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The Jets could make a play for Stafford, unfortunately for the Jets there is no feasible way that the Rams could trade Stafford. He has a 106 million dollar dead cap hit.
The Jets made a play for Rodgers and it didn't turn out. They have to coach Wilson up.
Cover 7 | Tuesday A daily NFL destination that provides in-depth analysis of football’s biggest stories. Each Tuesday, Ted Nguyen analyzes the best and worst coaching decisions he saw during the week’s games.
Games are won and lost by coaching decisions made every week. Crucial fourth-down decisions, play calling and game plan design are how coaches make their money. In Week 1, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell sent a message to the rest of the league, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel befuddled the Los Angeles Chargers with a simple motion, and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz put his stamp on the defense. Here’s a breakdown of the decisions I liked and disliked most during this weekend’s games.
Likes
Dan Campbell’s gutsy fake punt
With 9:27 remaining in the first quarter of the opening game of the season, Campbell let his team and the rest of the league know what sort of season this was going to be. The Lions are going to be aggressive and unpredictable — a dangerous combination.
The Lions got the look they wanted on a punt with the Kansas City Chiefs lining up light up front. Kansas City linebackers Cam Jones (227 pounds) and Drue Tranquill lined up over the “guards,” and safety Chamarri Conner (206 pounds) lined up off the ball over the center. The Lions had heavier players up front and just wedge-blocked the Chiefs’ front. Detroit got a nice push for linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who took the direct snap and fell forward for the first down.
The Lions scored their first touchdown of the game on that drive. Considering they only scored on two offensive drives the entire game, this fourth-down gamble was a key factor in winning the game on the road.
Jim Schwartz’s blitzing Joe Burrow
The Browns were 22nd in defensive EPA (0.00) per play last season. Against a talented Cincinnati Bengals offense, their EPA per play was 0.47, the highest in the NFL in Week 1. They made Joe Burrow’s life miserable.
The Browns added a lot of talent to their front four, signing defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and trading for edge Za’Darius Smith. Both were impactful against the run and the pass and amplified the threat of All-Pro Myles Garrett. The addition of Schwartz also helps this pass rush because he brings an aggressive upfield mentality to this defense. He created one-on-ones for his talented pass rushers and havoc for the Bengals’ protection with relentless blitzing. The Browns blitzed at the third-highest rate in Week 1 (41.2 percent), a significant increase from the Browns’ average blitz rate last season (24.9 percent).
Teams typically don’t blitz the Bengals because Burrow has shown he can slice it up. Last season, he was only blitzed on 15.6 percent of passes (lowest in the NFL), but Schwartz stayed true to who he is, trusted his pass rushers and secondary, and caused Burrow to have the worst game of his career.
Mike McDaniel’s short out motion
The Chargers were one of the only teams last season able to give the Dolphins offense trouble with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Part of their game plan last season was to press the Dolphins receivers to disrupt their timing. A clever tactic the Dolphins used to counter press coverage was a short out motion that gave their players a running start and didn’t give the defense any time to react.
Last season, McDaniel used fly motion to give Tyreek Hill a running start before the snap similar to how Arena League teams can have running starts, except Hill would have to run horizontally. This is an extremely productive strategy for them, not only on deep routes but on comeback routes as well because defensive backs would have to haul backward with Hill coming at them full speed. But defenses could rotate their safety toward the motion, which is what the Chargers did last season.
With the short motion outside to the same side rather than across the center, the Chargers didn’t have any time to react. McDaniel used it to get Hill free and create space for other receivers. McDaniel called this motion for multiple players and even got fullback Alec Ingold wide open on a coverage bust for a 19-yard gain using it. The Dolphins averaged 16.7 yards on the seven plays they used it.
Dislikes
Matt Canada’s testing the middle of the 49ers defense
Shallow cross is an old-school West Coast offense play designed to attack the middle of the defense. Against zone, it is supposed to stress the middle linebacker. The 49ers are predominately a zone team, but their inside linebacker is Fred Warner, who is the best coverage linebacker in football. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada called this play repeatedly, and Warner and the 49ers linebackers just shut it down. Last season, on short and intermediate pass attempts (under 15 yards), the 49ers defense was third in defensive EPA per dropback. Targeting that area of the field where Warner roams is not a good business model.
