The Jets’ 38-0 beat down of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland not only halted their western struggles, but also provided a positive outlook for the future of the franchise. Rookie running back Shonn Greene ran for 144 yards and 2 TDs in his 4th career game, helping the Jets get the huge victory in California, something they couldn’t do last season, going 0-4 in the Golden State. Greene might have an even longer chance to prove himself because of a season-ending injury to big time playmaker Leon Washington. One of the veteran leaders on defense for the Jets in Shaun Ellis is also injured and out for the rest of the season, which seriously hurts the Jets defensive line after they lost star nose tackle Kris Jenkins for the season.
Rookie QB Mark Sanchez threw for 143 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, which is a great showing for him after he threw 5 interceptions the previous week against Buffalo. 3rd -year wide Jets wide receiver David Clowney had 79 receiving yards, his career high, and a touchdown, the first of his career. The success of the younger players on the team wasn’t the only key to the blowout victory. The Jets have set an NFL record over the last two games for rushing yards over a 2-game span with 634. Calvin Pace had a huge game for the Jets defense, leading the team with 7 tackles, 3 sacks, and two forced fumbles. That Jets defense was impressive in recording their first shutout since 2003. The Jets even used some trickery with yet another fake punt, this one successful for a gain of 16 yards.
Gang Green will have to ride the momentum from this win into next week’s rematch against Miami. The Jets can avenge an ugly 31-27 loss to the Dolphins in Miami. Hopefully the Jets can turn things around at home against the only team in the NFL that has had a lead against the undefeated Saints. They could really benefit from a healthy receiving corps after having to deal with injuries to Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards. The Jets cannot afford another loss to a divisional rival if they want to survive in a more competitive division than usual. Hopefully a must-win mentality coupled with the continued success of the younger players on the squad can lead to a much-needed divisional victory before the bye week.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Weekly Jets Blog Week 6
Another horrible performance by Mark Sanchez coupled with a lot of undisciplined play led to another loss for the Jets. They fell 16-13 in overtime to the now 2-4 Bills in one of the worst games you could possibly imagine. Sanchez struggled in the cold weather, throwing 5 interceptions, not even all of the Jet’s 6 total picks due to a failed field goal attempt that led to another pathetic throw going right to the hands of a Bill. The Jets played the most undisciplined game you could fathom, and it cost them dearly.
The Jets finished with 14 penalties for 96 yards. Yes, 96 yards, a total just 23 yards shy of Sanchez’ total passing yards for the game. His horrible day was also reflected by his ridiculously low QB rating of 8.3. Just to show you how absolutely horrendous that statistic is, let’s compare it to the QB of the division rival Patriots, Tom Brady. He led his team to a 59-0 win over now 0-6 Tennessee by throwing for 380 yards and 6 touchdowns for a QB rating of 152.8. The most important factor when comparing Brady to Sanchez is the fact that Brady didn’t throw a single pick to Sanchez’ 5. Not surprisingly, Brady’s Pats are now in first place over the reeling Jets, who have lost 3 straight.
Injuries are starting to plague the Jets as well. Missing star wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery has hurt the play of Braylon Edwards, who gets the whole focus of the secondary on him. The Jets also lost 360-pound nose tackle Kris Jenkins and offensive tackle Damien Woody to knee injuries.
Like the past two weeks, Jets’ fans will point out the positives in an attempt to defend their team’s poor showing. Thomas Jones set a franchise record by rushing for 210 yards, including a career high rush of 71 yards for Jones that was the Jets only touchdown of the game. Kicker Jay Feely set the franchise record for consecutive field goals made by getting to 24 before missing one from 45 yards out that he was rushed on. David Harris was a huge defensive factor the Jets once again, recording a game-high 17 tackles.
The Jets were given countless chances to win the game, but they could never take advantage of their amazing luck. After Buffalo kicker Ryan Lindell missed a game-winning field goal as time expired, the Jets won the coin toss and got the ball first in OT with the score tied at 13-13. On the opening return in OT, Leon Washington got it out to the 30-yard line, but a stupid penalty against James Ihedigbo for throwing a punch cost the Jets 15 yards. Sanchez and the Jets seemed to be on their way to victory after a 22-yard pass to Edwards and a 33-yard by Washington put the Jets well within field goal range in this sudden-death overtime. But a foolish holding penalty pushed the Jets back just out of field goal position, and Sanchez threw another interception to end the drive. After both teams went 3-and-out, the Jets got a huge break when Dwight Lowry picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick at around midfield. Nevertheless, after just two plays, Sanchez threw another lethal interception. Buffalo took advantage, setting Lindell up for another game-winning kick, a 47-yarder that just squeaked inside the right upright, sealing the ugly upset. You can’t put all of the blame on Sanchez though. All 3 Jets’ drives in overtime began with a penalty against the Jets.
