Pennington: 'Quintessential' Fitz Performance (12/2)

Beingo Chad Pennington, how about that. I'm not saying that because I'm conceded. I just was figuring you're trying to trick me and think about somebody else. I thought I'd thrown myself into the mix. Two. So, what did you think about Fitzpatrick's performance against the Miami Dolphins that the Jets got that much needed victory. Well, it was a I think it was a quintessential Ryan Dispatrick performance. And what we see from Ryan is he is an all

in quarterback. He plays the game to do whatever it takes to get the next first down, the next yard, the next completion, and so you saw that from his play on Sunday where he ran for first downs, he

threw for first down. Um, I don't think people really saw the magnificent play that he made, even though they saw the touchdown play Brandon Marshall for the first touchdown if you went, if you go back and look at that play, that was a heck of a quarterback play on his part where he was getting pressure, he threw the ball extremely early, had enough touch and accuracy on it to where it Brandon, you know, essentially had to make the hatch because it was such a perfect throw.

That was a great quarterback play. So I think that, uh, from Ryan's standpoint, you know, that was a performance that from a fan and then watching quarterbacks that I was, I was glad to see and it was fun to watch. Chad. Did you like his patients? He said going into this game that, hey, listen, I haven't played really well lately, And then after this ball game he said, I didn't try to force things. I didn't put it pressure on myself to make a play. I took what was there.

And I think that's this kind of the overall mindset for the whole offense. And I think that what we saw before this game leading up to this game was players such as Fitzpatrick or Brandon Marshall, Ary Becker trying to make too much out of something and putting too much pressure on themselves to make big plays to create a spark instead of just letting the game come to them naturally. And when that plays there to be made,

they make it. And so I think that's the difference and what you saw on Sunday compared to the previous weeks. When plays were there to be made, they made them, but they didn't go looking for them. They just took what was there, and if it was a big play, they made it. If it was a small play to keep drive alive or just the completion play, whatever that play required at that particular moment, they made those plays.

Was there anything scheme wise that Jan Gailey was doing attacking the Dolphins that might have been a little bit different than what we've seen of late, Well, I just think that the multiplicity and I think, uh, what you saw from a scheme standpoint, first of all, was that the running game was existent, you know, and had been u kind of non existent for the last couple of weeks, and it came back into the forefront from the very

first play. It set the tone, it created, the energy, it created the spark and so um, it doesn't didn't mean that they had to rush for that they did rush for a hunter fifty yards or so because they did not. But it created some tempo plays and some tone setting plays, uh, to get to get the Jets off the ground, so to speak. And then the passing game then elevated the entire game and the entire team

with the big play capability. The one great thing that I saw in the passing game, you finally saw some young players starting to make plays. And that's good to see because that takes a little bit of pressure awful guys like Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Yeah, what do

you think that will do for Devin Smith's confidence? And not only had the touchdown which was a good throw by Fits again in the red zone and that's what we're accustomed to seeing, uh, Devin held out in traffic, simple post route, but he also made a play early in that ballgame when the Jets on the Jets first scorning drive Chad when they had a second along and Fitzpatrick got a pass up to Devin Smith and he was able to convert with a long game do you

think that should help him and this offense as we move forward over these next five games. Well, I certainly think it's a positive. It's a step in the right direction. Both of his catches were in critical moments of drives and that's important, and I think what is even more important. Number One, he gains confidence from that, but then he also sees that his quarterback is not scared to go to him in critical situations. You had a long artist situation where he was able to get the first down

and keep a drive going. Then you have a two minute red zone, big time situation before the half and Fitzpatrick goes to him for the touchdown catch. That was big. I thought that was a really big play in the game. Uh, to kind of leave the first half with that type of momentum was huge for the Jets. And so to know as a young receiver that, hey, my quarterback trust me in those situations, that has to be a confidence builder for him. What do you think about Brandon Marshall.

