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This is going to benefit the Jets.
The Jets are coming off a prolific passing performance against the Chicago Bears with Mike White throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
And don’t be surprised if it continues against the Minnesota Vikings.
Aside from all the weapons, the Jets have in their passing offense, another factor that could lead to a big game for their passing offense is the Vikings’ situation at cornerback.
On November 12, they put starting cornerback Cam Dantzler on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and today Ian Rapoport announced that rookie cornerback Andrew Booth had knee surgery, so he obviously will miss the Jets game. Booth, one of the top corners in the 2022 draft, was picked in the second round, and started the Dallas game a couple of weeks ago, but got hurt.
It’s possible Dantzler could come off injured reserve this week, but his status for the Jets game is still up on the air.
So the Vikings’ cornerback situation is far from ideal, and this should benefit the Jets.
Another injury that will benefit the Jets in his game is Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw being in concussion protocol after suffering head injuries in back-to-back games.
The Jets’ edge rush has come on this year, and likely facing a backup left tackle should help keep them rolling . . .
This narrative that Mike White got off to a slow start in camp, I don’t buy it.
To me, it’s just spin to justify not playing him. And honestly, he could have been Joe Montana in camp, and there was no way he was going to start.
White’s been better than the draft pick the entire time, but we all know that when you pick a QB second overall, most teams are going to roll with him.
White was better than him last year, and this year, in practices and games. He goes through his progressions better, has better pocket presence, is better at throwing guys open, and does a better job of keeping his eyes downfield, and not dropping his eye level to look at the pass rush . . .
Getting back to injuries, when George Fant is ready to roll, expect him to take over at right tackle. The Jets love Max Mitchell as a prospect, and he seemed to do a decent job being called into action when Cedric Ogbuehi got hurt during the Chicago Bears game, but the Jets are in the playoff hunt, so going with the veteran Fant, makes more sense right now . . .
Robert Saleh was asked a bunch of trap questions today about Mike White vis-a-vis Zach Wilson, like this one, from somebody who asks trap questions with aplomb:
Q: Is there a situation, Robert, where Mike (White) over these next couple of games, whether it’s two games, whether it three games, can stack enough games together where you say, ‘You know what, we’re sticking with Mike through thick and thin the rest of the year?’
Saleh: You’re going to hate me for this one, but we’re going to focus on this one. No hypotheticals, but I do appreciate the question.
Perfect answer.
Why is necessary now to hammer Saleh with Zach Wilson questions today?
Let’s just see how this plays out. Nobody has a crystal ball.
But I can assure you of one thing – you can’t fix a quarterback’s footwork, mechanics and muscle memory over the last month of the season. That is flat-out impossible. That is not enough time.
And by the way, good luck in the locker room going back to Wilson late in the season. You think that would play well with the veterans?
Saleh did a good job not chasing windmills in his answer to this trap question. Short, sweet answer and he should keep it that way.
November 28, 2022
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