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The New York Jets remain the only winless team in the National Football League, despite whatever positive things new head coach Aaron Glenn wants to say to the press and fans.
Before the Jets’ 37-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week, Glenn preached that a recent pregame practice was one of his best. Earlier this week, he praised the team for the bond they had created in their London hotel as they prepared to face the Denver Broncos.
In all likelihood, the Jets’ playoff drought will reach its 16th consecutive season, and at this point, “it seems like there’s probably a curse,” former Jets wide receiver Eric Decker said in a recent interview with Pak Gazette Digital.
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New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker celebrates after catching a game-winning touchdown pass during overtime at MetLife Stadium. (Mandatory credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)
However, it was not always like this.
Decker spent three seasons with Gang Green, and in his second season, they went 10-6 but missed the playoffs. During that season, Decker had no “damn” vibes and actually reflected fondly on his time in East Rutherford.
“The teams I was on, we had a good team, we had a chance to make the playoffs, and we lost it ourselves. Winning 10 games and not making it was crazy. But inside, to me, everyone inside the facility was there and did their part and gave the players the opportunity…” Decker said. “No, I didn’t feel that. I didn’t feel like ‘here we go again, it’s the Jets’ or that aura around them. It’s just little by little that adds up in the NFL. Those things are the deciding factor.
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker spikes the ball into the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
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“They have a pretty good team and I like that coach. It’s about mentality, which seems like you have to change from the outside, but being inside you don’t have that thought process.”
Glenn certainly has that mentality, but the results are not there. Decker, however, believes the Jets only need to control the “controllables.”
“The current culture in football is like, if you don’t play now, we’ll move on. That’s a lot of pressure on a coach and on the players. When guys don’t show up on time, or lack of effort, a lot of those things are controllable. That’s a red flag: ‘what’s going on inside? Obviously there’s a lack of leadership or a reorganization that way,'” Decker said. “But if the guys do the right thing and give 100%, the performance is a little more complicated, because it’s not necessarily as controllable.”
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn on the sideline during last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
“I think it will change,” he added. “It’s just a matter of someone leading that charge from the helm.”
