New Jets HC Jeff Ulbrich Takes Play Calling Responsibilities Away From Nathaniel Hackett

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SOURCE - On his second full day on the job, New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich made a major shake-up on his coaching staff, stripping the playcalling responsibilities from embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Hackett will remain on the staff in an undisclosed role. Ulbrich said no titles will change, only roles, and also announced that he will remain the defensive coordinator and will continue to call plays. He hopes to be involved in the offense in time, looking to "infuse my personality" into that unit.

"It was obviously -- not necessarily a shock, but we're familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel," Ulbrich said. "They're very, very good friends that go back a long way. So, he understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision, and I'm fortunate for that."

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy with this development. Hackett is a bad play caller. I'd like it if Hackett was as far away from this organization. So while I am pleased at this first move of the Ulbrich Era, I am still pretty confused.

Rumor has it that one of the reasons that Robert Saleh got fired Tuesday was because he wanted to do the same exact thing: take play calling away from Hackett. Five minutes later, Saleh was told his services were no longer needed at Florham Park.

We all know the reason Hackett has a job at all is because Aaron Rodgers loves him. Supposedly Rodgers understands this situation. I think he may understand the words being said to him but there is no way he likes this development. He should take the blinders off though. The Jets are dead last in offensive yards. They have maddeningly inconsistent or just bad (except the Pats game). Don't forget that the offense was also dreadful last year under Hackett.

Sarah Stier. Getty Images.

The Jets need to find a way to get the above version of Breece Hall back. By all accounts, he's healthy and working hard. He's having a nightmare season and can't seem to get started. If new play caller Todd Dowling can help get him back in gear, that would make a huge difference.

This Jets team needed an enema. You can't fire everyone and with a 40 year old quarterback, you have to figure it out right now. You can't punt another year. I'm going to hope that Ulbrich and Dowling can figure it all out. 

At this point, hope is all Jets fans have. Maybe it's all we ever had.