Just End The Season has been one of the cornerstone jokes directed at Jets fans. If you root for Gang Green, chances are you heard that super original chirp at one point or another. This season that joke should be the mantra. At 1-4, the season is all but over. Ryan Fitzpatrick has proven that last year was a fluke and the defense is in bad shape best the defensive line. Darrelle Revis is not the same guy and there’s no hiding that.
That is not to say the title window is officially closed. The core can still compete for a title. It just needs some minor tweaks. Here’s what Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has to do to start the refuel.
Step One: Start Geno Smith
Trust me, it was a sickening feeling just thinking about Geno Smith under center, but Fitzpatrick has been that bad. He’s thrown twice as many interceptions this year (10) than touchdowns (5) and besides the Week 2 win in Buffalo he hasn’t looked anything close to the Fitz of last year. It’s time to make a change. Even at his worse, Geno cannot be as bad as Fitzpatrick has.
The last time we saw Geno as a starter was Week 17 of 2014 where had a near perfect performance against the Dolphins. He threw for 358 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions. Since then he has gotten his jaw broken, Fitzpatrick take his job, and been handed a clipboard with a baseball cap. For what it’s worth I don’t think Geno is the answer either, but what’s the risk of throwing him out there? If he’s good, the season turns around. If he’s bad, the Jets can tank the season.
Step Two: Get highest possible draft pick
This can only work if the Jets throw in the towel. Last season the two wild card teams from the AFC had a 10-6 record. This year should be no different, so three more losses and the Jets can officially consider this season a wash. Up next for them is a Monday night game in Arizona against an equally desperate Cardinals team. The next four after Monday are all winnable games—Ravens, at Browns, at Dolphins, vs. Rams—but after that they face the Patriots.
Not to be pessimistic, but the Jets are in a hole that is too big to climb out of. They should shut down players who are banged up (i.e. Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis) and play younger guys. The Cowboys did this last season by accident and were able to use a top five draft pick on a luxury item (Zeke Elliott) that now has them 4-1. There is no reason the Jets cannot do the same.
Step Three: Draft Jabrill Peppers
Unlike former GM John Idzik who was petrified to make big moves, Mike Maccagnan isn’t gun shy. In his first act as GM he dished out the dough for Darrelle Revis, David Harris, and Nick Mangold. While it was good to see at the moment, those signings look pretty bad now. All three look to be on the decline of their career. This veteran unit can still win; they just need a little infusion of youth.
That is where Jabrill Peppers comes in. In addition to being a native of New Jersey—where he had one of the best high school careers—Peppers is a stud. Jim Harbaugh has compared him to Andrew Luck and this season he looks like he will be the first defensive player to have a legitimate chance to win the Heisman. He plays every position at Michigan—quarterback, kick returner, linebacker, safety. This type of formlessness is what the Jets need on their depth-depleted roster. Peppers could come in and play corner or safety and move around if need be.
Step Four: Move Revis to free safety
Admitting your franchise player is washed is never easy. Watching Revis this season has been difficult to say the least. At the top of his game he doesn’t get burnt by backups or give up 180 yards to any receiver. Revis is not washed just yet, he’s just entering the final phase of his career. It’s time for him to move to free safety.
Charles Woodson has made the switch and to a lesser extent Antrel Rolle and Tyrann Mathieu have made the switch and all have had success. Revis might not have the speed anymore to deal with these androids at receiver; we learned that last year when DeAndre Hopkins burnt him to a crisp. What he does still have are phenomenal instincts. Playing center field, he will be able to read the quarterback—something that made him an all-time great—without the headache of staying in front of the many speed demons lined up outside.
Step Five: Trade Sheldon Richardson for bigger need
This is listed as the final step because it is the least necessary of the others. If Sheldon Richardson, Mo Wilkerson, and Leonard Williams played five plus season for the Jets, I’ll be happy. If we can trade one of these studs for a top corner, solid receiver, or top draft pick, I might be a little happier.
The number one issue with the Jets right now is depth, especially at the skill position. The one position with value in the trade market is the defensive line. We’ve seen teams blow massive amounts of money on defensive lineman with less talent that Sheldon (i.e. Damon Harrison) who should be the odd man out because of his troubles off the field. I’m positive the Jets will find a team that will risk his off the field turbulence for his on the field production.
