New York Jets (1^st AFC East 4-1) @ Denver Broncos (4^th AFC West 2-3)

Sunday October 17 @ 4:05 PM

INVESCO Field at Mile High

There are a few obstacles the Jets must surmount en route to the high altitudes of Denver, including the shortened preparation week, the aching hamstring of CB Darrelle Revis, and the clash between a compelling pass oriented offense and a charitable coverage team. The Broncos are obliged to invent some creative offensive alignments in anticipation of the Jets multifaceted blitz schemes. Additionally, they have to compensate for the dubious health of valuable offensive contributors RB Knowshon Moreno and WR Demariyus Thomas. Denver is as predictable as they are perilous through the air; QB Kyle Orton averages 333 passing yards per game (2^nd in NFL) with the assistance of surprisingly industrious WRs Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, and Eddie Royal.

NYJ:    234.6 passing YPG allowed (23 in NFL) 79.0 rushing YPG allowed (4 in NFL)

            172.0 passing YPG offense (25 in NFL) 165.2 rushing YPG offense (1 in NFL)

DEN:   213.8 passing YPG allowed (16 in NFL) 127.4 rushing YPG allowed (25 in NFL)

            333.0 passing YPG offense (2 in NFL) 51.8 rushing YPG offense (32 in NFL)

New York Jets Injury Report

Name                           Position           Injury                          Game Status

Leonhard, Jim             S                      Biceps                         Probable

Mangold, Nick            C                     Shoulder                      Probable

Moore, Brandon          G                     Hamstring                   Probable

Pace, Calvin                LB                   Foot                             Probable

Revis, Darrelle            CB                   Hamstring                   Questionable

Westerman, Jamaal     LB                   Ankle                          Probable

Denver Broncos Injury Report

Name                           Position           Injury                          Game Status

Ayers, Robert              LB                   Foot                             Out

Brown, Andre             RB                   Illness                          Probable

Dawkins, Brian           S                      Knee                            Out

Goodman, Andre        CB                   Quadricep                   Out

Haggan, Mario            LB                   Neck                            Probable

Larsen, Spencer           FB                   Ankle                          Questionable

McBath, Darcel           S                      Ankle                          Out

Moreno, Knowshon    RB                   Hamstring                   Questionable

Thomas, Demaryius    WR                  Concussion                  Questionable

Woodyard, Wesley     LB                   Hamstring                   Out

CB Champ Bailey

The Broncos principal defensive resource is CB Champ Bailey, a gifted athlete qualified to relegate opposing WRs and reduce their offensive influence. The most plausible scenario involves WR Braylon Edwards, nevertheless Bailey might be held responsible for WRs Jerricho Cotchery and Santonio Holmes on particular coverage schemes. Fortunately, RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Dustin Keller are credible options provided that the offensive line allots sufficient time for QB Mark Sanchez to locate an available receiver.

Denver Offensive Line

Injuries have mandated Coach Josh McDaniels to experiment with the configuration of his offensive line. The integrity of the line could be compromised if players receive limited practice time while McDaniels consequently draws his own conclusions regarding their efficiency. The New York defense can take advantage of any inconsistencies revealed by the pass protection. The Jets are liable to blitz virtually anybody if even a slight infirmity is exposed, and they will make a determined effort to restrain an appreciably one-dimensional offense.

RB Shonn Greene

New York football revolves around the run. RB Shonn Greene exhibited enough potential to deserve the principal spot on the depth chart prior to the regular season. Subsequently, Tomlinson accumulated the majority of the carries and Greene was downgraded to periodic designed schemes. Nevertheless, Coach Ryan by no means lost confidence in the sophomore, and his expectations remain vast for the robust RB. The Jets will continue to depend on Greene to convert third downs and to prosper in the red zone.

Severe thunderstorms pounded the artificial turf on New Meadowlands Stadium Monday night. The extreme weather conditions suspended the opening kickoff for practically forty minutes, yet as the downpour intensified in the second half so did the Vikings sluggish offense. QB Brett Favre was completely ineffective for the initial two quarters, completing merely 3 of 7 pass attempts for 31 yards. He was noticeably limited by tendonitis in his right elbow. WR Percy Harvin ascended in the fourth quarter with two touchdown receptions that reduced the point differential to 22-20. With 1:30 remaining, Minnesota’s comeback aspirations were dampened when CB Dwight Lowery bolstered the lead with an interception return for a touchdown. The Jets prevailed 29-20, furthermore elevating their league position with a premium 4-1 record.

