As the new head coach of the New York Jets, one of the first things Robert Saleh needs to learn is how to end a long drought of home playoff games. It’s been over 18 years since his new employers hosted an NFL postseason contest, the game in question coming in the AFC Wild Card round against Indianapolis at the late Giants Stadium.
Saleh did some de facto research on Wednesday night, taking in the New York Knicks’ playoff matchup against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Game 2 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal series was just the second postseason game the Knicks had hosted since 2013. The new football boss was spotlighted on MSG’s video board during the first half and received a warm ovation.
It would appear that the Knicks remembered Saleh’s mantra of “All Gas, No Brake” during second half action on Wednesday. Trailing by 13 at the midway point, the Knicks erased Atlanta’s early lead and earned a 101-92 victory to even the first-round series at one win apiece. Derrick Rose led the way with 26 points off the bench for the Knicks, who are seeded four in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket.
In their celebration, New York sports fans gleefully took note that the Knicks are now undefeated when Saleh attends their playoff games. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports and NFL Network also caught a candid shot of Saleh enthusiastically reacting to a showstopping dunk from Knicks rookie Obi Toppin.
Just getting home from MSG. What an incredible New York evening. Pic of the night?@nyjets HC Robert Saleh, cheering on the @obitoppin1 slam. @gmfb@nflnetwork
Imagine someone telling you a year ago that #Jets head coach Robert Saleh would be in Madison Square Garden cheering on the #Knicks in a playoff game. Exciting time for New York sports pic.twitter.com/9Zlt1xyrgo
Saleh will have his own experiences against an Atlanta-based squad with an ornithological nickname later this fall, as his Jets will battle the Falcons in London on October 10.
After Wednesday’s euphoric events at MSG, the Knicks-Hawks series now shifts to Atlanta, with Game 3 in the best-of-seven set slated for Friday night (7 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN).
Postseason visits from Jets representatives have appeared to bring good luck to the competing metropolitan squads. Over the weekend, members of the Jets’ revamped offense descended upon Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the New York Islanders’ Stanley Cup Playoff triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders eliminated the Penguins on Wednesday night and will face the Boston Bruins in the second round of the NHL postseason.
The accoladed receiver’s de facto trade request serves to end his decade-long tenure in Atlanta. Several teams will undoubtedly embark on a full assault for his services and the crowded resume that comes with it.
Should the New York Jets be among them? ESM investigates…
For: Fantasy Football
Jones has been a staple of the early portions of fantasy football drafts for years. When’s the last time Jets fans were able to choose their favorite players with legitimate dreams of a fantasy title in mind. The last realistic options were probably Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker prior to the star-crossed 2015 campaign.
Now, the Jets shouldn’t base their entire lineup around who wins fantasy football championships; if that were the case, they might as well made a move for Derek Carr. But the fact they haven’t had any fantasy stars in recent years is rather telling about where they are as a franchise. Where are the reliable big play targets? Who does the rookie quarterback turn to in the clutch? Who will teams double cover on the last drive of the game?
This offseason, the Jets used the free agency process to stock up on weaponry for the new franchise quarterback, who turned out to be Zach Wilson. The current depth chart-toppers (Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, Keelan Cole, and rookie Elijah Moore) are undoubtedly upgrades from last season, but they have yet to prove themselves as consistent, reliable top options. Bringing in Jones would make him one of the Jets’ top playmakers of the past decade, and he might not even have to play a single down to prove that. Plus, the confidence Wilson would have with Jones there to greet him could prove invaluable not only in 2021 but for years to come.
Against: Julio’s Woes
The sophomoric nature of the internet and social media have perhaps made the Jets unwilling to take risks or make high-profile moves. Any move they make is going to be accompanied by satirical scrutiny that’s threatens everything they’re trying to work with in the latest stage of their perpetual rebuild.
Jones, through almost entirely no fault of his own, is going to bring some baggage with him. He’s no doubt keen to stick it to a Falcons that has apparently given up on him, and the Jets do have a high-profile matchup with the Dirty Birds that apparently did him dirty (Atlanta will “host” the Jets in London in October). Jones is also trying to emerge from one of the NFL’s most unfair stigmas: returning from an injury. Hamstring issues limited him to nine games in 2020, but he still managed to tally a respectable 771 yards.
These factors make Jones a perfect candidate, perhaps even the favorite, for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award. Alas, that’s a quest the Jets truly can’t concern themselves with at this point. They have their own comeback/redemption story to write. It’s part of the reason Sam Darnold was let go. Sure, it was entirely possible that a green-clad Darnold could’ve benefitted from the coaching staff shake-up, but the Jets were at a point where they couldn’t base their immediate future on that “if”. The same could apply to Jones and his current endeavors.
For: They Can Help
Coming off three straight losing seasons (including a brutal 4-12 campaign that cost long-tenured Dan Quinn his job), the Falcons need a de facto bailout. As it stands, they’re currently of three teams with under $1 million in cap space (joining Chicago and New Orleans). Even so, they’re obviously going to want a decent return if they’re sending away one of the most prolific names in team history. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports projects that any potential suitor would have to send at least a second-round pick.
The Jets have expendable assets to help the Falcons out. They own five picks in the first three rounds of next spring’s draft and could even include someone like Crowder (who becomes over $10 million in cap savings upon his departure). If the Falcons are going to trade Jones, something has to capture their fancy, make the deal truly worth their while. The Jets are one of the rare teams with both present and future assets Atlanta potentially covets.
