Football Jets

The New York Jets won a marquee game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving day 26-10. While trying to digest my 2nd and 3rd helping of an epic Thanksgiving meal, in which 2nd and 3rds was a great idea at the time, but after going for desert pumpkin pie I’m not so sure about that, I got to watch another prime-time Jets game on television. What an awesome treat, and with the Jets delivering a convincing win, I can honestly say thanks for a great Thanksgiving!

To the game: We will all remember this game for Brad Smith. Brad Smith has had some welcome to the NFL moments as NY Jet, basically because about 1/2 the time he touches the ball he is running for a big play with it. However, on Thanksgiving Brad Smith had 2 huge monsterous epic emotional ‘I can’t believe what I just saw’ moments. A long kickoff return and a long rushing touchdown that were instrumental accounting for more than half of the Jets 26 points.

What I love about Brad Smith is that he runs and protects the ball. The Dallas Cowboys lost a game they controlled because Roy Williams boneheaded one hand protecting the ball running style. Williams switched the ball from his one hand to the other moments before getting stripped at the end of the game. If he just holds the ball with two hands and falls down, the Cowboys win that game virtually everytime. Brad Smith protects the ball always, I like that. 53 yard end-around and a 89 yard kickoff return were a testament to his vision while running with the football.

The Jets defense showed up and dominated. Two interceptions, plenty of quarterback pressures and three sacks, one of which went for a huge 2 point conversion stretching the lead to 16. Revis Island embarrassed Terrell Owens. Coverage was so tight, T.O. only saw 6 passes come his way for 3 catches and a measly 17 total yards. T.O. said Revis is “just an average corner” so if that is the case, what makes you T.O.? – a very, very below average wide receiver because Revis Island has punked you the past 3 games you played against him.

Thanks Jets for delivering a not so pretty at times, but hard fought victory on Thanksgiving. Now, how about an early Christmas present by delivering a victory against the New England Patriots next week?

This offseason is crazy.

After landing a boat load of talent in free agency, the draft and from the buffet line Rex Ryan has a new target.

T.O. aka Terrell Owens. Yes the man who once called his QB gay and is widely referred to as a locker room cancer, Terrell Owens is debating between joining forces with the Rams, Bengals and now the NY Jets.

He might only be a 4th or 5th option on the Jets, but he can still make plays and his yards per reception numbers from last season are fantastic, despite playing with the Offensive offense of the Buffalo Bills.

Bring him on, we got Veterans and plenty of distractions already so he can’t be much worse. Plus, with Hard Knocks getting ready to start filming at training camp this week, T.O. would be another face that could share the spotlight.

A common theme this year is Darrelle Revis leading the Jets defense to wins. On Thursday night this was no different as Revis locked down Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrelle Owens holding him to only 3 catches for 31 yards. Literally this guy is the reason the Jets are now 6-6 and only a game behind Denver for a wild card position.

However, this big, kinda sloppy win did not come without loss. Quarterback Mark Sanchez forced the organization to hold their breath when he hobbled off the field following a third down scramble for a first down in which he chose to dive at the end of the play instead of slide. Ironcially, this is exactly what Rex Ryan was trying to avoid by having Mark Sanchez taught how to slide FEET FIRST  all week by World Series Champion Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. The dive got the first down but the collision with the field turf in Toronto caused Sanchez to sprain his posterior cruciate ligament in his healthier right knee since he already wears a brace on his left knee from an old college injury.

Good News is that if he can handle the pain he should be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week, another must win game if the Jets have any post season aspirations.

Rushing and defense has been the bread and butter for the Jets all season long. Against Buffalo this was the case as Thomas Jones helped set a franchise record for the most rushing yards in two games against the same opponent in the same season. The Jets defense held Buffalo to less than 100 yards total offense in the second half and quickly ended the Buffalo game winning drive opportunity on their final possession. Defensive end Shaun Ellis sacked the Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on first down and then Darrelle Revis intercepted a long pass to Terrelle Owens on second down allowing the Jets to run out the clock for the victory.

The Jets slim but improving playoff hopes rest in the knee of Mark Sanchez. If he can not play then backup Kellen Clemens will be under center and the Jets will be left wondering what if.