Jets players concerned with locker-room strife, but Todd Bowles says 'bad excuse'

[Gas2No99]

Jets players concerned with locker-room strife, but Todd Bowles says 'bad excuse'

 

3:57 PM ET

• 
  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

 

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Todd Bowles said it is a "bad excuse" to use the perceived lack of chemistry as the reason for the New York Jets' 5-11 season, but players continued to voice concern over locker-room discord.

"Losing didn't help, but I think it was kind of a mindset that wasn't -- it just kind of spread, and it wasn't good," wide receiver Quincy Enunwasaid Monday as players cleaned out their lockers after a sixth consecutive season out of the playoffs.

This came one day after cornerback Darrelle Revis said there was a "dark cloud" over the team in the aftermath of a Week 3 locker-room argument between Brandon Marshall and Sheldon Richardson.

The Marshall-Richardson feud became the focal point of the turmoil, with Richardson publicly sniping at Marshall at least twice in the last 10 days.

Meanwhile, Marshall's outspoken leadership style chafed many players, sources told ESPN. It culminated with a Week 16 halftime tirade that may have alienated the veteran receiver from teammates.

Enunwa, one of the Jets' promising young players, said it was hard to stay focused during the season because of the internal strife.

"When you see the bad things that are going on, you kind of feel like, 'Wow,'" he said. "You almost lose your purpose, I think. You go into the season and you don't want to play for self, you want to play for team. But when team doesn't feel like a team, then you have to start playing for self."

Bowles, who will return for a third season as the Jets' head coach, tried to downplay the friction.

"That happens in locker rooms all the time," he said. "I don't think that was a problem as far as us winning and losing and playing hard. Arguments are going to happen."

At the same time, Bowles acknowledged the team can show "a lot more maturity." He will try to change the chemistry in the offseason, and that may mean parting ways with Richardson and Marshall, both of whom are under contract in 2017.

The Jets tried to deal Richardson before the Nov. 1 trading deadline, and they're likely to resume talks next month. Marshall, 32, is due to make $7.5 million and could become a cap casualty.

Bowles admitted that Marshall's style isn't for everyone.

"Brandon can be volatile at times, but his message is correct, what he's saying," Bowles said. "He's a very passionate player and he cares. He works his tail off and he'd like everybody to do that in the same fashion. Sometimes, whenever you're losing, it gets a little frustrating and it goes over, but his message was fine."

Marshall defended his boisterous personality.

"In retrospect, I could work on my timing, but I'm totally fine with my approach this year," he said. "My only motive is to win ballgames. I'm tired of going home right after the season. I'm tired of watching the playoffs on my couch. It's just a frustrating year. It has been a frustrating career."

In 11 seasons, Marshall has yet to reach the playoffs. He has played more game without a postseason appearance than any active player.

Enunwa paused eight seconds before responding to a question about Marshall's loud personality.

"For me, with Brandon, I always make sure that I hear the message, rather than the delivery of the message," he said. "It's not easy for everybody. ... I think, like he said, he wishes his delivery was different."

Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin said the team "didn't have the same spark as last year. We didn't fight like we did last year."

In 2015, the Jets finished 10-6, coming up one game short of the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

[Gas2No99]

Players have said locker-room discord was an factor in the Jets' performance, but coach Todd Bowles refused to buy that. "To say that was a problem and the reason for us losing, that would be a bad excuse," he said.

 

 

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer 

Jets coach Todd Bowles said he never feared for his job. He said owner Woody Johnson "never gave me the impression in our conversations my job was in jeopardy. Obviously, he has the right to change his mind, but Woody backed me the whole time and I'm proud that he did."

[joewilly12]

Our head coach is an excuse maker. 

[Beerfish]

If only korn ferry, casserly and wolf had used this:

[Kevin L]

6 minutes ago, joewilly12 said:

Our head coach is an excuse maker. 

Worse than that, he seems clueless.

Players say there are communication issues, Bowles says there are no communication issues.

Players say the effort isn't there for everyone, Bowles says the effort is just fine.

Either way, not everyone is on the same page in the locker room.

[JetPotato]

The management throughout this organization insists that the coaching is fine, the talent is there and that the chemistry is no excuse.

SO WHAT THE **** IS THE PROBLEM THEN MORONS?

[JiFtheOracle]

I don't think I've ever seen a coach just out right dismiss that lockerrom chemistry matters.

what a boob 

[Scott Dierking]

Bowles is simply not the sound byte guy that some people clamor for. Call him the anti-Rex.

He will be judged not on what he says to fix the problem, but what he does, as it should be. 

Bowles has been a vital cog in winning locker rooms. He would be pretty naive if he did not understand the importance. 

[RSJ]

This is what you would expect Bowles to say. He isnt going to lay the groundwork for this to become an excuse next season. I would expect new leadership in most position groups on this team next year.