A Blast from the Past: The NY Jets Hire Aaron Glenn as Head Coach

Photo Credit: nflalumni.org.

No, I’m not late to the party. I’m well aware of the New York Jets hiring of Aaron Glenn as head coach in January, I’m just getting around to giving my usual take when they make significant moves such as this.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Aaron Glenn when he became a strong candidate for the Jets head coaching job, seeing the colossal failures with the last two coaches (Adam Gase and Robert Saleh), who were first-time head coaches when they were hired, as Glenn is now.

Now, I loved him as a player. Til this day I think he’s one of the most underrated corners to step on the field. That was as a player, becoming a head coach is a different story.

Initially, I was hoping for either Rex Ryan or Pete Carroll, two guys who also have history with the Jets, being that they were the head coach in previous years, but when Aaron was hired, I thought, “The hire has been made, let’s give him a chance and see what happens,” the same benefit of the doubt that I gave the last two coaches.

The more I learned about Glenn as a coach and after his playing career was over, the more I liked the idea of the hire. For instance, until a few months ago, I had no idea he came back to New York as a scout (2012–13), which tells me he has experience in player evaluation.

During his last days in Detroit, he mentioned in a press conference that he has studied all sides of the ball, not just defense. He described himself as a coach who happens to be on defense. This tells me he’s knowledgeable, well-versed, and has a willingness to learn.

While there’s a lot of talent on the team, the dysfunction, particularly in leadership, is holding them back, and I hope Aaron can turn things around as soon as possible — I know he’s committed to doing so.

As successful as he was with the Jets as a player back in the day, I hope he’s more successful as a head coach.

The NY Jets Fire Robert Saleh: My Thoughts

 

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports.

The New York Jets fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start and a 20-36 record in three and a half seasons.

Prior to be hired by the Jets in 2021, he was viewed as a coveted coaching candidate, seeing the job he did with 49ers defense when he was defensive coordinator there, and the way players, current and former, spoke highly of him.

The thing is, coaching one side of the ball is one thing, coaching an entire football team is a totally different story.

Personally, I think he should've been fired after last season. During his tenure, you could see that he was in over his head--I noticed it after his second season. By the start of this season, I completely lost confidence in him.

I'm a proponent for giving people a chance, and I was hoping to see improvement--just like players can grow and develop, so can coaches--but I saw no signs of improvement. Now, I'm not celebratory of the man losing his job, but he had to go.

The team looked like it was headed toward the same crash course as in previous years, and I watched time and time and time again where he failed to make adjustments.

Who's in line to take the interim job? My thinking is (offensive coordinator) Nathaniel Hackett--who hasn't been any better--since he and Aaron Rodgers seem to be buddy-buddy, but we'll see.

As for Saleh, from went I've seen so far, he's a very good defensive coordinator who I wouldn't mind coaching my defense, but not my team.

Taking Flight, Part Two: Grading the Rest of the NY Jets Draft Picks

  

Malachi Corley. Photo Credit: James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Blogger's Note: Normally, I have my Jets draft analysis done no more than a day after the draft, but life gets in the way sometimes, and I wanted to finish what I started as I do every year, so here I am with my analysis and grades for the Jets Day Two picks and their draft overall.

Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky 

They didn't have a second round pick due to the trade with the Packers last year to get Aaron Rodgers, so their first pick of Day Two was Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky.

Even with the signing of Mike Williams, I thought the Jets still needed to address this position. He has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel, and from what I've seen, I can see why.

He's around the same size, not the fastest player, but he knows how to get open, and he has the same running back mentality after the catch.

He wasn't as popular as some of the receivers picked before him, but I think the Jets got a steal with this pick. I think he will productive from Day One.

Grade: A

Photo Credit: Joe Fisher/Getty Images.

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin 

Listed at 6-1, 235 pounds, Braelon is a monster of a running back who punishes defenses with his size and power, but the scary part is he's more nimble than he looks. He wasn't used in the receiving game that much, but he did have a career high 28 catches in his final year at Wisconsin.

I like the talent of the prospect, particularly the idea of him and Breece Hall mauling defenses for years to come, but this and the draft pick after next makes me wonder where they stand with Izzy Abandikanda.

Grade: A-

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports.

Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State 

The first of the Jets three fifth round picks, Jordan was my favorite pick of their draft. He was who I wanted as an heir apparent to lead the Jets into the future.

He has a smooth, effortless way he plays; he has poise, he's accurate, he can beat you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he can make the throws that are needed.

I think he would've been at least a third round pick if it wasn't for his injury. I think he's in a perfect situation: he gets to sit behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for a year or so, which gives him time to learn and develop, and recover from his injury.

Grade: A+

Photo Credit: Chris Leduc/Icon Sports wire via Getty Images.

A big, physical, punishing running back like Braelon Allen, although still not as big as Allen, I found this pick to be a head-scratcher.

I like the talent--from what I've seen, he reminds me of Jordan Howard, but a little more shifty--but I don't like the pick. In other words, they could've addressed another need with that pick.

Grade: C

Dan Hamilton/USA Today Sports.

Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, CFL

Qwan'tez is an inspiring story of a player who didn't play college football, choosing instead to play in the CFL, and was drafted.

From what I've seen of him, he seems to excel in zone coverage, particularly deep zone coverage, which makes him good fit for Robert Saleh's Cover 3 defense.

The defensive backfield is deep, but in one sense, you can never have enough defensive backs with most of the league being pass-happy.

Grade: B

Jaylen Key, Safety, Alabama 

This year's Mr. Irrelevant, Jaylen was the Jets last pick of the draft as well as the very last pick of this year's draft.

From what I've gathered, he seems to be a player who is at his best moving laterally, and doesn't have much range moving sideline to sideline.

With some uncertainty at the safety position, he has a chance to make the roster or if nothing else be a contributor on special teams.

Grade: C+

Overall, I think the Jets first two picks weren't "popular" picks, but were smart picks. I view Olu Fashanu as a draft-and-stash, who will learn the ropes from All-Pro Tyron Smith, with the upside to play right away in case of an injury.

Malachi Corley can contribute right away and help make the passing attack formidable. My favorite pick was Jordan Travis. I think he has a high ceiling, and as I mentioned before, he's in a perfect situation and he doesn't have to be rushed out there.

I understand the Braelon Allen pick to a degree, with the jury being out on Izzy Abandikanda due to him being injured most of last season, but drafting Davis makes me wonder where they stand with him.

Stiggers and Key could be special teams contributors, but it's possible one or both could see time on the field with a mostly pass-happy league.

I was okay with this draft; Fashanu, Corley, Allen, and Travis stood out to me, but it would've been better if they, for example, picked a linebacker or maybe another offensive lineman instead of a second running back.

Overall Grade: B

Gotham Green Giant: The NY Jets Draft Olu Fashanu

 

Olu Fashanu. Photo Credit: nj.com.

After trading back a spot with the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Jets selected offensive tackle Olu Fashanu from Penn State with the 11th overall pick.

Considered to be one of the top prospects at his position and in the draft, this looks like a draft-and-stash move. With the acquisition of All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith slated to play on the left, however, he's 33 and he hasn't played a full season since 2016--hopefully that won't be the case this year--so I look at drafting Olu as a contingency plan, and preparing for the future with a potential All-Pro prospect who can learn under Smith in the process, which something that he's looking forward to, being that Smith is someone he has studied.

Photo Credit: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

From what I've seen of Olu's tape, he was exceptional in pass protection. He only allowed one sack his entire career at Penn State. Once he gets his hands on you, it's over. It was stated during the draft that his run blocking needs work, but from what I saw, I didn't see where his run blocking was an issue. 

I did see some plays where he was a little too high in his stance, and his footwork, although it wasn't bad, it could use some more polishing, but that can be easily coached.

Overall, I can see why he was considered one of the top prospects, and with some coaching, he will be primed to protect A-Rod and the future quarterback's blindside for years to come. This pick was a representation of most of the Jets draft: it wasn't the "popular" pick, but it was a smart pick.

Grade: A

The Talented Mr. Wilson

 

Garrett Wilson. Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com.

Before I begin, learn how to play quarterback the "Nittany Lion Way" with Penn State head coach James Franklin himself. Learn how to play the quarterback position and get insight on what he looks for in a quarterback. You can purchase his tutorial here.

Since being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the New York Jets, Garrett Wilson has played up to expectations--perhaps exceeded them.

I remember an analyst compared to him Hall of Famer Lynn Swann after he was picked, but he reminds me more of (2024 Hall of Fame finalist) Torry Holt.

They're around the same size, but where he reminds me of Torry in particular is the way he consistently uses his hands to catch passes, even in traffic. He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving his rookie season, and has done it again this season. He has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving two years in a row with garbage quarterback play.

Last year, he had Zach Wilson and Joe Flacco--who looked like he needed to retire in New York, but has somehow found the fountain of youth in Cleveland--at quarterback. This year, he had (sigh) Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian at quarterback.

I'm not saying he's on the level of a Davante Adams or Justin Jefferson as of yet, but what he has been able to accomplish so far speaks volumes of his talent level.

Jets Cut Down Recap: The Surprising and Not Surprising

Zach Kuntz. Photo Credit: Associated Press.

Not much surprises me anymore, but every year in the NFL when teams trim their respective rosters down to the mandatory 53 at the end of the preseason, most don't surprise me, but then there's a few moves that will take me aback--at least a little.

This brings me to the New York Jets cut down day, and after viewing who was waived/released, here are the moves that surprised me and the ones that didn't.

Surprising

Trey Dean III, S

Throughout camp and preseason, there was talk that Trey could not only make the final 53-man roster, but possibly be the starting safety opposite Jordan Whitehead. To see him on the list of final cuts was surprising. As a matter of fact, this one was the most surprising.

Zach Kuntz, TE

A 7th round pick from Old Dominion, he was one I really hoped made the team. I know there's more to the game than measurables, but with his freakish size (listed at 6-8, 251) and athleticism, I think he could've been a matchup nightmare for defenses--actually, that's still possible in the right situation.

Not Surprising

Zonovan Knight, HB

This one was the least surprising. Although he showed flashes last season, one, the signing of Dalvin Cook made the  running back room seriously crowded, two, he struggled in the preseason.

Travis Dye, HB

Like Zonovan, he struggled in the preseason. From what I saw, he looked as slow as his 40 time (4.82), and looked hesitant at times when hitting the hole.

Conclusion

The one consultation about these cuts is that there's a chance some of these players could make the practice squad. I'm thinking Trey Dean is one of their main targets, but from what I've heard and seen, signing him to the practice squad--the Jets are 13th on the waiver list--might be a long shot.

There's a possibility Zonovan could return with his experience on special teams, but the one I'm hoping they sign is Kuntz. I think there's a lot of potential there, if given the opportunity.

 

Why I Have Mixed Thoughts on the Jets Signing Dalvin Cook

 

Dalvin Cook. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports.

Of course, there's a lot of buzz going on--and the expectations just went up a few more octanes-- after the Jets announced the signing of Dalvin Cook about two weeks ago. The hoopla is understandable. He's, in my opinion, one of the top running backs in the league, and a four-time Pro Bowler.

I must admit, Dalvin being in a Jets uniform is almost surreal. I mean, there has been speculation about him possibly signing with the Jets for months, but (Jets GM) Joe Douglas made it happen.

Yet, with all of this, although it's a one-year deal, I have mixed thoughts on the signing. Talent wise, I love having Cook on the team, but there's Breece Hall, who was having an Offensive Rookie of the Year season before his injury last year, returning from the PUP after being put on the list a day earlier--that was fast--and I like the addition of 5th round pick Izzy Abanikanda. He was a monster at Pittsburgh, and I like what I've seen from him so far this preseason.

If Michael Carter can return to his rookie form or better, I don't know what happened to him last year, and with Zonovan Knight showing flashes, one, I wanted to see what these young guys can do--well, younger guys, Dalvin is 28--two, this makes the running back room is seriously crowded. There's not enough room for all of them.

At the end of the day, the deal is done, Dalvin Cook is on board, and it's a big-time addition. Let's make it happen!