The 2012 Jets and Their Outcome

The New York Jets struggled this preseason on the offensive side of the ball, neither Sanchez or Tebow could take the Jets to a touchdown drive, which is worrisome for a team that has had high aspirations every year since Rex Ryan took over in the 2009 season.   The third string QB took the Jets into the end zone for the Jets only preseason touchdown in the final game, where no starters were in.

While it is only preseason, it is not good that the starting QB could not get the ball into the end zone and also it is not good that Tebow who is supposed to help run the ball could not get the Jets a touchdown.   Tebow was only working with the second and third string players, and did not run one single play, either as QB or the wildcat with the first team offense, which I found rather strange, but still he did not look that sharp and that should be of concern.

As for Sanchez he looked great, he was accurate with the ball, his receivers just could not hold on and the offensive line struggled to help him stay up right.

Looking over what I saw in the preseason I brain stormed and looked at their schedule, and from what I have gathered this team will be lucky to win more than eight games this season.  They should be able to beat the Rams and Cardinals with ease, as well as the Jaguars, but some of their other games are suspect, outside of the two games against the Dolphins that is.  Another game they should win is against the Colts, so add those numbers up and that is six games, which isn’t enough in any division to make the playoffs, especially the AFC East.

Reasons why they will not win more than eight games and miss the playoffs are: Poor depth at the receiving and tight end positions, poor offensive line play and lack of a running game.

I have been on the record before being harsh on Sanchez, and also stating that Tebow will help the running game, but I have changed my views a little bit.  Sanchez looked very good this preseason, his accuracy has improved as well as his arm strength, but that will not be enough to carry this team to a playoff berth, he needs to work all the reps with the first team.  That however will be an issue, because according to multiple ESPN reports and reports from the NFL website Tim Tebow has been practicing with the first team.  This is an issue for a team that needs to work on its receiving and QB to WR chemistry, Tebow cannot do that.  Tebow was brought in to run the wild cat, and maybe the spread option as well, but he cannot throw the ball, and he is supposed to be used twenty snaps a game, and in the red zone, which causes and issue. 

In my mind the wild cat is a fad that came and went, Tebow does not have the speed of a running back or receiver to be able to run outside and be a wild cat player, and he cannot throw the ball well unless it is a deep pass.  So all teams have to do is contain him to the perimiters and stop him from running, if he moves to his left he is good when throwing on the run, but if he moves to his right he isn’t as good.  All defenses have to do is force him to his right and take away his deep option(s) and that will create havoc for both him and the Jets offense.

Sanchez can’t complete passes because his receivers cannot hold onto the ball, nor can their offensive line block properly.  I heard him on ESPN saying that the Jets were saving their good stuff for the regular season.  My question is: what stuff?  Rex keeps saying how the Jets are keeping the wildcat a “secret”, that mixed with Sanchez’s ridiculous statement on “saving the good stuff” is just sad. 

I have to agree with Joe Namath, who recently stated: “I’m concerned with how the Jets are trying to build a team and win a championship,” Namath said. “They seem more interested in the headlines.” (Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/29/joe-namath-jets-seem-more-interested-in-headlines-than-winning/).  Rex has always been talking his teams up, saying such things as “no one wants to play us right now” (2009 season when they won their way into the playoffs), and then 2010 and 2011 seasons when he guaranteed a super bowl win.  Now the Jets have Tebow, who is so popular that ESPN’s Skip Bayless compares so many players to him and his struggles.  ESPN itself has been covering Tebow so much that I think I know his whole life story, and when he showers, eats and brushes his teeth.  There would be no other reason aside to help out with the running game to bring Tebow in, and also put pressure on Sanchez to improve his game. 

The Jets are dysfunctional, and I don’t see them being good this year and probably not even the year after at this rate.

My final take on the Jets: 7-9 Record, Tebow takes over week 5 or 6 as the starter, the team rides a run game and squeaks out wins against some of the NFLs worst teams.

I know I said Tebow wasn’t a threat to Sanchez in my last blog on the Jets, but frankly I see that differently now, Rex wants ground and pound and a solid defense, Tebow is the guy to run that offense, not Mark.