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Tough words . . .
And before we continue, don’t kill the messenger. These aren’t my words.
But when somebody talks this way about the Jets, and he’s a former NFL GM, some would think it’s worth reporting.
I’m going to give you some of the quotes from Mike Lombardi from his Saturday Show (7/23) on VSIN (Vegas Sports and Information Network). Lombardi worked in the NFL in player personnel for three decades, including stints with Bill Walsh in San Francisco, Al Davis in Oakland and Bill Belichick in New England. He served briefly as the Cleveland Browns GM.
“Let’s break down the Jets for a second,” Lombardi said. “Their head coach Robert Saleh is supposed to be a defensive mastermind. They were the worst team in points allowed. They were the worst team in points scored. Every time an opposing offense took the field, the percentage of ending a drive with a score, they were the worst team in the league.”
What is my take on this? They were so undermanned personnel-wise on defense last year, I will reserve judgment on Saleh as a defensive coach until after this season, now that they seem to have the requisite pieces to be successful on defense.
“I’m all for the first year laying the foundation, but I’m not for being so bad,” Lombardi said about the Jets’ 4-13 record last season in Saleh’s first year.
I agree with this to a degree. Yes, many people figured the Jets would struggle last season as Saleh and Joe Douglas looked to rebuild the roster and culture, but they should have not been “so bad” in some games. Even in a rebuilding year, blowout losses that look like the games against the Patriots, Colts and Bills midseason, shouldn’t happen. Even in a loss, during a rebuilding year, it should look a little better than that.
But to me, while the Jets defense wasn’t great last year and needs to improve, their biggest issue last year was starting a rookie QB, who came out following his junior year at BYU, after dominating a soft schedule. Zach Wilson probably should have sat like fellow raw junior Trey Lance. Was it Saleh’s decision to start Wilson before he was ready? I can’t answer that, so I can’t blame him for that. It’s a QB-driven league. Hard to win without good play at that position.
“I don’t think they are well coached at all,” Lombardi said. “I really don’t. I’m not a Saleh fan. I would not have hired him. I never thought with that San Francisco defense, ‘Oh my God, they are doing such unique stuff.’ I think San Francisco got better with DeMeco Ryans as defensive coordinator.”
One reason Ryans’ San Francisco defense looked a lot better last year than Saleh’s Jets defense, is the 49ers had much better personnel on the defensive line and linebacker. End of story.
I have no issue with the Jets hiring Saleh. He’s a perfect coach for 2022, a great motivator, who doesn’t do it in a demeaning way, something that doesn’t work with millennials. Guys play very, very hard for him.
They just need better and more instinctive players than they had at some positions last year. I want to see what Saleh does this year with a more talented and instinctive roster.
July 25, 2022
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