Jets are going to use the upcoming game against the Pats to begin their reversion to ground and pound, re-emphasizing the running game.
I agree that the unbalanced focus on passing has not worked out great so far. That said, this is not the game to go away from the pass. The Pats weakest link on D is their secondary. They are #32 - dead last - in the NFL in passing defense. Their secondary was weak last year, and it's still weak this year.
The best way to beat the Pats is to make sure you stretch the field with several vertical plays to Plax. If you do that, you'll have your best shot of a mismatch. I hope the Jets remember to work several deep plays in during the game.
Pats D captain and key LB Mayo is out for several weeks, which is good. He's their playcaller and this will cause them some issues. (Although expect a Belicheat-coached team to quickly overcome this issue.)
Finally, Jets need to accept that the Wayne Hunter experiment has failed miserably. Without Woody and Mangold we're not running on anyone.
8 comments:
Nice scouting. I concur, but I think well have Mangold back this week.
We probably should, but I'm concerned how well his ankle will hold up trying to fend off that fat load wilfork all game.
Gut check time. Back to ground, pound and TOP. If they can't run and control the run, they will fail.
My guess is with Mangold's ankle still not 100%, and Wayne Hunter being - well, Wayne Hunter, you're going to have a tough time running on Wilfork and Haynesworth. Given that Mayo is injured and we've announced we're going ground and pound, I expect to see a lot more 4-3 from NE than 3-4.
I like throwing in more runs, keep D honest, but try some quick dumps to LT in backfield and outside runs for Greene. Then take deep shots with Plax. And the Pats LBs and DBs typically have a tough time dealing with Holmes and Keller.
BTW, good call of the week comes compliments of Fredo's bang-on prediction a week ago:
I'm kind of expecting to get blasted at Baltimore this week.
I think we go into Foxborough at 2-2, a game behind the Patsies, and I think that game will be critical.
And BTW, why would you announce the week before the game that you are going back to ground and pound? Given that G&P has looked non-existent all year, why not let Pats think you have gotten away from it and will focus on pass? Then hit them with the surprise.
Ultimately I think the Jets have made too many personnel changes over past two years and it's catching up to them, especially with the lock-out this year. People like Cotchery and Ellis were well respected in the locker room. Brad Smith was an instant spark to mix things up.
Plus, the league has been morphing into pass heavy, with a lot of quick strike teams. GB, NE, NO, Buf, etc. can all put up a lot of points quickly. Jets safeties and LBs are not up for that; they're built to stop the run, not the pass.
Gotta say--your plan worked to perfection.
Only problem is that it was the Pats that used the gameplan...
Normally I would say this loss is not that critical. Jets are 4-3 against Pats in last 7 games; you're bound to split with them during season; and it would be tough to see them losing at home after we owned them in the playoffs last year.
That said, this is not a game in isolation. It's a continuation of bad trends this season. D is much worse. Penalties seem to be up. Offense is inconsistent, and didn't look all that good against the last-ranked D in the league.
The one constant has been special teams, thanks to Westhoff. You can't really appreciate his genius until you realize how amazing ST has been despite numerous changes in personnel: Leon Washington, Brad Smith, Cromartie, Kerley, McKnight, etc. His systems are just ridiculous, even adapting under the new kickoff rules.
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