The Initial Assessment: Canadian Nights
The Jets have been on a roller coaster this season first starting out at 3-0 only to come crashing back down to reality and now at 5-6 and 3rd in the AFC East each win during these last few weeks will count towards the possibility of getting into the playoffs. This week the Jets return to take on the Buffalo Bills who humiliated Sanchez and put the Jets abilities into question earlier this season. If I know Ryan he still hasn’t forgotten and you can bet there will be war in Toronto after either Lindell or Feely kick off.
Quarterback: Mark Sanchez is still learning and recently turnovers have been a major setback for him. But I wouldn’t worry too much although he has a new system with Ryan, I figure the Jets will be conservative and hand it off to Jones for a good portion of the night but there will be times when Sacnhez has to make plays and it will be critical for him to make the right decision.
Running Backs: As I mentioned above, Thomas Jones figures to get a good amount of carries as the Jets will play it safe. Don’t be surprised if he breaks some records tonight. Shonn Greene has seen some production but isn’t nearly as significant as many of us thought he would be with Leon Washington out, don’t expect much.
Wide Receivers: Jerricho Cotchery was non-existent against the Panthers but you can thank the Jets conservative pass offense for that. Cotchery is certainly a valuable assest and since we all know there will be times when Sanchez needs some help, I would expect Cotchery to be ready. Braylon Edwards has been another non-existent receiver but that was normal for him back in Cleveland. As Glauber mentioned earlier today if Braylon expects to stick around it will be important for him to prove he is worth the risk and maintain ball control.
David Clowney hasn’t really shown up at all this season despite his speed and I don’t see that changing tonight. Danny Woodhead also showed up a few times in the past few weeks and looks to get a couple of looks but again I expect a conservative pass game so there won’t be much love being spread around.
Tight Ends: Dustin Keller disappointed last week when he fumbled a sure touchdown against the Panthers to give the Jets some insurance points. Despite that he has seen increased targets during the past few weeks and his blocking has improved. Keller will definitly be one of Sanchez’s top targets tonight when the offense looks to pass. Ben Hartsock and Matthew Mulligan look set to do some blocking tonight (and remain quiet penalty wise hopefully).
Offensive Line: The O-Line has come a long way and have been solid lately though Buffalo has some good defensive players I wouldn’t worry too much this line anchored by Mangold, Faneca, Woody, Moore and D’Brick have gotten the job done and I wouldn’t expect any less tonight.
Defensive Line: At times the defense can’t seem to catch a break but they have been solid since Jenkins injury and you can bet they are still steamed about that crap they took from the Bills earlier this season. Marques Douglas has been a stand out players lately and I would expect Douglas, DeVito, Ellis and Green to cause some problems for Fred Jackson and Fitzpatrick.
Linebackers: Though Kenwin Cummings bought a winning attitude with him, he was invisible against the Panthers but Calvin Pace, Bart Scott, David Harris and even Bryan Thomas and Jamaal Westerman were all involved on defense and look to cause some havoc for the Bills offense.
Defensive Backs: Darrelle Revis has really cemented his status as a shutdown corner and although T.O. has seen increased production under Fewell don’t be surprised if you find Revis is able to pick off Fitzpatrick a couple of times during the game. Without Dwight Lowery and Donald Strickland once again, Lito Sheppard and Drew Coleman will play a significant part on defense. Although Sheppard’s production doesn’t really tell the story he has been playing pretty good according to Rex and shouldn’t have too much of a problem defending opposite Revis (hopefully, if not I hear Marquice Cole has been coming along).
Meanwhile Drew Coleman hasn’t truly gotten enough attention which is ashame because he truly has come a long way and although many fans called for his dismissal he has thrived under Rex Ryan’s defense and should be able to make some plays tonight. Eric Smith will once again start in place of Kerry Rhodes but if Rhodes looks for a new team during the offseason or just wants to prove he still has what it takes you can bet he will play his a** off looking for any flaw on Buffalo’s offense. Jim Leonhard has been toughing it out despite a thumb injury is still able to make plays. I wonder if the Jets have Ihedigbo handy for a few packages … maybe Derrick Fine will be on the field.
