Bleacher Report - Articles by David Wyatt

Is the Jets' Vernon Gholston Actually Injured?

David Wyatt — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:46:19 -0500

Scandal, pure speculation, and just something to mull over with your Monday morning coffee.

Over the past week or so, I have quietly been thinking this to myself. Only when I branched out and shared this idea did I realize that I was not alone in my superstition of the Jets franchise and the mysterious injury that Gholston acquired prior to the Jacksonville game.

If we think back to the Miami game (shudders), we will remember that Rex Ryan took a lot of heat post-performance for selecting Gholston ahead of a special teams player that maybe could've prevented one or both of the Ted Ginn touchdowns.

Prior to the game against Jacksonville, in talking with some Jaguars fans, I made the comment that I would not be surprised if some "injury" occurred to Gholston that would take the selection headache out of Ryan's hands.

The very next day we hear that Gholston had sustained a hamstring injury in a team "walk through," and that he was out for the game against Jacksonville.

Now let's look back on a comment that Rex made when he first took over as head coach of the New York Jets:

"If he can't do it for me and for this team, he's never going to do it."

Here we are in week 10 of the NFL season, and Gholston has 11 tackles, no sacks, no INT, and no FF, so if he hasn't been doing it for Rex, perhaps the "bust" label can be firmly applied and concluded. However, maybe Rex is not ready for that yet, but realizes that right now, Gholston's place on the team is hurting rather than helping the performance on Sunday.

However, Rex also understands that presenting Gholston as a healthy scratch pretty much seals that comment, admitting that he is not doing it for him and not doing it for the team, which in a backhanded way also admits that Gholston can't do it anywhere.

The simple solution is to present him as injured while we are still sniffing the playoffs. After the loss to the Patriots yesterday, with our playoff hopes down the drain, don't be surprised to see a miraculous recovery by Gholston next week.

The odd thing is when Gholston was playing and starting, he was actually starting to improve. However, once Calvin Pace returned to the lineup and Gholston was demoted to the bench, he again became invisible, much like the entire 2008 season.

However, if we are not ready to admit failure, then perhaps down the stretch, it's more beneficial to this team to have Gholston start in place of Bryan Thomas. After all, Thomas is hardly lighting the stat sheets up either: 20 tackles and one sack in nine starts, compared to Gholston's 11 tackles and no sacks in four starts.

If Vernon starts the other five games, I find it hard to believe, as disappointing as he has been, that he would not have accumulated similar, if not better, stats than Thomas.

So what do you think?

1) Is Vernon Gholston actually injured, or is it a face-saving move by the franchise?

2) Should we start Gholston in place of Thomas?

This article also appeared on Gang Green Nation

Harris New Signal Caller On New York Jets Defence

David Wyatt — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:27:46 -0500

Dan Leberfeld wrote today that with Jim Leonhard on the sideline, David Harris will be the man in the middle with the wired helmet relaying the plays from the sideline.

"Florham Park - With safety Jim Leonhard not likely to play this Sunday because of a broken right thumb, the Jets need to assign the helmet with the defensive signals (from the sidelines), and it looks like inside linebacker David Harris will get the wired helmet."

David Harris is considered a mild mannered, big hitter with self confidence minus the outspoken trash talking. Some thought that the duty may well be given to Kerry Rhodes , but it seems Rex has chosen the most consistent performer on the Jets defence.

I have no problems with this, not sure how much of a leader Harris is, but if he is the guy with the clearest understanding of the play-book then it's the best move. A play caller has to have a calm head, and be able to relay commands clearly and effectively in time where some may well lose his head. Not pointing at anyone in particular.

I did read that Eric Smith had taken the helmet in practise this week, but the team decided that Harris was the better option. I have to say that I would have been a little puzzled if Smith was selected ahead of a more "regular" member on the defence. He needs to concentrate on starting and adapting his game as such.

I think the same goes for Kerry Rhodes, always been a big Kerry fan, but he has not been the play-maker that many expected this year. He is not a weakness by any means, but for a man who talks as much as he does, he needs to back it up, and so far his play hasn't warranted his inflated ego.

I thought Scott might have gotten the nod, he is more of a vocal leader, a good communicator, but perhaps with his trash talking on the field Ryan didn't want to add any more responsibility to Bart, like Sean Avery with the Rangers, let him do what he does best, and that's play hard, and get up peoples noses.

Marques Douglas also had some positive things to say about the way the defensive line has practised this week after a little shake-up:

"I think today was our best day out there," defensive end Marques Douglas said. "[The] communication was excellent, we worked as a group [and] our tempo was great."

When asked if he was surprised at the shakeup, Douglas replied, "It’s kind of something you don’t think about, because we as players are supposed to play, and the coaches and GM [Mike Tannenbaum] make that decision."

Communication between the defensive players has been a problem, causing the Jets to burn precious time outs because they did not have the correct players on the field, hopefully with the new shake-up, we can save these time outs for when they will be needed.

I don't expect the Jets to win this weekend, which of course means that they will. It would be too easy on Jets fans for our play-off hope to end this early, we have to have it dashed at the last minute, because we are the New York Jets, and that is what we do.

*Edit- just because people nearly always ask me this, I spell defence this way because I'm British, and that's how we spell it*

Vernon Gholston Was Mangini's Choice

David Wyatt — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:40:59 -0500

Many Jets fans questioned the selection of Vernon Gholston ahead of Marques Murrell for the home tie against the Miami Dolphins. Well if we are being honest I didn't hear many objections until after the loss.

The logic of the questions was valid, why select a player who does very little on defence ahead of a player who does very little on defence but a lot on special teams. It made little sense before the game and even less sense after we saw Tedd Ginn return two kicks for touchdowns.

So now on top of being the most used target in Cleveland, the decision to draft Gholston seems to fall on the stone faced coach of the Browns, and former coach of the New York Jets, Eric Mangini.

I was always confident that Gholston would at some point turn the corner and show why he was drafted sixth overall in the 2008 draft. I thought that the scouts couldn't be as wrong as they were when they have picked up players like Revis/Harris and found later round stand outs like Washington and Cotchery.

Well it seems that many of the scouts were not in favour of drafting Gholston at all.

Speaking to Rich Cimini of the daily news, one unanimous source confirmed what some had been speculating when he said of the drafting of Gholston:

"That one's on Eric,"

In fact it has been suggested that scouts were heavily favouring another player, reportedly Leodis McKelvin who was later selected 11th overall by division rival Buffalo Bills.

However as Mike Tannenbaum, GM of the New York Jets commented to Cimini:

"On all draft decisions, I have the final say. But, organizationally, we felt good about Vernon. Although his rate of improvement isn't where we want it to be, we're still happy he's here and we feel good about his future."

So what does this all mean to the New York Jets going forward, we potentially have a bust who we feel the need to keep on the active roster with his $21 million we guaranteed. It seemed he was making progress earlier this season, but once Pace returned, Vernon returned to his invisible status.

I was asked by a Jaguars fan what they can expect from Gholston this Sunday, I simply replied:

"If you hear his name once during the game, he has done more than he usually does"

I consider myself to be a patient fan, but even the most patient among us has to start looking at the big picture and recognising that it may be time to start considering what we can do with him, which may not be a whole lot.

Possible 2010 New York Jet Selection: Draft Profiles

David Wyatt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:50:35 -0500

This article is a combination of two articles that appeared on Gang Green Nation

Join us tomorrow at 7 p.m. EST for a open debate on all things Jets

So with it being a bye week and Rex Ryan ordering everyone to vacate the building by Thursday or else, we thought it might be time to switch gears. Start talking about the future potential Jets while the current Jets fly off to Cali (Rhodes) or anywhere else they might be jetting off to (no pun intended).

So this week I'm going to take a look at some of the prospects that the Jets may have their eyes on in 2010, because although the players are taking a welcome break, being a fan is a 24/7/365 job and well, we need something to keep our mind occupied until a week Sunday.

You may not agree with some of the players we profile this week, and obviously that's fine, just leave your comments with your opinions on the particular player being discussed.

So first up after the jump, it's a player close to home, Syracuse's Arthur Jones.

I haven't been able to watch Syracuse all that much, and let's be honest who would want to if your not a fan. However scouts seem to really like Jones. Projected to be a mid-to-late first-round selection, he should be available around where the Jets will be picking.

Currently a 4-3 DT, but definitely more suited to a 3-4 DE in the NFL. Has good, not great size, standing at 6'4" and listed at 294 pounds. Although he is working to add a little bit of weight without losing any of his quickness that makes him so valuable to a team.

Looking at his basic stats, not many would be impressed, but over the course of the 2007-2008 season, he had 30.5 tackles for loss. He had three sacks in 2008 and currently has just the one sack.

In 2008 he was named first team All Big East. As a Notre Dame fan, he left a lasting impression on me after last season. That day he recorded 15 tackles, four for a loss of 24 yards in total and 1.5 sacks. He was the Big East defensive player of the week and earned himself a ESPN helmet sticker for his contribution.

At Syracuse he is double-teamed continuously and that partly explains why his sack totals are not higher, uses a good bull rush and is excellent at using his hands to shed blocks. Difference here to Vernon Gholston , Gholston has a excellent bull rush, but he can't shed blocks, Arthur Jones manages to do this, is quicker than his times suggest, and is continuously in the face of the QB, making life uncomfortable.

However, run defence is perhaps where he excels the most, which can be put to his penetration, moves down the line fluidly, protects the gaps and his tackles for loss shows that he gets excellent push off the line and has an explosive nature to him. His conditioning is above average and he has the motor to play until the whistle stops. He will be seen in the backfield and then seconds later down the field making the tackle.

One of the best attributes in Jones is his awareness. He knows where the ball is and his football intelligence is used to good measure to reveal where the likeliest path of the runner, which helps him bring down the ball carrier. For a defensive tackle, he is a good open-field tackler. He plays very low, and has the length to bring down the ball carrier, uses his hands to his benefit, and rarely gets caught too high. He is not often seen being pushed out of the play.

Another attribute that you won't find on any stat sheet, but that is equally important to a system, is attitude. Jones has a excellent, never give up attitude, which was probably developed through being on a team that has had very little success. His coaches love him, he comes in to play every single day, and has become a leader on the team, gave everything he had for Syracuse, and I'm sure they are sorry to be losing him.

His attitude, back-field presence, and high motor make me predict that he would be a excellent player in Rex Ryan's system.

The second in our prospect watch draft special this week is highly regarded, but often disagreed about, Florida DE Carlos Dunlap.

Many Jets fans might scream when I say that scouts will be more impressed by his athletic characteristics than his on-field action, and the word potential that so many of us have to come to loathe. Athletic ability and potential are the two most-used phrases to describe one Vernon Gholston in the run up to the 2008 draft.

However at 6'6", 290 pounds, and a 4.7 40 time, we have to at least have a look at him, and his pass-rushing ability that seem to be missing from the Jets' defensive ends. Granted they run a 3-4 and ends are not as relied upon for their pass rushing ability as in the 4-3, and some are sceptical where Dunlap fits, is he a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 one?

One of the reasons why I think that it doesn't matter too much if he is seen more as a 4-3 or a 3-4 is because although the Jets run from the 3-4, I have noticed they often run from a 4-3 and I truly believe that he can excel at either position in either system.

The Florida defense relies on the on- gap speed penetration so it's up in the air how this will translate to the NFL. However, playing next to a guy like Kris Jenkins, who commands the double team, his lightning quick outside step could prove very valuable in increasing the pass rush.

One player that comes to mind when looking at Dunlap is Houston's Mario Williams . He will likely have similar measurables with Williams, but he has a stronger upper body, a good motor and that outside step.

He does need to work on his run defense, but he could easily step into a NFL rotation especially on third down in obvious pass situations and make things happen. He has the size to get up at the line and bat balls down.

Has been accused by some of going through the motions, not showing enough commitment and passion on the field, but in limited time as a starter in 2008, he had 36 tackles, 13.5 for a loss and nine sacks, despite starting only two games.

The one problem that we are likely going to face is that he is probably gone long before the Jets select, that's barring any kind of second-half meltdown, he is projected anywhere from the first choice to around 11-12. Although he is bound to put on a very good show at the combine and have a team fall for him.

However, I think we have seen that if we highlight a player as a must have, then Mike Tannenbaum has no problems moving up to select him. Although I feel we have neither the depth or the finances to make another leap in 2010, you never know.

Through the first eight games this season, Dunlap has amassed 22 tackles and six sacks, and recently had an outstanding game against Mississippi State where he totalled five tackles and three sacks.

Back Off Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan

David Wyatt — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:21:46 -0500

I have heard a lot of very strange things this year regarding the Jets, but today took the biscuit: people questioning Mark Sanchez and hypothesising that we would be just as good with Clemens and questioning whether Rex is the right guy to lead this team, a massive eight games into their tenures.

First, let's get the record out of the way, this year we are a .500 team. If we finish 8-8 this year, in my opinion that will be a success. The 3-0 start was a mirage, an illusion that Copperfield would be proud of. We have lost some bad games, but it happens, any team on any given Sunday can beat any other team.

Rex Ryan has made some mistakes, you won't find a Jets fan that argues with that; however, he is our fourth head coach since 2000, what we need now is a little stability.

It's his first year, he is a rookie just like Sanchez is, he can be stubborn, brash, arrogant and childish. He is learning on the job, there are going to be times where he doesn't call a time out when he should, doesn't say the right things. Other teams are not going to like him and that's just fine.

However, after eight games, are people already going to question his ability? If there is a problem with the fan base, it's that we are too quick to judge. Just like you can't judge a QB on eight games, you can't judge a head coach on that same sample.