Against: Anything But One Move Away
The Jets have improved by leaps and bounds this offseason, if only because there was little room to plummet further after 2020. Even so, making the playoffs is still going to be a tough ask. They’re trapped in a division with the defending AFC finalists and the other sections are packed with established contenders.
There’s no doubt that Jones can carry the load of a top receiver on a contender. He’s been part of a fairly consistent Atlanta team, but his prescience alone isn’t enough to secure a playoff berth. If he’s serious about moving, he’s likely going to choose a more established destination, not one where a majority of the starting lineup is undergoing a makeover.
Additionally, whoever trades for Jones is going to literally pay a hefty price. His 2021 cap hit exceeds $23 million, with $15 million guaranteed (per Over The Cap). The Jets are one of 11 teams that can handle Jones’ guaranteed salary with their current cap space, but there are other needs that need to be fulfilled before Week 1 kicks off. They’re in desperate need of a backup quarterback (preferably one that can double as a mentor for Wilson) and could certainly use another upgrade in their blocking and secondary areas. Jones, a 32-year-old due over $37 million over the next three seasons, is a luxurious acquisition that doesn’t fit the Jets’ current landscape.
The Verdict: Stay the Course
If this was a year or two into the Robert Saleh era, adding Jones would be a lot more feasible. There would be time to showcase what Saleh and his staff are building, a few contests to develop momentum in what the Jets hope is their last extensive renovation for a long time.
Recent history suggests that maybe the Jets would be a bit better off in bypassing redemption-seeking superstars, at least for the time being. New York is still picking at the wounds left behind in the wake of the Le’Veon Bell era. The ghost of Bell shouldn’t haunt the Jets forever, but things are still a bit too fresh to justify and work through the growing pains of a superstar seeking to prove to himself and the football world that he’s still capable of an NFL workload.
If the Jets were on the cusp of the contention red zone, they would be right to go all out. But, right now, they’ve picked up a few first downs, but probably haven’t even reached midfield in the stadium of NFL fortune. If they were closer to the Super Bowl, investing a substantial sum into a 32-year-old receiver…one who has taken quite the pen to the NFL record books…would be a relative risk worth taking. But when progress would be possibly defined as an appearance in the “In the Hunt” column seen on the networks’ playoff charts come the holidays, adding Jones is not something you can do and would be an endeavor that would merely leave everyone bitter.
The New York Jets took in their blue and orange brothers’ victory on the ice, a trip headlined by Feeney’s celebratory antics.
Between New York and Manitoba, it’s a good time to be a Jet involved in hockey.
Plenty have come up big for the New York Islanders during their ongoing run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But if Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Co. aren’t careful, they might lose the Conn Smythe Trophy to Dan Feeney.
The newly minted New York Jets offensive lineman stole the show during the Islanders’ 4-1 playoff win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon. Feeney was one of several Jets in attendance at Nassau Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum, joining his new teammates (including quarterback Zach Wilson) for first-round action.
Feeney quickly became a favorite of NBC’s cameras. Shortly after Bailey scored to put the Islanders up 1-0, the mulleted Feeney was shown enthusiastically chugging his beer and crushing the empty can against his head.
Fans and analysts alike delighted in Feeney’s celebration, as many were quick to delcare him their new favorite Jet in the aftermath of his Uniondale revelry.
Those who know Feeney, signer of a one-year, $3.5 million deal this offseason, know that Saturday’s display isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
“He has a lot of mustache energy,” former Los Angeles Chargers teammate and fellow blocker Michael Schofield said in a report from Joshua Fischman on the team website. “He’s a great guy. (He brings) a lot of energy, (and is) just a good guy to be around. He’s a good locker room guy.”
“He’s fun to be around,” quarterback Easton Stick added in the same report. “You can tell he’s passionate about the game, (and) he loves his teammates. It’s a really good energy that Dan brings every day.”
Perhaps inspired by Feeney’s work in the stands, the Islanders’ victory on Saturday knotted their series with the Penguins at two games apiece in the best-of-seven set. Game 5 is Monday in Pittsburgh (7 p.m. ET, MSG/NBCSN).
The New York Jets’ special teams improvements will vital in taking their first steps toward their leadership’s vision.
When an NFL team comes off a two-win season and adds a second digit to its playoff drought, a macabre gift is offered in the form of an offseason where almost any move made will push the organization in the right direction.
Even if the New York Jets weren’t coming a season considered garish even by their own star-crossed standards, they certainly had one of most productive offseasons in the NFL.
The hiring of Robert Saleh brought rave reviews domestically and abroad. The end of April saw them find their newest franchise quarterback (Zach Wilson) and finish creating what could be one of the deepest receiving corps in the league (draftee Elijah Moore joining veteran newcomers Corey Davis and Keelan Cole). Defensively, they stocked up on veterans of 4-3 sets that Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich are projected to implement.
While the playoffs still sit out of reach for the Jets, trapped with a divisional juggernaut and established AFC contenders, there’s no doubt they’ve improved on paper on both offense and defense. They’re packed with newcomers that are going to help them improve both immediately (Tevin Coleman/Jarrad Davis) and in the long term (Davis and Carl Lawson, each a signer of a three-year deal).
But the true difference after this offseason could well be on display on the Jets’ special teams.
It feels like an eternity since the Jets were able to breathe easy about their specialists, even though it’s only been two full seasons since they sent both their kicker (Jason Myers) and primary returner (Andre Roberts) to the Pro Bowl. The turnover in the kicker’s spot has been particularly troubling: since Myers absconded to Seattle after his all-star season, six different kickers have appeared in the Jets’ role in either a regular season or exhibition contest.
