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Robert Saleh said this after the Miami game:
“I say sorry to everybody, Woody, Christopher, Ira, Hymie, all the players, all the coaches, all the fans,” Saleh said. “Because I know it’s been a long, long ride of not being in the playoffs and I know it was right in our finger tips and we’re not going.”
That is a perfect quote.
It doesn’t talk about how their going to do better next year, when nobody knows that.
It’s just “we blew a great opportunity and we’re sorry.”
As Tony Dungy used to say, “No excuses, no explanations.”
Also what was interesting about this quote is he brought up Ira. Who is Ira? He is Ira Akselrad, the most powerful man in the Jets universe you might not know about. Can’t remember his name ever being brought up in a quote from a GM or coach.
He runs “The Johnson Company” which manages the families money.
While he’s not featured in the media guide, or listed in the team’s staff directory on the team’s website, he wields enormous power.
He is the right-hand man for Woody and Christopher. He’s very involved in all major decisions they make, which is fine. This isn’t a judgment. All owners have people they lean on.
He was involved in past coaching and GM searches.
What is the old saying, “Follow the money?”
He handles the money . . .
Quinnen Williams said today he will hold out of the volunteer program if a new contract isn’t done by then.
Based on the run defense issues, this could be a long holdout, unless the Jets ignore this issue, and just pay him Aaron Donald money.
Look, he deserves a really nice deal, but the Jets’ run defense up the middle has been problematic, and while it’s not all on him, he’s had a number of big runs right at him.
This issue is being ignored by the beat. Not sure why, but as Bill Parcells used to see, “I just go but what I see fellas.”
I’m seeing run defense issues here, like on the 7-yard run by Miami’s Salvon Ahmed up the middle to set up the game-winning field goal for the Dolphins.
Former Jets DT Leonard Williams, who the Giants gave a big deal last year, is excellent against the run, as is Tennessee’s Jeffrey Simmons and Miami’s Christian Wilkins, who are up for big deals this year.
It’s hard to win the NFL is you aren’t stout up the middle against the run . . .
The Jets last two opponents, two subpar teams, Seattle and Miami, both made the playoffs. This is a bad optic for the Jets. Neither one of those teams are playoff caliber, and the Jets lost to both of them, allowing each to make the playoffs . . .
The players were given shirts today with the word “finish” on them.
They didn’t know they had to do that?
I’m not looking to be flippant, but this roster is filled with players, most of whom have played plenty of high school, college and in many cases pro football for other teams. They don’t know they need to finish the season strong, and not lose six in a row and miss the playoffs?
When you break down what led to the collapse, it’s not about just simply emphasizing “finishing.”
The problems are football issues, not something a one word slogan can fix.
Things like starting Zach Wilson, in four winnable games against New England twice, Detroit and Jacksonville, and losing all four.
Things like bad run defense since the bye-week.
Things like allowing two touchdowns on punt returns because the special team’s coach is forced to use some cover guys, like Michael Clemons, and starting tight ends, who should not be covering punts.
Things like being too predictable on offense during the late season collapse, and if you don’t believe me, ask Garrett Wilson, who essentially said that today.
I could go on.
These are football problems, so reminding guys they need to “finish” better isn’t going to work, unless these football issues are fixed . . .
One of the most positive bits of news for the Jets today is that Mekhi Becton has moved to New Jersey with his lady and baby, and he will be attending the Jets off-season workout program. This will be good for his conditioning and rehab. Remember, he was in Texas last off-season for most of the program.
January 9, 2023
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