Link: Under Pressure
Over at SNY.tv Michael Salfino previews and predicts the Jets game.
Can the Bills’ retooled offensive line hold up against the Jets’ blitzing? This is the key to the game. The Bills have had seven different line combinations and will be tested far more by the Jets than they were by Miami, a weak defensive team.
The Jets’ defense is very good, even without a single impact pass rusher. They’ll get that in the offseason, I predict. Look at the key stats: the Jets are sixth right now overall, and No. 1 in the game’s most important defensive stats: yards allowed per pass attempt and touchdowns passes allowed per game.
Other than Sanchez’s bed-defecation in the last game, QB pressure was a criticism (albeit a nitpicky one) from the last contest. The Jets have to do a better job of fighting Fewell’s new found aggressiveness with their own aggressiveness.
As far as a real pass-rusher, sadly the Jets have Vernon Gholston, in what can best be described at this point in his progression as a black hole on their roster. Calvin Pace foundered until his fourth year as a first rounder in Arizona, and although Gholston might prove doubters wrong, the longer he goes without registering impact plays, the harder it will get for anyone to think he can ever up his game. Unless we see a signifcant untick in his playing time (and play) before the end of this season, there’s just no reason to think he can be what the team would like him to be.
As far as prioritzing to get a pass-rusher, it’s a possibility, but the team has equal if not greater needs elsewhere to address, with the offensive and defensive lines having to be a priority due to the age of select players. Lito Sheppard’s presumptive departure will also leave the second corner spot up for grabs, and it’s hard to say if Lowery is up to the task of taking over the CB2 duties.
