The Student of the GameGoing Beyond the Stats

The buzz in this Monday night Match-up was dominated by talk of the New York Jets’ defense who’ve kept opponents grounded and the SpanAm subject QB Mark Sanchez, the kid they call ‘Sanchize’, as the apparent future and present of the Gangreen franchise. And in fairness the rookie, already ordained superstar by many (me included), had a solid night managing the game throwing 12 completions in 24 attempts for 50% with 172 yards and a TD representing his ‘nation’ well during the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Night. But Miami Dolphin QB Chad Henne’s numbers at 20 completions of 26 attempts for 77% with 241 yards and 2 TDs, was a strong part of a balanced ‘Phin attack in a down-to-the-wire win over their divisions rivals 30-27.
Don’t let the close score fool you though, fans; the domination imposed by the Miami offense was much greater than indicated by the score and the 5 lead changes in the 4th quarter. With more than 413 yards and a 64% 3rd down completion percentage (9 of 14), the revolving door that was the Dolphin sideline due to constant rotations in offensive formations including the always imitated but never duplicated Wildcat offense, there could be those who would argue that the gadget plays threw the Jets defense for a loop. The same defense that had media in Boston fearing that Patriots QB Tom ‘Golden Boy’ Brady was a fraction of himself. The only fraction produced involving Brady and the Jets ‘D’ in this Monday Miami Meeting was 1/3 – as in Brady’s QB rating was less than 1/3 that of Henne’s 130.6.
The Miami O-line made the Jets look more like puddle-jumpers throwing defenders about like smooth rocks skipping them about the field as if was a green lake. The benefeiciaries being RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams who were the top forces for a ground game the delivered 151 yards. Ronnie continued to answer the challenging question, ‘What can Brown do for you?” with versatility going 21 carries for 74 yards and 2 TDs (including the game-winner) at around 3.5 per carry in addition to 3 catches for 14 yards and 21 passing yards on a completion out of the infamous Wildcat.
Williams continued one of the best season starts of his career showing focus that derserves the suspension of marijuana jokes at his expense. In fact, the only successful reference that might be made on the night was when he ‘got high’ hurtling over a defender to convert a 3rd down and 6 out of the Wildcat. The Phish’s ball-carrier recorded 11 carries gaining 68 yards at nearly 6.2 yards per carry while leading the Dolphin receiveing effort with 3 recepetions for 70 yards. Big receiving moments for the Phins were also provided by WR Ted Ginn Jr. (2 catches for 57 yards) who hauled in a 53-yard TD bomb and TE Anthony Fasano (4 catches for 38 yards)who contributed with a red zone 6 of his own.
But as receiving thrills go, for just the low price of a 3rd round pick, a 5th round pick, WR Chauncy Stuckey and a special teams player, I give you newly-acquired Jets WR Braylon Edwards who had some electric moments amoung his 5 catches for 64 yards where he reeled in a TD and was responsible for setting up 2 more (allbeit one of them from a phanton pass interference call). The New York offense relied on gadget plays 2 successful fake punts in the first quarter; one by P Steven Weatherford who ran for a huge gain to set up a TD on one drive and a snap to WR Brad Smith that set up a FG on the next. Brief flashes of success for the running game that didn’t occur on 4th down were provided by RBs Leon Washington (10 carries, 44 yards, 4.4 a carry) and Thomas Jones (13 carries, 42 yards, 3.2 per carry), but a poor call along with 2 circus-style plays account for 17 points that would have made more apparent the Dolphin dominion over Landshark Stadium if they weren’t on the board.
With back-to-back loses, the Jets are hoping to fly-high against the Bills and gain back some ground against the Bills while Miami can rest their Phins in the tank during next week’s bye week after winning 2 straight division contests allowing themselves an opportunity to climb back into battle with the Patriots for the AFC East with their revolutionary offense.