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Quinton Coples' release by Todd Bowles sent a message to Jets

Bob Glauber

Glauber has been Newsday's national football columnist since 1992. He was Newsday's football writer covering the Jets and

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Ryan Fitzpatrick hopes trimming his beard will be the event that changes the mojo of the Jets’ locker room after a 1-4 skid has brought this team to its knees after a 4-1 start.

But it’s something with far more direct consequences to the football operation that has a great chance of turning Todd Bowles’ team around heading down the stretch toward the playoffs.

Bowles' release of former first-round pick Quinton Coples was the move that sent the clearest message yet of how serious the coach is about his team’s current malaise.