Game Reaction: Bengals Week 17
Just some thoughts on last night’s performance by the Jets.
Steady as She Goes — Great win, glad they’re in, but let’s get one thing clear, it’s all icing/gravy/etc. at this point. The Jets got into the playoffs, hats off to them for that. But let’s be frank, just like 10-6 and out is an anomaly, I believe that 9-7 and in is too, especially in the AFC. The Jets lost to some middling teams during the meat of the season that made a lot of pundits and fans lose faith in this team, but the difference is that Ryan has made the changes he’s needed to make, and although he’s still learning on the job, it’s clear he’s reining in the offense (needed with a rookie QB, no matter how much faith one might have) much better while the defense kicked it into gear. That said, I’d love to see the Jets make some postseason noise, but let’s remember that this team is just coming around, so let’s not have dreams of Miami just yet.
Being a Game Manager Is Nothing to Mock — Especially when you have a lights out running game, and stout defense. Remember Ben Roethlisberger’s first year as a starter? The Steelers threw infrequently, crushing opponents with their running game and passing when they needed to. It helped protect the QB and keep him out of long third downs, and kept him from making mistakes. In the past three games he’s won, Sanchez is 27-51 for 273 yards 1 TD 0 INT. No quarterback’s dream stats, but that’s less than his first two games (53 attempts). We’re sure Sanchez is chafing at the collar, and in time it will eventually come off, but for now, you have to credit him for finally responding to his coaches and the methods they’ve taken to help him limit his turnovers.
What About Brian? — While Sanchez kept throwing pick after bad pick, it looked bleak for Schotty. I think that Brian Schottenheimer’s finally turned the corner. He’s been on-board with Ryan’s overall plan, and it’s clearly working for the Jets. Now there’s the potential that he goes out and interviews, but I’m going to say that I think as long as Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t outthink himself, he’ll be welcome in New York in my book. With that said, I’m not going to cry too much should he go … Bill Callahan is a more than adequate replacement.
Where’s Our Ten Tackle Guy? — Look at the stat sheet for this game, and it’s littered with guys who made three tackles, two tackles … that’s insane. During the year, Bart Scott talked about how the best defenses aren’t the ones who rack up stats (sacks, INTs, etc.) it’s the defeneses that get off the field. Last night the Bengals had five first downs all game … FIVE. They were 1-11 on third down conversions, and I think that one came on a penalty. It’s amazing to see how Rex Ryan has taken what I considered to be a pretty talented defense last year, basically added three players (Shep, Leonhard & Scott … +/- with Douglas/Coleman) and taken the defense from (via Football Outsiders) the 14th ranked unit to the 1st.
The Return of Rhodes — Are all the bad feelings worked out of everyone’s system now? Just weeks ago, fans were asking about potential trade/cut scenarios with Rhodes. Last night marked a full redemption in a full role, not just deep, but playing up around the line of scrimmage. Rhodes had 3 TKLs 2 PDs and a FR for the Jets … not bad for a day’s work. Over the last third of the season, we’ve seen Rhodes closer to the player fans have wanted him to be all season. I think that it’s in part that he’s playing the way Ryan wants him to play, and that Ryan’s also using Rhodes as he should be used. Rhodes is great around the LOS in a pressure role, but he’s also good deep. Ryan was using him too frequently to bait the QB towards Revis early in the season, and I think that was a driving cause of the frustrations all around. Still, I’d like to see him lay the wood to an open-field running back with momentum now and
The Shopping List — We’ll have plenty of time to talk about this in the offseason, but depending on who walks out the door, I think that the Jets have a limited shopping list. Top priority of course is for this team to get deeper .. that’s huge for this team. And that’s the difference between good and great teams, the Jets have impressed me with what they’ve done with their talent this season, but I want this team to be as deep as it can be going into the 2010 season. They’re going to need it playing such a physical brand of football.
66 Responses to Game Reaction: Bengals Week 17
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TB says:
anyone know which hotel the Jets will be staying at in Cinci next weekend? My bags are pack and have tickets in hand!
TB
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JesusRevis says:
Anyone have a David Harris update?
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Jets = Misery says:
They need a pass rusher too.
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JayM says:
Rex has done a great job with the players he has. But think how good this defense will be with a pass rushing DL. another good CB and a safety that wants to make you think twice about catching the ball. That would be scary.
