http://bleacherreport.com/articles/83782-six-questions-answered-about-the-new-york-jets Andrew Strickert of "Total Titans" at MVN, sent these questions to me about the Jets. Here are my responses. 1. How are you liking your new gunslinger under center? After seeing how well Chad Pennington has done with the Dolphins, who would you rather have, him or Bret Favre? I am liking him a lot more the past few weeks. He has been protecting the ball, while providing his usual big plays and leadership. I am happy for Pennington and glad to see him doing so well, but I wouldn't go back on the trade. We are 7-3, in first place, and have beaten Miami already in their building. 2. The Jets seem to have had more success running the ball this year. How much of that improvement do you think is attributable to an Alan Faneca-led upgrade to the offensive line, and how much is due to the presence of Favre, Peter King's BFF? Faneca has been pretty good this year but is nothing too special. Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson have taken been big steps forward, while Brandon Moore and Damien Woody are both quietly having very good years. Thomas Jones has also looked a step quicker to the hole and is showing more burst around the goal line. I am sure having Favre behind center helps loosens defenses up, but most of the credit should go to the entire offensive line and Jones. 3. Cotchery or Coles: who should the Titans fear the most? Cotchery has more catches and yards, although less touchdowns than Coles. They are kind of a 1A/1B option. If forced to pick, I'd probably say that Cotchery is more dangerous. He has hurt the Titans in the past. I think he had over 150 yards receiving against them last year and a touchdown. 4. Give us the name(s) of one or two players to watch who we may not have heard of (special teams, role players etc...). The Jets' coverage units on special teams are excellent and they are led by Wallace Wright. I can promise you the guy will make a few open field tackles on Sunday. On defense, outside linebacker Bryan Thomas and defensive end Shaun Ellis are both having big years. Ellis has seven sacks, which is a huge number for a 3-4 DE. Thomas has 4.5 sacks and a numerous tackles for losses. 5. The Jets are ranked 28th in pass defense, despite being third in the league in sacks and having two very good DBs, Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes. What gives? The Jets have had some issues opposite Revis at corner. Rookie Dwight Lowery had a strong start to the season but has struggled recently, as teams are starting to pick on him. They also were having problems at nickelback, with Drew Coleman routinely getting beat. Eric Smith began the year as the starting safety opposite Rhodes and wasn't playing well at all. He has been out recently with an injury and his replacement Abram Elam has looked good and created a few big plays. I think their secondary will improve with Elam playing full-time and the addition of Ty Law. Expect to see Law eventually become the starter opposite Revis, he looked better than expected on Thursday night against New England. 6. What are the matchups you want to watch, and what is your prediction for the game? I am interested to see Nick Mangold vs Albert Haynesworth, as well as the other side, with Kevin Mawae vs. Kris Jenkins. You have two great linemen going against two massive defensive tackles. I am going to predict a Jets victory, 17-14. I think they are playing their best football in years right now, and that the Titans are due for a loss.
"I am interested to see Nick Mangold vs Albert Haynesworth" Not having seen the Tits much this year, perhaps I didn't pay sufficient attention, but doesn't Haynesworth play off the Center?
Geeze... and it's almost December. Alot of internet porn in 2008 for you huh? :beer: Just joking of course.
Good analysis and i agree with almost everything. i think you should give some credit to TRich for the run game, but i'm sure you just forgot about him.
To say that Faneca has been nothing special but D'Brick and Mangold have taken big steps forward is a little misleading. I personally believe that the reason they have taken a big step forward is because they have Faneca between them
dude faneca has been nothing special?? he has been very good when we run the ball...nothing special is ridiculous...
First we'd need to know who they know. Do they know about Revis, 2nd year CB? Rhodes, who hasn't put up flashy numbers this season. Maybe Keller who has emerged in the last couple/few games?
im pretty sure they know revis and rhodes...keller no, ahmad carroll, chansi stuckey (who has really dissapeared recently, and that being said why not give clowney a game), brad smith