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Don't Lose To Rex At Home: Jets Weekly Mailbag

turnonthejets11/12/2015 6:40 PM

Back with another New York Jets mailbag as they get ready for Thursday Night Football against Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills. We break down the match-up further here. Thanks as always for sending your questions in through Twitter and subscribe to our Podcast here! 

Yes I think it is bad news that the Jets had to replace Nick Folk with Randy Bullock who is a free agent at this point of the season for a reason. He was good in 2014 for Houston (30/35 on field goals, including a long of 55). However, this year he missed a pair of extra points and a field goal, which led to him being cut after three games. You take a quality kicker for granted until they are gone and you are sweating out a PAT when it is 27-26 with 18 seconds left in the game. 

I don’t think the reception will be noticeably good or bad. The stadium doesn’t usually fill up until about halfway through the first quarter, there will be boos when the Bills are called out but that is no different than for any other away team. If they show Rex on the Jumbotron, there will be a healthy mix of boos and cheers. Remember, about 20-30% of MetLife will be Bills fans. 

I get this question frequently and I don’t think Antonio Cromartie can play safety. He can’t tackle or change directions quickly and has been a bad corner for the past 2.5 seasons outside of a handful of games last year. He isn’t Charles Woodson. There won’t be some extended second career for him at a new position. I’d guess this is probably his last year in New York and maybe his last year in the NFL. 

The most encouraging thing from the Jacksonville game was the emergence of Lorenzo Mauldin. This defense desperately needs some speed and athleticism off the edge and Mauldin can provide that, certainly better than somebody like Quinton Coples could. If Mauldin continues to produce as a regular part of the defense, it should improve the overall pass rush and help free up better match-ups for Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. 

I wouldn’t expect much. The guy hasn’t played football in over a year and hasn’t played productive football since December of 2013 when he was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month. He will be started out slow on certain special teams and as an emergency player on defense before gradually being integrated into certain personnel groups. Temper your expectations. 

The offensive line starts to fall apart when Nick Mangold isn’t around or healthy. Willie Colon is now out for the year, which forces Brian Winters into the starting line-up. Winters was good against Miami early in the year but awful last week. If he is playing next to Mangold, he can be OK. The Jets need to find a new long term left tackle and guard support next season, as D’Brickashaw Ferguson has become a liability. 

Smith missed all of training camp. It is hard enough for a second rookie to acclimate to the NFL, never mind without practicing all summer. Beyond that as you mentioned, his skill set is an awful match with Fitzpatrick. I can see Jets fans being frustrated with him but bear in mind how frequently Fitzpatrick missed him in week 3 and week 4, and that he is a rookie. Long term, he will be a contributor here. 

Quincy Enunwa is back after Thursday’s game. The Jets have missed his blocking in the run game. Kenbrell Thompkins has filled in well for him in the passing game. 


turnonthejets11/12/2015 6:40 PM