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Florham Park – Dan checks in from Florham Park with the good stuff, including items on Geno and the media, how to stop Brady, Wesley Johnson and more . . .
There was an absolutely stupid angle going around on sports talk radio and print, that Geno was blaming the media for his struggles, based on this quote – “I think, obviously with everything that goes on with the media, a lot of things are, I would say, miscommunicated, and then it just gets misprinted and then misunderstood.”
The people who claim that Geno is blaming the media for his inconsistent play, actually are validating what he said in the quote.
I saw a major Jets beat writer, not with the Daily News, huddling with Geno at his locker today, distancing himself, from the childish feeding frenzy that followed this quote . . .
I spoke to the newest Jet, Wesley Johnson today.
Typical Vanderbilt prospect – very smart and has his stuff together.
I shook his hand, and my hand was enveloped. The guy has enormous hands, which is very helpful in line play, which involves a lot of grabbing and clutching.
You talk about a versatile backup – Johnson can play every position on the line . . .
The Jets defensive linemen feel the key in this game is interior pressure.
“If we can get pressure up the middle, it will be a good day for us,” said Jets defensive end Leger Douzable.
I think they should be able to get pressures up the middle.
The Patriots’ two guards – Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell (it is possible Wendell could also play center – things aren’t set yet inside for New England), aren’t big guys, and the Jets have given both these guys fits in the past.
While the Jets lost the game, they did a lot of good work against Peyton Manning last week, making him very uncomfortable in the pocket. Brady knows he’s in for the same challenge, and this isn’t just player-speak.
“[The defensive line] is a huge strength of their team,” Brady said. “That defensive front is one of the best ones in the NFL. Wilkerson is one of the best players we will play all season. Richardson has been a great player for them too since he got there last year. It’s a big strength up front.”
And remember, when the Patriots were struggling early in the year, especially in games against Miami and Kansas City, their offensive line was shaky, and Brady was under constant duress.
The Jets certainly have the talent to do what Miami and Kansas City did to Brady, and if they do, an upset is possible . . .
OLB Trevor Reilly is a long-shot to play in this game due to a knee injury suffered in a pile-up on a punt return against Denver.
Remember, he blew out his knee at Utah.
I asked him today if it’s the same knee, and he said, “no, it’s the other one.”
His current knee injury isn’t a surgical matter, and should be better in a couple of weeks . . .
Daily News writer Manish Mehta described John Idzik as “inept,” in a column this week.
I think that is a little over-the-top. Idzik has been on the job less than two years.
No question Idzik needs to improve in his current job, but it’s too early to call him “inept.”
He’s constantly ripped for having $20 million in cap space. I think this angle is overblown. What free agents, aside from Darrelle Revis (who the owner doesn’t want around anymore), could have made such a huge difference for them this year?
DRC is okay, but not a star corner, and has had good and bad games with the Giants this year.
My biggest issue with Idzik isn’t related to the $20 million in cap space, since they have a lot of their own free agents to sign shortly. but his handling of the quarterback situation.
To sign Mike Vick, and then not allow him to challenge Geno Smith, is short-sighted and sends a bad message to the locker room.
But I think it’s way to early to call the man “inept.” YOU CAN’T JUDGE THE 2014 DRAFT YET, IT’S TOO EARLY, AND ANY WRITER WHO DOES IS A NINCOMPOOP.
October 14, 2014
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