The Initial Assessment: Face Off
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 …
Quarterback: Mark Sanchez bounced back from his five INT performance to help in crushing the Raiders, running for a touchdown and tossing David Clowney’s first touchdown reception in regular season action. There were still those rookie mistakes of course, he handled the ball wildly on his TD run, got a little sloppy towards the end of the game and caused a Hot-Dog Gate after trying out one of them Oakland franks. All that aside the rookie had a good day though having a limited role. Oppertunities could open up for Sanchez early in Miami with two rookie cornerbacks manning the secondary and if he can break out his shiny toy again (Edwards) I suspect Sanchez will have a decent day.
Running Back/Fullback: I can already tell you with Thomas Jones finally clicking and Shonn Greene tearing up the place, Ryan is going to go heavy on the run. Granted those numbers both Jones and Greene put up were against Oakland but if you have noticed Shonn’s running abilities against some of the better defenses the Jets have played, you will also notice that there is a very good chance that he will tear up opposing defenses. Additionally, Danny was seen back in his old role so I would expect that the Jets will also turn to Woodhead as their third back despite his transition to receiver. I would also expect to see Tony Richardson to get some work with backup in short supply but he will definitely be sought out more for blocking purposes.
Wide Receivers: The loss of Jerricho Cotchery seemed to affect Sanchez in previous weeks and it appears that Cotch will give it a go against Miami ironically the last team he played before hitting the sidelines. I wouldn’t expect him to be back to normal right away but if they coaches think it could be safe to hit receivers early you can bet Mark Sanchez is going to give Cotch quite a few looks. The Braylon Edwards hype has died down considerably but when you have a guy like Edwards that draws a lot of attention from defenses that can play into your favor many times, allowing the offense to poke at some holes against opposing defenses. I would expect that to occur but Braylon will most definitely get his share of catches. David Clowney who seems to be losing his Mr. August title had a great showing in place for the injured Cotchery against Oakland and you can bet that with Cotch most likely not 100% he’ll get some action.
Wallace Wright and Danny Woodhead were also seen catching a few passes but don’t read too much into either of them just yet. Wallace is known more for his special teams contributions than anything else while Woodhead is still a work in progress and the third back with Leon down. Nevertheless those special packages will need some updating with LW sidelined which means these two could see some more work.
Tight Ends: For whatever reason Mark Sanchez and Dustin Keller have lost the connection that they established during the first two games of the season. Keller has seen a lot of dropped passes and is no doubt getting sick of it. If Miami is still willing to give up a lot to the tight end I don’t see why Sanchez won’t look to Keller despite their inconsistencies. Unless Schottenheimer has some plays for Hartsock, Hartie should have a quiet night blocking, good blocking hopefully.
Offensive Line: Just like the running game for whatever reason, the offensive line has clicked lately bringinning back memories of the 2008 Pro Bowlers. Although there will be weaknesses on Miami’s defense (i.e. good conditions for the passing game), the Jets will no doubt continue to look towards Greene and Jones to make some big plays and the offensive line will need to really focus on pushing back the Fins defenders allowing SG and TJ to punch it down their throats. Of course with everyone feeling healthy (more or less) that hopefully won’t be much of an issue.
Defensive Line: As I said before life without Kris Jenkins isn’t the same granted the defense did look pretty damn good against the Raiders (again this is the Raiders we are talking about) particularly Marquice Douglas who forced a fumble while Mike DeVito picked up a fumble caused by Calvin Pace. In their previous meeting with the Fish, the wildcat was practically unstoppable but you can bet the Jets are going to be more prepared for what might be coming. This will be a battle but remember the Jet defenders are still feeling the sting from the last game and I would not be surprised if they broke out the siren and made life difficult for Bill’s fish.
Linebackers: David Harris and Bart Scott were more visible than they have been in previous games (of course Scott being injured wasn’t exactly the recognition I had in mine…) and will continue to make quarterbacks continue to second guess but after allowing Chad Henne to look like Dan Marino it is hard not to be skeptical. Then again, Bart Scott said he really needed to knock Henne out (or anyone else who has the ball for that matter) of the game (on a clean hit of course) so I’d imagine payback will be in store for Dan Jr. and Co. Calvin Pace was very active against the Raiders, blocking passes, getting a few sacks in and overall returning to his old self which begs the question can he do that again!?
Bryan Thomas continues to be the silent force and will no doubt get a piece of the action as Ryan will want to rattle Miami’s offense early with everything he has got (That includes you too Gholston).
Defensive Backs: Darrelle Revis had a great day thanks to JaMarcus Russell’s mishap and although Ted Ginn “burned” him on Monday night you can bet that Revis will not allow that to happen again. The picture is still fresh in his memory and I wouldn’t be surprised if Chad Henne had trouble finding any receiver should he have to throw. Lito Sheppard has been nearly non-existant this season thanks to a quad injury but Dwight Lowery has been more vocal and has been a pretty good compliment to Revis and I would expect Lowery make life difficult. Donald Strickland who was also seen defending some passes in Oakland will also factor into the equation as will Drew Coleman who had a few good games while Strickland was sidelined.
