New York Jets match 1996 start, Le’Veon Bell signing was doomed from the start

The New York Jets move to 0-5 for the first time since Rich Kotite's 1996 team and the Le'Veon Bell signing was doomed from the start.
Robby Sabo Headshot
Sabo Radio 66, Adam Gase, Rich Kotite, Le'Veon Bell
Jet X Graphic, Getty Images

The New York Jets move to 0-5 for the first time since Rich Kotite‘s 1996 team and the Le’Veon Bell signing was doomed from the start.

The New York Jets‘ ho-hum 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals this past Sunday at MetLife Stadium put them in rarified air. Not since 1996 has a Jets squad started 0-5.

Adam Gase’s 2020 club has now reached Kotitan levels.

Rich Kotite’s ’96 team started 0-5 and eventually finished 1-15. Adding that to his unimpressive 3-13 season the year prior gives Kotite a 4-28 career mark, terrible enough for a .125 winning percentage.

Statistically speaking, Gase would need to lose his next 35 games (straight) to match that .125 percentage (current 7-14 record morphing into a 7-49 mark), but there are so many factors at play when comparing the two sideline bosses.

Gase is encroaching; there’s no question about it. While Kotite probably had the much more talented team (Bill Parcells quickly stepped in and won nine games a year later), Gase’s elimination of hope has placed him in the hearts and minds of Jets fans everywhere.

The Sam Darnold selection at No. 3 a few years ago equaled hope. Finally, after years of Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown, the Jets possessed a young franchise quarterback ready to take the league by storm. (That was at least the overwhelming thought.) Gase all-but-eliminated much of that hope over the last 21 games, which puts both head coaches near the top of the all-time worst lists.

Elsewhere, the Jets are now trying to trade running back Le’Veon Bell, whose recent social media antics make it clear he wants out. No matter the team any fan may be committed to, this marriage was doomed from the start.

Competent organizations do not sign a veteran running back to big money. It’s just that simple.

Look around at the consistently great franchises. Each does not spend big bucks on the position. It’s tremendously devalued for a variety of reasons, including the idea that by the time a player at the position hits free agency, he’s already an old man.

Jets X-Factor Membership Logged Out

At age 26 or 27, most backs are either already out of their prime or are ready to leave their prime. A Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson may hang on for years, but each has left his prime a long time ago.

Most importantly, the Jets signed Bell at a time when they had no offensive line to speak of. That, by itself, is a recipe for disaster.

It’s unfortunate. Bell did a great job off the field a year ago, for the most part, but this marriage was doomed from the start for obvious reasons.

That and more on Sabo Radio 66:

About the Author

Comments

Use the field below to comment on this article and join the discussion. Create a Jets X-Factor account to start or join the conversation.
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Follow on Google News
Follow Jets X-Factor on Google News to stay updated on everything New York Jets—news, stories, film breakdowns, analytical reviews, podcasts, and much more.