The flu is not the illness that worries me when it comes to the Jets.
It is a much different contagious ailment. There are two fronts here: Le’Veon Bell’s bad bowling decision and Adam Gase’s usage of Bell. As usual with the Jets, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Bell was told by team doctors to stay away from the team because he had the flu, so late Saturday night, Bell went bowling with family and friends, as The Post reported Monday. Gase admitted Tuesday that was not a good optic for the team and said he would have a conversation with Bell later in the day about his decision.
Bell’s actions are the latest symptom of what is wrong with the organization located at picturesque 1 Jets Drive: a lack of respect, which can show itself in many ways. Bell made the wrong move to go bowling the night before a game when he was out with the flu.
But this is disrespect on both ends.
When I asked Bell if he has been given the opportunity this season to be the best he can be on the field, he hit the hole hard, “Honestly, no,’’ Bell said after Tuesday’s walkthrough. “I think that is being in a new system, new guys up-front, new coaching staff. I’m with a new organization so. Everything kinda takes time, I understand that. That’s why I’ve always been patient, but to be honest, no. I feel like I know what I do. I’ll be back to what people are used to seeing.’’
And this: “For me, I always feel I can do more. When they call on me to do more I will be ready, but until then, I’m going to go out there and do my role, play football and do what I can.’’
Bell said he does not want to keep communicating with Gase about how he is used, something that took place after Week 8’s loss in Jacksonville when Bell got only eight carries, and coach and player texted one another.
“I don’t like harping on the same thing,’’ said Bell, who has not rushed for more than 70 yards in a game this season. “I said what I said, we had the conversation and that was that. We both understand each other so as time goes on things will get better.’’
Or they won’t because this is the Jets.
Bell said he had no regrets about his bowling expedition. That’s wrong. The Jets — who have won four of the last five against terrible opponents to sit at 5-8 — have so many football issues they need to fix, so they at least look like they have a united front.
Gase does not use Bell the way Bell believes he should be used and that is a much bigger issue than a bowling night.
Clearly, Bell will not be here next season. A divorce is around the corner.
“We didn’t want him coming to the team hotel,’’ Gase explained, trying to soften Bell’s bad decision. “What am I going to discipline him for, I can’t tell him you’ve got to stay in your house.’’
When asked if this could be a teaching point for the team on how to be all-in as a Jet, Gase began to answer, “That’s hard … I don’t know how to answer that.’’
I do. You instill discipline in many ways, and if players do not show that team comes first in every decision, there will be consequences. But it should not even have come to that. Bell should have had the common sense to say, “Maybe it’s best I stay at home tonight. I can’t play on Sunday, but we do have a game against the Ravens on Thursday.’’
Playtime is over. No more eking out a 22-21 win over the dreadful Dolphins.
The Jets are facing Lamar Jackson and the 11-2 Ravens on Thursday night in Baltimore, a short week in what could be a long night for Gase & Co. even with Gregg Williams’ defense an engaged and motivated force as Williams explained Tuesday.
By the way, Bell was proud of the career-high 251 he bowled Saturday night.
Maybe he will get the carries and the yards he should be getting on the football field come Thursday night in Baltimore.