We are back with another TOJ New York Jets film breakdown. Check out previous editions right here. On to the #tape…

The Good

The skill sets of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye compliment each other well. Adams has mostly flourished close to the line of scrimmage and playing downhill, while Maye has been consistent in coverage over the top and generally thrived in the traditional “center fielder” free safety role.

On his second interception of the season, Maye is responsible for a deep half of the field. He recognizes the vertical route from the slot receiver, while the other two routes break off on intermediate cuts. He reacts and takes advantage of a poor decision from Matt Moore to convert a big play for the Jets defense.

Later in the game, Maye made a play that will not show up on the stat sheet but prevents a big completion down the field. Miami is looking to take a shot here to their tight end who comes across the formation in motion to run a deep post route. Maye is all over the coverage, forcing Jay Cutler to go to his secondary read late and throw the ball out of bounds. Maye does this at least a few times each week and it is a big part of why the Jets passing defense has been better than expected.

Adams creeps into the box on this play and is basically lined up at outside linebacker. He is able to shoot the gap fast enough where the blocker assigned to him is barely able to touch him as he finishes off the tackle for no gain.

Later, Adams causes his second interception of the season (the first back in week one versus Buffalo). He comes screaming off the edge on a safety blitz, recognizes he won’t reach Cutler in time, throws his hands up and bats the ball in the air leading to a turnover.

Finally, Adams was able to record his second sack of the season on a delayed safety blitz, where he shows good vision and patience. He is able to shed his blocker when Cutler steps up in the pocket and quickly pounce for the sack as he tries to take off.

Life From Leo

Leonard Williams only has one sack in his previous 16 games. This number is unacceptable any way that you cut it. Double teams. Still good against the run. Wilkerson hurting his production. You can say whatever you want, it isn’t enough production from the 6th overall pick. Fortunately, we began to see a little more activity from Williams around the quarterback this week, in what is hopefully a sign of things to come.

On the first play, Williams bull rushes and collapses the pocket. This gives Cutler nowhere to step to when Josh Martin comes off the edge on his blitz. Martin will get credit in the box score but Williams is just as responsible for this sack.

Late in the game, Miami tries to run a screen but Williams flashes incredible quickness off the snap and is in Matt Moore’s lap before the play can set up. This is a huge pressure in a huge part of the game and demonstrates the pass rushing potential Williams has.

The Bad

Big Moment Panic

The Jets passing offense has a hard ceiling they cannot break because they prominently feature journeymen like Josh McCown, Jeremy Kerley and Jermaine Kearse. This became painfully evident in multiple big spots versus Miami when they needed a play made.

On the game killing interception, McCown has a slant route to Robby Anderson wide open at the top of the screen. He also has an in breaking option route open to Jeremy Kerley from the near slot. Instead, he forces a deep comeback to Jermaine Kearse when the Dolphins are blatantly playing an underneath coverage. The ball goes right to the defender. It literally looks like McCown is being paid to throw the game on this throw.

On a second half 3rd down, the Jets try to hit Kerley on an intermediate crossing route. He gets a little separation but McCown puts too much air under the ball, allowing the defender to make a play on it. Kerley isn’t particularly strong at the point of the catch here either. The Jets were forced to punt.

On a critical late game third down and six, look at how disorganized the Jets are as the play clock winds down. Nobody knows where to line up as they try to overload the right side and are called for an illegal motion penalty. (What kind of formation is this, by the way?). McCown sets no blindside protection and is buried for a sack.

Finally, another disastrous third down in the fourth quarter. Robby Anderson is leveled on his crossing route. Austin Seferian-Jenkisn slips, so McCown’s options are limited. Instead of throwing the ball away, he decides to scramble around and take a 15 yard sack, killing the Jets field position.

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Photo Credit: NewYorkJets.com

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