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New Jersey – A couple of items to get into today coming out of the Jets win over Buffalo – one about the secondary and the other about the defensive line . . .
In the Jets-Bills game, Buffalo wide receiver Greg Salas had a 71-yard touchdown pass. It was kind of a broken play, and Tyrod Taylor bought time and hit the former Jet deep.
Rontez Miles was the closest player, but Todd Bowles said it wasn’t his fault.
It’s hard to tell whether Bowles is covering for Miles, or the answer is legit.
But here is the problem, and it pains me to say it because Miles is such a good guy, and he’s overcome so much in his life – he has issues in coverage sometimes.
And the problem isn’t of his own making.
He’s got stiff hips and doesn’t have great speed. Those are two characteristics can create a major challenges in the open field.
If I’m a coach, I want him on my team. He’s as tough as they come, a very good special teams player and box safety.
But to ask him to cover the deep third, like he seemed to be doing on that play, isn’t putting him in a good position to succeed.
The reason Miles was in the game was because Calvin Pryor got nicked and had to come out briefly.
It’s time to get Antonio Allen in the mix some as the third safety. He’s better in space than Miles.
Like I said, Miles issues in coverage are not his fault. It’s the way he’s built . . .
On the Bills’ third offensive series, there were not one, but to holding calls against Buffalo on Jets defensive linemen.
Get used to this. It’s going to happen a lot. The Jets are so athletic up front, guys like Mo Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson often are just too quick into gaps for some offensive linemen.
And something to keep in mind – the Jets next two opponents have significant offensive line issues.
The Chiefs will play on Sunday with both starting offensive guards out of the lineup – G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle) and G Parker Ehinger (concussion). Who knows if either will be back for the Jets game. And then Seattle has one of the worst offensive line situations in the league. They lost their left tackle this off-season, Russell Okung, to Denver in free agency (that is why they were willing to trade Ryan Clady to the Jets), and they have all kinds of new pieces on the line, including playing last year’s right tackle at center. Their first round pick was offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, and he was moved to guard, but he got hurt in the opener against Miami, and will miss this Sunday’s game in Los Angeles. He has an ankle injury and who knows if he will be back for the Jets game.
So definitely expect more Jets defensive line domination in the next two games.
September 16, 2016
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