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There is no question the Jets Front Seven played well, but before you say the pass rush is “back,” let’s hold off a little. There is something you need to consider . . .
The most impressive play by a defensive lineman was when Trevor Pryce did a great job of jumping the snap count, and got between two linemen to sack Carson Palmer for a fourth quarter safety.
Another impressive defensive line play was when Shaun Ellis blew by Bobbie Williams in the fourth quarter, and the guard grabbed the defensive end’s facemask to stop him, drawing a fifteen yard penalty.
Sione Pouha had a couple of nice run stops around the line.
Let’s turn to the linebackers.
For the second week in a row, Vernon Gholston got a quarterback pressure under bizarre circumstances. Right tackle Dennis Roland was blocking him, but in the middle of the play let him go to pick up another player. Gholston had a QB pressure in the end zone on this play. I’m not looking to pick on the guy. If you don’t believe me, look at the play yourself.
Gholston did have a very good player in the second quarter. He did a good job getting under the 6-9 Roland, and he helped stopped Benson around the line.
How about the run defense on the first series? All four Benson carries resulted in no gain with tackles by Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, Bart Scott and Eric Smith. That is pretty remarkable considering Benson’s talent-level.
The Jets rushed the passer fairly well in this game. One of the more impressive efforts was actually on a complete pass by the Bengals. I will explain. On the last play of the first quarter, Jason Taylor, with a terrific move, got by RT Dennis Roland, and got into Palmer’s face in the end zone, but he got rid of the ball at the last second, for a 12-yard completion to Chad Johnson. The reason I’m so high on this play was it was a rare example of Jets outside linebacker, face-up on a tackle, beating him with a skillful pass rush move. No blitzing, just a good pass rush.
Taylor blocked a Palmer pass to end the Bengals first drive of the second half.
Early in the second quarter, a Scott run blitz wasn’t effective, and Benson was able to gain eight yards on the left side.
Scott stopped Benson for a loss of two late in the first half, and had a QB pressure which you can see in the photo used for this story.
Early in the second, Thomas had a QB pressure, forcing a Palmer throw-away. In the middle of the second, Thomas missed a tackle on Benson, on a 14-yard scamper on the right side.
David Harris had a sack on a blitz in the fourth quarter. But he had a couple of other plays he would want back. He missed a tackle on a tight end screen to Jermaine Gresham on the left side, and the player ended up gaining 25 yards. He was also called for an illegal block in the back on an Antonio Cromartie pick.
Pace sacked Palmer early in the fourth. Palmer moved up in the pocket, and Pace slid laterally to bring him down. Late in the second quarter, Pace did a good job diagnosing a quick pitch up the middle to FB Brian Leonhard, and stopped him for no gain.
Early in the third quarter, Scott stopped Benson again for no gain. Early in the fourth quarter, WR Jordan Shipley caught a 12-yard pass in-between Scott and Jim Leonhard in zone coverage.
Josh Mauga had three special team’s tackles.
Let me just say this in closing. The Jets are giddy about their pass rush improving (three sacks and a number of pressures), but keep something in mind. A lot of their good play came against Dennis Roland, a backup tackle, who is playing because Andre Smith was put on IR. Roland is best suited to be a backup. He’s a little tall for a tackle (6-9), and defenders have success getting under him. The Patriots tackles are much better than Dennis Roland.