The New York Jets are on the cusp of making NFL history. It’s not the sort of history they would hope for. As they prepare to host their next opponent, the team’s reality is staggering. It’s hard to believe, but they have not counted an interception over their past ten contests, 302 passes thrown without a pick. Keystone State offense. If this trend continues, the Jets are headed toward ignominy. If they manage to do so, they’ll be the first team in the league to go eleven games this season without having an interception.
The Jets’ struggles are notable. They have personally been out-intercepted by 148 separate players since opening day. They’ve been penalized for two missed interceptions. The latter point emphasizes the very few opportunities the defense has had and their subsequent poor execution. The team’s defensive statistics show some positive signs, as they are tied for sixth in pass break-ups, indicating they are at least disrupting opposing quarterbacks’ passes.
Historically, the Jets’ interception woes are significant. That would break the current record for the longest interception slump at any point in a single season—14 games. The Jets are currently poised to shatter that record. Sooner, rather than later, they need to lock in a pick in order to keep their momentum going. Since 1960, the all-time record for the fewest interceptions in a single season is two. This unprecedented achievement has elicited some serious butt-clenching among fans and analysts.
For Glenn, the reality of the issue began to sink in. As far as the takeaways, he said, “It’s hard to even envision not having an interception and only one takeaway (a fumble recovery). The disappointment is clear inside the club as they look for ways to stem the tide and reverse their disappointing defensive output.
Throw into that mix, some high-profile players, such as Dexter Lawrence II, have become headline-makers. Lawrence, who tips the scale at 340 pounds, is an interior defensive lineman. He dazzled with a stunning one-handed interception earlier this season. Even with this unique recent ability, one has to be concerned by the defensive implementation as a whole as seen by the Jets.
All around the league, we’ve seen rookies rising to the occasion. Sixteen rookies have recorded at least one interception this season, including RJ Mickens with two. This effect underscores an underlying crack in performance between long-standing veterans and up-and-coming young stars.
As the Jets head into week 5 with their first home game, the pressure is really on not to be left behind in disaster. Of the 2011 class, only Tyrod Taylor, a sixth-round draft pick, remains on an NFL roster. Throughout his career path, he has centered the need for perseverance as a theme. I’ll tell you this, when I got drafted, there was a faction that wanted to switch me to wide receiver. I mentally wrestled that idea to the ground. Fifteen years later, I’m still making my case,” Taylor reflected on his experience.
The financial ramifications of releasing players hang over the organization, too. For the Jets, it would come with a $22 million cap charge. If they decide to cut any player, the Trotz administration will have to absorb $10 million of cash expenditures. That creates a whole new layer of chaos, though, as they consider roster moves to make themselves better.
Retired Jets Owner Leon Hess famously motivated his team with a powerful speech more than 30 years ago. Echoing his sentiments might be necessary for this year’s squad as they confront their current challenges: “Now let’s go out there and show ’em we’re not a bunch of horses’ asses.”
As the season moves on, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether the team can adjust in order to move past their troublesome interception woes. Bill Baird, a veteran City personnel executive, was incredulous. Responding to that statement, he said, “That’s — wow, I don’t know what to say about that to be honest with you.
As they look toward future games, Glenn remains cautiously optimistic: “And who knows? We’ll see what happens as the season progresses. I’m not saying that will happen, but he’s smart enough to understand what his part needs to be in order for this team to be great.
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