The New York Jets 2015

Wanted to keep a thread with discussions, updates, news, free agency and draft moves.

Quick 2014 recap:

The Jets had a very rough year and finished 4-12. To be fair, there were a few games in which they were absolutely in and could have won or covered - scalabrine probably knows it at best. They were a stupid timeout call away from overtime at Green Bay (24-31), outgained the Bears by 157 yards (19-27), outgained the Dolphins in game 1 and had a lead coming into the fourth quarter, lost in overtime at Minnesota and outgained the Patriots in BOTH games by 100 and 76 yards to lose both games by a combined three points. If things went different, the Jets could have been rather a 7-9 team than 4-12. But the reason they went 4-12 was a big lack of quality and a little bad luck due to injuries on certain positions.

A few important 2014 team (!) stats:

Offensive yards per pass attempt: 5.9 (#30)
QB Sacked Percentage: 8.62% (#24)
Yards per rush attempt: 4.5 (#7)
Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD): 36.17% (#32)

Defensive yards per pass attempt: 7.0 (#19)
Sack Percentage: 7.72% (#4)
Def. yards per rush attempt: 3.8 (#6)
Opp. Red Zone Scoring Percentage: 59.18% (#26)
Defensive INT Percentage: 1.12% (#30)

You can point out the obvious: The Jets struggled at passing the ball, had o-line troubles and got almost no production from their secondary. I didn't do the math, but the average league INT percentage over the years on the defensive side is around 2.5% - 3%. 1.12% is a horrendous number.

Some positive things: The defensive front seven was almost monstrous. Peyton, Tom twice, most QBs had their problems with the pressure of the Jets front seven. They finished top-six against the run and in the QB sack percentage category. Also the offensive running game was absolutely top-ten material, even though there weren't enough designed plays for Chris Johnson.

Biggest needs before free agency started:

Cornerbacks
A true #1 WR
Offensive Guards
Safety

Other needs with lower priority:

Quarterback
Defensive tackle / Nose tackle
OLB/DE playmaker
RB depth

(Final) Moves since yesterday:

WR Brandon Marshall: Very nice deal for a 5th rounder. I don't care about the troubles he caused in the past in his teams. The new Jets coaching staff has to take care of him. He is a true #1 WR and will bring a new dimension to the Jets. BMarsh, EDecker, JKerley, JAmaro / JCumberland are a good receiving corps to start with and the Jets also have a few prospects in the pocket like Enunwa, Evans and Owusu how could see a few snaps to develop. The draft also has a few possibilities.

CB Darrelle Revis: Best move of the entire free agency period. He is worth every penny. When Revis played for the Jets, the Gang Green defense was an average 2nd in YPPA, 4th in TD per INT ratio, 4th in Opponent QB Rating. 22nd 30th and 23rd since he left New York. Just an example for how important he is

CB Buster Skrine: Nice move for solid money. The Browns were 5th against the pass last season despite having a weak d-line. Skrine was a part of the good Browns CB play and he improved very well and is a very good add to the CB position.

OG/LG James Carpenter: Jets couldn't get the very big names but Carpenter is a solid improvement. He will likely play LG but the Jets will definitely look for a RG via free agency or the draft. Colon will be gone and his possible replacements Aboushi and Winters are not good enough to call it a good o-line.

According to recent reports, the Jets are in talks with Antonio Cromartie and Marcus Gilchrist. I simply cannot believe how amazing aggressively Maccagnan starts free agency. He takes on the biggest needs. Just imagine a CB depth of Revis, Cromartie, Skrine, Milliner & McDougle combined with one of the best front sevens which already has some potential to adress, maybe via the draft.

Feel free to discuss.

It also frees up Calvin Pryor to do what he's best at,

That's a thing I absolutely wanted to point out, but somehow forgot it. Thanks.

How can you say qb is a low priority???????????

They are still the jets. They won't do anything except their fruity little chants during games. Dolphins and bills are finally formidable too. It's no longer a soft division. Sorry can't hide my hated for the jets

Im from chicago. Not last year, but the year before(trestmans 1st yr) Brandon Marshall led the league in WR blocking rating. I forget the exact metrics of the rating system, but he was #1 w/ alshon jeffries at #2. It tells me that he also can be a good teacher, he taught jeffries many things and took him under his wing. It's also a true definition of the guy's passion and work ethic. How many WR's in todays league even attempt to run block, or even try to make it an important part of their game...?
He is a tough player, he clearly had a bad ankle issue all yr(some say it was a high ankle sprain he played through)
Cutler is a QB that was good at throwing to "spots" Marshall for the most part ran all stop routes...hitches, quick ins, quick outs, back shoulders and the occasional 9 route. Who ever is at QB for the Jets has to understand this, he may have trouble adjusting to deep crosses, post corners or any routes that require the QB to lead his wr.
The bad....
His drops weren't all too many, but happened to be at the absolute worst times in a game. Whether it be a drive killer, or a crucial 3rd n 7,8,9, or 10. These weren't dropped because of an inability to catch, for he has great hands and strength, but rather a lack of concentration. He has a history of mental issues. There are moments when he doesnt seem "all there"
Lastly...
IMO, all the talk of him being bad for a locker room is all hearsay. There is no real proof of him having any issues w/ players or coaches. Mark trestman was/is not a leader of men. He did not have a short enough leash on anyone on the roster. He gave em free reign w/ the media, let them say WHATEVER was on their minds and didnt hold anyone accountable. Marshall is a talker, he welcomes interviews. Basically gave chicago reporters an abundant varity of material to work with...where they subsequently molded it too they're liking.