It’s not just the kicking game where the Jets have struggled. Last season, they ranked 25th and 27th in opposing kick and punt return respectively and alternated between Corey Ballentine and Braxton Berrios as their own kickoff man.
New head coach Robert Saleh made it clear from the get-go that special teams adjustments would be part of his ongoing renovations, even if he wouldn’t take an immediate hands-on role. To that end, he retained longtime special teams coordinator Brant Boyer on his staff after an extensive research process. Boyer has now survived the purges of Todd Bowles and Adam Gase’s respective staffs as he enters his sixth season on the green staff.
“So many people have called on his (Boyer’s) behalf,” Saleh said per team reporter Ethan Greenberg. “He’s held in such high regard.”
General manager Joe Douglas has concurred, demonstrating his dedication by drafting punter Braden Mann with the final pick of his original draft in 2020.
The kicking solution isn’t fully solved, with incumbent Sam Ficken battling with undrafted free agent Chris Naggar. While Naggar might not have had the notoriety of first-year prospects like Evan McPherson or Jose Borregales, but he did lead the AAC in conversation rate (94 percent) and points during his final year at Southern Methodist.
“(We’re) very excited about him, giving him a chance,” Saleh said about Naggar, per Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated. “(We’re going) to give him the opportunity to come here and compete for that job. That’s a real deal and it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
That’s the type of reliability the Jets need in the kicker spot, especially with an offense still lingering in its development stages. With new quarterback Zach Wilson in tow, the maturation process will probably start all over again (though Wilson has a far stronger arsenal to work with in his first year than Sam Darnold probably ever did). What’s going to be huge in boosting a young offense’s confidence is if they can end drives that reach opposing territory with any points whatsoever.
They nearly had that in Ficken last season, as the Penn State-based veteran hit his first nine field goal attempts (five alone in an October prime time game against Denver) before sustaining an injury that forced the Jets to turn to Sergio Castillo and Chase McLaughlin at several points.
Likewise, the Jets need to shore up their return game with Roberts long gone. Darnold’s rookie season was barely blessed, but he did have the relative stability of Roberts, currently a Houston Texan, setting him up with solid starting field position.
If anyone knows about strong starting field position, it’s one of Boyer’s new positional assistants in Leon Washington. Sure, the prescience of Washington, a 2006 New York draftee, may make Jets fans feel old, but that’s a minuscule price to pay for having his expertise on the roster. Washington has spent four of the past five seasons
Upon his arrival to the Jets’ staff, Washington expressed a desire to carry on in the footsteps of his own special teams as a player, the long-tenured Mike Westhoff.
“You think about the history of the Jets. They were always known for special teams going back to Mike,” Washington, the Jets’ all-time leader in kick return touchdowns, said in another team. “Brant does a great job. He’s in that Mike Westhoff mold. He can really get guys to play hard for him.”
Among those looking to follow in Washington’s footsteps may be Moore, who filled in on both receiving and punt return duties in a solid fashion at Mississippi. Another offensive choice from Cleveland’s draft, as North Carolina rusher Michael Carter spoke about the idea of handling kickoffs with Jack Bell on the team website.
“I’ve been returning kicks all my life,” Carter said. “I did in college last two years. I don’t know what the future has in store, but I’m sure the Jets have a good plan for me.”
The Jets’ free agency offerings seem to indicate that they’re interested in the smaller, less-heralded aspects of special teams as well. Their coverage issues often set opponents up in strong situations and several touchdowns were perhaps saved by Mann, who earned four tackles last season. Sure, it’s always great to see the team’s reaction when the punter earns a takedown, but the fun wears off when the opposing offense needs a mere 40 yards for six points. This offseason has seen them take steps to combat that problem, wisely allocating their excessive offseason capital toward those goals.
Justin Hardee, well known for his coverage exploits, was signed from New Orleans, while sixth-round choice Hamsah Nasirildeen has been seen by some as a steal for his potential to provide strong specialist coverage. Post-draft endeavors saw them take undrafted rookie Jordyn Peters from Auburn. The safety became well known for becoming a new kind of backfield prescience, blocking four punts during his time as a Tiger.
One can certainly argue that the NFL appears to be chopping at the impact special teams have on the game: longer extra points encourage two-point conversions, the kickoff gets moved up by a few yards more often.
But if the Jets ignore their special teams exploits, Robert Saleh’s “All Gas, No Brake” mantra is going to go for naught and lose its meaning. So far, the Jets are doing what they can to prevent that reality.
The New York Jets’ draft proceedings garnered some strong praise, but several post-Cleveland signings can also instantly make a difference.
The New York Jets have earned high praise for their work at the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland. However, their offseason duties still aren’t over, as undrafted prospects received their calls after the original 259.
While the Jets are pleased with their draft weekend haul, they’ve enjoyed sizable contributions from UDFA’s in recent seasons. As a team coming off a two-win season and saddled with a playoff drought entering a decade, the Jets will certainly take help from whatever source they can get.
In the realm of the New York undrafted, ESM has four names to keep an eye on…
Oregon State CB Isaiah Dunn is a guy the Jets coveted as a priority free agent. Gave him $200K deal which is a decent chunk for UDFA. Has a shot to make the 53 given the lack of depth the Jets have at the position. pic.twitter.com/wLk2boMymt
At the rate they’re paying him…per Aaron Wilson, Dunn’s guaranteed salary of $185,000 is the most expensive deal ever bestowed to an undrafted cornerback…the Jets definitely have plans for the former Beaver. All but one of their picks on day three were centered on defense, but they were likely attracted to Dunn’s ball skills and speed (posting a 4.39 40-time during his pro day) once the draft clock was put back in storage. The Jets have a crowded cornerback picture, but with so many unproven pieces, Dunn has a realistic chance to battle for a roster spot.
