Jets Super Bowl Plans in Holding Pattern

The ongoing saga concerning the hold-out of All World Cornerback Darrelle Revis took a back seat last night to the newest media Talking Point – the Jets Super Bowl hysteria, revved up by Head Coach Rex Ryan, will likely stall out due to the Jet’s lack of offensive punch. In particular, the wags ponder with considerable angina the concern that Mark Sanchez, who admittedly has been horrid the last two games, is perhaps undergoing the dreaded “Sophomore Slump.” Steve Serby of the New York Post frets that the Jets “Ground and Pound” offense will devolve into “Ground and Flounder.” Both broadcasters and frequent commenter’s on WFAN, the New York Sports Radio channel, mimicked Serby, foreseeing a possibly cataclysmic season if the QB doesn’t morph into Tom Brady in a week or two. Each comment seemed to be prefaced by the statement. “I know it’s just an exhibition game, but...” Against Carolina, Sanchez was 5-10 for 12 yards, which isn’t going to threaten any of Peyton Manning’s passing records. This week, the Sanchise was 13-21, for 139 yards, with 1 TD (against the Redskins 3rd string defense) and one terrible interception, where Mark was obviously snookered by cagey cornerback De Angelo Hall; Sanchez apparently didn’t realize that Hall was playing in a hidden zone, and that his primary receiver was not single-covered. He looked tentative at times, appeared to be befuddled by Washington’s defensive fronts, and maintained constant eye-contact with his primary receiver. Of course, these are the common traits of all freshman and sophomore quarterbacks not named Dan Marino.

Across the board, New York’s sports reporting can be summed up in on word: Apocalyptic. The Yankees lose three games in a row, the dynasty is finished. The Mets don’t have to add judicious pieces to their team to compete next year; they need to blow up the entire squad. Of course, if you’re favorite Gotham team wins several games in a row; their offensive mediocrities are transformed into a re-incarnation of Murderers’ Row. The fans follow the scribes and talking heads, joining them on the same bi-polar roller-coaster ride.

Let’s get real. These really are just exhibition games. The purpose of these matches are fourfold: Give the Vets a chance to shake off the rust of ½ year’s inactivity, getting acclimated to their unit, allow an opportunity for 6th round draft picks and free agents to scramble for the last several available slots on the team, preserve the starters from any serious injuries, and make money for the owners. Beyond that, not too much. Does anyone remember what the Jets, or any other NFL team for that matter, did in last season’s pre-season games? I certainly don’t. And all of this nonsense will be quickly forgotten five minutes after the first real game commences.

Several things can be taken from the plodding match against the Redskins. LaDanian Tomlinson is back. He is somewhat older, but apparently his poor production last year was the result of foot injuries, and not because he is washed up. Perhaps he doesn’t have the stamina which he had in his glory days, but he doesn’t need to. Along with Shonne Green, the duo could be one of the most effective running combos in the NFL. Kudus to the Jets scouts who convinced the brass to take this risk, and cut Thomas Jones, one of the top rushers in the league last season.

The Offensive Line remains one of the best in the game. There is some concern as to how the loss of Alan Faneca will affect the cohesion of the unit, but they will be fine. There have been several breakdowns on the offensive line stopping the opposing team’s pass rush in the last two weeks; last night Sanchez was ground into the turf by Washington behemoth Kedrick Golston, and for a second it appeared that he had hurt his shoulder. The receiving corps will be good, as long as Braylon Edwards uses some of that tar stick-um the Oakland Raiders used to employ. When Santana Holmes returns after four weeks, the unit could be superb. Dustin Keller is evolving into a superior tight end, and could wind up being the Jets top Red Zone option. The Defense, especially the defensive front, continues to be very good, although admittedly Donovan McNabb would have been a better test then Rex Grossman. The Special Teams were excellent, especially punter Steve Wetherford, who on two occasions boxed the Redskins inside their own 10 yard line; on the second occasion, the Jets were able to force a fumble, picked up by Vernon Gholston, of all people.

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Don’t worry, folks. The Jets are in good shape. With their defense and running attack, all they need is a QB who can manage the game effectively. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will undoubtedly simplify the passing schemes and routes until Sanchez becomes more at ease. Don’t forget, this is the same QB who performed superbly in the playoffs, leading the team to victory against the Cincinnati Bengals with an amazing 139 QB rating, as well as against the San Diego Chargers, one of the premier teams in the AFC. If Trent Dilfer could lead a team to a resounding Super Bowl victory, and Big Ben Roethlisberger could do the same in his sophomore season (despite an abysmal QB rating in the mid-twenties against Seattle) why would anyone doubt that Sanchez has the ability to do the same?

One more pre-season game, featuring cameo appearances by the starters, and finally we then have the opening season match against the Baltimore Ravens. It is time to start playing for keeps, and put an end to the hyperbolic ruin and doom scenarios.

By: Paul J. Nebenfuhr
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent