Author Archives: Jon Lavian

Oct 10

Loss To The Colts Could Mean End For The Jets

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On Sunday, the New York Jets face the Indianapolis Colts, who are high off an emotional win against the Packers. With the weekly emergence of Andrew Luck, this game seems less and less favorable for the Jets. Most people have already written the Jets off this season, claiming the only move is to bench quarterback Mark Sanchez now and start so-called “savior” Tim Tebow. For the rest of us who still have some hope, this game may be the last straw.

The Jets are 2-3, one game back of the New England Patriots. I’m just going to say it right now, the Jets will not beat the Patriots week 7 on the road. Bill Belicheck is too good of a coach to be unprepared for anything the Jets throw at him. A loss to the Colts would mean the Jets would then be 2-5 by week 7 and most likely 3 games back of 1st place in the AFC East. I don’t see how they could ever recover from 2-5, on a 3 game losing streak.

In addition, the Jets are supposed to have Dustin Keller and Stephen Hill return to the field this week. Sanchez has shown chemistry with Keller; Hill had a great week 1 performance. If the offense can’t improve with those two players returning against a very average defense, I don’t know if its even possible then.

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Sep 24

Official News: Darrelle Revis Out For Season

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The New York Jets just lost their best player, Darrelle Revis, to a season-ending left ACL injury. This is a devastating injury for the Jets, who are already thin at cornerback. The whole Jets defensive scheme is based on Revis being there in coverage. Without him, they will have to be more conservative and hope their pass rush improves dramatically (3 sacks in 3 games). Things are not looking good in Jet Nation. Playoffs look like a longshot as of now.

Sep 08

Season Outlook: New York Jets

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Finally, the regular season starts tomorrow for the New York Jets. There has been enough talk and controversy, mostly unnecessary, over this team throughout the offseason than most teams face throughout a season. Starting tomorrow, it’s time to produce or lose your job. Here’s a game-by-game outlook on the Jets this season from my perspective…

Home games are in bold

Week 1: Buffalo (9/9)-This almost seems like a must-win for the Jets with their tough schedule coming up in the next few weeks. Rex Ryan gets his team ready to make a statement in game 1 and wins the home opener, Jets Win 1-0.

Week 2: Pittsburgh (9/16)-Not a good matchup for the Jets offense. The steelers have too many good pass rushers, with Harrison and Woodley. Austin Howard might get embarrassed during this one. Jets Lose 1-1.

Week 3: Miami (9/23)-Remember the last time the Jets were in Miami? Complete disaster to end the season. Oddly enough, this might be the game Santonio Holmes breaks out and has over 100 yards. Jets defense is too strong. Jets Win 2-1.

Week 4: San Francisco (9/30)- This will be a very physical, tough game. Two of the best defenses in the NFL, but the 49ers have the offensive edge with their balanced attack. Alex Smith makes a few more plays than Sanchez. Jets Lose 2-2.

Week 5: Houston (10/8)- Rex Ryan will call this one a must-win. I really believe the Texans will come into this one extremely confident and actually overlook the Jets. Tebow and the wildcat score a few touchdowns and come up big. Jets Win 3-2.

Week 6: Indianapolis (10/14)- This will be a low scoring game, with both teams trying to control the clock. The Jets defense will be too much for Andrew Luck to handle. Jets Win 4-2.

Week 7: New England (10/21)- Jets always have a hard time beating the Patriots on the road. This will be no different, Patriots cruise during this one. Jets Lose 4-3.

Week 8: Miami (10/28)- By this time in the season, Ryan Tannehill will have slighty improved from the last time they played, but so will Mark Sanchez. Run game comes big in this one. Jets Win 5-3.

Week 10: Seattle (11/11)- The Jets are not a good team on the west coast. On the road, in the crazy 12th man atmosphere, Mark Sanchez has one of his worst games of his season. Jets Lose 5-4. 

Week 11: St. Louis (11/18)- Every season, there’s always one or two games the Jets should win, but don’t. Here’s one of them. Sanchez doesn’t play well and the media starts to turn to Tebow. Jets Lose 5-5.

