The New York Jets appeared to be making serious progress. Now, a dysfunctional week at Florham Park has thrown the organization into chaos once more.
New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson, who is currently on leave from the team as the U.S. Ambassador to England, used to show up to NFL Owners meetings wearing a propeller hat. That about sums up the franchise.
The Jets, who were seemingly on the right track only weeks ago, have suddenly rediscovered their old ways.
The late firing of General Manager Mike Maccagnan was odd, but what has happened since is dark comedy. The biggest gaffe? Leaking out that for the right price, running back Le’Veon Bell is on the block. Yes, the same Le’Veon Bell who the Jets signed to a four-year, $52 million deal only two months ago.
While it’s unlikely Bell is traded this offseason — the Jets would be on the hook for $12 million — the fact it’s possible says plenty. It means head coach Adam Gase wants nothing to do with Bell. It also speaks volumes that the organization didn’t deny the report by Washington Post reporter John Clayton. A good franchise gets in front of the story or at a minimum, squashes it immediately. Co-owner Chris Johnson, Woody’s brother, should be visible right now. He’s nowhere to be found.
Feeding the laughter around the league, Gase has the interim GM tag. Not one of Maccagnan’s assistants. Not a personnel executive. Gase, who has zero front office experience and hasn’t coached one game for the Jets.
The Jets are treating Gase as though he’s Bill Parcells. He’s Adam Gase.
Still, Gase is wielding his power. On his first day as acting GM, he traded linebacker Darron Lee to the Kansas City Chiefs for a sixth-round choice. Talking to those in the league, the selection is seen as having a seventh-round value once compensatory picks are factored in.
For the first time since the beginning of the Rex Ryan era, New York had some real momentum. While the hiring of Gase caused consternation within portions of the fan base, the team had won them over with a high-rolling free agency. First, it was inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and slot receiver Jamison Crowder. Then it was Bell, who was seen by many as the perfect compliment to a young, budding quarterback in Sam Darnold.
After that, a solid draft. The roster was coming together. All the good feelings are now gone.
New York was ready to be a Jets town. The Giants are a laughingstock both locally and nationally, something they’ve rarely been since the mid-1980s. Gang Green finally had a chance to emerge as the smart, savvy franchise.
Instead, they’re a rudderless ship.
The only working propellers to be found are on Woody Johnson’s hat.
Power rankings
Top 10 most tortured NFL fanbases
1. Buffalo Bills
2. Cleveland Browns
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. New York Jets
6. Detroit Lions
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. Atlanta Falcons
10. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans
Quotable
"“I have heard from several people in the league that Joe Douglas, the Vice President of Player Personnel in Philadelphia, is going to be the guy. … I have already heard from multiple minority people in the scouting community who say these are going to be sham interviews all over again. Is the NFL really serious about the Rooney Rule or is it paying lip service?”"
– NFL reporter Steve Wyche on the league’s Rooney Rule and the issues with it.
The Rooney Rule was instituted in 2003 with good intentions. The problem was minority coaches and personnel men weren’t being given enough opportunity. If teams were mandated to interview at least one such candidate, the belief was it would ultimately lead to more diversity.
While we’ve seen success stories such as Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, we’ve seen far too many examples where the rule is merely placated and not followed. Last year, it was Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders. This year, as Wyche noted, many believe it will be Douglas and the Jets.
Currently, Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins is the only black NFL general manager. Miami’s Brian Flores, Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers and Tomlin are the only three black head coaches going into 2019.
It’s hard to make someone open-minded if they aren’t. That said, the NFL needs to figure out a way to be more inclusive. The players are increasingly and overwhelmingly black, and yet front offices and sidelines remain exceptionally white. There needs to be a better process.
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Random stat
In 1952, Dick “Night Train” Lane amassed 14 interceptions in a 12-game season, a record that still stands. He did that as a rookie. Lane, who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions, finished his career with 68 interceptions, ranking fourth all-time.
Info learned this week
1. Peterson’s suspension may actually increase trade fervor
Trade rumors have been swirling around Patrick Peterson and the Arizona Cardinals for the better part of a year. His suspension might actually further them.
Peterson has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug policy. It’s his first ban, one Peterson claims is the result of his medication for Type 2 Diabetes. With Peterson on the shelf and the Cardinals in full rebuild mode, teams might call more, believing the price has dropped. As for Arizona, increased bidding could prove to actually bring the price back up, making the move a worthwhile endeavor.
Peterson, who turns 29 in July, remains an elite corner. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons and is a three-time First-Team All-Pro. However, Arizona is looking at years before it’s legitimately contending. A team that needs a cornerback will be looking at Peterson first, and if the Cardinals can get a late-first or early second-round choice, they should strongly consider it.
