Jets Win on ill conceived Play

[flgreen]

Jets win on ill-conceived play

October, 19, 2010 Oct 194:28PM ETEmail Print Comments By Rich CiminiIf you're a New York Jets fan, it's a case of, "All's well that ends well." But take a closer look at the Mile High Miracle --Renaldo Hill's 46-yard pass-interference penalty on Santonio Holmes -- and you will see it wasn't a well-designed play by the Jets.

On a fourth-and-6 from the Denver Broncos' 48, the Jets sent four receivers on vertical routes -- Holmes on the backside, with Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller in "trips" to the right. After studying the replay, a revelation: There was no safety valve because LaDainian Tomlinson stayed in to block.

As it turned out, Tomlinson probably didn't have to stay in to block because the Broncos rushed only four, with a fifth coming on a delayed blitz. That left six blocking five. With four receivers downfield, and no check-down options, Mark Sanchez had no choice but to heave it. There was no escape route. If he had tried to run, he would've been dropped immediately. It was nice of Rex Ryan to praise Sanchez for having the presence of mind to throw it deep, but, really, what else was there to do?

The officials made the right call -- it was pass interference -- an utterly dumb play by Hill. If the pass had fallen incomplete, fans would be complaining about Brian Schottenheimer's play call in that situation. The Jets should've had a receiver in the short to intermediate range -- a "sticks" option -- but they took the all-or-nothing approach. Afterward, Sanchez said it best: "We stole a win."

Other thoughts and observations after breaking down the tape:

HAVING A BLAST: On Tomlinson's game-winning TD run, moments after the pass interference, he received nice blocks from FB Tony Richardson and LG Matt Slauson. It was the Jets' "Blast" running play, their bread-and-butter in short yardage. Slauson blew open a huge hole, a nice way to end a play that almost started with disaster. He got his feet tangled with Sanchez, who stumbled as he pulled away from center. Some Denver defenders appeared to let Tomlinson score on purpose, but coach Josh McDaniels said that wasn't the case. Just soft defense, I suppose.

STRETCH MARKS: On Tomlinson's 20-yard TD, the key blocks were thrown by rookie FB John Conner and LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson. This was a vintage "stretch" play to the left. Conner, in an off-set I, took out Mr. Interference, Hill. (Not a wonderful couple of plays there for Hill.) Ferguson got to the second level and did a nice job of walling off LB Mario Haggan. Ferguson, in case you haven't noticed, has been outstanding over the last four games.

NOT USING YOUR HEAD: That was a terrible personal-foul call on S Jim Leonhard, who was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on WR Brandon Lloyd. He led with his right shoulder, not his head. His helmet may have grazed Lloyd's helmet in an incidental manner, but it's clear that Leonhard's shoulder delivered the brunt of the hit. As everybody knows, the league is cracking down on shots to the head. Leonhard said he would appeal a fine.

PACKING A WALLOP: CB Darrelle Revis didn't look like a guy with a cranky hamstring when he blew up WR Eddie Royal in the third quarter, exploding into Royal to break up a short pass. Fans have been getting on Revis for his performance -- he allowed four completions for 66 yards, including a TD -- but he really didn't play that badly. With an extra week to rest during the bye, he should, in theory, be 100% for the Green Bay Packers.

OOPS: By the way, the touchdown he allowed -- 17 yards to Demaryius Thomas -- should've been challenged by the Jets. He bobbled and didn't get both feet down.

TWIN PICKS: Sanchez' two interceptions had a common denominator: He didn't see the underneath coverage.

Pick No. 1 -- Sanchez followed Cotchery on an in-cut, seeing CB Champ Bailey on Cotchery the whole way. Sanchez thought it was man-to-man coverage, but it was a combination coverage. LB Jason Hunter was sitting in a "hook" zone and made the interception.

Pick No. 2 -- Sanchez was looking for Keller, who was covered by CB Nate Jones. It seemed to be man-to-man, as Jones was running with Keller, but it actually was a bracket coverage. Jones fell off, passing him off to CB Syd'Quan Thompson, who was in a zone. Interception. Sanchez seems to have a blind spot when it comes to those kind of passes.

CAUGHT SLEEPING: On the Broncos' surprise onsides kick, the Jets got caught cheating, big time. At first glance, it looks like Kenwin Cummings was the guy who bailed out too soon, but it was actually Brodney Pool. He had retreated 12 yards by the time the ball was kicked.

WHERE'S VERNON?: After showing some early promise, DE/OLB Vernon Gholston has all but disappeared -- again. He barely got on the field in Denver. Recently-signed Trevor Pryce has taken over Gholston's spot in the D-line rotation and, now that Calvin Pace is healthy, Gholston really isn't needed at outside linebacker.

NO DEALS: As expected, the Jets didn't make any trades before Tuesday's trading deadline.

[jetscanes331]

I'm not sure why Cimini even writes for the Jets. He's terrible. He should do something he enjoys for a living for a team that he likes.

[Maxman]

Cimini does a good job of breaking down the game.

[flgreen]

Cimini does a good job of breaking down the game.

He does Max, but he also interjects his opinion into the story while presenting it as reporting, not commentary.

It really doesn’t matter for the most part, unlike Fatcesspool I enjoy reading him. His open dislike for the Jets is funny

[#27TheDominator]

WHERE'S VERNON?: After showing some early promise, DE/OLB Vernon Gholston has all but disappeared -- again. He barely got on the field in Denver. Recently-signed Trevor Pryce has taken over Gholston's spot in the D-line rotation and, now that Calvin Pace is healthy, Gholston really isn't needed at outside linebacker.

Funny. I saw Gholston on the field plenty. Especially down the stretch. I don't think he did anything good (or paticularly bad) but he saw the field plenty on D. I was having a tough time picking up where they were playing him.