People are quick to use the phrase "same old Jets," but maybe the new phrase should be "same old Jets fans." Ready to push the red button at the first sign of panic.

Ryan has come in and turned our defence into one of the better units in the league and the offence is a work in progress.

I can't actually believe that some are criticizing Sanchez; sure he had chances to put us on top, but he threw for two TDs and rushed for another, and has had six decent games out of eight. What do people expect?

He has similar numbers at this point in his career as some of the best QBs in today's game, including Peyton Manning. He is learning, and he can't control certain aspects of the game.

I heard a Jets fan say he has only led us to a 4-4 record. Well I'm sorry to say this, but if you think that is bad, then you are crazy. Not many rookie QBs can lead their team to a 4-4 record in their first season in the system.

Last time I checked, he wasn't on the field on either of those kick/punt returns taken for a TD, and he wasn't the one to fumble the football. The Buffalo loss and the New Orleans one can be attributed to poor play by Sanchez, but not the losses to the Dolphins.

It sure feels like the bandwagon has lost a few members, and for a lot of us, that's just fine. However, if you are going to take some parting shots before abandoning ship, then at least make them logical. Criticizing and placing the blame at the feet of a rookie head coach and a rookie QB while we are 4-4 is not logical.

There are eight games to be played, that's a lot of football. This bye week has come at exactly the right time. Jets players need to take a look in the mirror and come back fighting, and I think they will.

So for all the fair weather fans, it was nice to have you on-board for the start of the season, but you won't be missed. Personally speaking, the faith is still there in the team as a whole, and it has not faltered in regards to Sanchez or Rex.

Hot-Dog Gate, A Scandal Just For A Scandal

David Wyatt — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:05:17 -0400

I have to say that while I was sitting enjoying a Jets victory for the first time in weeks, I barely took notice when the camera panned to quarterback Mark Sanchez having a quick little snack on a hot dog. I had a little chuckle to myself and commented on it to a few friends, but otherwise I just passed it over as being another sideline surprise.

Just like a few weeks back where during the Colts game, the camera panned to the sideline and Tiger Woods was standing there having a good laugh, invitation by the request of Peyton Manning, the only person who matters in Indianapolis.

So when I woke up on Monday morning, and had a listen to "Mike & Mike In the Morning," and heard them talking about it as if it were Spygate take two, I was a little surprised. Even more so when I learned that Rex Ryan wasn't happy about it (I think that's the first time he has been upset with a hot dog) and mystifies when I was told to watch the post-game apology.

Really?

A post-game apology for eating a hot dog discreetly on the sideline. It's disrespectful people said, he was showing up the Raiders, why didn't he eat a power bar? It really took off, and here we are on Wednesday, and it's still an issue.

Although Mark has made somewhat of a nice gesture purchasing 500 hot dogs, and 500 burgers to donate to the local soup kitchen, a nice gesture that just shows what a classy guy he is, and I'm never going to say that giving to charity is wrong, but it is a direct result of Sunday and, to me, it's completely unnecessary.

Anyone would think that Mark Sanchez had walked into Tom Cable's house on Christmas morning and and stole the Christmas turkey.

With all the talk of disrespect, I thought I would go to where people should be most upset about it. Oakland Raiders forums. Guess what? nobody cared, in fact one poster commented that it was the first time all season that anything to do with Oakland or the Raiders got a ringing endorsement.

With so many more pressing issues this week, I find it ridiculous that people are escalating a mundane occurrence like that of what has become "Hot-Dog Gate" and turned it into a national story, taking up time on radio shows, TV programs, newspaper columns. Have we not got anything better to talk about this week.

Is it really that slow?

So please vote in the poll, as I want to see what the fans really think of this, because I'm thinking that nobody really cares.

Monday Musings On The New York Jets Victory

David Wyatt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:20:38 -0400

Bitter sweet. Really couldn't enjoy the victory all too much last night with the news of Leon Washington . Not just the fact that we will be missing our most dynamic player for the rest of the season, but because this is not your run of the mill, when will he be practicing again injury. Not as bad as Joe Theisman's but for a running back who relies on his quick cuts and speed to make plays, this recovery is not going to be easy. I have heard some people say that it is a potential career ender, and while I hope it isn't—their certainly is that possibility. So first thing is first, which is wishing Leon a healthy and full recovery. No need for it to be speedy.

I can't say enough about Sanchez. Was it a perfect game? Absolutely not, far from it. He was asked to do little and he managed to do just that. He did have another fumble that he managed to recover on a play that looked ugly straight from the snap. However he was asked to throw 15 times, he completed 9 and he threw a nice TD to David Clowney. It was sllightly under thrown but you expect your receivers to go up and make plays in that situation. He ran in for a TD on a nicely designed play. (Again this is why I find Schottenheimer so frustrating, one week his play calling is a head scratcher, the next he plans pretty much to perfection)

Shonn Greene was just fantastic, and that is what we have been waiting for. He fights for that extra yardage—players think they have brought him down and when they look up he is 10 yards down the field and you can forget about it. He runs hard, he hits the hole hard, and keeps his leg churning. He has a very bright future ahead of him. With Greene and Jones running wild at the minute, the Jets' running game is sure to wear down any interior line. We could have extended that game, and I doubt the Raiders stop either of them.

I was pretty critical of Keller last week, but this was a better game from him. He wasn't excellent by any means, but he took a pass from Sanchez and turned it into a 26 yard gain. I'm not sure why we don't see more roll out plays like that. He was open on one pass and Sanchez over threw him, and on another he made one cut, Sanchez thought he was making another and the ball was nowhere near him. I have no idea who was at fault there. Did Keller make the wrong cut or did Sanchez make the wrong read? One thing is for sure, they need to get on the same page, as we can use Keller a lot to beat a team like Miami.

Defensively we were pretty solid all around, I actually liked the line —I thought it performed pretty well without Jenks. Howard Greene in particular caught my eye on a couple of players, and Mike Devito is a lot better than I ever remember him being under Mangini. He holds his containment and then gets off the block pretty quickly. I saw him a couple of times hold the outside and as soon as the run came inside, he closed it up. It obviously is a work in progress, and there were times where we were vulnerable to the inside run but luckily Oakland decided to pass a lot.

Calvin Pace was fantastic, and that's the guy that we remember. I think it is safe to say that he is back up to speed. He is a menace when he is in there. He works until the whistle and I liked the play where he caused the 2nd fumble. When he gets pushed completely out of the play, he never takes his eyes off the QB and then runs him down from the back. Game ball goes to him without a doubt.

Tackling this week was better although not perfect. Kerry Rhodes missed a couple but it didn't hurt us at all, so no need to dwell on those as Rhodes is usually pretty solid in that regard.

Offensive line was tremendous for the second straight week, just over powered the Oakland defensive line, which allowed us to rush for over 300 yards for the 2nd week in a row, and I think we are only the second team to do that since the merger after the 1975 Bills . Before the season they were widely regarded as one of the best units in the league, it has taken time to materialize but they are finally showing their talent.

Braylon Edwards was a little quiet this week, but you can expect that when you ask the QB to throw just 15 times. Sanchez did a nice job spreading the ball out more and not trying to force it. It was a nice night to see Wallace Wright get a reception to his name and Clowney grab his first NFL TD. I thought he ran good crisp routes all day and I hope that he still gets work when Cotchery and Smith come back.

Cotchery is expected back this week, but not so sure about Smith.

Finally, we can't have a Monday Musing without a Danny Woodhead update. It was nice to see the guy get some touches in light of the fact that it was obviously to run out the clock when everyone was winding down—but he got some tough yardage.

Next up: the grudge match with Miami.

Can The New York Jets Accomodate The Loss of Jenkins

David Wyatt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:47:17 -0400

The loss to the Buffalo Bills this Sunday was a blow, a crushing defeat that highlighted everything that every Jets fan worried about coming into the 2009-2010 season.

The quarterback was a rookie, the head coach was a rookie, the depth on the offensive line and defensive line are questionable, the receiving core is not deep enough, and with the free-spirited friendly figure taking over from the disciplinarian fatherly figure, penalties cost us.

All questions that we have flirted with over the course of the season but not been forced to answer, well like so many other things, they all came flooding to prominence on Monday morning and to some extent Sunday night. Where the 'same ol' Jets' slogan almost became as fashionable as the 'lovable losers' tag strapped to the necks of the Cubs franchise.

Mark Sanchez looked like the rookie he is, and worse. Rex Ryan for the second straight week made a poor judgement call that cost us a valuable time out. We lost Damien Woody on the offensive line in the second half, and Kris Jenkins on the defensive line for most of the game. Braylon Edwards was the only WR to catch a pass and Keller couldn't catch a cold.

It was what it was: a bad day for the Jets, the players, the coaches and the fans. I have to admit I was steaming after it, using the 'same ol' Jets' tag myself on numerous occasions. Fans were forced to the edge of the green cliffs of sanity and were hanging by a thread.

Monday morning I awoke with a new sense of optimism, we were 3-3, just one game out of first in the East with a victory against the leader, the New England Patriots. I logged on to share my new found optimism with my fellow Jets fans, but before I was able to negotiate people from the edge.

The fatal blow was struck.

Kris Jenkins, the heart and soul of the defense, one of the premier nose tackles in the game, was heading to IR to undergo his second ACL surgery, this time on his left knee.

Out for the season, and my initial thought was "Goodbye, goodnight, thanks for coming, I hope you enjoyed the show." We were done.

That was my honest reaction, what little faith I had, but coming off the back of a MNF loss to the rival Dolphins and then what was quite simply a embarrassing defeat to the Bills at home, enough was enough.

However now I have regained by sense of optimism. Maybe this brings the team together. If it doesn't, well it should have. We are going to have to be better in all facets of the game if we even hope to accommodate a loss like this.

Bart Scott and David Harris are going to have to recognize their gap containment on every single down. They no longer have a man in front who will close 1/2 of the line for them. Pouha will take charge, and he is by no means a small body, but he will not command the attention as much as Jenkins. He will not have the explosiveness of a Jenkins, but he may well be able to tie up blockers like Jenkins.

Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas are going to have to step up, has anyone noticed Ellis this season? I only noticed him this Sunday when he fell on the knee of Jenkins and put him out the rest of the season.

He needs to start making plays, as does Douglas. The OLB need to start getting pressure, Rex Ryan needs to come up with some different blitz packages.

One sack in the past three games, one.

I don't know if we can accommodate the loss of Jenkins. I have no idea, and I guess we will see on Sunday. If this has not put the emphasis on the concept of a 'team defense' then I don't know what will.

The general consensus I have gotten from Jets fans this week is that we still believe, and so does Rex.

Braylon Edwards Trade Taking On More Significance As Days Pass

David Wyatt — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:21:31 -0400

It seems like everyone liked the Braylon Edwards deal, reporters, analysts, fans and coaches. However, Jets fans are thanking anyone and everyone for the deal even more as we plough head first into another AFC East divisional matchup this weekend. There may well be a Mike Tannenbaum shrine in every Jets fans house this weekend.

We were greeted with the news yesterday that both Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith are doubtful for this game, and it seems likely that neither will play. One thing we don't need to do is push Cotchery to the point where he re-injures himself to an extent that we lose him for the season. So, unless he is 100 percent, which he isn't going to be, he should sit.

The weather report for the Buffalo Bills visit to the Meadowlands tomorrow is not a nice one: low temperatures with a high chance of rain. Cotchery's injury? A hamstring problem. If there is one injury you don't test in the cool weather, it is likely the hamstring, so I think it is safe to assume that No. 89 will be watching from the sideline.

So what if the Jets had not made this Braylon Edwards deal, do we realize who we would be going into this game with? David Clowney, Wallace Wright, and Chansi Stuckey, now even the most positive die-hard fan can not say that that combination would fill them with confidence, even against a Bills team that has looked less than impressive.

Instead we will be going in with a mixture of Braylon Edwards, David Clowney, and Wallace Wright, with a secret weapon perhaps mixed in for good measure.

I'm sure all of you have now heard about the latest addition to the Jets receiving core, preseason sensation, true underdog, Danny Woodhead.

No. 83 jogged out onto the practise field last week in Florham Park much to the surprise of most of the Jets beat writers. With Chansi Stuckey being traded to the Cleveland Browns , his No. 83 had become vacant and there was a surprise body in the jersey, as current or maybe now former RB and fan favourite Danny Woodhead was working out with the wide receivers.

However, there could be one of two reasons why Woodhead was working out at the receiving position.

We could of A) made the decision that he has no future in the NFL as a running back, so we are trying to catch lightning in a bottle by turning him into a slot receiver. Or B) with Brad Smith and Jerricho Cotchery likely out, we are in dire need of some extra bodies at the wide receiver position. Or I guess alternatively we could be doing both.

Danny Woodhead has to be one of the most popular player in Jets franchise history to have never made any real contribution on the NFL field but still be adored by Gang Green Nation.

Some have questioned his size limitations, but Wes Welker is one of the best slot receivers in the game, and he stands at just 5'9", a single inch taller than Woodhead. In fact, Woodhead is listed at an even 200lbs, where as Welker is 185lbs.

So it is possible. I quite like this move, he is elusive and quick, maybe we may have something special. Lets wait and see.

However this seems to have stemmed from Woodheads role in the preparation for the New England patriots game. Although Wes Welker did not play, Woodhead who has similar vitals to the NE slot man, practised as him to prepare the Jets defence.

Rex had commented in the summer that Woodhead had the best hands of all the backs, which is a compliment when you consider that excluding Shonn, our backs are more than capable receivers out of the backfield.

One-One, Let's Move On

David Wyatt — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:22:15 -0400

For me, the two losses have come as a result of one bad game from the offense and one bad game from the defense, so we are all square now, all tied, let's move on and put some good performances together.

First of all, give credit where it is due. Miami played their game; they neutralized our strengths and highlighted our weaknesses. I can't say enough for the game planning and execution of the Dolphins, they ran right at us and said, "let's see if you can stop it," and quite frankly, we couldn't.

I'm a fan of kicking off to start the game, especially when you have as much confidence in your defense as Rex does, but the tone was set on that very first drive and after that some might of thought that it was going to be a very long night, which it certainly was.

First of all, I just want to say that it was great to see some of the Dolphins fans get over here last night and be gracious in victory. We had had some problems during the week, but over 95 percent who visited here last night came in good spirits, didn't try to wind anyone up, and we managed to have a good, civil postgame chat; so credit there.

Now onto the biggest loser from last night: Calvin Pace. I know it was his first game back, but at points I was muttering under my breath, "Gholston would of made that tackle." In a system that forces the run, getting pressure on the QB is not that important, Pace went hard to the outside and he was pushed out of the play.

Gholston might not be flashy and I know he is the popular scapegoat when it comes to disappointment, however he holds his position, he is too strong to be pushed anywhere. If the run goes to the outside, he has the speed, and he keeps gaps closed. I know a lot of people don't see much from Gholston, but just because his name is not being read by the scorer doesn't mean that he isn't doing anything.

Another reason why I'm particular annoyed at Pace this morning is for the comments that he made:

Calvin Pace on Henne: "Against a second-year clown quarterback, we didn’t affect him enough. I guess you have to give him credit. The defense lost the game today."

On the Wildcat: "I can’t respect that stuff, all that Wildcat. We’re in the NFL. Don’t come here with that nonsense."

Who are you talking about, Calvin? That "clown" who just beat you?

The Wildcat is a system, you knew it was coming, you knew they were going to run with it, so why are you complaining about it? Don't talk like that just because you were not prepared for it and couldn't stop it.

You have been out four games for violating the league's illegal substance policy, and you're going to come back, put in a performance like that, and then bitch about it?

Grow up and take some responsibility.

Revis had one of his worst games as a Jet last night, he got beat on that deep pattern, but he was also giving up yards in front of him. Nobody likes Revis more than I do, but nearly every time there was a completed pass, number 24 was standing one yard off the play. He made some nice tackles, but his overall play left a lot to be desired and maybe it was Gruden's curse of calling him the best shutdown corner in the league.

Bart Scott was worse, he again made some nice tackles, but it looked like he was completely clueless in coverage. Several times he took bad angles to the ball, and that included one on the last drive. He didn't seem as vocal as he usually is and I guess that can be expected when you are playing as poorly as he was.

Story of the night for me was the tackling, I understand that Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are pretty hard to bring down, but we were missing tackles left, right, and centre; I don't want to continue to pick on Pace, but on that first drive I think he missed two. Bryan Thomas, David Harris, Sean Ellis—everyone was responsible last night.

Now let's get to reasons why we should be optimistic.

Bottom line is that we are still at the top of the division, the Patriots are not looking that strong, and we now go onto a run of games that has us at home to the Bills, down against Oakland, and then back up home for the return trip of Miami. All three of those games are winnable, obviously the toughest being against Miami. So sitting at 6-2 after those three games is a real possibility.

Mark Sanchez rebounded from a disappointing game; he wasn't perfect by any means, a couple of times he threw where he thought the receivers were going to be and they broke off in a different direction. I don't know who was in the wrong there because I haven't seen the plays, but that needs to be worked on.

We are keeping it close and not using Keller, we need to use that mis-match in the middle of the field more. Several times he was lined up with a linebacker last night and I like that matchup, but Mark threw it over to the sideline and forced the ball. If we can start getting Keller into the game more, then we could have one of the best air attacks in the game.

Braylon Edwards is that guy we have been looking for since Keyshawn, in my opinion. He is fast and tall, strong before and after the catch. He made two terrific catches and was a nuisance all night. Remember that he and Mark had just a few days to get on the same page.

Leon Washington looks dangerous, Thomas Jones does not. We need to get Greene more involved in the offence and increase Leon's touches to more of a feature number one back, and then give Jones and Greene the hard yards. Getting a little tired of seeing Jones run on first down and gain a yard or so.

Disappointing loss for sure, but don't loose faith just yet, we are a lot better than what we showed last night.

This article featured on Gang Green Nation

Braylon Edwards Completes New York Jets' Offensive Puzzle

David Wyatt — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:52:55 -0400

I'm sure all of you have heard by now that the New York Jets have traded for star wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

Can I use the word star? Maybe that's pushing it just a little bit, but he certainly has the potential to be just that.

I delayed writing this article because I wanted to really read through everyone's opinion: NFL analysts, Jets fans, Browns fans, scouts. I wanted to hear what Mike Tannenbaum said about the deal, what some of the Jets players said—you get the point.

First I will give you my personal take on the deal. I think it is a brilliant deal for the Jets.

I know that he has some issues off the field, and I know that he dropped passes last year to the tune of a ratio of 1:4—one drop for every four catches made—but I also realize that this is not just about Braylon Edwards and the production he can bring. This is about the ripple effect that this is going to have on the New York Jets offense as a whole.

Firstly, Tannenbaum has said that Braylon Edwards will dress for the game in Miami on Monday and will play. He referred us back to the game against the Patriots last season in Foxborough where we signed Ty Law during the week and he played extensively in the game. So expect to see a lot of Edwards Monday.

We also need to remember that the offensive coordinator for the Browns is Brian Daboll, who was with us for a couple of years as the QB coach, so he likely took a fair bit of our offense with him to Cleveland. While Braylon has not exactly produced so far this season, it's not easy to build any kind of chemistry with the Browns playing musical chairs at the QB position.

Now what does this do for the offense as a whole?

Firstly, it takes a lot of pressure off Jerricho Cotchery. He has been nothing short of excellent this season. He is as reliable as they come, and his effort after the catch has vaulted him to the top of the receiver rankings so far this season.

However, the problem with this is that Chansi Stuckey is a similar player to Cotchery.

Both of these players are short-intermediate route runners. They thrive making a move off the line, bringing in the catch, and then fighting for the extra yards. Neither is a deep threat, and neither has elite speed. Running a post pattern, both are relatively easy to keep up with, although Cotchery can catch in traffic better than most receivers I have ever seen, the best in a Jets uniform since Wayne Chrebet.

What this meant for defensive teams is that they could play their safeties closer to the line, preventing the Jets from getting any kind of run game going and closing the space across the middle of the field.

Edwards' vertical threat means that safeties will have to respect the pass. They will have to sit deeper, the run game will open up, and the middle of the field where Dustin Keller likes to work is going to be more open than it has so far this season, which can only increase the offensive production of both the Jets' running backs and Keller.

Add to that that Braylon has Pro Bowl potential like we saw in 2007, and his own personal production will complete this offense.

When thinking about a good offense, you want an attack on all four levels. You want the run game back with a good offensive line. Check. You want short pass plays with a receiver who can work after the catch. Check. You want an intermediate route runner who can work over the middle. Check. You want that deep threat who is going to spread the field and be used for jump fade balls in the EZ. Check.

I know that some people doubt his attitude, and there is validity to that, but I think that he was stuck in a rut in Cleveland. He is a loud guy who likes to talk, and Eric Mangini is possibly the worst coach to nurture that kind of personality. Rex Ryan, on the other hand, is a perfect fit. Like Kerry Rhodes said, we have a coach who you want to go out there and play for.

Financially the Browns have already paid 25 percent of his 2009 salary, and he is looking for an extension. Tannenbaum is a cap wizard; he finds ways to clear space to make the moves that benefit the team.

With there being some questions surrounding the uncapped status of next year, don't expect any extension to come about within the week. We still have to take care of Leon Washington, remember, but this is not a short-term move. This is a long-term move to give Mark Sanchez a legitimate No. 1 receiver to grow with. Let's not forget that Marshall is also a young receiver in this league.

The league is investigating the incident Monday morning involving Edwards outside a Cleveland nightclub. However, Tannenbaum addressed these issues and said that the organization investigated extensively into the incidents and felt comfortable making the move to bring him to this organization.

Only time will tell if this will be a successful move, but I have to give credit to the GM for going out and making a move to improve what was considered the weak link of the team.

I like Chansi Stuckey. I think he is a solid receiver, but a guy like Stuckey comes around all the time. A guy like Edwards does not. So if you are given the chance to attain a player like Edwards for Stuckey a special teamer and a third and fifth pick, you have to make that trade, regardless of his drop issues and his off the field status.

The third round draft pick is a conditional pick that could escalate to a second round pick based on performance. However, Adam Schefter reported that it is unlikely he will meet the demands of the conditional pick because the targets are quite high.

For me, Braylon Edwards is now a Jet, and I will judge him for what he does as a Jet. His past is his past. This is a new start a new man. His drops, his issues off the field—they are in Cleveland; he is in New York.

Welcome to the Jets.

P.S. Braylon will be introduced at the Jets' training complex at 4:00pm EST time today.

NFL Trash Talk: Does it Effect The Game?

David Wyatt — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:54:11 -0400

I don't intend for this to be a long article because I really want to get peoples' opinions on a subject that has been debated a lot during the NFL season so far. The subject being trash talking—what it does for the game, how it effects the game, and how much significance it has.

We can look at the taunting on the field as a type of trash talk, the type that draws the yellow flag from the official's pocket. But what do we gain from all the talk?

As a Jets fan, I know my team has done a lot of talking this year—all of it I believe to be innocent jabbing between rival factions.

Did anyone lose sleep over the comments made by Rex Ryan about the Patriots? I know some Patriots fans were very upset with it and even more so on the Monday Morning.

Did anyone have a real problem with the words by Kerry Rhodes, Bart Scott, or Randy Moss?

I personally didn't, I like a little trash talk, this is a game that is played on adrenaline, it's an in your face, you hit me I'm coming back twice as hard at you kinf of game.

I want my players to be respectful, but I also want them to dial it up a little.

Where does it stop?

I wrote an article today on Gang Green Nation regarding the comments made by Akin Ayodele on Rex Ryan and the Jets, and I thought I would have a little fun with taking a few shots at Ayodele. They were not greeted well by visiting Dolphins fans.

So another question is, who takes these comments seriously? Is it just the fanbases, or will Rex Ryan be upset that Ayodele has come out and said that he doesn't like him?

Is trash talking just a minor facet of the game magnified by the fans and the media? A part of me thinks that when players and coaches hear comments like these, they have a good laugh and then forget about them.

I don't like taunting being a foul, the same as I don't like celebrations being flagged. You wan't to talk and get in peoples' faces then fine. As long as you can back it up, because believe it or not, those players who taunt players are getting hit twice as hard next time they come over the middle.

(Let's be real. The diva wide receivers are the main culprits when it comes to this trash talking stuff.)

At least it gives us something to talk about during the week outside of who is injured and who we should be starting in fantasy football this week.

Darrelle Revis Makes the New York Jets Rex Machine Work

David Wyatt — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:16:52 -0400

When Rex Ryan took charge of the New York Jets this past January, he made his intentions perfectly clear. He spoke very simply, very convincingly, and very encouragingly about what kind of defense fans of the Jets could expect in the upcoming 2009 NFL season.

"We want to be known as the most physical football team in the NFL. We're going to turn the heat up, we're going to let the fur fly, and lets see what happens. This is a good football team. It's built to play the kind of of style were going to play."

Which is in stark contrast to the style employed by Eric Mangini during his time here. Where he advised a read and react type system, Rex employs an aggressive pressure type system.

In other words, Eric Mangini said let's see what they give us and then react to that, where as Rex Ryan is saying, let's not wait to see what they want to give us, let's go after them and make them play the we want them to play, because we have play-makers on this football team.

The one problem with Mangini's system was that he didn't have the personnel to develop and execute it. His conservative approach put a lot of pressure on the cornerbacks, and while Revis was exceptional, the opposite corner slot was a revolving door the majority of the season.

Given enough time, the opposition is going to realise that their QB can sit back and avoid Revis. It was widely said among people who covered the Jets last year that Mangini was unable to make adjustments from the sideline, that he was stubborn in his ways, and believed too much that his system was the superior one and that it was going to eventually come out on top.

A view that was further enhanced during the offseason when Darrelle Revis made the following comments:

"He needed to sit us down, correct the mistakes and get more in-depth with what we needed to do. What we needed to accomplish as a team. He'll say one thing on the board but then relating to the player, he had a tough time sometimes."

Mike Westhoff made several comments after the season that seemed to be enhancing the same idea that Revis was trying to get across. He is a film man, a board guy, he is not a personnel guy, and relating information to his players was difficult.

This is of course in complete contrast with Rex Ryan who is known as the ultimate personnel type. He can relate to the players, he treats them like adults, and he runs a K.I.L.L system—keep it likable and learn-able.

Rex is not about the system; he is about putting his players in the best possible situation for them to succeed which is exactly what he has done with Revis and the rest of this impressive emerging defence

"It's not about driving the square peg into a round hole" Ryan said. "To me, it's the players over the system. I've been around enough things and, along with my coaching staff, we've creative ways to use players."

So what does this all mean for Revis and the rest of the defence?

Well, Ryan runs from the basic 3-4 defence, the same as Eric Mangini did. However, it comes back to the very basic principle that I highlighted earlier: conservatism vs. aggressiveness.

Rex brings an innovative and original blitz package to a team that was lacking in both departments last season. Anyone on the defense can blitz at any time, from the safeties to the corners to the outside linebackers to the inside linebackers, and that kind of thinking is what kept Tom Brady below the 50 percent completion mark last season.

When you get pressure on the QB like a Ryan defence does it doesn't allow the QB to settle into any kind of rhythm. He is forced to release the ball earlier than he wants to, he doesn't have time to survey the field, pump fake, or glance off a safety.

However, for this to work you have to have certain types of players willing to believe in the system. Corners have to be tough off the line, have quick closing speed, good instincts, and be able to wrap up the receiver. Revis is the ideal corner for this kind of system, because he possesses all those characteristics.

Bringing pressure takes players, which means that more of the field is open, but with so little time to analyse the coverage, the QB doesn't have the time to always find the best matchup, the ideal pass.

"We had to get pressure on him," Ryan said. "If you can bring three to get there, great. Four, five, six, seven, eight, whatever it takes, we thought we had to do that. You can't let Tom Brady be comfortable back there."

This type of aggressive style is what New York has been craving. It also means that you have to be able to rely on your corners. The cornerbacks in a Rex Ryan system are not going to be given much help, mainly because one of the safeties is often up at the line, showing on an overload blitz.

Corners are left for man-to-man coverage. This suits Revis just fine. Ever since coming out of college in 2007, he has played against some of the best, ran step for step with some of the elite, and shut down nearly all with which he has come into contact. Randy Moss and Andre Johnson are the 2009 victims, with more to come.

One of the only knocks on Revis coming out of Pittsburgh was his toughness. Scout.com said that his toughness was a negative; football futures said that he needed to be more physical. Well after maturing, and now being given the chance to show his toughness, I think that Randy Moss and Andre Johnson can confirm that it is no weakness anymore.

It's no mystery that Revis has developed and is getting nationwide attention this year. He is being asked to do more, being put in situations that he loves to be in, and challenges that he relishes, and the confidence that Rex has in Revis is plain for everyone to see.

Finally to finish, here are some stats comparing the defence of 2008 with the one of 2009, and while it is still early the signs are encouraging:

2008

Total Defence: 16th, 329.4 yards average per game

Pass Defence: 29th, 234.5 yards average per game

Rush Defence: seventh, 94.9 yards average per game

2009

Total Defence: third, 256.0 yards average per game

Pass Defence: fifth, 173.3 yards average per game

Rush Defence: ninth, 82.7 yards average per game

Revis was made for Ryan's system and the system was made for Revis.

New York Jets Player Power Ranking: After Week Three

David Wyatt — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:26:38 -0400

This article appeared on: http://www.ganggreennation.com/

Back again with the third week of the New York Jets player power rankings. (If you would like to check out last weeks then here they are.)

After another great victory and moving to 3-0, it seems unfair to move anyone down. It wasn't the cleanest performance by the offense but it did what it had to do when it needed to do it.

Another good performance from the defense however, so here goes: (As always please feel free to leave comments with your own.)

1- David Harris (Last Week Ranking: 6)

When you want a big play, turn to David Harris. The guy was made to come up with big plays. He didn't lead the team in tackles, but I saw him take on some opposing blockers allowing others to come through and take the glory.

He came through with a vital sack and then the interception which pretty much swung the momentum in our favour for good. He really is designing a great partnership with Bart Scott, Jets fans should be very excited by the prospect.

2- Mark Sanchez (Last Week Ranking: 2)

I know that he threw a interception and he fumbled the ball twice but he is a rookie QB who has led the team to a 3-0 start this season. He made some excellent throws in difficult conditions. The long pass to Cotchery was pin-point. Excellent release and precision on the play.

He made a rookie mistake with the first fumble holding the ball down by his leg, but he learns from these. To make mistakes and still come back and win? Mettle.

3- Jerricho Cotchery (Last Week Ranking: 9)

I have not really been giving Cotchery any love so far this season, even though he is nearly averaging a 100 yards a game, so it's time that he took the step up this week.

He had excellent concentration on the long catch and got his body in front for the TD catch. Many people questioned whether he would be able to be the No. 1 on this team but he is showing that he can go against the best and come out on top.

4- Jim Leonhard (Last Week Ranking: 10)

Not only for his work in the secondary but also for his work on special teams. A couple of times he took the punt and took it back for a good chunk and put us in excellent field position.

His coverage skills are better than I thought they were going to be. I remember one play before the Lendale White TD where he came up and made the play behind the line. He did miss a couple of tackles but I thought, overall, his work and his special teams contribution warranted a high placement.

5- Darrelle Revis (Last Week Ranking: 1)

It seems almost cruel to drop Revis from the top spot. He got beat on a crossing route, but he didn't have that big receiver to lock down this week. He is always going to give up a play here and there but he played well and his tackling has really come on over the past year.

He did a great job wrapping up players that are a lot bigger and stronger than him. He didn't do anything wrong at all, he even broke up a play in the first quarter. Nothing wrong but nothing spectacular, either.

6- Sean Ellis (Last Weeks Ranking: Was Not Ranked)

I thought Ellis did a great job Sunday, holding the inside and covering the outside as well. He had the sack and only allowed Johnson to get outside a couple of times. Got a bit of push against a line that some describe as the best line in the NFL. He definitely has been a upgrade since coming back from his suspension.

7- Bart Scott (Last Weeks Ranking: 7)

Would of liked to have moved Scott up the list a little bit because he really set the tone of the game with that hit on Johnson on the first play for the Titans. He recognized the coverage and saw the gap and just exploded. You can also see his relationship with Harris developing in front of our very eyes.

He does talk and he is not liked by the opposition, no matter who it is, but he gets the job done. Anyone see him on the sideline really pumping up the defense? Great player on and off the field.

8- Larry Izzo/Jason Trusnick (Last Weeks Ranking: Not Ranked)

What can you say about the special teams? Mike Westhoff should get the game ball today. His schemes worked and Trusnick really set us up with the hit, the sack, and then the recovery, that is about as good as you can get on a kickoff coverage.

Izzo made a couple of nice plays but recovering the second fumble was vital in the old momentum swing. With the offense not on form today we needed the special teams unit to step up and make a few plays and that's exactly what they did.

9- Eric Smith (Last Weeks Ranking: Not Ranked)

He did make the interception that was really important and I'm not sure if he was to blame for the big play to Crumpler. I thought that with a guy like that, one of the linebackers should of gone with him but some seemed to point the finger at Smith. Overall I thought he had a pretty good game.

10- Kris Jenkins (Last Weeks Ranking: Not Ranked)

Keeping Chris Johnson to less than 100 yards and out of the end zone has to be considered a successful day and it all starts in the middle.

He didn't do anything spectacular, he didn't burst through like he has in the past. But he closed the gaps and made the Titans runners go from east to west which allowed us the time to shut them down on the outside. He constantly demands double teaming to just keep him from getting in the back field.

For me he is one of the best FA signings in recent memory.

Again, it has to be said that this was very hard to do. With the record at 3-0, every player should be given a pat on the back.

Shonn Greene Being Held on the Back Burner

David Wyatt — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:44:03 -0400

This article also appeared at: www.ganggreennation.com

A few people have been in touch about Shonn Greene and asking when we might see him on the field. Rex Ryan was asked this during his press conference this week and didn't commit to a timetable on Shonn getting some touches with the Jets

"We're just trying to win and if that means Shonn is in the game running the ball for us, great," Ryan said. "But the good thing about this is we are in the win business. If that means we are going to put another defensive player up in his place or in somebody else's place, so be it."

Nobody was more delighted with the pick of Greene than I was, after watching him in college a little, reading about him pre and post draft, as well as seeing just what kind of player and man he was, I was sure this was the right move for the Jets.

Unfortunately, we were unable to see much of the obvious potential that Shonn possesses, as he was bugged with a nagging rib injury during the preseason, which may have been a contributing factor to him sitting out opening week in Houston.

After the Jets moved up to draft Greene, many analysts questioned how useful he could be as a every-down back, with his lack of receiving skills out of the backfield. Well, everything that I have heard from Rex Ryan and the coaching staff this preseason seems to suggest that he is doing just fine in this area and is already making some vast improvements.

Rex decided to go with the extra defensive lineman in Week one which was the sensible choice with Ellis being suspended and the fact that Greene had missed a lot of time towards the end of the preseason with a rib injury. However, he dressed for week two although he never got a touch.

Thomas Jones is likely gone after this season, so Shonn is definitely the future of this organization, however I feel that he needs to get some touches if we want him to take on a extended work load next season.

I have a feeling that we may well see him sooner rather than later, maybe not much this week, the Titans are good against the run and poor against the pass, expect to see a lot of play action and a lot of Leon, however sooner or later he will get his chance. I'm confident that a year or two from now.

When discussing Shonn, we will talk about him sitting out the first two games and finally getting his chance and being able to use the phrase:

"The rest is history."

New York Jets Player Power Ranking: Week Two

David Wyatt — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:25:42 -0400

David Wyatt is a writer for Gang Green Nation, this article first appeared there at:

http://www.ganggreennation.com/

Like last weeks that you can read here I have just completed the New York Jets player power rankings for week two of the NFL season. To see how players moved, quickly check out the order in the first article and then compare.

As always these are based purely on my own view point, so please feel free to leave comments in the section below with your own top 10 players.

The second weeks rankings will be mainly on today's performance but also with last week's in mind.

Read after the jump

One

Darrelle Revis- Cornerback (Last weeks ranking=3)

I found it difficult supplanting a quarterback who is a rookie and has started his career 2-0. However enough can't be said for Revis and his contribution to this team. I paid specific attention in the second half and he ran step for step with one of the most difficult receivers to cover. It's no mistake that Moss had a excellent game last week and Andre Johnson didn't. Andre Johnson had a excellent game this week and Moss didn't. Revis is earning his reputation as a shut down corner. Randy Moss had 4 receptions for 24 yards and nothing more. The Patriots tried moving him away from Revis because he was getting no luck. He also made a couple of excellent open field tackles.

Two

Mark Sanchez- Quarterback (Last weeks ranking=1)

Everyone was screaming the same thing at half time. LET MARK THROW. We were pulling out hair out, a lot of runs, a lot of passes to the flats, and it was fooling nobody. We came out in the second half and let Sanchez go, completing a big pass down-field to Cotchery and then the ball to the back of the end zone to Keller. He had a TD pulled back, and rightfully so, and then should of done better finding Stuckey in the end zone. However for a rookie starting in only his second NFL game, to come out and beat the Patriots, can't ask much more from Sanchez. 14-22 for 163 yards a TD and no INT.

Three

Dustin Keller- Tight End (Last weeks ranking=4)

Keller's blocking is still suspect, but he is still doing what he does best. Coming off a excellent game last week, Keller was quiet on the whole, but he scored the important touchdown that separates the two teams tonight. He made a nice double move, got to the back of the end zone and Sanchez put it where only he could catch it. He did just that, brought his feet down in-bounds and sent a rapturous Meadowlands into hysterics. He finished the game with 3 receptions for 22 yards and a TD.

Four

Kerry Rhodes- Safety (New entry)

Kerry missed out last week because he did nothing to catch the eye, but he was solid all the same. However after talking a good game this week, he really had to come out and prove himself, he put extra pressure on himself and he came through with flying colours. He led the Jets with 6 solo tackles and 2 assists. He put pressure on Brady on the blitz, his coverage was on the whole pretty good, Some might suggest that this is too high for a player who was not even ranked last week, but a lot of eyes were fixed on Kerry and I thought he delivered.

Five

Donald Strickland- Cornerback (Last weeks ranking=9)

Yer that's right. I thought Strickland was superb today. That follows up from his big game last week causing the fumble. It is a pity that he got hurt because a game ball was definitely coming his way. He is a much better open field tackler than I ever thought, and the different between him and the players we had in his role last year speaks volumes. He finished with 6 tackles today, 4 solo and 2 assisted and he really stepped up to the plate, he hits hard, but he is also very smart, knows when to play aggressive and when to sit and play conservative which is not very often. I can already tell that he is going to be one of the unsung heroes this season.

Six

David Harris- Linebacker (Last weeks ranking=2)

Let me just start this and say that Harris did nothing wrong, don't read too much into him dropping four places here. He was as solid as we can expect and I think I saw a little extra game planning in there to block him, he made some key stops when we needed him, and it's would be easy to put any of the defence in this situation, combining last week with this weeks however, he couldn't drop any lower than here.

Seven

Bart Scott- Linebacker (New Entry)

Six tackles for Scott today and he looked pretty damn good again. He was solid last week, solid again today, made a nice stop on a 3rd down play in the 4th I think it was. Really set the intensity of the defence, got called for a dubious personal foul that looked fine from one angle and completely ridiculous from another. Was always around the ball, talking up his team mates on the bench, setting the tone, pumping up the crowd. The atmosphere that he provides is just fantastic and I think the players really feed off his energy. Himself and Leonhard have that swagger and it's rubbing off on players.

Eight

Leon Washington- Running Back (New Entry)

Ok he had that fumble to begin the game that led to 3 points, but to me it looked like his knee was down, although it's completely understandable why they didn't reverse the play, no evidence. However his kick return to lead off the second half put the Jets in excellent field position and Sanchez exploited that to score. In fact thinking about it now, Leon should definitely be higher than this. In a game like this though, it's near impossible to get everyone placed where they should be because quite simply there were too many good performances. He ran for 58 yards, as well as receiving a couple of passes and making some nice moves.

Nine

Jerricho Cotchery- Wide Receiver (Last Week Ranking=8)

Now under any circumstances, you have a 87 yard receiving game you will be higher than 9th on the list. However like I said above there are just too many players having good games. He made the excellent play to start the 2nd half, and brought in some excellent catches. Sanchez looks comfortable going to him, and he looks comfortable being a number one receiver. Like many on this list who have fallen, he did nothing wrong, he looked pretty solid throughout.