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Dirty#6 says:
If anyone is listening to mike fransesca and haven’t sliced your own ears off I commend you. He is the most biased, stupid, radio host ever. I cannot even put into words how angry listening to his garbage is. So apparently Cinci didn’t try, and neither did the Giants (they totally would have won the super bowl, but they just didn’t feel like winning this season and got cheated on every single call ever made against them). He gives our defense no credit whatsoever. Brings up the Indy game like it’s every game we’ve played all year. I can go on, but I’ll spare you all.
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Sorry, he just said that Cinci would rather play the Jets than the Texans. Please somebody silence this fat clown.
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Crazy Eddie says:
Being as they made 3 Offensive picks last year, I can see them making mostly Defensive picks this year. Maybe another OL project in later rounds. But the rest of the offense is pretty set.
DL depth, both pass rushing DE and anyone who has the potential to play NT is the biggest “need.” It’s pretty cool that they don’t have any glaring holes going into next year.
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Eddie,
We definitely need another corner. If I have to watch Lito Sheppard again I’m going to hurt people. Our big glaring need is a Wide Receiver, whom I think we should make our big aquisition and not draft. Brandon Marshall should be our focus.
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Will Shapiro says:
Dirty#6 why are you even wasting your time on 660? that station is a JOKE and Fat-cesca is a total clown…just another guy like those two idiots in PTI who have never played a sport in their life yet think they know it all…check out 1050 ESPN radio – much better and unbiased, professional sports coverage
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ramble914 says:
Boycott WFAN! Francessa and Craig Carton are the worst!
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WW85 says:
We need depth at OL or DL. Don’t care which one but that’s where we need to be. The only exception I’d make is if there is some ridiculous siutation like a top flight WR or CB falling to our pick. Doubt that happens.
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starz31 says:
Houston beat Cincy in Cincy this season. The Jets have a rookie QB. It’s not that crazy of a statement.
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um says:
i just saw on espn rumor thing:
Rumors: Schottenheimer in play for Bills job
can’t read it since I’m not a subscriber… but would be interesting. I know everyone is happy how our offense played last night, but that is not schotty’s style of play. That’s the result of rex getting involved, enforcing the running game and limiting turnovers of our rookie QB. at least in my opinion.
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As far as next year is concerned and what we might need in way of players; here’s my two cents.
DL – would love to grab Carlos Dunlop at DE (6-6, 295).
OLB to replace Brian Thomas- Rolando McClain
CB opposite Revis- Joe Hayden
SS- Taylor Mays.
WR – speed.
OL – depth.Of course these are all top 25 players, so they all won’t be there, but one would be nice!
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WOJF says:
Agree with most of everything you wrote.
Sanchez has now proven capable of not losing games, which is all anyone should have been asking of him at this early stage of his career.
I was against drafting him, but the more I watch him the more I like his personality and I see some growth, finally. He is starting to look like an NFL QB, which is good because he really is not a rookie anymore.
At some point he will need to step up and win a game for this team but right now all he needs to do is manage the game this week again. He will need to do more than that if they have any hope of winning in the next round.
Regarding Schott, I think the writing is on the wall, he is gone one way or another, he was dragged kicking and screaming to the party, he is not going to want to stick around, I think.
Ten tackle guy, usually David Harris, did not play for most of the second half. But this was one of the most dominate defensive performances I have EVER seen in the NFL, everyone contributed. A credit to all involved.
Now for my favorite whipping boy Rhodes.
I was one of his earliest critics and still feel it was justified. He went Hollywood on this team, no doubt, and that is not easily forgiven by me or some of this teammates I presume. It took being benched before he got focused.
That said, I never, ever said he should be traded or cut, I just wanted him to play better. The talent is there, not super star talent as he and some of his supporters believe, but sufficient talent to start in this league and this defense. It will be tougher to find a replacement than to retain him, so retain him they should. No need to go drafting a safety, keep the current cast.
Shopping list should be entirely defensive, counter intuitive on the face of it.
In order, in the draft
1. Pass Rushing LB (I was rooting for VG to get a garbage time sack, alas, no) 2. CB, then address OLine depth and PUNTER on day two.
Free agency, a true blocking TE that can catch the ball if need be, a true veteran back up QB unless they are really sold on Ainge/OConnell.
Try to keep everyone else, including Edwards.
Thats it, keep it simple stupid is the rule this year, address the obvious, let the QB grow into his role and hope for the best.
