Todd: Matt ‘frustrated’ by Gang loss
A DAY after criticizing the playcalling in the Jets’ loss to the Falcons, Matt Forte said he spoke with both Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator John Morton about his comments and frustrations.
In a 10-minute postgame session at his locker after the 25-20 defeat Sunday, Forte voiced concerns over Morton abandoning the run in the second half despite heavy rain and wind at MetLife Stadium. Forte finished with just four carries in the game.
On Monday, Forte said the conversations with Bowles and Morton “went over well.” The Jets face the Bills on Thursday night in East Rutherford.
“We really didn’t spend too much time on it,” Forte said. “We just talked about some ways to help us win football games, and then we went on to Buffalo.”
In a direct contradiction of what Forte revealed, Bowles said Monday that “there’s no need” to talk with Forte about his comments.
“It’s just frustration after the ball game,” Bowles said. "We got down late, we had to throw the ball. But we ran the ball, and we'll continue to run the ball."
"Everybody's frustrated," Bowles added. "People are going to say things. Me and Matt have a good understanding. We're fine."
Morton cultivated his coaching philosophy under several pass-happy player-callers, including Jon Gruden in Oakland and Sean Payton in New Orleans. Earlier this season, the rookie offensive coordinator said his idea pass-run split is 60% pass and 40% run.
In Sunday's loss to the Falcons, Morton called 37 pass plays and 21 runs, including one end around to wide receiver Robby Anderson. That's a 64%-36% pass-run split. Morton also called pass plays on nine of the first 11 offensive snaps of the fourth quarter in a one-possession game.
"I'm definitely surprised by that, because we knew the weather was going to be like that," Forte said after the game of Morton's play-calling. "I thought we were going to grind them out on the ground like that, but it ended up not turning out that way."
Forte offered his thoughts in the locker room after Bowles had already addressed the media. So Monday was the first time the Jets head coach responded publicly to Forte's comments.
"I think it's a waste of my time to even talk about," Bowles said, when asked if he's okay with Forte speaking out the way he did.
Bowles said the run-pass ration and game plan Sunday were both "fine."
"It always could be better," he said. "You can always run it more. You can always throw it more in certain situations."
Forte was "very" appreciative of how "open-minded" Morton was during their meeting.
"It's always good to be open-minded. I'm open-minded as well," Forte said. "The main goal for me as well as the coaches is to win games, and that's what we're trying to find out: ways to do that."
Forte grew frustrated when reporters continued asking questions about Morton and the playcalling.
"You got any questions about Thursday? Buffalo day?" Forte said. "Because this is kind of over with. It's overkill."
Forte's decision to raise flags about Morton comes at an interesting time, with the NFL trade deadline looming Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Forte, 31, was reportedly on the trade block late in the summer, but he dispelled those rumors after the Jets' preseason finale, saying general manager Mike Maccagnan assured him they weren't true.
On Monday, Forte reiterated his desire to remain with the Jets for the rest of the season.
"Yeah, why not? I'm under contract," Forte said. "I signed here for a reason - to come here and win games and try to help this team go to the playoffs. And why would I try to jump ship?"