Jim Leonhard who is more known for his punt returns had a great pick off JaMarcus Russell that he almost took to the house for a touchdown but again we are talking Oakland here. Despite this, Leonhard will be more involved defensively along with partners Kerry Rhodes, Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo who hopefully won’t throw any punches anytime soon as the Jets look to disturb Miami’s run and pass game.
Special Teams: After missing a 38 yarder in Oakland (and 3 or 4 FG’s over the course of the last three games), I’m not exactly trusting of Jay Feely right now but again he is one of the better kickers currently available so hopefully he’ll be able to shake off whatever seems to be bugging him. Mike Westhoff continues to use Steve Weatherford on fourth down plays and I have to admit I almost fell out of my seat laughing after only one guy on the Raiders D noticed Weatherford running for the first down. The Jets have been quite successful utilizing Weatherford as a rusher and I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami fell for it again but the timing needs to be just right … other than that nice job with the punts!
Justin Miller has made his way back to New York to help with the return duties filling in for the absent Leon Washington and I have to say I’m uneasy about bringing in Miller who has been up and down the past few years. Hopefully Cimini is correct in saying that a two-man wedge will play to Miller’s advantage (I’ll be happy if his runs prove to be better than his coverage at cornerback at this point).
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
Bare with me on this one guys.
I think without Big Jinx we play a little better against wildcat.
To beat the wildcat you can’t just attack the first hole you find like on a Base package running play and In wildcat Big Jinx penetrated an would bring two or three defenders with him making it easier for Ricky or Ronnie..
Does what I am saying make sense?
GL,
In the first game, Brown was just waiting until the ILBs committed to the strong side, got boxed in and ran across the grain up the middle. Scott kept on going around the pile, missing Brown as he ran by him. Jenkins’ penetration was wasted. The problem is that if Pouha is blown off the ball, Brown doesn’t have to wait until the ILBs commit, he can just power rush up the middle for 5 yards a pop (or more). If Pouha can stand his ground and if the ILBs don’t commit and if Pace and BT can seal the ends, the Jets can stop the Wildcat. IMO, Harris, Scott and Pace all played poorly in the first game. You just can’t have 3/4 of your LBs play badly (I thought BT played well against Miami…didn’t he take out Cobbs for the season?). So, I think not having Jenkins will hurt, but the ILBs can make up for it by stepping up and Pouha cannot be blown off the ball.
From the very start of the last game, I thought to myself, damn, they are missing a lot of tackles. They’d just throw an arm out, maybe getting off their block late. But you could tell something was amiss from the get go. I think we’ll know where the defense stands very early on, and if they are making solid tackles, then they should be able to control — maybe not dominate — but at least control the running attack. I’ve got a good feeling about this game, for some reason.
Sd:
Slice it anywhere, or anywho you want. The fact is that the WildCat is a “in your face, here we come, one on one tackling machine and the Mad Backer, Harris, Pace and Thomas better be ready !!!!
Offensively I feel very confident that the jets can move the ball up and down the field and score at will but defensively i am worried. Specials i think Miller takes one to the house this week…
I really don’t understand the people saying the Jenkins loss could somehow help the team. I believe the Jets D will improve against the Dolphins because they now have the film/experience to gameplan and execute better, and they’ll be fully invested for revenge.
But having someone who can almost never be single-teamed is a huge asset. Jenkins was probably the MVP of the defense against Miami the first time around. Pouha has been holding his own, and looks like a decent player, but he was already getting plenty of playing time, in a rotation with a much better player, Jenkins.
If the Jets do better against the Fins it will probably involve 1- David Harris and especially Bart Scott having better days, 2- The Jets pass defense being better when Henne does throw. (I’d much rather have Strickland on the field than Coleman.) 3 is just a wish, but a couple of plays from Kerry Rhodes. I guess you have to give him some credit for the secondary’s overall solid play, but he has been almost invisible this season except when making what seem like late tackles.
what uniforms are they wearing this weekend
im sick of seeing the old titans jerseys and am hoping they go back to the green and white for miami
My hate for the Pats is deep, but I think my Dolphins hate is starting to rise even more so than the patriots hate.
Ryan should stop bringing the 8-man blitz when the fins line up with 5 wide receivers. if we do that, we can win
I would think – and hope – that Rex & Schotty have drawn up a pass-heavy script for the first 15 plays or so, with large doses of Clowney & Edwards taking long routes, Keller over the middle on the isolated LB or S. This is doable, I think Sanchez can make the plays work. C’Mon, Schotty!!! it’s two ROOKS on the corners, dude! Rake them over the coals!!!
Goal would be to get a lead quick, hopefully 2 scores, maybe 2 TD’s, and force Henne to go to the air. We can then let loose the Dogs of War, get after him.
Defense – Jenk being out is terrible, but the first phins game, they pretty much ran the ball whereever Kris wasn’t. IT almost seemed like they would seal him off after he had penetration – their center was swiveling along with Jenks almost riding him along his side. Then, when the run came by, it passed behind him.
Keeping gap integrity will help also; lots of overpursuit the first game. Of course, Pace is now (truly…) back — like I read somewhere else on another jets blog after the Raiders Game, “Calvin Pace returns from a six game suspension” – LOL. Guess it took him a couple of games at real speed to get his legs and timing back.
8 guys in the box, corners blitzing – is that what Williams did at NO? Nice, wonder how it would look with Coleman & Lowery pushing the envelope like that. I can’t wait to see what Rex has got cooked up for these over-radiated reef-fish.
I think we’ll do better against the run this time than last, but I think it would be a mistake to play our first strength against their first strength initially, especially when we can zing them in the air.
T I M
nyckage, funny how a couple losses to a team will do it for ya, I have the same feeling, when youre beating up on a team 4 years straight, they just become a punching bag, but when they punch back, welp, there goes the rivalry again, and that’s what we have been feeling since the pennington deal, not to mention that dolphins fans are just as bandwagon as pats fans we will get em, and i know exactly how you feel
we gave up too many tds the first game…we werent tightening up in the redzone like we done previous games and thas what hurt us…and that ginn td hurt too…i thought he cant catch??
JETS have a chance to bury miami.get it done..then we can focus on the pats..5-3 record halfway with these injuries would be great
What is Justin Millers number going to be?
I am pretty sure I read Miller will wear #32
Maybe with us playing a little more 4-3 defense we might be able to control the wildcat better… Let David Harris flow to the ball and those fat guys up front (Pouha and whoever) eat up blocks.
This is a must home game and a game where Sanchez is going to have to make some throws to help us win. We wont be running it 50 times against that run D.
The Wildcat can be stopped. The Ravens, Pats and, just last week, Saints have done it. Even without Jenks, I expect the D to man up.
i believe the jets are wearing the titan crap again this weekend, unfortunately…………..would prefer my fave of the green jersey and white pants at home……
While I prefer the original Green and White… I love our record in this Titan jerseys….
MIA is 3rd and 8th against the run in total yards allowed and yards per carry (3.7).
For the record, REX’s super physical defense is ranked 24th and 16th (4.2ypc) in the same categories, most of that with Jenkins.
I remain very concerned that the Fin offensive line is just plain superior the Jets front seven moreso without Jenkins. If correct it may be a long torturous day. Hopefully Rex will figure something out, because he was completely outcoached by Henning last time.
But ultimately this will be the litmus test for he Jets running offense.
Will find out early how many of those 600 yards rushing were due to the fact that BUF (32nd and last ypc carry allowed) and OAK (28th ypc) just plain suck against the run.
I believe the JETs need to stick with what’s working, pounding the backs between the tackles, even in the face of some resistance. Do not panic and abandon the run the first time TJ gets stuffed. Keep pounding away and they will soften later in the game.
They should be able to complete a few long throw downfield off play action similar to last MIA game, but should not come out all pass happy. Stick with whats working, make them bring 8 up in the box to stop it, then throw the ball. Standard old fashioned football.
Edwards will be double covered this time and they do not have to worry about Leon so Cotch (if he plays) and Keller will need to get open (and of course the QB needs to find them and Keller, in particular, need to catch the damn ball when he does).
Big test, if they pass we can keep dreaming of a playoff run with at least the thought of a big game in a few weeks for the divisional lead.
If they fail they are just another team, playing out the string as a fringe playoff contender.
I suspect a very close game with one big play making the difference, perhaps a Justin Miller kickoff return or strip sack of Henne returned for a TD.
Then again I predicted a close game last week so what the export do I know?
I HATE THE TITANS UNIFORMS!!!
WOJF,
Yes, but the one statistic that really matters is Points Allowed, and in that stat we’re better. Miami has given up 152 points in six games and we’ve given up 104 in 7 games. Hopefully that’s all that matters in this game.
Wise Old Jet fan:
Pace can say what he wants about the WildCat, but the fact is that it works because it is a staright on , in your face, blocking scheme and their OL makes it work, period end of sentence.
Take a look and see, most if not all third down running plays (WildCat or conventional) are straight ahead, mano a mano, blocking and the ‘Phins have been better than the Jets ALL year.
In fact, they are the best in the NFL, i do believe!!!
i guess its not much of a gimmick play if there is this much talk about it!!!!!