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With the season a couple of days away, I want to share my thoughts on how good I think this team can be . . .
And the answer to that is – very good.
I think this team will surprise a lot of people.
For one, their schedule doesn’t seem to be nearly as hard as last year.
The punch heard around the world on August 11, was a troubling event, but it might have helped the Jets.
Look, I’m not condoning what happened. It was horrible. What IK did was uncalled for.
On a human level, I’m glad to see that Geno Smith is recovering nicely from his broken jaw.
But from a football standpoint, the Jets were playing foolish games with their quarterback spot early in camp.
Why did a new regime make Geno Smith the starter before camp? Why?
It made no sense.
Have a competition, and let the best man win.
I saw from the first day of camp that Fitzpatrick was their better option at quarterback, even while he was taking backup reps.
He’s amazing comfortable in Chan Gailey’s offense. He knows it like the back of his hand. He makes quick decisions and gets the ball out of his hand fast. He sees the field better than Geno. After 10 years in the league, I think Fitzpatrick’s in a good spot. He knows who he is.
Getting him into the starting lineup on August 12 allowed him plenty of time to get comfortable with the starters.
Look, I don’t want to sound callous, I’m just saying the unfortunate injury to Geno, put an end to a ridiculous charade.
This is the most talent Fitzpatrick has ever been surrounded by. I see him like a veteran point guard, a John Stockton, who will make prudent decisions, distribute the ball to his play-makers, and let them do their thing.
And what will also help him is a veteran offensive line that looks like it could be one of the best in football.
The Jets front seven should be very good, and Gang Green might have the best cornerback depth in football.
It’s rare to have this kind of cornerback depth.
There are a lot of teams in this league that have a hard enough time fielding two quality starters. Just look at Pittsburgh.
Jets have six quality corners. I know there are some questions about Dex McDougle, but he did a lot of good things this summer, and he’s not a bad guy to have as your sixth corner.
In a pass-happy league, going six deep at corner, is going to help the Jets a great deal.
And another reason I think the Jets are going to be very good this year is their head coach. I think Woody hit this one out of the park.
Todd Bowles is a really smart football man, who is so darn even-keeled, and that is just what the Jets needed. The guy is unflappable with a steely resolve. The players have so much respect for him. Even when the Jets had some issues this summer, he never blinked. I think he’s right out of Central Casting for what this team needs.
I think the Jets are going to be a very good team this year. I really do.
September 11, 2014
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