The tough questions Jets’ Adam Gase is about to face
Break out the green ties.
Monday is press conference day in Florham Park as the Jets officially introduce Adam Gase as their new head coach at 2 p.m. The 40-year-old will get to address the media and Jets fans and provide his vision for a team that has not made the playoffs for eight straight seasons and has had three losing years in a row.
Gase’s dealings with the media as the coach of the Dolphins were sometimes combative, so how he handles the press here will be something to keep an eye on. Monday’s session should not be tense as everyone just gets to know each other.
Still, Gase will face some tough questions. Here are five he needs to answer:
1. What did you learn from your time with the Dolphins that can help you with the Jets?
Gase went 23-25 with the Dolphins in the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs. It is not the type of record that inspires fans to have faith he is going to turn the Jets around.
There is also concern about Gase getting a second job immediately. There is a school of thought that coaches can sometimes benefit from having a few years before getting their second shot at being a head coach to reflect on what they would do differently.
Will Gase show some humility? Friends describe him as self-confident. Others call him arrogant. Can Gase acknowledge what he did wrong with the Dolphins and how he is going to change?
2. Why are you OK with not having control of the roster?
Gase had control over personnel with the Dolphins. It was something he insisted on when they hired him. Jets CEO Christopher Johnson made it clear after he fired Todd Bowles that general manager Mike Maccagnan would retain control of the 53-man roster. It will be interesting to see if Gase feels he can be a better coach without having to deal with personnel. It is hard to wear both hats.
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3. Why should Jets fans believe you are the guy to develop Sam Darnold?
The Jets are going to emphasize that they believe Gase can develop a team, not just Darnold, but let’s be honest — hiring Gase had a lot to do with working with the franchise quarterback. Gase drew high marks for his work with Peyton Manning in Denver and Jay Cutler in Chicago, but Ryan Tannehill did not become the quarterback Dolphins fans hoped he would be under Gase. Tannehill’s injuries contributed to that, but Gase still has to explain why he could not get more out of the Miami quarterback.
4. What does this team need to do to topple the Patriots?
OK, so this is a tough one unless he has a plan for kidnapping Tom Brady. The Patriots’ dominance was on display again Sunday with their 41-28 win over the Chargers. You wonder if Gase was watching that game with any of his new co-workers with the Jets. He is no stranger to the Patriots, having seen them twice a year with the Dolphins. Gase went 2-4 against the Patriots as the Dolphins coach. He beat them a month ago thanks to the Miami Miracle. The Jets have not beaten the Patriots since 2015, Bowles’ only win over the rivals. Until the Jets topple them, they will be spinning their wheels.
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5. What is your plan for the defense?
Gase is known as a great offensive mind. The plan is for Gregg Williams to be the defensive coordinator, but nothing has been officially announced. Maybe that will come during the press conference. Williams is known for running an attacking 4-3 defense. That is a departure from what the Jets have done for more than a decade. How does he feel the personnel fits a 4-3? Will there need to be big changes?
NFL insider Adam Caplan reported on Twitter that the Jets gave special teams coordinator Brant Boyer a contract extension. Boyer’s unit was the best group on the 2018 Jets. Kicker Jason Myers and returner Andre Roberts both made the Pro Bowl and Roberts was named All-Pro. Boyer has been with the Jets for three seasons under Bowles.
