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East Rutherford – Time for a heaping helping of Jets Whispers coming out of their win over Miami. Sign-up now. Don’t miss out.
Todd Bowles talked this week about getting more outside speed on the field. He was talking about outside linebacking.
And the guy who had a much bigger role this week was Mike Catapano.
I like Catapano’s motor, but speed isn’t his game, so I’m not sure what Todd was talking about.
Catapano played extensively. He finished with one QB hit.
I think Catapano can help the Jets, but if they think he adds speed to the edge, they aren’t dealing with reality. That isn’t his game. He’s about having a great motor and toughness.
The Jets are still in dire need of a speed rusher off the edge at outside linebacker, a guy who can close the deal on sacks.
The Jets have a very talented defensive line – obviously, but so often they break through for QB pressures and can’t close the deal. They are massive guys, and it’s often hard for them to torque their bodies to bring the QB down when the signal-caller moves a little to get out of the way. This is where really good 3-4 outside linebackers come in handy – the 6-3, 250-pound athletes like Von Miller or Justin Houston who can wrap up and close the deal . . .
Catapano was taken for X-Rays after the game. Don’t know what the problem was . . .
The Jets cornerback play wasn’t bad today until garbage time. The Dolphins scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter down big.
But clearly for the first three quarter, when they gave up just seven points, there was no drop-off with Darrelle Revis out. The Dolphins could get nothing going in the passing game.
Guys like Marcus Williams and Buster Skrine break on the ball better than Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
I think the Jets are going to have a problem moving forward.
Because of ego and money, they are going to go back to the Revis-Cromartie combo, perhaps as soon as next week.
And in my opinion it could cost them.
Those guys should not start together. One perhaps with a younger guy, but not both.
Before the garbage time let down, the Jets cornerback play was very good today, one of the better outings of the season.
The mighty dollar and the mighty egos will put the older pair back out there, and I’m sorry Jets fans, it could be a problem, because neither breaks on the ball very well anymore, and both have lost a step.
I’m sorry folks, I’m just dealing with reality. Revis and Cromartie should not be starting in tandem any more – too much age, not enough quickness.
I have covered the NFL for 20 years, so often decisions are often made for the wrong reasons, as odd as that may sound.
And this will likely be another one of those cases . . .
You saw Marcus Williams ability to break on the ball on that first quarter pick. Unfortunately for him, tight end Dion Sims chopped him at the knees to bring him down after the interception, and Williams had to leave the game.
Here is my exclusive Q-and-A with Williams after the game about the injury.
Q)What is the timetable for your injury?
Williams: Day-to-day. We will see tomorrow and Tuesday and we will see on Wednesday if I can practice.
Q)What is the nature of the injury?
Williams: Not really sure yet. We will see tomorrow. We know it’s the inside of my knee.
Q)So you don’t think it’s serious?
Williams: No, it’s not something that will keep me out for a long time. Hopefully I can go next week, and if not for sure (the game after that).
Q)Was the hit out of line?’
Williams: No, just a low tackle, something that corners do all the time. I think it was a legal play . . .
I’m not putting Ryan Fitzpatrick in Canton, but man are the Jets lucky to have him.
He has his warts, but he’s the best quarterback they have had in quite some time. He had a four touchdown passes today and a 118.9 QB rating.
Last week, I’m not making excuses for him – he wasn’t good enough, but looking back over that game with a fine tooth comb, he was under constant duress, thanks in large part of J.J. Watt, who the Jets had no answer for.
The NFL QB landscape isn’t very good right now, and Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers (who isn’t doing that great right now) aren’t walking in the building at One Jets Drive any time soon.
The Jets could do a lot worse than Fitzpatrick.
And they probably wouldn’t be 6-5 right now without him.
He’s a competent NFL signal-caller.
That is why I got so ticked off with the questioning after the game in Houston last week about his job. It was uncalled for.
November 29, 2015
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