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

The Good

Despite losing by double digits to the New Orleans Saints, four members of the New York Jets 2017 draft class had a moment (or multiple moments) that left you feeling encouraged about their long term future with the team. Let’s look at each one of them:

One of the primary reasons running back Elijah McGuire was drafted was for his ability to contribute in the passing game . On the below play, he motions out to wide receiver and gets matched against a linebacker, which is almost always going to be favorable for him. He shows good speed and spacing (by not taking his vertical route too close to the sideline) and then makes an incredibly impressive over the shoulder catch, while making sure he keeps both feet in bounds. This is a tough catch for a NFL wide receiver, never mind a rookie running back.

Later in the game, Chad Hansen who flashed primarily as an outside the numbers receiver in college , made his longest reception of the season. He uses a strong stutter step, combined with a rip move to get past the cornerback and stay on his route stem. More impressively, he attacks the ball at its highest point to help shield himself from the safety roving over in the two high look. This a big boy play for a rookie and the type of thing you need to consistently do if you want to run routes outside the numbers in the NFL.

Jamal Adams has tremendous versatility and athleticism for a safety. On this play, he moves over into a weak side linebacker position right before the snap. He is able to track the handoff going away from him, navigate traffic extremely quickly and then drop Mark Ingram from behind for only a one yard gain. The play recognition and closing speed is as good as it gets here.

Finally, Marcus Maye has been more productive coming downhill as of late. On this play, he creeps down pre-snap from his standard one high safety alignment. He recognizes the play, shoots the A Gap and most impressively drops a Pro Bowl caliber running back with a textbook tackle in the hole for no gain. This play is perfectly blocked and is banking on Ingram beating Maye one on one in the hole for a big gain, which he is unable to do.

The Bad

Bryce Petty Is Not A NFL Quarterback

This has not changed from last year. Petty is overmatched from a footwork, accuracy and decision making standpoint at this level. These two plays (among many others) exemplify these issues:

This is a basic comeback route to Robby Anderson, who works himself wide open for what should be a 10-12 yard gain. Petty never sets his feet and fails to drive the football outside the numbers. This leads to an inaccurate pass that falls well short of Anderson. Missing outside the numbers on hitches and comeback routes have remained a consistent problem for Petty, despite it being an extremely basic throw and concept.

Earlier in the game, the Jets design a short check down to Matt Forte on first down. The play develops into what should be a 7-8 yard again. Petty’s feet remain all over the place and he is not squared towards Forte when he releases the football, leading to him throwing it well over his head and with far too much velocity. He is lucky this was not intercepted, as usually when you over shoot a short route like this, a second level defender picks it off.

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Photo Credit: NewYorkJets.com

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