Jets running back Le'Veon Bell was a workhorse for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that won't be the case for the Jets. Not right away, at least, says New York head coach Adam Gase.
Bell, 27, signed a big four-year, $52.2 million deal with the Jets with $35 million guaranteed this offseason. Money like that, the second-most to any running back in the NFL per Spotrac, indicates the Jets should have big plans for Bell, but he's not going to be tossed right into the fire.
According to Gase, the Jets will ease Bell into his touches after the rusher didn't play in 2018 because of his contract dispute with the Steelers.
The Jets made Quinnen Williams the third-overall pick at the 2019 NFL draft and his odds at earning the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award are nearly the same.
According to BetOnline.ag, Williams has 17/2 odds at landing the honor, which are the fourth-best odds among defensive rookies.
Of those with better odds than Williams, two were selected after him. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White, the fifth-overall pick, and Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen, the seventh-overall pick, landed 8/1 and 7/1 odds, respectively. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who was the lone defender picked ahead Williams at pick No. 2, has the best odds for the award at 5/1.
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There is widespread concern that the cornerback position could be a weakness for the Jets in the upcoming season. With roles available, could someone unexpected step up and become a key contributor?
Projected Starters: Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole (slot/nickel)
Projected Backups: Derrick Jones, Parry Nickerson, Blessuan Austin
On the Bubble: Arthur Maulet, Tevaughn Campbell, Mark Myers, Kyron Brown
Departures: Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, Rashard Robinson
If the whole football thing doesn't work out for Jets LB Avery Williamson, I think he might have found an alternative.
SNY's Jeane Coakley was on hand with Williamson at a sushi restaurant in the city to see how well he would do as a sushi chef.
After making his own rolls, Williamson was very pleased with the result. And, of course, he's liking how the offseason has gone thus far with the Jets...
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In the last six months, the Jets have finished off their third straight season of double-digit losses, their eighth straight season of missing the playoffs, and they've fired their head coach and general manager. No wonder so many believe that things couldn't possibly get any worse.
Of course, that's not the defeatist attitude around One Jets Drive these days. Inside their building, they believe things are about to get much, much better. They have added many talented reinforcements, a high-energy coach, and a GM who seems ready to pull them in the right direction.
Will it all work out for this star-crossed franchise? It's not too early to guess. So here are five bold predictions for what to expect from the Jets this year:
Each year, football fans anxiously await the new Madden NFL game to hit the shelves. But their player ratings generate even more buzz.
Well, EA Sports has released their initial rankings for each team, and Jets fans may not like where their team has ended up.
At the moment, the Jets are a 78 overall with an 73 offense and 80 defense, which is good for the sixth-worst team in the game. The Dolphins, an AFC East rival, are the game's worst team at 72 overall, while the Bills are third-worst at 78 overall. The Super Bowl defending-champion Patriots are an overall 87.
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Last week, the Jets announced that tight end Chris Herndon would be suspended for the first four games of the 2019 regular season. This will obviously be a blow for the team, as they look to establish their new-look offense under Adam Gase. Herndon caught 39 passes last year to lead all rookie tight ends, including 32 over the last 10 games.
However, if the Jets intend to make a move to improve their tight end depth and give themselves further cover at the position, the options are somewhat unappealing.
Last month, even before the Herndon suspension was announced, Bucky Brooks wrote on NFL.com that the Jets should consider trading for veteran Jimmy Graham. However, adding a veteran who is past his prime and still on a high salary would be an overreaction at this point, especially if they had to give up anything of value to acquire him from the Packers.
Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye built a strong chemistry when the two were rookies in 2017. Last season injuries prevented the duo from building on that start to their careers.
Due to a slew of injuries, including shoulder and thumb issues, Maye was held to only six games played in 2018. Adams wasn't shaken by injuries. His season went in the opposite direction as he landed his first Pro Bowl nod.
However, Adams recognizes the success of the Jets' secondary takes more than just him and he recently told the team's website that he's excited to have Maye back healthy and ready to go for this year's training camp.
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The Jets' 2019 roster is already starting to take shape but finding unexpected contributions and building depth from unlikely sources is something that could really help them progress to the next level.
Let's highlight 10 players that haven't received much attention during the offseason, each of whom has a chance to end up on the final roster.
Jets tight end Chris Herndon has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the team announced on Friday.
Herndon, 23, pleaded guilty to a DUI that occurred in June 2018 back in January.
He received a 90-day driver's license suspension and was fined $639 in municipal court while the NFL continued to investigate. A first-time offender is typically given a two-game suspension, per the league's alcohol policy, but the commissioner can impose additional discipline for aggravating circumstances.