Week 12: New England (11/22)- On a short week, coming off two straight losses, the Jets play better but its not enough. The Patriots have somewhat of a running game to go along with that great passing scheme. Jets Lose 5-6. 

Week 13: Arizona (12/2)- The Jets get over a week to rest and gameplan for Arizona. The Jets come out in a big way and fire on all cylinders in a blowout win. Revis has another pick-6 touchdown against the Cardinals. Jets Win 6-6. 

Week 14: Jacksonville (12/9)- The Jets know they must stop MJD, and they do. With the game in Blaine Gabbert’s hands, he throws a pair of interceptions and the Jets close it out in the 4th quarter. Jets Win 7-6.

Week 15: Tennessee (12/17)- On MNF, this could potentially be an elimination game in the playoff chase. This will be a very close game, with both sides trying to run the ball and control the clock. The Titans do it a little better than the Jets. Jets Lose 7-7.

Week 16: San Diego (12/23)-The Jets always play well against the Chargers and that will continue. The Chargers receiving corp does not get enough separation against Revis and Cromartie which leads to a few sacks by Coples and Pace. Jets Win 8-7.

Week 17: Buffalo (12/30)-With the playoffs highly unlikely, the Jets lose their focus. Rex Ryan also puts in Tim Tebow more than usual, but that doesn’t work too well. Jets Lose 8-8.

There you have it, the Jets will go 8-8. The Jets will have a top-10 defense without a doubt, but there are way too many question marks on the offensive side of the ball. The NFL is an offensive-driven league right now. Until I see improvement on offense, the Jets will miss the playoffs.

Aug 14

Cromartie Plays WR…Scores TD

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Today in Tuesday’s practice, Antonio Cromartie played wide receiver with the third-team offense and showed his skills. He caught a short touchdown pass from third-string QB Greg McElroy. With Santonio Holmes and now Stephen Hill missing practice with an injury, it’s become easier for Cromartie to finally get his wish to play some wide receiver.

Cromartie may be one of the most athletic players in the NFL, but he is still way too valuable to the defense for him to be focusing on any serious playing time at wide receiver during the season. Cromartie may be serious about it, but i doubt the Jets are.

Note: Happy 25th Birthday Tim Tebow

@jonlavian

 

Aug 09

Preseason Week 1: Jets vs. Bengals Preview

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Tomorrow night, the Jets square off against the Cincinnati Bengals in their first preseason game. I’m sure all of the players are excited to finally start hitting someone else…here’s a few things to watch for:

1. Can Mark Sanchez Get Off To A Good Start?

This will be Mark Sanchez‘s first opportunity to show how well he has learned Tony Sparano’s offense. It’s still early, but for his own sake, Sanchez needs to have a good quarter of football with no turnovers. It’s only the first preseason game, but the media doesn’t care and they will start unnecessary controversy if Sanchez doesn’t show improvement.

2. How Will Tim Tebow Be Used?

We all want to know, what role will Tim Tebow play? Wildcat QB? Special Teams? According to ESPN New York, Tebow will most likely not play with the first team offense, so he will be limited in action. However, these are the Jets we’re talking about. Don’t be surprised if Rex Ryan throws a trick play in there to get the second team offense going.

3. Who Will Be The 2nd RB?

As of now, Joe McKnight looks to be in position to win the backup running back position. However, Bilal Powell has played well in practice. These preseason games will give both running backs a chance to set them apart from each other so you know they will be receiving a good amount of carries once Shonn Greene sits.

4. How Will The Defense Look?

The Jets’ season is obviously very dependent on how well the defense plays. This defense looks like it can be special, with their exceptional cornerbacks and run-stuffing defensive line. The first team won’t play a lot, but it will be interesting to see how the new faces like Laron Landry, Quinton Coples, and Yeremiah Bell fit in this defense.

Note: WR Santonio Holmes will not play (rib injury).

@jonlavian

Aug 07

Small Melee At Jets Camp

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Yesterday, a brief scuffle occurred at Jets camp when RB Joe McKnight didn’t like being pushed out of bounds by rookie safety D’Anton Lynn. McKnight threw the football back at the safety when Lynn and a few other players began holding and pushing each other to the ground. Eventually, 20 players were involved in the fight.