Ten

Jim Leonhard- Safety (New Entry)

Anyone else really excited by this safety partnership, if Scott is the general of the linebackers then it seems to be that Leonhard is the general of the secondary. Always communicating, I saw him several times relating changes in the offence to the defence through hand signals and signs. He had 6 tackles on the game, and was around the ball, his solid play allows Kerry Rhodes to make other plays. He will be like Strickland a player that will go unnoticed a lot of the time, but make great contributions.

Honorable mention to the entire defence, the fans who were as loud as I have ever heard them. Stuckey was solid, in fact everyone was pretty solid today, this list was near impossible to generate with so many people performing.

Bottom line, Jets are 2-0 and we should fear nobody. Bring on the Titans.

New York Jets Player Power Rankings: Week One

David Wyatt — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:47:13 -0400

This is very simple, much like the team power rankings. There we see the teams that are moving up and moving down each week based on the performance.

Here I will highlight which players are moving up and down each week based on there individual performance.

Of course, this is not an exact science, this is a team game and for one individual to flourish the other ten players need to be doing there jobs. However, they still have to execute.

I considered doing this for the whole roster; however, in the long term I think that would be impossible to sustain every week. So right now, I will be just documenting the top 10 in the power rankings each week and giving my opinions and reasoning for why they are there.

I'm sure many will agree and disagree and I welcome comments so that we can form some discussion. Like most of the article I write I have a few conversations with a couple of Jets fans, ask for there impressions and opinions, but ultimately these are from my own observations, so there will be things I miss, and things that I over analyse.

So Jets v Texans, player power rankings:

One

Mark Sanchez, Quarterback

I flip flopped a lot on David Harris and Mark Sanchez in this position; however, in the end, the fact that Sanchez is a rookie, came through with a win on the road in his first career start (only the fourth player to do that since the NFL/AFL merger) I really couldn't put Mark here.

He put up a line of 18/31 for 272 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Not a bad start; he looked composed, he wasn't ruffled after the interception. He came back and fired a bullet to Keller which took the wind out of the Texans sail, that pass alone pretty much wrapped up the game.

He made the one mistake, but overall he completed passes that he had to, was excellent in third-down situations, moved around in the pocket, avoided pressure, and improvised, like the step back under pressure from Williams and the little dump flare over the middle to Cotchery to get the third down.

Two

David Harris, Inside Linebacker

All I can say about Harris is that he was as dominating as I can remember seeing him. He put some hits on the QB and receivers that wont register in the stat sheet, but anyone who things that these were not influential is living in a dream world.

The commentators even mentioned that receivers seemed to have one eye on the ball and one eye on Harris.

He finished the day with 11 tackles and a sack. Six of those tackles were of the solo variety. The sack was a one handed grab of Schaub, bringing him to the turf. He was fast, elusive to blockers, and showed no mercy making the hit. Ryan said that he wants to see opposing players hit until there knee hits the grass. Harris will flourish under him.

Three

Darrelle Revis, Cornerback

Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the game, if not the very best in the game. During the third quarter a friend I was watching the game with turned to me and asked if Andre Johnson was actually playing, and I think that speaks volumes for what Revis was able to do all game.

In fact he could well make a case for being the top Jets player of Week one. Andre Johnson finished the game with four receptions for 35 yards. At one point in the third, he had one reception for seven yards. That is almost unheard of for a player like Andre Johnson.

Revis forced Schaub into making secondary reads, which takes time, which allows pressure. Everything is connected in football, and that's why it's such a great game. If Revis can do as good a job against Moss as he did against Johnson, expect him to be atop the list next week.

Four

Dustin Keller, Tight End

Caught one of the most important passes on the day on the Thomas Jones second TD drive. Using a skinny post route, Keller streaked down the right, cut in took the ball in his stride, and moving for several yards after the catch. It completed a third-down situation and the game was all but over.

Constantly causes mismatches on defence, over the middle, in the slot or spread out wide. He can do it all, many scouts commented that he is a wide receiver in a tight ends body, and watching him play over the past year and a game, you can definitely see that.

His blocking is also coming along and with Ben Hartsock now on the team, he will be asked to block less and do more of what he is good at, and that's making plays down the field.

Finished the day as the leading receiver with four receptions for 94 yards.

Five

Thomas Jones, Running Back

I know many people will be a little surprised to see Jones so far down on this list. After all he finished the game with 107 yards rushing on 20 attempts for two TD's.

The only reason that he is here is because he was stopped for 3/4 of the game, he ran hard, and he never gave up. I understand that the Texans were stacking the box, but a lot of teams will do that this year against this pass attack.

I was very impressed with his toughness though, and when we needed him to come through he did just that. He is rock solid and shows no signs of slowing own even though he has passed the ripe old age of 30.

Six

Kris Jenkins, Nose Tackle

All you need to do is log on to YouTube and type in Jenkins and Texans in the same sentence and you will find videos of him man handling the Texans centre. It was such a mismatch that I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor centre who more times than not found himself sprawled to the turf.

He constantly takes on two blockers, creating space for blitzing linebackers, the main job of the nose tackle is to do just that. He might not light up the stat sheet every week, but I would contend that Kris Jenkins is the most important player on this Jets defence.

He was credited with just the one solo tackle, but he constantly pressured the line and the QB, decreased the size of the pocket and caused havoc in the backfield. Schaub had to release the ball earlier than he wanted to several times because of Jenkins pressure. Again you wont see it in the stat sheet.

Seven

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Left Tackle

It's always hard judging a lineman but the most important stat that I can look at that reminds me that Ferguson had a good game is the zero that is next to Mario Williams sack total on the day.

I remember a few instances where Williams pressured Sanchez, but overall I thought that Ferguson was just fantastic, even when Williams did get through, it was after being delayed giving Sanchez time to get the ball off.

Many Jet fans criticized Ferguson during his initial years with the Jets, but he has shown exactly why we invested so much money in him. He predicted a pro bowl this season, and his performance did nothing to suggest that this is any kind of exaggeration.

Eight

Jerricho Cotchery, Wide Receiver

Only a select few people felt that Cotchery could be the number one receiver for the Jets, well his clutch catches, his yards after catching and his route running suggest that he can.

Jerricho is probably more suited to the two, but there is no reason to suggest that he can't handle being the one. He has sure hands, he runs good routes, he changes his pattern in emergency's.

He had some crucial catches on Sunday on third down, and was a integral part of the eight minute drive the Jets had to start there first possession. That really set the tone for me.

Six receptions for 90 yards.

Nine

Donald Strickland, Cornerback

Strickland plays a lot of nickle, and didn't play all that much on Sunday, at least I didn't see him in that much, but one thing is for sure, he made some very valuable contributions when he did hit the field.

Many will remember a offensive outburst from the Texans with a short screen pass from Schaub to Slaton, who proceeded to go over the middle, picking up yards at a gallop.

It seemed like the Jes were about to give up some points, when Strickland came storming into the picture, put a big hit on Slaton, getting his helmet on the ball, forcing it out and up into the air for Mike DeVito to pick off.

He was also in on the pressure in the fourth quarter when Matt Schaub threw the interception to Sheppard. He hit the QB just when he was releasing the ball

Chansi Stuckey, Wide Receiver

There were plenty of people I considered in this spot, and notable mention has to go to Leon Washington, Bart Scott, and Nick Mangold. However, I just couldn't leave the TD scorer off the board.

Wide receiver has been a position of criticism for the Jets over the past few months, but some have remained like stone in there assumption that the Jets are perfectly fine with Stuckey as the second receiver.

On Sunday against the Texans, he showed why, and although he scored the TD, that was not the play that impressed me. There was a blown coverage, and sure he still has to catch the ball, but any receiver in the NFL should make that play.

I was more impressed with another play earlier in the game, where on third down, he received the ball several yards short of the marker, and he stayed on his feet under pressure from several defenders, kept the legs churning and fell forward for the first.

So here we have the top 10 power rankings for Jets players after week one, if you feel that I have missed anyone out that deserves to be in ahead of the guys mentioned then please don't hesitate to leave a comment explaining why. Will be back early next week (Monday hopefully) with the week two power rankings, so make sure you come back to find out who rose and who fell after week two.

This artcle also appeared on: http://www.ganggreennation.com/

Philadelphia Eagles Release Hank Baskett: New York Jets Should Be Interested

David Wyatt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:10:20 -0400

Last time I wrote a speculative piece involving a player that the Jets should be interested it, it was for Ben Hatsock, who was released by the Falcons and signed by the Jets the very next day.

Well I'm going to try my luck again and say that the Jets should be interested in Hank Baskett.

I think we saw on Sunday that the receiver position doesn't seem to be as big a problem as some were making it out to be. We have capable receivers; however, I think that by signing Baskett it makes us better.

Baskett stands at 6'4", 220 lbs and is a very big target. This could only help out Sanchez, especially in the red zone. The defence would then have to worry about Keller and Baskett size-wise, and many times one of them will be able to make a play.

I don't think the need for Baskett is quite the same as the need for Hartsock. We literally had nobody at that position and saw on Thomas Jones' second TD on Sunday how valuable that blocking TE can be.

Hartsock's block, coupled with a crushing block by FB Tony Richardson, opened the gap for Thomas Jones to exploit.

Baskett is not a super star. He is not the star receiver that many fans were calling for in Brandon Marshall. However, we don't need a star. We need someone who will add another dimension to this team. In my humble opinion Baskett would do that.

If I were Mike Tannenbaum, I would once again pick up that phone.

After all the wheeling and dealing that Mike has been doing, I sure hope that he gets free minutes with his network provider.

Planned to Perfection: New York Jets Show Up in Houston

David Wyatt — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:44:55 -0400

First, let me just say that I'm fully aware that this is Week One, and there are 15 games to go. A tough schedule to navigate through which starts with New England next week. However, after watching such a dominant performance like the one that we saw yesterday, forgive me for being just a little bit excited.

I can't remember the last time I witnessed a Jets performance that was planned to perfection. Every single play that was called yesterday seemed to have a purpose in the whole scheme of the grand plan. Offensively, outside of the early pass calls in the fourth, I thought Brian Schotteinheimer did a great job keeping the Texans off balance.

Sanchez was what we thought he was going to be. His numbers are not exactly eye opening, they are well above average for a rookie QB starting his first career game on the road to a team who is predominantly very good at home. He finished the day 18/31 for 272 yards, a TD and a INT.

Key to the success was the protection. I wrote a article a few days ago about the offensive line, and against a pass rushing friendly team like the Texans and Mario Williams, not once did the Texans sack Mark Sanchez. They did get a couple of hits on him, but that's to be expected.

A combination of the pass protection that he received and his own ability to recognise the rush, and get rid of the ball is going to be extremely valuable this season. As far as how a rookie can look, I couldn't of asked for a better start for him.

He silenced the crowd early with an eight-minute drive in the first quarter resulting in a field goal, and the Reliant stadium audience would only awake to sound out the boos aimed at there own teams inefficiency in moving the football.

So how rare is it to find a rookie QB who wins his first ever career start on the road? Mark Sanchez was only the fourth to accomplish this feat since the NFL-AFL merger. Only Joe Ferguson, John Elway, and Chris Weinke have done it previously. Ferguson in 1973, Elway in 1983, Weinke in 2001, and now Sanchez in 2009.

Again this is only one game, but I think we saw yesterday why we never entertained the notion of trading David Harris for Brandon Marshall. Harris was all over the field, six tackles, five assisted tackles, and a sack, where he brought down Matt Schaub with one hand.

It wasn't just about the stats, it's also about what he did that you wont see on the score sheet. Several times he came through and put a hit on Schaub or the receiver just after the ball had gone, and later in the game, you could see that the Houston players were looking for the hit while trying to catch the ball.

Leon Washington showed why Mangini was a fool not to include him in the gameplan more.

Rushing, receiving, punt returns, kick returns, running the offence from the Seminole, our version of the wild cat, named so because of Washington's time with Florida State. He busted off a nice run from the Seminole that was stopped at the one, that allowed Jones to take it in for his first score.

Thomas Jones ran hard, looking at his stats you would think the running game was consistent all game, that simply wasn't the case. Early in the contest the Texans were stacking the box, stuffing the run and challenging Sanchez to beat them through the year, which he did.

Jones at one point had 11 carries for 13 yards, however he would finish with 20 carries for 107 yards. As soon as the Texans were forced into playing a more balanced defence, Jones ran wild. Coupled with a excellent block from fullback Tony Richardson, Jones would take the ball in for the Jets final score and the game.

We showed that we have capable receivers, something that a few Jets fans have been saying all summer. Dustin Keller, four receptions for 94 yards, caused a headache all day. With his size and speed from the TE position, he causes mismatches all over the field.

Cotchery had six receptions for 90 yards, including some important third down grabs to keep the chains moving, he can be the number one, I had no doubt about that coming into the season, and the first game did nothing to heighten any fears.

Chansi Stuckey had four receptions for 64 yards including the touchdown grab, and he is a serviceable second receiver. I have said this before and anyone who reads my work often will feel like there is a broken record in the room, but Stuckey reminds me a lot like Cotchery under Mangini just after the Herm Edwards era, a player that all he needs is a chance.

Crisp routes, good but not great speed and good hands, I will take that at the two spot, no questions asked.

Andre Johnson, four receptions for 35 yards, and nothing more.

The best receiver in football for my money was completely shut down the entire game. At one point in the third, he has one reception for seven yards. If you are teaching how to be a corner, then get a hold of this game tape, Revis was absolutely lights out.

