by the Jet Report

Mike Tannenbaum told both WFAN and ESPN radio on Tuesday, that the idea of acquiring Tim Tebow was his. A move that was borne out of the need to replace Brad Smith. The chain of events that followed Smith’s exit, arguably the Jets most versatile playmaker during the early Rex Ryan years, then ushered in the start of Tannenbaum’s downfall as GM of the Jets.

Smith was lost during the post-lockout mayhem. A mad two week scramble for free agents that the Jets fumbled, due mainly to their over-pursuit of the highly coveted CB Nnamdi Asomugha. A chase that would have never materialized had the knowledge of Antonio Cromartie’s “lock-down” emergence, been available at the time. Nonetheless, the obsession with Asomugha distracted Gang Green from focusing in on key clutch players like Smith, who was poached by the Bills while the Jets went all or nothing with their cap space. In the hopes of landing Asomugha.

The 2011 regular season then began with the Jets asking Mark Sanchez to grow as a passer and field general. Few members of the Jets brass however, realized how low the third year QB’s ceiling would end up being over the next two years. Or rather, how much Smith had covered things up, by grabbing so many key third down conversions for the offense in 2009 and 2010.

With Sanchez’s limitation’s exposed, Tannenbaum then decided upon making the “football decision” of acquiring Tim Tebow. This to compensate for the loss of Smith. Instead the result added stress and drama to the club, mainly to Sanchez and playcaller Tony Sparano. The club’s first year offensive coordinator, who ironically oversaw the Dolphins “Wildcat” when it ruled the NFL back in 2008. The Jets 2.0 version of the run-heavy formation, was much less effective with Tebow than it ever was when Smith received the direct snap in New York. 

Smith’s absence in green and white not only hurt Sanchez and forced Tannenbaum to consider adding the polarizing Tebow, it depleted the team in two other places as well. The special teams unit for one, fell apart for the Jets in 2012. Joe McKnight was an All-Pro return man in 2011 but Smith did it all for Mike Westhoff’s crew. He ran back kicks like McKnight did, but had a unique knack for doing so when the Jets needed it the most. Smith returned punts, made tackles on coverage, and was always healthy.

The lack of depth at WR was another area that Tannenbaum admitted yesterday, hurt the club tremendously during their disappointing 6-10 campaign. Perhaps more of the cracks could been filled in on the outside with Smith, who is still waiting for the chance to expand his role as more than a gadget-like weapon in Buffalo.

Big long term contracts of course dried up the Jets financial flexibility and potential heading into 2012, and threaten the club going forward, However, Smith’s exit eliminated a major security blanket for Sanchez and ushered in Tebow, while leaving two units lacking quality depth. All of which affected results on the field. Causing the sudden growth of the bullseye on Tannenbaum’s back.

The lesson that new GM John Idzik should learn from this, is that the core guys, the proven playmakers, have to be tended to. Guys who may not provide “star power” or giant stat lines, but perform consistently when it counts. Tannenbaum just found out the hard way, what can happen if this essential detail gets overlooked.

by the Jet Report

SI’s Peter King reports today that the Jets asking price for Darrelle Revis will be a first round pick, but it’s not enough to warrant getting rid of the game’s best cover corner. As long as the Revis legal team can somehow avoid a third contractual confrontation with Woody Johnson, we see no reason why new GM John Idzik should send Revis packing for the potential of some unknown commodity. No matter how highly touted the pick is. 

Revis makes top flight wideouts invisible. Antonio Cromartie, coming off of an outstanding year, is as good of a second tier top CB as one could ask for, but he’s no Revis. Together, the two form the best tandem in football at a time when quality passing teams have become harder to slow down. The Jets held together defensively without Revis, but it would be hard to argue that they won’t be a better secondary with him once again.

