We Just Keep Falling
Edition #951
Good afternoon ☕
Apologies that this is hitting your inbox a little later, there was a big Substack (and I believe it was wider than that) outage this morning which prevented me putting some thoughts down before I started work.
One week after Aaron Glenn decided to give his full support to Justin Fields, he benched him at the midway point in another disastrous afternoon at MetLife. I don’t really blame Glenn for benching Fields, the Jets QB was just 6-12 for 46 yards in 30 minutes of football…just days after promising to be more aggressive.
“I understand the nature of the quarterback change and, listen, we needed a spark,” Glenn said. “At that time, I felt it was the right time to do it. It was my call.”
The good news for the Jets is that Steve Wilks seems to have solved some issues with the Jets defense. Carolina just about passed the 300 total yards mark, but the Jets have now allowed a combined 26 points in two games…both losses. They became just the 2nd team in the last decade to do that.
But it doesn’t just stop this that beauty. The Jets have now allowed 20 sacks over the last three games, tied for a franchise record.
After the game the players were obviously extremely frustrated. “Laying it all out there man… something gotta give” said Jermaine Johnson and Breece responded to a fan who pointed out he got blown up in pass protection “Came back the next drive and took a hit off my qb. Win some lose some. Still play the next play. Nobody perfect” - Needless to say, the cracks are starting to show.
The Jets managed just 220 yards. The backup QB came in and threw two interceptions and completed a lower % of his passes than the guy he was replacing. Breece went for just 3.5 yards a carry and the offensive line is regressing at an alarming rate. You can talk about the system, the QB, the defenses we’ve faced…but the offensive line has been absolutely abysmal over the last month and at some point they have to take a heavier load of the blame.
Right now the Jets are not an NFL football team. They don’t look prepared, the gameplans don’t look unique to the opponent they’re facing and while I’m not ready to say the players have given up because I don’t think that’s true, the talent deficiency is clear for everyone to see.
We knew this was going to be a re-build, we knew that there would be trying times. But what we’re witnessing is quite frankly…embarrassing.
It was another game of puzzling decisions. The Jets going for it on 4th and 5 instead of trying a 51-yard FG to take the lead was a call that I hated at the time and hated even more afterwards. Yet again the Jets had a chance to take a shot at the end zone before the half but yet again, Glenn decided to let the clock run down, stating that the previous negative plays (2 straight sacks) impacted his decision, instead he decided to play safe….the logic of when the Jets are aggressive and when they’re safe is hard to fathom.
It’s certainly time to start talking about Tanner Engstrand who seems to lack the creativity of his mentor Ben Johnson. But then again, he’s working with a lot less talent, especially with Garrett Wilson missing yesterday.
The Jets have just 302 total yards over the last two weeks. There are 22 teams in the NFL who average over that amount on a weekly basis.
The team that stated they wanted to be a rushing first team had 81 yards on the ground yesterday and 92 yards last week.
The Jets have got a hold on the defense, they’ve improved their penalties…but now the offense has fallen off a cliff. This is what happens to bad football teams, they’re incapable of putting it all together at the same time.
But we are the best damn team during practice - “Here’s what gives me hope: How they come out on Wednesday in practice. And Thursday. And Friday. We’re not getting the results we want but these players aren’t giving up at all.” Glenn said when he was asked if he’s worried his message is not getting through.
The Jets didn’t escape without injury concerns either. Sauce Gardner is being evaluated for a concussion, as is Kene Nwangwu who’s only just returned and Jay Tufele left with a knee injury.
Where do the Jets go from here?
Aaron Glenn wouldn’t commit to a starting QB next weekend stating that it’s a topic that will be discussed this week.
Sitting at 0-7, I’d be inclined to go to Brady Cook. The Jets have absolutely nothing to lose at this point. It’s clear that Justin Fields is not the answer, it’s also clear that Tyrod Taylor is at the very end of his career and is incapable of winning games for the Jets today or tomorrow. So why would you not go with the UDFA who' you’ve kept around.
It won’t happen because that’s not how this works, especially with the Jets.
I also don’t think it’s worth going to Tyrod Taylor at this point either. Justin Fields is obviously not the QB to lead the Jets forward, but after paying him $40 million over 2 years, you may as well try and fix that situation, winning the odd game with Tyrod Taylor (even that’s a push) will do very little other than to hurt the teams draft stock.
Here is the draft order as it stands, as depressing as it is to look at this in October.
The issue for all those people wanting to tank for the #1 overall pick is two-fold
There really isn’t a clear QB1 in this draft class right now. Although I’d always make the argument that having the #1 pick and the choice is better than not having the #1 pick.
The Jets still have to play Miam, New Orleans, Cleveland and Baltimore who have combined for 5 wins between them.
Although it somewhat of a bounce back week for the nations top QBs this weekend.
Mendoza completed 24/28 passes for 332 yards and 4 TDs against Michigan State
Moore completed 15/20 passes for 290 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT against Rutgers
Simpson completed 19/29 passes for 252 yards and 2 TDs against 17th ranked Tennessee. I think it’s pretty obvious that Ty had the most difficult matchup but came through with another strong performance and win.
Sellers was the one to really fall back and South Carolina’s 4 SEC losses are notable. He’s also only thrown over 200 yards twice this season, but he also hasn’t been helped by his offensive line. I worry about Sellers processing personally and of the four QBs mentioned here, he’s #4 for me.