Kicking

The Jets economical offense was challenged by the aggravating Vikings defense the entire game. Time consuming, constructive drives were insufficient for the majority of the contest. Fortunately, K Nick Folk resolutely compensated their efforts by connecting on all five FG attempts from distances of 22, 25, 31, 34, and 53 yards. P Steve Weatherford lent vital support to the New York defense by steadily restricting the field for Minnesota. Four of his seven total punts confined the Vikings within their own 20-yard line (downed on the 11, 6, 9, and 16-yard lines).

QB Pressure

The Jets defense, for all their sensational achievements this season, addressed a conspicuous vulnerability through the air. Injuries and penalties have decelerated a team with a proclivity for intimidating the quarterback. LB Calvin Pace mounted 1.5 sacks in his opportune arrival. DE Shaun Ellis, CB Drew Coleman, and LB Jason Taylor all supplied additional force, in particular Taylor’s forced fumble subsequently recovered by LB Bart Scott. Lucrative blitz packages are contingent on effective man-to-man outside coverage, and CB Antonio Cromartie suitably enveloped WR Randy Moss. The one notable exception was a 37-yard touchdown pass that seamlessly descended into Moss’s hands.

Rain

In case you were curious about how New Meadowlands Stadium is designed to contend with the complete saturation that occurred Monday night (and the previous Monday night game incidentally) here is a excerpt from an informative article about how water-saving initiatives influenced stadium construction from PMEngineer.com.

“In order to drain the field, roof-type drains were specified under the turf (located continuously along the sidelines) to collect water that filtered through the playing surface. The gravel sub-base layer acts as a reservoir and provides the necessary head pressure to maintain drainage flow.”

How interesting!

Synopsis

RB Shonn Greene (10 attempts for 57 yards) scored the Jets lone touchdown on a fierce 23-yard run in the fourth quarter. RB LaDainian Tomlinson (20 attempts for 94 yards, 5 receptions for 13 yards) was perpetually dependable. WRs Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery each collected five receptions for 70 and 46 yards respectively. WR Santonio Holmes (3 receptions for 41 yards) and TE Dustin Keller (2 receptions for 14 yards) were mildly productive. QB Mark Sanchez (21 completions in 44 attempts for 191 yards) averted any tarnish to his immaculate turnover ratio, but was inefficient at converting red-zone opportunities. Winning teams characteristically profit from exploiting the opposition’s mistakes while limiting their own; and with a triumph over the Vikings, the Jets once more established their reputation as a winning team, perhaps a Super Bowl team.

Minnesota Vikings (3^rd in NFC North) @ New York Jets (1^st in AFC East)

Monday October 11 2010 @ 8:30 PM

New Meadowlands Stadium

Team Comparisons

Passing

QB Brett Favre has failed to generate the same offensive energy that facilitated the 2009 Vikings. Maybe he should dedicate more time to resolving the miscommunications with his receivers instead of cavorting with hostesses and massage therapists. It must be a rough season when you deliver fewer touchdowns than cell-phone snapshots of “Lil’ Brett”. Favre has only connected in the end-zone twice, and he has averaged two interceptions per game. QB Mark Sanchez continues to silence his critics following a clean sweep through the AFC East. Behind a resilient offensive line, Sanchez has thrown five touchdowns and zero interceptions without enduring a solitary sack his previous two games. His swift execution is manifested in a self-assured attitude. Sanchez articulated that position in his news conference Wednesday. “I think we’re a lot more confident this year, me especially. Just with the production … it’s put us into a rhythm.”

Rushing

Adrian Peterson is the preeminent RB in the NFL. He averages 130.7 rushing yards per game, surpassed only by Arian Foster (134.2 YPG), in spite of accumulating 15 fewer attempts (70) than Foster (85). He is unquestionably the nucleus of the Minnesota offense, employing a distinctive combination of aggression and athleticism. According to LB Bart Scott, Peterson distinguishes himself by provoking contact. “There are very few violent runners in this game. He is going to scrap and fight for every inch.” Furthermore, Peterson has suppressed his tendency to fumble this season. RBs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene have combined for 564 of the Jets 671 total rushing yards this season, the second most in the NFL. Tomlinson was recognized for his outstanding performance in Buffalo (133 yards on 19 attempts and 2 TDs) by earning FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week honors. It would be redundant for the Jets to modify their run-oriented philosophy considering the assortment of weapons at their disposal; principal receivers are frequent contributors on reverses and WR Brad Smith (8 attempts for 79 yards, 9.9 YPA) capably manages option-style formations.