He shadowed him everywhere he went, Johnson could not get seperation and as a result Shaub was forced to look at his second and third reads, and as you can see from the stat sheet, that wasn't very successful.

In all the whole defence played superbly, from the starters, to the back-ups, Eric Smith and Donald Strickland need notable mention here, and remember this is without Sean Ellis and Calvin Pace. Ellis will return next week, and if this defence improves as many 'experts' said that it will, then by week five or six, when Pace returns to the lineup, watch out.

Holding the team that ranked third in total offence scoreless is quite the accomplishment. The only score coming from a pick six. A ball that Sanchez probably shouldn't of been asked to throw, up big in the fourth, keep it on the ground, we saw the dangers in the Notre Dame/Michigan game of going to the air when you should keep it on the deck.

I can't write this article without mentioning Jamaal Westerman, in his first NFL game after going undrafted out of Rutgers, he comes through with the sack. It's really great to see him start his career on a high like this. All the excitement bout him from training camp, just intensified.

All in all Jets fans have to be delighted this morning. Nobody picked us to win that game, or very few did anyway. Not only did we win the game, but we absolutely dominated the game. Nearly every play call was perfect, the exotic blitz schemes would of given any offensive line a problem.

I fully understand now why when asked in the off-season if he was worried about his defence, Rex Ryan replied that he wasn't and that what we were seeing was very vanilla. It certainly was.

Roll on New England next week at the Meadowlands, welcoming back Sean Ellis and hopefully putting another win on the board, and sending a message to the whole league, you might not believe that we are any good, but we know we are.

Cool Your Jets: Lito Will Be Just Fine

David Wyatt — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:07:30 -0400

Lito Sheppard has not had a good preseason, let me start this article with that acknowledgment. He has been beaten both in the shot game and over the top, and has been called for some pass interference calls that have cost the Jets field position and points.

However lets not judge him by this alone, by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's own admission, he has been placed on an island without a raft and asked to perform in situations that he won't see himself in all that often this season

I have heard some fans already calling him a failure, some going so far as to say that he should of been cut in the preseason. Which makes me ask the question how long have these fans been watching the game. Did they not see him in 2004, and 2006, his pro bowl years, when he was actually starting.

I'm a advocate of giving people chances, that's why earlier in the preseason I said that we should stay put at the wide receiver position, and why we should hold judgement on Vernon Gholston at least until the end of this season, and that's why I'm saying that Lito is far superior to anything else we have, and anything else we have had in some times.

Sometimes he is going to get beat, show me a number two corner that doesn't, but he will give us more positives than negatives this season. As for people mentioning the pass interference calls, a couple of them were from officials who seemingly liked the sound of their own whistle.

Lito for the majority of the preseason was playing man-to-man coverage, and that was a problem, he is more of a zone defender, we knew that when we got him.

This season he is not going to be put on a island, he will have help from over the top, it's suits our scheme and Lito's strengths that we have a corner opposite him who can shut opponents down in man to man coverage.

It still astounds me that people do not consider Darrelle Revis to be a premier cornerback in this league, they obviously didn't watch much football last season.

Sheppard likes to get his hands on receivers, that's why we will use him in press situations this year, let him do what he does best, disrupt the receiver off the line, at times he will get called for pass interference. However 90 percent of corners in the league make contact with the receivers at some point during the route, it's a case of what the officials see and how they are going to call it.

It just so happens that during the pre-season we had some very whistle friendly officials who felt like stamping their authority on the game.

He has short area quickness, good allignment and above average under-neath coverage skills. He has excellent hands, and ball hawking skills. There will be times this season where he will have to play man-to-man, and he will get beat, that's football, it happens.

Some are saying that Lowery should start ahead of him? I don't think so, for all Lito's short comings, he is ahead of Lowery at this stage in his career. He doesn't have excellent speed but with help over the top he shouldn't need it.

Not to mention that he is adapting to a new defence, a pass that people seem to give to the other key additions to the Jets but not to Lito. It seems that before a ball has been snapped people are writing him off, because of the way his reign with the Eagles ended.

He won't be at his best straight away, he hasn't started as a corner for a while, but around week five-six, I expect to see the best of Lito, and a return to his pro bowl performance is not completely off the cards. He runs on confidence, and I hope he doesn't read some comments made by Jets fans about his ability.

Give him a chance, remember he will be picked on a lot this season, and he wont shut down every receiver that lines up against him, but over the course of a full 16 game season, his positives I believe will outweigh his negatives.

I hope that he manages to stay healthy. There is a reason why the aging Ty Law was brought in and Dwight Lowery benched last year, and for the people who are crying for a Lowery start, you might be regretting these words if Lito does go down this season.

I'm not intending to knock Lowery, but right now he is not ready, and I personally feel that he is much more suited to the safety position in the NFL.

Key To the Season: It All Starts in the Trench

David Wyatt — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:26:42 -0400

I planned to write a follow up article on my 53 man prediction, however with Mike Tannenbaum seemingly hopped up on sugar, the roster changes daily, so if I were to write about the 53 man roster, it would likely be old news in hours. Over the past few days we have seen players signed and experience a Jets career of 24 hours before being released.

One area that is mentioned a lot this year is the need to keep the ball on the ground, to run the football. This is the key to the Jets season is the proclamation from Jets fans, Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene, this is where the battle will be won and lost.

There is definitely some truth to that, but the truth behind the truth, another layer peeled, is that it all comes down to the offensive line. You can't run the football without having a good offensive line. We could have Adrian Peterson and LT taking the hand-offs but if the offensive line got no push, we wouldn't see the expected results.

This is where I think the Jets have the advantage, people like to talk about the rookie QB, and the inexperience of the WR corps, but if we are going to run the football as much as Ryan wants, then the combination of Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, Brandon Moore, Damien Woody and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are going to be the reason the battle is won or lost.

Looking at the names, there is reason to feel confident as a Jets fan. I know some will be struggling with that motion, if you read ESPN or FOX, and take note of the predicted fourth place finishes this year. (Worse than the Bills? really?)

We have a great mix up front, we have the developing youth, with the seasoned veterans. 2/5 of this line-up is very young in Nick Mangold who is already one of the best centers in the whole game, and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who has made consistent improvements ever since he was drafted, and has confidently predicted a pro bowl place for himself this year, a concept that many Jets fans find easy to believe.

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the work of KC Joyner, the author of 'Scientific Football 2006' and 'Scientific Football 2009'. However he breaks down some of the finer points in football that are sometimes overlooked, and he did a excellent job with the 2008 New York Jets offensive line.

He calculated the success rate of the point of attack block win percentage and the yards per attempt as a result, and his findings on the New York Jets line of 2008, were eye opening, and it moves to show just how under rated some players are.

For example, Nick Mangold the young center of the Jets held a point of attack block win percentage of 94.3 percent, to put this in perspective from the 2006 findings, the most successful center was Dennis Norman playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 91.2 percent, however the league average was 78.5 percent. Putting into perspective just how successful Nick Mangold has been.

The yards per attempt on the successful POA of Nick Mangold was 6.1. 6.4 for Damien Woody, 5.8 for Brandon Moore, 5.4 for Alen Faneca and 4.9 for D'Brickashaw Ferguson. The successful POA win percentage for each was 94.3 percent for Mangold, 89.5 percent for Damian Woody, 87.8 percent for Alan Faneca, 86.7 percent for D'Brickahsaw Ferguson and 85.4 percent for Brandon Moore.

To read more on this subject I really would advise picking up the work of JC Joyner's Scientific Football 2009.

It also documents the type of run plays that are called and how successful they are, for example, his findings on the 2008 New York Jets were that:

Counter—56 rushes, 288 yards, 5.1 YPA

Draw—30 rushes, 123 yards, 4.1 YPA

Slant—104 rushes, 494 yards, 4.8 YPA

Again this is KC Joyners work and not my findings, but I think that it's a important to get these findings out there in terms of the ever evolving ways to analyze the production of a offensive line.

"What is impressive about these totals is that it shows the Jets’ O line was capable of doing every type of block well. The counter play is a man blocking smashmouth play, the draw requires a certain level of finesse and the slant calls for a coordinated blocking effort by all five linemen. New York’s YPA in each of these shows that they were adept in every area. That is a rare trait and it is why, in my view, the Jets offensive line was second maybe only to the Giants in overall run blocking prowess last year. It also indicates that Rex Ryan shouldn’t have any trouble leaning on this area of the team in 2009."-KC Joyner

I have always been of the opinion that you simply can not judge a team based on stats alone, especially not a football team, however when you look at the numbers above it is easy to see why Rex is confident in running the football with this team, and why there is validity to the message that Mark Sanchez will not have to win the game by himself.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson the LT of the Jets will come up against some of the best pass rushers in the game this season, and will get off to a very tough start as he faces Mario Williams and the Houston Texans in week one. However his pass protection has continued to improve since he got here, and confidence from him and from the fans is running high. I was able to ask him earlier this week if there was any added pressure in blocking for a rookie QB, and he replied:

"Not really, we have had a number of different QBs these past four years, From Chad to now Mark, every year has been different, but the pressure to keep the all healthy has been the same"

If the offensive line can re-produce the production from a year ago in 2009, and possibly improve with another year experience playing together there is reason to be optimistic, and while the schedule is very difficult, especially in the early weeks of the season, don't feel downhearted by the medias analysis of this team.

The battle will be won in the trenches, and we happen to have some pretty good men fighting.

Predicting the New York Jets' Final 53-Man Roster

David Wyatt — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:43:01 -0400

With the 53-man roster needing to be finalized by 4 p.m. tomorrow, there will be some very difficult decisions for Rex Ryan and the Jets' coaching staff as they play the numbers game, and are forced to cut some players who perhaps deserved a shot on this team.

Below are my predictions for the 53-man roster that will be provided to the media tomorrow night, there may be some surprises, there may be some that you disagree with, so please use the comments section at the bottom of the page to voice your opinion on this and your own projected roster:

Quarterbacks (3)

Mark Sanchez/Kellen Clemens/Eric Ainge

With our brief flirtation with Chris Pizzoti brought to a crushing end without him having thrown a single pass in preseason, this is perhaps the easiest position to call on the Jets. Ainge has shown improvements this preseason, but I'm not half as positive on his advancement as some Jets writers.

He has constantly underthrown receivers, and thankfully he has some players making heads up plays to cut their routes short and come back for the ball. He has improved however and I feel more comfortable with him as the third-string quarterback this year than I did last.

Other two places pretty much select themselves. Kellen Clemens has really not had a very impressive preseason, threw just two passes last night, went 0-for-2 with a interception, although it has to be said that the interception was on the receiver who bobbled the ball and not on Clemens. He has also been battling some elbow soreness over the past weak, and that is likely the reason we saw so little of him last night.

We of course have the number one guy, Mark Sanchez, who has looked very impressive this preseason, capped it off with a 5-for-5 for 67 yards and a touchdown in last nights final tune up. Comfortable with the quarterback situation, hopefully we won't have to look any further than Mark Sanchez during the season.

Running Backs (6)

Thomas Jones/Leon Washington/Shonn Greene/Tony Richardson/Jehuu Caulcrick/Danny Woodhead

We are really looking to run the ball this year, and that's why I have gone with six running backs where as I figure most rosters will go with just five.

We have the three main guaranteed places with Jones/Washington and Greene. Jones and Washington are all set, and look to be a dangerous combination of speed and power. Greene really hasn't seen much time this preseason due to injury, but the little glimpses we did get of him were promising.

Then we look at the two fullbacks in Richardson and Caulcrick. Richardson is one of the most under-rated players on this team, a great blocking back, and when asked he can also carry the ball (Seattle last year). Caulcrick will be his backup just in case.

Danny Woodhead is the sixth man, I just couldn't leave him out. His work ethic, his determination, his performance last night. A little man with big ambition, will do anything and everything to help this team win, can come in when the defences are worn down. I like the thought of having the luxury of Woodhead on a team that plans to run the ball as much as we do.

Tight End (3)

Dustin Keller/Ben Hartsock/Kareem Brown

This position looked to be one of need just days ago. We were looking at either carrying Brock or the pass catching Jack Simmons who can't catch the ball. Anyone think of Anthony Becht when they watched Simmons? He was released today after continuously dropping passes, latest one a wide open TD last night against the Eagles.

The Atlanta Falcons did us a huge favour when they decided to release Ben Hartsock, a very good, above-average blocking tight end. Exactly what this team needed. He was signed and will be out number one blocker on the end, he also commented last night that he can catch the ball as good as anyone else.

Kareem brown is still a work in progress, changing positions is always going to be difficult. So he needs time, but I like the signs, and his pass catching is improving, so I see us running with him this season.

Dustin Keller by season end will be one of the premier catching tight ends in the game. He still needs to work on his blocking but when you can create as many mis-matches as he does in the middle of the field. Watch out. Can see him being Sanchez's favourite target, especially in the end zone.

Wide Receiver (6)

Jerricho Cotchery/Chansi Stuckey/David Clowney/Brad Smith/Wallace Wright/Aundrae Allison

With the release of Marcus Henry today, we now only have seven receivers on the roster, and I'm pretty confident that we are going to run with five, so really it's a one-on-one battle for the final place.

First we have the starting pair of Cotchery and Stuckey, although I fully expect Stuckey to move inside to the slot when we move to the three wide receiver set. It's a position where his short area quickness can be utilized a lot more.

Who can catch the Clown? nobody has the answer. If there were a HOF for the preseason then Clowney would be in it. Absolutely lightning and will keep defences on their toes. Having his ability to stretch the field will also benefit the receivers underneath, Stuckey and Keller picking up those yards.

