Interim DC leaves blitz in the past
This week has been a “whirlwind” for Frank Bush, the longtime NFL assistant coach who was promoted to interim defensive coordinator after the Jets fired Gregg Williams on Monday.
Bush declined to rehash the play call that ultimately cost the Jets their shot at an elusive first win of the season last week against the Raiders, an allout blitz that resulted in a goahead 46-yard touchdown pass for Las Vegas.
“That would be really unfair to go back and play Monday morning quarterback,” Bush said after practice Thursday. “It kind of is what it is. We were all-in at the beginning and we’ll be all-in at the end, and things happen the way they happen.
“Obviously, we have to move on from that. The situation, it happened. We wish things were different and they’re not. I don’t think it would be fair to the kids or to Gregg or anybody else for me to second-guess or play Monday morning quarterback on that [play].”
The 57-year-old Bush has coached in the NFL since 1993 and was a defensive coordinator with the Texans in 2009-10. He said he is “excited for the opportunity” but doesn’t expect to change the Jets’ defense much “at this point of the season.”
Bush said the Seahawks, whom the Jets (0-12) are facing this week, are “a challenge for anybody,” and added quarterback Russell Wilson “is having an MVP season and can do it all.”
As a player at North Carolina State in the mid-1980s, Bush’s defensive coordinator happened to be Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.
“Pete has a lasting effect on you because he’s such an upbeat, positive guy,” Bush said. “I was very fortunate to have Pete in my life early as a freshman and sophomore.
“If not anything else, he taught me how your attitude is going to dictate a lot of things for you. ... I’ve kept those lessons with me and I know what he brings to his team. Now I get to go against the guy I model some of my things after.”