By: Tayyib Abu

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2021 NFL season. The Jags ended the 2020 season with a 1-15 record; they were the worst team in the league. The reward for that abject failure was getting to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The long-haired signal-caller is widely regarded as the most talented quarterback to enter the league since Andrew Luck. Add the hire of serial collegiate winner Urban Meyer as head coach, and the Jags are now in the spotlight on a national level.

The Jags are only four years removed from an appearance in the AFC Championship game. That day Jacksonville went down to Tom Brady’s Patriots. In the subsequent four years, Jacksonville has struggled, especially at the quarterback position. Now they got their quarterback for the future and a marquee head coach. Despite the stiff competition in the division, the Jags could shock the world and go worst, to first. Here’s how.

The Talent of Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence is an incredible talent. The former National Champion heads into Duval County with a glittering array of accolades and performances tucked in his suitcase. Lawrence’s remarkable poise, mechanics and arm talent are all in the elite echelon.

With Deshaun Watson’s likely absence from Houston, it is not a stretch to suggest that Lawrence is the most talented quarterback in the AFC South. Assisting Lawrence is veteran offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The former four-year starter at Wisconsin brings a ton of experience working with some top quarterbacks.

Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford are two of the quarterbacks to work with Bevell. Russell Wilson was a rookie when Bevell first worked with him. Bevell employed a power run game with a healthy dose of play-action, rollouts and bootlegs to use Wilson’s mobility.

Lawrence is another quarterback with excellent mobility. He is graceful on his feet; he dances out of the pocket like a ballet dancer. With Clemson’s Travis Etienne and sophomore back James Robinson in the backfield, Lawrence has help from his running back room.

If Bevell can create a user-friendly offence for Lawrence, the young passer should excel. He goes through his progressions calmly, makes intelligent decisions and diagnoses defensive looks at a good pace. With DJ Chark, Laviska Shainault and free-agent signing Marvin Jones, Lawrence has a decent wideout core.

We saw Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow enjoy brilliant rookie seasons despite a truncated offseason program. With an entire offseason, experienced coaching staff and talent around him, Lawrence could shine. If he plays at a Rookie of The Year level, the Jags could get dragged into contention for the division title.

Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer holds a controversial history. His various teams’ disciplinary records are a blight on Meyer’s resume. He also comes with a lot of negative baggage surrounding his personality and health issues. Nevertheless, Meyer is one of the most successful college coaches in modern history.

Meyer is a relentless, inspirational, winning machine. People should also ignore the trope that he only won due to the recruiting power of some of the more prominent colleges. His success at Bowling Green and Utah confound the redundant recruiting argument. Some coaches can change things instantly due to being magnetic leaders of men.

Meyer’s created a locker room that gravitates towards him and his coaching staff throughout his college career. The bond between him and his players at Florida was unbreakable. That is highlighted by the fact that Tim Tebow came back to football as a tight end in Jacksonville. That is the esteem and respect that Meyer’s players hold him in.

Due to football’s physical and violent nature, the game is like a war between two rival tribes. The relationship between players and coaches must get built on granite if they are to succeed. Meyer’s team have historically played a physical, intense brand of football. They physically look to dominate teams. The Jags were the doormat of the AFC South last year; to rise and challenge, they must strike fear into the hearts of opponents.

Lastly, Meyer utilizes a spread offence with a lot of emphasis on run-first variations. That may explain the selection of Etienne to work with Lawrence. Meyer is a competent coach with a high level of tactical acumen; the Jags will enter the field every Sunday to compete with the best due to their attitude and game plan.

His offensive philosophy meshes well with Bevell, and it should help them develop Trevor Lawrence into the all-world, all-star quarterback that most expect.

If Meyer ticks the locker room and Lawrence box this season, the Jags could surprise many teams in the AFC. It could even lead them to a potential challenge for the division title.

The post How the Jacksonville Jaguars Can Win the AFC South appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

The quarterback position is the most critical spot on a football team. As a result, no position gets more headlines than the players under center. With the level of importance and scrutiny surrounding quarterbacks, it is no surprise that the MVP award is almost exclusively given to signal-callers only.

In the last decade, only one non-quarterback has won the MVP award. Suffice to say; it is virtually a foregone conclusion that the 2021 NFL MVP will be a quarterback. Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Tom Brady will come into the season as the favoured names. But, who are the dark horses that could spring a surprise? It’s time to take a look.

Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams

After 12 years as a Detroit Lion, Matthew Stafford heads west searching for gold. The veteran gunslinger teaming up with offensive guru Sean Mcvay is one of the fascinating storylines to follow in 2021.

Despite his recent injury issues, Stafford is still an elite quarterback. He posted a 68.4 QBR in 2021, the best of his career. After Matt Patricia got fired, Stafford reverted to his flamethrowing, gunslinging best. However, he meshed it with veteran instincts; Stafford is no longer the reckless youngster.

His NextGen passing chart for 2020 displayed Stafford’s passing in short and intermediate areas was above average; his passing in the deep third of the field was elite. That is why Stafford is now a Los Angeles Ram.

Giving Stafford a working running game with strong play-action should suit Stafford. The former Georgia Bulldog is a brilliant tight-window thrower; if Mcvay can open throwing windows for Stafford, the quarterback will excel. Pair that with a relentless desire to prove everyone wrong, and Stafford could shine in Hollywood.

Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys

Injury cut short Dak Prescott’s 2020 season. The Dallas Cowboy was playing at a career level before his season finished abruptly. Despite his injury, Prescott should come back with a vengeance in 2021. With the weapons at wideout and an intelligent coordinator in Kellen Moore, Prescott could wreak havoc on defences.

Prescott shed the game-manager reputation in 2020; he demonstrated an aggressive mindset as he threw the ball deep and accurately. In just five games, Prescott’s intended-air yards was a massive 1762 yards. His total yardage after five games was 1856 yards.

His relationship with Moore is developing, the Dallas offensive line is still solid despite its age, and Ezekiel Elliott can get back to an average level. The Cowboys offence boasts many exciting weapons; Dak Prescott is the perfect leader and player to extract the best from the talent available to him.

America’s Team has always needed a figurehead, a returning Dak Prescott ready to let rip is the perfect man to lead Dallas as the Cowboys push for a divisional title. Cowboy nations hopes will rest on Prescott’s shoulders. The ex-Mississippi State player will relish the role of the underdog as everyone talks about Washington.

Ryan Tannehill – Tennessee Titans

Ryan Tannehill’s redemption story could get another glorious chapter if the Titans quarterback won an MVP award. After his struggles in Miami, Tannehill now looks like a changed man in Nashville. Now, it is essential to stress that Tennesee’s headline attraction on offence is Derrick Henry. That won’t change in 2021, although Julio Jones’s addition suggests that Tennessee will lean on the passing game a bit more.

Tannehill enjoyed a career year in QBR; the veteran signal-caller is now a bonafide top tier quarterback. Tannehill is an intelligent passer with a strong arm; now, he gets an elite wide receiver to help him. Taylor Lewan is returning, a dominant running game, and Julio Jones, Tannehill, could get even better.

It’s time for Tannehill to take another step. It is unfair to expect Derrick Henry to shoulder the burden yet again, specifically if Tennessee wishes to make a playoff run. Tannehill has shown year-on-year improvement in Nashville; if he does it again, the Titans could be even better. Iron sharpens iron, the fierce competition that the Colts will provide could unlock another gear from Tannehill.

The post Three darkhorse MVP candidates at quarterback appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

Cam Newton enjoyed an inconsistent debut season as the Patriots quarterback. Understandably, there was always going to be some growing pains. Newton is an entirely different quarterback to Tom Brady; add a truncated offseason program and a lack of weapons;

Newton was climbing a steep mountain. Nevertheless, the former MVP played well, even recapturing some of that MVP form at times. Conversely, some erratic performances blighted his season. Newton returns in 2021 in Foxboro.

This year, rookie quarterback Mac Jones will share the quarterback room in Massachusetts. The pressure is on Newton to master the offense and be QB1 come opening day. It’s time to break down why the former first overall pick and MVP could master the attack in 2021.

Reason One – Familiarity

Familiarity is often said to breed contempt. However, familiarity can be a quarterback’s best friend, even more so in New England. The Patriots run an adapted version of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system. It got installed by Charlie Weis nearly 20 years ago, and the Pats have stuck with it since.

One of the more complex elements to learn about this playbook is the verbiage. It is very different from the standard NFL playbooks that the rest of the league utilizes. We saw Tom Brady struggle to adapt in the early phases in Tampa Bay, and the same can get said for Newton.

Now with an entire season’s worth of experience as well as a full offseason, Newton should be able to wrap his head around the playbook at a higher level. The first building block of success for quarterbacks is understanding every tiny detail of the offence. Newton should get that checked off this offseason.

Reason Two – New Weapons

The whole NFL world knew the severe lack of talent and depth hurt the Patriots last year. With Julian Edelman retiring this offseason, the final piece of the Brady Bunch finally departed 1 Patriot Place. Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft knew the offense required a significant overhaul. Therefore, it surprised no one that New England spent big as soon as free agency started.

Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, and Nelson Agholor all made their way to New England. In addition, new England added experienced players that Newton could form relationships with immediately. The two tight ends could be an inspired decision from New England. Jonnu Smith is an excellent red-zone target, while Hunter Henry is a gritty, talented pass-catching target between the numbers.

Newton excelled in 2015 when he had Greg Olsen at his best; he could recapture some of that magic with these two players. Finally, the Patriots understand the potency of two-tight end sets and 21 personnel. With a big, physical runner at quarterback, it could unleash Newton’s ability as a runner.

Reason Three – Full Health

Cam Newton has not played an entire 16 game season since 2017. A myriad of different injuries and concussions have plagued him since his MVP campaign. Fortunately, Newton looked in good physical shape last year, and in the early phases of minicamp, no injury concerns have appeared.

Newton is a player that must play at full throttle to be at his best. Sadly, he hasn’t been at 100% so much of his career, and it’s affected his confidence and on-field play. If Newton can enter training camp healthy, he can start the season in the best condition since 2015.

Reason Four – The Running Game

The Patriots are committed to running the ball. The ground game is something that Bill Belichick wishes to establish. With their bevy of complementary backs, the Patriots will lean on the run a lot in 2021. Their offensive line ranked 10th in ESPN’s run block success rate metric, and they should be strong again. With an established running game, the playbook should open up for Newton.

His play-action game is still strong; New England could even use play-action, bootlegs or designed rollouts for Newton out of heavy personnel. Newton can thrive when throwing into good windows; a successful running game could do that for him. Finally, a running game can add Newton’s threat of running to the backfield, especially in the red zone.

The post Why Cam Newton could master the Patriots offense appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

It is easy to forget the past in an era of non-stop 24-hour sports coverage, memes, GIFs, and instant hot-takes. Sports fans inhibit a bubble surrounded by recency bias. Everything we see on a Sunday gets labelled as ‘the greatest thing we’ve ever seen’; fans are too quick at forgetting history.

That is why it is time to jump in the DeLorean and examine why former Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre was such a special player.

The Ultimate Entertainer

Favre came into the league after he got drafted by the Falcons. Favre didn’t feature in Atlanta’s plans, and the team traded him to Green Bay. Favre’s career would come alive in Titletown. Favre came into the league after he got drafted by the Falcons. Favre didn’t feature in Atlanta’s plans, and the team traded him to Green Bay. Favre’s career would come alive in Titletown.

Favre entered the league with a reputation as one of the hardest throwers of a ball. Favre’s baseball background developed his incredible ability to throw with astonishing velocity and from different angles. Before Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes, there was Brett Favre.

Favre started life as a backup in Green Bay; he entered his debut game as an injury substitution. His first completed pass was to himself. That was the first sign of things to come in Favre’s career. Favre entered games in the early phase of his career with one aim, hit home runs.

Favre possessed the talent to make any throw from any platform wherever he was on the field. That made him the ultimate entertainer. Favre would drive Mike Holmgren insane with his ill-discipline and willingness to play out of the structure.

While Favre drove his coaches mad, he wowed and entertained fans all over the NFL. Some professionals play the game far too seriously. Favre played like he was in his backyard with his friends;

he enjoyed playing in the NFL and wanted to have fun. Favre desired to entertain fans and his friends. Despite his accolades, records and successes, Favre’s x-factor and willingness to engage fans are what made him so special.

There have been better quarterbacks than Favre, but none of them thrilled with Favre’s unique blend of talent, courage and chaos. As the years fade by, the yardage numbers, turnovers etc., get forgotten; we only remember the style. And Favre’s style of play was unforgettable.

