The Seahawks easily defeated the Jets yesterday 28-7 and Rex Ryan must be envious of how Seattle wins games. The Hawks are using strong running play, defense and timely passing to be in the hunt for a playoff spot. This is the same formula the Jets used in 2009 and 2010 to get to the AFC Championship game. However, things have gone wrong for New York thanks to some very questionable personnel decisions by general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
Mark Sanchez gets a lot of attention for the team’s unproductive offense, but the erratic running game is the offense’s main culprit. It’s easy to forget that the Mark Sanchez-led Jets beat Peyton Manning and the Colts in the postseason. They also beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in the playoffs the following week. Sanchez is not and never will be an elite quarterback who can run an offense. However, he does give Sanchez a strong running game and can be effective throwing out of the game.
Tannenbaum decided that Shonn Greene was the comeback leader of New York’s “earth and pound” offensive philosophy. Greene (15 carries for 58 yards (3.9 per minute) against Seattle) is a decent No. 2 running back, but he’s just not good enough to anchor a running game. Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch (27 carries for 124 yards (4.6 per minute), 1 touchdown vs. New York) is the type of defender the Jets desperately need. The Jets passed over Doug Martin in the 2012 NFL Draft and the explosive rookie has done wonders helping trade Josh Freeman. New York also struck out with Joe McKnight’s fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft. The hope was that McKnight could provide the running game with some big plays due to his speed and quickness in a complementary role. However, McKnight has been tried as a running back and unproductive. The Jets are mediocre as running backs and it’s one of the main reasons “ground and hit” on offense too often turns into “pull and duck.”
An almost always on the run Shonn Greene isn’t the only reason for New York’s disappointing running game. The Jets’ offensive line has taken a step back the past two seasons with right tackle and left guard as weak spots. Instead, Seattle has improved their offensive line the past two seasons and they do a good job of opening up holes for Marshawn Lynch to get through.
The Jets are likely to miss the playoffs for the second straight season. Pressure mounts on Mike Tannenbaum to right the ship. The big question this offseason will be whether or not Tannenbaum decides that Sanchez is the scapegoat for the offense. The Jets are basically starting over if Mark Sanchez takes the fall. The best way to get it right might be for New York’s talent evaluators to find a running back who can create on his own and solidify the offensive line.
