If you haven’t hopped on the roller coaster ride that is the New York Jets, let me tell you, you’re missing out. Well, not really. It’s kind of like that amusement park ride you always loved as a kid, and now when you go back, it’s like “this isn’t as great as I remember.” Except for the Jets, those few years that may have passed you by have been shriveled up into one season. This season.
If you haven’t caught on to the analogy yet, here’s a quick run-down:
The Jets started the season 0-2, and were pretty much nodding their heads to the beat of the 0-16 talk. They quickly flipped the switch however, and went on to win three straight. The roller coaster ride was getting good, right? Well, maybe not so much.
While it may have looked exciting and worthwhile from a distance, the Jets couldn’t live up to the hype. They followed their win streak with three consecutive losses, all of which were close games. What a tease this ride was!
A big win over Buffalo followed, and for a minute things seemed to be okay. But two losses thereafter snatched away any sense of enlightenment. Another monstrous victory the following week over Kansas City reignited some hope, but the torch couldn’t stay lit after a collapse against Denver.
Mixed emotions now flood the amusement park. Some are happy the Jets have exceeded season expectations with such a (thought to be) lackluster roster. Others are disappointed because the ending is all but clear. Playoffs are long-shot, and the hope is that this ride will be different next year.
Time to Refine the Ride
Most can agree, the Jets shouldn’t be where they’re at now. If you take away the fourth quarter, this team is an immediate playoff contender. Five of their eight losses have been one score games, with the majority of them being winnable games in the fourth.
Pressure has weighed the Jets down though. They’ve collapsed under a multitude of factors, and it only furthers the notion that a ton of refinement is needed to set things straight.
The Formula
For a team that was supposedly tanking their 2017 away, it’s tough to criticize the Jets for remaining so competitive throughout the year. But in reality, they’ve blown games, and have let teams walk all over them. In simpler terms, they’ve continued to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Next year will be their chance to reverse that script. With third-year quarterback Bryce Petty leading the charge for the final three games of 2017, it makes sense that the Jets should already be constructing the formula for next year. But where are the current errors?
Subtract the Penalties, Turnovers
Costly penalties have been a major factor. The Jets currently rank 28th in the league with an average of 7.5 penalties a game. They’re also 29th in the league with an average of 66.7 penalty yards a game. While it’s understandable for a young team that is learning their way, it will be a major detriment if the trend continues into next year.
Late turnovers also find their way into the equation. The Jets have handed games away in the fourth quarter with sloppy mistakes, and that needs to be cleaned up. This falls in the hands of a few: the offensive line, the quarterback, and the coaching staff.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
The Jets offensive line has struggled all year. They have failed to protect Josh McCown in crucial moments, and have failed to create holes for the running game when needed. This transparency has resulted in turnovers for the Jets time and time again. The O-Line needs to be reconstructed, especially if a rookie quarterback is set to be under center in 2018.
Add the Quarterback, Playbook
That will also be a piece to the puzzle for the Jets fixations. With the high probability of the Jets having a new quarterback at the helm next year, they’ll have to pick and choose wisely. Plenty of low risk options will be available in free agency, but at a price. If they do indeed look for a leader in the draft, they’ll need to analyze closely. Baker Mayfield remains a potential good selection. With 41 touchdowns and five interceptions at Oklahoma, he could certainly help the Jets through their turnover struggles.
Others such as Sam Darnold out of USC, and Josh Rosen out of UCLA present a steeper risk. Both will come into the draft with a higher touchdown/interception ratio on the year. While they may be top prospects, they may not be the right fit for the Jets, especially since turnovers have been the Jets’ Achilles heel all year. They also present themselves as “project quarterbacks” which wouldn’t be ideal for the Jets if they decide to retain many of their veteran stars.
Much of this, of course, will be in the hands of the coaching staff. The Jets have been the center of some questionable play calling all year, which in turn has resulted in both turnovers, and losses. The Jets and OC John Morton may need to refine the playbook next year, as inconsistency in high-pressure situations has crushed them.
Upgrade to First Class
If the Jets can put these pieces together in 2018, they have the potential to make their so-called “rebuild” a speedy one. With emerging weapons in Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Quincy Enunwa, the Jets could certainly be an offensive threat. The same goes for the developing defense with future stars in Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.
And while it is frustrating to put a damper on 2017, which isn’t quite over, it’s hard not to imagine where this team could be next year. The pressure will certainly be back on, but a reworked approach could have the Jets soaring for a long, long time.
– Kyle Hirshkind is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @kylehirshkind Follow @FPC_Jets
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Fight Stack: Da-un vs Clarkby Full Press Coverage on February 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Wednesday, February 1stby Full Press Coverage on February 2, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Hawks at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Raptors at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Kings at Spursby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Warriors at Wolvesby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Thunder at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Nets at Celticsby Broken Controller Media on February 1, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Fight Stack: Fedor vs Baderby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm