Special Teams Won the Game

by John B on Sep 13, 2011 4:01 AM EDT

The Jets can attribute their Week 1 victory over the Cowboys to numerous sources, but it was special teams that took the game over in the final minutes. A blocked punt tied the game. Nick Folk's clutch 50 yard kick won it.

This brings me back to a point I made in preseason. Think about how the team is saving a roster spot for injured special teams standout Logan Payne. He made the team over a guy in Patrick Turner who had a better preseason at their natural wide receiver position. If you are a special teams standout, you might make a play that will win a game. The same is not true of a developmental guy buried on the depth chart who does not contribute on special teams.

Close games against good teams can be decided by a few plays including those on special teams. Even though Joe McKnight and Nick Folk were virtual locks to make the roster, fringe players who make big plays can be very valuable.

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Overall

I’m just estatic that we have a team that believes they can still win it at any point at any time. That is a championship mentality. Though I am not by any means a Yankees fan, it reminds me of a limping Paul O’Neil legging out a triple years ago.It reminds me of the words of Vince Lomabrdi, “[They] never lost. But ran out of time to win.”

by CervezaVerde on Sep 13, 2011 6:18 AM EDT reply actions

Joe McKnight is a gamer and should be rewarded with some touches.

He’s been killing it on specials since last season. And I can’t help but wonder if those nice plays by Tomlinson catching it out of the backfield would have been bigger plays if Joey Mac was toting the rock.

Can we please get this kid involved some, and play to his strengths a bit instead of banging him between the tackles all the time?

by Crackback on Sep 13, 2011 7:36 AM EDT reply actions

PUT JOE IN!!!

I agree man, its time we unleash Mcknight, he needs to be used similarly to Reggie Bush(toss plays,HB screens etc etc), Mcknight isnt a 25 carry guy but he has all the ability in the world to be a playmaker, im sure if he was on a team like the Eagles, he would have the same if not better stats than Lesean Mcoy…we need Mcknights X Factor.

"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"

by AFCxxBEAST on Sep 13, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Bottom line is that he can and should replace Woodhead!

Maybe that will make us all forget about that move.

by GangGreenGol4 on Sep 13, 2011 9:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think after this game he's definitely getting a nod for the rotation.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Sep 13, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not so optimistic

I can’t help but think of how narrow-minded our offensive coaching staff is. Even when they’re “creative” it’s in rigid, conservative ways. They’re too afraid to actually use their weapons. It’s why Leon Washington only got like 5 touches a game when he was by far our best offensive threat, or why Brad Smith practically never threw the ball, or why Danny Woodhead never got a chance for us in the first place.

How the hell does Tom Brady throw for 500+ yards and the Pats score 38 points with equal if not worse talent around him against a defense at least as good as the one we faced when we muster just 20? When Dallas’s secondary was running with 5th stringers? I know Sanchez ain’t exactly Brady, but I guarantee you our guys weren’t getting anywhere near as open as the Pats’s were. And I’m positive that Santonio Holmes can get just as open as Wes Welker did all last night against any damn defense in the league.

It all comes down to two things: our scheme sucks, and our schemers suck. They couldn’t field a top-half of the league offense if you gave them the ‘90s Cowboys’ and 49ers’ players in their primes. I can only hope Tom Moore can get through to someone before this shit costs us the season.

by Exystence on Sep 13, 2011 12:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah

I’ve been saying it since last season to let Mcknight run the ball in space and catch screens or dump offs. He’ll be explosive if he used well and could become a matchup problem. It’ll aslo be hard for him to fumble than running him in between tackle is just lame.He fumbles easily on contacts.

by overloadblitz on Sep 13, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

50 thru 53

Players that can have an impact on Special teams. You wonder why the Jets cut a WR with promise in Gilyard, and essentially replace him with a midget CB in Trufant on the roster ( 11 defensive backs). Those last 4 to 5 roster spots require a player to make a differance on special teams. It is the reason the Jets are carrying Logan Payne on the Varsity and Patrick Turner is on the Practice Squad

by JetOrange on Sep 13, 2011 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Possible exception

Teams no longer have to guarantee contracts for the entire season as of today. I would certainly like an veteran offensive lineman, don’t know of a good one thats healthy, possibly matbin… Tully Banta cain in for a visit today with the Jets, Westerman has been underwelming

by JetOrange on Sep 13, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Westerman was okay

He flushed Romo out of the pocket at least twice. Doesn’t really help that nobody else got off their blocks to stop or at least disrupt his throws, but he did what he could. I dunno if Rex should be satisfied with that (imo he shouldn’t), but Westerman wasn’t the issue.

by Exystence on Sep 13, 2011 12:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

As the loudly heralded DPR, who’s snaps are very limited, I want to see a much higher motor. This doesn’t show the burst off the snap I keep hearing about, nor does he have the intensity or relentlessness you’d expect from a guy who only plays on passing downs.

by Crackback on Sep 13, 2011 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

ROMO

I think ROMO gave the game to the JETS…he is the biggest “CHOKE ARTIST” in football. As long as he is the starting QB for the cowboys, they will not be going into the post season. He is BAD LUCK.

by PVS53 on Sep 13, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions