decisions to the mix of overlapping regimes they themselves marry together then leave them to go about their business.  Meanwhile behind the scenes the head coach and general manager are at each other like spy vs. spy until their contracts come up for renewal.

This process has repeated itself over and over, and yet again this past Wednesday.  Through it we've learned how the Brothers Johnson front office model fosters subversion from within.

Mike Tannenbaum was the presiding general manager when Woody Johnson and the Jets fired Eric Mangini then handed over the controls to Rex Ryan.  That was the last sound decision made by either brother.  Because when Tannanbaum was fired, Idzik was forced by Johnson into retaining Rex Ryan.  When both were let go, Christopher Johnson ponderously hired his head coach first, then his general manager second.  Fast forward and Todd Bowles is let go, but Maccagnan is retained.  He in turn partakes in the decision to bring Adam Gase on board.  But in the absence of a chain of command, or any semblance of command and control, Gase promptly circumvents the general manager and successfully politics the owner for Maccagnan's removal (I don't care what Christopher Johnson says.  In fact, his version only worsens matters).

If the plan to fire Maccagnan was already in the place, then why allow him to spend the team's salary cap reserves, and preside over the recent draft.  In that regard I sing with the chorus: Same Old Jets.  And why not?  Just when the organization seemed in the midst of positioning themselves in a more positive light they've recast a chilling shade upon the entire operation.

What in the name of Weeb Ewbank is Christopher Johnson doing handing over controls of Gang Green Airways to a man with a sub par record in three seasons as head coach of Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins?  They're not even fish; they're mammals.  What the hell good is living in water if you're consistently having to come up for air!?  And why the hell is a head coach hired four months ago suddenly in a position to hire the Jets next general manager?

I'm sure somewhere even Rich Kotite is laughing at this one ...

Stop this vicious cycle of pitting incompatible head coaches and general managers against each other.

The Brothers Johnson need to hire an alpha executive and get out of the way.

N.Y. Jets Refocusing Their Eyes on the Prize

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Gang Green Meets BountyGate;

Hello, Gregg Williams.

New York Jets: Despite Flawed Front Office, Hiring Adam Gase and Gregg Williams May Prove Savvy.

It dawned on me this is the first ever official hire by either Mike Maccagnan and/or Christopher Johnson - neither of whom did I ever feel were sufficiently experienced (much less qualified) to serve in their respective capacities.  And despite what may prove to be very savvy changes to the coaching staff, my opinion about the front office remains unchanged.

In the same manner I believe John Idzik undermined Rex Ryan, I view Maccagnan acting as the foil against former coach Todd Bowles.  In matters of personnel and free agent expenditure, both Idzik and Maccagnan demonstrated an ulterior underhandedness by forcing their head coaches into making due with increasingly less.  Why?  Perhaps because neither general manager played a role in hiring said head coach.  While an effective working relationship between new head coach Adam Gase and Maccagnan remains to be seen, Maccagnan's ability to smartly invest the team's $100 million salary cap reserves also remains to be seen.  If we're being truthful, his team building efforts over the last four years, outside of selecting Sam Darnold in last year's draft, have left much to be desired.  Yet, he stays.

Enter Christopher Johnson, who on Monday proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows the game and business of football exponentially less than his brother.  Being heir to a corporate empire is one thing, but operating an NFL club is entirely another.  I do feel owners often times inject too many corporate sensibilities which at times are in direct conflict with the business dynamics of football.

I have no particular opinion regarding the hiring itself of head coach Adam Gase - and that's a good thing.  He is certainly someone who seems to have his eyes on the prize!  I couldn't resist ...

