Bassett’s Postgame Junk Drawer
I got home at 2AM. I’m bleary-eyed and tired but somehow energized, here’s my junk drawer of thoughts from last night’s win. I’ll have more nuggets later, but this is a start.
It’s Been a While — The last time the Jets were all alone atop the division was seven long years, ago … November 19th, 2001. The Jets beat the Miami Dolphins on November 18th and were a game ahead of the Pats. It was Brady’s first season running the ship thanks to Mo Lewis. The Jets and Patriots faced each other the very next week. The Patriots won the game, tied the division and never looked back. It’s hard to say whether this was the watershed moment, as we are in the midst of it, but remember this game and this night … just in case.
Emotional Win — This game was for sure a psychological boost for this team. Apparently, some players were “very emotional” after the game. Kris Jenkins didn’t name names but said that there was a real sense of accomplishment in the locker room and that some players who had been there longer than him were feeling it. This was a big win for the team, but there’s still six games … so it’s not over and there’s no “changing of the guard” yet as someone in the media posed the question to Mangini after the loss. Keep it in perspective. Maybe for this season, but not for good there’s two All-Pro players on the sidelines with season ending injuries on the Patriots who will be back next year. It was a win … a good win over a team the Jets have struggled with over the last six years. Yes, the Jets won, but by a field goal and the Pats were without three of their star players (Warren, Thomas and Brady). Just something to keep in mind and keep me humble.
Game Plan the Game Plan — The third quarter was maddening. The Jets had like 20 yards of offense and the Patriots came storming back to pull the game to a tie. The Patriots used the half to adjust and play to their strengths and the Jets did what they always do … freeze up and called a conservative game. I need to view the tape, but how many 3rd and shorts were throws in the second half that went for incompletions and punts? It wasn’t until the Jets swapped back to their use of Keller in the slot and a heavy dose of TJ that the Jets righted the ship.
Same Situation — Remember the run plays Week 2? The Jets were faced with a similar predicament last night and some different play-calling was made and it worked out for the Jets … the Jets got TWO passer interferences to keep the drive alive and to move the ball inside the 1, which became a running TD.
Off ‘Til Wednesday? — I heard a rumor that the Jets might be off until Wednesday because of the win. Maybe we’ll hear more about that. Can the Jets get it done against an (as of yet) still unbeaten Tennessee team?
Weather Not a Factor — The weatherman got it wrong. The game was mostly rain free and it showed in the offense.
How Dustin Keller Made an Impact — This week I wrote the following two nuggets about Keller.
- “The worst two teams in the league at defending slot receivers while playing decently against traditional Tight Ends are Saint Louis (#32 v. 3rd Rec. 13th v. TE) and the Patriots (#31 v. 3rd Rec. 11th v. TE). Think Keller could be a big part of the plan again come Thursday?”
- “I’d look for the Jets to try and use Dustin Keller and their primary receivers to break this game open.”
Favre said last night postgame that “Dustin was the third or fourth read” on the all go route on 3rd and 15 in OT. The radio postgame (homers) said it was a blown coverage. I’d need to see it again, but it’s clear that the Patriots had no answer for Keller. It’s that mismatch thing we kept talking about back in the spring. When the Jets DID put him back out there in the first half and in the long drive in the fourth quarter, he was extremely effective. For all the fellow Jets fans that booed him (most cheered it seems to me) at Radio City the day of the draft … I wonder if they like him now? :) Keller was the first receiver picked in the draft, and he proved why last night. He could be a great option for this offense for a long time. Is the Jets first round Tight End curse banished?
No Resting on Laurels — Since it was such a close game, I don’t think that the Jets win this game if Brady or Adalius Thomas or Ty Warren are playing. I won’t compare them But the Jets were without a few of their players too
Pats Fans Were Licking Their Wounds — Honestly? They sounded like I did last year when I was listening to the radio/postgame show in the car leaving. “Cassell made good progress.” “The refs were robbing us this game.” “I was so proud of Jerod Mayo.” “We were the better team.” Someone in the press box even made the inane comment when Cassell went above 300 yards that “and they’re still losing.” Well duh … most times when they have to strictly pass it’s because a team is losing. Cassell did look good … that pump fake and end zone throw shows he’s proving himself. As an UFA at the end of this season, don’t expect him to be back. But half of why he’s so good is because he’s playing with the Patriots … Randy Moss and Wes Welker. As far as Mayo, he’s great and I hoped he’d be there at the top of the second (Pats “reached” to get the up and coming junior), but any good ilinebacker can make 20 tackles if there’s no one ahead of him to do their job … just look at David Harris from last year. Mayo is good and he had a good game, but the first thing that should come to mind when a Weak Inside has 20 tackles is that the line rots or has missing pieces.
And I Thought The Meadowlands Was Bad — Foxborough is a fantastic stadium, but terrible area and surrounding infrastructure. Imagine being in the middle of the woods, putting a stadium there and having only one north-south roud with six lanes to service it. That’s Foxborough. That was my first game at Foxborough and it’s official … I will never complain about getting in or out of to the Meadowlands again. I’ve been to Gillette before, but for training camp. It was a nightmare to get out of the stadium, it takes forever. Next time it’s Woody’s private purple helicopter or nothing.
Filed under: Main Page, News, Opinion/Bassett
So if anyone let his ego get in the way it was Belicheat. His decision not to take the field goal in the second quarter was stupid and was crucial to the Jets victory.
With the likelihood that Favre is just a one and done stopgap for the Jets, maybe Tangini should start greasing the skids to try to sign Cassel after this season? The kid looks good. :)
how about a guyy named Maroney? I think he would also make things harder. The truth is that despite feeling great about this win, we let them back in it, and they aer missing 5-6 key players really. I feel like we are going in the right direction though, and we play them more competitively every game.
charleyjet, I disagree. Belicheat was consistent in going for it on fourth the next set of downs as well, and ended up getting a touchdown at the end of the half. If he’d played it conservative and gone for the FG each time, they would have had 6 instead of 7. I hate the guy, but he did a helluva job making adjustments last night, going to the hurry-up to get Jenkins off the field, etc. Thank God for Favre and Keller. And for Kerry Rhodes calling the toss correctly.
As one who has bashed Favre from day one, I will say he played one helluva game last night. Apparently there is nothing wrong with his arm.
Little Leon is the savior. The Jets should just dedicate all PSL revenue to him when his contract needs to be reworked.
But as Collingsworth pointed out last night – why the HELL did Sutton pull Law off of Moss at the line of scrimmage on that last play in regulation?
It was nearly a Same Old Jets moment. How the team kept its composure in OT, I have no idea. It feels GREAT to be a Jets fan today.
One thing I noticed last night is that the Pats are still a very good team and that I hope since the Jets now have solid starters we can build depth that isas talented. That being said…
F—- yeah baby! Whoo Whoo! are they trying to kill us or get more ratings squandering that lead? I loved it being in Foxborough. I could hear their disapointment. Big win. Keller is awesome. Whole team played their part. What is that 4 in a row? Lets go Jets!
The JETS didn’t make excuses when they’ve had key players hurt against the Pats in recent years!
I don’t think the psychological boost that this gives the Jets can be underrated. As many have said, they’ve exorcised the “we can’t beat the Pats” ghost that has been shadowing this team for the past few years — I don’t care if it was by a field goal in OT — THE JETS BEAT THE PATS. PERIOD.
The thing that’s also been amazing was how the offense keeps coming back for long drives late in games. That’s what quality teams do — long, sustained drives that end in scores.
Sure, there are still things to work on, but for today, I’m just basking in the glow of a great, emotional win over a bitter rival and division opponent. Last night, the Jets stood up to the bully and took his lunch money. For once.
And, oh yeah, I LOVE LEON!!!!!!
R in CT, right on. The Jets won. Parcells used to say “You are what your record says you are” and right now, the Jets record says they are the best team in the AFC East. Climbed a big mountain last night and it was awesome to see them bounce back from adversity against their nemesis. That’s what the best teams do. Leon continues to be a steal of a fourth round pick!
Plain and simple, the Jets won in spite of their coaching. Bellichicken easily got he best of Man(fomrer)genius in the 2nd half. And Bob Sutton is just way too vanilla. How is it that the defense we played accomplished two things at once: 1) no pressure, and 2) inability to cover anyone. Why on earth wouldn’t you put all kinds of pressure on Cassel? Instead, you set him up with a lunge chair and serve him martinis while he picks apart your D. And that D strategy led to an exhausted D at the end. Jets were lucky Pats didn’t get ball, because Jets D had NOTHING left in the tank. Schottzie didn’t do us any favors either, with some of those 3rd and short plays. The players bailed out the coaches on this one. And let’s not get too cocky about this one. Pats were a depleted team, and still almost beat us. Embarrassing. Finally, Mayo looks pretty good vs. Gholsten these days, huh? What does it say when your D is absolutely gassed at end of game, and Gholsten isn’t doing anything?
Lol you all know that when Favre retires (again) this offseason Mangini is signing Cassell. I’m giving it 2-1 that it happens. Former NE player will start for the Jets and suck balls. He had some crappy passes all game and is TERRIBLE at throwing downfield. It’s inevidable that we sign him and he blows though.
Gholston had a ST tackle if u find an solace in that.
Mayo got a lot of pub last night. He had some great hits. But i am pretty sure Bassett himself could look great behind seymour and wilfork.
Boy, some of you fans are really fair weather fans! Brett could easily play another year if the Jets make the playoffs. He was tremendous last night and provided great leadership to the team. I don’t like Belicheck either, but he is a brilliant coach where that term is often overused. Let’s enjoy this incredible win before we look ahead. The Jets are now 7 and 3!
a great win. I love all the people saying “it was w/o Brady & 3 defensive starters, etc….” Please, injuries are part of the game. You think the ‘99 Colts said “yeah we won the AFC East but Vinny was out for the season.?”
There were many positives from this game.
There were 2 major negatives: 2 minute Pass D was awful & the offense in Q3 was terrible – need to develop a go for the jugular approach.
Yeah Boys!!!!!!!!!! Nice Win. mayo is a beast though and can lay the wood. Leon is a playmaker and we need to let him touch the ball at least 8-10 times a game. We were way too conservative in the 3rd and 4th quarters. It was typical “make you sweat it out Jet football” Bring on the Titans!!!
BTW, on some of those failed 3rd and shorts in the third quarter, there was an open receiver on each play that would gotten us a first down both times. Once it was Leon in the right flat. The other time someone, I can’t remember who, was wide open to Favre’s right. Favre just didn’t look that way on either play.
In response to the “they have injuries part”, let’s be real. With Tom Brady at the helm I don’t see a chance how we could win this game. Cassel just tore us apart because he had to pass every play since they were down, but Brady WANTS to pass every play. If we doubled Wes and Graham would have caught 20 balls. But for this season, I will take it!
This is the hardest thing to do in sports, beat the big brother that has owned you and stands directly in your way. Think Pistons-Bulls of the late 80s, Knicks-Bulls of the 90s, Red Sox-Yankees until 2004, etc. Even though this was a regular season game, this just has that “It” factor to it. This was a game this team had to win if they were going to really and truly believe that they are capable of winning this whole thing. And they did it. There were times the team (and coaches) seemed to get tentative and the Pats showed tremendous heart, but we EARNED the win. As R in Ct I don’t think it can be overstated how big a win this was for this team and for this season. Who knows what will happen the rest of the way, but for the first time since Vinny went down in 1999 I actually believe anything is possible with this team and I think for the first time since then, the team actually believes anything is possible as well. One of the most gut wrenching, memorable football games I have ever watched. As a sports fan, one of those classic nights that seem to happen so infrequently, but when they do happen, they actually make you a happier person.
Please fire Don Sutton now
This is more nit-picking, but I’m guessing that our 2002 division title doesn’t count as “all alone atop the division” since we were still tied at the end of the season? I felt all alone when we were in the playoffs and the Dolphins/Patriots weren’t.
bob sutton =)
and yes he is poooh.
law has to be jamming moss on that last play, and if not…there HAS to be coverage rolled that way…. moss basically posted law up like in basketball….with no double team to help out.
geee…he is only one of the best recievers in football.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I HEARD SOME OF THE FANS SAYING ‘SAME OLD JETS’ … THEY AIN’T SAYING THAT NOW.”
BRETT FAVRE
It was a good win and Farve looked great. The prevent defense makes us all nervous but in truth it made sense at that point. With no timeouts the pats had to execute perfectly to get that TD. they did – EXCEPT – if “Swipe” Lowery intercepts that ball, the game is over.
Keller looks like a gem as a 1st round pick. Now if only VG could actually make a tackle on defense.
Favre won this game plain and simple!! That’s why the Jet’s got him,this is what he doe’s!!!
Think the Packer’s Management didn’t watch last nite? Hope they enjoy watching the Jet’s and Favre in the PLAYOFF’S!!!!
I can not believe the negative comments on this site sometimes. Can we please be excited and happy that we won and are in first place? Some of you act as if that’s not an accomplishment and we should be angry we didn’t kill the Patriots. Seriously? The Pats are 6 and 4 without Brady. They are far from a bad team. They still have a lunatic cheating coach in Bellicheck.
This was a GREAT win. There’s nothing to say we can’t keep winning and who knows what this year can bring.
We are not going to win 47-6 every week. But you know what? You don’t have to to win a championship. You just have to win. And that’s what we did last night.
And that Moss catch was unbelievable. The coverage was there and the pass was perfect. No way to defend it. Bumping him on the line would have done NOTHING since we were only rushing three guys.
Can we somehow acknowledge that the Moss TD was a great throw by Cassell and great catch by Moss. Cassell put that ball in the one spot where it could be caught, while on the move, and Moss made a hell of a catch while managing to keep his feet in bounds. Law’s coverage on the play wasn’t all that bad.
peter … good point … i meant record-wise.
I only have one coaching criticism, I would’ve rushed 4 at the end because Jenks was destroying Mankins with 4 down linemen. I would rather have the heat of a better pass rush than an extra DB. To me, dropping 7 is enough. Besides that, you have to give the Devil his due. Cassell is the perfect QB for the hurry up because of his mobility and the hurry up neutralized Jenks…although, I don’t care what the package is, I have Jenks in unless he needs a blow. Moss is an All-Pro and surefire HOF’er for a reason, the Pats’ OL was intact, Welker is one of the best slot WRs that I’ve ever seen, and Faulk is a gamer. The Pats’ offense that was historic last season only needed better QB play to be explosive and Cassell played well.
This was a well-deserved, tough win and the 3rd AFC East road win for the Jets…I’m checking for the last time that happened!
Since Indy left the AFC East, the Jets have swept their AFC East rivals on their home turf one time before: in 2006. Pretty impressive that Mangini has done that twice in 3 seasons. Now, let’s see if the Jets can sweep the Bills for the first time since 2002. Also, however unlikely, the Jets are still alive for a franchise-best 13-3 season…let’s dare to dream!!!
kd bart:
You are absolutely right. Even a rusty Ty Law had that covered as perfectly as anyone could. Randy Moss happens to be the best receiver ever (THATS RIGHT, I SAID IT!). That play will be on his highlight reel in Canton.
But wow, what a day to be a Jets fan. I feel a weight has been lifted off my back. And what a tremendous game! I’m 23 and almost called 911 due to my heart palpitating.
No more close ones Brett, I just can’t take it.
Dustin Keller remind anyone of an athletic but inexperienced Tony Gonzalez to anyone else?
no?
yes?
a wee bit?
Favre was outstanding. Jericho Cotchery and Leon Washingot were All-Pro.
We would have extended that 24-6 score and blew out the Pats, if we had any coaching. The play-calling on both sides of the ball was sickening.
Shottenheimer has no clue. If I never see another line-of-scrimmage pass, it would be fine. He took us right out of our groove, with horrible play calls.
Sutton brought no pressure and allowed Cassel to sit back and pick us apart. He does this when we face young, inexperienced QB’s and they all have their best games ever, against us. Do you think the Giants would have sat back and rushed three or four, after going up 24-6? He has no guts. How long was he going to let Watson eat Pace for dinner? How long was he going to let Gaffney eat Lowery? All in all – Sutton could be let go today and we would have a better chance against the Titans.
I love the players on this team but, they will never be able to maximize their talent, with this coaching staff.
On the good side, the O-Line is gelling like Magellan. We are coming together on Defense without David Harris, who can only help when he returns.
The upcoming Titan game is huge. We win this game and — Hello Playoffs!
Despite our coaches.
Law jamming Moss on that last play is irrelevant. He was covered as tight a humanly possibly, and just made a super-human play. The issue is that god-awful prevent defense that they were playing. Barton could barely make it back across the line of scrimmage. Sutton’s mistake was letting the Patriots move down the field like a knife through butter, with NO resistance. If the Jets had played ANY D in the last minute, Pats wouldn’t have been at the 15 on the last play. If that play occurs from another 10 yards out, no way they complete that pass. As knowledgeable football folks will tell you, the only thing a Prevent D dos is prevent victories.
You can attribute the “new” mentality on offense to good ol #4. Everyone can bash Favre but he played one hell of a game. He brings the “NEVER SAY DIE” attitude to a team that doesnt know how to win…
Guess what? FAVRE has won more games that anyone and he knows how to win. I think people are really understating the mentality and swagger and trust this team has in each other.
This Jets team took the Pats best punches last night and kept coming back and punching them in the mouth.. Over and over again. That is an attitude more than skill. That’s the best and most important aspect that Favre brings to the Jets. NEVER SAY DIE and keep coming back.
With that said… Dont anyone dare take anything away from the Jets last night because the Pats were injured…
What happened to the “Pats can plug anyone into the game and they can step right up?”. The Pats were 6-3 and just finished beating Buffalo and lost to the Colts by 3 points. They are a good team and we might see them again in the Playoffs.
How does a team manage to be 6-3 and playing for the AFC East, be considered weak? I bet you that if they won, everyone would sucked the Pats off and said how great they are, and the fact that they can plug anyone in to win.
I think all of you will agree with me when i say being a jets fan is torture! But nonetheless that was a great game…now that i know its over and we got the W.
Do you think other teams will go no-huddle against us now? Belichick may have drawn up a blueprint for the rest of the league.
The question is when will we go to the no huddle.
This may seem farfetched but is it possible the Pats were better last night with Cassel than Brady? Cassel kept several drives alive with huge runs in 3rd down situations where we had excellent coverage. What would Brady do in the same situation? Throw it out of bounds? Try to squeeze one in? Take off and run but not with the ability of Cassel.
I understand that Brady gives you the deep threat that Cassel doesn’t but those runs were killing us.
I just love how Farve is concentrating on making nice smart decisions… his yardage numbers may be down, but the overall product looks great… Although if he had a decent 3rd quarter he probably would have thrown for 300
I’ll tell you one thing Brady couldnt have throw that game tying touchdown pass any better than Cassel did…
I was also surprised with all the momentum going their way that the pats and their gambling coach didn’t try to for 2 to win the game right there… But maybe he watched highlights of KC SD last week… Where herm tried to do that and failed
I also thought Cassel showed great pocket presence… something that he hasn’t been good at so far. Everytime the jets got close to him it seemed he managed to avoid it and step/run away at the perfect time…
Dont forget the patriots have one of the best O lines in football and they have been together for years
can keller block?
Mole, pretty sure I remember Arizona using the no-huddle pretty much the whole second half against us.
Doug, you make a valid point. Watching Cassel last night, I said to myself, no one can continue saying that this Patriots team has taken a big step down because of Brady being out. Cassel is a GOOD QB. Obviously Brady is better overall, but Cassel gives them everything they need and more at the position. The Jets beat a very good team on the road last night. I don’t want to hear this BS anymore, “Well, without Brady it’s not a big deal.” It is a big deal. I’m very happy Cassel is a FA at the end of the year. He’ll probably end up in Minn, or Detroit. But if Favre leaves, I could also see the Jets being interested. How about that for the next step in the rivalry?
good point on cassell Doug. Guy is gonna get rich this offseason bro.
Keller shouldnt need to block… Hes more of a receiving tightend…. Ala Dallas Clark or Antonio Gates
The Jets really know how to grind out a win, huh? i lost a lot of hair during that fourth quarter.
I watched the game with a buddy who’s an enormous chowder head. He made the same comments that basset touched upon regarding injuries (if we had brady, thomas, and warren, we’d be killing it etc), but I think that’s just a plain stupid comment. Durability is a major factor in football, it’s not a “cheap win” when you beat a team riddled with injuries.
Exactly dave, there are no cheap wins in the NFL.
I also think the “so many Injuries” argument is weak. The Jets were without Harris, their leading tackler, and the Pats were without AD. Harrison is gone, but his skills were severely declining…Keller locked up by Harrison? Not happening. Ty Warren was out, but his replacement played well. On offense, I’m not a Maroney fan and Green-Ellis looks just as good. Plus, the way the game went, Faulk would’ve been in anyhow and they did get Morris back. Thus, it really comes down to Brady being out and how much better could Brady have been? His replacement set an NFL record for being the only 400 yard passer with over 60 yards rushing. The Jets won, are in first place and when or if they play again or Brady comes back, then we’ll see.
As for Cassell on the Jets…Ratliff has Cassell’s mobility plus a cannon arm. To me, the Jets go to Brett Jr.
Every week is a different episode of our NY Jets. We’ve been scoring alot of points and giving up alot of points. As long as we score more than who we are playing it doesnt matter to me at this point in the year. Just win baby!! Everyone is thinking that our next game with Tennesse will be a low scoring game. You can never tell in the NFL. The stats say one thing but the results can be different.
Sack, Right on man! I’d rather take Brett Jr anyday over Cassell!
Harvlis, I agree we won in spite of our coaching. How can you mess up your passing game and your run game at the same time!?!
I’d drop back Coleman and Smith on their worse days before I’d drop back Pace. We should have been sending 5 all game. In fact that’s pretty much what we did to Brady the last time we beat them.
I say we live or die with Feeley. Any takers?
Jose, I’m pretty sure going ino last night’s game, the Jets had the biggest point differential btween pts scored and pts given up.
The injury argument is one made by losers. Its the NFL everyone has injured players, but it comes down to how’d the replacements do? Its not like Cassel went out there and threw 3 picks and 150 yards. He had 400 yards and 3 TD’s. We see it all the time, guys get injured and the replacements step in and perform, so I wouldn’t say the Pats definitely would have won if they had Thomas and Warren…Brady of course is a different story, but I’m not going to lessen the impact for the Jets because of the players the Pats had out.
Agree with most of what Basset said but I think he is downplaying what Mayo did. It’s true that many MLB’s have to clean up poor tacking by linemen and as a result their stats are boosted. But Mayo made most of his tackles in the second half, when the Jets were going 3-and-out. He was consistently in the backfield, blowing up plays, and his closing speed is unlike any I have seen in awhile. David Harris he is not. He is a holy terror.
Ben, David Harris is a force. Mayo had a great game, but for a little perspective, Harris in his rookie season, started 9 games and had 127 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles. Mayo in 10 games started this season has 85 tackles, 3 passes defended, no sacks and no forced fumbles. Mayo looks like a great player, but there’s no reason to diss Harris, who has an equally great future ahead of him, once he gets healthy again.
Check out the post-game Favre interview on the NFL Network, some good “nuggets” like how Randy Moss asked Favre to throw a pick during the OT coin toss (Brett notes that after the game Randy was no where to be found), Deion bought Brett some “nice” clothes when he was a rookie with the Falcons, and generally his relationship with the offense and Mangini:
http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ
I haven’t commented in a while, but the best part of this is not having to read any comments from some drunk Pats fan on this blog.
I wish there was an easier choice for this.