WE NEED ANSWERS!
5 questions for Jets in opener
The Jets’ preseason opener against the Giants tonight is flush with storylines for a playoffstarved franchise searching for relevance. Adam Gase and Gregg Williams have injected plenty of juice this summer, but there are fair questions that must be answered before the games actually count next month.
Here are questions for Gang Green in the preseason opener:
1) How’s communication between Sam Darnold and Adam Gase?
Nothing will matter more for the 2019 Jets than the head coach’s ability to vibe with the franchise quarterback. Although Gase has spent the better part of spring and summer practices conveying plays to Darnold, it’s a different beast building a communication comfort level in a game. Quarterbacks and play callers need live reps together.
Darnold and Gase must get a better feel for each other’s style. Getting accustomed to something as simple as a cluttered/garbled message via headset matters.
Gase admitted that there’s a natural curiosity of what it will be like working with Darnold in a game setting, but he doesn’t anticipate significant hiccups. “I’m expecting it to go well,” Gase said.
The goal is crystal clear: Get to a point where the quarterback can anticipate which play his coach will call.
It’ll be incumbent upon Gase to convey his thoughts and tips in a clear, relatable matter. The only way that happens is through time.
2) Will the cornerbacks be an asset or albatross?
It’s no secret that Gang Green has a serious issue on the back end. The starters are shaky. The depth is nonexistent. This could be a massive issue if the Jets can’t get to the quarterback. So, it’ll be important for someone – anyone – to show some signs of life tonight to at least alleviate some of the concern.
“For me, it’s executing what’s called,” Gase said about what he’s looking for from his corners. “Whatever Gregg (Williams) decides to go with, whether it’s, hey we’re going to zone coverage, or we’re going to play man coverage, we’re going to pressure… Then, how much are we around the ball? How many times are we touching the ball? How are we tackling? Are we getting involved? Are we having ball production which is, hey, you’re either tackling, you’re intercepting, you’re breaking up a pass, getting around the football and being productive that capacity.”
New general manager Joe Douglas has a nearly impossible task to better his cornerback room. Could he add a piece or two to slightly improve the group? Perhaps. But teams don’t let reliable corners shake free.
3) Will Quinnen Williams be impossible to take out of the starting lineup?
The first-round pick will get his fair share of reps with the starters in place of the injured Leonard Williams (hip). Truth be told, he has looked as good as advertised in camp. Don’t let the baby-faced, good-natured disposition fool you. “He has the mindset of a killer,” Jamal Adams said.
Williams might be young, but he’s not lacking for confidence. He’s made it clear that he plans to dominate.
“He looks pretty good in practice,” Gase said. “So, I’m going to say, our guys, our young players that have shown they’ve been practicing well, I think that those guys can really help us.”
The defensive line depth is scary, by the way.
4) Will an edge pass rusher please stand up?
The best way to mask suspected cornerback play is generating consistent heat on the quarterback. Williams might have a formidable group to create havoc up the middle, but sooner or later, the edge rushers need to make life uncomfortable for the quarterback. Unheralded guys like Harvey Langi (who recently suffered a knee injury) and Tarell Basham were flashing in practice. Keep an eye on thirdround rookie Jachai Polite. He has the football IQ to excel. Once Polite embraces everything it requires to play with purpose and tempo, he could be a contributor this season.
5) Will the Cat Man get back on track?
The Jets’ refusal not to add a second kicker to compete with — and push — Chandler Catanzaro might be the oddest part of camp so far. For a team that let Pro Bowler Jason Myers walk in free agency and has repeatedly stated how much it loves the competition element to the summer, why haven’t the powers that be given someone to compete with an erratic kicker having an erratic camp?
Anyone blessed with the gift of sight will tell you that Catanzaro has had a shaky camp. There’s no way that you can truly feel confident in him at this point.
Remember: The Buccaneers cut Catanzaro after he missed four field goals and four extra points in just nine games last year. Gase made a living winning one-score games in Miami (20-6). How will he feel if his kicker costs him in close games this season?