Why the Obsession?

Why was this necessary?

Talking about Denzel Mims having a press conference on Thursday afternoon, before Jets headed to London for their game with the Atlanta Falcons.

There were just two players made available – Quincy Williams and Mims.

There is very limited access now since the reporters aren’t allowed in the locker room, so the Jets bring a couple of players into the press room to talk.

Some have been hammering the Jets for the last couple of weeks to get Mims. Last week, he didn’t want to do it, and this week somebody convinced him to come in.

Mims has seen limited action this year. He was active for two games, but didn’t play much in those contests. He was inactive for the Jets other two games.

Some in the media are flat-out obsessed with this player and his playing time, or lack there of.

There are two reasons why he’s not playing much: First off, he’s still getting comfortable in Mike LaFleur’s playbook and needs to learn all three receivers positions (and special teams). Secondly, the Jets have a lot of talent in their receivers room with Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Elijah Moore, Keelan Cole, Braxton Berrios and Jeff Smith, all of whom are more comfortable with the new playbook than Mims.

And you saw last Sunday all that Jets receiver talent on display with Davis, Crowder and Coles all contributing in a big way to the Jets’ win.

So coming off a game like that, where you saw how strong the Jets receiver room can be, and also that they can get deep whether Mims plays or not, why are people demanding that Mims speak to the media, before a game he probably won’t play much, since Moore is coming back from a concussion that sidelined him for the Tennessee game?

I found the request for Mims a little off-putting, and left after Williams press conference, and before Mims.

And this has nothing to do with Mims. He’s a victim here of a media obsessed with click-bait. He didn’t want to do it, but some have been hammering he PR department over getting him, and if he doesn’t do it, he could be fined by the league.

How is Mims a significant story before the Jets head to London for a big NFL international game with Atlanta?

When you request a player who is hardly playing, at a position that shined without him the previous game, your news judgement clearly has been dumbed down.

Here’s an idea for you? The Jets are without both starting safeties who they began the season with – LaMarcus Joyner (torn pec) and Marcus Maye (ankle). They are about to face one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks. How about talking to one of the safeties filling in like Sharrod Neasman or Ashtyn Davis. And by the way, Neasman is a former Falcon who practiced after Ryan for four seasons. Any interest? Nope.

I asked a veteran reporter last week why there was no interest in talking to the new starting safeties.

“Won’t get clicks,” said the writer.

Sad. I guess is what it’s all about these days, but it’s hard to believe fans would have no interest in learning more about their new starting safeties.

This whole obsession with Mims is unfortunate. He’s a late second pick, who is only 23-years-old, and fell behind after missing the spring with food poisoning. He’s still playing catch-up. He will eventually get where he needs to be.

Stop making such a big deal about this situation.

October 8, 2021

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