New Jersey – I keep reading this particular narrative about Jeff Cumberland, and I’m just not buying it. Let’s take a closer look at this narrative that keeps rearing it’s head . . .

The New York Daily News went with the same narrative as the New York Post, that Jeff Cumberland was given a chance to shine last year as the starter, and didn’t take advantage of it.

“Jeff Cumberland had an opportunity to break out last season as the top tight end but didn’t deliver: he caught 26 balls for 398 yards and four touchdowns in 2013,” wrote a writer in the Daily News.

I will borrow a quote from Santonio Holmes – “I can’t throw the ball to myself.”

So true.

The Jets quarterback situation wasn’t ideal last year. The starter struggled reading defenses, struggled with pocket presence and tended to lock on to his primary receiver, and this led to telegraphed passes at times, contributing to 21 picks.

The quarterback last season, Geno Smith, could improve in all these areas in 2014 as he continues his maturation process. We will see, but these were all problematic areas last year.

Cumberland and others, did the best they could under less than ideal circumstances for receivers, tight ends and running backs in a passing game.

“The Weapons Lobby” as I call it, continue to blame Smith’s weapons for his struggles last year, but to me, that is propaganda.

The Jets did a nice job this off-season of adding some new weapons like Eric Decker, Chris Johnson, Jace Amaro and so forth.

That was smart.

But the people who sit around and act like his issues last year mostly stemmed from the team’s cast of receivers, tight ends and running backs, are being shortsighted.

And you know what, it’s clear that the Jets’ brass obviously didn’t blame Cumberland for his low numbers last year.

If he was do bad last year, why did team give him a three-year contract extension this off-season?

How would that make any sense?

You don’t reward a player who “didn’t deliver” with a three-year contract extension.

Cumberland is a terrific player with rare triangle numbers – 6-4, 260 with 4.5 speed. Guys like that don’t grow on trees. And on top of Cumberland’s ability to stretch a defense, and create tremendous mismatches for opposing linebacker, he’s turned into a very good blocker, who had a lot of key blocks for Jets running backs last year.

Look, I’m not putting Cumberland in Canton. He still has things to work on as a player.

But for some reporters to push a narrative that Cumberland was given his big chance last year and failed, is unfair, and to me, not steeped in reality.

And once again, I’d like to ask the people pushing this narrative the following question, and I will when I see them in person – “Why did the Jets give Cumberland a three-year contract extension after last year?”

Because the Jets don’t guy this theory.

And neither do I.

July 17, 2014

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