14:02 remaining in the first quarter, third-and-5
The over-the-ball route by Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth typically is quarterback Kenny Pickett’s first read on this play, and slot receiver Calvin Austin III is usually his second.
Warner did an excellent job of finding and squeezing Freiermuth as soon as he passed off the shallow route to linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Pickett waited for the concept to develop but got sacked on the play.
Canada called two variations of shallow cross eight times against the 49ers. On those plays, Pickett was 1-of-4 (25 percent), had one pass picked off, another nearly intercepted and was sacked twice. Shallow cross might be one of Pickett’s favorite concepts since college, but the scouting report should have told Canada not to call it too frequently, and based on the results, he should have gone away from it, but he kept calling it even on their final drive. At least they finally completed the last one for 10 yards.
Giants’ keeping Daniel Jones in the game late into a blowout
One of the biggest questions coming into the season for the Giants was their offensive line. Sunday night, they gave up a pressure on 78 percent of passing attempts against the Cowboys’ fearsome pass rush led by Micah Parsons. Daniel Jones didn’t play well, but he didn’t have much of a chance. Andrew Thomas, who is by far the Giants’ best offensive lineman, appeared to hurt his hamstring chasing down a blocked field goal attempt early in the game.
Thomas tried to gut it out and played on 53 of 70 offensive snaps. He eventually left the game after the third quarter with the Giants down 32-0. I understand leaving Thomas in until the game was completely out of hand, but I’m not sure why Jones was out there after several starters sat, down 40-0. Coach Brian Daboll said they were just trying to get something positive going, but leaving the quarterback hung out to dry with an overmatched offensive line didn’t make much sense, especially after sitting him all but one drive in the preseason to protect him. After the Giants were down by 40 points, Jones was sacked three times, took two hits and was tackled on a scramble.
Mike Vrabel’s deciding to kick a field goal down four points
With the Tennessee Titans trailing the New Orleans Saints by four points with 2:20 remaining in the game, Vrabel decided to kick a field goal to get within one point on fourth-and-6 with the ball on the Saints’ 11-yard line rather than go for it. The thought was they could get a stop with the two-minute warning and all three timeouts, but the Saints were able to get two first downs and run the clock out.
The Titans played well on defense for most of the day and the offense was able to get into field goal position five times, but the decision is surprising considering Vrabel is usually aggressive and an excellent game manager. Even if they got the stop, putting Ryan Tannehill in a passing situation would have been a tough ask. The Saints pressured him on 46 percent of dropbacks in the game. With the state of the Titans offense, they’ll be in a lot of these gritty games and they’ll need their coach to be more aggressive in similar situations.
Ted Nguyen is a NFL staff writer for The Athletic. He breaks down film to uncover the story that the X's and O's tell. He also covers the latest trends around the league and covers the draft. Follow Ted on Twitter @FB_FilmAnalysis
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
Yes, very curious to see what the Jets do with QB. Can’t bring back Tim Boyle and expect positive results!
The Vikings desperately traded for Sam Bradford a few years ago after Teddy Bridgewater went down. Surrendering a future 1st RD pick and more in the trade. Curious if the Jets do something like that or just sign Wentz.
Seriously doubt it’s realistic, but shit… if the Jets desperately want Bridgewater and offer a massive return… could be smart for the Lions to flip him with Hooker possibly back in week 5. I might consider it.
Yes, very curious to see what the Jets do with QB. Can’t bring back Tim Boyle and expect positive results!
The Vikings desperately traded for Sam Bradford a few years ago after Teddy Bridgewater went down. Surrendering a future 1st RD pick and more in the trade. Curious if the Jets do something like that or just sign Wentz.
Seriously doubt it’s realistic, but shit… if the Jets desperately want Bridgewater and offer a massive return… could be smart for the Lions to flip him with Hooker possibly back in week 5. I might consider it.
I wouldn't.
We got Hooker to get Jameson Williams used to how an athlete is supposed to prepare and play the game, and with his current 6-game suspension, he'll need Bridgewater to help get him up to speed with the current NFL season.
Like others have said online, did the New York Jets care when we went 0-16 the same year that Brett Favre was the QB in New York?
Aaron Rodger's season is probably over, and his injury is their problem, not the Detroit Lions.
Unless the Jets offered us a boatload of draft picks similar to the Matt Stafford trade, I wouldn't even answer their calls to us.
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
Updated September 12, 2023 at 11:47 a.m. EDT|Published September 12, 2023 at 11:14 a.m. EDT
Aaron Rodgers’s first season with the New York Jets officially is over, practically before it even began.
Testing confirmed the quarterback suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon in his left leg during his regular season debut Monday night for the Jets, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday. The certain Hall of Famer will not play again this season, and his NFL future is in doubt after he contemplated retirement in the offseason.
“Not the way any of us wanted it to go, but we know the commitment you’ve made to this team will continue to impact us moving forward,” the Jets said in a statement posted to social media Tuesday in which the team urged Rodgers to “(g)et well soon.”
The Jets said late Monday night that they expected an MRI exam to confirm their fear of an Achilles’ injury.
Rodgers left the field on a cart Monday after being injured on the Jets’ fourth offensive snap of their 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“The MRI is probably going to confirm what we think is probably going to happen,” Jets Coach Robert Saleh said during his postgame news conference Monday. “So prayers tonight. But it’s not good.”
The Jets initially announced Monday that Rodgers had suffered an ankle injury. They said X-rays were “negative” but ruled him out from returning to the game.
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
As much as I hated Rodgers making our lives miserable as Lions fans, I can’t help but feel bad. All offseason you could tell he was genuinely happy than he got to get a fresh start and you wanted to see what he does. It’s absolutely brutal for any QB to literally go down in the 1st game of the season with an injury Rodgers got.
Updated September 12, 2023 at 11:20 a.m. EDT | Published September 12, 2023 at 6:52 a.m. EDT
The party lasted four plays. Months of hope and rapture, all those Lombardi Trophy dreams, toppled along with Aaron Rodgers.
On a Monday night intended to celebrate his official arrival, the legend ran onto the field as the New York Jets quarterback during pregame introductions, carrying an American flag to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The MetLife Stadium lights were low, and somehow the atmosphere seemed equal parts solemn, raucous and iconic. After 18 Hall of Fame-worthy years in Green Bay, Rodgers wore a different shade of green, but the opponent envy must have felt the same. He was the show as usual, which meant the Jets mattered, at last.
Then, moments later, Buffalo Bills pass rusher Leonard Floyd wrapped up Rodgers, who couldn’t spin out of a sack. Rodgers rose, put his hands on his hips, looked toward the sideline and took a seat again on the turf. He lifted his legs and rested on his back. And for the rest of the night, he needed assistance — the shoulders of two medical staffers to guide him off the field, a cart to escort him to the X-ray room, a walking boot that will soon become an indispensable part of his wardrobe.
There is no envy anymore, only sympathy. And disappointment. As feared, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon when his left foot got twisted and stuck in the turf.
“It’s not good,” Coach Robert Saleh said Monday night.
No matter how polarizing Rodgers has become, the NFL is more entertaining when he’s being cool, kooky or clutch. Since becoming a starter 15 years ago, Rodgers has been a durable superstar, always lurking and seemingly unbothered. He has missed significant time twice, because of broken collarbones suffered in 2013 and 2017. Despite tussling with Father Time, he had played in all but one game the previous five seasons. Now, at 39, he has suffered the gnarliest setback of his career.
Well, at least the Jets will always have “Hard Knocks.”
They couldn’t have imagined this scenario: An HBO reality show that they really didn’t want to do could end up being the bright spot of their season. The training camp documentary was a love letter to Rodgers and persuasive evidence that these are not the same, defective Jets.
New York proved the latter by outlasting Buffalo, 22-16 in overtime, without Rodgers on Monday night. The Bills remain a championship contender, but they might be a diminished one now, especially with quarterback Josh Allen continuing to be too stubborn and impatient to play within himself. Allen committed four turnovers, forcing the issue against a shellshocked and emotionally diminished opponent that wouldn’t have beaten Buffalo without help. His mistakes enabled the Jets to muster the resolve to show who they are.
Their defense, led by safety Jordan Whitehead’s three interceptions, kept them in the game. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick relegated to backup duty, replaced Rodgers, played decent in key moments and avoided the flood of disastrous decisions that plagued him in the past. Running back Breece Hall rushed for 127 yards, and wide receiver Garrett Wilson turned a suspect throw into a miraculous touchdown reception to tie the game at 13. Later, in overtime, undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson ended it with a 65-yard punt return touchdown.
