Thoughts from Across the Pond – 2007 Week 2
Another week, another loss. Morale victories are another Jets tradition, just like the rationalisation (sic) of a week one blowout. We won’t be able to put this game into context until the end of the season, but for now we can look back on a game when the Jets played frustatingly badly for three quarters, did the old trick of drawing us all into thinking their was some hope and then self-destructed at the final hurdle. I think I’ve seen this movie…
Lo, here am I to try and guide you through the wreckage. Let’s get to it after the jump…
McCareless Whispers
It’s not often I can bring you an exclusive, but my sources tell my Kellen Clemens was heard singing to himself after the game:
I’m never gonna pass again
Justin’s hands have got no friction
What happened to our chemistry?
It wasn’t there at all
Should’ve known Belichick would cheat again
We’re winless now, while he’s forgiven
So, I’m never gonna pass again
Not that I have much choice because our appalling offensive line means that I constantly have three hundred pound oafs charging at me…
You know what? Sure, I’m angry at Justin, but I’m still behind him. Guys can bounce back from a total nightmare – remember Nugent in Tennessee? Maybe he makes up for it this weekend. Last chance, though?
Be careful what you wish for
So, many fans wanted Mike Nugent to kick the ball further because we were tired on seeing the opponents start out at the 35 or 40 yard line and now he’s out-kicking his coverage. This week, a long return by Yamon “Who would have thought it” Figurs would have gone for a TD if Nugent himself hadn’t made the tackle. Now isn’t that ironic? (Moreso than finding 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife, anyway).
On top of that, we finally start a QB who can put “zip” onto the ball, which many fans wanted, but nobody is able to catch his passes in the clutch. If I was Bill Simmons, this would probably be an appropriate time to light myself on fire. I am not though, so I will just swear a lot and throw things.
The Dead Barrett
The latest in a series of disappointing performances by everybody’s favourite (sic) ex-Cardinals DB, prompted a strange conversation between Terry Bradway and an Arizona-based British Pet Shop owner over whether he might be finished…
Terry Bradway : I wish to complain about this Barrett what I purchased from this very boutique…
Shop Owner: Oh yes, the, uh, the *David* Barrett…What’s, uh…What’s wrong with it?…
TB: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it, my lad. ‘E’s dead, that’s what’s wrong with it!…
SO: No, no, ‘e’s uh,…he’s resting…
TB: Look, matey, I know a dead Barrett when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now…
SB: No, no, he’s not dead, he’s, he’s restin’!…
TB: All right then, if he’s restin’, I’ll wake him up! *shouts into by facemask* ‘Ello, Mister Davey Barrett! I’ve got a lovely cushion here for you…
SO: *Shakes helmet by the facemask* There, he moved!…
TB: No, he didn’t, that was you shaking his facemask!…
SO: I never!…
TB: *Yells and hits the facemask repeatedly* ‘ELLO DAVEY!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o’clock alarm call! *Thumps Barrett’s head on the counter then throws him up in the air and watches him plummet to the floor* Now that’s what I call a dead Barrett…
SO: No, no…..No, ‘e’s stunned!…
TB: STUNNED!…
SO: You stunned him, just as he was waking up…
TB: ‘E’s not stunned! ‘E’s passed on! This Barrett is no more! He has ceased to be! ‘E’s expired and gone to meet ‘is maker! ‘E’s a stiff! Bereft of life, ‘e rests in peace! ‘Is metabolic processes are now ‘istory! ‘E’s kicked the bucket, ‘e’s shuffled off ‘is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-BARRETT!!…
(Pause)
SO: Well, I’d better replace it, then. *takes a quick peek behind the counter* Sorry squire, I’ve had a look ’round the back of the shop, and uh, we’re right out of Barretts…
TB: I see. I see, I get the picture…
SO: (Sheepishly) I got a Hank Poteat…
(Pause)
Um, maybe I’ll just keep this for one more week…
Other points of Randymoss, uh, randomness
Last week I wrote “Maybe [the Pats] are 24 points better than everyone else too”, albeit as an characterisation (sic) of somebody rationalising (sic) the Jets defeat. Well, maybe they are! Our 14-38 defeat was way more impressive than San Diego’s!
