What did I take from this game? Lets start with the ill-advised pass to LT on our 2nd offensive play. Schotty and Sanchez couldn't wait to go 5 wide with no backfield and show off. So much for easing into the year and letting the sophomore hand off the ball a few times and get his legs under him. #6 throws a pick on his first pass of the season. What I liked about the whole thing was how he handled it. He didn't hang his head and the coaches on the sideline made sure of that. Rex and Schotty met him as he was coming off the field and told him to forget about it and move on. When he started to cry on Mark Brunells shoulder about it he also let him know that it's only pre-season and to just move on.
Brunell is an interesting addition to this team. He can be an excellent mentor to Sanchez and in his prime I loved the way he played the game. That being said, he doesn't seem physically capable of playing any extended period of time in this league anymore. If he had any value the Saints would have held on to him. If Mark (#6) goes down in the middle of a big game then Mark (#8) may be able to play a couple of quarters and get us a win. But if Sanchez has to miss multiple games we might as well call Brooks Bollinger back from the abyss to line up behind center because Brunell is just not capable. It looks like Clemens is going to be traded or released before the regular season starts. That leaves us with no QB depth. We have our franchise guy, but it is a long season, I am just sayin'.
When Sanchez made it back on the field I must say I was impressed. He shrugged off the pick and directed the offense like a vet. I was most impressed by the accuracy of his passes. He knew exactly where he wanted to go with the ball, looked off the safeties and corners, and delivered the ball on time right in the bread basket. I feel confident that Holmes will have 1,000 yards even though he can only play 12 games. He is our best receiver, and that's saying a lot considering we have players like Cotchery, Edwards and Keller.
I do expect growing pains this year for #6 because that is always how it works for 2nd year QB's. Marty Schottenheimer made an observation this week on HBO's Hard Knocks that if you can get an equal performance out of a 2nd year QB that you got his rookie year, you have made progress. I would agree, but Mark is in a very unique situation. Not many 2nd year QB's have the caliber of skilled players that we have on offense at their disposal... not to mention our lights out defense to go with it. 12 TD's and 20 INTs won't be acceptable this year golden boy.
On defense I was impressed by Calvin Pace like usual. He is a hybrid of Joey Porter and Terrel Suggs. I think he and Taylor have a great shot at double digit sacks this year. Harris and Leonhard were also stand outs. Our D-line seems pretty solid and I predict big things out of Ellis this year. He know this is the best situation he has ever been in as a Jet, and he wants to go out as a champion. Vernon Gholston looks horrible in practice and worse in games. He simply doesn't have the X-factor needed to be a real pass rushing threat in this league. He looks the part but he is only an actor. I think it would serve to motivate the team if he was released before the start of the regular season. The way he restructured his contract allows us to cut ties and absorb no real cap hit in 2011. Dump him!
Dwight Lowery seems to be regressing as his career progresses. He should not be playing corner. He is perfectly suited for safety. He doesn't have the speed or man to man skills an NFL corner needs. He can read defenses, plays excellent zone, has good ball skills and appropriate size for SS or FS. If we end up dumping him the next team that snatches him up will most certainly move him to that spot.
The last thing I will mention was the blind side hit on Eli Manning. I am an Eli fan and have been for years. I like everything about this guy, except the uniform he wears. Watching him get destroyed and run off the field spilling blood was fantastic! Christening our new home field with Giant blood was a thing of beauty. It's too bad our 2nd and 3rd stringers couldn't get us a win, but that violent impact, and the aftermath, made the whole night worth it.
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