I've purposely haven't posted anything on the blog for a while until I could fully flush out my thoughts on the recent happenings within the New York Jets–So here we go...
The GM selection process was like watching draft night. A lot of speculation, names you weren't thrilled with, then head scratching, ultimately leading to booing from an already frustrated fanbase. John Idzik (even with his impressive credentials) isn't what this team needed. His handling of Darelle Revis has already made me wary of what the offseason has in store. Reports have come out that Jets are looking at former #1 pick JaMarcus Russell. Seriously!? The Jets are grasping at straws. This throw something at wall and see what sticks approach has not worked out (the greatest example being Tim Tebow).
I'm probably one of the few people who actually is glad the Rex Ryan is still the Jets coach. His antics aside, he has 34-30 record(which doesn't warrant firing in my mind). 2013 will be the defining year for him. With a huge turnover in coaching staff, anemic offense, and lackluster defense he's got his work cut out for him. One of the bright spots of this overhaul is new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg . He's probably the best to evaluate whether or not Mark Sachez has a future with the Jets. If anything they try work to his strengths and minimize his mistakes on the field. Mornhinweg's record as an offense guru is jaw dropping. 8 top 10 scoring offenses as coach or coordinator. 9 top 10 passing offenses. 6 top 10 rushing offenses. Whether or not he'll have similar success with the Jets, will have to wait until July.
Most of the Jets offseason work will be on the defensive side of the ball. Cap casualties and free agency will drastically change how the defense looks. Jets have a young core of players in Coples, Davis, and Wilkerson. Coples and Wilkerson combined for 10.5 sacks, which amazing considering how bad the Jets pass rush has been over the last 3 seasons. Davis had a quiet rookie year, but many believe he'll grow into more of a bigger contributor going into next season. With a deep deep defensive draft the Rex have has no excuses not to build a better defense.
As it stands right now, the New York Jets aren't committed to winning anything as much as they much as they are committed to sports entertainment. The Jets might as well be the WWE, 'The Real Housewives of ___________', or the Kardashian sisters because they seem more concerned with the spectacle and image, than actual football. That is a direct reflection of the owner Woody Johnson. Not to say that he doesn't want to win, but he doesn't seem to want to fully invest in making the Jets successful. That takes a certain level of commitment that the only a handful of owners are willing to do. Sure they might get lucky and win a Superbowl, but to be in the hunt consistently requires a plan and and framework of a good front office and ownership willing go that extra mile. and right now the Jets don't have that.
ESPN recently posted their 5 on 5 column that primarily focused on the aftermath of Spurs "Restgate" scandal(or whatever you want to call it) with David Stern. One the topics they brought up was the length of the NBA season.