I'd Rather Get Beat Up in an Alley- Late Edition

Brett Favre has a very short memory and that’s a good thing. Otherwise, his fumble recovered for a touchdown and his 2 interceptions might have prevented him from slinging the ball with confidence. After throwing 6 touchdowns in his last game, the Bengal’s defense looked like their preparation focused on stopping Favre’s passing attack. Why the Jets didn’t have a monster day rushing the ball  I don’t know but Thomas Jones handled the scoring responsibilities anyway. His three touchdowns were the most he’s ever scored in a game and were enough to keep the Carson Palmerless Bengals winless.

There were new pages from the Jet’s offensive playbook on display Sunday- swing passes, reverses, screens. Mangini might have been treating the Bengals game as a scrimmage so he can run new plays against a live defense. For the most part, Favre’s down field attack stayed on the sideline while his short passes and hand-offs kept the game clock moving. The fewer attempts the Bengals had to get the ball to Ocho Cinco and TJ Houshmandzadeh the better, regardless of who’s throwing to them.

It only took six weeks but the Jet’s kicking game finally showed up this weekend. Every time Jay Feely entered the game I assumed that we were going to miss and just give the Bengals great field position. It’s that abused puppy syndrome that I keep talking about and these weren’t chip shots. But, Lo and Behold! Feely not only converted two field goal attempts, but he drilled them right down the middle. Professional football teams must have faith in their kicking game and up until Sunday I felt the Jet’s had a better shot at converting 4th and 25 than a 40 yard field goal. Hallelujah.

The field goal unit isn’t the only kicking game that I was referring to.  Our new punter (Reggie Hodges) came out and helped keep the Bungles deep in their own territory.  It was a beautiful sight.

I can’t say enough about Leon Washington.  He might be the biggest over achiever since the guy who figured out how to use fire.  He’s like Rudy on steroids (or gummi berri juice).   The Jets had incredible field position thanks to Leon and that’s why we got the win.  Between Favre and the crappy refs (that 3rd down was not a completion!) the Bungles were spotted 14 points.  I’m positive that without slippery little Leon Washington we would have lost this game.

So far so good with the Favre gamble.  We had to get rid of Pennington.  Yes, he’s a great guy, a smart football player, and a hard worker.  He just couldn’t help us get to the next level.  I’m not talking about the playoffs as the next level.  The level I’m talking about is the one where you can score on any given play.  Without that threat defenses can cheat and if he’s behind in the 4th quarter he can’t win (see week 1).  Favre is having an incredible season even for a Hall of Famer.  The fact that he can have a clunker game like he did against the Bengals and still win shows that the talent of his team.  Brett Favre’s still taking snaps going into week 7 while Tom Brady is out for the season.  Who’d a thunk it?

The Oakland Raiders and their crazy owner are up next.  I don’t know Lane Kiffen from Adam but I still can’t believe the way Al Davis fired him.  One thing I do know is that this is not how you run a business much less an NFL franchise.  I hope that when Nick Mangold gets in his stance he looks across the line at the Raiders D and says,  “You’re the guys that got your butts kicked in the Super Bowl by the Bucs right?  Really? Brad Johnson dropped 48 points on you?  That’s gotta suck.”

If we can run up the score early we should destroy this team.  The strongest part of Oakland’s game plan is probably their super obnoxious fans.  Score early- shut them up and then keep scoring so Oakland can’t do what they do best which is run the ball.  Number of times Jamarcus Russell has been sacked? 12.   It would be nice to see that go up to 20 on Sunday.  I don’t even know if Al Davis makes the Raiders watch film, but they’ll probably put in a Cover defense to  prevent Favre from throwing downfield much like the Bungals did last week.  That means Thomas Jones should have a huge day. The touchdowns were nice but Jones needs to gain more yards than he did against Cincinnati.  I’m talking 2nd down and 2- not 2nd down and 7.

It’s not that the Raiders stink, they just don’t deserve to win.

Micro-managing half-crazed owner with really bad karma

talented players that have no discipline

1-4 record

The Jets are definitely the “good guys” in this matchup and if the ball bounces our way we should be all good.  Last week, it didn’t and we still won.  No more spotting the other team points no matter what their record is.  No more sneaky onsides kick attempts.   No more throw back Jerseys.  We’re 7 weeks into the season.  This team has been together now for a few months and it’s time for them be just that.  A team.  No more “he’s new to the offense” and no more “growing pains.”  Let’s just go out there and beat these guys.