Like it or not, Jets Shold be in Evaluation Mode

[JetNation]

By Glenn Naughton

 

At the start of every NFL season, fans across the league have a similar prayer that they send up to the football gods.  In descending order, those prayers involve a Super Bowl trophy, or even an appearance,  a playoff appearance, or at the very least, for their team to remain competitive enough to play meaningful football as the season’s final weeks approach.

As it turns out, the New York Jets will do none of the above.  Currently sitting at 3-7 heading in to the bye week, Jets fans are left with only a couple of options.

1. Look ahead to the draft
2. Identify quality young talent already in place that will be around to contribute for years to come

With plenty of time to look at the draft in the coming months, let’s take a peek at some promising young Jets who are worth keeping an eye on as Gang Green plays out the six remaining games on the schedule.

WR Robby Anderson:

If not for the putrid quarterback play Jets fans have had to endure (yet again), Anderson would likely be in the conversation for offensive rookie of the year.  The speedy Temple product is routinely beating defensive backs deep down the field, only to have his quarterback, be it Ryan Fitzpatrick or Bryce Petty, misfire for a harmless incompletion.  For a young undrafted free agent, Anderson’s ability to gain separation has been staggering.  If the Jets opt to stick with Petty at quarterback and decide to have him let it rip, Anderson could be in for a strong showing down the stretch.

It didn’t take Anthony Johnson long to work his way on to the field for Gang Green.

DL Anthony Johnson:

Some will be surprised to see Johnson’s name mentioned after appearing in just one game after he was snatched off of the Patriots practice squad.  However, the 6′ 2”, 295 lb lineman has an impressive first step and found himself on Gang Green’s starting goal-line defense last week against the Rams after only a few days with the club.  There were questions about Johnson’s work ethic and consistency coming out of college, but the fact that he hung around for this long under Bill Belichick before the Jets grabbed him tells us there’s a good chance he’s turned the corner in terms of maturity and effort.

CB Darryl Roberts: 

A former Patriot like Johnson, Mike Maccagnan scooped Roberts up off the waiver wire and the corner has been the biggest surprise on the Jets roster.  He played sparingly early on but has been on the field for 49, 41 and 48 snaps respectively over the past three weeks.  Chosen in the 7th round of the 2015 NFL draft out of Marshall, Roberts is a good fit for Todd Bowles’ scheme.  At 6′, 182 lb Roberts is physical and fast (4.38 40 time) and that has paid off thus far.  While the the Jets secondary has spent much of the season being abused by opposing receivers, Roberts’ has hardly gotten a mention, and this year in particular, that’s a good thing.

OG Brian Winters:

Not quite as inexperienced as those mentioned above, but Winters may be playing himself into a new contract with the Jets.  In his fourth season out of Kent State, Winters has improved from year to year since being drafted and has seemingly established himself as an above average player at this point.  According to PFF.com, Winters isn’t exactly dominant, but does rank 25th out of 80 NFL guards in 2016.  Should he continue to show improvement as the season draws to a close, the Jets would be wise to lock up a young quality player who offers continuity on the O-line.

OLB Lorenzo Mauldin:

Back in heavy rotation, Lorenzo Mauldin will look for a strong finish to the 2016 season.

Somewhat of a disappointment thus far, Mauldin struggled early this season and his playing time suffered as a result.  Consistently losing containment and missed tackles led to a three game stretch that saw the second-year player average just 12 defensive snaps per week. Since that time however, Mauldin has played over 80% of the team’s snaps in three of four contests.  The non-stop motor and great work ethic are always present, but you can bet the Jets will be watching closely for better discipline and improved results.

ILB Darron Lee:

As the Jets first round draft choice this season (20th overall), Lee has flashed the skill set that convinced the Jets to take him in round one, but has also struggled at times in coverage and most recently, with injuries.  His closing speed has been evident several times throughout the season and his ability to stick with running backs and tight ends has been on display, but reminiscent of a young Kyle Wilson (sorry), he has struggled in locating the ball early enough to make a play.  All in all, Jets fans should be happy with the choice as Lee still has a lot to learn at the pro level.  With the bye week upon us, Lee should be 100% by the time the Jets take on the Patriots on November 27th.

QB’s Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg:

There’s really not a whole lot to say about the need to monitor the two young quarterbacks that hasn’t been said already, but leaving them off of a list of young players to watch would be irresponsible.  Petty had a so-so showing in his first pro start last week against the Rams and stands a chance to be named the starter for the rest of the way.  Hackenberg is believed to be in a “don’t play under any circumstances” red-shirt rookie season, but if the Jets brass isn’t thrilled with what they see from Petty, might Hack get a look in the final game or two of the season?  It may not be as far-fetched as some have indicated.

Honorable Mention:

OLB Josh Martin- As much as the Jets have struggled to find a QB, they haven’t done much better at finding a pass rusher off the edge.  Martin hasn’t been a very productive pro, but he does possess very impressive speed for his size and deserves a chance to get some reps in obvious passing situations to see what he has to offer.

Currently in the concussion protocol, will Martin see increased reps upon return?

TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins- The 6′ 6” Jenkins was brought in after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was viewed as a possible answer at tight end.  This far he has been a complete non-factor since joining the team over a month ago which doesn’t bode well. At this point, Brandon Bostick appears to be the better all-around player.  If Seferian-Jenkins can’t find a way to get on the field with the Jets, he may not be long for the league.

The Jets may not be willing to say they’re in full evaluation mode right now, but there’s no reason why Jets fans shouldn’t be doing just that between now and the team’s final contest at home against the Bills on Jan 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Adoni Beast]

Darryl Roberts coming on has been huge. This is exactly the type of player that should be getting the majority of snaps the restof the way. Revis gone next year, hopefully Burris continues to develop. Skrine and Williams back on the slots next year. We still will need a true #1 cb next year. 

Our bigger secondary concern actually are the safeties. Pryor's still on cheap rookie contract but if they have a chance to upgrade SS in draft or FA then do it. Gilchrist gone, we definitely need an upgrade at FS.

I like Mauldin a lot. I just don't know if he'll ever be the edge rushing 3 down player we need. I doubt it. But I think he'll be a very good situational player and theres nothing wrong with that. He wasn't drafted in the first round.

Robbie Anderson has big potential.

ASJ has literally done nothing.

Daron Lee has been good, nothing special. Hopefully he finishes the year strong and solidifies himself as the starter for next season.

Winters what a pleasant surprise. 

As bad as this season has been, We actually have players to look forward to for the future.

Unfortunately, the 4 main positions QB, OLB rusher, LT, CB are all void of top talent.

 

[LionelRichie]

Part of the reason this is such a disaster of a season is that there really isn't all that much more to evaluate other than Petty.   This is an aging / old team that thought they were built to win in 2016.  The UDFA's and retreads off the scrap heap will mostly be gone by the time this team is good.   For some reason Macc seems to be getting a pass for his complicity with this dumpster fire but this is a top heavy, aging roster with more than 1 albatross contracts given out under his watch.     

[joewilly12]

Ive said it for awhile Petty 2 more games Hackenburg the last 3 evaluate them and see where the QB position is at we might not have a decent QB on the roster. 

[Matt39]

30 minutes ago, LionelRichie said:

Part of the reason this is such a disaster of a season is that there really isn't all that much more to evaluate other than Petty.   This is an aging / old team that thought they were built to win in 2016.  The UDFA's and retreads off the scrap heap will mostly be gone by the time this team is good.   For some reason Macc seems to be getting a pass for his complicity with this dumpster fire but this is a top heavy, aging roster with more than 1 albatross contracts given out under his watch.     

This is what happens when you have basically the bare minimum of picks every season...

[drdetroit]

9 minutes ago, joewilly12 said:

Ive said it for awhile Petty 2 more games Hackenburg the last 3 evaluate them and see where the QB position is at we might not have a decent QB on the roster. 

Yeah why not

[rangerous]

i'd say this team should have already been in evaluation mode from day 1.  there are some parts that don't lend themselves to this type of inservice evaluation.  these are the oline and dline.  the oline really needs to play together.  the dline not so much but even there they need to play together.

as for the specific players mentioned, all for it.  these guys are decent players and are the future of this team.  i'm not sold on hackenberg stating but it seems to me that mechanics alone can't be the reason to keep him on the bench.  what does mechanics mean anyway?  does he get the ball to the receiver accurately?  that's all that matters.  the biggest thing a qb needs to do is to make good decisions.

[Beerfish]

They really won;t go into full eval until they are mathematically out imo.  One guy that looked pretty good in limited time until he go hurt was Lawrence Thomas.

[FidelioJet]

1 hour ago, rangerous said:

i'd say this team should have already been in evaluation mode from day 1.  there are some parts that don't lend themselves to this type of inservice evaluation.  these are the oline and dline.  the oline really needs to play together.  the dline not so much but even there they need to play together.

as for the specific players mentioned, all for it.  these guys are decent players and are the future of this team.  i'm not sold on hackenberg stating but it seems to me that mechanics alone can't be the reason to keep him on the bench.  what does mechanics mean anyway?  does he get the ball to the receiver accurately?  that's all that matters.  the biggest thing a qb needs to do is to make good decisions.

I think the whole point is that he doesn't/hasn't gotten the ball to receivers accurately...and there's a belief/hope that mechanics is a big reason why.  Fix the mechanics and the accuracy will come along.

The fact that the team has decided not to try and fix his mechanics during the season says to me that there's no way he's going to play this year.

[rangerous]

17 minutes ago, FidelioJet said:

I think the whole point is that he doesn't/hasn't gotten the ball to receivers accurately...and there's a belief/hope that mechanics is a big reason why.  Fix the mechanics and the accuracy will come along.

The fact that the team has decided not to try and fix his mechanics during the season says to me that there's no way he's going to play this year.

fair enough if that's what the bad mechanics means.  but last sunday we saw petty make some seiously bad throws and he has good mechanics.

[UnitedWhofans]

2 hours ago, LionelRichie said:

Part of the reason this is such a disaster of a season is that there really isn't all that much more to evaluate other than Petty.   This is an aging / old team that thought they were built to win in 2016.  The UDFA's and retreads off the scrap heap will mostly be gone by the time this team is good.   For some reason Macc seems to be getting a pass for his complicity with this dumpster fire but this is a top heavy, aging roster with more than 1 albatross contracts given out under his watch.     

Because the common  belief is that his job is to get talent on the roster and people believe that there is talent on the roster that is underachieving

Plus, the media pushed for signing Fitzpatrick and Wilkerson and Revis (last year) so they cant really complain about that because they would look like hypocrites.

Like it or not, the media has influence on the Jets. Doug Marrone can attest to that

[PepPep]

Yes, D.Roberts was a nice pickup. But the guy that needs more evaluation and should have probably been mentioned is Burris. He needs to get more reps, b/c with the ones he;s gotten so far, I have only seen good things from him.  

And as much as Anderson has impressed. I think we need to take a closer look at Peake and Marshall. You kind of know what you are getting with Marshall. An undersized, but speedy WR who can help in the return game but has ball security issues. Peake is a big, strong, fast WR with good hands. He has a ton of potential but a history of injuries (so far has stayed healthy).

The WR position will be very crowded next season and its crucial that the Jets evaluate their young WR additions ASAP (D.Smith, Anderson, Peake, Marshall). And I'm not factoring in any new rookies or UDFA that will come in and compete in camp next year.   

[PepPep]

3 hours ago, LionelRichie said:

Part of the reason this is such a disaster of a season is that there really isn't all that much more to evaluate other than Petty.   This is an aging / old team that thought they were built to win in 2016.  The UDFA's and retreads off the scrap heap will mostly be gone by the time this team is good.   For some reason Macc seems to be getting a pass for his complicity with this dumpster fire but this is a top heavy, aging roster with more than 1 albatross contracts given out under his watch.     

I disagree.

Young talent the Jets need to evaluate for next year includes:

Secondary: Pryor, Roberts, Burris, McDougle

LBs: Lee, Jenkins, Mauldin, Martin (maybe Lee can be kept off the list- there is no way they are letting him go)

WRs: Anderson, Peake, Marshall, D.Smith)

O-line: Shell, Qvale, Dozier, W.Johnson

D-line: D.Simon, A.Johnson

If the Jets can makes some moves in the secondary (get rid of Revis, bring in Amukamara, draft a CB or S, for example) to even marginally improve upon it. AND one of the Jets QBs takes hold of the starting gig. Petty, Hack or a new addition (Glennon? rookie, whoever). The Jets can be a 'good team'. Next season. The NFL is a league where you can go worst to first and first to worst in a flash. Assuming that the Jets, with the team they have currently put together, can't make some moves and be competitive again in one short season, is simply inaccurate. Moving on from just a few of the overpaid, underperforming players and successfully replacing them with solid starters or young players on the rise, or simply talented upgrades is all it may take to make this team competitive again. 

[Warfish]

At QB, there is no excuse not to be in evaluation mode now.  One couldn't ask for a better reason to go with Petty than Fitz being the worst in the NFL and hurt to boot.

After we lose to the Pats, there is no excuse not to be in evaluation mode at ALL positions, top to bottom.

As has been said elsewhere, failure of Bowles (and Macc to make Bowles if needed) to properly evaluation what little young talent we have that could help rebuild in 2017, is IMO a terminable offense.  For Bowles certainly, and for Macc if he allows it to happen.

Yes, try to win.  But try to win with the youth and players who have a future here.  Not the Fitz's, Forte's and other old veterans who will not be here in 2017.

[Jet Blast]

19 minutes ago, Warfish said:

At QB, there is no excuse not to be in evaluation mode now.  One couldn't ask for a better reason to go with Petty than Fitz being the worst in the NFL and hurt to boot.

After we lose to the Pats, there is no excuse not to be in evaluation mode at ALL positions, top to bottom.

As has been said elsewhere, failure of Bowles (and Macc to make Bowles if needed) to properly evaluation what little young talent we have that could help rebuild in 2017, is IMO a terminable offense.  For Bowles certainly, and for Macc if he allows it to happen.

Yes, try to win.  But try to win with the youth and players who have a future here.  Not the Fitz's, Forte's and other old veterans who will not be here in 2017.

By all accounts I have read, Bowles does not answer to Macc, but rather, they both report to Woody. If this is true, Macc cannot be held responsible for Bowles' actions and inactions. Further, Macc did not hire Bowles. I do agree they should be in full evaluation mode now.