varaven45

Its back ! The black and blue AFCN !

Yager, You are right about the 2nd half running. Its essential but also a double edge sword. If we had started running sooner (to work the clock). Cam & Co would have been criticized for "going in a shell" and being too conservative, too early. Instead, Joe kept throwing and almost gave it away. I suppose the correct formula is somewhere in between. Bottom line: Joe and Cam need to identify the right play calling for the situation and adjust as they go. Its a dynamic that they are working on but need to get right, soon. I am hopeful they can get it right once the offense is completely healthy and Joe has the system down. The Houston game will be a sold test !

Max, Excellent points ! If you are the Jets, what better way to silence the crowd and force us to play catch up- plays right into Rexs hands. Our secondary is clearly our biggest weakness - no question- and Pagano & Co had better be ready for Holmes,Burress and Keller. Since our secondary is our D's weak link, our pass rush has to be just as effective as in weeks 1 and 3. Got to be in Sanchez's grill EVERY pass play. To me, how each other's passing attack do will largely dictate who wins the game. Should be an awesome game !

How Sanchez should handle the Ravens. By Chad Pennington Each week, Chad Pennington breaks down a dynamic NFL playmaker or scheme, devises a game plan and discusses a strategy for success. This week, Pennington looks into how Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez should approach the Ravens' defense. Bill Parcells had a saying that he would tell me from time to time: Be mentally aggressive, but physically relaxed. As I think about the challenge facing Mark Sanchez in Week 4, this piece of wisdom from an old ball coach fits perfectly. My assignment this week involves the game plan for Mark Sanchez and the Jets' offense against the storied defense of the Baltimore Ravens. You've probably heard the statement: there are two types of pressure — pressure you receive and pressure you apply. As an offense, it is really easy to be mesmerized by the Ravens' defense. As you watch film, you see the pass-rush ability of Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and the defensive line as well as the instinctive plays made by Ed Reed. And no, I'm not forgetting the intensity and leadership of Ray Lewis. Everybody focuses on his intensity and game-day theatrics, but I admire his knowledge, preparation and love of the game. Most of his career, the linebacker has been the leader for the Ravens. Period. Name another team as successful as the Ravens where its bonafide leader is not the quarterback. I can't think of one. He has leadership qualities that quarterbacks normally display and that's extremely rare. If Sanchez and the Jets want to beat the Ravens, the Jets offense must fight pressure with pressure. As a quarterback, there is a fine line when trying to be aggressive. Being overly aggressive can cause a quarterback to force the ball into double coverage or make errant, ill-advised throws. This normally happens when his mental aggression transforms into physical aggression. A quarterback then becomes tense, trigger-happy and mistake-prone. There will be opportunities for big plays during the course of this game. Don't force the big play. When the opportunity presents itself, make it happen. I have experienced this feeling myself against this same defense. During the 2008 playoffs, our Dolphins team faced the Ravens for the second time. As the quarterback, I was determined to play aggressive and make big plays. I forgot to stay "mentally aggressive and physically relaxed." End result: four interceptions and a quick exit out of the playoffs. Pass protection is first when attacking the Ravens. This defense has always been known for pressuring the quarterback. Sanchez and his offense must be locked into identifying multiple fronts. This recognition is key for the offensive line, running backs and wide receivers. Teams who protect well have all 11 offensive players working together. Baltimore will try to create one-on-one matchups for Suggs and Ngata. An offensive lineman who has to deal with one of these Pro Bowlers must know where his help is. Does it come from another lineman? Is the running back supposed to help me? Or am I on my own? There is no doubt that this task is for a full 60 minutes! Secondly, Mark Sanchez must identify the location of Ed Reed every play. Reed is a ball hawk and will leave his defensive responsibility to make a big play. He relies on his film study and his instincts. In the new TV series, "A Football Life," Tom Brady is watching Ravens' film with Bill Belichick. Tom looks at Belichick and says he needs to know where Ed Reed is at all times. He's unpredictable. Don't assume anything with this guy. Unfortunately, I know this fact all too well! In that same 2008 playoff game, Reed had two of my four interceptions. His second interception was because of my poor assumption. While playing a deep safety in Cover 2 on the right side of the field, he completely left his responsibility and intercepted me on the left side of the field. Thanks Ed! Because of their pass-rushing ability and Reed's unpredictability, an offense cannot afford to get behind. When the Ravens defense plays with a 10-point lead or more, watch out! The pass rush becomes ridiculous, and Ed Reed is all over the place! In the Jets' loss last week to the Raiders, within a 42-second span at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters, the Raiders scored two touchdowns. The Jets went from being tied at 17, to being down two scores. Not good news for the quarterback. Sanchez was then operating from a huge disadvantage. At that point, you have no threat of a running game and the defense is coming to kill the quarterback. Period. But let's look at the Ravens' loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. Titans' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was extremely efficient — something that will definitely be a key for Sanchez. Hasselbeck was a ridiculous 30-for-42 for 358 yards and a touchdown. The Titans controlled the time of possession and won the field-position battle. Most importantly, there were big plays in the passing game. Hasselbeck completed three passes of more than 30 yards. Sanchez will have some opportunities to hit some balls down the field. He HAS to complete them. It's a must. When you face a good defense, there will be limited opportunities for big plays. But when one arises, hit it! If you don't, it's going to be a long day. The Jets offense can present matchup problems for the Ravens. The speed of Santonio Holmes, versatility of Dustin Keller and size of Plaxico Burress can be an advantage. Don't forget about savvy vet Derek Mason. He knows this Ravens' team. Its guaranteed he'll have some tricks up his sleeve. The dark horse matchup for the Jets is LaDainian Tomlinson. LT is still a beast in the passing game. Creating matchups for Tomlinson with motion and formations will put added pressure on the Ravens. The Jets must use "routes on the move" where LT can catch the ball running and turn short routes into big gains. Mark, trust the words of Coach Parcells. Be mentally aggressive, but physically relaxed. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Tips-for-Mark-Sanchez-against-Baltimore-Ravens-defense-092811