But here we are again. It’s not even Halloween and we’re talking about the draft.
It’s the continuous cycle for Jets fans.
The main issue was the decison to put the whole 'rebuild/culture' change on signing Feilds. That has flushed the whole regen down the toilet. They didnt want Daniel Jones for cheaper money ? Is there anyone else out there right now
Everyone luaghed when the Bills moved up to take Allen at 7 in 2018. Would it have been that bad to take Dart at 7 this year ? (I know no one will agree with me) Those are the decisions that turn a fanchise around. There is no gaurantee (especailly with the Jets) they get to draft a good one next year.
The Jets let Mike McCarthy (a proven winner and a offensive mind) walk out of the bulding in 2019. There is some utterly nonense thoughts by Jets fans of "he only won one Superbowl" Who wins multiple ones ?
We all know they are stacking the box cause the Jets cant throw - but that offensive line is terrible. Doesnt matter they are young - there are top 10 picks manning it. Either coached wrong or again the jets drafted the wrong guys.
Glenn actually had a professional post game presser. However you can tell he is bummed and lost.
There is no end in sight. There is 10 more weeks of this utter darknees of darkness for this franchise. there is not 1 reason even to watch them -
In 1955, a new tv show was presented to American audiences. It was called the $64,000 Question.
Due to inflation, I want to present to David and the Brigade the $773,674.03 question.
Should Aaron Glenn be fired?
When Glenn the Texan rode into Florham Park for his introductory press conference, he rode on the back of his trusted steed named Accountability. He told us that accountability will be one of the tools he would use to finally turn this franchise around
Finally, the Torch and Pitchfork Brigade heard the words that haven’t been spoken since Glenn’s protege the Tuna was snarling on the Meadowlands sidelines.
Glenn told us, much to our delight, you make dumb plays that hurt us, you will be replaced.
Well coach, you are a liar.
Gipson, fumble, cut
Quincy- roughing penalty, nothing
Clemons- roughing penalty,
nothing
Isiah Williams- fumble among other things, cut
Fields- Denver game, still starter
Simpson- roughing call, pulled from game
Fields- Carolina game, benched
Really doesn’t sound consistent maybe even confusing to the fans, writers and players.
Detroit References
So tired of all the constant comparison with Detroit.
Amazing no one mentions the trade that the lions made with the Rams. Stafford for Goff, 2-1s and a 3.
Detroit used the two ones to eventually draft Jameson Williams, Jaymer Gibbs and Sam LaPorta.
Glenn with supposedly total say on all personnel moves jettisoned Rodgers and signed Fields. Once Glenn was hired, aside from Fields, you never heard peep about another possible quarterback for the Jets.
Most fans were tired of Rodgers act but I’m sure after the last two games, some fans wished he was still here.
Back to Detroit, Glenn’s counterpart offensive coach has won four games in a row as the Bear HC. I don’t want to hear he inherited number one pick quarterback. Glenn inherited a Hall of Famer but replaced him with a known disaster.
Glenn’s coaching decisions since he went for two against Pittsburgh in the first quarter have been puzzling, bewildering, erratic and in some cases just downright dumb.
First time OC Tanner Engstrand has perfectly installed the prevent offense. No screen’s , no draws, no play action, no passes over 10 yards. Could this be the reason he wasn’t promoted by Detroit.
His answers when questioned by reported are contradictory and confusing. He definitely has to be a member of the Paul and Nat Hackett family.
While we are throwing coaches under the bus. Glenn’s grand plan of hiring an ex-NFL tight end to coach the offensive line is working to perfection. The supposed offensive line of the next ten years has given up 20 sacks in the last 3 games. That ties some team 3 game record of quarterback brutality. I don’t think that helps Fields much.
The last time Breece Hall saw a screen pass was when Mike LaFleur was OC.
There is no way Fields can ever start for this team again. He is totally mentally and physically spent.
For all intents and purposes, this season is over. Why not try Brady Cook. What does this franchise have to lose.
Hate to bring it up but Giants with a 4 game rookie starter put 32 on the Broncos yesterday. How many seasons has Fields played. How many points did he put on Denver 11.
Fields against Denver, minus 10 yards passing, Dart 283-3-1
Hey Glenn do you get the point.
From Damien Woody
Justin Fields is not a starting QB in the NFL. Put Tyrod in & stop this foolishness
I know Glenn will not get fired but has he actually given you an iota of confidence he will be a successful HC.
The mere fact that he did almost the same exact yesterday at the two minute warning that he did last week in London is such a bad indicator of incompetence.
He has wasted two good defensive performances because he didn’t want to Pull his quarterback last week and waited a half to do it yesterday.
I can’t believe incompetent Woody isn’t ready to explode.
As bad as Kotite’s years were, these last 7 games dwarfs anything negative that Kotite did.
Ok, lets throw Woody under the Torch and Pitchfork Brigade bus ( Great expenditure, David)
Since Woody bought the Jets, every HC hired was a defensive coach aside from Gase. It would be offensive to call him an offensive coach.
All these defensive geniuses have brought in OCs that were either retired, some friends brother, someone’s best friend coffee gopher or never were OCs before.
Not one was ever called an up and coming talent. Then you wonder why people say the Jets can’t develop quarterbacks.
I don’t know who the next great quarterback savior is going to be, but this team better bring in a coach who knows what he is doing offensively.
So what is your answer to the $773,674.03 question.
Should he be fired.
For our English fans that question is worth £ 575,929.11