At 3-3, the Jets will have to wake up and realize that the playoffs aren’t just going to come to them. They will have to earn it. But if they can’t beat the teams at the bottom of their division, what do they expect to do later on when they face New England and Indianapolis on the road when those opponents have a combined 6-0 record at home. What about their home game with Cincinnati, who is 3-0 on the road. If the Jets can’t step up big and beat the worse teams in the league, not only will they miss the playoffs, but the will be one of those cellar squads when everything is said and done. The Jets have a good opportunity to turn things around next week against 2-4 Oakland, a team that will be riding high after upsetting the Eagles. Sanchez has the qualities to be a great quarterback, and if the Jets can get healthy and play disciplined football, he could have a chance to the next rookie sensation to led his team to the playoffs.
The Jets finished with 14 penalties for 96 yards. Yes, 96 yards, a total just 23 yards shy of Sanchez’ total passing yards for the game. His horrible day was also reflected by his ridiculously low QB rating of 8.3. Just to show you how absolutely horrendous that statistic is, let’s compare it to the QB of the division rival Patriots, Tom Brady. He led his team to a 59-0 win over now 0-6 Tennessee by throwing for 380 yards and 6 touchdowns for a QB rating of 152.8. The most important factor when comparing Brady to Sanchez is the fact that Brady didn’t throw a single pick to Sanchez’ 5. Not surprisingly, Brady’s Pats are now in first place over the reeling Jets, who have lost 3 straight.
Injuries are starting to plague the Jets as well. Missing star wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery has hurt the play of Braylon Edwards, who gets the whole focus of the secondary on him. The Jets also lost 360-pound nose tackle Kris Jenkins and offensive tackle Damien Woody to knee injuries.
Like the past two weeks, Jets’ fans will point out the positives in an attempt to defend their team’s poor showing. Thomas Jones set a franchise record by rushing for 210 yards, including a career high rush of 71 yards for Jones that was the Jets only touchdown of the game. Kicker Jay Feely set the franchise record for consecutive field goals made by getting to 24 before missing one from 45 yards out that he was rushed on. David Harris was a huge defensive factor the Jets once again, recording a game-high 17 tackles.
The Jets were given countless chances to win the game, but they could never take advantage of their amazing luck. After Buffalo kicker Ryan Lindell missed a game-winning field goal as time expired, the Jets won the coin toss and got the ball first in OT with the score tied at 13-13. On the opening return in OT, Leon Washington got it out to the 30-yard line, but a stupid penalty against James Ihedigbo for throwing a punch cost the Jets 15 yards. Sanchez and the Jets seemed to be on their way to victory after a 22-yard pass to Edwards and a 33-yard by Washington put the Jets well within field goal range in this sudden-death overtime. But a foolish holding penalty pushed the Jets back just out of field goal position, and Sanchez threw another interception to end the drive. After both teams went 3-and-out, the Jets got a huge break when Dwight Lowry picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick at around midfield. Nevertheless, after just two plays, Sanchez threw another lethal interception. Buffalo took advantage, setting Lindell up for another game-winning kick, a 47-yarder that just squeaked inside the right upright, sealing the ugly upset. You can’t put all of the blame on Sanchez though. All 3 Jets’ drives in overtime began with a penalty against the Jets.
At 3-3, the Jets will have to wake up and realize that the playoffs aren’t just going to come to them. They will have to earn it. But if they can’t beat the teams at the bottom of their division, what do they expect to do later on when they face New England and Indianapolis on the road when those opponents have a combined 6-0 record at home. What about their home game with Cincinnati, who is 3-0 on the road. If the Jets can’t step up big and beat the worse teams in the league, not only will they miss the playoffs, but the will be one of those cellar squads when everything is said and done. The Jets have a good opportunity to turn things around next week against 2-4 Oakland, a team that will be riding high after upsetting the Eagles. Sanchez has the qualities to be a great quarterback, and if the Jets can get healthy and play disciplined football, he could have a chance to the next rookie sensation to led his team to the playoffs.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Weekly Jets Blog Week 5
The tendency of a sports fan, especially a football fan, is to try to only look at the positives after a loss. This has been an extremely common tendency for Jets fans. The way Rex Ryan and Gang Green started out, Jets fans thought those days might become a rare showing. Nevertheless, following a tough, turnover-filled loss to New Orleans, the Jets lost 31-27 to the Dolphins on a Ronnie Brown TD with 6 seconds left. Of course Jets fans like me will try to point out the positives.