It seems like a small task, but one of the Jets’ most interesting developments of the offseason has been their dedication to fixing their special teams…which have been special in name only. This Auburn addition, complemented by fellow undrafted rookie Chris Naggar (set to compete with Sam Ficken for kicking duties) and veteran cornerback Justin Hardee, could help make things right.
Peters should be an incredible tool for returning coordinator Brant Boyer. Labeled a “special teams maestro” by Alabama.com’s Tom Green, Peter blocked four punts during his time with the Tigers. Peters also provided some solid defensive depth, earning 101 tackles (7 for a loss) over his four years as an Auburn safety.
LB Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Oregon State
One area where the Jets need some assistance is their pass rush, especially when four games of their future schedules could well feature the multi-faceted talents of Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa. Rashed burst onto the scene with a dominant junior season, leading the nation with 23 tackles for a loss and the Pac-12 with 14 sacks in 2019 (an OSU record).
Returning for his senior season proved to be a tough decision for Rashed, whose production drastically dropped after dealing with injuries and opt-outs from key defensive contributors. He was nonetheless bestowed an honorable mention by Pac-12 Team voters. Bringing in Rashed on an undrafted free agency deal is a low-risk, high-reward endeavor that can shore up an area where the Jets have been suffering for years.
TE Kenny Yeboah, Mississippi
Some found it a little surprising that the Jets didn’t look to the draft to put some heat on Chris Herndon and create a competition for the primary tight end spot. Yeboah enjoyed a bit of a breakout at the start of his fifth college season, transferring to Oxford after four years at Temple. Over the first four games of a shortened season, Yeboah earned 438 yards (including 183 alone against Alabama) and four scores. Yeboah has some focus issues, leading to a troubling number of drops, and probably went undrafted after some tough breaks in his blocking game. However, he can offer a youthful spark to a depth chart currently dominated by veterans Herndon, Tyler Kroft, and Ryan Griffin.
Much like Dunn, the Jets spared no expense when it came to Yeboah, a one-year college teammate of second-round pick Elijah Moore. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former basketball player was granted a $200,000 deal.
The New York Jets’ draft and free agency classes all received their metropolitan numerals for the 2021 season.
The New York Jets’ free agency and draft classes received their official numbers for their first seasons in green on Monday. ESM looks at what the newcomers will be rocking once the season gets underway…
No. 23 Tevin Coleman
Coleman wore 26 in prior stops in Atlanta and San Francisco, but it’s probably best for the Jets to avoid rushers wearing No. 26 for a while after the Le’Veon Bell debacle.
Notable No. 23’s in Jets History: RB Shonn Greene, DB Shafer Suggs
No. 25 Brandin Echols
Echols, a sixth-round pick appears to be sharing No. 25 with rusher Ty Johnson, as the 26 he wore at Kentucky is taken by fellow defensive back Elijah Campbell.
Notable No. 25’s in Jets History: S Kerry Rhodes, RB Scott Dierking, S Calvin Pryor
No. 29 Lamarcus Joyner
Joyner will be wearing a number previously borne by fan-favorite rusher and returner Leon Washington, who’s now on the Jets’ coaching staff.
Notable No. 29’s in Jets History: WR Bake Turner, RB Bilal Powell, RB Adrian Murrell, RB Leon Washington, DB Donnie Abraham
No. 30 Michael Carter II
Another former bearer of 26, Carter takes over the 30 worn by Bradley McDougald last season. He’ll also have the Roman numeral “II” on the back of his jersey to separate himself from the offensive Michael Carter.
Notable No. 30’s in Jets History: RB Brad Baxter, DB LaRon Landry
No. 32 Michael Carter
Running backs are allowed to wear single digits under the NFL’s new uniform mandates, but Carter opted to multiply it four. He follows in the footsteps of Super Bowl champion and green rusher Emerson Boozer.
Notable No. 32’s in Jets History: RB Emerson Boozer, RB Blair Thomas, RB Leon Johnson
No. 34 Justin Hardee
It’s a tough break for anyone who hoped the Jets would bring back Brian Poole, but the special teams standout Hardee will keep the number he had during his prior endeavors in New Orleans.
Notable No. 34’s in Jets History: RB Johnny Hector, RB LaMont Jordan
No. 41 Jason Pinnock
Pinnock’s No. 15 from Pittsburgh has been taken over by someone he’ll presumably cover come training camp, receiver Lawrence Cager. His new digits were worn by Matthias Farley last season and best known from a Jets standpoint as the numbers Matt Snell wore in the Super Bowl III triumph.
Notable No. 41’s in Jets History: RB Matt Snell, S Buster Skrine
No. 43 Del’Shawn Phillips
Phillips wore No. 46 in his first season in Buffalo but moved on to 43 last season. He’ll apparently stick with those numerals as he moves on to another New York football journey.
Notable No. 43’s in Jets History: DB Michael Brim
No. 44 Jamien Sherwood
With 44 last worn by the New England-bound Harvey Lagni, the defensive back-turned-linebacker Sherwood takes a traditional number as opposed to the single digits now available.
Notable No. 44’s in Jets History: RB John Riggins
No. 45 Hamsah Nasirildeen
Another converted secondary member who made the move to linebacker, Nasirildeen also makes the move to 45, as the 23 he wore at Florida State was taken by Coleman.
