Kind of sad that this article is better than most of what we get from NY writers. I agree with almost everything that's in here. http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012...o-compete-with-patriots-again-enemy-week.html For the first time in the Rex Ryan era, the Jets were unable to beat the Patriots even one time last season. Let’s be honest: losing to Rex Ryan’s Jets makes Patriots fans sick to their stomach, more so than losing to the Bills or Dolphins. Just the sight of Mark Sanchez throwing up his finger in celebration causes nausea. While there is certainly a lot more question marks surrounding the Jets than the Patriots at this point, the Jets still have all of the talent and coaching necessary to usurp the Patriots as the top dogs in the AFC East, and here’s why: Quinton Coples Contrary to popular belief, the addition of Quinton Coples could be enough to put the Jets back in the playoffs. In my opinion, Coples was selected specifically to get after Tom Brady. Why Brady? Coples, having played defensive tackle in his junior season at UNC, has plenty of ability as an interior pass-rusher. As we saw in Super Bowl 46, the best way to disrupt Tom Brady (and any elite quarterback for that matter) is to get pressure up the middle, where Brady cannot step up and make throws. Assuming the Jets can replicate their coverage ability from last year (with Darrelle Revis back in the fold, there is no reason why they can’t), just a pulse of a pass-rush will make a world of a difference for the Jets. No more Eric Smith While LaRon Landry is not an ideal coverage man, he is at least better than Eric Smith, who was perhaps the Jets’ worst defender last year at free safety. Dealing with the Patriots’ small army of tight ends is always a challenge, but at least the Jets now have a player that can match up physically with tight ends, which has become the focal point of the Patriosts offense. Brandon Lloyd Will Have Minimal Impact Arguably the biggest acquisition of the Patriots, Brandon Lloyd’s presence will hardly make a difference on the field. Assuming Darrelle Revis takes away Wes Welker, Cromartie should have little problem dealing with the deep threat receiver on his own. Since coming to the Jets, Cromartie has developed nicely as a man-coverage corner. All he needs is a hint of safety help to deal with receivers of Lloyd’s caliber. Besides, any passes that go to Lloyd are one less pass going to Gronk or Hernandez, which the Jets definitely consider as a good thing. The Jets will take the matchup between Lloyd and Cromartie over Gronk and the Jets’ safeties and linebackers. Stephen Hill’s Downfield Threat Shifting our attention to the other side of the ball, Hill has the ability to make the Jets’ otherwise-bland offense exponentially more explosive, which is not exactly a term I would use to describe the Jets’ offense in 2011. While he may have limited experience running routes in a pro-style offense, Hill is gifted enough to overpower and, most importantly, outrun the second and third corners on the Patriots’ roster. If Hill can just be a threat as a deep receiver, which is something Plaxico Burress could not, it will open things up for Santonio Holmes and Keller underneath. In addition, it will take an extra man out of the box, thus opening up the running game, which is clearly a priority for the Jets this year. Jeff Otah The recent trade for Jeff Otah could be a huge game-changer in the Jets’ favor. Assuming Otah is able to stay healthy – a big if – this Jets offensive line will look a lot more like the unit that got them to two-straight AFC Championship games than the version that crumbled with Wayne Hunter at the helm. If the Jets’ offensive line can return to its former glory with Jeff Otah playing right tackle at a high level, it will be even easier for the Jets to pick apart a weak New England secondary. Dedication to the Running Game It is hardly a secret that the Jets want to get back to being the physical, in-your-face team that brought them postseason success in 2009 and 2010. This strategy is particularly useful against prolific offensive teams like the Patriots, as running the ball shortens the game and keeps Mr. Brady off the field as much as possible. A renewed dedication to the run will also open up play-action opportunities for Sanchez, which is where he is most effective. If Sanchez can get back on track with this formula, it will not only work against the Patriots, but it will put the rest of the league on notice that the Jets are back.
Best time of the year for all fans! Questions being asked around the division: Can the Pats go 16-0? Can the Jets topple the Pats? Can the Bills topple both the Pats and Jets? Can the Dolphins, well its good for almost everyone......
Very good article! Unfortunately I don't think the Pats should we worried about the Jets "dethroning" them this year, unless the Patriots defense stagnates even further... hopefully we will win 1 against them, though.
Its hard to take seriously a post that completely dismisses a WR who had 5 different QB's throwing the ball to him over the last 2 years and STILL managed over 2000+ receiving yds, Yet in the next sentence makes an assumption that a rookie WR who caught fewer than 50 passes in his entire college career, will make an instant impact. BTW- LLoyd will get to have Tom Brady throw him the ball next season, while Hill will have track down the errant throws of Mark Sanchez (though I will acknowledge that Sanchez is a significant upgrade over the QBs at Georgia Tech)
Oh. How kind of you. The point is, is who is covering Lloyd. Cromartie is one of the most underrated cover corners in the league and should handle Lloyd pretty well. If Cro isnt on him, Revis will be, and I think we both know who would win that battle. Im sure Lloyd will make a few plays, maybe even a big one, but his ceiling vs the Jets is much lower than pretty much every other team the Pats face simply because the defenses strength lies in covering with CB’s. And simply by Hill running a go route, he can affect a game even if the ball isnt thrown to him. Are you confident one of the Pats CB’s can consistently stay with him?
