New York Jets head coach Adam Gase vows to play meaningful late-season games in his debut season in Florham Park, NJ.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—By no means was it a “Rexonian” moment. Very little bluster and attitude accompanied the message. In other words, it didn’t smack anybody in the face with authority.
Still, Adam Gase laid down a pretty serious gauntlet on day one of the official training camp regime.
“We’re going to play meaningful games at the end of November and into December. That’s what we’re going to do,” Gase proclaimed at the team’s initial press conference on Wednesday.
Adam Gase on the #Jets 2019 season: “We’re gonna play meaningful games at the end of November and into December. That’s what we’re going to do.” pic.twitter.com/R17Z4vhJhJ
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) July 24, 2019
The 41-year-old Gase takes the helm of a franchise aching to play meaningful football. Not since 2010, under the blustery Rex Ryan, have they qualified for the tournament. This season, of course, thanks to a whirlwind of change combined with continuing uncertainty, remains a tough one to accurately gauge.
The New York Jets first-year sideline boss doesn’t care. Uncertainty this time of year means nothing as long as worth ethic and excitement remain on point.
“Everybody’s just excited. The last couple of days have felt like forever.”
Gase finished with a 23-25 record in three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. This means the quarterback whisperer is all-too-familiar with the organization that’s dominated his division for the last two decades, the New England Patriots.
His 2-4 record against Bill Belichick the past few seasons needs improving if his Jets goals are to be met in 2019 and beyond.
“You know they’re there,” Gase said in reference to the defending champs. “I mean, really for us, we’re going to be focused on us. When we play them, we’ll worry about them. We need to handle focusing on our business.”
New York visits the evil empire up north in Week 3 and welcomes them in four games later. Unlike prior uncompetitive seasons, the Jets-Pats won’t square off late in the season during the divisional-play craziness down the stretch.
It wasn’t Rexonian, not by a long shot. After all, “meaningful games” in late November/early December equates to the 10, 11, 12, 13-game mark. If an NFL team isn’t still at least in the mix somewhat at that point, the talk would naturally surround a possible top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
More importantly, Gase’s message wasn’t Todd Bowles-like. Instead of a soft, comfortable message, the Jets head coach confirmed his intentions on day one.
Perhaps it’s exactly what this team needs at this stage of the game. Maybe that change of pace is what the New York Jets are banking on in 2019.
