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09/14 12:45 CDT Jets' revamped offense with quarterback Geno Smith and
coordinator Frank Reich shows it can be solid
Jets' revamped offense with quarterback Geno Smith and coordinator Frank Reich
shows it can be solid
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Pro Football Writer
Geno Smith and the New York Jets were efficient, effective and mostly
productive on offense in their season opener.
Wait, who are these guys?
After trotting out one of the NFL's worst offenses last year, Aaron Glenn and
the Jets made several significant changes in the offseason to revamp that side
of the ball. Among them: They acquired Smith, who began his career with the
franchise in 2013, from Las Vegas; hired Frank Reich as offensive coordinator;
bolstered their offensive line; and added a few young playmakers in tight end
Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., a pair of first-rounders.
They all helped lead the Jets to an impressive 23-10 victory over the Titans in
Tennessee on Sunday.
"Our offense, how balanced we were --- running the ball, throwing the ball,"
Glenn said Monday. "Very efficient on how we wanted to operate. The O-line was
outstanding, giving Geno time to be able to create some of these explosive
plays down the field."
Smith, playing in his first game for the Jets since 2016, went 19 of 24 for 215
yards. He had no touchdown throws but also had no interceptions and wasn't
sacked.
"I thought he did an outstanding job," Glenn said. "Listen, there's some things
obviously that we've got to clean up and get better at, but man, I think he was
dang near 80% throwing the ball. He put the ball where he needed to."
The running game rolled throughout, with Breece Hall rushing for 102 yards and
a touchdown on 22 carries and Braelon Allen going for 40 yards on 10 attempts.
They were both key on a 19-play drive early in the second quarter that
eventually stalled, but the Jets got a field goal out of it to go up 10-3.
"That might be the longest (drive) of my career," center Josh Myers said. "It
was a long one. ... It felt like we were wearing them out."
Other than not getting into the end zone, it was ground-and-pound offense to
perfection. And that's something the Jets expected when they brought in Reich,
who returned to the NFL after two years away. He spoke all offseason about how
excited he was about the offense, starting with how Smith appeared to be in his
prime and being able to mix in playmakers such as Hall and Allen with wide
receivers Cooper, Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, along with a versatile
tight ends group.
Reich and the Jets made it clear this offense will be much different on the
opening drive. On third-and-9, Smith completed a short pass to Cooper, who
turned it into a 30-yard gain. Two plays later, Smith handed to Sadiq, who ran
for 3 yards and joined Cleveland's Ozzie Newsome (1978) as the only tight ends
with touchdown runs in their NFL debut.
"We started fast," Smith said, "and obviously we kept our foot on the gas and
just tried to stay even-keeled throughout."
What's working
The offensive line with Myers at center, left tackle Olu Fashanu, right tackle Armand Membou, left guard Dylan Parham and right guard Joe Tippmann kept things moving up front and protected Smith. "I don't think I got touched at all out there," the quarterback said, "and that's always a great sign." Already considered a strength of the team, the O-line also put the Jets' game philosophy on full display. "Tough, violent, gritty," Glenn said. "Just a you're-not-going-to-stop-what-we're-trying-to-do mentality."
What needs help Third-down efficiency. About the only thing that didn't work well for the Jets was their ability to convert on third down, going just 2 for 12 in those situations. That they went 2 for 2 on fourth down --- both on the 19-play scoring drive --- helped.
Stock up Pass rush. The Jets sacked Cam Ward three times, including one by No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, and one each by Will McDonald and Kingsley Enagbare. The defensive front was disruptive all game and held the Titans to 68 yards rushing.
Stock down Penalties. The Jets had eight accepted penalties called against them, including two delays of game. That's an area they'll need to clean up, especially against good opponents.
Injuries Glenn had no immediate updates on S Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin) or rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle), who were hurt early against the Titans.
Key number 3 --- The number of offensive plays the Titans ran in the second quarter, dominated by the Jets' 19-play drive. "That's probably the first time I've been a part of something like that where you were really just a fan for most of the quarter," cornerback Brandon Stephens said.
Next steps Glenn thanked the many fans who traveled to Nashville and made it feel at times like a home game. New York has its home opener Sunday against Green Bay --- and the response by the fans on the road reminded some players of another of the area sports teams' legion of followers. "I mean, they were getting the Jets chant going in the first quarter, so exciting," Myers said. "I just can't help but think back to the Knicks and their postseason run last year. I know the Jets fans are going to be crazy, so I'm pumped for the home game this week." ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working
The offensive line with Myers at center, left tackle Olu Fashanu, right tackle Armand Membou, left guard Dylan Parham and right guard Joe Tippmann kept things moving up front and protected Smith. "I don't think I got touched at all out there," the quarterback said, "and that's always a great sign." Already considered a strength of the team, the O-line also put the Jets' game philosophy on full display. "Tough, violent, gritty," Glenn said. "Just a you're-not-going-to-stop-what-we're-trying-to-do mentality."
What needs help Third-down efficiency. About the only thing that didn't work well for the Jets was their ability to convert on third down, going just 2 for 12 in those situations. That they went 2 for 2 on fourth down --- both on the 19-play scoring drive --- helped.
Stock up Pass rush. The Jets sacked Cam Ward three times, including one by No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, and one each by Will McDonald and Kingsley Enagbare. The defensive front was disruptive all game and held the Titans to 68 yards rushing.
Stock down Penalties. The Jets had eight accepted penalties called against them, including two delays of game. That's an area they'll need to clean up, especially against good opponents.
Injuries Glenn had no immediate updates on S Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin) or rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle), who were hurt early against the Titans.
Key number 3 --- The number of offensive plays the Titans ran in the second quarter, dominated by the Jets' 19-play drive. "That's probably the first time I've been a part of something like that where you were really just a fan for most of the quarter," cornerback Brandon Stephens said.
Next steps Glenn thanked the many fans who traveled to Nashville and made it feel at times like a home game. New York has its home opener Sunday against Green Bay --- and the response by the fans on the road reminded some players of another of the area sports teams' legion of followers. "I mean, they were getting the Jets chant going in the first quarter, so exciting," Myers said. "I just can't help but think back to the Knicks and their postseason run last year. I know the Jets fans are going to be crazy, so I'm pumped for the home game this week." ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
