Content available exclusively for subscribers
Then why didn’t they do it? . . .
“In hindsight, it probably would’ve benefited [Zach Wilson] just to sit back and learn a little bit and watch a veteran and just kind of grow in this league — kind of in the backseat, watching,” Jets OC Mike LaFleur said Thursday. “Get better in practice, get better through the scout team and all that. But that wasn’t the course that we went.”
Why?
Who is “everyone?”
It doesn’t matter what people on the outside, fans and media, think of a quarterback’s preseason performance against vanilla defenses. The only opinions that should matter are the experts in the building, like the GM, head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
Those should be the only people, out of “everyone,” who should discern whether a QB is ready.
They know where he is in terms of learning the system, they know where he is in terms of reading defenses, they know where he is with his line calls, they know where he is at his ability to manipulate safeties and so forth.
So honestly, I don’t get the concept of “everyone wanted to crown him after the first preseason game?”
What the hell difference does it make what anybody outside the building thought of how Wilson played in the preseason? They shouldn’t have a seat at the table.
Was their a marketing aspect to starting him immediately? People get excited about first round quarterbacks, and want to buy tickets to see him play and jerseys before they proven a thing. I’ve never understood this, but it’s the reality of the situation.
So maybe there was a marketing aspect to starting Wilson immediately. I can’t confirm that because I’m not in the meetings.
But at some point, you need to make the decision to stop using young players, who are learning the whys and wherefores of the NFL, as marketing tools, and let them just learn.
I will never forget when Zach Wilson was asked to pose with “Rookie of the Week” belt after a loss. He looked like a hostage in the photo.
This is where I usually insert the Bill Parcells “don’t him Canton just yet” quote.
After starting off 7-4, and then losing five in a row to fall out of playing contention, a lot needs to change at One Jets Drive.
After missing the playoffs for 12 straight years, a lot needs to change at One Jets Drive.
