Jets Held Back On O, Let Loose On D

If Chan Gailey were any more conservative, he could step in for Scott Walker in the next GOP clown-car debate. Gailey, the Jets’ first-year offensive coordinator and a former head coach in Dallas and Buffalo, turned the Amish Rifle into a pop gun last night, as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was mostly relegated to dinking-and-dunking duty in the Jets’ 20-7 win over the Colts.

Fitzpatrick managed to rack up 244 passing yards on his 34 attempts, but much of those came after the catch, with primary target Brandon Marshall getting more than half of his 101 yards after receiving the pigskin.

In 11 possessions, Gang Green managed just two TDs and two FGs, even though they often played on a short field because the Colts couldn’t seem to hold on to the ball.

In Gailey’s defense, Fitzpatrick doesn’t have the arm of an Andrew Luck. When the Rifle lets one fly, it can sometimes be about as scary as when Dick Cheney does.

Still, the Jets’ new QB has proven himself to be smart, tough and able, and, given that the team will surely be facing tougher opponents than the Colts, whose offensive line gave new meaning to the word “offensive,” Gailey might want to loosen the reins just a bit.

The reins couldn’t have been any looser on the other side of the ball, where new DC Kacy Rodgers’ unit was dominant for most of the contest. While Luck somehow finished the game without getting sacked, the Jets made things miserable for the vaunted QB, essentially setting up shop in his much-pocked pocket.

Gang Green’s front 7 has a much easier job than they did a year ago, now that the team’s defensive backfield has turned from a liability into a cornerstone. For those who wondered why it was necessary to sign three CBs to big-money deals in the offseason (yes, I raised my hand on that one), Buster Skrine answered in resounding fashion Sunday. Skrine proved he’s anything but a third wheel, as the five-year NFL vet was equally adept at pressuring Luck and blanketing Colts receivers.

Oh yeah, some guy named Revis did OK too.

The Jets also appear much-improved at safety, with new additions Marcus Gilchrist and Calvin Pryor making their presence felt. OK, I know, Pryor was already here last season, though you’d never know it by the way he played. The jury may still be out on John Idzik’s final first-round pick, but the second-year DB come a long way in a short time.

The D should get even stouter when Sheldon Richardson’s suspension ends in a few weeks.

The O, meanwhile should become more effective as newcomers like Fitzpatrick and Marshall grow more comfortable with each other. So Chan, relax and let the Rifle take a few shots downfield now and then.

Contact Us