Interesting article on need for receiver speed & better corner play

Not arguing the need for speed at WR, but using Atlanta losing to GB b/c or lack of speed is incorrect. Jenkins had 5 yard separation going to the end zone when the score was tied 14-14 and Ryan under threw the ball 5 yards resulting in a pick. Then Ryan made a decision a rookie should be ashamed of by throwing a pick-6 on route that the DB was clearly in position to jump. Ryan also missed a wide open Jenkins 25 yards down the field and looked to have a clear path to the end zone. The problem with Atlanta is not that they are lacking speed, but lacking a QB that can throw the ball with accuracy if it has to travel over 10 yards down the field from the line of scrimmage.

 

The Jets have a defense, a running game, and an underrated ST unit. They have play makers on offense and if they hadnt failed to convert a 1st and GL from the 1, all of the "you need an elite QB to go bowling" people would have to spin the wheel of circular logic one more time.

Oh, and the Bears...They're a good team w/ a solid defense and excellent ST. They had one starter miss a game due to injury all year. And they reached the NFC title game by beating, the Seahawaks. You wont find an elite QB anywhere on their roster either.

 

Those are vague, near meaningless platitudes in both the Dimitroff's and the unknown AFC GM's case(Why would he have to hide his name? It's not like anything even marginally revealing or incriminating was said). Even a secretive guy like Bill Parcells will sit there an expand endlessly on "Planet theory" type things.

 

I don't know about underated ST's. Maybe to an extent but they do have one of, if not the best, ST Coaches in the game today...

 

Cromartie returned a KO to the 40 to set up one TD in the game. A botched fake punt led to another TD. A failed onside kick let to the last score. You can hardly blame NE's defense for the loss in that game. One game only I know, but it wasnt really their offensive production or "elite QB" play that won the game.

 

ST were HUGE in the Pats game. The winning drive vs Indy in the wild card game? It started near mid field b/c of a long KO return. There is no denying the impact of ST on the Jets ability to win those games. Strong defense, good running game, caretaker QB, I hope Sparano was paying attention b/c that's the only way he makes the tournament this season.

 

Surely your correct here BUT NE's pass defense was really good late in the year. They yielded 3 TD's to Sanchez that day and could not put a mitt on Sanchez no matter how hard they tried. The Jets also ran pretty well to keep them off balance.

 

Yep, not what I meant though. They were playing damned good almost the entire second half of the year. I don't think people underestimated them. I mean yeah they could have kicked away from them but that almost always comes back to bite teams hard ....