No snap judgements are allowed after week one, but after week TWO it’s looking like the Pats and Steelers are good, the Chiefs and Saints are bad and everyone in between is pretty close. The Jets have very little margin for error now, but if they can win two of the next three, which should be possible, then they should be in the mix for the rest of the season.
It’s worth noting that I moved ahead of Nick Mangold on Sunday for career receiving yards. Not quite as impressive as the Patrick Ramsey thing, but it does bolster my hall of fame resume somewhat.
After last week, do you get the idea that the officials felt they owed Todd Heap a call? Two points…he already had his make-up call last week and how is that fair to the Jets anyway? What is it with tight ends making diving catches on third downs? Our defense has been unlucky not to get off the field on several occassions because of that.
Thomas Jones got off to a pretty good start, averaging over 4 yards a carry, but then he averaged less than two yards on his last 13 carries. That has to be a concern, because it sounds very Curtis-Martin-whilst-injured-like. Seriously…no carries for anyone else?
Meanwhile, I watched the Chiefs game this weekend and Herm clearly hasn’t learnt anything. Run, run, dumpoff, punt. And he wasn’t clued up enough to challenge a kickoff that Devin Hester fielded inside the five and then stepped out of bounds, with the officials inexplicably calling it out of bounds and the announcers inexplicably calling it a smart play by Hester. Comfort in familiarity…
Closing the book on “Cheergate”, I dug out my tape of the game where Mo Lewis injured Drew Bledsoe this week and I don’t care what anyone says, there were just as many Pats fans cheering the injury as there were Jets fans cheering the Pennington injury. By the way, the exact same situation happened this week with Rex Grossman and nobody mentioned it. To assume that all fans reacted the same as some morons would be akin to us believing that all Pats fans have the same attitude as the guys who have been trolling this site just so they can tell us we are whining morons and how much the Jets suck. Thanks to the rational Pats fans (the majority) that have been adding their input. We resolve not to tar you with that brush.
And to close the book on the spying scandal, we all accept that the Patriots were the better team and look forward to giving them a better game later in the year. For ultimate closure, I think Belichick needs a new nickname and propose either “Salacious Bum” or “Stealy McBeantown”.
Let’s hope it gets better from here on in…
18 Responses to Thoughts from Across the Pond – 2007 Week 2
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Actually looking at the next four teams … MIA, BUF, NYG, PHI all are 0-2 as well … this is the time to pour it on.
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nikolas says:
The Baltimore loss, nevertheless a loss, can be attributed not on the coaching of the game or the planning of it, but rather on the fact that the Ravens and the Jets- teams of the same caliber-were separated by player execution or lack of it. Let’s also not forget that our coaching staff is not GREAT, it is just talented.
With respect to New England, it is clear to me, that their free agency acquisitions made the PATS the most taleneted team in the NFL. They distanced themeselves from every body. Moss, Walker and Thomas?
Offensive and defensive improvements of the highest degree. This PATS team is better than any other of their teams that won the SBs.The questions about our team, is that the FO did not plan wisely and did not counter move the PATS’ offseason moves.
On defense we acquired Kenyon and they acquired Thomas. On offense we acquired Thomas and they acquired Moss,Welker and Morris. So while they free agency moves were superior to ours, on other areas the FO started picking stupid fights e.g Kendall, Revis.
Revis came late, Kendall left and made our OL weak, which means our offense is not going to look too good for sometime.
Our defrense will improve, but late in the year because the new additions, Kenyon,Revis, Harris if they are going to have any significant contributions, they will come much later. -
Prince says:
Nikolas,
I agree with your points re: not matching the Pats pickup by pickup, and I personally significantly underestimated the impact of Moss and Welker in particular.
I also agree with your point that it will take until later in the year for many of our acquisitions this season to be able to contribute. I would add the OL to your list of players who may make significant late contributions, since it is by and large a very, very young unit.
Where I disagree with you is that there was any significant opportunity to do much more: would the Jets have traded or not started Coles or Cotch to get Moss or Welker? Welker as a 3rd on our team would be pretty nice, but did we have a chance to get him? Despite Thomas taking a pick back for a TD, which was a nice play, my understanding is that the Pats have not been as pleased with his “fit” in their defense as they had hoped.