Brad Smith is still a work in progress, but he is progressing, and he is also the main component of any trick plays that Brian Schottenheimer designs, nice target, guaranteed a place on the roster.

Wallace Wright has not had the best preseason, but I still see him getting a roster spot. So it comes down to Britt David vs. Aundrae Allison. I have Allison getting the spot mainly down to his speed, and his ability to return punts. Allison has also shown better hands than Davis.

Offensive Line (8)

D’Brickashaw Ferguson/Damien Woody/Alan Faneca/Brandon Moore/Nick Mangold/Wayne Hunter/Robert Turner/Matt Slauson

There is really not much to say here, none of the players past the starting five fill me with any real confidence. Hunter has been beat in preseason and given up at least one sack maybe more.

Matt Slauson has been average, but then again you don't expect that much out of your seventh round draft selection. However the depth here is problematic, all our offensive lineman managed to play all 16 games last season. So the problem never came up.

I hope for our sakes that it's the same again this season

Defensive Line (8)

Shaun Ellis/Kris Jenkins/Marques Douglas/Mike DeVito/Howard Green/Sione Pouha/Ropati Pitoitua/Zach Potter

Shaun Ellis will miss the first game with gives Pitoitua a chance to really stake a claim, especially if Mike DeVito is not ready to go. Although he claims he will be ready, a hamstring is tricky business, and it really can come back and bite you when you think you are fully healed.

Kris Jekins, Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas are expected to have a better year, more four-man fronts to negate the ware and tear that Jenkins suffered last season, being constantly asked to take on double-blockers.

Howard Green has been impressive in the preseason although he has played mostly against the third and fourth-stringers. Very comfortable with Jenkins/Pouha and Green in the middle.

I'm also interested to see more of Zach Potter, his size and physical presence make him a very interesting case.

Linebackers (9)

Bryan Thomas/Bart Scott/David Harris/Vernon Gholston/Calvin Pace/Jamaal Westerman/Kenwin Cummings/Marques Murrell/Jason Trusnik

A very exciting group of linebackers here in my opinion. Gholston seems to be building a little confidence, after he got his first sack negated against the Giants, he came back last night with a sack and a couple of tackles, as well as some pressure on the quarterback.

Gholston will have to step up in the first four weeks as we are having to deal with the suspension of Calvin Pace which is a big blow to this team. Bryan Thomas will have to show up and prove he was worth his contract.

Bart Scott and David Harris are set to be one of the best inside linebacker partnerships in the NFL this season, they are forming chemistry, but if the preseason is anything to go by, we can expect some good things from both of them. I think Harris has a career year in terms of both tackles and sacks.

The rest of the group is filled out by some talent, of course you have the undrafted feel good story of Jamaal Westerman, who has already been guaranteed his spot. I think the linebackers pretty much pick themselves. Only guy who could spoil the party is Larry Izzo who is penned as a special teams specialist.

Cornerbacks (5)

Darrelle Revis/Lito Sheppard/Dwight Lowery/Donald Strickland/Ahmad Carroll

Now with the team taking one extra running back, there had to be a cut down somewhere, and I think it might come in the form of the cornerback situation.

We are all set with the two starters in Revis and Sheppard, and Dwight Lowery and Donald Strickland will be the next in line, then there comes a little bit of a problem.

Marquis Coles and Drew Coleman both could make claims for Carroll's spot, however Carroll is a excellent special teamer and his coverage has definitely improved over the the last year.

That was the deciding factor when deciding who to take in the final spot, if we do run with only five backs and six corners, expect Coleman to be in here; however, I'm taking Woodhead right now.

Safeties (4)

Kerry Rhodes/Jim Leonhard/Eric Smith/James Ihedigbo

I think behind the QB's this might be the easiest position to call. Four spots and only really four players worthy of them.

The unit will be headed by the impressive Kerry Rhodes, I'm confident that in this system playing with Leonhard, Rhodes will have his best season as a Jet. He looks as good as he ever has, a team leader, looking forward to seeing him on the field this year (however, he should stay away from singing karaoke on late-night TV).

Jim Leonhard was a excellent pick up from Rhodes, he does all the dirty work which allows Rhodes to step up and make plays. Rhodes is a ball hawk and he was restrained way too much in Mangini's system.

Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo can knock your lights out with one movement. Both play very aggressive football, sometimes too aggressive I think, going for the big hit instead of just knocking the ball away.

Remember Ellis and Pace are suspended, so carrying one extra on there spots until they return.

Specialists (3)

Jay Feeley (Kicker), Reggie Hodges (Punter), James Dearth (Long Snapper)

Jay Feeley really has been impressive since coming over after Nugent hurt himself on opening day last year. So impressive in fact that Nugent, the second round draft pick Nugent would not be re-signed (not the best way to spend a second round pick).

Hodges has some under criticism this summer and several players have been brought in to challenge him. Although to his credit he has held of each one and remains the punter for the New York Jets, needs to find consistency.

James Dearth is, well, James Dearth, long snapper. Not much to say.

What To Look Out For In Tonight's Jets Vs. Eagles Game

David Wyatt — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:53:58 -0400

I always enjoy the fourth preseason game in the NFL, a lot of people will watch the first quarter and then switch over, the this game is probably the most entertaining of all the preseason games.

This season it was a little bit different, with the golden boy now in New York, every preseason game was watched, scrutinized, re-watched and then scrutinized some more. The important of the tune ups was enhanced with a new coach, a new QB and a whole new attitude.

Well tonight the Jets take the field against Michael Vick and the Philidelphia Eagles, the final chance for some players to prove that they are worth a spot on the final roster, and a game played at 100 percent throughout.

There are some interesting stories tonight that I will be following while watching the game, and here are just a few things that I personally will be looking out for from tonight's contest:

I know, broken record, cut out the power. Like it or not the receiver position is a big deal right now with this team, we have one set in stone, being Cotchery, one pretty much guaranteed to start opposite him in Stuckey, and then a handful of question marks with 3 and a half quarter to find the answer.

Tonight we are looking for that third wide receiver, the lead seems to be in David Clowney's (Pictured) favor, the impressive pre-season phenom will need to show that he can take it to the next level, consistently catch passes over the course of the game. I have very little doubt that he can do this, he is my pick for the third receiver spot but he will face competition.

Brad Smith the converted quarterback and the trick pony on the Jets will try and show that he can be more than a end around reverse luxury.

Wallace Wright and Aundrae Allison will be trying to show that the Jets have the answers already and need not look elsewhere for help at the receiver position. Britt David and Marcus Hendry are the outsiders, both having trouble bringing the ball in.

The back-up offensive line will need to step up to the plate, give Clemens and Ainge the protection that they need, I'm specifically looking at tackle Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner, both of whom stepped in earlier in the pre-season with the Jets struggling to stay healthy on the offensive line, and both seeming to struggle with the quickness of the opposing defence, Turner being responsible for a sack against the Rams.

Vernon Gholston, I just can't get through a preview article without mentioning number 50. He showed good signs against the Giants and will need to improve on that performance to give Jets fans confidence going into the season opener.

Although both the offence first and defence firsts are only expected to play one series, there are rumours that suggest that Gholston will play a little bit longer. He needs the reps and if getting to the quarterback and stuffing some runs build his confidence then I can understand keeping him out for longer tonight.

He will be joined by Calvin Pace who will come in with the seconds and play opposite Gholston. Pace being suspended until Week 5 needs to get as much work in as possible before having to take to the sidelines to watch his team. Both will rotate with impressive rookie Jamaal Westerman.

Defensive end will be a position to watch out for tonight, with Mike DeVito struggling for fitness, we will need to get a good look at some of his potential replacements week one. Although DeVito has promised to be fit to face the Texans, you never can be too sure with hamstring injuries, they do have a tendency to linger.

Zack Potter, Ropati Pitoitua and Ty Steinkuhler will all be playing for a place on this team. They will have there work cut out with them with Michael Vick taking snaps into the half.

The defensive backs have everything to play for, Marquice Cole could well be pushing Drew Coleman for the final cornerback spot, at the very least he is playing for a practise squad place.

Carrol seems to have a spot wrapped up and the safeties seem to pick themselves with Rhodes/Leonhard/Smith and Inhedigbo taking the spots, but look for hard hitting Emannuel Cook to make some noise tonight, he has talent, but can he put it all together.

It should be a facinating game, and then following that game we have the Oregon @ Boise State game. Football is finally back, and I'm looking forward to really getting started.

Why Entry to the Brandon Marshall Circus Is Too Expensive for the Jets

David Wyatt — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:41:27 -0400

I'm sure a lot of you are getting a little tired of all the Brandon Marshall articles, especially ones that revolve around a possible deal that would land him in New York as part of the improving New York Jets.

Well, today, two NFL sources relayed information to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter that the Denver Broncos are asking for inside linebacker David Harris in any potential deal.

For a Jets fan who was unsure as to whether he would welcome the circus to New York, the entry price has just tilted the scales in favor of a decision.

If you were to ask me the top two aspects of the 2009 New York Jets team that I was most excited about, I would say the play of Mark Sanchez and the combination of Harris and Bart Scott as the inside linebackers.

Now we are being told that if we want to bring a man with more issues to be resolved than an episode of This Is Your Life featuring Isiah Thomas, we'll have to break up this partnership before it ever had the chance to show its true potential.

That price for me is simply too steep.

Harris led the Jets in tackles in 2007 with 127—90 of those being solo—and he also racked up five sacks. He took a step back in 2008 as he battled injuries, recording a solid 75 tackles, 52 solo, and a single sack.

Do people seriously think that breaking up a partnership that, by all accounts, looks to be one of the most productive inside linebacker tandems in the NFL in 2009 for a man who brings attitude and legal issues is a good idea?

Not for me.

To add to that, rumors suggest the Broncos will also look for draft picks in any potential deal—a fourth- or fifth-round selection. Not to live in the past, but the middle rounds have been kind to the Jets over the past few years. Leon Washington, Kerry Rhodes, and Jerricho Cotchery were all fourth-round selections.

Throw in that Marshall is coming off an injury-plagued offseason in which he barely participated, and you wonder what the Jets are even thinking.

On the other hand, Harris has spent the offseason working hard.

In the three preseason games, I'd argue that not only has he been the most consistent player on the Jets roster, but also the most impressive. Sacks, interceptions, tackles—he is popping up all over the field, and the obvious chemistry he is building with Scott should have every Jet fan excited for the future.

Despite speaking against any potential deal for Marshall, I have persisted to admit that this obvious talent on the field may be a great asset to this team, whose perceived lack of ability at the wide receiver position is penciled in to be its downfall in 2009.

However, for a team looking to play smash-mouth football, would we be comfortable with Jamaal Cummings, Kenwin Westerman, or Larry Izzo starting opposite Scott?

I wrote a piece a few days ago on Westerman, where I highlighted his future potential; however, a starting spot in 2009 I fear is a little too soon for that potential to be realized.

So the price of Harris alone is too much for this team. But Harris and a future draft choice?

Well, you can rest assured that this Jet fan will not be running away to join the circus.

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Atlanta Falcons Release Ben Hartsock, New York Jets Should Be Interested

David Wyatt — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:27:35 -0400

I have just read that the Atlanta Falcons today have decided to release Ben Hartsock in order to get their roster down to the necessary 53-man squad.

Immediately I thought that Mike Tannenbaum must be on the phone to Hartsock's agent trying to get him signed up.

A product of Ohio State university, Hartsock was a round three draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2004, where he played until moving to the Tennessee Titans in 2006 and then on to the Falcons in 2008.

Looking through his numbers, not many would be impressed, but numbers don't relate the significance of a blocking tight end. Hartsock is known as a blocking TE who can catch a pass or two along the way.

He started 11 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and compiled just three receptions for 26 yards. However he also was a part of a team that had the second best rushing offense in the entire league.

While with the Titans in 2007, he had 12 receptions for 138 yards, while the Titans rushing offense would rank among the lead leaders and finish the season fifth in total rushing offense.

If you read any draft profiled from 2004 you will see the words "relentless blocker" and "spectacular work ethic" tagged to the name Ben Hartsock.

Standing at 6'4" and 270 lbs. he is a good body to have, especially on goal line situations where he gets push off the line, a blocker who is not easy to push back.

With the Jets struggling at the TE position after Dustin Keller who is primarily a receiving tight end, I find it hard to imagine that a call will not be put in to at least gage the interest.

With the Jets ready to run the football in 2009 like the Ravens did in 2008, a blocking tight end with the ability to open gaps and stop penetration is a must, and I just don't see a player like that on the roster at the minute.

I asked John McCurdy, featured columnist here at bleacher report for the Atlanta Falcons for some observations of John Hartsock:

"Hartsock has learned to fill a niche since he came into the league. He could be a passcatching threat, but he's chosen to focus on his blocking and has therefore developed better back-to-the-passer skills than average. His footwork is improving, and he's pretty much got prototypical TE size. The Jets, low on options or not, would be wise to at least consider him. Another high-football IQ guy never hurts"

Ben Hartsock is at least worth a look.

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New York Jets' Jamaal Westerman: Hope for the Undrafted

David Wyatt — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:01:44 -0400

On July 9th, Rex Ryan commented on undrafted linebacker Jamaal Westerman

"We think he's got a future for us, the way he's going, it could be sooner than later."

Well, Monday that future was all but confirmed as Rex Ryan announced, "He’s played himself on to this football team."

Although anything can happen between now and the final roster declaration, I think we can be quite safe in assuming that we will be seeing No. 55 on Sundays in the 2009 season wearing Jet green. How much we will see him beyond special team assignments is unsure. However, Rex seems to think that this undrafted young man from Rutgers has a bright future ahead of him.

While at Rutgers, Jamaal Westerman sculpted a nice career for himself. He would finish his Scarlet Knights career with 26 sacks, 141 tackles and 45 tackles for loss. The 26 career sacks place him third on the Rutgers all time list of sack leaders.

Westerman lead Rutgers with 6 sacks during the 2009 season, even though he played half of the season with a torn bicep muscle. His grit and determination showed throughout the season, and he can't wait to get started. Earlier in the summer, he talked about getting drafted by the New York Jets:

“It’s not really a surprise because I worked so hard after [the injury] happened,” Westerman said. “I worked hard to get myself back to where I had to be to go out there and compete and get back onto the field…I met with [head coach Rex Ryan], Mr. Tannenbaum and some of the other coaches and then I’ll meet a lot more people when I get up there and I’m just excited to get started.”

One player on the New York Jets roster who knows all about being undrafted and having to prove himself from the bottom in the NFL. That man just signed a six-year, $48 million contract—ILB Bart Scott who went undrafted out of Southern Illinois in 2002.

During his first two years with the Baltimore Ravens, Scott saw the field with the first team at points, but mainly played on special teams. In 2003, his 19 special team tackles ranked second on the Baltimore Ravens team. This summer, he was one of the headline acts on the free agency stage. A waking example of hard work, perseverance and belief, can get you places.

When asked about Jamaal Westerman, Bart Scott produced a glowing reference:

"He's physical," said linebacker Bart Scott. "He's a downhill football player. I think he's special. This defense focuses on versatility. We asked him to play inside linebacker, but he can get down and play defensive end from a three-point stance. There's not too many guys that are athletic enough to stand up and handle that division that you have to have as an inside linebacker to go from guard to tailback to guards and then ask them to get down and read off the line of scrimmage and beat the tackle off a rush."

Bart Scott's significant breakthrough with the Baltimore Ravens came in 2005 when Ray Lewis was suffering with a hamstring problem. Westerman will wait for his chance, producing on special teams like Scott, and when that chance does come, like Scott he will take it and run with it.

This offseason, many questions have been asked about Vernon Gholston, a player who I fully believe in, and a player who I think will show this season why he was drafted sixth overall in the 2008 NFL draft. If, by some means that doesn't happen, then Jamaal Westerman will be waiting in the wings, ready to take advantage of any playing opportunity he is given.

One thing that many people have noticed during training camp is the drive and persistence that Westerman shows in wanting to improve, in all facets of the game. Like Gholston, Westerman is being converted from a defensive end to an outside linebacker, and he seems to be taking it all in stride. He commented on the differences in the positions:

"You're on your feet a little bit more," Westerman said after Monday's morning practice. "You have to read a little bit more (from) the offensive line. You're seeing things from a different perspective on the field. I'm more in the middle (of the field) and standing up. So, you can see a lot more and have more responsibilities in the coverage. You're still playing hard, swarming to the ball and trying to do your best. So, it's similar, but different."

When talking about the Rutgers prospect Westerman, Rex Ryan gushes like a father talking of his newborn child, saying with a smile, "Should I say it? Should I say I told you so?"

He went on to elaborate on just why a prospect like Westerman can thrive in his system.

"I think those guys have that mentality. They were around for only a few reasons. One is that they believe in themselves and they're tough as heck and they're going to do anything they can to find a way to get it done. Those are people that I want to surround myself with."

The blue-collar worker for the blue-collar coach. Westerman's versatility should mean that he sees the field more than first expected this season, and after a sack against the Giants on Friday, his performance is not hurting those chances.

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New York Jets: Trouble Brewing for Front Seven in Season Opener

David Wyatt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:18:34 -0400

I wrote a article a few days ago about which college football players the Jets should be looking at for the 2010 NFL draft. The theme of that piece was the lack of depth at the defensive end position, and if we did not address that in the draft next year, it could cause problems.

Well consider problems caused; it just came a little bit earlier than I expected.

News filtered out that Mike DeVito (pictured) had to leave the Jets preseason game against the Giants with a pulled hamstring.

The New York Daily News reported that it could cause DeVito to miss the season opener against the Houston Texans. Normally your third choice defensive end missing one game to open the season would not be considered that much of a problem, however with other issues plaguing the Jets front seven, it takes on added significance.

Starting defensive end Shaun Ellis is already suspended for the season opener after violating the substance abuse policy.

Ellis was stopped in November and charged with possession of marijuana, and was informed several weeks ago that as well as having to pay a $100,000 fine, he would also not be eligible for week one of the regular season.

Mike DeVito, who has caught the eye of Rex Ryan this preseason, was penned in to fill in for Ellis on opening day, but now his hamstring has thrown a curveball Rex Ryan's way and his choices for replacement are inexperienced and very thin.

This is another blow to the Jets who will already be without outside linebacker Calvin Pace, who is suspended for the first four regular season games after violating the leagues policy on performance-enhancing substances.

If DeVito can not play week one, there are only a select few defensive ends to choose from.

Ropati Pitoitua is the most likely candidate, signed by the Jets after being undrafted in 2008, he has quietly put together a nice preseason. Although we do have to keep this in perspective, his contribution has been against second and third stringers, although he has never really been given the chance to prove himself against starters.

At 6'8" and 290 lbs, Pitoitua would give the Jets height at the line and we have already seen him bat down passes this preseason. Pitoitua played the majority of his senior season at Washington State at the DT position but in his limited time at DE this preseason he has shown flashes of potential getting to the quarterback and bringing down the runner.

Next up we have Zach Potter, honourable mention Big 12 for two years running in 2007 and 2008, and compiled quite a nice senior season while playing at Nebraska. He had 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 47 tackles, two interceptions, and managed to break up seven passes at the line. He is still very raw for the NFL, and went undrafted in the 2009 draft, however with strong showings, he could feature.

Finally we have Potters Nebraska teammate Ty Steinkuhler who also went undrafted in 2009. He had 48 tackles, 21 solo, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks his senior season at Nebraska, and I feel that there would need to be a few more injuries before we could seriously consider him as a starter on opening day.

So although it is not confirmed that Mike DeVito will miss the opener, the Jets have to start looking at ulterior options.

I think that this incident has clearly shown that we have a significant lack of depth on the defensive line, and I really would not be surprised to see us go early and often in the draft to this position to add much needed depth.

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Vernon Gholston: Progress Not Enough for Some?

David Wyatt — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:16:29 -0400

The much talked-about, much anticipated, and—if you believe some—"bust" pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, Vernon Gholston is the talk of the town, but for some reason the talk is negative all the same.

Now after fans stop talking about the impressive start by Mark Sanchez, the next topic in line for discussion is nearly always the play of Gholston, or lack thereof to be more precise.

However, after showing promise, progress, anticipation, and explosion, his performance is still being disregarded as some with the "bust" label firmly attached to his neck.

Now before people start commenting that he had one tackle, had a sure sack pulled back for a idiotic illegality, and did nothing else, first re-watch the tape if you have it handy and notice a few things.

I want to say at this time that in no way am I saying that this was a premier performance, or even one deserving of the money he makes or the draft position at which he was taken. I am simply making the observation that progress is better than nothing, and it's encouraging to see.

First, let's start with the most obvious contribution on the night. The sack.

It did get pulled back and protection of the quarterback is the name of the game, but I think it is obvious that he in no way intended to hurt David Carr, and he tried to make adjustments during the sack to get his helmet away from Carr's. That being said, it was called back and there is a good case for that being the right call.

However, let's look past that—one of the main knocks on Gholston is that he doesn't show any aggression, he is too laid back, he is not fired up enough. Well, anyone who watched college football knew that coming in—if you want a "Me Tarzan, you Jane" chest-beater, then you are looking at the wrong guy.

Does that mean that he doesn't care? Of course not. Does that mean that he is ineffective? Absolutely not.

He plays tough, he plays hard, and when he does get to the quarterback, then he is going to know that he has been hit. Some players want to showboat after this. And that's fine, it's their style; however, it's not Gholston's.

So if you do want to speak against Gholston, don't use that—it's just not a feasible argument.

Now let's look at other parts of the game last night that fans should be excited about.

For the first time in his career as a New York Jet, I saw Gholston consistently getting a push off the line and forcing the tackle backwards. He was getting pressure in on the Giants quarterbacks, and if you look at the Harris interception, you will see No. 50 forcing the pressure on Eli Manning coming from the left of the Jets' line.

Is he the polished article? No, he isn't. He is still below average with his run-blocking and he will need to work on that area of his game.

However, is the most important point here the fact that we are talking about him? Last year he was not a factor at all—you couldn't find quarterback pressures, pursuits, tackles, or sacks to talk about; he showed more last night than he did the entire first year of his career.

So why are some Jets fans still on the guy's back? He needs time, but the fact that he is showing improvement is encouraging to a fan who just is not ready to give up on any player that has less than one full year experience. Remember that he was inactive toward the end of the season. Good strong call to dent a rookie's confidence; pity that Mangini didn't show the same mettle to bench Favre down the stretch.

He does need to progress in his run defence; however, for the most part he held down his lanes pretty well, I thought. Some fans will look at some plays and see Gholston tied up in the block and immediately label it as a bad play on his part; however, sometimes we need to realize that some of these plays are containment plays for Gholston and it's his job to keep the tackle occupied.

At times he was even being double-teamed off the line, and I don't think he is quite at that stage to fight through double-teams just yet. But one step forward is better than nothing, and I feel that some Jets fans have already programed Gholston as a bust, and, unless he has a monster season, they will refuse to take it down.

However, a sack, though negated, might just be the thing that he needs to get him started. Once Pace is back, Gholston should be used in situational pass-rushing situations, and, with this exotically schemed defence, sooner or later he will be getting hits, sacks, and pressures, and with that comes confidence.

He is not the first highly touted prospect to find it hard when he entered the league; we have to remember that he switched from defensive end to outside linebacker in the NFL, and that's not a easy transition to make.

Patience is the word of the day with Gholston, and I hope most Jets fans will realize that "Rome wasn't built in a day."

New York Jets Preseason Game 3: Positives

David Wyatt — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:26:11 -0400

First of all, let's start with the least important stat: Jets beat Giants 27-25

It would be easy to start here with Mark Sanchez, but I'm going with another first-round selection: Vernon Gholston.

By no means was he impressive tonight—he got pushed around, the Giants ran to his side of the field, and he got little push—but unlike previous games, he did something.

Coming through completely unblocked, Gholston put a monstor hit on David Carr, which must of had Carr reminiscing about his time in Houston. It was called back for a helmet-to-helmet hit, something that was touch-and-go for me. He was excited—it's his first sack, and hopefully that builds his confidence.

He will have to show more of the same in the final preseason series the Bollinger Bowl, as he sat on the sideline and watched highly talked-about defender Jamaal Westerman come through a tight end and make the "clean" sack on Carr.

Although Gholston has already been confirmed as the starter, if he doesn't produce and the whole defense suffers as a result, then there will be little choice but to rotate him more than coach Rex Ryan would like.

However, for anyone who has watched the Jets over the past year, this is a step in the right direction.

Now, let's move on to Sanchez, who had a very good game against a very tough defense.

It did not start all that well, as he was locking onto receivers and failing to look off defensive backs. Fortunately, it didn't come back to bite him, and he may have found it very difficult to get into any rhythm with the amount of penalties the Jets were giving away.

Sanchez was 13-of-20 for 149 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, and he was sacked once. Sanchez also made other completions that were brought back for offensive penalties, the most notable being a seven-yard strike to jerricho Cotchery that was called back for a offensive holding call on Brandon Moore.

Sanchez started to get into a real rhythm in the second, helped by the ever-impressive Leon Washington. His touchdown pass was a nice roll out to the right. With heavy pressure in his face, he kept the play alive with his feet, kept his eyes down-field, and delivered the strike to Stuckey, who did the rest.

Possibly the most impressive aspect on the night was Sanchez's ability to control the huddle. There were no delay of game penalties, no fumbled handoffs, and no miscommunications from what I saw. The Jets managed to move the ball both through the air and on the ground.

The ball was spread around the field, with Cotchery, Chansi Stuckey, and Dustin Keller all being targeted for Sanchez. He also had a nice pass batted away in the end zone when he tried to find Cotchery in double coverage

Another positive that Ryan will certainly take from the game came from the punting position. A position of aggravation for Ryan this preseason, Reggie Hodges averaged 41 yards on his punts and had a 51-yarder. One of his punts was downed by Brad Smith on the one-yard line.

Jay Feeley was perfect on his return from injury. He was 2-of-2 on field goals and made all three of his extra points.

Darrelle Revis looked impressive on his return. He was perhaps a step behind at some points, but just his presence made the Giants have to target the opposite side the field.

Erik Ainge continues to make improvements. Although his pass was slightly underthrown, he did connect on a 70-yard touchdown to Aundre Allison. Allison started coasting, but he soon realized that he was being hunted down and turned on the after-burners.

10 College Football Players the NY Jets Should Be Watching

David Wyatt — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:52:17 -0400

Is it too early to be looking at the 2010 draft? possibly, but nobody ever got hurt looking to the future. This list will be circumstantial, based on the needs of the team at this point in time, the needs now, will not necessarily be the needs of the team next April. However with certain positions appearing to be a need in 2009, here is who I think the New York Jets should be watching out for during the 2009 NCAA season. A few of these guys will likely be taken ahead of where the Jets will be picking, however I think we saw in 2009 that if there is a player that really interests the Jets, they won't shy away from making a trade to move up. So keep that in mind before reading this article

Begin Slideshow