Jets-Steelers countdown
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- November
- 14
Few quick items here.
First, the participation report is out for today’s practices. The Jets are pretty clean. Only wide receiver Chris Davis (shoulder) and nose tackle Dewayne Robertson (knee) were limited. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who missed the Jets’ game against the Redskins before the bye with a concussion, is not on the list at all. Coles said he felt pretty good today so there’s no reason he won’t be available.
The Steelers were missing running back Willie Parker (hip), left tackle Marvel Smith (coach’s decision) and wide receiver Hines Ward (coach’s decision) from practice today, along with running back Gary Russell (personal) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring). Linebacker Andre Frazier (groin) was limited.
Also, I thought there was an interesting comparison between the teams two young coaches today. Whereas the Jets’ Eric Mangini again tried to rationalize the 3-4 vs. the 4-3 and how the difference wasn’t really all that great – this to a question as to how Mike Tomlin kept the 3-4 in place in Pittsburgh after coaching a 4-3 in Minnesota as the Vikes’ D coordinator last season, Tomlin went right to the heart of the matter in his conference call.
“I think anything other than staying with the 3-4 would not have been driven by the desire to win,’’ Tomlin said. “We had a great scheme, we had great continuity with our players and the guys that fit that scheme so it wasn’t broken. It wasn’t my intention to fix it. I’m interested in winning football games. I’m not interested in putting my stamp on the defense because that happens to be my area of expertise.’’
The Steelers, under D coordinator Dick LeBeau, have successfully used the 3-4 for years. The Jets were a 4-3 team under Herm Edwards but Mangini brought the 3-4 from New England. Most outside observers believe the team’s personnel is not directly suited for the 3-4 in that the linemen aren’t big enough to stuff the run.
Finally, a little plug here. I hope you guys will join me tomorrow night on JetsInsider.com as I do an online chat at 8 p.m. According to the plug on that site, I will, “take your questions and chat about all the happenings at Weeb Ewbank Hall heading into the second half of the season.’’
See you there.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 8:13 pm by Andrew Gross.
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Jane McManus 
Fishy that Coles’s name is not even on the list at all. Anyone else besides me suspect that Coles may, as he has in the past, be in the game only as a decoy?
Comparing apples to oranges.
Jets were LAST in the league in total defense in their final year of the 4-3, and Mangini was hired specifically to mimic the Patriots organization, including the scheme. His mandate was to rebuild the team from top to bottom in the image of the Pats.
Steelers had a very good defense when Tomlin walked in the door. His mandate was to fix the offense, which he has done, albeit benefiting from a similarly weak schedule as Mangini benefited from in his rookie year.
Not to excuse Mangini, but the problem stems not from continuing in the 3-4, but rather from trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
Mr. T needed to assess the personnel and unload the players that did not fit the system before they lost their value.
Instead he fell for the mirage of last years winning season and improving stats versus horrible offensive teams in the second half and stood pat, instead of trading Vilma and some others for picks or players.
I know it is hard for everyone to distinguish between the two, but the GM hired the coach, told him to implement the Pats system, and then did not get him players that fit the system.
Wayne, I agree with what you said in principal, but I think you’re being overly harsh on Tannenbaum. He did acquire an excellent 3-4 LB in Harris, and a 3-4 DE in Coleman. What other players were available? Adelius Thomas wanted to go to NE, and would have cost a fortune. What team that would have wanted Vilma had great 3-4 players to give us in return?
I’m hopeful we can get a few more front 7 replacements in the draft and free agency. A few good players can turn a defense around.
I always question this 3-4 vs 4-3 debate.
What player on the team, would be a useful DE, in the 4-3?
The problem aint the scheme, it’s the lack of talent, whatever the scheme. Besides, we often use 4 down-linemen.
On a sidenote, Andrew… has anyone asked Mangini about his face?
I realize he’s young, but is it acne, nerves, or has he decided to shave with an ax?
burf,
If Eric had an axe, I think he’d be doing something else than trying to shave with it.
So, I guess nobody’s asked him
Hope ya get some good questions on JI, later… have fun!
Burf, RT, guess my main problem is not trading Vilma in offseason for a high draft pick. DRob is not movable with that contract, perhaps Ellis or Barton could have brought back something.
My point was that the media is reaching when comparing Tomlin and Mangini with regards to the 3-4, totally different situations.
Agree the problem is more talent related than system, all these players have been overrated because they were picked so high.
Offensively, I am really tired of the “west coast” offense.
Has anyone really won with this system since SF?
Now that they have a QB that can throw the ball down the field I hope they abandon it for more of an old fashioned OAK Raider attack, pound the ball between the tackles and use play action to throw deeper routes.
If you look at our defense it shouldnt be that difficult of a fix next year. Our secondary is completely set, if not stacked with Elam, Coleman, Smith at SS, and Dyson, Coleman, Miller, Poteat at one CB spot. All we need to adress is the box- Harris and Barton in the middle would be a force. If Vilma would play on the outside than great (i dont know if he will), but both Hobson and BT have not made any impact this year.
On the line, Ellis is a very acceptable end as is Coleman, but we need a big NT (this is starting to feel like a broken record). We can trade DRob regardless of contract esp. considering we are 10-12 mil under the cap. Trade him with money or ask him to restructure, bc he will be a backup. We just really need a good big NT and they are extremely hard to come by. There isnt a marquee one that i see in this years draft class worthy of a top 5 pick. We might want to seriously consider trading a really good pick, and i have great faith in Tangini when it comes to the draft. I think our defense is one-two players and a new coordinator away from being solid again.
This year is as much of a fluke as last year.
For those of you interested in what the “enemy” has to say, check http://the-steelyard.blogspot.com/2007/11/jets-what-are-chances.html for a level-headed analysis of the Steelers-Jets matchup.
EVan, I do not see you addressing pass rush.
Ellis and Thomas need to go, Vilma will be traded and Hobson is a free agent, so need to address LB.
Need to draft the best pure pass rusher whethar it be DE or LB.
And yes they need to find a NT, wish they would give Mosely a chance, he always makes plays when allowed into the game.