New York Jets need to clean house, Gregg Williams included

The New York Jets need to tear it down, Gregg Williams and all.

If you aren’t familiar with New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, you need only go look at Bountygate from 2009 and see what transpired.

During the Saints run to the Super Bowl, Williams’ aggressive defense held Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in check. A historic feat indeed and one that should be hailed — except it’s remembered as one of the worst scandals in NFL history. Under Williams’ tutelage from 2009-11, several players were accused of being paid out bonuses or “bounties” for injuring opposing players.

Following an investigation by commissioner Roger Goodell, Williams was suspended indefinitely for his role, before it was overturned a year later. Williams would soon become a coordinator once again with Rams before being fired along with Jeff Fisher.

Though he had moderate success as a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 2017-19, another situation involving a questionable hit would hit Williams hard. In a 2017 preseason game against the New York Giants, former Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr was hit low by a Browns defender, about which Beckham complained.

Fast forward to Week 4 of the 2020 season against the Denver Broncos, and Williams’ players were out of control on Thursday night with four personal foul penalties and a number of late hits in the first half. As Denver escaped with a 37-28 victory and improved to 1-3, the Jets dropped to 0-4 and it was clear that they are both a mess via record and an undisciplined football team.

Six personal fouls on the night by the defense, including late hits in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter from Williams’ squad on rookie quarterback Brett Rypien, prompted outrage from both social media and the Broncos.

Denver head coach Vic Fangio was seen telling his players to head straight for the locker room while avoiding the customary handshake between coaches. A sign of both bad blood and anger towards actions towards the end of the game.

NFL Network’s Steve Smith, a former NFL wide receiver, went on to bash Williams for his style of play, only adding fuel to the ongoing fire.

While it’s fair to blame Adam Gase and rightfully so, there wasn’t a lack of discipline in the offense, but rather a lack of execution. In terms of the defense, there is no clearer explanation of what needs to transpire.

Gregg Williams should be fired by the New York Jets and done in the NFL

Gregg Williams’ employment by the New York Jets or otherwise can no longer be allowed. Williams has to go and his reputation will forever stick with him. In regard to whether all the personal fouls in the first half and throughout the game were a bit much, a vast majority of the fans will refuse to give the benefit of the doubt.

Forget even being a coordinator, a head coaching position should be out of the question. He has already been a head coach with the Buffalo Bills for three seasons in the early 2000’s. Under his leadership, the team compiled records of 3–13, 8–8, and 6–10.

It should be also noted that, despite his 5-3 record as interim coach in Cleveland and having support for him throughout the organization, they chose to go with Freddie Kitchens instead. This may have been in due part to his previous history as Bills head coach and the Bountygate scandal.

On top of that, with the Broncos already having sustained a number of injuries, Denver was dealt a scare with the number of late hits and other fouls committed by the Jets towards their players. If there was a reason to wonder why Fangio was angry, the proof is in the pudding.

There is no debate, and there should be no clap-back from the members of Gang Green. Gase for sure has to go and, without any question, Williams should be gone with him and should never be allowed back in the NFL.

Bill Parcells said it best when he said “you are what your record says you are”. In the case of Gregg Williams, it’s a very bad track record that doesn’t warrant a second chance.