• At roughly 3:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon, my dad turned to me and said, “I don’t know what to say.” It’s the apparent running theme of being a New York Jets fan, the mantra that drives us all towards slow insanity. Along with the constant coaching changes, the ever-present second string quarterback, and a run defense that hasn’t been right this millennium, the “only the Jets could lose that game” theory wrenches at the heart of thousands of Green and White faithful and continues to do so to this day. However, I preach patience to those of you opening the pill bottles, loading the shotgun, or teetering on the edge of the George Washington Bridge. Head coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum are building this team for the long run, and last year simply accelerated the expectations and shaded the talent level on the team, for both the organization and the fans. Everyone involved in the Jet world expected, if not a playoff berth, then at least respectability, but the truth of the matter is the Jets aren’t that far off from being 3-2 or even 5-1. A couple Mike Nugent field goals or a dropped pass caught and everyone is talking about Mangenius and the magic that’s being worked with a low-talent football team. Truth of the matter is, they weren’t that good last year and Mangini knew it. He and the coaches played to their strengths and did the little things to win. Punter Ben Graham was good and the coverage units were solid. Nugent didn’t miss, period. The offensive line was more stable, against the run and the pass. QB Chad Pennington made better decisions at times. Little things like that are what turn a low-talent football team from 5-1 to 1-5. You can blame the coaching or you can blame the quarterback, but the fact is that Mangini and Co. realize the Jets just aren’t that good (a point made on the drive-home postgame show). They’re playing conservative and playing down to their talent because they know that if they try to do extravagant things and play above their heads that they’ll end up getting embarrassed. Sans the Patriots game, the Jets have been in every game in the fourth quarter–at the end of the fourth quarter, even. Yes, they’ve made mistakes at the end of those games and that separates good teams from bad teams, but the truth remains that the coaches have put them there with a chance to win every game. You have to consider that when you consider this season so far.
• All that being said, the playcalling was suspicious on that final series. I personally would have gone with the fade on second down. I understand the pass wasn’t working that day, but Chad to Laveranues Coles on the endzone fade pattern has been their bread and butter for more than a year now. It works, and it works really well. Going for it on 4th and 1 was questionable, but calling the actual play was not. If you go for that on second down, you’ve still got two chances on 3rd and short and 4th and short to either get the first down or the touchdown. Also, don’t kill him for going with the quarterback sneak, it had worked all game on short distance during the game and there was no reason to believe it wouldn’t work then. But, if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to keep Jones in the backfield and you’ve got to be able to read the defense to read the blitzes. Jones motioned out, Chad didn’t make a correct read, and the play went nowhere. Also, if you’re going to kill offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for the playcalling in those four downs, how about the way he called the whole game. He set up fake reverses on several plays and just when he needed to, he pulled out the actual reverse to get the Jets the first down at the 19. If you’re going to kill him for the fade, you’ve got to praise him for other things.
• Speaking of which, I was very happy with the way Schotty called the run game. Like I said last week, the Jets run game had become disturbingly predictable and inefficient running behind the left side. So what does Schotty do? He runs right, he runs hard and he runs often. He gave both Jones and Leon Washington the ball from the backfield and even ran them opposite of the fullback. The result was a game in which you actually believed that if the Jets needed a tough yard on the ground, they could get it.
• The thing that killed this team on Sunday was, unfortunately, Chad Pennington. Brandon Tierney said it on The Point After yesterday: Chad’s downfield game consists of A) the safe throw or B) an amazing catch from the wide receiver; the other half of the time it’s incomplete or intercepted. That’s not a recipe for an effective passing game. I gave Chad this week to overcome the doubts I had about him, but he showed nothing with a horribly underthrown interception, two passes that could have been picked off and a lame duck in the flat that should have been. It was an out and out terrible game for Chad and barring a drastic shift in talent, gameplanning ability, he is not the quarterback for the New York Jets. They need a quarterback who can get the ball to WRs Brad Smith, Justin McCareins