If you have followed the Jets as long as I have you have seen some unthinkable things in the past.. Some good and most bad.. Today’s incident takes the cake in my opinion.
As I am sure you have heard by now, Jets starting QB Geno Smith was “Sucker punched” or “Cold cocked” as Head Coach Todd Bowles put it, by teammate IK Enemkpali. The result was a jaw that was broken in 2 places requiring surgery. Geno has been ruled out 6-10 weeks.
In his press conference this afternoon, Bowles opened up by telling reporters “you are going to want to tape this one”. Clearly frustrated by the senseless act, Bowles said the argument was "Something very childish that sixth-graders could have talked about and it had no reason to happen,"
The Jets moved very quickly cutting IK Enemkpali proving that Bowles and GM Mike MacCagnan are the no nonsense guys that Jets fans have hoped they were. “IK is gone,” Bowles said. “It’s something we don’t tolerate, something we can’t stand. You don’t walk up to another man and punch him in the face.”
Enemkpali came to the Jets via the 6th round of the 2014 Draft out of Louisiana Tech. In college, he was arrested for battery on a police officer and was eventually sentenced to probation for simple battery. When the Jets drafted him, Enemkpali said he had learned from the experience and vowed that it was just a case of him “losing his cool” Well, its safe to say that losing his cool this time cost himself his spot on the Jets roster. It has also cost the Jets their starting QB for 6-10 weeks.
Where will the Jets go from here? Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, who seems to end up being a starter at some point with every team he signs with, will take over as the starter for the foreseeable future. Bryce Petty, who in essence was supposed to take on the roll of a redshirted QB in his first season, will now be the #2 behind Fitzpatrick. There is also a chance the Jets will look to bring in another QB to back up Fitzpatrick. The list of available names will not excite you.. Michael Vick, Matt Flynn, Re Grossman, Brady Quinn, John Skelton, Trent Edwards and Tyler Thigpen are all available and for good reason. Look for the Jets to possibly bring in some of these guys to get a look. The Jets will also monitor the waiver wire to see if any usable QB’s shake free from another roster.