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Jets' plan is to keep 'old guy' upright -- and it's working
1h
Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- So the New York Jets have allowed only two sacks in four games. That's pretty good, considering their total was 47 last season.
"Pretty cool," right tackle Breno Giacomini said of the improvement.
What's going on here? Seven of the 11 starters are the same as last year, including four on the offensive line, yet they're a different team when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Three reasons why they've allowed only two sacks:
1. Offensive line: The only new starter is left guard James Carpenter, so they're basically doing it with the same personnel as 2014. Therein lies one of the reasons why it's clicking -- continuity. Look around the NFL and you will see many teams that had to rebuild their lines in the offseason. Such is life in the free-agency era. ESPN analyst Bill Polian has said on multiple occasions that offensive-line play in the league is at an all-time low. Many teams are breaking in young players, leading to mistakes. The Jets' starting five isn't perfect, but each starter has at least four years experience. That matters. They also have a Yoda-like player in the middle, center Nick Mangold, who makes the line calls. He has "an offensive coordinator mind and a quarterback mind," guard Willie Colon said. "That's what makes him so great."
Collectively, they've been giving Ryan Fitzpatrick time in the pocket, and that's the most important thing. Proof: The Jets' average time from snap to release of the ball is 2.76 seconds, second-best in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
"We take pride in keeping an old guy like Fitz up," Colon said. "He's old like us and it's our job to keep him clean and keep him upright."
Ryan Fitzpatrick's decision-making is a big part of why the Jets have allowed only two sacks so far this season. Paul Sancya/AP
2. Fitzpatrick: He's a huge reason for the improvement. It's hard to sack him because he sees the field so well and generally makes sound decisions, knowing when and where to throw. That's what separates him from Geno Smith, who was responsible for many of last year's sacks. Pre-snap, Fitzpatrick has the ability to diagnose blitzes, allowing them to adjust their protection schemes. That's why you've seen very few unblocked blitzers. Post-snap, he "never sits back there," Colon said. "Fitz knows where he's going with the ball right away." He also has escaped sacks with his scrambling.
There's a tradeoff with Fitzpatrick. You know he's going to throw interceptions -- that's his history -- but he'll save negative plays with his ability to avoid sacks.
"I think our line has done a good job with protection and I think Fitz understands where the ball needs to go and it needs to get out," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. "It's probably a combination of all that."
3. The system: Gailey's system is predicated on quick throws. It doesn't happen all the time -- they're among the leaders in long-pass attempts -- but it's the general philosophy. By spreading the field with three, four and sometimes five receivers, they create more options for the quarterback. They can also force teams to play man-to-man coverage, which makes for easier reads for the quarterback. And let's not forget about the receivers, their most talented group in years. While they don't have anyone in the regular rotation with the ability to gain quick separation off the line of scrimmage, they have big targets such as Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker who can use their size to make catches even when they're covered.
http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork-jet...an-is-to-keep-old-guy-upright-and-its-working
1h
Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- So the New York Jets have allowed only two sacks in four games. That's pretty good, considering their total was 47 last season.
"Pretty cool," right tackle Breno Giacomini said of the improvement.
What's going on here? Seven of the 11 starters are the same as last year, including four on the offensive line, yet they're a different team when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Three reasons why they've allowed only two sacks:
1. Offensive line: The only new starter is left guard James Carpenter, so they're basically doing it with the same personnel as 2014. Therein lies one of the reasons why it's clicking -- continuity. Look around the NFL and you will see many teams that had to rebuild their lines in the offseason. Such is life in the free-agency era. ESPN analyst Bill Polian has said on multiple occasions that offensive-line play in the league is at an all-time low. Many teams are breaking in young players, leading to mistakes. The Jets' starting five isn't perfect, but each starter has at least four years experience. That matters. They also have a Yoda-like player in the middle, center Nick Mangold, who makes the line calls. He has "an offensive coordinator mind and a quarterback mind," guard Willie Colon said. "That's what makes him so great."
Collectively, they've been giving Ryan Fitzpatrick time in the pocket, and that's the most important thing. Proof: The Jets' average time from snap to release of the ball is 2.76 seconds, second-best in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
"We take pride in keeping an old guy like Fitz up," Colon said. "He's old like us and it's our job to keep him clean and keep him upright."
Ryan Fitzpatrick's decision-making is a big part of why the Jets have allowed only two sacks so far this season. Paul Sancya/AP
2. Fitzpatrick: He's a huge reason for the improvement. It's hard to sack him because he sees the field so well and generally makes sound decisions, knowing when and where to throw. That's what separates him from Geno Smith, who was responsible for many of last year's sacks. Pre-snap, Fitzpatrick has the ability to diagnose blitzes, allowing them to adjust their protection schemes. That's why you've seen very few unblocked blitzers. Post-snap, he "never sits back there," Colon said. "Fitz knows where he's going with the ball right away." He also has escaped sacks with his scrambling.
There's a tradeoff with Fitzpatrick. You know he's going to throw interceptions -- that's his history -- but he'll save negative plays with his ability to avoid sacks.
"I think our line has done a good job with protection and I think Fitz understands where the ball needs to go and it needs to get out," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. "It's probably a combination of all that."
3. The system: Gailey's system is predicated on quick throws. It doesn't happen all the time -- they're among the leaders in long-pass attempts -- but it's the general philosophy. By spreading the field with three, four and sometimes five receivers, they create more options for the quarterback. They can also force teams to play man-to-man coverage, which makes for easier reads for the quarterback. And let's not forget about the receivers, their most talented group in years. While they don't have anyone in the regular rotation with the ability to gain quick separation off the line of scrimmage, they have big targets such as Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker who can use their size to make catches even when they're covered.
http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork-jet...an-is-to-keep-old-guy-upright-and-its-working
