To bench or not to bench that is the question

[LSJF]

Moving on to the Bears game…

To bench or not to bench that is the question…. Facing one of the worst defenses this weekend, does Zach play with a short leash… if he does play and actually shows up, does that help wipe away some of the garbage previously… Or is he just too far gone at this point… Do we start Mike White, I’m OK with that, he will get the ball in our receivers hands… does Zack get up in front of the team and give a mea culpa? Does that make everybody say aww shucks give the guy one more chance…

I know the coaching staff here at Jetnation is done with him… I’ve been a supporter not a cultist, as Tuscany says, I’m a realist, I was praying that he would be our franchise quarterback and solve that freaking problem… So does he get one more shot against a crappy defense to try to make things right with his brain and with the team… Or is it too little too late, Or put Streveler or Mike White, neither of which is probably going to be our future QB….

The team and Saleh have had enough, but does he get that one last try… And mind you if he is thinking up the joint, he gets polled…

i’m torn, I’m not gonna be upset if he’s benched, I just don’t know what we have in store for a quarterback as usual… Is it too late to get Eli out of retirement…

 

 

 

[The Crusher]

They really can’t bench him this game, it may be the last defense he can put up numbers against. They should but they won’t. 

[LSJF]

Just now, The Crusher said:

They really can’t bench him this game, it may be the last defense he can put up numbers against. They should but they won’t. 

It should really be his last chance, I agree… If he can’t do well this week, he should be on the bench

[jbt]

Zach gets the 1st quarter, if the offense does not move bring in Mike White.  then if he sucks bring in Flacco.  then if he sucks bring in streveler

 

 

[FidelioJet]

I can't image how they can play him.

If they were on the road I could see one chance against a less impressive defense.  He's really been up against a murderer's row of defenses lately...but

If he plays - first incompletion and the boo birds will be out.  It will be really ugly, really fast.  

No way he can start Sunday.

[BallinPB]

He needs to be benched.  I'm not taking the lateness to the press conference by Saleh yesterday at face value.  I think there were meetings with the GM and owner that ran long.  I'm guessing the consensus in the building after 20 games of bottom of the league QB play that Zach is either not the QB of the future or at the very least not ready right now to lead this team on a playoff run.  

It would be big for the team if Flacco or White starts this week.  I'm not saying he never plays again but at this point with his comments and his on the field play, you have to show the guys you are more concerned with the team than just Zach.  

[Trotter]

without knowing what exactly is going on in the locker room with the other players, i would be surprised if he starts. What was the point of all of the drama yesterday if he is not benched?

I am not sure what message or shot fired you sent him by saying all options are open and then turning to him Sunday.

Tough call but to me the Jets kind of played their hand yesterday. 

[BallinPB]

Just now, FidelioJet said:

I can't image how they can play him.

If they were on the road I could see one chance against a less impressive defense.  He's really been up against a murderer's row of defenses lately...but

If he plays - first incompletion and the boo birds will be out.  It will be really ugly, really fast.  

No way he can start Sunday.

 

Just now, Trotter said:

without knowing what exactly is going on in the locker room with the other players, i would be surprised if he starts. What was the point of all of the drama yesterday if he is not benched?

I am not sure what message or shot fired you sent him by saying all options are open and then turning to him Sunday.

Tough call but to me the Jets kind of played their hand yesterday. 

I agree with this.  I don't see how Saleh makes those statements yesterday and then goes back to Zach.  If he wanted to send a message he would've just came out and said Zach is the QB but we will giving White/Flacco some starting reps this week.  

[y2k8]

13 minutes ago, BallinPB said:

He needs to be benched.  I'm not taking the lateness to the press conference by Saleh yesterday at face value.  I think there were meetings with the GM and owner that ran long.  I'm guessing the consensus in the building after 20 games of bottom of the league QB play that Zach is either not the QB of the future or at the very least not ready right now to lead this team on a playoff run.  

I agree.

What I hope happened is that Woody assured JD and Saleh that they are free from the Zach pick.

They have built a quality roster. They will be judged by wins and losses. That they should play at QB whomever they believe is going to give the team the best chance to win. If that is still Zach, so be it. Regardless, they should be prepared for the consequences.

If it's not Zach, he will get his chance to earn QB1 next summer. He will compete with whomever JD brings into that QB room next year.

 

[Darnold Schwarzenegger]

8 minutes ago, Trotter said:

without knowing what exactly is going on in the locker room with the other players, i would be surprised if he starts. What was the point of all of the drama yesterday if he is not benched?

I am not sure what message or shot fired you sent him by saying all options are open and then turning to him Sunday.

Tough call but to me the Jets kind of played their hand yesterday. 

https://www.outkick.com/robert-saleh-does-excellent-work-keeping-jets-from-splintering-by-basically-doing-nothing/
 

good article by Armando salguero 

[TommyT]

Zach is clueless on all phases. Bench is the only option. I will go as far as to send him to the practice squad.

[JetPotato]

Has to be benched after all that's transpired.

Shelve the kid and put him through his own training camp the rest of the way. Set him up over the offseason to work on his own understanding the QB position and how to step into throws. Then let him try to take the job from Jimmy G next summer.

[bitonti]

Alas poor Zach I knew him well 

[LSJF]

It is a pretty rough decision, could Zach actually break out against a weaker defense? Saleh has to maintain the locker room control, so benching is totally not out of the question… My vote at this point, goes back and forth, but I would not be upset if I heard Mike White was quarterbacking… I’m hoping if Zach hears that he’s demoted, he still apologizes to the team, and doesn’t act like a biotch….

 

[PepPep]

10 minutes ago, LSJF said:

Moving on to the Bears game…

To bench or not to bench that is the question…. Facing one of the worst defenses this weekend, does Zach play with a short leash… if he does play and actually shows up, does that help wipe away some of the garbage previously… Or is he just too far gone at this point… Do we start Mike White, I’m OK with that, he will get the ball in our receivers hands… does Zack get up in front of the team and give a mea culpa? Does that make everybody say aww shucks give the guy one more chance…

I know the coaching staff here at Jetnation is done with him… I’ve been a supporter not a cultist, as Tuscany says, I’m a realist, I was praying that he would be our franchise quarterback and solve that freaking problem… So does he get one more shot against a crappy defense to try to make things right with his brain and with the team… Or is it too little too late, Or put Streveler or Mike White, neither of which is probably going to be our future QB….

The team and Saleh have had enough, but does he get that one last try… And mind you if he is thinking up the joint, he gets polled…

i’m torn, I’m not gonna be upset if he’s benched, I just don’t know what we have in store for a quarterback as usual… Is it too late to get Eli out of retirement…

 

 

 

Saleh WILL NOT bench Zach for this game.

1. He knows he can win with him and this ferocious defense (he's 5-2 even with the devastating Pats losses). He just won a HUGE game against one of the best teams in the league (Bills). Saleh knows he can win with Zach if he just plays a decent game. 

2. The Jets (as an organization) have committed to Zach for this season. I don't care what Saleh said in his presser. They have no legit starting caliber QBs they can bring in. Not Mike White, not Flacco, not Streveler.

For all the Mike White fans, I've been preaching this in other threads. Mike White had ONE good game his whose career as a Jet- the Bengals game. And he still threw multiple INTs in that game. He is a turnover machine. He threw multiple INTs in 3 of the 4 games he played in as a Jet. And the game in which he DIDN'T throw multiple INTs, he got hurt and knocked out early (this was the Colts game last year) so he only had 11 pass attempts. You cannot turn the ball over with this team- putting the defense in a bad position. Ok well he throws TDs, unlike Zach. Right? Well, not really. He threw more than ONE TD in only ONE game last year- again the Bengals game. Thats it. That was his one great game, and again, he threw 2 INTs in it. He can't run for positive yardage (zero rush yards last year). Mike White stinks. This idea that we should bench Zach at this critical moment in the season after he's gone 5-2, expecting Mike White of all people to push us into the playoffs is just not a great take on the situation. And again, I'm not saying Zach is a great or even good QB. I'm just saying Mike White stinks. I'd rather turn to old man Flacco, the statue. At least I know he can read defenses and is ready to step into pressure and fling it- for better or worse. 

As far as the kind of leash Zach will get. He will definitely get more than one drive. If you don't plan to give him more than one drive you may as well not start the guy. Unless he looks completely lost or throws a mind-boggling INT right off the bat -meltdown mode- I just don't see Saleh pulling him early. A bad throw or a stifled drive will not get him the hook. Maybe if the offense is looking completely stagnant at the half we may see a change. Thats how I see it.  

[Jetsfan80]

55 minutes ago, The Crusher said:

They really can’t bench him this game, it may be the last defense he can put up numbers against. They should but they won’t. 