You saw the talent and fight that made Rodgers want to join the Jets. They have winning pieces. But concerns about their offensive line turned out to be valid. Rodgers couldn’t get through one possession without feeling the heat. Ten years ago, he could buy time and use that defensive pressure to his advantage. But he is the NFL’s oldest active player now. He needed a cleaner pocket. He absorbed one unlucky hit, and suddenly, the first season of a fascinating partnership will continue without him.
What are the Jets without Rodgers? We didn’t have time to figure out what they were with him.
For the opening three minutes and 45 seconds of the season, they were an experiment that inspired great curiosity. They enticed celebrities to leave their mansions for a football game. They made cynical fans start to believe. They brought all their athleticism and attitude to this stage and planned to make a statement against a rival that has recently owned the AFC East.
Then Rodgers went down. The clock flashed 11:15 in the first quarter. All of a sudden, the man who talked openly about “manifesting” a Super Bowl triumph with New York couldn’t stay upright.
The Jets showed something, and maybe that means they can be a game or two better than last season’s 7-10 record if Zach Wilson has matured or another quarterback comes in off the streets to stabilize them. They have a championship-caliber defense, and Garrett Wilson is an elite playmaker. But Rodgers was supposed to complete the offense. He’s a hole that cannot be plugged.
This injury will become the ultimate challenge of his dusking career. Shaquille O’Neal retired at 39 because of a persistent Achilles problem. Rodgers turns 40 in December, and while he’s not a 7-foot-1, 350-pound basketball player, the Achilles is not an easy body part to rehab at an advanced age. It requires meticulous recovery regardless of an athlete’s birth date, but at 40, the potential loss of athleticism is a greater worry. Rodgers doesn’t rely on mobility as much as he once did, but his agility in the pocket and knack for throwing on the run from different angles are still major factors in his game.
His future is now a series of incremental questions. At each checkpoint in his comeback attempt, he’ll need to reaffirm that this is worth it. His sense of obligation and genuine enthusiasm about the move to New York figure to keep him motivated. The Jets gave the Packers multiple draft picks to acquire him. Rodgers was so intent on helping his new team build a Super Bowl roster that he reworked his contract and trimmed about $35 million off his two-year deal.
Despite his age, there was a thought that he could make that money back and then some if he continued to play past those two seasons. But before he can think about his body holding up, Rodgers must put himself back together.
It’s a stunning predicament. Not even doomsayers would dare to imagine something so sad and disastrous.
The start of the Rodgers era in New York was fun while it lasted, all 225 game-time seconds of it. Suddenly, though, no one feels like celebrating. They’re the saddest 1-0 team in the NFL.
Until Rodgers returns, the Jets will be known for what they’re not once again. Their dreams have succumbed to their nagging curse.
Jerry Brewer is a sports columnist at The Washington Post. He joined The Post in 2015 after more than eight years as a columnist with the Seattle Times.
The Jets could make a play for Stafford, unfortunately for the Jets there is no feasible way that the Rams could trade Stafford. He has a 106 million dollar dead cap hit.
The Jets made a play for Rodgers and it didn't turn out. They have to coach Wilson up.
They could “trade” Rodgers to LA. Not sure how the dead money would work.
F#*K OHIO!!!
You're not only an amazingly beautiful man, but you're the greatest football mind to ever exist. <-- Jeffy Shittypants actually posted this. I knew he was in love with me.
I f’ing hate that person from all the pain he inflicted over the years but I don’t want to see a HoF QB go out like that. He was such a great QB.
F#*K OHIO!!!
You're not only an amazingly beautiful man, but you're the greatest football mind to ever exist. <-- Jeffy Shittypants actually posted this. I knew he was in love with me.
They could “trade” Rodgers to LA. Not sure how the dead money would work.
The Rams can't trade Stafford. They would immediately have to find $100 million dollars in savings, it's not really possible to find that and field a team that could play. Their top 7 players have bigger dead cap hits than their current cap number. The the biggest are Stafford, Cupp and Donald and they are all 30 million more than their current cap hit.
The Jets have to coach up Zach Wilson, he is their only hope.
Yikes. LA Sold their souls for a ring and now their in purgatory.
Id have done the same and loved every minute of it. They won a ring and no one can take that away from them.
F#*K OHIO!!!
You're not only an amazingly beautiful man, but you're the greatest football mind to ever exist. <-- Jeffy Shittypants actually posted this. I knew he was in love with me.
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