The Key 4 Success

There is no need for the Jets coaching staff to attempt to teach an old dog new tricks. Brett Favre has had plenty of success and the idea that this young staff will be able to change his game is silly. What I believe they need to do is to point out what was successful and what led to it. Over his long career, Favre has had many ups and downs, yet there has always been one constant. When he has trusted his teammates and has allowed a balanced attack he performs better. The years when Favre was an interception machine, he forced way to many passes which ultimately resulted in dissappointment.  As recent as last year, the Packers found a running attack with Ryan Grant and were cruising on their way to a SuperBowl until they abandoned the run midway through the first half against the Giants and tried to put the game on Favre’s shoulders. The results we all know, the Giants were able to tee-off and make Brett look like a bum.

Of course the Jets will have to take a couple of shots, but these should be calculated and in certain situations. The key to Brett’s success through the air last year was the short to intermediate passing attack.

The Packers led the NFL in Yards After Catch (YAC). This is the same philosophy he needs to buy into for the Jets to be successful. With the addition of Dustin Keller and more focus on getting Leon Washington  touches, there is no reason the Jets can’t succeed in the same area. The threat of Brett alone should loosen up defenses and allow a conservative attack to work. Favre has said in the past that the pressure of living up to being “Brett Favre” was just too much to handle on a week to week basis. He needs to know that Jets fans don’t care about 80 yard bombs and 300+ passing yards. We’ve suffered long enough, all we care about is W’s!!! The Formula goes like this:

Commitment to Running + Mistake Free Passing = Winning Time of Possession (T.O.P.)

What does that mean for the Jets? In 2007 the Jets averaged 29:06 in T.O.P. while their opponents averaged 31:59 which led to an ugly 4-12 record. In 2006 the Jets averaged 31:02 and held their opponents to an average of 29:57, which as we know resulted in a 10-6 mark and a spot in the playoffs. In 2005 the Jets averaged 26:47, their opponents 33:35, once again 4 wins. In ’04, you guessed it, Jets T.O.P. 32:29 vs. their opponents 28:43 which led to 10 wins and one missed FG away from the AFC Championship Game.

The other key stat: Turnovers +/-

2007 = -4… (4-12)

2006 = 0… (10-6)

2005 = -6… (4-12)

2004 = +18… (10-6)

So it’s easy to see that T.O.P. combined with winning the Turnover battle is the key to success whether we’re looking at Gang Green or Favre’s career in Green Bay. Not to mention, this will keep the defense fresh so they can wreak havoc on opponents!

Bottom line, there’s no need for the Jets to change the way Favre plays. They just need to get him to see that being “one of the guys” on the field is something that has worked for him in the past, and will help him lead this team to success here in ’08.