The normally dominant Jets defense was a group of sitting ducks against Miami’s wildcat offense, allowing 10 points in the 1st quarter and 21 in the 4th. Miami QB Chad Henne, who filled in for former Jet Chad Pennington, completed 20 of 26 passes for 241 yards and 2 TDs in his 2nd career start after a successful college career at Michigan. His night was highlighted by a 53-yard TD pass to Ted Ginn Jr., who went to Ohio State, who is Michigan’s biggest rival. The main key for the Dolphins success was Ronnie Brown, who had 74 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, and 21 yards passing as well as 2 TDs, thanks to the wildcat offense. Another key contributor was Ricky Williams, who had 68 rushing yards and 70 receiving yards.
But now to the positives for the Jets. Newly acquired Braylon Edwards, another Michigan grad, had a good debut with Gang Green, recording 64 receiving yards with a tough TD catch. He also helped set up the Jets’ other 2 TDs. Jets fans will try to forget his key dropped pass in the 4th quarter. The special teams had an amazing night. I know that looking to special teams for positives seems pathetic, but in this case it’s where the Jets did the best. The Jets succeeded on two fake punts against Miami, something that can be conceived as very lucky for the Jets. Mark Sanchez wasn’t as impressive as Henne, but he did throw for a TD and didn’t have a turnover a week after having four turnovers.
The 4th quarter was a shootout with a horrible display of defense. There were 5 go-ahead TDs in the 4th. Even though Browns’ game-winner was obviously the most important, Jets fans can proudly look at Thomas Jones’ 2 TDs after he struggled the first 3 quarters. The Jets couldn’t take advantage of losses by the Patriots and Bills, and therefore remain tied with the Patriots atop the AFC East.
The Jets will have to get serious and win these types of games if they want any chance at the playoffs. After facing putrid Buffalo and Oakland, the Jets get a chance to get revenge on Miami at home, where Gang Green is 2-0 so far this season. The Jets have to take advantage of games against division rivals like New England, Buffalo, and Miami, as well as easier games like ones against Oakland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Carolina. They might need 8 or 9 wins after Week 14 because their final 3 games are against Atlanta (3-1), Indianapolis (5-0), and Cincinnati (4-1), matchups that are extremely challenging and will test the Jets well. The Jets should win 2 out of 3 of those last 3 games, and they need to in order to prove that they are a legitimate contender in the AFC.
The normally dominant Jets defense was a group of sitting ducks against Miami’s wildcat offense, allowing 10 points in the 1st quarter and 21 in the 4th. Miami QB Chad Henne, who filled in for former Jet Chad Pennington, completed 20 of 26 passes for 241 yards and 2 TDs in his 2nd career start after a successful college career at Michigan. His night was highlighted by a 53-yard TD pass to Ted Ginn Jr., who went to Ohio State, who is Michigan’s biggest rival. The main key for the Dolphins success was Ronnie Brown, who had 74 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, and 21 yards passing as well as 2 TDs, thanks to the wildcat offense. Another key contributor was Ricky Williams, who had 68 rushing yards and 70 receiving yards.
But now to the positives for the Jets. Newly acquired Braylon Edwards, another Michigan grad, had a good debut with Gang Green, recording 64 receiving yards with a tough TD catch. He also helped set up the Jets’ other 2 TDs. Jets fans will try to forget his key dropped pass in the 4th quarter. The special teams had an amazing night. I know that looking to special teams for positives seems pathetic, but in this case it’s where the Jets did the best. The Jets succeeded on two fake punts against Miami, something that can be conceived as very lucky for the Jets. Mark Sanchez wasn’t as impressive as Henne, but he did throw for a TD and didn’t have a turnover a week after having four turnovers.
The 4th quarter was a shootout with a horrible display of defense. There were 5 go-ahead TDs in the 4th. Even though Browns’ game-winner was obviously the most important, Jets fans can proudly look at Thomas Jones’ 2 TDs after he struggled the first 3 quarters. The Jets couldn’t take advantage of losses by the Patriots and Bills, and therefore remain tied with the Patriots atop the AFC East.
