Just End The Season... J- E- T- S-.... how many times have I heard that in my 20+ years as a Jets fan? Too many is the answer. Am I concerned about Mark Sanchez? Another 5+ turnover game is sickening to watch. Rookie QB's all struggle and #6 is no exception to the rule. What I am concerned about is the rabid, wild dogs, better know as the NY media, who are barking and howling regarding this struggling young player.
I feel very confident that Sanchez's confidence is holding on by a string. Trying to lead this team down the stretch... with no chance of making the post season, is going to rattle and possibly destroy his long term future as an NFL QB. I was very vocal about the dangers of starting him from day one, and my disdain for all of the 'swagerlishous' trash talking that started the day Rex Ryan came to town. Rex has dug his own grave and he would probably find the thought of a nice, cozy, 6ft deep hole to hide in pretty inviting right about now.
So, here are two key facts as we find ourselves 4-6 and out of playoff contention.
Mark is going to be our QB for at least the next two seasons. He will progress eventually, provided he doesn't catch 'Ryan Leaf-itis' and loses his mojo for good.
Rex will be our coach until at least the end of next season. I think there is little chance he will get fired this year, but if his QB doesn't catch on and his team keeps losing games they should win... 2010 could be his last season.
Rex and Mark aren't going anywhere... so what changes should we make to improve in 2010?
This team does have talent. Mike Tannenbaum inherited a pretty bad team in 2006 and the team has better overall players today. That being said, he has made some huge, unacceptable blunders. If I am Woody Johnson, I would fire Mr. T this week. Send a definitive message to your team and the league that this organization is committed to holding everyone involved accountable for their performance.
Woody would have 5-7 weeks to put together an aggressive champaign to find our new GM. There are a lot of reasons why this job would be one of the most desirable jobs in all of football. The HUGE salary certainly doesn't hurt as bait, but there is a lot more to this position than money. Any one that knows football would have to see that this is a bad team with some pretty good players. Not many NFL teams with a 'help wanted' sign on the GM's office door can say that. I see 4 men who are the best overall minds in football today.
#1 is Ozzie Newsome of the Baltimore Ravens. He is obviously not available and he also passed on Rex in the past, so I doubt he would be interested anyway.
#2 is Bill Polian of the Colts. He has been doing it for a long time and knows what it takes to build an winning NFL team. Also, no chance he's going anywhere.
#3 is Bill Parcells of the Miami Dolphins. We could have had him when he was a free agent after he left the Cowboys. I can guarantee you that Favre debacle would have never happened on his watch, and I can also say, with confidence, that we would have a veteran QB (like Jeff Garcia) starting for us and Sanchez would be learning and watching in 2009. He's never 'un-available', but I don't see him coming here.
#4 is A.J. Smith of the Chargers. This guy knows how to build a team through the draft. He is not about taking short cuts or trying to make flashy moves in order to get his picture in the paper. I believe with all my heart that he could tweek our coaching staff and roster and eliminate whatever, or whomever is holding this team back from taking the next step.
Is he available? Well, no he is not. However, he has had an amazing 10 year run on the west coast, and frankly his Chargers are getting old. If they can't make it happen this year, there will be a lot of rebuilding to do. The team is also seriously considering moving to Los Angeles. With all of these big changes facing him, he may be seriously thinking about making a move. If I could score one of the best football minds and team architects in all of football... I would make it happen, no matter what it takes.
As for the game... I'll make it quick. 15 receptions... 192 yards. That pretty much says it all. Welker was covered all day by linebackers. Thats a receipt for disaster and is completely unacceptable. Why does Thomas Jones touch the ball only 21 times? Why does Brady have 5+ seconds to throw the ball on every snap? I have a lot of questions, but it's up to our coaches to figure out the answers. It's funny to me how all of sudden everyone and their mother has noticed that Kerry Rhodes has lost his fire and is useless on the Sundays. I have been saying it since week one so I'll stop beating a dead horse.
A few players did stand out in a good way this week. David Harris was a beast, like usual. He was beat a few times by Welker, but no middle LB in the history of the NFL could cover Welker consistently. Sean Ellis also played one hell of game. Revis did his job, and thats no small task. He held Moss to approximately 50 yards in TWO games this season. Wow. And of coarse, Mr. Cotchery delivered... but thats a given.
A team with an elite CB and ILB... some dangerous, young offensive weapons, a dominate offensive line, and a QB that has a lot of upside shouldn't be a hard sell to our next GM. As Jets fans we have one bright spot in our future... opening day, 2010.
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