and Laveranues Coles downfield while using TE Chris Baker and WR Jerricho Cotchery to attack the sidelines and across the middle of the field. I’m not calling for his head, or for Mangini to announce it in his Monday press conference, because we all know that won’t happen. I’m just asking that before things get out of hand, we find out what Kellen Clemens actually is. Most importantly, this issue needs to be handled delicately because Pennington can be a key mentor in Clemens’ development this season before he is dispatched this spring/summer. If Clemens is to be the quarterback of the future, he can’t do it alone. He’ll need someone who has seen it and done it before and Pennington is exactly the kind of player and teammate to fit such a role for the time being.
• Andre Dyson gets beat again on a big touchdown as he and Eric Smith failed to stop Kevin Curtis on the lone touchdown of the day. Dyson couldn’t wrap up and Smith couldn’t make the stop before Curtis found 40+ yards of open turf. Just another embarrassing moment for this team this season. I guess the tackling dummy didn’t help matters.
• The offensive line was solid, although it seems Chad had less time to throw this week than last but overally they played well. I’ve been killing them for a few weeks now about their run blocking and inability to keep defensive players off of Jones before the line of scrimmage. I’ll gladly eat my words. They opened up a good number of holes for Jones and helped with the best running game of the season. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson continues to impress. Maybe there’s hope for him after all.
• Speaking of Jones, as well as the line run blocked, Jones made a lot of his own yards, something the Jets have been waiting for him to do. He did a good job of finding cutback lanes and of making people miss in the open field. His first two runs from scrimmage combined were more than his previous two games combined. It was a good week for him and hopefully something the Jets can build off of. Most importantly, it shows that Jones and the Jets can be a match and can produce a positive run game that will help whoever is at quarterback the rest of the way.
• The run defense. Again. Pitiful. I’m just done talking about it.
• New week, same story from Darrelle Revis. Some rookie mistakes, but good open-field tackling and that pass-breakup in the endzone was clutch. I continue to be high on the kid and there’s not much else you can say besides that he will be a fixture for a long time. The Jets got this pick right.
• I’ve praised The Nuge, not it’s time to kill The Nuge. Four of the last five weeks, Nugent has missed a field goal and all four times it’s affected the outcome. Nugent and Graham have turned what was a team strength (special teams) into a liability. Nugent was known for clutch kicks in college at Ohio State and was huge last year, but this year he’s fallen off greatly. It’s hard to kill him for the Eagles game when Eagles kicker and pro bowler David Akers missed two field goals, but it’s been a recurring nightmare for the Jets and it’s something that may have manifested itself in training camp where everyone was gushing over Nuge’s new leg strength but ignoring his inconsistencies and inaccuracy on all distances. As far as Graham, he used to be the man of 60-yard booming punts and uncatchable kicks, but no one’s had any problem with fielding his punts and the leg strength seems to have disappeared–as evident by the 29-yard punt that put the Eagles on the 50 and led directly to three points for Philly.
• Two guys that I’ve killed in this space, ILB Jonathon Vilma and NT Dewayne Robetson, had good games on Sunday. Vilma was active all over the field and had a couple of key pass breakups. Robertson put good pressure on McNabb and knifed through the line several times including his first half-sack of the game.
• Speaking of that half-sack, the other half goes to none other than OLB Bryan Thomas–who promptly went right back to counting his money after the sack.
• L.C…. You gotta catch that ball man. You have to.
• Cotchery had a good game despite the limited passing offense and showed that he has become the featured weapon in this offense.
• Leon Washington is going to Hawaii as a kick returner. Even though he didn’t break one (and showed questionable hands a couple times), when he had the ball he again showed that dangerous burst and quickness that makes him a threat to return the ball any time he touches it (On a completed un-related but related note: Why do teams still kick to Devin Hester? Seriously.).
• SS Kerry Rhodes had 7 tackles and a near-safety sack that would have completely changed the momentum of the game. It was just another exampled that he is continuing his re-emergence and proving last week was no fluke and I promptly re-added him in my IDP fantasy league.
• So those of you clamoring for the 4-3 got to see it on Sunday, but it still couldn’t stop the run. Guess it’s not totally the system.
• Thanks to Brian Bassett of thejetsblog.com for stopping by the tailgate on Sunday. Glad to have you and hope you enjoyed the corned beef.

I’m back from the Greater Western New York area and I’m in rough shape.

I don’t think there’s anything more horrifying than being in Buffalo for a Bills win over the Jets. You simply don’t understand how brutal it is unless you’ve been there and this loss has the Jets’ record at 3-4 since I’ve been going to the games up there, 2-4 since I started attending UB. It’s just a horrible feeling overall. Regardless, there were some highlights, non-football related. I got to see my father funnel and chug Patron… twice. The smörgåsbord of food was simply unreal. We had wings, mozzarella-infused burgers, sirloin steaks, kielbasa, hot dogs, marinated chicken, sausages. Just an unreal experience for a lot of large football fans. I think I gained roughly 15 pounds from the beer and the food alone.

Oh, and my friend Mar… Well, I’ll let my buddy Alex explain.

And as if the Bills losing wasn’t enough, I lost a bet to Alex and had to wear his child-sized Jim Kelly jersey out of the stadium while chanting the Bills touchdown song.

As you can see, I’m freakin thrilled. That girl is my buddy Derek’s girlfriend Lauren, but you can call her Bev.

 Group shot of the tailgating crew, minus the M.I.A. Mar

 As for the game, we’ve got a short recap here as circumstances conspired to limit my memory…

•  I’m not throwing Chad under the bus yet, but for crying out loud. Is it too much to ask for the Jets to throw one pass beyond 20 yards? This is ridiculous. I understand this offense worked well last year, but it’s obviously not working this year. I’m not calling for Kellen Clemens, yet, but Chad, you’re killing me. Every defensive coordinator and defensive back in the world knows you’re not going over the top so they sit and wait on your dinks and dunks. For christs sake, Jabari Greer picked off Pennington. JABARI GREER! THROW THE BALL DEEP! JUST ONCE! Okay, I’m done yelling.
• I won’t kill Thomas Jones because he’s being used horribly wrong. Against a team like Buffalo, with such a horrible defense, you’ve got to establish the run early and often. Pound it going away. Just shove Jones and Leon Washington down their throats. Instead, you’ve got a run here and 7 short passes there. Thomas Jones is not going to get into a rhythm if you’re not going to consistently feed him the ball. Jones is not the type of runner you can just occasionally hand off to and expect him to go for 8 yards. He needs to get into a rhythm, wear down the defense. Then, when he wears it down, you give it to Washington and let his speed and quickness take over.
• The defense is terrible. I mean terrible. Pass defense, run defense. Just awful. Again they couldn’t get any kind of pressure on the quarterback and Trent Edwards ended up looking like a season veteran. DE/OLB Bryan Thomas looks terrible and apparently was just playing for his contract. Shaun Ellis was the only player to get any kind of push into the backfield and it was rare when he did. Edwards had all day to throw. The sad thing is, I don’t see a player on this roster that can change that or the run defense for that matter. Dewayne Robertson has been blown up all season. The fact of the matter is, there will be no “magic turnaround” this season. This is the defense we’re going to have to live with until next year.
• DC Bob Sutton has got to go. Sorry. He just does. He guesses wrong, his playcalling is bland, his blitzes are nondescript and ineffective and his coverages are too easily picked apart. Mangini needs to A) take over the playcalling or B) at least take a stronger role on the defensive side of the ball. The personnel is a big part of the defensive inefficiency, but the coaching aspect of it is just as important.
• What has happened to Laveranues Coles? He’s turned into a possession receiver inside the 20s.
• You’re killing me, Nooge. You’re killing me.
• Kudos to Leon Washington and Jerricho Cotchery, both had big games.
• Andre Dyson’s finally healthy and that’s a big plus. That interception in the end zone kept the game from getting out of hand.

• Here’s the problem with yesterday’s loss. It was more an indictment of the Ravens’ potential than the Jets’. Let me explain, Kellen Clemens held on to the ball entirely too long and was certainly not what the fair-weather hopefuls were looking for. The Jets were outplayed for three quarters and only succeeded when the Ravens stopped rushing the house against Clemens. The running game still was inconsistent—showing flashes at times, but ultimately failing with Jones finishing with an average of 2.8 ypc. That the Jets were able to come back speaks to the Ravens’ offensive ineptitude and inability to close the team out. They should have run, run, run on that final drive, but Ravens head coach Brian Billick again mis-called a crucial series. Simply put, don’t get excited because we came back on a team that’s predicted to be one of the AFC’s best—they’re not.
• Okay, now Clemens was spotty, but he still showed something in the fourth quarter when he settled down. Yes, the Ravens slowed the rush but Clemens still showed poise and confidence in the pocket—consistently picking the Ravens apart underneath and over the top However, unlike Randy Cross, I do not believe that Clemens “figured out the Ravens defense”. He simply learned to take what they were giving him and his nerves settled. Perhaps the most important thing I saw was his ability to get the ball downfield and put the ball where only his receivers could get it. It wasn’t quite the performance many fans were hoping for, but it showed that the potential is there and the Jets hope for the future is not misplaced. Clemens is certainly the quarterback of the future, but just the future. For the moment, I would still rather have Chad Pennington under center, but if Pennington falters, Mangini would probably be a lot more likely to pull the trigger after seeing Clemens in the 4^th quarter.
• Around 7:15, McCareins earned a new middle name beginning with “f”, but it would be wrong of Jets fans to place this loss on him. He should have had that first catch—the second one was more difficult and I don’t think you can blame him as much for that one. However, there were many more culprits. The running game, offensive line, pass rush, David Barrett and the linebackers were mostly to blame for yesterday—not to mention the kick coverage unit, the lack of Leon Washington, and the inability to cover a tight end.
• Speaking of the tight end, before we get to any of those other reasons, I want to bring up a very disturbing point. The Jets were completely unable to cover Todd Heap. Okay, so not many people can, but they didn’t even contain him. Any time Ravens’ QB Kyle Boller needed to get rid of the ball, there was Heap, seemingly wide-open every single time. Here’s why this should be disturbing for Jets fans: the Jets still have to face Jeremy Shockey, L.J. Smith, Chris Cooley, Heath Miller, Jason Witten, Kellen Winslow Jr., Ben Watson again, and Tony Gonzalez. That’s not including Tennessee’s Bo Scaife who has become QB Vince Young’s favorite receiver. You better believe that everyone one of those teams and tight ends are licking their lips after seeing what Heap did Sunday. Bob Sutton and Mangini had better figure out some way to cover a TE or it’s going to be a long season.
• For the second week in a row, the pass rush was completely ineffective. The first quarter the Jets sent nearly every able-bodied player at Kyle Boller and every time he seemed to find someone underneath the coverage. He was able to dump the ball off at will and the McGahee touchdown was a perfect example. Bryan Thomas, last year’s defensive revelation, got abused on the play. He bit on Boller’s playfake to McGahee (one of the worst I’ve seen in a long time) and all Boller had to do was toss it to the Jets-killer as he waltzed into the end zone.
• I guess you could say the offensive line showed you something in the second half, mainly the fourth quarter, but the truth is the Ravens ratcheted the pressure down. For the most part, they were overwhelmed in the run and pass aspects and unable to create any kind of push. When the Jets were dominated on the line of scrimmage during the preseason, I had hoped it was just a case of rust and vanilla playcalling, but it’s turning out to be a legitimate trend and that should put a serious scare into Jets fans.
• David Barrett. David Barrett. David Barrett. For the second week in a row, Barrett was picked on and did nothing to stop it. Most, if not all, fans and analysts can understand when Tom Brady picks you apart, but when Boller makes you look bad, it’s time to reconsider your career. Andre Dyson made it onto the field this week, but the fact remains that the Jets need him healthy and starting opposite rookie Darrelle Revis. Otherwise, teams are just going to target Barrett all season.
• Willis McGahee didn’t kill the Jets this time, as they held him under 100 yards rushing for the first time ever, but it still seemed as if they couldn’t stop him when it counted. Whenever Baltimore needed to run the clock or get a tough yard on the ground, they had no problem doing it.
• Where was Leon Washington? 0 carries for 0 yards? They’re completely wasting one of the main playmakers on the team.
• The Jets continued to get chewed up in the kick return game. Last week it was Ellis Hobbs, this week it was Yamon Figurs. Next week, there’s Ted Ginn Jr. and you can bet there’s nothing the Dolphins would love more than for Ginn to have his breakout game against their division rival. The wedge continues to befuddle them this year and the outside speed coverage they used last year is proving ineffective as teams are handling the Jets in the middle of the field.
• As far as positives, there were a few besides Clemens in the fourth quarter. WR Jerricho Cotchery continues to develop in his second year with the team. A friend of mine watching the game with me asked why Cotchery was the number two receiver because he plays like a #1. I agreed. Cotchery is living up to my prediction that he would outgain fellow wideout Laveranues Coles this season and assert himself as the go-to receiver by the end of the season. If Jets fans want a bright side to this season, it’s the continued affirmation that the Jets have one of the better 1-2 wideout combinations in the N.F.L.
• Darrelle Revis made some good plays, including a nice open-field tackle. He had a pass breakup that was a result of fantastic positioning, a result of veteran knowledge inside a rookie’s body. Revis continue to show that he can play and play well in this league. However, keep in minds that for the most part teams have not tested the rookie, as they’ve been able to pick of Barrett on the other side. If the Jets can get a reliable corner opposite Revis, we may yet see teams try to test Revis and then we’ll find out if he really can be an N.F.L. cover corner.
• Mike Nugent again shows off that leg of his. The first kickoff of the game went to the back of the end zone and he made a 50-yard field goal and had the distance on the 54-yarder that he missed wide. The Jets are not going to be a team that’s going to blow anyone away this year and having a reliable kicker with range out to 55 yards can be a valuable weapon in close games.

I know a lot of Jets fans are feeling okay about being 0-2 because the two losses were to the Patriots (that loss looks a lot more palatable after the game against the Chargers) and the Ravens, but even with three 0-2 teams up next, the schedule is still very difficult. Not including the division, the Jets still have home dates against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington and games at Cincinnati, Dallas, and Tennessee. It’s going to be very difficult for this Jets team to finish 10-6 again, and even more difficult to make the playoffs—especially if they continue to play the way they have on both sides of the ball.

I’m ashamed to be a Jets fan today and it has as much to do with the fans as it does the game itself, but I’ll get to that in my next post. For now, let’s stick with the game, as bad as it was.

• If you want my opinion on the game, I think it all boils down to one play. It was the first series of the game, fourth and inches on (I believe) the Patriots 45. Instead of going for it against a superiorly talented team, Mangini punted the ball. Okay, now I know where people are saying hindsight is 20-20, but I said at that play they should have gone for it and remarked to my father that it seemed like Mangini was scared of failing on that play. The bottom line is, Mangini and the Jets played scared of the Patriots all game. The Pats never felt threatened because the Jets never gave them a reason to be. When they won in Foxboro last year, they blitzed 15 times in a row to show the Pats that they didn’t care what they were going to do, they were coming after them. Even when they lost the first game at home last season, that second half and particularly the Cotchery catch was a giant F-U to Belichick and company. If the Jets go for that 4th down, even if they don’t make it, you’re still showing the Patriots something. You’re saying, “Look, we’re coming after you. You don’t scare us. Even if you get the ball here our defense will stop you.” Granted, as the game showed, that probably wouldn’t have been the case, but in my opinion, on fourth and a yard with a newly minted $20 million running back, you go for it and whether you pass or run, you shove the ball down New England’s throat and show them that they don’t intimidate you.(Note: If you want an example of how little respect Belichick has for the Jets, then I suggest you rewind the final 7 minutes of the fourth quarter. That was a completely and totally classless act by a coach who should know better. Up 17 with 7 minutes left, Bill leaves his starters in, runs fake reverses, WR screens and tosses it up to Moss on the 1, and then when the catch is not ruled a toucdown, for the icing on the cake, HE CHALLENGES THE CALL! You name me a self-respecting Patriots fan who can defend Belichick after that, and I’ll show someone who should be a Yankees fan. That was the lowest of low blows by a man who insists on denigrating and demeaning the Jets franchise, team and coaching staff at any opportunity he gets. He’s a classless individual who ran up the score in the season opener just to show people he was still King of the Mountain in the rivalry. Nice, Bill, real nice.)Now that that’s over, let me get to the game.
• The offensive line was terrible. The Patriots, sans Richard Seymour, worked them all day, particularly the left side. They couldn’t run block and they damn sure couldn’t pass protect. This line is a big-time work-in-progress, even moreso with the departure of Pete Kendall. However, as steadying as influence as Kendall could have been, he couldn’t have kept LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson from being manhandled pretty much all day, run and pass blocking. Chad’s blindside edge was pretty much a revolving door the way Brick was pushed around. There was no steady presence there, and I refuse to believe that is entirely the doing of Adrien Clarke or the absence of Kendall. That was Ferguson being overwhelmed by an N.F.L. pass rush, something we didn’t see a lot of in the first half of last year. However, in the second half of last season, particularly against the Pats in the playoffs and against pass rushers like Jason Taylor, Ferguson struggled mightily. But, it would be one thing if it were just Ferguson, but the other young linchpin of the line, C Nick Mangold equated to no more than Vince Wilfork’s plaything on Sunday. The pro bowl NT tossed and turned Mangold at will and seemed to be everywhere the Jets run game was. It was just an embarrassing showing all around and if the Jets are going to be a playoff contender this year, the line is going to have to pick it up, particularly Mangold and Ferguson.(Also, just a thought here that I couldn’t fit into my analysis of the O-Line. If the Jets really were that high of Jacob Bender’s short-term potential, then why was he inactive? Just a lot of smoke and mirrors, it appears.)
• Ugh, the defense. That, my friends, was abuse. It’s been said over and over again, but the lack of a pass rush was appalling. Tom Brady could have knitted a sweater back there (to quote a fellow Jets fan). It was just terrible. Far too many three man rushes with no man on the line that could actually get to the quarterback. Shaun Ellis was double teamed all day and even when the Jets blitzed, the Patriots picked it up with ease. One time Dewayne Robertson got to Brady, and Brady still completed the pass.It wasn’t even just the pass, as the Jets couldn’t stop the run but a few times. Sammy Morris, that’s right the IMMORTAL Sammy Morris, had his way his way yesterday and made the Jets front seven feel flat-out violated. I’m really disappointed in how poor the front 7 was, particularly the linebackers. Look, I was more than guilty of hyping of the linebacking corps prior to the season and in hindsight I should have used more caution, but even so, that was a lackluster effort from a group that should have played much better.
• Speaking of the linebackers, can someone, ANYONE, find David Harris for me? I though I saw him in August blowing up would-be run plays and RB screens, but I could have sworn he didn’t even report for the game on Sunday. I’m just flabbergasted at the fact that Harris didn’t play, even as Eric Barton and Jonathon Vilma continued to be eaten up by the Patriots offensive line. Another thing that just defies explanation.
• Finally, one more thing on the defense, how terrible was David Barrett yesterday? I mean, the Wes Welker touchdown, the constant abuse on any and all routes he covered–it was just inexplicable. I’m aghast at how terrible Barrett looked and played, and it goes to show you just how meaningless preseason can be. And I guess we found out just how much this regime thinks of Justin Miller. He fumbled a kickoff and was subsequently replaced on the nexty kick by Leon Washington and then after he was burned by Moss on a long grab down the Jets sidelines, he was never seen from again. Mangini said in his postgame press conference that it was “not a coaching decision” but if you listened to the way he talked about Miller, it certainly seemed as if there was more to it than just an injury.

