Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – Time for a heaping helping of Jets Whispers including a look at a coach who deserves a game ball, a player the Jets dominated and the Jets’ punt return coverage issues . . .
It can’t be minimized.
Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers was a huge factor in the Jets win over Miami. Huge!
Rodgers spent the previous seven seasons as the Dolphins’ defensive line coach.
He helped the Jets game plan immeasurably on both sides of the ball.
Rodgers did a great job of developing defensive ends Cam Wake and Olivier Vernon. Those guys have savaged the Jets in the past. They were non-factors in this game.
Rodgers gave the Jets’ offensive linemen great tips in dealing with them.
Rodgers has great insight on what the Dolphins beleaguered defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is looking to do. Look at how the Jets destroyed the Dolphins’ run fits early and often, running all over the Dolphins.
On defensive, the Jets blitz schemes were brilliant. Rodgers knows what offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is looking to do. On top of that, Rodgers defensive line faced that offensive line in practice every day. He knows what they are looking to do schematically.
Rodgers deserves a game ball. His insight last week was of paramount significance . . .
A picture post-card for how bad the Jets’ punt coverage was on display on a 14-yard return by Jarvis Landry in the first half.
Marcus Williams was the first one down and missed the tackle. Buster Skrine was the next guy to arrive and he overran the play. Then you had Lorenzo Mauldin, Trevor Reilly and Erin Henderson in the next wave, and none of them touched Landry. What brought Landry down? He was tripped by his teammate Matt Moore on the sideline (he was going out of bounds).
It’s only four weeks in, and I expect the Jets to fix this, and I’m not suggesting anybody should be cut. They just need to shuffle the deck, and use some different people.
Not only do they miss Saalim Hakim, but let’s not forget they didn’t resign Nick Bellore.
Guys like Mauldin, Henderson and Reilly are tall linebackers, who can have issues breaking down in space. So often it’s the shorter linebackers, with the lower center of gravity, who excel on punt/kick coverage. Think back in recent Jets history – guys around 6-0, like Eddie Mason and Chad Cascadden, and the aforementioned Bellore. Actually Joe Mays is this kind of guy, and could have helped the Jets on punt coverage, if he wasn’t released on the final cut-down.
This has to be fixed. Let’s see if they do it . . .
I don’t want to talk too much about the Dolphins at this point, but based on my film study of the game, it’s becoming more and more clear that Mike Tannenbaum, Matt Higgins and Steve Ross overrated their talent.
Ian Eagle talked during the broadcast about all the hype entering this season thanks to the big money spent and the new additions.
You know what, aside from Suh, what other move was so significant?
And Suh was awful against the Jets – pushed around constantly. If you don’t like the Suh signing, Tannenbaum’s to blame, not Joe Philbin.
Look, they probably did the right thing firing Philbin, who didn’t seem to have the aura of a head coach, but if the Miami brass thinks they put together a super roster, and it’s all on the coaching, they are a little mistaken.
I will you another example of what I’m talking about. The Jets dominated Dolphins rookie right guard Jamil Douglas.
I don’t know if I would have started him immediately. He was an offensive tackle last year in college. Look, he’s a good prospect, but perhaps he needed some time. The Jets schooled him.
October 7, 2015
Premium will return by 11:00 pm on Thursday.