The Ironman

The other thing that underlined Favre’s special qualities was his Iron Man streak. Favre started in 297 consecutive games. Despite the concussions, injuries and various niggles, Favre continued to trot out onto the field to lead his team. Peyton Manning was the NFL’s Sherrif, Tom Brady was the Golden Boy, and Brett Favre was the unbreakable, unbendable Iron Man.

Even after his father’s death, Favre took the field on a Monday night and turned up for his teammates and fans. His dedication and love for the game marked him out from his contemporaries.

Watching Favre get back up after taking big hits, his jersey stained with grass, and the pads uneven was a sight to see. To start 297 games straight in the NFL is one of the most extraordinary achievements in history.

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Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches of all time. The hoodied guru owns six Super Bowl rings as a head coach with the Patriots. He also has an additional two as a coordinator for the Giants.

Belichick turned the Patriots into one of the greatest dynasties in all sports. With that level of success, it is no surprise that other teams decided to hire his assistants to bring the Patriot Way to their beleaguered franchises.

Unfortunately, none of Belichick’s assistants went on to experience success. Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel, Al Groh, Jim Schwartz and Matt Patricia all failed in their coaching jobs. It is time to assess why the Belichick coaching tree has struggled in the NFL.

The Patriot Way

Bill Belichick is a stickler for a tough mentality in his locker room. Belichick is the driving force of a no-nonsense, straight-talking, disciplined way of working. When his assistants go to other jobs, they aim to implement the Patriot Way. Matt Patricia did this in Detroit. He banned music, barred players from talking to opponents and made the players run laps and train in the snow.

Patricia would even dress down players in front of everyone else. Belichick can get away with this due to the success of his CV. Patricia didn’t have that success, and the players never bought what he was trying to sell. The Patriot Way is the Belichick Way; it cannot get replicated by anyone else.

Arrogance

anyone else.

The Belichick acolytes have gone to new jobs with a lot of arrogance tucked into their briefcases. After spending so much time in New England, where they gorged on success, these coaches couldn’t calibrate to the difficulties of life at a basement-dwelling franchise. Their experience in New England never set them up to tackle adversity or challenging moments in an NFL season.

The steadfast belief in their plans wouldn’t let them adapt; it had to be their way or no way. They knew everything as they’d feasted on success in New England. Spending life on cloud nine left these coaches at a disadvantage once they hit rock bottom; their arrogance and egos then didn’t let them re-calibrate their approach.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is the greatest competitor in the history of team sport. The seven-time Super Bowl winner drove the Patriots dynasty to heights that they’d never seen. His will and his buy-in of the Patriot Way made things a lot easier in the locker room. It showed to new players that Brady will abide; they must comply with the Patriot Way. Brady was the ultimate conduit between the coaches and players, and he was the best player on the team.

His determination and class was the prominent driving force; he could mask an average team with his dedication and quality, and he got the culture they were trying to instil. All General’s need their Lieutenant; when the Patriot assistants would leave, they could not take Lieutenant Brady, which they could never replicate. Working without the greatest player of all time is an impossible task.

The post Three Reasons Why Belichick Disciples Fail in the NFL appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

Bill Belichick is the greatest head coach in the NFL’s modern era. The veteran head coach led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships. The man is a legend in the New England area. He helped turn around a woeful franchise into the greatest dynasty in all of sport.

Last year though, something strange happened. The Patriots ventured into their first year without quarterback Tom Brady, and the Patriots missed out on a playoff spot. Most fans of the team from Foxboro viewed 2020 as a blip.

But, what if it wasn’t? What if this is the start of a slide, and will the Patriots sink back into ignominy? Would Belichick ever get stuck on the hot seat in the cold confines of Massachusetts?

Many would suggest that Belichick will never experience life on the hot seat. However, I will take a different approach with the article, I will examine how he could come under pressure.

The first and most obvious answer would be that the Patriots experience a significant downturn in competitiveness.

Instead of a 2020 blip, the Patriots would need to enter a deep malaise of six-win seasons. The great Soccer coach Arsene Wenger did something like this. When he first arrived, his team won everything; he built a dynasty. His team even went 38-0 for an invincible season.

By the time Wenger left, the fans had booed and hounded him out of the head coaching position. Belichick would need at least half a decade of missing out on the playoffs for the heat to get turned on him.

Add multiple losing seasons to Belichick’s demeanour and attitude; then, he may get put under a lot of pressure. Belichick is a hard man to like; everyone respects him; however, the constant grumbling, cold demeanour is hostile when building a relationship with fans. Belichick’s endless arrogance and contempt for the media is something that will turn fans if that gets wrapped with a bouquet of losses. Fans despise coaches who walk around with an air of arrogance, no matter how much success they’ve enjoyed in their career.

You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain. Fans are loyal to the team, no one else. Bill Belichick is the greatest thing that ever happened to the Patriots; however, he is not the Patriots. He is not bigger than the Patriots organization, and in the fickle world of sport, losing breeds contempt.

Contempt leads to disrespect and unhappiness. Add Belichick’s narcissistic attitude, and that is a recipe for someone to be planted firmly on the hot seat.

The post What Would It Take for Bill Belichick to Be on the Hot Seat? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

It seems as if Jimmy Graham’s NFL career is in its final stages. The big tight end is now 34-years-old and his best days are firmly behind him. In the modern era of tight ends, Graham flies under the radar.

In a world with Gronkowski, Gates, Kelce, Kittle and others, Graham often gets forgotten by members of the NFL cognoscenti. The names above are almost certainly heading to the Hall of Fame; it is time to examine Jimmy Graham’s Hall of Fame credentials.

The Case for Graham in the Hall of Fame

Only nine tight ends feature in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; it is challenging to get in. Given that Graham is still playing and many Hall of Fame ballot worthy tight ends ahead of him, he could face a long wait to get a gold jacket. Nevertheless, it is worth examining his career to see what could happen.

The most recent tight end inducted into the HOF was Tony Gonzalez. The former Chiefs and Falcons player’s resume had four seasons where he breached the 1000 yard receiving mark. Graham has two seasons in his career where he broke the 1000 yard barrier.

To be fair to Graham, he is a slightly different tight end. While the tight end was in New Orleans, Graham became one of Drew Brees’ favourite red-zone targets. Graham holds multiple double-digit touchdown seasons, in fact, he has more than Gonzalez.

Furthermore, Graham’s career yards per reception figure of 11.9 is higher than Gonzalez’s 11.4. Add those numbers to the style of Graham; he plays like a hybrid style NBA power forward. Graham is another receiver; labeling him as just a tight end is unfair. On those numbers, there is a solid case for Jimmy Graham getting in the Hall of Fame.

The Case Against Graham in the Hall of Fame

Compared to Gonzalez’s career, Graham’s features a massive level of inconsistency. In 2015, Graham notched only two touchdowns in an 11 game season. Ignoring his first two years in the NFL, Gonzalez then posted a two-touchdown season once. Again, after his first two seasons, Gonalez went 11 seasons in a row where he totaled over 600 yards receiving.

Graham has three seasons under 600, while in another season, he got to 605. The alarming inconsistencies blight Graham’s career. Another stat not in favor of Graham is the catch percentage. His career number is 64.4%. Gonzalez’s is 65.9%. At times, Graham has been a serial dropper; it is another thing that will count against him in the Hall of Fame debate.

The Bottom Line

With the queue of tight ends ahead of him and the erratic nature of his career, Jimmy Graham is not a Hall of Famer right now. His career features some high spots and some low moments. There is no doubt that Graham has Hall of Fame talent; sadly, he hasn’t fully fulfilled his potential. Graham may get in one day due to a long career on a second or third ballot; however, he is not bound for Canton just yet.

The post Is Jimmy Graham a Future Hall of Famer Right Now? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

The San Francisco 49ers endured a torrid, injury-ridden season as they slumped to the bottom of the NFC West. After making a Super Bowl trip in 2019, 2020 was a disappointing year for the ‘Niners. 2021 offers a fresh start for the club, as several vital starters will return from injury.

The 49ers are determined to win the division and make a return trip to the Super Bowl. The 49ers will need a solid season with contributions from Pro Bowl players. It is time to assess which 49er players could become Pro Bowlers in 2021.

Jimmy Garoppolo

The 49ers traded up to draft quarterback Trey Lance from North Dakota State. In one move, the San Francisco hierarchy put an expiration date on Jimmy Garoppolo’s stint on the Gold Coast. Lance is the future in Santa Clara; Garoppolo isn’t. However, it is doubtful that Lance will start on Week 1; the raw quarterback requires time to learn the intricacies of the NFL and the 49ers offensive playbook.

Therefore, Garoppolo is still the leading man in California. And while he is an injury-prone player, Garoppolo’s record when healthy is impressive. In his seven-year career, Garoppolo’s played an entire season of 16 games, once.

That season was the best of Garoppolo’s fledgeling career. Garoppolo knows the 49er offence, and he owns healthy relationships with his skill position players. Garoppolo is a Shanahan-style quarterback.

He makes intelligent decisions, releases the ball accurately on short and intermediate routes. Garoppolo and Shanahan are a match made in heaven, and the added motivation of silencing the critics should see Garoppolo improve.

The Shanahan offence is quarterback-friendly, and Garoppolo understands it perfectly. The experienced quarterback will bounce back with a big year for his career and the 49ers in 2021.

Alex Mack

If Garoppolo is to enjoy success, six-time Pro Bowler Alex Mack will be critical. The center knows the Shanahan offence inside out; he played for Atlanta when the Falcons made the Super Bowl.

Mack is a veteran locker room leader familiar with the blocking concepts that Shanahan will employ in the run game and passing game. The heavy dosage of outside-zone running means Mack must anchor and pin down the defensive lineman.

The reliance on play-action will force Mack to use his high motor and endurance to maintain blocks. Therefore, it surprised no one that San Francisco offered a three-year contract to Mack in free agency. His familiarity and experience may send him back to the Pro Bowl in 2021.

Jaquiski Tartt

Defence anchored the 49ers’ Super Bowl run in 2019. That defence underwent some changes over the last 18 months. DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Akhello Witherspoon and Solomon Thomas have all left the franchise. Other players must step up.

Jaquiski Tartt is a player who could do that. Tartt is a heavy-hitting, Safety with strong eye discipline and solid awareness in pass coverage. Tartt is an experienced player with knowledge of the 49er defence.

Providing him with a more senior role, Tartt should grow in the defensive backfield. His physical tools are there, and he should get help from the linebacker corps and the defensive line that features a returning Nick Bosa. Tartt could flourish in 2021.

The post Three 49ers That Could Be Surprise Pro Bowlers in 2021 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

The New York Jets endured a miserable 2020 season. The team staggered and stumbled their way to the second-worst record in the NFL. The season signalled the end for hapless head coach Adam Gase, coordinator Gregg Williams and quarterback Sam Darnold.

General manager Joe Douglas wielded the axe throughout the organization. Robert Saleh got named as the new head coach, the former 49ers defensive coordinator replaces Gase.

Furthermore, there was a seismic change at quarterback. Sam Darnold got traded to Carolina; the Jets subsequently drafted BYU signal-caller Zack Wilson to step into Darnold’s shoes.

Those profound changes make the Jets a mysterious proposition. The changes were the tip of the iceberg. The Jets are arguably the most perplexing team in the AFC.

Is Mr Intensity the Right Man to Change Things?

Robert Saleh is a cyborg disguised as a head coach. The Dearborn native has travelled cross-country for his first head coaching job. Saleh forged an intense, emotional and aggressive reputation.

That yin meshed well with Kyle Shanahan’s yang. Now Saleh is in the hot seat. Can he lead a franchise with that mindset? On the field, Saleh will deploy a base 4-3 defence that will attempt to mimic what he did in San Francisco.

The Jets defence ranked 26th in scoring defence last year; it was a lousy unit. And despite some innovative additions like Lamarcus Joyner, the Jets are still short of game-wrecking talent on defence, despite the presence of Quinnen Williams.

The Jets are relying on Saleh’s skill to build an elite defence. The 49ers were a top unit in 2019 and 2020 despite a spate of significant injuries. Saleh’s coaching job in 2020 is what made him one of the hottest candidates in the recent hiring round.

Saleh must coach up the defence as New York made major additions on the offensive side this offseason. The defence is a massive mystery in New Jersey for 2021. They’ve hired the hottest coordinator candidate to turn a terrible unit around. Is that enough?

Only time will tell. One player that may benefit is the athletic linebacker Jamien Sherwood. The Saleh style may coax the best out of the dynamic playmaker.

A Change at Quarterback: It’s Time for the Mormon Manziel

After moving on from Sam Darnold, the Jets drafted BYU quarterback Zach Wilson to be the next star in New York. Wilson is a dazzling talent with the skill to make highlight-reel plays. The rookie heads east from BYU with a booming arm and a penchant for making things happen. Wilson is a raw talent with a high ceiling; however, he isn’t the finished product.

New offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur comes from San Francisco to work with Wilson. Lafleur is a Shanahan/McVay coaching tree product; therefore, the offence should be a well-designed, well-planned unit.

That style of offence is an intelligent, quick-hitting offence that utilizes a ton of pre-snap movement, misdirections and shrunk personnel packages. Jimmy Garropollo, Jared Goff and Matt Ryan all benefited from this offensive style.

These quarterbacks played reliably and competently; they allowed the system to beat the defence. Wilson is a gunslinging playmaker; the big mystery is how will his style mesh with Lafleur.

Moreover, Wilson will benefit from additional help on the offensive line and in the wideout room. Mekhi Becton returns for year two, and he’ll line up alongside first-round draft pick from 2021 Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The Jets also signed guard Pat Elflein in free agency, so Wilson and Lafleur should own protection and time to scheme up plays. The Jets also bolstered the receiver room.

They already had Denzel Mims; they added Corey Davis in free agency and drafted speedster Elijah Moore in round two of the 2021 draft. The Jets prioritized helping their new rookie quarterback.

The pieces are there for the offence to play at a high level; the question and concern are, can Wilson step up to the NFL and play within a structure. He is an excellent scrambler, but that will only carry him so far in the NFL. Wilson is raw and exciting; however, there is a risk of him flaming out. The Mormon Manziel must start well.

The post Why the Jets Are the most mysterious team in the AFC appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

The Washington Football Team opted to neglect the quarterback position in the draft. After Dwayne Haskins’ miserable tenure in Landover, Alex Smith took the reins at the end of the 2020 season. The veteran starter guided Washington to the playoffs before an injury ended his season.

Smith announced his retirement this offseason, and Washington replaced him with maverick Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Harvard alum is a serviceable starter with glorious highs and maddening lows.

The other quarterback of note on the depth chart is Taylor Heinicke. The Old Dominion student showed glimpses of raw talent; could he become QB1 in Washington? There is a strong chance of that happening.

How He Could Take the Starter’s Role

Heinicke’s nomadic NFL career started in 2015 as he signed for the Vikings as an undrafted free agent. After making the roster, an injury curtailed his first year in the league.

Stops in New England and Houston followed, but Heinicke couldn’t hold down a long-term spot with either of those organizations. It was in Carolina where Heinicke started his first NFL game in 2018.

That is where Heinicke forged a relationship with then Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and coordinator Norv Turner. Relationships go a long way in football, and after the collapse of the rebooted XFL, Rivera phoned Heinicke to give him one last shot.

Heinicke’s athletic traits make him an intriguing proposition. He is of the new age with his rushing skills and powerful throwing arm. In his game against Tampa, Heinicke carried six times for 46 yards and one touchdown. Heinicke is a blocky, hard-hitting runner.

That ability alone is a differentiator from Fitzpatrick. Heinicke’s rushing talent would also mesh well with Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

That duo is from the Cam Newton, Carolina offence, and they own excellent knowledge in curating an offence around a quarterback that can use his legs.

Then there is Heinicke’s temperamental throwing skill. The arm is powerful, although there accuracy issues. Last year, Heinicke’s intended air yards was an impressive 13.4 yards, which dwarfs Fitzpatrick’s number of 7.3. Now the caveat is that Heinicke’s sample size was much smaller; nevertheless, he is willing to throw the ball. His passing chart against the Bucs underlined his desire to throw far and outside the numbers.

At the same time, Fitzpatrick is another player who will throw the ball far. Unfortunately, he is stuck in his error-making ways. Fitzpatrick has perfected imperfect quarterback play.
Conversely, Heinicke is so raw that he can still get coached.

After a dazzling display in last year’s playoff game, Heinicke is the raw prospect. No one knows what Washington holds with Heinicke; the unknown is exciting. Fitzpatrick is a known quantity, and he will start in Week 1.

Nevertheless, he is on a short leash. Washington certainly sees something in Heinicke and Rivera, and the staff know him well. At some point in a 17-game season, Fitzpatrick will morph into FitzTragic.

At that point, Taylor Heinicke could become QB1 in Landover. Heinicke must excel in training camp, come to work with the right attitude and stay prepared. That is how he can become the starter. The coaches will give him a long leash if he gets the chance. That is Heinicke’s ticket to becoming a certified starting quarterback in the NFL.

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