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Getting obscured due to the Jets’ 0-4 record is how well Joe Tippmann is playing at his new position of right guard.
He is mauling people.
An example in the Jets-Miami game was early in the game, on the Jets’ first offensive series, Tippmann pulled from right guard to the left side and took out defensive end Chop Robinson on a Braelon Allen 15-yard gain off left guard.
You could make an argument that guard might be an even better position for Tippmann because it takes the shotgun snapping chores off his plate, something he’s struggled with at times, and now he can just fire off the ball.
The Jets have a lot of issues right now, but for the most part their running game isn’t one of them, and Tippmann has opened some massive holes for Jets runners over the first month of the season . . .
Speaking of the Jets’ running game, it’s surprising, considering how they are running it, that it hasn’t led to an even more successful passing game, with all the play-action and bootleg opportunities the run game can set up.
If you look at Justin Fields’ stats from the Jets-Miami game, you would think he had a terrific game – 20-27 for 226 yards, one touchdown, and a 111 QB Rating.
He was okay, but keep in mind, 57 of those passing yards came on a drive late in the game, with the Jets down 27-13, and the Dolphins playing prevent defense, milking the clock.
Miami is painfully thin at corner, after the trade of Jaylen Ramsey, the release of 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, four corners on IR, including Kader Kohou, who started 38 games for them the previous three seasons.
The Jets just didn’t do enough through the air to take advantage of this.
This concept, which is very common in the echo chamber, that the Jets are lacking WR weapons to complement Garrett Wilson, is utter nonsense.
Why not throw to Arian Smith sometimes, maybe the fastest player in the league?
As for Josh Reynolds the presumed #2 receiver entering the year, who returned to the lienup in Miami after missing two games with a hamstring injury, he had no catches in Miami. Do you want him to throw the ball to himself?
Same with Allen Lazard who had one catch in Miami.
People who attack Smith, Reynolds and Lazard for not doing more, just don’t get it.
I’m not putting any of them in Canton, but you have got to understand this is basically a one-read and run offense. In other words, on many plays, the QB looks for the first read, and if it’s not there, the QB often takes off and runs.
That isn’t meant as a shot at Justin Fields. He is who he is. He gives you everything he’s got. If you have an issue with the one-read-or-run approach, don’t criticize him. It was all over the film from his first four years. He’s not going anything egregious. It’s how he generally plays the game, and quite honestly, he has a lot of company with the approach in the NFL, but especially college.
If you objectively look at the Jets-Miami game, the lion’s share of the time, that first read was Garrett Wilson or Mason Taylor.
So spare me all these attacks on the Jets receivers not named Garrett Wilson.
As Santonio Holmes was famously said while with the Jets when his numbers were down – “What do you expect him to throw the ball to myself.”
And one other thing to consider about the limited production of guys like Reynolds (when not sidelined obviously) and Lazard, they are both terrific on 50-50 balls, or throwing them open, and how many of those have they been given those opportunities this year? I will hang up and listen.
You see, while it’s not Fields fault because the film don’t lie, he doesn’t throw a lot of 50-50 balls, or throws guys open (which sometimes can be the same thing), perhaps because it’s kind of risky throw, and with his turnover history, perhaps he doesn’t want to go down that road.
But in the NFL, the throwing windows are often so small, you need these throws in your repertoire. Aaron Rodgers throws 50-50 balls and throws guys open all the time. He’s doing it in Pittsburgh with D.K., Metcalf quite a bit.
So yes, Fields did some good things in Miami, but why was so little accomplished through the air before that last drive against a team with a bus station at cornerback?
Look, Fields’ 43-yard TD run was a spectacular play, but that is like a grand slam homer in baseball – those plays don’t happen that often.
In a passing league, you need to do a little bit more through the air than the Jets did in Miami, especially with how bad the Dolphins played against the pass in their first three games.
October 2, 2025
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