The good news was that Chad Pennington completed 9 of 10 passes on Friday night.
The bad news was that two of those completions were to Viking defenders and returned for touchdowns.
In total, Gang Green turned the ball over four times and had three returned for touchdowns as the Vikings whipped up on the Jets, 37-20. The loss drops the Jets to 1-1 on the preseason, but really, who cares? Here are some quick hits from Friday night's game:
The Jets started in the no-huddle or hurry up or sugar-huddle or whatever you want to call it. They implemented that style a lot last season, but I'd like to see them throw a bit more downfield when they're running it. Pennington's first interception was one where I'm sure he yelled "
Bocce Balls!" as soon as he threw it. He didn't see the safety slide into that space until it was too late. Hey, it happens. Also on the play, D'Brickashaw Ferguson was blown up while running down the sideline. Unfortunate. Chad's second pick, however, was horrible. He rolled out to his left and just flipped the ball toward the sideline. Very un-Pennington-like. On the plus side, Pennington did have a nifty 16 yard scramble for a first down. Pennington finished 7 out of 10 for 40 yards and 2 INTs.
The NFL has a new rule and it hurt the Jets during their second drive. Players are no longer allowed to spike the ball during non-touchdown plays. I had no idea. Anyway, Jerricho Cotchery was stopped at the one after a pass play and, in frustration at not scoring, bounced the ball on the turf. He wasn't showboating a first down or a great catch, but out came the yellow flag. It's a five yard delay of game penalty now and instead of the Jets having a first and goal at the one, it turned into a first and goal at the six. The Jets would settle for a field goal. It's just the preseason, but I think the NFL should take another look at their new rule.
Pete Kendall had a rough game. He played into the fourth quarter with the backups and took snaps at center. He fired high and wide while the Jets were in the shotgun and the misfire was returned for a Viking touchdown. He also skipped a grounder on a fourth and goal late in the game that turned into a turnover. It looks like the Jets aren't willing to let the disgruntled lineman go and Kendall will probably find himself as the starting left guard when the season opens up. The soap opera goes on.
Shaun Ellis had a good game. He finished with 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Justin McCareins also had a solid game. He caught 3 passes for 52 yards and made some snazzy moves on his 35-yard TD catch in the second quarter. If McCareins continues his resurgence, the Jets could have a pretty formidable receiving corps this season.
Newly inked first-round pick Darrelle Revis was in uniform on Friday night, but didn't see any action.
For some reason, the starting offensive and defensive players weren't listed at any point during the FOX broadcast. Annoying.
Former Yankee prospect Drew Henson is trying to make the Minnesota team as a backup QB. He didn't really impress.
Laugh out loud funny moment. After Kendall's bad snap resulted in a Viking TD, Joe Buck tried to work in a funny line, but Troy Aikman trumped him (which isn't really hard to do). Aikman commented earlier that Henson drops his elbow when he throws and how it could cause poor or hard to catch passes. Well, as the Vikes were attempting the extra point, Buck snipped something about Kendall not getting his elbow up on that snap. Ha! Here's what followed from Aikman: "Hard to get it up when your looking between your legs."
All in all, a terrible performance by the Jets, but hey, that's why they play these preseason games.
Get all this ugliness out of your system, fellas. Opening day will be here before you know it.
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