The question most asked about the Jets following last Saturday’s 26-3 drubbing at the hands of the Giants was about embattled right tackle Wayne Hunter, a very likeable guy who was at the center of just about every Twitter joke about the Jets. Hunter, as he was last season, stood tall and answered every question.
“It was tough sledding. The Giants have a good defensive front,” said Hunter. “They have a lot of good guys to go up against in my first preseason game. Like I’ve been telling you guys, it is going to get better from here. There is nothing else I can do.”
Hunter’s thoughts notwithstanding, here’s a news flash, Jets fans. He’s not the only problem on that offense. In fact, there are cracks in just about every facet of the Jets’ offense. The wide receiver core, once a versatile group with the likes of Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, Brad Smith and Braylon Edwards, must now count on Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley and a bunch of unproven youngsters.
Who knows where Holmes’ head is at? And Kerley is still a question mark, despite his solid play down the stretch last season. Shonn Greene is the only proven every-down running back on the roster. All of this led to the Jets failing to score a touchdown for the second straight game. It was alarming to just about everyone except Rex Ryan. The affable coach actually complimented them but stopped short of marking it a success.
“Offensively, we did well,” Ryan said. “We had some moments and ran the ball decent at times. You have to be able to protect the quarterback.”
A little bit of optimism is fine, but facts are facts. The Jets don’t scare anyone on offense. They were terrible on short yardage plays and couldn’t get the ball downfield. Holmes and Kerley didn’t play, which limited what the Jets could do in their passing game. But even if Holmes and Kerley did play, Sanchez was sacked three times and pressured often.
The lack of consistency on the offensive line and few, if any, playmakers on the outside along with questions at quarterback may plague the Jets all season. The Jets will have another opportunity to get it together against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.