Strickland and Sheppard Unlikely to Play Sunday

by John B on Oct 2, 2009 12:01 PM EDT Comment 11 comments

Bad news out of Florham Park. Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland are probably out Sunday. So much for the hopes raised by not signing a free agent corner.

Playing the run-oriented Tennessee Titans without two-fifths of your starting secondary is one thing. Facing Saints quarterback Drew Brees with a banged-up defensive backfield is quite another.

That’s what the Jets will likely be doing Sunday. Cornerback Lito Sheppard (quad) and top-notch nickelback Donald Strickland (ankle) missed their second straight day of practice Thursday and neither is expected to play on Sunday at New Orleans.

"They were iffy, especially Strickland," said coach Rex Ryan Thursday. "Lito looks like he’s coming around. He was running today."

Ugh. Even if they do play, having them at less than 100% is a bad thing against these receivers.

Do you think Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman can step up?

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nope

we dont match up well at all this sunday. were going to need luck and a lot of it to leave new orleans with a win. cheap turnovers, career days on offense, etc. we need something supernatural to happen.

by joey d on Oct 2, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol.

Cause getting turnovers andh aving big days on offense has to be about luck right. This isn’t madden, the corners don’t matter if you get quick pressure on the ball. As long as Revis o is in there we’re okay. Not like we are missing Champ Bailey here, just Lito Sheppard. They’ll be fine. The Saints are good but they are getting WAY too much credit here, especially on defense. People are acting like they are the Colts of a few years ago that just smoked everybody and nobody had a chance. They aren’t. They are good, but they are beatable just like last year. They are a better team then last year, but beatable.

"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez

by nrmax88 on Oct 3, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

way to win

hi from CSC… just wondering. are you guys looking for the defense to win this game or the offense? i know the media has been pushing the whole saints O vs jets D… but you guys still have some weapons on O. i don’t think it will take anything supernatural, but just strong mistake free football. good luck guys!

by nanvinnie on Oct 2, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To state the obvious, it's going to a combination of both

The Saints offense is top in the league right now and probably will continue to be throughout the season (unless the Colts can get their run game together) while the Jets defense is top 5 in the league. I don’t expect the Jets defense to beat the Saints offense but I do think they can hold them to say < 24.

Then, the question becomes can the Jets offense score > 24 against the Saints D. Looking at footballoutsiders.com, the Saints D appears to be playing above their heads and their weakness appears to be against the run. The Jets offense has yet to really put it together but was very successful with the run last year. Looking over the information, I think the Saints will stack their D against the run like the Jets other opponents but will mix in more blitzes.

Thus, the key of the game to me becomes can Sanchez establish himself early in the game which would open up the Jets run game and would allow us to take advantage of the Saints weakness (D against the run) will limiting the amount of the time the Saints strength is on the field. Oh yeah and win the turnover war and the battle in the trenches and all that. It should be a great game.

by Sokojoe on Oct 2, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheppard might be good 2 go

I heard on 1050 ESPN Radio that Sheppard will probably play, but that Strickland is doubtful.

by Jaime S on Oct 2, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...

nevermind, they now sayn theyre out…

by Jaime S on Oct 2, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as an eagles fan...

i see this headline and i can’t help but to smile that he’s gone. keep an eye on this injury thing with him.

by Bleediots on Oct 2, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Lowery has a shot of "stepping up"

It’s Coleman that I have a problem with. This is DREW Coleman, not Marcus.

by BNTHIS on Oct 2, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ugh

Love my Jets but we’re going to get toasted this week. We just don’t have a chance with the depleted secondary, plus Calvin Pace and whoever else isn’t playing.

Gonna be a tough week for morale.

by Bro Namath on Oct 2, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was real tough for morale too

beating the Pats at home, smoking to Texans on the road. How old are you, 12? Tough week for morale? I actually doubt you are even a Jet fan. Just registered this week and made 6 comments about how the Jets will get smoked? Yawn.

"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez

by nrmax88 on Oct 3, 2009 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, it was an extremely tough matchup vs. Tenn.

They just match up well scheme -wise against the Jets. They kept 8 guys to block a lot of the time, sent out 2 receivers, contained the blitz, and let Collins throw. They couldn’t get to him. The Saints like to work a lot of Shotgun and 4 and 5 WR looks. They will have an easier job getting to the QB this week then they did last week, which will make it easier on the corners. I think more then any other guy this week, losing Lito is okay. If they get to Brees then Lito won’t be missed. If they don’t get to him then Lito isn’t going to cover Henderson for more then a couple of seconds anyway.

"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez

by nrmax88 on Oct 3, 2009 2:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs