Here are the facts... it's a 16 game season, our defense looks amazing, the only drive that produced a TD for Baltimore was made possible by penalties that moved the ball down the field simply placed it on the 1 yard line, LT looks explosive, our offense struggled against a formidable defensive unit.
Here's the hype... Mark Sanchez is in the midst of a 'sophomore slump', our offense is broken, our season is over, Brian Schottenheimer is the worst coordinator in the history of the NFL, Rex has lost control of the team.... and like usual... it's time to start over and rebuild.
Am I disappointed by the performance of our offense and the overall gameplan? Yes. Did our offense look professional or disciplined? No. Do we need to change some things in order to start getting first downs and scoring TD's? Yes. 16 other teams lost week one and all of their fans are equally upset. Week 2 is another chance to get it right. A big win over the Patriots this Sunday will make things all better. Pace yourselves Jets fans, with a second year QB behind center, 2010 will be a bit of a roller coaster ride.
Obviously the offensive game plan had no continuity or direction. It was simply a bunch of random plays strung together. Schotty needs to learn that a young QB needs to get into a rhythm. So does a young RB. A couple of quick slants to Cothery and Keller and a few simple runs off of our powerful RG with Conner lead blocking can go a long way. Let them get a few first downs and build their confidence.
This isn't Joe Montana and Roger Craig back there, it's two young players who are still building their confidence. Sanchez and Greene must be a mess today. If Shcotty keeps trying to make the offense as explosive as the defense we will keep losing games, it's time to put your ego aside and contour your playcalling to the talent and experience of your squad. I think with the players we have we can make big plays and score points, but there needs to be a crystal clear gameplan and better situational planning and practice.
At the end of the game Sanchez and Schotty looked completely out of sync, they were yelling back and forth and Mark looked lost. The final few play calls were baffling and Mark was targeting players that were not in a position to help. Throwing 8 yard passes in the middle of the field with 50 seconds on the clock is totally the wrong thing to do. It's not unacceptable to lose a game, but it is unacceptable to lose that way. Throw the ball as the game is winding down. Even if you turn it over, you need to take a chance.
Two plays stood out to me from Mark this week. When Ellis clobbered Flacco on Baltimore's first offensive snap and handed our offense the ball 11 yards from the endzone, Sanchez was handed a golden opportunity. On third down Sanchez rolled out of the pocket and saw a small opening to squeeze the ball into Edwards for a score. He chocked up on the ball and threw it out of bounds.... on purpose. He rather take the target off of his back by not throwing a pick, and let Folk come out and put up 3. That is the wrong instinct in that situation. Early in a game is when to take a shot.
The other play was later in the second half when Mark chose to slide instead of diving head first for a first down. People have been attacking him for that. He did exactly what he has been coached to do. He should never put himself in a position to get injured. Ray Lewis would have decapitated him if he would have tried that move. I would rather be in 4th and 1 than have my franchise QB on IR for the remainder of the season. If you think things are bad now, try 15 games with Mark Brunell as or starter. PSL owners would be hanging themselves in the fancy, spacious bathrooms of the New Meadowlands.
Schotty will tweak things and figure our how to get the most out of this group. He needs to figure out the perfect balance between Greene and Tomlinson, and when to take the leash off of #6. My only long tern concern is the LG position. Slauson and Ducasse are not ready to be starters. It's that simple. I hope that gaping hole in our line doesn't get our QB killed.
Lots of players stood out on defense. Our D-line is going to face another season without Jenkins. His season and probably his career are over after another catastrophic injury to his ACL. I love Big Jenks, but I think it's time to call it a career. I am glad he tried to give it a shot this year. Now he can move on with no regrets. I like the players that we have up front. Thomas, Harris, Taylor and Scott looked great, and most of our secondary played well. Wilson was called for two bullshit penalties but showed great instincts as a nickel back. I think he has a long career ahead of him.
The only major disappointment was Cromartie. The interception was his only high point and it was an amazing display of athleticism... but even that play disgusted me. He snatched the ball, somehow stayed in bounds and started heading for the defensive TD. Unfortunately he ran out of gas about 40 yards into the return. There is no excuse for a corner to be chased down from behind by a goddamn QB... unless it's Mike Vick maybe. Conditioning ruined what would have been the defensive play of the week for the whole league, and that score would have won us the game. No excuse for coming up short and for the sloppy coverage all night. Thats just not good enough #31.
One final note. Some reporter is claiming the Jets players harassed her in the locker room sometime last week. This bullshit tabloid stuff is no interest to me and I have no plans on commenting on it. I could care less what happened in that locker room... I care about what happens on the field. I am sure that ESPN and the media will blow this out of proportion and I am also sure this no-name reporter will get a million dollars worth of free press from it. What a sick society.
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