Just heard it. Joe's the man ! Hopefully, he will be Sunday night. He has an opportunity to showcase his talents on National TV against a quality opponent and a very formidable D (the Oakland game was a fluke; Rex and the Jets D will bring it Sunday night). Go get em Joe !

Dont know about the conspiracy stuff but with our "work in progress" secondary, our pass rush is more critical than ever. In both victories, we had an effective pass rush. Against Tennessee, we didnt. Its a small sample size, but thus far our pass rush will become increasingly more important as the season progresses.

From what Ive seen thus far, McPhee is raw but a real gamer. He looks good as a pass rusher, pretty stout against the run, but unsure in other situations. I think Harbs and Pagano are mixing and matching different combos to see what works. They both know we need another big pass rusher besides Suggs. It may take a few games to figure our best pass rushing package.

Awesome game Max ! You guys called it. Now its Rex and the Jets. He's probably stewing after the Oakland loss and the Jets wil be fired up big time. Harbs has got to have his boys absolutely sky high, focused and ready for the the Sunday night prime time. Should be a helluva grinder !

Max, You are right about going all out but they dont have the rocks to do it ! Not until one (Cam) goes, is it going to change. With our receiving corps essentially down to Boldin & Rice, look for Joe and Cam to lay another egg Sunday and another powting session to follow.

Yep. A couple of Red Bulls or Jolt Cola wouldnt hurt either ! :biggrin:

Yager, Maybe Harbs ought to give this speech, spend Friday or Saturday watching "Gladiator", then turn the boys loose on Sunday. Whatever it takes to pump these boys up !

Dont know if anyone really, really, needs a win ? Really, Joe !? If your attitude reflects this team's sense of urgency this Sunday and entire season, I cant wait to see the results. If that is Joe's mindset going into Sunday, my money's on Joe putting up the following numbers: 3-4 sacks 1-2 picks 1-2 fumbles 125-150 yds 50-60 rating I dont like the team's or Joe's attitude going into this game and expect us to lay another egg, end up 1-2, and declare the team is officially in "desperationm mode" going into Jet game on Oct 2. This team needs to start playing to win at all cost instead of playing not to lose (like last Sunday). We are going to confirm the character of this team on Sunday.

Our gameplan, based on the Giant's Monday night success, must include a relentless pass rush on Bradford. That guy, if given ample time, could easily carve up our secondary, even with his receiving corps. If S. Jackson is out, it may be possible. If he is in, it will be more challenging to maintain a strong, consistent pass rush. If Pagano blew it against Tennessee (as many have suggested), he gets a mulligan. But he cant miss on Sunday and he needs to throw the kitchen sink at Bradford. If the Steeler model gets it, then Pagano needs to do it. On the other side, Cam and Flacco need to come out firing. No excuses. Score from the get go, set the tone, and put the St Louis crowd out of the game. Either way, Harbs, Cam, Pagano, players, everyone down to the waterboy, needs to "bring it on" for 60 minutes against a Ram team that cannot afford to go 0-3, at home no less. It will be interesting to see which team shows up Sunday.

