Browns vs. Jets: 6 questions with The Jet Press
By Thomas Moore
Sep 3, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis (24) in a huddle before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns head to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to open the 2015 NFL season against the New York Jets.
The Jets are coming off a 4-12 season that signaled the end of Rex Ryan’s tenure as head coach, which the club replacing him with former Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
The preseason was anything but quiet for the Jets, as the team saw star defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and lost starting quarterback Geno Smith, who had his jaw broken in a locker room incident by linebacker IK Enemkpali.
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And people want to paint the Browns as dysfunctional?
To learn a bit more about the Jets, we reached out to Luis Tirado Jr., editor of The Jet Press, for a virtual Q&A about the current state of the team and what to expect come Sunday.
Question 1: What’s new with the team under head coach Todd Bowles? Does he have a different philosophy for what he wants the Jets to be?
Luis: His coaching is like night and day compared to our old head coach Rex Ryan. Bowles is quiet, humble and takes a strong stance when it comes to working hard, doing the right thing on and off the field, and making sure to establish much more accountability across the team.
It’s much better than what we’ve been dealing with the past few years under Ryan.
Question 2: What is the comfort level with the idea of opening the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback? Will he make fans long for the return of Geno Smith, or can he surprise people?
Luis: I think the entire “jaw incident” was a blessing in disguise. I was one of the many that actually believed the Jets should have gone with Fitzpatrick from the start and give Smith a year off away from the spotlight.
Other fans believe that Smith would have had a breakout year this season, but I have no idea what they’ve been watching him do the past few years to warrant that, as he’s probably one of the worst quarterbacks I’ve ever seen in the NFL.
Fitzpatrick had a solid preseason and fans are happy a savvy veteran is now under center that should be able to keep those chains moving.
Question 3: Browns fans are familiar with cornerback Buster Skrine, one of the most-penalized corners in the league last year. How are things going so far for him in New York?
Luis: So far, he’s been doing well and will more than likely have a breakout game against you guys. There’s nothing like getting some big plays/hits against your former team.
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Question 4: Have the Jets done enough to finally start closing the gap on New England?
Luis: I don’t think so to be honest. To compete with the Patriots means you need everything clicking on all cylinders, and as much as I like Fitzpatrick, we still don’t have a franchise quarterback at the helm. That’s the difference maker.
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I see the Jets going 1-1 against the Patriots this season due to our quarterback situation.
Question 5: The Browns are looking to run the ball as much as possible this season. Who should they be worried about in the Jets run defense?
Luis: Our infamous defensive line consisting of Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and our newly drafted first-round pick Leonard Williams. Good luck running against them this upcoming Sunday!
Question 6: What can we expect to see from the team on Sunday?
Luis: The Jets will also unleash a potent ground game and this game will more than likely come down to which defense plays better.
The Jets will be aggressive on defense, yet conservative on offense by establishing the run and hitting short passes since Fitzpatrick isn’t known for airing it out.
Expect to see a tough game with the outcome decided by a field goal.