No washed up A Thomas, no hothead B Marshall, no big names, not needed.
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Ramble,
Taylor Mays would be a wasted pick, Kerry Rhodes is way better.
McClain is an absolute stud, but probably isnt suited to play WILL/OLB in this type of defense.
Joe Hayden would be a great pick
Dunlap gets Vernon Gholston comparisons, so no thanks
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WOJF,
I cant specifically remember which posters were calling for Rhodes to be traded or cut, but it was certainly the majority of the people on this site. Probably the same people who were begging for us to trade Thomas Jones halfway through the season.
Why do you all make these comments and then run away?
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SackDance99 says:
um,
The rumor is Marty, the dad, not Brian, the son.
As for Jets off-season needs, the Jets need:
1. Pass-rushing DE/WILL
2. Slot WR
3. FB to groom as T-Rich’s replacement
4. OL/DL depth
5. PunterAs for the first couple of rounds of the draft, the Jets should go BPA because it seems to me that if Rex drafts a talented player, he’ll find a way to use that player, even if it’s a position that doesn’t seem like an area of need.
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I am salivating at the idea that the Jets will add atleast 2 more impact players on this defense (Rex’s type of guys) and justi magine how much better the D will be next year.
And a special shout out to my main man Kerry Rhodes for shutting up all the idiotic fans
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NYCal says:
um –
Schefter basically says Marty Schottenheimer, not Brian, is a good fit for the Bills because he has a previous relationship with Nix from their days in San Diego. Other than that, there are no real specifics as to why he would be a good fit. He also mentions Cam Cameron as a potential candidate because he too has a past relationship with Nix from SD.
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Above post assumes they do not pay Shephards bonus.and let him test the market. I would let him shop around and tell him we will match his best deal, plus one milllion. If thats not good enough, buh bye.
Also, Leon, I would make him a decent offer but not overpay. Tender him with a second round pick if need be, love the man but he had his shot.
TJ has to return, he shut his mouth and honored the low pay year of the deal, we should now honor the final year.
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Brendan says:
JR,
You’re assuming those idiotic fans actually saw Rhodes have a good game. You know how that selective vision gets amped up when the hating fans get going.
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Shamik says:
Well, the 2000 Ravens proved that you can have a braindead idiot at QB manage the game and win a superbowl banking on the Defense. Sanchez can at least do that and he has waaaay more upside to boot. At this point, I think we as fans can at least expect the Jets to beat Cincy after seeing that shellacking yesterday. But hey, we made the playoffs after such a wacky year and I’m quite happy with just that feat. I don’t think we’re going to win a superbowl anyhow, but what I do want to see is a well executed game plan. That and to come out firing on all cylinders next year and to maul the rest of the AFC east.
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greg sec130 says:
I never wanted to cut or trade Rhodes, but I did own up and admit I wanted to see what we could get for TJ before the season off his league leading year, in part because I thought Greene would be carrying the load by season’s end anyway and for sure in 2010. I long ago apologized for that one, he turned me around midseason with his hard work and consistency, and most importantly, his leadership. I was amazed at how they not only saved him for last in the pregame announcements, but delayed them for 20 seconds to show a special TJ video and give him his own special moment.
I am glad Rhodes stepped it up. I was one of the posters who was fed up with his attitude and did not think he deserved to be upset with the fans for being disappointed in him.
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The fact that we made the playoffs with a rookie HC and rookie QB is commendable. It’s not an achievement. We need to win this weekend to show we truly belong. Then we need a strong showing the following week to show it again. Then again. Aaaaand again. (get the idea?).
We will only be respected once we win it all. And that’s fine with me. This team is starting to play with a chip the size of Kris Jenkins on its shoulder. The whole “Us vs. Everyone” mentality is what got the Cards to the ‘ship last season.
Imagine if this team becomes consistent in all 3 phases (especially QB play) and continues to roll? We have a very good football team everyone, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
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ESPN also cited a rumor that Brian Schott might jump to the Chiefs as their OC, which I find a little far-fetched given that Pioli is the Chiefs’ GM.
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SD99,
And wouldn’t they have to give us compensation since it wouldn’t be a promotion?
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Brendan,
Good point, but who knows what deal Tanny made with Schotty after he wasn’t named HC.
