Net: Saleh's culture and lack of flexibility around system played a huge role in the debacle that deflated an otherwise incredible day. Saleh must recognize this and grow as a leader from it. Backdrop I feel incredible about Zach and the Jets future. They were in position to win with 8 offensive starters injured. All in all, the coaching staff, and MLF coached a great game. The 4th and 2 debacle. Specifically the playcall and decision. Most deflated I've felt in 10 years as a fan. Facts: The playcall was an end around with an option for Zach to sneak if the A gap was open. The playcall is meant for 4th and 1 (or less). That wasn't communicated. Zach saw the A gap open and followed the play call's parameters. Saleh's system is highly inflexible. As a result, he's creating an inflexible culture. Why? After Tennessee, he mentioned that no one has ever audibled on his D ... and still ... CJ Mosely - .... all-pro intelligent on field leader CJ Mosely would not and should not have audible permission in his defensive system Saleh has continually stated (in the press) that Zach has to run the playbook and do what he's told Saleh continually won't let players on the field who might have talent, but don't perfectly fit his system What I believe happened: I believe Zach did exactly what he said in the post game interview. He saw an open A gap and followed the play as it is designed. Because that's been beat into his head over the entire year. Saleh has driven that drumbeat publicly and has used the media to re-enforce the message that Zach must follow the play calls. What should the lesson be coming from this? Saleh and Lafleur need to give their players more leash to make decisions on the field. Saleh needs to look at himself and recognize that talent trumps system. In that moment, culture drove Zach to be robotic. Specifically, Saleh MUST begin delegating more control to his on field leaders. Many young leaders face this exact moment in their first job as a leader of leaders. Side note: This is the most deflated I've felt as a Jet fan since Pittsburgh in 2011. We were on a high. Our QB of the future was near perfect with 8 backups starting. He made everyone better. And then this crap. And then Bart, Leger, and Willie showing over the top disdain for Zach with a character attack. Just a horror show. Hope this one heals quick.
I think the context you're missing is that they have a rookie QB who early in the year was still playing like he did at BYU - trying to do too much. Saleh and the CS - and Zach - had to work at changing that mindset, hence the "beating into his head to follow the play as called". Over the past couple of weeks though Zach has shown an ability to play off schedule but still within himself and the game situation, which is why they sent in an option play. But this was the one time they shouldn't have given him any option because it just created confusion and more opportunity to make a mistake. I still hold Zach somewhat accountable - as he himself does - because he should've realized that trying to get 2 yards against the DL was impossible, regardless of whether he thought the A-gap was open. In reality you're blaming Saleh for exactly opposite the reason he is to blame.
Yes - to be deflated, it means you first must feel good and inflated. When was the last time you were up so high as a Jet fan, only to come crashing down to earth. PS - who's Clark?
Come on, Christmas Vacation? Greatest Christmas movie of all time? Best of the “Vacation” series? And the honest answer to your question is the day we hired Gase. Knew that was the end of Darnold and a waste of at least two years. I guess the big difference is I didn’t crash down to earth today and I’m not deflated. I walked away feeling better than I have in a long time.
Hope you're right, Broadway Zach. Zach played a near perfect game. He is clearly a franchise QB with a ceiling higher than anything we've seen, who clearly has the stuff between his ears to reach that ceiling. The last thing we need is any confidence stuff to screw with him. Saleh's public critiques of Zach earlier in the season were unnecessary, and I felt he should have very simply told the media today that this was on the CS. Instead he allowed a story to inflate.
Let's not get crazy over zach having a good game. Let's see him repeat it next week. We are so desperate after a good showing, we then end up stinking it up the next week. Let me see them play bills next week, same way.
Long post for no solutions. Nobody will remember all the good just how the Jets blew it when it counted. This was on the scale of the butt fumble.
Oh come on! Jesus Christ you have to be kidding me! What was the score of the butt fumble game? Enlighten me.
We tried giving Zach the power to freelance in the first half of the season. It was a nuclear tire fire. Even with the failed sneak, he's been far better operating in the confines of LaFleur's system, which is a really good one. Next season Zach should hopefully be ready to freelance to a certain extent. He isn't there now.
I’m ok with going for it on 4th and 2. In-fact, I hope we go for it every 4th down next game. Get as many REAL in game reps now, sharpens Zach up for nest year
It was bad yes, but it wasn't a buttfumble. Just a bad decision by Zach not to audible out. Again, future Zach doesn't try that sneak. Baby Zach doesn't know how or have the experience yet to recognize DOA playcalls.
What player isn’t Saleh letting on the field who might have talent? Is this another Mims defense? After thinking about it last night and this morning, that entire situation is on the coaching staff. If you call a timeout, you walk the team out there and run the play. The QB sneak at that distance, against those defensive tackles, shouldn’t even be a viable check that’s given to the quarterback as an option. Period.
