It's certainly a problem but I think all the unit really needs is a glue guy to at least be serviceable. There's plenty of speed/athleticism(Kerley,Holmes,Hill,Gates) to make plays down the field & on the seams.They have 2 young promising slot guys fighting for a job(White/Rogers).So we've got deep,seams,& slot routes covered. What's missing is a no nonsense intermediate route runner who can be dependable,catch the football & move the chains. I'm not sure that guy is out there via FA or trade but that seems to be the missing piece. That isn't to say such a transaction would catapult this unit to elite or anything like that. But it would settle everything down & allow guys to fall into some roles.
Should have made a play for Anquan Boldin, Kerley is a 3rd wr, Holmes is a head case, Hill is inconsistent and has the dropsies, maybe Braylon should have come back Kurt
Problem w/ Braylon is that he no longer runs the routes Jets need help at. They already have the outside the numbers/vertical guy in Hill. I'm not comparing them as players but they'd play the same role on this offense. Jets need somebody who can do all the dirty work. Cross patterns,Ins, & Outs 15 yards & In. Dependable in route running as well as catching the football. Braylon doesn't have the quickness or cutting ability to be that guy any longer. Perhaps Brandon Loyd is an option although even he is more of an outside the numbers/seam guy.Where's Jerricho Cotchery when we need him?
I'm thinking Holmes (if healthy) and Kerley can be a factor in the shifty patterns. We might even get a surprise from a Obomanu or Rogers helping in that role. What concerns me is whether Hill can get healthy and take a step forward. I'm assuming Sims-Walker competed for that role, but he's not the right guy. I'm not a huge Braylon fan, but i wouldn't mind him for insurance at Hill's spot, plus adding another big body red zone target.
You know what teams like the Steelers, Giants etc do? They develop young guys for a year or 2 or 3, while having dependable players playing important roles, then when they need to replace someone they have one of the young guys that they develop step in and they don't miss a beat. My point is that they don't need to throw Jordan White or Rogers out there before they're ready let them develop at their own pace. The Jets need to bring in guys that can step in and play right away while the young guys develop. Hill is still unproven as a receiver. The Jets should bring in Braylon ( ad nauseum) to fill in as the deep threat while Hill develops and learns and hopefully he becomes comfortable in his role as the season progresses.
Im actually a big Holmes supporter. Our offense collapsed as soon as he got hurt. I think if he comes back playing like he was early last season than he could be an even bigger difference maker than a new OC.
At the very least he commands safety help over the top & can get behind a defense. His overall game is still very inconsistent.But watch the tape from last year. Defenses respect his vertical ability. Hill is still very raw & has a ways to go. But no doubt you can find a meaningful role for him as a #3-4 as he develops. Even if he's only running posts & go routes, defenses still have to respect that speed. That opens up a lot of things for the rest of the offense.
Yea I remember thinking along those lines last year, then Sparano the genius had him running a bunch of fucking short routes.
As others have said, we need that dependable, gritty, go-to guy that can make those tough catches over the middle on third down. For years it was Chrebet, then Cotch picked up that role and since he left it's been really shakey. I thought Kerley might be that guy but he seems like he's more in the mold of a speedy slot receiver... Who knows, maybe Winslow could fill that role.
