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There is a lot to get into today, including a look at an aspect of the Pats’ defense the Jets can exploit, a helpful Jet this week, Brady strategy and more. Let’s get into it . . .
FB Lex Hilliard was able to give the Jets some good insight on the Patriots playbook. He spent two weeks with the Pats in early September from the 4th to the 19th . . .
The Patriots are once again, like the last few seasons, having issues at safety.
Steve Gregory, who was signed in the off-season from San Diego, is out with a hip injury.
Rookie Tavon Wilson is raw (and a shocking second round pick in 2012) and learning on the job.
Wilson was beat on Sidney Rice’s game-winning, 46-yard touchdown Sunday in Seattle.
The Jets should be able to make some hay against the Pats’ safeties . . .
A lot was made this week about Chandler Jones as a pass rusher, and how he could have helped the Jets.
But you know what, overall, the Pats pass rush is not that great.
They only have 11 sacks in six games, less than two a game.
These aren’t the Purple People Eaters. Sanchez will have time to throw in this game . . .
Speaking of time to throw, this could be a problem for the Jets in Foxboro, on the other side of the ball.
We know the Jets pass rush is pedestrian, and this puts them in a tough spot against Tom Brady.
What is the best way to contain Brady – a consistent pass rush that doesn’t involve a lot of blitzing.
That explains why the Football Giants have had success against the Pats. They have great pass rushers who are constantly in his grill.
The Jets’ best recent game against the Pats was when they took a coverage approach (2010 Playoffs) – rushing just three and dropping eight.
While that approach can work at times, according to one former Jets’ defender, it’s also saying something else.
“It’s an admission you don’t have a great pass rusher,” said the defender. “Your pass rush isn’t going to get there, so you might as well put the extra guy in coverage. You are waiving the white flag, saying ‘I’m not going to get there, so I’m going to drop people back and play prevent.’ You are forcing him to take throws he doesn’t want, short passes and he has to nickel and dime his way down the field. The more plays to get down field and he might make the wrong decision along with way.”
And blitz at your own risk.
“You can blitz the hell out of Brady and hope you get there, but if you don’t get there, he will kill you – it will leave one-on-ones he will take advantage of,” said the former defender, who has faced Brady . . .
You get the sense that Joe McKnight (ankle) is going to give it a go on Sunday, but will likely play limited snaps, perhaps just handling kick returns . . .
Shonn Greene was dominant last week and won an NFL award because of it.
There was a lot of talk this week about the Jets’ running game turning the corner.
I can assure you, their numbers against New England, on the road, aren’t going to be near what they did against Indianapolis, a rebuilding team, with three starters missing from the Front Seven due to injury – OLB Robert Mathis, ILB Pat Angerer and DE Fili Moala.
Let’s not put the Jets rushing attack in Canton just yet. Last week was a perfect storm for them.
They still have a lot of work to do.
From what I hear, there are still some people uncomfortable with this left guard rotation and it’s impact on continuity.
October 19, 2012
Premium will return by 11 pm on Saturday (once I arrive in Rhode Island, I will crank out an update).