Notable No. 45’s in Jets History: DB Earlie Thomas, CB Otis Smith
No. 52 Jarrad Davis
The new Jets’ linebacker’s number from Detroit and his college days in Florida (40) is now worn by Javelin Guidry, but there’s a strong group of both linebackers and lineman that have previously repped his new digits.
Notable No. 52’s in Jets History: LB David Harris, C John Schmitt, C Mike Hudock, LB Pepper Johson
No. 58 Carl Lawson
Lawson may be changing from tiger stripes to green and black, but he’ll be wearing a familiar number leftover from his Cincinnati days.
Notable No. 58’s in Jets History: LB James Farrior
No. 65 Corey Levin
Levin is one of the newcomers on the Jets. If/when he takes the field in an NFL regular-season game for the first time since 2018, it’ll be in a different number, as he wore 62 during his time in Tennessee.
Notable No. 65’s in Jets History: OL Joe Fields, G Brandon Moore
No. 67 Dan Feeney
Undrafted rookie Teton Saltes has Feeny’s No. 66 from his days as a Charger, so he moved one up, perhaps indirectly emulating some other notable veteran blockers in Jets history.
Notable No. 67’s in Jets History: OL Dave Herman, T Kareem McKenzie, OL Damien Woody
No. 81 Tyler Kroft
In his return to New Jersey football, Kroft won’t have the No. 86 he wore at Rutgers (his Piscataway number now on fellow tight end Ryan Griffin) but he retains the number he’s worn in his first two NFL stops (Cincinnati and Buffalo) and it’s a number that has made a New York impact on both sides of the ball.
Notable No. 81’s in Jets History: DE Gerry Philbin, TE Dustin Keller
No. 84 Corey Davis
Davis will keep the number he wore at both Western Michigan and Tennessee. That’s rather appropriate, as the most famous wearer of 84 in his new team’s history is in fact a New York Titan.
Notable No. 84’s in Jets History: WR Art Powell
No. 88 Keelan Cole
With Davis taking over the No. 84, Cole’s moves four digits up to 88, emulating some of the more productive receivers in New York history.
Notable No. 88’s in Jets History: WR Al Toon, TE Rich Caster, TE Anthony Becht
No. 96 Jonathan Marshall
Henry Anderson’s old number wasn’t gone for long, as it’s been taken over by the former Arkansas captain who became the final pick of the Jets’ 2021 draft proceedings.
Notable No. 96’s in Jets History: DT Muhammad Wilkerson
No. 98 Sheldon Rankins
Undrafted standout Kyle Phillips wore No. 98 but he’s moving onto 93 to allow Rankins to keep the number he had during his six years in New Orleans.
Notable No. 98’s in Jets History: LB Anthony Pleasant, DL Kyle Phillips
No. 99 Vinny Curry
Curry has had a pretty accomplished NFL career, and he’s going to take over the numerals of some of the most storied defenders on the team.
Notable No. 99’s in Jets History: DE Mark Gastineau, DE Bryan Thomas, DT Steve McLendon, DE Hugh Douglas
With the conclusion of 2021 NFL Draft on May 1st, the New York Jets have officially completed the first major step in rebuilding their ailing franchise. Allocating their second overall pick toward one of the brightest prospects entering the league, in quarterback Zach Wilson, the Jets made grand strides in the draft to put their offense back on track with young, cornerstone players that have the ability to put this team on a path to greatness.
That being said, the Jets by no means were able to patch up all the holes they needed to offensively, despite selecting four straight offensive players with their first four picks in the draft. Coming off a season where they had the worst offense in the league and averaged a total of 15.2 points per game, the Jets did just about everything they could in the draft to address most of their key concerns, but even then, still have several spots that could use more depth and improvement.
Naturally, both the quarterback and wide receiver positions do not consist of these concerns for the Jets anymore. After drafting Wilson second overall to patch up their biggest hole at the quarterback position, the Jets decided to bolster an already stacked wide receiver unit (that consists of Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, and Denzel Mims) by drafting the impressive Ole Miss wideout in Elijah Moore with their third pick in the draft.
But with these two positions stocked full with talent, the looming question that remains is which of the other offensive positions require the most improvement for the Jets to become the dominant, playoff team they once were over a decade ago? In short, there are only three other positions to focus on. However, prioritizing does matter and needs to be taken into account if the Jets aim at taking that next big step towards becoming a winning team again. So, on that note, here are the top three positions the Jets need to improve on before the season kicks off in September:
3. Tight End: Though this is the position that requires the least amount of attention, it’s still one that could use an injection of talent. With Chris Herndon leading the pack followed by Tyler Kroft, Ryan Griffin, and then Daniel Brown, the Jets have all the depth they need at the tight end position; but the overall skillset and promise from this group is still pretty low.
Brown hasn’t really seen a lot of playing time over his entire career and has been predominantly pigeonholed as a backup (ESPN). Griffin, who’s a seasoned eight-year veteran in the league, brings solid run blocking and has proven he can be a good red-zone threat for the Jets (ESPN). But with that comes half-decent route running and a slow pace that has made it difficult for him to become a reliable target. Kroft, who’s a new addition from the Buffalo Bills, does bring great hands but, then again, hasn’t been able to reproduce the same offensive success he once had in Cincinnati back in 2017 (ESPN). Lastly, there’s Herndon, who the Jets are planning to start.
Though he’s only 25 and is their most athletic tight end, Herndon hasn’t had a whole lot to show for in two full seasons and has struggled with consistency. And despite having a positive rookie campaign, Herndon hasn’t been the same since. Whether any of these players will rise to the occasion has still yet to be determined. But this mixed bag of talent and role players could use a little help. And with a variety of affordable options still available on the free-agent market, the Jets should consider acquiring another strong, tight end before the start of the season (Spotrac).
2. Running Back: Ever since the departure of Le’Veon Bell, the Jets have had no real solution when trying to fill the shoes he left behind. Despite signing Tevin Coleman over the offseason and drafting the exciting UNC prospect in Michael Carter, the Jets don’t have a great setup with their running back position. For starters, Coleman has struggled to stay healthy over his last two seasons, and there’s no guarantee that will change all that much this year. If he goes down, that leaves the Jets with Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, and the rookie Carter.
Outside of the fact that the Jets offensive line is still a work in progress, none of these young running backs have proven they can be legitimate starters yet and bring a variety of differentiating skillsets to the table. Naturally, the Jets could rely on a committee backfield if Coleman does have any setbacks, which could prove to be pretty effective. But when you have a brand-new rookie quarterback, it just makes a huge difference to have an anchoring, consistent presence in the backfield that will allow them to establish that vital rapport with their new running back. And although Carter does have the tools to be that kind of a running back within the next two years, it’s unlikely the Jets will grant him that kind of a role this season due to his unfamiliarity with the league and their system.
When all is said and done, Carter was the long-term fix but certainly not the short-term solution at the running back position. And with the season only getting closer, the Jets should consider targeting Todd Gurley or bring in another dependable running back to strengthen this unit (Spotrac).
1. Offensive Line: Even after drafting Alijah Vera-Tucker 14th overall with their second pick, the Jets offensive line is still the biggest concern for this offense. Over the last two years, the Jets drafted two standout offensive linemen in Mekhi Becton and Vera-Tucker, really reinforcing and revitalizing the blindside of their unit. But from the center position all the way down the right side of the O-Line, the Jets still have Conor McGovern at center, Greg Van Roten at right guard and George Fant at right tackle, three O-Lineman who all started over 12 games last season but couldn’t garner much protection across the board.
Just to give you an idea, Sam Darnold was sacked a total of 35 times last year, finishing in 8th in that category despite only playing 12 games (ESPN). Furthermore, Joe Flacco was sacked an additional 7 times in the 5 games he played. And then, on top of that, outside of Darnold, Johnson, and running back Josh Adams, no one could muster a per-carry average of 4 yards or more.
In short, this offensive line is far from being where it needs to be, and the Jets have to find a way to provide much better protection. The depth is certainly there, but considering how feeble this offensive line was just a season ago that so happened to involve four of their current five starters, the Jets have some serious thinking to do and should look to go after another strong guard or tackle before the season commences (Spotrac).
National eyes have turned to the New York Jets’ opening matchup in Charlotte, but the home opener against New England will be a true test.
For all its flaws, the NFL status as a genius marketing behemoth cannot be denied.
Its draft is no longer two days in April expanding into a year-round process, a major tenet of which involves a lot of Indianapolis-based spandex and bench presses. Preseason games whose box scores are immediately scorched when the clock hits all zeroes get ratings are given national priority alongside late-season baseball games.
Perhaps the most obvious sign of the NFL’s stranglehold on the American imagination is the release of its annual schedule. The question of “who” yields no surprises…14 of a given team’s 17 opponents are predetermined years in advance and 17 are solidified by the end of final week action…but the question of “when”, the mere attachment of times and dates to these matchups, causes We the People to lose our collective minds. Playoff races in basketball and hockey are cast aside on national highlights show to debate whether the Chicago Bears deserved the Thanksgiving treatment.
Despite the relative lack of surprises, the New York Jets did learn some intriguing info. Though bereft of prime time games, save for a November Thursday night’s excursion to Indianapolis, the Jets will nonetheless study abroad in London, facing off with Atlanta in October. But the matchup everyone’s talking about comes in the Jets’ Week 1 visit to Charlotte to battle the Carolina Panthers.
By now, everyone knows what’s at stake at Bank of America Stadium come September 12: the hope of the Jets’ present and future meets the ghost of all-too-recent football past in the form of Sam Darnold (and Robby Anderson, among others). Despite the combatants carrying over a combined six wins from 2020, many have pegged the interconference showdown as one of the most anticipated get-togethers of opening weekend.
Opening with Carolina works from a Jets perspective in the sense that they can remove Darnold from their list of early “distractions” and carry on with the rest of what’s sure to be a developmental year. But, to that end, their home opener in Week 2 may loom even larger.
For their 2021 home opener, the Jets will welcome the New England Patriots into East Rutherford for the first of their yearly pair. What happens for those precious three hours at MetLife Stadium could well set a permanent tone for what the Jets’ leadership triumvirate of Joe Douglas, Woody Johnson, and Robert Saleh are trying to build.
Put aside the fact that three Presidents of the United States have held office and 11 Marvel Cinematic Universe films have been released since the Jets have emerged victorious from a showdown with the Patriots. Zach Wilson’s presumed home opener will mean everything to a Jets team that must do everything in its power to get started on the right note.
It might feel like an eternity since the Jets had a winning record, but one only has to flashback to September 2018. A 48-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football had the fanbase buzzing. The fact that Sam Darnold’s first NFL pass was a pick-six was offset by a strong defensive effort (five turnovers) and the run game run up 179 on the ground. Darnold even made up for his early gaffe with two touchdown tosses in the dominant effort.
However, things came to a crashing halt in the MetLife Stadium opener against Miami. Facing off against future boss Adam Gase, the Jets surrendered the first 20 points before making things somewhat respectable late in a 20-12 loss. It was a sloppy game whose final score was nowhere near indicative of just how one-sided it was.
Now, the Darnold/Gase era didn’t falter solely because they lost to the Dolphins in Week 2 of the former’s rookie campaign. But, in hindsight, it served as perfect foreshadowing of the struggles to come: they turned the ball over three times, saw their rushing protection fall to 41 yards on 17 attempts, and allowed Darnold to get sacked three times. Penalties were prevalent, with the Jets losing 50 yards on seven infractions. Three resulted in Miami’s first downs and a particularly embarrassing sequence
The Jets are still trying to pick up the pieces to this day. That loss signaled the beginning of the end of the Todd Bowles era, mustering a mere three wins after that before he was let go at the end of his third season at the helm. It placed the Jets on a collision course with the disastrous Gase era, a period whose strongest yield was probably the fact it led the hiring of a sound football mind like Saleh, whose arrival has garnered praise both domestically and abroad.
Miami was merely a microcosm of what was to come under Darnold, as it highlighted the issues that would plague his star-crossed New York career. Of the ten starting men that suited up for the Jets that afternoon, only one other (Chris Herndon) was on the team in 2020. The Dolphins were credited with only three sacks of Darnold, but he was nonetheless forced to run for his life, to the tune of five other quarterback takedowns.
Negligence on both the offensive line (featuring only one player chosen within the first day of the draft, the former Seattle Seahawk James Carpenter) and run game (Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell) was a hint of things to come. Current management has seen to counter these issues, using first-round choices (Mehki Becton/Alijah Vera-Tucker) to protect Wilson and bolstering the run game with a stopgap rusher who has been a vital cog in Super Bowl runs (Tevin Coleman).
This season’s home opener is also going to take on a special meaning. Improvements have been discussed ad nauseam but MetLife Stadium will be packed to the brim with fans for a Jets game for the first time since December 2019. We, the football-loving people, have been through a lot over the past year-plus. Fans of the Jets and 13 other NFL teams were denied the simple pleasure of spending Sunday in a parking lot, surrounded by 80,000 of their new best friends. With restrictions loosening across the country, it feels (knock on wood) like it’s only a matter of time before all 30 NFL facilities get the go-ahead to pack the house. No matter the result that day, the first spelling of Jets will be downright emotional.
A brilliant tone can be set for the team moving forward, or another distressing sign of things to come could emerge. What the Jets do in these early hours will mean the world.
The New York Jets‘ Week 1 game has finally been released and it should be an interesting one. On Sept. 12, the Jets will travel to Carolina to face Sam Darnold and the Panthers.
Sam Darnold, who was dealt to Carolina after a subpar three seasons in New York, will be getting an early chance to show what they moved on from. For the Jets and Zach Wilson, it’ll be an early chance for them to show why they moved in a new direction.
Darnold isn’t the only former Jet on the Panthers’ roster, though. They also have WR Robby Anderson, S Justin Burris, OL Pat Elflein, RB Trenton Cannon and LB Frankie Luvu on their team.
As for New York, new additions on offense, including WR’s Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, will look to make it a better day for Zach Wilson than Sam Darnold.
The Jets haven’t defeated the Panthers since 2001, winning 13-12. However, they have been good recently in road openers, winning four of their last six. They’ll look to make that five of their last seven.
New HC Robert Saleh will look to start his era with a win on the road, and what better way to start than against the former “franchise quarterback.”
As the 2021 NFL schedule leaks out, ESM has facts and figures for every happening involving the New York Jets.
As the New York Jets’ schedule emerges, ESM has everything you need to know about their 2021 slate…
(All times ET and subject to change for Weeks 5-17)
Week 1: 9/12 @ Carolina
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Revenge is a dish potentially served early for Sam Darnold, as he won’t have to wait long to see his former employers. Darnold won’t be the only bearer of green involved in this Week 1 tilt, as other ex-Jets on the Carolina roster include Robby Anderson, Pat Elflein, Juston Burris, and Frankie Luvu. This marks the Jets’ first visit to Charlotte since 2013, and they’re 1-3 all-time at the establishment now known as Bank of America Stadium (the lone win coming in 2001). The Jets’ last two openers came against the Buffalo Bills and they open with an NFC opponent for the first since 2018 (a 48-17 win in Detroit).
Week 2: 9/19 vs. New England
1: p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
The East Rutherford edition of the annual Jets-Patriots pair was part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football package in each of the last two seasons but shifts back to an early afternoon slot. Time will tell if it’s a matchup between first-round quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Mac Jones, but the Jets will still have plenty to play for. They haven’t beaten the Patriots since the 2015 overtime thriller in East Rutherford. Their last win over New England in regulation came in the Patriots’ first visit in 2010.
Week 3: 9/26 @ Denver
4:05 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
The Jets’ furthest trip out west…as well as their lone scheduled game in the Sunday late afternoon timeslot…is a trip to the Mile High City. This will mark the fourth get-together between the Jets and Broncos over the last five seasons, the last two coming in East Rutherford. New York will likely look to avenge a 37-28 defeat suffered in an October edition of Thursday Night Football.
