Four Down Territory: Guardians of the Tank
First Down
The Jets lost on Sunday; that’s not news. The WAY they lost, on the other hand, is the leading story this week.
After a competative game against the Raiders and HAVING A LEAD with 12 seconds to go the Jets did the most Jets thing possible.
Look at the clock. Look at the down and distance. Look at the field position. Now look at the Jets defense. Notice something…unusual?
Those who are familiar with defenes notice that the Jets are in Cover 0. That means there is no safety help in the middle of the field and your corners are on an island. The Jets’ goal was to bring the house, sack Carr, and grab their first win.
The problem?
The Raiders have a guy on the outside named Henry Ruggs that runs a 4.27. So yeah, not a good idea. They also, for some odd reason, had a spy on Carr…at midfield…with ten seconds left. Correct me if I’m wrong but does Carr have a jetpack strapped to his pads that we don’t know about. Is he Star-Lord?
Listen, I’m not opposed to blitzing in this kind of situation. Sending one more person than the offense can block can lead to a sack, tipped ball, bad decision by the quarterback…anything. The issue is leaving corners by themselves against speedsters.
My stopwatch says from the snap of the ball to release was 3.12 seconds. It’s not like Carr had all day. The moment Ruggs released they knew they had it. Just wild playcalling.
So wild it cost Gregg Williams his job.
There are few things more annoying than a conspiracy. They usually are semi-factual and based on foolishness but this notion that the Jets threw this game to stay in position for the number one spot in the draft has legs. The giveaway is the QB spy. Through Carr’s 6.5 years in the league, he’s rushed for 624 yards. that’s 96 yards per season. He’s not known as a running threat…at all.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, New York’s biggest threat to taking the number one spot was on the verge of winning. The Jaguars had tied the game against the Vikings and were heading to OT. If they win then the Jets would have a two game cushion with four weeks to go. Throwing the game makes too much sens in real time.
I’m not the only person with this theory. Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho frames it beautifully.
ESPN’s Mina Kimes broke the play down like old school John Madden.
I respect this aspect; if you’re going to tank then commit to the tank.
Here’s the twist, though. Most people think that the Jets want the top overall spot to draft Trevor Lawrence but that’s too obvious, I have another theory in mind.
The Jets are tanking so they can trade for Carson Wentz.
Oh yeah, we’re going full conspiracy theorist.
Joe Douglas, the GM in New York, was once Vice President of player personnel in Philadelphia.
His start date? 2016. When was Carson drafted? 2016.
YOU SEE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS, RIGHT?!
Douglas played a big part in making Wentz the number two overall pick. His season in Philadelphia has gone about as bad as one can expect and it was announced that he’ll be benched for Jalen Hurts. Some would say that’s a wrap for Wentz in Philadelphia. Let the record show that Trevor has said, out loud, that he’d consider going back to Clemson for his senior year. A sub-tweet to the Jets that he might not want to play for them.
If the Eagles lose out there’s a chance they would have the number three pick in the draft. If that’s the case the Jets can offer the top spot for Wentz and a few more picks. Douglas will get his guy and the coach he wants and the Jets can start being competative immediately instead of waiting for Trevor to develop. The Eagles, probably with a new head coach and GM, will start fresh with the most talented QB to enter the draft since Andrew Luck.
All the Jets need to do now is lose their next four games (@Seattle, @LARams, Cleveland, @New England) and they’ll have the Eagles right where they want them.
What about Sam Darnold? What will happend to him?
Donald wears 14…Big Ben has been in the league for 14 years. IT ALL ADDS UP!!!!
You see? It does make sense when you really think about it.
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