The NFL is starting to get creative in its continued pursuit for an 18-game schedule.
According to Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal, one idea being proposed among owners is to limit players to a maximum of 16 regular season games. That would mean, by rule, the Giants and Jets would have to pick at least two games for players like Saquon Barkley and Sam Darnold to sit out.
The NFLPA has pushed back against an 18-game schedule, largely because the toll an extra two games would place on the players' bodies would be too much to handle on top of an already grueling 16-game schedule. Giants long snapper and NFLPA vice president Zak DeOssie voiced these concerns back in June.
Avery Williamson's tenure with the Jets got off to a solid start in 2018, but could a career in sports broadcasting be in his future?
The Jets linebacker recently stopped by the SNY Studios and learned all the ins and outs of the business. Watch as he goes over his shot sheets, stops by the makeup room, and makes his way to the SNY desk.
Walt Michaels, former head coach of the New York Jets, died on Wednesday, his daughter told the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader. He was 89.
Michaels spent six seasons with the Jets as the bench boss, racking up a 39-47-1 overall.
His playing cabegan in 1951 as a seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, but was traded to the Green Bay Packers before his rookie season where he played one season. From 1952-1961, he returned to the Browns where he played linebacker. Michaels was a five-time Pro Bowler.
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With training camp just a couple of weeks away, it's a good time to take stock of the rest of the AFC East. Let's review some of the big storylines for each of the Jets' rivals, and assess where they should stand in the Power Rankings...
Ordinarily, you'd expect any team to struggle to overcome the loss of key contributors like Trey Flowers, Rob Gronkowski and Trent Brown, among others. However, the Patriots have traditionally had no problems integrating replacements for their departing stars.
Both of New York's football teams have potential MVP candidates in their backfield, according to Bovada. Only one of the two have a player under center that was given odds, though.
Odds Shark released Bovada's latest odds for the NFL's 2019 MVP Award and both Jets running back Le'Veon Bell and Giants running back Saquon Barkley were listed by the odds makers. Both landed with +5000 odds to take home the top-individual silverware next season.
The only rusher with higher odds to land the honor was Alvin Kamara from the New Orleans Saints.
Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive
There's a new general manager (Joe Douglas), a new head coach (Adam Gase), a new star (Le'Veon Bell), and a new attitude (Gregg Williams and many others). All of that has the Jets thinking this is going to be a great season.
But the "old" quarterback -- 22-year-old Sam Darnold -- is still the biggest reason for hope of all.
The Jets may not be ready to say it publicly, but internally they are thinking playoffs. In fact, they're expecting their first playoff berth since 2010. They may not be ready to win the AFC East, but they feel there's no reason why they can't emerge as an AFC contender.
Of all the new coaches that could help Sam Darnold in his second NFL season, it's Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who could have the biggest impact on the quarterback.
Williams has a reputation for being intense and bringing that competitive energy into practices, which is one of the reasons why head coach Adam Gase hired him.
That intensity, coupled with the different schemes and looks he will deploy in the defense in practice, is something should benefit Darnold, according to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
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The NFL's supplemental draft takes place on July 10th, with the potential for multiple selections for the second year in a row. Could any of the available players interest the Jets, though?
New general manager Joe Douglas has already stated his intent to investigate any and all options to upgrade the roster he inherited from his predecessor, Mike Maccagnan. With the option to forego a 2020 draft pick to add a draftable prospect at this late stage of the offseason, he might be tempted to pull the trigger.
When Douglas and new director of player personnel Chad Alexander were both on the Ravens staff, they opted to use a fifth-round pick on tackle Jared Gaither in 2007. This proved to be a nice pick-up as he started 28 games in his first three years. New assistant general manager Rex Hogan was also on a Bears team that used a seventh-round pick on fullback Harvey Unga in the 2010 supplemental draft. This pick was less successful, though.
Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive
For the second straight offseason, the Jets went on a huge spending spree, and this time it looks like they spent their money more wisely. They brought in stars and players who can truly make a difference.
At least that's what they believe.
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The Jets franchise has been blessed with consistency at the center position throughout most of its history. From the Super Bowl-winning John Schmitt to two-time Pro Bowler Joe Fields, the reliable Jim Sweeney, Hall of Fame nominee Kevin Mawae and all-pro Nick Mangold, the Jets have rarely had an extended period without a solid long-term solution at the position.
However, since Mangold's retirement, the Jets have been unable to adequately fill the position. While there seems to be plenty of optimism that Jonotthan Harrison could fill that role, fans and media remain skeptical.
