Jets Acquire Antonio Cromartie from San Diego for 2011 Pick

The Jets have acquired cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers in return for a 2011 third round pick that could turn into a second round pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. 

Having a number two cornerback to play opposite of Darrelle Revis was a concern for the Jets and this trade solves that problem. Cromartie will turn 26-years old this month and for the price, this move makes complete sense for the Jets. He was a Pro Bowler in 2007 and he’s in the final year of his contract.

Nnamdi Asomugha, Jets

The Oakland Tribune is throwing around the idea of Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha being traded to the Jets. The Jets need another cornerback to play alongside Darrelle Revis and Asomugha would give the Jets arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL. Revis and Asomugha were the AFC’s starting cornerbacks in the Pro Bowl.

“Me and Revis have been talking to Rex to try to do something,” Asomugha told ESPN at the Pro Bowl. ”You may see us in the future. There’s a little bit of talk going on. Either he’s coming to Oakland or something else will happen.”

The Jets aren’t trading Revis so if we do see them together in the future it will be with the Jets. Acquiring Asomugha would plug a major hole and make the Jets a tough team to throw against. 

Asomugha just finished the first year of a three-year deal worth $45.3 million that made him the highest paid defensive-back in the history of the NFL. The Raiders would gain a substantial amount of cap relief if they were able to move Asomugha and they would also receive a good amount of assets in return.

The Oakland Tribune thinks the Raiders could be interested in the Jets first round pick (29th overall), receiver Braylon Edwards, their second-string quarterback Kellen Clemens and bust outside linebacker Vernon Gholston. 

I think the Jets can make a trade work. They could build a package around their first round pick and Kellen Clemens. Clemens can contend with JaMarcus Russell for the starting quarterback job in Oakland. If the Raiders would take Gholston too, then even better. I’d think twice about including Braylon Edwards though because if they trade their first round pick then they won’t be able to draft a receiver and they won’t have the assets to acquire one. The only problem would be one Revis’ pay day comes. Revis and Asomugha will take up a huge chunk of salary together. In all likelihood the Jets will not be acquiring Asomugha.

Jets’ Future Bright with Rex’s Defense and Sanchez’s Potential

The Jets finished the 2009 regular season ranked number one in total defense, passing defense, points allowed and rushing offense. It didn’t translate into an 11 or 12 win season because parts of the Jets went AWOL in particular games. Their special teams took a day off in one loss to Miami and their defense was nowhere to be found in the other. Mark Sanchez threw five balls to Bills players in an overtime loss and the Jets held the Falcons to just a field goal until under two minutes left in the game and lost 10-7. The Jets lost five games by five points or less. 

A top rated defense and a top rated running game is a formula for success in the NFL. In the past, teams that have led the NFL in those two categories usually have had postseason success. The Jets were no different until they ran into Peyton Manning and the Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship. Amid all the disappointing regular season losses, the Jets still made a nice run in 2009, but it ended two wins short. What they did in the latter part of the regular season and playoffs is showing of a team that will be a contender for quite some time.

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Jets Lose AFC Championship to Colts

The Jets’ improbable run is over. Their season ends one game shy of the Super Bowl, in the AFC Championship. Peyton Manning had his way with the Jets secondary and the Jets offense wasn’t able to score any points in the second half. The Colts beat the Jets 30-17.

The game shifted momentum when Peyton led the Colts to a scoring drive with under two minutes to go in the first half. The Colts didn’t get into the end zone until that drive. Instead of going into halftime with a 17-6 lead, the Jets led by four, 17-13.

The Jets offense was doing well in the first half thanks to some well called and well run passing plays. They didn’t run the ball all that well, but they weren’t on the field often since Peyton was picking apart the Jets defense.

The Jets dealt with some injuries in the game. They lost cornerback Donald  Strickland and running back Shonn Greene to injuries. The loss of Strickland hurt the Jets secondary and caused some inexperienced players to get in the game.

Peyton picked apart the Jets secondary and picked on Dwight Lowery most of the time. The Jets covered Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark well, but let Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie rip them apart. After Revis, the Jets’ cornerbacks weren’t good enough to cover the Colts receivers. Revis didn’t have an unbelievable game either, which added to their defensive woes.

