New York Jets: Why not give Carli Lloyd a shot?

After Thursday night’s kicking nightmare, the New York Jets need some help. Gang Green should bring soccer star Carli Lloyd for a look-see.

Let me start by saying that as I write this, I do it a sports fan, not as a political statement. In professional sports, the goal is to win. To do that teams need the best players possible at all positions. After Thursday night’s plethora of missed field goals, the New York Jets need to find someone who can do the job. If that someone is women’s soccer star Carli Lloyd, so be it.

The NFL is a money-making machine. Unfortunately, the teams in its biggest market have been embarrassing in recent seasons. This year the New York Jets have revamped their roster. On offense, they acquired one of the best running backs in football, Le’Veon Bell, a top receiver, Jamison Crowder, and a pair of Pro Bowl interior linemen, Ryan Kalil, and Kelechi Osemele. Defensively, Gang Green went all out to sign middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, and they drafted defensive tackle Quinnen Williams third overall this year.

None of that will mean a hill of beans if the Jets don’t have a kicker who can put the ball between the goalposts. Its been a nightmare in that regard since the end of last season. They let 2018 kicker Jason Myers and his 129 points leave as a free agent. To replace him Gang Green brought back the man who had the job a year prior, Chandler Catanzaro.

https://twitter.com/FCYahoo/status/1167231679020199936

It turns out there was a reason Catanzaro was available. In his re-debut at the first preseason, against NYG, he missed two of three extra points. Catanzaro abruptly retired from football the next day. Enter 26-year-old Tyler Bertolet. Last night the rookie missed on three field goal opportunities. It’s unlikely Bertolet survives cutdown day.

Right now, the New York Jets are turning over every rock to find kickers for a mass audition. One person they should call is Carli Lloyd of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. A recent video of her nailing a 55-yard field goal attempt went viral. Turn on the radio or put on your favorite sports channel. You will hear tons of reasons why she can’t play in the NFL.

I say that’s garbage. If someone can kick, they can kick. Lloyd is a premier athlete, she can handle herself. Aside from scoring goals, Lloyd has a good set of wheels. The Rutgers alumnus is more than capable of pushing a kick returner out of bounds. How many times has a kicker actually made solo tackle since it became a specialized position?

The bottom line is winning. If the New York Jets are serious about winning, they need someone who can make kicks. Give Carli Lloyd a shot to compete for the job, and not as a publicity stunt. If she is the best, then Adam Gase should hand her a green number 10 jersey (Deonte Thompson can change his number).