BGA: Part Three – The Offensive Line
Disclaimer: All analysis was taken from the TV coverage, so at times it may have been hard to identify players or what was happening, because I was limited by their footage. However, I have tried to be as accurate as possible and apologize for any inaccuracies or omissions (which I am happy to correct).
After the jump, I look at the performance of the offensive line from the Panthers game, focusing in particular on the running game. There is more to come later today.
During the first half, the Jets ran 16 times for 129 yards, building a 16-10 lead, that could have been 28-10 if not for some mistakes in the passing game. I broke down these 16 carries in detail:
- On 2nd and 5, with extra linemen in, Jones was stopped for a gain of one as he ran into the back of Tony Richardson. Mangold tried to create a hole on the play.
- On 1st and 10, the whole line, including D’Brickashaw Ferguson, blocked down to the right to sell a run in that direction, but Brad Smith took the handoff going in the other direction on an end around in space and went for 21. Braylon Edwards made a crunching block downfield.
- Two plays later, the whole line blocked down again, with Ferguson driving his guy sideways and then Jones cut back on a counter to the left for 13. Jerricho Cotchery, in the left slot, had a cut block as the action was going right and then blocked the same guy when he got up and tried to get stop Jones from getting to the second level.
- On the next play, Tony Richardson picked up 19 on a FB dive play. Ferguson made a great block at the second level and Alan Faneca pulled left and hit a guy coming off the edge to create the hole. Brandon Moore, Damien Woody and Nick Mangold sustained their blocks and even Dustin Keller did just enough to prevent Chris Kelsay from making the play off the edge on the weakside, crucially letting go in time to not draw a hold.
- The next run was stuffed for no gain. Everyone blocked down to the right again, but this time, the cutback did not work as Marcus Stroud overpowered Mangold and drove him into the backfield. The Jets ended up settling for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
- On the next drive, Shonn Greene picked up 13 on 2nd and 15. With fewer guys on the line, Ferguson turned his guy to the outside, with a little extra help from Faneca, while Mangold helped Woody in similar fashion. Moore and Richardson blocked at the second level, as did Faneca, who peeled off after helping on Brick’s man.
- On 3rd and 2, everybody blocked down to the right again. Unfortunately, Moore was unable to completely sustain his block and Faneca and Ferguson ended up driving their guys into the hole, where they stopped Greene shy of the marker. Notably, Keller sustained his block well on the edge.
- On the first play of the next drive, the Jets lined up in the Jumbo Package and Jones nearly broke it, but was tackled for a gain of 7. Faneca surged and took his man down to create the hole.
- On 2nd down, Faneca was overpowered by Kyle Williams and the play was blown up for a loss of one. Aaron Schobel actually made the play, as Ferguson’s assignment was to block downfield.
- On the first drive after the Bills went 10-6 ahead, the Jets went to Jones on the first play and he picked up 4. Mangold was driven back on the play and Jones actually ran into the back of him in the backfield, but was able to bounce off and dive ahead for positive yardage. Everyone else held their blocks well, especially Woody, who drove his man almost ten yards across to the left hashmark. Jerricho Cotchery also got involved, doing just enough to prevent Jones from being stopped in the backfield when he cut back.
- On the next run, Jones went for 11 on a draw play up the middle as Keller, the slot WR, made and sustained a good block on the safety to create the hole while the left side of the line blocked down to the left and Moore just managed to hold his block long enough. Richardson also had a good block at the second level, as Jones ran into and bounced off his back.
- Jones went for 12 more on the next play, running behind Woody and Moore who got a good surge straight ahead. Faneca drove his man back at the second level and Keller made an effective cut block on the DE.
- On first and 10 in the redzone, the Jets went to the Jumbo Package and Jones got 5 as everyone blocked down and to the right. Ferguson drove the safety back on the play. Matt Slauson was in on the play and just about managed to drive his guy sideways and take him down as he lost balance.
