NY Jets: The honeymoon is over

For the NY Jets and their new leadership regime, the honeymoon is indeed over as things have turned south pretty quickly this season.

Jan 21, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets new general manager Mike Maccagnan (left), owner Woody Johnson (center), and new head coach Todd Bowles (right) pose for a photo during a press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t that long ago, that Jet fans were singing the praises of Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan. Woody Johnson even got some love from Jet fans. It was just a couple of months ago, that everything seemed right with the Jets. The atmosphere was perfect, fans got behind the new organization and the outlook was bright. The fan base was super charged for the season with playoff predictions and even a Super Bowl run being predicted.

The Jets opened the season with a 4-1 run, and fans sang the praises of Bowles and Chan Gailey. It appeared at the time, that the Jets were well on their way to the best season fans had seen in years. The team and the fans were flying high. There were comparisons to the Jets teams in 2009 and 2010. There were even those that claimed our defense was as good as the famed “Sack Exchange” of the 1980’s.

There was little doubt that the fan base had fallen in love with the new regime. Bowles, Gailey and Maccagnan had become the “sweethearts” in New York. But just like a New York minute, things have gotten south as of late as now, this team is in danger of having another losing season.

Next: The fall from popularity

Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles prior to a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

The fall from popularity

The Jets have seemingly imploded in front of the fan base’s eyes. First the Jets lost a highly contested game with the New England Patriots. It was a tough loss for the team, but it was a huge blow to the fan base who were hungry to beat the Patriots. The slide began in earnest when the Jets traveled west to meet the Oakland Raiders, a game Gang Green were favored in and that most fans considered to be a win before the game even started.

We all know what happened in Oakland that day, the Jet players showed up flat and were embarrassed by the Raiders. The Jets players didn’t bring their “A” game and the Raiders took advantage of them, beating them handily 34-20. At the time we heard they were “hung over” from the loss to the Pats and they would rebound in the following week.

There were some grumbles in the fan base, but most assumed that Bowles would straighten out the issues when they returned home. Bowles was “the guy” in New York and the fan base was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

The following week the Jets pulled out a victory against a sub .500 team in the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hadn’t won on the road all season. Fans including myself were predicting a dominant win, but were disappointed with another flat performance by the Jets. The Jets went into the game with a 4-3 record, and the win brought them to a respectable 5-3 record at the half way point of the season.

The Jets allowed the hapless Jaguars to hang around in this game and they almost lost the game as a result. The final score of 28 -23, had fans scratching their heads. Many pointed to the loss of Calvin Pryor as the reason the Jets’ defense played poorly and yet others blamed a banged up offensive line for the Jets woes. Bowles was still “the man”, but the grumblings had begun.

The Bills’ loss was devastating to Jet fans. Rex Ryan was calling out our players and predicted a win against the Jets at home in MetLife Stadium. Fans went into this game looking for blood. They wanted to prove once and for all that the Jets were better off without Ryan. Fans predicted a big win, the Jets’ defense would dominate the Bills’ offensive line and the Jets would bring home a big win.

Nov 12, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan just before opening kickoff against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

We all know by now, that didn’t happen. The Jets lost the game 22-17. Gailey’s play calling began to be questioned, Bowle’s clock management also began to come under scrutiny as well. Fans were beginning to wonder about the Jets’ defense in earnest as they were supposed to be a dominant unit, but weren’t living up to expectations.

Yet, the Jets still had a winning record, and many looked to the Houston Texan game as a way to improve the team’s record and set things straight for the Jets going forward. The fans predicted another big win, they claimed once again that the Jets’ defense would save the day and stop the bleeding against a suspect offensive line and a third string quarterback.

The Texans came to play however and J.J. Watt too much for the Jets’ offense. The Jets’ defense, minus an injured Sheldon Richardson, came out flat and T.J. Yates was able to put up 226 yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns! The Jets’ offense was nonexistent in the first half and despite a late game effort, the Jets fell short once again 24-17.

The most recent loss, sent the Jets to a 5-5 record with six games remaining in the season. This loss was enough to send Jet fans into panic mode apparently. The “honeymoon” is over and Jet fans are enraged around the internet. Comments have ranged from folks claiming Bowles should be one and done as head coach to calls for Gailey’s job. Jet fans are upset as they want to see progress and the team is digressing each and every week

The calls for Geno Smith have once again started in earnest and the embattled Ryan Fitzpatrick is feeling the pressure. Injured and coming off surgery, Fitzpatrick played with heart against Houston, but his two interceptions at the end of the game quickly made fans forget the efforts he put into the game in the second half. Fitzpatrick has thrown eleven interceptions thus far this season and Jet fans have tired of the needless turnovers.

Next: The criticism from fans

Jan 21, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets new general manager Mike Maccagnan speaks during a press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports

The criticism from fans

The “honeymoon” has come to an end for the new Jets’ regime. Fans have begun to question the wisdom of Maccagnan’s off season acquisitions. His number two draft pick Devin Smith has come under heavy fire for his drops in the most recent game, and his production throughout the season.

The signing of Antonio Cromartie has also brought the fans down on Maccagnan, Cromartie has aged and has suffered some minor injuries, but the fans have obviously seen enough of his play. Fans have begun to question his draft overall, with critics sighting that lack of contributions from the group this year, with only Leonard Williams seeing consistent time with the starters.

In recent weeks, fans have begun to heavily criticize Bowles as well. There are those that don’t see Bowles as an upgrade over Ryan. They claim the flat play of the Jets’ defense is Bowles’ fault. They claim his change to more of a 4-3 defense has been a mistake, believing the Jets simply don’t have the personnel to make it work.

Fans are also questioning Bowles for his use of certain players on the roster. Quinton Coples has spent so much time on the sidelines that he was promptly waived earlier this week. The young linebackers, Trevor Reilly and Lorenzo Mauldin have been used sparsely and fans want to see more from them as the Jets’ linebacker corps have struggled.

Gailey hasn’t been left out of the discussion either. The Jets’ offense has put up points in every game, but it hasn’t been the explosive unit most had hoped for coming into the season. As a result, fans have become critical of Gailey’s play calling and his use of personnel. They are quick to point out that the Jets’ offense has been nonexistent in the first half in some games.

Fans lament that with the tools that Gailey has in his possession that this offense should get out of the gate quicker and finish games when the opportunity arises. The demotion of Jeremy Kerley has infuriated another group of fans, which quickly point out that he was one of the top contributors last season for the team. To put it simply, fans across the board have begun to blame Gailey for everything that has gone wrong with the Jets’ offense this season.

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Now I’m not going to say that the fans are right with all their criticisms, but at 5-5, they certainly make some good points. The honeymoon is definitely over for Jet fans and they are demanding answers. Bowles and Gailey will need to turn things around in short order if they want to silence their critics. Fans are increasingly critical and if they can’t start putting up wins, the fan base is going to let them hear about it.

Maccagnan will need to be brilliant this off season, he will have some very difficult decisions to make as to the current personnel. He will also be tasked with trying to plug up some of the obvious holes the Jets have on both sides of the ball. Jet fans will be watching closely.

Bowless needs to turn this thing around. It was good to see him angry at his post game presser this week. The Jets played poorly the past several weeks and I’ve been waiting to see some fire from Bowles. As the head coach, he is going to take a lot of heat if the season goes south. Fair or not, Jet fans are tired of waiting and Bowles will be an easy target. He needs to straighten things out quickly.

The critics of Gailey’s play calling and use of personnel are increasing. Somehow, Gailey has to get this offense back to firing on all cylinders. Burdened with an aging veteran at quarterback and a young embattled back up, Gailey may not have many options, but Jet fans want to see progress. Gailey may have the most difficult task of all as his offensive line is aged and the injuries are beginning to pile up. He needs to get it working somehow however, as I said before, Jet fans are tired of waiting. They won’t be very kind to Gailey if he cannot get this offense playing again.

Next: It's not over yet

It’s not over yet

The Jets now stand at 5-5, a record that has obviously riled the fan base. Fans have already begun to talk about next season, and many have written the Jets off entirely for this year. Look, I’m far from pleased with the Jets’ performances this year, but the Jets still have six games remaining on this year’s schedule.

The season hasn’t been ideal for Jet fans or the team. Yet, let us not forget that the Jets were 4-12 at season’s end last year. In defense of this new regime, they have managed to vastly improve the Jet record. The fans are levying criticisms at this organization yet they are only in their first year. Bowles is a first time head coach in this league and he’s done some great stuff since he arrived.

Maccagnan is also a rookie GM and I think he did a great job this off season for the Jets. The criticisms of his draft are unfounded and his critics need to chill. Gailey was out of football since being let go as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Gailey has definitely improved the offensive output of this football team over the nightmares of last season.

I’m not going to say that fans don’t make some points when they level criticism of the new regime. There are troubles undoubtedly, the Jets have played flat and have been disappointing to most fans. To be fair though, the Jets had a ton of issues when the new regime took over. There was no possible way to fix them all in a single season. Bowles, Maccagnan and Gailey need time to get the Jets where we all want to them to be.

Fans need to take a deep breath and give the new regime some time. There are six games remaining for the Jets this season. If they were to win out, they would be standing at 11-5 and be in the NFL Playoffs. Fans simply can’t walk away because the Jets hit a slide. I seriously doubt that this team wins out, but the point is, we don’t know what the final record for this team is just yet.

Next: Jets make bold statement with Quinton Coples release

As fans we need to let this thing play out. Bowles and Gailey still have time to turn this season around. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt before we begin throwing them under the bus. I understand the frustration that being a Jet fan is, I get that the fans are tired of waiting for a contender, but these guys are new to their jobs and they aren’t responsible for the failures of the past. The “honeymoon” may be over, but that doesn’t mean we should divorce these guys over 10 games. They deserve time to set the Jets back on track.

That’s how I see this one. The critics are seemingly coming out of the wood work. So, whether you are a critic or a supporter of this new regime, please leave us a comment below and help us talk Jet Football!!

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