Now that the aftermath of the Jets’ debacle in New England and the fallout from Robert Saleh benching Zach Wilson have cleared, the reconstruction of the younger quarterback’s psyche and sport can start.
That job falls largely on the shoulders of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. It is a big take a look at for the younger coach, who has been a combined bag over two years on the job.
“I’ve received to do a greater job,” LaFleur stated. “I’ve received to do a greater job for [Wilson], I’ve received to do a greater job for the offense. I actually consider it begins with me and ends with me, so I’ve received to determine a solution to reset him, get him again to taking part in essentially sound soccer, and extra importantly, simply constant soccer as a result of he’s accomplished some actually good issues, however I haven’t accomplished a ok job to get the consistency out of him. So, that begins and ends with me.”
That’s the proper reply in entrance of the media. Now, he should discover the proper solutions behind the scenes as he tries to rebuild Wilson, the quarterback the Jets drafted No. 2 general only a 12 months in the past.
For LaFleur, it is a likelihood to indicate his potential in creating a quarterback. Thus far, it hasn’t occurred. This isn't only a reset for Wilson. It's a reset for the complete group and the way it has managed Wilson up to now. They handed him the beginning job in 2021 as quickly as they submitted the cardboard to draft him out of BYU. There was by no means any challenger, and there was by no means even any dialogue of whether or not he was really prepared for the job.
In hindsight, the Jets must admit that was a mistake. Wilson would have benefitted from having to battle for the job. Heck, they made Sauce Gardner earn the beginning cornerback job this summer time, not placing him with the starters instantly and Gardner was greater than prepared to start out within the NFL.
Till Monday, the Jets have additionally been defiant when challenged about Wilson. They've defended him and never acknowledged the problems that have been clear, even in the course of the four-game successful streak in October.
All of that modified Monday, and now everybody begins a brand new chapter within the Zach Wilson journey.
LaFleur is a brilliant coach who has a knack as a play-caller. The query he should now reply is how he and quarterbacks coach Rob Calabrese are relating to getting essentially the most out of a participant, who proper now could be wounded.
“It’s a psychological and a bodily reset, extra so the bodily,” LaFleur stated. “I received to discover a solution to get him to play extra essentially sound within the decrease half, and that’s what we intend to do over these subsequent few weeks. Once more, the extra constant you might be in your decrease half, the extra constant play you’re going to have once you get on the market on Sundays. So, we’re going to get proper again to that.”
Jets offensive coordinators have had about as a lot endurance because the drummers in “Spinal Faucet.” Take into consideration this: If LaFleur stays as offensive coordinator in 2023 (and he ought to), he could be the primary offensive coordinator to make it to 3 years on the job since Brian Schottenheimer, who held the job from 2006-11. Tony Sparano, Marty Mornhinweg, Chan Gailey, John Morton, Jeremy Bates and Dowell Loggains all lasted only one or two years.
LaFleur has a troublesome job forward of him. He should work on rehabbing Wilson whereas additionally getting Mike White on top of things and determining the best way to get this offense going. Although the highlight has been on the quarterback all week, the Jets didn't do something properly offensively within the 10-3 loss to the Patriots through which they gained 103 complete yards, 2 within the second half.
LaFleur must discover a working sport with out his prime runner Breece Corridor. He must get a banged-up offensive line to carry out higher, and he should handle a large receiver room that has two gamers who've requested trades this season and one other who referred to as the offense “sorry” after Sunday’s loss.
Good luck, coach.
The true take a look at for LaFleur begins now. It begins with unlocking the expertise Wilson confirmed at BYU and getting his head straight. If this goes properly, LaFleur will probably be getting head-coaching interviews in 2024. If it doesn’t, the Jets will probably be again to Sq. One at quarterback in 2024 and perhaps offensive coordinator, as properly.
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