Content available exclusively for subscribers
It’s time for a heaping helping of Jets-Jaguars notes and thoughts from Dan . . .
One factor that helped the Jets’ cause today was the absence of Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts, who had seven catches last week.
You knew Cro would be able to shut down Justin Blackmon, for the most part, but Shorts could have taken more advantage of the Jets’ other corners more than undrafted free agent rookie Kevin Elliott, who had three drops today . . .
I’m not going to be too critical of Mark Sanchez, because the Jets won, and winning is the bottom line.
I’m just going to say this – the formula that Jets have used to beat pedestrian teams like Arizona, Jacksonville and St. Louis – good defense, a solid running game and limiting the amount of passes, generally only works against these kind of limited clubs.
And the Jets should be able to prevail with this formula once again next week in Tennessee, against a reeling Titans team, with a struggling second-year quarterback, Jake Locker.
That is fine – like I said, the bottom line is winning.
However, this approach is only going to take you so far. It’s generally not going to fly against top-shelf teams.
Mark Sanchez threw for a little over 100 yards today, against a team that Matt Schaub lit up for over 500 yards passing a few weeks ago.
The Buffalo Bills put up 34 points against these guys last week.
Watching the first half of today’s game, you would think the Jets were facing “The Monsters of the Midway.”
In a couple of weeks, the Jets played San Diego, in what should be a huge game, and I don’t think is formula is going to work against the Chargers, who dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers today.
Watching the passing plays that Tony Sparano called today, you’d think the Jets were starting a reserve quarterback, not a player making $20.5 million guaranteed this year and next.
The Jets first possession ended with a pass on the short right side to Mardy Gilyard that was short of the first down.
Late in the fourth quarter, on the drive right after Jacksonville scored to make it 17-10, the Jets had a three-and-out.
On the third-and-seven, Sanchez threw to the short right side to Jeremy Kerley, double-cocked his arm due to uncertainty, the play gained two yards, and the Jets punted.
Then on third-and-eight, right after the two minute warning, the Jets ran up the middle. I understand they didn’t want to stop the clock with an incompletion, and had a lot of faith in their defense this afternoon, but why not try to complete a pass to ice the win. Instead, they gave the Jaguars the ball back with 1:43 left.
I think the headline from NFL.com regarding this game sums it up best – “Jets minimize Sanchez’s role.”
Sanchez did have that one real nice throw in the fourth quarter to a wide open Jeff Cumberland for 37 yards, and for that he deserves credit.
However, how far do the Jets really think they are going to go, minimizing the quarterback position, the game’s most important position, with a quarterback whose pay-grade resembles that of somebody you would expect a much bigger contribution from . . .
LaRon Landry and David Harris both had terrific games today, and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles apiece . . .
Nick Mangold had a tremendous game, dominating whatever Jaguars nose tackle he faced in their rotation. Mangold’s performance spearheaded the Jets dominating rushing attack today. The Jets running game amassed 166 today and four yards a carry . . .
And because the Jets running game was so dominant today, it opened up the middle of the field for that deep post to Cumberland late in the game.
When you can run, and the linebackers feel they have to honor it, it allows you to sell play-action more effectively, and opens up the middle of the field, in back of the linebackers, and in front of the safeties, for big plays like Cumberland’s grab . . .
Mo Wilkerson and Quinton Coples showed you today why they should emerge as the best 3-4 end combo in the league in the near future.
The Jaguars were without starting left guard Mike Brewster due to an injury, and started a player who has played mainly played tackle throughout his college and pro career – Eben Britton.
Britton is a tall lineman (6-6), better suited for tackle, and Wilkerson and Coples both had their way with the player, like when Mo beat him for a sack in the early fourth quarter . . .
Stephen Hill, pictured above, suffered some kind of knee injury today. It’s unclear how severe at this point. I’m not saying today’s injury could have been prevented, but he definitely needs to get stronger in his lower body next off-season. His legs are spindly right now, and he’s suffered a number of lower body maladies this year.
December 9, 2012
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Monday.
Don’t forget, a Jets Confidential Magazine subscription makes a great Christmas gift – call 1-800-932-4557 (M-F, 9-5) and take advantage of one of our two great Christmas gift offers.