All kidding aside, I think many agree this hire is a fine step forward toward the development of quarterback Sam Darnold.  In that regard, the Jets are justified for moving on from Bowles and Jeremy Bates.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets execute another eye grabbing headline with the hiring of Gregg Williams as their next defensive coordinator.  Yes, the same former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator who earned a one-year suspension after taped-recordings surfaced in which he is heard instigating his players into committing unsportsmanlike violence upon the opposition; an episode infamously known today as Bountygate.  That aside, he is no doubt an aggressive thinker, and should serve the Jets very well, provided Mike Maccagnan furnishes him with talent.  With some play makers, a new Jets identity may very well start on this side of the ball.

Despite my previous support for Todd Bowles, and my vote of no-confidence for Maccagnan, the Jets  are nevertheless in the midst of a very promising transition.

N.Y. Jets: Todd Bowles Sacked by Gang Green

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Todd Bowles

2018:  4-12

2017:  5-11

2016:  5-11

2015:  10-6

New York Jets: Todd Bowles Latest Head Coach Infected With Gang Green Disease.

I still say Todd Bowles deserved better support from his general manager.  Mike Maccagnan never sufficiently replenished the talent he himself purged after Todd Bowles' first season as head coach. Nor will Bowles benefit from Maccagnan's substantial, and as yet untapped, salary cap war chest.  It's almost as if cap savings were intentionally designed to come at his head coach's expense.  After all, Bowles was not Maccagnan's hire, something that I previously suggested eerily wreaks of what John Idzik perpetrated against Rex Ryan.

In both instances, I blame the Brothers Johnson.  More on them in a bit ...

In reviewing the Jets roster, an argument can be made that at least 18 of 22-plus starting positions need serious redress.  That's on the general manager whom has been on the job just as long as Bowles.  So, who failed who?  Very simply, a head coach is responsible for the players provided by the general manager.  If said general manager provides pedestrian undisciplined players, then expect any head coach to produce a mediocre penalty riddled season.  I recently heard an NFL analyst/former player say that penalties happen those individuals getting seriously outplayed and physically beaten.  Insofar as the Jets are concerned, this could not ring more true.  I do not disagree with the decision to move on from Todd Bowles.  I'm merely saying the front office did him no favors.

However, Todd Bowles is not free of blame.  Considering he's a former defensive coordinator, the Jets allowed over 400-points this season, which is on par with the NFL's other last place teams.  One  can cycle that back around as being Maccagnan's fault, but one must still agree Bowles in-game management skills left a lot to be desired.  Moreover, an overall failure to clean up habitually maddening mistakes are on him.  Far too often the Jets did more to beat themselves than did the competition which invariably points back to Bowles.

Above all else, the organization must now do right by Sam Darnold.  With a potential franchise quarterback in their possession, they must ensure he receives the utmost support.  That being said, Bowles and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates proved quite the un-dynamic duo.  Aside from surrounding him with much needed complimentary talent, the mentoring and developing of Sam Darnold is where the Jets most need improvement.  If Todd Bowles is gone, Jeremy Bates should be following very close behind.

One of the local radio shows also recently mentioned the last person with previous head coaching experience hired by the Jets was Bill Parcells.  That's something this front office should consider as well.

It is now incumbent upon (not so innocent...) Mike Maccagnan to finally spend some money on quality talent, and do a vastly better job in the draft.  A change in structure is needed as well.  He must be given autonomy in searching out a new head coach; his own head coach; a head coach who will not report directly to Christopher Johnson.  That must stop.  I believe it's in Mr. Johnson's best interest to implement a chain of command, then get the hell out of the way.  The general manager and next head coach become a package deal.  If and when Mr. Johnson decides they're not doing a good job, he can fire them both.  Point being, the system whereby the general manager and head coach share equal footing on the owner's rug doesn't jive, particularly when one doesn't necessarily agree with the other.  Because truth be told, Bowles and Maccagnan have never been on the same page.

Yet, Todd Bowles was fired by Christopher Johnson, not Mike Maccagnan.  I therefore blame much of this mess on the Brothers Johnson, whom have continually put their coaches and general managers in positions to fail.  Thus making Todd Bowles only the latest coach infected by Gang Green disease.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Green Saturday Pigskin

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

PIGSKIN 2018: WEEK FIFTEEN

Gang Green Saturday

BRONCOS -2 1/2 (Browns)

Loss; 17-16 Browns

Texans -7 (JETS)

PUSH; 29-22 Texans

New York Jets: We Don't Need Another Hero ... Just Punt!

The general outlook wasn't that great to begin with, but no one anticipated the Jets being this bad.

It's not enough for them to break a six game losing streak.  After failing Todd Bowles all season long, the Jets collectively owe him a supreme effort through these last three games.

It's the least they can do ... they're all he has left.

With a 4-9 record to date, the Jets have assured themselves a third straight losing season with no improvements to speak of.  One could argue Mike Maccagnan has so far done little in the way of upgrading talent, and that 21 of 22 starting positions need addressing.  With all that accumulated salary cap space, he scarcely spends a penny in support of Todd Bowles.  Likewise, the team's recent outpouring of support and commitment towards their head coach comes too late.  The Jets continuing mistakes and overall fundamental failings under Bowles have agreeably become too numerous and indefensible.

Joe B of WFAN Radio on Friday served fans these nuts: the Jets haven't hired anyone with previous head coaching experience since Bill Parcells.

Nice observation by him..!

Four long decades, the Jets have searched high and low for a franchise quarterback.  Now that they potentially have one, they had better take good care of him.  Let's assume that against JJ Watt and the Houston Texans pass rush the Jets offensive line keeps Sam Darnold upright.  With no running game (Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell are both out), and without his top receiver, what's a rookie quarterback to do?  At this juncture of the season, the last thing the Jets need is Darnold trying to be a hero.

Let the punter carry them Saturday.

Godspeed, Sam.

N.Y. Jets Failed Todd Bowles, Not Other Way Around

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

The Brothers Johnson 

merely picked up where Leon Hess left off.

New York Jets: Like so many players presently failing to correct countless and very costly mistakes, the team's upper hierarchy continues repeating their own mistakes as well.

Jets ownership have long established a workplace condition where by both head coach and general manager invariably wind up putting more effort into saving their own respective jobs rather than working jointly towards improving the team.

It happened with Eric Mangini/Mike Tannenbaum; it happened with Rex Ryan/Tannenbaum/John Idzik; and it's happening again with Todd Bowles/Mike Maccagnan.

Christopher Johnson was begging for trouble, when in 2015 he hired Todd Bowles first, then hired his general manager second.  If you recall, Rex Ryan believes he was undermined by Idzik, whom was indeed guilty as charged of failing to back fill talent, be it through inadequate drafting or withholding salary cap reserves.  Fast forward to Todd Bowles second season: Mike Maccagnan purges the team of certain talents, but has yet to spend his large sums of salary cap reserves.  Like Idzik, his draft results have also left much to be desired.

And that's why in fairness to Todd Bowles, and for sake of continuity and stability, I've tried supporting him as head coach.  Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult defending him in light of very dispiriting losses among others, against the Browns, Bills, and Sunday's gut-wrenching loss against the Titans in particular.  Entering the season with only modest expectations, the Jets have failed to even achieve those.  At the very least, the Jets should have been better than 4-9 through Week Thirteen.  Instead, they're presently one victory above being league bottom feeders.  Far too often they've sabotaged their own efforts more so than any opposing team's conjuring.  Week upon week, repeated and very costly mistakes have spearheaded a precipitous fall well below par which now warrants a reexamination of Gang Green's present and future priorities.

All the talk of late surrounds the Jets losing six games in a row.  But the narrative is unfairly omitting injuries to Sam Darnold and Bilal Powell.  Rather, we're being made to believe (by media) Todd Bowles words are beginning to fall on deaf ears.  To that I say either the players are woefully undisciplined, or Mike Maccagnan has thus far failed to adequately upgrade talent.  Like Idzik, it appears (IMO) as if Maccagnan is maneuvering to bring in his own coach.

The Jets potentially have a franchise quarterback on their hands, something they haven't had quite literally since Joe Namath.  Above all else, Sam Darnold's development should be the Jets primary focus.  If that means parting ways with Todd Bowles, so be it.  But they better make sure to bring in an instructional quarterback coach, a creatively cerebral offensive coordinator, and perhaps an offensively minded head coach for a change, whom all together will help transform Sam Darnold into the quarterback Jets fans hope and pray finally ushers in many years of sustained winning football.

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.

PIGSKIN 2018: Week Nine

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Nine

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight

SCOREBOARD

Week Eight Record:  8-4

Overall Record: 40-60-4

Schmear of the Week:  4-4

Bagels in the Basket:  -26

1st and Ten:

• First half of the season is done ... no surprises.
• Rams remain lone undefeated team.  Other first place teams: Patriots; Texans; Steelers; Chiefs; D.C. Hogs; Saints; Bears.
• Browns are first team this season to fire their head coach and offensive coordinator, putting all eyes squarely are on Baker Mayfield.

2nd and Long:

• Let the second half begin!
• Second place teams with five wins: Panthers, Bengals, Chargers.
• Cowboys are the second team to fire a coach (offensive line).

No Gain:

• Although Todd Bowles is off to his third straight 3-5 start, he doesn't deserve to be solely graded on this roster (or that of the last few years).  Sure, he makes in-game management mistakes, and hasn't been able to stop players from doing stupid things, but he's never been handed a playoff caliber roster, yet.  That's up to Mike Maccagnan, who's priority has been clearing cap space.  Once Maccagnan does get around to spending that money, Sam Darnold will have had a full season under his belt.  Next year Todd Bowles is fair game.  Until then, the Brothers Johnson might want to exercise something called, continuity.
• Cardinals released Sam Bradford.

Punt:

• Eli Manning has been sacked 31 times this season.  With half a season to go, he is only eight away from tying his career record.
• Giants back-up QB-Kyle Lauletta, who in the weeks to come was slated for playing time in relief of Eli Manning, got arrested for stupid driving tricks on his way to work.  He now faces a short suspension by the Giants.
• You are what you're record says you are: with respective 1-7 records, the Raiders and Giants are the worst teams in football.  The battle for the first overall draft pick is on.  That said, John Gruden is acting with conviction by gutting his team with haste.  In his latest move, he just released his leading pass rusher, Bruce Irvin.  The Giants on the other hand have been wishy-washy (and somewhat delusional).  Once again, I question their lack of activity with the passing of the league's trading deadline.  Despite earlier trades of Snacks Harrison and Eli Apple, the front office (or John Mara) still seems tepid about initiating a full blown rebuild.

WEEK NINE
Friday Line ~ NYDN

DOLPHINS -3 (Jets)
This is partly bad timing, and partly bad luck for the beleaguered Coach Bowles.  If anyone needs a victory here, it's him.  On any other day, the Jets are the better team, at least when healthy.  Unfortunately, Sam Darnold is in for another long day.  Like last week, he will not be receiving much support again this Sunday at Miami.  Let's just say the Jets offense right now is a little shy of complimentary players, too much for the rookie to overcome.  The Jets defense could still keep this reasonably close.  With Ryan Tannehill out, they can perhaps pressure Brock Osweiler into making mistakes.  Even then, something about this game says PUSH.
WIN; 13-6 Dolphins

VIKINGS -4 1/2 (Lions)
The NFC North is tightening like a tourniquet.  Both teams are coming off big losses.  The Vikings have a tie-game on their record, and therefore need a victory in order to keep pace with the Bears.  The Lions got neutered at home by the Seahawks last week, and just traded Golden Tate.  Yet, I'm still dying to take the points..!  But even if Detroit were playing at home and laying a point and a half to the Vikings, I'd still take Minnesota.  Wouldn't you? (Sunday: Vikings now laying five).
WIN; 24-9 Vikings

Chiefs -8 1/2 (BROWNS)
Steady as she goes.  If the Chiefs play mistake free football, everything should be fine.  Andy Reid is  coaching too long for him to allow the Chiefs succumbing to a trap game.  They may go about Sunday's game in a more methodical manner considering their opponent, but Reid knows very well the perils of playing down to the competition.  Cleveland has coaching issues.  A generous Kansas City defense could make this game an entertaining watch for Brownie fans, but I doubt it. (Sunday: Chiefs only laying -7 1/2).
WIN; 37-21 Chiefs

Steelers +3 (RAVENS)
The PAYBACK BOWL:  Two teams heading in different directions passing each other by.  Since losing to the Ravens in Week Four, the Steelers have won three in a row (averaging 34-points a game, while allowing just 18-points against).  The Ravens are 1-3 since defeating the Steelers.  They enter this game having allowed back-to-back 20+ point games for the first time all season. (Sunday: Ravens now -2 1/2).
WIN; 23-16 Steelers

PANTHERS -6 1/2 (Bucs)
I called the Panthers bluff last week, and got burned.  However, I refuse getting caught up in this cyclone of Ryan Fitzpatrick mania.  The Jekyll and Hyde Panthers last week took themselves seriously for a change, and it showed. They enter Sunday trailing the Saints by a game, and so I expect and even greater effort on both sides of the ball.  Carolina keeping the ball on the ground would be a good way of keeping FitzMAGIC off the field.
WIN; 42-28 Panthers

Falcons +1 1/2 (D.C. HOGS)
Talk about a desperate team ... what happened to the Falcons?  If Atlanta's defense shows up for a change, the Falcons should come away with a victory.  The Hogs are so unimpressive. (Sunday, WASH now favored by two).
WIN; 38-14 Falcons

BILLS +10 (Bears)
Khalil Mack is hobbling on a bad ankle, and the Bills have done stranger things this season.  I'll take my chances with Nathan Peterman and double-digit points.
Loss; 41-9 Bears

Texans +1 (BRONCOS)
I like the match-up.  Big day for Houston's defense.
WIN; 19-17 Texans

SEAHAWKS -1 1/2 (Chargers)
Are reports of the Seahawks demise premature?  Very intriguing match-up between Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers.  Looking forward to a defensive grudge match with the home team edging out the Chargers. (Sunday: this game is now PK).
Loss; 25-17 Chargers

Rams +2 (SAINTS)
I do not believe the Rams will finish the regular season undefeated.  This would certainly be a good week to pick against them.  However, Todd Gurley forces the Saints into playing a more honest brand of defense.  If the Rams accomplish that, Jared Goff exploits Eli Apple and the Saints secondary.  I have more faith in L.A.'s defensive ability to thwart a last minute drive than I do New Orleans' given the same situation.  (As of Sunday morning, the Rams are now -2 1/2 favorites, a 4 1/2 point swing).
Loss; 45-35 Saints

PATRIOTS -5 1/2 (Packers)
As usual, everyone on the Patriots is listed as questionable.  That means they're in mid-season form.  Matt Patricia, who?  The Patriots continue adjusting and adapting; it's what they do best.  The next best thing they do is win at home.  Meanwhile the Packers last week almost become the first team to defeat the Rams, but arguably fell two-points short due to a mental gaffe.  Although Green Bay is desperate for a win, Bill Belichick knows Aaron Rogers is hobbling on a bum knee, and is less likely to flee the pocket.  Look for Belichick's classic bend-don't break preventing Green Bay from covering this one.
WIN; 31-17 Patriots


**I'm not changing picks in light of Sunday line changes.  It is what it is.


Schmear of the Week:
Chiefs -8 1/2
WIN

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everyone!

Post-Game:
Week Nine Record:  8-3
Overall Record:  48-63-4
Schmear of the Week:  5-4

Bagels in the Basket:  -18

N.Y. Jets: Vikings Add to Sam Darnold's Growing Pains

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Week Seven

VIKINGS   37

JETS         17

FINAL

New York Jets: If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

So how is Sam Darnold faring against the best?

So far Jacksonville and Minnesota respectively have put him through his toughest challenges.  Against a reputable Jaguars defense during Week Four, Darnold completes 17/34 (50%) for 167 yards, with one touchdown, and no INTs.  The Jets most recent loss against Minnesota proves to be Darnold's worst performance, to date.  He completes 17/42 (40%) for 206-yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.  The Jets lose both games by a combined 69-29 score.  For his part, Darnold is a combined 34/76 (44%) for 373 yards, two touchdowns, and three INTs.

In fairness to Darnold, his favorite receiver Quincy Enunwa - whom leads the team in targets - did not play against Minnesota, and will remain out in the weeks to come with an injured ankle.  Terrelle Pryor already out with an injury gets cut, while several dropped passes by receivers who did play further compound the matter.  Hell, Robby Anderson even throws a football in the direction of an official which earns him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Otherwise, three Viking sacks punctuate an overall bad day.

In his five other starts (against the Lions, Dolphins, Browns, Broncos, and Colts), Sam Darnold is 99/145 (68%) for 1,179 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven INTs.  The Jets go 3-2 in those games, outscoring their opponents by a 147-108 margin.

There's no denying the Jets selected a fine quarterback.  And at the present time, he could really use some help at receiver.  However, the team to a large extent is in rebuild mode, are they not?  That begs the question: to what extent does Mike Maccagnan seek out a receiver to help bail out his franchise quarterback?

Caution: if the Jets have a plan, I suggest they stick with it.

In the meantime, Darnold should give Phil Simms a call for advice on how to throw spirals in  blustery Northeast weather conditions.

N.Y. Jets: Into the Wild Green Yonder

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

This Johnson Is Not Like The Other

New York Jets: Sam Darnold Brushes Aside Opening Mistakes; Regroups for Calm, Cool, and Collected Finish to NFL Debut.

For nearly two decades now, the number of quarterbacks to don a Jets jersey has been commensurate with the carousel of head coaches and general managers exhausted by this organization's upper hierarchy.  It's a condition for which I blame Woody Johnson.

Enter Jets CEO Christopher Johnson, who on Tuesday said it would be "counterproductive" for him issue a playoff ultimatum for Coach Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan (both of whom received two-year contract extensions at the end of last season), according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.

The Jets are only one game into the regular season, but coupled with their selection of Sam Darnold with the third overall pick of the draft, this just may prove to be the smartest start this organization has gotten off to in quite some time.

Although, it didn't seem that way as Sam Darnold on his first ever NFL pass attempt from scrimmage throws a pick-six.  His second possession proves no less futile.  But supported by a very effective running game, the rookie was able to brush aside any missteps and finally start proving his worth with a calm. cool, and collected finish.  He ends Monday night's game throwing 16 of 21 (76%) for 198 yards, the one INT, and the first two touchdown passes of his NFL career on connections to Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson.

In addition to his abilities on the field, Darnold brings stability to the coaching staff.  I know Todd Bowles has his detractors, but I believe he gets far more out of his players than any available replacement would.  Mike Maccagnan, meanwhile, will have tons of money available to spend next season.  And so there is every reason for Christopher Johnson keep this operation together regardless of the Jets final record and standing.

Time finally seems to be changing ...

N.Y. Jets: The Sam Darnold Era Begins

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

New York Jets

vs.

Detroit Lions

FROM
Motor City

New York Jets: With Sam Darnold in the fold, it's time for Chris Johnson to halt his brother's practice of turning over general managers and head coaches.

The Jets haven't won, much less appeared in a Super Bowl since Joe Namath guaranteed victory over the (then) Baltimore Colts fifty years ago.  I remember Broadway Joe's last two seasons with the Jets, and every year of the ensuing four decades since spent trying to replace him.

If Richard Todd and A.J. Duhey never cross paths, or Ken O'Brien pulls the Jets out of a fatal nosedive, or if Vinny Testeverde's Achilles heel never snaps, or Chad Pennington weren't so fragile, or Marc Sanchez comes out of USC with just a tad more polish, the history of the Jets reads quite differently.

Monday night, all this gets thrown on the shoulders and arm of a rookie poised to be the youngest quarterback to ever start an NFL game since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.  That being said, Sam Darnold might finally be that guy: a rare franchise quarterback capable of carrying a team through years of sustained success, and ideally, Super Bowls.  Even as a Giants fan, there's no denying I'm experiencing palatable anticipation leading up to his pro debut.

However, Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles are still piecing together everything else surrounding Darnold.  And I believe they're doing a good job turning things around, despite what the Jets recent season records indicate.  Maccagnan has been methodical but effective, and players respond to Coach Bowles.  But above all else they need time, and there in lies the rub ...

Woody Johnson long ago created a condition among his various general managers and head coaches in which they were more or less compelled into making decisions based on job preservation over that of making actual long term progress.  Team CEO and acting owner Christopher Johnson is seemingly applying the brakes on that trend.  He already extended both Maccagnan and Bowles through 2020, ensuring both are provided an opportunity to see this through for a change.  However, Bowles' extension came before they drafted Darnold.  If the Jets are throwing Sam Darnold into the fire, Mr. Johnson must remain open minded about extending even further both Maccagnan and Bowles.

N.Y. Jets: Have a Nice Summer

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

First Down and a Long Way to Go

New York Jets: Sam Darnold inherits half-century of mediocrity.

I remember Joe Namath's last two seasons with the Jets, along with his final and rather inconsequential season spent with the Los Angeles Rams.  The Jets have been searching for a top tier quarterback ever since.  Guys like Richard Todd, Vinny Testeverde, and even Marc Sanchez all helped elevate the Jets into AFC championship games, but no further.  

In the absence of a top tier quarterback, the organization has failed to win an NFL championship since both before and after Namath guaranteed victory in Super Bowl III.  This upcoming season will mark the golden anniversary of that improbable triumph.

Sadly, the Jets have otherwise failed to qualify for the playoffs (AFL/NFL) 44 times over the span of their 58-year history.  Said another way, they've only been to the playoffs 14 times since their inaugural 1960 season in the American Football League.  In terms of probability, the Jets enter any given season with a one-in-four chance of playing post-season football.  

Even then, these Jets are coming off their seventh straight season finishing out of playoff contention.  Where it concerns the latest in a long line of general managers and head coaches, just know that Mike Maccagnan has allowed his (defensive minded) head coach Todd Bowles to seek out his third different offensive coordinator in as many years.

The weight of all this suddenly gets piled atop the shoulders of quarterback Sam Darnold.  At least he and (new, new ...) new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates get to start the next stages of their respective football careers, together.  Bates served as QB coach last season, and will continue in that capacity in conjunction with his new position.

Three people now form an intriguing triumvirate to say the least: a former defensive coordinator now head coach in Todd Bowles; a new OC with a somewhat light resume in my opinion; and the newly anointed savior of Jets Nation.

Quarterback Sam Darnold was selected by the New York Jets with the third overall pick of the recently concluded NFL draft.

Now what?

A quarterback selected third overall normally comes with high expectations.  But are the Jets still a rebuilding team?  I would argue they should be.  Over the last three seasons, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown respectively gave the Jets a pair of very good individual performances.  And where did that get them?

In the meantime, enjoy the summer.  Saving the world can wait till Fall.

However, I caution folks to beware the dreaded USC bias ...

It often turns out being spot on.

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: 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