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gustoonarmy
12-03-2006, 10:46 AM
...and some other stuff too :ohmy:


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s report: Strategy and personnel Dec. 2, 2006
The Sports Xchange





Despite the trio of Kevan Barlow, Leon Washington and Cedric Houston gaining just 27 yards on the ground last week, the Jets will stick with the backfield by committee. While the constant switching of the three distinctive backs keeps defenses on their toes and keeps the players fresh, it doesn't allow for any of them to build any momentum over their first several carries since they're out of the game just as quick. In the four games the Jets have used all three backs; they're averaging just 2.94 yards per carry.

The Jets will almost certainly be targeting a running back with their first pick in next year's draft.


PLAYER NOTES

--DE/OLB Bryan Thomas (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis Thursday and is listed as questionable. Thomas had a career-high two sacks against Houston.

--CB Andre Dyson (neck) is practicing full and is probable for the Green Bay game.

--RB Derrick Blaylock has been inactive for the past five games and hasn't had a touch since the game against New England on Sept. 17. He obviously won't figure in the Jets' plans for next season.

--FB B.J. Askew (foot) is listed as questionable, and he didn't practice full Thursday. Askew, who has been inactive the past two games, apparently has lost his starting job to James Hodgins.

--DB Guss Scott was waived this week after being claimed off waivers from the Texans last week. The move obviously was made so that the Jets could glean some knowledge about Houston's schemes from him.

--WR Justin McCareins, banished to the sideline for much of the season and out of favor with the coaching staff, got himself brownie points last week by volunteering to play special teams. He had never really played on special teams before but realized that No. 3 and 4 receivers that don't play special teams have a hard time holding onto their roster spot.

--CB Justin Miller's days may be numbered with the Jets, who have limited his playing time with each passing game due to his inconsistency. Former coach Herman Edwards loved Miller's bravado and flair when they drafted him a year ago, envisioning him as a playmaker. New coach Eric Mangini, however, wants consistency and conformity and Miller just hasn't fit in well.

--LB Jonathan Vilma is struggling with the Jets' 3-4 alignment. Undersized for the scheme, Vilma has no sacks or forced fumbles and has made only two tackles behind the line and just one interception. However, Vilma continues to excel as the "defensive quarterback," calling out changes that need to be made before the snap.

--LB Anthony Schlegel was considered by many as a reach when the Jets made him a third-round pick. While the jury is still out on that, the Jets are finally getting Schlegel on the field. De-activated for the first nine games, the Jets have used Schlegel the last three weeks on special teams and he's been making an impact.

--RB Kevan Barlow came from the 49ers with a reputation as a malcontent. That didn't bode well for a player sharing his workload with two other running backs. But Barlow has bought into the team concept the Jets have been preaching all season. While he hasn't been a feature back, he's done very well on short-yardage and goal line situations.

GAME PLAN
The Jets must concentrate of stopping Packers RB Ahman Green, who's having a great season after an injury filled 2005. Once they keep the Packers' ground game contained, no easy task for the Jets' run defense this season, the Jets must get pressure on Brett Favre, who has been mistake prone of late and reverted back to his gun-slinging ways.

Offensively, the Jets have to weather through the cold and hope they can wear down on the Packers defense, which is allowing 26 points per game after the first quarter.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Packers QB Brett Favre vs. Jets S Kerry Rhodes -- Rhodes has been a playmaker in the defensive backfield and has a nose for the ball while Favre threw three picks last week, more than in his previous six games. That's a tough combination for Favre who will also see Rhodes coming at him on occasion with the Jets finally increasing their pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

--Jets QB Chad Pennington vs. Packers DEs Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Aaron Kampman -- These two have a knack for hitting quarterbacks from the side and stripping the ball. Pennington must stay aware of these two when they eventually get through the offensive line and protect the ball, staying away from not just getting sacked but losing possession as well.

INJURY IMPACT
the Jets have no serious injuries, although T Adrian Jones isn't expected to play after his recent DWI arrest.

SOWELLisGOD
12-03-2006, 11:34 AM
good stuff, so stoked for this game

gustoonarmy
12-03-2006, 01:09 PM
This from the Packers Team page. Miller might just fancy his chances.
GAME PLAN
There is a sense of urgency not only to avoid the team's first three-game losing streak but to end a three-game slump running the football. There's a decent chance the latter can be accomplished because the Jets are porous against the run, ranking 27th in the league in giving up an average of 135.2 yards per game. Houston abandoned the run early in the Jets' last outing -- picking up all of 25 yards in 14 carries. It's something the Packers aren't likely to do unless they're hypnotized by New York's 3-4 front and dig themselves a big hole early. The Jets, meanwhile, lack breakaway threats vertically, though Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery form one of the more prolific pass-catching tandems. Thus, the Packers should be able to devote more to crowding the box and get back to generating constant pressure on Chad Pennington after they backed off Monday night against Matt Hasselbeck.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Packers coverage unit vs. Jets KR Justin Miller. Green Bay has been atrocious in coverage on kickoff returns for the better part of the last six games and has tumbled from the No. 1 league ranking for return average to 14th at 21.9 yards. Now, the Packers get to contend with the electrifying Miller, who leads the loop with a return average of 28.9 yards and has two touchdowns to his credit. Relying on kicker Dave Rayner to make tackles on the back end -- he had a team-high three in the loss Monday at Seattle -- won't cut it.

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