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11/5/07
Redskins 23 Jets 20 (Overtime): No Stopping the Bleeding
11/3/07
11/2/07
11/1/07
11/1/07
Monday, November 5, 2007
5:33:00 PM EST
The Jets are now 1-8 after a disappointing 23-20 overtime loss at the Meadowlands to the Washington Redskins. The worst part of the loss is that the team actually might not feel that bad about the way things went. We are officially at the point of the season where the team is so bad that moral victories exist. Regardless, the Jets head into their bye pondering how this season has gone so wrong. This is one of the NFL's worst teams.
Kellen Clemens played really well in his debut as the permanent starting quarterback. He completed 23 of 42 passes for 226 yards and 1 touchdown. He showed the composure of a ten year veteran in this game. The Redskins threw everything they had at Kellen, and Clemens was undaunted. He led the Jets on long scoring drives. These sustained series actually afforded the defense some rest for once and kept the awful unit off the field. Kellen also showed above average mobility, which is important when dealing with an average line. The Redskins threw consistent blitzes at him, but Clemens was able to elude them, showing a propensity to throw on the run. He also ran for 48 yards. The Jets will not call many designed runs for Kellen, but this team needs every advantage it can gain. Clemens can bail the offensive line out when it makes mistakes. He also showed great poise in leading a game-tying field goal drill in the waning moments of regulation. His decision-making was superb. Clemens did not try and force anything and picked up a first down with his legs on a critical third down play. Kellen drove the Jets in overtime and likely would have had the team within field goal range had Jerricho Cotchery not dropped a critical third down pass. In fairness, a big catch by Cotchery helped the Jets get close to Mike Nugent territory. In conclusion, Kellen operated with Chad Pennington style efficiency and gave the offense a major shot in the arm. He will get better as he ages and gains some experience. Right now he has set a high baseline. In two starts, Clemens already appears to be an above average quarterback.
One of the most impressive aspects of this start was the way in which Clemens distributed the ball. Six receivers had multiple catches. Clemens is not making the same mistake that many young quarterbacks do. He has not locked on one favorite target. Instead, he is spreading the ball around, finding who is open. This is a sign that he is beyond his years in recognizing coverages and the progressions of routes. The Jets definitely missed Laveranues Coles' playmaking ability near the goal line on a few stalled drives. Once Kellen gets a weapon like that back, the sky is the limit.
Thomas Jones had a solid outing, running for 49 yards on 13 carries. Once again his carries were limited. This is the first time that is a good thing. It would be tough to blame Brian Schottenheimer for abandoning the run to a degree down the stretch. This is a lost season. It is best to give Clemens as many reps as possible for experience and give him a chance to be the focal point of the offense. Running backs have short shelf lives anyway. It is best to save the wear and tear on Jones for when the team might actually play in meaningful games.
There is really not much left to say about the defense. That unit cost the Jets a win. Another second half lead slipped away. New York led the game 17-3 at one point before the Redskins came storming back. Washington ran for 296 yards on the Jets. That is correct. The Redskins were the same as effective as Adrian Peterson against this defense. Clinton Portis ran for 196 yards on 31 carries, registering 1 touchdown on the ground. Ladell Betts added 64 yards on 9 carries. David Harris did his part once again, playing a role in 24 tackles, but he is just one player. The defensive line was whipped up front, and none of the linebackers could shed blocks to stop the running game aside from Harris. The pass defense was better as Jason Campbell struggled. The Jets again used disguised defensive formations and were able to generate something of a pass rush, at least more than fans have become accustomed. It ultimately did not matter as the Redskins did not need to risk throwing the ball to have an effective offense. People can blame Bob Sutton. He certainly is not blameless, but his schemes are not the biggest problems. This team has very little talent on defense. The unit needs to be blown up. Harris, Darrelle Revis, Kenyon Coleman, and Kerry Rhodes should be the only players guaranteed to return next season. Jonathan Vilma should also get a chance to show what he can do when given a legitimate nose tackle and an emerging star in Harris standing next to him unless somebody blows the Jets away with an offer for Vilma. The team also might try moving Dewayne Robertson outside and Victor Hobson inside if it really wants both to stick around. The bottom line is that substantial changes are in order. If there was any doubt, this game proves it.
Leon Washington started the game with a bang, returning the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. It was Leon's third kickoff return touchdown of the season. Mike Westhoff has officially reached guru status because of how well his schemes work. Justin Miller could easily be out of a job next year. It would be understandable if the team was not ready to give up on him as a cornerback as he is still young enough to make good on his raw ability, but he has made little progress as a defender in three years. He certainly should be out of a job in the return game.
This game was not without incident on the special teams. The Redskins recovered a surprise onside kick in the second quarter. Abram Elam made a poor play that allowed a Washington recovery. Elam made some big plays on defense to try and make up for this mistake. He seems to be at the middle of things constantly. He makes some spectacular plays but also foolish plays like running into Darrelle Revis in coverage against the Bills and now this. Given his somewhat sordid past and his propensity for these mistakes, it is puzzling how he made it onto this team. Eric Mangini typically does not like to bring on players like this. Why he would not touch similar players with more talent in the offseason like Randy Moss remains a mystery, considering Elam's presence on the team. The Jets have the structure in the form of locker room leadership guys like Moss would crave in addition to his great relationship with Chad Pennington.There are many puzzling aspects in the direction this regime is taking the franchise. None is greater than that one.
The Jets now have a week off, not that they have earned rest at all. Things really look bleak the rest of the way. The only winnable game left might be against Miami. This team is looking at a really high Draft pick. The Jets will have plenty of player they can choose come April. That is a good thing because this team has a ton of areas to improve.
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5:33:00 PM EST
Redskins 23 Jets 20 (Overtime): No Stopping the Bleeding
Kellen Clemens played really well in his debut as the permanent starting quarterback. He completed 23 of 42 passes for 226 yards and 1 touchdown. He showed the composure of a ten year veteran in this game. The Redskins threw everything they had at Kellen, and Clemens was undaunted. He led the Jets on long scoring drives. These sustained series actually afforded the defense some rest for once and kept the awful unit off the field. Kellen also showed above average mobility, which is important when dealing with an average line. The Redskins threw consistent blitzes at him, but Clemens was able to elude them, showing a propensity to throw on the run. He also ran for 48 yards. The Jets will not call many designed runs for Kellen, but this team needs every advantage it can gain. Clemens can bail the offensive line out when it makes mistakes. He also showed great poise in leading a game-tying field goal drill in the waning moments of regulation. His decision-making was superb. Clemens did not try and force anything and picked up a first down with his legs on a critical third down play. Kellen drove the Jets in overtime and likely would have had the team within field goal range had Jerricho Cotchery not dropped a critical third down pass. In fairness, a big catch by Cotchery helped the Jets get close to Mike Nugent territory. In conclusion, Kellen operated with Chad Pennington style efficiency and gave the offense a major shot in the arm. He will get better as he ages and gains some experience. Right now he has set a high baseline. In two starts, Clemens already appears to be an above average quarterback.
One of the most impressive aspects of this start was the way in which Clemens distributed the ball. Six receivers had multiple catches. Clemens is not making the same mistake that many young quarterbacks do. He has not locked on one favorite target. Instead, he is spreading the ball around, finding who is open. This is a sign that he is beyond his years in recognizing coverages and the progressions of routes. The Jets definitely missed Laveranues Coles' playmaking ability near the goal line on a few stalled drives. Once Kellen gets a weapon like that back, the sky is the limit.
Thomas Jones had a solid outing, running for 49 yards on 13 carries. Once again his carries were limited. This is the first time that is a good thing. It would be tough to blame Brian Schottenheimer for abandoning the run to a degree down the stretch. This is a lost season. It is best to give Clemens as many reps as possible for experience and give him a chance to be the focal point of the offense. Running backs have short shelf lives anyway. It is best to save the wear and tear on Jones for when the team might actually play in meaningful games.
There is really not much left to say about the defense. That unit cost the Jets a win. Another second half lead slipped away. New York led the game 17-3 at one point before the Redskins came storming back. Washington ran for 296 yards on the Jets. That is correct. The Redskins were the same as effective as Adrian Peterson against this defense. Clinton Portis ran for 196 yards on 31 carries, registering 1 touchdown on the ground. Ladell Betts added 64 yards on 9 carries. David Harris did his part once again, playing a role in 24 tackles, but he is just one player. The defensive line was whipped up front, and none of the linebackers could shed blocks to stop the running game aside from Harris. The pass defense was better as Jason Campbell struggled. The Jets again used disguised defensive formations and were able to generate something of a pass rush, at least more than fans have become accustomed. It ultimately did not matter as the Redskins did not need to risk throwing the ball to have an effective offense. People can blame Bob Sutton. He certainly is not blameless, but his schemes are not the biggest problems. This team has very little talent on defense. The unit needs to be blown up. Harris, Darrelle Revis, Kenyon Coleman, and Kerry Rhodes should be the only players guaranteed to return next season. Jonathan Vilma should also get a chance to show what he can do when given a legitimate nose tackle and an emerging star in Harris standing next to him unless somebody blows the Jets away with an offer for Vilma. The team also might try moving Dewayne Robertson outside and Victor Hobson inside if it really wants both to stick around. The bottom line is that substantial changes are in order. If there was any doubt, this game proves it.
Leon Washington started the game with a bang, returning the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. It was Leon's third kickoff return touchdown of the season. Mike Westhoff has officially reached guru status because of how well his schemes work. Justin Miller could easily be out of a job next year. It would be understandable if the team was not ready to give up on him as a cornerback as he is still young enough to make good on his raw ability, but he has made little progress as a defender in three years. He certainly should be out of a job in the return game.
This game was not without incident on the special teams. The Redskins recovered a surprise onside kick in the second quarter. Abram Elam made a poor play that allowed a Washington recovery. Elam made some big plays on defense to try and make up for this mistake. He seems to be at the middle of things constantly. He makes some spectacular plays but also foolish plays like running into Darrelle Revis in coverage against the Bills and now this. Given his somewhat sordid past and his propensity for these mistakes, it is puzzling how he made it onto this team. Eric Mangini typically does not like to bring on players like this. Why he would not touch similar players with more talent in the offseason like Randy Moss remains a mystery, considering Elam's presence on the team. The Jets have the structure in the form of locker room leadership guys like Moss would crave in addition to his great relationship with Chad Pennington.There are many puzzling aspects in the direction this regime is taking the franchise. None is greater than that one.
The Jets now have a week off, not that they have earned rest at all. Things really look bleak the rest of the way. The only winnable game left might be against Miami. This team is looking at a really high Draft pick. The Jets will have plenty of player they can choose come April. That is a good thing because this team has a ton of areas to improve.
Written by georgecoztanza Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | digg this
11/6/07 2:11 AM