  (Side note: Can anyone else not believe how much the Jets DBs played off of Welker and Moss? It was ridiculous how much room they gave them. Rarely, if ever did I see any of them get bumped at the line of scrimmage. Respect is okay, allowing yourself to be intimidated before the snap is another.)

• The running game was nonexistent and that’s being generous. It was a combination of Thomas Jones being rusty and not 100%, the offensive line struggles and the play calling. For all of his creativity and ingenious, I saw a very bland rushing attack from OC Brian Schottenheimer yesterday. Every time Joe Kowalewski (who started at FB in place of Darien Barnes… more smoke and mirrors there, too) shifted prior to the snap, the Jets ran in his direction. I understand you want to follow your lead blocker, but where was the misdirection plays? The draws? The toss to the outside as JoeKo went up inside? I saw a lot of between-the-tackles running when there was no room between the tackles because the Pats knew the Jets were goig to do it.
• The special teams is supposed to be a strength. I mean, Nugent finally kicks the ball into the end zone, 8 yards into the end zone, and Ellis Hobbs goes virtually untouched the entire length of the field. All but 1 Jet couldn’t get off their blocks on the return and when Hobbs did return it, he should have been stopped at the 10. I can’t help but wonder (like R in CT from TJB) if Mike Westhoff being in the press box and not on the sidelines had something to do with it.
• Also, some of the inactives really bothered me. Darien Barnes, Chansi Stuckey and Eric Smith were desperately needed in this game and I’m really surprised they weren’t dressed. Smith might not have been for health reasons, but Barnes certainly could have been more effective as a lead blocker than JoeKo and Stuckey would have been crucial in a game where the passing game was all the Jets had. Those decisions with the Harris benching… It just leads me to agree with Brandon Tierney of ESPN radio. He said on his postgame show The Audible that the Jets were outcoached yesterday in every aspect, and I totally agree. Belichick and his staff ran circles around the Jets and the final Pats drive was just Bill showing Eric that he could do whatever he wanted and Mangini couldn’t stop him.

