Content available exclusively for subscribers
Florham Park – Dan checks in once again from One Jets Drive in bucolic Florham Park (they actually have deer and groundhogs here), with a heaping helping of Website Whispers . . .
You get the sense that the Jets will get some offensive reps to Joe McKnight this week.
McKnight has done a very good job for Gang Green in recent weeks on special teams.
Coming of the field after a nice play in a recent game, Rex Ryan said to McKnight – “Good job, we need to start getting you some offensive touches.”
Considering how stagnant the Jets’ offense has been the last three weeks, injecting a little McKnight could help give them some extra life. He’s an electrifying player – think of him as a bigger version of Bruce Harper . . .
With the injury to Damien Woody, and Wayne Hunter starting at right tackle, expect to see Vlad Ducasse active this week, and be the backup swing tackle. Robert Turner will back-up at all three inside positions. We saw Ducasse at left tackle in practice this week, and while he’s playing most on the right side with the Jets, he was a left tackle in college, so he certainly can play that position in an emergency . . .
The media is totally out of control on this Sal Alosi story. There were a number of questions once again, today. Can we move on already? Lining up players on second sideline isn’t that big a deal. The Pats do it also. The issue here was Sal putting his leg out. It was a terrible split second judgment and he’s paying a severe price. As far as I’m concerned, it’s been handled with his suspension and fine. Can the perfect people in the press that keep belaboring this story, move on already?
But expect this story to come back strong next week when the Jets appease reporters by making Woody Johnson available. They wanted him today, but he’s at a Super Bowl meeting in New York. The Jets should deny the media request for him. The less owners say the better it is for them. What the heck is he going to say next week about Alosi? Let it die already . . .
Will the Jets ultimately fire Alosi? That would a tough trigger to pull for Mike Tannenbaum. They think the guy is a tremendous conditioning coach, and look at how few injuries they have had this year compared to other teams. Some of that is luck, but some obviously stems for having a good conditioning coach . . .
To me, Sunday’s game is a very even matchup.
The Steelers are a very good, not great team.
Did you know that Ben Roethlisberger has thrown just one touchdown pass in the last three games? Did you know he was sacked 12 times in the last three games? Did you know both of Pittsburgh’s starting offensive tackles, LT Max Starks, and RT Willie Colon (from the Bronx and Hofstra), are on IR? Did you know they start a rookie center? Did you know their pass defense is 23nd in the NFL, and that was with Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who might not play this week due to a leg injury?
Listen, they are obviously a good team, with a 10-3 record, but far from a juggernaut.
This is a very winnable game for the Jets, especially when you throw in Rex’s great insight on how to deal with the Steelers from his many years in Baltimore, a division rival.