When the NFL Schedule first came in out in April, it was nice to see the Dolphins as the opening game - two of the worst teams in football last year battling it out for a victory in the opening week. It was going to be touted as either Kellen Clemens or Chad Pennington vs whatever clown Miami was going to have behind center. At lot changed since then.
Chad Pennington was wearing teal with the Dolphins and Brett Favre, still in green, was quarterbacking the Jets. Yup, definitely a strange match up for sure.
Brett and the Jets came out a bit nervous but then he settled down on the second drive faking out the entire defense and then tossing a 56 yard touchdown to Jerricho Cotchery. I haven't seen the Jets have a nice long pass like that in a long time.
I like the way the new offensive line played as Thomas Jones was able to crack the 100 yard mark (101 yards) and scored a touchdown, something he did only once all of last year. Plus, Favre had protection. He was hit a few times but as the unit gets used to how Favre plays, the play of the line will only improve.
I didn't like the whole kicking situation. Not sure what happened on Nugent's field goal miss or how he bruised his thigh but that changed the entire game. We had a chance to first go up 14-0 or 10-0 if we make the field goal. Then, we are in position to kick another field goal but with Nugent hurt, we went for it on 4th down on a bizarre play where Favre avoids getting sacked and heaves a throw up in the sky with nothing to lose only to have Chansi Stuckey haul it in for a touchdown. But, since Nugent was hurt, I had a problem with us going for 2 points. How can we not have a backup plan for someone else to kick an extra point if the kicker gets hurt? I thought that was POOR planning by Mangini and crew.
But, I liked what I saw of Chansi Stuckey. The announcers even compared him to Wes Welker. He Chansi turns out half as good, I'd be extremely happy.
Favre was solid in his debut. He passed for 194 yards, 2 TDs, and no interceptions. He almost lost a fumble but things like that are gonna happen until the center becomes a bit more familiar with Favre's count. He should have had a 3rd TD but he threw a bit low to Coles in the endzone. With more time working with Coles over the next few weeks, they should start to get some better chemistry like Favre now has with Cotchery.
I did like the use of the tight ends with Baker, Franks, and Keller all contributing. The use of the tight end could really change how we move the ball down field and this has been such and under utilized position for the Jets in recent years so it was good to see.
And how about Dwight Lowery! This guy should be AFC Defensive Player of the Week in his first EVER NFL Game !
What was up in the 4th quarter with some of the plays. There was a Leon Washington run for a loss on 3rd and 3? Hey Eric Mangini...we have Brett Favre...let him pass for the 1st down. Yeah, I understand running down the clock but wouldn't you rather keep the ball for another set of downs than kicking it off to give the opponent another chance? There were a few head scratching calls in the fourth similar to this one like the Thomas Jones run for 3 yards on 3rd and 7 instead of trying to throw for a first down. The Dolphins call time out and the clock stops. If we threw and missed, the clock would still stop. All that did was have them use one of their time outs but I would rather have not even given them the ball back as we were only up by 6. Maybe Mangini was having penis problems but I hope Mangini gets his balls back and stops being so conservative. At some points in the fourth, I felt as if I was watching a Herm Edwards managed team.
It was nice to see some pass rush. I think we had like 4 sacks and a bunch or hurries. I'd like to see Gholston do some things as he was in there only on rushing situations so hopefully he'll improve to the player we want him to be. It was nice stopping the run as well. David Harris yesterday made you say, "Vilma who?"
But with all of these positives, there was Pennington with the ball with 1:43 left on the clock, no time outs, and only 61 yards away from getting his revenge on the Jets for dumping him. Nausea set in as he marched the fish down the field to the 18 yard line with 13 second remaining. The extra point we didn't attempt is gonna bite us in the ass and I was about to puke. Chad saw a receiver in the corner of the endzone. Revis boxes him out and gets in position and makes an incredible one handed interception. Oh crap...there's a flag. Wait...it's on them. The Jets Win ! Phewwwwwww... Nothing ever comes easy with this team.
Earlier in the game we had news that Tom Brady had left the game with an injury. Now there is news that he's out for the year. The whole face of the AFC now changes with a huge match up vs. Belicheck and his Bradyless Pats. I don't really care. Yeah, sucks that he got hurt but no one cared back in 1999 when we were Super Bowl favorites and Vinny went down for the year. So, to all you whining Patriots fans, "Booo-Hoooo, so sad. See ya next week !"
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