Jets-Dolphins postgame
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- September
- 23
Standing in the Eric Mangini postgame presser, the ambivalent thoughts started creeping in.
Yes, the Jets had won their first game of the season, 31-28. Yes, as former Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson was so fond of saying, “A win is a win.’’ And, yes, the three-point final score was a little misleading.
Still, the question that nagged at me as Mangini spoke was this: Mangini consistently preaches consistency, four quarters of good football. He was talking about how complementary all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – were today. But I couldn’t help think this was not a consistent effort. At best, it was a three-quarter effort. And against good teams, that’s not going to get it done.
So there are some reasons to be uncomfortable heading into Week 4, even if the Bills are now 0-3 and without starting quarterback J.P. Losman, out for a couple of weeks (they say) with a sprained left knee. Of course, Trent Edwards may do just as well and the Jets never seem to have a good time up in Buffalo, last year’s victory included.
For one, the rush defense is still more break than bend, despite a nice effort by inside linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton, both who were very active. Ronnie Brown ran for 112 yards and caught passes for 99 more.
“Obviously, we need to work on screens,’’ Mangini said.
Chad Pennington also needs to heal his ankle a little better. He was limping slightly as he left the stadium, which is to be expected, but he’s clearly not 100 percent.
“I don’t know, it’s a process,’’ Pennington said. “I just try and work on it every day.’’
Pennington obviously was good enough to go, since he scrambled OK, including a completion when the right-hander scrambled left, and ran in for a touchdown.
Like I said, I’m ambivalent. This team could well win its next two games, also, at Buffalo and against the mighty Giants. But this is not yet what I would call a smooth-sailing operation.
Finally, courtesy of the fine Jets’ PR staff, here are the notes they compiled for the game:
The Jets have now beat Miami in three straight contests and the last four times the two clubs have met at the Meadowlands.
The Jets are 12-4-1 all-time in games against the Dolphins decided by three points or less.
Shaun Ellis recorded the Jets first sack of the season at the 9:51 mark of the first quarter. With the sack, Ellis passed Verlon Biggs and moved into sixth place on the Jets all-time sacks list with 49.5 sacks
Laveranues Coles caught a three-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter from Chad Pennington. The touchdown reception was his third in as many games and his 10th touchdown reception in 12 career games against Miami. His 27 career touchdown receptions as a Jet tie him with Art Powell for 10th all-time on the Jets career touchdown receptions list. Coles has now caught at least one pass in 64 consecutive games.
Coles touchdown reception was the Jets first touchdown scored in the first quarter this season and gave them their first lead of the season (7-0).
Coles, who caught three passes for 30 yards, passed Bobby Mitchell for 82nd on the NFL’s all-time reception list with 522 receptions.
Leon Washington returned a second-quarter kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to give the Jets a 14-7 lead. It was the Jets first kickoff return for a touchdown since Justin Miller returned one 99 yards at Cleveland on October 2, 2006. Washington’s previous career-long kickoff return was 32 yards on September 9, 2007 against New England.
Jerricho Cotchery returned a second-quarter kickoff for 14 yards. It was Cotchery’s first kickoff return since January 1, 2006 when he returned one kickoff for 29 yards against Buffalo. Cotchery has returned 18 kickoffs in his career for 481 yards (26.7 avg), including a career-best 94-yard touchdown return on January 2, 2004 at St. Louis.
Chad Pennington threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Chris Baker with two seconds remaining in the second quarter. Pennington went 7-for-8 on the drive for 55 yards. Chad Pennington has now thrown a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
The Jets ran the ball on 11 consecutive plays for 57 yards to start the second half. Mike Nugent capped off the drive with a 21-yard field goal.
Kerry Rhodes recorded the Jets first interception of the season at the 5:27 mark of the third quarter. Rhodes has six interceptions in 35 career games.
Chad Pennington rushed for a two yard touchdown at the 12:51 mark of the fourth quarter to give the Jets a 31-13 lead. It was Pennington’s first rushing touchdown since October 24, 2004 at New England when he ran for a one-yard score.
Thomas Jones recorded his first 100-yard rushing game as a Jet, carrying the ball 25 times for 110 yards. Jones has now registered 17 career 100-yard rushing games and has 5,603 rushing yards for his career. Today, he passed Joe Morris and Delvin Williams to move into 78th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.
The Jets defense held Miami to 3-for-9 (33%) on third downs.
The Jets were 8-for-13 (62%) on third down attempts. This was their highest third down percentage since they went 8-for-12 (67%) against Detroit on October 22, 2006.
Mike Nugent kicked off six times with two of his kicks resulting in touchbacks. He has now kicked off 12 times this season with five kickoffs landing in the end zone and three resulting in touchbacks.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at 8:59 pm by Andrew Gross.
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Jane McManus 
Andrew, good point about the ambivelent comment, but Mangini seems to give praise, even after the first two games, it seems to me he was talking about the positives, I could be wrong. The defense needs help but David Harris made one fine play sniffing out a draw today and he seemed to be on the field a bit more as well. If they can find a way in Buffalo (my concern is D’Brick vs. Schobel) we may be able to get on a run.
I came away from today’s game even more concerned about their defense than I had been. They had a few moments but there was no consistency. They’d have a great series and then follow it up with a terrible series. And, its not even like the Phins are a powerhouse. Don Sutton may not be long for this team.
I was actually quite pleased with their offense. Pennington did a masterful job of controlling the game and the clock. Drawing Jason Taylor off sides 3 times was terrific. Pennington also had a great throw. He hit a receiver in stride while he was scrambling to his left, a very difficult throw for a right handed QB. He also showed, as usual, the great accuracy and touch that he has. Both touchdowns were thrown in places with no room for error and the ball to Baker would not have been caught if it was thrown any harder. Speaking of Baker, he’s really coming into his own in the passing game. He’ll only get better. Thomas Jones also showed some nice moves.
The offense really gives me some hope, now if we can only get the defense going.
I’ve said this before..it’s time to bring in Clemens..While I believe Chad may help us to a few more wins than Kellen this year, it’s more impoortant over the long haul to get Kellen his ‘first year experiences’ now because without question he is the future QB. And our defense is way too porous in almost every phase..What’s that all about?
DH, glad you don’t run this team.
I second Wayne’s reply. I am equally glad.
ANdrew.
Can you criique or front 7 on D. WHo was effective, who wasnt. I know you said Vilma and Barton where active but how about the rest? ANd is it me or is Brain Thomas back to stinking again?
I liked Barton and Vilma, as mentioned, Ellis obviously had the sack but didn’t maintain the pressure. BT has not had a good season and he was fairly invisible yesterday. Likwise, Kenyon Coleman has had two soft games in a row after 12 tackles against the Patriots. D-Rob got some push but it seemed like he didn’t have much mobility to get anybody running to his sides.
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DH – Don’t understand your comments at all. Chad played great and is the reason we won. I wish the Chad bashers would wake up – he’s a great QB. Imagine Chad and this receiving corps behind a line that actually could block and give him consistent time? What’s important is putting the best players on the field now and giving the team the best chance to win now. Playing for the future with Clemens 3 games into a season makes no sense at all. If Clemens beats out Chad in training camp next year, so be it. Until then, chill and watch the starting QB play.
The thing I cannot get over is that Mangini’s strength was supposed to be defense which now turns onto his team’s major weakness.
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Andrew,
Where do you think David Harris is in his development ? Is he a potential difference maker ?
If Chad didnt get hurt Jets are 2-1 and in great shape.
As it is, the combined record of their next six opponents is 5-13.
Win 5 of 6 and they are 6-3 going into the bye.
Pats are on another planet, now, but lets see how they handle some adversity.
Anyone who doesn’t see that Chad is the only way the Jets get to the playoffs (not the Super Bowl) is not seeing clearly. Yes, Kellin may be the future…...but this season is CHAD…...and I believe he is the reason the Jets have had the succes they have had over the last 5 years.
Andrew, I agree with almost everything you said in that post. But just a few questions…
1) What do you think the teams plans are for Justin McCareins? It seems to me that they are trying to trade him. I mean, he’s playing 3rd WR but only got the ball thrown to him last once week, which leads me to believe that the Jets are trying to hype him up.
2) Why is Mangini so fond of David Barett? Is there something we’re missing here, because if you ask me, Andre Dyson should be starting and Barrett should be a nickel or dime back, if that high.
Dyson must be hurt, otherwise he would be starting.
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