TODD-LY ENOUGH
Judging Bowles’ performance not as ‘obvious’ as Jets boss thought
Three months ago, Christopher Johnson sat in a board room at the Jets’ headquarters with a group of reporters and discussed how he would evaluate Todd Bowles at the end of the season.
The end of the season is now here.
The Jets finish the season against the Patriots on Sunday. It is worth looking back on the comments of the Jets CEO and chairman from that day in September to see what he might be thinking as the season comes to an end.
We will know in a week whether Bowles is staying or going as Jets coach. There is a strong sense inside the Jets building that Bowles will be back. Despite the 5-10 record, there is a feeling the team is heading in the right direction.
That is what Johnson said he would be looking for in September. At the time, the team was 0-2, and the idea of the Jets tanking for a top draft pick was still being discussed. When he met reporters on Sept. 20, Johnson, echoing sentiments his brother Woody expressed in the spring, made it clear that Bowles would not be evaluated by wins and losses.
“My brother said early in the spring to not judge the team on wins and losses, but it’s pro- gression Christopher think to ing. guys all There who, if it’s this and going are just team I Johnson agree so to because many is be with progress- obvious said. young that,” they “I aren’t doesn’t talented. mean I bold-faced think they that aren’t we names, have really a group of coaches, including Todd, who are really good at building those players up and teaching the roles these young players have to fill. I think you’re going to see a lot of progression, but it’s going to be obvious. You guys will probably let me know, but I think it will Johnson there It may be obvious have not had be hoped, been to as all.” obvious but positive yes, as strides this team. from Jamal young Adams, players Mar- on cus Maye, Robby Anderson, Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins all have given Jets fans around. reason might to believe have a this core team to build around. As for Bowles, judging his improvement and progression as a head coach is tougher. He has done well in cleaning up a locker room that was divisive in 2016 and built a stronger cul- ture this season. This team has good chemistry and has played hard for Bowles. With the exception of the second half in Oakland and the game in Denver, the Jets have kept things close all year. That was the case again Sunday, when the Jets lost 14-7 to a Chargers team that could make the playWins over the playoffs-bound Jaguars and Chiefs look good on Bowles’ résumé, and if the Bills make it would give him three wins over playoff teams. On the downside, this team continues to make the same mistakes. There have been too many stupid penalties, too many fourth-quarter collapses and too many questionable game-day decisions by Bowles.
Bowles was asked after Sunday’s game what positives he can take away from the season despite losing eight of their last 10 games.
“You just keep your head down and keep working,” Bowles said. “We’re in every game. We’re not closing them out. We’re not finishing them. For whatever reason, we’re not making plays in the fourth quarter to finish these games. You keep your head and you keep working and keep trying to find a solution. That’s all you can do.”
If you want to look at the bottom line, Bowles is 10-22 dating back to the loss in Buffalo that ended his first season with the Jets. Johnson said in September he is not a patient man. We’ll see if he has some patience next week.
“Believe me, like any fan I like wins a lot more than losses, but that’s only part of the equation,” Johnson said. “The real way to judge this team and the people on it, me included, are we getting better?”