New York Jets: Matt Rhule, What Could Have Been

NEW YORK JETSMatt Rhule has a storied coaching career with experience galore. In 2013 that earned him the job as the head coach of Temple. Although there was familiarity with the team (he had coached there in various positions from 2006-2011) it was a new program from the one he left behind.

In the one year absence where he was an assistant offensive line coach for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Temple was going through a drastic change. They just lost another head coach and the culture was in disarray. Matt Rhule was named the head coach and in his first season, they had a 2-10 record and were 1-7 in AAC play. He was determined to show progress in year 2. He did just that, the team finished the season with the Temple Owls holding a grasp on 6th in the AAC and a 6-6 record with a 4-4 record in AAC play. His third year was his “prove it” year, he had shown progress but now it had to be sustainable. Well, they went above and beyond in the next two seasons. They had a combined record of 20-8 over the two-year span, a 14-2 record in AAC play over the span and two conference championship appearances and one conference title. Matt Rhule built a successful program so it was time to look for what was next.

In lieu of some misconduct at the university, I don’t want to get into, the football program was in a disastrous state. The team needed to be led out of the dark and in came Matt Rhule. Matt started his first season with Baylor with a team full of guys he hadn’t even gotten a lot of time to look at. No cream of the crop guys, just guys who loved the game. They struggled mightily early with a 1-11 record in his first season as the head coach. They showed toughness and resilience. This made him an attractive head coaching interview and the Colts gave him a shot but ultimately Waco would remain his home. That paid off last season with a 7-6 record and a Texas Bowl appearance, which they won. Matt Rhule then received Jets interviews and was practically handed the job but only with the agreement that the front office got to pick his staff. Rhule ultimately returned to Waco to continue coaching the Baylor Bears. Gase was hired and people seemed satisfied. Matt Rhule has led the Baylor Bears to a 9-1 record at this point. Although they lost a heartbreaker to the Sooners the other night, this team is set up for a potential New Year Six Bowl game still. That’s a drastic revitalization of a program with no clear direction at all.

That level of revitalization is exactly what the New York Jets could have used. No matter how Adam Gase continues to do with the Jets, I believe Matt Rhule is going to be an excellent head coach in the NFL at some point and I think deep down the Jets may think about what could’ve been.

The New York Jets have a Leadership Issue

The New York Jets are spiraling out of control, and it’s due to poor leadership. Adam Gase and Chris Johnson need to answer for their incompetence.

The latest news to come out of the Jets locker room is that Jets’ team captain Quincy Enunwa was fined for missing two appointments with the team doctor without notifying the team.

If that was the whole story it would be a quick and easy win for the Jets. They fined a player for breaking team protocol. Sadly, that isn’t the whole story though.

The whole story involves the Jets posting the fine on a monitor for the whole team to see. Airing Quincy Enunwa’s dirty laundry caused by personal manners to be put on display. Something that former players including former Jet Damien Woody found to be completely unprofessional.

So, Enunwa did what so many Jets players have done this year, take it to the media. He posted a long Twitter rant explaining the situation and how he felt slighted by the team. He has a right to be upset as well.

This also isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Former Jets’ backup QB Luke Falk and former Jets’ guard Kelechi Osemele have also lodged complaints about the way the team has dealt with their injuries.

Jamal Adams made his feelings on being mentioned in trade rumors known. Brian Winters screamed at his Sam Darnold and got into an argument with Adam Gase on the sidelines in a game earlier this season. Even Leonard Williams made comments about how much better the culture is with the Giants then the Jets.

These are all indictments against Adam Gase. A man who has failed to live up to his billing as a brilliant offensive mind this season. Under Gase, the team has not only fostered a toxic relationship with multiple players but has also not won any games.

That on its own should be more than enough for the Jets to say that Gase’s time here should be done. It’s a clear show of his poor leadership and ability to coach a football team.

Instead, the Jets CEO Chris Johnson decided to guarantee that his failed HC choice would be her another year. That’s unfathomable. It’s almost like the team is trying to destroy their reputation around the league.

This is an issue that needs to be dealt with as soon as humanly possible but can’t be. Why, because the Jets principal owner Woody Johnson is the American ambassador to England. Meaning that he is not around to reign this disaster in.

