Behind the Jets continues

New Jersey – It’s time to for “Behind the Jets” with a boatload of notes from Dan heading into the weekend. Let’s get it started . . .

In my opinion, the Jets have no excuse – they should be 7-7 after the next two games.

When you look at how Buffalo beat Jacksonville, it was the perfect formula for Mark Sanchez.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was 9-17 for 112 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills pounded the Jaguars on the ground led by Fred Jackson rushing 25 times for 109 yards. C.J. Spiller chipped in 77 yards. That is the Sanchez-formula – limit his throws with a major focus on the run.

The Bills scored on five straight possessions.

The Jacksonville defense was awful . . .

Jacksonville is pretty banged-up.

The Jaguars leading receiver in Buffalo was Cecil Shorts with seven catches, and he’s not going to play this week due to a concussion.

Their first and second running backs, Maurice Jones and Rashad Jennings, are both out of the lineup.

They are down to Maurice Owens at tailback . . .

The Jaguars have lost eight of their last nine games, and do you know who their only win was over during this awful streak – that’s right – the Jets opponents next week – Tennessee.

The Titans are a mess – they just put two starting offensive linemen – guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle David “Big Country” Stewart on injured reserve. Jake Locker is struggling quite a bit at quarterback.

If Rex Ryan and his coaching staff are worth their salt, this team is 7-7 in a couple of weeks . . .

Joe McKnight looked pretty spry out on the practice field today, so he looks good to go . . .

Sione Pouha is the running the best I’ve seen him all years – it doesn’t look like he’s favoring the bulging disc in his back anymore. His return to health is a boon to the Jets run defense . . .

For fans in Florida or Georgia (Jacksonville is right on the Georgia border) who want to check out this game, and don’t want to spend a lot of money – the Jaguars have the cheapest tickets in the league, with prices as low as $10 . . .

Kenrick Ellis (knee) will have a bigger role this week. He was getting starting reps (next to Sione Pouha in a two DT set) at times . . .

Aaron Berry (quad) didn’t looked limited at all today in practice, so he could be up this week . . .

Damon Harrison hobbled off the practice field today with an ankle problem, and won’t play this week . . .

Rex Ryan talks about how good Mark Sanchez has looked in practice this week.

That is fine, but remember, there is no tackling and limited contact in practice – it’s not real football.

Let’s see what he does when the real bullets are flying on Sunday.

His issues related to pocket presence, accuracy and reading defenses on game day rear their ugly head much more in games then practice.

For Sanchez, it’s not a lack of work. The guy works his tail off, but when the lights come on, his mind starts racing and his decision-making often is problematic.

So while it’s admirable that he reached out to people like Mark Brunell for advice this week, it might not help once the game starts.

This might be his last stand, and he knows it. It’s hard to imagine that the issues he had in the last two games (and other games over the last two seasons), regarding his quarterback instincts and field vision are going to miraculously transform in EverBank Stadium.

It will be interesting theater on Sunday – let’s see if he can lift himself up and get this straightened out.

The odds are against him.

Inherent problems generally don’t magically disappear.

December 7, 2012

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