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During these trying times, the Jets need . . .
strong leaders more than ever.
Matters like the Coronavirus and the George Floyd tragedy will challenge the Jets’ locker room.
Yes coaching leadership matters, but the locker room probably matters more.
The Jets need strong player leadership more than ever.
Not just dealing with unrest in the country, but the fact that there was no off-season program, so much is going need to get done in this summer during training camp. It’s gonna be like four months of work jammed into a 3-4 weeks.
So not only the player leaders are going to have to help the coaches deal with the craziness in the world surrounding the players, but get them up them up to speed on the playbook, especially rookies.
Key rookies like Mekhi Becton and Denzel Mims are going to need a lot of help from veteran players at their positions.
So who might some of those key Jets leaders be?
The first one who comes to mind is defensive tackle Steve McLendon, who is an elite leader.
Not only does he give great speeches with regularity to his teammates, but he also consistently spends extra time with young defensive linemen after practice working on technique. Every day after practice in training camp last summer, he could be seen working with young defensive linemen like Foley Fatukasi on footwork, hand placement and so forth.
McLendon is one of those guys who could end up as the Governor of Georgia when he retires or a head football coach. Very rare guy, and he will be huge for the Jets during this challenging summer.
Another key leader for the team and young players during this time is inside linebacker C.J. Mosley. While he missed most of last year, his first year in green, he was a great leader in Baltimore, and that should continue this year with the Jets. He’s like a coach on the field for the Jets’ defense.
“He was a culture-changer,” said Adam Gase. “He was the type of guy that could help lead that charge in the locker room where the team building starts the right way.”
So those are two leaders of note on defense who can help the Jets through these unchartered waters, but what about on offense?
That is a tougher one.
As I wrote in a previous piece, I’m not clear on what kind of leader Sam Darnold is. Don’t know either way. I tried to glean this being around the team his entire first two seasons, but I still don’t have a verdict. But obviously they need him to be an important leader this year. We will see how he does.
With two new key receivers, Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims, they will need a veteran helping them get comfortable whis summer, and I see that as Jamison Crowder, who did a terrific job last year as the Jets’ slot receiver. He’s very smart, instinctive and a great team player. He will be a big help to Perriman and Mims. And in the receiver room, they have two former standout NFL receivers coaching them – Shawn Jefferson and Hines Ward. So in this room’s mentoring will likely be coach-heavy.
And another huge leader for the offense will be running back Frank Gore, one of the best leaders in the league. He could be an enormous help to Gang Green as they navigate through choppy waters this summer and beyond.
So those are four key leaders who could be huge for the Jets this summer during these challenging times, where it could be a difficult time for some players to focus on the job at hand, and that job is the New York Jets making the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
June 5, 2020
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