Monthly Archives: November 2009
Could Eric Smith stay on for now in his role as starter for the Jets? We’ll find out in just a few days with the Jets facing off against the Bills in Toronto, but Cannizzaro seems to think it will be Smith.
Eric Smith started at safety and led the Jets with eight tackles, two of which went for lost yardage, and played a solid overall game. Coach Rex Ryan didn’t say who would start Thursday in Toronto against the Bills, but you can bet he likes Smith’s more-physical play better than that of Rhodes’.
…
With Ryan likely not wanting to change things after a win, it’s likely you’ll still see Rhodes in the dime sub package he was used in yesterday.
This could be a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for Ryan. Pay attention to the papers and who’s lining up with the “ones” in practice this week. It’s likely that will be an indication of how things go on Thursday for the Jets.
Due to (yet more) technical issues, I did not get to see yesterday’s game live, but will be watching it tomorrow morning instead.
If you guys would like me to focus on anything in particular (for example a particular player or substition/formation details), I will do some detailed play-by-play analysis. I will also do this for Thursday night’s game, so get your requests for that one in early too…
I can’t promise I’ll be able to focus on everything you ask for, but I’ll focus on the most common/interesting requests.
Yesterday in the locker room postgame, there was a lot of folks looking for some answers from Kerry Rhodes. After going 12 games without an interception, how did he come by two in just one game? Coincidentally a game in which he was benched for the first time in his career? What did he do different this week that made him look like he was in his 2006 form? Does he expect to start next week after that game?
Rhodes turned to the press, pulled his hat snugly down over his eyes and adjusted it a few times and said the following:
“Coach (Rex Ryan) tried to send a message to me, I got the message, the message was sent,” said Rhodes, who had the first multi-interception game of his five-year career. “So, now I am moving on. You are going to see Kerry Rhodes, so that is all I’ve got to say.
“That’s all it takes. You saw Kerry today and that is what you will see.”
Seemingly, reporters were hoping for more, but that was all the Rhodes had to say before he left the locker room quickly. Some reporters took notice and maybe offense, like Newsday’s Wallace Matthews.
… Kerry Rhodes … found himself on the receiving end of two horrible Delhomme throws … accepted a game ball from his coach and took the occasion to bolt the locker room without taking questions.
“I think somebody’s trying to make a point,” a Jets official said disapprovingly of Rhodes’ disappearing act.
Right now, Rhodes is in a tough predicament with the press, the fans and pundits. Yesterday was a good first step to building back some of his cred, but maybe a different postgame approach would have worked better with the press. Whatever.
Getting to the football of it, Rhodes succeeded yesterday because he was in a role where he could range, and what I think is more important, had limited field to range to. Rhodes seems to play best when a team employs more of a Cover-2 shell than a Cover-1, which with Darrelle Revis the team is much more easily able to do. If the Jets can swap in and out of Coverages effectively to allow the team to blitz, but also allow Rhodes to excel in coverage, they’ll be better off for it.
For now, it’s hard to say what the team will do on Thursday. Their plan seemed to work, so I wonder how much time Smith will now see, as his eight tackles were also a big help to this secondary just like Rhodes’ two picks.
We’re having something of a tough day with our piece of crap computer, so consider this an open thread to discuss whatever you like. Here’s some suggestions:
-The awesomeness of Darrelle Revis
-Where to go from here with the secondary and playing time for Rhodes and Smith
-Sanchez an your thoughts on his play yesterday.
-Why this wasn’t te gameplan for much of the season, which Rex told the fans it would be.
-How much can you take away about what this team is when facing the mercurial Panthers.
- George Bretherton asks readers whether or not the Jets can make December meaningful?
- Defense and a steady dose of the run won the game for the Jets.
- Eric Smith and Kerry Rhodes both had big games yesterday.
- Pelzman writes up a rundown of the game.
- Sanchez seems fine after an injury to his knee.
- Fooch and Hardesty talk about the win for the Jets.
S Eric Smith
On Carolina’s offense…
We knew they were going to run the ball a lot, but we knew the front seven were going to do a good job stopping it. When we saw run, we were kind of playing pass and then just picking up where the guys up front didn’t.
On if he spoke with Kerry Rhodes this week…
We were talking the whole week about different things that we were seeing on film. It was like our roles switched. I was always in on the subgroups, so I was telling him things I knew from when I was in. We were just sharing tips back and forth.
On how much Rhodes helped him this week…
A lot. He would catch me on certain plays and was like, “You should be a little more outside on this. You should be a little bit slower here.” He was a big help.
On his performance…
I think I did pretty well. I made some plays when I was in there and took advantage of the opportunity.
S Kerry Rhodes
On his perfomance…
I got the message. The message was sent. Now, I am moving on and you’re going to see Kerry Rhodes. The message was sent to me by Coach and now I’m moving on. That’s all it takes. You saw Kerry today and that’s what you’ll see.
When Adam and Eve left paradise, they had to learn the nature of their new world. What would life be like without the benign, watchful oversight of God? It was much the same setting for the Jets this week in their home game against the Carolina Panthers. Both teams were 4-6. Reason enough to be cast out of Eden. Gone were the lofty expectations. Gone was the warm embrace of a gushing press corps and the uncritical affection of an adoring fan base. It was the real world, baby. Get used to it.
The Jets turned out to be ready, the Panthers not so much. The Jets, playing just well enough on offense, and superbly on defense sealed a badly needed win 17-6, and left themselves still in mathematical shooting distance of the playoffs. (more…)
Who: Jets vs. Panthers
When: 1:00 P.M. EST
Where: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Their Last Meeting: Picture it, November 13, 2005: Chad Pennington is out for the year and Brooks Bollinger has been the starter for a while now. Imagine the misery all Jets fans were feeling. At 2-7 the Jets were floundering as usual while the 7-2 Panthers had their way with Gang Green. Scores by Keary Colbert, Will Witherspoon (INT return), Stephen Davis and John Kasay gave the Jets literally no hope as Mike Nugent would score the lone points for the team. Needless to say it wasn’t pretty as the final score would be 3-30. Curtis Martin still shakes his head in disbelief to this day.
Links: TJB Chat | Intel Report | NFL Preview | TJB on Twitter |Injury Report | (Post Scriptum: The password to chat is Sanchez09 The password is case sensitive and must be entered as shown above).
This time around the teams are more evenly matched as they both stand at 4-6 though I do have my doubts about the Jets this weekend. The Jets defense is without Kris Jenkins and managed to succumb to the same Laurence Maroney who is not an outstanding contributor to the Pats run game and now the Jets have to take on the one-two punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart at home. We can’t forget though this is a Rex Ryan defense and although there are some holes, I believe that it is possible to contain Williams and Stewart so long as the defenders keep up and make sure they are precise.
As for the Panthers passing game the Jets could hit the gold mine if they can get mounds of pressure on Delhomme and force him to cough up a few INT’s (and I’m sure Revis wouldn’t mind that nor would Eric Smith who is looking to improve his image) and with Steve Smith hurting, the Jets might find it all the more easier to place Carolina in a state of disarray. Although it is quite difficult to keep a “stiff upper lip” the Jets have good odds at beating the Panthers so long as they can be accurate and limit the turnovers (that means YOU Sanchez!). So gather ’round and get ready to see some post-Thanksgiving redemption.
Tagged Gamethread |Panthers WR Steve Smith (ribs) will play today.
Jets’ Inactives: CB Dwight Lowery, CB Donald Strickland, LB Ryan Fowler, LB Kenwin Cummings, OL Matt Slauson, QB Kevin O’Connell and QB Erik Ainge (3rd).
Panthers’ Inactives: CB C.J. Wilson, RB Mike Goodson, FB Tony Fiammetta, G Duke Robinson, WR Kenneth Moore, DE Charles Johnson, DE Hilee Taylor
Here’s a quick breakdown of what we could see happening today between the Jets and the Panthers.
When the Jets Run the Ball — Grind em out. This defensive line isn’t great against the run right now, Damione Lewis and Julius Pepeprs both have been banged up, but the linebackers are excellent led by Jon Beason. Na’il Diggs might be sidelined today, and that would help the Jets. When it gets down to it, the Jets can run the ball on this team, and might break a few long ones, but for the most part, what with Sanchez’s recent struggles the Jets should run the ball and stick with running the ball, because even though it won’t be sexy, they’ll string enough first downs together to score some, if they can stick with the run. (more…)
This week, Kerry Rhodes made many headlines with the announcement of his benching and his replacement with Eric Smith. While this topic has been all the talk in New York, and Rhodes was rightly benched after his performance in the Patriots game. it’s hard to get a read on how he feels about the matter.
Safety Eric Smith will replace Rhodes in the Jets’ base defense, but Rhodes will continue to play in nickel and dime personnel groups.
“I’m still in pretty much every package except a couple,” Rhodes said. “I’m kind of like a little kid in timeout.”
Timeout? Call me Mr. PR, but not a great soundbite. (more…)
- Having Rex involved in offensive meetings has made Sanchez open his eyes.
- Edwards will have to pick it up if he wants a fat contract this offseason.
- Will Revis play Steve Smith all game?
- GGN writes it’s all about the run.
- The Jets are trying to regroup.
- The matchup via the Charlotte Observer.
- Eric Smith has played above expectations for his coach all season.
