1. Team harmony? There are two ways to improve locker room chemistry: Get rid of the bad apples and create a positive, team-first environment. The Jets are attacking the issue from both angles. In addition to shaking up the roster, coach Todd Bowles is trying to change the culture by exposing the players to outside voices. Guest speakers have addressed the team this offseason, including an Army unit that conducted team-building exercises with the players. Bowles declined a request to talk about it, and players were hesitant to give away specifics on who and what, but it sounds like the new approach has been well received. "A lot of times, when somebody from the outside comes in, you're kind of like, 'Man, I don't know,' but everybody he brought in had a good message," cornerback Buster Skrine said. "I think everybody who took part in those workouts and certain meetings really appreciated it, and we learned a lot -- how to be a team, how to lead." Safety Rontez Miles said, "You see the change from last year. People are really serious about this. We're holding each other accountable, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes." Kudos to the coach for taking steps to eradicate the bad karma that enveloped last season's team. http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-j...ilding-team-chemistry-with-help-from-military Love this.
In year #1 we played hard under Bowles and knocked at the postseason door. In year #2 we had a QB in Fitz who dropped the ball and the team followed suit. I'm now just ready to see how coach Bowles responds throughout year #3. Addressing leadership issues is a big step into the right dirrection. Overall team wins and loses aren't important to me with a team as young as this one. But what is important is leadership qualities. And how hard these kids compete on the field. That's what I'll be looking for. I personally feel & believe that David Harris, Mo Wilk, Eric Decker & Matt Forte should be the Captain's of this team. Pro's both on and off the field. They should all be on the field during the coin toss before ball games.
I really hate being the "been there, done that guy", but we been there, done that before. Hopefully optimistic, but...
I was thinking the same thing, just didn't want to be the one to say it. I truly hope that it will achieve the intended result, bear fruit, and that Bowles is going to really surprise us this season, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
Kind of ironic we have this thread going at the same time as the Williams-Lee thread. Let's see how Bowles responds to that one.
I'm sorry but there are certain things a head coach can and can not do. Bowles is responsible for his players on the practice field and inside of the locker room as well as on Sundays. Anything beyond that, is on the players themselves. Or on their mommy and daddy or up bringing for that matter. This is not college. Where a head coach can (simply) give a kid a curphew and hide him inside of a dorm. These are NFL players being paid millions of dollars, and should be treated as such. Can Bowles as a head coach sit Lee down as a man and have a life conversation with him? Sure. Why not. But let's not act like NFL head coaches are here to become "baby sitters". No head coach should feel responsible for what players such as Ray Lewis and Aaron Hernandez do off the field and in this case, Darron Lee. It's honestly on the players themselves.
If a tone is set, discipline up and down the roster, we're playing hard and smart then you take the 4-12 and work from there. Add some more talent then go for say 8 wins if we have improved QB play. Dont look at this as year 3, I see this as year 1.
Good post although I see this as more of a whole ala year number 3 under both Maccagnan and Bowles but yet year one under the youth movement/culture change.
I agree you can't fault Bowles for his players' personal lives, but considering two Jets players were involved in this incident, it could easily translate to the locker room. Also, players and coaches are still human beings, and hopefully Bowles can impress upon Lee the value of doing the right thing.
Well the team's resiliency will be tested this year. Hopefully it pays dividends when we are knee deep into a shitty season record wise. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Bowles had to put into place some sort of action plan for the locker room woes from last year. So this doesn't come as any shock.Just have to hope Bowles learned his lesson & so did the players.
While I like Toilet's attempt to bring in outsiders with a message the fact that he has to do so tells you the players don't respect or listen to his message. Leadership isn't created from inspirational speakers, if it was they'd be playing TED talks 24/7 at the Jets facility. Holding each other accountable only works if its backed up by the coaching staff handing out playing time based on merit. We all know toilet doesn't do this which is one of many reasons why the locker room and team is in dysfunction. Trading / releasing etc. players in the off-season doesn't mean anything during the season when the coaching staff doesn't discipline or bench players not putting in effort. Rex was famous for winning the off-season. How has he done once the season started? Toilet has yet to show he's capable of being a coach that holds his players responsible. Until he does these arranged pep talks won't work.
That won't fly anything less than 8 and 8 and Bowles and his late to the game leadership skills are gone. That will be his last dick move by winning that many games in a tank season. We will miss out on all the 2018 good QB's. I could care less about leadership if you are brain dead and incapable of coaching up your team. Last year the Jets failed at all phases of football.
Nicely said. To me Leonard Williams has demonstrated leadership on and off the field. He is a young up and coming superstar and a future all around leader.
