Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – Dan checks in with a few odds and ends from Jets camp in Florham Park. Let’s get it started . . .
The Jets obviously have a huge disadvantage at quarterback for Sunday’s game.
Most teams do against the New England Patriots.
But the Patriots have so many key injuries, the Jets should be able to find a way to manufacture a win.
The following Patriots didn’t practice today – WR Danny Amendola (concussion, groin), G Dan Connolly (concussion), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), CB Aqib Talib (hip), RB Leon Washington (ankle).
There is a very good chance none of these player play.
And remember, the Patriots’ two BEST front seven players are on IR – nose tackle Vince Wilfork and inside linebacker Jerod Mayo.
On now you compound that with the Kelly injury. The Jets should be able to run on the Patriots.
They should unleash the maniacal (and I say that as a compliment) runner Chris Ivory on the Patriots’ ravaged Front Seven.
He is one of the most physical runners in the league.
By the way, the Patriots, also have two safeties hurt – Devin McCourty (shoulder) and Tavon Wilson (hamstring). Both players were limited in practice today . . .
Here are some of Bill Belichick’s thoughts on the Jets.
“They’re playing very well on defense. Statistically they do a lot of things well: very good against the run, good on first down. They have a very disruptive front seven.
“[Wilkerson] has improved every year. He’s been much more of a factor in the pass rush this year. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s got good playing strength, runs well. He’s been around the ball a lot, he’s had a lot of productive plays: tackles and some negative plays.
“With [Jeremy] Kerley back who we didn’t really see in the first game and whatever capacity [Josh] Cribbs is, I’m sure they’ll be dangerous there. You know, blocked punt against Atlanta I thought was a big tempo setter for that game.
“They do a good job of getting the ball down the field, making some big plays and using the quarterback in the running game, as well as their backs. [Jeff] Cumberland has emerged for them, made several big plays over the course of the season.” . . .
The Steelers red zone defense was really bad entering the Jets’ game.
But they were very good in the red zone against the Jets.
So this shows you the state of the Jets’ red zone offense right now . . .
Mo Wilkerson feels the media twisted his words when they claimed he guaranteed a win before the first Jets-Patriots game this season.
“I won’t say anything because I don’t want my words mixed up on anything,” Wilkerson said when asked if the Jets will beat the Patriots.
Wilkerson is very, very careful with this words. I don’t think he was guaranteeing a victory before the first Jets-Pats game. The point he made back then was that if the Jets play smart football, and the players execute their assignments, they have a good chance to win.
There is no way he would guarantee a victory.
That isn’t his nature . . .
Speaking of Wilkerson, he is playing so well right now, he has offensive linemen intimidated.
Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has done a great job with Wilkerson.
Wilkerson is using his hands so much better. Dunbar has done a terrific job with Mo on his hand techniques.
A perfect example was in the fourth quarter of the Jets-Steelers game.
Late in the game, he went through left guard Ramon Foster like a turnstile, using great hand technique to move the 6-6, 330-pound guard to the side with ease . . .
Kyle Wilson (concussion) was held out of practice today, and doesn’t look good for Sunday.
Wilson suffered the concussion when he he was attempting to tackle Le’Veon Bell, and he was kneed in the head . . .
October 16, 2013
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Thursday