To get a better feel for the game, NESN.com asked Eric Allen a six-pack of Jets-related questions. Allen is in his ninth season covering the team for NewYorkJets.com, so he's a man in the know.
Here's what Allen had to say about the Jets' offense, big-money cornerbacks and HBO's abundance of cameras.
NESN: We know about Mark Sanchez's learning curve and the Jets' rebuilt running game, but if they don't turn it around offensively, how much of the blame will fall on Brian Schottenheimer?
Eric Allen: If we were a quarter of the way into the season and the Jets ranked 29th in points, 30th in total offense and 32nd in passion offense, then I think a Jets fan would be justified in being alarmed. But the fact of the matter is the Jets played one game against one of the NFL’s best front-sevens, and they struggled mightily.
In the week leading up to the Jets-Ravens battle, head coach Rex Ryan preached the importance of ball security to Mark Sanchez. While Sanchez played turnover-free, and the Jets actually finished plus-two in turnover margin, the second-year passer didn’t get any big chunk yardage plays and the Green and White converted only 1-of-11 third downs.
The game plan was conservative, albeit the Jets did take a couple of shots. Four plays into the game, Sanchez aired it out down the right sideline in Braylon Edwards’ direction. Then in the second quarter, Sanchez threw a beauty to Dustin Keller down the middle for a 33-yard gain that would have put the Jets inside the 5, but an illegal shift penalty (one of 14 infractions on the home squad) brought the play back.
Jets Nation was certainly disappointed by the first regular-season offensive showing, and that’s to be expected considering their team had just three field goals and 176 total yards, and Sanchez threw for 74 yards. But Schottenheimer is a good coordinator, the Jets are confident in Sanchez and his targets, and Ryan has already said that they’ll make better use of Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery on the outside. In 13 games against the Pats, Cotchery has caught 46 balls for 745 yards and has five TDs.
The Pats are in transition on defense and have young corners, so Sunday will be very interesting.
NESN: Antonio Cromartie probably hasn't ever been picked on like he was by the Ravens. Is he prepared to handle the workload that comes with being the guy across from Darrelle Revis?
E.A.: We will soon find out, but I think Cromartie has a chance to excel in this defense. He had four flags in Week 1, and Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin had a big night with seven receptions for 110 yards, but Cromartie came up with a tremendous interception and had a chance to score on his 66-yard return. The Jets want Cromartie, a physical freak at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, to be more aggressive at the line with receivers in terms of re-routing them and then letting his athleticism take over.
In this defensive system full of blitzes and overloads, the corners have to excel in man coverage. Darrelle Revis, who usually lines up at left cornerback but will move with Randy Moss this weekend, is the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. I think you’re going to see a lot of quarterbacks feel the heat this season and they’ll be inclined to throw Cromartie’s way instead of in Revis’ direction. Cromartie had 10 interceptions in 2007, and I think he’s going to get a bunch in 2010.
NESN: How concerned are the Jets with their situation at left guard?
E.A.: With one exception — Haloti Ngata’s sack of Sanchez in the fourth quarter — the Jets were pleased with Matt Slauson’s Week 1 performance. As with most young linemen, Slauson is going to be more effective in the run game than pass protection at this point. He is also stationed in a favorable spot with center Nick Mangold to his right and left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson to his left. Slauson, a sixth-round pick of the Jets in 2009, played collegiately for current Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan at Nebraska.
Rookie Vladimir Ducasse, who may eventually wind up at right tackle, is still raw and was inactive in Week 1. Rob Turner is a feisty player, and he provides good interior depth at both guard and center.
NESN: How do you think the Jets handled the added spotlight with the Hard Knocks crew?
E.A.: They handled it fine. Jets owner Woody Johnson and Rex Ryan were more than happy to open the doors because they’re proud of the people within the organization, and they want to bring the fans closer than ever. Tight end Dustin Keller gave an interesting take last week to NewYorkJets.com when he said, "My first thought is that I’m glad that I wasn’t on it much. It seems like the guys that spent more time on it, it was never wracking for them. With that said, it was exciting. You can see the ups and downs."
I really don’t think it was a distraction at all.
NESN: Which of the Jets' offseason acquisitions do you believe will have the most positive impact in 2010?
E.A.: Sorry, but I’m going to take two guys here. LaDainian Tomlinson showed his explosiveness throughout the preseason, and then he carried 11 times against the Ravens for 62 yards. Tomlinson looks young again and he’ll run well behind this offensive line, and he’s always been a very good pass catcher and underrated blocker.
And Sanchez and company will get a huge boost in Week 5 when Santonio Holmes returns from his suspension. Holmes, who was MVP of Super Bowl XLIII and set career-highs in both receptions (79) and yards (1,248) last season in Pittsburgh, is a dynamic talent. He runs great routes, has good hands and wants the ball when the game is on the line. He could be a major factor down the stretch.
NESN: What can you tell us about the Ines Sainz situation?
E.A.: The NFL was present at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Tuesday to investigate the matter.
"We want to have an environment here where everybody is comfortable," said Ryan during his Monday news conference. "I don’t know all of the specifics of what’s going on. The NFL is here, I can tell you that. They’re here investigating, and we’re open. Everybody, whoever the NFL wants to talk to, I’m not sure who it is, we’ll let that play out. We’re here to cooperate."
Thanks again to Eric Allen of newyorkjets.com for contributing to NESN.com
