New York Jets coaches couldn’t overcome the loss to Raiders

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The New York Jets coach Adam Gase was so “angry” about the last-second loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday that he and his coaches got into a “funk”.

On Wednesday it called Gase one of the worst losses of his coaching career and admitted it was difficult to get past. He found it difficult to stick to the 24-hour rule, a coaching bromide.

“At the beginning of my career I heard this for seven years: you have 24 hours to get over it,” he said. “I think the only time I’ve ever been involved in a loss like this was finishing a playoff game so I could be pissed off for as long as I wanted because nobody cares.”

“It’s tough. It’s tough. Our players will do a good job and respond correctly. They’ve been through this whole thing. As coaches, we have to do the same.”

Gase responded to the 31-28 loss by firing Defense Coordinator Gregg Williams, who decided to call an all-out blitz while trying to protect a four point lead. The unnecessary gamble turned out to be disastrous – a 46-yard touchdown reception from Henry Ruggs III five seconds ahead.

Gase didn’t have team meetings on Monday or Tuesday because he said he wanted to give the players some time and space to get over the loss that brought the Jets down to 0-12. Due to the COVID-19 protocols, players were not allowed to enter the facility.

“Doing the virtual meetings is probably the only thing that sucks because our guys are helping the coaches get you out of the funk, because these guys come in here with the energy they need to come in with and ready to leave that helps more than anything. “

When asked if he was on a funk after the game, Gase said, “Yeah. I was mad. I felt our guys played well enough to win.”

Gase did not mention Williams by name, but it was clearly a reference to his former defensive boss, whose playcall was widely criticized in this situation. On Monday, Gase suspected he hadn’t taken time off to discuss the call with Williams.

Cornerback Lamar Jackson – an unprotected rookie – was the player who was set on fire by Ruggs in simple cover with no security assistance. Safety Marcus Maye, a team captain, openly questioned the call after the game.

“I’m confident Lamar will bounce back,” said Gase. “He’s a strong kid. That’s all he’s done all year. He’s a fighter. He didn’t come to this place and started on this team without being mentally tough.”

The Jets will try to recover against the Seattle Seahawks (8-4) on Sunday. You could be without rookie recipient Denzel Mims, who was apologized Wednesday for flying home to Texas for a family emergency. If he doesn’t make it to New Jersey by 10 p.m. On Wednesday, to take his daily COVID-19 test, he won’t be able to pass the required logs until Sunday’s game.