Last season, the Jets had a very good year and finished with a record of 10-6. Head coach Todd Bowles brought a quiet, intense, professional approach to a team that went 4-12 in 2014. The Jets spent most of 2015 flying under the radar. That will not happen again, so opposing teams won’t take them lightly. I still like “Gang Green’s” chances to make the postseason, but there are many obstacles to overcome. Here are 5 questions facing the Jets this year:
Can Ryan Fitzpatrick be better than last year? “Fitz” has played for 6 teams in his 12-year career. He signed a 1-year, $12 million dollar contract this offseason. Last year was his best as a pro; he threw for 3,905 yards, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Jets offense has a plethora of talent around them. WR Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker had 26 touchdown receptions in 2015, while RB Matt Forte should provide consistency in the running game and a safety valve out of the backfield. (He had 102 receptions in 2014.) Fitz is very comfortable in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s system. The Jets should be in the top 10 in points per game.
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Will they survive their first 6 games? Normally, a fast start in the NFL would mean a team begins the season with a 4-2 or 5-1 record. I don’t expect that from this team at all. But in order for the Jets to be successful, they must be at least 3-3 going into week 7. Their opening schedule is absolutely brutal; they play Cincinnati, at Buffalo, at Kansas City, Seattle, at Pittsburgh and at Arizona. Worst-case scenario, New York could easily be 1-5 after these games.
Is Darrelle Revis still an elite cornerback? In 2014, Revis won a championship with the New England Patriots and NE did not re-sign him. My first thought was, is New York smarter than New England? Why would the Super Bowl winners let one of their best defenders leave for a team in their division? When all was said and done, Reevis had some bad games last year. Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins had 118 yards and 2 touchdowns while Buffalo’s Sammy Watkins had 11 receptions for 136 yards against the man they once called “Reevis Island.” If the Jets want to content, he must regain his “lockdown” corner status.
Is Todd Bowles a one-hit wonder? When Rex Ryan became a head coach in the NFL, teams struggled to adapt to his blitz packages. But once offenses saw his schemes and tendencies on film, they adjusted. Ryan hasn’t. Bowles had a very good rookie campaign, but teams will adjust to his style and he must evolve and adapt as well. One thing that shouldn’t change is that the Jets were one of the least penalized teams last season and that is a sign of a disciplined team and a good coach.
Who will step up as a third option for Fitz? In order for the Jets to have long-term success, they will need to spread the ball around on offense. TE Jace Amaro (who missed last year with an injury) should be a big part of the offense and a major target in the “Red zone.” Amaro is 6’5″, 265lbs and has all the tools to be a Pro-Bowl player.
If the Jets can answer these important questions they can be a legitimate threat to make the playoffs.
For more from Monte Perez, follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter @Montetjwitter11.
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