Receiving

One explanation for Minnesota’s inefficiency through the air is the void created by WR Sidney Rice’s assignment to the Physically Unable to Perform list. Favre has relied heavily on dispensing quick tosses to Peterson. TE Visanthe Shiancoe has developed a reputation as a dependable presence in the red zone, however he is currently battling a hamstring injury and won’t be fully operational for Monday. WR Percy Harvin (12 receptions for 106 yards, 1 TD) was Favre’s most stable option. He is competent enough to punish the Jets defense if they converge on newly acquired WR Randy Moss. Moss will eventually serve as the Vikings prime receiver, but his expectations for this particular game should be reduced. TE Dustin Keller has evolved into a relentless competitor with an appetite for the ball. He is tied for second in the NFL with 7 total red zone targets, and he is tied for first with 4 red zone touchdowns. Sanchez evenly distributes the ball amongst the remainder of his arsenal; WR Braylon Edwards (12 receptions for 227 yards, 3 TDs), Tomlinson (12 receptions for 82 yards), and WR Jerricho Cotchery (11 receptions for 90 yards, 1 TD). Moss’s thunder will inevitably be stolen by another participant debuting in an unfamiliar uniform, WR Santonio Holmes. Holmes will benefit from his regular attendance at offensive meetings throughout the length of his suspension; nevertheless he will be gradually introduced to the system at a modest pace.

Defense/Kicking

Minnesota is ranked 4^th in the NFL surrendering 276.3 total yards per game. More impressive is their resistance to committing penalties, having accrued a meager 102 yards on 13 missteps through the season. CB Antoine Winfield is serviceable in coverage, but he could become overwhelmed without CB Chris Cook available. LB Chad Greenway is a versatile contributor on every down, and DE Jared Allen is a tenacious pass rusher. Fortunately for New York, their vital defensive components should be functional by kickoff. LB Calvin Pace will enhance a humble pass rush that allows a discomfiting 233.2 passing yards per game, tied for 10^th worst in the NFL, and CB Darrelle Revis can singlehandedly dispose of elite receivers when his hamstrings cooperate. In spite of those temporary absences, the Jets revealed sufficient depth defensively. DE Shaun Ellis leads the team with three sacks, and CB Antonio Cromartie has snared two interceptions. Minnesota K Ryan Longwell has extracted the maximum from his rare appearances this season, nailing his three FG attempts. New York K Nick Folk has been somewhat more industrious, connecting on 7 of 9 FG attempts; a reasonable percentage considering one miss was a 61 yarder to conclude the first half against Miami.

Jets Injury Report

Player                          Position           Injury               Friday Practice Participation

Conner, John               FB                   Neck                Full

Ellis, Shaun                 DE                   Knee                Limited

Hunter, Wayne            T                      Shin                 Limited

Mangold, Nick            C                     Shoulder          Limited

Moore, Brandon          G                     Hamstring       Limited

Pace, Calvin                LB                   Foot                 Full

Revis, Darrelle            CB                   Hamstring       Limited

Taylor, Jason               LB                   Elbow              Full

Westerman, Jamaal     LB                   Ankle              Limited

Vikings Injury Report

Player                          Position           Injury               Friday Practice Participation

Cook, Chris                 CB                   Knee                Did Not Practice

Favre, Brett                 QB                  Ankle/             Limited

                                                            Right Elbow

McKinnie, Bryant       T                      Finger              Full

Shiancoe, Visanthe     TE                   Hamstring       Limited

Sullivan, John              C                     Calf                 Limited

Summary

Minnesota has underachieved in the course of the initial stage of the season. Their bye week arrived at an opportune time considering the assortment of medical setbacks the offense was subjected to. The Vikings mediocre record (1-2) is representative of their offensive deficiencies; 14.3 points notched per game is 30^th in the NFL rankings. Paradoxically, Minnesota has absorbed more scandalous headlines recently than a New York team who arrogantly savors the attention. Of course, Favre’s alleged unsavory behavior ensued while he represented the Jets, go figure. New York must rise above their recent substandard Monday Night performances and embrace the advantage of an eager and motivated New Meadlowlands Stadium crowd. The Jets have an opportunity to improve their presently tremendous record (3-1) by triumphing over an NFC team who met an identical fate in the 2009 conference championship. The Jets are riding a wave provoked from confidence in their quarterback, but victory cannot be guaranteed without respecting the potential from the other man under center who has built his historic career on prevailing in critical games.