So, that means Adam Gase and Chris Johnson get free reign to continue to drag this team through the mud.

The only hope that Jets fans have now is new GM Joe Douglas. They have to hope that he will be able to wrestle power away from Gase or provide some stability to the franchise. That’s it, hope that one man can fix the damage of two still in power.

It’s a sad time to be a Jets fan. The team is imploding and all anyone can do is watch.

New York Jets Will Not Fire Adam Gase After the Season

New York Jets head coach, Adam Gase.

Despite an awful 2-7 start to the season, Adam Gase has been told by Jets’ CEO Chris Johnson that he will not be fired after the season.

According to multiple reports, Jets’ CEO Chris Johnson told reporters at practice today that Adam Gase will return for the 2020 season. This comes despite an awful start to the 2019 season that has seen many fans and members of the media call for Gase’s dismissal.

This decision is surprising, to say the least. Adam Gase was brought to New York for three reasons, make Sam Darnold better, make the offense better, and win football games now. Gase has failed at all three objectives.

The Jets’ offense is currently ranked 32nd in offensive DVOA, 30th in scoring offense, 32nd in yards per game, and 28th in turnovers. There is not a single good thing that can be said about the Jets offense.

The Jets have been so bad on offense that even Lev Bell has been held to under 100 all-purpose yards in all but two games this year. Bell came into the season averaging 129 all-purpose yards per game for his career. A mark he’s met just once this season.

Under Gase Sam Darnold has regressed this season. Darnold’s QBR and passer rating are both lower than last season. His yards per attempt is lower than last year. His INT% is also up this year. All under Adam Gase’s watch.

Lastly, Adam Gase is also on pace to finish this year under .500. If he does, he would be the first head coach hired by the Johnson family to finish his first year with the team with a record under .500.

Over his career, Adam Gase has more losses by double digits than total career wins. As a head coach his offenses have ranked 18th, 27th, 27th, and now 32nd in the NFL in offensive DVOA. There is nothing to suggest that Adam Gase is a good head coach.

In fact, most of the evidence points the complete opposite. It says that Adam Gase has been one of the worst head coaches in the NFL since he was hired by the Dolphins in 2016.

Yet, the Jets are guaranteeing his job safety half-way through one of the worst seasons in the team’s history. This is a shocking and baffling move by Chris Johnson that could have long-reaching consequences.

New York Giants news, 11/7 – Is Pat Shurmur done if Giants fall to lowly Jets? Evan Engram injury, more

New York Giants, Pat Shurmur, James Bettcher

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

There’s little data or promise that indicates any developmental success for the New York Giants at this state in the 2019 season. Sitting at 2-7 as one of the worst teams in the NFL, Big Blue is right where they started when Ben McAdoo was head coach, minus the carbon monoxide mixed into the atmosphere in the locker room.

The current head coach, Pat Shurmur, has struggled to rally his troops. Blame the lack of talent on both sides of the ball, his boneheaded mistakes, or lack of time management skills, the reality is, Shurmur isn’t getting the job done. The Giants will now face off against the New York Jets, an even worse team, next Sunday in week 10.

Ultimately, this game could result in much more than just a loss. It could be the determining game that costs one of the two coaches their jobs. Jets’ Adam Gase is already on the hot seat, and Shurmur’s lack of accountability and poor management style should be as well.

Shurmur was once a decorated offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, but those days are long gone. He has taken far too much responsibility in leading the team and calling offensive plays. The New York Giants’ offense has been dull, predictable, and unproductive over the past five weeks. At times they show glimpses of quality, but a majority of games are littered with mistakes and reduced utilization of the talent present on the field.

Losing to the Jets should be the end of Shurmur’s short reign, simply because numerous games have been decided at the hands of his disastrous play-calling and decision making.

What happened to Evan Engram?

Engram finished Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with a sore foot. The injury is being monitored but an MRI scan is being sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. Engram could be in trouble in the short term.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day:

Paul Schwartz – Pressure is on Pat Shurmur in ugly Giants-Jets clash

Alexander Wilson – The New York Giants could solidify the right tackle position with a monster draft pick

Ed Valentine – Pat Shurmur: Sterling Shepard issue “serious,” more takeaways

Pat Leonard – Giants veterans are growing tired of rookie mistakes amid losing streak

New York Jets: Jets vs Dolphins Predictions Week 9

New York Jets

Week 9 of the NFL season is going to feature the New York Jets vs the Miami Dolphins, a game so bad that it might be good. The Miami Dolphins have been so bad that it looks like they’re trying to lose on purpose. The Jets have been so bad that wearing the team jersey would’ve made you win best clown costume at a Halloween party last week. Tuning into this game is going to be the equivalent of watching two turtles run the Boston Marathon, slow painful torture for the eyes. However, if you’re rooting for the better draft position this is going to be a key game for the Jets. Whichever way you slice it this game is going to be a mess.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have looked decent by their standards with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB the last 3 weeks. If they can continue coming out hot, especially with a Jets defense that has trouble stopping teams in the first half, then they might be able to take an easy victory against a division rival. If the Dolphins want to win, they must find a way to stop Le’Veon Bell and get pressure on Sam Darnold. It would be a huge morale booster for the Dolphins to win this game because they’ll be playing for revenge against their ex-head coach Adam Gase who is on the Jets sideline now.

New York Jets

Adam Gase must win this game. That’s it, that’s all I have to say to him. If Adam Gase losses against his ex-team who also happen to be the worst team in the league, then the Jets should make him walk back to New Jersey and fire him when he finally reaches One Jets Drive. A loss against the Dolphins would be catastrophic in every sense for the Jets. An already disgruntled locker room will become as toxic as Chernobyl if they lose to the Dolphins.

Prediction

Unfortunately, I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that the New York Jets will win this game against the Miami Dolphins. This game could go either way I can see either team winning, it but I’ll give the Jets the advantage in this one. I think that the Jets will go down to the south beach and take care of business with a 21-7 win over the Dolphins. As a Jet fan, I’m hoping they lose against the Dolphins as it’ll be the best thing for the franchise moving forward in terms of getting rid of Gase, but as always, the Jets will let me down when it matters most.

New York Jets & Jamal Adams are in Tough Spot

New York Jets, Jamal Adams

The New York Jets bonafide leader and a vital piece of this team’s minimal success over the past two seasons. Jamal Adams is electric, energetic, charismatic and an all-pro safely. However for the first time in his time with New York his allegiance to the squad has been question and drama for the first time surrounds him.

Owners and Gase To Blame

It’s often stated that organizations that can’t keep classified information are weak and unprofessional. The New York Jets succumbed to that level on trade deadline day. If any event was the greatest depiction of where this organization is currently at the negotiations and the drama that has followed it just shows how poorly run this team is.

Christopher Johnson, the main management core, and even the coaching staff should take this as a sign that they need to get their act together. Joe Douglas the man who is just doing his job by answering calls, fielding offers and looking for the best possible deals and opportunities shouldn’t have to answer for his actions because information was leaked. You don’t see Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft having to answer questions about their negotiations. Coaching needs to do a better job of supporting the players and keeping their heads in the game. Christopher Johnson and the powers that be need to get this organization back on track because it looks like a joke. Douglas looked like a consummate professional that didn’t belong to be affiliated with the green and white.

Jamal Adams Shouldn’t Have Opened Up

Robby Anderson and Le’Veon Bell received word that they would be staying in New York despite trade rumors, they jumped on social media and expressed their pleasure for staying in the green and white. Jamal Adams took to social media to voice his disscontempt for the handling of the trade deadline situation. The Jets and Jamal handles it poorly. The Jets should’ve been honest and upfront, Jamal shouldn’t have exposed conversations to social media. The fact is, the situation is now drama filled and a distraction for an already messy squad. There is no doubt that if struggles continue Jamal could be gone in the offseason. Ultimately, I believe the Jets dug themselves into a hole. Jamal Adams is special but he plays a position that is a premium for a rebuilding squad. It may make sense to trade Adams. Jamal needs to be a pro and understand that. His frustration is understandable and I still love him as a Jets fan and for any fans to call him a clown is rude. In the end I hope all works out but right now drama is prominent.

New York Jets: Alex Lewis In, Kelechi Osemele Out

New York Jets

The New York Jets offensive line has been really really bad this season. They are currently one of the worst offensive line units in football. Mike Maccaganan and his draft pick, trades and signings being there normal amazing moves have failed miserably throughout the early part of the season. However, one of Joe Douglas’s best moves has truly proven to be excellent.