I'd much rather reward Mike White with a mediocre defensive opponent than the entitled prick.

[BallinPB]

49 minutes ago, The Crusher said:

They really can’t bench him this game, it may be the last defense he can put up numbers against. They should but they won’t. 

Wait.  Am I missing something?  I just looked it up and the Bears allow less passing yards a game than us.  How is this a defense Zach can put up numbers on?  

[BroadwayJoe12]

On the flip side, if you’re going to make the move to White, maybe you do make it this game to get one under his belt. 

[PepPep]

8 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

I'd much rather reward Mike White with a mediocre defensive opponent than the entitled prick.

[Barry McCockinner]

I think they will start Wilson but have him on a short leash. He's officially on notice that he needs to start producing. 

[LSJF]

26 minutes ago, PepPep said:

Saleh WILL NOT bench Zach for this game.

1. He knows he can win with him and this ferocious defense (he's 5-2 even with the devastating Pats losses). He just won a HUGE game against one of the best teams in the league (Bills). Saleh knows he can win with Zach if he just plays a decent game. 

2. The Jets (as an organization) have committed to Zach for this season. I don't care what Saleh said in his presser. They have no legit starting caliber QBs they can bring in. Not Mike White, not Flacco, not Streveler.

For all the Mike White fans, I've been preaching this in other threads. Mike White had ONE good game his whose career as a Jet- the Bengals game. And he still threw multiple INTs in that game. He is a turnover machine. He threw multiple INTs in 3 of the 4 games he played in as a Jet. And the game in which he DIDN'T throw multiple INTs, he got hurt and knocked out early (this was the Colts game last year) so he only had 11 pass attempts. You cannot turn the ball over with this team- putting the defense in a bad position. Ok well he throws TDs, unlike Zach. Right? Well, not really. He threw more than ONE TD in only ONE game last year- again the Bengals game. Thats it. That was his one great game, and again, he threw 2 INTs in it. He can't run for positive yardage (zero rush yards last year). Mike White stinks. This idea that we should bench Zach at this critical moment in the season after he's gone 5-2, expecting Mike White of all people to push us into the playoffs is just not a great take on the situation. And again, I'm not saying Zach is a great or even good QB. I'm just saying Mike White stinks. I'd rather turn to old man Flacco, the statue. At least I know he can read defenses and is ready to step into pressure and fling it- for better or worse. 

As far as the kind of leash Zach will get. He will definitely get more than one drive. If you don't plan to give him more than one drive you may as well not start the guy. Unless he looks completely lost or throws a mind-boggling INT right off the bat -meltdown mode- I just don't see Saleh pulling him early. A bad throw or a stifled drive will not get him the hook. Maybe if the offense is looking completely stagnant at the half we may see a change. Thats how I see it.  

Do the locker room captains have a say? Would it be mutiny? If he starts Zach I would give him a few drives to see how he does. A difficult situation this franchise has to deal with.

[The Crusher]

19 minutes ago, BallinPB said:

Wait.  Am I missing something?  I just looked it up and the Bears allow less passing yards a game than us.  How is this a defense Zach can put up numbers on?  

Don't you know the only numbers you judge a young QB by is wins and losses. LOL

[kevinc855]

Everyone saying "we need to know what we have in Zach" 

We do, he played 20 games and overall he stinks. Its the eyeball test, its the stats, its the inconsistency. Bench his ass. Get the Vet in 2023 and let Zach back him up and maybe learn how to be a semi competent QB in a few years. 

[NYJCAP2]

My opinion is, they should bench him and play Flacco.

What I think will happen: ZW will start if he has a week of practice with no mental errors. Then he will be benched in the Bears game for sucking in the first half. Flacco will relieve him and win the game.

[kevinc855]

38 minutes ago, PepPep said:

They have no legit starting caliber QBs they can bring in.

But is Zach Wilson a legit starting QB? 

I would aruge most backups in the NFL play better then he would right now.

[PepPep]

3 minutes ago, LSJF said:

Do the locker room captains have a say? Would it be mutiny? If he starts Zach I would give him a few drives to see how he does. A difficult situation this franchise has to deal with.

Zach IS one of the team captains lol.

I think a lot of the players in the locker room are still very much behind Zach. I say this over and over again. This is a team sport. If the team is winning with their QB- regardless of the numbers he is putting up. They will have his back. He is 5-2. I know a lot of people on here are telling me that is a meaningless stat. That the team was winning DESPITE him. Well, its not. And I don't think the team views it this way either. I don't think they look at White or Flacco or Streveler and think to themselves- if only one of those guys was our QB...we'd be way better, with a way better record. They may think Zach needs to play better, they may think he should be targeting certain guys or doing this or that. But they have his back. This is a 6-4 team very much in the hunt for the playoffs. There is no mutiny on the horizon if Zach starts against the Bears, c'mon man! JMHO. 

[GreenFish]

So many reasons why Zach shouldnt start. For me, the last straw was the press conference. Can’t preach culture and let that comment fly. Just like Moore got benched Zach should be benched. Can’t hold some guys accountable and not others. He’s also really needs to work on his footwork. Cant focus on the basics if you are preparing to play.

[WILLY]

3 minutes ago, PepPep said:

Zach IS one of the team captains lol.

I think a lot of the players in the locker room are still very much behind Zach. I say this over and over again. This is a team sport. If the team is winning with their QB- regardless of the numbers he is putting up. They will have his back. He is 5-2. I know a lot of people on here are telling me that is a meaningless stat. That the team was winning DESPITE him. Well, its not. And I don't think the team views it this way either. I don't think they look at White or Flacco or Streveler and think to themselves- if only one of those guys was our QB...we'd be way better, with a way better record. They may think Zach needs to play better, they may think he should be targeting certain guys or doing this or that. But they have his back. This is a 6-4 team very much in the hunt for the playoffs. There is no mutiny on the horizon if Zach starts against the Bears, c'mon man! JMHO. 

You are guessing. You have no idea what the players REALLY think.

[ScarletKnight89]

I personally think Saleh did what he did yesterday to put Zach Wilson on notice that nothing is being given to him anymore. I could be wrong but I think that's the play here. 

I feel like he should get the start against the Bears and get an opportunity post NE debacle to make up for it, albeit with a short leash in the game. 

[PepPep]

1 minute ago, kevinc855 said:

But is Zach Wilson a legit starting QB? 

I would aruge most backups in the NFL play better then he would right now.

Maybe not. But he technically is. He is the Jets starting QB and they committed to him for 7 weeks so far (more really as they named him starter when the season began).

So yeah, the Jets/JD put themselves in a predicament. If they had a good backup, Zach would have definitely been benched by now. JD miscalculated. My guess is JD did not expect the Jets to be as good as they were this year. My guess is he did not expect them to sniff the playoffs and that this would be a learning year for Zach and the rookies more than anything else. And most importantly, he did not expect Zach to stink up the joint as much as he did.  

But the Jets DON'T have a good backup. Thats the whole issue. And I still believe Zach is a better option than Mike White or even Flacco. But apparently thats just me.

[PepPep]

5 minutes ago, WILLY said:

You are guessing. You have no idea what the players REALLY think.

Correctemundo! And I never said I know. And neither do YOU. I said this is what I think. 

[fullblast]

We have a favorable defensive schedule coming up to close out the season. Part of me wants to stick with Zach to see if he fares any better against this stretch, but I really feel like he just doesn't get it at a fundamental level and will continue to struggle regardless.

 

 

 

[BallinPB]

11 minutes ago, kevinc855 said:

But is Zach Wilson a legit starting QB? 

I would aruge most backups in the NFL play better then he would right now.

I too would argue this.  He already ranks behind some backups already.   

[All Gas, No Gase]

I’ve gone back and forth between starting him on a short leash and benching him. I don’t have any inside information so I’m basing my opinion on what has been reported. IMO if there is any chance for Zach to turn things around, he needs to be benched so there is a clear message he cannot be a NFL starting quarterback without improving his fundamentals and taking responsibility for his mistakes and being a leader. 
His comments that nobody outside the building know anything and not taking responsibility for the loss while playing so poorly show he has a major attitude problem. He also improved his game at BYU when he had to face competition. Hopefully he responds likewise when he knows he’s not given the starting job any longer. 
I also think benching Zach will send a positive message to the rest of the team about building a winning culture and that each team member needs to do their part. 
I also think if Zach has a good game against Chicago without changing his fundamentals would be the worse thing for any future development in his game.

[NYJCAP2]

Tomorrow’s practice might be wild. I’d assume all 3 QBs will be taking rep’s with the first team O.

Me signing onto JN to sift through the takes :