–The speculation is swirling around Todd Bowles and by next week, the Jets could have a coaching vacancy.
If a vacancy opens, all sorts of names will emerge as potential candidates but even while Bowles remains employed, names are starting to enter speculation.
On Monday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s name was thrown into the mix when Pro Football Talk released a report saying the Jets were going to make a run at him.
Shortly after the report made the rounds on the internet, the Jets released a statement from chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson.
“Todd Bowles is our Head Coach. There is no truth to the report of our interest in Jim Harbaugh.”
–Penalties seem to doom the Jets at the most inopportune times and most times head coach Todd Bowles is calm when saying things about his team making mistakes.
On Sunday, his tone was different, especially since the Jets racked up 16 penalties for a team-record 172 yards.
It was the third time in team history the Jets totaled at least 16 penalties. They had 17 for 100 yards in an overtime win over Miami in 1987 and 20 for 168 yards in a 27-20 win over Buffalo on Sept. 22, 2013.
“I can explain some of them,” Bowles said. “I can’t explain all of them. That’s a question you have to ask them. … I thought we were playing two teams. I thought we were playing the Packers and the striped shirts.”
The most significant call to go against the Jets was when cornerback Trumaine Johnson was flagged for pass interference on a third-and-10 at the Packers’ 40. It led to a first down at the Jets 27 and a few plays later the Jets wound up losing on a 16-yard TD to Davante Adams.
Bowles did not back down from his comments during a conference call on Monday but added little to his comments Sunday. On Wednesday, he said he had not heard from the league regarding any possible fines.
Regardless of Bowles’ viewpoint, the Jets are haunted by penalties this season, an area that seemed to get worse since he took the job.
In 2015, the Jets had 96 penalties for 787 yards. In 2016, they compiled 93 penalties and 837 penalty yards but last year it was 119 penalties and 1,035 yards and this season they are up to 110 penalties for 918 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 — This represents the number of times the Jets have been assessed at least seven penalties this season. The Jets are 3-7 in those games.