Week 4: 9/26 vs. Tennessee
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
The first of six meetings against playoff participants comes in Week 4 against the Titans. While Mike Vrabel has had his share of success against the Jets (13-4 as a player, 1-0 as a coach), but the Jets have had the better of this series since the Titans left Houston behind, currently holding a 7-4 lead. Tennessee will visit East Rutherford for a Jets game for the first time since 2015, a 30-8 Jets win. Incoming receiver Corey Davis will face off against his former comrades for the first time.
The Jets will play their third regular season game beyond United States soil, previously topping Buffalo in Toronto in 2009 and Miami in London in 2015. They’ll serve as the road team in a game against the Atlanta Falcons, who will appear in their first international game since 2014. Atlanta is coming off a four-win season but enjoyed a significant offensive boost through the selection of Florida tight Kyle Pitts with the fourth pick of the recent draft. The game will be staged at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home of the eponymous English Premier League team.
Week 7: 10/24 @ New England
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Granted the traditional bye after an international game, the Jets will have an extra week to prepare for the house of horrors that is Gillette Stadium. They’ll need all the help they can get, as they haven’t won a regular season game in Foxboro since 2008. In fact, the last one-possession game they had against New England on the road came back in 2015.
Week 8: 10/31 vs. Cincinnati
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
It’s probably appropriate that the Jets’ meeting with the Bengals comes on Halloween, as things turned horrifying the last time they met in 2019 through New York’s 22-6 loss to their 0-11 hosts at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati has won each of the last three meetings, dating back to 2013. If anything, this should be one of the more intriguing matchups in recent memory, as it will feature two recent first-round quarterbacks, Wilson and Joe Burrow, doing battle for the first time.
Week 9: 11/4 @ Indianapolis
8:20 p.m. ET, Fox/NFL Network/Amazon Prime
The loss of Sma Darnold, whose Jets career indirectly began with a trade between the Jets and Colts, perhaps dims the luster a bit, but that didn’t stop the powers that be at Thursday Night Football from scheduling this indirect matchup between former Philadelphia Eagles. After all, Joe Douglas was in the front office when the future Super Bowl champions drafted current Colt Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in 2016. The Jets will also be looking to avenge a 36-7 defeat at the hands of the Colts last year and end their bad luck on Thursday night, having lost each of their last three appearances.
Week 10: 11/14 vs. Buffalo
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
The Jets are coming off their first sweep at the hands of the defending AFC finalist Bills since 2015. Even more shocking, they’ve lost three in a row at home, dating back to a 41-10 shellacking engineered by Matt Barkley.
Week 11: 11/21 vs. Miami
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
New York will be looking to solve their problems against the Dolphins: Miami has swept the Jets in three of the last five seasons and they mustered only a single field goal against them last season (coming in a 20-3 loss in East Rutherford). Making these matchups all the more crucial? AFC East bragging rights. The Dolphins’ sweep created a 55-55-1 tie in the all-time series.
Week 12: 11/28 @ Houston
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Not too long, the idea of Deshaun Watson donning a Jets uniform seemed rather realistic. Several months later, there’s doubt that Watson, continuing to deal with sexual assault allegations, will even suit up for the 2021 season. The Jets have lost each of their last three meetings with the Texans (including the last visit to Houston in 2015), their last triumph coming in November 2010. This game is a bit of a homecoming for head coach Robert Saleh, who served in a variety of Houston defensive roles for six seasons (2005-10).
Week 13: 12/5 vs. Philadelphia
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
The NFL’s new 17th game procedures moved up what was a quadrennial matchup between these green foes, but the Jets probably wouldn’t have minded waiting until 2023 to see the Eagles again. Philadelphia has been anything but sunny from a Jets standpoint, as the Eagles have won 11 meetings of a series dating back to 1973.
Week 14: 12/12 vs. New Orleans
1 p.m. ET, Fox
This series dates back to 1972, but the Jets and Saints will do battle for only the 14th time, New York holding a 7-6 advantage. New Orleans has won three of the last four matchups, though this will be the first without Drew Brees since 2005 when Aaron Brooks guided the team to a 21-19 road victory at Giants Stadium.
Week 15: 12/18 or 19 @ Miami
TBD
While the NFL has yet to confirm, it’s possible that the second matchup between the Jets and Dolphins could be flexed into a Saturday game, depending on the potential playoff implications behind it. The Jets’ have had a hard time taking their talents to South Beach in recent years, last winning at Hard Rock Stadium in 2015.
Week 16: 12/26 vs. Jacksonville
1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Whether they like it or not, the careers of Wilson and Trevor Lawrence will be forever linked as the opening picks of the 2021 NFL Draft. Football fans get a belated Christmas gift in the form of their first on-field meeting…with they be proven naughty or nice? This is another reunion game for Saleh, who was Jacksonville’s linebackers coach for three seasons, as well as receiver Keelan Cole, who joined the Jets after four seasons.
Week 17: 1/2 vs. Tampa Bay
1 p.m, ET, Fox
The Tom Brady nightmare continues for the Jets, who welcome in the defending champions for their final home game of the year. Despite Brady’s stellar record against the Jets (29-7, his second-best win tally against any non-Buffalo opponent), he’ll have to help erase Tampa’s brutal history against green invaders: The Jets own a 10-2 advantage in the series, though the Bucs won the last matchup 15-10 in November 2017.
Week 18: 1/9 @ Buffalo
TBD
One can’t definitively tell the story of the Jets-Bills rivalry without bringing up a last-game-of-the-season meeting in Orchard Park. For their first Week 18 matchup, the Jets venture up to Western New York, where they’ve actually had some success at Highmark Stadium in recent times, winning three of their last five visits (albeit one being a different season finale tilt in 2019 with nothing on the line for either team).