Yesterday afternoon, I was considering the implications of the Buffalo trade shipping RB Marshawn Lynch to Seattle. Lynch was steadily receiving attention as his availability became more pronounced, and it appeared as though Green Bay or Philadelphia would be logical destinations considering the injuries suffered by their respective backs. The immediate implication, as far as the Jets are concerned, is expanded production for rookie C.J. Spiller. Spiller should assume greater responsibilities in the backfield in collaboration with RB Fred Jackson, in addition to preserving his role as a kick returning threat. This trade doesn’t exactly jeopardize the impending playoff contention of New York; neither did the departure of QB Trent Edwards for that matter. Nevertheless, Buffalo is emerging as the plausible frontrunner in the 2011 Jake Locker sweepstakes.

The news came and went uneventfully, and I assumed the dust had settled in the AFC East.

Enter Bill Simmons, and the bomb he inadvertently dropped on Twitter.

@sportsguy33: Moss vikings 10/5/10 7:13 PM

Those two words ignited a media frenzy. Details gradually materialized from various sports news outlets confirming a dialogue between New England and Minnesota. Randy Moss had publicly acknowledged his frustration with the Patriots, but there was no suggestion of any pursuit of a reunion in Minnesota. More intriguing is the alliance with QB Brett Favre, who in 2007 expressed legitimate interest in Moss as he broadcast his appeals to the Green Bay front offices for a talented and undervalued offensive weapon. Now it is confirmed that Moss is indeed a member of the Vikings organization, and that begs the question, how does this affect the Jets?

Here is a breakdown of Moss’s career statistics against the Jets

(MIN)  2002                1 Game            4 Receptions               86 Yards

(OAK) 2005                1 Game            2 Receptions               18 Yards

(NE)    2007                2 Games          14 Receptions             262 Yards                   1 Touchdown

(NE)    2008                2 Games          5 Receptions               48 Yards                     1 Touchdown

(NE)    2009                2 Games          9 Receptions               58 Yards                     1 Touchdown

(NE)    2010                1 Game            2 Receptions               38 Yards                     1 Touchdown

Total                            9 Games          36 Receptions             510 Yards                   4 Touchdowns

Average/Game            4 Receptions               56.7 Yards                  0.4 Touchdowns

 Those numbers are not overly impressive. 2007 was an exceptional year for every Patriot considering their refusal to lose a game until the Super Bowl. The Jets possess no shortage of bulletin board material in anticipation of the Monday Night matchup against the Vikings, particularly the conspicuous return of Favre. The real significance of the Moss trade is New England’s intention to redesign the offense. Rookie TE’s Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski have solidified themselves as reliable targets for QB Tom Brady, and WR Brandon Tate has displayed potential game-breaking abilities. WR Wes Welker now occupies the top spot on the Patriot depth chart. The Jets defense has not yet lived up to its reputation against the pass surrendering 233.2 YPG through the air, ranked 22^nd in the NFL. By comparison, New York relinquishes a stingy 74.8 YPG on the ground, ranked 4^th in the NFL. Jet fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief in appreciation of the returns of CB Darrelle Revis and LB Calvin Pace from injuries. The additions of a shutdown cornerback and efficient pass-rusher should benefit a defense that has applied limited pressure to quarterbacks this season.

And now, sans Moss, the Patriots give the impression of a team content scuffling for second place in a division that by all rights should be secured by the Jets. In the meantime, expect Moss to collide with the same coverage from the New York secondary regardless of his uniform. Monday Night is the first opportunity for the Jets to chalk up a victory against the NFC this season, and I expect the Jets to make a statement proclaiming their distinction atop the NFL power rankings.

