FloridaJetsFan Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Jets offseason report: Overhaul under Mike Maccagnan, Todd Bowles brings hope Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY In his first four months on the job, general manager Mike Maccagnan has made his imprint on the New York Jets. The result is a team that appears much closer to competing for a playoff spot. Maccagnan's predecessor, John Idzik, failed because he didn't do nearly enough. Though the Jets entered the 2014 offseason with plenty of holes, Idzik sat passively during free agency while other teams spent their money. Everyone watching the Jets from afar knew they lacked depth throughout the roster. Those deficiencies were a big reason why the team sputtered to a 4-12 finish that prompted owner Woody Johnson to fire Idzik and coach Rex Ryan. In came Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, both rookies in their respective roles. The pair, thanks in part to $50 million-plus in salary cap space, went to work reshaping the roster. Coupled with a best-player-available strategy in the draft, the early reviews on the new regime have been positive. "I think we got some good football players," Bowles said following the NFL draft. "I think we got guys that create healthy competition, and that's what you want going forward. You want to bring the best out of guys. We tried, going into (the draft), to bring guys in here to create healthy competition, and that's what we did." The real test, however, comes in the fall. Quarterback Incumbent Geno Smith operated as the starter during offseason practices. But veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, assuming his broken leg is fully healed, could make a case for himself with a strong preseason if Smith falters. Fitzpatrick has experience with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system. The Jets selected Baylor star Bryce Petty in the fourth round of the draft, but Bowles called him a developmental project. It's safe to assume Petty won't see the field in 2015, barring injury. Running back The Jets declined Chris Johnson's option, leaving the team with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell as its backs. But New York was aggressive in bolstering the position, signing veteran Stevan Ridley, formerly of the New England Patriots, and acquiring Zac Stacey in a trade with the St. Louis Rams during the draft. Ivory likely remains the top back, but expect the Jets to ride the hot hand in terms of who gets the bulk of carries from week to week. Wide receiver Maccagnan's trade for former Chicago Bear Brandon Marshall gives the Jets their first bona fide No. 1 receiver in years. And though New York released Percy Harvin, Maccagnan used a second-round selection to pluck speedy Devin Smith out of Ohio State as a needed vertical threat. Eric Decker, last year's major free agent score, returns after serving as the leading receiver in 2014 (74 catches, 962 yards, five touchdowns). And with the extension of slot wideout Jeremy Kerley's contract, the Jets suddenly have a deep, capable corps. Tight end Jeff Cumberland re-signed for three years and $3.7 million. Last year's second-round selection, Jace Amaro, has plenty of potential and could be on the verge of a breakout season after 38 receptions for 345 yards last year. But for that to happen, quarterback play has to be far more consistent. Offensive line Most of the front five will return in 2015, but the Jets should start to think about the future. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson struggled last season, and the Jets might need to consider drafting his replacement in the near future. Center Nick Mangold, who (like Ferguson) is heading into his 10th season, continues to be the anchor and joins guard Willie Colon and right tackle Breno Giacomini as last year's holdovers. The new addition is guard James Carpenter, who signed as a free agent after playing with the Seattle Seahawks last season. Carpenter could also be an option at tackle. Defensive line The rich got richer. When former Southern California star Leonard Williams fell to the Jets with the sixth pick of the first round, they opted to go with the best player available and drafted him. So now New York has fellow former first rounders Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, two of the top young defensive linemen in the NFL, and Williams, despite playing in a 3-4 scheme. "You can never have enough D-linemen," Bowles said. However Wilkerson, unhappy a new contract has not been forthcoming heading into the final year of his deal, skipped much of the team's offseason program. Damon Harrison returns as the nose tackle for 2015. Linebacker The Jets secured one of their leaders when they re-signed veteran David Harris, the team's leading tackler the past three years. Productive Demario Davis is back inside, next to Harris, as are edge rushers Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples. One addition who could bolster the pass rush is third-round draft pick Lorenzo Mauldin, whom Bowles called a hybrid player who would line up on different spots on the field. Secondary If there's one position group in the league that was completely overhauled by free agency, it's the Jets secondary. New York went from having Darrin Walls and Marcus Williams as starting corners to all-pro Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, with talented Buster Skrine in the slot. Safety Marcus Gilchrist also signed. And with Dee Milliner, the No. 9 overall selection in the 2013 draft, still on the roster, a glaring weakness has suddenly become a strength for the Jets, though they'll be looking for more from last year's top pick, Calvin Pryor. Special teams Nick Folk continues to hold on to kicking duties after converting 32 of 39 field goal attempts last season. Punter Ryan Quigley (45.9-yard average in 2014) also returns. With the Jets releasing Harvin, look for Saalim Hakim to take over on kickoff returns while Kerley continues fielding punts. Coaching The Jets have 16 of a possible 22 coaches who are entering their first season with the franchise, and that's not even counting Bowles, who was a secondary coach with the team in 2000. Gailey isn't the only new coordinator with Kacy Rodgers taking over on the defensive side, though Bowles should have plenty of input there given his recent success in the role for the Arizona Cardinals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Going to need to explain what "hope" means to some folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaJetsFan Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Hope AND Change!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Yes we can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I hope we don't embarass ourselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Jets fan Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I hope we have a different QB then last year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljr Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Thought this a good time to revive some of the old Bowles talk for ideas on what we can expect from camp in a week: Was really impressed by this Nov 2013 SI article http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2013/11/26/arizona-cardinals-defense-todd-bowles Apologies, Not able to copy /paste the story at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLV Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I hope we have a different QB then last year... And there the snarky Geno comment is. Give it a break already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Report: Bowels "one cool dude" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 46 years and counting I have hope every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Jets fan Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 And there the snarky Geno comment is. Give it a break already It was 23 days ago... find a new hobby would ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 It was 23 days ago... find a new hobby would ya. He has one Rex bashing like many others that can't let him go..LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southparkcpa Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 He has one Rex bashing like many others that can't let him go..LOL For the record...you brought up REX first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Schroy Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I hope Geno gets his head out of his ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flushing Roots Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I like Bowles. IQ over 50. Unlike his predecessor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Rex Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 "I counted down instead of counting up and got the times mixed up" Geno Smith Geno could get away with an assinine statement like that LAST YEAR, because Rex simply didn't give a crap. Geno is the key to the Jets season this year as Mac and Bowles have improved every level of the offense and defense. If Geno proves that he cannot read defenses it won't matter if Gailey 'dumbs it down' because at some point teams will force you to make a quick decision on a critical play. That is where Geno was supremely lacking his first two years. Personally, I hope he comes of age so to speak and produces decent - if not spectacular - numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ylekram Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 And there the snarky Geno comment is. Give it a break already says the guy who"s first 900 posts on this board were slamming rex ryan,exclusively Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 says the guy who"s first 900 posts on this board were slamming rex ryan,exclusively Rex sucks tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Gotta keep it real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Yes we can! Yea that's worked out real well so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Rex rules and Bowels sucks. Death panels killed my family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I've been in line for three days to get a tetanus shot. Rex would have pwned with Kyle Orton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchmemory Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Rex is the Cobalt-60 of football. Bowles is more akin to Cesium-137. Baby bok choi frightens me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Yea that's worked out real well so far. Only the people who continuously fall for it feel that way. Bread and circuses right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Bowles brings me zero hope. The ATF stole my AR-15 and gave it to ISIS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Bowles brings me zero hope. The ATF stole my AR-15 and gave it to ISIS. Cheer up. Atleast Tom gets to negotiate his punishment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ylekram Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Bowles brings me zero hope. The ATF stole my AR-15 and gave it to ISIS. you holding an AR-15? I just cant see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLV Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 says the guy who"s first 900 posts on this board were slamming rex ryan,exclusively hardly, but I do bash Rex more than strictly necessary mostly because there is absolutely no doubt he is horrible (bottom 5 HC in the NFL), but with Geno because of his situation there is still hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ylekram Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 hardly, but I do bash Rex more than strictly necessary mostly because there is absolutely no doubt he is horrible (bottom 5 HC in the NFL), but with Geno because of his situation there is still hope. I could care less about the reasoning, I was just pointing out the irony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolot Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 I'm a jets fan it's my God given right to be hopeless, Bowles can't deny me of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 We'll be alright is Bowles overcomes his Kenyan anti-colonialism-infused heritage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchmemory Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 We'll be alright is Bowles overcomes his Kenyan anti-colonialism-infused heritage. As well as his birthplace issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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