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It was the only game in NFL history that ended with a 16-11 score, and it was a game that was very revealing in so many ways . . .
Of course I’m talking about the Jets’ win over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
The fact that the Jets could only put up 16 points against this Titans’ defense was a major indictment of their 2014 offense
The previous three games, the Titans gave up an average of 41 points.
And here is an interesting factoid that certainly plays into the Jets’ 2015 quarterback “competition.”
Two weeks before the Jets struggled to consistently move the ball against this awful defense, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is currently backing up Geno Smith, threw for 358 yards and 6 touchdowns in a Houston Texans win over the Titans.
Six touchdown passes!
In the Jets’ win, they managed one touchdown pass, and it was a bootleg right which totally caught the Titans off guard, and Smith threw to a wide open John Connor. It was one of offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s better play calls of the season. It was a lay-up.
So this is something to consider – Geno had one touchdown pass against this porous defense, and Fitzpatrick had six. Definitely food for thought.
Smith should have been able to do more, but he was too inconsistent.
“Tonight he’s done some good things – that is the way he’s playing his whole career some good, some not so good.” – Steve Beuerlein said about Smith.
We all know the key to Geno taking the next step in Year Three – more consistency, like so many young quarterbacks.
In his defense in this game, Eric Decker dropped a deep ball that might have gone for a touchdown, but he lost it in the massive Daktronics scoreboard . . .
Here is another point I want to bring up regarding that game that relates to now.
The Jets are looking for a dangerous edge-rushing 3-4 OLB to emerge. I thought this game was a little bit of a coming out party for IK Enemkpali. I think the Jets have something here. I see some James Harrison-type skills in this guy in terms of being a powerful guy, with a low center of gravity, who can drive taller linemen crazy.
Enemkpali had three impressive plays that opened eyes in the second half when he finally got some quality playing time.
In the third quarter, Enemkpali tipped a pass at the line preventing a completion to tight end Chase Coffman who was wide open in the left flat.
Early in the fourth quarter, Enemkpali had a near pick on a pass to running back Dexter McCluster in the flat. He read it perfectly.
Also, in the fourth quarter, Enemkpali pushed guard Chance Warmack, a first round pick, back on skates, and he sacked Charlie Whitehurst. The play was reversed do to a holding call on Kyle Wilson, but that doesn’t take away from what IK did. This was a tremendous bull rush by Enemkpali. His power caught Warmack by surprise.
Keep an eye on this guy.
He’s very instinctive, smart and tough. I think he can really help the Jets this year.
July 16, 2015
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