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5 Things We Learned From the New York Jets’ 2014 Season

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By @GregSulik

5 Things We Learned From the New York Jets' 2014 Season

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Now that the Jets have closed out an extremely disappointing 4-12 season and fired both Rex Ryan and John Idzik, it is time to look back and see what we learned about this team in 2014. The Jets have major problems from top to bottom in their organization, and it is going to take a lot of work to rebuild the franchise. However, they can learn from the many mistakes they made this season, and these are five key lessons we learned about the Jets.

5. The Defensive Line Has a Chance to Be Special

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5. The Defensive Line Has a Chance to Be Special

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We'll start with a rare positive, which is the defensive line. The Jets have arguably the best defensive line in the NFL, with outstanding nose tackle Damon Harrison flanked by two truly special talents in Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. Their continued development was the highlight of the season, and the Jets need to get them signed long term and enjoy the benefits of having such a strong front.

4. Coaching Can Only Cover Up So Many Holes

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4. Coaching Can Only Cover Up So Many Holes

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Rex Ryan did fantastic job squeezing eight wins out of an undermanned team last year, but he couldn't find the magic again this season. The Jets have massive holes at quarterback and cornerback, arguably the two most important positions in football. Coaches can only do so much when they aren't provided with enough talent to be competitive.

3. The Offensive Line is Becoming a Problem

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3. The Offensive Line is Becoming a Problem

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We already knew the Jets had problems at guard, but it's getting worse. Breno Giacomini struggled at right tackle, while D'Brickashaw Ferguson showed a few signs of slipping. Ferguson and Nick Mangold remain quality players, but they are getting older and have huge cap figures. The Jets must add talent here quickly before the offensive line falls apart. The team allowed the eighth most sacks in the NFL, never a good sign for struggling offense.

2. The Cheap Approach Doesn't Work

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2. The Cheap Approach Doesn't Work

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The draft is the best way to build a team that can be successful long term, but when you have as much cap room as the Jets did you have to use some of it. Not signing starting caliber players at cornerback, outside linebacker, and guard was simply inexcusable, and that is a huge reason why John Idzik was fired. The Jets don't need to go overboard in free agency, but they do need spend enough to fix the holes in their lineup.

1. Geno Smith is Not the Answer

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1. Geno Smith is Not the Answer

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At the start of the year, one of the big goals of the season was to find out if Geno Smith was the franchise quarterback. We know now, as Smith didn't progress from his rookie season and remains plagued by poor decision making, inaccuracy, and turnovers. Smith had enough talent around him to get better, but it never materialized. He seems destined to be a backup, leaving the Jets back to square one at quarterback.

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