Daily Links: Tackling Champ?
Posted on May 18th, 2008 by Bassett
- Rotoworld thinks David Harris could be supplant Patrick Willis in tackles this year.
- Vilma is slated to take over for Mark Simoneau, writes a South Mississippi paper.
- How Parcells thinks Ricky Williams is not a character is beyond me.
- In other news, Ricky’s teammate Will Allen was confronted about a gambling debt at a Bed Bath & Beyond parking lot.
- Belichick is getting defensive, and lashing out at Matt Walsh.
- Brady gave his lineman new Audi SUVs.
Filed under: Main Page
The Audi Q7 is a sweet machine. I wish someone would give me one.
Hopefully Parcells made a personnel blunder by keeping R. Williams, and Ricky gets his OL stoned all the time.
I think we are going to have a “Monster” defense this year, all the pieces are in place.
The last time I remember us having a defense this talented was the 98 season, when we gave up the second least points in the league. We would have given up the least amount of points, but Marcus Coleman gave up a last second touchdown in the last game of the season to Buffalo to put us in second place. Who was the team to give up the least amount of points? You guessed it…Buffalo.
I hated Coleman after that, its a hell of an honor for a defense to give up the least points in a season, and Coleman blew it in the last seconds.
Since I seem to have the floor to myself, I’m going to run with it (lol).
The only weak spot I see on our defense this year is the CB spot opposite Revis. But, I don’t see that being a big problem, we can put Revis on any team’s #1 receiver , and roll coverages over to the other side. With the pass rush I think we are going to have this year our CB’s shouldn’t be exposed too long. I think our front 7 will be lights out, and that with VG playing a limited role. I think BT will have at least a solid year as on of the OLBs. I think the one thing missing for the last few years has been consistancy, and know one will benefit more from having it that BT. I expect our starting LB’s to be Pace, Harris, Barton, and BT. All big, fast and telented.
I also think our Offense will be head and shoulders above last year, thanks in part to to improved talent on the OL. I am not worried too much about who starts at QB, as I think either one (CP or KC) will do just fine. I also don’t believe that if CP wins the QB competition it means the end for KC.
There is a distinct possibility that CP will come in this year stronger and better ested that he has in a while and be the better QB. IMO all that means is that KC will have to wait a little longer for his chance.
Sorry for the typos, I should have taken typing in HS instead of hanging out with Ricky Williams.
I think Ricky William’s is a good guy who just so happens to be a little messed up from all the weed.
nfl.com has a link to an article regarding D. Robertson saying: “When I was playing that 3-4 stuff, I had to do a lot of thinking and it kind of slowed me down as far as how to play and what to do,” he said.
I don’t know if this is good or bad.
Bellicheck is a scumbag.
ramble914, I always liked Coleman and his key INTs. It’s hard for me not to hate one of our own players because of one bad play.
I remember Chrebet’s grab against the Bears late in the 4th quarter late in the 2002 season when the Jets were trying to get in the playoffs, when racing 22yds. down the left side of the field, he jumped up to try to split two defenders and fumbled.
I remember how disappointed I was in the result of that play, but how proud I was of his heart and determination that he was willing to take on 2 defenders at once to try to score.
He probably should have gone down instead with over a minute left in the game, but if he had made it, it would have been one of those memories that probably would have stayed with me a lifetime, so I could never take that away from him because he fumbled while giving his all.
As it turned out we beat NE and the Pack to get us in the playoffs and watched the ‘Fins stay home that year, so it wasn’t all bad…
I don’t think the fans around the NFL realize how good David Harris was last year when he came in….. WE know… What an impact that guy has
so Mr. “Blue Collar” Brady buys Audis instead of American cars – yet the Media & public drink his kool aid. I would like to think anybody who leaves their woman when she is pregnant with your child will eventually get what is coming to them.
Actually, it appears that Tom Brady just gave them a free 1yr lease.