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steviek says:
i disagree with one thing….
i too thought it’s all gravy after this point, but the matchup is really a push & probably slight edge jets.
the jets have at least a slight matchup advantage over the bengals in every phase, except at qb… a big one… but with the weather that difference is much smaller. palmer wont be throwing 30 times for 300. it wont happen with low 20′s and a chance of snow for saturday in cincy.
so it will still be very disappointing if they lose. if they do lose its only gravy in the sense that they should be well set up for next year. but as we know, there are few guarantees.
save the gravy for san diego or indy.
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Buddy Nix is very, very close with Marty Schottenheimer, and is likely interviewing his son as a favor to enhance his prospects. Marty has said he is not coaching next year, so you interview Brian and then teams like KC suddenly get in the mix, and like that, he is a hot name.
Let’s hope it works.
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Thomas Jones is a great team leader
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I hope Schotty goes to Buff. I’d love to see him try a spread offense up there. We’d have 2 layup victories every year.
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Bent says: If it’s an OC/asst. HC role, then it would count as a promotion, so no compensation.
Conversely, Callahan is already an asst HC so no team could take him as their OC without compensation.
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SD99,
Also a good point. We have no clue what his contract could have in it.
JR,
Heard a cool story from Sanchez yesterday. He said Jones sat him down to talk about the playoffs, to give him an idea of how important and special it was (regardless of how/why you’re in them). He said he sat for a long time with Jones and that Jones was very motivational and genuine in his talk. The guy is a great, great team leader. The offensive players all say they look to Jones to keep them going, keep the pressure off and carry the team. And that’s before you even factor in his actual play
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cojetfan says:
I called for Rhodes to be trade bait, and I’ll stand by it even after he played a nice game last night.
He was being a whiny little b***h in those days, not understanding his role, not giving his best effort on plays, getting into screaming matches with his position coach, tweeting about being gone, &c.
If he wants to give good effort, show maturity, tackle hard, and play the way he’s told, I’d be glad to have him. His physical gifts are amazing.
But, if he whines and doesn’t buy in, and passes on physical play, I’d just as soon have someone else in there – plus he has good trade value.
So, not all of us Rhodes skeptics have gone off to hide.
I’m glad he’s playing better and showing a better attitude.
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when do they announce awards (DPOY)? It’s typically some time this week… tomorrow?
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Brendan,
That sounds like the TJ we always hear about. Happy he’s on our team, just another great personnel move by Mike Tannenbaum
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cojetfan,
A great deal of that stuff was overblown or taken out of context.
Rhodes likes it here, he knows this is his best chance to springboard his post-football career, he is still one of the better safeties in the league, and he had a slump last a few games in which he obviously played poorly, but was persecuted as a scapegoat because it coincided with the Jets team struggles.
He has never been a physical player. He was always a sure tackler and a world class athlete, but never a big hitter. That was fine when he was getting turnovers, sacks, etc. But this year they didn’t come in bunches like for Ed Reed, and people starting complaining about him. A lot of his poor play was a direct result of him pressing and taking chances that he normally wouldn’t take.
If the Jets go around trying to shop him after all the turmoil surrounding him this year, what makes you think he is going to have good trade value?
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the jets are not trading him. and if they did, it would be a horrible move; getting rid of an elite safety and thus creating a hole where we previously had a strength.
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Harlan Lachman says:
Kewpie to WW85 for his assessment of needs (which mirror my own). While OL and DL picks are not sexy, getting guys like Brick and Mangold makes 1,000 yard backs a certainty. Ellis has been a monster as was Kris before he got hurt but both are older.
I will celebrate if either or both of our top two picks are either OL or DL.
And, Dirty#6. First, Francesa could be right. We won’t know if the Jets are for real until they repeat in Cincy what they did last night. While most of the offensive starters played, we won this on the ground and they rested a bunch up the middle.
Plus, if we win there, again, Fatso looks like the ignorant jerk he tries to be (cause no one could accomplish that naturally).
Harlan
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I think there are plenty of teams that would offer value for a guy like Kerry. He’s a good player, after all – very talented as you point out, has had good seasons in the past, and he’s a ‘name’ more or less.
Even Brandon Marshall should find someone to pay for him (I know, FA, different situ). My point being that someone’s always going to go for a guy with that much obvious talent. Some teams often overpay for a guy they’re in love with, too. Hell, look at the deals the Skins make.
