Nearing the climax of the movie Rounders — as Matt Damon’s poker-hustling character Mike McDermott is heading into the pit of Teddy KGB’s dank, dimly lit, iron-doored gambling den — he takes a moment to monologue about the depths he’s finally reached. He’s in the wrong kind of trouble, with the worst kind of people, grasping for one last chance to save himself. “I’ve often seen these people,” McDermott narrates, “these squares at the table, short-stacked and long odds against them, all their outs gone, one last card in the deck that can help them.
I used to wonder how they could let themselves get into such bad shape ...
and how the hell they thought they could turn it around.” That’s the sentiment that comes to mind right now when I think about these New York Jets. I see a franchise that is already in some real trouble this season — having expended everything it has at its disposal with a finally-healthy Aaron Rodgers — but once again experiencing withering returns on investment.
The quarterback got his chosen destination, chosen offensive coordinator and ample talent slotted around him. The offensive line was tuned up. The scheme was curved to his preferences.
Yet coming off a putrid loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 3, the for much of the day against the Minnesota Vikings in a 23-17 loss in London. Granted, it was against one of the most vastly disguised and confusing schemes in the league, orchestrated by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Fl.
