This is probably a good time for the D to actually show up in the 1st quarter. It would be the first time this year.
I have a lot of concerns about Saleh recently. The slow starts and fundamentally bad defense is definitely part of it, but just as importantly to me after 40+ years of mostly bad and scared coaching, is the fact that the entire coaching staff plays not to lose. It's in their playcalling, it's in their decision making, it's in their time management - everything is designed to just hang in there and never to attack and kill.
On the surface, one would assume that Ulbrich sucks at gameplanning his opponents and can only deal with what he sees first.
These garbage starts are problematic and they need to come out with better plans or adapt quicker. However, they really seem to settle in by the end of the 1st half and play great in the 2nd half. That part is really encouraging
Very astute observation. To me, this is probably the most glaring problem with Defensive minded head coaches in general. Of course there have been exceptions but, in general, they are all "bend don't break" guys who are happy with scores like 6 - 3 etc... Their entire mentality is "play not to lose." As some have already pointed out, this MUST change. In Today's NFL, a LOT of these games are decided/over by half time. If we're not careful, Philadelphia will lay a whupping on us that makes what Dallas did child's play. They need to come out fast, never hit the brakes and by playing to win the game on every possession. Not sure how feasible that is but it's what should happen.
It’s the biggest flaw in Robert Salehs resume. The Jets have been tied or trailing in 33 of 39 first halves under this man. He NEVER has his team ready to go.
In two and a half years under Saleh, we’ve only once been 7 points ahead at HT and went on to win (the Bears game last year). And, even in that game, the D started slow and allowed a couple of big drives in the first quarter. We’ve never led by more than 7 at HT. Slow starts have ALWAYS been a problem. In his first season, the Mike White Bengals game (week 7) was the first time we even managed points in the first quarter. In the past two seasons, the Hall 62 yd TD run against the Broncos last year is the only first quarter TD we’ve managed when Zach has been QB. I’m not sure he’s really done anything as a coach to warrant being considered a major upgrade from Gase (although he does, at least, do a passable impression of a human when interviewed, which is obviously an improvement).
I could give him a break on offensive slow starts because Zach Wilson has been his primary QB. However this defense has MASSIVELY underachieved. There is talent on all 3 levels and they are still only a mediocre unit in large part because the system sucks.
He’s a defensive head coach who is also a terrible defensive coordinator. The Gus Bradley/Old Seattle defense has been exposed and doesn’t work anymore. Even Pete Carroll doesn’t do it anymore.
They’re arguably the best team in the league, period. Great Eagles team + Jets have never beaten the Eagles in the regular season + Zach Wilson =
Sirianni is fantastic at scripting plays. They score on almost every opening drive. Saleh is awful at this because he comes out and does the same thing defensively every game.
