Victory Monday
Kris Jenkins is as good a place as any to start, for when someone commended him yesterday on his blocked field goal, the big nose tackle offered this, smiling of course:
"Well, I would hope I didn't waste Woody's money by coming out here and doing nothing."
His analysis of the play?
“I just ran the snapper over.”
Indeed.
For those interested in trivia, that was the first blocked field goal by the Jets since Bryan Thomas blocked a Stephen Gostkowski attempt Sept. 17, 2006.
* Gregarious might be a bit strong but the Jets were a pretty happy team after yesterday’s victory in which they scored the second-most points in team history. The statistics were impressive across the board, led by Brett Favre’s six TD passes and Laveranues Coles’ breakout game (8 receptions, 105 yards, 3 TDs). Favre spread the ball to eight different receivers.
* Speaking of Favre, I didn’t see any of those “Coles still pining for Pennington” stories today for some reason.
* The Jets refrained all week from calling yesterday a “must-win” game, which made sense because if things don’t go your way and you lose that game, where does that leave you? But Shaun Ellis, after yesterday’s game, gave a pretty good answer about what the Cardinals’ game meant, especially after what happened the previous Monday in San Diego.
“Monday night was a complete let-down,” Ellis said. “It was very frustrating. We wanted to come out and show we are a good football team, and we could play.”
* Eric Mangini on the momentum change between the second and third quarters, as disparate two quarters as anyone in either locker room had ever seen:
“I can tell you I enjoyed the second quarter a lot more than I enjoyed the third quarter. I was part of both of them and I can tell you I liked the second quarter a lot better.”
* The Jets’ five sacks increased their season total to 13, tied for third-best in the league. Just for fun, through four games last season the Jets sack total was three. Inside those numbers: David Bowens had two sacks yesterday, his first two-sack game since his Miami days, when he recorded two Nov. 27, 2005 at Oakland…Thomas’ third-quarter sack was his team-best fourth this season and gave him 21.5 for his career…Shaun Ellis recorded his third sack this season, increasing his career total to 56.5, which ranks him fourth on the Jets all-time list.
* It wasn’t entirely positive yesterday. Safety Eric Smith is facing – likely – at the very least a fine, and at worst some kind of suspension for his hit on Anquan Boldin. Our NFL columnist Bob Glauber weighed in on that this morning. Also, there has to be concern regarding the defense looking helpless in the third quarter against the Cardinals’ two-minute offense.
“We have to put our foot down and stop things like that,” Darrelle Revis said afterward.
But, while 35 second-half points didn’t look good, forcing seven turnovers and recording five sacks did.
* The schedule today: Mangini’s Monday After press conference at 3:40 followed by locker room availability at 4. A little bit of an altered schedule this week because of the bye: the Jets will practice Tuesday and Wednesday this week, then are off through the weekend and back at it next Monday.
* An Aside, Part I: Because of the bye week, as I mentioned above, the Jets will not be off tomorrow, making the previously scheduled live chat here decidedly inconvenient. So we will have Live Chat VII – from the World’s Most Famous Futon – Thursday morning at 11. You have been notified.
* An Aside, Part II: I have someone Eric Mangini should get on his staff post haste. I worked in Warren, Ohio awhile back and I still occasionally read on line the paper – the Warren Tribune Chronicle – I used to write for. I came across this quote from Ursuline High School coach Dan Reardon about one of his players, a running back, who was injured during last Friday's game.
“No comment,” he said when asked about it. “He’s a minor so it’s against the law for me to comment on a medical condition.”
Against the law?? I emailed the writer, Lou Cali Jr., to see if this coach was serious and, apparently, he was. Hysterical. That rivals any non-answer about an injury Mangini has ever given.
And with that, time to leave the Island and head to Fort Florham. We have a new saying around here: the Triborough is your friend. Thank you, Robert Moses (and the many readers who suggested it weeks ago instead of the Cross Bronx). Back after the locker room.
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Comments (16)
Erik, Please ask Mangini about the crap defense in the second half! Saying he liked the 2nd quarter over 3rd more is a cheap answer. What the hell happened?! Is it Sutton, the players, can we get some kind of reasonable explanation?
Do you think the team will get too laid back with these 2 weeks off? I mean they get laid back during half time I can only imagine after 2 weeks lol.
Just a little mad about that bad second half otherwise I loved it! Just wondering if we could get a reason. Thanks man!
Hey, Boland, you continue to include snippets in your blog and columns that I see reported nowhere else. It's obvious you subscribe to the Tannebaum mantra, which I paraphase, "Turning over every stone" in the interest of your vast readership (aside, is that a word?).
I have in the past questioned the passive defensive scheme which led us to the sadist's dream, namely a repeated, slow and agonizing death week after miserable week. And, although we were still unable to get off the field in the third quarter, I enthusiastically approve of the defense I saw yesterday, which showed much more variation and was much more aggressive and opportunistic. Contrary to the assertions of sone columnists, who shall remain nameless, I, at least, was not suggesting blitzing is a panacea, only that a passive defense is a prescription for failure in today's NFL.
Just one other thing: I was wondering if you could shed some light on the substitution patterns, and how they relate to the scheme or packages the Jets are playing. For example, dmb's favorite whipping boy, David Barrett, looked lost yesterday and I am wondering if he was only being used in the dime package. Similarly, I noticed Elam played a bit, so I'm wondering whether that was just to give Eric Smith a rest or whether we might see Elam more with the first team. I, for one, think he'd be an upgrade over either Smith or, gasp, Barrett.
Is it against the law for the Jets to fill the roster with minors? If not Mangini could take that approach and then he'd be able to plagiarize Reardon's response with a straight face. I bet Belichick never thought of that!
