Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Last season, the Jets’ offensive and defensive play resulted in a 4-13 record.
New York ranked 28th in points scored (310) and allowed the most points of any team in the league last season (504).
It does not take a genius to understand that things did not go well.
If New York hopes to improve this season, it starts by getting more aggressive. There is no way they can do the same things they did last season and expect a different result.
The Jets need to get out of the box, seize opportunities and do the unexpected on offense, defense and special teams.
Offense
Last season, the Jets averaged 6.6 yards per pass attempt (sixth-worst). To put that number in perspective, they were tied with Detroit in this category, and watching Detroit’s offense was like watching paint dry.
Of the five worst teams (Giants, Steelers, Panthers, Jaguars and Dolphins), three finished with losing records (Giants, Panthers and Jaguars) and two managed to win nine games (Steelers and Dolphins).
Having a low average passing yardage indicates that a team is not trying hard enough to aggressively drive the ball downfield.
These offenses that revolve around a conservative short-passing game need receivers who are adept at racking up wide yards after the catch.
Otherwise, you need to string together too many of these short passes to score without things breaking (dropped passes, penalties, turnovers, etc.).
That was the problem.
The Jets couldn’t muster enough of these shorter passes, ending up punting the ball 10th-most times in the league (71).
New York needs to get the ball further this season.
The offense needs to shoot deeper. Even if they don’t complete, there is a chance of drawing pass interference and that moves the ball forward just the same.
To put this into a larger perspective, both of last year’s Super Bowl teams, Los Angeles and Cincinnati, were extremely aggressive in this particular category.
The Rams were No. 3 (8.1 yards) and the Bengals were No. 1 (8.7 yards) for pass attempts.
Defending
Last season, the Jets were tied with the Jaguars for second fewest interceptions (7) and ranked 25th with 33 sacks.
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In today’s happy-passing league, the name of the game is stopping the opponent’s passing game, and the Jets obviously failed to do that.
New York allowed the most yards of any NFL team (6,760 yards) and allowed the most drives that resulted in a touchdown (48.9%).
In other words, opposing offenses moved the ball as they pleased and the Jets were anything but aggressive.
This is why New York GM Joe Douglas put so much effort this offseason to acquire defensive backs and pass-rushers, both through free agency and through the draft.
Now the question is, did you select the right ones?
Time will tell.
Head coach Robert Saleh has to shake the idea that the 4-3, coverage-3 defensive scheme he learned under Pete Carroll is going to work in New York.
Based on my research, it takes more talent to be successful with him than the Jets.
Saleh needs to stop being so inflexible.
He needs to build a defensive scheme that fits the strengths of his current staff rather than trying to make his staff fit his scheme that he seems to absolutely depend on.
Special teams
This is the number one area where the Jets can catch the opponent off guard and create more offensive opportunities.
Punt and field goal situations are like hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock.
Mix it up, run a fake
Don’t wait until late in the game in a desperate situation to attempt a side kick.
Performs a side kick on kickoff when no one expects it.
Be more aggressive.
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