When Brian Schottenheimer first saw Jerricho Cotchery was healthy enough to play in today’s game against the Dolphins at the Meadowlands, the Jets offensive coordinator admitted he got a “warm and fuzzy” feeling.
It meant for the first time since the Jets acquired Braylon Edwards from the Browns, they would have their top two receivers at full strength in an offense that needs to be more than one-dimensional.
Sure, the Jets will take their bows for being just the second NFL team in five decades to rush for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games. But, ultimately, they envision having an offense that not only can ground-and-pound opponents, but also riddle them with air strikes as well.
With Cotchery back from a hamstring injury and the versatile Brad Smith available after missing two games with a strained quadriceps, despite losing Leon Washington for the season (broken fibula), the Jets’ potential on offense never has looked brighter. The added firepower in the receiving corps mixed with the explosive production from the running game gives the Jets (4-3) the potential for a multiple-threat offense that would be difficult to defend.
“We have plenty of weapons,” Schottenheimer admitted, “a lot of really good players, both up front, in the backfield and at the skill group. It’s just a matter of these guys playing together.”
The overriding question is how much trust can Schottenheimer put in rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez to fully utilize those weapons? The rookie’s five interceptions in a 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills still is a fresh nightmare. It led to a simplification of the offense against the Raiders that limited Sanchez to just 15 passes (9 completions, 143 yards, 1 TD) in the 38-0 win at Oakland last Sunday. Other than running for a 3-yard touchdown on a quarterback draw and throwing a 35-yard TD pass to the emerging David Clowney, Sanchez didn’t need to do much as the Jets rushed for 316 yards after gaining 318 on the ground against the Bills.
Asked if the offense would remain “simplified” today against the Dolphins, Schottenheimer said, “Yes. Absolutely.”
That might be the plan, but the Dolphins (2-4) have allowed just 86.7 yards rushing per game, including 138 yards in their 31-27 win over the Jets Oct. 12 in Miami. Sanchez completed 12 of 24 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions in that game, a solid performance under the Monday Night spotlight. But the meltdown against the Bills came a week later and now the Jets are spooked about putting too much on their rookie quarterback.
It’s likely the training wheels will need to come off today. And with Cotchery, Edwards, Clowney and Smith available, the Jets would be foolish not to utilize all of their offensive weapons.
The key will be for Sanchez to make wise decisions distributing the ball to his playmakers. If he plays like he did in Miami, the Jets could have a big day. If he plays like he did against the Bills, Schottenheimer might have to be overly conservative. Sanchez, who forced several ill-advised passes to Edwards against Buffalo, likes having more options.
“Having all these guys back is huge,” he said. “It’s going to help everyone out.”
Sanchez aside, the Jets offense hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention as Miami’s Wildcat, but when healthy the pieces are there to be “scary,” head coach Rex Ryan said. With a veteran offensive line, a proven running game, and plenty of talent at the skill positions, the Jets could be one of the most versatile groups in the NFL . . . as long as the quarterback isn’t the weak link.
george.willis@nypost.com