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San Diego – In Dan’s Web Whispers from San Diego, we look at a GM’s bizarre plan, a defensive issue beyond Rex and more . . .
The Jets’ defense is blowing a lot of assignments. It’s not all on Rex. You have to examine his staff.
As I wrote in the magazine, he really, really misses Brian Van Gorder, his linebacker coach from last year. He left to become the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, where he’s doing a terrific job. He’s a very smart coach, and was Rex’s right hand man on the sideline last year.
Not only do they miss him as Rex’s right hand man, but they hired a very young coach to replace him, somebody without a lot of experience, in his early 30’s.
Was it a cost-cutting move? I don’t know.
Also, to Rex’s right and left on the sideline during game are two old cronies, who might not be the best bench coaches he could have.
Remember when it as up in the air about whether Rex would return, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Idzik wanted Rex to make some changes to his defensive staff if he was going to return.
I think Ian was on to something.
Why Idzik didn’t stick to that edict, I’m not sure.
But to me, as much as I hate to say it, because these are men with families, this isn’t a great defensive staff.
The proof is in the puddling – look at all the confusion out there . . .
Jace Amaro had a drop on a deep out on the left side. There was a penalty on another Jets player, but nonetheless this problem once again points to his small hands.
Amaro is very tough, but he has small hands, average speed and is a stiff athlete. Jets should have picked an explosive, speedy offensive weapon in the second round. Amaro is a solid, but he’s no better than Jeff Cumberland.
When Amaro lines up wide, in receiver slot, do you think he scares anybody?
No. The Jets think they have this magical mismatch when he lines up wide, and it’s not true. He’s a 4.75 forty guy with stiff hips.
And you know what, he struggled catching the ball at the combine . . .
John Idzik was sitting in front of me in the press box, taking a lot of notes during the game.
I wish I could have asked him – what were you thinking?
What were you thinking with a rigged quarterback competition between Geno Smith and Michael Vick?
I didn’t get it in the off-season, the summer or now?
And after the game, I asked Vick being the competitor he is, why would he sign up for a situation that he wouldn’t be allowed to compete for the starting job.
He gave a non-answer.
Idzik’s handling of the quarterback situation was/is amateur hour.
I believe in my heart and soul, based on 20 years of covering this league, there is no way the Jets are 1-4 with Vick.
I’m not saying he’s without flaws, but he’s better than Smith.
But Idzik decided to hitch is wagon to a marginal prospect, a second-round quarterback, and he’s acting like this guy was Top 10 pick who you ride with until he figures it out (which is far from guaranteed either).
Idzik’s handling of the quarterback situation, since his arrival, has left a lot to be desired.
And since this is a quarterback-driven league, his weird QB vision, has led the Jets to the mess they are now in.
October 5, 2014
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