Here’s why the Jets Should see a Better Version of Zach Wilson on Sunday vs Texans

[JetNation]

When Zach Wilson steps on to the football field against the Houston Texans this Sunday, it will be the most important game of his pro career thus far.  No, it obviously won’t be about the standings or the final score.  But a lot has changed since the last time Wilson took a snap and recent success from multiple QB’s will have Wilson under the microscope more now than ever.  So why is this one so much different?

Personnel Groupings: 

If you took a stroll through Jets twitter from the time Wilson was injured, you’ll see fans, pundits and former players asking why Wilson didn’t do more in Mike LaFleur’s offense.  “It’s the same system” they’ll say.  “Mike LaFleur isn’t doing anything different, why couldn’t Zach do this?”.  With all due respect, those folks haven’t been paying very close attention.

Since getting sidelined, the Jets have seen a significant increase in the number of four and five wide receiver sets they’ve deployed.  Along with that, we’ve seen an increase in the number of reps the team’s wide receivers are getting.  What this has meant is more opportunities for QB’s to look for mismatches between the Jets receivers and opposing defenders.

Think back to how fans raved about this receiving corps that consisted of Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole, Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios and Jeff Smith.  More than enough talent to exploit mismatches, but the Jets rarely had four or five of them on the field together.  That has changed in recent weeks as the team has dropped the number of reps their tight ends have receiver.  All of this has meant a more talented and athletic group of receivers for Mike White, Josh Johnson and Joe Flacco to work with.  Now it’s Wilson’s turn.

Per https://t.co/4JwSrrb3Ne:

Jets 4 and 5 WR sets w/ Z. Wilson under center: 4 (1%)

Jets 4 and 5 WR sets w/ Z. Wilson sidelined: 41 (15%)

Time for the Jets to open things up for Wilson just as they have for the other QB's on the roster.

— Glenn Naughton (@AceFan23) November 25, 2021

Philosophy:

In addition to changing up the personnel groupings, LaFleur has been far more aggressive on first down, putting his quarterbacks in fewer third-and-long situations.  If Wilson executes on the early throws, it will give him more options on the later downs with fewer obvious passing situations.

Perspective: 

We’ve heard offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur say from the time the team was in training camp that he’s most comfortable calling plays from upstairs in the booth.  However, due to Wilson’s inexperience, Robert Saleh had LaFleur working from the sideline.  Since moving upstairs, LaFleur has a different perspective on the action and is now doing his job in an environment where he’s more comfortable.

Watch and Learn:

When Zach Wilson lined up for his first NFL snap in week 1, he had never faced an NFL defense at full speed.  Now?  He has six starts under his belt.  In addition, his injury has allowed him to watch veteran quarterbacks prepare and perform in a system that has been one of the NFL’s best in recent weeks.

Crazy stat: In the four games since Zach Wilson's injury, the Jets have averaged 436 yards per game — tops in the… https://t.co/wvX1365nxi

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 24, 2021

So the next time Wilson takes a snap, he’ll be doing it with both live reps to have learned from as well as the benefit seeing the offense perform at a high level when veterans have been at the helm.  If Wilson is a quick study, we should see significant improvement starting this Sunday.

Level of Competition:

Having previously faced the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots (twice) and Broncos, Wilson played 4 of his first six NFL games against top 10 pass defenses.  This week?  It’s the 24th ranked Texans.  That will represent the second-worst secondary (24th) he has faced to date with only the Titans (28th) being worse.  Wilson will be without running back Michael Carter, but the backs behind him and receivers in the huddle should be more than enough for Wilson to thrive against the Texans?  If he doesn’t?  The fans will have plenty to say.

 

The post Here’s why the Jets Should see a Better Version of Zach Wilson on Sunday vs Texans appeared first on JetNation.com (NY Jets Blog & Forum).

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[Jetsfan80]

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

[Gastineau Lives]

14 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

Omg

[CSNY]

If Zach stops throwing worm killers it will be progress 

[Jetsfan80]

6 minutes ago, Gastineau Lives said:

Omg

What’s the problem now?

[munchmemory]

37 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

It has taken me a while (sadly decades).   But I now understand (accept, maybe?) that certain players, HCs and GMs always get the benefit of the doubt from a segment of fans/media.  Blind acceptance in the face of obvious failure(s), even.  

I hate it (and reading all the fawning explanations).  But it's just the way it is.

[undertow]

34 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

Also Michael Carter being hurt will be a big one. lol 

[65 Toss Power Trap]

Quite a write up. I just hope he’s catching up to NFL speed, stops short arming passes, makes the simple reads, and shows improvement. 

[Gastineau Lives]

23 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

What’s the problem now?

Omg

[Jetsfan80]

1 minute ago, Gastineau Lives said:

Omg

Thought so

[sec101row23]

Zach should look much better this week.  If he’s the “film rat” that everyone says he is, I’m sure he and his buddy John Beck have been watching how to execute this offense.  I would be shocked if Zach played poorly on Sunday.  

[Gastineau Lives]

6 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Thought so

Exactly

[Claymation]

46 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

And the other faction will say I told you so. They seem to be more content on being right, and have already made up their mind about Zach no matter what he has does in the future.

But what if he plays ordinary? Will both sides claim that they are correct?

As for me, I would prefer watching Zach than Joe, who has no future here or Mike White who can only complete a pass less than 10 yards in air. If Zach fails as a QB in this league at least I will know it isn't anyone else fault except his own. He has the talent unlike Mike and has been given a supporting cast, albeit a limited one so far. 

[Anthony Jet]

Hoping Zach looks better, not gonna close the book on him if he doesn’t though, also not ready to anoint him as the savior if looks great, but with the exceptions of drops most of the excuses he gets aren’t viable anymore 
 

[JTJet]

So summary -

Zach set up to fail and faced 4 Top 10 pass defenses with the least amount of recievers while Lafleur was on the sideline. 

Meanwhile White/Johnson/Flacco were set up for success with more recievers and Lafleur in the booth. 

But I was told Zach just sucked. 

Guess we will see. 

[Jet_Engine1]

46 minutes ago, CSNY said:

If Zach stops throwing worm killers it will be progress 

I shall not fear, for fear is the worm killer....

[munchmemory]

20 minutes ago, Jet_Engine1 said:

I shall not fear, for fear is the worm killer....

[Jetsfan80]

32 minutes ago, Claymation said:

And the other faction will say I told you so. They seem to be more content on being right, and have already made up their mind about Zach no matter what he has does in the future.

But what if he plays ordinary? Will both sides claim that they are correct?

As for me, I would prefer watching Zach than Joe, who has no future here or Mike White who can only complete a pass less than 10 yards in air. If Zach fails as a QB in this league at least I will know it isn't anyone else fault except his own. He has the talent unlike Mike and has been given a supporting cast, albeit a limited one so far. 

That’s the good part.  There’s really no good reason Wilson should play poorly this week, and I do hope he succeeds.  So we’ll learn a lot about him this week either way.

And I 100 % would rather see him under center than Flacco.  I didn’t watch last week’s game for that very reason.

[More Cowbell]

37 minutes ago, Claymation said:

And the other faction will say I told you so. They seem to be more content on being right, and have already made up their mind about Zach no matter what he has does in the future.

But what if he plays ordinary? Will both sides claim that they are correct?

As for me, I would prefer watching Zach than Joe, who has no future here or Mike White who can only complete a pass less than 10 yards in air. If Zach fails as a QB in this league at least I will know it isn't anyone else fault except his own. He has the talent unlike Mike and has been given a supporting cast, albeit a limited one so far. 

It looks lime you are to Mike White what you are bitching about other fans being to Zach. I don't  think Mike White is at all the future except ad a good backup but he has made more than a few passes linger than 10 yards. 

[More Cowbell]

I woukd like to see a 10 play drive by Zach to open the first qrt. That would be real progress 

[Sperm Edwards]

1 hour ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

Well if he doesn't want people to say that he should stop calling the bad ones.

[Grandy]

Not asking for him to be great yet, but he should definitely be head and shoulders better than before he went out. 

It's a rookie season. He may have struggled early but as long as he's learning and progressing I'm satisfied. 

[68JET11]

If ML opens the offense, then Zach has only himself to blame if he doesn't perform well. I was bitching that very same argument when White threw for 405 yards. Not that White wasn't playing well that day, but where the hell was this offense when Zach was the QB, I'm not saying it was all ML's fault, but I hope he doesn't baby the kid and gives him the same playbook. I wanna see how Zach handles it.

We need him to succeed if the JETS are going to get better.

[The Crusher]

I like to see Zach throw the ball accurately and on time like he’s painting  by numbers and  not do  a cannon ball directly into the paint bucket. 

[Claymation]

45 minutes ago, More Cowbell said:

It looks lime you are to Mike White what you are bitching about other fans being to Zach. I don't  think Mike White is at all the future except ad a good backup but he has made more than a few passes linger than 10 yards. 

Not at all, I like Mike White but I see him for who he is, sorry if that offends you. It wasn't my intention. He is Captain Checkdown. Nothing wrong with that, but that is who he is.

[Claymation]

50 minutes ago, More Cowbell said:

I woukd like to see a 10 play drive by Zach to open the first qrt. That would be real progress 

Didn't he have one against NE that resulted in a missed field goal?

[More Cowbell]

Sorry, I don't  recall him doing that.

[jeremy2020]

That's a lot of words for "..because he's playing a team that would have a tough time at the college level"

[T0mShane]

Give Saleh credit for making these adjustments on the fly, but it just hammers home the reality that nobody on the coaching knew what the hell they were doing with a young quarterback and they effectively wasted seven months of his development.

[TuscanyTile2]

4 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

And if Wilson sucks, people will say Lafleur stopped calling the good plays.

Its so very, very predictable.

Or that he needs to sit at higher altitude

[TuscanyTile2]

Here’s why the Jets Should see a Better Version of Zach Wilson on Sunday vs Texans

The JetNation user account is like the propaganda wing of the forum.  Everything is always rosy.

[TuscanyTile2]

3 hours ago, sec101row23 said:

Zach should look much better this week.  If he’s the “film rat” that everyone says he is, I’m sure he and his buddy John Beck have been watching how to execute this offense.  I would be shocked if Zach played poorly on Sunday.  

You are aware of what team you root for, correct?

[TuscanyTile2]

2 hours ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Well if he doesn't want people to say that he should stop calling the bad ones.

TSDR

[Claymation]

That’s the good part.  There’s really no good reason Wilson should play poorly this week, and I do hope he succeeds.  So we’ll learn a lot about him this week either way.
And I 100 % would rather see him under center than Flacco.  I didn’t watch last week’s game for that very reason.

I understand, there were plenty of fans who felt the same way. I watched the game, I root for the laundry. It was harder to watch then say White or Wilson.

[Claymation]

Here’s why the Jets Should see a Better Version of Zach Wilson on Sunday vs Texans

The JetNation user account is like the propaganda wing of the forum.  Everything is always rosy.

Or used toilet tissues, depends on the persons vantage point.