The Jets have an opportunity to repent for an 0-2 start the next few weeks, and the FO and coaching staff should and will be judged on the progress that is made between now and the end of the season. If the OL plays well together, we have a foundation to build on for many years to come. If Revis turns out to be the real deal down the stretch, we can shop in the off-season for a second starting caliber CB to really solidify our secondary. If Kellen Clemens starts the opener in ’08 and turns out to be the QB of our not-so-distant future, I think we’ll have to say that the FO has done a pretty good job of building for not just the present but also the future.
We’ve seen to many fast starts to seasons end up with no playoff birth so I’m not bridge-jumping just yet. I just don’t want to see the “same old Jets”, the ones that miss the playoffs because of a missed field goal, a stupid penalty, or a loss to a team long out of contention.
I would never imply that 0-2 is exactly what I wanted to see to open the season. The way this team played to end last season with the playoffs on the line, and after the horrible JAX and CLE losses tells me I need to reserve judgment until the last AFC playoff spot is clinched.
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Fox Sports (9/18) reports that Billick’s accusations that the Jets cheated are just the first drop in the bucket. Supposedly, Mangini is seen as a rat, and other teams will now whine and groan about alleged Jet misconduct, such as the D-line calling out signals.
More to be concerned about, as if 0-2 wasn’t enough!
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Zenlaw says:
Sadly, in the past 3 years, only one team has started 0-2 and still made the playoffs (KC). Given the strength of the AFC, the difficulty of the Jets Nov & Dec schedule and the utter lack of control of the line of scrimmage (on both sides), this will likely not be the year that the Jets turn the corner.
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Jeff says:
It was well known that we had the two toughest oponents in the AFC these past two weeks. Of course we are 0-2 and its unfortunate that Chad didnt play against Baltimore because I can almost have guaranteed that game as win. The only thing that worries me is the defense. It seems that everyone is lost, I mean we made Kyle freaking Bowling Balls look good! is it just me or do we not have 1 star defender? Yea Vilma is good but he excells exponentially in the 4-3.
I will say this we may have overachieved last year. However it was because of careful and creative coaching. Yea the D and O seem vanilla. I will reserve judgement for the Baltimore game since it was Clemens first start. For those people who lose faith, shame on you guys. No one has noticed the new “hybrid” rebuilding mode were in. Just because you get rid of old players and bring in new ones to imediately start doesnt mean you have to lose until they mature into pro bowlers. Mangini has kept us competitive despite the fact that we lack talent. Of course it will take 2-3yrs to see the difference but it is worth the wait. Until then I keep praying that Brady tears his rotator cuff.
Lets see Chad slice that Miami defense. I see a big day for Coles. Has anyone noticed the Giants defense? HAHAHA
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Did anyone read the opening paragraphs (about 10,000 words) of TMQ? I don’t know what to make of it. Then again, Easterbrook knows a thing or two about getting fired for an indiscretion.
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niko1677 says:
Not bridge jumping yet, in fact I still think we are on track to finish 10-6, just concerned that we let one slip away and that we could have stole a win in Baltimore if the coaching staff was on its game. Frankly, I don’t care about the offseason moves NE made because if pro sports has taught me anything over the years it’s that you don’t win games on paper. Players have to execute and yes talented players are more likely to execute than those less talented, but the coaching staff still has to put their players in positions to excel and I just don’t think that has occured much in the last 2 games.
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BaltimoreJet says:
Prince – I saw TMQ, I think it was a bit farfetched to say the least. At this point, let’s just see what the NFL has to say and take it from there. He’s comparing Belichick to Richard Nixon – that is definitely too strong.
Zenlaw – I think it will be difficult for the Jets to make the playoffs this year, but I would wait a few weeks before I consider it to be done. Remember, both lines improved as the year went on last year, so hopefully we’ll be able to get a few wins under our belts against the Dolphins, Bills, and Giants while the team continues to gel. If we are in contention until the last week of the season, I will consider this a successful season (however, if we lose to the Chiefs in Week 17 while controlling our own destiny, I reserve the right to change my mind.)
Keep hope alive – I expected to be 0-2 after the first two weeks… many teams would have been w/ that opening schedule.