The Jets have regained their status amongst the NFL elite after convincingly defeating Buffalo on the road 38-14. With cautious optimism, Jet fans feared a potential trap game against the third consecutive interdivision opponent. But any doubts were quickly erased once LaDainian Tomlinson propelled the offense to an early lead with a goal line rushing touchdown on the opening drive. New York never surrendered command of the game as they demonstrated superiority on both sides of the ball. But the Jets most impressive achievement this game was their renewed focus and unflinching determination. The self-inflicted wounds they suffered against Baltimore in week one, costly penalties, third-down inefficiency, clock mismanagement, and a general lack of concentration, appear to be nursed back to health.

Contributions to Victory

Passing Game: The sophomore campaign of Mark Sanchez has been shaped on week-to-week consistency. His passer rating is an essential component of the Jets success, and it is no coincidence that he boasts a 117.1 rating in the course of the past three wins. As he continues to develop chemistry with Dustin Keller (2010 statistics: 19 receptions [13 for first downs], 254 yards, 5 touchdowns) his confidence should intensify.

Rushing Game: Poor production from Shonn Greene early in the season encouraged Coach Ryan to promote Tomlinson as the feature back. Instead of complaining to the media, Greene has professionally made the most of his responsibilities on offense, and his efforts were rewarded on Sunday as he accumulated 117 yards on 22 carries. Greene should continue to complement Tomlinson by sharing carries. Ultimately, Jets victories outweigh the frustration of his fantasy football owners.

Defense: Third downs had been the Achilles heel for the Jets defense this season. They had allowed a substandard 51% (23/45) conversion rate prior to the contest in Buffalo. The Bills were denied a single third down conversion in 10 attempts. Additionally, the Jets recovered two fumbles, and the defensive backs capably limited the production of Buffalo’s receivers. The linebackers and defensive ends were well prepared for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was deprived of facilitating an aerial assault reminiscent of his performance versus New England.

The Week Ahead

The Jets reunite with Brett Favre in their second Monday Night Football appearance this season when they confront Minnesota at the New Meadowlands stadium October 11. CB Darrelle Revis and LB Calvin Pace are due to return from injuries, and WR Santonio Holmes is expected to take the field in his initial regular season game sporting green and white following his suspension. The Jets are 7-1 all-time against the Vikings, and 17-24 on MNF.

I will be blogging live throughout the game, mostly this will be an exercise in self-restraint. I can get a little emotional during Jet games … (a serious understatement)

7:28   Nice short pass to Greene. Sticking to the fundamentals

7:31   The offense appears a little over-excited, a defensive shutdown this drive would bring back the momentum

7:34   THAT”S WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT!!! Ellis and Thomas with massive hits! This short field position will work favorably for Tomlinson

7:37   Sanchez could use a valium right about now, or at least a neck rub. Folk is a sure-thing from this distance, it’s nice to put up points first

10:54 1st Quarter Jets 3 – Ravens 0 [Nick Folk 23-yard FG]

7:42   The Ravens are a smart team, the Jets need to apply pressure but not overconfidently

7:44   Kris Jenkins down, I was expecting the sad piano music they cut away to on FOX NFL Sunday, I hope 77 can still produce tonight, he is essential for minimizing the run

7:47   Giving up 3rd and Longs are inexcusable, Flacco is a dangerous quarterback when he has time in the pocket

7:49   Clutch defense from Wilson, the Jets could be vulnerable to Heap tonight, he is tough to match-up against

7:53   Offensive penalities can be suicidal, but letting Baltimore slip away from 3rd and 28 is completely irresponsible, Wilson reveals those rookie tendencies

7:58   Jets Ball! If the defense keeps their composure and stops committing thoughtless penalties they can control this game

8:01   I wonder what my girlfriend would think of Mark Sanchez’s Pistol Formation…

End of 1st Quarter Jets 3 – Ravens 0

8:05   Sanchez looks most comfortable dumping those quick short passes off, he should continue to deliver those with success as long as LT can handle 50% of the carries to solidify the rushing attack

8:09   Tirico just announced Jenkins will miss the remainder of the game, it will be a challenge for the Jets to adjust

8:10   Bryan Thomas looks re-energized, constant pressure on Flacco!

8:11 Terrific punt return by Leonhard, the special teams blocking is on target, if anything the Jets should be well prepared tonight

8:13   Sanchez’s best looking throw all night, 33-yarder to Keller on the Baltimore 4, negated by a stupid out-of-formation penalty on Edwards, joining the exclusive list of NY wide receivers shooting themselves in the foot, or leg, you know what I mean

8:20   It would be gutsy to go for it on 4th and 1, right up Ryan’s wheelhouse, I predict they will try to draw the defense offsides and put up 3 more points if unsuccessful

8:16 2nd Quarter Jets 6 – Ravens 0 [Nick Folk 28-yard FG]

8:28   Apparantly the Jets would play impeccably if the NFL removed the 3rd Down, every other down they keep their heads screwed on

8:31   Antonio Cromartie interception! Redemption! Tremendous return, hopefully this play will withstand Harbaugh’s challenge

8:34   Ruling stands, the Jets need to run up this score if they unravel a string of nonsense penalties

8:36   Damnit Shonne Greene, these momentum swings are not good for my digestion, maybe BBQ ribs were a bad choice tonight

8:39   Flacco is displaying a lot of poise here, no question the Ravens have pieces in place to contend for the postseason

8:44   Braylon Edwards…please…shave your beard and quit handing this game over to the Ravens on a silver platter

8:47   Abolish the 3rd Down! This is completely insane, hopefully it will end with the 3 points Baltimore earned before Braylon’s idiotic penalty

8:49   The Jets could have run out this half after Cromartie’s pick, a comfortable 9-0 lead before kicking off the second half, these penalties are destroying the Jets chances

0:06 2nd Quarter Jets 6 – Ravens 7 [Willis McGahee 1-yard TD run]

8:53   If the Jets can recover from these self-inflicted penalties they should pull away in the second half, the defense has looked fierce in Jenkins’ absence, I expect more than a few Sanchez-Keller connections in the future

End of 1st Half Jets 6 – Ravens 7

9:09   I thought the picture on my TV was malfunctioning but it might just be really foggy at the Meadowlands

9:13   What? Was that a 3rd Down? Glorious! Maybe they can turn things around this half

9:14   For your information, the Jets have yet to convert a 3rd down themselves this game, otherwise they are operating with consistency across the board

9:16   I admire the way Tomlinson has bounced back as a Jet this year, but it’s worrisome when Sanchez becomes so dependent on him, that was a nice shot downfield to Cotchery, but yet another 3rd down goes un-converted

9:24   Not even a boisterous Jets crowd can slow the 3rd down wrecking crew of Baltimore, unbelievable

9:27   The Jets defense look like the wind has been knocked out of them, they need to regain their composure

9:29   When the Ravens run a red-zone offensive formation with an emtpy backfield its clear that they have no fear of the Jets secondary

7:07 3rd Quarter Jets 6 – Ravens 10 [Billy Cundiff 25-yard FG]

9:33   Solid kick return by Smith to the 32, the Jets need a gradual, punishing scoring drive and regain their confidence

9:35   Not exactly what I was hoping for, now its clear that Tomlinson could be the feature back

9:36   This game is a comedy of errors, the crowd must will the defense to a safety on the goal line

9:38   If the Jets don’t force a turnover on 2nd down I have a sneaking suspicion what might happen afterwards…

9:41   No doubt Ryan told someone on special teams to take a cheap shot, if a midfield brawl can’t ressurect this team, nothing can

9:45 Capitalize on these chances! Brad Smith might breathe some life into this team yet

End of 3rd Quarter Jets 6 – Ravens 10

9:52   3rd and long…again…

9:53   Outstanding stop, get it together offense!

9:57   Sanchez looks too tentative, afraid to loft it more than a few yards downfield

9:59   C’mon Nicky! Barely snuck it through, just one more defensive stop and maybe Folk can put this ugly, ugly game away for good

10:29 4th Quarter Jets 9 – Ravens 10 [Nick Folk 48-yard FG]

10:04   The Ravens managed to improvise when their patented “induce a penalty on 3rd down” play was squandered, Baltimore has very reliable wide receivers

10:08   It’s not too late to get it together, I wouldn’t object to a Sanchez bomb to Keller on 1st down, something to break open this stingy offense

10:11   In-game statistics, Jets 1st downs – 4, Jets penalties – 13

10:12   Excuse me, 5 1st downs, thank you LT

10:13   Sanchez tenderly limps off the field after a horrendous Ngata sack, this is bleak

10:17   Check out that play call on 1st down, launch a deep pass to the Tight End, sounds familiar, maybe because I recommended it to the Jets 9 minutes ago! Maybe the Ravens personnel are reading this blog

10:21   This is so sick, it’s not losing to the Ravens that’s depressing, it’s the complete self-destruction

10:26   And it comes down to this, lets’s go!

10:29   I actually think that was a smart Time Out call, figure out the next sequence of plays

10:31   If Jon Gruden makes one more “Hard Knocks” wisecrack I will go bananas

10:33   Maybe I should stop singing the praises of Dustin Keller, he could clearly see where that 1st down marker was, just terrible

10:34   Not the ideal result, it’s a long season though, bring on New England, thank you for bearing with me Jet fans!

Final Jets 9 – Ravens 10

There was certainly no lack of excitement surrounding the inaugural NFL game at the New Meadlowlands stadium Monday night August 16; and no shortage of extensive plotlines regarding off-season acquisitions and significant player absences.

Coach Ryan has made his Super Bowl championship aspirations abundantly clear. He believed the Jets were a legitimate contender for the Lombardy Trophy before yielding to Indianapolis in the 2009 Playoffs. Subsequently GM Tannenbaum  and the front offices appealed to the self-assured mentalities of Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor, Brodney Pool, Santonio Holmes, and LaDanian Tomlinson. The Jets have confidently integrated fresh players into premier roles, including Matt Slauson at LG and Kyle Wilson at CB.

But for a team that revolves around a profoundly resilient defense, the recent departure of Darrelle Revis exposes a glimmer of uncertainty. Coach Ryan’s assertions that his team can exceed their own lofty expectations while confronted by a potentially Revis-less season are not entirely persuasive. What would be revealed in the first preseason game?

Mark Sanchez persevered after his opening pass was intercepted completing 13 of his next 16 passes for 119 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to Brad Smith roughly 9 minutes into the first quarter. Equipped with an upgraded offensive arsenal, Sanchez was efficient and he appeared virtually impervious to any ill effects of his off-season knee surgery. New additions Holmes (4 receptions for 55 yards) and Tomlinson (1 reception for 14 yards; 8 rushes for 17 yards) made impressive contributions. Jet fans optimistically witnessed glimpses of LT’s brilliance on a 14-yard touchdown run negated by a holding penalty. Shonn Greene, who arguably secured his position as the Jets dominant RB compiling 304 yards and 2 TDs in the 2009 playoffs, (5 rushes for 26 yards) solidified the Jets conviction in his ability to endure the prevailing responsibilities in an offense dependant on a brute-force running game.

The 31 points surrendered for the entire game are misleading when forming an overall perception of the starting defensive unit. Despite relinquishing a 1-yard Brandon Jacobs TD run, the Jets held their opponents to zero total yards and 3:38 time of possession in the first quarter, emphasized by a blocked punt and a gruesome Eli Manning fumble. Incidentally, Manning is questionable for the Giants next preseason game versus Pittsburgh. Calvin Pace was instrumental in locking down the Giants ground attack (3 solo tackles and 1 assist) and Cromartie delivered a couple pass deflections that could have just as easily been interceptions. Credit the freshly stitched Manning for eluding the Jets intimidating pass rush, who regrettably failed to convert any sacks.

Once the second half commenced, it was unclear which was actually colder: the second team defense or their recently emptied benches. The Jets were repeatedly embarrassed by rookie WR Victor Cruz who amassed 145 yards and 3 TDs on 6 receptions, one of which was an admittedly spectacular single-handed grasp over the extended coverage of Dwight Lowery. The secondary was routinely exposed by the Giants deputy QBs, who exploited stretches of deficient technique from CBs Drew Coleman and Marquice Cole. In the post-game news conference, Coach Ryan acknowledged he was “totally disappointed” by the second team inconsistency. “These are some guys that we’re counting on to give us good depth … and we got whipped by them, there’s no question about it.”

Ultimately, preseason losses illuminate the most vulnerable elements of a team, and this game was no exception. The Jets lacked any passion beyond their principals, and considering one glaring void in the defense’s present condition, it is discouraging to envision the consequences of any more departures from an imposing starting roster. Coach Ryan will unquestionably demand improvements from the second team defense in anticipation of preseason game #2 Saturday August 21 against Carolina, and with any luck he can communicate the enthusiasm and dedication of the primary squad to the men who, at any moment, would be called upon to assume their vital responsibilities.