2. Chiefs rebuilding defense with athletic, versatile pieces
Kansas City had a pathetic defense last season. General Manager Brett Veach is all-in on changing that. The trade of a 2020 sixth-round draft pick for linebacker Darron Lee continues two trends for Veach. For starters, Lee is a former first-round choice who needed a fresh start. Veach loves those types of players, having recently traded Day 3 selections for inside linebacker Reggie Ragland and guard Cam Erving.
Secondly, Veach’s makeover of Kansas City’s defense continues. Veach allowed a trio of significant contributors to leave in Justin Houston (released), Dee Ford (trade) and Allen Bailey (free agency). Replacing them are defensive ends Frank Clark, Alex Okafor and Emmanuel Ogbah, along with rookie defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. In the secondary, the Chiefs added safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, and cornerback Bashaud Breeland. The overriding theme? Youth and athleticism, something Kansas City sorely lacked at all three levels last year.
With Lee specifically, he can compete for a starting job alongside Dorian O’Daniel, Damien Wilson and Ragland. In the new 4-3 scheme, the only surefire starter is Anthony Hitchens, who can play either the MIKE or WILL, depending on how the competition shakes out. Regardless, Lee helps Kansas City in coverage with his 4.42 speed. Only 24 years old, Lee is a worthwhile gamble.
3. Patriots make smart move picking up Collins
The New England Patriots are bringing back linebacker Jamie Collins. The move will pay off.
Collins, 29, isn’t the player he was before being traded by New England in 2016 to the Cleveland Browns for a second-round choice. After playing six games in 2017, Collins dressed for all 16 last year, racking up 104 tackles. Still, Cleveland moved on for cap reasons, letting Collins to hit free agency for the first time.
With Colins, the Patriots are taking a low-risk gamble on a player with significant upside. New England got him for the bargain price of $1.05 million this year, hoping he can help a front seven that lost Trey Flowers in March. If nothing else, Collins is a veteran who knows Bill Belichick’s system and can provide versatility. In mid May, that’s a great addition.
4. Chris Long decides to walk away
On Saturday night, Chris Long called it a career. A damn fine one at that. Long, 33, played for the Rams, Patriots and Eagles over 11 seasons, winning two Super Bowls. While he finished up with 70 sacks and the aforementioned jewelry, Long should always be thought of most for his impact away from the field.
In 2017, Long donated his entire base salary of $1 million towards education equality. In February, the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long was also named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, showcasing recognition for his charitable endeavors.
Chris Long isn’t a Hall of Famer. He may not even make the Ring of Honor for any of the three teams he played for. Still, Long is well worth remembering as he enters the second phase of his adult life.
5. Ravens, Panthers quietly make smart value signings
Free agency is all but over, but the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers recently used it to get better.
Baltimore landed edge rusher Shane Ray, bringing the former first-round pick to Charm City. Ray, 26, signed a one-year deal with the Ravens. His arrival is a high-upside play by General Manager Eric DeCosta, who is hoping to frugally replace some of the sacks that left with Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs. Ray is talented, notching 14 sacks over 49 games. His problem has long been health, missing 15 contests during that stretch.
In Carolina, the Panthers brought in wide receiver Aldrick Robinson. Robinson will be playing for his sixth team, but his veteran leadership should help out a team with D.J. Moore looking to break through. Robinson also helps in the vertical game, something quarterback Cam Newton thrives on. This isn’t a game-changing signing, but it’s a quality get at this stage in the game.
History lesson
The 1992 Seattle Seahawks had arguably the worst offense in NFL history.
While some will point to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 1976 and ’77, those teams had the excuse of being in the first two years of expansion. Seattle had no such out. In ’92, the Seahawks never scored more than 17 points in a game. The quarterbacks (Stan Gelbaugh, Dan McGwire and Kelly Stouffer) combined for nine touchdowns and 23 interceptions, while fullback John L. Williams led the team in receiving yards with 556.
All told, Seattle scored 140 points over the 16-game season, averaging 8.8 points per game.
Parting shot
The NFC has been the stronger conference for years. That won’t be changing in 2019.
While Vegas’ two favorites to win it all are the AFC’s Patriots and Chiefs, there’s little depth on that side of the ledger. In the NFC, however, there are a half-dozen teams with legitimate hope to represent the conference in Miami come February.
While the Rams and Saints will be the headliners, the Philadelphia Eagles are going to factor in. If Carson Wentz is healthy, it’s fair to say Philadelphia has the most complete roster in the NFC. Some would cite the Chicago Bears as holding that mantle, but their fortunes largely center on third-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. If he improves, Chicago is a Super Bowl contender. If not, the Bears are in limbo.
A host of other teams also have a real chance to play deep into January. The Green Bay Packers are revamped with head coach Matt LaFleur and major free-agency splashes. The Atlanta Falcons are healthy once again and still loaded offensively. The Dallas Cowboys are seemingly forgotten, but they have a terrific defense. The question there? An offense with only one pass-catcher that matters.