The Jets will have to get serious and win these types of games if they want any chance at the playoffs. After facing putrid Buffalo and Oakland, the Jets get a chance to get revenge on Miami at home, where Gang Green is 2-0 so far this season. The Jets have to take advantage of games against division rivals like New England, Buffalo, and Miami, as well as easier games like ones against Oakland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Carolina. They might need 8 or 9 wins after Week 14 because their final 3 games are against Atlanta (3-1), Indianapolis (5-0), and Cincinnati (4-1), matchups that are extremely challenging and will test the Jets well. The Jets should win 2 out of 3 of those last 3 games, and they need to in order to prove that they are a legitimate contender in the AFC.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Redemption
Tears and sorrow. That’s how every postseason series the Angels had with the Red Sox would end. Endless suffering. The Angels lost to the Sox in the ALCS in 1986 after leading the series 3-1 and being one strike away from the World Series. Boston would sweep the Angels in the ALDS in 2004 en route to a World Series title. The Angels then lost to the Red Sox in the ALDS in 2007 and 2008, only winning one game between the two series. The suffering had gone on long enough. This season, the Angels once again dominated the Al West to set up yet another matchup with their playoff oppressors. This time however, the Angels handled Boston the whole way through. One problem people claim the Angels had against Boston was getting nervous on the road in Beantown. After winning the first two games of the series behind dominated starts from John Lackey and Jered Weaver, critics said it would happen again. Coming back after facing elimination wouldn’t be something new for the Red Sox. Boston, one of only four teams to come back and win the ALDS after a 2-0 deficit, is also the only team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS, a legendary feat they pulled off against the Yankees in 2004. The Angels started Scott Kazmir, who had a 6-4 record in Fenway coming in, a great feat for a left-hander, against Boston’s Clay Buchholtz, who is remembered best for throwing a no-hitter against the Orioles in his second career start. After a solid start, the Red Sox hit Kazmir hard, scoring 3 runs in the 3rd and 2 runs in the 4th. Down 5-2, the Halos finally got some runs in the 8th. After Vladimir Guerrero drew a key walk off of Billy Wagner, the former disaster closer for the Mets, Jonathon Papelbon came in to try to get the 4-out save. On his first pitch, Juan Rivera smashed a 2-run single up the middle, the runs being charged to Wagner. The Red Sox added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th to give Papelbon a 6-4 lead. After scoring a run, the Angels had the bases loaded with two outs for Guerrero, down 6-5. You couldn’t write a better story line. Vlad Guerrero, the leader of the Angels for years who had struggled in the postseason, against Papelbon, who hadn’t given up a run in his postseason career, with 2 outs in the 9th, the game and the series on the line for the Red Sox. Vlad came through in the clutch with a go-ahead 2-run single. In the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox couldn’t continue their postseason hold on the Angels, as they went down 1-2-3 against Brian Fuentes, completing the sweep. As usual, there’s always extra irony in October baseball. People claimed that the Angels couldn’t replace superstar closer Fransisco Rodriguez a season after he set a record with 62 saves, and slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira. Kendry Morales had a monster season replacing Tex (34 homers, 108 RBIs, .306 average), and he hit a key solo homer in the final game of the ALDS. Fuentes recorded a career high 48 saves, along with 2 so far this postseason, including the one that clinched the trip to the ALCS for L.A. The Angels have finally risen from the darkness of the curse against the Sox, but they won’t let their great redemption distract them. They’ll be ready for the next stage, but no matter what happens next, they’ll never forget how they finally beat the Red Sox. I know Boston won’t.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Weekly Jets Blog: Week 4
Mark Sanchez and the Jets were finally hit by the cruel fate of reality. Gang Green learned that going 4-0 is harder that it seems. The previously unbeaten Jets couldn’t handle the Saints high-powered offense and shockingly dominant defense, and were defeated 24-10 by the New Orleans Saints. After 3 solid performances in the first 3 games, Sanchez finally struggled and made some rookie mistakes. He was picked off twice by all time defensive great Darren Sharper, and once by Randall Gay. Sanchez was also stripped in the end zone which led to a Saints touchdown. The Saints scored 14 points off of Jets’ turnovers, all of which involved Sanchez. But everyone knew this saint would come to down to earth eventually. Despite losing the game, Sanchez once again showed poise and presence under pressure. Hopefully he’s gotten all of his rookie jitters and kinks out and can go back to being a very good QB. The Jets defense gave up only 10 points to the most prolific QB, Drew Brees, and most prolific offense in the NFL. David Harris led the Jets defense with 12 tackles while Kerri Rhodes had 8 tackles. Sharper added 8 tackles to his two picks and Jonathan Vilma, a former Pro-Bowl linebacker with the Jets, recorded 6 tackles. The Saints constantly put pressure on Sanchez and Pierre Thomas was nearly unstoppable in the 2nd half, rushing for over 80 yards. Brees constantly picked through the Jets’ defense to make great throws and plays. One bright spot for the Jets was the play of rookie running back Shonn Greene. After not seeing any playing time previously in the regular season, Greene got 9 yards on his first carry. He would later run for a first down and would finish with 23 yards on 4 carries. Mixing Greene into the rushing scheme could be a key factor to the Jets’ success in the future. The Jets are now tied for first place with the Patriots at 3-1 at the top of the AFC East. If Gang Green can take 3 out of the 4 games they play before their bye week, against abysmal teams like Buffalo, Oakland, and Miami twice, then they can seriously be considered a top contender in AFC. Behind key rookies like Sanchez and Greene, impactful newcomers like Bart Scott and coach Rex Ryan, and veteran leaders like Alan Faneca and Shaun Ellis, the Jets finally have what it takes to not only make it to the playoffs, but also have a legitimate playoff run. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!!
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