During a bye week, there’s plenty of time for reflecting, soul searching, contemplation and self-evaluation. There’s time to dig deep inside, to look within, but probably not as much if you’re winning.
The 3-1 New York Jets are just one game away from their fourth win. It took their entire 2014-15 season to total four wins. Although it’s still too early to tell, you can consider this result one of the improvements from last year. And although it’s premature for them to pop bottles and say “Ho” while sipping the Chris, the Jets look pretty good in their AFC East Division—second place behind the 4-0 New England Patriots, one of the six remaining undefeated NFL teams.
The Jets benefited greatly from the bye last weekend, a week without a game. Reason one: It helped them readjust from jet lag, being home from the International Game against the Miami Dolphins in England two Sundays ago. Reason two: They were able to heal and recuperate from injuries acquired in the first four weeks of play.
Upcoming games against the Washington Redskins this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and then to Boston next week, and back home against the Oakland Raiders the week after, requires all hands on deck. With the 2-3 Skins and Raiders, there’s no telling which team you’ll get until game day, but with New England, and Tom Brady, you know.
The Jets also benefit from the return of their Pro Bowler, defensive end Sheldon Richardson, the 2013-14 Defensive Rookie of the Year, who’s returning from a four-game suspension, the result of a positive marijuana test. He has only been able to watch game video with teammates or work out alone on the field since the season started in September, a condition of his suspension.
Head coach Todd Bowles plans to get the 294-pound Richardson into game shape by letting him run around and get his wind and football legs. “Game plan-wise, we’ll see where we can fit him in,” said Bowles, who’s committed to getting him in the game, but also to getting him out.
“You have to make sure you keep him fresh and try to protect him from himself,” Bowles further stated. “Even though he may not be tired, hopefully he’s playing well. You still have to give him breaks here and there, or it will be unfair.”