Comments on: In Game Focus: Wes Welker

By: Joe B.

Joe B. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:55:01 +0000

Frank -

Maybe, but it also makes passing more difficult for us, and the Patriots, who have excelled against the run, are terrible against the pass.

With that said, I still say we’re the better team and if the Jets play mistake-free football, it doesn’t matter if the game is in a monsoon, we should still win.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:49:44 +0000

Actually, I’m happy that the game will be in the rain — will make passing more difficult, and since no one can run on us, that should make life harder overall on the Pats. Cassel hasn’t really shown any ability (yet) to play in bad weather, whereas Favre is one of the great bad-weather QBs of all time.

By: BubbyBrister/shovelpass

BubbyBrister/shovelpass — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:45:31 +0000

Potential pitfalls for the Jets:

Favorable calls for NE
Wilfolk cheap shots
Kevin Faulk in the flat on third downs
Sloppy field with rainy / windy conditions
Cassel’s scrambling
Ben Watson suddenly becoming a pass catcher again
Field position battle

Potential pitfalls for the Pats:
Thomas Jones and Kris Jenkins !

‘Nuff said: Jets win….27 – 16

By: Eddie DiGio

Eddie DiGio — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:27:45 +0000

Joe B,
Im 100% with you on the referees, they can’t be the reason in a game like this. As you said unless it;s blantant swallow the whistle. Can’t wait for tommorow,
the only game in town Thurs, we have to show the nation that this is OUR time…

By: fire schottenheimer

fire schottenheimer — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:04:26 +0000

im a little worried about bowens out there trying to cover a guy like kevin faulk and possibly getting stuck in a zone with welker slanting through the middle….gunnu be at the game Jets fans should try and meet up for a beer

By: Andrew Weiss

Andrew Weiss — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:51:37 +0000

The first NE game was KJ’s second game in the 3-4 scheme. He was tentative as you might expect, about his two-gap responsibility. He was also not really in football shape. Last week he played a lot of third downs which he hadn’t been playing earlier in the season. He’s shown much more aggressiveness in the last three games.

There’s also Sean Ellis who has become a different player in recent weeks without the burden of double teams.

I believe that if we lose, it will not be because of scheme. We will shoot ourselves in the foot (INTs, fumbles, penalties). If we win, it will be because a) we now have skilled palyers at many positions and b) we are finally executing. The one thing the Patriots can not stop is a team with better personnel that is executing. With due respect, we have better personnel. Now, let’s execute.

By: Joe B.

Joe B. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:12:16 +0000

SackDance99 -

I agree with your last point. If the Jets rush Cassel, do it cleanly and flags are still thrown, I’m going to be severely disappointed and disillusioned by the NFL. I really hope that the referees will not be a topic of any conversation after the game, by either side. Swallow the whistles unless there’s something egregious and let these two teams settle it fair and square.

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:24:57 +0000

Another thing that I am afraid of is that Cassell is a running QB, which means our guys will have to go full speed after him. So, I see another cheap and crucial “roughing the QB” call.

By: Bent

Bent — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:15:43 +0000

Yes, Koppen has struggled against some big nose tackles. Jenkins impact was perhaps limited in the last meeting because, as you will recall, he was struggling more with the back issues at that time (it was only one week from the SD game that he missed virtually all of).

Revis has held down Moss (and guys like him) in the past, but with Brady not in there to throw deep, perhaps Welker is the bigger threat overall.

(Of course, maybe the Pats have been saving all their deep balls for this game, but in any case the Jets can switch it around).

The linebackers have to make tackles. That could be more important than preventing the catch. I’d rather see Welker be 10-80 than 5-150…

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:56:44 +0000

I mentioned in a previous post that I noticed Revis playing the slot WR against the Rams. I wonder if this was some “in game” prep for the Pats game? I agree with the philosophy of taking away Welker and forcing Cassell to wait in the pocket to pick out the open WR. If he does that, the Jets pass rush will hurry and/or sack him. Cassell isn’t sacked because he primarily throws short passes. Let’s get him uncomfortable and force him to go up top. Of course, the Jets must stop the rush because BB will want to have the clock run to shorten the game and keep it close so his superior special teams can win the game.

Also, I saw Jamal Williams of the Chargers single-handedly blow up the Pats’ OL. This is another statement game for Big Jenks. If he can do the same thing, the Pats will be in big trouble on offense.