Sunday, January 2, 2011

Red Flags

The New York Jets suffered a 38-34 loss to Chicago last Sunday, but the loss wasn't enough to keep them out of the 2010 NFL Playoffs. The Jets look like they'll be the #6 seed, unless they win, Baltimore wins, and Pittsburgh loses tomorrow, which would make the Jets the #5 seed. The #6 seed most likely means a wild card weekend trip to Kansas City to play the Chiefs. The #5 seed would most likely mean the AFC South champion next weekend, which should be Indianapolis.

Despite my pleadings last week, the Jets decided to come out throwing early and completely abandon the running game in the fourth quarter, even though Shonn Greene was enjoying one of his best games of the season. Shonn Greene has been limited to 201 touches this season, even though he was talked about before the season as a 300-touch feature back type for the Jets. LaDainian Tomlinson's big start to the season limited Greene at the start of the season, but he's been a far more effective option as the season has progressed. The Jets have noticed this to the extent that they are now splitting snaps between the two backs, but, in my opinion, this isn't good enough. For the Jets to have a chance in the postseason, they have to find a way to get Shonn Greene at least 20 touches every game. In bad weather, when the Jets are looking to shorten the game and be the more physical team, a blunt instrument like Greene can be the offense's best friend.

As much as I'd like to be a glass half-full type as we head to the postseason, I'm seeing too many red flags surrounding the team to think that we have a legitimate chance to go deep into the playoffs. Mark Sanchez is playing better the last 2 weeks, and, although he's nursing a shoulder injury, he is expected to start tomorrow against the Bills and see at least a few series. Sanchez is as uneven as you would expect for a second year quarterback. He is capable of looking like an All-Pro for a few series, and then a bum for a few series, all in the same game. He is still far too nervous in the pocket, and he lacks accuracy on easy throws, especially West Coast offense-type throws that demand accuracy to allow for running after the catch. Barring a postseason run for the ages, the jury will remain out on Sanchez, at least until we are into 2011. The Jets have invested far too much in young Sanchez not to provide him with every chance to succeed. As Jets fans, we can only hope that he continues to progress and begins to personify the franchise quarterback role that has been thrust upon him.

The running game has lacked the efficiency of the 2009 squad, and the Jets have lacked the commitment with the running game, most likely because that commitment was borne of necessity as much as anything else. The Jets can throw now, so they do. As a result, they often ask more of their defense than they did previously, and the defense has not responded. The Jets are still largely unable to generate a pass rush with 4 men, which means to generate pressure the Jets must blitz. Rex Ryan loves to blitz, but his overload blitzes haven't been nearly as effective this season, and the Jets defense isn't scaring anyone this season. The defense has given up a ton of yardage in the last 2 weeks, and only has a week to work out the kinks before the live bullets of the postseason.

Tomorrow's game against the Bills concludes the 2010 regular season and launches us into the best month of the sports schedule, the NFL Playoffs. The Jets have little on the line tomorrow other than a chance to finish with the best record they've recorded in 12 years, and a chance to go into the postseason on a positive note. A two-game losing streak heading into the postseason won't bode well for the Jets success in January. Also, I'm heading to Charlotte tomorrow to enjoy Week 17 with the loyal Jets fans who comprise charlottejetsfans.com at the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. Hopefully, we can head towards the playoffs on a high note.

The kickoff from NMS is at 1 pm EST.

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