[Bleedin Green]

I'm not sure why Cimini even writes for the Jets. He's terrible. He should do something he enjoys for a living for a team that he likes.

While I typically would agree with this assessment, I didn't think this was a bad piece. Most of what he said was pretty spot on, and I know I was wondering what the hell was going on when every Jets receiver went flying down the field when the Jets needed 6 yards on that 4th down. Beyond that, most of this article was actually giving the Jets credit and pointing out where they may have been wronged (i.e., Leonhard's penalty).

[flgreen]

While I typically would agree with this assessment, I didn't think this was a bad piece. Most of what he said was pretty spot on, and I know I was wondering what the hell was going on when every Jets receiver went flying down the field when the Jets needed 6 yards on that 4th down. Beyond that, most of this article was actually giving the Jets credit and pointing out where they may have been wronged (i.e., Leonhard's penalty).

Usually when the Jets keep LT in to block if there is a blitz he will pick it up. If no blitz he will run to a spot as a safety valve.

I don’t have this game taped so I can’t go look, and see if that’s the case

[Maxman]

Usually when the Jets keep LT in to block if there is a blitz he will pick it up. If no blitz he will run to a spot as a safety valve.

I don’t have this game taped so I can’t go look, and see if that’s the case

I agree I think it is up to LT I can't imagine Schott saying LT Block even if nobody is around. WE DON'T WANT A SAFETY VALVE ON THIS PLAY. lol.

[Larz]

cimini is just dumb

he's out of touch with the fan base and the NFL

the jets lead the league in wins, and even staunch pessimists have to admit these are the BNJ

he is still in 1993, forcing the jets into the box of second class citizens, and the gang that can't shoot straight

GFY cimini

[SMC]

Cimini is 100% correct: it was a horribly designed play.

It was 4th and 6 and the receivers are running 30 yd routes? Schotty does that a lot. He definitely should have had someone underneath.

[ZachEY]

So?

[war ensemble]

Don't you guys realize that it's much easier to get defensive pass interference calls on 30 yard passes than underneath throws? Duh.

[flgreen]

Don't you guys realize that it's much easier to get defensive pass interference calls on 30 yard passes than underneath throws? Duh.

Your right. It’s become a strategy to throw a ball long, but behind the WR.

If the CB is in a dead run very difficult to defend with out interfering with the WR.

[SenorGato]

Damn...Cimini is hopping on Schottenheimer...someone's desperate and reading the boards....you guys can have him.

[LWC611]

While I typically would agree with this assessment, I didn't think this was a bad piece. Most of what he said was pretty spot on, and I know I was wondering what the hell was going on when every Jets receiver went flying down the field when the Jets needed 6 yards on that 4th down. Beyond that, most of this article was actually giving the Jets credit and pointing out where they may have been wronged (i.e., Leonhard's penalty).

+1 He spent a lot of time looking at tape this was a pretty good read.

[Scott Dierking]

It turns out that the Immaculate Reception was also an ill conceived play, but I do not see the Steelers giving back any trophies.

[JerryK]

Cimini is playing an easy journalistic game.

In any close games, teams trade a few penalties and bad decisions. So you take the last one that happens, and claim the winner stole the game.

Too bad. If you think you deserve to win, do it by a big enough margin that anomalies don't affect the outcome.

[SenorGato]

I agree I think it is up to LT I can't imagine Schott saying LT Block even if nobody is around. WE DON'T WANT A SAFETY VALVE ON THIS PLAY. lol.

Right? Did you even have to strain your brain to think of this?

I'm pretty happy Cimini's joining the anti-Schotty crowd. It says alot about the validity of the argument...

[RutgersJetFan]

Dear Rich,

Opposing defenses don't send you a notice prior to a play selection letting you know how many defenders they're rushing.

Take care,

B. Schott

[Maxman]

Right? Did you even have to strain your brain to think of this?

I'm pretty happy Cimini's joining the anti-Schotty crowd. It says alot about the validity of the argument...

Did I have to strain my brain?

[slats]

In any close games, teams trade a few penalties and bad decisions. So you take the last one that happens, and claim the winner stole the game.

Haha!

Even with all the bad calls, if Santonio doesn't crap his pants on that end around at the end of the third quarter, the game probably never comes down to that fourth down heave. But I guess that's why they play.

[SenorGato]

Did I have to strain my brain?

Straining the brain makes you insane.

[Jetsfan80]

Straining the brain makes you insane.

So you're saying it makes you insane in the membrane?

[Sperm Edwards]

It turns out that the Immaculate Reception was also an ill conceived play, but I do not see the Steelers giving back any trophies.

True, but would it have been as revered in Steelers lore if it was "The Immaculate Pass Interference Call"? Or given this past week's news, "The Immaculate Unnecessary Roughness by The Assassin Against a Defenseless Receiver Going Over the Middle Call"? Who can say for sure -- the latter has such a nice ring to it.

[Guest Oxoboxo]

Some people don't know the difference between a designed play and a broken play.

In that situation, once the play breaks down, receivers are instructed to go deep.

The play was designed to go to Keller for 6 or Cotchery for 10. But both routes were covered.

Even a cursory glance at the game film would tell you that.

[Jetsfan80]

Some people don't know the difference between a designed play and a broken play.

In that situation, once the play breaks down, receivers are instructed to go deep.

The play was designed to go to Keller for 6 or Cotchery for 10. But both routes were covered.

Even a cursory glance at the game film would tell you that.

You're correct, but what Cimini is suggesting is that LT should have been an available option out of the backfield. I tend to agree. Its fine that LT was in there to block, but if we apparently had enough blockers, releasing out into the flat would have been a good "get the first down" option.