Catch Up

It's been a little while since my last post on this site, so I decided to take some time out of my day for a quick recap of some issues that are outstanding.

The Jets have had a couple of preseason games since we last saw each other, with very different results.

Against the Colts, the Jets Defense returned somewhat to earlier form, by getting run over in the first half. James ran all over the field and all over the Jets. Missed tackles and John Abraham all contributed to the disaster for the run defense. The Secondary actually impressed a little bit. Getting a big pick off of Peyton Manning.

The Giants game was a tale of a different defense. The Jets D had a field day with Eli Manning on the field. The Jets looked quick and alert, and impressed this skeptical fan. I've always thought the third preseason game was always the key, since the starters are basically ready, and there is not yet the cautiousness that comes into play during the forth game. It's usually a barometer on how the team is progressing. The Defense is making big strides. But it's a marathon. Building a defense is a marathon.

Some other notes:

Curtis Martin is getting a ton of carries this preseason. For any normal back, this would be alarming. But this veteran seems to play his best when he is either 1) hurt or 2) tired. Let's just be safe, and keep Curtis tired, not injured.

Lamont Jordan is still on this team, and still mopping around Hofstra. Please trade this guy.

The Secondary is going to have some young exciting players playing a lot. Reggie Tongue has all but lost his job to rookie SS Coleman. And since Ray Mickens is a little banged up, Derrick Strait will be used more often than not as a nickel back.

Wayne Chrebet is doing terrible apparently. His thigh (or whatever that is that's hurt) is doing poorly. I won't be surprised if he doesn't come back until after the first couple of weeks of the season. Even then, what can you expect from a guy coming back from post concussion syndrome, and someone who hasn't been hit in game action in a year? I think it's a great time for Jerricho Cotchery to step up and become a good possession receiver in his first year.

After years of watching John Hall and pulling my hair out, it's really refreshing to have Doug Brien on your team. We maybe giving up some longer field goals, but in the end, the consistency makes up for that. He has been 6 for 6 in the preseason.

Jets are close to signing Chad Pennington and possibly Shaun Ellis to extensions. I'm glad to hear that. Also glad to hear the Jets may not even bother to talk to John Abraham about an extension. Good. Talk about the biggest one dimensional player on this team (along with Bryan Thomas, remember him?). He cannot, under any circumstances, stop the run.

I'll leave reiterating my excitement about this Jets Defense. Joe (my fellow contributor to this blog) has gotten me even more excited. How? He actually mentioned to me how happy he was with the development of this defense. Joe is usually level headed about such things, so his saying that really makes me stand up and take notice. It should be a fun season.

Next game vs. Philly on Friday night. "Just don't hurt yourself" should be the motto.