BATTLE DOLPHINS, CHAD IN KEY DIVISION TEST By MARK CANNIZZARO Posted: 4:45 am September 7, 2008 MIAMI - Sometimes in life, things fall perfectly in place. Sometimes, every light on Broadway is green. Sometimes, there's not a single car waiting at the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel during rush hour on the way out of Manhattan. Sometimes, it's sunny and 80 degrees for your entire vacation week. In the case of today's JetsNew York Jets ' season opener against the Dolphins at Dolphins Stadium, the pieces have fallen deliciously in place. Where to start? How about Chad PenningtonChad Pennington playing against Brett Favre? Pennington was kicked to the curb after eight years with the Jets, after soldiering on in training camp through weeks of rumors that Favre would replace him. Add in the Bill Parcells mystique that has surrounded this Dolphins team since he took over as the front-office boss, and you have a compelling matchup. "It's kind of like college football rivalry week," Jets newcomer right tackle Damien Woody said. "You've got division rivals, the quarterbacks [Pennington and Favre], opening day . . . what more could you ask for? It's lot of subplots in this game." Indeed, subplots abound. Did we mention the $140 million the Jets spent in new talent during the offseason before they traded for Favre? Do you think the Jets want to rid themselves of the taste of 4-12 in 2007? "This is a chance for us to start the season on right foot," safety Kerry RhodesKerry Rhodes said. "Every player in this league, I don't care if you're a 17-year vet or a first start as a rookie, you're going to have those butterflies. They're not butterflies from being nervous, but from anticipation for getting the season started. "Everything really counts now. It's live bullets." Here's a breakdown of the game: BEST BATTLE Jets NT Kris Jenkins vs. Dolphins C Samson Satele, rookie RG Donald Thomas and LG Justin Smiley. The 350-pound Jenkins was brought here to occupy two offensive linemen and open up pass rushing lanes for the fast guys. These are the three players he'll be giving headaches to today. RETURN FAVORS The Jets and Dolphins have potential big-play returns in the kicking game - Leon Washington for the Jets and Ted Ginn for the Dolphins. One of these players could break a big return that could change the game. WHAT'S THE RUSH? The Jets' goal is two-fold: Run the ball to take some pressure off of Brett Favre and stop the run. Stopping the run was a problem for the Jets last season, and Ricky Williams, who has run for 530 yards and five touchdowns in six games against them in his career, looms. For the Jets, they need to get RB Thomas Jones off to a good start. SAD SACKS The Jets had just 29 sacks last season. They had 13 in the preseason. Their hope is that LB Calvin Pace and rookie LB Vernon Gholston will help boost that sack total this season. The Dolphins' offensive line consists of two rookie starters, though one of them is LT Jake Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. FOE FACT The Dolphins' record against the Jets in the September heat in Miami is 5-3, including four consecutive wins. JETS FACT Look for the Jets to blitz Pennington often, likely using S Kerry Rhodes, who leads all NFL DBs in sacks the past two seasons with seven. mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com CANNIZZARO'S CALL JETS 24, DOLPHINS 13 This is a pressure-packed game for the Jets, one they cannot afford to lose with New England and San Diego next on the schedule. The Jets have more talent and more depth and will be able to get the ball down the field on the Dolphin defense. Look, too, for a Leon Washington score on a return to blow this thing open. __________________
Because predictions mean nothing and he knows it. He was just having some fun at the end of a decent write-up. Lets hope he right on the final outcome though.
I hear ya harp but this is canizzaro we're talking about. He can just throw out that KR prediction and if it doesnt happen noones gonna bust his balls on it. But God forbid it happens? hahahaha we'll hear about that for months.......that said, I hope LW has 3 returns for TD'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the rain could slow down our offense some, but I look for us to still win a close one. Hopefully, the D comes up with a big play or two.
If the Jets try to protect Favre but trying to run early they may lose. There was a stat yesterday that all successfully running teams set up the run by passing more than running in the first half. This is what the Jets need to do.