I think the jets have a potentially dangerous WR duo. Key for both guys...health.

I knew this would come. Let me explain:

Based on the current QB market and draft situation combined with a new management and coaching staff - the QB position has a lower priority for the Jets than other positions just like CB.

In his first two years, Geno was put into an unfair situation. His stats were bad, no doubt about it. But just take the whole two years into perspective. He had a bad o-line and an below-average or unhealthy receiving corps in both years. In addition, he played under a coach who used him as the bogeyman and never opened the playbook for him in a franchise where the media is pushing all season long.

In 2013, his o-line produced the 2nd-worst sack percentage and he played with WRs/TEs like Stephen Hill, David Nelson and Kellen Winslow. Yet, the Jets finished 8-8 and had a few percent chance of making the playoffs.

In 2014, his o-line produced the 24th-worst sack percentage, he still didn't have a true #1 target and he "received" Percy Harvin in the middle of the season, for which the offensive style had to be changed a lot. That's not the best circumstances for a QB who played without any confidence in that franchise last year. Still, like I mentioned in my first post, they outgained a lot of teams and could have finished the season 7-9 rather than 4-12.

Now he gets a complete new coaching staff and a system he used to work with in college, a true #1 target who can create mismatches and an improved o-line. That's enough for me to give him another chance and to call the QB position a "lower priority".

In 2014, his o-line produced the 8th-worst sack percentage**^

The Jets finished #4 of AFC East.

I like their schedule at this point. Based on 2014, it is 0.488. There need a lot of things to be evaluated, but at first glance, the over 6.5 looks like a no-brainer.

BTW, that's a good writeup 

Suume where are you from?

@Hugh: It also has to do with Geno, no doubt. I just wanted to say, give him another opportunity with a new coaching staff and a better offense surrounding him

@powerbalance: 25 minutes away from Dortmund.

Update 03/13/2015

So according to sources on Twitter, the Jets will sign Antonio Cromartie and Marcus Gilchrist today.

Biggest needs before free agency started:

Cornerbacks - CHECK
A true #1 WR - CHECK
Offensive Guards - CHECK 1/2
Safety - CHECK

"The Jets hold the No. 6 pick and they may not even have to make a decision on Mariota because he could be off the board by then. But Maccagnan trekked to Oregon along with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo and director of college scouting Rex Hogan to check out Mariota in person. The Jets also have a pre-draft visit scheduled with Mariota, according to a source."

They've had a nice week but IMO they have way too much money tied into CB's and it will come back and bite em.

The New York Jets retained starting right guard Willie Colon, agreeing Thursday to a one-year contract that will pay him the veteran minimum of $870,000.

Don't know whether I can call it a "CHECK" or not, because I have a feeling there is a little bit more quality needed in a division with Suh.

Positive: Secondary is set up for the next 3-4 years

Negative: Much cap space spent

BUT: They still have $20M left this season and I believe the major signings are over. They will seek for some more minor additions in free agency IF the fit is right, but will also completely focus on the upcoming draft. Maccagnan is 100% willing to get two starters in the first two rounds.

At this point we can already say that Maccagnan and company are in a situation to take the best available player with the sixth pick or to wait for trade-offers.

As much as I defended Geno Smith recently, my question is: Can the Jets pass on Marcus Mariota if he falls to six ?

https://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/03/nfl_mock_draft_2015_what_does_ex-jets_consultant_c.html

Interesting scenario.

It's good to have a strong seconday when playing the pats twice a yr, and sammy watkins twice as well. In general the league has ubber talented WR's coming in year in year out.

Agree

I am a die hard Patriots fan but have to give credit to the Jets this offseason, they have done a terrific job(on paper atleast) of improving their team. I think taking Marriota would be a big mistake, I don't see him as anything more than a Geno Smith type QB. I guess I have been spoiled in recent years with Bledsoe and Brady but I still lock pocket QB's in the NFL. People will say I am crazy but I would rather grab Sean Mannion in the later rounds or even Bryce Petty or Tyler Heinicke. Just my opinion but Marriota will be  just another great college QB that played in a wide open system where is WR's had great separation.

Very interesting angle. Can't say much about Tyler Heinicke, maybe you can give me a heads-up. The last time I checked out Sean Mannion, he was very interception-prone. I like Bryce Petty though.