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Interesting comment I heard from somebody at MetLife Stadium.
“If [the Jets] lose today, and they lose Thursday, you will have tickets for $5,” said somebody who works at the stadium.
I totally agree.
Thursday is the Jets in-season Super Bowl, from a football and business standpoint.
If they lose Thursday, they are probably done on the field and at the gate . . .
The media continues hammering players with the sophomoric question – “Why can’t you guys finish out games?”
It’s such a ridiculous narrative, but very easy to ask. It doesn’t take any thought.
Why is it foolish?
I will never forget a quote from a former Jets quarterback on what was leading to him throwing so many interceptions.
“Every interception has a different story,” said the quarterback.
So true.
And just like the media oversimplifies picks, they oversimplify losses.
Why couldn’t the Jets close out Miami last week?
Because of horrendous pass coverage in the fourth quarter?
Why couldn’t the Jets close out Atlanta?
A fumbled punt, two missed field goals and a long run by Tevin Coleman.
See what I’m saying here.
To ask players why they can’t close out games is mindless.
Every game is different . . .
After the game, I saw Jets center Wesley Johnson hobbling around with a wrap on his right calf.
If he does have a calf injury, it might make it hard for him to play Thursday.
While I like Johnson a lot, it might be time for the Jets to give him a break (which if he’s hurt won’t be hard), and try Jonotthan Harrison at center. That isn’t a spelling error. That is how Harrison’s first name is spelled.
Johnson is smart, and isn’t necessarily playing poorly, but the problem is he’s not a thickly-built guy, and I’m seeing some issues with the Jets getting a push up the middle in the running game. Massive nose tackles can give Johnson a little bit of trouble.
Harrison is a little bigger than Johnson, and has a more powerful, thicker build.
I’m not writing off Johnson who I think has a future in this league, but they Jets miss Nick Mangold a little in the middle – not from a pass protection standpoint, but in terms of getting a push up the middle in the running game.
Harrison might be able to help.
Harrison had a very good summer and almost beat out Johnson.
With Johnson hurt, the Jets can kick the tires on Harrison Thursday night without it becoming a controversy with the media saying somebody was benched . . .
The players have an expression they use in terms of media relations – “Don’t take the cheese.”
I’m not sure if Matt Forte took the cheese, or was a willing participant.
But for him to complain after the game about the Jets not running more was surprising.
I don’t think Forte getting more carries today would have made much of different in today’s game.
But Forte to go along with the media narrative at this locker about the Jets getting away from the run isn’t helpful to the Jets.
Helpful to the media, but not the Jets.
A reporter asked Forte about the Jets not running enough with this question – “Matt, You would think your vote would carry weight.”
Not really.
Maybe in Chicago, but not here.
October 29, 2017
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