One of the problems I felt the Jets had under Mangini was that they didn't use Leon enough, and I mean in all facets of the game Leon can contribute to. But, the facts are this year in his first six games he had no TD's and didn't figure much in the passing attack. I said in the post you quoted that Leon's mere presence on the field means the opponent must guard him on passing downs. But that and his 2.5 catches a year do not mean his loss is a huge factor in the passing game (the other aspects of his contributions taken together, though, are certainly significant. I am here merely talking about hte passing game). A factor, yes. But some here imo overstate the matter. He was averaging 20 yards passing yardage a game when all was said and done. That's just not that big a deal.
Sanchez has basically four options when he takes the snap in the passing play. He can look deep or mid-range, he can check down, he can run the ball himself, or he can throw it away. At this point in his first learning-curve season, he's been eyeballing the designated primary target a little too long and not taking the checkdown very often. Then he went through that period in which he wanted to run it himself when the WR was covered as opposed to taking the checkdown, even sliding headfirst, which Ryan has now put the lid on in no uncertain terms. Now he's learning to throw it away, like he did on Sunday, but got called on it when no one was within 500 miles of the ball. So now he's learning that aspect of throwing it away. He really needs to use the checkdown more, as someone else pointed out, but that requires unlocking himself from his primary intended target (WR) a split second sooner than he's been doing. Compound it all with other teams crowding the box on him in many of the earlier games and daring him to release it. This is all happening in milliseconds around him, so this is all part of the Mark 16-college-starts Sanchez learning curve. I think the return of Leon next spring will give him the confidence he needs for the checkdown. He needs to work on that and looking for Keller a little more too. So, in order, it ought to be Edwards/Cotchery, then Keller, then Leon, then MAYBE run it himself, and then throw it away, in that order. Taking a sack or handling the ball like a loaf of bread in one hand while being tackled is not an option. He did have a nice shovel pass to Woodhead on Sunday, so this is all the learning curve. Hopefully, like someone else said, in the offseason he'll have time to look at every game and go "WTF was I thinking there? Look at Keller, he's about to become wide open!"
Leon was our playmaker at RB an one of our best receivers, when he went down alot of people knew T.J. and Greene weren't gonna be a reliable threat in the passing game.
Leon hadn't done much all season when he went down with his injury. By far his best game of the season was buffalo 1 when he ran for 99 yds and no tds 3 recptions for 46 and no tds. Arguably a much more telling stat is Sanchez 15 INTS and 7 TDs over his last 8 starts. 3-5 record during those games.
Key stat...this one is on Schotty Here is a stat that I believe is a huge issue that needs to be addressed, that falls solely on the shoulders of our incompetent OC. Last year, TJ and Leon had a total of 83 receptions 36 and 47 respectively. Production from which equates to a total of 562 yards and 4 TD's This year, through 14 games TJ has had a total of 10 catches, 5 of which have come since week 7, when we lost Leon. Through week 7, Leon had 15 rec. HOW the HELL can TJ not be getting more receptions?!?! Can you remember the last time we tried a screen play? This is another reason why the OC needs to be shown the door.
Couldn't agree more, it seemed like Schotty only ran plays where the RB was a receiver when Leon was there. Sure TJ isn't as good a receiver as Leon, but TJ actually had 500+ yards receiving his first year in Chicago, and should get more chances in the passing game. If nothing else calling more screens and passing plays where TJ runs and catches keeps defenses honest. Here is another thing, why is it that anytime the jets run it seems like its always out of 1 receiver power I. In that type of formation you are basically telling the whole world you are running the football. Why not spread the field and run more out of the shotgun, and 3 or 4 receiver sets?
we have agreat starting running back, and a great change of pace back who also happens to be a great return man but he is on IR right now. we drafted greene to be jones' replacement in a year or two. running back is about as low on our list of priorities as it can possibly be. our defense has been pretty dominant with two JAG's on the defensive line for the better part of the season. upgrading those line spots, the secondary, and drafting some replacements for the older guys on our offensive line are much more important than drafting any running back.
The biggest problem for Sanchez so far is his ego. He is making mistakes largely based on the fact that he won't give up when things are heavily stacked against him. Headfirst dives, throws into double-coverage, holding the ball longer than he should be, etc. The most similar 1st year QB at this point in terms of attitude and results is John Elway. The difference between Sanchez and Elway so far is the 3-0 start. Elway was screwing up regularly when Reeves played him early in the year and so Steve DeBerg kept getting the bailout call and relieving Elway. After 5 starts Reeves had seen enough and he pulled Elway for a month and had him watch DeBerg play from the sidelines. Ryan on the other hand had no established vet to put in for Sanchez and even if he had after the 3-0 start he couldn't pull him when things started to go south. The injuries to Washington and Cotchery really hurt Sanchez, however the thing that has turned his rookie season into a disquieting mess is his inability to adjust when things start to go against him. This is partly Schotty making severe errors in the game plan and in the play calling but it also has to go on Sanchez as well because he is making some really boneheaded mistakes out there. Mistakes that a rookie will make given too much leeway but mistakes nonetheless.
How about the fact that we're the #1 rushing offense in the entire NFL, and we just drafted a back last year who is developing? Sure, there are a few dynamic runningbacks out there who are difference-makers. But I hope people have learned by now that the offensive line makes the runningback, not vice versa, and we haven't drafted an offensive lineman early since 2006. It's time to address that need because Alan Faneca doesn't have a ton left in the tank. Or get me a pass rusher or a defensive lineman. The Jets always find out one year too late when their offensive line collapses. We've been lucky as hell for the past 2 years with injuries to the offensive line.
Besides the fact that we dont use the RBs in the passing game. What was workin for Sanchez in the beginning of the year? Quick slants! Where did those go?
The quick slants went away when both of the receivers he threw them too (Cotchery and Stuckey) did. Defenses started bracketing Keller with a linebacker releasing him to a safety and Edwards basically was given post routes and flys to run to help clear out the box for the ground game. Suddenly Sanchez had no easy high percentage throws available, especially after Washington got hurt. Also don't forget that Sanchez could easily have been picked 4 or 5 times more in the first 3 games than he was. The opposing defenses didn't start holding on to the ball until Sharper showed them how.
Yes but Im sure we had similar stats with any QB because Schotty does not know how to use his best offensive weapon. just another reason why he should be fired
This is shottys fault. I have been saying this since the begining, they are no designed screens. We don't need Leon to do this. TJ had good hands. I am sure SG can catch too.
THANK YOU for finally pointing this out!!! It's sooo important to have an escape route... especially if you are a rookie QB. There are 3 safety routes in football: 1) RB with pass catching ability. We had Leon but he's injured. 2) Good reliable slot WR. Never had one, only now they are trying out Woodhead but he still has to work on his new role and we don't know how good he can become. 3) Big physical TE. Don't have one. Sure Keller is fast but when you are in trouble it's good to throw high to your 6' 5" TE, especially if like Sanchez you aren't that tall. Right now instead he has to throw it in tight places... sure Keller is great at fighting for the ball but he is no safety net. I wonder if Sanchez has some trouble seeing him through the middle considering he is only 6' and Keller is 6' 2"... These are the 3 main reasons why Sanchez is having so many problems IMO. If you like you can add that Faneca and Woody (don't know about Moore but he seems ok) aren't that good at pass protection.
I still remember TJ dropping the easiest pass against TB... and as for Shonn Greene wow let's not get carried away... love the kid but he can't even hold onto the ball when he actually already has it...
anyone who doesn't think TJ could have easily replaced leon as a pass-catching back needs to look at his career stats - i'm not saying that TJ is as explosive. but he could easily fill the role, and has in the past. the fact that we aren't throwing to a back has nothing to do with the loss of leon. it has everything to do with the design of the offense. many of the balls that would go to the RB are now going to Keller. on offense, leon washington was having a down year in terms of productivity with more "touches". Shonn Greene, 79 carries, 383 yds, 4.8 avg, 33 long Leon Washington, 72 carries, 331 yds, 4.6 avg, 33 long Here are the return stats, he is third in avg: David Clowney 27.0 avg Dwight Lowery 25.6 avg Leon Washington 24.1 avg Brad Smith 23.0 avg Justin Miller 23.0 avg His KR avg has gone down for three years in a row from 27.5 and 3 TDs to 25.7 and 1 TD to 24.1 and 0 Tds thru 7 games. He had zero TDs in all phases this year. I've never said he is not a valuable player, or very dangerous. His productivity could have easily been replaced. For those who think he was Brian Westbrook, let him attempt over 200 carries a year for the same avg, and catch 60-90 balls a year, while scoring double digit TDs. Washingotn is talented, but he isn't brian westbrook.
