Ryan Fitzpatrick is quietly
having one of the better seasons for a quarterback in Jets history. He has 20 touchdown passes and might
threaten Vinny Testarverde’s single season Jet record of 29. Fitz has done it with a combination of
things. The Jets offensive line has given him some great pass protection. The
Jets rank tied for first with the Raiders allowing only 14 sacks this year.
They have also allowed 45 quarterback hits, which is 6th best in the
league. To put that into perspective, the Patriots have allowed 25 sacks and 68
quarterback hits.
The Jets
receivers, Marshall and Decker have played very well despite the drops we have
seen. They have combined for 17 touchdowns which is the best by a pair of
receivers since 1998 when Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet combined for 18.
There is definitely real good chemistry between Fitz and these two receivers.
The running of Chris Ivory (evaporated a bit as of late) has also helped the
passing game.
Speaking of
drops, Brandon Marshall has eight drops this year. According to league stats,
only Mike Evans and Amari Cooper have more drops. Keep in mind that the more
you target a receiver the more chances there are for drops no matter how good
the player is.
Going into the
playoff drive, who will be the most important players on the Jets.
Will it be Ryan Fitzpatrick? Chris Ivory? Mo Wilkerson? Darelle
Revis? Here’s my take on it.
Going into this playoff run, two players can be key to the
success of the Jets. Devin Smith and Jeff Cumberland. I know some jaws dropped
but let me explain. I believe we have seen the last time that Brandon Marshall
will see single coverage. He really toyed with Brent Grimes making receiving
look easy against one of the best in the league. Look for teams to double
Marshall and leaving their best defensive back on Decker. This can open things
up for wide receiver Smith and tight end Cumberland. Kerley and Enunwa will
also benefit but I believe Smith and Cumberland can both be the “X” factors.
I’m counting on Smith, hoping he snapped out of his funk with his touchdown
catch. And Cumberland is not as awful as everyone is making him out to be. In
Chan Gailey’s offense, the tight end is just not involved the way other teams
utilize their tight ends. I feel with the coverage that Marshall and Decker
will be getting, this will give opportunities to Smith and Cumberland and
Gailey must be flexible. Throwing the ball to Cumberland 4 or 5 times a game,
can really open up the offense!
What the Jet scribes are saying:
Rich Cimini, ESPN
“Victor Cruz made one of the most significant plays in
Giants history, turning a short catch into a 99-yard touchdown on Christmas Eve
in 2011. It was a game-changing, season-altering moment. The Giants, on the
verge of elimination, never lost again, winning six straight, including the
Super Bowl. The Jets blew their playoff chances that day and they haven't
returned since.”
Brian Costello, NY Post
“The best move of the Jets’ offseason came on the side of a
field in South Carolina.
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was at Clemson’s Pro Day
in March when he pulled Bears GM Ryan Pace to the side of the field and
negotiated the trade that netted wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a
fifth-round draft pick (the Jets also got a seventh-round pick back in the
deal).”
Manesh Mehta, NY Daily News
“Nobody this great deserves to suffer the indignity of being
marginalized by air quotes, but here’s the unvarnished truth: Revis Island
should be permanently shut down. Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins embarrassed Darrelle
Revis two weeks ago. Odell Beckham Jr., will do the same if the Jets cornerback
is cleared to play this weekend after suffering a concussion in Houston. Revis
will find a permanent place in Canton one day, but this won’t be a fair fight.
Beckham will threaten Flipper Anderson’s 26-year-old single-game receiving
record (336 yards) if the Jets are foolish enough to give him the true Revis
Island treatment. It’s the ultimate mismatch.”
@GreenRewind
For up to the minute Jet stuff!
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