With Weatherford’s quad injury an issue leading up to the season finale, Feely practiced his punting but that was the extent of his experience, besides one game in college. For him to step in with no notice and handle the punting duties is impressive.
Feely is also mentally tough, just what you want in a kicker. He nailed a 42-yarder on Sunday that was nullified by a penalty then nailed the ensuing 52-yarder. The latter was waived off as well but making it showed a ton of mettle by Feely.
It takes a lot of confidence and focus to be able to nail a longer kick after someone else’s mistake. To do it late in a close playoff game is even more impressive.
The Officiating
It is hard to recall a poorer job of officiating than the one witnessed on Sunday.
The first bad call occurred on an incomplete pass to Andre Caldwell. Darrelle Revis, who was in coverage, was called for illegal contact but upon viewing the replay, it was clear the receiver pushed off.
Later in the game, the refs missed a blatant hold by Chad Ochocinco. Revis was tackled to the ground and it opened up the outside for a big run by Benson. The penalty occurred right in front of the side judge who was looking away at the time.
The awful officiating continued on the very next play as Revis was called for pass interference. He had great position on Ochocinco and was whistled for the same type of hand checking that goes on between receivers and corners on nearly every play.
Revis was called for a third penalty, an illegal contact but of course the brilliant NBC crew failed to show a replay of the call in question.
Between Benson’s 27-yard run and Revis’ interference call (26 yards) the Bengals were handed 53-yards, which set them up nicely for a 35-yard chip shot. But the Jets would have the last laugh as Shayne Graham hooked an easy kick.
The Telecast
As if the officiating was not bad enough, the telecast might have been even worse.
Jets fans really got the short end of the stick in terms of the crew covering the game. While Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels were committed to the Dallas game, NBC wheeled out Joe Gibbs, Joe Theisman and a clueless Tom Hammond.
You know you are in trouble when Joe Theisman is the best of the bunch. Hammond was awful. Early on he did not bother to mention that Jay Feely had taken over the punting duties.
It was not until after Weatherford trotted back on the field minutes later that he noted the development. Hammond missed many important details throughout the game.
Dustin Keller dropped his first pass attempt and Hammond attributed it to a knockdown by the defender but it was clear from the replay that it was a simple drop.
It seemed as though Hammond was the Bengals’ home announcer. He showed no excitement during the Jets’ big plays, most notably Revis’ interception and Shonn Greene’s touchdown yet was noticeably excited on Cedric Benson’s touchdown.
Hammond also did not identify players whistled for penalties. Feely’s first field goal was nullified by a holding call on “#75”. Unless you had a roster in front of you, you had no idea it was Robert Turner.
Hammond seemed to be watching another game. He missed easy details like who was under center for the Jets. With Brad Smith in the game, he identified him as the QB yet it was Sanchez who took the snap and Smith who was lined up at wide receiver.
Gibbs was totally out of it and seemed unprepared for the telecast. He did not always identify players by name and instead referred to their position. For example, he referred to Jim Leonhard as the “safety” on his sack of Carson Palmer.
With only one telecast each week during the season, NBC had no real back up team. It might be a good idea put one together for next year’s playoffs.
What’s Up With Braylon Edwards?
In consecutive weeks, he dropped easy passes in the end zone. It might be time for Ryan to pull him aside and have a little talk.
Catching the football happens to be the biggest part of his job description yet he is still way too erratic in this area, particularly on deep balls.
Although he has had some drops on short-intermediate routes as well, it seems like the deep balls give him the most trouble. This is clearly a concentration issue.
If the Jets do resign him, and that is no certainty at this point, there should be provisions built into his deal that penalize him for drops. Maybe that will push him to work on his hands.
Edwards is considered a #1 receiver and clearly has the athleticism and size to be one but his output is that of a possession receiver. Until he can convert big plays, he should not be paid as a #1.
Cotchery Steady as Ever
It is too bad Jerricho Cotchery does not have Edwards’ natural ability. If he did, he would be the Jets’ #1 guy.
Cotchery was thrown to six times on Sunday and caught all six.
Cotchery tallied 67 yards for an 11-yard average, which is about average for a possession receiver like Cotchery but it is his yards after the catch that are most impressive. He also makes clutch plays when the team needs them most.
Of his six catches, four went for first downs and a fifth went for nine yards and set the Jets up with an easy 2nd and 1 scenario.
Schottenheimer used Cotchery almost exclusively on quick slants and deep outs. Regarding the latter, he made two beautiful sideline catches.
On the first, a 15-yarder and a first down, he did a nice job of dragging his back foot, which held up under review. On the second, he got wide open for an 18-yard gain.
Cotchery had a solid game against a very good corner in Jonathan Joseph. He will not make many highlight reels but no one is more reliable. Cotchery continues to be Sanchez’ favorite target when the Jets need a first down.
Cotchery has led the Jets in catches and receiving yards for three consecutive seasons.