Will the 2015 New York Jets provide spark to the fans this upcoming season?
My interest this year will be on the New York Jets in how they will act with new head coach Todd Bowles in the culture he brings. So far it seems that this team on paper looks like they will be a much better team this season. The organization was very active this past offseason with acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears, and already having another big receiver in Eric Decker on the other side of the ball it will help Geno Smith build up confidence in becoming a better quarterback for the team. With Sheldon Richardson being suspended for a couple of games rookie lineman Leonard Williams will have to fill a big hole. Many analyst believe the Jets obtained a huge playmaker because many thought he was the best player in the draft. Williams I think will be able to adjust just fine and make a big impact on the team from the start. Devon Smith who was also drafted by the Jets will be a very good slot receiver once he returns from his broken rib injury. A big weakness was the Jets secondary with them acquiring Buster Skrine, and Marcus Gilchrist it took that problem away real quick. What was also key was brining back former Jets Darrell Revis, and Antonio Cromartie this secondary just went from being horrific to being one of the best in the league.
Today at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets held an open practice for the fans to get their first look at the new team. I was very interested to see how the team is prepping for the upcoming season, and from what I saw it seems like they are all about business. Todd Bowles wants to bring that defensive mentality over to the New York Jets just like he did when he was the defensive coach with the Arizona Cardinals. He was in the top three in run defense, and in the top five for passing defense. Tonight when they did the eleven on eleven with the first string players on both sides of the ball the defense was flying everywhere. Geno was having trouble in getting time to set up, and throw the ball for how fast they were coming at him. Many Fans were booing Geno in his performance which I cant understand why they would do that. From what he showed me he is slowly making better decisions in the throws he makes, and not forcing the ball to areas. The reason he had trouble was because of the defense flying to the ball, and the different type of blitz packages coming at Geno. The offensive line seems slow but I don't know if they were expecting to have that defense come at them like that the first play.
Rookie Quarterback Bryce Petty made some good impressions to the fans that made people very happy, and hopeful for the future of the team. He displayed his mobility in being able to move the ball pretty well down the field when it came to his turn to take the field. I liked how he took off with the ball to gain positive yardage out of a play rather than trying to force the ball, or have the ball intercepted. I believe if they develop him in the next two years he could become the starter of the team. He has a very strong arm he let a nice pass out that was about a thirty five yard pass up the middle against the heart of the defense. The only negative thing about his game is he needs to take more reps under center rather than in the shotgun position. In college he was a very good passer because of the spread offense they had ran in Baylor. Chan Gailey can be a big help in developing Petty in learning a new type of offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick can be a mentor to Geno, and Bryce in learning the offense Gailey runs since Fitzpatrick knows it from when Gaiey and Fitzpatrick were together in Buffalo.
It seems like Geno Smith, and Brandon Marshall are together on the same page in knowing how each play on the field. As it got later in the scrimmage Geno threw a perfect pass to Marshall that had to be at least 55 yards that would of been a touchdown. When the fans saw that happen it made the Jets fans very excited and hope this is the start of something this season. These two became very close friends this offseason by moving in with one another to get to know each other and help one another get better as football players. If it helps them develop a team bond to help them win on the field than many fans including myself will like this a lot. From what I see Geno has been speaking up more and trying to be the leader of the team for the offense.
Overall, The defense of the team will be very scary this year because of how physical and deep they are this year. Revis and Cromartie will be a big factor in brining there veteran presence to this team in making them winners. The offense will be the biggest question because of the Quarterback situation in seeing how Geno Smith will perform. It is time for Geno Smith to shut up and stop making excuses and produce. Coach Bowles will not be afraid to take out Smith if he is not producing he wants the best player that will help the team win on the field and not on the sideline. Smith has plenty of weapons on offense with Marshall, Decker, Kerley, Devon Smith, Amaro, Evans and Cumberland all these guys are playmakers who have what it takes. The running backs are going to produce a big problem because of how big they are. When I saw them tonight they looked like tractor trailers running because of how big they are as a person. The First test will be next week when they open the preseason against the Detroit Lions on the road. I will be watching closely in how both sides play. I am curious in how the second string and third string will do because from what I saw tonight the Jets have some players that I thought can maybe make the team, and help in some way. I think the AFC EAST will be very tough this season. I think the Jets will end with either a 8-8 record or a 10-6 record. I believe they are very close in take the division away from the Patriots who won the East for over a decade. I hope I am right in my record prediction we just have to wait and see.
