In an otherwise waste of a year, here are three positives from the 2016 New York Jets season, one that includes Quincy Enunwa.
The New York Jets had high expectations for the 2016 season. They just missed the playoffs in 2015 and they were going to try to recapture that 2015 magic. It failed in epic fashion.Ryan Fitzpatrick was not the same player we saw from a year ago, the defense took a significant step back, and there was a litany of other issues that we aren’t going to get into. (Thankfully, so.)
2016 was a just a bad year in general, not just for the Jets. There were a ton of legends lost in 2016 from the sports world included. I think people, as well as the Jets, are trying to forget 2016.
To put a bright spin on things, here are three positives from the Jets this year.
Quincy Enunwa
The numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page: 54 receptions 776 yards and four touchdowns. But if you watched the Jets every week, you’d know he’s been there best offensive player.
At 24-years old, Quincy Enunwa has shown some explosiveness with the football and the ability to make a play.
For instance, this 69-yard catch and run. A simple button hook turned into a huge play because of Enunwa’s speed.
He’s proven enough to have a bigger role in 2017. This year he was third on the depth chart behind Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. With Decker’s injury, he was exposed more and he thrived.
It would be wise for the Jets to clear some cap space on aging players so they can rebuild. Brandon Marshall, at 32-years old, is probably one of those guys. Enunwa’s ready to step into that role.
Robby Anderson
The undrafted WR out of Temple has shined this year for the Jets. The preseason phenom has had a presence on the field during the regular season as well.
Robby Anderson has 544 receiving yards on the season and is a big play waiting to happen.
It was pretty clear that he was Bryce Petty‘s favorite target and it’s understandable why. He’s six foot three inches tall, so he’s got some height and he’s a burner.
He’s beaten so many corners this year, but the Jets QBs missed him down field more times than I can count.
A receiving core of Enunwa and Anderson on the outside with Decker in the slot has me giddy just thinking about it. If the Jets were smart they would sign these guys to a team friendly deal now to lock them up before becoming too costly.
Enunwa is 24 and Anderson is 23. The future has potential to be very bright at the WR position.
Bilal Powell
The Jets use of Bilal Powell frustrated me to no end. He was the most underutilized guy on the team.
Every time he touched the ball something good happened. Except the Jets rarely fed him the ball. For a majority of the season, he was getting four or five touches a game until he went off in San Francisco.
By far his best performance of the year. He had 29 carries 145 yards and two touchdowns including the OT game winner.
Powell is another one who deserves a bigger role in 2017. I think he can be a feature back, but I’m not so sure the Jets cut Matt Forte. At the very least the two should split carries.
All three of these guys had very good and promising years in 2016. The Jets will have a lot of work to do to improve but the building blocks of a solid offense can be these three gentlemen.