Is this fight a bad or good sign? How about neither. These small fights happen all the time during training camp throughout the league, but it seems like only the Jets could possibly have this turned into a media story. This fight should not have even been in the news. This is football we’re talking about, being physical is part of the game.

On another note, rookies Stephen Hill and Quinton Coples are playing better in practice. Coples is beginning to disrupt more running plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has notably had a very quiet training camp. Hill reportedly beat Darrelle Revis on a  few deep pass plays; when your beating the best cornerback in the league, you know you got speed…

@jonlavian

Jul 30

Player To Watch: Stephen Hill

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Training camp has begun, and there have been several Jets that have stood out. One of the offensive standouts has been rookie wideout Stephen Hill.

On the first play of camp, Mark Sanchez threw a deep ball to Hill with Darrelle Revis defending. After Revis tipped the pass, Hill made an impressive diving catch. Sanchez was so pleased with the catch he praised Hill in front of his teammates. In Tony Sparano’s run-heavy offensive approach, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Sanchez-to-Hill play action deep throw, which makes training camp an essential opportunity for Sanchez to quickly develop chemistry with his rookie receiver.

The Jets have not had a wide receiver in quite a while with the skill set Hill possesses. Not only is he a big, fast receiver, but he also is an exceptional blocker. His blocking ability sets him apart from most receivers; his skills seem like the perfect fit in this type of offense.

In my opinion, Hill can be the biggest spark in the Jets offense. He may be a rookie, but there is some pressure on Hill. He needs to produce early and often to take away the double teams on Santonio Holmes. The NFL is becoming more and more about speed, which is exactly why Hill is the perfect fit to be that deep threat, playmaker the Jets really need alongside Holmes. Also, Plaxico Burress is gone, so look for Sanchez to eventually rely on Hill to be the guy he throws that corner-post route to in the end zone.

What are realistic stats for Hill this season? Considering the offense will heavy on the run, Stephen Hill won’t get a lot of targets each week. However, when the ball is in his hands, he will easily gain yards after the catch because of his 4.3 speed. Look for Hill to finish the season with around 40 receptions 600 yards and 6 touchdowns.

@jonlavian

Jul 23

Reports: Revis Showing Up For Training Camp

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From NJ.com

Reports out of Jets Camp are that All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will reportedly not holdout of his contract and will attend training camp on time. Revis hasn’t spoke out himself in response to the reports, so we may need to hold our breaths until we see him actually show up on Saturday.

Darrelle Revis, hands down, is the best and most important player on the Jets. The whole defensive scheme only works because they have Revis on single coverage against the opponent’s best WR. For him to show up in camp on time is actually extremely important for the Jets and here’s why:

1. He Is The Leader of the defense. 

The New York Jets defense has a few important, key guys (David Harris comes to mind); However, Revis is the man who all players, like Kyle Wilson, look to for leadership and guidance on and off the field. He practices as hard as he plays on field; there is no one on this team who gets more praise for his practice play than Darrelle Revis. With Revis being there, it definitely would make the defense feel more united, with all the starters being there, especially their best one.

2. No Additional Media Coverage and Controversy

With all the controversy going on with the QB position with Tebow and Sanchez, the Jets definitely needed a break with the Revis contract situation. The Jets are not coming off a good season, they need distractions to be as nonexistent as possible. Their whole focus should be improving their play on the field and fixing their locker room issues. Darrelle Revis showing up to training camp takes away all those questions about “When will Revis show up?” and brings more focus to the team as whole, under the radar.

3. Revis Needs To Be In Top Shape

No player in the NFL can be at their best playing shape and ability without practice reps and conditioning with teammates. Last time Revis’ contract was a problem, he missed significant time in camp and started out the 2010-2011 season slow. Especially this season, a make or break season for Rex Ryan and co, Darrelle Revis needs to be in his best shape so he can play like the cornerback all Jets fans know as, the best in the NFL.

Don’t forget, the Jets are underpaying Revis this season. He is the best cornerback in the NFL, and he should get paid like it. Eventually, he will get his money, most likely becoming the highest paid cornerback in NFL history. For now, Revis is being the bigger person and taking a team-first approach. Give credit to the future hall-of-famer, he knows how important this season is. It is a great sign for the Jets that their best player is already learning from the past.

