But there’s something about this team and this coach that rings true.
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Now, much of that has to do with the Jets defense playing well. “But in that moment, there was that look in my eye and the YEE-YEE!” But if a team does one thing exceptionally well it can be flawed yet still feared and buy itself some time. They were sputtering and Chan just did it on his own.
Many thought with the defense losing coordinator Todd Bowles to a head coaching gig, they wouldn’t be as aggressive as they have been. But he was buried on the depth chart this year and didn’t play last week against the St. Louis Rams.
Needless to say, Smith failed in handling everything and to be quite honest, I’m surprised he wasn’t cut from the team for his involvement in letting it escalate to what it did. Now the quarterback is quickly trying to work towards his return as he participates in team drills before getting cleared for full contact.
Meanwhile, although one-time starter Geno Smith returned to practice, the Jets do not have a quarterback controversy, at the top, anyway. The Jets took a calculated gamble by not signing a veteran backup, but they haven’t been burned because Fitzpatrick has taken every snap.
Given the current National Football League rules that heavily favor the offense, especially in regards to the passing game, it’s hard to believe that in his second start as a New York Jet, Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first Gang Green quarterback since Brett Favre in 2008 to play consecutive games in which he threw more touchdowns than interceptions while completing greater than 60% of his passes.
So far, Fitzpatrick has been solid, throwing for 423 yards and four touchdowns, along with two interceptions. Smith participated in some 7-on-7 drills in practice last week.
And toward that end, he knows that although the Jets are 2-0, there’s room for improvement.
Enter “FitzMagic” and “Machine”. Gore, meanwhile, started fast but finished with 15 carries for 57 yards and the fumble. Revis recovered it and the Jets’ lead was never really threatened the rest of the way. But Fitzpatrick is more than doing his part too – he’s in harmony with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and keeping that offense clicking.
The Jets will be hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET. It’s like the start of training camp. “I’ll have to see as the week goes forward”. Safety Antonio Allen (who was actually a Linebacker in college) switched over to corner on the eve of the season and rookie Safety Calvin Pryor was forced over from Strong Safety to Free because of injuries.
It will be up to Bowles to keep the Jets on message.
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“All around, he’s very respected amongst players and other coaches”, Ryans said.