TMQ wrote an article yesterday calling for Belichick’s suspension.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/080517&sportCat=nfl
The defense looks good but our 3/4 ends are still a question mark. Ellis is getting old and Coleman is an average player. Look at the other teams around that league that play a 3/4 and look at there ends. Ravens have Ngata, Pats have Ty Warren, Seymour (even Jarvis Green), Chargers have Castillo. I would like to see them try Pouha in that spot, the pass rush is clearly coming from the LB anyway. They will probably address this position next offseason.
I agree. Let’s hope the overall upgrading of the defense will help our ends to have a better year than last year. They might also go with Pouha at nose and Jenkins at end on some plays.
As for TMQ’s article, I agree with the first four words. Suspending Belichick isn’t going to close the matter, just prolong it. You think a fan that would chant “Cheaters” at the Pats would decide not to do it if BB was suspended? No, he’d be more likely to do it.
Besides, once the season starts and the media darling Pats get off to another strong start (probably based on dumb luck and questionable officiating), the whole matter will be swept under the carpet as it was during this season anyway.
He needs to get over it. Closure is overrated anyway.
Big A,
I would never fault a player for trying to make something happen. I remember the Chrebet play you mention well. Chrebet tried.
The play I am refering to with M. Coleman (aka, The Wizard) had nothing to do with trying, quite the contrary; Coleman gave up on the play. It was like he didn’t care, it was the final game of the season, the final minutes, so what if they score a touchdown! Even if it didn’t mean anything to him, he should have tried for his teammates, his coaches, and even the fans. It’s a big deal for a defense to give up the fewest points in a season, and he just let the receiver run by him.
As far as overall playmaking Harris was a more productive linebacker in 9 starts than Willis was in 16. Harris has more sacks and TFL, and projecting his stats over 16 games he would have finished as the league leader in tackles. Honestly, if Harris plays all 16 games next year as well as he did this year he could be DPOTY.
I agree that Ellis was disappointing last season, but the criticism of Coleman is a little harsh. In his first season as a starter as an RDE in the 3-4, he led the NFL in tackles for D-linemen. He had 55 solo tackles. To put that in perspective, no Jets LB, except for Harris, had more solo tackles. He had more solo tackles than Rhodes. For the weak side DE to have that many solo tackles is a tribute to Coleman’s high motor and great weak side pursuit. Yes, he didn’t have many sacks or TFLs, but he out did the OLB behind him (Hobson had a 1/2 sack more, but no TFLs). Having Jenkins in the middle and Pace, Thomas or VG behind him will also help. It’s a mystery to me that many fans are so passionate in backing KC, who was the worst starting QB in the NFL, but want to throw Coleman under the bus despite his leading the NFL in tackles as a D-lineman. Geez, and I thought Iggles fans were tough!
Bilal, I agree. I was hoping the Jets would make a move to pick up the kid from Hampton, Kendall Langford (Ht: 6-5.5 Wt: 297 40: 4.95). He seemed real solid against the run and got picked in the 3rd (66th overall) by the Dolphins. Maybe somebody will come out of camp that might be the future there or maybe we just need to wait til next year.
ramble914, now that I’m reading your post, I do seem to remember Coleman letting it happen pretty easily. I agree the Chrebet example doesn’t compare. I wonder if he knew about the ranking, impact of his play, etc. Either way, it’s why you never let up…
SackDance99, I like Coleman. I think he’s solid for a 3-4 DE. I think the weak link is Ellis, who is better suited as 4-3 DE. It shows in that the Jets played him at OLB sometimes toward the end of the year to try to get him to be more effective. Coleman should have an even better year with Jenkins in the middle taking up 2 OLs a lot of the time. Good post. Thanks for the stats.
I have to wonder, what if Spygate has more historical implications that affect the Jets? We know Belichick was taping as early as 2000, in his first season with the Pats. What if the reason he left NY so abruptly is because Parcells & Gutman weren’t going to let him cheat, but Kraft, thirtsy for a Lombardi Trophy to accompany his new stadium didn’t care? I’m sure there was more to it than that, but I have to wonder.
And what if Mangini left because he knew about the cheating & used the Jets HC job to get out before they got caught? It would explain the icy relationship between Mangini & Belichick. And it makes sense given the Jets turned Belichick in.
