Jets Game #2 Thoughts

[Rob0729]

1.) We have spent the last few weeks focusing on personnel mistakes by Belichick. Time to celebrate the home runs! Andre Carter has been a huge pick up for the Pats. He will be the first double digit sack guy since TBC in 2009 and probably the first one who played like a a double digit sack guy since Vrabel (TBC got half his sacks against a bad Bills team). Brian Waters is also one of the best free agent pick ups this season. Mark Anderson has also been a very good pick up.

2.) The Pats need to do the no huddle more. Against a team like the Jets, it really exposes their defense because they rely on substitutions so much based on schemes.

3.) I have been saying for weeks that this defense is improving a lot. People need to stop focusing on the stupid yardage stats and rankings and one or two drives in a game and start looking at the actual play before the game. Other than the Steelers' game, this defense has shown improvement game after game.

4.) On that. Kudos to the Pats' coaching staff for getting a bunch of players who should really have no right on the field to buy into the gameplan and the system and overachieve. It shows that in the NFL you don't need the most talented team to win. It was clear the Jets had the far more talented defense last night (although they are overrated), yet they were the one playing like their secondary was depleted by injuries and three of their top defensive players were out for all or most of the game.

5.) Ninkovitch is a poor man's Bruschi. Ok, a very poor man's Bruschi. But the guy is a heads up player who works hard and overachieves based on his talent. He won't do this every game, but he does come up big from time to time and frequently in big situations. He can disapear for very long stretches so that is why he is a very poor man's Bruchi.

6.) The Jets are looking like frauds. Who have they beaten? A Cowboys team that beat themselves. The Chargers and Bills who are both falling apart? Jacksonville? Miami? At this point, not one of those teams are going to the playoffs. Everyone was on their jock because they crushed the Bills last week, but we saw this weekend that doing that isn't really much of an accomplishment. The Jets will probably win 5-6 of their remaining games (I don't see them having a shot to beat the Giants barring injuries) and possibly make the playoffs because their schedule is easy, but they aren't built to make a run in the playoffs this year. Not with their defense being a shell of its dominant self and Sanchez.

7.) Gronkowski is a special player. He could be a Hall of Famer when it is done. The guy is virtually uncoverable. The fact the Jets put Revis on him on some plays shows how great other teams think he is. I don't know if Revis has ever covered a TE. Not even Gates, Witten, Clark, or Gonzalez.

 

[NEPatriot]

1.) We have spent the last few weeks focusing on personnel mistakes by Belichick. Time to celebrate the home runs! Andre Carter has been a huge pick up for the Pats. He will be the first double digit sack guy since TBC in 2009 and probably the first one who played like a a double digit sack guy since Vrabel (TBC got half his sacks against a bad Bills team). Brian Waters is also one of the best free agent pick ups this season. Mark Anderson has also been a very good pick up.

2.) The Pats need to do the no huddle more. Against a team like the Jets, it really exposes their defense because they rely on substitutions so much based on schemes.

3.) I have been saying for weeks that this defense is improving a lot. People need to stop focusing on the stupid yardage stats and rankings and one or two drives in a game and start looking at the actual play before the game. Other than the Steelers' game, this defense has shown improvement game after game.

4.) On that. Kudos to the Pats' coaching staff for getting a bunch of players who should really have no right on the field to buy into the gameplan and the system and overachieve. It shows that in the NFL you don't need the most talented team to win. It was clear the Jets had the far more talented defense last night (although they are overrated), yet they were the one playing like their secondary was depleted by injuries and three of their top defensive players were out for all or most of the game.

5.) Ninkovitch is a poor man's Bruschi. Ok, a very poor man's Bruschi. But the guy is a heads up player who works hard and overachieves based on his talent. He won't do this every game, but he does come up big from time to time and frequently in big situations. He can disapear for very long stretches so that is why he is a very poor man's Bruchi.

6.) The Jets are looking like frauds. Who have they beaten? A Cowboys team that beat themselves. The Chargers and Bills who are both falling apart? Jacksonville? Miami? At this point, not one of those teams are going to the playoffs. Everyone was on their jock because they crushed the Bills last week, but we saw this weekend that doing that isn't really much of an accomplishment. The Jets will probably win 5-6 of their remaining games (I don't see them having a shot to beat the Giants barring injuries) and possibly make the playoffs because their schedule is easy, but they aren't built to make a run in the playoffs this year. Not with their defense being a shell of its dominant self and Sanchez.

7.) Gronkowski is a special player. He could be a Hall of Famer when it is done. The guy is virtually uncoverable. The fact the Jets put Revis on him on some plays shows how great other teams think he is. I don't know if Revis has ever covered a TE. Not even Gates, Witten, Clark, or Gonzalez.

Rob, as usual you make some good points. I'll be one of the first to point out some of BB's curious/bad personnel decisions, however the Carter signing seemed like a good bet to me from the beginning. He plays hard, still has some gas left in the tank and was stuck in a bad situation. While I thought his numbers would get better as the season went on, all I can say is wow! A lot of his production is coming from effort and not giving up. It's even more impressive when you think of the lack of an inside push. While I wasn't a fan of the trade initially, AH could have really helped in this regard. I'd like to know the real scope on him being cut. I would have thought with AH's history, BB would have know how to handle/motivate him.

I also liked the no huddle. While I'm not a fan of O'Brien, I think he called a better game as the game progressed. He took what the Jets gave us and then started dictating with the no huddle. I also agree with you on the defense. It's even more impressive when you consider who they did it with. One of my concerns with all the in season cuts is the lack of continuity and team spirit. It didn't appear to be an issue last night.

 

[Triumph]

Ocho coming around and earning Bradys trust. If he gets going, its going to be very hard to stop the Pats from passing the ball.

 

[The_Riddler]

I would keep things in perspective.

Yes, last night, with a couple of castoffs at LB and in the secondary, somehow, someway they got it done.

The Jets are a good football team. They were bad last night, but we were bad the last couple of weeks. That's life in the NFL these days. Ups and downs for all teams.

This Jet team is capable of running the table the rest of the way and we may see them again in Foxboro in January and we all know how that worked out last winter.

Looking ahead to our schedule, I see one possible loss as that would be at Philly. That would put us at 12-4 and a possible shot at the 2-seed and I say 2-seed because I am not sure if you've seen Pittsburgh's schedule the rest of the way, but it's easier than ours. Check this out:

KC
Cinn
Cleveland
SF (only tough game)
St. Louis
Cleveland

Let's assume they only lose to SF, we're both 12-4 and they got us head-to-head.

 

[NEPatriot]

Ocho coming around and earning Bradys trust. If he gets going, its going to be very hard to stop the Pats from passing the ball.

While I've never been a fan of this trade, it did seem that they had better chemistry last night.

 

[NEPatriot]

I would keep things in perspective.

Yes, last night, with a couple of castoffs at LB and in the secondary, somehow, someway they got it done.

The Jets are a good football team. They were bad last night, but we were bad the last couple of weeks. That's life in the NFL these days. Ups and downs for all teams.

This Jet team is capable of running the table the rest of the way and we may see them again in Foxboro in January and we all know how that worked out last winter.

Looking ahead to our schedule, I see one possible loss as that would be at Philly. That would put us at 12-4 and a possible shot at the 2-seed and I say 2-seed because I am not sure if you've seen Pittsburgh's schedule the rest of the way, but it's easier than ours. Check this out:

KC
Cinn
Cleveland
SF (only tough game)
St. Louis
Cleveland

Let's assume they only lose to SF, we're both 12-4 and they got us head-to-head.

Assuming that we make the playoffs and play at PIT, it might be a good match up for us. It's never easy to beat the same team twice in a year. That said, I'm just worrying about KC.

 

[letekro]

I would keep things in perspective.

Yes, last night, with a couple of castoffs at LB and in the secondary, somehow, someway they got it done.

The Jets are a good football team. They were bad last night, but we were bad the last couple of weeks. That's life in the NFL these days. Ups and downs for all teams.

This Jet team is capable of running the table the rest of the way and we may see them again in Foxboro in January and we all know how that worked out last winter.

Looking ahead to our schedule, I see one possible loss as that would be at Philly. That would put us at 12-4 and a possible shot at the 2-seed and I say 2-seed because I am not sure if you've seen Pittsburgh's schedule the rest of the way, but it's easier than ours. Check this out:

KC
Cinn
Cleveland
SF (only tough game)
St. Louis
Cleveland

Let's assume they only lose to SF, we're both 12-4 and they got us head-to-head.

Cincy and SF are far better than anyone remaining on our schedule. Cleveland is always a problem for Pitt as well. St Louis and KC are the only gimmes.

 

[The_Riddler]

Assuming that we make the playoffs and play at PIT, it might be a good match up for us. It's never easy to beat the same team twice in a year. That said, I'm just worrying about KC.

I agree, we've shown obviously in the past that we can go into Heinz and win there in January, so I would like our chances should it come to that.

