Favre, Jets Not There Yet

The world for the New York Jets couldn't have looked much better shortly after their game against the New England Patriots started yesterday. A stellar opening drive, big chunks of yards against their biggest rivals and in the big picture, the AFC seemingly up for grabs. But then a ball sailed wide right and everything changed in a matter of about four quarters...

It was a frustrating afternoon for the New York Jets and their fans. Not only did they lose their home opener and Brett Favre's Meadowlands debut to the Tomy Brady-less Patriots, no, they also had to realize that it takes more to be a good team than just throwing out a lot of money over the summer. It takes time, hours, days and weeks for a team to grow together and to become a unit. Not only in the locker room but even more important on the field. Now in the Jets' case there is especially one piece to the puzzle that doesn't fit in yet: Brett Favre. As the quarterback he is the engine of the offense and he needs to be on the same page with the other parts of Gang Green's attack. The problem right now, while you see flashes of fitting together and positive plays, Favre and his new receiving core aren't really clicking with each other just yet. Remember Brett Favre in his last year in Green Bay, where he developed outstanding chemistry with his young Packers receivers?! Every slant, every out route, every pass looked crisp. That's what chemistry, a lot of practice and thousands of reps do for you. Favre, who arrived late in training camp, just doesn't have enough work under his belt with Jerricho Cotchery and the rest of the Jets receivers. So even though yesterday's offensive output was putrid, the Jets have to realize that it isn't surprising that their offense is struggling and that it will take some time to integrate Favre.

The defense suffered from the bad execution on offense and definitely showed encouraging signs yesterday. Yes, they were beaten by the same screen pass again and again but other than that the Jets D looked really strong. Their performance should even be more rewarded considering how little help they got from their offense and their special teams. Numerous times the Patriots started their drive in Jets territory and they also spent a lot more time on the field than Favre and company. Sure, LaMont Jordan got his yards when the Jets defense got tired at the end of the game but before that New England got no push at all up front. Or where were the 5 to 10 yards run we got used to seeing the last couple of years against a Jets defense?! The front seven also did a great job of pressuring the quarterback which resulted in numerous hurries and sacks. But just like with the offense, it will take some time until the defense really works perfectly together. Blitz packages need to be refined, pre snap communication has to get better and formations have to be trained. But again, so far the Jets show all the signs of a potentially dominant defense. Kris Jenkins at the nose tackle spot is basically unblockable and Calvin Pace is a force at outside linebacker. Cornerback Darrelle Revis also showed once again why he is considered as one of the top young cover corners in the NFL, limiting Randy Moss to just two catches. The potential to get better is also there, considering that rookie Vernon Gholston hasn't been more than a situational player in the first two weeks.

So far, so good. A little optimistic and positive, don't you think?! Well, maybe, but in my opinion it's foolish to doom a season after just two games, as frustrating as a loss to the hated Patriots may be. Especially since the Patriots, despite what the media wants you to believe, are nothing to write home about so far. Many of their starters are aging and no win against a horrible Kansas City team (how can you lose to Oakland?) and an unprepared Jets team can change that. They deserved to win yesterday, no question, but their performance was far from impressive.

Even though a lot of factors explain the Jets loss yesterday, some things that happened at Giants Stadium were just inexcusable. There was for example the play calling. How come Favre was throwing screens left and right even though the Pats didn't get a single bit of pass rush early on?! How come head coach Eric Mangini calls Thomas Jones' number three times in a first and goal from the three yard line?! Yes, the same Thomas Jones who had all of one TD last season. Then why do the Jets have to waste timeouts in the most improbable of situations?! A lot of questions to which the answers have to be given on the field. Even though Eric Mangini didn't have his best day, the most frustrating part was the Jets' kicking game. Newly aquired kicker Jay Feely missed a 31 field goal on the opening drive, basically setting the tone for the entire game and taking a lot of life from the stadium. Punter Ben Graham didn't want to be left behind and thought that he could screw up even worse than Feely. 20 yard punts, head starts for the return man, terrible location - Graham's performance could fill entire video tapes that show how not to punt. Yes, it was that bad! Another thing that the Jets lacked yesterday was the certain fire you need to win a rivalry game. The Patriots did a good job of taking any emotion out of the game and they succeeded. Only a few Jets were ready for the challenge and played like it. Passion, will to win and confidence shouldn't require a training camp to be developed. But then again, maybe it takes a little longer for a 4-12 team from last season...