Analysis: Nice Guys Finish Last
Rex Ryan is a nice guy. There’s no disputing that. If he was your next door neighbor you’d invite him over for a barbecue. Don’t say you wouldn’t. You know you would.
But, as the aphorism predicts, nice guys finish last.
In the aftermath of the ugly loss on Sunday, we learned a few things about the character and management style of our new coach.
First, we learned that he still considers the defense his unit. He is very involved in everything they do. As we’ve seen, that’s a good thing. It’s a top five unit; one of the best in football even without two starters. We also learned that the offense and special teams units are run by their coordinators, Brian Schottenheimer and Mike Westhoff, and that Rex seldom meddles with the offense and never meddles with the special teams. Not only does Rex stay out of the game-planning (mostly) and personnel decision-making, he lets his coordinators make the calls on the field. This hands-off approach is empowering. It’s how Rex was treated in Baltimore and is, moreover, how he thinks professionals ought to treat other professionals. He’s right. To some extent.
We also learned something about the two coordinators, Schotty and Westhoff. About Schotty, we learned that our OC just can’t wrap himself around the idea of smash-mouth. The first four Jets series in the game we got more of the Oakland game, and it was working. Each series penetrated a little further and gained more first downs. Grinding, but working. The Jets had 64 yards rushing in the first twenty minutes. Still, first and goal from the nine, in the second quarter, and Schotty inexplicably switched to an old pattern, run-pass-pass, in this case, four yard run-incomplete pass-incomplete pass. Three points instead of six.
Now you can argue the play calling all you want. That’s not my intention. I merely wish to point out that Schotty has an inclination to play a finesse game, and the circumstances called for smash-mouth. It was the perfect time to break the will of the Dolphins defense (or leave them backed up against their goal line). Two more runs bears fruit later on. There was no score so no harm done if you don’t score and you can always kick the field goal on fourth down. Your young, rookie quarterback, also is eighty minutes off of a confidence-shattering performance. He has thrown the ball tentatively in the previous game and looked shaky on a few pass plays in this game. Don’t pass here, in a critical spot with the defense and offense compressed in the red zone. But, it went against Schotty’s grain. Can’t blame him for that. That’s who he is.
But, Rex, as he candidly admitted, is coach of the whole team. He’s got to see the whole picture, including Schotty’s strengths and weaknesses, and make an executive decision. Run-run-run, then kick if you have to or run again, as they did against Oakland.
As for special teams, Westhoff makes all the calls. He was playing Fowler in the spot normally played by Murrell, and Danny Woodhead in place of Cole(?) or Carroll, neither of which was available and, of course, Truskik went in the Braylon Edwards deal. He’s also playing Strickland, fresh off an injury and not 100% and he doesn’t have Brad Smith. So, the unit that had racked up splendid coverage numbers in the first five or so games, had different personnel altogether. Woodhead had not been trained properly since he failed to set the edge on both runbacks. Fowler couldn’t tackle a stationary dummy. Feely knew something wasn’t right. No doubt seeing these issues on the field or in practice, Feely decided to take matters into his own hands and, instead of playing deep safety forty yards back, he flew down the field and actually made the first two tackles in the first half. You can’t blame him for aggressiveness. Westhoff should have noticed that Woodhead didn’t get it. He didn’t. He should have noticed that he had no speed on the field. He didn’t. he should have noticed that Feely making tackles at the twenty-five yard line meant something was going wrong. He didn’t. Finally, after the first 100 yard return, he should have noticed that his unit was overmatched. He didn’t.
But, Rex is coach of the whole team. He’s got to see the whole picture, including Westhoof’s strengths and weaknesses, and make an executive decision. Scquib it. You can’t expect Westhoff to assess the whole game situation. He’s a prideful guy who has confidence in his unit (misplaced it turns out). Rex is the guy who has to see all three units and the game situation. The decision shouldn’t be up to Weshoff’s pride. Rex has to see how the defense is playing and dominating and he has to look at the scoreboard. That’s the thing that will judge him in the end.
So, our rookie head coach blundered. Plain and simple. He stepped back and let his coordinators do what they do, but he never stepped in when the game situation called for someone to see the whole picture, and act. That’s what talented managers do. They empower their staff—until it’s time to lead. Then they lead, effectively and decisively.
Rex will have to learn this. If he does, we’ll have a good one. If not, three more years and a cloud of dust and he’ll just be another failed Jets’ coach. We’ll have to wait and see. I’m rooting for the big guy. He’s our best chance to win in a long, long time.
Rex, if you’re reading this, take no prisoners, buddy. Just win. And don’t be late for the barbecue.
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I agree 100%. He has to tell Schotty “RUN THE DAMN BALL!” sometimes. I can understand if he wants to be involved in the defense, as that is his specialty. But when things are getting wild and the game needs to be slowed down a bit for the rookie qb, he needs to step in and say ” run the ball”. Thats it! thats a great way to avoid a 5 int game.
As for Weshoff, its hard to say that Rex needs to butt in on his business. BUT, after the first return, he should noticed that we have no speed, and demand a squibb.
Agree completely that Rex has to think like a HC, and not a coordinator. I am very confident he will learn this with time. He needs experience and no doubt will get some good advise for dad.
Don’t agree completely about play calling. We run great, but have to get some balance with the pass. We also have to get reps in for Sanchez. It’s hard to get any rhythm or confidence when your passing once every 6 or 7 plays.
I totally disagree….. 100000%
Why would Rex get involved in anything Westoff does? What Westoff dosent know when to squib kick or not? He dosent know his unti better than Rex ever would? T Ginn is a garbage returner and his stats prove that. He made guys miss and made plays athetically against our st’s.
He cleary has gotten Shotty ear since the Buffalo game. We have run the ball much more consistently sicne then. He started off handling Schotty as he was handled in Baltimore and then adjusted to it since the Buffalo loss. Until the final drive I thought Schotty did a decent job.
Do you think Sean Payton tells Greg Williams what defense to call in games for the Saints? NO…he handles his skill of offense and let Williams call the D game……..Give me a break with this nonsense
He lets Westoff do his job becasue he is the best in the business. He let Schotty call the game totally until he proved he was dangerous with full control which he clearly dosent have now.
Let stop overanalyzing some tough losses here.