We've come to expect great things from him, and just a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Brandon was really battling through injuries, but he had some popping his step and now Chad, he's only sixty nine yards uh shy of a thousand for the eight time in nine seasons. Well, he's tremendous. And Uh, what I saw Sunday was the same type of mindset that Fitzpatrick explained that he had. I saw a receiver that didn't try to force the issue, ran his routes. Chris. When the ball was there and

the play was to be made, he made it. He didn't try to force anything, didn't try to get too cute um and just took the plays that were there. And when he does that, I mean he's an unstoppable force and he's a big time producer for an offense

and he changes the game. And he certainly did that, and that it was it's actually an attitude where you have to think more is not always better, that you've got to think about quality, You've got to think about the opportunities, and you have to relax in those situations and just take advantage of the moment, not try to create the moment yourself. You think a questionably, this guy is a Hall of Famer, right, you're talking about now eight out of nine years where he's going to have

a thousand yards. He's on pace at this point of his career, which is really remarkable for his second highest yard it's total. Uh, you know, looking back all the way, Well, there's no question he's putting up Hall of Fame statistics. I think what he would tell you he would like to see some opportunities and chances come in postseason. I think that's where Hall of Famer's then put the seal and the icing on the cake as far as their Hall of Fame career is being able to do some

great things in the postseason. And I think that's some of the pressure that he's put on himself is probably unwarranted, but he feels that is that he wants to get to the post season, be able to make a difference for a team in the postseason, not just a regular season. Yeah, what do you think's gone through both Fitzes and Brandon Marshall's minds as they start December? Because you uh had to said a couple of years, but boom, you caught fire in two thousand two and in your first year

as a starter, lad the Jets to the playoffs. Where these guys have been in the league for more than a decade, each and they're still looking for their first playoff appearance. Well, I know exactly how they feel, as far as they veteran understanding that your time is limited.

You don't know when you're last down will be as you get older, and so when you see some light at the end of the tunnel in an opportunity to play for a championship and be in that playoff run, I mean, you were chomping at the bit to get there, and you won it so badly, and so you know, that's what I see from those two guys. They see an opportunity of the where they're on a team that has a legitimate shot to go to the playoffs and play for a championship, and they want to be part

of that. They want to make that happen. And that's from a veteran perspective, just being in the league as long as they have, knowing how difficult it is to make it to the playoffs and then how difficult it is to have a chance to play for championship. They see this opportunity now, not a few years down the road. How impressed have you been with this team in the red zone throughout the year. We know they had some

struggles against the Buffalo Bills. But by and large, this has been the best red zone team in the National Football League. And you got Marshall there with nine touchdowns and Eric Decker with eight, and it seems like defenses cannot take away both of those guys consistent and consistently. When the Jets are inside of twenty, Well, you have two shorthanded receivers, which is really important. You have a physical running back which can get those extra tough yards

in the red zone, which is extremely important. And then you've had a quarterback who has been extremely accurate in the red zone. When you're in the red zone, you have a lack of space, and it's important that your quarterback can hit his targets. Is not throwing not about throwing to the receiver in the red zones, about throwing to your targets and your receiver understanding where those targets are, where those landmarks are in the red zone that the

quarterbacks trying to get to. And he's been extremely accurate in hitting his targets in his landmarks and the receivers have made place for him. How quickly can things change in the National Football League? But like you had said last week the Jets were descending, but now they get a win in convincing fashion where all three phases contribute. They've got to be feeling pretty good right now. Well, it just shows you how important a win is in this uh league. It's so uh devastating when you lose,

especially mid to lay season. You see how much hard work is put in weekend and week out from the teams and trying to generate a win. And the one of the biggest things that I've learned and I watched over my career is that you don't even have time to enjoy the win because you've got to move on to the next one and you've got to keep, you know, putting wind on top of win to be able to make it into the playoffs. And this league, it's great when it comes to fandom and creating parity and creating

these stories. Who would have thought after Week six with the Kansasee Chiefs being one in five, if they'd run off five straight and I'll be sitting in a wild card spot. You look at at Houston, Indianapolis, I mean, Pittsburgh, the Jets. You have so many teams that are vuying for those spots. It just as a football fan, you've got to love this situation, all right, So let's talk

about this situation. Seven teams chaid either have a six and five or five and six record in the a f C. The Jets right now would be the conference's seventh seed. That all doesn't matter, obviously, there's five games

