New York Jets: It’s Not All Rex Ryan’s Fault

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan talk before the game with the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

As the New York Jets season has gone down the bowl, Rex Ryan has taken a lot of grief. The analysts and fan base have almost unanimously have decided that Ryan’s time is coming to an end. It’s unfortunate, but it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen. It would take a miracle for Rex Ryan to survive a fourth season in a row outside the playoffs.

Some believe that all will change with a change at coach. We have to remember that this Jets roster isn’t great. Rex Ryan has had his problems, granted, but he can only do so much. He can’t go execute the plays, he can only call them.

It’s not his fault that his cornerbacks are not any good. Take a look at a key play from last week and you will see what I mean.

Here is the long touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Charles Johnson. The matchup of importance is circled, Charles Johnson vs. Darrin Walls. This is going to highlight just how bad the corner play has been, and how Rex Ryan can do very little about it.

First look at the space between Walls and Johnson, approximately 10 yards. You would think that Walls has given enough cushion so he wouldn’t get beaten deep. He still does. Johnson is going to run a stop and go route. In other words, he is going to run a route where he stops as if he is going to take a quick hitch pass. When he gets Walls to commit, Johnson goes right by him. Take a look.

Take a look at the matchup now. Walls has backpedaled as the route has begun, still giving Johnson a cushion that should keep the receiver in front of him. But he still is not able to. Let’s go ahead.

Take a look at the feet of Darrin Walls. Do you see how he is taking a step with his right foot forward? Johnson has stopped, and started to turn as if he is going to, as mentioned before, catch a quick hitch pass. As we move forward, Johnson is going to use that move by Walls to go right around him to the outside, leaving Walls with no chance.

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And showing Walls’ poor cover skills, which leave Rex Ryan very little chance with him out there.

Johnson has made his step to the outside, leaving Walls with the task of having to chase down his opponent. It didn’t work out well.

First, Walls makes illegal contact (not called).

Then Johnson blows right by him.

Touchdown Vikings.

The moral of the story is that Rex Ryan can call the plays, and coach the players up. But it is not all his fault. He clearly cannot execute for them. He needs players for that.