I wouldn’t even call shotti a “finnese” coordinator because his pass play selection sucks terribly. Doesn’t really seem like a good x’s and o’s guy because none of the players are given a chance to expose defenses with their abilities and if they are, its usually predictable.(Seminol offense, keller, obvious screens and quick slants) If anything, I give shotti credit for being occasionall witty and outsmarting defenses for a couple of series with those occassional bootlegs etc. But it stops there.
I respectfully disagree—Westhoff has much more experience with special teams than almost anyone on the planet—were there screw-ups on Sunday…ABSOLUTELY. But, i can’t kill Rex for delegating some authority to experienced coordinators.
Wow, 8 games into Rex’s first year as HC and a 4-4 record (Football Outsiders only predicted 6 wins all season) and his coaching style is under attack for not taking more direct control over Mike Westhoff? Are you kidding me? I generally agree that Schotty is in love with the passing game too much and has to play more smash mouth at the goal line…he was also facing 2 rookie CBs with his 2 veteran WRs in the game. But, Westhoff should have squibbed the third KO to Ginn? That’s just ridiculous Monday morning QB’ing.
Ginn’s 1st return-22 yards, his second 100 and a TD. Was the first one a fluke or was the TD a fluke? If your Mike Westhoff, one of the premier special teams coaches in the NFL who routinely sends his special teams guys to the Pro Bowl, you assume that the TD was a fluke. BTW, the second return was flukier!!! Ginn was wrapped up deep by 2 Jets and broke free. That’s not a coverage issue, that’s an individual player breakdown issue. The coverage was there. Now, how about if Westhoff had squibbed and the Dolphins get the ball at the 40 and score a quick TD. Then, Mr. Weiss, may I suggest that your article is the same. To wit, it would go something like: “Rex instills his defense with a killer instinct, so he should’ve told Westhoff that Ginn, who had never returned an NFL KO for a TD and was close to being permanently benched, was not a threat. Letting the Dolphins start at the 40 when they were having trouble gaining any yards was playing not to lose.” And, after the 2 TDs, Ginn didn’t crack 30 yards for a return.
Rex is a rookie HC and needs to polish his coaching style…I do not disagree with that, but when you say that he should control Mike Westhoff…that’s just froot loopy.
Regardless of the qualifications and experience that guys like Schottenheimer or Westhoff bring to the table, Woody and Tannenbaum hire Rex as the HEAD COACH b/c he is supposed to lead the entire team. If they thought that the other guys were better leaders than they should have elevated one of them to HC and tried to throw a ton of $$ at Rex to come be the DC.
At the end of the day we can bash the coordinators but the responsibility for their F ups is on the head coach. Rex needs to understand that he is in charge of all of it now, not just when the other guys have the ball.
If he can’t get his arms and mind around that concept he will be proven as the wrong guy for the job. I’m rooting for him to get it….. hopefully someone gets in his ear during the bye week and makes him reaccess his approach to being a head coach in the NFL
I think a good move would be to let Schotty go, and bring up one of the offensive position coaches as the new coordinator. the coordinator would keep the same offensive system, however, Rex would make it clear that the game plan revolves around the offensive philosophy he brought in with him.
lets face it, Rex can tell Schotty all he wants what kind of offense he wants running on the field. But when the time comes to call the plays, Schotty faces withdrawals from his old system and eventually gives in to his temptations.
I agree that changing the offensive system mid season or in the offseason would hinder the development of sanchez, so keep the system, but promote a positions coach he would have more influence on. it would be noted the consequences of not following the system he wants, and thus the smash mouth offense and playcalls hes wanted all along.
or is it not that simple?
This is the difference between being a coordinator and a head coach, some are born to lead and some to follow. Many a fine coordinator (and ball boys) have failed to make the jump when provided the opportunity.
No denying Rex is a leader, but he needs to grow into leading the whole team, not just his unit.
I believe he will, but keeping the old coordinators here made it a way more difficult transition, especially since Schott’s philosophy is completely at odds with Rex
(note, I predicted this problem well before the start of the season, pats self on the back).
Same thing with Mangini, they made him keep Sutton who was a 4-3 coach and the 4-3 personnel, which, as unqualified as the manidiot was, did not help the situation.
This falls on Mr. T, whose job it is to construct the entire coaching staff, not just the parts. IT was obvious to anyone that these two coaches had different visions, Schott should have been replaced by Callahan in the offseason.
But in the end the QB and the HC are rookies and this team was never winning the super bowl anyway, and this situation is easily rectified internally, so if it costs the team an extra loss or two it will help with draft position next year which can be a silver lining.
Not to pile on from my earlier post but (after re-reading it )probably the most ridiculous piece you have ever written.
Anyone calling for Schotty to be fired mid-season, keep dreaming.
JetfanATL,
No one is saying that Schotty/Westy are better leaders. They’re saying they have years upon years of expertise in a certain area (offense/specials) and Rex would be acting detrimental to the team if he tried calling the shots in those areas.
Does Sean Payton call the defense?
Did Tony Dungy call the offense?
Does Bill Belichick call the offense?
Do you think Josh McDaniels is calling the defense?
No. That’s what you hire a coordinator to do. They are experts in a certain facet of the game, and you let them do their thing. Enough already.
REX NEEDS TO BE LIKE EF HUTTON. WHEN HE SPEAKS THE OTHER COACHES NEED TO LISTEN. HE NEEDS TO LEAD. NOT JUST THE DEFENSE. NOT JUST BY YELLING!!! YELLING LOOKS GOOD FOR THE CAMERA. HE KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE.
HE NEEDS TO BE MIKE DITKA. NOT HIS DAD. HOW MANY TIMES DITKA AND RYAN SR WENT AT IT WITH THE BEARS? BUT AT THE END IT WAS DITKA’S OPINION THAT MATTERED. HE RULED. NOT THE DEFENSIVE COACH.
AND WHEN THE JETS WIN NOT ONLY WILL THE DEFENSIVE TEAM PICK HIM UP. SO WILL THE OFFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS.
JUST LEAD REX JUST LEAD!!!!
What SackDance said.
I’d also like to add that the one play not really talked about was Greene’s fumble and the TD return on that. Without that freebie 7 — which cannot be pinned on the HC or his coordinators, but on a rookie just trying to keep a play going — the Jets probably win, and it’s an entirely different discussion this morning, probably without this post.
Oh, I would love to see the articles if Rex had taken ST play calling duties away from Westhoff and the team had given up a KR TD. “Arrogant Egomaniac Rookie Rex Takes Play Calling Duties From Best ST Coach In NFL History, Loses Game. Firing Imminent.”
I said this yesterday but it bears repeating. 1st down and 10 from the 12 yard line and under 2 minutes on the clock – it’s time to run it down their throats. That’s our bread and butter. Two 300 yard games in a row. Rely on the OL, Richardson and TJ to protect the rock and get the 12 yards. That’s essentially 8 plays to run 12 yards! Schotty ran the ball on 1st down for 3 yards which is all you have to average to get the TD. Then he called 3 drop backs to pass. Unfathomable! Rex needed to get over there after the first drop back (Sanchez tucked it and ran for a yard leaving 2nd and 6) and say run on 3rd and 4th down Schotty!!! Or else!!
To further my point about shotti, we have a lot of weapons but we have such a narrow minded play calling that doesnt even give all our weapons a chance to shine. If you look at it, the saints have had on of the most versatile offenses for a while now and not even IMO, I know for a FACT, right now we have more and better weapons on offense than the saints. From WR, to RB toTE but its all about gameplan, preperation and deception, which it seems the Jets fail to do week in week out. Smash mouth or not, we rarely attack a defenses weakness(except for oakland) but play conservative and hope that our defense wins games for us. I think the NO saints game emotionally and mentally scarred shotti more than it did sanchez. Yeah sanchez stunk it up in buffalo too, but it also seems like we play right into the defenses hands on some obvious occassions and that spells disaster for a rook. Teach the kid to get acclimated to everyone around him and utilize the arsenal he’s fortunate enough to have.
The sign of a good leader is to when to take the advise of the people you lead and when to overule them. That is in essence what this thread is about. Particulars of this last game aside, how he handles this (or is perceived to handle) will determin his success as head coach. I for one am very optimistic about his future.
Brendan,
Maybe my wording was poor. I wasn’t trying to imply that Westoff or Schotty are good leaders or better than Rex. What I meant is that giving your subordinates autonomy is a good thing but as the HC you can’t then take the attitude when you lose that “my defense” played great and the parts that the other guys have responsibilities for cost us the game. I can’t speak for Rex Ryan here so maybe he really thought that a run followed by two passes was the best way to go on that red zone possession or that not squibbing the ball after the first kick was the right move. If so, you guys are all right. However, if he felt that those moves were wrong then as the leader of the entire team it is in his job description to rein in his guys and make them run the offense/ST’s according to how the HC wants to run them.
Example, I would be willing to bet that if Gregg Williams is bringing 6-8 guys on every play in a Saints Colts game and Peyton has thrown for 300 yds and 4 TDs that Sean Payton might wander over to Williams on the sideline and say hey man, the blitz isn’t getting there today….time for plan B. That’s all I want Rex to do. I am not advocating that he call all of the offensive plays or diagram kick coverage on the whiteboard or anything like that. He needs to provide the vision and ensure his subordinates execute his vision for the team….and if they aren’t, then he needs to make them do it. That’s his job.
Now this is all under the impression that Rex wants a ground and pound team that wins with Defense and a strong running game and field position. We all got that idea from his own comments. So until he comes out and says differently, that’s the vision we assume Rex has.
This loss isn’t on the coaches, it’s on the players (obviously esp the coverage squad) for not executing. I know that killing Schott has become a favorite pastime for many Jets fans, but look at the facts: he built a balanced gameplan (35 pass attempts, 35 rushes) that resulted in over 375 yds and 23 first downs. 99% of the time, that gets us a win. And Ryan did a great job with a depleted defense – I think this game showed his strong ability to adapt to his personnel and his opponent.
We gave up three crazy plays in one quarter. Players missed their assignments. We lost gap control. It stinks, but it didn’t happen because we got out-coached (which I think did happen in the first MIA game). It’s almost impossible for me to take any positives from a loss to the Phins, but here’s one – I think our coaching is getting better as the season progresses.
How anyone is getting on Rex is beyond me. This new world of blogging and tweeting and the media reporting on everything and having to construct story lines to get people interested is ridiculous. He is a first year HC. The positives he has brought far outweigh any negatives so far. Our defense, our running game, and the overall fired up attitude of the team are all lightyears better than we have seen in 7 or 8 years. The negativity is mind boggling.
jetfanATL,
I agree that as a head coach that should be Ryan’s job. Oversee, let his coordinators do their thing, but not let them run wild if stuff isn’t working. But I also believe that’s what he’s doing. He felt the team was passing too often, and the past few games we have seen a concerted effort to run the ball consistently.
He does refer to it as “my defense” but he also stepped up and admitted his unit lost the game against Miami on MNF. And to be honest, that is the only game he should have to apologize for. Other than that game the defense has been world class.
I guess this is all matter of opinion, but I think it’s way off base that people are trying to say that Rex is over on the sideline picking his nose and flicking boogers while special teams and the offense are on the field.
p4p, all great points. Well done.
Give Rex a break—I was at the game so i’m not sure what the TV commentors said, but Rex shut down the Wildcat—how? by using a single cornerback(revis) for all plays when a run was likely–in passing situations he transitioned from 3 DBs to a dime package—brilliant and effective–that’s coaching…the Jet defense was scraped in Miami, he made adjustments and dominated their O.
I was at the game myself and I don’t see how Ryan can be blamed for both kickoff returns. The first kickoff return, the Jets players were asleep in the coverage and Ginn took it to the house. The second kickoff, there were what, eight Jets surrounding Ginn at one point and they still couldn’t bring him down? Talk about how Rex shouldn’t have loaded up on so many defensive guys to stop the Wildcat at the expense of special teams, but give me a break. I don’t want to sound like some ESPN blockhead here, but this is the National Football League. If you as a player cannot make an open field tackle on a kick returner who has STOPPED while there are seven of your teammates in the vicinity, how is that the coach’s fault? Now, lets say Ryan doesn’t punish these guys with benchings next week. That would be a fair point to criticize him.
I was initially inclined to blame Ryan for this game. In addition to the kickoff blunders, there was the non-challenge on the fumble. But now that I’ve calmed down from the emotion on Sunday, this loss is squarely on the players. As I stated earlier, if Ryan doesn’t send a message to the special teams unit by benching as many of these guys as he can get away with against Jacksonville, then yes, I will criticize him.
And by the way, I’d love to see a poll up regarding Mr. Twitter Kerry “Hollywood” Rhodes. He is quoted in the Times today as saying that the brashness and bravado “works for us” and “we aren’t changing anything.” I can’t stand this guy this year. Bart Scott ran his mouth all week but at least he led the team in tackles and recorded a sack. Rhodes isn’t worth half the money he’s being paid right now.
The kickoff returns are symptomatic of the Jets biggest problem to date … missed tackles. While the rest of the team is off, the defense should be at the practice facility every day running tackling drills. The amount of whiffed tackles on both special teams and defense have lost three of the four games for the Jets. Their inability to stop the wildcat is caused by this. They’re inposition and then just blow the tackles. What’s the deal here? It’s happening over and over.
So, this article is about how Rex is failing because he’s too nice and Basset’s, right below, is arguing that he’s failing because he’s an a#@hole. At least our coach isn’t one-dimensional.
John Z—inability to stop the wildcat??? Defense not making tackles?? They gave up 104 yards of total offense. They are #2 in the NFL in total yards allowed!!
Saying the run was working and blaming Schotty for abandoning it is revisionist history. The run game was not dominating by any means, and the Jets actually got back in the game largely through the air.
We tore up two of the worst run defenses in the league, but the Dolphins are just the opposite- a stout run D that can’t stop the pass (and that was before they lost a starting corner last week).
In the end it all comes down to execution. There isn’t any magic sequence of plays (run-run-run, run-pass-run, etc.) that guarantees success or failure. If they had run 4 times and been stuffed 4 times Schott would be getting absolutely KILLED right now.
The question is whether the coach puts his players in a position where they can succeed. Based on 11 weeks of a healthy Favre last year -and the fact that the offense has only lost games for us this year when Sanchez played like a rookie, I’m inclined to give Schottenheimmer till the end of the year before calling for his head. If they continue to put points on the board and show some improvement, let’s see what he can do w/ a 2nd year Sanchez.
I am glad that we won the first 3 games of the season, but unfortunately it raised the expectations of the Jets fans (including me). We began to believe that Jets where going to skip the learning curve for a new QB and a new HC. Since then we have lost 4 games. Taking the Saints game out of the mix (nobodies beaten them yet) what hurts is that we had 3 very tough loses (4, 3 and 5 points). Games that we could have won. What reared its head in those loses was the learning curve.
What I do take away from the loses are three very positive signs—a running game (a 300 yard game), a defense (that changed and stopped the wildcat) and a coaching staff (Sanchez is not being asked to do too much) that is beginning to gel. I think that Rex has learned from the mistakes but we are not yet consistent in all aspects of the game. We are still maturing and learning as a team (that includes the coaching staff).
I am looking forward to the next 8 games and think that we will come out of this season 8-8. More importantly an 8-8 cohesive team that will not lose those 4,3 and 5 point games next year—and a team that will make the playoffs.
jets still make playoffs
Remember that Kerry Rhodes backed up all his trash talking this week. Before the game he tackled Joey Porter, and then during the game he matched the pre-game tackle with another tackle. So at least he is consistent – he made one tackle before the game, and one tackle during the game.
Ryan defended his delegating style.
“I’ve been there, where a coach is over your shoulder all the time,” he said. “Why don’t you just call (the plays)? I’m not smart enough to do that. … We have better and much more capable guys than me in those positions. I’d only be hurting the team if I took a more hands-on approach.”
Johnl: that would be cool and right now not out of the realm of possibilities.
Let’s get this straight. Of course, the players are responsible. All I’m saying is that Rex needs to look at this game and recognize that his mangement style as a coordinator needs to be tweaked a bit to make him an effective head coach.
In his interview, he said that he “sometimes” has input into the offense. I think he was referring to the Bills game and the conversation he had with Schotty prior to the Raiders’ game. We saw the difference. But, I, for one saw Schotty revert in this game in the second quarter. Maybe Rex needs to keep reminding Schotty about what he wants.
As For Westhoff, his judgment was faulty in this game and you won’t get me to accept anything differently based on the statistical unlikeliness of this happening. It happened and I think there was a reason for it. What bothers me is that Westhoff defended the second kick away. I want him to have the humility to go to Rex, before the second kick away, and say something like this: “Rex, my unit is half replacements. They haven’t covered well in the first half, now they’ve given up a hundred yarder. How do you want me to proceed for the rest of the game?” Instead, I’ve got Westhoff making the decision instead of the head coach. I want Rex to do more than take the blame. I want him to recognize that you cannot delegate responsibility, only authority. I want Rex making that call taking all the factors of the game into account.
My father-in-law thirty years ago told me something very smart. He said that an organization has only got one head. In my view, Rex needs to learn to be that one head. Not just one of three.
By the way did everyone vote or at least make plans to vote today. It’s an important civic duty no matter who you are casting your vote for. How’s that for off topic.
As it stands now, Rex gets on the podium and has no clue as to why or how the O or ST messed up and cost us the game. Or if coaching plans or actions cost us the game.
It all breaks down this way:
The head man decides strategy; the subordinates decide tactics.
Every organization is structured the same way.
Here’s how (with a strong leadership structure) it should have gone down:
On Saturday, Rex/Tanny, jointly probably, worry about the Wildcat and covering injuries on the D unit. They confer w/Westy re: taking roster spots from ST to cover the D. Westy has input. R&T decide.
Rex & Westy now have to discuss a new game plan: How to adapt on ST, since their decision puts the JV out there and sits 4 ST Varsity. How do we adapt to this, Rex asks. He and Westy devise a plan to hide this shortcoming, and agree to stay in close touch during the game to make what adjustments on the fly that are needed.
The D’s doing fine, so the move helped there. But ST is showing problems during the early going — guys are out of position, missing tackles, but we’ve lucked out. The Head man and the Dept. head confer on sidelines during the half about how to proceed, and how to buttress that weakness. So far, OK, no harm.
At halftime, they touch base again and reassess where they are and what they need to do, so that they are both on the same page, strategically. Westy makes what tactical changes are needed.
Boom, everyone on ST is out of position and it’s 7 for Miami. The Head man says, “Do what you have to do to make sure that doesn’t happen again!” Westy makes the moves to help his over-matched JV and put them in a better position to survive — corner kicks, squibs, getting in the face of chronically out-of-position guys, calming down core guys trying to do too much to over-compensate — as his experience dictates to avoid further problems.
We survive, ST hang on, the D holds, the O scores, we win.
But, of course, none of this seems to have happened. Rex and/or Tanny decided to grab spots from ST, 3 leaders sit along with an injured Smith, and the JV is put out there AS IF they were the 1st Team and there were no problem or changes at all. Then, when they all run around getting torched, Westy sends them back out there with the exact same instructions they screwed up the first time. And they screwed it up again, with the exact same result. At what point does Westy realize he doesn’t have his A-Team out there, and adjust? At what point does Rex play Boss and wander over to Westy and say, “Que Pasa? Fix it! Now!”
Plus, Rex’s job now is to see the overview, not the D. He has to work with his coaches to adapt to conditions on the field. If something changes in the O plan, how does ST have to adapt? Or if the D plan is stymied, what does the O have to do? That’s HC territory.
These are minute-by-minute decisions. Rex CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE HIS FOCUS TAKEN FULLY BY THE D. He needs to see all of it, and how it interconnects. Then adjust.
THIS is why Rex needs a Bench Coach to guide him through all the stimuli and complexities during the game, to see clearly what his priorities are. Then, he has to make sure his coaches and he agree that this way is the best path to walk down. Or find a different path — quickly.
Good call, NamVetJet!
Thanks! Both for your service, and for the reminder!
I agree Bryan. Mayge Schotty mighgt need to go to the booth upstairs and see a different game. One that might open his eyes to more running.
I think you’re right. The Head Coach is the Head Coach. He’s the one in the end who will take the heat for losing, so he’d better impose his will every now and then. Schotty’s not following the recipe for success and he needs to be put in his place every now and again. Westy is not a head coach for a reason.
C’mon Rex. It’s your team not just your defense.
Andrew,
The reason the second TD happened was that 2 Jets players had Ginn wrapped up, but not down. Is that really a coaching breakdown? Again, I just think that logic is fundamentally flawed. As for management style, I don’t think that 8 games and a 4-4 record with a rookie QB is enough of a sample size to draw any conclusions. I have no problem with delegation, as long as the people that the HC puts in charge are competent. Mike Westhoff is a legendary special teams coach. Your criticisms about Rex may end up being valid, but I would let Westhoff do what he does best…but he can’t insure that special team regulars like Izzo and Fowler tackle a mutt like Ginn. Ginn gets tackled at the 24 yard line and this thread doesn’t exist.
FOOTBALL IS A COACHING LEAGUE WITH ALL THE PARITY. ITS LIKE A CHESS GAME. THE PLAYERS NEED TO BE PUT IN A SPOT TO WIN AT ALL TIMES. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO CASTLE TO SECURE A WIN!!!
TO SAY ITS NOT THE COACHES FAULT IS SAYING YOU ARE NOT WATCHING OTHER GAMES IN THE NFL. JUST ASK BILL WHAT HE WOULDVE DONE IF GINN WOULDVE RAN RUN DOWN FOR 100YRDS? HE WOULD DONE SOMETHING. HE LEADS. HE READS BOOKS ON LEADERSHIP.
spindoctor,
HE WAS STILL COACHING THE FIRST GAME W/ MIAMI. HE SHOULDVE FOCUSED MORE ON THE SECOND!!!
Mike,
Your idea of how this team is being run is ludicrous. Tanny doesn’t ever decide, or have input on the subject of, who is active/inactive. 3 leaders? Carrol, Cole & Murrell are leaders? Could’ve fooled me.
So one kickoff went 20 yards, and one went 100 yards. Who is to say, at that point, that the 100 yarder wasn’t a fluke? You take Westhoff at his word that he knows how to sort out the issues, and he did. The Jets had like 6 guys around Ginn on the 2nd return, he just broke tackles and made the coverage team look bad.
The fact you suggest a bench coach is utterly absurd. They have guys in the booth, assistants, who watch game flow and are checking replays, time, down & distance. Every team has them already, they do not need a bench coach.
Rex isn’t going to tell the offense how to run itself. He knows little about offenses other than how to stop them. He gives his coaches direction like “Schotty, we’re going to pound the ball and wear down the defense” and they do that (which they’ve done from the buffalo game on). Rex wanted Keller to be more involved, he gets 13 balls thrown his way this past Sunday.
I disagree. Especially an Westhoff. He is one of, if not the best ST coach in the league. If you watch his pressers he has a complete grasp of what is going on, explains it very well and is the right one to make all the calls. The fact that Ginn ran two back was due to players not executing not poor play calling.
For Schotty I do agree that he likes to use all the tricks in the bag rather the grind it out ground and pound style.
I agree Rex should be aware of his coaches strengths and weaknesses but he should also be aware of his own. Rex is a defensive specialist and it only makes sense that he would have a large contribution on that side of the ball.
I wouldn’t expect to see Rex telling Jay Feely how to approach the ball on his kickoffs.
Rex said they will spend this bye self scouting and see what they can do better. He’s a rookie head coach and like any coach, player etc they are constantly striving to get better.
Let’s beat Jacksonville and stomp the Pats and all will be right with world again!!
miket
Nicely broken down.
sack
That players failed to make plays is certainly not the coaches’ fault but that they needed to was a matter of coaches’ discretion. I’m not objecting to the decision so much as how it was made. I don’t think Westhoff’s decision tree took into account the whole game situation. Maybe he’s right to kick away from the point of view of a Special Team’s coach. But, isn’t it possible he was wrong from the point of view of the Head Coach, for all the reasons we’ve mentioned? All things being equal, isn’t there less implied risk in scquibbing after the runback (and considering all the personnel failures), than there is in kicking away taking into account how the defense was playing? Since you’re dominating the LOS, and showing weakness on STs, isn’t it in the team’s best interests to make the safer, more prudent decision? What I’m saying is, it shouldn’t be Westhoff’s call once the squad shows weakness. Westhoff’s being a poor coach if he doesn’t report his squad’s evident weaknesses to the HC, and put the decision in his hands.
Like anything that’s done differently, Ryan’s compartmentalized coaching system will be applauded when it works and scrutinized when it fails.
About the squibs: perhaps Westhoff didn’t squib because although Miami was unlikely to score, he didn’t want the offense to be pinned deep after Henne and company went 3 and out. Management must give Westhoff a better punter than Weatherford.
There was a tentativeness on the coaching staff’s part as if they felt the Miami dolphins from the first week were about to bust out at any moments.
We should spend one of our 3 draft picks on a punter.
This loss is 100% on the special teams, we win by 10 if they don’t let Ginn return 2 to the house. Once again our playoff hopes, slashed before the BYE week, same ol’ Jets. Lets just hope we freefall and get a top 10 pick in April, someone to grow with Sanchez maybe a stud WR? or DT?
Excellent article. I agree 100%.
Face it the Jesters Suck. The only reason their record is half way decent is because of their schedule.
Titans, Raiders, Texans, way to dominate, They squeaked out a win against the Pats, but I bet they can do it twice and when they faced any other competition they lost
F- the Jets
Everyone needs to take a chill pill – season has had highs and lows of equal value. I see a ton more potential with Rex and this team than I’ve seen in the last 10 + years. We will have our day riding through the canyon of heroes. The team will learn after the season is over that one or two plays can sometimes decide between a W and L. Rex will clean out the players that cannot play to his expectations and get ones in that can.
Jets at the very least WILL be in the AFC Championship game within 1-2 years – BOOK IT
“Jets at the very least WILL be in the AFC Championship game within 1-2 years – BOOK IT”
Hopefully, I just want to see progress as the year goes on. Sanchez with a year under his belt also excites me.
I bet you’re the type that gets excited about whats under every man’s belt.
Just kidding, I couldn’t resist
“Jets Suck”
cool nickname bro, don’t you have a pats blog to chill out on?
Schedule? what are you talking about clown? They beat the Pats, who are among the top five teams in the NFL. There is no shame in beating the Pats by 1 point let alone a TD and not letting them score an off TD. Texans are 5-3 and are right now a playoff team. They beat Tenn who at the time lost to Pitt and Houston, both team in the playoff picture. They lost to the Saints, who hasnt? And they lost 3 divisional games by basically beating themselves. Get a clue troll
Nah, I hate the pats, it sucks that they always frickin win the AFC east.
igs agrees 100% but i disagree 100000% so it looks like things are back to normal
If you look at it they suck, they barley beat the pats and lost to everyone else especially crucial Division games. “Oh but they held the Dolphins to 100 yards in the last game”, the Dolphins gave up three possessions for 3 touchdowns which left their defense on the field to get exhausted, (so add 250 yards to the Dolphins gains and you have the real stats). and how the hell you loose to the bills is beyond me, but at least they beat the Raider. Even the 49ers almost beat the Colts so for them to be the Pats once can happen.
FYI: Aside from Cin. who have the Texans beat:
The Bills, Raider, Titans, 49ers
Big F’n deal
The way the Phins’ offense was getting handled, there’s almost no way that those 3 drives would have given them 250 yards of offense. Not saying those yards don’t count, but to say they would have gotten them anyway is pretty off base.
Sorry Brendan, but we disagree again. Totally. I stand by everything I posted earlier.
I don’t have enough knowledge to know whether act/inact policy is a personnel issue or a coaching issue each week. But when bodies are being added/subtracted/moved around, I’m hard pressed to see where Tanny wouldn’t at least be involved in the discussion.
The Jets have had a Top-4 ST unit. Smith, Murrell, Carroll and lately Cole have all been a part of that. Not to mention (as someone mentioned earlier) the departed Trusnik.
Brendan, if you haven’t already, I refer you to Cimini’s breakdown of the ST play. It describes clearly who the players were, whom they were replacing, what they’re responsibilities were on the play, and how it all broke down. Both times.
A ‘fluke’ happens once. When it happens twice — esp. back-to-back, that’s a system problem that’s not been addressed. THAT’S a management problem.
It’s a ‘fluke’ when you’ve got your top guys fully prepared and ready to play and someone snaps off a run and takes it to the house. Ok, that’s football — tip your hat to the guy and move on. When you’ve got your 2nd unit out there, and do not make allowances for it, it’s a management problem. When your 2nd team messes up because they’re not prepared, you change things and now put them into damage control.
Brendan, did you see the camera shot of Westy holding up his plan diagram so guys (and we) could see it mere seconds before the 2nd 100-yarder? He was showing guys where they were supposed to be, how to maintain their lane disciplines and how to handle it, according to plan. What they should have worked on on Wednesday. Seconds later, there’s Ginn with half the team circled around him. He breaks out of that gaggle of Jets, and Voila! No containment. No safety. Nothing. Just Strickland with a bad wheel. See ya!
Again, an undermanned unit that was under-prepared was expected to function with the razor-sharp cohesion of a Top-4 unit. THAT’S a management problem. When it didn’t, no adjustments were made. THAT’S a management problem.
The fact that it resulted in a repeat of the exact same catastrophe is unacceptable in the extreme. There’s not a company in America that would not have managers dragged onto the corporate carpet over failure so abject.
Absurd? As much as I don’t like Mangini, two years ago, he wisely realized (some) of his limitations and installed Westhoff to stand by his side, and in effect, be his bench coach. There are dozens of coaches on every staff as you rightly point out. But when you’re still learning the ropes, as Mangini realized he still was then, and as Rex clearly is now, you need to have that one, trusted mentor to bounce ideas off of, or who’ll pose problems that will arise from your decisions that you haven’t thought through. Sanchez has a QB coach for just that purpose. Why shouldn’t Ryan have a Head Coaching coach for the same purpose? Especially, when many in the fan base can see that his mistakes that have cost his team are merely from not having been in that position before?
Eight games is enough of a sample to see what’s needed. Rex needs help, and Rex needs to re-evaluate his original Staff idea. He said that he doesn’t want to look over their shoulders — since that’s what he hated as DC. He’s right, he shouldn’t. But he still has to SUPERVISE his staff.
Right now, we have chaos. It’s up to Ryan to end it.
Jets Suck – You suck.
Also, to follow up, Callahan strikes me as a perfect bench coach candidate for Rex to lean on.
His unit has already come together, freeing up his attention; he’s been a HC in a number of situations; he’s succeeded wildly, he’s failed utterly.
