Schwartz on Sports: Jets - Redskins Recap
By Peter Schwartz
It's the one thing that you worry about in a pre-season game.
An injury.
And that's exactly what happened to the Jets on Friday night when linebacker Calvin Pace suffered a foot injury in Gang Green's 16-11 loss to the Redskins at New Meadowlands Stadium
"I would expect him to be out a few weeks," said head coach Rex Ryan. "That's a big loss. There's no doubt."
Ryan said that his team is fortunate to have some depth at that position so Jason Taylor will go from playing an expected 75% of the snaps to 100% until Pace returns.
In the game, Pace had 5 tackles including one for a loss to go along with a sack and forced fumble.
The Jets offense committed four turnovers including two biggies from starters.
On a third and eight from the Redskins 13 in the 2nd quarter, Mark Sanchez was picked off by DeAngelo Hall who ran it back 35 yards.
"I think, if anything, it was just a poor throw," said Sanchez. "I think I just missed (Keller). "Maybe a ball length and a half or something. That doesn't work".
Later in the quarter, Santonio Holmes fumbled after a 23-yard reception. Holmes had the ball stripped by Phillip Buchanon. Perry Riley made the recovery but it was not clear if he had control inbounds. Instant replay upheld the ruling on the field that it was a recovery for the Redskins.
"I'm concerned with turning the ball over," said Ryan at halftime. We moved the ball well. We just turned it over. Once you make some big plays, we need to start punching it into the end zone. So that's been disappointing. I like the way we're moving the ball, especially on the ground. But, we'll see."
Things finally got on track late in the third quarter. A 15 play, 72-yard drive lasting 7:28 was capped less than a minute into the fourth quarter when Sanchez hit tight end Dustin Keller on a ten-yard touchdown pass. However, Nick Folk missed the extra point.
The Jets rushed for 161 yards in the game including 86 from LaDainian Tomlinson on 11 carries. One of those runs went for 43 yards.
Gang Green closes out the pre-season on Thursday in Philadelphia, but the starters aren't expect to play much if at all. Ryan said that the starters would immediately start preparing for the season opener on September 13th against the Ravens while the backups will get ready for the Eagles.
WHY DIDN'T REVIS TALK?
It's a moot point now because the Jets and the agents for Darrelle Revis agreed to impose a media blackout on contract negotiations. However, one has to wonder why Revis was so quiet before the blackout was put in place?
Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson is also a holdout and is represented by Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, the same agents that represent Revis.
But while Revis has remained silent since the end of mini-camp, Jackson has decided to talk. In an interview with Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network, Jackson seems to be unsure as to what lies ahead for him.
"We've been trying to figure that out," said Jackson. "I trust my agents. They've been doing a great job for me, but we really don't have an idea right now. We're not being granted permission to speak to other teams and we're not even sure if they want to trade me."
Jackson went on to say that his heart remains is in San Diego and that he yearns to be on the field.
"I would love to stay in San Diego," said Jackson. "That's where I've been and I have a good relationship with the guys that are there. I miss being around my teammates, but again I understand the beast of the business. We're just controlling everything we can right now."
According to the San Diego-Union Tribune, Jackson is looking for a 5 year, $50 million deal. The Vikings and Seahawks, who have received permission to talk to Jackson's agents, have reportedly said no to that proposal.