The New York Jets selected defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with the third-overall pick at the 2019 NFL draft and despite that, some believed he was the top prospect.
The latest addition to that group is EA Sports, as the producers of the upcoming video game, Madden 20, gave the Alabama product the best ranking of any rookie in the game.
Williams' overall rating in Madden 20 is an 80. He edges out the Bills' first-round pick, another defensive tackle in Ed Oliver, and the second-overall pick, pass rusher Nick Bosa. Those two were rated 79 and 78 overall, respectively.
SNY's documentary on the magical year of 1969 in New York for the Mets, Jets, and Knicks premieres tonight after Mets Post Game!
The New York Jets' new defensive star, C.J. Mosley, knows a thing or two about what makes a winning pedigree. The former Baltimore Raven made the playoffs twice with his old team and learned how to lead a defense from Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. He has already assumed a role as a vocal leader and a "culture changer" for the Jets' defense.
There's no doubt that Mosley's teammates will listen when he speaks up. That said, Mosley's latest bulletin-board statement is sure to get Gang Green's collective blood pumping.
"We know the whole NFL is sleeping on the Jets, so we're ready to prove them wrong," Mosley told NewYorkJets.com. "They always have been [doubting the team], even I was when I wasn't here."
After the Jets spent big money this summer, making splashes with the additions of Le'Veon Bell, C.J. Mosley, Jamison Crowder and Quinnen Williams, there has been a renewed buzz around Florham Park.
Meanwhile, their stadium-mates, the Giants, continued their roster revamp in controversial fashion - they said goodbye to stars Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins, drafted a quarterback sixth overall and turned the keys over to an extremely young defense.
While the Giants are still rebuilding, the Jets are going all-in with a young quarterback, a budding defense and a new coach.
The Jets have not beaten the New England Patriots since Week 16 of the 2015 season, but this year could be different.
Just ask Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.
The Super Bowl LIII MVP has noticed what the Jets have done this offseason and expects Gang Green to be a challenge for the defending Super Bowl champions this upcoming season.
Joe Namath says there is no doubt about it, Tom Brady is the best quarterback to play the game.
The Jets legend and Hall of Fame quarterback was asked about the greatest of all time at the position while on The Howard Stern Show on Monday, and while Namath has idolized many quarterbacks, none compare to the six-time Super Bowl champion who has tortured the Jets the last two decades.
"Tom is the best," Namath said. "I've been asked that question for many years -- Johnny [Unitas] was my hero, Otto Graham was great, Slingin' Sammy Baugh, I go back, these guys are great. But meantime, Tom has been challened more in recent history, certainly with huge games than anybody I can recollect -- and he stepped up every time."
Josh McCown was a mentor to Sam Darnold in the Jets quarterback's rookie year.
And even though he won't be around Darnold in his second year with New York after announcing his retirement and transition to ESPN NFL analyst, he is confident Darnold will show vast improvement in 2019.
"I tried to empty the clip with him and give him everything I could," McCown told ESPN's Rich Cimini. "He'll be just fine."
TMZ Sports released audio from Le'Veon Bell's 911 call when he told the operator that two women left his house with more than $500,000 worth of jewelry.
Bell reported to police on May 25 that he returned home from the gym to find jewelry missing and his closets had been rummaged through.
On the phone call, Bell told the Hollywood (Florida) Police Department that when he returned home from his workout, the two girls "took my money, they took my watch, my jewelry, a couple more of my things of value out of my house."
Versatile running back Ty Montgomery had a few destinations he could have pursued in free agency this offseason. But he eventually decided the Jets was the place for him, even though he wouldn't be the main man in the backfield.
That title, of course, goes to Le'Veon Bell this season after he signed a long-term deal with New York. Still, Montgomery believed the Jets was the right fit, mainly because of the offense Adam Gase brings with him.
"You have to be smart," Montgomery told newyorkjets.com's Ethan Greenberg about Gase's offense. "You have to be able to catch the ball and you have to be able to run the ball. You can't have an imbalance and be at running back in this offense. It's actually pretty cool, it's challenging. I think it suits my abilities and I'm loving it."
GM Joe Douglas made key additions to the Jets' front office on Tuesday.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Jets added Browns GM Phil Savage and Ravens Director of Pro Personnel Chad Alexander. Later in the afternoon, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Colts VP of Player Personnel Rex Hogan has been hired by Gang Green to be Douglas' assistant GM.
The 54-year-old Savage's role is unclear, but he returns to an NFL front office for the first time since he was with the Eagles from 2010-12. Meanwhile, Alexander will serve as director of player personnel for the Jets.