Exactly, let's focus on the Chiefs. One game at a time.

Was definately nice to see Ocho get those 2 catches and it's amazing because he runs very smooth, fluid routes and he has been open. If this improves going forward, combine this with the lethal TEs, and look out.

 

[Triumph]

While I've never been a fan of this trade, it did seem that they had better chemistry last night.

Its a shame Ocho stepped out of bounds on the play where Cromartie was lost. It looked like the play could have been a long gainer.

Brady didnt seem upset at all. Thats got to help Ochos development.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I would keep things in perspective.

Yes, last night, with a couple of castoffs at LB and in the secondary, somehow, someway they got it done.

The Jets are a good football team. They were bad last night, but we were bad the last couple of weeks. That's life in the NFL these days. Ups and downs for all teams.

This Jet team is capable of running the table the rest of the way and we may see them again in Foxboro in January and we all know how that worked out last winter.

Looking ahead to our schedule, I see one possible loss as that would be at Philly. That would put us at 12-4 and a possible shot at the 2-seed and I say 2-seed because I am not sure if you've seen Pittsburgh's schedule the rest of the way, but it's easier than ours. Check this out:

KC
Cinn
Cleveland
SF (only tough game)
St. Louis
Cleveland

Let's assume they only lose to SF, we're both 12-4 and they got us head-to-head.

Hate to get ahead of ourselves. But, don't forget about Houston. Could be a 3-way tie/battle for the best records in the AFC. We didn't play Houston so you have to throw head to head out. I believe it comes down to common opponents. Hardly any common oppenents. Only one I see other than Indy is Oakland. Houston lost to Oakland. We don't have any common opponents with Steelers. Maybe conf. record. All 3 Pitt losses in Conf. Only 2 for us. Houston has 2. Not sure of exact rule. But, we look ok with either one. Would be nice to get that bye given the health/status of our defense.

 

[DaBruinz]

Cincy and SF are far better than anyone remaining on our schedule. Cleveland is always a problem for Pitt as well. St Louis and KC are the only gimmes.

Neither St. Louis nor KC are gimmies. Just as the Saints and the Chargers.
And, like you said, Cleveland should play the Steelers tough...Pitt has a pretty tough schedule. Much tougher than ours.

BTW, Miami is no gimmie for the Pats...

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I would worry about Houston before Pittsburgh.

For some odd reason, the coaching staff put zero consideration into the idea that the Steelers would not go beyond the "do what we do" concept.

I hate the loss but it has to be a comfort to know that "suprise" will not be dropped on us in the playoffs.

Besides, the defense we saw yesterday will shut down their offense.

 

[satz]

Points of contention on your thoughts

No Huddle - No team can go no huddle all the time. You are stuck with one personal formation and guys get gassed runnning around at that pace.
also you loss all ability to substitue in this. Yesterday we had success with no huddle due to the constant change of personal . The jets could not matchup our changing personal and every time we caught them with no huddle.So just saying lets play no huddle is not a solution.Every time bart scott went out we ran and every time he came in we threw.Its not a product of No Huddle. Also gronk was singled by Smith and he was not doubled.

Also the defense major issue was revis on wes ,because of this the safety and other corners set after revis does. By moving wes all around they were lost. Again it was a game plan issue. Do you really think REX with do the same game plan next time ?.

Ninkovich has been one of the better SAM LB in the league. He is a decent OLB but in a 4-3 he has been solid as hell. He is the guy who jams TE ,Sets a hard edge , rushes when rb stay home to block and takes on RB coming out of the field. DE to SAM LB is big tranformation. Bru never played outside the tackle box where he plays .He is space and hits the TE`s. Not sure if bru ever did this as a ILB in a 3-4.Just saying 2 entirely different position with 2 different responsibilty in 2 different systems.


rest good points/

 

[RIpats88]

Its a shame Ocho stepped out of bounds on the play where Cromartie was lost. It looked like the play could have been a long gainer.

Brady didnt seem upset at all. Thats got to help Ochos development.

ya, he made up for it with that nice 53yarder though. If ocho can start to consistently play games like this, it will greatly improve our passing offense.

we tested the Jets deep with him and it paid off

 

[condon84]

The biggest positive for me is that they are improving on defense. Last week was good and this week was even better, even with all the injuries.

The offense's mental toughness last night was also good to see after a relatively poor first half. We saw glimpses of the old Brady, manipulating the pocket (as Collinsworth pointed out), while there's chaos all around him and still make accurate throws.

 

[Rob0729]

Points of contention on your thoughts

No Huddle - No team can go no huddle all the time. You are stuck with one personal formation and guys get gassed runnning around at that pace.
also you loss all ability to substitue in this. Yesterday we had success with no huddle due to the constant change of personal . The jets could not matchup our changing personal and every time we caught them with no huddle.So just saying lets play no huddle is not a solution.Every time bart scott went out we ran and every time he came in we threw.Its not a product of No Huddle. Also gronk was singled by Smith and he was not doubled.

Also the defense major issue was revis on wes ,because of this the safety and other corners set after revis does. By moving wes all around they were lost. Again it was a game plan issue. Do you really think REX with do the same game plan next time ?.

Ninkovich has been one of the better SAM LB in the league. He is a decent OLB but in a 4-3 he has been solid as hell. He is the guy who jams TE ,Sets a hard edge , rushes when rb stay home to block and takes on RB coming out of the field. DE to SAM LB is big tranformation. Bru never played outside the tackle box where he plays .He is space and hits the TE`s. Not sure if bru ever did this as a ILB in a 3-4.Just saying 2 entirely different position with 2 different responsibilty in 2 different systems.


rest good points/

A couple of things:

1.) Peyton Manning would disagree with you that you can't run the no huddle all the time. He pretty much did. Besides, there is a difference between a no huddle and a hurry up. A no huddle doesn't mean you have to snap the ball quickly. Many times when the Pats run the no huddle, the Pats snap the ball with only a few seconds left on the play clock.
2.) I am not advocating that though. Just that they need to run it more often.
3.) I am not comparing Nink and Bru based on the way they play the postion, but their approach to the game and impact.
4.) The Jets came in with a different gameplan than the one in October and it worked out worse. If you can stop the Jets from making substitutions, I don't know if any game plan the Jets have will work because their defense is based on multiple formations.

 

[sieglo]

I also liked the no huddle. While I'm not a fan of O'Brien, I think he called a better game as the game progressed. He took what the Jets gave us and then started dictating with the no huddle. I also agree with you on the defense. It's even more impressive when you consider who they did it with. One of my concerns with all the in season cuts is the lack of continuity and team spirit. It didn't appear to be an issue last night.

Wait, what? Once the Pats went no huddle, wasn't Brady effectively directing the offense?

If so, I think it's clear he's a much better OC than O'Brien.

 

[Rob0729]

Wait, what? Once the Pats went no huddle, wasn't Brady effectively directing the offense?

If so, I think it's clear he's a much better OC than O'Brien.

I think O'Brien still calls in plays in a no huddle. The play selection is usually limited though. Brady also may have more latitude to audible.

 

[BradyManny]

7.) Gronkowski is a special player. He could be a Hall of Famer when it is done. The guy is virtually uncoverable. The fact the Jets put Revis on him on some plays shows how great other teams think he is. I don't know if Revis has ever covered a TE. Not even Gates, Witten, Clark, or Gonzalez.

Rob - agree completely with all points here.

Especially re: Gronk. The guy is a monster. He is uncoverable. Revis interfered with him and didn't get called for it on that back shoulder pass. I've noticed Gronk is getting some Shaq in his prime treatment from refs the last two weeks - he's so physically imposing and bigger than everyone else, that the refs let defenders get away with so much more contact against him.

At least twice in the Jets game and then twice in the Giants game, Gronk was blatantly interfered with but did not get the call.

Something to be mindful going forward.

I agree on all the other points.

In regards to the defense - kudos to Belichick for coaching up what might be the biggest collection of scrubs I've seen on a legitimate contending NFL team. For most of the game, the only guy in the back 7 who has ever started before this year must've been Jerod Mayo. The other 6 are all cast offs.

The D is getting better thanks to the efforts of the front 4. Carter is a beast. I agree his signing was huge and deserves more attention. He's been one of the most productive DL in the league this year - and he's great against the run as well.

 

[RIpats88]

its amazing when you look at our defense yesterday....Spikes, fletcher, chung, barrett, all out...McCourty goes down.

and we go on to put on the best defensive effort of the year...maybe effort is more important than talent on a defense. everyone stepped up today

Offensively, our running game never got going...but the passing game..besides Gronk, look at the Stats for everyone. Brady got every receiver involved yesterday and that made our passing game so deadly because who do you cover?

R. Gronkowski 113yds
C. Ochocinco 65yds
D. Branch 5 58yds
W. Welker 6 46yds
A. Hernandez 41yds