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It’s possible, but it’s not just about talent.
“I just feel like they have all the pieces together right now, and they’re getting the final pieces this offseason to produce a team that can go all the way,” new Jets offensive tackle Tyron Smith said Thursday on a Zoom Press Conference.
There is no doubt the Jets roster is stacked right now, and on paper, they could contend for a Super Bowl, however, we all know competing for a championship isn’t just about how talented the roster is.
Coaching and culture will also play a big part.
On the coaching front, from a coordinator standpoint, I think they will be okay.
Brant Boyer is a good special teams coordinator and that is why he was retained by several head coaches.
Jeff Ulbrich did a solid job last year as defensive coordinator, and should be a head coaching candidate shortly. He’s got alpha dog leadership ability.
Offensively, Nathaniel Hackett had a tough first year as the Jets’ offensive coordinator. Now, granted, losing Aaron Rodgers four games into the season was brutal, but you could argue he didn’t do a great job adjusting to playing with backup QBs.
Now, some would argue that Zach Wilson isn’t very good at reading defenses and going through his progressions, so what did you want him to do?
But the top offensive play-callers, like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, are superb at dialing up things that enhance the QB, starter or backup, and being the eyes and ear of the QB on the field.
But here is the thing – if Rodgers is the QB, Hackett will do a good job as offensive coordinator, because Rodgers is essentially the co-OC with his ability to audible at the line based on the defensive look.
So the coordinators should be fine, but the culture needs some work if the Jets will challenge for a championship. The Athletic story with 30 sources should have been a wake-up call.
There needs to be high-level accountability, no moral victories and no excuses.
The handling of Michael Clemons late last season should be a teachable moment about accountability, excuses and culture.
Clemons behaved in a mercurial fashion on a few occasions late in the season, like when he tussled with Buffalo lineman Dion Dawkins in the tunnel, got thrown out of the Miami game for a fight with a Dolphin that bloodied an official trying to break it up and cursed at fans in Cleveland.
Saleh added: “If you knew him, you wouldn’t have a problem with anything he did.”
That last line wasn’t ideal from an accountability standpoint. What a great defense that would be for lawyers for clients dealing with legal issues.
Not only can’t Clemons behavioral pattern continue, but making excuses for him can’t continue either.
What a cultural improvement lesson this provided.
So, yes, the Jets have the pieces on the roster to make a deep run, but they must improve the culture as well to make that happen.
March 22, 2024
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