New York Jets: In Line For Breakout 2015 Season?
By Jonah Tuls
Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets. A team of a polarizing history and recent disaster on the brink of cleaning house in the Big Apple. The past couple of years, the New York Jets have been the bottom-feeders of the AFC East, and the 2015 NFL season shouldn’t be any different right?
Well no, not in my opinion at least. The New York Jets actually took a giant step forward this offseason with the big name acquisitions of Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall, Antonio Cromartie, and their first round draft pick, Leonard Williams. However, the biggest move they made all offseason was the swap in head coaches from Rex Ryan to Todd Bowles. Bowles will bring a much needed jolt of energy to this team on both sides of the ball, and I truly expect the Jets to have one of the top defenses in all of the NFL under his tutelage. They have an elite defensive line even though they are without Sheldon Richardson for a couple of games, as well as a upgraded secondary with the aforementioned acquisitions of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, not to mention the expected development of Calvin Pryor at safety. The linebacker core they have is solid and will improve with time in Bowles’ defense. All in all, the New York Jets’ defense will be the driving force of this team if they want to truly “breakout” in 2015, and I fully expect the defense to do their part of the job as they have the tools in set to be a top five defense in the NFL.
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media after the organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Now to the offensive side of the ball, which has been lackluster over the past couple of years. Again, I think that in 2015, the NFL will be surprised to see how much improvement this Jets offense since last year. I believe that Geno Smith can be the answer with the weapons and offensive line around him. It is now in 2015 that he those tools in his arsenal to where he can finally show what he has. The additions of Brandon Marshall and Stevan Ridley will help out immensely in both the passing and running attack, as well as the second year integration of Jace Amaro and Eric Decker. This should in turn give Geno Smith the opportunity he needs to show that he is the man in the Big Apple. The Jets may never have a top ten offense in the NFL and most likely won’t, but I will say that Geno Smith and the crew will have a much more improved attack on the offensive side of the ball in 2015.
Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Fans of the New York Jets celebrate during the first half of the New York Jets game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
So with all that being said, are the New York Jets in line for a breakout season under first year head coach Todd Bowles? Most likely no, but do I see a much improved football team? ABSOLUTELY. This team has playoff potential, but it all depends on how much consistency and production they get from the quarterback. I don’t necessarily believe that Geno Smith will evolve into a franchise quarterback in 2015, but he will show the improvement necessary to set the steps towards that path in the future. This is not going to be a 11-5 or 12-4 season, but I do see 9-7 or 8-8 with them in the AFC East hunt all year long. Jets fans, I see this season as a stepping stone towards great things in the future.