Yes! It’s my favorite time of the week for my blog. It’s the week four edition of “Know your enemey”. This week, I ask 5 random questions to Daniel Krieg of the Jets website, “Rex Sanchez“. Of course, you can check out his site to see my responses to some of the questions he asked me. So, enjoy!
1) Mark Sanchez has 6 touchdowns in his first three games on the season, what has been the biggest difference between his rookie year and this year?
The difference is really quite simple: They’re letting him play quarterback. Last season they were so afraid of him throwing away the game with interceptions (like he did vs. the Bills), that they suffocated his real talent. I thought they’d let him pass freely this year but the opener vs. Baltimore was a repeat of last season. The previous two weeks, however, have been more like the playoffs. They’re letting him throw and he’s capitalizing on it. He’s like a dog. When you give him love and attention he’ll behave well, when you don’t, he’ll poop on the carpet.
2) For the life of me, I don’t understand why everyone is making such a big deal about the Braylon Edwards‘ DWI. I’m not one to say that it’s not a big deal to get arrested for that, because it is, but it’s Braylon Edwards, a guy that has had only one good season in the NFL. Has his DWI been a distraction to the team and what do you think the Jets should do with him?
I understood why it was a big deal, but I hated how the media reacted as if he committed a terrible felony. The same reporters who had their jobs made exponentially easier over the past two years with Rex at the helm instead of Mangini, couldn’t wait to rip the coaching staff and front office for letting him play. In the mean time, no player in NFL history has been suspended by his team or the league from drunk driving. Why were the Jets all of a sudden the ambassadors of the NFL and had to be the team to make a statement? Frankly, I think it stems from Hard Knocks. Nobody likes a person/people that openly speak about how good they are at something. People were tired of the Jets and couldn’t wait to rip them apart the first opportunity they received.
3) I know it’s still early, but the Jets defense hasn’t really looked that impressive this season; ranking 20th in total yards allowed. Are you concerned about the defense or do you think it’s still too early to make an assessment?
I’m not concerned yet. They essentially have been without Revis all season (didn’t cover Boldin in Week One, was injured in first half vs. Pats; missed second half, didn’t play last week) and they haven’t had their best pass-rusher, Calvin Pace, either. Once those two return I think all will be fine. They always struggle vs. the Dolphins offense for whatever reason, and allowing 24 combined points to the Ravens and Patriots isn’t too shabby, in my opinion. Losing Kris Jenkins hurt but they played 13 of 19 games without him last year, too. They can compensate for his loss.
4) One of the biggest head scratching moves that the Jets did this summer was the cutting of Thomas Jones. How would you assess the play of LT and Shonn Greene so far?
LT has been incredible. He seems super motivated and has been running with a very angry purpose. When you motivate an all-time great player like the Chargers by releasing him, you tend to awaken a sleeping giant. Greene has been disappointing (especially from a fantasy perspective), but I have the feeling they’re saving him for later in the season when LT wears down, similar to how Thomas Jones did last year.
5) How have Jets fans reacted to the new stadium being built? I know prices to the game are ridiculous now. Have you heard any sort of backlash from fans about it?
As long as the Jets win no one will complain about the stadium. You saw it with the Mets and Yankees opening new parks in 2009. Both opened to much backlash and anger, but by the end of the year Yankee fans loved their new ballpark because they won the World Series. Citi Fieldon the other hand, has been the venue of pain and torment for Mets fans—we still loathe it. Good memories wipe away any negative sentiment towards a stadium.
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