Hello, BellyUp readers! My name is Ryan McCarthy and this is my first column for Belly Up Sports. I was a beat writer for the last two seasons on ArenaFan. I’ve also been writing sports columns on and off since Al Gore created the Internet back in the 1990s. (If you don’t get the joke, Google it, baby. Google it.) I hope that this will be the first of many columns with Belly Up. Cheers!
Being a New York Jets fan, I’ve experienced my share of sports fan misery. There are so many bad memories that have compounded into the psyche of the average Jets fan. The 2019 season was no exception. But despite a 1-7 start, the Jets managed to finish 7-9.
Joe Douglas is in his first full offseason as the GM. He has the power to turn the perpetual dark cloud over this franchise into sunny skies. Let’s analyze which priorities he should concentrate on going into 2020.
He needs to sign Jamal Adams to a long-term deal.
Jamal Adams was clearly the MVP for the Jets this season. The third-year strong safety led the team in defensive touchdowns and tackles for loss and was second on the team in sacks. His play improved by leaps and bounds after rumors of a trade deadline deal with Dallas. Want an example of how the Jets feed off his energy? When he injured his ankle early in the Cincinnati game, the entire team played flat. Keeping Adams in a Jets uniform would solidify his presence as THE locker room leader.
He needs to free up cap space.
Joe Douglas will have the chore of releasing several members of the current squad from their bloated contracts. One of the casualties will certainly be CB Trumaine Johnson. Former GM Mike Macagnan threw a $72.5 million contract to bring him to New York. To say that Johnson has underachieved would be a massive understatement and the return on investment has been disastrous. Other potential cap casualties could be LB Avery Williamson and OL Brian Winters, who both have a season left on their respective contracts. This would enable Douglas to do make moves that could have a positive impact in 2020.
He needs to rebuild the offensive line.
During the course of the 2019 season, the Jets showed glaring weaknesses at several positions with the most glaring being the offensive line. As a result, the Jets gave up 52 sacks. But it wasn’t all Douglas’ fault as he was forced to patch together an offensive line that was sorely neglected during the Macagnan Era. Several members from 2019 will become free agents during the offseason, including C Ryan Kalil and G Alex Lewis, both of whom were acquired by Douglas before this season. Lewis played well in 2019 while Kalil struggled. It would be no skin off Jets’ fans’ bones if they don’t t see Kalil in a Jets uniform in 2020. Joe Douglas is expected to use both draft capital (4 picks in the first 79 selections) and cap space to rebuild the offensive line.
He needs to convince Adam Gase to properly use Le’Veon Bell.
It was no secret that Adam Gase didn’t want Le’Veon Bell as a part of his offensive scheme. Bell was signed at the behest of owner Christopher Johnson, who was looking to make a big splash during the 2019 free agency period. Gase, however, failed to properly fit his most talented and most explosive offensive player into his scheme. As a result, Bell had the worst statistical season of his career in 2019. Douglas has reiterated that he wants Bell as a part of the Jets. If Douglas and Gase can come to an agreement on utilizing the running back, Bell should improve in 2020. That also depends on how well Douglas rebuilds the offensive line.
He needs to reward Jets going into free agency.
Several members of the 2019 Jets had the best season of their respective careers, most of them on defense. James Burgess was signed from the practice roster and finished first on the team in total tackles. Neville Hewitt battled injuries to finish first on the team in interceptions and second in total tackles. Jordan Jenkins filled in at a deficiency as an edge rusher and was the Jets’ sack leader. Arthur Maulet became part of an effective corner combination with Bless Austin. Brian Poole had a solid season as the Jets’ Nickelback. Joe Douglas needs to make it worth their while and reward them with multi-year deals. None of them will come cheap, but to lose any of these players would be a damn shame.
Finally, he needs to set Adam Gase straight.
Gase’s mistakes of lack of in-game adjustments, poor time management, and his prickly nature with the media plagued his tenure in Miami. There was hope that he would be a different coach this time around. Unfortunately, those lessons were not learned and he continued those ways in New York as the media and fans were calling for his head. Hopefully, Douglas can hold Gase accountable for his mistakes going into 2020. If Gase can’t do that, Douglas may have to put their friendship aside and act professionally in letting Gase go.
Can Joe Douglas lift the dark cloud that has shrouded this franchise for the last 10 seasons or will continue to hover over it for years to come? That will depend on what he can accomplish going into the 2020 season.
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