Flag Happy

Edition #205

Good morning!

As a Norwich City fan, I don’t mind the color yellow, but on a wet night in New York, the flags were flying. In a stop-start game, the Falcons in particular couldn’t stop shooting themselves in the foot, being called for 13 penalties in total which cost them 121 yards. The Jets were by no means clean, they were called for 11 penalties too.

There is plenty to get to, so let’s dive straight in.

• After sitting a lot of the Jet’s starters last night, Robert Saleh confirmed that the majority of the starters will play when the Jets wrap up their pre-season schedule against the Giants.

• Robert Saleh also confirmed that it’s likely the Jets will name a starting CB this week. Sauce Gardner and Bryce Hall have been battling it out, but we all know which way this is going, especially after last night.

• Saleh was also asked to comment on QB Chris Streveler who led the Jets to their second pre-season victory in two weeks, and he said: “He’s a warrior and a fighter.” He’s unlikely to make the roster and he doesn’t throw a pretty ball, but he gets the job done.

• A massive shout-out to all the Jets fans who stuck that game out to the end. It was absolutely pouring down but a select few were still cheering in the stands as the Jets took to the victory formation. Got a lot of respect for that.

I re-watched the game this morning so I could pick out a handful of plays that I liked. We’re going to get to those in a minute, but I have to start on something a little less positive and that’s Bryce Hall, a player who I really like.

If there was any question as to whether he or Sauce Gardner would start opposite DJ Reed when the Jets kick their season off against Baltimore, there isn’t anymore. Hall was targeted frequently and he was beaten frequently, including on several long gains and a touchdown to Zaccheaus on a 13-yard score.

I’m not sure if the Jets had a poor game plan for him, but he was beaten off the line easily and then his lack of speed was exposed in the attempt at recovery. None of the Jets “starters” last night as Atlanta raced out to a 16-point lead…but Hall was noticeable for all the wrong reasons.

At the end of the day the Jets won, we can say our backups are better than Atlanta’s backups, so let’s get to a couple of plays.

I feel as though I’ve spoken a lot about Will Parks recently, but he does tend to make plays that stick in your mind, which is exactly what you need to do if you’re a player looking to make a roster. Last night I can only remember Joyner arriving late to a couple of big gains, Davis was largely anonymous and I’m not sure I remember Pinnock either. Parks put a statement hit on tape and that’s a good tempo setter. This play won’t get him on a roster, but it won’t hurt either. I’ve said this week that the free safety battle is open and raging, and I think that’s even more true today.

The Jets offence looked pretty stagnant until Chris Streveler came in against the backups. Streveler finished the game completing 8 of 11 passes for 119 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It’s against backups sure, but Streveler is a 4th string QB playing with backups, so give credit where it is due. Here he hits tight end Lawrence Cager over the middle and the converted wide receiver does the rest. It’s an easy read and a coverage bust by Atlanta who are playing man coverage, still have to execute it. Mike White said after the game that he struggled to get into rhythm, which was evident throughout, but this is the second week in a row where Streveler has outplayed White.

Despite playing backups on the offensive line against the Falcons starters, the Jets managed to go a complete game without allowing a sack, which is a great accomplishment even in pre-season. The Falcons offensive lineman did a relatively good job keeping their QBs clean only allowing 2 sacks on the night. Here is a little outside pressure by special teams ace Justin Hardee which forces QB Felipe Franks into the pressure of Jonathan Marshall. Marshall beats Tyler Vrabel with ease and it’s nice to see the former Arkansas man make some plays…including the next one

The Falcons try and set up a screen but the offensive lineman don’t maintain their blocks long enough, or sell it well enough. Marshall to his credit sniffs this out immediately and that must have felt like getting hit by a freight train. Marshall needs to out some good performances together to have any hope of making this team, performances like that will certainly help…even if it was against backups. That’s a smart and intelligent play by Marshall and defensive coaches love players with a smart head on their shoulders.

I’ve watched this play a few times now and I’m not sure that this is executed as designed, based entirely on the body positioning of Jeremy Ruckert. The TE looks to be sealing inside with Mims expected to pick up #20, creating a gap for Perine to run through, but Mims doesn’t quite get there and Perine trusts his speed to beat the linebacker to the outside. The Falcons #51 doesn’t keep his containment and gets drawn too far in, which creates an easy opportunity for Perine, it’s a heads up play to bounce it to the outside.

This is just an outstanding play from start to finish by Bradlee Anae, which led Saleh to say that he was “kicking butt” in the post-game presser. Anae was responsible for some haymakers thrown during the joint practice this year, but this was the knockout blow the Jets needed to put another win on the board. He gets a good jump but that ability to turn, pursue, make an ankle tap tackle and then scoop a soaking wet ball to return it for a touchdown…I mean that’s how you get onto a roster.

Some other notable moments:

Denzel Mims had 3 catches for 43 yards. He was the target for the interception, but he was double covered and while he got his hands on the ball, it would be harsh to say he should have come down with it.

Jamien Sherwood made a very nice play in coverage, laying out to deflect a pass that was destined for a big gain over the middle. Sherwood made a couple of good plays last night and he’s certainly looking healthy after suffering the season-ending injury during his rookie campaign.

Greg Zuerlein made the only Jets field goal of the game, connecting on a 44-yard attempt. Both Zuerlein (1/1) and Pineiro (2/2) hit their extra point attempts. By my count Zuerlein is still ahead in the kicking competition and one of the kickers may be let go today with the team having to trim 5 more players.

Don’t worry about Breece Hall. If anyone is worrying about Breece Hall. He had 4 carries for 1 yard yesterday, when the lights come on then Breece will be fine.