Welcome to Hell. The Jets season spiraled out of control before Halloween, and now at Thanksgiving weekend, it is more apparent than ever that this team needs a full rebuild. According to Football Outsiders innovative DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) system, the 2016 Jets are the 2nd worst team in the league, behind the Browns, with a 27th ranked offense, 23rd ranked defense, and 32nd ranked special teams. This is inexcusable from the seventh highest spending team in the NFL, according to overthecap.com.
Even worse, is that our head coach, Todd Bowles, is more worried about keeping his own job than the future of the franchise. With a second year player, Bryce Petty, and rookie, Christian Hackenberg, the coach has decided to stick with journeyman failure Ryan Fitzpatrick. At 3-7, no one is fooled. This isn't a decision to delay the inevitable. There isn't a soul in Florham Park who believes this team can run the table and compete for a playoff spot.
Head Coach
Todd Bowles has big shoes to fill, replacing the tough talking Rex Ryan last year, and he hasn't lived up to the billing. In 26 games as head coach, the Jets are 13-13, however he has a 1-7 record against teams with winning records. The team has never come out the locker room ready to play under Bowles' reign. They often come out flat and need to ask a game manager to help come from behind. The calm, often boring Bowles, does not have the right personality to be a head coach. He can't inspire a grape. There is no better example of this as to when he was clearly out-coached by Rex Ryan in Week 17 of last year. With the Bills just playing the role of spoiler, they came out ready to win while the Jets looked like they were still hungover from their New Years Eve party.
The most damning evidence against Coach, is that the players have quit on him. Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson have skipped or have been late to multiple team meetings, showing a clear lack of respect. Where was Bowles, when Geno Smith got his jaw broken last year under his watch? Also, his fear of losing the rest of the locker room is the only reason why Bryce Petty isn't starting against the Patriots Sunday. A good head coach demands respect from his team.
Offense
Ryan Fitzpatrick, must have dirty pictures of Woody Johnson and an intern. That's the only thing I can think of as to why he is still starting quarterback of the New York Jets. Not only did he wait until the day camp opened to sign a contract after blowing the Jets season last year, but he lost his job twice this year, only to keep getting another chance. Fitzy is like Mike Myers, you can't kill him. He just keeps coming back worse and worse.
The one thing that worries me, is that as bad as Fitzpatrick has looked, the decision makers still believe he gives us the best chance to win. That's not a good sign for the future of quarterbacks Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, or Mikey Mac's decision making when it comes to the most important position on the field. Jets brass passed up on 10-1 Dak Prescott to pick Hackenberg in the second round (a decision many questioned on draft night).
Quincy Enunwa has been the lone bright spot with the pass catchers. Brandon Marshall has been a non-factor since Eric Decker went down with an injury, and should just stick to being a TV talking head at this point. Eric Decker needed two surgeries, and could reportedly miss some time next season also. You know the position is a mess when some fans are looking forward to butterfingers Devin Smith returning from his torn ACL. I liked the addition of tight end Austin Sefarian Jenkins from Tampa, but an ankle injury has hampered his production. It'll be interesting to see if he can return to form after the bye week.
Matt Forte was a strange signing this offseason, replacing Chris Ivory. The 30 year-old currently has the seventh most carries in the league, but is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. He has also been a non-factor in the passing game, which is a big change of pace from how he was used in Chicago. The other issue is that backup Bilal Powell is a similar type of player. The team, which has been pathetic in the red zone (only scoring a touchdown in 40% of red zone appearances) is missing the big bruiser.
The offensive line is going to need to begin a complete rehaul in 2017. The line's stalwart, Nick Mangold is due $9 million next season, with no guaranteed money, so if he doesn't restructure his contract, I can see the team letting him go. Ryan Clady, who is out with a torn rotator cuff, is likely gone also, being due $10.5 million in 2017 with only $500,000 being guaranteed. I can see the Jets going for the less sexy pick, and looking to sure up the left tackle spot early in the draft this year. Brian Winters, Breno Giacomini, and James Carpenter should be back next year.
Defense
The emergence of Leonard Williams this season makes Sheldon Richardson expendable. The three-headed monster in the defensive line doesn't work well together anyway. Whether you think it's because of a lingering effect of his leg injury, or laziness after signing a big contract, this is Mo Wilkerson's worst year as a Jet. The D-line, which should've been the teams biggest strength just hasn't lived up to expectations. Word of Sheldon and Wilk skipping team meetings and practices doesn't bode well for their leadership ability, and could hurt Richardson's trade value.
Three out of the four linebacker positions are set for the near future, with rookies Jordan Jenkins and Darron Lee alongside second year player Lorenzo Maudlin learning on the job. David Harris, who is due $6.5 million with no cap hit, could be asked to take a pay cut. The leader of the defense for the past ten years is starting to show wear and tear on his body. Harris is on pace for less than 100 tackles for the first time since 2011.
The Darelle Revis homecoming has been nothing short of a disaster. After showing signs of erosion, Revis Island is being flooded this year, giving up 100 yards receiving to the likes of Terrelle Pryor and Kenny Britt, when he used to hold Calvin Johnson to 50 yards. Revis himself even admitted he's getting old. I'd be very surprised to see the Jets let Revis come back at $15.3 million with only $6.3 guaranteed. Revis will either renegotiate his contract or be cut. Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams , who is a free agent in 2017, seem to have taken a step back this season as well.
Calvin Pryor's deficiencies in coverage have come back to hurt the Jets several times this year, but his playmaking skills are invaluable on this defense. Marcus Gilchrist has played well in the second year of his contract, getting two interceptions, and not being a liability in the passing game.
If the Jets cut or trade Revis, Clady, Mangold, Richardson, Harris and Marshall they will have $49 million in cap space. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of those guys come back with a renegotiated contract. Unless the team can find an answer at quarterback, wins in 2017 will be hard to find. They are scheduled to play the AFC West and NFC South, two pretty tough divisions.
Woody Johnson has tried to patchwork the team in previous years, but it hasn't worked. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2010, and needs a full rebuild. They can keep Bowles on one more season and make him the scapegoat at the end of that season, or bring in a new coach now to help build the team he wants. It will be an interesting offseason for Gang Green.
