The Real Problem for the New York Jets

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball over Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Lions won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

“We want Vick, we want Vick!” were the chants coming from MetLife stadium this past sunday as the New York Jets lost their third straight contest in as many weeks. Alan Schechter wrote an article stating that a change at QB is not the answer for this football team and I agree with him wholeheartedly. While Geno Smith has been a part of the problem, removing him would not be the solution, and it will not help fix the rest of the problem. So what is the rest of the problem? One word, execution.

More from Jets News

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

The Jets, at a number of positions on offense, fail to execute. Off the snap, an NFL caliber offense should look crisp sharp and fast. The Jets offense just simply doesn’t. They look a shade slower and sloppier. When looking at a drawn up play, there are sharp lines and angles signifying abrupt changes in direction to misdirect the offense. When watching the Jets offense there is a noticeable lack of these sharp cuts and precise motions.

One piece of evidence to support this lies in the Jets backfield. Chris Ivory is known for his physical style and the way he can make missed tackles happen. As a result of his mowing down style he has averaged a very healthy 5.5 yards per carry. One might say that this is a testament to our offensive line, but if you look at the other running back we have, Chris Johnson, we are forced to wonder why he hasn’t had the same success. It’s because Johnson is a speedster and he needs a good block and a running lane, and this past Sunday we saw what he could do with just that. Chris Johnson is averaging 4.1 yards per carry currently, which is not shabby by any means, but if you take away his long touchdown of 35 he is down to a paltry 3.3 yards per rush. If the offensive line executed at a higher level both these backs would be much more potent, and Johnson would have more break away plays like he had last Sunday.

Further evidence ca be found in the penalties stat line, where the Jets have a whopping 30 penalties (good for ninth most in the league) for 297 yards. Eight of the 30 have been false starts, only behind the Minnesota Vikings with 10 and tied with the Tennessee Titans. The high amount of false starts shows another part of the story when it comes to Jets lack of execution on offense. Executing a clean snap without drawing a penalty is the first job of the offense and they seem to be doing a bad a job at that as anyone, especially when considering the bad snaps the Jets have had this season.

There are plays to be cited where a large majority of the players on offense actually do execute and when this happens it usually results in a play for positive yards for the Jets. It is then reasonable to assume if the Jets can raise the level of execution on offense for every play of the game, their offense would be a lot more potent. This goes for the offensive line, the receiving corps, and the quarterback as well. The fact that the Jets have not lost a game by more than eight points this season, and to good opponents as well, shows that even a slight improvement could bring this team closer to winning football games.