NY Jets OC on reason for optimism: ‘Watch the tape!’

Sitting at 0-4 after 14 straight non-playoff seasons, the New York Jets are off to another sluggish start.

That degree of consistent losing can cause frustration to build quickly within the fanbase.

However, the Jets have a new coaching staff that was not around for any of those preceding struggles. For that reason, the team’s lack of success does not seem to be causing panic in the locker room…yet.

The Jets’ coaching staff insists that the team is close—they just have to clean up a few things.

That sentiment is felt strongest on the offensive side of the ball. Under first-time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, there are plenty of things to like about the unit as the calendar turns to October.

To find those positive signs, Engstrand implores you to watch the tape.

“Watch the tape!”

In some ways, the Jets’ offense has looked competent through four games. They rank 17th in the red zone (60% touchdown rate), 19th in points per game (22.5), and 21st in total yards per game (304.8).

However, two issues have held the offense back from playing well enough to win: turnovers and pre-snap penalties.

New York is tied for the fifth-most giveaways (7) and the sixth-most offensive pre-snap penalties (10). Both were key issues in the Jets’ 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week. The Jets lost three fumbles and committed 13 penalties, with six being in pre-snap.

Those are things that Engstrand believes can easily be fixed.

Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, the young play-caller detailed how he’s been able to stay positive when some players may be frustrated over the lack of wins.

“Watch the tape. Watch the tape!” replied Engstrand. “There’s a lot of good stuff on that tape. There’s a lot of good things on that tape from all the different positions. And then we say, just like we’ve been talking about, we got to eliminate the turnovers. We got to eliminate the penalties. We eliminate that, and we’re moving the ball. We’re moving the ball, and all of a sudden, we got penalties. So, we eliminate that, and we’re going to be just fine. We’re going to be just fine, there’s a lot of stuff on the tape that you got to like.”

In Monday’s loss, New York recorded over 400 yards of offense and converted 44% of its third downs. These are metrics that most units would love to have on a game-to-game basis.

Engstrand’s Justin Fields review

Turnovers and penalties have sunk the Jets. And it isn’t a new problem with the current regime. During New York’s playoff drought, the offensive unit has consistently been one of the most mistake-prone in football.

Part of that has been because of the struggles from the play-caller. Other times, it has been due to limitations at quarterback.

The team hopes to address both issues this season.

Engstrand likes what he has seen from the Jets’ current starting quarterback, Justin Fields.

“I thought Justin took what the defense gave him,” Engstrand stated of Fields’ performance in Miami. “We obviously got into a situation where we’re having to play a little bit faster and we’re trying to push the ball down the field a little bit, but then they get into these soft zones. What he didn’t do is force the ball into zoning linebackers and turn it over. I thought he was able to get through his progressions and get to the right guy. He managed the game in that regard.”

With a quarterback playing within the scheme under an improving young coordinator, there’s reason to be optimistic about the Jets’ offense under Engstrand.

The next step is eliminating the penalties and turnovers.