I'm still in a state of shock that we actually lost that game last night. For 54 minutes the defense played an amazing game. I think the Broncos started drives on our side of the field 4 or 5 times and came away with 3 points. The playoff hopes aren't dead, but it isn't looking good.
Some Observations:
1.) For the first time, I am losing hope in Mark Sanchez. He looks extremely tentative throwing the ball and his accuracy is suffering because of that. If he had waited an extra half second in the pocket Santonio Holmes would have had an easy touchdown. Instead, he threw the ball too early, while under no pressure, and Von Miller made a good play and tipped it away. The interception for a touchdown was unacceptable in that situation. The Broncos offense couldn't move the ball 10 yards the entire half and Sanchez decides to hand them a touchdown. The offensive line isn't playing well (I will get to that in a second) but Sanchez has to adapt. I believe that Sanchez has the intelligence and arm to play quarterback in the NFL. I think there's something seriously messed with his internal clock. There are times when he holds the ball for way too long and gets sacked and there are others when he seems terrified of a sack and releases an off balance throw that has no chance of being caught. I don't know if there is a way to "fix" Sanchez but my initial thought is that it is not going to happen this year.
2.) The offensive line play can be summed up in one play. Sanchez took a one step drop and throws a ball parallel to the line of scrimmage to Santonio Holmes and gets absolutely destroyed. Now, how exactly do you let your quarterback get hit on a one step drop? I'm pretty sure nobody has an answer for that question. Wayne Hunter is terrible at right tackle and it is becoming more and more apparent each game. He is letting Sanchez get hit way too often and I'm not sure how Rex still defends him.
3.) Brian Schottenheimer (or Shittenheimer if you prefer) is going to be the person to take the fall for this team's offensive performance. It is really hard for a fan to fairly evaluate an offensive coordinator's job performance but like the offensive line, one play last night summed it up. The Jets had a 3rd and 5 inside Broncos territory when Schottenheimer calls a direct snap to Joe McKnight. Now, if you make this call with Shonn Greene or LT it is understandable. Maybe you catch the linebackers on their heals expecting pass and you rip off a nice gain up the middle. However, calling this play with a 3rd string running back is absolutely uncalled for. This was a huge conversion that the Jets needed and Schottenheimer expects the third string running back to get his hands on a direct snap! Absolutely unbelievable. If I were Rex I would fire the guy today. Hand the job off to Callahan or see if Tom Moore wants to fill in for the end of the season. Anything beats crap like that play call.
4.) The final play was another play call which absolutely baffles me. You have a quarterback who you know if not going to throw the ball. Rex has even said that he told his defensive players that there was no way Tebow was going to throw in that situation. So, what does the logical person do in that situation on 3rd and 5 where the main object is preventing a touchdown? Spy Tebow with David Harris (which we did all game anyways) and set the edge on the outside. I am no football expert but that is just logical. You want to make him throw the ball or you want him to run inside where somebody puts a body on him. What do the Jets do? Send an all-out blitz and give the responsibility of setting an edge to Eric Smith. Like he did all game (and all of last game) Smith takes a horrible angle and gets beat. Tebow runs 25 yards untouched into the end zone Great call.
5.) Hey Joe McKnight, HOLD ON TO THE FUCKING BALL! That is all.
6.) One side note to this game was the refereeing. This DID NOT make us lose this game in any way but I thought I would point it out. There were about 3-4 hits on Sanchez which seemed like spearing or happened extremely late. Von Miller is a great pass rusher but I couldn't believe some of hits he was getting away with. If the Broncos do make the playoffs somebody had better inform him that he can't do that against quarterbacks who the referee respects.
That is all.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Season Overview and Jets/Broncos
I took about a year off from blogging but I'm going to try to get back into it because fitting my thoughts on Twitter is getting way too annoying.
Some early season observations:
1.) Darrelle Revis is the best corner in football and may even be the best defensive player. The way he moves in and out of his cuts to follow receivers is absolutely incredible. He may get away with physical play more than other corners but star players get star treatment. Tom Brady gets a roughing the passer call if somebody touches his jersey. That's the way sports work.
2.) Kyle Wilson has turned a corner. He worked out with Revis this summer and the results of that are showing up on the field. Wilson is finally locating the ball in the which is cutting down on his penalties. (My last post gets on Wilson because he was not locating the ball in the air)
3.) Rex's Defense. The defense has been way too inconsistent thus far for the Jets to make a serious run. They look great one week (against Buffalo) and can't stop anything the next week (New England). However, I think the easy schedule from here on out could give them some confidence heading into the playoffs. That has to start tonight with stopping Tim Tebow and the Broncos running game.