Cmon, Yager, 500-0 and John Mackey comes out of the grave to score 10 TDs too !

The hungriest team with the greatest sense of urgency will be victorius on Sunday.

Crav, with how we played yesterday, we would have only beaten 3 NFL teams - KC, Seattle and Indy (in our house). That said, this team and coaching staff have a huge problem in motivation. How do you lay a collective egg against Tennessee after beating the reigning AFC champs and arch rivals. How can you lack motivation, energy and passion to play 60 minutes against an arguably weaker opponent ? And then, after losing yesterday, a couple of our seasoned vets - Ray and Suggs - seem OK with the loss. Sure, we all are aware 1 loss (or 1 win) doesnt make a season but hell, what about a sense of urgency or being pissed off. I didnt realize losing had such appeal: As far as next Sunday's tilt, if St Louis loses tonight in NY and enters the contest 0-2, this team will have to play with the same purpose as the season opener to even be competitive. Anything less, plain and simple, then we are toast.

Nice methaphorical reply, Crav, I think ?

Ahh yes, After last weeeks "Super Bowl" we witnessed what my golf friends call the "Post-Birdie Screwup". It happens and we all should have seen it coming, even Crav and Yager. How could this team have possibly matched the intensity, energy and relentlessness of last Sunday's win over our arch rivals. Most pundits and posters said - "No, not this seasoned, veteran team". Anyway, moving on.... This team will be tested significantly next Sunday at St Louis. If the Rams lose tonight (as predicted), they will be playing with a sense of urgency we saw yesterday from Titams and how we played in last Sundays Steelers win. Next Sunday's game figures to be very close. Whats next and who shows up next Sunday ? I dont know but we will find out quickly about this team and two qualities our late good friend, Sock, used to remark were essential for a successful season - character and chemisty. Next Sunday's tilt in St Louis will reveal much about this team and season.

Yag and Crav, Its a distinct advantage if the Titans are still "rear view mirroring" it (the 09 playoff snot knocker). Still, I expect a highly motivated, desperate Titans squad where a turnover, game changer or bizzare play could make this a very competetive game. It will be very interesting to see how our guys respond (in terms of intensity, focus and energy) after Steelers beatdown. I am sticking to a close game.

Yager and Crav, Not in the same class and expect a blowout ? Really ? Man, you guys are not just sippin the kool aid, you are inebriated ! :biggrin: We did just win 1 game, are 1-0 and have 15 games to go, right ? Call me pessimistic, realistic or whatever, but this will not be a blowout. This is the NFL, its the Titans home opener, and we cant possibly match the same energy, motivation and passion from last Sunday. I expect a very close, competitive, pick em game with the Titans. Remmber, its a 16 game regular season.

Now that the Steeler beatdown/celebration is over, how does this team respond against the Titans ? Will they come out flat after pounding the arch rival Steelers or will they keep on rolling ? Harbaugh has typically been good at keeping his troops focused week to week, one game at a time. However, we just came off a historic Super Bowl-esque win last Sunday. Anyone see us coming out flat, underestimating Tennessee ?

I agree Yager. From the looks of his injury and listening to Hartbaugh, I wouldnt expect to see Smith on the field until late October or early November. We'll need him for the stretch run. Until then, we have to hope Webb, Williams, Foxworth and Carr (if healthy) can hold down the fort.

Max, Regarding the # 2 listing, after just 1 game (which translates to 6% of the season), King's a bit generous but really who the hell knows ? In this what have you done for me lately world, I supppose #2 makes sense esp after we just layed a major arse whipping on our arch rivals. It was a helluva statement game and, if kept in the right perspective, could serve as a springboard to a highly successful season. At the same time, its a long, long season. Time to focus on Tennesse this Sunday. I have never thought of Suggs as HOF worthy. Not yet. Maybe after this year he becomes a viable candidate. Until then, I want to see the guy play lights out for another entire season.

Id still rather have the thumper - Pollard - and his kick arse attitude in there. In terms of coverage, he looked pretty dang good in the pre-season. Yeah, yeah, I know its just the pre-season. Just saying ....