As Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal went sailing through the uprights to clinch the #5 seed for the Indianapolis Colts, the New York Jets realized that their next playoff appearance would be a return trip to Indianapolis, the scene of their last playoff appearance. The Jets lost to the Colts, 30-17, after holding a halftime lead in a much more competitive game than was originally anticipated.
The Jets lost CB Donald Strickland in the first half and RB Shonn Greene at the start of the second half to injury. The two injuries were the biggest factors in the second half turnaround for the Colts. Without Strickland, and with Lito Sheppard benched, Peyton Manning found his third and fourth options to the tune of 377 yards through the air with 3 TD. Without Greene, the offense lost it's identity in the second half. The ground game that had controlled the action in previous playoff victories against Cincinnati and San Diego was stopped cold. The Colts actually ran for more yards than the Jets in that game, 101-86.
When Mike Tannenbaum went to work this offseason, his motives for adding key pieces was the AFC Title Game last season. The Jets had issues in 2009 with any team that could make plays to their third and fourth options, so Tannenbaum went out and got Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers and drafted Kyle Wilson in the first round. The Jets couldn't generate pressure with four pass rushers last season, so they acquired Jason Taylor from Miami to add another edge rusher. Mark Sanchez didn't have many options outside that could make yards after the catch, so they traded for Santonio Holmes from the Steelers. And when the Jets decided to let Thomas Jones go in the offseason, they acquired LaDainian Tomlinson from San Diego and drafted Joe McKnight from USC to try to fill the void from Jones and Leon Washington's departure.
The moves have had mixed results. The Jets are a better team than they were in 2009, even if they don't make it as far in the postseason. The offense has become more of a well rounded threat than last year, even if it's cost them some of their identity as a ground and pound offense. The defense slipped from last season, but they're still one of the best units in the league, even without Kris Jenkins and Jim Leonhard.
What's in store for tomorrow night, besides antacids? The experts at ESPN and the NFL Network clearly believe that the Jets don't have much of a chance to advance to New England in the divisional playoffs, but I feel the Jets have a much better chance than they had last year. The Colts have struggled all season, giving up more than 24 points a game, opening 6-6 before ripping off four straight wins to take the AFC South. They are without Dallas Clark and Austin Collie for the rest of the season. They give up 4.6 yards a carry, although the Indy defense was much improved against the run the last 4 weeks of the season.
I expect the Colts to sell out to stop the run tomorrow night, so there should be opportunities to throw on first down, especially the short throws that Sanchez has lived on since the Pittsburgh game. I would expect (or at least hope) that Brian Schottenheimer will take advantage of the Cover 2 by using Dustin Keller in the middle of the field. Also, Shonn Greene must get 20 touches tomorrow. Greene was built for this time of the season, and his effectiveness between the tackles will dictate the pace of the game. I also wouldn't mind seeing Joe McKnight get an opportunity to get a portion of Tomlinson's touches. LT hasn't looked as sharp as McKnight did last week since the early season.
The Jets have to figure out a way to pressure Manning. The pass rush has been an issue all season, and should be the first aspect of the team that needs to be overhauled in the offseason. The Jets need a dynamic edge rusher, the type of player who can win one-on-one matchups and make the blitz schemes more effective. But, that's for next season.
For now, we have to dance with what brought us to the postseason. The Jets have every reason to feel confident at Indianapolis on Saturday night. This team has proven to themselves that they can play with any team in the league. Three straight road playoff wins is a daunting task, but they have the juice to beat any possible opponent if they play the type of smart, physical football we all know they are capable of playing.
Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is at 8pm tomorrow night.
Showing posts with label Shonn Greene. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shonn Greene. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
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.
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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