4.) Joe McKnight has been a great kick returner. His yards per return average is tops in the NFL by about 10 yards a return. However, special teams mistakes have contributed to at least 2 Jets losses that I can think of right now. Cromartie's fumble on the kick return in Oakland essentially ended that game and McKnight's fumble of the punt last week against New England was a huge momentum swing. The special teams can't be making stupid mistakes like that.
5.) Along with the rest of the team Mark Sanchez has been inconsistent. Sometimes he looks like a quarterback who is more than capable of leading this team on a deep playoff run and others he is throwing the ball 10 feet over open receivers heads. I don't think he has had that bad of a year considering the horribly inconsistent offensive line play but he definitely needs to show something in the second half.
Jets v. Broncos 11/17/2011
Prediction:
Jets- 24
Broncos- 6
What will the Jets do?
Run Run Run. The Broncos pass rush has been one of the best in the league with rookie Von Miller leading the way. The way to combat this pass rush is getting a running game going and letting Sanchez use play-action. The loss of Tomlinson in this one hurts a bit but I think McKnight can easily pick up the slack.
What will the Broncos do?
Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Run. The two teams may punt a combined 50 times. Denver has basically given up on the pass under Tim Tebow and will be looking to wear down the Jets run defense. Revis and Cromartie will be matched up one on one on the outside and will have to stay focused as the Broncos attempt to run the ball 60 times.
Keys to the Game
Some early season observations:
1.) Darrelle Revis is the best corner in football and may even be the best defensive player. The way he moves in and out of his cuts to follow receivers is absolutely incredible. He may get away with physical play more than other corners but star players get star treatment. Tom Brady gets a roughing the passer call if somebody touches his jersey. That's the way sports work.
2.) Kyle Wilson has turned a corner. He worked out with Revis this summer and the results of that are showing up on the field. Wilson is finally locating the ball in the which is cutting down on his penalties. (My last post gets on Wilson because he was not locating the ball in the air)
3.) Rex's Defense. The defense has been way too inconsistent thus far for the Jets to make a serious run. They look great one week (against Buffalo) and can't stop anything the next week (New England). However, I think the easy schedule from here on out could give them some confidence heading into the playoffs. That has to start tonight with stopping Tim Tebow and the Broncos running game.
4.) Joe McKnight has been a great kick returner. His yards per return average is tops in the NFL by about 10 yards a return. However, special teams mistakes have contributed to at least 2 Jets losses that I can think of right now. Cromartie's fumble on the kick return in Oakland essentially ended that game and McKnight's fumble of the punt last week against New England was a huge momentum swing. The special teams can't be making stupid mistakes like that.
5.) Along with the rest of the team Mark Sanchez has been inconsistent. Sometimes he looks like a quarterback who is more than capable of leading this team on a deep playoff run and others he is throwing the ball 10 feet over open receivers heads. I don't think he has had that bad of a year considering the horribly inconsistent offensive line play but he definitely needs to show something in the second half.
Jets v. Broncos 11/17/2011
Prediction:
Jets- 24
Broncos- 6
What will the Jets do?
Run Run Run. The Broncos pass rush has been one of the best in the league with rookie Von Miller leading the way. The way to combat this pass rush is getting a running game going and letting Sanchez use play-action. The loss of Tomlinson in this one hurts a bit but I think McKnight can easily pick up the slack.
What will the Broncos do?
Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Run. The two teams may punt a combined 50 times. Denver has basically given up on the pass under Tim Tebow and will be looking to wear down the Jets run defense. Revis and Cromartie will be matched up one on one on the outside and will have to stay focused as the Broncos attempt to run the ball 60 times.
Keys to the Game
- Build up a lead. If the Jets are playing from ahead the Broncos may have to give up on the run which would play right into the Jets hands.
- Stop the run. It's fairly simple in this one. If you don't stop the run than you don't win. Tebow's option offense will require each defensive player to stick to their assignment and make tackles. It is kind of like the Broncos are giving us a 60 minute defensive fundamentals practice.
- Eliminate mistakes. I don't see the Jets losing this game unless they give up points on offense or special teams or make a huge special teams mistake.
- Trap Game? This seems to be the definition of a trap game after the Jets put everything into last weeks tilt with the Patriots. I'm looking for a slow start but I think that will be overcome quickly.
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