EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two yards away from one of the biggest upsets in franchise history, the New York Jets gave the wrong play to quarterback Zach Wilson on a pivotal fourth-and-2 late in a 28-24 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Jets coach Robert Saleh said the outcome “makes you sick,” saying it should have been a handoff to wide receiver Braxton Berrios on an end around instead of running a quarterback sneak — which was stuffed for no gain at the Bucs’ 7-yard line with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter. The Jets, ahead 24-20, could’ve run out the clock with a first down.
Saleh blamed the coaching staff, and although he didn’t mention any names, his ire was directed at offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Saleh called it a communications breakdown, saying Wilson never should’ve been given the option of sneaking in that situation.
“They deserved better,” Saleh said of his players. “We won that game, and we’ve got to be better for our players.”
Saleh explained what should’ve happened:
“In that situation, we wanted the ball handed off to Berrios, but we did a very poor job as a coaching staff communicating that in the huddle,” he said. “Zach executed the play the way it was designed. Unfortunately, if you look at the TV [replay], Braxton probably has a first down and the game is over.”
The Jets (4-12) actually took a timeout before the play to talk it over, which made a miscommunication unforgivable. LaFleur, who was in the coaches booth, wasn’t available after the game.
“It’s Mike to Zach,” Saleh said of the communication. “It’s simple: He calls a play and says, ‘Hand this ball off no matter what.’ That’s all the communication that needs to be said. It never got across. Zach executed the playbook as designed.”
Berrios, a dangerous runner, came in motion, right to left. The Bucs were bunched at the line of scrimmage. Chances are, he would’ve picked up the first down, perhaps a touchdown, if Wilson had given him the ball.
The Jets…
Source : espn
