I don't know what's going to happen, but in my opinion the Jets should focus heavily on the running game. They have quite a few guys who can be very effective on the ground in a number of different ways, between Michael Vick, Percy Harvin, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Jeremy Kerley, and even Chris Johnson. I'm not saying the wildcat necessarily, but with all of these guys they should put together an option style running game with a low emphasis on the passing attack. I strongly feel that this is the Jets' best chance to win games, because if they can keep from fumbling, it dramatically lowers the risk of interceptions and thus turnovers as a whole. The Jets were very successful on the ground last week vs Buffalo, and we would have had more yards on the ground if we didn't have a few holding calls bring plays back. Other than Vick, Harvin and Kerley can both incorporate a few pass option plays off of sweeps to mix it up. Add in some play action and bubble screens, and I think this is the Jets best way to go forward. The Jets have the personnel to run basically any time of rushing play successfully, since they have a highly mobile QB, a dynamic power runner, a dynamic speed player with gadget abilities, a jack of all trades in Powell, and Kerley and Johnson to be mixed in there as well. If they are successful with this, which I think they can be, Decker and Amaro should start to get very open. Generating some confusion may spring Harvin free for a wide open deep pass as well. I know this is not at all Mornhinweg's ideal type of offense, but at this point I truly believe that this is by far the best way to utilize the players we have. If Mornhinweg can successfully transition to this type of attack for the remainder of the season, it will prove to potential employers that he has the creativity and ingenuity to make due with what he's got. Just my opinion.
I would still try to pass quite a bit. Winning games this season isn't really important to me, as the season is over, we figure to have a new QB, different looking secondary, possibly lots of other new players, and maybe even a new coaching staff. What is important however, is to find out what we have with certain players, and to continue developing young players. By passing the ball, we can get a better idea about Aboushi (and maybe Dozier, if they ever put him in for Colon), as well as Harvin. We need to know what these guys can do for us, so we can make better decisions in the offseason. Also, we need to continue developing Amaro. If anything, it might be in best interest of the Jets not to run Ivory too much this year, both to preserve him from wear and tear needlessly, and also to keep his new contract down a little, once he is up for it.
1. Are we really looking to 'salvage' the season? What can be had by doing that? 2. Once you have realized that it serves almost no purpose, you'd easily realize that the remainder of the season is better spent giving experience to the youngsters. That means Jets should start putting in youngsters [read: Dozier] in OL lineup, WRs, CBs, LBs, everywhere. Every snap counts. Also that means, any starter is injured, they would be better off sidelined than forced into the lineup. That's an unnecessary risk that pays no dividend. [This means Decker and Ivory should see limited action, if at all.]
If you want to see what these players have, you aren't going to see it when they are not putting in the effort because they know they aren't going to win games by trying the same things. If you really want to see what they have, you need to see them play inspired, and changing it up offensively is how I think that would best be accomplished. You think the offensive line is going to block as hard if Vick is out there overthrowing receivers or throwing picks? You think the defensive line is going to play as hard watching the offense struggle trying the same thing over and over and failing? It's not about salvaging the season, or making the playoffs, it's about going out there and not being a joke. Everyone involved wants to win, including the players. You think that it would sit well in the locker room if the vets basically just got benched for guys who may not be at all ready? You think it would sit well with Ivory or Decker if they saw a major reduction in playing time? They would be very upset, they have pride and want to play and want to win. It makes a difference because we have the potential to be much more effective at one of those options, plus it limits potential turnovers. If you don't want to watch a bunch of pathetic games where the players are packing it in, you've got to make some kind of change. I'm sure Mornhinweg has a desire to continue coaching, and showing he can adapt to what he has is basically the only way that's going to happen at this point.
Ok. So you are saying one thing here. ... and saying quite another. So, you are saying, they WILL take plays off, but WILL get pissed if pulled. Am I right? [I basically mentioned Decker and Ivory since I knew Decker was tending his hammy and Ivory had small injuries here and there. You must have heard this maxim. You cannot win the Kentucky Derby on a FUCKING DONKEY. And Jets have the most lame donkey at QB. Go figure.
You're totally missing the point. Players don't want to be benched, they want to compete and win. Benching veteran players just for the sake of letting a few low round rookie draft picks play will cause problems in the locker room, without a doubt. What I'm saying is you are going to get negative responses from the team if you just do the same thing over and over even if it's proven to fail, or if you start benching quality players halfway through the season. Either one is an indication to the players that you as a coaching staff no longer care about winning. If you want to see what younger guys have, they need to be in a competitive environment. Benching good vets just to give them a shot will do the opposite of that. They are different scenarios that both result in negativity and a lack of effort. The worst thing you could do is not change up your scheme at all and start benching vets. Players will start requesting trades. Maybe you do a little of that here and there when there's a couple games left in the season, but not 8.
I don't know, wouldn't worry about that too much. Some players will play hard for new contracts (Vick, Wilkerson, Snacks, etc), others to establish themselves in the league (Aboushi, Dozier), others for pride. For all of Rex's flaws, he generally gets players motivated except after big wins and bye weeks, so I think we'll be ok in that regard.
