The Initial Assessment: “Gut-Check Time”
What has happened to the 3-0 team that began at the start of the season? A visit to the Saints brought out Mark Sanchez’s rookiness while a trip to Miami spinned the defense in circles and made Chad Henne look like Dan Marino. Now at 3-2 the Jets are still atop the AFC East but they certainly need this win here against Jauron & Co. to get back on track – despite their mishap these past couple of weeks I think a home game just might be the remedy. Rex Ryan has semi-recovered and has been able to get his new message up …
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CdJTfGiRCI&feature=related
Coach Ryan: Manage the clock, man!
Quarterback: Mark Sanchez might have just found his new best buddy after connecting with Braylon Edwards a team high nine times on Monday (please correct me if the that number is off). After a poor showing against the Saints, Chez rebounded positively and did most of what he could to win the game on offense granted there were slipups at times espcially with Dustin Keller. The rookie apologized to Dustin earlier in the week after he pretty much shunned him against a Miami defense that gave up a lot to tight ends in weeks past. With J-Cotch and Brad Smith probably sidelined I wouldn’t be surprised to Sanchez find his way back to Keller’s heart, hit Clowney on some long plays while tossing a few to his new buddy Braylon.
Running Backs: It is so inconsistant, I’m ready to pull my hair out! Thomas Jones and Leon Washington both had some good times throughout the Monday night battle but they still need to work on maintaining consistancy which they have not managed to do in back to back games. Hopefully a weakened Bills defense and some appearences from Shonn Greene and a return of TJ and LW will help give the running game a much needed boost.
Wide Receivers: Although there is still doubt, Braylon certainly silenced all the doubters in his debut and with the Bills defense in more disarray than the Jets defense was on Monday I would expect to see Edwards get his share of catches, I wouldn’t mind a touchdown either. J-Co is said to be doubtful but not out yet but let’s be honest even if he can partake in the game for a couple of plays a series with possibly slick conditions do the Jets really want to risk it? I wouldn’t which means David Clowney and Wallace Wright should take a good part of the load in Cotchery’s absence. I’m hesitant but I will say that its possible we could see Danny Woodhead line up at receiver this weekend (and now would be the week to do so especially with Smith down) and maybe we can get an idea of what he can bring to the table.
Tight Ends: Poor Dustin Keller, so under used, what to do? Throw him the damn ball Chez! Although Keller’s blocking skills have been called into question at times there is not doubt that Keller is a great playmaking tight end and I would hope the Chez will have plenty of time to find him on Sunday. After getting penalized on Monday, I will actually be elated if Ben Hartsock returns to his quiet blocking duties although a playaction pass to Hartsock is something I wouldn’t mind.
Offensive Line: It seemed to me that the line had improved somewhat since we last saw it up against the Saints which is good news for Sanchez. But let’s not get too crazy after all the running game is still a concern while Chez is at times still looking for more time. Let’s hope the line will continue to get their act together against the bumbling Bills.
Defensive Line: I’m still trying to determine how the Jets managed to let Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown walk all over them without barely a touch at times … I suppose we can’t sit on it for too long but mark my words practice was some profanity stricken military workout and I would not be surprised to see the line put a lot of effort into stop the run and allowing David Harris and/or Bart Scott trying a hit Trent Edwards a good amount. That said, Shaun Ellis is hurting with a knee injury but I don’t expect him to miss much after all the Jets have some good guys behind Ellis such as DeVito and possibly Pitoitua who might actually see some time if Ellis needs to sit a moment.
Linebackers: Needless to say the fearless duo of Bart Scott and David Harris had a less than stellar night and will no doubt still have that fresh in memory when Miami comes to the Meadowlands in a few weeks but right now Bart Scott has already expressed his desire to hit somebody and I really would not want to be that guy in the Bills uniform on Sunday.
Calvin Pace looked as rusty as ever and will need to make some good plays this week after sticking his nose where it shouldn’t have been (calling the Wildcat “nonsense”) don’t get me wrong though I love the talking but you also have to go out and back it up and the field and coming back from a suspension Pace should have known there would have been some rust to shake off — hopefully he’ll rebound along with Scott and Harris. Bryan Thomas continues to be a factor as well and should be able to make some good contributions of his own after a quiet night.
Defensive Backs: Want to talk embarassing? How about watching Darrelle Revis getting beat out by the bumbling Ted Ginn Jr. on MNF, that has got to be an image Revis wants to get out of his head but again he’ll have to save until their next meeting with the Dolphins. For now though I would expect Revis to stick to T.O. like glue, not Elmer’s glue but we are talking Gorilla Glue. Lito Sheppard appears he will return to duty but will he be much use after missing 3 1/2 games going up against Lee Evans? I feel Sheppard will have some rust to shake off which means if Dwight Lowery could see some snaps as well after his good performance while Sheppard was sidelined.
Donald Strickland is questionable which means Drew Coleman could see some more time in the Nickel … not that he’s complaing and not that I am either, Coleman was able to keep up with the plays and make some good decisions but I won’t let myself get too carried away. Kerry Rhodes, Jim Leonhard and Eric Smith should be able to have a good game against the Bills after all, they are also part of the side that gave the Jets “blunt force trauma” to the morale.
Special Teams: If it isn’t one thing, it will be another with Mike Westhoff. Steve Weatherford seems to have cemented his spot after twice he tricked Miami’s defense into giving the Jets first downs after only two weeks before the Jets forced Ryan Mouton to cough up the ball a couple of times (can we see that happen to a Buffalo returnman please?). In addition to that Weatherford has been the guy Ryan has been looking for so all is good in that department. Jay “The Vending Machine” Feely will break Pat Leahy’s record of 22 consecutive field goals if he is able to hit one through the uprights once in the Meadowlands after tying the former Jets kicker on Monday night (if that doesn’t add points to Feely’s credibility).
18 Responses to The Initial Assessment: “Gut-Check Time”
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GANGGREEN says:
That kid could pass for a young Rex Ryan..lol On to the Jets…This defense needs to earns its respect back as a hard nose,in your face,smack u in the mouth,we will dictate the pace power house…Bart is already talking he needs to hit somebody lets just hope he is wrapping them up in the process cause the mistackling was rediculous monday night.The offense line also needs to man up and start opening some holes to take the pressure of Sanchez…Leon and Thomas have been non existent lately..Edwards all i can say is get him the damn ball early and often..Til Sunday only time will tell…JETS FAN FOR LIFE…
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swizzle81 says:
The TD by Ginn, that Revis was so called beat on, was Rhodes’ fault as he had coverage over the top, that is why Revis let him go.
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Brandon from Illinois says:
Leon has been playing well. The real problem with his production is his lack of carries. The Jets should run the ball with Leon until opposing defenses stop him and then start throwing screen passes to him. If given the chance, Leon will force opposing defenses to respect his explosiveness, which will open things up for the Jets’ passing offense.
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vajet says:
i can’t wait to see the bills try and run the wildcat this weekend.
SHUTOUT. LET’S GO JETS!
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Jets D needs a shutout after Monday’s meltdown.
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Bent says: swizzle -Rhodes was at fault but he actually bit on the playfake. That’s the thing about playaction, it really works when you’ve been running the ball well. I’m afraid Revis was clearly burned though too, otherwise what was his assignment?
Ryan said in his presser that the blame was shared. Let’s hope that’s the last time we see Revis’ man get deep this year.
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hank/naples says:
Bent:
You know who perfected his play action right? One of the absolute best at it.
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Bent says:
I’m a huge Chad fan (especially now he’s probably done with Miami) but I don’t think you can give him all the credit. Henne was already a pretty good playaction passer at UM.
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largebarge says:
I just can’t believe I won’t be attending the game on Sunday!!! Mixed blessing I guess, my nephew is getting chistened on Sunday at 2 pm, with the party following, until about 6 pm!!! All I can say……THANK GOD FOR DVR’s!!!
J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Alex says:
Revis is a standup guy…..i played corner four years in HS and two years in 1-A…..this was cover 2 where Safeties split deep into two equal halfs….i dont care how great Revis is in single coverage if he goes one on one against a speedster and he does a long developing double move like in/slant and go, Safety over the top is supposed to be there…..the only way Rhodes wasnt supposed to be there is if they had a fire/casino blitz and even then they would have had a safety over deep middle…
the fact that Revis let him off the hook and took a complete blame for the play shows what kind of character he has….and the fact that Rhodes hasnt stepped up and admitted that he was the one responsible for staying deep and instead bit up trying to make an interception as opposed to being “deeper than the deepest”, shows his character too.
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superbowl3 says:
Pretty much agree with the assessments, but D line needs a kick in the butt (KJ excluded) to collapse the pocket. Also, really want to see Woodhead in the slot. He’s a quick, tough little sucker who can break a few in the open field. Let’s give it a try.
Finally, anyone know who the jackass reporter is who asks Rex at his press conferences every week how to defend against the Jets? Who’s that idiot working for?
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john l says:
i wonder if some kind of zone 3-4 would be better against a wild cat formation?
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ramble914 says:
It just occured to me that we have not talked about Leon’s crushing hit on Crowder as both were running in opposite directions across the middle. Crowder didn’t see Leon, and he brought the wood!
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Or did I just miss the discussion?
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StopTheWildcat says:
To stop the wildcat you need to run a 5-2, if the stinkfish want to run a high school offense then stop them using a high school defense! Move Ellis in to tackle, use Pitoitua at End, then use Gholston and Scott at LB (i know this sounds crazy but Gholston can follow the ball well). In the backfield – Revis, Rhodes, Strickland. Have the line plug the holes, and have the DB’s follow the ball, as long as Henne isn’t on the field this should work.
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Play Like a JET says:
The video was great! It reminded me of that Al Pacino speech on “Any Given Sunday.”
This game will go a long way to easing my “Same Old Jets” fears. If I see tough, hard hitting on both sides of the ball, and we can run it without all those stupid gadget plays (I’m looking at you, Schotty), then I think I’m ready to let it all go.
IT’S OUR TIME! GO JETS!
That video is hilarious.