Setting the right tone for a positive season

As the New York Jets prepare for the long season ahead, it’s important they set the tone for a season that should embody hard work, progression, and above all else, a culture of accountability.

With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, the New York Jets now shift gears towards preparing for the season ahead. It won’t be long before organized team activities are here and then eventually training camp. The Jets are currently going through a rebuilding period and as much as they will never admit that’s the reality of the situation, they need to ensure they set the right tone for a positive season ahead.

The Jets still have one big question mark at quarterback and while they did bolster their defensive secondary, it looks good on paper but remains to be seen if any of their newly drafted players will live up to their potential. The most important part of a season where you know the odds are stacked against you is to make sure that those that the leadership team keeps everyone in check and focused on the task at hand.

Head coach Todd Bowles and his coaching staff have dropped the ball these past few seasons. There are no excuses for a professional football player to be consistently late to team meetings, have altercations in the locker room, or take a play off when they’re on the football field. Off-the-field distractions are a direct result of a lack of leadership from those above.

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Bowles needs to put his foot down on all the problems that eventually caught up to him due to his players not being focused on doing what is best for the team. Since the Jets will more than likely endure a losing season in 2017, it’s important he keeps the standard high whether they win or get blown out by a team.

Fans of the Jets won’t mind a losing season considering the writing is on the wall that they’re going to play a lot of their younger players to get them ready for the future. What will drive fans away from this franchise is if they give up on plays, cause off-the-field distractions, and the leadership regime doing nothing to hold their players accountable.

If Bowles and his coaching staff can keep everyone in check all season long with players hustling, working hard, and doing their absolute best, it will produce a positive season regardless of the final win-loss column. If 2017 ends up being a three or even five-win season, as long as players give it their all, focus on improving, and Bowles is on top of them every step of the way, this upcoming season will be a huge step in setting up a winning foundation for 2018 and beyond.