A hot-button topic around the New York Jets and their fans recently has been troubled Wide Receiver, Robby Anderson. Anderson has had run-ins with the law twice during the last two NFL off-seasons.
In 2017, he was arrested at a concert in Miami for violently resisting arrest and in January of 2018 for eluding arrest and reckless driving. It’s clear that Robby, like many other players around the league, has fallen victim to the dreaded NFL offseason.
It has been difficult for Jets’ brass to sit back and watch Robby’s actions unfold, but it’s been no picnic for the fans either. If you ever want to see Jet fans divided just bring up who the team should draft with the #3 overall pick in April’s draft or whether Anderson should be on the roster or not in 2018.
There’s no doubt that Robby has been careless and immature off the field to begin his NFL career. At times he’s been immature on the field as well, (see Week 7 at Miami when he threw his helmet). The fact of the matter is he will still only be 25-years-old when the season starts and is a budding star in the league. Teams simply do not give up on that this early in a player’s career.
Owner Christopher Johnson said last week, “I would love have to Robby on the team. I’m really disappointed but I think these guys deserve the support of the team. They deserve a second chance. My patience isn’t infinite.”
Anderson hardly sounds like a player ready to be released. However, how many times in the past have we heard owners around the league say that coaches and players jobs are safe only to fire or cut them later in the season? That being said it would still be surprising if Anderson is cut by the team, barring another mishap.
Why Should the Jets Keep Him?
Not only is Anderson a talented receiver but he’s still playing on his rookie contract. He is set to make $630,000 in 2018 and will become a restricted free agent in 2019. This basically means that the Jets have control over him for the next 2 years paying him next to nothing. Add that to the fact that he’s actually a good player and it’s obvious that he’ll be back in green next season.
That scenario pretty much sums up today’s NFL. If you’re a good player and show promise on the gridiron you’ll almost always have a home. Unless of course, you’re former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.
Robby has certainly shown promise. In 2016, his rookie campaign he tallied 42 receptions, 587 yards, and 2 touchdowns. His sophomore season saw those numbers improve greatly with 63 receptions, 941 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
He would’ve easily finished over 1,000 yards if not for poor QB play from Bryce Petty. Robby has already emerged as one of the best deep-threats in the league as he has a key trait that can’t be taught…speed.
Fans have been hard on Robby and rightfully so, but everybody deserves another chance. It’s easy to see that he will be back with the Jets this season strictly based on his contract and talent. Anderson will surely be suspended for a few games early in the year, but rest assured that #11 will be blowing by defensive backs for the green and white at some point in 2018. From here forward Robby will be operating on the 3 strike rule. One more and he’s out.
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