I didn’t have a problem with his stats, per se. It was how he looked like he wasn’t trying hard all the time. I think it was M. Lynch play that stands out – he didn’t even really try to tackle the guy. Match that with a little pouting and you can see why fans might sour.
We all see his upside and have seen him play great, like last night. I don’t hate the guy.
I think this D could afford to play with a lesser talent at his spot, frankly, and spend that value and salary elsewhere.
You never want to get worse at a position, but you can’t have a superstar at every pos either.I dunno, I wouldn’t cry if we traded him, but he’s a nice player most of the time, probably overvalued a little bit n general. Thats how I see him.
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PA Matt says:
TJ is worth another contract just as a leader alone. I want to trade down and make some deals to get some sweet depth.
Everytime someone suggests WR as a need, I want to kill someone. Maybe slot, sure. Edwards, Cotchery and Keller, with Leon… is plenty for a run-first team!
CB, OL depth, DL depth, FB.
I’m pleasantly surprised with our DL depth with Jenkins out. DeVito and Pouha especially.
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Mark Sanchez is the only rookie QB in the playoffs and if you look at all the other QBs in the playoffs, you’ll see a lot of 9-year plus vets, like Brady, Brees, Peyton, Warner, Favre, McNabb. In fact, Flacco and Sanchez are the only 2 QBs in the playoffs without 5 NFL seasons under their belts. So, with the Jets inexperience at QB, which is the most important position in all of pro sports, I have to say that the Jets have a disadvantage against every other playoff team. That doesn’t mean that Sanchez can’t win (although, wasn’t Flacco the only rookie QB ever to win a road playoff game and he did it twice), but it makes it unlikely. The Jets defense and running game are good enough to win a game in bad weather conditions, but let’s all understand that a rookie winning a playoff game, even at home, is a rare event. Doing it twice has only happened once and it’s never happened 3 or 4 times. It’s one thing to pray for a miracle, it’s another thing to expect it.
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The thing is, in Rex’s defense, safety is one of the most important positions. We don’t have a top 5 defense if Eric Smith starts the whole season at FS. Frankly, we probably aren’t sniffing the playoffs. So I’ll take Rhodes, who in a down year is average, and give him another year. Why create another hole on a team so close to being an elite team?
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Harvlis says:
New season for the Jets. I love it. I don’t think that the playoff game in Cincy will be anything like this past game but, I can’t see us losing. Unfortunately, you can’t go by me because, I thought we should have won every game, this season.
It is good to see that the coaching staff understands the formula that it will take for us to be successful. Let the defense dominate and have the offense run the ball down their throats. Dominate field position, time of possession, and turnovers. If they stick to that, we are a dangerous team.
As for Schotzy, don’t get too excited, just because we beat a Cincy team with nothing to play for. If he wants to go to the Bills — let him go! He got lucky with the Wildcat. Brad Smith was supposed to take the ball outside and, instead, he followed his blockers inside and ran it to the one yard line — that’s on Smith, not Schotzy. If Schotzy was a good coordinator, he would have realized Smith’s ability years ago. Smith has been wasted, as have a number of players on our team. Even while Favre was the QB, Schotzy didn’t use Leon, Keller, Smith, or Stuckey properly. He has killed more drives than a flat tire. I can go on and on. After the Smith run to the one yard line, I was surprised Schotzy didn’t call for an end around, that would lose ten yards. The sooner he is gone, the sooner Sanchez can become a real QB and not a game manager.
Kerry Rhodes looks good to me. From the start of the game — he is the guy who set the tone. He had big plays all over the field. It is the coach’s job to keep Rhodes head into playing football and, Rex woke him up, in time for the Playoffs. It is not only looking good for Kerry but, it shows you that Rex knows exactly what he is doing.
Anyone who doubts Rex Ryan needs to wake up. He came in and made this team his own. Fans talk about this being a good defense but, it is Rex’s defensive scheme that makes it good. He told everyone that we would have a good defense and they are the Number One Rated Defense In The League. When the offense was throwing games away, Rex stepped in and took control of that as well. Fans can laugh about the Red, Yellow, Green deal but, we won five out of our last six games, controlled the ball, and we are in the Playoffs. Rex got the game ball on Sunday. Thomas Jones gave it to Rex and gave him credit for settng the tone. He has put us in a position to shoot for the Super Bowl. As a Jet fan who bleeds green — I wouldn’t want anybody else coaching my team.
