Things are looking bleak in New York.
Among a slew of low moments as a Jets fan of 18 years, this past Sunday in Arizona is right down there with the lowest.
It is not the fact that we were defeated by a much better team. Not even the almost certain confirmation of a record-extending playoff drought to 14 years.
It is the abject failure of this season versus the fanbase’s expectations. The failure to deliver the promise that excited Jets fans have been hoping for.
Whether the hope and expectations were realistic – or concocted in the media and filtered down through the fanbase like a MetLife rainstorm – one thing is for sure, this organisation is rotten, cursed and downright abysmal from the top to the bottom.
The Cardinals were good value for their lopsided victory. Kyler Murray, seen by many as a gadget quarterback who is only good with his legs, broke the franchise record for consecutive completed passes on his way to completing 22 of 24 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown.
The Jets defense once again failed to find a way to stop an opposition running back. The trio of James Conner, Trey Benson and Emari Demercado racked up 222 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. That is before you include Murray’s two touchdowns on the ground.
The Jets regression on the defensive side of the ball since firing Robert Saleh in Week 6 has been as shocking as it is alarming. This was clearly Saleh’s defence, and the promotion of Jeff Ulbrich to head coach has clearly further affected this unit.
‘Sauce’ and ‘A-Rod’
More alarming, however, is the Jets’ ability to tackle opposition players in the open field. The number of missed tackles this season has been off the scale. The tally added on Sunday afternoon was embarrassing.
Ahmad Gardner – who I am purposefully removing the ‘Sauce’ from – has come in for particular criticism. Not just for his failure to bring down Trey McBride on a critical early third down, but more-so a number of missed tackles throughout the season. Not the standard we are expecting from a two-time All Pro.
Worst of all though, is Aaron Rodgers. He is a shadow of his former self, evidenced no more so than his failure to hit any one of two wide-open targets in the end zone late on in the game.
Rodgers is missing wide-open targets too often. Yes, there has been regular pressure in games, but to only manage 151 yards and 62% completion in a game where he was only pressured seven times is almost criminal.
And that brings me to my biggest worry. The divide in the locker room on both sides of the ball is obvious in the body language and attitude seen on the pitch.
This is being driven by Rodgers’ lack of accountability for himself; his criticism of his supporting cast; the fans understandably vocalising their frustration at the shoddy product being put on the field on both sides of the ball; the apparent lack of a plan to address the issues that are driving the above – from ownership to General Manager to coaching.
I have said for a number of weeks that the signing of Rodgers will end up setting the franchise back a minimum of three to five years, and as the weeks go by I feel this is becoming more and more justified.
J-E-T-S. Just End The Season.
Story originally by former writer Matt Cullen.