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Wormfather (AKA Aaron) says:
TMQcrap
Buck-Buck-Brawckkkkkkk: Jersey/B made a nice comeback against the rugged Baltimore defense, but the comeback was doomed in this wise. Trailing 20-3 with 10:08 remaining, the Jets faced fourth-and-goal on the Ravens’ 3. Eric “Double Agent” Mangini took the field goal. Yes, down by 17 you need three scores. But two must be touchdowns, and here you are just 3 yards away! At the endgame, with a minute to play, Jersey/B had first-and-goal on the Baltimore 7, trailing 20-13, and threw desperate passes until the icing interception for the Nevermores. Had the Jets gone for the touchdown earlier and succeeded, at the endgame they could have kicked a field goal and caused overtime. Law of the Obvious note: Leading 20-13, Baltimore took possession on its 33 with 3:12 and proceeded to go three-and-out, stopping the clock twice with incompletions. Had the Ravens simply run into the line for no gain on both those downs, the Jets might not have had time to make the ending interesting.
a. If we go for the touchdown there and fail, the game is over, I think TMQ must have been visited by that fairy he mentions all the time. getting that FG and the next touchdown is what forced Bmore into must get first down situations.
b. While I agree that the Ravens should have ran the ball at the end, their running game wasnt as good as it might seem, meanwhile they were shredding us in there air, and as Bent mentioned, the refs owed Todd Heap so why not throw it in his direction and at least wait for a flag?
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That was supposed to be TMQrap (qlever, see).
Also worth noting, the jets will never lose an honest game again. Every team is cheating on us, I know it.
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Michael says:
Speaking of ESPN columnists, did anyone catch Bill Simmon’s rant about the Jets being the ones spying? I know he makes these stupid statments and then says, “Oh, I was just kidding, can’t you take a joke?” but come on! I also thought his Kanye West moment was hysterical
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I’m so passed spygate, but at the same time. It needs to be noted that BB thought he could do whatever he wanted with impunity.
Hell the difference between Mangini and Herm was Herm knew the cameras were there and would wave (Uh, i dont see how this could be giving them any unfair advantage over my team) whereas Mangini said F-U A-hole. Mangini did what he did for the same reasons that if for somereason Mrs. Mangini got a gift of jewelry from Belicheck, Belicheck would be dead before sunrise…just because you watched it happen to others doesnt mean your going to sit and take it lying down.
Did I reach there?
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SackDance99 says:
I’m not overly concerned with 0-2, if the Jets roll of a string of victories. The Jets started 1-2 in 2001 and 1-4 in 2002 and still made the playoffs. The Jets have 14 games left and have to go 10-4. They will have to beat a good team or two to get there, but almost as importantly, they have to go, at least, 4-2 in the AFC East. This week is critical.
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Rasmusbach says:
first of all, good job referencing the highpoint of comedy so far (except for the spanish inquisition, but then again noone expects the spanish innquisition), and then might i say that i’m a bit surprised about certain sports writers (and the patriots supporters – they cheered belichick this week) disgust at mangini for pulling the plug on BB? isn’t that like the public beeing mad at the cop who exposes a dirty colleague? a bit romantic and green-eyed i know, but how do you defind your own clearly cheating HC of the NEP by saying “well, he (mangini) shouldn’t have told on him”
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RAJ says:
It’s a good thing the Soprano’s run ended last season. If it hadn’t Tony Soprano would have Mangenious whacked for being a rat.
I just want to take this opportunity to put Mangini’s and the rest of the coaching staff’s feet to the fire for awhile because I just don’t think they are getting their fair share of the blame. After the success we had last year the coaching staff was rightfully praised often for their creativity, hardwork and resourcefulness all of which was evident through the product on the field each game. This was particularly clear in the offensive and defensive gameplans each week, as well as the discipline shown by the players. The offensive formations, pre-snap shifts and use of previously underutilized players showed the creativity of both Schott and Mangini, while the defense showed steady progression and even flashes of brilliance as the season wore on.
Now we are 0-2 and have won gotten beaten badly for all except 1 out of 8 quarters we have played and I believe that coaching and the gameplans designed for these 2 games are the main reason why we have shown so poorly. We look very “vanilla” on both sides of the ball and we don’t seem to be fooling anyone. I just don’t think we have enough talent on either side of the ball to play “vanilla” football and beat the elite right now and so I would have liked to have seen a little more creativity and thought put into the past 2 games.