F
flgreen
Guest
Jameis? Bradford? Geno? The biggest issue facing Jets’ Bowles
By Brian Costello
January 15, 2015 | 11:37pm
The Jets filled two big openings this week with the hiring of Mike Maccagnan as general manager and Todd Bowles as head coach. Now, those two have to figure out what to do with the biggest hole in the Jets organization — quarterback.
The position has been an issue off and on for close to 40 years and no one has found a long-term answer, which has led to a lot of down seasons and a few close misses. There was a school of thought the Jets needed to replace Rex Ryan with an offensive-minded coach, someone who could mold a quarterback. Instead, the Jets hired Bowles, who also comes from the defensive side of the ball.
The expectation is Bowles will be more involved with the offense than Ryan, who largely ignored it. Bowles and Maccagnan are probably already are formulating a plan at quarterback. Then, it will be up to Chan Gailey, who is expected to be named offensive coordinator, to carry it out.
The Jets can start by examining what is on the roster. Geno Smith finished his second season with the best game of his 30-game NFL career. It is not enough to say he deserves the job in 2015, but likely enough that he will merit consideration and a chance to compete for it.
Bowles and Maccagnan will not address the media until next week. You can be certain that a popular topic at the introductory press conference will be their opinions on Smith. Maccagnan, in particular, should be very familiar with Smith from the draft process.
Matt Simms is the only other quarterback on the roster. Michael Vick will be a free agent in March and is not expected to return.
The Jets’ chance at landing a top quarterback in the draft faded in December when they won two of their final three games — Ryan’s going-away present to the new staff. With the sixth pick in the draft, it is unlikely the Jets will have a shot at Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. If one should fall, the Jets would have to consider using the pick on him. The idea of trading up seems farfetched with so many other holes on the roster.
There are not many attractive options on the free-agent market. Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and Mark Sanchez (not happening) are the top veterans expected to be on the market. Some others may shake loose before free agency begins if the Rams cut Sam Bradford or the Texans release Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Modal Trigger
Ryan Fitzpatrick is helped by Texans personnel after breaking his tibia Dec. 14.
Photo: AP
Fitzpatrick would be intriguing because he played under Gailey for three years when Gailey was the head coach of the Bills. Fitzpatrick threw for at least 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in every season under Gailey. He earned a six-year, $60 million contract and then the bottom fell out. Maccagnan also knows Fitzpatrick from this past season when both were with the Texans.
Gailey has not been blessed with many outstanding quarterbacks in his time as a coordinator or head coach. Troy Aikman was the best when Gailey was the Cowboys head coach and Aikman was at the end of his career.
But Gailey has been able to get good results out of his quarterbacks. Kordell Stewart threw for 21 touchdowns and ran for another 11, both career highs in 1997 when Gailey ran the Steelers’ offense. Jay Fiedler set career highs in yards (3,290), passing touchdowns (20) and rushing touchdowns (four) in 2001 when Gailey was the Dolphins’ coordinator. In 2008, when Gailey was in charge of the Chiefs’ offense, Tyler Thigpen had his only productive pro season with 18 passing TDs.
Jets general managers, coaches and offensive coordinators have been trying to solve the quarterback puzzle since Joe Namath left in 1977. Can Maccagnan, Bowles and Gailey finally figure it out?
Bowles will hire Falcons defensive backs coach Joe Danna as a Jets assistant, according to Fox Sports.
Bowles and Danna worked together with the Dolphins. Kacy Rodgers, who also worked with Bowles and Danna in Miami, is expected to be named Bowles’ defensive coordinator.
Bowles was named the assistant coach of the year by the Pro Football Writers Association for his work as Cardinals defensive coordinator.
By Brian Costello
January 15, 2015 | 11:37pm
The Jets filled two big openings this week with the hiring of Mike Maccagnan as general manager and Todd Bowles as head coach. Now, those two have to figure out what to do with the biggest hole in the Jets organization — quarterback.
The position has been an issue off and on for close to 40 years and no one has found a long-term answer, which has led to a lot of down seasons and a few close misses. There was a school of thought the Jets needed to replace Rex Ryan with an offensive-minded coach, someone who could mold a quarterback. Instead, the Jets hired Bowles, who also comes from the defensive side of the ball.
The expectation is Bowles will be more involved with the offense than Ryan, who largely ignored it. Bowles and Maccagnan are probably already are formulating a plan at quarterback. Then, it will be up to Chan Gailey, who is expected to be named offensive coordinator, to carry it out.
The Jets can start by examining what is on the roster. Geno Smith finished his second season with the best game of his 30-game NFL career. It is not enough to say he deserves the job in 2015, but likely enough that he will merit consideration and a chance to compete for it.
Bowles and Maccagnan will not address the media until next week. You can be certain that a popular topic at the introductory press conference will be their opinions on Smith. Maccagnan, in particular, should be very familiar with Smith from the draft process.
Matt Simms is the only other quarterback on the roster. Michael Vick will be a free agent in March and is not expected to return.
The Jets’ chance at landing a top quarterback in the draft faded in December when they won two of their final three games — Ryan’s going-away present to the new staff. With the sixth pick in the draft, it is unlikely the Jets will have a shot at Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. If one should fall, the Jets would have to consider using the pick on him. The idea of trading up seems farfetched with so many other holes on the roster.
There are not many attractive options on the free-agent market. Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and Mark Sanchez (not happening) are the top veterans expected to be on the market. Some others may shake loose before free agency begins if the Rams cut Sam Bradford or the Texans release Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Modal Trigger
Ryan Fitzpatrick is helped by Texans personnel after breaking his tibia Dec. 14.
Photo: AP
Fitzpatrick would be intriguing because he played under Gailey for three years when Gailey was the head coach of the Bills. Fitzpatrick threw for at least 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in every season under Gailey. He earned a six-year, $60 million contract and then the bottom fell out. Maccagnan also knows Fitzpatrick from this past season when both were with the Texans.
Gailey has not been blessed with many outstanding quarterbacks in his time as a coordinator or head coach. Troy Aikman was the best when Gailey was the Cowboys head coach and Aikman was at the end of his career.
But Gailey has been able to get good results out of his quarterbacks. Kordell Stewart threw for 21 touchdowns and ran for another 11, both career highs in 1997 when Gailey ran the Steelers’ offense. Jay Fiedler set career highs in yards (3,290), passing touchdowns (20) and rushing touchdowns (four) in 2001 when Gailey was the Dolphins’ coordinator. In 2008, when Gailey was in charge of the Chiefs’ offense, Tyler Thigpen had his only productive pro season with 18 passing TDs.
Jets general managers, coaches and offensive coordinators have been trying to solve the quarterback puzzle since Joe Namath left in 1977. Can Maccagnan, Bowles and Gailey finally figure it out?
Bowles will hire Falcons defensive backs coach Joe Danna as a Jets assistant, according to Fox Sports.
Bowles and Danna worked together with the Dolphins. Kacy Rodgers, who also worked with Bowles and Danna in Miami, is expected to be named Bowles’ defensive coordinator.
Bowles was named the assistant coach of the year by the Pro Football Writers Association for his work as Cardinals defensive coordinator.
