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New Jersey – Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan need to deal with reality and fix some things before matters get to a bad place . . .
I’m going to start on a positive Jets note.
When Leonard Williams came out of USC, one scout compared him to Reggie White.
The scout might be on to something.
Williams was unreal today.
The Jets defensive game plan to constantly put him over the center Russell Bodine was smart.
You would figure that Williams would just over power him, but that wasn’t the case.
It was quickness also. The guy is a freak. His quickness for a 300-pounder is uncanny.
In the fourth quarter, he shot into a gap, and sacked Andy Dalton, beating the center off the ball.
I thought perhaps the Reggie White comparison by the scout was Pollyanna, but I’m telling you right now, this guy could be an all-time great if he stays healthy.
Last year, he made a ton of plays, at 21, without an NFL strength program and with far from ideal technique.
This year, he’s must stronger after a ton of work with Jets strength coach Justus Galac, and his technique is much better, after myriad work with Pepper Johnson.
And he’s a great kid with a great attitude.
“Wow” is all I can say. “Wow.” I think we are looking at the early stages of an all-time great career . . .
But with the Jets’ great pass rush today led by Williams, it’s shocking that their pass coverage was so bad.
How long have you heard that the best friend of a secondary is a great pass rush?
But that didn’t seem to work today with the Jets.
This Revis situation is a huge problem.
And in a way, I feel bad for Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, because a lot of this isn’t of their making.
From what I hear, the Revis signing came from above Bowles and Maccagnan.
And now they are stuck trying to figure out what to do with a 31-year-old cornerback who has lost a step and is making $17 million guaranteed this year.
Like I’ve said before, if I was Maccagnan, who just got in the building shortly before this deal was consummated, I would have thrown a tantrum, and told the owner, “You are giving him that money over my dead body.”
What would Woody have done, fire a GM he just hired.
I’m dead serious. If you are Maccagnan, and you came to Florham Park to build a winner the right way, is there any way, of your own volition, you are going to give a 30-year-old corner that kind of money? I seriously doubt that.
That contract not only messed up the Jets cap this year, but now they are stuck starting Revis, who is pedestrian at this point, and had a terrible game today.
The Jets lost their last two games – in Buffalo in Week 17 and now the first game of this year, Revis contributed heavily to losses.
This is a hot mess.
Obviously they need to give him safety help, but they they also need to get better player from Marcus Gilchrist and especially Calvin Pryor.
Pryor is a hammer against the run, but needs to make more plays in coverage. He had a very quiet summer in coverage.
At some point, the Jets need to get Antonio Allen more involved . . .
Todd Bowles needs to have a long talk with Brandon Marshall – focus on football man – the man has too much going on off the field – TV, political activism (what he pulled today was bad for the morale of the offense as the only offensive player not to carry a flag during the introductions and he came out first). It’s becoming a distraction for him and the team.
The guy is a heck of a talent, but he’s on his fourth team for a reason.
Todd needs to say, “Brandon I love you man, but focus on Jets football all the time during the season, not some of the time.” . . .
One other thing. Todd and Mike need to stop this political nonsense with their high draft picks. For Darron Lee to play more than Erin Henderson today was a joke. Just like last year with Devin Smith ahead of Kenbrell Thompkins. Stop inserting your draft picks before they are ready. We know you like them, but wait until they are truly ready. Stop the politics.
September 11, 2016
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