Prior to the Tenn game, I posted a thread about how people's expectations were too high, too fast. My argument was mainly that it was too early to start thinking too far down the road. I tried to back this up with some points relative to a rookie QB, and not really seeing enough of the defense to know how good it was. Most responses were in the "don't tell me how to feel" or "get your SOJ crap out of here" mode. So, let me provide an update with 2 more weeks of data. Let me be clear: This team is NOT the Same Old Jets! This defense is incredibly good and will only get better with Pace coming back. With a defense like this, we should be in every game this season and have a chance to win. SOJ were usually bend, but don't break (which they eventually did). The great thing about a defense like this is that it gives you a legitimate chance every season. However, the problems are really on offense. In my previous post, I said that the more film builds up on Sanchez, the more likely it will be that DCs would find ways to expose his tendencies. He has gotten away with some mistakes this season, but today he was burned. I expect Sanchez to get better, but there will be days like this. The real question is, can the rest of the team help him out enough. The running game and pass protection really needs to improve to take the pressure off of Sanchez. I've seen some posts critical of Schotty and I disagree. I'd rather lose playing bold, than win by playing not to lose......the latter always catches up with you. In a way, I am actually glad to see this loss now. I want to see how this team responds to adversity. Whether we think the Jets will pound the Dolphins or not, the pressure will be on for a bounce-back performance on national TV. I believe this is a resilient team (especially the D) and will come back strong over the next few games. It is OK to lose games (especially non-Conference games early in the season). The key is to get better after the loses. Learn from the mistakes. If this team is a contender, they'll need to be playing their best in December. Let's see how the team does in the coming weeks. Here are a few things I'll be looking for: - A consistent running game - Sanchez protecting the ball - Sanchez getting rid of the ball quicker - A 2nd receiver to emerge as a consistent threat - Sacks (not just pressures) and turnovers - Scoring on defense (great defenses like the Steelers and Ravens do this...we need to too) I'm actually more optimistic now than I was two weeks ago. I think this team has potential. I'm still not convinced we are a legitimate SB contender, but I think we are heading in the right direction. DbJ
Sanchez gotta learn how to not lock in on receivers. Got burned on it a few times today. I'll be looking at that.
Great post man! I'm hoping Sanchez learns from his mistakes and helps the Jets win ballgames. The run game should get going soon. The D will keep dominating, getting Calvin Pace back from Suspension helps obviously. The O-line needs to open holes for the running game to go through, and give Mark Sanchez time to throw. Win the games we should win (like the next 5 games (Miami Twice, Buffalo, @ Oakland, and Jacksonville.) If most of the above happens, no doubt that we can be true Super Bowl contenders. Go JETS!:jets:
I agree. All of it. Tony Romo came out and lit up the NFL for 5 games.... then the rest of the league learned about him and began to stop him. it'll be up to the rest of the team to continue to help the rookie get better each week. also, I want to see how he responds to failure. He gets to walk into a hated division rival after a tough loss... Let's see him come back and kick some ass.
I agree with this post. Only thing I really disagree with is Schotty. I have been a big supporter of his but I thought the play calling today was bad.
It looked at times like the Saints had 15 defenders on the field. Our offense looked slow, weak and predictable. The running game has struggled with the exception of a handful of big gainers by Thomas Jones. Schottenheimer needs to do better job. The two passing plays on 3rd and 1 were awful.
I agree. Excellent post but I was sort of baffled by the offensive gameplan today also. Schotty's playcalling seemed pretty questionable.
What are you talking about? Thomas Jones was the only one to manage fewer than 4 yards per carry today, and he's been the worst part of the running game. We've faced tough run defenses thus far, with the exception of the Texans, and we've gone away from the rush too often. However, it's NOT a weakness on this team. It just needs to be better implemented.
I think Schotty's still trying to figure out how the hell to best utilize his offense. He's had 4 games against real competition, and the inconsistency at the QB position has made it difficult. He's been largely reactionary. After Sanchez struggled in the 1st half against Houston, he tried to scale things back, only calling 6 passing plays in the first half of the New England game. When Sanchez came out and led the team in the 2nd half of that game, he went back to a heavy dose of 19 passing plays called in the Tennessee and Saints games. After this week's struggles, he'll adjust again. The one thing I'd like to see is a more consistent gameplan running the ball. I think he was afraid of the small, speedy front 7 of the Saints today, and avoided using Leon's talents because he felt it would be better to pound inside with Greene and Jones. It didn't work out, and I didn't see adjustments at the half like we've had this season. We're getting good results with our run game, but not necessarily in the right spots.
Did you guys see the way our defense was flying to the ball in the second half? There's a ton of fight in this team
I agree with everything also. The one thing which has been pointed out consistently is that Sanchez does not seem to protect the ball well. Even on the scramble in the first half? (I think it was then) the announcers pointed out how far he was holding the ball away from his body. I'm sure this is something that Schotty and Ryan will continue to pound into his brain.
I would actually bracket the first 4 here together as they all affect eachother. Get the ground game going, the passing opens up and vice-versa. I would enter better and more constant play from the O line. Prior to this season starting everyone was drooling over how many sacks we were going to get, which hasn't transpired yet. I see this as work-in-progress. Last night against NO, I kept on thinking, here we go on this D series, someone takes it to the house. Hasn't happened yet, but once again I think its a case of watch this space, the D are very close to being a SB calibre unit in my eyes.