- On the next drive, Greene went for 17 over the left side. Richardson made a driving block on the left edge, while Ferguson pulled to the left and made a solid block to create the hole. Mangold pulled athletically to the left, although there was nobody for him to block in space. Edwards had a good block down the field.
- The next play was stopped for no gain as Keller missed his block and Maybin came between Ferguson and Faneca to make the tackle.
- The last carry of the first half was on the play before Edwards’ touchdown and Jones went for 6 on 1st and 10 in the redzone. Faneca and Mangold double teamed one defensive tackle and Jones followed Moore and Woody straight ahead.
First half conclusions: Incredibly, seven of the sixteen carries went for over ten yards. The other nine carries averaged 2.5 yards, so the running game does continue to be a little boom-or-bust. Although it seemed like the Jets should just run the ball all the time because they had a high average, this wouldn’t necessarily have helped the situation. The much lower second half average of 4.5 adds weight to this. That included runs of 17, 13, 13 and 29 yards. The remainder of the second half carries went for 2.1 yards on average. Note: The numbers were similar during the first meeting.
As noted, I didn’t review the run blocking in as much detail in the second half, but here are a few things that stood out:
- On Richardson’s second FB dive for a big gain, Woody pulled and made the key block.
- Clowney’s 13 yard reverse was all about his speed in space. All the blockers sold a run in the other direction.
- On Greene’s 13 yard run, Mangold and Moore got a good surge over the right side. The play succeeded despite the fact that Wayne Hunter practically ran round in a circle trying to find someone to block.
- On the next play, the Jumbo Package stayed in and Hunter initially lined up as a fullback, then moved to tight end. Although the play only went for a short gain, it is worth noting that Matt Slauson got a decent surge.
- I noticed some physical blocking from Keller during the second half.
- On Jones’ clinching 29 yard run, Hartsock made a cut block as everyone blocked down to the right. Ferguson got a terrific surge.
Conclusions: Everyone had plays where they blocked well and there were some perfectly executed plays where everyone made their block and the runner read the hole. The running game can create a lot of yardage although, as mentioned, a high proportion tends to come from big plays (which happens when teams stack the box, which the Bills did in both games).
Some specific player notes:
- Faneca, for once, didn’t seem to have a slow start and, although he made a few mistakes (giving up two sacks), was a lot more dominant than last week and very good in the running game.
- Ferguson will be charged with a sack allowed for a play where Schobel beat him to the inside, but Brick had practically recovered, driving Schobel off balance and giving Clemens a chance to buy some time. As you may recall, Clemens did not react in time and then fell over. Otherwise, Ferguson stayed in front consistently. In the running game, I have never seen Ferguson so dominant. He wasn’t perfect, but he showed me some mauling capability for the first time since he left UVa and often made the key block.
- The other two sacks allowed were both coverage sacks. Ferguson’s fumble recovery with the Jets up 19-10 and 9:42 to go at the Jets five yard line was huge.
- Keller, make no mistake, has not blocked well this year, even if he has improved slightly since last year. However, on Thursday he, more often than not, did a good job. He is becoming a lot more physical and the fact that he is being used in that role effectively is going to make him much more effective in the passing game eventually. As I mentioned yesterday, he only had one five yard catch on the first play, but if Sanchez had stayed in, he might have been a good option in the fourth quarter.
- It was interesting to see sixth round pick Matt Slauson get involved in the Jumbo Package. He was only given pretty straightforward assignments, but he handled them well. If he can pass block, he might not be too far away from seeing more action.
- The Jets wide receivers block extremely well. I have noticed Smith and Clowney’s blocking in the past and Edwards is renowned as a good blocker and stood out in that area on Thursday. Cotchery is more unheralded, but he put in a great effort.
Next up: The final part, with some miscellaneous notes.
Wow! A Slauson Sighting!!! Onward and upwards!
Great analysis, as usual, Bent. Thanks.
Especially, thanks for the extra nod to Faneca, which I’d been asking for. Glad to see that he can come out working on all cylinders.