Second Half Goals

by Alanschech

The Jets move into the second half of the season at 1-8, any hope at the playoffs gone by the wayside. They have a new quarterback, a linebacker on injured reserve, and not very much good happening at all. This will be a good test for the Mangini regime, they were very good last year after a 4-4 start before the bye, going 6-2 after the bye leading to a 10-6 record and a playoff spot. How will they do playing out the balance of the year in the spoiler role? We shall soon find out. Here are some things that we need to see in the final seven games:

Include Thomas Jones

In the offseason, the Jets made one of their best trades in recent memory, trading for perennial 1,000 yard rusher from the Bears, Thomas Jones, and not even giving up a high pick for him. And then, they don't consistently give him the ball? Why not? In the final section of games, please give him the ball at least 20 times per game. A ball carrier needs carries to get in the flow. In 2 out of the 3 games in which Thomas Jones carried the ball over 20 times, he ran for over 100 yards. Let the offensive line have a chance to do it's thing, and let Thomas Jones do his over the last 7 games.

Give the Kid the Playbook, and Let Him Play

We know the story by now, Chad Pennington out, Kellen Clemens in. We can't go backwards, Clemens is now the quarterback, and will be for at least the near future. Time to see what he can do. Let the kid play over the final 7 games, and let's see what kind of quarterback we have. That being said, don't keep the reigns on him. Bryan and the Manginious need to give him the freedom to show us what he can do. Don't limit him with the playbook, give him the reigns to make all his checks at the line, let him do what he does, and let's see if he is the quarterback we need.

Defense Anyone?

Time to really see if this team is adapting to Bob Sutton's defensive scheme, because all evidence so far this year is no. They are ranked 30th in the league to date, and have not consistently shown they can stop anyone, especially against the run, ranking last in the league giving up an average of over 152 yards per game. Last season, the team made excellent adjustments during the bye, becoming one of the stingiest defenses in the league down the stretch as they drove for the playoffs. The defense needs to show what they have and what they don't as we prepare for a high draft pick.

Play Spoiler

It's very tempting to root for the team to lose the rest of their games and earn the number one pick. However, wouldn't it be great to see our team beat the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving? Or, picture this, the Jets go into Foxboro in December and ruin a Patriots perfect season? I know that would make my winter in the wake of a lost season.

Let's see what the Jets come up with in the last seven games. I am sure that we all will be watching.