The Jets offense has not provided many bright spots this season, but offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said he believes the team’s pass protection has been one of them.
The Jets have given up 10 sacks, tied for 13th in the league. That total might not look great, but Sparano said the Jets have been pressured by some of the strong defenses they have faced this year.
“I think the pass protection has been very good,” Sparano said. “Honestly, Mark [Sanchez] took a couple of hits in the last game, but they were just late hits. I think with the amount that we’ve been pressured — and we’ve been pressured a lot — just by the nature of some of the teams we’ve played, it’s what Pittsburgh does, it’s what [Houston defensive coordinator] Wade Phillips does.”
The Jets have incorporated new right tackle Austin Howard into their offense this year. Howard has allowed two sacks, according to profootballfocus.com. They also have new third-down back Bilal Powell, who has been lauded by the coaches for his pass blocking skills.
“When you look at the amount of pressure and the way the backs have stepped in there and the way our line has handled some of the things they’ve seen, I’ve been really impressed with that,” Sparano said. “From my end, I’d say that’s been one of the pros. That, coupled with the way Mark has moved around in the pocket.”
* Joe McKnight showed his explosiveness last week with his 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Texans. Is it time to see more of him on offense?
McKnight moved back from cornerback to running back last week against Houston and ran for 5 yards on four carries, but that’s a little deceptive because he lost 8 yards on a direct snap.
The third-year player believes he could give the stagnant running game a spark.
“I feel like that,” McKnight said. “I’ve got to get the opportunities first.”
One possibility for the Jets, who are dealing with injuries at wide receiver, is motioning McKnight out of the backfield and throwing to him more.
“Put me on linebackers and safeties, I think it will be a mismatch,” he said.
* Four-time Pro Bowler Robert Mathis and starting running back Donald Brown did not make the trip with the Colts yesterday. Both players are out with knee injuries.
Jerry Hughes is expected to replace Mathis in the starting lineup, while rookie Vick Ballard is slated to make his first NFL start in place of Brown.
— With AP.