Eagles 24 – Jets 14: Reaction to game

It wasn’t that the New York Jets lost in their 24-14 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles last night; it was how they played. Awful.

And before you say that only backups were playing and this game was no measuring stick for the success of the regular season, consider that the biggest flops were by starters/key reserves.

1. Kyle Wilson.  The Jets first round draft pick last season is not where he needs to be to contribute to this team.  This game should have been a confidence booster for Wilson but turned into a bad dream as Wilson was badly beaten on a TD pass to Chad Hall.

As head coach Rex Ryan loves to do with Wilson, the coach made a coddled statement that: “I would’ve liked to see him get in a guy’s face more, but the touchdown wasn’t his fault”.

2. Joe McKnight.  Again, this was the game where McKnight would rush for over 100 yards and build up the confidence to compete for more playing time this season.  Instead McKnight lost a fumble and combined with rookie Bilal Powell for only 10 rushing yards.

3. Vladimir Ducasse.  We mentioned Ducasse’s troubles in an earlier post as the RT committed three penalties, two false starts and a holding call last night that was declined.   Unacceptable.  Is anyone confident in Ducasse protected QB Mark Sanchez on Sept 11 against the Cowboys?  Anyone?  Don’t be surprised if the Jets part ways with the second year player.   “Clearly disappointing,” Ryan said.

In the first preseason game, Ducasse allowed two sacks, including a missed block that resulted in teammate Rob Turner

suffering a broken leg.

POSITIVE PLAYERS

There were a couple of good things about last night. LB Aaron Maybin, a Vernon Gholston-like troubled soul had 1.5 sacks and has a shot at making the team now.

CB Ellis Lankster had a 67-yard interception return for a TD.

 QB SITUATION

With the injury to Greg McElroy, who had been playing good football all preseason, the Jets need to hope that Mark Brunell is healthy enough to backup Sanchez on Sept. 11.   If not, look for the team to sign a veteran in the next week.

McElroy seemed to hit his thumb on the helmet of RG Matt Kroul on a follow-through throw.  An early report said that McElroy disclocated his thumb, which would put him out for a while.

Ryan has said he expects Brunell to be ready for the opener, but that’s anyone’s guess right now.