All that said, there were SOME positives, although not many.

• The passing game it still a weapon the Jets can use. Jerricho Cotchery is unafraid of going over the middle and made some really tough catches in traffic and Laveranues Coles caught two touchdown passes inside the red zone. For all of my ragging on Schottenheimer for the run game, the passing game was very well orchestrated, particularly within 10 yards on the end zone. The first touchdown to Coles a nice play call and a great sense of timing by QB Chad Pennington and Coles. The second however, was Schottenheimer going with what he knew would work. After going for the fade route on first and goal from the 2 and Coles not coming up with the ball, Schotty went right back to the same play, same player and same cornerback and Coles did not make the mistake a second time, catching the ball over the DB for a TD. That’s balls, and I salute that.
• Pennington showed me a lot. He orchestrated two touchdown drives (and should have had another had they gone for it on that fourth down) and did one of them on one leg with no running game whatsoever. It’s more evidence to every doubter that Pennington is the glue to this offense, noodle arm or not. If not for Chad the offense would have been rudderless today. If Pennington is hurt for any serious amount of time, the Jets are not in good shape.
• On defense, Kenyon Coleman was active and made a lot of tackles and looks to be a keeper at DE (he better be for that contract), but the most impressive defensive player was rookie DB Darrelle Revis. Revis didn’t embarass himself covering Randy Moss, Wes Welker or Donte Stallworth and made some nice open field tackles. It appears Mannenbaum made the right decision trading up for him.
• Nugent’s got some serious leg. Now, if only the cover team can get off their blocks and tackle some people.

With all of this said and done, it’s only week 1 and while Jets fans have every right to be upset, furious, embarrassed, ashamed or disappointed, there’s 16 more weeks and 15 more games left in the season (including another with New England). This Patriots team, as we all saw, is absolutely freaking loaded and looks like they’re going to live up to all the preseason hype. Let’s calm down and even if the Baltimore game is unsightly, the season is not over. Let’s give it time, see what happens with Chad’s ankle and see if Mangini and company come out with a better gameplan and attitude next week at Baltimore.

Any thoughts? Feel free to comment or email me.

While it’s always fun to beat the Giants, especially in “their stadium”, Saturday night’s game was more about tuning up for New England on September 9th than beating the Jets’ crosstown rivals, especially considering the two teams meet again in the regular season.

Unfortunately, as I said earlier, I was unable to view the game and the NFL Network replay was aired when I was indisposed. So, here’s some coverage of the game from outside sources that I rely on. I’m leaving out the local tabloids as most Jets fans probably read most coverage of the game through the Post, Times, Daily News, and Star-Ledger anyhow.

• First off, NYJ.com has all the postgame interviews.
• Randy Lange blogs through the first, second, third and fourth quarters.
• Bent of TJB chimes in with his notes on the game.
• Gary Grund of Jets Central has his recap of the Jets’ victory.
• Cimini’s Jets Stream weighs in on the game.

Let’s just say all was not well Friday evening. Unfortunately I only got to see a few things, as we were busy at work and the game wasn’t repeated on NFL Network. Thankfully, I have Sundays off (not a chance I miss meaningful football) so these shortened, part-time thoughts won’t continue. If you guys have any comments or observations I leave out (and I’m sure there will be plenty) feel free to comment. If someone wants to write a recap, I’ll give it a look over and post it on the site under your own name.

• Chad looked positively awful, and his second interception was a rookie mistake. That’s quarterbacking 101. You’re getting sacked. Go down. Just go down. Not only did Chad rush the throw but he telegraphed the dump to Leon Washington for a good minute and you could see in replays that Chad Greenway was just waiting for Pennington to throw the ball. I know it’s only a quarter of a preseason game and Chad’s first live game action throwing the ball, but I’d be lieing if I said I wasn’t a little concerned. He threw 16 interceptions last season and everyone said a rushing attack would alleviate that (myself included), but Thomas Jones could not have helped to stop a Vikings D that seemed to be in the Jets backfield every time I looked.
• Wow. Adrian Peterson. Just wow. You know how I said I was a little worried about Pennington? I’m damn HORRIFIED about that rush defense. Seriously, Eric. Time to head into the lab and figure out something to patch up that Run D quick before September 9th.
• Well, at least Leon Washington looked good. He turned a few plays into something when it looked like he was going to be stopped in the backfield. He also showed an ability to run in between the tackles against that stout Vikings line. I have to say I was impressed and I’m starting to believe in Peter King’s “poor man’s Reggie Bush” comment. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m high on Leon for the season.
• Brad Smith and Wallace Wright looked good on special teams. Looks like they took Mangini’s words about making ST Coordinator Mike Westhoff “their best friend” to heart. Smith looked decent at quarterback, and I would have liked to see him more there, but that’s just me. That race at WR is going to be tight and I’m really excited about the depth there. Everyone talks about the Patriots depth but with the way Justin McCareins (more on him in a second) is playing, plus Stuckey, Smith, and Wright, things could be very interesting on final cut-down day.
• McCareins touchdown was positively spectacular to watch. I caught the replay of it right after it happened and watching him completely shred the defense reminded me of Laveranues Coles’ touchdown last year against New England. McCareins looks like he’s regained the confidence that made him one of the burgeoning young receivers in the league when the Jets traded for him. The YAC ability of the receivers is a big aspect of the team when you’ve got a quarterback who struggles to get the ball downfield.
• Seriously, stop with this Kendall at center stuff. Just stop.
• So that’s what Darrelle Revis looks like in a Jets uniform. Snazzy.

The Jets conquered the lowly Atlanta Falcons Friday night by a score of 31-16 in both teams first action of the preseason.

Ok, so conquered is a little heavy for a game in which Chad Pennington didn’t even throw a pass, but it was still an impressive showing in certain aspect. I didn’t get to see the whole game (Damn you, 780) but from what I saw, here are my thoughts:

• Kellen Clemens looked very good. I mean, really really good. I was legitimately impressed. He made some tough throws, but what impressed me is he didn’t seem to panic. Granted, we’re talking about the preseason against the Falcons’ second and third team, but still, Jets fans have got to be encouraged. The playaction pass in the second quarter to Sean Ryan (which was an amazing catch by Ryan, let me get that out there) showed nice touch and accuracy and Clemens put the ball where only Ryan could get to it. Maybe there is hope A.C. (After Chad).
• Eric, we have a problem. That defense is bad. From what I saw, the run defense was leaky, the pass defense was unsurprisingly unimpressive (Especially Kerry Rhodes but more on that in a minute). David Harris and Eric Barton were active, but they play the same position and if the Jets think they can go into the season with that secondary, then much therapy is needed for Mannenbaum. Vilma and Robertson got pushed around too often when they were involved and I was unimpressed with Sione Pouha. However, there was a good point made by analyst Greg Buttle on Jerious Norwood’s touchdown (Robertson was held). Buttle pointed out that the Jets lined up on an obvious rushing down inside the 10 in a base 3-4, but only to see how the players would react. He noted that the Jets are highly unlikely to line up like that in the regular season.
• What can’t Brad Smith do? Just tell me. If there’s something he can’t do. You let me know. And people wonder why I love the kid.
• Thomas Jones did a nice job. He was good in between the tackles and showed that extra push on the goal line for his touchdown. The Falcons were able to run him down on the outside but inside he was good showing some good burst and an ability to read the holes. Leon Washington, on the other hand, was more often than not absolutely stuffed at the point of attack. That is a worrisome thing for me. I’m telling you, that line without Kendall makes me nervous and I’m not sure about Adrien Clarke.
• Although Washington was terrible in the backfield, he was a revelation on kickoffs. The 86-yard return to set up Jones’ touchdown was impressive. If/When Justin Miller returns, the Jets may have a pair of dangerous kick returners, making it difficult for teams to decide who to kick to.
• I’m surprised Rhodes got beat over the top as often as he did (although the catch by Horn was a great catch and a good throw by Harrington). I hope we’re not seeing a repeat of Erik Coleman’s sophomore year. Just saying.
• 10 straight runs, Schotty? Really? That was interesting to see.
• The “gadget plays” need work. The play in the first quarter where Brad Smith lined up at QB and handed off to Washington in front of him was embarrassingly ineffective. I think Schottenheimer is going to have to figure out ways to disguise them because right now, the defense seems to know what’s coming. But I have to say, the fake punt with Brad was a nice design.
• See ya, Tui.