Jets-Eagles: Second Half

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Jets-Eagles: Second Half

Published: Thu, August 28, 2008 - 9:01pm EDT
Randy Lange

By Randy Lange

Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.


File Under: C.J. Mosley, David Ball, Jesse Chatman, Erik Ainge, Vernon Gholston

08/28 — Erik Ainge is finally showing some of that Tennessee talent he displayed in four years of running the Vols' offense. He stays in to run the Jets offense through the second half and produces his first pro touchdown and gives the visitors their first lead of the game.

The score comes on a needle-threader through the hands of leaping LB Andy Studebaker, past the defense of CB Kyle Arrington, and into the hands of WR David Ball. The 6-yard TD is also Ball's first pro touchdown, and it gives the Jets a 17-13 lead.

Ainge also mounts a 12-play march to a Mike Nugent 34-yard field goal and a 20-13 lead with 11:25 left in the game.

Jesse Chatman continues to be used heavily. Through the FG drive he has 175 yards from scrimmage.

Make that 183, since Ahmad Carroll recovers a muffed Eagles punt at the Philly 17, then Chatman bowls 4 more yards, the final 2 for the TD that gives the Jets a 27-20 lead with 6:26 to play.

Reverting to the first half briefly, although the "ones," as in first units, for both teams are not playing, the Jets' "ones," as in first-round draft choices, saw a lot of action in the first 30 minutes.

In particular LB Vernon Gholston lined up as the left OLB in the base and as the left outside rusher for the nickel front on defense and TE Dustin Keller got a lot of reps with the first offense.

Gholston had some nice-try plays. On Philadelphia's first drive, No. 56 couldn't close down on Correll Buckhalter, who cut inside him for a 6-yard run, but on the next play Gholston played off his block well and caught Buckhalter from behind for a 3-yard run. Then VG had a seemingly nice outside speed rush that appeared to beat RT Winston Justice, but Justice stayed with him and pushed him past the pocket, as Kevin Kolb stepped up and hit WR Hank Baskett for 25 yards.

Keller had two catches for 11 yards. Gholston had three tackles. I didn't see either in the second half.

If you saw uniform numbers in unusual places on the Jets' "D", you weren't losing your marbles. David Barrett made what is believed to be his first start as an NFL safety (the ninth-year CB played safety for the first time during the Giants game).

And yes, WR Chansi Stuckey was on the field as a DB in the Jets' sub and was credited with the tackle of WR Bam Childress after a 7-yard completion in the first half and with three more tackles in the second half.

Finally, this night in Philly wouldn't be complete without a progress report on C.J. Mosley. Jets fans remember a year ago when Mosley had three sacks of and forced two fumbles by the Eagles' A.J. Feeley — all on one first-quarter drive.

Tonight Mosley didn't sack Feeley, but he did chase the Birds' No. 3 QB from the pocket late in the third quarter. The result? Feeley threw a sideline pass right to Jets S Abram Elam for a turnover that started that FG drive.

Lots of people love New York. Mosley loves Philly.

Due to logistical problems here at 'the Linc," I don't know when I will be filing my postgame Radar entry. Eric Allen's game story will be live shortly after the end of the game and my final blog out of the Green & White locker room will, perhaps later rather than sooner, focus on Chatman's busy night.

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Fans Respond

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Josh Said:

Fri, August 29, 2008 - 11:19pm EDT

"Ainge is going to be a good QB. He put up better stats than Matt Ryan and he played in the SEC. The thing that hurt Ainge is when Robert Meachem skipped his SR year and Ainge had to break in new below average WR. Thats what stopped Ainge from being a day one pick in he draft. This guy has all the tools and has a way bigger upside than KC."

Offensive Comment?

MikeMc Said:

Sat, August 30, 2008 - 11:42am EDT

"DREW- #56 is a one trick pony & that one trick is not that good. Week #8 I'll hold you to that, just in time for the lighter part of the schedule, thanks Vern."

Offensive Comment?

Drew Said:

Sat, August 30, 2008 - 3:21pm EDT

"Cmon MikeMc...A one trick pony?? The guy has unbelieveable power and once he is sure of what to do his speed will become a factor. I know there are haters out there but give the kid time."

Offensive Comment?