Every week, we up our prep on the Patriots’ next opponent with our “5 questions…” feature where we check in with a writer who covers New England’s next opponent. For this week’s game against the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, we talk with old buddy Brian Costello of the New York Post. Check him out on Twitter here.
___________________
1. Coz, what's going on down there? A QB with mono, a defensive stud getting benched, Adam Gase giving weird press conferences ... Is this peak Jets? Are these guys competitive at all?
Yes, it has already been a strange season. The Jets enter this game down eight players I thought would be starters in training camp (two on IR, two suspended, four injured). Sam Darnold having mono is one of the strangest things I have seen on my time around the Jets and I have seen some things. They have been competitive in the first two games. They led 16-0 against the Bills and then collapsed and lost 17-16. The defense fell apart in the fourth quarter after C.J. Mosley was injured. Last week, they played the Browns tough. The defense gave up one huge play. The offense was hindered by having Trevor Siemian and then Luke Falk at QB.
2. What have you seen from Gregg Williams' defense, and should the Patriots fear his defenders going after Tom Brady?
2. What have you seen from Gregg Williams' defense, and should the Patriots fear his defenders going after Tom Brady?
Williams has a very good game plan last week against Cleveland and really limited them. The players play hard for him and I think the benching of Trumaine Johnson sent a message. Williams likes Brady on a personal level. Tom has donated items for Williams’ charity auction. I can’t see him trying to injure him.
3. Give me an up-and-coming offensive player to watch and a scouting report on him.
I’m not sure if he qualifies as up and coming but Jamison Crowder has been a nice addition for the Jets in the slot. He had 14 catches in the first game. Gase likes slot receivers and I think he will be a huge factor for the Jets this season. He always seems to be open and gets yards after the catch.
4. Same on defense.
4. Same on defense.
The Jets are playing a rookie at linebacker with Mosley out — Blake Cashman. He is a 5th round pick out of Minnesota. He played well last week in his first start. He is very active and can cover pretty well for a linebacker. He is not related to Brian Cashman.
5. Any hope for an upset? What does that look like? How much do you miss Rex?
5. Any hope for an upset? What does that look like? How much do you miss Rex?
I think if the Jets keep this close it is a major upset. I can’t see a scenario where they win this game. Falk did OK last week but this is a brutal spot to make your first start. The Jets offense has scored 11 points in two games, one less than the Pats D has scored.
I really like Gase. I do think he will turn this around once he gets some players back. His press conferences are not quite on the Rex level, but are usually informative and he has a good sense of humor.
I really like Gase. I do think he will turn this around once he gets some players back. His press conferences are not quite on the Rex level, but are usually informative and he has a good sense of humor.