As the NFL offseason
is in full swing, it’s a perfect opportunity to evaluate where each team was in
2017, and where they plan to go in the New Year. Let’s begin the review of
the New York Jets.
2017 Season Recap:
With a roster filled with acquired aging talent and journeymen caliber
players, the New York media was relentless in the efforts to suggest the Jets
were orchestrating a tank season to have an opportunity in the 2018 draft to
potentially secure the top overall selection to finally get out of quarterback
purgatory. 1-15, 2-14 were some of the common season record predictions that
fell on the Jets as the year was set to open. Well traveled starting pivot Josh
McCown was set to start for his eighth team in his sixteen-year career. Coach
Todd Bowles was quite aware of his situation and was hoping to put his best
foot forward to try and compete on some level to keep the fan base coming to
the games. With an offense in desperate need to show anything in the form of
high flying electricity, the task was sure to be difficult.
Entering week one, the Jets traveled to Buffalo to take on their division
rival – the Bills, and seemed uninspired and out of sync, not being able to
create much offensively as the Bills came away with the win. Week two saw a
similar effort but a worse scoreboard result as the Raiders routed New York to
the tune of 45-20. Steeping into week three, the Jets seemed to figure things
out to at least keep most games very entertaining and extremely close and
competitive. Winners of their next three contests had the fan base over joyed
and the media about to eat the predictions for dinner. Being victorious against
the Dolphins, Jaguars, and the Browns, New York seemed to find that chip on
their shoulder to prove that this group was more than misfits placed together
to fail. Week six came with controversy as the Jets stayed close the entire
game seeing two Austin Seferian-Jenkins touchdowns come off the board via
instant replay, ultimately falling to the Patriots due to referee mistakes.
Keeping things very close in their next two contests, the Jets managed to lose
both to the Dolphins and the Falcons.
Finding a way to dominate the Bills in
their Thursday Night primetime showdown, a video went viral of the Jets defense
dancing during the commercial break to the loud speakers in the stadium as they
were ecstatic. With a 4-5 record after nine weeks of the season, the Jets would
only be able to muster one more victory in the last seven games played. While
expectations were at an all time low for this 2017 edition to succeed, ADF was
extremely impressed with how this roster was able to come together finding a
way to be uber-competitive in nearly every challenge faced. In the end, it was
a season most would like to forget, but the set up to the future could look
very bright as the rebuild will begin to take shape in hopes to produce a
winner once again.
2018 Offseason Workbook:
Offseason Review:
As the offseason began
to move forward, the Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan will most definitely
have his work cut out for him after receiving a vow of trust being signed to a
contract extension. Already having trimmed high priced talent off the roster to
start fresh, the slate is blank and is ready for his stamp as the rebuilding
process begins to take shape. Todd Bowles was retained much like the general
manager and given a contract extension of his own to see this thing out for
better or worse. The leash will undoubtedly be longer for both executives while
ownership shows patience to see what can be achieved as they continue to work
together.
As most 5-11 teams
usually look after an unsuccessful season has concluded, reviewing the
statistics isn’t something that would gain much value at this point. Rather the
situation regarding payer movement and player indiscretions will usually take
center stage. With the offseason just merely getting started, Jets up and
coming wide receiver Robby Anderson found himself in deep with law enforcement
being charged with nine counts of crime relating to a speeding arrest. However
his legal situation will resolve the NFL disciplinary team will most definitely
be giving him a call to discuss further punishment. With a bad look to start
time away from the field, reviewing the roster and what potential moves they
could make would be the primary focus.
Offensively New York
doesn’t possess a lot of talent other than Bilal Powell, Jermaine Kearse,
ArDarius Stewart, and Quincy Enunwa. These players could be and should be
regarded as secondary performers perfect to fit the mold to assist top end
talent. While these individuals should remain on the roster, everything else is
up for debate and improvement. The Jets needs list is quite long and should be
extremely difficult to fill in one offseason. Adding a complete running back to
the team with a top-flight talent at the wide receiver position should count as
top priorities much like finding the franchise quarterback they’ve been
searching for these many years. As news begins to heat up, the New York Jets
have been attached to the biggest name on the market in former Redskins passer
– Kirk Cousins. Seemingly, Kirk has narrowed his choice to three teams of
interest as he weighs his options to what’s more important to him and his
family. The Jets would be able to provide Cousins with the notion of being part
of the beginning process of rebuilding this proud franchise, while having dump
trucks filled with cash delivered to his house from day one. Other teams look
to have the inside track, as money and the ability to win now may swing his
decision come March 14th. If Cousins doesn’t choose New York to be
his new home, the path forward would more than likely see the Jets take a
rookie signal caller with their first-round selection.
Defensively, New York
did house top tier talent that could rival any team’s roster in certain
position groups. Defensive line has always been a strength since the Rex Ryan
days. New York was ambitious at the start of the season trading away Sheldon
Richardson to the Seahawks knowing they wouldn’t want to endure the contract he
would’ve demanded come this time in the offseason. Having similar feelings
toward another defensive line talent, New York recently cut bait with
eight-year Jets veteran and draft pick Muhammad Wilkerson. Presenting these
moves provides a clear indication of not only trying to obtain the most salary
space possible, but to change the outlook and culture left over from coaching
and management regimes prior. Moving forward with Leonard Williams, Buster
Skrine, Darron Lee, and super star in the making – Jamal Adams, this group has
a great start in the process to solidify a foundation of youth and talent.
With news that New
York is willing to break the bank to sign Kirk Cousins to an astronomical
contract, the looming question persists as to if the Jets would again set their
cap situation up for failure much like they are dealing with at this very
moment. Cousins is regarded as a solid quarterback in the league but over
paying the player to the potential ceiling he may achieve is a very risky
gamble to say the least. Kirk’s numbers over the last three seasons do speak
volumes for the ability he does possess, but we do question if drafting a
quarterback is still the better option in their case. If Cousins does choose to
sign with another club, it could very well be a blessing in disguise simply
from the financial side of things.
Rostered Free Agents:
In preparation for
this offseason, New York has done a great job in getting big money contracts
off the books though it came at the expense of losing top end defensive talent.
This team is in the beginning stages of a full on rebuild and has amassed a
whopping 92 million dollars in cap space to play with. With 16 players on their
list of impending free agents, it doesn’t appear there are any notable names
they would like to retain, other than potentially - Austin Seferian-Jenkins,
Wesley Johnson, and possibly Morris Claiborne. While it appears in both
Seferian-Jenkins and Claiborne’s cases, they will drive up the price on the
Jets to try and steal some of that hefty cap space making them less attractive
to be re-upped in New York.
While suggesting they
would make a massive push to get free agent Kirk Cousins to the team, New York
still has potential to increase their current cap even more if they chose too.
While Buster Skrine looks to be a mainstay on this roster, he would create a
healthy 6 million more in added space. With the free agent receiver pool likely
to grow as teams make roster cuts, the Jets could easily cut bait with Jermaine
Kearse saving a nice 5 million extra on the books. Rookie bust prospect
Christian Hackenberg has likely seen his last days in the Jet green, as the
team has been rumored to move on from the career clipboard quarterback saving
roughly 1 million on a post June 1st designation. Depending on how
the Jets plan to attack the free agent market, they could potentially trim
another 10-15 million quite easily from their roster.
NFL Draft:
Entering the draft,
the Jets have a total of 8 picks to work with adding an extra 2nd
round selection affording them the capital to currently have four selections in
the top 72. The Jets could literally go in any direction in this draft as they
look build success for this team. The prevalent question mark will be answered
shortly in reference to what happens to their quarterback position. If the Jets
find a way to convince Kirk Cousins to come aboard, filling the need of a
starting quarterback will be off the list and they could focus on adding talent
to other areas of the team. If Cousins finds his way to another franchise, the
possibility exists that New York could use some of their draft ammunition to
move up if fear exists that another team could snag their top rated passer. ADF
is making the assumption that this draft could favor the offense as we’ve seen
for far too long drafts dictated to assist the defense – it’s time for a
change. Fully expect a quarterback (if not Cousins), running back, and
potentially a wide receiver added to this team form the 2018 draft class.
Overall for 2018:
While a full rebuild
will test the patience of a fan base that is absolutely dying for a winning
program that could be sustainable for the foreseeable future. Correcting inept
decision making from pas regimes has left this team where it is, but at least a
full path forward has been set. Building the foundation will go a long way for
this team to finally insert the correct pieces to compete with the likes of the
Patriots and rivals from the AFC East. Patience will be key as this process
begins to play itself out as dedicated rebuilds constructed with long term
winning sustainment in mind, needs to have a clear path forward with little
deviation. Even though winning might be a few years out, Jets fans should get
on board and enjoy the ride of watching this team grow under the tutelage of
their talented Coach Todd Bowles. Greener pastures are on the horizon for the J-E-T-S, Jets-Jets-Jets!
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