How Will the New York Jets Attempt to Slow Down Wes Welker?
by John B on Oct 6, 2011 3:23 PM EDT
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PrintWes Welker is on pace for 160 catches, 2,464 yards, and 20 touchdowns. Frequently guys get off to ridiculous early starts. New England's offense is really good, but Welker is unlikely to keep up that torrid pace. It should give you an indication of how hot he is entering this game, though.
Welker is getting over one third of Tom Brady's passing attempts. He got under a quarter of them last year. It is not like Brady is forcing him the ball too much as he arguably did at times with Randy Moss. He is a 71% passer in Welker's direction against 66% overall.
Kyle Wilson has been fantastic in the early going in the slot. He has allowed completions, but none has really done damage. Think about third down receptions where there is a tackle short of the sticks. This week is a different challenge, though. Usually the slot receiver he meets is the third best receiver on the team. There are few teams like the Pats where the slot guy is such an integral part of the passing attack.
Wilson's work with Darrelle Revis over the summer seems to have paid off. He has really been a lockdown defender. He will probably see a bunch of action against Welker as the Jets gave their nickel last year, Drew Coleman. I expect Wilson to get a lot of help, though, mixing zone coverages in the middle of the field to provide support. Wilson's emergence this year will give the Jets more chances to stick him outside and move Darrelle Revis inside on Welker in some key spots. I think a healthy mix of Wilson, Revis and loaded zones to try and throw Brady off help equip the Jets with about as good of a chance as a team can have to slow down the incredibly productive receiver. Just mixing looks forces Brady to take an extra second or two to identify what is happening and can make a big difference.
A guy as good at running option routes close to the line is going to get his catches. It is about reducing his numbers and limiting the damage when he gets his grabs as much as anything.
For some reason, Rich Cimini seems to think Donald Strickland is the best on Welker with the only rationale seemingly being Strickland is older than Wilson. I disagree. Wilson has been great (better than Strickland), and changing things constantly is what has worked for the Jets against New England. When they have been successful recently, they have not given away tendencies to give Brady a head start going into a play. They have also avoided setting up big mismatches like putting the fourth best corner on the other team's best receiver. Needless to say, I am anxious to hear Fake Rich Cimini's opinion on the matter.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if Wilson is on him first and second downs, with Revis swapping on critical third downs. Personally, I’d like to see Revis mostly taking Welker, with Wilson on Ochocinco. Cromartie handled Ocho last year, but I think Ocho is too good a route runner to do it consistently. Cromartie would be better suited to Branch, IMO.
America #1
by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 6, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions
Wilson all the way
Or at least 75 -80 % of the time.
Every year fans say how Revis should be on Welker. And every year it never happens. Sure it happens sometimes but never like we think.
The one thing that Wilson has done probably better than any other corner this year (even Revis) is tackle after the catch and keeping YAC under control. Perfect for Welker and perfect for keeping this offense under wraps.
This is the week Wilson steps up and shows Pats fans that they might not have ended up with the better corner.
I like Wilson
But why not Revis? We have the best CB in the league, Welker might be the best WR. Why waste Revis talents on OchoCinco when Cro is more than capable of shutting him down?
by Gallinari's Barbershop on Oct 6, 2011 3:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think Revis did a great job against Branch last season
And I think that’s the way it’s gonna stick. I don’t think he would be wasted on him at all.
Branch is the go to guy to get a big catch on third down.
REVIS on welker.
Take Welker out of the game, Brady = ineffective.
Branch = Cromartie.
Just a high school student who lives his ambitions of working for the NFL,
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It should be
Revis on Branch
Cromartie on OchoCinco
Wilson on Welker.
This is what it sounds like When Doves Cry- Prince
What a crappy comment to make
Do you have that little of respect for your own team where you don’t think they can beat them at full strength? They have to injure one of our better players? That’s surprising.
Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Jets, Los Angeles Lakers?! LOL, way to do your part to dispel stereotypes for New York sports fans.
Can I Scream?
by Adam Fox on Oct 6, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Eric Smith seems to believe int that
"We're not there yet, but we're going somewhere," Johnson said. "And we're going to Brooklyn. We're not going to contract. We're going to Brooklyn."
If the Jets were smart...