An expiring contract in 2013 and his recent ACL tear make the chances of obtaining a treasure chest full of players and picks in return for Revis lower than they would have been, had he finished 2012 healthy. If the rebuilding Jets are truly shopping Revis, then it’s time to ask for a king’s ransom regardless. Gang Green has to make others figure out a reworked long term deal for the rehabbing star before 2014 and risk doing so at a high cost, as opposed to watching Revis thrive elsewhere for less than top level compensation. In other words, keep him, or find a way to obtain enough talent for him, that the trade helps to rebuild the roster all by itself. One or the other.

Perhaps the unconfirmed reports that Woody and Co. are dangling Revis to prospective buyers isn’t quite true. That the chatter was instead a purposeful and indirect warning shot from the Johnson bunker. One whose intended message is meant for Revis implying that “there will be no contract drama this time around. Any extraneous noise will lead to a new address Darrelle, so forget playing hardball. Come ready to make a deal this time.”  

If the reports are in fact true, then Idzik and the Jets can talk and listen when it comes to Revis all they want. As long as they set an asking price for Revis that resembles the level of Revis himself. One that goes way beyond one unproven first rounder in April. No matter how much immediate help the 6-10 club needs.

by the Jet Report

As a Jet, playing alongside Darrelle Revis since 2010, the Jets “other” star cover guy, Antonio Cromartie has been afforded the luxury of going to work with limited exposure to any opponents top receiving threats. The arrival of Cromartie through free agency three seasons back also allowed Kyle Wilson additional time to develop. Helping him dodge the heavy stigma of being termed a first round disappotment. Both have been protected. Until now. The new Jets starting CB tandem must step up in weight class immediately, beginning Sunday at home against the powerful 2-1 Niners. Unable to hide any longer behind the veils that each have benefitted from thanks to the trickle own effect of playing alongside Revis Island, each will now have the opportunity to also prove that they are next level players.

Antonio Cromartie has always believed that he is the second best cornerback in the NFL. The Daily News today quotes Cromartie as one who has been playing with a chip on his shouder this year. Out to prove that he is the league’s second best CB behind only his injured teammate Revis. “I’m still playing with it (chip no shoulder)..just to prove that I’m a No. 1 corner and I can be a shutdown corner.”

This added internal incentive Cromartie is carrying will bode well for the Jets, should the “Good Cro” as defensive Mike Pettine likes to term it, shows up more frequently than the “Bad Cro” from here on in. The good version brings an aggressive, confident, long armed ball hawk to the table each and every play. The lesser version rears his ugly head at times as a player too reliant on athletic ability. Often leaving him out of position and susceptible to giving up big plays or costly pass interference penalties.

For Cromartie, his challenge in becoming a solution against top wideouts is not based in athletiscim, but consistency. Should he be able to focus mentally on his assignments, and play with something to prove on every down as he has already for most of this young season, then the Jets defense will be better able to bolster the other side with safety help.

Where Kyle Wilson will now play.

Wilson was a highly touted first round pick in 2010 who got off to a poor start in his rookie year. Wilson was too often times lost in coverage. Wilson has struggled to find the proper times to turn around to the ball since his arrival as well. Relegated to nickel packages and slot coverage on passing downs however, Wilson has slowly claimed back up towards respectablility over the past year and change. His week one interception of Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick helped get the Jets going towards a 48-28 surprise win, and gave hope that he could finally become a quality player in the near future.

It’s unrealistic to hope that Cromartie becomes the player that Revis is, and Wilson becomes Cromartie. What the Jets should aim for in this life after Revis instead is, simply a reasonable drop in elevation. With a natural turbulence that will occur at times and must be expected when losing the game’s top cover guy. A complete nosedive by the new starting duo is what Gang Green must avoid.

There will be others who will look to help pitch in and make the new Jets secondary a “strength in numbers” unit. CB’s Ellis Lankster, Isiah Truifant and now RB turned defender Joe McKnight, will be there to ease up the heat that Cromartie and Wilson will face. Not to mention heat seeking missile Laron Landry and his safety cohort Yeremiah Bell, who may now both be asked to keep an even closer eye on what takes place outside both hashes.

Should Cromartie settle in as a solid number one, and Wilson as a functional number two, then the Jets could turn their attention and energies back towards seeking ways to make up for the point differential loss due to the absence of Revis. This by looking for ways to seek big plays and advantages elsewhere through more effective blitz schemes, and loftier goals on offense. 

Nobody thinks this is going to be easy. Few however, were giving the 2012 Jets a chance even with Revis. For now, as the big bad 49ers come to town, Cromartie and Wilson, hold the key towards stabiization. The only direction for this duo and the Jets as a team is forward. Knowing that this time around, the NFL’s best cornerback won’t be there to lean on at any point, the rest of the way. 

by the Jet Report

Yikes. Talk about a quirky nailbiter. This one had disaster written all over it. Luckily the Jets escaped by the skin of their teeth with a 23-20 OT win. Call it a thriller. Call it ugly. We call it 2-1 and 2-0 in the division. A reality that will be covered with a dark cloud should Darrelle Revis be out for the season due to a non-contact knee injury suffered yesterday. How could we not start with Revis, whose probable season ender may make this win feel like a loss by later today.

1 – Oh No, Not Revis

What a year for Revis Island.. First a concussion in week one, now this. What looks like a season ending torn ACL. The violent world of pro football seems more violent lately as a whole too, doesn’t it? Can the Jets survive a defense without Revis? We don’t think so. The drop off is precipitous when Revis is not on the field.

This morning we all hold our breath, while knowing that from the looks of Sunday’s win that provided no pass rush and a confused offense, the Jets may be in trouble WITH Revis too this season. If that’s any consolation.

2 – Cover your Eyes, The Jets have the ball

Watching QB Mark Sanchez work on Sunday was like watching a scary movie. There was fear, laughter, comic relief and of course, sudden horror. Like the underthrown interception into double coverage that took place in the Dolphins end zone.

In The end thankfully, #6 remembered that he was not his team’s internal villain, but a player who can be clutch when the idea of victory is fading late in the game for many who bleed green and white.

As for the ground and pound, the Jets FINALLY realized that force feeding Shonn Greene is not enough of a dynamic rushing attack. Bilal Powell was 10-45 which was a step in the right direction, but Joe McKnoght is still invisible and the Wildcat has not become a seamless Part of the fabric yet.

With Stephen Hill dropping TDs Amd Dustin Keller still out, thank god Santonio Holmes (9-147) stepped up like we asked him to this past week. Or else this offense would have come apart at the seems yesterday.

read the entire piece at “turn on the jets”

by the Jet Report

We all know that necessity is the mother of invention. That said, all that the Jets had hoped to achieve through the air in 2012 has to be under review in the coaches offices out in Florham Park these days. Better invent something fast. Well, one adjustment to complimenting a run first attack could be force feeding a “four wide” speed package. With an emphasis on short receptions and yards after the catch. Stretching the field will of course open up any run game but sacks, as we’ve seen since early 2011 on into this summer, will devastate it.  Maybe an empty backfield speed formation, sprinkled in with occasional shots “up top” can help.

In Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley, and Joe McKnight, the Jets have four pieces on offense whose forty yard dash times can impress. Why not line them all up at once? With Kerley and McKnight in the slots?

Read the entire article at Turn On The Jets

by the Jet Report

Away from the primetime news and tabloids that will report daily on marquee names wearing the Green and White, are some Jets whose impact could truly be felt. Especially if they develop into next level players.

Or in the case of our choice at number five, are desperately needed to.

Josh Baker:

Baker is a tough and versatile H back who could end up part of the Ground and Pound rotation as a multi purpose guy. One who if portrayed as an unassuming blocker, could find a hole with the rock in his hands.

Of course while drilling a linebacker every now and then when he’s asked to lead the way for someone else. Don’t forget about putting him in motion out of the backfield as a second TE too.

Baker can be used in more ways than John Connor can but 45 is not a prototypical FB like “The Terminator” is. Tony Richardson was once vital to the original Ground and Pound. Maybe even the template for the position. If the Jets simply want a T Rich type of plower to line up at FB, then we’d put our money on Conner getting the bulk of the work. If they want flexibility and unpredictability there, throw in Baker.

Read the entire article at “Turn On The Jets”

by the Jet Report

The New England Patriots:

You know, the Belichickian team that wins 11-12 games every year. The NFL regular season’s Legion Of Doom..Evil masters of the fall and early winter.

Potential Jet Losses due to rookie mistakes (and hey the Jets sound like they plan on using every newcomer available including interns at Florham Park) would be acceptable elsewhere. In divisions where nine or even ten wins could mean a bye and home game. Not in this division.

Keeping up with the Joneses in THIS town means not only owning fancy cars and powerful speedboats, but optimizing them too. We’re not complaining. It just may take a while to get everyone going in the right direction together. Young. Old. Sanchez. Tebow. All of which won’t help securing a crown if the Foxboro duo of Bill and Brady outsmarts everyone before snow hits the ground. Like they always do.

JETS HISTORY: WALT MICHAELS

NY TIMES “WALT MICHAELS STILL LOVES FOOTBALL,” January 2011

The old stalwart. Here’s a January 2011 NY Times article on the Jets head coach from 1977 through the infamous 1982 “Mud Bowl.” A key top assistant for Weeb Ewbank during the glory years of the late 60’s.

THE JET REPORT JETS VS GIANTS: REVIEW OF THE TOP FIVE KEYS

1-WIN THIS GAME WITH THE GROUND ATTACK:

We said “The only way to minimize the threats of both Eli Manning and Jason Pierre Paul, is through the Jets ground game. Greene has begun to heat up in December. If the Jets can run well, they can open up their own downfield attack with play action. 

59 passing attempts..Are you kidding me? Down 20-14 with the ball near the 50 midway through the fourth the Jets went three and out with three pass plays. Even though Greene was running a 4.1 clip. Shameful. Disastrous. Hard to explain and we want an explanation.

2-DON’T SHUT NICKS AND CRUZ UP, SHUT THEM DOWN INSTEAD:

We said: “Revis must minimize Nicks and the Jets must hit Cruz across the middle. Brodney Pool could help in that department. Making one of these two pedestrian and forcing the Giants to use their 32nd ranked rushing attack will help lessen the points the Jets will need in order to win.” 

Cruz’s 99 yard TD was the backbreaker even though it was a second quarter play. Nicks was shut down by Revis though, and the Jets were still just down 20-14 and in position to win. 

3-SLOW DOWN PIERRE PAUL:

We said “How DO you slow down the game’s new disruptive force up front? By running the ball well, trapping him in the backfield with the screen game, and by blocking him with extra protection. Jets RB’s and FB John Connor must help the Jets offensive line out with this guy. He can’t be contained all day in one on one matchups. No matter how big D’Brickshaw Ferguson is.”

Pierre Paul didn’t dominate but the Giants line as a whole did. They tipped passes, got sacks and were able to be the focal point once the Jets decided that Mark Sanchez had to throw it 60 times.

4-WAYNE MUST BE THE HUNTER NOT THE HUNTED

We said” Giants defensive coordiantor Perry Fewell will throw all the stunts and flooded attacks Wayne Hunter’s way, and rightfully so..A collection of false starts will thwart Jets drives. A string of gaffes that allow pass rushers through to Sanchez, could be even more damaging.”

Hunter was OK. He had one penalty but was not the sole cause of the Giants line taking over up front. The Jets abandoned the run, essentially letting the dogs out by doing so.

5-WIN THE SPECIAL TEAMS MATCHUP:

We said  ”The Jets are 3rd (Giants 19th) in the NFL in punt return average (26.8) and McKnight is tops in the entire league at 32.3 per return… Shortening fields for the offense while lengthening the field for Manning is attainable.”

It didnt work out that way. The Jets didn’t break any big runs and Giants punter Steve Weatherford outdueld TJ Conley, leaving the Jets not the Giants, with long fields to deal with.

Add this all up, and you have a 29-14 loss.

“THE BATTLE OF NEW YORK” COULD COME DOWN TO THE QUARTERBACKS

photo: Joshua Griffler    www.joshuagriffler.com