Coach Saleh’s Calculated Risk Backfires: Questionable Late-Game Strategy vs. Rams Fuels Controversy
If the Robert Saleh-led New York Jets deserved an F grade in the coaching department, then the Jeff Ulbrich-led squad reaches well below the F- level.
Whether it’s leadership, organization, or a fundamental lack of understanding of the game’s feel or moment, the Jets organization routinely features the worst-coached team in the National Football League.
Before we officially begin the film review, let’s get one thing out of the way: Jeff Ulbrich is a tremendous football player and an even better person. I firmly believe he was immediately thrust into an impossible situation.
The Robert Saleh firing was the correct move—regarding the job he did in his three-plus seasons—but his replacement wasn’t the answer. Even when conceding that it’s been worse since the firing, the entire Jets coaching staff is still the Saleh-led bunch that hadn’t impressed anybody since 2001.
The only scenario that would have had me reassess my thoughts about Saleh is if Ulbrich had instantly turned the Jets in a positive direction. Ulbrich is Saleh, and the Jets coaching staff is Saleh’s several-year vision.
Having said that, let’s get into it.
The situation
While there’s plenty to criticize from the Jets’ latest loss, let’s focus on one late-game situation that had me losing my mind in the moment.
After a failed fourth-and-4 from their own 47-yard-line, the Jets defense trotted back onto the field down seven points with 8:27 remaining in the game.
First and foremost, there’s no question that this is a tough spot for the defense. In the second half, Aaron Rodgers and the offense repeatedly put the team in rough spots. The Rodgers fumble was the major turning point, while the Ulbrich fourth-down attempt in the first half gifted Sean McVay’s team the tying touchdown.
Both Rams touchdowns were scored on a short field. Yet, playing the “blame game” is for the fans, not for the team, and nothing but trouble comes when the players and coaches themselves partake in the blame game (shoutout to Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, and Demi Moore).
On first-and-10, Matthew Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a 27-yard gain that put the Rams in field goal range. At the 19-yard line, Los Angeles goes with a wham that springs Kyren Williams for 10 yards.
