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Key Problems The Jets Exploited (aka. Reasons The Colts Lost)

• The Jets worked against Cornelius Brown in the passing game, as he was obviously unable to cover Santonio Holmes. He also struggled in zone against Braylon Edwards. If the Colts were healthy this season, Jacob Lacey would take up his role, and the Jets would of had a lot harder time passing. Lacey did get burnt by Holmes in the fourth quarter, but Holmes had an awful drop. Lacey also got burnt by Braylon Edwards on the last drive. Lacey also got burnt deep by Edwards on a third and five. He is much better not playing man on man with pro bowl caliber players. The Colts injuries at cornerback really hurt this game. Tryon played pretty well, but he let up a big pass on the last drive.
• Bethea did not have a great game. He was burnt by Keller a lot, and Sanchez just missed him a couple times. He also missed a key tackle in Tomlinson’s long run in the first quarter.
• Ricardo Matthews did not play well, he was pushed out of the way to make some big lanes on the Jets third quarter run. Dan Muir made a sack, but he was awful against the run in the second half. The Colts really missed Antonio Johnson. On Tomlinson’s touchdown run in the second half (and most of that drive), the offensive line got a huge push on the Colts defensive line. It was almost not even fair.
• Jeff Saturday got toasted by Mike DeVito on a third and 1 run with about 5:30 left in the third quarter. Jeff Linkenbach played ok, but he still needed help from a guard or Addai on a lot of palys.
• The Colts could not get pressure on Sanchez. D’Brickashaw Ferguson did a great job on Freeney, and Mathis was silenced by Damien Woody. Even when the Colts blitzed, they could not get to Sanchez.
• Pat Angerer fell down when he tried to push Sanchez out of bounds on the third down scramble. Angerer also got destroyed on the Jets second long drive in the second half. Angerer did make some good plays though. Tyjuan Hagler didn’t play well on the last drive either.
• The third and seven run by Rhodes should not have been called. The Colts had some luck running on third and long earlier in the game, but when the game matters, I want Manning to get the ball. Rhodes and Addai didn’t have great games, particularly Rhodes, who did not practice much all week.
• Yes the Blair White pass was low, but I think Dallas Clark or Austin Collie would have caught it. Losing both those guys hurt. Manning made a bad throw, but nobody is perfect.
• Kavell Conner caused the huge Cromartie return. Pat Angerer also had a chance to make a tackle.

What To Look Forward To Next Season

• Players who did not play yesterday: Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, Ryan Diem, Jamey Richard, Antonio Johnson, Bob Sanders, Cody Glenn, Melvin Bullitt, Chip Vaughn, Al Afalava, Jamie Silva, Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers, Kevin Thomas, Devin Moore
• Improved special teams play: The Colts can get a group of guys who consistantly play special teams, instead of a group of players who are constantly being rotated in and out.
• Listen to this group of receivers – Wayne, Garcon, Collie, Gonzalez, Tamme, and Clark.

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By: Bryan Brackney, SJ Contributor, Blogger