What a difference a couple of weeks can make in the National Football League.\u00a0 Two weeks ago the New York Jets were considered by many to be one of the best teams in the NFL.\u00a0 Now after back to back disappointing losses to the Patriots and Dolphins panic buttons are being pressed throughout Jets nation.\u00a0 So where did it all go wrong?<\/p>\n
Lack of identity-<\/strong> Last year when a team played the New York Jets they knew it was going to be a tough, physical game.\u00a0 Rex Ryan preached “ground and pound” and the team did just that.\u00a0 This year the team truly lacks an identity on both sides of the ball.\u00a0 On offense it seems that at times Gang Green becomes enamored with the passing game, which has taken away from the run first philosophy.\u00a0 Defensively the Jets have struggled, especially against the pass, which does not bode well for a team with aggressive play calling.\u00a0 If the Jets are going to right the ship, they need to get back to basics: smash mouth football supported by a physical defense.<\/p>\n Offensive problems-<\/strong> It is no secret that the Jets offense has struggled of late and to most the problems are pretty obvious.<\/p>\n 1) Offensive line play-<\/strong> If the Jets are going to implement their “ground and pound” ways, the offensive line must dominate the battles at the line of scrimmage.\u00a0 In addition the line must do a better job of protecting the quarterback.\u00a0 Lost in all of the criticism of Mark Sanchez is the fact that the young quarterback is often found running around the pocket trying to make a play.\u00a0 The offensive line must clean up their mistakes and get back to their physical ways.\u00a0 Of course the injury to Damien Woody will make this a difficult task.<\/p>\n 2) Offensive play calling-<\/strong> Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is once again taking some heat for his play calling and rightfully so.\u00a0 The game plans have become predictable, and there are many times that it seems like Schotty has lost a feel for the game.\u00a0 A perfect example is the repeated use of the wildcat formation that continues to be ineffective.\u00a0 To keep putting a young quarterback in 2nd and 3rd and long situations is just a bad idea, as the results have dictated.\u00a0 Enough with the gimmicks and fancy packages, streamline the offense and get back\u00a0 to what made you successful last year.\u00a0 Run the ball with authority, which will open up the passing game.<\/p>\n 3) Performance of the receivers-<\/strong> Lost in the hysteria of\u00a0 Santonio Holmes late game heroics is the fact that the Jets receivers have had a very inconsistent season in terms of catching the ball.\u00a0 Dropped passes are drive killers and Gang Green’s receivers must do a better job holding on to the ball.<\/p>\n 4) Quarterback struggles-<\/strong> It was only a matter of time before Mark Sanchez cooled down a bit as you could not expect his turnover free performances to continue.\u00a0 At the same time the young signal caller is starting to get back to his erratic ways which includes poor footwork and bad decisions.\u00a0 Sanchez must clean up his game and limit his turnovers going forward.\u00a0 Of course improved pass protection and a reduction in dropped passes would go a long way in helping Mark out.<\/p>\n Defensive problems-<\/strong> The Jets seem to have lost some of their mystique on defense as teams are going right after them.\u00a0 The pass rush has struggled and the secondary continues to give up big plays in the passing game.\u00a0 Gang Green must find a way to generate some type of pass rush without giving up huge plays.\u00a0 Personally I would like to see Jason Taylor get more snaps as it appears he is always around the ball when something positive happens.<\/p>\n Coaching issues-<\/strong> Rex Ryan loves to capture headlines, but now he is getting them for all of the wrong reasons.\u00a0 The Jets coaching staff has had some issues of late and they are as follows:<\/p>\n 1) Team preparation-<\/strong> For whatever reason the New York Jets continue to start out slowly in games.\u00a0 The team as a whole comes out flat and it usually takes up to halftime until adjustments are made.\u00a0 Rex Ryan and his staff must do a better job of getting the team ready to play as they cannot continue to start out slowly if they want to be successful.<\/p>\n 2) Game management-<\/strong> Over the last couple of weeks the Jets have made several time management blunders that had several people looking for Herman Edwards and Dick Curl on the sidelines.\u00a0 Whether it was blown timeouts, wasted challenges, or incorrect decisions on penalties, the coaching staff has made their fair share of mistakes.\u00a0 Some of these mistakes could come from inexperience but it does not take much to realize that Nick Folk is not going to make a 58 yard field goal in New England.<\/p>\n Can the Jets take back off?<\/strong> It is not pretty in the land of Gang Green as many are already starting to predict a late season collapse.\u00a0 The Jets are 9-4 and still have a very good chance to make the playoffs if they can clean up some of their mistakes.\u00a0 This is a talent laden team that has the potential to be a serious threat in the AFC.\u00a0 Of course it will not be easy as Gang Green has two very difficult road games ahead, where they could be blown out if they do not play well.\u00a0 I think Rex Ryan needs to start holding everyone accountable and get his team back to the basics of “ground and pound.”\u00a0 The Jets need to start talking with their power on the field, not with their words in the newspapers.\u00a0 It will not be easy, but it is possible.<\/p>\n All is not lost just yet Jets fans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What a difference a couple of weeks can make in the National Football League.\u00a0 Two weeks ago the New York Jets were considered by many to be one of the best teams in the NFL.\u00a0 Now after back to back disappointing losses to the Patriots and Dolphins panic buttons are being pressed throughout Jets nation.\u00a0 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