Meltdown in Buffalo1. This one can't be blamed on Herm Edwards, which in a way makes the loss even more frustrating. The defense couldn't tackle or get off the field on 3rd down, the QB resumed his penchant for terribly timed interceptions, and the special teams was abysmal in kickoff coverage, which helped set up 10 Bills points, including a field goal at the end of the 2nd quarter. The special teams gaffes, which include poor kicking and terrible punt returning (including several fumbles) are especially galling, since the Jets are not good enough on offense to win if their special teams play is inferior.
2. To be sure, I do have some quibbles with the coaching staff. Why, in the 2nd quarter, did the Jets run on 3rd and 8 from the Bills 28, settling for a long field goal attempt? Admittedly, Vinny Testaverde's performance may not have inspired confidence, but opportunities like that can't be wasted. On defense, as in the Baltimore game, the Jets did not blitz enough, giving Kelly Holcomb way too much time in the pocket.
3. The Jets look like a 5-11 or 6-10 team. I've been reading that they intend to acquire a "franchise" quarterback in the offseason. Even if they can find one, how will they afford him or her under the salary cap when they already have a QB with a massive cap number for '06? And on offense alone, the Jets have serious long-term needs at running back and on offensive line.
4. I've never been a Ty Law fan and he's convinced me that I've been right. His routine illegal contact penalties are killing the team, always occurring at the worst time. In the 2nd quarter yesterday, Law had the worst drive imaginable. First his illegal contact penalty turned a 3rd and 14 situation into a Bills first down. Then, instead of falling on a fumble, he tried to pick up the ball and run with it, and the Bills recovered. On the next play, he missed an open field tackle on a play that set up a first and goal for the Bills. Buffalo then scored to make it 14-0.
With a huge '06 cap number, the Jets should let Law go after this season.
5. Santana Moss had another big game for the Redskins: 10 catches, 178 yards, 2 TDs.
6. In the post-game press conference, Herm Edwards kept referring to the red zone (the area inside the opponent's 20 yard line) as the "goal zone." Does anyone else call the red zone the "goal zone" or is this just another example of Herm's poor football acumen?
7. Solomon Wilcots has got to be the worst game analyst in NFL history. He said something foolish or wrong after at least every other play. My favorite was when he said that with two long runs, Curtis Martin had "broken the game open," leaving play-play announcer Ian Eagle to politely explain that with the Jets then down 24-10, Martin actually was helping the Jets try to get back into the game.
8. Nice to see John Abraham resume his minor injury routine. Abraham has in any event done little in the Jets last three games.
posted on 10/17/2005
