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East Rutherford – The Jets had some major issues against the Giants, but they did have a few positives, believe it or not. Let’s get into some game notes . . .
Raiders executive Joey Clinkscales, a long-time Jets’ executive, was at the game.
You know darn well the Raiders will jump on a Jets’ player or two on the final cutdown.
Clinkscales knows the Jets’ roster intimately . . .
One thing that hurt the Jets in tonight’s game was the lack of a game plan, which is the case in all preseason games.
One player told me, in a game plan situation, there would have been more chipping on the edge pass rushers.
Clearly Wayne Hunter needed help against JPP, and did not get any.
Hunter was amazing after the game, answering a half-hour of non-stop questions.
Say you want about the player, but he’s a real standup guy . . .
One question I had after the game was – “Why not use Stephon Heyer at right tackle?”
He’s got 36 career starts, and played the Giants eight times during his four years in Washington. He has a lot of experience blocking JPP, Tuck, Osi and company.
Perhaps because he’s still getting over a biceps injury, and the trainers didn’t want to make it worse.
It could turn out that if Hunter struggles again next week against Carolina (DE Charles Johnson is a heck of a player), Heyer could be a starting option.
In all fairness, I don’t think Austin Howard would have done better against JPP, Tuck and Osi? Not likely. And Howard gave up a sack to an undrafted free agent – Adewale Ojomo, in the second half.
Heyer is probably better than Austin Howard, and might be better than Hunter . . .
Two of the few bright spot for the Jets tonight – Quinton Coples and Antonio Allen.
Coples had a couple of QB pressures, and an amazing run stop.
He showed impressive strength and athleticism pulling RB David Wilson to the ground with one hand for no gain.
Allen is a force in run support. He had two tackles for losses . . .
Another positive for the Jets was their run defense – the Giants ran 32 times for 58 yards – a 1.8 average . . .
No injuries were announced, but DE Jay Richardson was in the trainer’s room long after the game. I’m not sure exactly what is wrong with him . . .
It would be helpful to the Jets if they got Ricky Sapp back next week to see what he can do in a preseason game or two. He was the best pass rusher I was seeing in camp until he got hurt.
The Jets need somebody to step up at OLB as a pass rusher.
While Aaron Maybin did have a blocked punt, he continues to struggle getting off blocks as a pass rusher, and Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas are Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas – solid all-around LB’s, but not dynamic pass rushers.
But one thing is pretty clear – Coples ability as an inside rusher will lead to some double teams inside, and free rushers on the outside . . .
If it’s any consolation, the Giants are the best pass rushing team in the league, and very few Sunday’s, if any, in 2012, are the Jets going to face a group of pass rushing defensive ends this formidable . . .
August 18, 2012
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