The Jets dropped a frustrating game in N'Orlins' but we did get to learn some important things about our team. Obviously #6 struggled and looked very much like a rookie today, but the big story to me was our defense. They are the real deal, and they are making their reputation without Sheppard, Strickland and Pace. The good news is that by next week our two injured CB's will probably be back and Pace will also rejoin his teammates. For the first time I am really believing we may end up as the #1 defense in this league when all is said and done.
I am not disappointed by Sanchez. The first pick was a result of our non-existent running game. As a young QB Mark needs to play situational football a little better. If you are trailing early in the game by 3 points and it's 2nd and 8, there is no need to force a pass. Again, if he had an effective running game that he could count on I don't think he would have been so rambunctious.
Mark should have been a little more aware on the fumble play, but #60 D'Brickashaw Ferguson is to blame for that one. He was badly beat by the DE and as a veteran he should know that he needs to grab that defender and take him down. Considering what's at stake, a holding call doesn't really cost us much compared to allowing a defender to attack you QB's blind side untouched. We should have been running the ball in that scenario, a rookie QB needs to be protected.
I have been calling the Saints the most balanced and complete team in football since before the preseason (my analysis of the Saints on June 1st), and I predicted this game as a loss in April. If they stay healthy, the Black and Gold are the team to beat.
When I referred to this game as a frustrating loss it was not because of Sanchez. The unexplainable non-calls from the refs today made my blood boil. First their was a 3rd down play early in the game where Keller was tackled short of the 1st. The defender pushed Keller to the ground as he was trying to get to his feet. Thats know as un-sportsman like conduct and should have resulted in a first down. No Call.
Next was a screen play to Thomas that almost yielded a TD if not for the amazing effort of Harris (#52 has been simply amazing so far this season!). On the play Brees was under pressure and escaped from the pocket to deliver the ball to the RB. Marques Douglas had great penetration and would have sacked the QB if not for a blatant hold from the Saints offensive linemen. It was as clear as day, and again... No Call!
At the start of the second half Sanchez was the victim of a obvious face mask as Charles Grant sacked him. Again, no call and not a word from the CBS broadcasting team. They replayed the sack 5 times, and they didn't have the courage to call out the refs for missing it. Two plays later Shonn Greene runs the ball up the middle and is brought down by a flagrant horse collar. The refs, who were very consistent today, again kept the flags in their pockets.
I didn't watch the Patriots game today, but on the NBC recap of the game they pointed out how each of their scores were set up by questionable roughing the passer calls. They showed a post game press conference where the Baltimore coach was obviously upset about favorable ball spots. If NBC is calling out the refs for handing the game to New England it must have been pretty bad.
The Jets and Patriots have the same record (3-1), but they are not tied for 1st place. We are undefeated in our division and the Pats are 1-1, and we beat the Pats head to head. So we are in first place according to league rules. So every time you hear or read an ignorant report that the Jets are tied for first place, know that is incorrect.
The first 4 games are history and the next 4 are winnable. We will see the Dolphins twice, as well as the Bills and Raiders. I can easily see us 3-1 after this next quarter of the season is complete. I think we will drop one game to Miami. My feeling is that we win next week in Miami, but when they come to our house on November 1st they will squeak out a close one. 6-2 at the halfway point would be a beautiful thing.
This next 4 game stretch is the least demanding of our entire schedule. We need to establish a consistent running attack. We need to find a way to get players like Neon Leon more touches and involve Clowney and Greene. We have only scratched the surface of what our offense is capable of.
We are 3-1 after four very tough games and we have no major injuries. Losing today was disappointing, but Jets fans everywhere should be feeling pretty darn good.
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