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For all you Hunter detractors out there, the other tackle was a bigger issue in Miami. Also Mulligan’s penalties are a shame, because he can really run block . . .
The Jets moved 69 yards on 12 plays on their next possession, early in the second quarter, and this drive resulted in a field goal, but it was loaded with penalties.
Early in the possession, D’Brickashaw Ferguson had a false start (second play).
Ferguson had another false start late in the possession, and this probably contributed to the Jets kicking a field goal because third-and-five turned into third-and-ten.
On both of these plays, Jason Taylor was lined up over him. Maybe J.T. shouldn’t retire, if he’s still making Pro Bowl tackles antsy.
In the middle of the drive, Wayne Hunter had a false start, turning a first-and-10, into a first-and-15. A few plays before that, a Matthew Mulligan false start turned a first-and-10 into a first-and-fifteen, but they got the five yards back when DE Kendall Langford jumped off-sides on the next play.
There were six false starts on this drive – four on the Jets, and two on the Dolphins.
I’m sorry, I have a really hard time believing this is all on the Jets blockers. We are going to look into this, but there has to be something going on here beyond the lineman. As one source close to the Jets pointed out last week, one issue could be how long it takes for Sanchez to get the play off with all the changes going on at the line, as he attempts to read the defense. Maybe it’s time to take some of that power away from him. He does better with less thinking and more reacting.
Imagine being an offensive lineman or tight end, and you continually have to stay in your stance for an eternity. That has to be difficult, and it also must be hard for the offense to get any tempo.
So with all these penalties, how on earth did the Jets get in field goal range?
Three plays keyed this drive.
The line provided great pass protection on a play in the middle of the possession, and Sanchez hit Jeremy Kerley, who was being covered by an old cornerback, 33-year-old Will Allen, and the 11-year veteran couldn’t keep up with him. Remember, Allen was cut by the Dolphins before the opener, but re-signed after Benny Sapp struggled against New England. The rookie was too quick for him on this play.
Another key play on this drive was when Kerley came in as an option QB, and handed to Shonn Greene who gained 10 to the right side.
Sorry to inform you Mulligan detractors out there, but he had a great block on this play, sealing the right edge, and Greene ran around him off right tackle. It’s really a shame for Mulligan commits too many penalties, because he is a terrific run blocker when he has his head on straight.
There was also an eight-yard run by LT late in the drive, and are you ready for one of the key blocks on this play, drum roll please – Santonio Holmes. He did an an excellent job blocking down field. Dustin Keller had a nice block at the point of attack.
We will pick up our in-depth look at the blocking by 11 am Sunday morning.