@jonlavian

Jul 16

Knicks Make Right Move By Not Signing Lin

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Jeremy Lin is leaving New York. Lin-Sanity is over, and now the Knicks must move on and look forward to this season with their point guards Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. The Knicks should not regret their decision of not matching the Rockets’ offer. If Jeremy Lin really wanted to be a Knick, he could have been.

But like most athletes, Lin choose the more guaranteed money rather than the higher potential spot to win a championship and have his game inevitably increase his salary. Carmelo Anthony himself called the proposed Rockets offer to Lin “ridiculous” and it sure was. No matter how well Lin played for the Knicks, he is not worth $14.8 million in the third year. Jeremy Lin could have even signed a more reasonable two or three year deal, but he chose not to.

Kid went to Harvard, so you know he has a business sense to him. We can’t really blame Lin for going to Houston; it’s not necessarily a bad fit either. As we saw from the Yao Ming days, the city of Houston has a large Asian following and will be there every game screaming and rooting on their new favorite player. But it’s time to move on.

Remember two years ago when Amare Stoudemire was an MVP candidate? His point guard was Raymond Felton at the time. No, I am not saying Amare will be winning the MVP this season, but I am saying Felton and Stoudemire already have great chemistry that will soon enough be seen by Knick Fans come November. Felton has already played in New York, he knows he must step up his game and be in great shape to play minutes in the garden.

In addition to all this, something that everyone must not forget is that Chris Paul will be a free agent next summer. With the money we did not give Jeremy Lin, The Knicks are one great season away from being the frontrunners to have Chris Paul as their starting point guard for the 2013-2014 season.

Jul 10

Knicks Sign Camby and Smith; Time for Melo to Step Up

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As you all have heard by now, yesterday the Knicks signed Marcus Camby and re-signed J.R. Smith to deals. Camby’s addition now brings additional defensive help, which was much needed to help the second unit and give Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire some much needed rest at times. Now, all the Knicks have to do is re-sign Jared Jeffries and sign another shooting guard, unless they plan on matching Toronto’s offer to Landry Fields.

I really like the new additions of Camby and Kidd to the Knicks. They both bring veteran leadership that will help the young guys like Jeremy Lin. Both of them have either played in the finals or won a championship, so you know the big stage won’t be anything they haven’t seen before. As of right now, this New York Knicks roster is the best they’ve had since the Patrick Ewing era. On paper, we are title contenders.

In any professional sport, how your team looks on paper means NOTHING. Camby and Kidd are both very old; this team was made to win NOW. It’s time for the players to step up and play to their potential. Who am I talking about especially? Obviously Carmelo Anthony.

I never understood why the media never gives Carmelo Anthony criticism for his success, or lack thereof. Carmelo Anthony has been to the Conference Finals one time in his whole career. One time? That’s completely unacceptable. People give Lebron James a hard time about not winning a ring. I understand he was “the chosen one” and all the hype coming out of high school, but Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA as a top-5 draft pick and won the National Championship at Syracuse as a freshman. He was in the same draft class as James and Wade; they have their rings, it’s time you got yours.

Carmelo Anthony needs to take his game to a whole new level this season if he wants the Knicks to reach their potential. First off, Carmelo needs to start playing a little something called defense. I’ve watched plenty of Knicks games to know Carmelo Anthony plays poor  or “fake” defense, but obviously he can’t leave the game or else the Knicks wouldn’t score more than 80 points. Carmelo, if you start playing defense, you will set the tone for your whole team and they all will follow your example.

In an interview with Sportscenter, Carmelo said he doesn’t play under pressure; he just “plays his game”. That is not the right mentality if you want to win a ring. The best players in the game love pressure, feed off it, and play better when the pressure is highest. Melo has the clutch-factor down; he’s hit numerous game-winning shots. Now, it’s time for Melo for step his game in the moments before that last shot. The Knicks were a top-3 defensive team under Mike Woodson last season. With Chandler, Camby, and Shumpert, the Knicks have the potential to be the top defensive team in the NBA. It’s Melo’s time to step-up his defensive game and lead his team to the Finals.

Follow me: @jonlavian