left to be played. But what do you see from this landscape when I throw at you the Jets at six and five, the Bills at five and six, the Pittsburgh Steelers at six and five, the Colts and the Houston Texans both at six and five, and then finally have the Kansas City Chiefs who you just mentioned and they've rattled off five wins in a row in our six and five and Oldland Raiders who are sitting there

at five and six. Well, what you're seeing is you're seeing in a type playoff race that's gonna come down to who can finish ten and six. I think that's that's always been a magical number, and most of the time it stays pretty consistent. Very few times do you see where, um, you know you have to be eleven and five. Although I have been a part of that season where eleven and uh, didn't get a team into the playoffs. But I think this situation UM lends itself

the same. Ten and six is your magical record to get into the playoffs, and in the division, what you're able to do with your divisional game UH is really really important because UH, these teams that are vying for these playoffs spots are also divisional opponents. When you look at Houston and Indie, UM, you look at the Jets and the Bills, you know, Kansas City in Oakland, those are all divisional opponents, and so what you do in the division even becomes more important. Do you see one

or two of these teams getting to ten and six? Absolutely, I think it's it's it's it's definitely a possibility. I think the Jets have a great possibility and in getting to ten and six, UM, and and then you look at that the other teams, I think that probably Indianapolis and Houston, I think nine and seven will probably in

that division. When you look at it, UM within probably beating up on each other UM within the A f C. And then and then out west, you know you may have to be at the tenant six may have to be the magical number for the chief or the Raiders thinking that never could then you know, can now press on and get that tense and eleventh win to separate themselves. What about Pittsburgh obviously, Uh, they were involved in a shootout,

an old fashioned shootout in Seattle. Is that Seahawks defense just is not playing the same at at the same level if we've come to expect from them. But things changed quickly in the National Football League in a salary cap era. What do you see from the Steelers and now that they're facing Ben Roethlisberger, he reported, uh to the medical staff, but he was having some hot issues.

They're so explosive on offense. They seem to give up a lot of on defunse at times where you think they stand when you look at the Steelers, well, they're extremely explosive. I watched them against the Seahawks and and man, those receivers that Ben Roethlisberger has, they make plays. They're fast. Uh, they have a big play capability at any time, any moment.

And that's scary if you're playing them, because, um, you never know you can you can have a great drive, ten play drive against their defense, go up a touchdown and in one or two plays you're back to square at home because they scored a long touchdown, and so that's always something that that's scary when you're playing a team like that, regardless of how their defense playing or that you you know you're probably going to have to outscore to them, which Seattle was able to do. Um,

But sometimes that can be very very difficult. And just when I just playing extremely well. He really filled in for lady on Bell and provided a spark there, uh, even with the Bell's injury. So I mean, they have just as good a chance as anybody because they have an experienced quarterback, super Bowl winning quarterback, and with the talent that he has around him, I mean they could

make a serious run as well. Of the five and six teams, who do you think is most dangerous the Bills at five and six or the Raiders at five and six? Right now, I would get nod to the Raiders. I think probably that their quarterback is probably playing better than the Bills, So I would say Derek Carr is

probably playing better and Tyrod Taylor. Um. I just think that the Bill's success relies too much upon their defense, UM, and teams are starting to see that, Hey, if we don't give the points by allowing their defense to set the tempo and try to force the offense to make plays, it becomes very difficult for Buffalo. Um They're they're winning formula is the defense set the timpo, create turnovers, and for the offense not to screw it up, and they

win seventeen four seventeen. That's exactly how they beat the Jets. And so I just think that probably the Raiders get nod in that head to hit battle because their offense is a little bit more efficient. Although the Bills have some big complaymakers love watching Lashawn McCoy run the ball and Sammy Watkins a really good receiver, I just don't know if Tyrod Taylor has proven that he can make those places consistently. I'll tell you what, this final five

weeks is going to be fascinating. And you hit the nail on the head when you talked about this could all come down the divisional tiebreakers because you have all these teams grouped together, and when you have a multi team tiebreaker scenario, you go to the division first to eliminate one of the teams. So if you have three teams who are at nine and seven or four teams who are a tenant six or whatever. You go to the division to eliminate a team and then you take

the next step. So those divisional games are gonna be critical. Wouldn't it be something if that Bills match up with the Jets, you know, the Green and White going into Western New York, and they had a shot at the playoffs if they win that ballgame. But the Jets aren't really talking about playoffs as you would anticipate Jed taking up one game at a time. And before we talk about the next game, which is the New York Giants and Life Stadium. Your thoughts on the Denver Broncos and

their situation. Obviously, a great victory over the New England Patriots, knocking the Patriots uh off their pedestal as an unbeaten team. But Brock os Oswiler now has come in for Peyton Manning led his team to a pair of victories. Where do you think they stand? Uh as far as their quarterback is concerned, and you see Peyton Manning coming back this year, well, I think it all depends on Peyton Manning's health. I don't think to look at this as

a production type of decision. I think you look at this based upon Peyton Manning's health, and if he is healthy and he shows in practice that he can make all the throws, but he can be the Peyton Manning, not the Peyton Manning involved, but just the Peyton Mannings that we were accustomed to seeing in Denver, and and how he played in those first seven D eight games,

then I think it's still Peyton Manning's ball club. And you just feel good about your young quarterback knowing that when Peyton Manning decides to call it quits, that you have a guy that can step in and has proven that he can be the leader of this team. There's no question that Oswaler has gained the confidence of his teammates. You can hear it when his teammates do interviews and talking about him. Uh, he's earned that and he's done

it the right way. Being drafted in two thousand and twelve, he's learned under the greatest quarterback that's played this game, and so he's ready for the situation. But at the same time, paid Manny can still win football games and be very productive. It's all about his health. If his health is not there, then you don't risk it. And you know that you have a quarterback that can lead them to victory and brock Osweler. So I think it's a win win situation. I don't think this is a

controversy order. I think it's that tough of a decision to make. It gonna be the keys to victory for the Jets this week. I think. I think Giants has struggled obviously when they've turned the ball over, and when that has happened, then that has really put them behind the eight ball. And so if the Jets can generate a few turnovers and stay away from the turnover bug themselves,

I think that lends itself to Jeff victory. Um, it's it's going to be one of those where I think the secondary of the Jets will be tested, no doubt about it. By the way, I was really impressed by the zone coverages of the Jets against the Dolphins. I think they incorporated some more zone coverages, especially in first

and second down situations, and they were pretty effective. They they eliminated a lot of those big play opportunities that the Dolphins were looking for because of the zone coverages. They did give up a few, but not a lot, and and not in in game changing situations, and I think that was due to some of the zone coverages and the distenders of the Jeff's defense being in the

right position and being disciplined in their job responsibility. So it'll be interesting to see if they try to use those same concepts against the Giants because they obviously have some explosive players in the passing game, and anytime you have a quarterback like Eli Manning who is very efficient, very productive regarding great thing about Eli Manning is regardless of what the previous game was, a good batter, ugly

doesn't matter he's on the next one. He's been a true pro and being able to bounce back from adversity when it comes to his own play. So you're gonna get the best Eli Manning. I believe on Sunday, you're gonna get his best shot and Jets has to be ready for that. Listen, they should be able to win some matchups up front that the Giants offensive line is banged up a little bit. Do you think they should employ a lot of his own coverage against the Giants this week? And follow up to that is what do

you think about Eli this year? Because I think he's played tremendous football throughout. I know he's struggled a little bit against the Redskins, but I think he's having a great year. He really has, and so the Jets are gonna be challenged. I agree with you. I think the four man pass rush for the Jets will be key.

Can the Jets create a pass rush with those four defenders so they can still play some zones and mix those zones in with their man pressures, uh, to create a little bit more indecisiveness for ELI and to make sure that they're not leaving their corners and their defenders out on island when it comes trying to defend receivers such as Odell Beckham Jr. What do you anticipate it's gonna happen Sunday? Ultimately, you see this being a tight game in the fourth quarters. By a wild and wacky season,

the Jets are six and five. The Giants, unbelievably are tied for first place in the NFC East with the five and six records, and a couple of weeks ago they nearly took down to New England Patriots. You never know what you're gonna get each week, and unpredictable NFL yeah, I completely agree. I don't see this being uh a blowout game game or even a two touchdown game. I see this thing going deep into the fourth quarter. It could come down to who has the ball last, who's

gonna make the big defense to stop. Remember special teams as well, that was one thing I was pleased to see with the Jets with Curly's punt return on Sunday. That was really big and it was nice to see because it just you can see, it creates energy, it creates a spark, It just makes things a little easier, a little smoother, and that was one of the big plays in the game I thought for the Jets. So special teams, uh, one special team's play could truly make

a difference. Look at last night's game with the Ravens and the Browns. That could be the difference all those coaches you don't want to think that it would be. Yeah, I'll tell you what, and this, if they were able to beat the New York Giants, this really could propellum down the stretch. It's good to get a victory over Miami, get that win and feeling, but then you beat the Giants,

you're starting to stack together wins. Let me set yourself up with the home date with the Tennessee Titans, and fans can look ahead and say, well, then you go to Dallas and you know the cow Cowboys have obviously endured a lot of injuries, most typically at the quarterback position. You take your shots down there, and then you get New England at home, and you know you play them one at a time. But you could set yourself up very nicely if you win this ball game, no question

about it. I think this is a playoffs game for both teams, uh for the Jets. If you can beat a playoff contending team, this gives you the confidence moving into the last quarter of your season. And when you look at the last quarter of your season, you're going to play two teams who have just really been beat up with injuries in the Patriots and the Cowboys. You've

got a really tough team in Buffalo. So you've got the last quarter of the season that is not a gimme, but there's certainly a chance for the Jets to make headway and grab a wild card card spot. Yeah. Well, we're looking forward to sign My final question this week, Actually, I'm gonna turn the tables. We're gonna go to college football. Who will be the final four after this weekend. The game that I'm really paying attention to is the North Carolina Clemson game. I think North Carolina is one of

the hottest teams in the country. Uh. This is gonna be an exciting game to watch, and I think this will really prove whether or not Clemson is for real if they come out with a victory in this one. You know, I think you feel really good as a Clemson fans. They've got a chance to take it all the way. North Carolina is gonna be a tough matchup, and I would love as kind of fan, you would love to see uh Carolina be able to win the

game and then creep right into the top four. It will be interesting if Carolina does win, you know how that would all play out. I think the winner of the Big Ten obviously gets a spot. UM Alabama versus Florida. I don't think Florida has enough offense uh to beat Alabama. And so there's there. So there's some really really games to watch. And then you look at the Pack twelve. Even though they don't have UM, they're not gonna probably

gonna have a playoff contender. Do you look at Stanford in the great game that they had against Notre Dame and then USC, how they've been able to bounce back. You think of all the adversities they faced early in the year, and now they made coach Helton the full time coach of the program. Uh, that's gonna be a nice team to watch as well. It's some big time games.

This is a great week for football in general. When you talk about college and profecial football, it is so you think Alabama will be Florida, they would advance Oklahoma. You think they're safely in. I think Oklahoma is in. Yeah, I think I think Oklahoma North Carolina are the two hottest teams in the country right now. But I think Oklahoma is in. You think Michigan State beats Iowa. I do think Michigan State beats Iowa. I don't think Iowa

has enough um offense to Tom Peters Mischigan State. The way I will will beat Mischigan State is this, Mischigan State turns followers in. Iowa has a chance to win. But if not, I think Michigan State wins that one. Do you like Connor cook is pro prospect a chance to set him a lot, but I know he hasn't done some really really good things. Uh. He obviously had Catcher, So I'll pay attention to him more going down the stretch here to really see what this guy is all.

All right, So you got the three teams. So finally is do you think North Carolina if they beat Clemson, they should be in based on them winning the a SEC and Ohio States there, but they would not have won the Big Time obviously, they have no shot on winning the Big Time and also Stanford, who possibly could win the pack with two losses. Would you put Carolina into the final four if they beat Clemson? I would. I would certainly put them in. I think they've earned it.

They their first losser, their whole loss was the first game of the year. Crazy things happened in the first game. Everybody has different expectations, and now you've seen the work that they've put in from then on. I mean, they've they've been really impressive. And so if they knock off the undefeated number one team in the land, there's no question in my mind that they should go over a two lost team as as the a c C champions.

All right, buddy, we'll be watching Saturday and then of course it's the big one at MetLife Stadium as the Jets in the Giants battle. We'll talk about it next week. Hey,