File Under: Thomas Jones, Mike Nugent, Kellen Clemens
12/30 — The Jets win the OT coin toss, much to the approval of Brad Kassell, who lets out a Texas-style "Awwright!" over ref Larry Nemmers' mike. Soon Leon Washington squirms to the Jets 30 and OT is under way.
Thomas Jones bursts off right guard for 9 yards, then Kellen Clemens keeps and the Jets' first — and, they hope, the only — series of the fifth period continues. Then a nice play-fake and a 13-yard out-route completion to Jerricho Cotchery against Ty Law, and the Jets are at the Chiefs 45.
Jones does another nice job flowing left, then cutting right for 8 more yards. Clemens keeps again for another first down to the 34. Mike Nugent is kicking into the net out of Ben Graham's hold on the sideline.
Then a draw to Jones and another nice burst for 10 yards to the 24. And, when the Chiefs stack up against the run, Jones with a spin off the right side, saving a loss and getting a yard. Then Jones gets 8 more yards. But this time Clemens can't pick up the sneak conversion.
So on comes Nugent to attempt the third game-winning field goal of his career, from 33 yards out close to the middle of the field. First a timeout by KC, then Nugent kicks — and hits!
But wait. Holding against the Jets! It's not over. Now Nugent will try for the winner from 43 yards out, still just slightly right of the center of the field.
And there's the snap, and there's — the Chiefs' final timeout, trying to ice Nuge once again.
And Nugent hits again. This one is a little more of a line drive but still solid. And the Jets pull it out.
Jets 13, Chiefs 10 (OT)
The Jets finish the season at 4-12, same record as the Chiefs. It's not official but it appears that the win has secured the sixth pick of the April draft for the Green & White ... not to mention a small shred of pride and relief that the Jets could pull this one out against their old coach, Herm Edwards, and against another team that made it to the playoffs last year and fell on hard times this year.
I'll be back in a short while with a final postgame blog from the Jets locker room.
Jets Fan Said:
Tue, January 1, 2008 - 8:57am EDT"It took me a couple of days to gather my thoughts after that pathetic offensive performance, wow was that horrible. Clemens looks lost, Penny has to stay for at least a year until this kid matures. Aside from Mangold, our O line is horrible. Schottenhiemer should be fired, he is the root of these problems and I can't stand it."
Row Said:
Wed, January 2, 2008 - 4:19pm EDT"First of all X, mostly agreed, but Jones ran for over 1100 yards. Leon hits the hole faster, and usually runs off tackle or on a sweep. Schotty made Jones run without a lead block right down the middle, setting 7 yds deep. Leon started several games with Schotty in 06 and didn't exactly produce. I want to thank the players for fighting for this win. Coaching is our weak point! DESEAN JACKSON JR #1"
Anonymous Said:
Tue, January 8, 2008 - 9:34pm EDT"The Jets should trade Pennington, Vilma, their #1draft pick and anything else it takes to get Brady Quinn from Cleveland. Clemens is not the QB of the future so why wait. Vilma won't be missed, David Harris proved that. "
Jeremy Said:
Sun, December 30, 2007 - 7:52pm EDT"Ira, you still want to give a bye to SHOTTY? His best solution, best offensive play is a shovel pass, a shovel pass--come on? Nothing on the line and he comes up blank, scoring 13 against the Chiefs! D'Bust is pathetic he fell straight on his back a few times and had KC running for his life. KC should have been riding the pine all year--Penny was never the problem--it's all the O Line and SHOTTY"