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This is a huge game for
Jets OC Mike LaFleur with Zach Wilson coming off a four-pick game against New England. It’s unfair to blame all of this on LaFleur. He’s not the one pulling the trigger after the ball is snapped, but he needs to enter Empower Field in Denver with a heck of a game plan, that is obviously effective, but also young QB friendly.
“It’s too expansive,” Zolak said about the Jets’ offensive approach against New England. “They are going to have to protect him and give him some other chances where it’s not all on his shoulders.”
I heard former Jets defensive end Jeff Lageman, who is now the Jaguars’ radio analyst, say something during a Jacksonville game about certain play-calling for Trevor Lawrence.
“This is what you call managing the game for the young quarterback,” said Lageman.
That is what LaFleur needs to do in Denver. LaFleur needs a game plan that protects Wilson a lot more than last week, and in a way, protect him from his gunslinger self.
And his issues last week weren’t related to “seeing ghosts,” regardless of what Kyle Van Noy thinks – more just bad throw and decisions . . .
The obsession with wide receiver Denzel Mims’ playing time continued today. The Jets’ 2020 second-round pick saw limited time in Week One, and was inactive last week.
Whatever the Jets do here, they should not be impacted one iota by outside noise. This should be strictly a football decision. No football decisions should ever be made to pander to the media or public.
If the Jets feel Mims is mentally on top of his playbook, and his assignments, and can help them on special teams as a reserve receiver, then play him.
The Jets have plenty of depth at receiver with Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Keelan Cole, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith and they might get back by Jamison Crowder back from a groin this week. That is six right there.
We will see what Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh decide with Mims this week, but whatever they decide should not be impacted by white noise. Good football cultures ignore the peanut gallery at all costs. Decision-makers who listen to the peanut gallery when making football decisions, end up sitting with the peanut gallery, out of work in the NFL.
And you know what is a unfortunate about the coverage of the Mims’ situation? Saleh has been honest and upfront about the reasons for his minimal role, but that still isn’t good enough. He’s made it clear that the player needs to still learn all three receiver positions and improve on special teams. Total transparency here.
I can’t remember he last time a coach I covered was that honest about the reason for somebody not playing. Usually coaches dance around this stuff. Saleh hasn’t. Still not good enough for some . . .
Jets were very, very spirited on the practice field this week – great energy. 0-2 has not dampered their spirits at all.
“I think moral is very high,” said Jets center Connor McGovern. “I think everyone sees the potential of what this team can be.”
And the arrow is pointing up on McGovern and this offensive line. After a rough Week 1 in Charlotte, they took a quantum leap in Week 2, and expect their ascension to continue in Denver.
Alijah Vera-Tucker looked special last week, the veteran bookend tackles are solid and battle-tested, and Connor McGovern is going to play with his hair on fire against Denver after they didn’t re-sign him.
People like to dump on the Jets’ line, and Week 1 was a mess, but I actually think this is a good line.
And throw in the fact that Denver is without two key front seven players (OLB Bradley Chubb and ILB Josey Jewell), and nose tackle Mike Purcell (knee) is a game-time decision, should help the Jets upfront.
September 24, 2021
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