Final Score: Ravens 10 - Jets 9
Ok guys. Game 1 was not the result we wanted to open up our new house. Here are the observations I came away with after going over the "game film"
I'll start with the "O".
We all know that our boys stunk up the joint on offense Monday night.
176 total yards
6 first downs
1-11 on 3rd down
UGH!
I place the blame for that on 3 people.
1) Rex Ryan
2) Brian Schottenheimer
3) Mark Sanchez
In that order.
Both Ryan and Schottenheimer throughout training camp and during this game drilled it into Sanchez's head to not turn the ball over. This was magnified against a very tough and turnover creating Raven's "D".
The end result was a very shaky and at times intimidated QB. Sanchez looked scared shitless at the line while surveying the defense pre snap. Then while in the pocket he never let a play develop. Just checked down to the back running in the flat.
This mindset forced a once confident QB to question his own decision making on the field. This is year 2. I'm not expecting a major improvement in Sanchez but it's time to take the Red/Yellow/Green play sheet off and let him loose. The kid has the skills as raw as they are. He showed that in spots last season and in the playoffs.
If the Jets are truly going to be a contender then they are going to see the Ravens again. You needed to show them that even though they are tough that they aren't invincible. Just the threat of offense will get the point across.
I guess the threat of offense was neutralized once #23 coughed it up. This kid as talented as he is has GOT TO HOLD ON TO THE ROCK! He has fumbled 5 times already in his very short NFL career. This fumble was worse on 2 levels.
1) Nobody hit him. He ran into Slauson's ass and the ball popped out. That's just a lack of concentration. No other way to say it.
2) The fumble came after Cromartie picked off Flacco. When your defense creates a turnover and gives you the ball in enemy territory......YOU CAN'T GIVE THE BALL BACK!!!!
If that doesn't get straightened out then the ground and pound side of the "O" will not be as strong as it should be and it will make people question releasing Thomas Jones.
That takes care of the "O". Now on to the "D".
It's no secret that if the Jets are going to be successful at all this year, their defense will be the focal point of the team. I saw 2 different defenses on Monday night.
1) A dominant one
2) An undisciplined one
The good....The "D" created 3 turnovers and held the Ravens to just 53 yards rushing allowing only 10 points.
The Bad....14 penalties for 125 yards. Baltimore converted 11-19 3rd downs.
Not good enough.
This defense prides itself on not giving up 3rd downs. They were not prepared. Kyle Wilson had his welcome to the NFL moments and that will continue until he learns to not play defense with his hands. Which is something Cromartie did all night long. They guy looked lost out there. This was something that worried me about him when he was in SD. The guy's got all world ability but his effort is not always there. That needs to change right away otherwise we have another Lito Sheppard out there and we all know how well he played last year.
Despite the outlaw nature of the "D", they still kept the team in the game and that's all you can ask from a top flight defense short of scoring.
Bottom line this team was not prepared for the bright lights of opening night and with the Pats on deck, the pressure is mounting. Is the season over if they lose on Sunday? Of course not but if you are going to be elite in this league, talk is cheap. Sooner or later you are going to have to beat the teams that you normally don't have a chance against.
We'll have to wait and see.
Until next week....J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! Now let's go eat a god damn snack!
"D"
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