Erik,
Good job bringing up Thomas' block FG from 06. That block gave them a chance to win the game. And nice to see Bowens get some credit. He always goes under the radar.They must figure out a way to get this running game going. The bye couldn't have come at a better time. Revis has become a star and Poteat made a big play after that Lowery strip early in the game.
Alot to be encouraged about, but if we cant stop the run or defend against the pass we will stay subpar. This was the cards !
Cimini stated that even CP could have scored 5 TDs against the cards who were totally a mess. Not to take anything away from Favre, but Coles had noone close to near him! I could have connected ! I will save judgment for the better Ds when we face them before I pop the green kool aid ! Again, not to take anything from the jets, that is what a team that is on the move should do.
Dont get me wrong it was a great win , but lets keep things in proper perspective.
We have time to correct some major problems ie the running game , oline run blocking and the pass defense.
This bye and the first couple of games thereafter give us a great opportunity.
I will save the kool-aid for when Favre and the offense can roll against a threatning D.
At least we have some hope going into the bye.
Scott P, spoken like a true, long-suffering Jets fan. I will say, though, that Favre made several throws that Chad could never have made. He absolutely rifled a few passes through traffic that Pennington would never even have attempted, one for a TD to Coles. That ability, particularly in the red zone, is what gives us a much better chance with Brett vs. the elite teams and in the playoffs than with Chad.
Boland, one bone to pick. I read in your column from today, and also saw and heard it reported elsewhere, that Warner "locked in" on his receiver on the Revis interception. If you watch the play again, I believe there were only three receivers out on that play, and Warner appears first to have looked left, then middle, then right where he chose to throw. Rather than locking in, I think this was his third read and Warner started getting nervous in the pocket, so he made the throw without ever looking for Revis. The Jets just called the perfect defense at the perfect time, and Revis baited Warner into making that throw.
The Jets have a long way to go to be an elite team, but this game was a big step in the right direction. I really like Favre's body language in the huddle and on the sidelines, laughing with and back slapping seeminly everyone. He's spreading the ball around and keeping all the players on their toes and involved, and that's a great thing for team morale. Rather than an aloof legend, he appears to be genuinely enjoying this go-round, which bodes well for this season and beyond.
It a win! It was wild but it's a win. 2-2 after four seems about expected. Looking at the schedule going forward, if we can't step up and take games from New England, Buffalo, Tennessee and Denver then we're looking at 8-8. We're going to have to win some of those contests (and not get upstaged by the weaker teams along the way) to be a playoff team...
Erik, What's the feeling on Graham and the punting situation and how long is Nugent expected to be out?
No doubt Joe, a welcomed and exciting win ! This is also great for the overall morale. Combine that with correcting the stale running game and tighten up the secondary ,and we have a shot at making some noise.
As I stated, I am cautiously optimistic. We have to show that we can play with the best. Average teams can look super at times against the lower food chain.
November with the tougher schedule, will show what this team is about. So far so good !
Despite the defense's slowness to adjust in the third quarter, I really enjoyed how much intensity and agressiveness they showed. If this group stays healthy it will be alot of fun to watch them grow as a unit.
I would also hope the next time they plan to wear throw back jerseys, they PLEASE just go back to the green airplane helmet. Maybe the real plain white and green of the 80's jersey
Scott P,
True there is many things to be worked on, but damn. If you happen on a neighborhood birthday party, say for a nice eight year old girl, do you A) wish her a happy birthday and walk away with a smile? or B) tell she's a little too fat to be eating birthday cake. And while you're there kick her dog, punch her ten year old brother, slap her mom, bite her Gamma, and urinate all over said cake? Then tell her that this party needs a lot of work, in fact the last seven parties have lacked imagination, and you are sure that the rest will just a pointless string of failures that her life will be sure to resemble.
Now, i understand frustration as you do Scott. Last week i'm with you peeing on the cake, hell i would have even bitten Gamma myself, but find a little sunshine. I hear there is Kool-Aid Lite in the kitchen. It's got half the optimism as the leading brand, but none of that weird bitterness than the Kotite's Sour Grape Juice you may be drinking.
I say this with all due respect and weird humor as i know your blood is green. With that being said my son got to stand up and join his first ever J E T S, Jets, Jets, Jets chant at the stadium yesterday.
T, I am just being a little realistic and do see alot of positves as I have stated. It was a good win and I think we will improve. In all due respect, I am not ready to buy jet tickets to the SB and excuse me if I see some major flaws that must be corrected if we are to get to the next level. Thats what a blog is all about.
I will never criticize anyone who is overly optimistic as that is their right.
I know being a fan is filled with a emotion but I try to mix in a little reason and perspective.
I will admit I was acting a little stupid with each Favre TD!
Again , there is much hope , but alot of work to be done.
PS- I will wish the little a girl a happy birthday with a sincere smile ,but tell her too much cake is no good ! I will pet the dog ! LOL! Go Jets !
Mr. Green T, loved your allegory, as usual, though I found it more than a bit creepy. Let's just say I'd think twice about inviting you to my five year-old daugther's birthday party.
Nice touch, though, regarding Master Green T, as hopefully he will have many opportunities this season to drink from the Kool-Aid flask. I trust he's a bit hoarse today.
Urinate on the cake? There's an image!
Of course it's a little creepy, we're Jets fans. Dysfunction required.
Hey erik
what do you think about Danny WAre being ARRESTED
Elam sucks. Keep him on special teams only.
Green Pee, I mean T. It's terrifying to know you have procreated but being pretty twisted myself, I hope your boy has your sense of humor!