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A mid-second quarter scoring drive, that went nine plays and 69 years, featured some very good work by the offensive line.
The first play of the possession was a sweep to LT that gained seven to the left side. Brick Ferguson had the key block on this play.
Two plays later, an LT run up the middle lost two yards. The problem here was Matt Mulligan missed a block on Derrick Johnson coming off the edge, and he stopped the runner in the backfield.
Let’s fast forward to later in this drive, and the biggest play of the possession – a 31-yard run-and-catch by LT on a short crossing route. The key blocking here was mainly giving Sanchez the time he needed to make the throw. Dustin Keller did a nice job of blitz pickup. The key to this play was LT drawing a major mismatch on rookie OLB Justin Houston (270 pounds), and he blew him away.
On the next play, Shonn Greene ran for six yards off right tackle (the play that was reviewed regarding a fumble). On this play, Matt Slauson pulled to the right, and pancaked ILB Javon Belcher. Wayne Hunter also did a nice job of locking up DE Tyson Jackson to seal the edge.
On the next play, Greene ran off left tackle for a seven-yard TD. The left side did a fine job on this play, featuring a very nice block on ILB Cameron Sheffield by Slauson (who is having a very good season). Another key block on this play was by Mulligan lined up on the left side; he helped open a big hole by neutralizing OLB Tambi Hali.
Late first half, after taking over on a short field thanks to a long punt return by Jeremy Kerley, LT took a screen on the right side, and turned into into a 19-yard catch-and-run TD. Mangold pulled to the right side and pancaked Derrick Johnson. Plaxico Burress did some nice blocking down field, locking up CB Brandon Flowers down field, to help LT finish up the run, and get into the end zone.
This game was basically over at the half. Here are fews odds-and-ends from the second half.
On that long penalty-laden drive at the end of the third quarter, which I think sealed Todd Haley’s fate, the Jets had some penalties also. On consecutive plays early in the possession, John Connor was called for a chop block and Vlad Ducasse was penalized for holding.
This possession was mostly driven by KC penalties, but it did end with a nice QB sneak up the middle by Sanchez, who ran behind Mangold, who took care of DE Tyson Jackson.
In the fourth quarter, Brick Ferguson was beat for a sack by Tambi Hali causing a fumble that was recovered by Derrick Johnson.
Late in the game, Greene had a 19-yard run off right tackle, and this play featured a great block by Hunter, who pancaked Tyson Jackson, and Greene ran through the void this created.
One other note, going back to the first half, dealing with the Jets first TD. I failed to mention that Ducasse had the key block on the Sanchez bootleg run to the left, sealing the edge.
Overall, an outstanding game for the Jets protection crew.
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