Muhammad Wilkerson Skipping Own B-Day Party Just Another Example Of New York Jets Craziness
Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) reacts in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Jets 23-22. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

In light of the New York Jets benching Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, a story came out where Wilkerson skipped his own birthday party.

NFL Network is reporting that Muhammad Wilkerson skipped a walk through the day before the New York Jets played the Baltimore Ravens. Oddly enough, it was Wilkerson’s birthday and the Jets had a birthday cake waiting for him, but Wilkerson never showed.

Now, just two weeks later the Jets, due to a coaching decision, benched both Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.

It was clearly a disciplinary decision but coach Todd Bowles refused to comment on it after the Jets loss to Miami. The reason leaked out and apparently it’s become routine with Richardson and Wilkerson either showing up late or not showing up at all.

That’s a complete joke.

Everyone thought that the Jets circus tent would come down after Rex Ryan departed. That hasn’t been the case. From the Geno Smith jaw incident to the QB controversy throughout the offseason to now this it’s been a continued disaster.

For a team with a ton of veterans, they are sure lacking leadership. The first glimpse of this was shown last summer with the Smith incident. Nobody stepped up to defend their QB when the altercation happened. Not one person.

The only difference was last year, the Jets were winning football games so all of the behind the scenes stuff didn’t matter. Now, as they sit at 3-6, all the off the field issues are boiling over.

Part of the team’s struggles has been due to the lack of discipline. Sure, their highest paid players aren’t performing, but week in and week out, it’s the same dumb penalties and a team that looks unprepared.

Part of the blame for all of this has to go on the coach, but he made his stand with two of his star players having them sit for the first quarter. Now it’s time for the players to take the next step and get a hold of this thing by themselves.

Does anything change after this? Probably not, but now you gave a big contract to a guy who no shows team events. Not only that, but he’s underperformed in the first year of his contract.

They say winning fixes everything, but it’s time for the coach to lay down the law. With the season all but over, the least he could do his command respect in that locker room and get the right mindset going for next year.

I'm a Jets, Islanders and Mets fan from Long Island. I'm the General Manager of my college radio station WFTU Riverhead where I also do a sports talk show called "This Week In Sports". In addition to ESNY I'm a co-editor of EyesOnIsles.com. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take -Wayne Gretzky" -Michael Scott