The Jets defense hopes to turn Eli Manning’s No. 10 into a bull’s-eye.
After getting embarrassed by Eagles quarterback Michael Vick last week, the Jets have some frustration to take out. They plan on doing that tomorrow at Manning’s expense. They know if they give the Giants quarterback time in the pocket, it could be a long day.
“We’ve just got to make him uncomfortable, man,” outside linebacker Calvin Pace said. “Just like his brother [Colts QB Peyton Manning], you let him sit back there clean, he’s the greatest ever. Get him to move around a little bit, get some hands in his face, I think puts a little more challenge on him.”
On the cover of the defensive playbook this week, the Jets featured a picture of Manning taking a hit from Pace during the 2010 preseason. A moment after the photo was taken Manning’s head hit Jim Leonhard’s facemask, resulting in a nasty cut.
The Manning the Jets saw that night is different than the one they’ll see tomorrow.
Manning has put up video-game numbers this season. He has thrown for 4,362 yards and 25 touchdowns. His 91.7 quarterback rating is seventh-best in the NFL.
The Jets pass rush has been inconsistent this season. At times, they have been in the quarterback’s face. Then they have a game like last week, when they struggled to get near Vick.
With Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie at cornerback, the Jets are confident they can cover the Giants receivers. But if Manning can find a groove, it might not matter.
“We’ve just got to come out fast, and I think throw their offense out of rhythm,” Pace said. “We can’t let them get started. Watching them on film, you can tell when they start clicking. They start moving the ball. They start getting big-chunk plays. Typically, if you look at our season, that’s how we’ve been gashed, with big plays down the field. Darrelle and those guys have to be on point. But we’ve got to be good up front, too, to take that pressure off them. It’s going to take all 11. It might take 12 or 13 if need be.”
The Jets have 32 sacks this year, 17th most in the NFL. Aaron Maybin leads the team with six.
“I think it’s been OK,” coach Rex Ryan said of his team’s pass rush. “I think Maybin’s really helped us in that pass rush. Do we look like Philadelphia or the Giants, or whoever, some of the pass rushing teams? Maybe not. I still like the way we rush the passer.”
Maybin has not had a sack in the past two games. He knows it’s essential that he gets to Manning.
“It’s very crucial,” Maybin said. “One of the only ways that you can throw a quarterback like that off his rhythm is to get him out of his normal routine. Part of a routine for a good quarterback like that is being able to sit in the pocket, be comfortable and be able to move around and throw the ball to his receivers as soon as they get open. Being able to get him frazzled, get him moving around, defensively would give us an advantage because it makes him uncomfortable.”
Vick escaped last week’s game without getting sacked. The defense has had four days to think about that 45-19 loss. The good thing for the Jets was they did not have a full week before playing again, with the Giants game falling on a Saturday.
“We got embarrassed,” Pace said. “That’s just the fact of the matter. There’s no other way to put it. The beauty of it is luckily we have two games left and it’s a short week so it is a chance to put it behind you quick.”
Pace smiled when asked about the possibility of this game coming down to which quarterback does the most in the fourth quarter. Both Manning and Mark Sanchez have shown an uncanny ability at leading their teams down the field late in the game.
Asked if he has faith in Sanchez in that spot, Pace said, “I do. We’re not banking on that. Hopefully, we’re up 14 or something like that. Hopefully, Mark can go out and shine and see who’s the best quarterback in New York.”