Alex Lewis Has Broken Out

When Lewis was acquired from the Jets I said I had semi-high hopes for him. He had always been a sort of rotational offensive linemen. He’s always been a damn good one though. Since coming from Baltimore, Lewis was on the bench for the start of the season. However, when Adam Gase instituted an open competition for all offensive line positions Alex Lewis and Chuma Edoga were able to get starting spots. Since then, Lewis has been the most reliable offensive lineman. Edoga has been good, Lewis has been great. For the minimal price the Jets got him for, this was a damn good movie. Especially in the wake of another turn of events.

Kelechi Osemele Situation Is Messy

Osemele went down with a shoulder injury and although he has missed time it wasn’t thought to be severe. However, after getting cleared by two doctors he personally felt surgery is a necessity. So, the Jets and Osemele were in a standoff. The Jets made the first move by fining him for skipping practice despite being cleared. Now another phenomenal Mike Maccaganan move is paying off for the Jets. This time they’re disagreeing with a guy who was replaced by Alex Lewis a cheaper replacement and will now get stuck with Osemele’s contract for the foreseeable future. It remains to be seen what will happen next but the Osemele situation is one to watch.

Jets Win Their First Game Of The Season

New York Jets

The New York Jets won a football game on Sunday. The Jets beat the Cowboys 24-22 Sunday and capped off a perfect return for Sam Darnold. Darnold battled mono and his return set the stage for an upset by the Jets.

Darnold Fires On All Cylinders

The only mistake Sam made in this game was an interception. Darnold finished the game with a line of 23/32 338 yds, 2 TDs and an INT with a QB rating of 113.8. Darnold had a gorgeous BOMB to Robby Anderson and was able to hit him a few other times throughout the game. Darnold was able to spread the wealth and hit multiple receivers having over 200 combined yards between Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson. Darnold looked like the player who finished last season and like a confident and calm QB playing damn good football. That is the kind of guy the Jets need on that field next Monday night against the Pats. If that guy is out in that field than mono will be in the past and a serious run could be in this team’s future.

Defense Did Their Thing

An underrated aspect of this squad has been their defense. I’ve highlighted how talented this defense truly is but, yesterday with offensive assistance they performed phenomenally. I said the keys to the game were bottling up Zeke, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Dak. Zeke had 134 total yards and played pretty well but Dak significantly underperformed. He was faced with pressure and when he was he didn’t react as well. The Jets defense played great and Gregg Williams is an absolute mastermind.

Jamal Adams Is That Damn Good

It’s almost a routine at this point that he is included in these things. Jamal had 9 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a PD and a few key breakups and big hits. Jamal continuously impresses and gives this team a fire that nobody else can. He’s one of the best defensive backs in football and he constantly improves. Jamal is a special talent.

Robby Anderson Made His Presence Felt

For the first few games, it felt like Anderson was getting open but Luke Falk couldn’t hit him. Now Sam returned and Robby was the WR everyone expected. He was able to get separation and also find ways to get open on short routes. He played like a true number one WR. He finished the game with 5 receptions for 125 yards. Anderson and Darnold is a connection that makes the Jets a better team.

The fact is I could nitpick and dive into every detail that was slightly bad from the game or I could celebrate the team having some momentum for a change. C.J. Mosley and Chris Herndon will hopefully return against the Pats and the Jets will have a HUGE Monday night football game. The Jets won but now it’s time to ride this momentum and see how far it can take them.

New York Jets: Containing The Cowboys Key Pieces Is Essential

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys’ defense is young and talented. To go along with that, so much of the preparation and headlines regarding this game have been centered around Sam Darnold and the New York Jets offense. Reportedly Adam Gase hadn’t been using the regular playbook in order to not over expose it without the franchise guy at the helm. Now Darnold is back and the Jets offense is going to be expected to come out and perform a hell of a lot better than they have to this point.

The Jets can win this game on offense by scoring points but the Jets can easily control the momentum in this game with their defense. Their defense will not only get a lift from Sam being back on offense but they also get Jordan Jenkins and Brandon Copeland back. Jenkins and Copeland are both two of the best edge rushers on this squad and their additions will help immediately. The biggest key to this game is going to be controlling the 4 key pieces of the Cowboy offense.

