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Let’s break down a couple things from today . . .
What was Jets coach Todd Bowles message to his team today on wrap-up day?
“It’s just a no-excuse business,” Bowles said. “You win games or you don’t. It’s not 5-11 but you played a couple of games close. It’s not so-and-so got hurt or so-and-so wasn’t here. You win in spite of, and that’s the only thing I was trying to convey going into the offseason. We just have to play better. I’m just making sure that point got across as the off-season came.”
And if they are going to play better, they need more “performance accountability.” Stop rolling with guys for too long, in games, or in seasons – make lineup changes. Make players know that you are replaceable if you continually screw up. Bowles sometimes rolls with guys too long. Be like the New England Patriots. Belichick is constantly taking guys off the field for bad play.
And they need to stop playing pretend at the cornerback position. Go out this off-season, and get two studs, like they did last year in the draft at the two safety positions. Stop trying to get by at cornerback with baling wire and duct tape. You can’t do that in this league. One of the reasons the Saints’ defense took a big step this year was much better cornerback play.
The Jets also need to get a game-wrecking edge-rusher, but we have been over that ad infinitum.
And they need to get quarterback Josh McCown back for another year.
To me, the Jets QB plan is simple. They sign McCown for another year, draft a QB high in the draft, and that new QB will compete with Christian Hackenberg to take over in 2019.
“Josh had a great year,” Bowles said. “It’d be great to have him back. It’s a business in this league. He has decisions to make. We have decisions to make. I understand he has to talk to his family. He’s played a long time in this league. He had a great season. There are decisions he has to make and decisions we have to make, and we have to see if his (decisions) meet ours.”
This is a tough decision for McCown. He moved his family to Jacksonville, Texas last year. He has two teenage sons. It could be tough on him to be away from them for another full off-season and season.
However, he realizes he’s in perhaps the best spot of his career, in an offense he loves and thrives in. He talked recently how it would be tough to pull the plug right now.
I think he and his family can make this work for one more year (if the money is right).
The Jets need this guy back for one more year. Just ask a guy like Robby Anderson who thrived with him, but then fell off after he got hurt.
With the added parts needed this off-season in free agency and the draft, and the return of McCown, and a schedule that isn’t a killer, 2018 could be break-through year for the Jets.
January 1, 2017
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