ESPN - Week 4 matchup Jets v Ravens

[Paul Mad Scot]

Friday, September 30, 2005
Bollinger faces difficult test



Why To Watch
This game features two teams in must-win situations heading into Week 4 of the regular season. Both teams have been one-dimensional and have relied heavily on their defenses to off-set their struggling offenses. It's a tough first test for third-string QB Brooks Bollinger.
This game features two great running backs in the Jets' Curtis Martin and the Ravens' Jamal Lewis. There is a lot of pressure on both offensive lines this week to run the ball and protect the quarterback. Both units have struggled so far this season. The Ravens must find a way to score points and finish drives.
Jets Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger must find a way to improve the Jets dysfunctional offense, while Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan must come up with a gameplan designed to shutdown RB Curtis Martin. Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson will stay aggressive and attack the Ravens struggling offense, while Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel must get back to the basics on offense and that takes pressure off Anthony Wright.
Look for some great match-ups on the outside with the Ravens corners Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle vs. WR Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins.


When the Jets have the ball
Rushing: The Jets offense has scored a total of 37 points in three games this season. The Jets managed just one offensive touchdown against Jacksonville this past Sunday and have just four this season, barely averaging 15 points per game. Look for offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and offensive line coach Doug Marrone to design blocking patterns to offset the Ravens' aggressive gap control defense and alter certain blocking patterns that can create space within the box.
The Jets offensive line has continued to struggle and could be with out LT Jason Fabini. Martin rushed for 67 yards on 18 carries against Jacksonville and didn't show any problems with his strained right knee, so look for the Jets to rely on a strong dose of Martin, led by FB Jerald Sowell. Sowell is a very productive lead blocker who must be effective on the second level vs. MLB Ray Lewis. Also, RB Derrick Blaylock should see more this week as a change-of-pace back.
The Ravens defense is ranked sixth in the NFL against the run, allowing 91.5 yards per game. Look for defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to load up the box with multiple eight- man fronts and force the Jets to beat him through the air. The interior of the Ravens defensive line is led by NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu and LDT Kelly Gregg.
Kemoeatu is big, physical space-eater who, along with Gregg, must do an effective job of holding the point vs. the Jets OC Kevin Mawae and guards Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore. This will allow MLB Ray Lewis to have enough space to get downhill and have a clear alley to Martin. Also, look for SS Ed Reed or FS Will Demps to invert toward the line of scrimmage and be a strong factor in stopping the run.

Passing: The New York Jets might have a real quarterback problem on their hands. Starter Chad Pennington is probably out for the season after an MRI revealed a torn rotator, and backup Jay ******* also is out for this week's game. Third-stringer Brooks Bollinger is the only healthy quarterback on the Jets roster and will now start.
Look for Heimerdinger to continue to design a gameplan that relies on a quick, short, controlled passing attack that attacks the short and intermediate areas of the field. He will also use the play-action pass on first or second down to set-up the vertical seam and spread the field to create mismatches they can attack vs. either Deion Sanders or Dale Carter.
The Ravens have a great combination of corners in both Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, and feel they can match up on the perimeter with WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins, based on the inexperience of Bollinger. The Ravens will overload the right side of the Jets offensive line to create mismatches with a combination of Terrell Suggs, Adalius Thomas or Jarrett Johnson, and pressure with their aggressive style when generating rush lanes in pass-rush situations.

When the Ravens have the ball
Rushing: New offensive coordinator Jim Fassel wanted the players to start the season with an aggressive attitude after years of ranking among the NFL's worst offenses. But the Ravens have struggled with consistency and confidence during their 0-2 start. The Ravens are not expected to make any lineup changes to an area that has struggled the most -- the offensive line.
Look for Fassel to insert FB Alan Ricard this week in the Ravens traditional I-formation, instead of using the double tight-end sets (22 personnel grouping) with Daniel Wilcox and Todd Heap. Ricard is a willing run-blocker with good adjust ability, and does a good job of maintaining his pad level at the point of contact. Also, look for the Ravens to get back to their tendency of running behind the combo of LT Jonathan Ogden and LG Edwin Mulitalo, and attack the Jets right side of the defensive line.
Defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson will stack the box with multiple fronts and try and contain the powerful Jamal Lewis. The Jets have an attacking front four that can be very active and disruptive when moving into gaps and causing confusion to blocking patterns. The LB core of SLB Victor Hobson, MLB Jonathan Vilma and WLB Eric Barton (injured his ankle late in the game vs. the Jaguars) must come up big in defending Jamal Lewis. Although, it will be critical that FS Eric Coleman and SS Kerry Rhodes play under control and maintain leverage when forcing downhill to eliminate the explosive plays.

Passing: Backup QB Anthony Wright gets his second consecutive start after looking extremely sloppy in his first start in two years against the Titans in Week 2. Wright has a strong arm, but his accuracy and decision making are big concerns. On offense, the one positive note has been the addition of receiver Derrick Mason. He leads the team with 16 catches and 159 yards receiving, so look for Fassel to call plays that get the ball downfield to Mason.
If the Ravens can attack downfield to Mason against the Jets, it will create more space underneath and mismatches for TE Todd Heap. Also, look for the Ravens to involve both Randy Hymes and first-round pick Mark Clayton more in the gameplan this week, due to the struggles of WR Clarence Moore.
Look for Henderson to stay aggressive and attack the Ravens after forcing three turnovers last week. He will look to exploit Baltimore's poor play upfront by bringing additional pressure from different areas of the field off zone pressures and force Wright to make quick sight adjustments into defenders dropping underneath. The Jets have good depth at the defensive line position and do a good job of rotating players throughout the game. Also, look for the Jets to bracket Derrick Mason and Todd Heap in some sort of match-up zone, forcing Wright to use other options within the passing tree. If the Ravens continue to have problems in the passing game, look for an up-tempo, no-huddle attack that limits the Jets personnel groupings based on down and distance.