Woody Johnson & Marques Douglas Encouraged

by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 6:01 PM EST Comment 22 comments

There is a terrible atmosphere around the Jets at the moment, it can be expected after going 1-4 over the past 5 weeks, but lets keep some things in perspective. We have had a day to moan, gripe, feel sorry for ourselves, but now it's time to move on from all of that. Put the first half of the season in the rear view mirror and focus on the final 8 games of the season.

One thing is for sure Woody Johnson is now downhearted:

Woody was asked what it says about the Jets that, heading into tonight's final game of Week 8, Atlanta at New Orleans, they have the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense and No. 2 overall defense.

"Surely you're cooking with something," he said. "If somebody told me that before the season, I'd be jumping for joy. We know we're a good football team. We've just got to be consistent with it all the time. If we want to be the team we say we want to be, you've got to play your best ball in November and December."

I know a lot of people are down right now, but 4-4 is a good record. Yes because we have a rookie head coach and yes because we have a rookie QB. That is a valid excuse. We are not getting blown away by any means, we are in every single game, now we need to turn those nearly's into victories.

"I'm very encouraged," DT Marques Douglas said. "We have a dominating offensive line at times. We have a dominating defense at times. I'm encouraged that our rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez, has come into this league and has already won four games. I'm encouraged that Sione Pouha has stepped up and filled in Kris Jenkins' shoes. I'm also encouraged by the way we just stick together whether it's a win or a loss. There's no divide in this locker room. The coaches made this very clear, that we win as a team and we lose as a team."

Regardless of the record, teams are not going to want to play us. We are a good football team who can beat any football team in the league. We can also lose to any, just like Rex said. So let's pick ourselves up, start looking ahead to the game against the Jaguars.

Pointing fingers gets you nowhere, especially not this early into a new era with a new regime and a new face of the franchise.

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"Pointing fingers gets you nowhere, especially not this early into a new era with a new regime and a new face of the franchise."

Couldnt have said it any better myself. We were suppose to win 8 games and were on a pace to do better than most people thought. No excuses, guys like Douglas deserve a round of claps for there comments

Good post, enjoyed reading it

"I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow...'Cause I Get Better Looking Every Day" Joe Namath

by Civardi on Nov 2, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Civardi

I’m glad that the players understand where we are as a team and where we expected to be. The worst thing to happen to us this year was to go 3-0 to start the season, it raised false hope and expectation, it was mirage, a kind of illusion. like I have said, going 8-8 would be deemed a success in my eyes, and then next year is where I expect us to push for something bigger.

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Gang Green Nation
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by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Think

Its finally time for Mike Westhoff to go. Two of the losses this year can squarely be put on the Special teams. Westhoff has the longest tenure of just about any coach on the Jets staff, and he has a feel good story, but you can no longer ignore the failures in the special teams. As good as Westhoff supposedly is, any long term Jets fan can say that theres always been questions about our Special teams. Obviously sometimes its the talent (The Punter, the Kicker) but still, you don’t normally excuse the OC if the QB sucks.

by WebBard on Nov 2, 2009 7:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't agree

I think you’re being too hard on Westhoff.This was the only loss you can pin on the ST. New Orleans and Buffalo were the rookie QB looking like a rookie. The first Miami loss was the defense. This game notwithstanding, special teams have been a major plus. Coverage has been really good in five of the six games, and think back to three successful fake punts.

The real problem, though, is replacing him. It’s easy to say we should get rid of somebody. The problem is you need to find an upgrade. I’m not sure who out there is really better. I’m skeptical anybody is.

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by John B on Nov 2, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Lets also not forget that special teams pretty much won us the Titans game. Westhoff is a good coach, but it’s not his fault that Larry Izzo whiffed on what you of been a simple tackle. Our special teams have on the whole been above average this year.

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by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

seven of the eight

Editor-In-Chief
Gang Green Nation
SB Nation's Jets Blog
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by John B on Nov 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There was also the blown Field Goal. Obviously it was on the end of his range if they had gotten it off. So one could argue either way.

Obviously its tough to say whose better out there when it comes to a position like Special Teams coach, I just think its time to try someone else.

I don’t think he’s been that particularly good where you say wow, we can’t lose this guy.

by WebBard on Nov 3, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm ok that we're not competetive in the long run this season

Let’s be honest. This team is doing just ok right now and does not look poised for the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but these days they do not look like a playoff team.

I’m ok with that. I think it’s a perfectly acceptable way to be under both a new head coach and a rookie quarterback. Obviously I’ll have higher expectations next year, but right now, though I have been disappointed as of late, Mark Sanchez is still learning about how to be an NFL quarterback and I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: 11-5?
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25

by Grady90 on Nov 2, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

When the chips are down

Someone will be calling for heads. Woody Johnson doesn’t seem to be that much of a reactionary type but he spends a lot of money going for big names and wants results like every other aching Jets fan. He also seems to know he has a talented squad and may not be down on us over hard losses. The Jets are staying competitive in losses, but losses are exactly that and very costly.

And no, we aren’t looking like a team with any reasonable playoff chances at this point. When one squad is clicking another facet of the team can’t keep pace. Jets frequently have costly injuries which is more apparent this year than most others. We have lost twice to the Dolphins and once to Buffalo. Things are insanely bleak for a team so high up the ladder statistically.