I know, I know, conspiracy theories, but I had to mention it.
I wonder what games you guys were watching? Both DE were terrible. Number of tackles is a meaningless stat; what matters is where they are. How many sacks and tackles for losses did he have versus how many tackles 4 and 5 yards past the LOS.
In the games I watched, both DE got pushed back far too often. Their jobs are less to make tackles than to control the LOS and keep the OL from getting to our LB. If they control the LOS, the RB has to take a loss or go to either side of his blocker and our DL which should allow a LB to make the tackle for little or no game.
Harlan
I guess what it comes down to is you can’t fix everything at once. Last year we added a few key pieces to our defense with Coleman, Harris, Revis, including some decent holdovers from the previous regime. This year we added Jenkins, Pace, and Gholston. Next year we need to find another good CB and more DL help especially the DE’s.
Harlan, we saw different games, Coleman was fine at the point of attack, got better as the season wore on and was excellent at weak side pursuit. With a better OLB behind him and a better NT beside him, there’s no reason to believe that he won’t improve…it was only his first year starting. Do you really think he was so bad, even with leading the NFL in tackles from his position, that he should be cut, traded, thrown under the bus? Like I said, tough crowd!
Where did the phrase “Thrown under the bus” come from? I would love to see a post about it and we could list players who should have been!
I just miss the violence on sundays!
Sack,
I remember watching games last season thinking that K. Coleman was a good pickup for the Jets. Definetly better than the person he replaced (Kimo Von whatever). He was strong against the run and I was wishing he could rush the QB better.
But I agree that it was his first year starting and he should get better. He has prototypical size and speed and its nothing to sneeze at that he led all DL in tackles.
Reciprocity,
The origin is not fully known, but there are some guesses about it here:
http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/under-the-bus-to-throw/
I thought coleman was pretty good. Sure you would like to see more pass rush ability, but that may come more now that we have upgraded the talent around him.
Also, don’t forget Mosley. I thought he was a beast of a pass rusher last year considering his limited play. He was more effective rushing the passer then the overhyped and overpaid D-Rob.
18andone, sry to say, but passrush wasn’t even D-robs job. It was to clog wholes. He didn’t do that (obviously), but the one thing he did do well was get 4 sacks.
Jerry! Thank you very much! I actually came up with Reprocity spelling by mistake about ten years ago and it stuck with me.
PEOPLE IM A JETWS FAN FOREVER WHE NEED A SUPPOER BOWL WIM. IM GETTIN CRAPED ON BY GAINTS FANS, WE NEED OUR OWN RING,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PS. IM DRUNK THANKS JOE
I agree Joe we need a super bowl win but I hope we dont end up like acting like a bunch of red soxs fans!
Ramble, I couldnt agree more with everything you said.
I’m almost hesitant about saying it, but I truly think this defense is gonna be unbelievable. It looks like all the pieces are in place. And like ramble said, with Revis locking down the #1 WR, and with our imrpoved pass rush, its gonna make it so much easier for Barret, Miller, Poteat, etc. Now its up to the coaches.
If you take a look at the Vegas odds of the Jets making the 2009 SB, we’re 25-1 odds. But looking at it another way we’re tied for 15th with three other teams. I’d say the odds makers have it about right for not even seeing the team play a down! The odds for the rest of the teams range all the way down to 120 -1!
I thought Coleman was solid last year, he was one of the few D Line who actually played well against the run. Look for the Jets to possibly put Gholston at DE on some plays, not sure if that would be be a good thing, and possibly Bowens who actually did ok when given the chance as well.
First of all… I don’t remember any post where Coleman was being “thrown under the bus.” He was fairly productive but the the combo of Ellis and Coleman at the 3/4 DE wasn’t as strong as you would like.
The Vegas odds for the Jets making it is 40 to 1 odds. Where did you get 25 to 1?
Since the subway series is going on, I was curious of the baseball fan makeup on this blog.
Care for baseball?
Mets or Yanks?
Die hard Mets fan here!
According to Urban Dictionary here is the origin of “thrown under the bus”:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=under+the+bus
As a long time jet fan I have always been cautious with my expectations for this team. But I cant help but feel that if a few things work out for us this could be our best team sine 1998. For the Jets to be this good they obviously need a few questions answered.
The QB:
With our current situation, the competition between KC and CP, QB is obviously a question mark for us. However, with our improved defense and O-Line I feel optimistic that whoever is annointed the starter can be successful. I have reasonable confidence in both CP and KC. While it remains a question who our starter will be, I have confidence Mangini and co will make the right decision.
The O-Line/Running Game:
Clearly our biggest weakness last year was the
O-Line. The signings of Faneca, Woody, Richardson and Franks should improve the unit tremendously. Obviously the question above concerning the QB situation will ultimately rest on the success of the offensive line. With Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Jesse Chatman, the Jets have a lot of talent at the RB position. With our offseason additions, this unit has potential to be dominant. And a dominant running game is only going to make our QB that much better.
The Pass Rush:
If the additions of Kris Jenkins, Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholsten dont improve our pass rush I don’t know what will. With Bryan Thomas, who has a lot to prove, the Jets have 3 very athletic and talented OLB’s. Throw in David Bowens and you have 4. Jenkins should clog up the middle and make it VERY easy for these OLB’s to run free and create havoc. Plus, with David Harris in his first full year as a starter, we have a stud in the making at MLB. I can see our pass rush being very good, especially if Jenkins can dominate the middle. Our secondary was pretty damn good last year even without a respectable pass rush. Imagine how much better they would be with constant pressure on the QB.
#2 CB:
I disagree for the most part with many of your opinions of this situation. With Darrelle Revis (top 5 cb in the nfl), and an improved pass rush, the second cb spot holds a lot less responsibility. Throw in Kerry Rhodes helping out from the Saftey spot, and it is even easier. I feel between Hank Poteat, Justin Miller, and David Barret the jets have an above average #2 cb.
If most of our moves pan out, I can see the Jets making some serious noise. Maybe even 10-13 wins. With a schedule that includes 2 games against Miami, and games against Oakland, Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, Arizona, Denver, and Cincinatti, I feel the Jets have 9 games against teams that they should be better then. Plus 2 games against the bills, who I think we are even with, if not better than. @ Tennessee doesnt scare me, and that is another winnable game. The remaining games are 2 against New England, and 1 vs San Diego and Seattle. I would love to be able to split with the pats, and why should we not believe we can beat SD? We did it the last 2 times when we were underdogs didnt we? and as far as Seattle, obviously a tough game, but Seattle is beatable. With that said, the Jets should be able to win a ton of games. I dont think I’ve been this excited for a season since 99. We all know what happened in the first game of that season. Lets hope this year goes much better.
Jets For Life.
-Mike G
mike g
well said…and i agree with your optimizum…we do look like a very good team on paper…lets just hope mangini brings it out in the games…and get those wins…
Mike G/ Dakar,
I agree. I think an 11-5 season is within our grasp.
To me, the most important early season game is the first one against Miami. WE HAVE TO WIN THAT GAME! It will set the tone for the whole season. If we win, we are the team on the rise, the team who made all the right moves. If we lose that game, then its Miami who did everything right and is on the rise. We have to win that first game. Everything the team does from now until kickoff should begeared toward wining that game.
I agree with most of what Mike G. said, but what I’m afraid of most is the next next “obvious” phrase that will be coming out of camp and uttered into the fall… Team chemistry and cohesiveness. I can hear the quotes now…”well, when you change this much personnel, it’s gonna take some time to jell..blah-blah-blah…” I remember Herm and Donny Henderson once spewing that junk all season long. The good news is that our bye-week comes earlier this year, and history has shown we play better after the bye-week. I like the moves, in general, but I’ll be annoyed if it takes forever to see the results on the field. Let’s hope they all stay healthy and motivated!
Bilal:
Jets odds
http://nflblogs.profootballweekly.com/Handicapping/2008/05/2009_super_bowl_odds_from_patr.html