Revis on Welker….eliminate biggest threat
Cromartie on Ocho..they matchup good
Wilson on Branch…i think Wilson can completely shut down this old goat
"The message to the rest of the league is, hey, the Jets are coming, and we're going to give you everything we got. And I think that's going to be more than you can handle"
Yep, I agree 100%
Branch isn’t someone Wilson cant handle. Stick our best weapons on their best weapons.
by Gallinari's Barbershop on Oct 6, 2011 4:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
overating Welker?
i dont remeber the exact numbers but welker has killed us every game in the slot, especially when they had Randy Moss and we had to keep Revis on Moss, no Moss should mean revis goes to the Pats next best reciever , which is defiently Welker…heck, Welker leads the entire NFL in catches and yards
"The message to the rest of the league is, hey, the Jets are coming, and we're going to give you everything we got. And I think that's going to be more than you can handle"
Me personally,
I just think he’s a good slot receiver in the right offensive scheme. When Moss was gone from New England, his stats dropped.
He benefits from other receivers opening holes in the defense.
This is what it sounds like When Doves Cry- Prince
Doesn't every player benefit from something like that though?
And not every player is like welker either. I think you are right about him being in the right offensive scheme, but welker hasn’t missed a beat since moss left. You can use stats if you like, but also note that welker has been Brady’s favorite target since moss left AND typically NE is top 3 in total offense in the league, without Moss, and with Brady throwing it more to welker.
This year is slightly different. While Brady does disperse the ball 70% of the time (when Herndo went down, Welker and Gronk were his only targets…….), welker is always his #1 target, and when he still puts up productive numbers, even since moss left, he is still a headache for DCs to gameplan against even though Brady targets him frequently (its nice to have Brady and welker on your fantasy team. Glad I have them on one of my teams. lol).
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
R u kidding me
by saying we are overating welker. Welker is the proverbial engine that makes the wheel of the train move. Take away his underneath YAC and this year he’s become a deep threat. I expect Revis on Welker.
by overloadblitz on Oct 7, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
If we have to play E. Smith over Pool.
At least he makes a fantastic Welker spy/destroyer. Just keep them legal Smithy.
Will the day finally come ?
TheJetsStream Manish Mehta
Jets D-Coordinator Mike Pettine says Kenrick Ellis may be active this week. “It’s on the table.” Coaches will discuss tomorrow/Saturday #nyj
This is what it sounds like When Doves Cry- Prince
He may very well be to be able to sub in as Brady and the Pats keep a fast pace.
Lets get our young destroyer some reps.
I’m surprised nobody has any thoughts on the fake Cimini site. I thought it was kinda funny.
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by John B on Oct 6, 2011 5:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Cimini is a douche. He has no business covering a team he hates so much
by jets4life24 on Oct 6, 2011 5:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
The fake Cimini site is a satire on that.
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by John B on Oct 6, 2011 6:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Haha I saw it and loved it, just didn’t think to comment.
America #1
by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 6, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Stick Wilson on Welker, he WAS drafted to cover him, wasn't he?
If that doesn’t work, we can always throw Revis on him.
Strickland?!
I’m beginning to wonder if this guy even watches football or if he just goes by other writers notes.
Revis on Welker all the way. Cro and Wilson should be more than able to handle the two aged and under-producing receivers on the outside, at least I hope.
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Revis – Welker
Branch -Wilaon
Cro – Ocho
To not put Revis on Wleker wouldn’t make any sense to me. I don’t care what type of crazy offensive route running blocking schemes the Pats come up with. Revis is payed to do what he does best, eliminate the opposing team’s best WR, in this case, Welker. Wilson’s play this year indicates he can take Branck, and if Cro can’t cover Ocho without getting a holding/illegal contact/pass interference every other play, we made a mistake on his contract.
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe Revis can shutdown anyone one on one but Welker in the slot is tough with all the rub routes and the traffic that Revis has to run through. So I think the Jets need to do multiple looks. Like if Welker lines up on the outside, Revis covers. in the middle, Wilson covers and Revis and Cro lock up whoever is on the outside and we clog up the middle of the field like we did in the playoffs.
Also one very important thing the Jets did last year in the playoffs game, none of the Pats receiver got off the line of scrimmage clean. Harris and Scott were chipping receivers before the got off the line. That if very important, it disrupts their timing and gives the receivers something to think about.
If Revis is on Welker
I find it hard to believe that he will be able to completely shut him down. Welker is more or less going to get receptions no matter who is on him, but I think Revis can slow him down after the catch. Revis is a very good tackler and almost all of Welker’s yards are YAC anyway. Why not give it a try?
Section 128. J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!
have our linebackers spread wide,..and drill him at the line of scrimage and within 5 yd zone where NE runs all those pick plays. throw off the timing of their routes…..but easier said than done. Rex should also alert the refs to watch those pick/rub plays that NE runs all day long, some are past the 5 yd rule and are illegal and should draw off pass interference or holding.
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