The question is "How much is enough progress in 2022 to keep going with this plan?" Looks like the Jets will finish 2021 (4-13) at best. Free agents, Draft picks, getting injured players back, and young players continuing to grow like Zach Wilson, means the Jets will surely be a better team in 2022. What will be the expectation for 2022 though? Since they underachieved this year, does that make expectations less for 2022? Heading into 2021 my expectation was to learn this year, probably go (7-10) to (10-7) if things went well. Then jump into the playoffs in 2022. Things did not go well though. Now (7-10) or (8-9) would look like solid progress in 2022. Is that enough? Do they need to go (9-8) or (10-7)? It's truly hard to know, and that frustrates me.
I'm thinking JD/Saleh have 2022 to bring this team to some level of respectability...I think respectability means at least two of the following three things: 5 + wins; proof Wilson (the QB they chose) is the franchise QB; 90% (give or take) competitive games so no more disasters/blow outs...Here are our two main problem as we close out 2021 and lead into 2022: 1) Biggest Problem #1 - Wilson: If the trend continues, and there's nothing more than blind faith to suggest it won't, we'll be closing out the year with no idea what Wilson is or will become...He's been pretty awful to include things that at least other awful QB's seemed able to do (i.e. complete open, short passes). I'm a forever Jets optimist, but I literally can't think of one thing we've seen from Wilson that suggests he'll be the Jets' answer at QB. Doesn't mean he won't be, could just be rookie jitters, rookie learning curve and a whole bunch of things that some rookies go through and overcome as all that would add up - SHOULD he become successful...But there's nothing of substance, nothing tangible that points to success other than just hope/faith that he will. In fact, stats show that QB's this inaccurate don't last that long in the league...I counter this by saying his problems are mental as he can't possibly be this inaccurate, his history doesn't suggest that, but then again lots of things fall apart for college QBs at the NFL level...Again, it's a huge unknown in a season that was almost completely reliant on Wilson's development and showing the Jets got it right with him. 2) Biggest Problem #2 - Football Leadership: Do we have a talent problem (completely JD's fault) or do we have a coaching problem (both Saleh's fault and JD's fault, after all JD is now Saleh's direct supervisor) or are both big problems. Worse, is either or both related to #1 above...As we head into 2022 we don't know if Saleh will be the leader the Jets need on the field as he's sure looked more lost/too nice on more occasions than I would have liked to have seen. The seat of the person I have the most faith in, JD, is starting to get hot. There's a lot of reasons for all of this but at the end of the day, his record is what it is, the talent is what it is...Very good draft in 2021, terrible draft in 2020, followed by great trades and poor FA signings (or decisions not to sign/pursue some). Ultimately, the most crushing thing that could happen in 2022, aside from a Wilson disaster, is a poor enough season that Saleh/JD get ousted. My reasoning for that is, that we then could possibly have wasted three years of great/high draft pics for a team that can't afford to be in the position to waste them. New regime then walks into a failed QB, empty draft coffers and likely not a huge talent improvement from when JD took over. Ok, sorry for the doom and gloom but it's what I'm most worried about heading into next year as we've already seen this debacle play out from Bowels to Gase to JD/Saleh...how are the Jets the only team to not be able to get this stuff right but still hoping they did get it right...some proof of any of it would be helpful and unfortunately I'm just not seeing it yet outside of blind hope/faith
Going from 4-13 to 7-10 would be improvement, but I believe some important questions would need to be answered. Did Zach take a significant jump in year 2? Did the offense, especially Moore and Carter take a step forward? When the team loses, is it because it is being outclassed, outcoached, or a combination of both? Are adjustments being made when necessary? Does the team look like it's headed in the right direction? A 7-10 season would be tolerable if the answers to the above and other questions I didn't list are a resounding yes.
LOL I will say this If the Jets somehow ever moved to London, the Jags would move here in a heartbeat
3) Biggest Problem #3 - Identity: We have none. The longest tenured drafted NYJ is/was Marcus Maye from 2017 and then Foley Fatukasi from 2018. There are no "long-term JETS" on this team like there are on every other team. The younger players don't have mentors like they do on the Patriots, the Steelers, the Ravens, the Chiefs, Saints, etc and etc --- you name it. We're like a transient stop on the NJ Turnpike --- don't hang around too long.
I agree, but at the same time there's no reason to hang onto players just for longevity's sake. Who was the last at least borderline great player on the Jets? Some might say Adams, but he was a me-first player and to me that makes him not great, and his time out in Seattle hasn't disproved this. This speaks to the absolutely horrendous job the GMs have done going on 15 years now.
Nice post. LOL! "arthritic" grandmother could run for 100" against the jets. Thx for the humor. Sad part is you're exactly right. The jets back seven save Mosely need a refresher in tackling 101.
At the end of the day its having a better won/loss record. After all sports teams are in the "winning business". For the Jets it would be a nice improvement to at least get 7 wins. Also to see Zach show solid improvement from year 1 to year 2. Also to see the rest of the 2020 draft class to continue to improve. It would be nice if JD can have a strong offseason in 2021 with the draft and FA and that we can get some impact players from this draft and FA to make solid contributions in 2022. They need to be competitive on the field and even in losses they need to show their fanbase that things are heading in the right direction. Fans can tell when things are getting better just by watching the games and seeing the progress being made. The Jets need to get to this point. Everyone is tired of being one of the worst teams in football and having the season be over by mid October as far as meaningful games go.
Agree with you, but I don't see Carter as the total answer at RB. He is a fine complementary player and a hell of a 4th round pick. But to me, the jets should use a 2nd-4th round 2022 pick on a power back, who could split time with Carter. I know, we have of other need too, but I would invest a decent pick at RB in 2022 or sign one in free agency (no, I don't think Coleman is the guy).
In that scenario more likely the Jags move to London also with a built-in rivalry sitting there for them. The Bucs also have ties in the UK, the owners also own Manchester United. My guess is that if the NFL goes to the UK they go with 2 teams early with a plan to have 4 eventually for a UK division.
I agree, continue to upgrade the skill positions is key. But they really need to get the OL squared away. An above average OL can make most backs look like franchise players - that's the formula the Broncos have followed for years. One way or the other - FA, draft, trade - JD HAS to get this OL into the top 15 at least next year.
Yes, I know I've said this 100 times, but one more time wouldn't hurt. I really believe most of the people on this message board could have drafted better than Idzik and MacCagnan. Good grief, how could you do worse? I cannot understand how those guys with months to prepare for the draft end up wasting picks on Calvin Pryor, Dexter McDougle, Hackenberg, Darron Lee, WRs Stewart and Hansen, Trading THREE second round picks to move up just 3 spots in round 1, etc. To me the jets roster now is so bad largely because of the drafts of 2014-2019 (and throw in Douglas' 2020). Look at yesterday --A total lack of talent in jets back seven on defense and they got run over by journeymen Duke Johnson--Miami was, what, 29th in the league in rushing (until yesterday).
Agree- should the jets take OT Evan Neal if he is there at number 4 (if that's where we pick)? If I were Douglas, I'd be tempted. The only things that might stop him is the fact he has taken OL in the first round twice already, and the jets defense is beyond awful.
Unfortunately, 2020 is looking like a thin draft. Still, it's better than what Idzik and Maccagnan did, and it was Douglas's first draft and he was trying to finf players to fit Gase's "system" which was a big mistake. But I agree that it's mindboggling that supposed professionals, being paid a lot of money, and who have worked in football for years, be so bad at finding talent. With no exaggeration, there are a number of guys on this forum alone who could've done a better job. I truly hope that Douglas builds on last year and shows that he's the real deal.
Like you, I'd be tempted, especially if they can trade Becton for a decent haul. But like Vilma pointed out, getting a true #1 receiver might be the biggest thing they could do. I haven't even looked at the potential list of draftees yet so I can't say what they should do at this point other than is general terms, but building a great OL and finding a great Edge should be a priority.
I was/am not a fan of the Zach Wilson pick, but I actually thought he did a good job of extending plays yesterday given the state of the LT and his WRs and TEs. The Dolphins were running past/through LT Connor McDermott the way most of us move through the air. Good grief--There has GOT to be someone on the waiver wire better than McDermott.
My opinion only--I appreciate Vilma's insight and yours, but I would go Edge, OL, LBs ( who can tackle) and secondary before WR in the 2022 draft/free agency . We already got a fortune tied up in WR Davis (who actually looked decent the early part of the year) and WR Moore on the other end. But, yes, we do need some depth there too with Mims and Cole not doing much. Since we are discussing 2022, I also think the two strong safeties the jets took in the middle of the 2021 draft should be given a look at safety next year on the jets--they showed this year they are both too small for LB. Maybe the jets have already tried this--I don't know.
As I said to Vilma, I can't argue with your list either - at this point IDK enough about who's available in FA and the draft - so if they found a great Edge, another stud OL, and at least one stud LB, along with improving the skill positions - TE, WR, RB - that would be an outstanding draft. But getting a true #1 receiver that catches everything thrown in his direction (even if they're a little off target sometimes) that moves the chains and keeps the defense off the field covers up a lot of other holes. Whatever you might think of Wilson, if you watched his tape at BYU where he had talented skill players to work with, he was great. He's made some plays this year that show he's capable of reaching that level if they give him the support. A stud receiver, improved OL, and I think the offense becomes decent.
They don't need a spending spree, but Joe Douglas does need to make moves that show the Jets want to WIN now. The time for Top 5 picks is over and the Jets want to actually compete. I assume that has been Douglas' plan, but I will believe it when I see it.
