Green & White Hit the Ground Running
Posted by on September 8, 2008 – 5:38 pmTo start the season, it seems the Jets are on a run.
After Sunday’s 20-14 win at Miami, we talked about the Green & White’s run defense stonewalling Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. But an equal part of the victory was the Jets’ run offense, with Thomas Jones leading the way by grinding out 101 yards on 22 carries and the 6-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter that wound up being the difference in the opener.
Jones himself liked the changes that Brett Favre’s presence in the offense brought about in the Dolphins’ defensive approach.
"When you have a quarterback who can throw the ball downfield, you have to respect that and that is what put the running game into a good position," Jones said after the game. "Now you don’t have to worry about having nine guys in the box all the time. The safeties and corners have to respect that your guy can throw it downfield and it makes my job a little easier."
But let’s not overlook the contributions of the Jets’ new-look O-line. Right guard Brandon Moore, old reliable in the middle of that unit, said on a conference call with beat reporters this afternoon that Jones’ 12 summer carries for 29 yards didn’t show the running game’s true colors.
"I don’t know that Thomas had a lot of the caries that showed the true story of what the stats really would be if it was a full game," Moore said. "We knew Miami wanted to stop the run. They’ve got a great front seven down there, a lot of youth mixed in with a little experience. We knew that was something they were going to try to gear to.
"Looking at the film, there’s still a lot of things to clean up, but it’s a good way to start the season. We know Thomas is capable."
Jones, who had 3.6 yards a carry last season, averaged 4.6 Sunday, topped by his 13-yard run off right tackle on the second TD drive; his carries of 2, 14, 5 and 8 yards on the first four plays of the second half, and his powerful wide scoring run.
As we all know by now, TJ last season became the first back in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and score only one TD on the ground, and also that that score came at Dolphin Stadium in December. Maybe it’s because he now has a house in Florida, or he’s fired up by the long-time rivalry. Whatever the reason, here is how Jones as a Jet has run vs. Miami compared to how he’s fared against the rest of the NFL:
| Opponents | Atts | Yards | Y/A | Y/G | TDs | NYJ Rec |
| Vs. Miami | 71 | 286 | 4.0 | 95.3 | 2 | 3-0 |
| Vs. Rest of NFL | 261 | 934 | 3.6 | 66.7 | 0 | 2-12 |
If this trend holds true, it’s a long way to his fourth game against Miami in Week 17. But Sunday’s first game of four quarters of pounding at an imposing if imperfect Dolphins front gives the feel that Jones and the Jets won’t have to wait that long to show their ground improvement.
The Brady Crunch
No, we haven’t overlooked the announcement out of Massachusetts that Tom Brady, who was set to lead the Patriots into the Meadowlands for Sunday’s home opener, has been placed on IR due to the knee injury he suffered a day ago.
Eric Allen will have a news story up on newyorkjets.com shortly summing up the views of head coach Eric Mangini and other Jets to the sight adjustment everyone will be making in the AFC East with Matt Cassel rather than Brady at the Patriots’ helm.
Special Matters
Regarding Mike Nugent’s thigh injury that made things dicey down the stretch Sunday, Mangini wasn’t ruling in or out bringing in a new kicker until he got the full medical rundown on "Nuge."
"We’ll work out kickers if Mike can’t go," the coach said. "We’ll have a kicker available.
"The players have got to go through the whole process of tests, evaluations. That’s what Mike will do. … We have to determine how long the injury’s going to be. It could be a couple of weeks, it could be longer, it could be shorter. You may not have to bring anybody in."
Mangini was happy with the return to the sideline of another Mike, as in Westhoff.
"It’s nice having Mike back. I like the things Mike and Kevin [O'Dea] did yesterday, the way we had the input from both systems. Mike has a very unique way about him. It’s nice having him back."
And Mangini felt one of his rookies, top pick Vernon Gholston, did his best work on specials.
"I thought Vernon did some positive things. One place where he actually had a nice impact was on the punt return team," the coach said. "He got to put some good pressure on the punter, he did a nice job in terms of his hold-ups, and he played some on the kickoff team. Talk about new worlds for him as a standup linebacker, now he’s covering punts and kickoffs — that’s a new world, too."
As for the sack of Chad Pennington that just eluded Gholston, Mangini explained that his rookie seemed to anticipate a Pennington seven-step drop when Chad was only dropping a quick five, then stepping up.
"I’m sure he’ll play that over in his mind a couple of times," the coach said.
Tags: Brandon Moore, Brett Favre, Eric Mangini, Mike Nugent, Thomas Jones, Tom Brady, Vernon Gholston
Posted in Randy Lange | 46 Comments »
By Ken on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
I HOPE Mangini has a plan for a back up PUNTER? Or maybe he forgot about that too!
By Charles F on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
All I have to say is Gang Green better not sleep on NE even thou Brady is done for year. Sure it makes are job easier now but they better play just like if Brady was in. We need to play 4 quarters and finish strong. TJ will have another 100 yd day and Favre will be great again. Our Oline is awesome and D will improve with more sacks and INT. JETS in 08 only bound 4 gr8tness. Gang Green 4 Life
By steve on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
hey ken— I’m sure they have a list of punters to go to (including the one in camp earlier) just like they have a list of placekickers, some of whom have already worked out today.
What is your suggestion, carry two kickers and two punters on the active roster every week?
or what??
By Frank on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
I’m actually stunned Mangini hasn’t announced the signing of Feely yet. Rumor has it KC was auditioning for the job! Mind boggling that there was no contingency plan but at least we have 4 QB’s. Ugly game we were too sloppy the Phins were obviuosly well coached and prepared more so than Jets. We won on talent alone and need to play better next week. I do like the potential though.
By Moshe on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Brady’s injury will help us out a lot, but it does take some of the excitement and intrigue out of the season. I don’t know about you guys, but I was looking forward to seeing Brady vs.Favre. I was looking forward to seeing if the Jets were good enough to beat the Pats. Now we might not find out how good this team really is.
By BIG AL on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
guys the JETS played good solid football i dont know how many of you had the chance to watch it live i was there it was blistering hot in the jets jersey i couldnt imagine playing 4 qtrs in full pads the JETS defense played tight held the running attack the dolphins planned all week ricky and ronnie stopped nugent looks scared we need to go after a kicker FEELY would be great brett gets bettter
By BIG AL on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
by the week and the o line gels thats my opinion seeing them play was great LC needs to get in tune with brett and they will as the weeks go by we have a geat chance to go 2-0 into San Diego but the coaches need to get a bit more agrresive i dont see that stepping on the throat attitude you need to be a winner in the NFL
By mike on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
wow, a thriller to beat pennington, and brady is done for the season. the Jets are looking good to runaway with that division.
By michael on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
hey randy what was the kicker we had from the mini camp?was his name mike c or it was something like that.he was on this team,intil they realeased him a long time ago.anyone knows what i;m talking about.jets fan for life,Michael
By c on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
I dont know how much basic science the jets organization knows, but if your going to put a tarp over your players for shade them make sure its white not black. Black absorbs heat which could make things worse. White reflects light and heat, which could make things slightly cooler.
By JOHNNYJET on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
HEY RANDY- THE JETS WILL BRING THE WHOLE KITCHEN SINK AT KASSEL WHATEVER HIS NAME IS. THE JETS WILL DOMINATE FROM START TO FINISH. LET’S PUNISH THE PATS!!!!!
By s on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Randy, can you tell me who the inactives were for the game?
By Randy Lange on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
The inactives are always in the pregame Radar entry, s. The Jets inactives at Miami were Brett Ratliff (3rd QB), QB Erik Ainge, WRs Marcus Henry and David Clowney, CB Justin Miller, LB Kenwin Cummings, OL Robert Turner and DL Kareem Brown.
By Drew on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Once this offense gets rolling we are going to do damage. It was a great start to get TJ rolling in week 1. Suprised Leon couldnt break one. I will try and hold my tongue on Schott but he needs to relax. We actually have talent this year…..Loved that you gave the Jets a little credit Frank. I am not sure how well coached the Phins were though. Miamis specials were awful and Chad kept them alive.
By Drew on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Row…. I know your excited about your boy D Jackson but like I warned you before the draft….. He is a 170 lb WR and KR. He will not hold up at his size. If he makes it through the year then you can boast how you told me he would be great. As for now he is exactly what I thought. A fast undersized KR. Gholsten and Keller were the right choices for our team. Time will tell though!!
By EYEH8DAPATS on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Wow brady out for the year! The afc east is wide open! Lets hope that the Jets can seize the moment and take it tis year it has been along time since we won our division and the iron is hot so lets strike! Lets play hard this week and beat the pats! Play to win the game no matter how much of a lead we have. 20-7 in the 3rd got scary real quick. J!E!T!S! JETS JETS JETS
By Frank on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Stunning the Jets are actually 2 1/2 pt. favorites vs Pats this week. First time since 2006 Pats are dogs this is not good for the Jets. They better play better than this past weekend Brady or no Brady the Pats will be fired up and looking for blood. Tangini should explore trading Coles to the Hawks he’s now talking to the press after contributing nothing. The train has left the station dump him.
By Tom Spicer on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
I have never felt this bad after a victory as I have this 1 I came into the season with hopes of winning it all but a team like Miami we have to beat by at least 10 points Favre played well & the run blocking was good but the pass blocking was bad Favre was under constant pressure & the D was not good at all also who was calling the plays usemty sam 3 & 7 & you run the ball ?
By Joe B. on Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Big Al, I was there to and I could not agree with you any more, it was the hottest I have ever been in my life. CB’s played a great game, Line backers and Dline put pressure on CP, and the Jets ran behind Woody all day, this team will get better, Divisional Crown is not far fetched with all things considered.
By jimmyboy on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
buttle and revis trying to talk in front of the ost disrespectful group of people
who’s idea was to have this insightful show there
By Ray on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
The Jets signed Feely, so if Nugent can’t go he will be the man.
By Ira on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Randy, This shows that the upgrade on both sides of the lines have paid off already. Glad they signed Feely he had a good year with the Dolphins last year. it will give Nugent time to get healthy and then it will be interesting if they would keep both. Who was the coach involved in both games that let brady start his career and then shelve him for the year? it was Herm.
By Ira on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
While this seems to have brought the Pats back to the pack in the AFC East now lets not take anything for granted. The Pats are still the team to beat and Belichick will be at his coaching best for the rest of the year.
By Charles F on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m pretty sure that I saw on the ticker on ESPN that the Jets pickeded up K Jay Feely in the Free Agency. Can anyone confirm? We really need to win this week against the Cheatriots. Serious the fans will not shut up they think there still better then us without Brady. Pat fans have no respect for the Jets and the fans we need to put a hurtin on them and shut them up. This is our year to shine!
DECLINED: NAMECALLING (CHEATRIOTS)
By ddh on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
only time will tell if cassel can hold his own, hes still got a lot of talent around him, and even if the pats do falter some, I still see a problem with the bills, they played some good games last season and they just had a great game against the sea hawks, Im sure their thinking division as well.
By ddh on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Eric last season harped on balance, yet the only imbalance I see this year is on the side line, play calling on both sides of the ball at best questionable at worst terrible, PREVENT DEFENSE DOESNT WIN GAMES, THE ONLY REASON THE OFFENSE IS ON THE FIELD IS TO SCORE, REGARDLESS OF THE SCORE, DONT PLAY SAFE PLAY TO WIN!! GET AND STAY AGGRESSIVE!
By CEDRIC on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Frank, any gambler should know the point spread automatically gives the home team 3pts, so they really arent the favorites, its even. The Pats are weaker but we have to approach this game the same way as we have before, Cassel is just an arm n will be used as such, Belichick will be running the show more than ever. We just have to keep the pressure on, that how we wouldve beaten Brady anyway.
By Drew on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Spicer….Favre explained this after the game. He did not do a good job of calling his protections thats why he got sacked. He’ll get better as he and the O-line become more familiar with each other. The D was not good at all?? Did you watch the game Tom? Miami could not run the ball and Pennington was sacked 4 times. Just admit the game was close because we were out of sync and Chad played well.
By CEDRIC on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
The Shotty playcalling wont work in week 2, they have to call a perfect game. Farve also has to start taking command of this offense, let him loose, he’s a general. We can win this game.
By Frank on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Sorry Cedric I don’t gamble never have never will don’t know the specifics. Just read the headline in a news flash and thought it noteworthy. This is by no means a gimme game and for the umpteenth time they need to stop the shifting razzle dazzle nonsense on offense. We have the talent to line up and play football someone needs to tell Mangini Chad’s gone. Glad they finally signed Feely he is good
By Anthony on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know why everyone is saying the D wasn’t good. First off it is a long game and they played in 100 degree heat. But they also had what 4 sacks, 1 pick and quite a few deflections. I think you need to rewatch the game people who are saying that. Pace is going to be a monster as the season progresses. And Ghoulston also will get better with experience
By Zartan on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
This jets team is still too clean. i want to see them punch the other team in the mouth and kick them after.The guys played great but where was the swagger.i remember Jordan bulls days when before the game Pip & M.J would walk arounld with this body language as if to say to the other team,you know your going to lose.Bryan Cox should not be the 1 in Joey Porters Face.
