Head Coach Candidate: Ron Rivera

Edition #771

☀️ Good morning ☕

I watched that Detroit Lions victory last night and dreamed of what could be. Yet again, that Ben Johnson offence dominated the evening, although it’s always enjoyable to watch a Kyle Shanahan system as well.

If you’re a fan of good defensive football, it wasn’t for you. But in terms of entertainment, it was up there in the elite category. Over 900 yards of offence, 650+ yards of passing, 200+ yards of rushing, 74 points and both teams combined for fewer penalties than the Jets.

We’ve already spoken about Ben Johnson and today we’re turning our attention to another head coaching candidate, Ron Rivera.

🟢 The Jets claimed former Washington DT Phidarian Mathis on waivers yesterday. Ironically the Bengals also tried to claim Mathis after they lost former Jet Sheldon Rankins to injury. Mathis was a second-round pick out of Alabama and was highly regarded as a technically sound run-stuffing defensive tackle. The Jets have needed someone like that all season. He missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus and then a calf injury limited him to just 10 games in 2023. This year he managed to stay healthy but was graded as one of the worst run-stuffing DT’s in football and managed just 17 tackles through 12 games. I actually really like this pick-up though, and I’m hopeful that a fresh start with good coaching can get him back to his Alabama days.

⚫ The Jets also claimed Jamin Davis from the Minnesota Vikings and here’s another one I have a lot of time for. I loved Davis at Kentucky but was pretty shocked to see him taken in the first round by Washington, that was an overdraft. Davis was and is an athletic specimen with little experience and Washington tried to convert him to a MLB instead of letting him run as a OLB. He started 36 games for Washington and has played in 54 in total with 287 tackles, 8 sacks, 22 tackles for a loss, 1 INT and 6 passes defended. He has talent and ran a 4.37 forty, so there is plenty to work with.

🟢 To make space for Mathis and Davis, the Jets waived K Anders Carlson and placed S Chuck Clark on IR. Clark in particular has been a disappointing signing and has probably played his last down for the Jets. After missing the 23 season with an injury he’s been part of a Jets safety tandem that has been exposed in 2024.

⚫ Mike Vrabel’s contract with the Cleveland Browns as a consultant has now ended, so I’m pretty confident that the Jets will request an interview almost immediately.

🟢 We’re also getting close to the point where the Jets can request and interview candidates from playoff teams who have a bye in the wild-card round. (virtual only and 3 days after week 18 ends). It’s why I want Detroit to beat Minnesota on Sunday, so they lock up that #1 seed and get a bye. I’m not sure if Ben Johnson would agree to an interview, but I’d be pissed if the Jets didn’t try.

⚫ Jeff Ulbrich made a comment yesterday which I think made everyone chuckle. When speaking about Haason Reddick he said “one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever been around.” which is an interesting way to talk about someone who held out most of the season despite seeing the struggles of his teammates. His performances show why it’s so important to show up, and why you can’t just rely on your natural athletic ability.

🟢 Just a quick update on that record. The Jets were 2-3 under Robert Saleh and they’re now 2-9 under Jeff Ulbrich.

Before we get into the Ron Rivera section, here are two videos that I think sums up the 2024 New York Jets.