The 2021 Jets and Beyond have a Bright Future

Discussion in 'New York Jets' started by The Dark Knight, Dec 23, 2020.

  1. cval

    cval Well-Known Member

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    Of course we do.
     
  2. dawinner127

    dawinner127 Well-Known Member

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    I expect competent football. I want to be able to watch the game that other teams play when I turn on the TV Thursday, Sunday, or Monday. Move the ball up and down the field, not watch paint dry.
     
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  3. Jonathan_Vilma

    Jonathan_Vilma Well-Known Member

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    Who would've thought 3-5 at the start of November was so much to ask for?
     
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  4. boozer32

    boozer32 Well-Known Member

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    So nothing has changed. When will the Jets have an elite offense? I hope Saleh gets that point. Gase never did, Bowles, Rex, Mancini, Groh, and Edwards.
     
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  5. hornblower

    hornblower Well-Known Member

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    The Jets have started a rebuild many times but management, media and fans have never given it a chance. Management seems on board this time, media always wants a big trade (Watson), (Favre) but will the fans buy in? Judging from the recent posts (Wilson, Wilson) it’s up in the air.
     
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  6. The Dark Knight

    The Dark Knight Well-Known Member

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    The good news for Saleh is the Jets were so pathetic in 2019 and 2020 that pretty much anything he does will be an upgrade and should satisfy most fans. We will have to wait until after the draft, schedule release, and Training Camp to see how the team looks overall and to give a proper prediction or expectation, but I just want to watch the team compete week in and week out. I think they will under Saleh.
     
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  7. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    I disagree. It was the dumbass GMs and HC hires that gave the rebuilds no chance. They drafted bad players and the good players they drafted, the CSs couldn't develop or put in a position to succeed.

    I think that most of the fanbase is excited about the hire of Saleh and LaFleur, and like the moves that JD has made in FA. Undoubtedly some will get excited, some will get disappointed with the draft, and some pessimists/cynics wouldn't like anyone the team hired or drafted or signed in FA.
     
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  8. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    Our fanbase is literally starving for anything to give them hope and joy. Of course some will get carried away, and others who are cynics/chronic pessimists still won't be happy. I think the majority of us will be happy to see the young kids play and develop, see the team be more competitive and exciting. I think the team can win anywhere from 6-9 games assuming we get at least one new OG starter from the draft or Clark, and depending upon who is playing QB. As long as JD drafts one of Wilson, Lance or Fields, I'll be excited, but willing to wait to see them play until next year. If he doesn't draft a QB and decides to roll with Sam, then it won't matter to me who he drafts or how great the DL is.
     
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  9. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    This is probably too optimistic, but possible:

     
  10. hornblower

    hornblower Well-Known Member

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    Bongino in FAN. Loved the deal for Brett.
     
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  11. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    Brett who? Favre? Mangini didn't want him. He knew that Favre wasn't going to stay and that he was only using the Jets to get to the Vikings and perhaps extend his streak of games played.
     
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  12. patleahy

    patleahy Well-Known Member

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    Yep. The whole "Brett Favre plays for the Jets for 1 season after retiring/unretiring from the Packers" will always rank as just bizarre.
     
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  13. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    https://jetsxfactor.com/2021/03/24/denzel-mims-2020-season-in-review-strengths-and-weaknesses-film/

    Denzel Mims’ 2020 season in review: Strengths and weaknesses (Film)
    By
    Vitor Paiva
    -
    03/24/2021

    New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims has all the tools to become a wide receiver No. 1. Today, his strengths and weaknesses are analyzed.
    Being a rookie in the National Football League is never easy. The game completely changes from college to the pros, not only inside the white lines but off the field as well.

    Aside from the glaring change of speed of the game and the obviously increased competition, NFL rookies must adapt to the whole new work ethic that’s presented in NFL locker rooms—new diets, accountability in the weight room and on the practice field, dealing with grumpy vets—while also getting caught up to a more complex playbook and practicing against the world best players.

    Sometimes, this is a lot to take on during a normal year. Yet, 2020 was anything but normal.

    Imagine being Denzel Mims. His life is about to change drastically but at least minicamps and OTAs can ease him into it. Confidence can slowly be built over the spring, eventually leading into training camp.

    Then, the pandemic happens.

    OTAs and rookie minicamps get canceled. And, finally, when things are good enough and you can hit the practice field, an injury pops up … twice.

    Mims’ rookie season was anything but normal.

    Despite the bumps, Mims played good ball in 2020. He went beyond just “showing flashes.” The Baylor product produced when he was featured, a great sign for New York Jets fans that have been longing for a great, homegrown wide receiver since the departure of … Jerricho Cotchery?.

    Besides showing great skills on the field, Mims was voted by the Jets’ equipment staff as the “rookie who acts like a pro in the locker room,” winning the Jets’ Hampton award—a great sign regarding his work ethic.

    Mims has been publicly backed by his teammates and former head coach Adam Gase, who always spoke highly of number No. 11 each time he was asked about him. Unfortunately, Gase did not translate his words into actions, seemingly forgetting about Mims during games while calling plays.

    Despite that, Denzel Mims found a way to produce.

    I separated some plays below that showcase his biggest strengths: the ability to locate the football, big catch radius, YAC skills and a good understanding of coverage when lined up inside.

    Mims’ strengths
    1. Adjusting to the football
    It’s no secret to anyone that Mims is great at high-pointing and locating the football. This was the reason he was drafted in the second round. The guy can win 50-50 balls.

    In the three plays below, Mims runs a go-route and beats the defender with physicality and great location of the football, adjusting his path towards the ball. It’s a plus that his biggest skillset has translated from college to pro.

    I will also point to what I believe should be Mims’ focus of improvement: varying his releases, stacking defensive backs and accelerating throughout the route.
     
  14. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    2. Catch radius
    Denzel Mims can’t be missed easily. He reminds me a lot of New York Giants’ newly-acquired receiver Kenny Golladay when the matter is catch radius, because Mims combines this with a fearless approach to balls thrown over the middle.

    In the two plays below, Mims turns shaky passes into completions. A dig-route between a few defenders and a pivot/jerk route that was thrown way too in front of him.

    3. YAC ability
    A guy as big as Mims is usually hard to bring down if you try to tackle him high, but the kid also showcases good balance and aggressiveness in every situation with the ball in his hands.

    These two plays against the New England Patriots are a great example of his ability to be an aggressive ball carrier, an underrated and rare skillset.

    4. Understanding coverages
    The two plays below are similar, yet not equal. Mims lines up inside the numbers and has to run a deep curl-route, finding the soft spot in the zone defense.

    I was impressed how Mims perfectly adjusted his route based on the coverage he was facing, giving the quarterback an easier throw. It’s no coincidence that the ball went Mims’ way on both plays.

    Mims’ weaknesses
    1. Varying releases, stacking DBs
    Denzel Mims wins with physicality, and that’s fine, but he needs to refine his game and vary his moves to beat NFL corners on a consistent basis. In the game the Jets played against the Los Angeles Chargers, Joe Flacco saw how Mims was outdueling cornerbacks with physicality, so Flacco fed the youngster.

    It did not matter that Mims only used speed releases (simply going outside the moment the ball is snapped), but it will in the long run. Mims must vary his moves in order to beat elite cornerback competition consistently in the NFL. He must learn how to attack inside and create separation early in the route, and not only when the ball gets to him.

    Mims also needs to stack the cornerback more. That means, the moment he beats the DB, he needs to get on top of the defender, making it harder on the defensive back to bounce back on the play.

    The four 9-routes he ran vs. the Chargers are a great example of Mims’ physicality doing the job alone for him—something that’ll only take him so far without more of a release arsenal.

    2. Running routes with a sense of urgency
    Route-running is a tricky art. Sometimes you need patience, other times you need urgency. Mims has yet to reach his potential here.

    The play below is a prime example of what happened multiple times during last season: Mims did not reach his full speed during the route, which sometimes made the play develop slower than it should.

    Overall, Denzel Mims is an exciting player for Jets fans. Gang Green has lacked a great, homegrown wide receiver forever, and Mims can be that guy. His apparent great work ethic will go a long way in refining his game, so he should be able to add the technique to his already dominant physical game.
     
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  15. ouchy

    ouchy Well-Known Member

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    What sticks with me about the 2008 season is Farve said he'd only sign with us if we let Chad go so he wouldn't have to face a controversy. We kicked Chad to the curb and the dolphins swoop in on him the same day. Then Chad goes 11-5, wins the division, and finished 2nd in the MVP vote for a hated rival.

    Its just so Jetsy.
     
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  16. patleahy

    patleahy Well-Known Member

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    lol u said it Ouchy!
     
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  17. NCJetsfan

    NCJetsfan Well-Known Member

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    https://thejetpress.com/2021/03/25/ny-jets-analyzing-wide-receiver-corps/

    NY Jets: Analyzing wide receiver corps one week into free agency
    by Mason Smoller1 minute ago

    In the modern-day, pass-happy NFL, an offense needs multiple wide receivers who can create separation and make plays once the ball is in their hands. This being something that the NY Jets have lacked for years, given their last 1,000-yard receiver came in 2015.

    New York’s poor production from their wideouts as of late has led to the annual plea from fans to add targets in free agency and the draft. And finally, general manager Joe Douglas made an attempt to address the issue.

    Over a week into free agency and the Jets have added two very talented wide receivers to the group. Gang Green signed former fifth-overall pick Corey Davis to a three-year deal while also netting former Jacksonville Jaguar Keelan Cole on a one-year deal.

    Both signings come as pleasant surprises, especially when compared to what happened last offseason.

    In 2020, the Jets let Robby Anderson slip away to the Carolina Panthers, as the team replaced him with Breshad Perriman. A move that ultimately did not work out, to say the least.

    Now, the Jets add two young weapons who can play inside or outside, and suddenly, the team has a solid core at receiver on relatively team-friendly deals.

    Cole is set to make $5.5 million before hitting the market again after 2021. Meanwhile, Davis is making $37.5 million through 2023, although he can be cut after 2022 to save $10.5 million.

    With Davis and Cole joining the Jets’ receiving corps, whoever is under center is going to have plenty of weapons to throw to.

    That being said, how do the team’s wideouts stack up after these additions? Let’s take a look.

    NY Jets starters: Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, and Jamison Crowder
    This free agency, one of the deepest position groups on the market was wide receiver. Players such as Kenny Golladay, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Will Fuller, and more were available to sign. Instead, the Jets pivoted for Corey Davis, and for good reason too.

    The 6-foot-3, 209-pound receiver is coming off of a career year in 2020, with 984 yards receiving and five touchdowns. At only 26-years-old, Davis has yet to enter his prime, and there is no reason to believe he will not while wearing Gotham Green.

    Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes to the organization from the San Francisco 49ers with head coach Robert Saleh. The younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Mike will be running an offense for the first time in his career.

    And chances are it will look eerily similar to the one 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs.

    Gang Green’s offense is going to be filled with outside zone runs, as well as play-action pass. A play style that Davis excelled this past season in with the Tennessee Titans. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Davis gained 544 of his receiving yards off play-action.

    Davis’ experience in a similar offense is going to open up plenty of opportunities for fellow starters Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder.

    Mims, the Jets second-round pick in 2020, showed promise during his rookie season with his contested-catch ability. And Crowder has proven in two seasons with the Jets that when healthy, he is among the top slot receivers in the league.

    Assuming all three can remain healthy in 2021, this starting trio has high upside for the Jets.

    NY Jets backups: Keelan Cole, Braxton Berrios
    One of New York’s biggest issues in recent years at receiver outside of overall talent has been the thin depth at the position. Last season, Crowder, Mims, and Perriman all missed multiple games, leading to Braxton Berrios and many others receive more playtime.

    While that may have not been ideal for the Jets last season, it now better positions them experience-wise in 2021.

    Berrios, a former New England Patriots sixth-round pick, enters a contract year in his third season with the Jets. Through two seasons, Berrios has 509 receiving yards and three touchdowns and provides the team with a solid option as a returner.

    At only 5-foot-9,190 pounds, Berrios is primarily used as Crowder’s backup in the slot. A role that he shined in during 2021 when Crowder was hurt. But now, the Jets have their best No. 4 receiver in years with Keelan Cole.

    Undrafted out of Kentucky Wesleyan in 2017, Cole has developed into a very underrated receiver. The former Jacksonville Jaguar started 23-of-64 games, totaling 2,242 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in four seasons with the team.

    At 6-foot-1,194 pounds, Cole is capable of lining up both in the slot and along the boundary, offering some versatility.

    Cole, like Berrios, is also able to handle return man duties. In 2020, Cole returned nine punts for an average of 15.6 yards, including one for a touchdown. He also has a 27.0-yard average on eight career kick returns.

    No, Cole and Berrios will not make up all of the depth at receiver for the Jets, especially when considering the draft has yet to happen. Rather they bring fantastic experience and versatility to the Jets’ second unit at receiver.

    NY Jets on the bubble: Jeff Smith, Vyncint Smith, Lawrence Cager, Jaleel Scott, Josh Malone, D.J. Montgomery, Manasseh Bailey
    As previously mentioned, the Jets are not done at adding to the wide receiver room.

    Douglas still has a lot of cap space to work with, in addition to tons of draft capital this April. So, chances are, there will be more weapons to choose from when it comes time for 53-man roster cuts.

    Until then, outside of the top five, there are numerous other receivers who will be fighting for a spot on the Jets roster. The first two that jump out are Jeff Smith and Vyncint Smith.

    Jeff Smith, a quarterback-turned-receiver during his time at Boston College, stepped up last season with all the injuries at the position. In 12 games (four starts), Smith posted 167 receiving yards on 32 percent of offensive snaps.

    As for Vyncint Smith, injuries held him back this past season, though he showed promise in his 225-yard receiving 2019 campaign.

    Behind them is where the true battle in training camp begins because of limited game experience. Lawrence Cager and Jaleel Scott are long-striders who bring size in their 6-foot-5 frames.

    Josh Malone is a former fourth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017 who only recently turned 25-years-old. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he brings promising size and can hold his own as a kick returner.

    As for D.J. Montgomery and Manasseh Bailey, both have yet to play in a regular-season game. They each stand at 6-foot-1 and will look to impress in training camp with their special teams play.

    Ultimately, no one knows what the Jets’ wide receiver unit will look like come Week 1. However, one thing for sure is that the group is drastically improved already just over one week into free agency.
     
  18. boozer32

    boozer32 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe big Johnson brother had some enlightenment by being in England for the last 4 years. Comes back with a new sense of leadership
     
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  19. hornblower

    hornblower Well-Known Member

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    And a vaccine.
     
  20. CotcheryFan

    CotcheryFan 2018 ROTY Poster Award Winner

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    He doesn't run J&J.
     
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