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Premium – We keep hearing how a certain player needs to play more. I say there is no rush based on what I’m seeing. Let’s take a closer look . . .
There are some in the media pushing this “Jace Amaro needs to play more” agenda, and it’s getting tiresome.
Jeff Cumberland is light years ahead of him as a blocker. And the Jets #1 tight end needs to be a strong blocker.
I was shocked to see Amaro as an in-line blocker, early second quarter, when the Jets were in the red zone, on the five-yard line.
On a Bilal Powell run up the middle, that lost a yard, Amaro lined up next to D’Brickashaw Ferguson on the left side. Defensive end Mike Daniels lined up over Amaro, and blew past him with an inside move to stop Powell for a loss of one.
Amaro is a major project as a blocker.
I think he will get a lot better in time because he’s super-tough, and a very hard worker. He’s got the size and mentality to excel in this area.
But right now he’s a liability.
And I’m telling you, Cumberland is a really, really good blocker. For some reason, some of my friends in the media aren’t seeing this.
On Chris Ivory’s second quarter TD run, Cumberland mauled safety Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix.
Early on this drive, there was a Powell draw up the middle for a gain of 11, on third-and-13. On this play, Cumberland did a nice job of locking up linebacker Clay Matthews.
In the first quarter, on Jeremy Kerley’s 37-yard gain on a read-option, Cumberland manhandled linebacker Julius Peppers.
Cumberland had a rough play early in the game when linebacker Mike Neal got by him to stop Chris Johnson for a loss of one. This is a play that he’d want back.
But those three aforementioned blocks, on three huge first half plays, are case-in-points about this guys impact as a blocker.
People who are pushing for Amaro to replace Cumberland can’t see the forest for the trees.
Amaro is not a very good in-line blocker now, which is understandable, because he played mostly in the slot his last year at Texas Tech.
He should be good in time, but it’s going to take time.
He needs a lot of technique work, and these people pushing for him to get more playing time, need to pay closer attention.
The limited role he’s in right now, where he has a role in the passing game, is just fine . . .
If the Jets can’t do a lot of damage in the air, in the next two games, they don’t have a very good passing attack.
The Jets next two opponents have disastrous cornerback situations.
Chicago lost starter Peanut Tillman for the year against San Francisco with an arm injury, and backup cornerback Shedrick McManus hurt his quad in the same game, and his status for the Jets’ game in unclear. So now they have to start rookie Kyle Fuller before they wanted to.
Detroit put starting cornerback Bill Bentley on IR after the first game, and then lost key reserve Nevin Lawson for the season in the second game.
And quite honestly, neither of these teams had great cornerback situations entering the season. Now they are worse.
It remains to be seen if the Jets 29th-ranked passing offense can take advantage, but both these secondaries can be exploited . . .
Sad day for New Jersey, as a fourth casino closed it’s doors, the Trump Plaza . . .
September 16, 2014
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