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I have been covering the Jets for a quarter century and I’ve never seen a unit improve this much
from one season to the next.
Talking about the Jets’ secondary. OMG. The Jets’ pass defense was really bad during the 2021-22 season. This year they’ve done a 180.
In my opinion, the Jets secondary spearheaded their win in Denver.
Cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed both had three passes defensed. That is a great number for one of your cornerbacks, but to have both of them with that number, that doesn’t happen a lot.
Lamarcus Joyner had a key interception late in the third quarter that led to a Jets field goal. The other safety, Jordan Whitehead also played well.
And by the way, Gardner also led the team in tackles.
The secondary has taken a quantum leap this season, and drafting Gardner with the third pick overall, and signing Reed, Joyner and Whitehead in free agency, all these moves have turned out well for the Jets . . .
Over the years, the great offenses, often come out and go right down the field on the first drive, which is heavily scripted, and worked on during the week, based on an exhaustive film study of the opponent’s tendencies.
On the Jets’ first series (and the second) the scripted prep work during the week didn’t really seem to manifest itself in a positive way.
On the first down, a pass to Tyler Conklin sailed over his head. On the second play, defensive lineman Deshaun Williams went unblocked up the middle, and Zach Wilson rolled right, flipped the ball ahead to avoid a loss, but Nate Herbig was called for ineligible man down field, and then on third down, Wilson was way off target on crossing route to Corey Davis. The second series wasn’t much better another three-and-out.
So often, even with young quarterbacks, because of the scripting, that first drive can be one of the best of the game, but that didn’t happen today, and isn’t happening enough with this offense. They need to do a deep dive on this . . .
The Jets suffered a number of injuries today, but will get one key player back this week.
Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury, will return this week for the team’s game against the New England Patriots.
“I’m back this week,” Johnson told Jets Confidential in Denver after the team’s win over the Broncos . . .
Tough blow for the Jets and the player with the knee injury to Breece Hall. Rare talent who had a 62-yard TD run today.
And unfortunately this is why teams a shy about picking running backs in the first round. The position is physically brutal. The other day, on the radio show I do on SiriusXM NFL Radio, we had Todd Gurley on the show promoting work he’s doing with the Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta. Tremendous running back at Georgia and with the Rams, but he’s retired at 28 now.
The position is so taxing on the human body.
Look at what Saquan Barkley went through early in his career.
Hall should be fine, probably by next September, but you almost have to feel bad for running backs. They give so much of themselves for the sport, and they often end up not lasting as long as other positions, and getting as many paydays . . .
Zach Wilson needs to improve his accuracy. In the second quarter, Wilson had C.J. Uzomah wide open on a shallow cross, and he would have run for a long gain if complete. In the fourth quarter, he threw behind an open Denzel Mims on a quick slant, and the player twisted backward to try to catch it and got hurt. It doesn’t seem serious. Mims said he was fine after the game . . .
I could be wrong, but I just don’t think Jeremy Ruckert is 100 percent. He was inactive today . . .
Duane Brown – what an impressive football player. Not only is he playing well at 37, but he’s playing with his left shoulder strapped by a harness . . .
October 23, 2022
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