Special Teams: ST has been working well together lately (especially with the return of Brad Smith) and I would expect them to search for some turnovers (Remember the Titans?). The punt returns and kick returns have been less than stellar due to injuries and safety concerns so don’t expect a long run unless of course the Bills defense gives way. Weatherford hasn’t been called upon to throw passes lately so expect punts. Though Feely is as solid as they come he has been missing a lot of FG’s lately and is starting to make me nervous hopefully he’s been working on his accuracy.
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
Braylon can’t be much of a factor if Sanchez only throws 15 times a game. Even if Keller, Cotchery, and Braylon get all the passes (highly doubtful no passes go to backs) then that’s still only 5 a piece. What he does is intangible, and far more important. Typical Jets fans, moan about not having a #1 receiver, and now we have one and he’s nonexistent.
Also, I bet Greene has a HUGE game tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have slightly less than half of the carries. The fumbles worry me, but the kid can rumble.
Bent or E. Weekes,
I saw something that on ESPN that said “Jets new plans with Braylon Edwards”, but you have to be an insider to read it….any idea what they’re talking about?
Jake: It’s not really anything more than speculation. Schefter basically says the Jets may let Braylon go since he’d be a restricted free agent and they would receive draft pick compensation.
He says that if that happens, the Jets will essentially have rented him for a net gain / loss of zero, meaning it was a good gamble.
Tannenbaum moved up in the draft for the following players
Revis, Harris, Sanchez and Greene.
I feel very good about those 4. I’m all for getting compensation in draft picks so that we Tanny can go trade a package of picks to get the guy he wants.
i still hope we sign edwards. there isnt going to be another receiver available who can have his ripple effect on the offense. there is no doubt that he has helped the run game, and opened up space for keller. if we let him walk, we would be right where we were at the start of the season with a thin receiving corps (actually thinner since we traded stuckey to get him)
also you have to cut him a break because he is playing with an erratic rookie QB. i think his best days are ahead of him. chalk me up for hoping we sign him
I know everyone will s*&^ on me for this, but I have a feeling this will be Revis’ first bad game. He won’t make any mistakes, and won’t look foolish, but I just see the Bills working on a game plan to play to his weaknesses and TO’s strengths. Short passes for minimal yards, trying for YAC, and an occasional out at the first down marker, using his width and height to go up for the ball, maybe they try to set a pick on Revis to allow TO to run. Especially in one-on-one, TO will get his yards. And I hope Rex doesn’t over-compensate. Let TO get his yards. Double everywhere else, stop the run, and we can still win without Revis shutting him down.
Still don’t understand the Braylon hate. He’s made some incredible plays and has played consistently tough. One or two drops and he’s non-existent? Pretending the flaws in the passing game can be traced anywhere but to #6 is silly. Sign Braylon and let’s see how Sanchez develops.
And then to heap praise on Drew Coleman? Sure he’s improved from where he was- a complete mess- but if you look at Bent’s breakdown from last game I think it tells pretty much the same story I”ve seen all season- some nice plays, especially when the ball gets forced out early, but also probably the guy who gets beat the most in the secondary. I would much rather see Lito, Lowery, or a healthy Strickland back there then DC.
& Greene can’t get on the field much more, I think, b/c his blocking makes him a liability unless you’re going to hand it to him. Hopefully he’ll keep improving there- he does have the look of a great runner.
I think Edwards and Sanchez will take their games to another level, as soon as we get rid of Schottenheimer. If Cleveland jumped on Mangini, someone will want Schotzy as a HC. Good luck to them. That day can’t come soon enough.
With Edwards on one side, Clowney on the other, Cotchery coming out of the slot, and Keller at TE — I look at is as “Major Advantage Jets”. In addition, we have an outstanding O-line, an All-Pro FB and RB’s.
Unfortunately, Schottenheimer doesn’t seem to have the coaching capability to design plays and take advantage of this. You may be okay with this but, I am sick to my stomach. Pro athletes have limited careers and Schottenheimer is wasting their time and ours.
The media, and some of you, are giving “Son of Marty” a pass, by saying that Sanchez is inexperienced. I would agree, Sanchez is raw and, sometimes, struggles with accuracy but, as long as management is conceding this season by allowing Mark to learn on the job — don’t they want him to learn how to master the passing game? He needs to work on not staring at his primary target, his accuracy, recognizing the defense, his play-action fake, his pump-fakes, and getting rid of the ball when the plays break down. He can’t do this, handing off to Thomas Jones.
Sign Edwards long term, with conditions based on his behavior. He is a monster. A real OC will bring out the best in Edwards (and our offense).
In defense of Coleman (and as Bent admitted) he was not able to tell all of the plays he made on Sunday. He had an absolutely great hit on a 3rd down that caused an incompletion and he had an awesome PD where he knocked the ball away on a crossing pattern (he closed very quickly and tipped it away). He had 2 PDs on Sunday, only Revis (3) had more. I think Coleman could be the new Ray Mickens…the designated slot corner.
As for Edwards, I’m certain that Tanny traded for him to sign him. Letting him go elsewhere means the Jets have to replace him and that just won’t be easy. I’m actually more certain that Edwards gets signed in the off-season over any other Jet who is a potential UFA.
Yes, to back up what Sack said one play was omitted from the rebroadcast of the game for some reason and a review of the play by play indicated that he broke up a pass.
I’m still unclear on the Schott hate. I missed the part where he had the defense lie down against the Dolphins not to mention the pick 6’s Sanchez has thrown (or the fumbles).
You can’t have it all ways. Sanchez has to throw the ball at times and he has made some very bad, some very rookie plays. When Sanchez throws a pick 6 to a DE on a screen pass, that’s on Sanchez, not Schott. We have one of the best running games in the league. Who’s coaching that?
This is the same O coordinator that had the Jets as one of the highest scoring offenses in the league last year with a QB who came to camp 5 minutes before the season started. He’s now on his 4th QB in 3 years. Personally, I’d like to see the Jets go into the offseason knowing who the starting QB will be next year and who the offensive coordinator will be. That would be the first time in many years. Look at all the successful teams, they have a system and the same personnel year after year. We have the talent now, it would be nice if we could add some consistency for a change.
The Jets could very easily be in first place in the AFC East right now. The reason they aren’t is because of the play on the field not the coaching.
Jack, I agree for the most part.
However, you said they have a great running game and who’s coaching that?Well, isn’t Bill Callahan still officially the “running game coordinator”?
Not advocating him as OC, though. I think he should stay as RGC, regardless of whether Schott stays.
Jack,
The defense did let up a few key drives, this season, to lose games. What does that have to do with an underachieving offense? Our running game has been very good, for the past few years. I credit that to an outstanding run-blocking offensive line and great running backs. That does not mean that the play-calling was outstanding. There isn’t a game that goes by, where the play calling is consistent. All of our plays are vanilla. Barely a play-fake or the slightest bit of deception involved. I am not talking about a double reverse on the first play of the game. We all know how great that turned out. Our drives bog down all the time. If we are successful passing it down the field, Schottenheimer turns to the run. If we are running it down the field — he calls three throws in a row. If we have a lead, we almost always give the ball back to the opposition, so they have a chance to beat us. If we play a team with rookied db’s, we run. If we play a team with a small d line, we pass. I can go on and on. I will get specific for you, after the Bills game, tonight.
As for Sanchez, the play-calling has alot to do with his picks and his fumbles. If Schottenheimer has him rolling out to the wrong side — that’s a problem. If there are no play fakes or deception, and the D-linemen end up in the backfield — that has alot to do with not completing a screen. If the formation, play fakes, and recieving routes don’t deceive the defensive backfield — our receivers will be covered. Of course, alot of this is on Sanchez but, things would be much easier for him, if the defense was back on it’s heels, rather than teeing off on him.
As for last year, I would think that Brett Favre had alot to do with that. Schottenheimer screwed our season, by sticking with Brett after he got injured. We all know how that turned out.
I haven’t even gotten into how Schottenheimer doesn’t use players properly. Over the past two years, he has misused Leon, Keller, Clowney, Stuckey, and most recently Braylon Edwards.
The Jets could be in first place and the problem IS the coaching.
Bent-
It’s a little unfair to blame the offensive coordinator for, well the production of the offense when half of the offense is playing at pro-bowl level and you say that doesn’t count. Schott is responsible for the production of the entire offense not just the mistakes. Besides, technically Callahan is the O line coach.
Harvilis-
We are going to have to agree to disagree. Yes, the Jets running game has been good the last few years. And Schott has been the coach. You can discount that but Jones went to the pro-bowl last year along with a couple of the linemen. More will go this year. They aren’t just doing that on their own.
And I disagree about the play calling. Is it perfect in 20-20 hindsight? Of course not. What coach calls a perfect game in hindsight? Go back and look at Sanchez’s interceptions, almost every single one of them was a boneheaded throw which anyone who was honest knew we would be getting with a very, very raw rookie QB. He throws into double and triple coverage. How exactly is that Schott’s fault? He gets stripped sacked multiple times, again that is on Schott how?
I get that lots like to blame Schott for the Jets problems this year. I just don’t agree.
Jack,
Plenty of running backs with great statistics play for teams that are doormats. Most of the time, it has little to do with their coaches. They would do it anywhere.
To analyze an offensive coordinator, you have to watch the sequence of plays, choice of plays at crucial times, lack of deception, use of the players, control of the clock, formations, etc… Sanchez is ultimately responsible for everything he has done but, all of the factors that I have previously mentioned figure in to Sanchez’ success and the success of the team.
I understand that we differ in our opinions but, watch tonights game closely. Look to see the choice of plays in key situations. Look to see the sequence of plays. Look for trickery and deception. Look for the success or failure of drives. We can discuss it later.
Jack – I don’t think my comment was clear. It’s Callahan that I’m not advocating as OC. I wasn’t bashing Schott.
Harvlis-
Aside from Sanchez missing a wide open Cotchery in the end zone and then taking a sack, are you going to tell me that wasn’t a very well called drive?
I did play the game. I’m kind of aware what an O coordinator is supposed to do.
That was a very well called drive stopped only, again, by a rookie QB.
Bent-
I’m with ya.
Remember that drop to Harvlis. That play call had Edwards open by 20 yards.
Dropped.
Not the O coordinator fault.
That’s 14 points the players gave away, not the Schott.
Whoops, another bad throw by Sanchez.
How is that Schotts fault?
You starting to see a pattern here? The Jets players are leaving points all over the field, not the O coordinator.
Harvlis-
I’ll consider that pretty obvious proof that the “Schotty is the Devil” crap is just for people who have no idea what football is all about.
But if you want to keep on going with it then have a ball.
Harvlis-
The words you are looking for are “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
That was a very well called game and if you know anything about football you would agree.
I really don’t need to be told how to analyze a game.
Jack,
The first half was possibly Schotzy’s best half of the year. He used trickery and deception often and it worked. Any mistakes were on the players. Sanchez and Edwards screwed up but, they both made up for it later. I still think Braylon can be a force for us. I have been waiting all year to see some trickery in his play calling.
The second half was another story. First drive, three and out. Second drive, should have been three and out but, Sanchez ran for the first and got hurt. Clemens came in and every one of his drives bogged down. He made his share of mistakes and his share of nice plays but, the play calls didn’t help him much. We scored three points in the second half but, luckily, it held up.
My least favorite call by Schotzy was a third and three, where he called for an empty backfield. We all know how successful that has been for us. At least, it was better than having Brad Smith take the snap.
Finally, Schotzy’s conservative play calling caused us to give the ball back to Buffalo with 2:40 left. This gave Buffalo the opportunity to score a TD and go ahead. Thankfully, Revis and the D put an end to that.
Except for giving Buffalo the opportunity to beat us, I guess he did an ok job, this week. To be continued.
Harvlis-
A simple “I was wrong” would have been easier.
And more accurate.
Jack,
I’ll teach you about offense, before the season is over. You’ll be thanking me. If you think Schottenheimer is a good coach, you have alot to learn.