New York Jets

Top 5 moves that must happen immediately with Jets

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Jets had another awful week in the desert. It was a complete disaster on both sides of the football as immediate changes need to happen.

Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The defense of the New York Jets on Monday Night Football was sloppy, committing six penalties in the secondary alone. The offense was even sloppier. They couldn’t find any running lanes, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was under duress all night long.

This team needs life injected somehow. Maybe shaking things up on the Jets would inject a fire this team needs to at least have something positive to show for 2016/

Making some unexpected changes can provide a spark. Here are the top five moves the Jets can make to inject some fury.

5. Change the pecking order at running back

Matt Forte was brought in to be an every-down back, but it’s becoming abundantly clear as to why the Chicago Bears were willing to let him walk. He can no longer rely on just his speed because he’s lost a step when approaching the hole.

It’s now Bilal Powell‘s time. Powell is stronger than Forte and can break through defenses better than what Forte has shown this season.

Powell is also just as dangerous a pass catcher as Forte out of the backfield. Albert Einstein said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Well, the Jets are in the midst of that definition now, and it’s clear the running game isn’t working as presently constituted. So, change is in order.

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) runs with the ball while New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) attempts to tackle him during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

4. Use two tight ends

The Jets do not have a fullback on their roster, and using three or four wide receivers isn’t helping the running game at all. So, the team needs to employ more offensive formations with two tight ends.

They signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins off of waivers two weeks ago, and although he didn’t play due to injury in Arizona, it’s time to utilize his abilities. The combination of Seferian-Jenkins and Enunwa would be a dangerous pass-catching duo and Enunwa is a very capable blocker for the running game.

They need all the help they can get in the running game, and Enunwa on the outside doesn’t help. In addition, allowing the young speed receivers some one-on-one opportunities would help their growth.

Enunwa is strong enough to play in-line tight end, and they added Seferian-Jenkins to give them a pass catching option. Now it’s time to utilize them to the best of their abilities.

Aug 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) looks on from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

3. Move Revis to safety

In her sideline report, ESPN’s Lisa Salters said that Darrelle Revis still doesn’t feel comfortable jamming players at the line following the offseason wrist surgery which he had on March 17. He was in a cast and missed early offseason workouts.

Maybe it’s time to give Juston Burris, Marcus Williams, and Darryl Roberts some more exposure and move Revis Island to safety. It may reduce the playing time of Marcus Gilchrist and/or Calvin Pryor, but it’s for the good of the team.

He keeps getting beat because he didn’t have elite speed, to begin with, and if he can’t be physical, then he’s going to continue to get beat. He still can tackle and help in the run game, and both of those are good attributes for safeties.

Once his wrist is back to 100% (or if he feels it is), then you have someone versatile in the defensive backfield. That would just give the defense more options going forward into 2017.

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

2. Fire both coordinators

Bowles constantly preaches accountability with this team. Well, accountability starts at the top, and it’s time for the coaches to take the heat.

First and foremost, Chan Gailey is definitely not putting the offense in a position to succeed week in and week out. The constant spread formations are leaving the quarterback vulnerable to sacks and turnovers.

Secondly, Kacy Rodgers is setting up this defense to fail. This team is playing too many even fronts instead of rotating the linemen and using the linebackers best attributes in a 3-4 scheme, which is what this team was built to be, and it may be the impetus of the injuries to David Harris and Darron Lee.

In-season firings of coordinators don’t happen much at the NFL level. Every head coach deserves one mulligan when selecting his staff, and this is the mulligan for Bowles.

Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) looks to pass against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

1. Insert Bryce Petty

The coaching staff decided to insert Geno Smith in the game against the Cardinals once the game was basically decided. Smith really had no chance to bring this team back, and the interception he threw was basically meaningless.

The coaching staff clearly doesn’t trust Smith, or maybe the order came in from above to not play him. So, that means there’s only one move at quarterback, start Bryce Petty.

It would be unconventional to skip the person who’s listed as the backup and go to third-stringer right away. However, it’s a must if the Jets don’t trust Smith going forward.

They need to see what they have in Petty, and the schedule isn’t that tough. It’s a perfect way to wet his whistle in the NFL.