August 17, 2008 Let's go to the tape on Jets vs. 'Skins Thoughts and observations after reviewing the tape of last night?s game against the Redskins: ? Brett Favre did what he had to do. Just like he said after the game, the balls he completed were plays that should?ve been completed. He did a nice job of handling the complexities of the offense. In 14 plays, there were five different personnel packages, with motion and/or shifts on six of the plays. Couldn?t help but notice that he used almost the entire play clock on several plays. In fact, his 19-yard pass to Jerricho Cotchery shouldn?t have counted. The play clock reached :00 a fraction before the ball was snapped. On his 4-yard TD pass to Dustin Keller, Favre looked first to Bubba Franks, who couldn?t get off the line. He quickly got off Franks and went to Keller. ? Other than his fourth-down conversion, Thomas Jones was conspicuously quiet. That makes two games in a row. His totals: 6 carries for 18 yards. What, is he on the LaDainian Tomlinson pre-season plan? ? FB Tony Richardson made two excellent blocks - out of the I-formation on Jones? fourth-and-1 run for three yards and an open-field block on Brad Smith?s 12-yard end around. ? WR Brad Smith, who started for the injured Laveranues Coles, missed a block that contributed to a 5-yard loss by Leon Washington. The offense really needs Coles? toughness. ? Massive NT Kris Jenkins definitely brings a different dimension to the defense. He draws two blockers on almost every play and he?s surprisingly nimble, showing the ability to penetrate into the backfield. I also liked OLB Calvin Pace, who always seems to be around the ball. ? Another very quiet game for top pick Vernon Gholston, who seems lost as he attempts to make the transition to outside linebacker. He played six snaps with the starting defense (four as a defensive end, two as an outside ?backer) and 24 with the second-team defense. He was credited with two tackles, and one was a push-out. He?s stronger than people might think, showing decent technique with his bull rushes, but the speed and acceleration just aren?t there. Right now, OLB Marques Murrell, a free agent, is a more fluid pass rusher than Gholston. That he couldn?t get much done against LT Chris Samuels is understandable, but he couldn?t get any push against backup LT Chad Rinehart, a rookie free agent from Northern Iowa. In the first quarter, he got caught out of position on a draw that went for 10 yards. In the third quarter, he got caught inside, allowing Marcus Mason to break outside for 19 yards. ILB David Bowens didn?t play that one well, either. ? LB Eric Barton continued his terrific summer. He dropped Rock Cartwright for a 5-yard loss on a screen and he blew up Maurice Mann on an incompletion. ? There are some serious depth issues on the offensive line. LT Wayne Hunter got wasted by rookie DE Rob Jackson, resulting in a strip/sack on Kellen Clemens. Rob Turner, usually a guard, got a shot at center and ? well, it didn?t go well. Twice he stepped on Clemens? foot during the exchange. If one of the five starters gets hurt, the Jets will have some problems. ? If I?m Mike Nugent, I?m really going to be focused this week in practice. How do you miss a 23-yard field goal with the game on the line? Eric Mangini might have been annoyed, but dozens of writers, sweating deadline, didn?t mind in the least that there was no overtime. ? Clemens? numbers look awful (5-for-12, 63 yards, 5 series, 5 punts), but he received no help whatsoever. There were four drops - Franks, David Clowney, Keller and Jesse Chatman - and his center couldn?t stay out of his way. Clemens did make one real nice play, stepping up in the pocket and hitting Clowney for 29 yards. That said, I wouldn?t be surprised if Brett Ratliff gets a few more reps this week in practice. With 1:02 on the clock, he drove the offense 71 yards to the Redskins? 5. They should?ve won the game (see Raymond drop) or at least tied the game (see Nugent miss). ? A couple of rookie free agents hurt their chances with bad plays. DT Thomas Johnson missed a tackle on Cartwright at the point of attack, letting him scoot for 73 yards. With a chance to be the hero, Paul Raymond dropped a pass in the end zone in the final seconds. ? Rookie CB Dwight Lowery had another solid game. Interesting that Justin Miller and David Barrett played with the second teamers in the third quarter. Obviously, Eric Mangini is looking for different combinations at corner. After Darrelle Revis, the most impressive corners in camp have been Lowery and Drew Coleman. By Rich Cimini on August 17, 2008 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (40) Email
Bob Sutton needs to GTFO on the field and cattle prod Gholston. Taser his ass until he gets his game straight
"In fact, his 19-yard pass to Jerricho Cotchery shouldn’t have counted." both of you losers need an education in football. let me break it down for u. one ref eyes the play clock (not the ball), when it hits zero, he turns to ball to see if its snapped. therefore, there is a split second for qb to get the ball off
It's only pre-season game two, but it looks like the DL will play better than many predicted, but depth problems with the OL may be significant. I'd feel better if Jones were getting more yardage, too. That's a concern. Finally I hope Brad Smith does not emerge the #3 wr.
Looking back at the end of the game I wass impressed with Marcus Henry. Does not have great speed but has a big frame and his hands are like glue. I hope the kid makes the team. Jones only got a couple of carries, but I LOVED the run for the first on 4th and inches. Woody Blows Jason Taylor off the line badly, then Richerdson comes through the hole and gets a piece of 2 linebackers, allowing Jones to get a burst through for a few yards and the first down. We were not able to do things like that at all last year and it really cost us in the red zone.
Cimini's points about Gholston are really on the money. I think this is what scared everyone about Gholston that he has crazy speed and power but his lacking that initial burst that is needed. As much as he's raw and learning the position he should have the ability to just run at the qb off the edge and really stress the defense to account for him. It's possible that they want him to be responsible for his gap more then get to the qb at this point but I'm not sure.
A guy named Duke one of the hosts of the half time show on NFLN called VG a gunner & not a read & react player & that by forcing VG to be a read & react player Mangini is using VG incorrectly.
The Jets play a very disciplined defense so no matter who it is the players first responsibility is gap control against the run. On obvious passing downs I'm sure they will cut him loose. My question with Gholston is whether he is lacking that initial burst or if he's just moving in slowing motion while learning the defense. Hopefully it's just a learning process.
He does not lack the initial burst. Check out some YouTube video on him. He's easily off the ball faster than everyone else on the line at Ohio State. He's probably getting a lot of the coverage responsibilties now to get valuable experience instead of waiting for the games to start to count. Also remember that a lot of great pass rushers in college start out slowly as they adjust to the pro game.
This discussion about Gholston is starting to look like the discussion surrounding LaVar Arrington for his entire career. LaVar was not a system LB, he was a tear em up and go for the throat LB. He had a different coaching staff for each of his years with the B&G. He ended up getting benched by Gibbs for freelancing and not playing within the system.
