I think "versatile" is the key word here. Many jets fans here struggle to grasp the concept of the pats being "stronger" because they are less explosive and considerably less talented without him. Substituting branch for moss has given brady another possession reciever to dump the ball off to, who also happens to be a route-runner over the middle or to the sidelines, and who can also suprise defenses by stretching the field. Moss only served that latter role in the pats gameplan, thus he was conceptually easy to defend.
But I will say that I find this a hell of a lot more interesting for both Jets and Pats fans than it used to be. At least the outcome of this game can be argued back and forth. Not so long ago it was obvious the Pats were going to win. The Jets have come a long way, and under Ryan they fully expect to beat any team they come up against. The fear factor has been erased now... The Jets no longer fear the Pats, and fully expect to beat them when the two team play now. I think that makes for a better football game for all concerned.
wonder if the boston/patriots media are looking for bulletin board material... boston herald article title: Santonio Holmes disses CB Devin McCourty all he said was that the patriots shouldn't put a rookie on him... he probably shouldn't have said anything, but talk about blowing something out of proportion...
The jets are 5-0 on the road, but that is against teams with a combined record of 17-38. I think the home field advantage is real.
Holmes on McCourty would be a fun matchup to watch. I love McCourty, he's not elite yet but if you compare him to other corners in their rookie year and how they were doing (say Revis) I really think the sky is the limit for him. He's already a "good" corner, clearly our best cover guy, that's pretty fucking good for a guy on a 9-2 team that people were saying last April was a reach for 1st round since all he would do is be on special teams and be a nickel guy. He's already too valuable on defense to play special teams. He did a nice job on Calvin Johnson last week and was playing like a shut down corner in the second half. The problem is who will cover Edwards. Everyone remembers Edwards exposing Butler in week 2, but if he was trying to get Holmes it would have been even worse. We'll see.
I have no problem with this, but I do think he is underestimating McCourty. I think that Devin is already better than Rodgers-Cromartie, and at this point you guys should give up with the Kyle Wilson comparisons.
and as you kindly pointed out, if he did have 7 incompletions to moss (which I also made up), that makes up about half of all the incompletions he threw that entire game
You may be right. Although Wilson doesn't get the playing time here because we have the best corner combo in the NFL. And I wasn't comparing them. I was just saying that McCourty covering Holmes one on one would be a mistake akin to letting Wilson cover Welker one on one. Let me know if you need me to break that down for you any further.
I don't think having McCourty cover Holmes is a "mistake" as you call it. He is already clearly our number 1 CB, even as a rookie. I would much rather have McCourty on Holmes than the Arrington/Butler combo who have been getting nothing done this year. McCourty covered the right side last game and he had 2 interceptions and allowed 2 completions all game for 13 yards (with most of that coming against Calvin Johnson although Johnson was successful when he was lining up against Butler/Arrington). I think that shows a lot for the kid. Nobody is saying he is as good as Revis but he has turned into a very good CB in his first year and has shown as of late he can keep up with the best WRs
exactly what I was thinking. It would be hard to call that decision a "mistake" seeing as he is the best (only?) cover corner we have
oh, i don't disagree... i mean, you have holmes going against revis at times in practice... everyone else should be a lot easier. guess i'm not one for bulletin board material... but i guess you can make bulletin board material out of any comment.
Stronger...? Maybe...Just not int his case. Sending Moss 30 yards down the field with Revis on him takes Revis out of the game. Welker running a 5 yard slant, puts Revis in the position of taking Welker out of the game, and keeping Revis in Zone coverage. (I know...you think Welker is suddenly going to be Jerry Rice with Revis on him, when his entire career is feasting on 2nd an third corners...)
Darius Butler has been practicing against Moss and Welker for two years now, look at all the good it has done him. Not a slight against Holmes, just a general comment on your philosophy. And I really do think that McCourty can cover anybody. Maybe not shut them out 1-on-1 Revis style yet, but he will provide consistent coverage; I just don't see him getting picked on the way Holmes seems to imply.
I was wondering what Jets fans think Rex will do with the defense to cover the TEs in this game. I know that was one of their weaknesses before Leonhard went down. Hernandez had 101 yards receiving in the loss. That was before Gronkowski really came into his own. Do you think Rex will put Cromartie on Hernandez?
