Time to Get Back to Reality with the New York Jets

Sep 25, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

There has been a lot of rage in Jets fans since the debacle concluded on Sunday afternoon. Don’t get me wrong, the anger is very well deserved, as our team appeared to not show up to the game on Sunday. The game was about as rough of a loss in recent memory, and that includes the 45-3 game from 2010.

The debate has begun. Is it time to bench Mark Sanchez? Is Tebow Time upon us? Is the defense too old and slow? Do the Jets show too much loyalty to aging veterans? These, and many other questions have been coming across the enraged lips and tweets of Jets fans the last couple of days.

Most of the rage has been directed at the man to the right, Mike Tannenbaum. “He hasn’t done enough to help Mark Sanchez and this offense”, has been the common theme. And this is definitely true, Mark Sanchez is not a guy that is going to get it done with any old weapons around him, he needs help. Help, is exactly what Mike Tannenbaum has not given this offense over the last few years. They have tried to build the defense, while not paying any attention to the offense now. Jets fans are mad, and want wholesale changes, now.

Well, we are a bit over 36 hours since the final gun of Sunday’s game, and it’s time to think. It’s time for reality to set in fans. Despite all of the rage, my own included, here are some realities that we are just stuck with for 2012:

THIS IS OUR RUNNING GAME

Like it or not, here we are. Jonathan Grimes may help, don’t get me wrong. But let’s look at one reason that the running game isn’t getting any better, the offensive line. Here are your offensive line starters from 2011: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Matt Slauson, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore, Wayne Hunter.

The Jets were ranked 22nd in the league in rushing offense in 2010, and that was WITH the veteran running back that we all know helps Shonn Greene be effective. 22nd. After finishing 22nd, the Jets felt that Brian Schottenheimer was the reason that the offense failed, so they brought in Tony Sparano to re-commit to the running game. But what did they do with the personnel? NOTHING! The only change on the offensive line was adding an inexperienced right tackle, and they didn’t add to the running game. Changing the coaching doesn’t change the players on the field by magic.

Look around the available players now. Is there somebody that the Jets can bring in, during the season, to make a significant change? Trades are rare during the season, acquiring Braylon Edwards was an exception to the rule. So, who are we going to sign to make a difference? I don’t see anyone. Teams are built in the offseason, not midseason. This offensive line, and running attack is what we are going forward with folks.

Sept. 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) runs off the field after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. 49ers won 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

TIM TEBOW IS NOT THE ANSWER

Before all of my Tim Tebow fans get mad at me, my reasoning for this statement is not because of Tim Tebow. You all know how I feel about Tebow, this is not news. I have never been thrilled with the trade to bring him in here, and I am still not. That being said, Tim Tebow is on this football team, and we can debate his abilities til the end of time. This today, is about the Tim Tebow fit as a starter with this team.

The backup quarterback is always the most popular guy on the football team when the offense is struggling. Even when it is not Tim Tebow, the backup is always thought of as the guy that can save the world. “Get the starter out of there, the backup can get it done.” It’s a favorite refrain of football fans all over, it only gets louder when that backup quarterback is Tim Tebow. The backup will spark the team, is what everyone says.

And yes, Tim Tebow likely would create a short term spark. The crowd would go nuts, and the players would be fired up. But it is not the term answer. Why you ask? He certainly won a lot of games with Denver last year.

But….he will still be working with the same team that Mark Sanchez is. He is not bringing Willis McGahee with him, who ran for 1199 yards, he is stuck with Shonn Greene. He is not bringing with him an offensive line that drove forward the top rushing attack in the game, he is stuck with the offensive line from the 22nd best rushing attack in 2011. He is not bringing Demaryius Thomas or Erick Decker with him. Tim is stuck with, now that Holmes is hurt, with Stephen Hill, Chaz Schilens, and the rest of the motley crew that the Jets call wide receivers.

The point? No matter what you think about Tim Tebow as a quarterback, any quarterback needs weapons. Tim Tebow was a winner last year, but even he needs help. Mark Sanchez can’t lead this team without help, Tim Tebow certainly won’t be able to lead this team without help. He can’t do it alone. He would create a short term spark, but eventually, he will be called upon to use his weapons to lead this team to victory, and the Jets have not armed the offense with good enough weapons, so long term, Tim will not get the job done either.

MARK SANCHEZ IS GOING NOWHERE

For the time being folks, you are stuck with Mark Sanchez. That will upset a large faction of Jets fans, but it too is the truth. Woody Johnson is a businessman, and he gave Mark Sanchez a contract extension in the offseason. The Jets would have a lot of empty money against the cap if they just cut ties with Sanchez, and again, trade are rare during the season. He is staying.

Sept 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Jets 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Fact is, when Mark Sanchez has been given weapons, and a decent offensive line, he has performed well. The Jets had a great running game in 2009 and 2010, and nobody was calling for Mark Sanchez’s head. Heck, nobody was calling for Schotty’s head either. Early in Rex’s reign as the coach, the Jets had an offense that was set up for success, and the team reaped the benefits in the first two years. But since then, Mike Tannenbaum has let weapons that Mark Sanchez has had chemistry with go away, and replaced with weapons that are unproven, and otherwise not very good.

So there’s that, the lack of help. But either way, Mark Sanchez is going to be here a while, whether the fan base likes it or not.

THE PASSING GAME IS WHAT IT IS

This goes along with what we have been saying all article, so we will briefly review. The weapons are what the weapons are. Mike Tannenbaum didn’t address this issue in the offseason, and trades don’t happen mid-year. There really isn’t anyone out there to bring in, so this is what we have.

Unfortunately, all we can do is deal with it.

BART SCOTT IS HERE TOO

Everybody wants to see less of “Can’t Wait”, since these days it’s, “Can’t tackle”. Time to go with Demario Davis, he’s younger, faster, and will help us more now and going forward. I too, have been frustrated with Bart Scott since last season.

He won’t be on the bench.

Why? Because he is Rex’s guy. The first minute of the offseason that started Rex’s time as head coach, he was at Bart Scott’s house recruiting him. This is Rex, on the field. Bart Scott is the on field version of Rex Ryan. He’s not going anywhere.

You might say, “Well, his playing time dipped last year”. Yes, it did, but that was just as much about Bart’s attitude as it was his play. He was a different guy last season, acting like he didn’t even care. His weight was up, and his demeanor was that of a player that didn’t want to be on the Jets, so he sat.

He worked hard to get back into shape this past offseason, and his attitude has been that of the old Bart. Therefore, he will continue to play. Yes, his play has clearly fallen off, but Rex is loyal to his veteran players, that is his history. Look at Calvin Pace, has done very little, he still plays. He is the biggest example. Rex is loyal to his guys. Bart will play folks. The Demario Davis era will not start in full at least until 2013.

So, what’s the short term answer? Gameplanning and execution. We’ll talk more on the next page.

Sept. 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

By gameplanning, I am talking about putting the players in the best position to succeed. On defense, the first issue is tackling. They have to get back to fundamentals, and that means tackling. The Jets have spent the first quarter of the season trying to arm tackle. Instead of wrapping guys like CJ Spiller and Reggie Bush up, they were staying engaged in their blocks, and reaching out with an arm to catch these guys, and that just isn’t going to cut it.

They also have to get creative with the pass rush again. The Jets are not getting to the passer, and they need to. They have gotten away from the overload blitzes that have been so successful, and they have to use them once in a while. I say once in a while, because without Darrelle Revis, the coverage downfield won’t be as good, as we saw Kyle Wilson get beaten a lot. They are going to have to mix up coverages, and pass rush schemes to creatively confuse offenses.

On offense, it means setting the quarterback up to succeed. The run first mentality has not been very successful so far, so they may have to modify it on a game by game basis. Mark needs to be called upon to throw a bit early, the open up the running lanes later on in the game. Yes, his weapons aren’t great, but give them a chance, and even the threat of them being used early will open up the running game.

We all know what execution means, the Jets just have to play better. Tackle, complete passes, get off blocks, make blocks….etc. Get it done.

Like it or not, this is what we are going to move forward with, Jets fans. They are just going to have to find a way to make it work, otherwise, this will be a long fall season for all of us.