From what I saw (whole 1st half, then I fell asleep as I watched the game), the Jets were looking good. Clemens was throwing the ball well, as I saw his TD pass to Stuckey (nice catch by him). Leon Washington was running the ball very well from what I saw. That 86 yard kickoff return was great, which led to the Jets first score of the night by Thomas Jones, who also ran well for the time he played. Jones + Washington is going to be nice this season, that's for sure.
There was a big runback on a punt (that was eventually called back for penalties) and Big Ben made the tackle...he was pissed off at the runback.
Pouha still sucks. In my opinion, Clemens is good enough to play right now. He was a 2nd round pick last year. In the salary cap era guys drafted that early should be able to play before their 3rd season. Alas, I don't know that he's going to get that chance. Pennington may play well and stay healthy.
I liked what I saw of Bender. He was definitely swimming in the deep end at times and almost got Kellen killed a couple of others, but on Ware's 23 yeard run, he shot off and knocked the DE 10-12 yards backwards with one block. Just sent him flying. The dude is definitely powerful and I bet is starting at RT before the season is over (although he might be better suited for RG). Holy crap. that block was awesome!
I don't know, after watching Brad Smith take a few consecutive snaps, I have to admit the prospect of having him as our 3rd QB going into this season, considering Chad's fragility, is a bit frightening. He looked terrified of throwing the ball, that in a preseason game just doesn't bode well. But it's just one game, so I'm not set in stone on any position yet. Which is why I also won't write off Tuia yet either.
All I can say is thank god for the kick return game! Leon washington is a legitamate baller. the offense was exploring that was plian to see. I kept screaming throw the ball chad and here came another run play. You know what If thats what they wanted to find out so be it. All and all it was what I expected. Clemmens got the extended playing time to see whats in the his game and Im satisfied. The trick play was done in the proper place and it didnt cost us anything. By the way Mangini looks thin. Maybe he's on that Nutra system diet ?
If a team is down to its 3rd QB, the season's pretty much over anyway. I will write off Tuiasosucko. I've seen enough of this guy at Washington and Oakland to safely say he sucks.
pouha played well on about half of his plays (I was really focusing on him). Of course, that is not nearly good enough. But given that this was his first game action in nearlt 2 years, I'm willing to suspend judgement for a few more games. Rustiness is to be expected this game.
On that run, Ware looked better than he ever did at Georgia. He showed some nice elusiveness on that play.
Yeah it's pretty clear that with Pouha (at 28 years old no less) what you see is what you get, and that is basically... meh! As for Clemens, again I'm torn, the delivery is their, the zip, the accuracy (for the most part), the physical tools etc. They're all there. But he looked way too jittery. He was hit a couple of times on some of those floaters he threw, I agree that if he had to start the season he probably could, but he would struggle mightily early on, but with a bit of time, trial by fire would probably produce something special. As things stand, I'm glad the Jets can afford to sit him another year though.
That goes without question, but theres always the possibility that it's a one game scenario type of deal. In that case you still have to go with the guy better equipped to run an offense more efficiently. That's not a case for or against Tuia or Smith though, still plenty of time before a decision has to be made.
Clemens: I though he looked pretty good, borderline very good. I would not give up on the season if Penny went down. He had the advantage of playing against a very inexperienced Facon D backfield, but even with that, I thought he looked good, and you sure can't whine about his stat line. Clemens is a bona fide #2 QB. He only made one bad decision, which should have been intercepted. He was in control, and looked comfortable. On the two fade pass TD's, he had a touch on the ball that was very Chad-like. (The first one reulted in a PI call on Brad Smith, then TJ ran it in, so call it one fade pass TD) Running Game: Same as last year. This team can't run effectively between the tackles. The O line just can't open any holes. The rushing stat line in the first half was awful it the 3 scrambles by Brad Smith at QB are removed. Call me unconvinced. I think Leon is as good as TJ. Pouha: HUH? He played very well, and I was keying on him. He held ground and soaked up two linemen on running plays. On one play, it was because Pouha had clogged the middle that Coleman was able to circle around and make the tackle from the DE spot. He also had a tackle for no gain. He didn't get a lot of penetration on passing plays, but was usually tying up two linemen, and stayed in his rushing lane... very important in the D scheme to stay there and not allow the QB to take off up the middle. On one play he was in persuit and the QB had to throw the ball away as he neared the sideline. How many NT's can do that? I thought Pouha showed a lot tonight. Within the scheme, he played very well, a bright spot. WR's: I've been on the Stuckey bandwagon since he was drafted. He looks to be even better than I thought he would be. Wright made some nice catches. Jackson had one as well. I may have to reconsider my opinion of McCariens. I still want to see more, but he has shown up. Too bad one of them will likely get cut or traded.... I like the whole group. On the Falcons side, WR Laurent Robinson and RB Snelling impressed me a lot. Robinson showed great hands, and that inate ability to make plays. Snelling I knew was a big back, but he's also pretty fast for a big guy, showed some wiggle, and is tough to bring down. A Norwood/Snelling backfield could be a very potent combo. Thought Redmond looked good too. Defense: These guys are making life hard for Mangini.... they are all playing tough and making plays. I'm not buying into any of this nonsense that Harris is on the third team. Mangini motivational ploy. Haynes had the batted pass that resulted in an INT, Wadsworth played well, as did Spencer. Bowens might have been the only disappointment, but he didn't play horribly either. I'm not sure he's suited for the nickle or dime though... he seems to be confused when dropping into coverage. Conclusion: Mostly positive... the run D looks a bit better, but is still vulnerable to a big back like Snelling, the patchwork DB's did OK, the passing game looks good again, but... and this is this team's biggest weaknes... we can't run between the tackles. I'll say it again... we needed to get a lineman for the right side much more than we needed an LB like Harris... but water under the bridge now.
Same here. However, I'm guessing the Jets are confident with the route relationships Chad has with Coles, Cotchery, and McCareins and didn't think it was necessary for him to pass this early. Practicing the run with Jones seems more important at this point considering the former points.
It's funny how people can watch the same thing, and so often came away with such drastically different opinions. I keyed in on Pouha as well, I saw him absorb double teams, and watch those same double teams push him clear of the line of scrimmage by 2 or 3 yards. I didn't think he was terrible, I didn't think he was good either. All in all I came away with the impression that he was pretty mediocre going up against Falcons 2nd stringers.
Great post T-Bird! I agree Harris is a second teamer- not a third. The Dl guys seemed preoccupied with keeping their lanes, and played a little too soft. The OL is also still too soft when it comes to opening holes for the runnig game. Everytihng in your post is pretty spot on. I saw some of what you saw in Pouha, and some of what the poster above me saw, too. The first team Atlanta offense looked like a Petrino team when they were in there, moving the ball.