The Jets had a great run and should be proud of how far they came, but disappointed that it ended two wins short fa championship.

Jets Defense vs. Chargers Offense

The Jets defense against the potent Chargers offense is the money matchup of the day, especially the Jets defensive secondary against the Chargers receivers and tight ends. 

The Jets defense should keep a nickel back in the game, like Donald Strickland or Dwight Lowery, to cover Chargers’ tight end Antonio Gates. When not in nickel packages the Jets will most likely use Kerry Rhodes on Gates. Lito Sheppard will cover Malcom Floyd and receive some safety help over the top from Jim Leonhard or Rhodes. Darrelle Revis will cover Vincent Jackson.

The Chargers’ weapons in the passing game tower over the Jets who will cover them.

WR Vincent Jackson 6′5″ 230 lbs vs. CB Darrelle Revis 5′11″ 198 lbs
WR Malcom Floyd 6′5″ 225 lbs vs. CB Lito Sheppard 5′10″ 194 lbs
TE Antonio Gates 6′4″ 260 lbs vs. CB Donald Strickland 5′10″ 185 lbs or CB Dwight Lowery 5′11″ 198 lbs
S Jim Leonhard 5′8″ 186 lbs, S Kerry Rhodes 6′3″ 214 lbs
(all heights and weights from official team websites)

The Chargers have a major height and weight advantage over the Jets. The shear size of the Chargers should pose a problem for the Jets. If the Jets for some reason decide to cover Gates with a linebacker, they’ll get exploited. He’s too good of an athlete and too fast. The Jets will have a good shot at winning this game if they limit the Chargers’ passing game. Shutting them down will be a very daunting task. The Jet have to limit their catches, not let them get yards after the catch, and not miss tackles. These guys are big and throwing your body at their legs won’t cut it. The Jets’ defensive backs have to tackle soundly.

The Jets are athletic enough to keep the Chargers passing game under control, but shutting them down totally will be very difficult and is not foreseen. The Jets secondary against the Chargers receivers is the most exciting matchup of the game.

Jets vs. Chargers; How They Match Up

When the Jets and Chargers meet Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs all eyes will be on the battle between the Chargers offense and the Jets defense. This is the classic strength vs. strength match-up. The Chargers were among the regular season leaders in most offensive categories and the Jets defense led the league in total defense, passing defense, and points allowed.

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Sanchez, Jets Impressive in First Playoff Win Since 2004

Mark Sanchez’s smile and childlike demeanor running off the field after the game said it all. The Jets beat the Bengals 24-14 in the first round of the playoffs and the Jets rookie quarterback was impressive. Sanchez became the fourth rookie quarterback to win his first playoff start. 

Sanchez outplayed his fellow USC alumnus, Carson Palmer, and set a rookie record for completion percentage in a playoff game. Sanchez connected on 80% of his passes (12-15) for 182 yards and a touchdown.  

Another rookie, running back Shonn Greene, played a major role in the win. Greene ran for 135 yards on 21 carries and broke away for a 39-yard touchdown on a well drawn up play by Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Sanchez faked the run to the fullback up the middle and pitched it to the left to Greene which was wide open.

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Defense Leads Jets Over Buccaneers 26-3

The Jets remain in the thick of the AFC playoff picture with a 26-3 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Their defense led the charge with an impressive day while Thomas Jones rushed for two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. Rex Ryan’s defense was the story, holding the now 1-12 Bucs to three points and 124 total yards. 

David Harris picked off rookie Josh Freeman on the first play of the game and the defensive tone was set for the rest of the game. The Jets defense limited the Buccaneers to only 15 total yards in the first half and didn’t allow a first half first down. Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes also picked off the Buccaneers’ rookie signal caller in the fourth quarter. 

Jay Feely knocked in four field goals in the first half and Thomas Jones broke through for a 33-yard touchdown and the Jets led 19-0 at the half. A Thomas Jones touchdown run was their only offense in the second half and it was more than enough. The Jets would have most likely shut the Bucs out if linebacker Bart Scott wasn’t flagged for unnecessary roughness in the third quarter. The boneheaded play by Scott was after the Jets stopped the Bucs on a third down. The penalty gave the Bucs a first down and they converted a field goal a few plays later.

