So maybe it was not Brian Schottenheimer’s fault after all.
Through two preseason games, the Jets’ 2012 offense does not look much better than the 2011 version that cost Schottenheimer his job as offensive coordinator.
Let’s get the excuses out of the way at the top: It’s only the preseason, the Jets are not using any of their Tebow-cat packages, wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley have not played in a game and the Jets did no game planning for their opponent.
All of that being said, their offense has looked scary bad.
The Jets are the only team in the NFL that has not scored a touchdown in the preseason. They stumbled and bumbled their way through Saturday night’s 26-3 loss to the Giants. Poor pass protection, killer penalties and a turnover that resulted in a touchdown highlighted the team’s problems.
“We have to put the ball in the end zone, that’s for sure,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said. “Some of that self-inflicted stuff: the false start, the holding and the interception, that stuff can’t happen when we are starting to put ourselves in scoring position. We kind of hurt ourselves there. It’s across the board. We just have to get better and be sharper.”
That’s an understatement.
The problems start up front. Sanchez has been sacked five times in two games. The Jets have allowed 12 total sacks. They are 5-for-26 on third down. They rank last in the league with 160.5 yards per game in the preseason. They are last in passing yards with just 70.0 per game. Their nine points is last among teams that have already played two games.
Coach Rex Ryan said he is confident the offense will be fine when the regular season starts in three weeks.
“I see the way our guys work,” Ryan said. “It’s a hard working group. Again, there’s no magic plays. I know how hard we work and I know how dedicated this team is to improving. And again, that’s what I’m betting on and that’s what I believe will happen.”
So, how meaningful are these preseason stats? Last year, the Colts were the worst offensive team in the preseason. They were 30th in the regular season. The Cardinals were the No. 1 offense in the preseason, but fell to 19th during the regular season. The Jets were 30th last year in August and moved up to 25th when the games counted.
The biggest concern for the Jets right now has to be the offensive line, and right tackle Wayne Hunter in particular. It won’t matter if it’s Sanchez or Tim Tebow playing quarterback if they are under constant pressure.
Hunter allowed 2 1/2 sacks Saturday night and had another sack nullified by a penalty on the Giants. After a dismal 2011 season, the Jets stuck by Hunter, guaranteeing his $2.45 million salary by keeping him on the roster.
Now, they need to see improvement fast.
“It was tough sledding,” Hunter said. “The Giants have a good defensive front. They have a lot of good guys to go up against for my first preseason game. Like I’ve been telling you guys, it is going to get better from here, there is nothing else I can do.”
There are not many options out there if the Jets want to replace Hunter. They likely would have to wait until the rosters are cut to 53 the week before the season and see if there are any right tackles out there then.
The Jets did reach out to former Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey this spring, according to a source. But Carey told them he did not want to play anymore. He has since retired and is coaching at a high school in Miami.
The other veterans out there either have health or age concerns and may not be an upgrade over Hunter.