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One Jets Drive – It’s time for a Friday helping of Dan’s Website Whispers from the Atlantic Health Training Complex in Florham Park. Don’t miss out – just $7.95 a month. Let’s get it started . . .
The Jets protectors have an interesting challenge this week against the Philadelphia Eagles defensive ends, Trent Cole and Jason Babin, who are playing what is called a “Nine Technique.”
Basically what this means is they line up very wide, and don’t take on the tackles head-on. Considering the two have combined for 24 sacks this year, it’s obviously a good strategy.
“It’s a look you don’t see a lot, so we had to adjust our scheme,” said left guard Matt Slauson.
But Slauson feels that the ends lining up that wide opens up bigger run lanes, and the Jets might be able to take advantage of that.
So the bottom line is it that it’s a pass protection challenge for the Jets tackles (and tight ends), but the Jets running attack, which has been on a roll the last three games, should be able to take advantage of it.
The most successful rushing plays against a “Nine Technique” come on runs behind the guards. Considering how well the Jets guards are playing right now, this should work out well for the them, especially when you combine this pass rushing approach with the Eagles undersized linebackers.
I’d be surprised if the Jets don’t have a big day running the football . . .
One thing about the two Eagles edge pass rushers – Cole and Babin – is they have two of the top motors in the league.
“Trent is a machine,” said Jets backup tackle Austin Howard, a former Eagle.
“Trent is relentless; he never gets tired,” said Jets practice squad linebacker Ricky Sapp, also a former Eagle.
They don’t know Babin as well because he just got there this summer. He was with the Tennessee Titans last year (and this is one of the reasons the Titans are so average most years, they are cheap, and they let too many good players walk) . . .
Speaking of Slauson, I was wondering if the Jets have approached him about a new contract – he’s making the league minium. He said “no.”
This is his third year, so this off-season is probably the time to address this . . .
Joe McKnight will return kicks on Sunday in Philadelphia with his injured elbow in a brace.
The reason for the brace is to prevent the elbow from hyperextending again . . .
Sanchez threw a short pass today to a receiver, and the receiver had to reach up and make a tough catch on it, with one hand. This happens too much, like in Washington when Santonio Holmes made a spectacular one-handed catch on a short crossing route.
Granted, there are many scenarios when receivers are down-field, and need to help out their quarterback with circus catches, but that shouldn’t be the case with these shorter routes.
Matt Cavanaugh and Brian Schottenheimer clearly need to work extensively with Sanchez this off-season on his accuracy. The kid has a lot of ability, but too often his inconsistent accuracy holds him back . . .
The Jets will bus to Philadelphia on Saturday and stay at a hotel in the city.
This is an easy trip for the Jets. Philly is about 90 miles from Florham Park . . .
There has been so much talk about the speed of the Eagles offensive weapons this week and rightfully so.
But when it comes to their talented starting tailback LeSean McCoy, his game is more about top-shelf quickness than world class speed.
At his Pro Day, when he came out of Pitt a couple of years ago, he ran a 4.52, which isn’t great.
It’s his amazing lateral quickness and quick feet that make him so good.
There is a difference between speed and quickness.
Premium will return on Sunday night by 10 p.m. Enjoy the game on Sunday, and let’s hope that the Eagles fans don’t boo Santa Clause again.