Pretty well-rounded, qualified candidate, I’d say…
“If you look at it they suck, they barley beat the pats and lost to everyone else especially crucial Division games”
who is this everyone else? They lost to the Saints, Bills, and Phins twice. They beat everyone else, what are you babbling about? Any team can lose a division game it happens all the time. It’d be one thing if they beat the Pats the way the Phins beat them this week, but they dominated the Pats really. The Pats got 3 freakin field goals, one of which was a gift bc they called a fumble where Leon was clearly down. The only reason the score was close is bc our offense didnt get going until the second half bc the Pats punter was booming punts putting them back behind the 20.
“Add 250 yards to that to get the real stats”? Maybe another 100 is more like it. You are talking about 1 Quarter where the 21 pt swing. occured. The Phins werent making up 250 in one quarter. The Jets only held the ball 10 minutes more than the Dolphins and they only gained 100 something yards. Please, know your stuff before you come on here and act like a jerk. Are you serious, what is this amatuer hour Mike Francesca clone? The Jets are a talented team that is learning to win consistently with a new coach and rookie QB, get a clue, change your name and come back
If you look at it, you dont know what you are talking about…
Mike,
you made a bunch of good points and I agree that Rex should be looking to a guy like Callahan for guidance.
Hey, internet Tough Guy, Is that all you got? Try giving some fact about why the Jesters don’t suck and we can discuss it if not blow me tough guy
You want facts? The Jets lead the NFL in rushing and they have the #2 overall defense. So yea, they dont suck, tough guy.
The Dolphins dominated the Saints and Colts the same way and lost, there is only one column that counts it the W/L column, if you have convinced you self that something else matter, yards, sacks, you’re wrong.
Did you look who they played, if not read my previous posts and get a clue tough guy.
With a name like Jesus you shouldn’t come with such hate for me expressing my opinion,
At least Eddie can argue with some kind of intelligence
Mike,
First, I guess you misinterpreted what I meant by the “fluke” comment. I by no means am saying that Ginn’s second touchdown was a fluke. What I meant to say was that when Westhoff and Rex convened on the sideline after the first TD return, I understand the notion that they could have felt the TD was a fluke play that wouldn’t happen again. And to the credit of Westhoff, his team was in position (about 6 times over) to make a play on the second TD return. That’s on the players, not the coaches or management. And I also find it hard to believe, that an NFL team would not have a unit 1 and unit 2 for specials, all getting reps, so they know their responsibilities. These guys weren’t thrown blindly into the mix, they’ve been practicing these positions all season.
When it comes to activating/deactivating players, the responsibility to choose almost always rests solely on the coach. GM’s don’t decide who plays and who sits (or they don’t on well-run organizations) and the Coach is supposed to have control over who he brings to the field with him. I don’t think it was Tanny who kept 8 DB’s on the roster for the Pats game.
And this wasn’t our “2nd unit”. We were sans 4 players. So we still had 7 of 11 ST regulars on the kickoff unit, so the missing players excuse is somewhat weak. The players were in position the second kick, and if Feeley/Woodhead did what they were supposed to (turn Ginn back towards the middle of the field) then one, or both, returns would not have gone the distance. This is once again, in my opinion, a player issue not a coaching issue.
I won’t argue that Mangini wasn’t better at managing the game, but he also wasn’t as good at coaching a defense or motivating players. Each coach has his own shortcomings, and the fact that Rex’s are merely experience related are, to me, a good thing (since they could instead be problems between him and the team, or his coaching style, or coaching philosophy, etc. – stuff that can’t easily be changed).
Why shouldn’t Ryan have a “head coaching coach”? Is that a real question? Because how much does it undermine your authority and standing when you have someone coaching you on how to coach?
Do you honestly think he doesn’t supervise his staff? Do you think they kicked off the second time because Rex was overconfident? Or because Westhoff breathed fire on the sidelines sorted his team out and told Rex to kick it deep and let the defense get the ball back? I’m willing to be it was scenario B that played out. Rex isn’t stupid, he listens to his guys, but he doesn’t listen blindly.
**mangini was better at managing the game
Said the same exact thing in a comment on one of yesterday’s articles. This is Rex’s team, and no matter what you think about Shotty’s playcalling, Rex has to step in an have some control when things are going wrong.
Jets Suck,
If you came on this website humble and fair, I would love to have an educated conversation with you. But you clearly came here to bash the Jets and get people fired up. I’m not going to take part in that. How sad is your life that you have to spend your time on a jets message board trying to upset other people?
you’re the tough guy that attacked me personally, by saying you suck,
I didn’t say anything that a lot of people aren’t thinking, if you have an issue with it or with the Jesters, this is the place to air it. It’s not my fault that once again the Jesters have let down the Jets fans.
Take a look at who the Jets have beaten and who Jesters have lost to and you have to admit they have beat some sorry teams.
They beat a Houston team bound for the playoffs.
They beat a New England team that is going to win the division (barring a big run from the Jets)
They beat a Tennessee team before their defense was crippled by injuries with a rookie QB in his first poor weather game.
They eviscerated the Raiders on the road (where they lost last year) by the biggest blowout in the Black Hole in the history of the two teams meeting.
Those are 4 sound wins.
I will give them the pats, that was a great win and f- the pats, I am still convinced they are cheating with the comish in their back pocket
Aside from that every other team sucks except for the Texans, but as I said before FYI: Aside from Cin. who have the Texans beat:
The Bills, Raider, Titans, 49ers
Big F’n deal
[...] link: thejetsblog.com » Analysis: Nice Guys Finish Last Share and [...]
Jets Suck,
I would like for you to find me a team who has a long list of impressive victories 8 weeks into the season. Who have the Colts beat? Who have the Pats beat? Who have the Giants beat?
Now you want me to do your research too?
You a Phins fan? Who have they beat? Buffalo and the jets twice
No, I dont. I already know the answer to the question. It’s just my way of proving to you that what youre saying is ridiculous. Youre criticizing the Jets quality wins, despite the fact that they have beaten the Patriots, who are a top 5 NFL team, and the 5-3 Texans. The Giants have beaten 1 decent team, the cowboys. The Colts best win was against the arizona cardinals. Youre wrong.
No Jack ass, I am a pissed off Jets Fan that gets let down every f-ing year
That had the Dolphins end our season last year and give us 2 division loses this year
The jesters had a cup cake season and are blowing it
rex is not a nice guy. he is a pompous jack ass who looks like a cry baby after he loses. nobody has respect for this guy. he is all talk and no show, and even after he is no show he is still all talk. i cant believe no one in new your is asking for his head. he just like his father and look at all the super bowl wins he had. if i were the jets i would fire his ass and go after holmgram of chower next year
mike t and andrew,
When 2 special teams players fail to make a tackle on a guy that isn’t known for breaking tackles, I consider that a fluke. Ginn did not come into Sunday’s game with a Devin Hester-like reputation. I just can’t blame the coaches when 2 players had Ginn wrapped up and didn’t complete the tackle on the 2nd TD. That’s the players’ fault, not the system. Sites like this exist for second-guessing, but Ginn taking it to the house twice in one game was something that will never happen again in his career and, generally, 2 back to back 100 yard KO returns by the same guy might not happen again in my lifetime or my son’s or in the history of the NFL. Isn’t that the very definition of a fluke? It was a new and excruciating way to lose a game, but let’s see how the Jets play in the next 8 games before we draw conclusions from what was just an unusual occurrence.
holmgram or chower huh?…you cant make this **** up
Rex just needs to start getting a better feel for what is going on in the game and give his input. He doesn’t need to start calling offensive plays but he has to have a feel for everything bottom line.
I’m amused that people keep hacking on Schotty despite the fact that it is pointed out repeatedly that he has the number 1 rushing offense in the entire NFL. Not the AFC East, not even the AFC, the entire NFL.
What type of offense did Ryan say he wanted? A ground and pound. How do you get more ground and pound that leading the league in rushing?
Besides, the offensive game plan is not what has cost this team their losses. Schotty didn’t call on Sanchez to throw 5 picks to the Bills. Nor did he ask him to throw 3 to the Saints. Sanchez made those plays all on his own. He also had no say in the two run backs by Ginn or the crap defense the Jets played against the Fins the first game.
I get that Schotty doesn’t always call the most imaginative plays. Maybe he will if he gets to have the same QB more than one season in a row. In any case, he is not the reason this teams record is 4-4.
We have a rookie QB who cost us two games. Our D spit the bit on one and the special teams, which lost one of its best players in Trunsik and is always the weak sister when it comes to roster spots, cost us on Sunday. All of these are fixable without throwing out an O coordinator who last year got us over 400 points.
hey jets suck why dont you go f your mother and get off this blog or just go kill yourself!
sack
Why is it that the only probability you’re willing to pay attention to is the unlikelihood that what happened happened. As I said before, what about the probability that squibbing would have hurt them less? It’s all a crap shoot and an evaluation of relative risk. They were playing without most of their best special teamers and they had not been playing well up to that point. They had just given up a 100 yard return. Why take the chance and kick away? Stubbornness? Pride? Why not be prudent and sensible? If you go out in a thunderstorm and lightning strikes you, does that mean it’s ok to go out there again? Are you pre-disastered, like Garp? The probability of it happening on the second try were exactly the same as on the first. Stop with the voodoo mathematics. It was a bad bet. If not the first time, then definitely the second.
AKA Jack
There is only one thing about the Bills loss, Schotty should have NEVER called that many passes in the conditions they had that day. Kevin Gilbride did the same thing to Eli on a ridiculous windy day at the Meadowlands with similar results, and never did it again…but I am on your side and agree with basically your general mind set towards the Jets
Andrew,
I just disagree with your risk analysis. For instance, I’m Jerry Manuel and Albert Pujols just hit a grand slam. Next time he’s up, the bases are loaded, the Mets are down 1 run and there’s 1 out. Do you walk Pujols? Go 2 runs down because you fear the risk of another grand slam? If your pitcher goes 3-2 on him, do you tell him to just walk him? No, of course not. You pitch to him and hope you get a double play. If he hits another grand slam, you tip your cap to him. And, IMO, the likelihood of Pujols hitting another grand slam is more statistically likely than Ginn returning another KO for a TD.
I think the idea of squib kicking to Ginn, which by the way does not ensure that there’s not a KO return for a TD, is just a wrong-headed move. If the criticism is that Rex should’ve made sure that the special teams weren’t weakened by personnel moves, then maybe I agree with you. You don’t rob Peter to pay Paul. But, fearing another KO return for a TD when the statistical likelihood is astronomical, but hurting the team (and, by the way, the Jets were still behind 17-13) by giving the Dolphins good field position would not have been prudent. You play to win the game, especially at home.
Now, if the Jets had a 17-13 lead where an FG doesn’t hurt you…maybe you squib kick to be cautious, but it’s still a very risky move because you give the other team a short field. Also, the Jets went into the game with the 2nd best special team KO coverage unit. Squib kicking should not have been in the mind of any coach, unless you’re nursing a 10 point lead with under a minute left in the game and Miami has no time outs.
I’m sorry, squib kicking, down 4 points, giving Miami great field position when an FG means your a TD down is the wrong football move. If you squib kick there, it’s weakness, cowardly, shows lack of confidence in the special teams, playing not to lose, etc. And, it can backfire by Ginn (or an up man) still returning the KO for a TD…heck, I’ve even seen an onsides kick returned for a TD…stuff happens. Squib kicking, late in the 3rd quarter and trailing by 4 points? Not a prudent move.
sack
The point, though, is that this is a pretty complicated decision, as we can both see. You’ll have to admit that the right decision would have to take into account how the defense is playing, the ST lapses, the runback, how the offense is playing, etc. It’s not a slam dunk. I see your point. I think you’ll allow that I’ve got a few also. It’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot to consider.
Now Westhoff has one responsibility, special teams. He’s doing his best taking into account the questionable personnel decisions. From his point of view, his specials will do the job. So, he decides to kick. But, what about all the other considerations? I don’t want my ST coach deciding to kick away taking only STs issues into account. I want my head coach, taking ALL the factors into account making that decision.
I wrote this piece to point out that there are times Rex is going to have to make decisions instead of the unit coaches, and Rex’s current org structure leaves no room for that during a game. I think this is a mistake. Rex has to learn the difference between leading and meddling. He’s so anxious not to meddle that he can’t properly lead when the situation calls for it.
Andrew…very well written and very much on-point. I hope Rex reads this.