5 Biggest Changes New York Jets Must Still Make This Offseason
The New York Jets have a general manager and head coach in place, but the team is still in disarray. Last week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted about the possibility of Chan Gailey becoming the Jets' new offensive coordinator. However, the deal was never set in stone.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Gailey has yet to hear from New York to finalize the agreement.
Gailey isn’t the only one receiving the deaf ear from the organization. Muhammad Wilkerson still awaits a contract extension offer.
The organization has also been mum about roster moves and changes. The team is likely working on assembling a coaching staff before making roster decisions.
Based on priority, here are five changes that have to be made immediately to move this franchise forward.
Extend Muhammad Wilkerson’s Contract
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The least pressing issue is Wilkerson’s contract. The Jets would be foolish to allow their best defensive player to hit the free-agent market with his credentials. Accumulating 16.5 sacks over two seasons as 3-4 defensive lineman is almost unheard of in this league.
The 305-pound run-stopper and sack artist will likely wait until training camp to reap the benefits of his play. He has been the centerpiece of the defense and will be paid accordingly in due time. Though, it would be smart to ink the deal sooner before top-tier players Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Terrance Knighton increase the value of defensive tackles in free agency.
Wilkerson’s contract value will fall somewhere between Geno Atkins’ $53.327 million deal and Gerald McCoy’s $95.2 million deal.
As previously mentioned, the contract value of high-end defensive tackles signing this offseason could increase the price tag for the Jets' standout defensive lineman. Wilkerson’s contract value is currently worth $6.875 million and expires at the end of the 2015 season.
Move Quinton Coples to 4-3 Defensive End
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Todd Bowles' defensive scheme will determine where Quinton Coples lines up next season.
According to Scott Salmon of Ganggreennation.com, Bowles has operated out of the 4-3 and 3-4 base defense depending on the roster:
"Unlike Quinn, Bowles' defense is much harder to nail down. Quinn's defense is relatively straightforward. Although there are variations, there aren't many and they are easy to identify. That isn't the case with Bowles. To begin with, it's unclear what he would bring over to the Jets. He has operated multiple schemes, both 3-4 and 4-3, and is willing to change schemes completely to fit his personnel.
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The 4-3 is certainly an option—an option that could help Coples play to his full potential.
The former first-round pick accumulated a total of 30.5 tackles for a loss in his final two years in college. He played closer to the line of scrimmage as a defensive end for four years at North Carolina. He was converted to an outside linebacker by Rex Ryan, where he experienced his ups and downs.
According to ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini, he was benched midseason in favor of Jason Babin in 2014. No one doubts Ryan’s defensive acumen, but it’s possible he may have misused Coples during his tenure.
If Bowles chooses a 4-3 base scheme, Coples could experience his best year playing alongside Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson on the defensive line. The Jets should consider drafting Shane Ray with the sixth overall pick to complete a fierce front four in New York.
Preparing for a Kirk Cousins Trade
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Kirk Cousins didn’t demand a starting job, but he simply wants a fair chance to compete in the offseason.
According to James Dator of SBNation.com, Cousins doesn’t want to waste his time not competing to start in Washington:
"When Cousins was asked to go on the record to discuss his trade request he stated, "Isn't it obvious I couldn't stay here?" He went on to say that if there was no quarterback competition, there would be no point in staying, reiterating that he would approach the 2015 season as a 16-game waiting period before free agency.
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The Washington Redskins have a lot invested in Robert Griffin III as the second overall pick of the 2012 draft. The Redskins’ front office traded multiple high picks for Griffin, chronicled by Matt Willis of ESPN.com, making it unlikely they’ll completely give up on him anytime soon.
Gang Green should seize the opportunity to make a deal for an unhappy backup quarterback in hopes of pushing Geno Smith, finding their stopgap signal-caller or a serviceable talent at the helm. Ultimately, Cousins wants a fair chance to start, and his chances are a lot better in New York than in Washington.
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Hire a Defensive Coordinator
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Bowles needs an established defensive coach to avoid the need to micromanage the unit.
Clarence Brooks, the Baltimore Ravens' defensive line coach is one of the most underrated position coaches in the league. He has been with the Ravens for 10 years and has done a great job coaching a talented defensive line year after year.
Here’s an excerpt from Brooks’ coaching biography on the team’s website:
"The Brooks-led defensive front has been anchored by five-time Pro Bowl NT Haloti Ngata since 2006. During that span, the Ravens have allowed the NFL’s fewest rushing TDs (63) and the NFL’s third-fewest rushing yards per game (93.1 ypg).
In each of Brooks’ first seven full seasons in Baltimore (2005-11), the Ravens’ defense ranked in the Top 10 in total yards allowed. In his second year (2006), the defense ranked No. 1 (264.1 ypg), while finishing second overall in 2008 (261.1 ypg). Prior to his 2005 arrival in Baltimore, Brooks coached successful NFL D-line units in Miami, Cleveland and Chicago.
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Brooks would be a great addition to the Jets staff if he seeks a promotion as a defensive coordinator.
Gang Green has core talent up front in Wilkerson and Richardson. An established innovative coach would be able to further develop the two defensive linemen into a powerhouse tag team.
Hire an Offensive Coordinator
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The Gailey fiasco is a bit odd. Are the Jets getting cold feet or is it sloppy business on the part of the franchise?
According to Schefter, Gailey is also weighing his options:
"Gailey, who spent the past two seasons out of the NFL after coaching the Buffalo Bills in 2012, said reports about him joining the Jets were premature and that the two sides are at a crossroads.
"Nothing's happened yet," he said.
Gailey, 63, said three other teams have talked to him about joining their staffs and he is contemplating whether to do it, as he only wants to coach with the right team in the right situation.
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New York shouldn’t over pursue Gailey. He has been out of the NFL for two seasons and the game has significantly changed in two years with rulings and the progression of mobile quarterbacks. The Jets need an innovative modern-day offensive coordinator that’s teaching the nuances of the game at the collegiate level—a Chip Kelly-esque type of coach.
Gus Malzahn, the head coach at Auburn started with Arkansas State, where he led the school to nine victories. The Red Wolves' QB, Ryan Aplin, had the best season of his four-year collegiate career under Malzahn throwing 24 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also rushed for 438 yards and six touchdowns.
In his first year at Auburn, Malzahn was named AP Coach of the Year and coached in the BCS Championship Game. He developed Nick Marshall into a prolific dual-threat QB. Marshall had 20 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2014.
Currently, Smith sits atop the Jets’ QB depth chart. He’s capable of using his legs as an effective dual-threat. Malzahn could be the coach that develops Smith into a viable passer and rusher from the pocket in the NFL. If Gang Green sticks with Smith, Auburn’s coach would be a good fit to remodel the offense.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com
Player contract details provided by spotrac.com
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