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It’s time for a heaping helping of Dan’s Website Whispers live from Jets Country heading into the weekend. Let’s go, go, go . . .
As Marty Mornhinweg walked into his press conference today, he was yawning, and looked very tired. He’s burning the candle at both ends coming off last week’s difficult loss for the Jets, and obviously him, following the time-out debacle.
I asked him a question today about something I’ve written about here – the debate between spreading the wealth and going with the hot hand.
When I asked him the question, I talked about how some offensive coordinators like to spread it around to a lot of weapons, spread the wealth, but when is there is a mismatch that continually works, why not throw to the same guy over and over until they stop it?
What I was getting at was Jeremy Kerley.
The Bears have issues in the slot due to all their cornerback injuries. Kerley, who is playing very well, could really do a lot of damage against these guys.
“Yeah, certainly you try to stymie strengths and go after weaknesses,” Mornhinweg said.
I think Kerley have a career day against these guys.
Let’s see what Marty does . . .
Speaking of weapons, if Eric Decker continues to be sidelined in practice by a hamstring injury. He’s a long-shot to play.
And as I’ve mentioned before, the Jets can survive this.
But there are some in the media acting like this is Armageddon, the fact that Decker might not play.
Please stop overrating this player.
Like I’ve said, he’s very, very solid, but not irreplaceable.
This one reporter who has been asking questions about Decker all week in a fashion that makes him sound like Calvin Johnson, asked today if the receiver’s potential absence could impact the Jets ability to go deep.
This question bothered me because it’s not steeped in reality.
Decker doesn’t have deep speed. When he gets deep, it’s generally on a double move. Like on his touchdown in the Green Bay game.
He runs a 4.6 forty guy.
So no, Decker’s possible absence doesn’t impact the Jets ability to go deep.
What would help it, is using Saalim Hakim some at wide receiver, with his sub 4.3 speed. I have been covering the Jets for close to 20 years, and I’ve never see a player this fast. When I see him run in practice, I think to myself – “Wow.”
If the Jets used this guy on offense, it would help their running game by taking a safety out of the box. Hakim who can take the top off the defense.
Perhaps this is the week we will see Hakim at receiver, with the Decker injury.
Also, I get the sense the Jets might start using Bilal Powell on some kick returns . . .
This could be the week the Jets finally break a return. The Bears are all banged-up, and this is impacting their special teams. Sherrick McManus the gunner on coverage is likely not going to play. And DE Trevor Scott isn’t going to play, and he’s a good special team’s player as well . . .
It would be shocking if the Jets don’t have a big game on the ground against a porous Bears rushing defense that will be without their best defensive tackle, Jeremiah Ratliff. You might remember him from his time in Dallas, when he went by the name “Jay.”
Expect a huge game on the ground for the Jets.
September 19, 2014
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