How do we know that JD was the one who decided we had to take a QB on the #2 overall? This draft had one QB in it worth a high pick and he was going on the #1 pick. If JD decided that one of the other guys was worth the #2 he took a hell of a risk in the process, given none of them was worth the pick on face value. If on the other hand he was told to take a QB on the #2, well that makes more sense given what we know about how the Jets are run. Nothing like a shiny new rookie QB to deflect criticism of past failures. Until you put him on the field that is. 3 1st round rookie failures in a row on the field game 1. That’s a SOJ pattern and JD wasn’t here for the first 2.
Good thread. Drafting is definitely a huge issue but far from the only issue. A team might get lucky and draft the equivalent of Lebron James and still end up like the Cavs did early on. And i would argue it's even togher in football because it's so difficult for a single player or two to impact a football game the way a superstar can impact a basketball game. To be good in any sport, you usually see some consistency in team identity and often a lot of high quality continuity throughout the organization. When you think of the Steelers or Ravens you probably think stout defense, very effective running game. Year after year they're drafting into and for that identity and continuing to perfect it, trying to stay a step ahead of the competition. Everyone in the system from coach down to scouting and trainers are aligned. The little things matter probably more than being given credit for. For example way back when Pat (the Rat) Riley joined the Knicks he did a complete makeover getting down to where the team practices on game day, who was in charge of health and conditioning, whether there were per player nutrition advice etc. In our case every few years we're doing a complete makeover. Then we look for the new draft picks and new coaches to be instant successes -- which history has shown to be very rare for us and everyone else in sports. I can't say whether JD and ZW will ultimately deliver, but i feel pretty confident saying this constant whipsawing is a recipe for failure. I personally love Joe's plan; now it just needs to be executed.
You're being too kind to the team. Wasn't it last year that they gave up 1st downs on several 3rd and 20+ yard plays? They may have duplicated the feat this year too.
Oh come on, there’s more to this team than that. They can also allow a 20 yard screen or get called for roughing the passer.
Well, I was looking for our trademark finishing move, but roughing the passer could make a great case.
One thing to note is that injuries haven't been kind to us either this year. We're currently without 3 of our top DE's (Lawson, Huff, Curry), our top 2 S's (Maye & Joyner), and a couple of starters/depth pieces in Sherwood and Echols. Our defense would've been lucky to be solid with all of those guys but when you lose multiple starters/impact payers, that makes it even tougher. On offense we're without our starting QB, LT, and TE. Obviously not as many as on the defensive side but it's hard for any team to be without their starting QB and prosper, let alone a team that is in full rebuild mode. I get it though, in the NFL it's next man up, and 3 of the last 4 weeks have been utter trainwrecks. I'm hoping this team can rebound over the next 5-6 weeks and rattle off some wins. This fanbase needs a little hope right now.
I won’t fight it, but I will say that this is how the NFL goes. Cleveland for example has been without their starting center, both tackles, both running backs in and out of the lineup, #2 receiver in/out, Baker with a torn not throwing shoulder labrum, etc. That’s why this front office needs to start hitting on picks as it appears they have in the 2021 draft.
Exactly, I'm not saying all of the recent struggles can be blamed away on injuries but it's definitely a factor. Add that to the incompetence in the draft for the past decade, and you get to where we are now.
