Jets get “whupped”, look to rally against Phins

By Jonathan Solomon  |   Tuesday, September 13, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Jets
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The New York Jets' play in their season opener against Kansas City can be easily summed up in a single quote. Coach Herm Edwards said "They took us behind the woodshed and whupped us," and that's exactly what the Chiefs did. The score was only 27-7 but it felt a lot worse.

Quarterback Chad Pennington played in his first NFL regular season game featuring the shotgun formation and it didn't make a single difference. Pennington was chased around the field all day long thanks to a greatly improved Chiefs defense. Six fumbles, only two lost, along with an interception spelled trouble for the Jets franchise QB. Had it not been for backup QB Jay Fiedler who came into the game later on in a relief appearance, the Jets would have been shut out for the first time in nearly ten years.

The rushing game wasn't much better. Future Hall of Famer, Curtis Martin averaged less than three yards per rush on 20 attempts, not a good follow-up to a NFL league leading season in 2004. The only bright spot for the Jets offense was tight end Chris Baker. Baker caught seven receptions for over 100 yards and a score.

Two rookies, CB Justin Miller and punter Ben Graham, also pitched in on special teams. Miller did a tremendous job on kick returns averaging 30 yards on six returns and Graham did an excellent job of making sure Chiefs return specialist Dante Hall was not effective. Another positive note was that the New York Jets were able to leave the game without any significant injuries.

The Jets defense, which was expected to be the strong point of the team, struggled against the best run blocking offensive line in the NFL. Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson combined to rush for 195 yards and three scores on 31 rushes. The loss of defensive tackle Jason Ferguson this off-season figured to be a key factor but it was tough to watch the two Chiefs run around freely the way they did.

Rookie kicker Mike Nugent struggled as well, missing two field goals. One attempt was just plain botched by the former Ohio State Buckeye captain. It looked as if nerves got a hold of the kid so Jet fans shouldn't worry too much about him.

New Jets corner Ty Law caught his first interception in green, taking away a potential touchdown in the end zone from Chiefs QB Trent Green. Linebacker John Abraham returned to the field in limited action but secured his first sack of the season.

The New York Jets did not look pretty by any means and most, if not all Jet fans, will be crazed this week. My advice: It's only Week 1. At least on offense, the guys are continuing to learn the new system of Mike Heimerdinger. While the team doesn't exactly have one of the lighter schedules out there, expect them to improve in the coming weeks. They have to, don't they?

Look for Gang Green to take out all their anger out on Nick Saban's crew as the Jets jump right into division action next week at home versus those evil Miami Dolphins.
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