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I like our chances against Cincy. Palmer was only 1-10, but his receivers did have a ton of drops. I wouldnt count on that happening again. I also wouldnt count on having that many runs – Smiths big ones were due to one crucial missed tackle, not due to some brilliantly drawn play. All that being said, 37-0 is not just luck; while it won’t be nearly as lopsided, our Jets should be expected to walk out of Cincy with a big fat W as long as they play smart.
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Geez, I feel bad doing this, but I have to defend Schotty on the Wildcat and not using Brad in it. Brad was drafted in 2006 and the Jets had both a veteran QB (so why put Brad in) and a poor OL (so why bother with the option…if you can’t block for it, it’s a guaranteed yardage loser). It was clear that Schotty was trying to find ways to use Smith, as the second Pats game in 2007 showed, but the more Smith struggled as a WR, the more difficult it was for Schotty to find PT for him (and I think Brad’s time with a red jersey in training camp stunted his development as a WR). With Favre in ’08, again, you don’t bring in Favre to have Brad Smith go in for him.
Now, 2009 brought a different problem…how to get Leon, the Jets’ best playmaker, more PT. So, Leon was chosen for the Seminole, which made sense to run with a rookie QB and the Dolphins showed that an option package can be productive. When Leon went down, B. Smith slowly began to replace his playmaking ability. Let’s credit Schotty for always trying to get Brad PT and let’s credit Brad for making the most of his opportunity after Leon got injured. For once, I just can’t blame Schotty (although, using the “Tigercat” and rushing the ball 50 times seems more of Rex’s influence, but credit Schotty for devising a way to execute the HC’s wishes in spectacular form).
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Well, now that we know smith can run the wildcat, imagine our own version of it next year: Smith as the QB, Leon going into motion and maybe even keep Greene or Jones in to block/option. If Schotty finally has learned his lesson, we could use a creative guy to work up some nice wildcat plays for us. I mean, I think we have even better personnel than Miami, we could even be able to run it better than they can!
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James in TN says:
Harvlis, excellent post.
I give Kerry his props , he played the way I wanted him to all year last night. If he continues like last night through the playoffs and next year I will buy a Rhodes Jersey!
Also is it not sweet that we will draft in the lower part of the draft so we can save money and get depth. I believe that is the key with the crazy rookie salaries being what they are.
I think we hand Cinci another spanking…Isn’t that right Mr. Johnson? Chad not Woody. LOL, Revis is the man!
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I have to check the game again on DVR, but it looked like the Jets used the Tigercat in obvious passing situations, rather than on a series-by-series basis, like the Dolphins. It looked like Schotty and staff saw a flaw in the Bengals pass defense and decided to power run. It will be an interesting “cat and mouse” game on Saturday…the Bengals put in their pass D and Brad Smith runs on the field for the Tigercat. It may cause the Bengals to play a base defense more.
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James in TN,
werent you demanding a kerry rhodes trade this offseason? Why the change of heart?
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James, Thanks. I think Chad Johnson is trying to blame everything on an injury. He dropped a few passes and got blanketed by Revis. He is embarassed. Let’s see if he changes his name back to Johnson, after Revis shuts him down again.
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because Jesus his play has been better. He used to be one of my favorite Jets, then he went off the deep end and started this me fiorst crap. I see the old Rhodes coming back and I think it is awesome.
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clint says:
Anyone going to the game saturday? I just bought 2 tickets on ebay.
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Eddie DiGio says:
Yea Kerry erased all doubt that when his mind is right, he is an all-purpose every down top flight safety.
I am thinking that maybe in the beginning of the year, he might have just been truly getting adjusted to Rex’s system. Sometimes he was sure of what he was doing, and other times he probably was hesistant, making for the infamous plays where he looked a step slow
I think a lot of guys on this defense will have their numbers go up. Calvin Pace had 8 sacks in 12 games. Im thinking he has a good chance to get to double digits next season if he stays healthy for 16 games.
I might be in the vast minority who thinks that Lito Sheppard is a pretty good corner, anybody hear what is going to go on with him next year and any chance the Jets bring him back even if they scrap the current contract, release him, then try to re-negoiate? Bent please
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Cincy forecast, high of 19 degrees, real feel 7, maybe a bit COLDER than Sunday.
As for all the alleged Rhodes haters, I was one of the first to call him out for his play, and I never saw anyone saying he should be cut, perhaps traded for fair value but not cut.
