Game Ball: Wayne Hunter

by John B on Oct 18, 2011 9:13 PM EDT

The two choices for this week's game ball were probably Darrelle Revis and Wayne Hunter. Revis' interception return for a touchdown might have been the most important play of the game. This was not a vintage Revis effort, though. Now Revis having an off day is still better than almost everybody else, but he was beaten a few times, and the Dolphins left a lot on the table.

Hunter played a practically flawless game until garbage time. He shut down Cameron Wake, one of the best pass rushers in the game, who was off to a good start this season. He had little help. Sometimes you know a guy is playing well because the announcers keep mentioning him. In Hunter's case, we knew he was playing well from how little Wake was mentioned.

Hunter has been heavily criticized after a rough start. Quietly he played better since Week 3. This week people finally started to notice after his best game of the year. The Jets can win with Wayne as a starter at tackle. They have won big games against excellent opponents with him starting at tackle. This game matched his brilliant effort against Chicago when he shut down Julius Peppers last year.

Who gets your game ball?

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Wayne's trying to make me out to be a giant liar

and I couldn’t be happier. Good for him. Now I hope he keeps it up.

by Can'tWait on Oct 18, 2011 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

Aaron Maybin. Revis is always incredible, he just got more targets this game so he simply was able to show it in the stats. Hunter is an obvious choice as well and I have no problems with him getting it. I just liked Maybin because he’s fully bought into the system and I loved watching him getting the team psyched up.

I also love that after two years of doing jack in Buffalo, he already has two sacks here, and three forced fumbles. He had great burst every single snap he was in the game and kept the pressure up. Even when he outran the play, he forced Moore to one side and prevented him from dropping back any further to evade pressure. But most importantly, he doesn’t give up after plays and keeps driving to the QB. I was very impressed with Maybin this game.

America #1

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 18, 2011 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Once he fully grasps our system, he'll be something to watch.

I love how he was right in the middle of L.T’s pregame speech getting amp’d. He came into the league RAW, and felt the game would be easy. But he’s hit rock bottom, and is picking up his lunch pail and getting himself reps. Unlike Gholston who was thrown in there just to get a little sweat.

by jets4life24 on Oct 19, 2011 12:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He had a tough start.

But its nice to see him doing good now.

by Jt Malley on Oct 18, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with this.

Revis was awesome but it would have been for nought if the offense kept going three and out.

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by dvdvil on Oct 18, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

For one game in what has been a season of serious struggles, Wayne Hunter was the most effective offensive lineman in that game.

by MachlinT on Oct 18, 2011 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Wayne had growing pains, but he's held his own.

The o-line will get better as the season progresses and hopefully the offense will get better as well.

by jets4life24 on Oct 18, 2011 9:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Revis

I keep seeing people post that revis didn’t have a vintage revis effort. Can you please expound on this? All of marshall’s catches on revis apart from the one down the sideline where revis stumbled a bit were all catches that are more or less impossible to defend. Revis did his job of minimizing the yac after any catches and his PD’s were very impressive plays (the picks were gimmie’s)

by indoexile on Oct 18, 2011 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

Nobody is saying Revis was bad per se. He just wasnt as good as he normally is. Which is basically something like 2 catches for 12 yards.

by Crackback on Oct 18, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

revis is usually so good

that they dont even get theimpossible to defend catches off him. last night they did

metsjetsknicksrangers.............can it get any worse?

by dabu7 on Oct 19, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

yah i know rite. this not so great game revis had deflected 2 td passes thrown to marshall and had a pick on the other one. i mean hes not gunna get everyone that gets thrown his way but he great at limitiing the YAC. this was one of his better games and moore actually threw the ball well on a few passes thrown to marshall

by rangers4life on Oct 19, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

interesting

i actually fully agree w/ this choice. i think pace should be in the discussion as well. i think he had a very very solid gm as well

metsjetsknicksrangers.............can it get any worse?

by dabu7 on Oct 18, 2011 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

Im glad hunter is getting some recognition…being put into the O line with barely any off season seriously hurt him but he seems to be getting better and better. That being said hes still only a stop gap for a couple years. We still need to draft an offensive tackle that can develop under him but its not such a pressing need if he keeps this up.

by Nick Terp on Oct 18, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Revis

just ’cause.

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by Bro Namath on Oct 18, 2011 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

Mangold

With him, we’re mediocre with flashes of brilliance. Without him, we’re terrible with flashes of mediocrity.

by Crackback on Oct 18, 2011 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

Seriously, he leaves such a massive talent drop off when he's gone, it sinks the whole unit

by NYJALLFINGDAY on Oct 19, 2011 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

WHAT!?!?! flashes of brilliance. thats crazy, r o-line is brilliant with mangold in the game not mediocre. without him its a disaster with no flashes of mediocre. monday nite sanchez had days to sit in the pocket

by rangers4life on Oct 19, 2011 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions

And how was the running game chief? Were we mauling people out there? Nope.

by Crackback on Oct 19, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Our running game being ranked 31st in the league (and 28th in rushing defense) this deep into the season is all there needs to be said. Our run game, from blocking to ball carriers, is absolutely abysmal.

There’s nothing brilliant about the O line, with or without Mangold. I agree that the difference with his presence is between horrible protection and a cohesive unit.

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by Bro Namath on Oct 19, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

After watching some of the game...

I’m not convinced Revis was having an “off” night. Marshal was playing tough and the refs were allowing things to get more physical than normal. Frankly, with a pick six and another INT, I think I like the “off” Revis more than the Revis no one throws to.

by cult hero on Oct 19, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

Keep in mind half of Marshall's roduction came on one completion against Cromartie.

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by Bro Namath on Oct 19, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm cool with Hunter getting it.

If he can keep this up I’ll worry about the season a lot less.

McKnight was one muffed kickoff away from me wanting to give it to him again. His catches as a receiver were great. He’s a few adjustments and a little bit of experience away from being a real asset all around.

by cult hero on Oct 19, 2011 1:24 AM EDT reply actions

zOK good csll

by CervezaVerde on Oct 19, 2011 4:41 AM EDT reply actions

What exactly happened here?

by CervezaVerde on Oct 19, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

K. Ellis

My game ball goes to Kenrick Ellis. Being activated for the first time, he played extremely well.

by overloadblitz on Oct 19, 2011 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

Revis and the Dolphins receivers' hands.

Without their efforts, this one’s an L.

by J-Nasty on Oct 19, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

Id say Revis but I understand giving it to Hunter that will motivate him and the others to try harder. It has a hidden message in it and I get that.

by DJ. Quillz on Oct 19, 2011 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I would say Hunter

While Revis had a game changing play, Hunter played lights out all game long. He made a major step up in his game and deserves the game ball because of that.

"I just build our guys up. If it's trash talking that I believe in our football team, then, yes, I agree with that statement. I'm the biggest trash talker there is." Rex Ryan

by OldJetsFanatic on Oct 19, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions