OK, so the verdict is clearly in, at least according to every media outlet in the country, with the possible exception of Nun’s Life magazine: Todd Bowles must go. He should be fired immediately, if not sooner, as the prevailing sentiment goes.
In fact, maybe we can go back in time and can him before the Monday Night Massacre, when the Colts won by 31 and yet the game wasn’t nearly that close.
Fine, you all win, he’s a goner. But that begs the question: Who do you have in mind to replace him? And, perhaps, more importantly, do you trust Woody Johnson and/or Mike Maccagnan to make the right choice?
One more thing -- given how awful the Jets have been in just about every phase of the game this season, isn’t it worth considering that the guy who built this trainwreck should be following the head coach out the door? Memo to Maccagnan: that means you.
To be clear, I’m not saying Bowles is the next Vince Lombardi. Or even the next Joe “Pick A Winner” Walton. The case against the coach sticking around is pretty strong, whereas the one for him staying on the sidelines for a third season basically comes down to this: if his predecessor, the eternally-overrated Rex Ryan, could last four straight seasons of not-quite- mediocrity, then doesn’t Bowles deserve one more shot before getting kicked to the curb?
But again, let’s say he doesn’t. So just one year after leading Gang Green to a 10-win season upon inheriting the not-even-hot mess that was Rex’s Jets, Bowles has completely forgotten how to coach and is an irredeemable failure.
Well, what makes you think Woody -- who has got one foot out the door on the way to some overseas ambassadorship courtesy of President-elect Trump -- or his GM can find someone better?
Before Johnson starts going through resumes, let’s take a quick look at his: Al Groh, Herm Edwards, Eric Mangenius, Rex, Bowles. Not exactly coaching’s Mount Rushmore.
Hey Woody, sixth time’s the charm, right?
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And what about Maccagnan? He came to New York never having run an operation before, but was thought to have a sharp eye for talent. It makes you wonder -- has he been suffering from temporary blindness since he got to town?
This is the same guy who chose Bryce Petty in the 2015 draft instead of the kid who is currently leading Denver to the postseason, then followed up by choosing Christian Hackenberg over not only MVP candidate Dak Prescott, but also fellow rookies like Jacoby Brissett and Cody Kessler who have, you know, actually gotten on the field and shown something.
Given his track record, if Maccagnan has any suggestions on a new coach, don’t you summarily cross those names off the list and never speak of them again?
Bowles may not be much, but he’s far from the Jets’ only problem. Until the guys at the top give any sense that they know what they’re doing, the less they do, the better.
