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In Part II of Dan Leberfeld’s breakdown of the Jets’ 2012 schedule, he looks at a number of mid-season games, including a huge matchup with New England on Sunday night . . .
10/28 Sunday Miami 1:00 p.m. CBS
The Dolphins should be much improved at this point, a lot more comfortable in the Joe Philbin (offense) and Kevin Coyle (defense) playbooks.
Lord knows where the Tebow-Sanchez experiment is at this point. Wouldn’t you love to have a time machine, so you could find out how this is working out? At this point, we will know so much more.
If the Dolphins are really bad at this point, it’s possible we see Ryan Tannehill in this game, if Miami is able to get him in the draft. And where is the Jets right tackle situation at for this game against Cameron Wake? Who is playing there – Wayne Hunter, Vlad Ducasse or Austin Howard?
11/4 Bye
Tony Sparano will probably lobby with Rex to give the players less time off during the bye-week than he has in the past. This would be a good week to tweak the Tebow Wildcat package.
11/11 Sunday at Seattle 4:05 p.m. CBS
As you all know, this is a very difficult place to play. We will know a lot more at this point if hot free agent qB Matt Flynn is all he was cracked up to be. And you know darn well that Pete Carroll would love to beat the Jets, after being treated so shabbily by the organization back in 1994, when he was fired after one season, because Leon Hess was enamored with Rich Kotite.
11/18 Sunday at St. Louis 1:00 p.m. CBS
Win one of Brian Schottenheimer – that will be a rallying cry in Rams offensive meetings. Schottenheimer, was public enemy #1 in the Jets Nation the last few years, and “resigned” after last season (he got a nice severance package – the kind all of us can just dream about).
You could view this as a rebuilding year for the Rams with a new coach and GM, but at this stage of the season, they could start getting comfortable and into a groove. And remember, they have three of the top 39 picks of the draft, so they are getting a nice influx of talent next week.
And tailback Stephen Jackson is a rare talent.
I have a sneaking suspicion this will not be an easy game for the Jets.
11/22 Thursday New England 8:20 p.m. NBC
This will likely be a must win for the Jets. It’s way too soon to make season predictions, but I do think they have enough talent to be in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
LT Matt Light just retired in New England, so maybe that helps the Jets pass rush a little in these matchups. We will see what Nate Solder brings to the table.
But it’s so important for the Jets to take their pass rush to another level this season, and the games against Tom Brady amplify this need. If you don’t get pressure on him, and get him off his spot, you will lose almost every time.
The Jets brass talked the other day about wanting to increase team speed. If the Jets don’t get a pass rusher in the first round, maybe they can grab West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin in the second round. He’s the fastest pass rusher in this draft, running 4.45 at 6-3, 245 pounds.
Aaron Maybin can also fly, and this off-season is so important for him to get stronger, and to develop some counter moves. You can’t speed rush on every play.
Maybe Ricky Sapp can help.
(We will have Part III of our schedule analysis by Saturday at 11 pm.)
