Jets staying in the 'now' while taking a peek into the future as they prepare for Jaguars
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Credit: AP/Wilfredo Lee
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In essence, the question was about weighing the short- and long-term costs in developing for the future against the possibility of winning a football game for the first time in more than a month.
Jeff Ulbrich’s answer, all 97 words of it, revealed the organizational stance for the final four games of the season:
The Jets are trying to win.
“This is maybe the ex-player in me, and I don’t know if it is right or wrong, but I think it’s not fair for the guys that play that you’re not putting the best unit out there that gives you the best possible chance to win,” the interim coach said after practice Friday in response to a series of questions regarding rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley’s playing time.
“I think that can be very frustrating for players when they think an organization just wants to take a look at guys and fliers on guys as opposed to who’s the best-equipped team to win this game. So that’s the approach we’re going to take here on out.”
Whether the franchise’s immediate philosophy is beneficial in the long term is still to be determined, but the 3-10 Jets are preparing for Sunday’s game against the 3-10 Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville as if it bears some significance on their 2024 season as a whole.
Perhaps it does.
Because in a week in which many words were spoken and written and devoted to discussing the organization’s culture, Ulbrich stressed that it is “very fortunate for this team there is no relent, there is no pack-it-up. These guys have stayed committed to the process and working their butts off and we’re still playing hard and we’re still playing together. So as long as we got that, we’ve got a chance.”
He has a point, given that the Jets have lost seven one-score games this season. The latest was last Sunday’s 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins.
Rookie running backs Braelon Allen (11 rushes for 43 yards) and Isaiah Davis (10 rushes for 40 yards) replaced starter Breece Hall, who missed the game with a knee injury.
“They will do anything to help us win. They are eager and excited to get better at techniques that are new for them, run schemes that are new for them,” passing game coordinator Todd Downing said. “It was fun to watch their hard work come to fruition in so many ways.”
Even though Hall was listed on the injury report as questionable — he participated in the period of practice open to reporters — Allen and Davis could see playing time against the Jaguars as part of a three-back rotation.
Which, if it happens, could be viewed as the Jets developing for the future while still trying to win in the present.
Notes & quotes: Kick returner Kene Nwangwu was put on injured reserve with a broken hand, Ulbrich said. CB Brandin Echols (shoulder) will miss the game. CB D.J. Reed and G Xavier Newman are doubtful with groin injuries. Tackle Morgan Moses (wrist) and G Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) are questionable.
