Monday Morning Quarterback: Week 8 Jets vs. Dolphins

Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano (left) and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff on the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Jets won 35-9. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

30-9 we went down yesterday. That was about as ugly to watch as anything can be. The Jets needed the game to stay in the race for the AFC East, instead, they fell apart in all phases of the game. It was painful to watch. There is not a lot that can be said about it, but we’ll say it anyway.

The mistakes came early, and dug a big hole for the Jets to dig out of. Mike Westoff is in the picture to the right because the special teams failed the Jets early yesterday. I have never seen the Jets special teams group look so unprepared to play under Mike Westhoff’s leadership. The blocked punt which the Dolphins recovered in the end zone set the tone for the entire football game. Mark Sanchez had a sack fumble late in the first quarter that led to the Daniel Thomas touchdown, and the Jets were never in the game again.

30-9. and the majority of it in the hands of Dolphins backup quarterback Matt Moore. Ryan Tannehill left the game after the first series, when he sustained a leg injury while being sacked by Calvin Pace. Matt Moore responded by going 11-19 passing for 131 yards and 1 TD, no INTs. He was efficient, and the Dolphins offense seemed to be stronger with Moore today than it initally looked with Tannehill.

The Jets could not get going at all on offense, via the ground or through the air. Shonn Greene did rush for 77 yards, but 36 came off of one play, so those numbers are skewed quite a bit. It was a windy day at MetLife stadium, but other than the 36 yard run by Greene, they could not get it going on the ground. A running attack is important when the winds are whipping, but they had none.

Oct 28, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

And then you had the performance of this guy. You all know how I feel about Mark Sanchez, but he looked just awful yesterday. Yes, he threw for 283 yards, but the majority of those game when the Jets were getting blown out of the building, and the Dolphins were in the famous “prevent” defense. Mark was 28-54 passing, including a red zone interception. He did make a great throw to Stephen Hill that hit him in the stomach in the corner of the end zone, but Hill could not make the catch. But, no, that doesn’t mean Mark Sanchez had a good game. He most certainly did not, he had a terrible game.

Turn the page and we will continue.

Oct 28, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

To me, the Jets might as well trade Tim Tebow at this point, make Greg McElroy the second string, and move on. Not because of my feelings about Tim Tebow, which you all know as strong, but because of the Jets clear feelings about Tim Tebow. They clearly don’t want to put him on the field. If you were ever going to have a day that Tebow belonged in the game, yesterday was the day. Mark was looking terrible. The offense had no spark, and they were lifeless. Why not bring in your backup quarterback? The Jets needed a spark, and it would have been time for the backup quarterback. But Tebow sat on the sidelines. If you didn’t see Tim Tebow yesterday, when are you going to see him? The answer is never, so why have him on the team?

The offensive bright spot on the day was Clyde Gates, with 7 catches for 82 yards. Despite having an injury that has sidelined him, Gates and Sanchez seemed to have some chemistry together, which is nice to see.

The defense actually held the Dolphins to 2.9 yards per rush. That seemed surprisingly, considering all of the talking that Reggie Bush did, all over the football field today. He did put up decent numbers, with 14 carries for 59 yards. However, he wasn’t a major factor in the football game. Antonio Cromartie took a bad penalty on the first drive, responding to a stiff arm from Reggie Bush, and the defense had a tough time standing up afer that play.

Marcus Dowtin did have a nice pass rush at one point, but he also took a stupid penalty by getting his hands to the head of the quarterback. And did I see a Calvin Pace sack? Did anyone think that was possible? I didn’t anymore.

All in all, a bad day overall for the New York Jets. Thank goodness for the bye week.