Pace Feeling Great … Breakthrough Near?
Posted by on November 24, 2010 – 1:38 pmThere is good news this week for the beleaguered Jets pass rush. Calvin Pace, who has racked up 2.5 sacks in his first six games back after breaking his right foot in the preseason, is feeling better than he has all season.
“The foot is good — 100 percent,” he told me this Thanksgiving week. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to say it felt this good this season. Even with the short week, I feel good.”
After Pace returned to action in Week 5 with a 1.5-sack performance against Brett Favre and the Vikings, he said that he didn’t think the foot would be 100 percent for the rest of the season. But the Jets medical staff did another wonderful job and when you coupled that with Pace’s diligent rehab work, the 6’4”, 265-pounder actually said the toughest part of his return was shaking off the rust.
“When you don’t play, you’re trying to get back out there and you’re trying to get into the flow of the game and you’re trying to get your eyes right to see different things,” he said. “It’s tough, man, and that’s anybody — I don’t care if it’s one game you miss.”
Jets fans are worried about a lack of pressure on opposition quarterbacks as the Green & White rank tied for 13th in sacks (21) and 17th in sacks per pass play. OLB Jason Taylor leads the way with four sacks, veteran DE Shaun Ellis has 3.5 and OLB Bryan Thomas has pitched in three.
“Every guy up here would like to have double-digit sacks, but that’s just not the case right now. We’re trying to get there and every game has different flows to it,” said Pace as the Jets finished up preparations for the Bengals. “Some people want to hit us with the quick game and some people keep more people in to protect.
“But the fact remains when we do get a chance to rush 1-on-1, we have to get there and guys have been working extra trying to work different moves and line games. We’re going to get better. It’s not going to happen overnight, but the key is to be good on first and second down, so third down you can just pin your ears back.”
Perhaps the strangest statistic for the defense this year has been its five-interception total, which ranks tied for 30th overall. A team that features the best CB duo in football in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie hasn’t had a theft in five games, but the home squad will have opportunities against Carson Palmer if it can bother him in the pocket.
“We have to affect Carson, get some hands in his face and pressure him so he’s not sitting back there like it’s 7-on-7,” said Pace.
“I think we get a lead and then we turn them loose,” added head coach Rex Ryan. “That’s something that we’ve got to really look at. We have excellent pass rushers led by Jason Taylor, Shaun Ellis, Trevor Pryce and Calvin Pace. That’s a pretty good group of pass rushers. Now we don’t always ask those guys to rush the passer — maybe we need to do more of that.”
The defenders are licking their chops to get back on the field after Sunday’s fourth-quarter breakdowns against the Texans. And you just get the sense that Pace, who combined for 15 sacks his first two seasons with the Jets, is poised to break through here soon.
“As the weeks keep going on, I feel like it’s coming,” he said. “I’m still waiting to go out there and have that big game. Hopefully Thursday, a primetime game, that will be the case.”
Update, 4 p.m.: Not many surprises on both teams’ final injury reports before Thursday night’s game.
The Jets have ruled both WR Jerricho Cotchery (groin) and CB Dwight Lowery (concussion) out for the game. T Damien Woody (knee) did not practice in today’s closed practice but is listed as questionable for the Bengals. CBs Drew Coleman (groin) and Marquice Cole (hamstring) are the Jets’ only other questionables, with the other 10 players on the report practicing full today and listed as probable.
The Bengals, who put three players on IR on Monday and Tuesday, are listing S Roy Williams (head) and DE Antwan Odom (wrist) as out. Starting CB Johnathan Joseph did not practice today but is listed as questionable. QB Carson Palmer (foot) practiced full and is probable.
Tags: Bryan Thomas, Calvin Pace, Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, Jason Taylor, Shaun Ellis
Posted in Eric Allen | 21 Comments »
By IRA on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
This would be a huge step in the right direction if Pace is finally healthy. You could just see he hasn’t been right all year. It would be great to see him in the backfield tomorrow night stuffing Palmer like a turkey.
INT’s are another story. Thing is more passes have been thrown to the 3′s and 4′s and TE’s than the 1′s and 2′s. Somehow the Jets need to get some picks.
By Pranit on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Calvin Pace has been a major dissapointment…seems to not have it….the pass rush is just not there…..big problem playing against NE or the colts…even the blitz’es don’t get there these days….:(
By scjoe on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
I first want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to Randy, EA, the NY Jets team, and all my fellow Jet fans. I hope we ALL can celebrate the holiday with a nice big win Thanksgiving night. Go Jets!!!!!!!!! That said, it seems a little funny EA saying Pace has “racked up” 2.5 sacks in six (6) games. I know that is not where he would like it to be and it certainly is not where Rex would like it to be, or even us as fans would want it to be. I hate to have to say this, but I believe the lack of a pass rush, the lack of putting pressure on the QB, may turn out to be the biggest downfall of the year. Thing is, it is not to late by any means, you can’t change personal at this point, but you can change scheme. Even tomorrow, don’t underestimate Palmer.
By Randy Lange on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
scjoe, Happy Thanksgiving to you and all our Radar readers.
By scjoe on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
I will say this, all in all, not that many picks, not that many sacks, not much pressure on the QB, a little inconsistent on offense and still 8-2 and a top the AFC east. Just imagine what it is going to be like when all those things get fixed. My guess is there are about 20 other teams out there who would love to be where we are after the first 10 games. Hey, it may or may not be this year, but once the tweaks are made, mainly on the defensive side with maybe 3 or 4 players, it WILL be next year.
By wayne on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
That breakthrough better be here soon. The only thing good about last Sunday was the W. Maybe Sanchez. A better team would not have given up those 2 plays….We keep saying all that matter is they w. Armageddon every week against the weak sisters of the NFL?….Fools gold my friends…..NO Passrush, No SB………..When you need a passrusher in the next draft, Rex, don’t draft another corner.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Pass rush is definitely the main thing to be addressed in the off-season. We need our own Matthews or Suh, maybe two of them, not more of these older guys who’ve already seen their best days. It’s the same situation we faced with the WRs, a need to step up radically instead of wishing and hoping with what we had. And that worked out pretty well. (To think that this summer some people were saying we needed Coles back! And that we couldn’t live without Woodhead in the slot.)
By Tom Spicer on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Happy Turkey day to all I just read LT needs 78 yards to pass Eric Dickerson for 6th on the all time ruching list & Mark was named offensive player of the week.
By IRA on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Tom, Don’t get me started on Woodhead. He should’ve been on the team and another player placed on IR. Its that simple. Woodhead would’ve given them more as an all around player. Coles was a rental until Holmes came back but it turns out they did fine without him.
As for the offseason its way to early too talk about that but you are right. DL, OLB and safety need to be taken care of.
By Freddie on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Hello Randy,
Here’s a big thank you to you and your staff for a superb job in providing us in JET nation with updates and information. I am able to get the information even on overseas trips – great job guys.
Also, A Very Happy Thanksgiving To Woody and the whole Jets organization – may we all have much to be thankful for always.
How GREAT our holiday will be if the Lions devour the Patsies for thanksgiving in the early game and we Rex and his Loony Crew just cream the Bengals for dessert – wow.
Happy Thanksgiving Jets Nation.
By Arte Old School on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Happy Givings to All.. Quick question, Randy, please.. After watching the NFL Replay last night, which was much better than live, because we won of course, and I could see all the unfaithful’s who had left.. I, too, thought, we were cooked.. Anyway, when we scored to go up 19-7 in the Second Quarter.. Why did we not go for the two-Point Conversion that would have put us up by 2 TD’s??? There seems to be at least 1of these plays (actually miscues) that I see each and every game.. I plan on delivering these pivotal plays each and every week until I see otherwise.. Why can I, and not our coaching staff, see these as big issues to get fixed? I offer my services once again.. Forever Green! See you in Dallas :-)
By Randy Lange on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Arte OS, there is a strong competing theory that states a team should not go for any two-point conversions and risk “chasing points” until the fourth quarter. But sometimes going for two in the third quarter works out just fine, such as when Rex Ryan called for the deuce with 38 seconds left in the third quarter of Game 2 vs. New England. Mark Sanchez hit Braylon Edwards to make it 21-14 en route to the 28-14 victory.
By TONY GARCIA on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
agree with jet fan since 1964,pass rush is a must our secondary is fine no pass rush you get completions.you need some luck to post 8-2 record ball has to bounce your way.lets enjoy the ride were jet fans always expecting the worst were having a good season have some fun. happy hollidays
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Happy Thanksgiving to all Jets fans! Ira, I’m with you on everything but not quite on Woodhead, we need a better RB than him (maybe McKnight next year) and a better slot guy if we go younger than J-Co. To all those who think WR depth is somehow impossible to have, I suspect that has to do partly without having never seen the Jets from the early Titans days (Powell was great but we didn’t have him long) to the mid-70s. But everyone watching football today should remember that the once-lowly and low-paying Cardinals somehow managed to have Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Breaston on the same team and would be better off if they still had them.
By Christopher on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
if you want to add something to the pass rush, that they will not see coming, run the corner blitz. oh wait, you need a reliable safety. but blitz with cro or revis. maybe they are saving it for brady. it’s not just pace, it’s scott, taylor, ellis, thomas, harris, price, and dare i say gholston who are all not getting to the qb. they have all played well at times, they need to start working better as a unit and change up some looks.
By GaryC on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Pace’s foot is probably hurting more than jet staff and himself let on. It is like a track athlete trying to get a jump out of the blocks, the burst is not there. Don’t know how it can be better as he has been playing. hope it is not smokescreen,lets see the burst around the edge then I will believe.
By IRA on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Tom, Agree McKnight lets see what he has next year. Slot J-Co is the best. But Woodhead would’ve good for them this year in so many ways. Its too bad it worked out that way.
Once again Happy Thanksgiving to all bring your rain gear for tonight and get ready to watch the Jets D bounce back.
GO JETS!!!!
By Mike Jet Vet on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Happy Thanksgivings Randy-R Eric-A and all our loyal Jets fans have a great day… Tom64 Cards had Curt Warner 1st and foremost when he left that team self destructed agreed Ira about Woodhead he’s playing and contributing MckNight is warming the bench like I’ve said all season rather have a pass rusher then an unproven RB sitting taking up space RB IS NOT OUR NEED PASS RUSHER IS again I will say it just don’t make sence (Tame the Bengals) GO JETS
By Randy Lange on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Mike Jet Vet, thanks for the Happy Thanksgiving. Same to you and to all Jets fans and Radar operators today in advance of the game against the Bengals.
By matt on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Pace is the pivotal player on the Jet defense for the rest of the year. He looked better than ever this pre-season before the foot injury. I think it’s obvious he came back too soon as has not been near 100%.
If he is now healthy, his pass rush ability is by far the best on this team. This is the game where he returns to form. His pressure leads to INTs and the Jets D returning to best in the league.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Nov 25, 2010 | Reply
Right, MJV, the Cards had Warner and that’s what you need to win the SB, as I’ve been saying since before we drafted Sanchez, (well, really before we drafted Todd), so now that we’re putting our money on MS we need WRs like the three we have now. We definitely need a pass rusher(s) but we also need another RB, I’m already preparing myself for LT slowing down next year. Maybe McKnight’s the guy but it’s clear we’re not going to find out this year. Like I said, no one knew last year what Slauson could do, no one knows yet this year what McK and Ducasse can do, sometimes you just gotta wait and see, something some New Yorkers aren’t always good at. I’m still laughing over the guy who posted after the DEN game that Holmes was “the problem.”