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Dan puts the performance of Jets front seven against Washington under the microscope and here is what he discovered . . .
Shaun Ellis stopped Willie Parker on the Redskins first rushing play of the game for a loss of one.
On the Redskins first rushing play of their second possession, Kris Jenkins did a wonderful job of shedding a block to stop Parker on the line.
Mike DeVito (perhaps the strongest player on the team), was too much for rookie Trent Williams, and got off his block to stop Parker after a one-yard gain on the second possession, with the help of Calvin Pace.
In the middle of the second quarter, Sione Pouha, batted down a Rex Grossman pass intended for Santana Moss on the short right side, and this forced the Redskins to kick a field goal.
Ellis had a QB pressure in the middle of the first quarter, on the pass intercepted by Antonio Cromartie, but called back due to a phantom interference call on the cornerback.
The safety on the Redskins, in the second quarter, didn’t have much to do with the Jets defense, it was more predicated on a bad snap.
Early in the fourth quarter, Matt “Don’t be” Kroul had a nice run stop around the line on RB Keiland Williams.
Rodrique Wright played very well in the last quarter and change with four tackles and one for a loss, stopping Johnson for a loss of two. He stepped up to the challenge Rex Ryan gave him but it didn’t matter. He was cut. If any of the new 3-4 teams don’t pick him up, they weren’t paying attention.
On to the linebackers.
On the Redskins second running play, Jason Taylor showed once against why he’s an underrated run defender. He stopped a Clinton Portis run off left tackle after just a gain of three yards.
Vernon Gholston stunted up the middle, and got in Rex Grossman’s face, to force him to throw it away to end the first drive. Gholston had another QB pressure in the fourth quarter, getting by reserve left tackle Selvish Capers, and hit the quarterback as he was throwing, for his second pressure of the game. Gholston also recovered a fumbled punt in the second quarter that was forced by Brad Smith.
But while Gholston has improved, he’s still a liability against the run because he struggles getting off blocks. There were a pair of six-yard carries right at him in the middle of the second quarter.
On the Redskins second possession, Bart Scott rushed up the middle, got a QB pressure, but was called for roughing the passer.
Calvin Pace played very well until hurting his foot in the third quarter. Late in the first half, he stopped Williams for a loss of two. Also late in the first half, he blew by right guard Artis Hicks for a sack and fumble (Redskins recovered).
On a Larry Johnson gain of 18 off right tackle in the fourth quarter, Jamaal Westerman did a poor job sealing the edge, couldn’t get off a block, and Johnson ran right past him.
Bryan Thomas did his normal solid job with two run stops around the line.
