Premium – This is a huge game for a certain player

New Jersey – In the latest edition of NTM, we take a look at a few important angles regarding Sunday’s game involving a couple of different players. Let’s get it started . . .

Brian Winters could be a key to this game.

In the first Jets-Dolphins matchup, he had a rough outing.

But to his credit, he’s coming off a pretty good game against Cleveland. So perhaps he’s making progress. We will see against the Dolphins.

On a third-and-one, on the Jets’ second possession, Chris Ivory ran up the middle for a gain of two. Brian Winters had the key block on this play on Phil Taylor.

In the second quarter, Chris Ivory had a gain of 21 to the right side. Winters pulled right and mauled linebacker D’Qwell Jackson

Late in the first half, Bilal Powell had a 39-yard run up the middle. Winters did a nice job on the second level and blocked safety T.J. Ward.

Early in the third quarter, Chris Ivory had a 29-yard run.  Winters had a key block on Jackson.

The Jets offensive line was superb against Cleveland. Not only did they do a great job in pass protection, but manhandled the Browns in the run game.

In fact, two Browns defensive linemen aren’t going to play this week after getting hurt last week against the Jets – Taylor (concussion) and John Hughes (knee, elbow). They Jets really beat up the Browns’ front.

While it’s been an up-and-down year for the Jets’ offense, the run blocking has been pretty good most of the season– this is a big, physical, aggressive, athletic offensive line . . .

With his jaw injury, Ellis Lankster didn’t wear a helmet in practice this week.

There is no hitting in practice, so it’s not like it was risky for him.

Obviously the helmet aggravates the jaw . . .

David Garrard plays some safety on the scout team, and he looks good cutting.

His surgical knee doesn’t seem to be bothering him . . .

This is a huge game for Geno Smith.

Not because it’s in his hometown of Miami, but because it’s against a good opponent.

Smith had two decent games recently, but they were against bad teams – Oakland and Cleveland – at home. Not only are they poor teams, but they are both really banged up. Also, Smith needs to show more on the road.

Let’s see what he can do against a solid Dolphins team in his final game before the off-season.

Let’s see what he can do against a team that he struggled against the first time around.

Let’s see what he can do against a team with a good pass rush.

While it’s unfair to judge a player by one game, this game is very important for Smith to see if he has truly progressed, as some have claimed.

The Jets have a huge decision to make in the off-season at the quarterback position, and a strong showing by Smith could impact this.

If I’m the Jets, I seriously consider trading for Washington’s Kirk Cousins. I think second and third round picks will get it done. The Jets have an extra third round pick thanks to the Darrelle Revis trade, so if they trade a three, they will still have one. They are also going to have a bunch of supplemental picks, so if they trade a couple of picks, they will still have plenty.

So what I’m saying is trade for Cousins and let him compete with Smith for the starting job.

He doesn’t make a lot of money, and offers great insurance for Smith.

But a strong showing by Smith in Miami, against a good team, on the road, could impact this thinking somewhat.

Let’s see what Smith can do in this spot.

December 27, 2013

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