OPINION: Can Robby Anderson Help Save The Jets Offense?

A simple answer would be a “yes,” or a “no.”

It is going to take a lot of rebuilding for the New York Jets offense to reach what it once was over the past few years. Aside from barely missing the playoffs while finishing 10-6 in 2016 under first-year Head Coach Todd Bowles, the Jets have not won more than eight games since their two consecutive conference championship appearances, when they lost each time under Rex Ryan’s tenure.

The 2017 season will prove to be an uphill battle after the organization severed ties with several key pieces of the offense. No more will the Jets have Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, who was a key asset to the Jets 10-win season two years ago, but struggled mightily last year. He threw 12 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions, and contract negotiation battles haunted the team until his release, and is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Also out are two key receivers – Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Fitzpatrick’s top two receiving targets were benefactors to the team in 2015, where Decker had his best season as a Jet, and Marshall showed the league that although journeying to several different teams, still held a place as one of the team’s top receivers.

Marshall is now a member of the New York Giants after being released in March. Decker is a free agent after being released on Monday, as are several other veterans as the Jets went on a purge so to speak, cutting several long-tenured players,

Now with Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty as the only quarterbacks on the roster, and with McCown as the projected starter at the moment, fans are rightfully worried about the upcoming season with their possible quarterback.

But who will he throw to?

The top receiving target remaining on the team is Quincy Enunwa, who emerged as a viable option for the Jets last season. He caught 58 passes for 857 yards and four touchdowns. But teams will surely figure him out soon enough.

Next up? Undrafted second-year pro Robby Anderson. As a rookie last year, Anderson saw some exposure to the field, catching 42 passes for 587 yards, good for fourth and third on the team, respectively. He also caught two touchdown passes.

Hungry for a solidified spot, Anderson will be transitioning from a lightly-used backup to a full-time starter, but now under a new offensive coordinator in John Morton. Without the veterans to guide him, Anderson will have to use the advice he learned in just a short amount of time to create a name for himself this season.

He has already done so, off the field however. Last month, Anderson was arrested in Miami for pushing a police officer at a music festival. He faces felony charges include resisting an officer with violence, as well as a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer. The 24-year-old from Temple University pled not guilty.

Anderson will have to clean up his act in order to make the most impact this season, as his trial is set for Sept. 11, the day after the Jets’ season opener against Buffalo.

Can Robby Anderson help save the Jets offense? The answer right now is uncertain, but fans and the organization hope the answer is a positive one.

Article by Matthew Lamb