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Florham Park – The Houston Texans have the 32nd ranked pass defense in the NFL. But can the Jets really take advantage of this major weakness? It’s hard to say that convincingly . . .
Mark Sanchez has a 54 percent completion percentage, so you have to wonder if the Jets can really dominate the Texans secondary.
I’m not saying the Jets won’t win. I’m talking about passing game really punshing the NFL’s worst secondary.
Last week, after the cornerback Sheldon Brown was injury on the first series, the Cleveland Browns were starting two rookies in their secondary – Joe Haden (for Brown) and safety T.J. Ward – for most of the game.
But it really didn’t make much of a difference. On so many plays, Sanchez couldn’t find anybody and/or dumped to LaDainian Tomlinson.
On paper, Sanchez, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller should rip these guys apart.
But based on the last three games, the Green Bay shutout, and the mediocrity against two average secondaries – Detroit and Cleveland, do you really think the Jets passing game is going to go up and down field? I’m just not feeling it.
Look-it, I’m not saying there won’t be big plays in the passing game. But against this kind of secondary, there should be domination with the Jets talent . . .
Mike Westhoff re-iterated on Thursday his contention that the New Meadowlands isn’t an overly-windy stadium, and wasn’t swayed when I brought up the shaking goalposts on display during the Green Bay game.
I think in a court of law, shaking goalposts would be pretty good evidence of a stadium being exceedingly windy.
My sense is Westy knows it’s a very windy stadium, but doesn’t want to admit it publicly, because that would really get into the head of his kicker . . .
Barring a setback, Matt Slauson will start Sunday against Houston.
But it’s entirely possible we could see a repeat of last week, where he played about three quarters, and then had to leave the game because of severe stiffness in his bad knee.
He doesn’t get hit on the knee much, or at all, in practice.
Last week, after taking several hits in live action, it led to swelling and stiffness, and he did the right thing for the team, saying it would be better if a healthy Rob Turner replaced him . . .
The injuries to Marquice Cole and Dwight Lowery are a tough blow for the Jets special teams. With these guys out, the Jets probably could use both Jamaal Westerman and Josh Mauga active. But how will they do that?
One way would be to de-activate Trevor Pryce or Vernon Gholston, We all know darn well the latter isn’t going to happen.
Pryce is a great guy, but aside from that one good play at Denver in run support, I’m just not seeing much going on there.
But would Rex de-activate Pryce, who he is closed with? That would be a tough one for him . . .
I have to admit, I’m a little uncomfortable with Mark Sanchez constant lobbying for his former USC teammate Patrick Turner.
Be careful Mark suggesting the Jets elevate Turner, because if they do (and according to Manish they already have), somebody is going to have to be cut . ..
This Turner situation is very interesting to me. The Dolphins thought he was awful and got rid of him after just one year, after picking him in the third round.
The Jets really like him.
It will be fascinating to see who is right . . .
Tight end Jeff Cumberland is getting a lot of reps in practice this week. This has been like a redshirt year for Cumberland, but he might be ready to contribute.
Remember, he played mainly wide receiver at Illinois, so he’s still learning how to be an all-around tight end.
But watching him run in practice is still something to behold. The guy is 6-4, 250 and runs under 4.5. Can you say, “Freak of nature?”
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