New York Jets: Not Elite, Just Yet

In what was one of the most exciting and enjoyable games to be played in the last few years on Monday Night Football, The new York Jets clearly answered their fans and perhaps themselves that at this point in the season they are a very good football team, very good, but not elite, just yet.

The Jets put 27 points on the board last night but also gave up three fourth quarter touchdowns to the supposed run happy Dolphins. What they didn't expect was to be beaten by new Dolphins quarterback Michigan's own Chad Henne.

Henne, for the time he was under the center was simply brilliant out playing his much noted USC grad opponent, Mark Sanchez. Mark had an excellent game as well but too many, that was expected especially after last weeks performance in New Orleans.

What was not expected was Henne's 20-26 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. The Dolphins put a total of 413 yards of offense against Rex Ryan's vaunted defense. The Dolphins also used the NFL's latest fad "The Wildcat" to move the ball repeatedly against the Jets.

Ronny Brown and Ricky Williams both hammered away at the Jets defense on the ground and Ricky Williams looked like the Heisman Trophy running back while he was at Texas.

Right from the beginning it looked like whoever had the ball at the end of the game would come out on top.

One of the few very bright spots for the Jets was the emergence of their new number one receiver,recently acquired Braylon Edwards. He hooked up with Mark Sanchez for five catches for 64 yards receptions, plus one touchdown which might have been two if he extended his arm about one more yard into the end zone on a brilliant pass and catch from quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Edwards was familiar with the Jets offense because it is a similar one that was used in Cleveland. "It really was a game of just refreshing the memory", he said after the game. Edwards who has led the league in dropped passes in the past looked like he would catch everything thrown at him by Sanchez and he nearly did. He missed a few but they were out of reach. The one he wanted the most was the "Hail Mary" at the end of the game but it came up short.

The Jets took advantage of two special teams play where they ran for first downs with fake punts.

This is a very exciting team to watch. What fans must remember is that it is still very early in the learning process and the Jets are not as good as their 3-0 start, but their not as bad as their 0-2 last two games.

With a pretty favorable schedule over the next 5 weeks the Jets have the opportunity to make a statement in the AFC east. They have a re-match with both New England and Miami and games with Oakland, Buffalo, and Jacksonville who have a combined 4-11 record.

What's next for New York is getting back home this Sunday to face the 1-4 Buffalo Bills who look like they are in disarray. It will also be an opportunity to see T.O who is struggling in Buffalo and due to sound off in the very near future.

Should be fun.