|
Written by Andrew Rosario
|
|
Thursday, 01 October 2009 |
 The Jets will need more from Thomas Jones and their offense come Sunday in New Orleans. PHOTO BY BILL MENZEL / LSV Florham Park, NJ – The New York Jets have not tried to fool any of their first three opponents when they send their defense on the field. In two of their first three games, they won the coin toss and elected to kick off, instead of sending the offense on the field. It would have been it three out of three except they lost the coin toss last Sunday against Tennessee. They have consistently pressured the opposing offensives with a variety of blitzes from every angle. Linebackers blitz one time, cornerbacks the next.
Safeties blast through the middle at unexpected times when the formation shows otherwise. They were so successful putting pressure on Titans quarterback Kerry Collins from every angle last Sunday in their 24-17 victory, his last 13 attempts were incomplete. The defense has been established and for the most part consistent. Head coach Rex Ryan is waiting for the offense to get just as consistent. When that happens, it will take the team to another level.
In their opening victory over the Houston Texans, the Jets had the ball for 11 offensive possessions. Five times they went three and out. The first three times they scored, they gave the ball back to Houston on their very next possession. In fact, they never put together back to back scores.
The start of the game against New England the following week was even worse. Intent on trying to establish the running game, Rex Ryan’s offense in the first half consisted of 13 runs and only 6 passes. The result was a mere three points as a result of a Jay Feeley 33-yard field goal. Trailing to begin the second half, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer came out more aggressive from their very first possession. Mark Sanchez connects with Jerricho Cotchery for 45 yards. Two plays later, Sanchez throws a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller. That drive set the tone for the second half as the New England defense was intent on not letting the Jets establish their running game. For the first time in their young season, the Jets were able to put points on the board in consecutive possessions. Both scores would be a result of field goals but they established ball control and kept the high powered Tom Brady offense off the field. It also kept the defense fresh enabling them to put pressure on Brady all game.
The confidence carried over last week when Gang Green hosted the 0-2 Tennessee Titans. With the team receiving the ball to start the game for the first time this season, they put 14 points on the board in their first two possessions. The first, on a wild 14 yard scramble by Sanchez. The drive began on their own 27 yard line. The attack was balanced as they passed the ball five times and ran four times. Then suddenly, the offensive inconsistency showed up again. On their next four possessions ending in all punts, they failed to put any points on the board. It allowed Tennessee to get back in the game scoring the next 17 points. The last seven points came on the Titans first possession to begin the third quarter. It would give them their only lead of the game.
Both teams exchanged the ball with the Jets punting to Tennessee on their second possession of the third quarter. Titans rookie Ryan Mouton fails to come down with the punt. The Jets recover and score the deciding touchdown. Two runs and two passes later and the Jets begin the season with a 3-0 record.
When the New York Jets face the New Orleans Saints, it will be their toughest test on both sides of the ball. Drew Brees, according to Ryan “had thrown at least two touchdowns passes in a thousand games in a row.” Now while that may be a bit of an exaggeration, Brees has been spreading the ball around. He started the year throwing six touchdowns against Detroit. He followed that up by tossing three more against the Eagles. Conditions in Buffalo kept Brees from throwing a touchdown but the running game gained 222 yards. They will be going up against a 3rd ranked Jets defense who has given up an average of only 11 points in their first three games. When asked about the team’s offensive inconsistency in their first three games, Ryan said, “The part I like most about our offense is there has always been a win at the end of it, too. I will take a lull as long as we keep winning. I have a lot of confidence in our offense.”
It will take a lot more than confidence on both sides of the ball for the New York Jets to stay undefeated against a New Orleans team that will be playing in front of their home crowd.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites  |
LatinoSports.com: Help | PR Media Kit | Sales Media Kit | Contact Us | News Archive | Site Map | Latino Sports Store | Jobs at Latino Sports