Amari Cooper:

Despite being injured Amari Cooper has been great for the Cowboys this year. He’s been a true number one wide receiver for this squad. The Jets are going to have to find someone capable of covering him in this ballgame. The best case would be a swapping of Hairston, Johnson and Roberts throughout the game. Allowing them to rotate may be able to contain Cooper. The added benefit of his injury will assist the corners to keep up with him.

Michael Gallup:

The big bodied receiver is a huge part of the Dallas offense. He’s a mismatch and hard to cover. Brian Poole has been the Jets most reliable corner this season and I think this should be his matchup all day. Gallup has been able to torch just about every defense since Thanksgiving last year. He’s got it all figured out now and he’s a dangerous weapon. If the Jets can keep him in control that’s huge.

Ezekiel Elliot:

The Jets run defense has been solid and their front 7, despite injuries has been pretty good. This matchup is evidently a rough one but with two of their starting offensive linemen questionable and a solid defense this matchup could be a lot more in favor of the Jets than expected. The key is gonna have to be if Tyron Smith and La’el Collins play. If they don’t then this could be a big thing for the Jets.

Dak Prescott:

Dak is a glorified game manager. However, he’s also a bonafide leader. He’s by far not one of the most talented QBs in the game. His leadership skills and above average skill set make him a good QB. Pressure rattles Prescott and the Jets will be able to apply that this time around. Jordan Jenkins and Brandon Copeland are excellent edge rushers and will hopefully apply pressure and rattle Dak or else it could be a long day.

If the Jets offense is even remotely good and the defense can contain Dallas than this is a game the Jets could fare better in than expected. If the key pieces are electric than it could be a long day. Gregg Williams better be ready because if he and his defense aren’t prepared it’ll be a terrible loss.P

The Philadelphia Eagles Rise Above the New York Jets

New York Jets, Avery Williamson

The New York Jets lost another one. They now have started the season 0-4. A team with so much hope has had a very tough start to their season. There’s a lot to dive into from this game so here goes nothing.

Offensive Line Needs An Overhaul

The Jets offensive line has been horrific to watch this season. Like, historically bad. The Jets allowed 10 sacks in Sunday’s game against Philly. Yes, their defensive line is good but not THAT good. The Jets shouldn’t have played as poorly as they did at offensive line. The ”changes” that Adam Gase made really didn’t do very much. The offensive line still couldn’t guard a pee wee football edge rush. Quite frankly they’ve got to get it together. It’s hard to watch. It’s scary that our franchise guy will come back from a dangerous illness and end up behind that terrible offensive line. They’ve got to get it together and at the very least make it through the season without Belk or Darnold getting destroyed.

The Defense Has Played Really Well

The offense has been absolutely pitiful. Obviously injuries, offensive line play, and poor coaching made that happen. However, the defense, on the other hand, has been really good. The main issue with them is that they either have to play defense when the opposing offense has amazing field position or they are exhausted because they’re constantly on the field. Gregg Williams and that defense have dealt with just as many issues as the Jets offense and yet, the defense has been really damn good. That might just be a reflection of coaching but I mean what do I know.

The Play Calling Is An Issue

Unlike some New York Jets fans, I won’t call for Adam Gase’s dismissal. However, he does deserve a lot of blame for the poor start and poor take yesterday. The fact is, Adam Gase doesn’t have a good situation. His star QB is out, his blockers stink and he can’t revolve the offense around key guys if the QB can’t get the ball to them. Luke Falk has performed pretty bad but in his defense, he’s played the last two Super Bowl champs and had little preparation. With that said, an ”innovator”, ”offensive genius” and a ”guy who knows where the game is heading” should be able to produce something on offense. Those were all words labeled to Gase by Chris Johnson. If you’re all those things then you don’t have the defense with as many touchdowns as your offense through 4 games. Gase needs to prove why he’s here and not why he shouldn’t be.

Brighter Days Ahead

Brandon Copeland and Chris Herndon are guaranteed to return to the team this week. Jordan Jenkins, C.J. Mosley, and Sam Darnold could possibly return as well. This team has a much brighter outlook with those 5 on it. Hopefully, this squad comes back to normal with their returns but it all starts at the top and Gase needs to get their act together.