Kellen Clemens, starting in place of the injured Mark Sanchez, wasn’t great, but he didn’t turn the ball over and didn’t make any costly mistakes. 

At 7-6, the Jets will have to win their final three games and get some outside help to earn a playoff birth. New England (8-5) and Miami (7-6) both won and remain head of the Jets in the AFC East.

Revis, Defense Dominate Bills in Jets 19-13 Win

Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the National Football League. The Jets played another game and Revis shutdown another star receiver. Revis is asked to cover the top receivers in the league every week mainly by himself and he never disappoints. Thursday night was no different as Revis held Bills receiver Terrell Owens to 31 yards on three catches. Revis cemented the Jets 19-13 win with an interception late in the fourth quarter.

The Jets missed some opportunities to put points on the board in the first quarter but luckily it didn’t come back to haunt them. Mark Sanchez missed a wide-open receiver in the end zone and a wide-open Braylon Edwards dropped a perfect pass from Sanchez that would have been an 84-yard touchdown. Instead of being up 14-3, the Jets and Bills were tied 3-3 after the first quarter. The way the Jets defense was playing all the offense needed to do was not turn the ball over and put Jay Feely in field goal range every time they got the ball. Feely converted four of four field goals and the Jets only touchdown came when Sanchez hit Braylon Edwards for a 13-yard touchdown with 0:44 seconds remaining in the first half.

Sanchez left the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury. Sanchez tweaked his knee while diving for a first down. He did not return to the game. Kellen Clemens replaced Sanchez and wasn’t asked to do much, although he made it interesting when he fumbled deep in the Jets’ territory but D’Brickashaw Ferguson jumped on the ball. The Jets kept the ball on the ground for the most part after Sanchez limped off. Thomas Jones ran for 109 yards on 23 carries and Shonn Greene ran for 59 yards on 11 carries. The Jets ran for 249 yards as a team. 

Defensively, on the opposite side of Revis, Lito Sheppard looked good shutting down whoever he was covering. Other than giving up a 38-yard catch to Lee Evans in the first quarter, Sheppard played just as good as Revis. The Bills threw for just 98 yards in the game and Ryan Fitzpatrick only completed 39.1% of his passes.

The Jets are 6-6 and need the Dolphins to beat the Patriots this weekend to be one game out of the division lead. The Jets have an extended week and travel to Tampa Bay to play the 1-10 Bucs next Sunday.

Jets Beat Panthers 17-6, Rhodes and Revis Have Two Interceptions Each

Kerry Rhodes was embarrassed when Rex Ryan chose to start Eric Smith in place of him against the Panthers. Rhodes responded with a pair of interceptions in limited playing time off of Jake Delhomme in the Jets 17-6 win over the Panthers. Rhodes didn’t record a tackle in the game, but made good plays on poor Delhomme throws. Darrelle Revis also intercepted Delhomme twice and took one of them 67 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Jets defense shut down the Panthers, forcing four turnovers and holding them to 179 total yards. Sure the Panthers aren’t that good offensively, but the Jets made plays on defense. The Jets run defense was outstanding. They held DeAngelo Williams to just 40 yards rushing on 16 carries. 

After the game Kerry Rhodes told the press, “I got the message. The message was sent. Now, I am moving on and you’re going to see Kerry Rhodes.” 

On Rhodes, Jets safety Jim Leonard told SNY, “Make the plays that come to you.” He later added about the win, “We just need to take this momentum and run with it.”

Rex Ryan’s decision to not start Rhodes was discussed all week. Whether the move was to wake up Kerry or send a message to the entire team, the Jets responded with a strong all around performance. Rhodes’ may have earned his starting spot back after recording his first two interceptions of the season, but Eric Smith did a great job in as the starter. 

The win puts the Jets at 5-6 on the season with five games remaining. Their next three games seem winnable (at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay, vs. Atlanta). There final two games are going to be tough (at Indianapolis, vs. Cincinnati). The Jets have a short week and travel to Toronto to play the Bills on Sunday.