Everyone recognized his talent, it is not “hating” someone to be disappointed in his play and production.
His crybaby act was not “overblown”, it was a major story for good reason, mostly of his own doing (tweeting).
Cmon, his own coach benched the man and his own teammates criticized him, this is not some figment of Rhodes hating fans imagination and he was certainly no scapegoat. He was playing like crap, not doing the extra work it takes to excel in this league, his own coach said so. He flat out refused to meet with one of the best secondary coaches in history, why, arrogance, I can think of no other reason.
He was not living up to expectations, the coach called him on it, and apparently he has responded.
Good for him, good for the coaches, if they can live with him next year we fans can too, no need to get rid of him as he would be too tough to replace.
He played a terrific game on Sunday and I hope he plays even better this week. He is under contract and should return.
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Bent says:
I think it was mainly Fonzie and Editor who wanted to cut him. Don’t hold your breath for any comment from them.
Eddie D – yes, that’s what they’ll try to do. (I could have told you that months ago). ;o)
It will boil down to whether he likes it here, probably, because I don’t think he’s good enough to get a godfather offer from any team. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sticks around with a more cap friendly deal and gives the reason that he loves playing for Rex.
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Tommy T says:
Hi guys …if the Jets and ravens both win 2 in a row wouldnt the AFC championship game be at the Meadowlands? Jets 5th seed …ravens 6th ????
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There were many people calling for Rhodes to get cut on TJB, but most were one-time posters. The majority of people called for trades.
WOJF,
I do think that the media and fans overreacted to Rhodes and fueled that fire. Let’s be fair here, none of us know what it’s like to have dozens of sports writers and thousands of fans call you out non stop.
He was adjusting to a new defense, one in which his position is one of the 3 most important players on the defense (and one of the most complicated). He started off pretty solid, and his play really didn’t slip much when the team was losing, but when the team is losing the negative fans will look for a scapegoat. Kerry’s middling play + abrasive attitude towards criticism = perfect candidate.
I’m not making excuses for his play, because it was extremely unspectacular, but he was a solid player back there. Whatever it may be (comfort in the system, regaining confidence, coaches’ support) the past 4 or so weeks have him playing at a high level again.
Eddie,
When healthy, Lito is a good corner. Couldn’t agree more. And when you give him safety help (thanks to Revis Christ) he’s very good. He has more freedom to gamble and jump routes, which is his strength. I think the Jets look to bring him back, for continuity and so they have a legit #2 while they find their #2 for the future.
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Thanks Bent and Brendan
When Lito came back healthy, the D made QBs like Delhomme and Fitzpatrick just look AWFUL. I mean they just didnt even have a chance. Only the truly elite QBs and offenses could even pass for a first down against us.
I remember like Fonzie and Hank bugging out when they traded for him, going on about how T.O and Lee Evans would ruin the Jets secondary. Guess that will get swept under the rug…
Whos good coming up like maybe with our second rounder? I heard Patric Robinson out of FSU and Perrish Cox of Oklahoma St are the studs. I was real high on Javier Arenas last year, but I heard he isnt good in man coverage. You guys hear anything lemme know, be nice to get some input from people who actually know what they are talking about…
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TB where are your seats located?
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skidog says:
jets still suck—-2 give me wins in weeks 16-17 give me a break! thats fair? im sure you jet fans must be proud of that?
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Hey Skidog
Dont worry the WAAAAAHHHm-bulance is on its way.
Quit crying, life isnt fair, the Jets did what they had to do
The Jets are going to prove to everyone they belong by beating a tough Bengals team in their own building
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Skidog,
37-0. The Jets beat who they had to, in order to get to the playoffs. How about the Jets having the number one rated defense and the number one rated running game in all of football. Was that a gimme. Go preach your hate elsewhere, loser.
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TJETSFAN says:
in this talk about the draft class coming up – what are your guys thoughts on golden tate if we can get him? he would be the wes welker type receiver in the slot for us, and with the running back ability to make YAC – he could be a great addition for us in those 3rd down situations.
floor is open
There’s precedent that’s for sure – Ravens and Steelers. The big issue, it would seem to me, is consistency, and that’s what makes the playoffs so tough – you have to win 4 in a row.
As far as game #1 is concerned, though, I can’t see the Bengals coming back from that thrashing. I know, I know, different game, different day, but they were emptied, totally.