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Even though New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has done his part of changing the Jets culture at One Jets Drive, the general manager Joe Douglas deserves just as much credit for changing the culture within the Jets organization.
After heading into the week 10 bye week of the 2022-23 NFL season with a shocking 6-3 record with the hope of making the playoffs in sight, the Jets are looked at in a whole new different perspective as NFL experts are saying:
“This ain’t the same old Jets.”
It’s a credit to Joe Douglass for working with Robert Saleh and giving him the talent the Jets desperately needed at critical positions on the team to compete with the best teams in the league. As the Jets were known throughout the years and especially throughout the past ten years as one of the laughing stocks of the league, Joe Douglas has turned the Jets into a competitive organization that can be taken seriously and is a team to reckon with.
Throughout Douglass’ Jets tenure, he has brought in quality free agents that have made impacts on and off the field, along with bringing in free agents that fit the culture that Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh want to build. Free agents like center Connor McGovern and tackle George Fant have been solidifying additions to the Jets’ offensive line. Edge rushers Carl Lawson and John-Franklin Meyers have been vital contributors in giving the Jets the much-needed pass rush they haven’t seen in quite some time. Along with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins helping out in the running game and getting pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback.
Offensive guard Laken Tomlinson has brought durability to the guard position, as he has yet to miss an NFL game. Tomlinson also brought leadership within the offensive line and was a pro bowler last year. Getting back Joe Flacco to the Jets quarterback room gives Zach Wilson a proven quarterback to learn how to be a quarterback in the NFL. Braxton Berrios has proven that he can contribute on either special teams or the offensive side of the ball, and he was signed for a bargain deal, too, as he is a player that wants to help Douglass and Saleh get back to the promised land. CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin bring stability to the tight end room, as the Jets were one of the few teams in the league before the season started to rarely ever have the tight end involved in the game. Tight end was a position that was seen as the Jets’ weakness.
After losing Marcus Maye to free agency, the Jets signed safety Jordan Whitehead who won a super bowl with the Tampa Bay Bucs only two years ago. DJ Reed signed over from the Seattle Seahawks to give the Jets depth at the cornerback position and had familiarity playing with Robert Saleh in San Francisco.
Even though Douglas has signed players that will have a long-lasting impact for the Jets, he is more known for his drafting pedigree as he has shown to have brought in some of the best players in the past few drafts.
In the 2021 NFL draft, he drafted players like Quarterback Zach Wilson, offensive lineman Alijeh Vera-Tucker, Wide Receiver Elijah Moore, running back Michael Carter, and cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols.
Even though Zach Wilson still has much to prove, he has helped keep stability and flow within the Jets’ offense, improved in terms of time to throw, and has done better with his decision-making. Even though he still needs work dealing with pressure from the edge and the pocket collapsing, the Jets fully believe that he can be the quarterback that can lead the Jets to the promised land. They are currently 5-1 with Wilson at the helm at quarterback.
Alijah Vera-Tucker has shown to be a gem of the Jets 2021 NFL draft class as he has been asked to do so much and doesn’t question it. In his rookie year, he played left to guard the whole season, but this year, in weeks 1-3, he played right guard, left tackle in week four, and right tackle in week five. It shows that he’s willing to help the team in any way possible, even if it’s out of his comfort zone. Before the triceps injury that resulted in him being ruled out for the season, Vera-Tucker was playing at a pro-bowl level.
Elijah Moore has had a lost season so far, but hopefully, the Jets will find a way to get him the ball, as he was one of the main focal points of last year’s offense and was thought to break out this year. Requesting a trade is not something the Jets predicted, but hopefully, they came up with something over the bye week to get Moore involved in the offense.
Even though Breece Hall took over the bell cow duties at running back, Michael Carter was still producing at a high level, just not at the starting caliber level. Before Breece Hall was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, he and Carter became a great one-two punch at the running back position. Now that Hall is out till next year, Carter can immediately fill in at RB 1 while sharing reps with newly acquired back James Robinson. Michael Carter II took over as the team’s slot corner and has helped the Jets in their defensive resurgence, while Brandin Echols has made some critical plays for the Jets and provided depth at the cornerback position. Carter is unique for his elusiveness and forced missed tackles as he keeps fighting for the extra yard.
Most people say that Douglass’ next draft class was even better as the Jets 2022 NFL draft class has made tremendous impacts that have got the Jets to the 6-3 record we see today.
Gardner and DJ Reed have formed one of the league’s best cornerback duos. The first of the Jets’ first three first-round draft picks were stud cornerback Sauce Gardner who has proven to be called his nickname “Sauce” with his defensive rookie of the year play. Sauce leads the league with 13 passes defended, collecting two picks, and has shut down big-name wide receivers like Ja’Mar Chase, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Amari Cooper, Cortland Sutton, and Mark Andrews.
Former Jets great Darrelle Revis gave some high praise. An ESPN article written by Rich Cimini states:
“He has the potential to Carry the torch on to be the great cornerback for the New York Jets.”
Garrett Wilson has emerged to become a number-one receiver for the Jets. He and Zach Wilson have formed an excellent connection combining 14 catches and 207 in the past two games before the bye. His breakout game came against the Cleveland Browns in week two when he hauled eight catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Jermaine Johnson has filled in nicely on the Jets’ defensive front. Once he fully develops, he can be a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen.
Before tearing his ACL, Breece Hall was in the running for offensive rookie of the year, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, rushing for 463 rushing yards, and scoring five touchdowns on the ground. Hall also added 218 receiving yards and one score. The timetable to come back from an ACL injury is 9-12 months, he could either come back how Adrian Peterson did in 2012 or be a shell of himself, but only time will tell as he goes through rehab.
Tight end Jeremy Ruckert, a New York native who grew up in Lindenhurst, on Long Island, hasn’t been active for most of the games; he is third on the Jets tight end depth chart. Hopefully, he turns the coach’s head around.
Tackle Max Mitchell has been a viable starter for the Jets when healthy. Michael Clemons has provided some excellent depth at the defensive line position.
Joe Douglas has shown how to start from the bottom and end up on top. His first job as an NFL executive was with the Baltimore Ravens learning from one of the best general managers in Ozzie Newsome. His first job as an NFL executive was being the team’s “Turk,” which Douglass was assigned with informing players they’ve been let go from the Ravens.
After spending 15 years with the Baltimore Ravens, Douglass would soon land the Director of College scouting position with the Chicago Bears. He would then become the Philadelphia Eagles Vice President of Player Personnel, where he helped bring the Lombardi trophy to Philly for the first time in franchise history.
After spending two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Douglass would then land the New York Jets general Manager gig, being challenged with one of the most complex tasks ever asked for a general manager to do, and that’s bringing a Lombardi trophy to a Jets team and fan base that hasn’t seen a super bowl since the moon landing in 1969.
It took a while, but it looks like Joe Douglass is leading the Jets in the right direction with his moves in both free agency and the NFL draft. It’s essential to build the team from the ground up by collecting draft picks and drafting the right players that fit Robert Saleh’s “All Gas No Breaks” motto, and that’s what Joe Douglas has done.
As the Jets head into week 11 with a 6-3 record, they look to keep the momentum of their season alive as they travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. They will look to avenge their week eight loss to the Patriots, where they lost 22-17 at home.
