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The Jets blocking against Buffalo was outstanding, setting up several big plays in the running game, and giving Mark Sanchez plenty of time to throw most of the afternoon. Let’s take a look . . .
The Jets started the game some running game trickery. On the first carry of the game, instead of handing to Shonn Greene, they handed to FB John Connor, and he gained four yards to the right side.
But it didn’t take long for the Jets to abandon the run – they passed on the next two plays and punted.
The next drive started with three runs that amassed a total of 24 yards, but then the drive fizzled with passes on two of the next three plays.
It’s almost like the Jets don’t know how to deal with running game prosperity.
On first down, the Jets ran a reverse to Santonio Holmes, and he took it for five yards to the right side. This was followed by a Greene gain of three to the right side, setting up a very managable third-and-two. And what followed was one of the Jets best runs of the day.
On third down, Greene ran for 16 yards off left tackle. The best block on this play was by Patrick Turner, who locked up cornerback Drayton Florence, sealing the edge, and Greene ran around him and was off to the races.
The 6-5, 225-pound Turner has turned into a very good blocker on both special teams and offense. He’s almost the size of a tight end, and he often blocks like one.
After this Jets drive ended, the Bills went on a drive that went almost nine minutes ending in a David Nelson touchdown catch.
The Jets got the ball back, and went on a scoring drive of their own.
After a five-yard gain by Greene to the right side, and then a three-yard gain by Greene on a pass over the short middle, they had another third-and-two, which is such a great spot for an offense to put itself in.
And just like the last third-and-two, the Jets managed another big explosion play. They called another reverse to Holmes, and he ran to the left side for 23 yards.
The two key blocks on this 23-yard gain were by D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Plaxico Burress.
First Ferguson sealed the edge by locking up weakside linebacker Nick Barnett, and Burress took over from there, with a great block down field, keeping a defensive back at bay.
This big play was followed by another one.
On the first play fo the second quarter, Greene ran up the middle for 18 yards.
There was a lot of good blocking by the guys up front on this play, but the most important block might have been by FB John Connor. Greene, who is getting more-and-more comfortable with “The Terminator,” followed Connor into a hole, and Connor locked up stout middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, taking him out of the play, and this created a lot of real estate for Greene.
We will have Part II of our look at the trenches by 9 PM this evening.