Look, I wont get carried away. We did our best to blow this game to a team worse than we are. And...its not like we were bad in every season under Herm... BUT ... early on, you can tell things were different when... Pennington ran that quick play -- and the Titans were forced to use a time out. Thats the kind of play that would be run against us for years with Herm looking up all dazed and confused. The thing i like about mangini is that you get the feeling he and the coaching staff have checked out every angle and every rule to see if it can be used to their advantage. Instead being on the receiving end of a "quick snap" -- it feels good to have a coach who has drilled his team to pay attention to the details.
How you can tell things were different? Mangini and his coaches put our players in positions to succeed. They utilized their STRENGTHS and played away from their weaknesses. Pennington is a prime example. Chad's #1 attribute is his intelligence. In 5 years, it was like Chad was not allowed to use an audible. 1 game into this new regime, and what do we do? We give him 2 or 3 plays and tell him to pick the one he thinks will work best once he sees the defensive alignment and play with a "slow down" hurry up.
God I hope all this positive energy DOESN't jinx anything. Anyways, I've only been a football (and JETS) fan for about 9 years, so I don't know all the in's and out's. But I did see a pretty strong D (except for those two 2-pt conversions). Also, Pennington looked VERY good, almost too good to be true. On a funny note, when we were up 16-0, I thought to myself that the last time I saw the JETS play this well was in PIT in 04 Divisional Playoffs (i was there), and just when I was thinking that, Nugent misses again... and again. How ironic no?
I knew we were different when on that 3rd and 1 play we used some trickery and pitched it to Brad Smith. Also, when the Jets played for a TD at the end of the game instead of just a FG
How did I know things were different? I saw Chad in the shotgun and we didnt fumble the ball. That definitely put my mind at ease
This team still has a lot of holes. That being said it was refreshing to watch a Jets game and not see several things I was accustomed to under Herm: 1.) They were not out coached. 2.) No clock mismanagement. 3.) Predictability of Offense. It looks like Shotty does not have the old 2 runs and a pass playbook. 4.) Actual adjustments being made on both offense and defense to take advantage of weakness or strengths both of our team and the opponents. I know this is only the first week and the Titans are brutal but it was apparent to anyone that watched that the Jets, that they were well prepared. Also with the notable exceptions of Nugent and Moore, they executed well. This game should not have even been close. Again, it is only the first week in a long season but for the first time in 5 years I am at least optimistic that the players will have the correct gameplan so that they can succeed every Sunday.At least going into the game they will not be behind the proverbial 8-ball.
Would have been nice if we played for a TD on 4th and goal from the 1/2 yd line up 13-0 to PUT THE GAME AWAY too which would have been nice, but it worked out.
Some posters like to throw out there "get over Herm..hes in KC now". What they will never understand is exactly what you said. "Herm looking up all dazed and confused". Its easy to get all caught up in one game..but lets face, those who are being honest with themselves concerning this team wanted to see exactly what we saw today. Sure we wanted to see a running game...we wanted to see if Chad could be a above average QB in the NFL again. You were looking for the defense to dominate at times in the game. Not speaking for the masses that wanted Herm out...but besides all of the above..I just wanted to see a coaching staff in charge of the game. Adjusting on the fly. Never...never during the Herm years would you ever see Chad or the Jets able to start....stop..and then start again. The play call to Coles and then the touchdown to Baker were two plays that were so missing the last 5 years....a tight end out play at the goal line? Hey, nobody is fooling themselves...well..most of us arent fooling ourselves. This team has a ways to go. Bottom line is that this game had a different feel..and it starts with coaching. A team prepared to play the first game of the season. Who would have thought that game 2 against the Patriots...AT HOME...would actually make us think some really...really stupid thoughts. Well...lets start thinking.
- aggressive - not settling for FGs or punts - no huddle -letting Chad change the plays -tackling, tackling, and more tackling - swarming defense -reduction in stupid plays -fast -- this team has some speed on both sides of the ball
Excellent points..except for the Titan comeback when some tackles were missed..but overall..very strong. Letting Chad change plays....you just want to take a hammer and bash your head that this has never happened...there is no logic to it what-so-ever. None!
That is a GREAT point. I cannot remember the last time that happened. Under Herm I wonder if wed EVER had 3 time outs deep into the 4th Q. Ever. That is straight from the CS. There was an article during the summer that talked about an incident where Mangini went ballistic at Chad IN PRACTICE for calling a time out during a game simulation drill. In the past -- when in doubt blow a time out. Coaching has a direct impact.
I remember that same incident and it registered that this coach has little tolerance for unnecessary TOs. Throws some responsiblity on the players to solve the problem. The Jets will not be out prepared by any opponent - it's a matter of execution.
Still should have gone for 2 in that spot. Can't leave it at a 2 score game when youre a half yard away. At the very worst, you know you'll get another chance because there is no way Tennessee is starting a big drive there.
I knew things were different on that 3rd down play. It was like 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 2, and Chad threw that fade to the left sideline. They passed on 3rd and short! Great call.
This is what I have been preaching for 3 month's now..We may get beat because we don't quite have enough studs in the stable yet, but we will not be out coached , unprepared, or outhustled..not with EM running this show..The right guy is finally the COACH..period
Chad said after the game he has learned a lot about playing under centre from Schotty......that says to me that previously we now have coaches who are actually doing what their role says it is. It is only one game, but at the very least, watching the Jets this year should bring its fair share of highpoints, rather than the continual lows we had last season.
