On Monday the New York Jets announced several changes to the team’s coaching staff. From the Jets official press release:
“The New York Jets announced the hiring of Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbar, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Justus Galac, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Ricci, and Outside Linebackers Coach Mike Smith. Bob Sutton has been promoted to assistant head coach/linebackers and Lance Taylor has been promoted to assistant tight ends coach/quality control. Matt Cavanaugh returns as the team’s quarterback’s coach.”
While this announcement will not make many headlines I believe that two of these coaching changes will have a significant impact on the New York Jets. I like the hire of defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, as his resume with Minnesota Vikings is very impressive. Dunbar has coached some of the best defensive linemen in the NFL (Jared Allen and Kevin Williams to name two) and that will help the Jets with young players like Muhammad Wilkerson, Kenrick Ellis, and Ropati Pitoitua.
A move that is mind boggling to me is the return of quarterback’s coach Matt Cavanaugh. One of the Jets biggest goals this offseason is to get quarterback Mark Sanchez back on track after a mediocre third year in the NFL. Gang Green started out strong by replacing offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer with former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano. Since that point the team has been searching high and low for a “passing coordinator” and was rebuffed by several candidates including Todd Haley. Now the Jets appear resigned to just keep Cavanaugh and to me that is a dumb move. I understand the idea of keeping some continuity on the offensive coaching staff, but at this point Mark Sanchez needs a new voice to learn from. The young quarterback regressed last season and needs a coach that will help him clean up his footwork, ball handling, and decision making. In my opinion the Jets are making a huge mistake by keeping Cavanaugh and should continue to look for a “passing coordinator” to replace him.
Jets interested in Moss? On Monday wide receiver Randy Moss announced that he will be coming out of retirement and that he is ready to play in 2012. Almost instantly several journalists linked the future Hall of Famer to the New York Jets, a team that is in desperate need of a deep threat that can spread the field. I just don’t see this move happening and there are several reasons why.
The Jets are coming off of a tumultuous season and need to start rebuilding their locker room. Based on his antics in the past I do not see how adding Randy Moss helps improve team chemistry on or off the field. The last thing the Jets need at this point is another distraction.
In terms of his playing ability, there is no question that Randy Moss was one of the most explosive receivers to ever the play game. At 35 years old I am not sure how much Moss has left in the tank, especially after watching his decline in play in 2010 where he recorded only 28 catches. At this point I think that the Jets are better served looking in a different direction, preferably towards younger players that can stick with the team a while.
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