Jets offense all but nonexistent in woeful loss to Bucs
Another game for the New York Jets, another dominant performance by the defense and another reminder of why Aaron Rodgers is likely the most important player to don a Jets jersey in the last 50 years. The Jets lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final of 13-6 in their first home game of […]
Another game for the New York Jets, another dominant performance by the defense and another reminder of why Aaron Rodgers is likely the most important player to don a Jets jersey in the last 50 years.
The Jets lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final of 13-6 in their first home game of the preseason. The defense looked like it was humming despite the fact most of the starters didn’t play a single snap.
The offense on the other hand looked as lost as ever. Part of that is because Zach Wilson is still playing like a rookie despite being in his third season in the NFL.
Wilson finished the game 9/13 for 70 yards. Not terrible numbers, but he had time in the pocket and missed some throws most notably to wide receivers. Wilson was check-down Charley again constantly dumping the ball off to running backs or receivers within three yards of the line of scrimmage.
It is a preseason game, so I’m not going to crush the Jets for dumping the ball off for four yards on third and 15 when they were already well in field goal range, but it seems like a mentality Zach Wilson needs to escape rather than nurture.
We will have to give it up to Wilson on that dazzling 35-yard run.
The problem for the Jets in this game wasn’t Wilson’s run, the problem was he was the best runner on the team. For what could have been the worst-case scenario for Zonovan Knight, the second year running back did not play well in his chance to separate himself from Michael Carter.
After a nine-yard sprint on his first carry of the game, Knight only mustered nine yards in his next five carries against a mediocre defense. Knight also fumbled in Jets territory and dropped a pass.
With Dalvin Cook now officially signed, and Breece Hall returning to practice, the fight for carries, or even a roster spot, in the Jets running back room just got a lot harder. Rookie Israel Abanikanda has impressed in preseason so far and should be a lock to make the team. With Hall and now Cook, that likely leaves one roster spot for Carter or Knight.
Knight did himself no favors in this game. I imagine when things are so close in terms of competition, that the little things could prove big.
Also, on the offensive side of the ball, the line was okay. It seems like Hackett and Saleh are trying every possible combination to try and find the best possible solution. The Jets even trotted rookie Joe Tippmann out at guard.
Mekhi Becton played well in his role, but there is still no way I am trusting him to be available for the season. Bottom line is the Jets tackles are a big issue for this team and it will be hard to get a full read on how bad it is until we see Duane Brown play.
The Jets continue to say Duane Brown should be ready for week one, but I don’t see it. He has yet to practice and there is no way he is just going to throw pads on opening day and protect Aaron Rodgers’ blind side against the Bills. And I don’t want the built in excuse of “he wasn’t ready” if he struggles early.
While the Jets did the right thing this offseason and brought in Rodgers and even got him all the toys he wanted on the outside, the Jets will need to get the tackle situation settled in order to make a run in 2023.
Jets spoil Bryce Young’s debut in 27-0 rout
The Jets have seen plenty of highly drafted rookie quarterbacks have their debuts spoiled, and they finally got to return the favor. The Jets held number one overall pick out of Alabama, Bryce Young to just 21 yards in 3 offensive series against the Jets defense. The defense held stout the whole game and the […]
Featured Image via Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
