By Tom Rock
What a crazy week for football, especially with things that have nothing to do with football. Between ruptured spleens, reported suicide attempts (which are becoming more and more shaky as the day passes) and returns to Superdomes, you didn’t have to watch a game to be enthralled by the action.
Not that there is much in the way of drama around here. The Jets are preparing for the Colts on Sunday. The Jets are in the odd position of facing a team that has a better record in its home stadium than the Jets do. Both sides are trying hard to play down the mismatch angle to this contest, with the Jets slyly confident of Mangini’s schemes against Peyton Manning and Colts coach Tony Dungy telling his team that they should approach this contest as if they are playing the first-place team in the AFC East (because, well, they are).
A bit of a roster shakeup. The Jets cut Norm Katnik, who did a decent job against the Bills on Sunday replacing Pete Kendall at left guard. To me the move says more about Kendall’s condition than Katnik’s performance. The Jets have a slew of back-up offensive linemen with Adrian Jones, Wade Smith and Trey Teague. Katnik’s departure is surely just a “numbers” matter since the Jets signed a fullback and two linebackers.
Every week the practice music has a theme, and this time it was clearly focused on the Colts and their wild west heritage. Not only did the Jets play the theme from “Rawhide” and “Back in the Saddle Again,” but they also played the theme from “Blazing Saddles.” Expect the same playlist the next time the Jets face the Cowboys.
As Mangini says at the top of his press conferences, just a little housekeeping to take care of. I’ll try to answer as many questions as I can. The Jets haven’t shown much of the 4-3 defense this season, stubbornly sticking to the 3-4 despite some pretty poor play against the run. I have nothing to base this on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mangini throws a little 4-3 at Peyton this week just to keep him on his toes. Mangini has repeatedly called Manning “smart” and “intelligent” so there is no doubt Mangini wants to challenge that and turn the contest into a cerebral showdown. As for Curtis Martin’s return, there has been little buzz about him in Jetsland, though he is still rehabbing that knee. He is required to sit out the next two games and would, conceivably, be able to practice with the team on Oct. 16. Whether or not that happens, well, we’ll have to wait and see.
Comments (5)
Given how good Katnik was against Buff, who in turn destroyed Mia (7 sacks) the week prior, seems they should have cut the Miami cast off (W Smith). Teams are always looking for o-lineman--Katnik will be picked up quickly.
Any word on whether Strait or Coleman will start this week?
Tom,
Can you describe to us what the Tue-Fri practices are like? Is there much full-speed, full-contact activity, or is it alot of classroom work and practicing specific plays over and over against mock scout teams? I was curious how a player can really distinguish himself and vault into the starting group in a very controlled practice environment.
I'd like to see LEON WASHINGTON get the starting job. First, I think we can agree that none of the other backs has done anything to warrant being named the exclusive starter. Second, the play of Blaylock and Barlow has been so poor that the Jets don't stand to lose much even in the event that Washington bombs. Third, we know about the other three; they have track records in the league, and none of them is anything more than a backup on a good team or a marginal starter on a bad team. Washington brings an unknown and explosive commodity to the team. He is, by far, the fastest, quickest, and most explosive of the backs, and he affords the Jets a real chance to catch lightning in a bottle. Naming Washington the starter will take a lot of guts, but it needs to be done.
It's about time Mangini gives Cedric Houston more carries. He rarely goes down on first contact and you need this type of power back until the O line develops. Last week, 2 carries 10 yds. 1 TD. No other back is even close to that average on this team. Use Leon Washington as the 3rd down option.