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With a rookie QB (who threw for just 60 yards against Gang Green), it was no secret Denver wanted to primarily run the ball.
But even with this being no secret, the Jets still couldn’t stop it.
That is a bad-case scenario for a team, what the opponent is doing is no surprise, but you still can’t stop it.
When that happens against the run, it usually comes down to great execution by the opponent and the opponent physically dominating in the trenches winning the war of attrition.
Now we know Sean Payton is a good offensive coach, so the Broncos’ run game execution was excellent, but they also physically dominated, especially on runs up the middle.
Jets star DT Quinnen Williams was a little uneven against the run.
Two examples:
In the third quarter, on a Javonte Williams gain of 12 to the left side, Williams is pushed into the backfield by center Luke Wattenberg (and Takk McKinley was handled by left tackle Garrett Bolles) opening up a big hole.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, on the drive that ended with the Broncos kicking what turned out to be the game-winning field goal, all seven offensive plays were runs, including a 16-yard run up the middle. Once again Wattenberg took out Williams, and right tackle Alex Palczewski handled Solomon Thomas opening up a big hole up.
Thomas and Williams had some issues in this game with the massive interior of the Broncos line.
In a way, it might be a mistake to have Quinnen Williams and Solomon Thomas out there at the same time. They have similar body types in the 6-3, 280-90 area. It’s like going with two three-technique tackles at the same time.
It’s probably best to have a big body next to them, and not play them together.
If they get Leki Fotu (6-5, 330) back this week from IR that will help because that will give them Javon Kinlaw (6-5, 330) and Fotu in the mix, so they don’t have to put smaller DTs out there together.
Another issue is an undersized linebacker running around blocks, or guessing gaps, and sometimes taking himself out of plays. My guess is this is the only way he feels he can be successful, which he certainly is at times, because he’s not big enough to stack and shed massive offensive linemen.
This run defense was bad in three of the Jets four games this year, with this only solid game being against New England with the league’s worst offensive line.
If the Jets don’t fix this run defense, it could end up being the ruination of their season, so whether it’s schematically or personnel-based, they need to make changes. You can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.
Maybe getting Fotu back will help.
I asked Fotu if he’s good to go on Sunday, and he said they would know better after today’s practice after they see how his hamstring responds to two full practices in a row . . .
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced that Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams wants to be traded to the Jets.
But keep one thing in mind about Adams, aside from not being thrilled with the QB play in Las Vegas, he’s also not thrilled with his contract.
“Davante Adams wants a new contract,” said former NFL GM Mike Lombardi on VSIN on July 24. “Davante Adams wants to get paid because he is no different than anybody else who has seen this receiver market go insane and wants to get paid.
“Right now, Davante Adams is sitting down there saying, ‘Wait a minute, where is my scratch? I made 28 million per year. I’m one of the best receivers in the league, I’m $7 million behind Justin Jefferson.’
“[Adams’ desire for a new deal] has been communicated to the Raiders all along. He did not come to the offseason. He came to minicamp and didn’t do anything.
“I think this contract is going to be a problem.”
Maybe if he came to the Jets via an in-season trade, he would drop his demand for a new deal until after the season, but if he’s looking to go to a team that would pay him big after the season, this probably isn’t the one, considering they are going to have to pay Garrett Wilson . . .
Not sure if this is a new ailment or not, but Jets rookie tackle Olu Fashanu was wearing a brace on his left knee at practice today. So now he has braces on his left knee and right elbow. That can’t be helpful, especially at a new position. He had a rough first game at right tackle against Broncos OLB Jon Cooper.
October 3, 2024
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