Tough to feel good about the game, but it's also tough to feel too bad about the game either.  In other words, a typical early season Jets game.  

The main story is that Kellen Clemens got the start at QB, and played the whole game.  Much to my surprise Chad Pennington did not tough it out.  I'll eat crow and openly admit that I was wrong about that.  

KC played as I expected... he got off to a very slow start in the first half (like 40 yards passing total), and managed only two field goal drives (one which Nugent missed from 52-yards), for a total of 3 points.   No surprise - I said it over in the comments at The Jets Blog - I expected KC to have a slow first half, then turn it up late in the game.  He is very similar mentally to Chad Pennington, so I based my expectations on how Chad did his first start.

KC looked okay in the first half.  His interception was entirely his fault, as Coles slipped.  He hit receivers sharply throughout the game, especially on timing routes.  A couple of times they turned around and found the ball right there, with zip on it.  That must have been a pleasant surprise!  (Note: Chad doesn't do many timing patterns, and lacks zip like KC).  

The second half was a different story.  He had a couple of momentum building efforts in the third, then the Jets offense really got going in the fourth as they mounted a serious comeback.  After a FG and a touchdown made it 20-13 Ravens, the Jets got the ball back with under 2:40 left and KC almost tied the game up.  He threw three passes that could have been the tying TD - one to McCareins which he flat out dropped (zipped about 25-30 yards in the air - very impressive throw).  Coles just missed a pass in the end zone (or 1-yard line) that was a little short for him.   McCareins missed a last second throw in traffic, but that was into good coverage.  Still, the first two were catchable, and had they tied the game up KC would probably be hailed right now for his efforts.  He threw for over 200 yards in the 2nd half.  He finished 19-37 for 260 yards, 1 TD, 2 Ints.  A so-so performance that has to be considered pretty freaking impressive for a first start.

The truth is that the real star of the 4th quarter was Jerricho Cotchery, who straight up threw the Jets on his back.  He made some key big plays, including an amazing catch and run in which he Mark Bravado'd four Ravens defenders.  Hands of a WR, but strong enough to be a TE.  Cotchery is continuing where he left off after his break out season last year.

******

The Jets weakness continues to be it's lines.  The offensive line once again yield a lot of early pressure.  It's too easy to blame it all on the lose of Pete Kendell - obviously Pete's presence wouldn't have prevented the rush from the last two weeks.  But the Jets O-line continue to get beat badly on a regular basis - there were blown blitz coverages.  The running game has yet to take off (Thomas Jones, 24 carries, 67 yards).  

The defense, especially the line, is also struggling.  The Jets' D has yet to make any big plays - no sacks, no turnovers forced, no fumbles recovered, no big interceptions.  They just aren't making plays.  Kerry Rhodes as played well, but he's not as active as he was last year when he was a one-man wrecking crew.  As for the rest of the defense... step up time next week against Joey Harrington and the Dolphins.  If you can't beat Harrington, it's going to be a long season for Jets fans.

*****

Brian Billick made some questionable decisions down the stretch, particularly when he had his quarterback air it out on 1&10 with 2:45 seconds to go.  Personally I support that kind of balls out decision making... the Jets had three TOs and the 2-minute warning, so you're not running out the clock.  All you are doing by running is forcing them to use their TOs, which is definitely advantageous, but hardly sealing the game.  The Jets would have gotten the ball back with plenty of time, so why not try to run out the clock while gaining first downs?  Good ballsy call by Billick.

Never the less, he would have gotten hammered by the press if the Ravens had blown the game.

*****

Okay, changed my mind... that was a tough defeat.  We're now 0-2, two games behind the Pats.  The good news is we proved we can hang with a really good team, and KC looked legit.  But next week's game against the Dolphins is really a must-win now.

*****

Finally, yes... I like calling Clemens "KC".  

I'm your quarter back, that's what I am

I'm here to do... whatever I can.

Be it early morning, late afternoon

or at midnight, it's never too soon.

To want to please you

to want to do it all, all for you.

I want to be your, be your foot ball, 

I wanna be the back you love the most of all.  Oh yeah.

I'm your quarter back, I'm your quarter back.

Turn me on.

I'm your quarter back, I'm your quarter back.

I'll do what you want.

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