Yes, dysfunctional teams do dysfunctional things.
To their credit, the Jets have performed an about-face regarding the most recent dysfunctional thing they did.
After the New York Post reported that the Jets had decided not to let Ashley Castanio-Gervasi participate in $100,000 field-goal kicking contest at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Patriots due to a technicality, the Jets decided to allow her to proceed.
Castanio-Gervasi had said the team was aware she’d previously played college soccer, at the Division I level. The team disqualified her because she’s a high-school soccer coach.
“This is life-changing money for me,” Castanio-Gervasi told the Post. “I was confident I could have made it. . . . This was the first time I was hearing of any of these [coaching] questions.”
The story was published by the Post on Thursday. On Friday, the Jets decided to let her participate, along with three other finalists in a “Kick for Cash” competition.
“We realized there was an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding Ashley’s eligibility for the contest,” the Jets said in a statement to the Post. “In an effort to remedy the situation, we are allowing her to kick this Sunday for an opportunity to win the prize. We value the passion and loyalty of our fans and are committed to creating memorable experiences.”
The Jets had informed Castanio-Gervasi on Monday that she wasn’t eligible, citing rules that prevent recent players and coaches from Olympic, college, and high-school soccer, rugby, and football teams. She had previously qualified for the contest by making a 20-yard field goal at a tailgate event in October.
The kicking distance for the final competition isn’t currently known. Regardless, the Jets have restored her opportunity to try to win the money.
The Jets will be without four players this weekend, including two of their top contributors.
Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters on Friday that tight end Mason Taylor and defensive end Will McDonald are among the players who will not be on the field when New York takes on New England this weekend.
Taylor (neck) leads the Jets with 44 receptions this season, going for 369 yards with one touchdown.
McDonald (knee) leads the club with 8.0 sacks.
Glenn also ruled out defensive lineman Jay Tufele (foot) and linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (neck).
New York’s full injury report with game statuses will be out later on Friday.
The Patriots had three players in the concussion protocol after Sunday’s win over the Ravens and one of them was back at practice on Wednesday.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson took part in practice on a limited basis. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and left guard Jared Wilson did not practice. All three players will need to clear the protocol in order to play against the Jets this weekend or against the Dolphins in Week 18.
Cornerback Carlton Davis (illness), tight end CJ Dippre (illness), wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen), edge rusher Harold Landry (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot) were also out of practice.
Wide receiver DeMario Douglas (hamstring), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle), right tackle Morgan Moses (knee), tackle Thayer Munford (knee), defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle), and cornerback Charles Woods (foot) joined Henderson as limited participants.
Justin Fields’ first season with the Jets has come to an end.
The Jets are putting Fields on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season. Brady Cook will start at quarterback for the Jets, with Tyrod Taylor backing him up.
The decision to give Fields a two-year, $40 million contract in March is looking like a costly mistake. Fields has a $20 million base salary next season, of which $10 million is guaranteed. It’s unclear at this point whether Fields will be back next year, but the Jets are on the hook for at least that $10 million either way.
The Jets will certainly also be looking, in the draft or free agency, for that elusive franchise quarterback. They thought they had a franchise quarterback when they signed Fields, but this season has proven them wrong.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn wants fans to trust the process.
With the Jets at 3-12 in his first season, Glenn says fans should understand that he and General Manager Darren Mougey are following a plan that may take more than one year, but will get results.
“There is a plan. There is a vision. From Day 1 we’ve been trying to set the foundation of what we want this team to be,” Glenn said. “For the fans, listen, it’s going to be a tough road and we knew that, but, man, the thing is, we know exactly what we’re doing and we have a plan. Just don’t let go of the rope, I would say that.”
The problem is, Jets fans have heard that before, and the results never came. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, and have tried and failed multiple other rebuilding plans. Until Glenn starts to win, fans aren’t going to be satisfied with his assurances that he has a plan.