I said 9-7 at the beginning of the year and I still think it’s possible, but 9-7 doesn’t get it done in the AFC these days. I think even without Washington and Jenkins for the remainder this is a wonderfully stacked team, but I wonder if they can deliver down the stretch. Right now it looks like not.

by Bro Namath on Nov 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Like Woody said

you have to play your best football in November and December, so we need to stick with the team, and like Woody we need to hold back on reactionary action. I think this team finishes 8-8 or 9-7 and for me that’s fine. If we finish 3rd in the East then so be it, it makes next year easier (in the very basic how things stand)

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by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m a notorious pessimist, which may very well be the reason for the Jets being my favorite team.

by Bro Namath on Nov 2, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am very happy with the way the team has progressed.

and I like Rex Ryan, but I think Rex is a horrible gameday coach. His clock management is atrocious. And this week’s loss we can partly blame Rex. There was no one I know who thought we should have been going for two point conversions. If we get those PAT’s we’re still able to tie with a FG.

by Shivling on Nov 2, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am not worried.

Football is a game where it ebbs and flows throughout the season. We still have the talent to make the postseason, we just need a complete game. There’s just 2 things I want.

1.) We’ve lost 3 heartbreak games we had a legitimate shot of winning but didn’t execute.
2) All four of the losses had something with a phase not doing it’s job…Saints was offense’s (Sanchez’s) fault although we prob would of lost even without his struggles, First Miami Game was defenses fault, Bills was offenses fault, and miami was special teams.

by Jerrad p on Nov 2, 2009 9:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thought I'd stop in for a hello and

check up on you fine gentlemen. This is a one post appearance tonight, sorry to disappoint.

Mr. Chemical Ali, good post but bottom line there are no excuses, esspecially not a rookie coach and QB. I see what your saying but its not translating into the spirit of the article which overall is what should have been pushed yesterday.

Mr. Saddam, I came back looking for a breakdown of your ST yesterday on kickoffs. That display warrants a player by player grade plus a breakdown of how it broke down.

Go Yanks

by special agent wildcat on Nov 2, 2009 10:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Sounds good on the internet and in the paper..how about in real life?

I am a JETS fan for life. Let me just get that out of the way. Seems to me that we need to get consistent across the board. If it’s not the offense it’s the defense. Not the defense then it’s the special teams. Turnovers cost money. Blown coverage money. Rushed QB money money money!!! Sure we can beat any team but we don’t! Sure we can lose to any team and we are losing!!! I mean seriously let’s not make excuses and talk about it fella’s let’s be about it! Turn the damn corner and make us the fans proud!!
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!

So Mote It Be!

by TonyG68 on Nov 2, 2009 10:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Were winning as many as we are losing

So we do beat teams, and they are usually the better teams, the Titans not withstanding. I used the word excuse which was probably the wrong terminology, I probably should of used realistic expectations. Fans expect too much too soon, like it or not this is a .500 team with possibilities with improvement to be more, but it’s not happening over night, that’s the message that I’m trying to convey here.

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by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re: Were winning as many as we are losing

Ok fair enough.. .500 got it. I want to key on one aspect of your paragraph for a moment. You said “So we do beat teams, and they are usually the better teams”..This my point exactly! We play ball against the better teams and then stagger and stumble at the should be push overs. Don’t get me wrong anyone can win true enough. But my squad seems to fall victim to this type of gameplay year after year. I’m not talking about just this season alone. However I really do have confidence that we will get it together sooner than later. Somebody walked up to me and literally shook my hand and said I know that you are a real JETS fan because you guys go through it and you still support as if you all are undefeated! My reply was you are absolutely correct Gang Green all day! I just want my team to turn the corner and haul ass to the big game that’s all! I’m not expecting anything other than a superbowl title and the only way to get it is to be victorious!

So Mote It Be!

by TonyG68 on Nov 2, 2009 10:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Your the same as the majority on here

We all want the same thing and that’s a Superbowl victory, I can’t explain why we play better against the better opposition. It’s not like the players are quitting out there, what we need is to stay together and not become unravelled. It’s been an issue for us, but it doesn’t mean we will continue in this fashion, all I’m saying is before fans start with the ‘same old jets’s’ stuff, let’s give this coaching staff a chance. That means more than 8 games in their freshman season.

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by David_Wyatt on Nov 2, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I concur.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying the same ole JETS in a negative manner at all. This is my team period. I can’t wait to see the new crew turn the corner! I have always and will always be there just as I have been. No if’s and or butts! I simply say let’s do the damn thing and claim Newyork as our own!! I’m tired of the Giant fans talking smack calling themselves the real NY team. And let’s not even mention the wayward Buffalo fans. To me it’s as plain as GREEN and WHITE!!

So Mote It Be!

by TonyG68 on Nov 2, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think were all sick of that

When the Giants got Eli it wasn’t plain sailing the first year. They stuck with him and he grew and a superbowl followed. I’m confident in the direction of this franchise, when it does turn the corner, and it will at some point, it is going to be all that much sweeter.

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Gang Green Nation
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by David_Wyatt on Nov 3, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why won't it let me go into any fanposts?

Ronnie Brown is my hero.
Self-Proclaimed Phinsider Poet / Rapper

by phins23 on Nov 2, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It almost feels like the Jets deserve to lose

because they keep wearing those awful throwbacks. Its cool once in a while, but crap is going on like every week.

What a crappy loss. Our offense outplayed the Dolphins offense, and our defense outplayed their defense, and it wasn’t close in either matchup. But, you know what, special teams count and they beat the shit out of us on special teams.

"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 Nov 3, 2009 2:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs