Monthly Archives: October 2009
Can they? Can the Jets stop the Wildcat? They couldn’t the last time they faced the Dolphins. It’s a shame that Gang Green didn’t employ that “Seminole” offense more with Leon Washington this season. Maybe they’ll start it up with Shonn Greene.
The Dolphins ran the Wildcat a season-high 16 times, accounting for 110 yards – 89 on the ground, 21 on a pass completion. The Jets acted like they hadn’t seen it before, missing at least one tackle on five of those plays and yielding nearly eight yards per carry on outside runs – and that was with Kris Jenkins at nose tackle. Now he’s done for the season.
What do you think? Over/Under on Wildcat plays this Sunday: 12. Any takers?
Calvin Pace was fresh off a four-game suspension when the Jets headed into Miami for what would ultimately become a thoroughly disappointing and deflating Monday Night loss to the divisional-rival Dolphins. Pace was jacked — maybe a little too much — and rusty. He was nearly invisible except for some glaring mistakes and was on the field for much of the Dolphins’ game-winning drive. Afterward, Pace was emotional and loquacious, calling a wildcat offense that just shredded Pace’s D “nonsense” and a 2nd-year QB who looked near-perfect a “clown”.
Fast forward to Week 7 and Pace had his breakout game of the ’09 season with 3 sacks and 2 fumbles against Oakland. Now, Pace is ready to live up to his words and make the impact in Week 8 that he didn’t a few weeks ago.
“I said some things, meant them, but normally I keep that stuff to myself,” Pace said. “I’m not much of a talker. You guys ask me questions and I say what I think. The fact remains that they beat us and they did what they wanted to do at will. I can’t lie about that and I’ve got to respect that.”
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“That can happen, especially after a tough loss like that,” defensive end Mike DeVito said. “It’s hard to come into the locker room right after and not be frustrated and say some things. Calvin knows what he said and he sticks behind it, and I stick behind him.”
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“He’s a beast, really,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said. “He just makes plays for us.”
As we said on the TJB Radio Show this week, Pace is the turning key in the back of this defense. After his words clearly fired up the Dolphins and Ronnie Brown, he’s going to have to turn them into a prophecy and stop the nonsense from being successful this week and turn Henne into a real clown. I think he absolutely has the ability to single-handedly change the outcome of this game — he’s that good.
I was reading Alan Faneca’s thoughts that the Jets run game could be better, and I wanted to pose the question to you guys: Can they? Are there things they can do better on the ground?
ESPN’s NFL Live crew breaks down the Jets’ zone-based run scheme and how opponents, specifically Miami, can stop it.
You know, a couple weeks ago, the Jets gave out travel coffee mugs after the Bills loss. I recently discovered it in the trunk of my car and when I pulled it out, all those postgame thoughts flooded back. And while I was semi-confident heading into today, after seeing this mug, I’m completely terrified.
- Some more injury updates: Cotchery and Clowney a go, same goes for Damien Woody and Brandon Moore, but the same can’t be said for Miami’s Channing Crowder.
- Rex: Will Allen’s no Pro Bowler.
- Remember when the Jets used to have a weapon at tight end?
- Five questions for Phil Simms.
- Because of injuries, the rookies in the Dolphins’ secondary are under plenty of pressure this week.
- Jerricho Cotchery will be the lead guest at a benefit lunch on Nov. 17 to benefit his foundation for underprivileged youngsters.
- Some Week 8 picks for you: Sporting News, ESPN, Fox Sports.
Ted Berg and I talk about the upcoming game this week.
After three weeks of disappointment the Jets regained their bearings against Al Davis’ team er… circus unfortunately it came with a price as the Jets would lose Leon Washington for the rest of the season after just losing Kris Jenkins a week before to a ACL tear. The Jets are heading into a BYE week and are looking for revenge against the Dolphins whose upset on Monday night with seconds remaining in the game crushed the child within all of us. With a two week break ahead, Ryan will want to leave the Meadowlands on a positive note and you can bet that Ryan has not overlooked Miami’s offense one bit this time around. Let’s just put it this way: hopefully the Jets will come out on top or else …
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Dustin Keller talks on Jets Game Plan.
Braylon & Cotch vs. Fresh Meat– A lot has been made of the Dolphins rookie corners starting this week, what with Will Allen out of the lineup. Braylon had a great game against the Dolphins the first time around, and he did so without the help of Jerricho Cotchery, who was mostly limited in the previous game. Cotchery’s ability to play in this game could be critical to how comfortable Sanchez is against the Dolphins.
Jake Grove vs. Whoever’s Lined Up Against Him — Jake Grove has played well on the line for the Dolphins, and with Jenkins out of the lineup, that matchup is going to be crucial in seeing how much yardage the ‘Cat can scarf up on first and second downs. The Jets need to hold this point of attack to win the game.
Chad Henne vs. Standing Upright — The Jets got almost no pressure on the Dolphins in the game last time, Bart Scott has expressed his wish to get Henne out of the game … and that would be a good step for the Jets, since he torched them in their last game. Henne though is coming off a bad performance against the Saints, and the Jets are coming off back to back performances where they’ve knocked the opposing starting QB out of the game in one form or fashion.
Shonn Greene vs. Unrealistic Expectations — After his brilliant performance last weekend, some of the moonbat contingent think that the Jets are better off using him over Washington. Bite your tongue! Greene is a very promising rookie, and might be the running back that the team can base their future around, but he’s more similar to Thomas Jones running style than Washington, which means that the Jets offense won’t be as effective without a third down back like Leon available for the game.
We’ll have more real player versus player stuff up this weekend. For now add (and discuss) the matchups you are going to be paying attention to in the comments.
Geico SportsNite on the Jets – 10/29/09
I’ve updated the headline … lol
In the Daily News, Rich Cimini writes that the new wedge rules .. which had stymied Leon’s production so far this season .. might play well to Justin Miller’s style of running.
Because of the rule change outlawing three-man wedges on kickoff returns, newly re-signed KR Justin Miller could be more effective than Leon Washington, according to special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff. A two-man wedge means more open space, which could play to Miller’s strength – straight-line speed. “I have a great comfort level with him,” Westhoff said. “We’re looking to hit a home run.”
Miller does run well when he can get to full speed, to be sure. If the blockers and Westhoff can scheme to his style, which is more straight line than shifty, the Jets might be able to gain an edge over the Dolphins on returns.
Jim Leonhard, Safety of the Jets talks with TJB about bad rivalry bets, his tackling philosophy, and the interchangeably playing in Rex's system.
Although we wish we had some more time with Jim, and his audio connection cut out at some point, we want to thank Jim for his time to talk. Enjoy!