By Ira on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Everybody please they won the game. I can’t even imagine what some fans would be saying if they lost. cedric, They can’t let favre just go out and start flinging the ball all over the place. This team was built to be a power running team. To have a QB like Favre now opens up many more options. But he is still going to need 4-6 games before he has a real grasp of this complex offense. Be patient.
By Kevin on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
if anyone watched the Denver game last night they got a big lead and never stopped doing what worked they ran they passed thats what we need to be doing no more conservative playing its what has lost us games in the past we need to be thinking points every single time we get the ball if not a TD at least FG and what is up with this prevent defense we need to get sacks and pressure the QB’s
By Hirschberger on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I really wouldn’t be out there waving the banner for the AFC East title.. First off, the performance against Miami was really lackluster IMO, particularly in the last 5 minutes of the game, as well as numerous penalties that must be eliminated. Second, New England will be out for bear next week, wanting to prove they are not one-dimensional. Third, there is a team in Buffalo that looks real tough
By Ray on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Spicer you and many others on here are suffering from the same problem. Your expectation level was through the roof and reality just back handed ya up side the head! NO team is going bring in as many new faces as we have in one year and immediately tear it up, these guys need time to jell. And Drew is right, you and poobah must have been watching a game off ESPN Classic, the D was solid.
By Jesse on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
OMG, people come on the D and the O-line played great! We held Miami to around 50 yds. on the ground, 4 sacks, and 1 Int. The front 7 looks great! Miami was maybe a 5-11 team w/out CP, but with CP they are a .500 team! There are no bad wins in football, it all comes down to win! Oh, Tom Spicer if you are leading the game in the second half you run the clock out, it’s a field position game! FB 101!
By John Kozlich on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Jets have a long way to go. Oh they got Favre and thats great. Mancini will have to take lessons on how to coach. After enjoying the first game I hope that Mancini will be able to see the light from the darkness.
By Hogan on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
You are all out of youre minds. We won with no kicker, Chad played the best game you will get out of him,and he knows our defence. Tj had a great game and the D was great. 4 sacks, many pressures and deflections, and a game winning INT from Revis. I swear some of you just like complaining.
By MikeMc on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Drew- I was just about to jump on Spicer but you put him in his place so very nicely & Ray with a follow-up I feel contented not to comment any further on his rant. Frank what team has a backup plan for a kicker? The plan is lose your kicker, sign another one next week.Who is this Wisconsin lady saying we did a poor job in protecting her precious Brett? Give me a break lady, this is football.
By Ken on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
STEVE. No you shouldn’t carry 2 kickers and punters. But you have too have players that can do more than one job. You have to have players that can back other players positions. Like may be a WR can also learn to do some place kicking. They may not be as good as the real place kicker, but you BETTER have some other players that at least practice some kicking in case something happens.
By Row on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Ira, I couldn’t agree with you more. IMO, we did too much with Favre in the 3rd. I didn’t like seeing that we had a 20-7 lead and Favre in the shotgun taking sacks. If we had a more consistant running attack, no one would be saying anything. I will never complain about Brian running the ball in the 4th quarter with a lead, ever. I would like to see more B. Smith, even if it’s on a reverse.
By CEDRIC on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Ira, i understand what your saying, but i mean let him loose like calling the plays as he sees it on the field, but your right in the sense of being patient. I’m sure if he was more comfortable with the offense he wouldve been vetoing some of the calls in the huddle because he understands the flow of the game. I dont like to knitpick a win but i know how this website is. Im still proud of them
By Ray on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Mancini? Didn’t he and Louis Prima play the National Anthem? Mancini will take lessons on coaching while you take lessons on how he spells his name!!
By Jerry on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Although the rushing offense had a decent day the true test of a running team does it in the 4th quarter, if the Jets truely want to get to the next level they have to be able to run when the defense is expecting a run. It is early in the season I understand and I hope the Jets are able to build on this. If they do they will truely be contenders and could possibly make some noice in the league.
By John Kozlich on Sep 20, 2008 | Reply
Mancini should be taking lessons on how to coach a team, meanwhile until he learns let Brett Favre do his thing, this man can perform some outrages plays on the field and win.