FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Brian Schottenheimer realizes he’s a popular target for criticism by fans and the media these days. He’s heard lots of second-guessing, and he refuses to allow it to affect his play calling.
“I really don’t put too much stock into,” the New York Jets offensive coordinator said Friday. “I really don’t have time.”
Schottenheimer, in his third season running the Jets’ offense, has come under fire for not being more aggressive at times with Brett Favre as his quarterback, and relying on the running game too much. Some weeks, Favre appears to be the rifle-armed icon who can change games with one toss. In others, he appears to be just any other quarterback, relegated to handing the ball off with the game on the line.
oing to do this or going to do that,” Schottenheimer said. “That’s what we’re always striving for each and every week.”
But that approach has led to an inconsistent product so far, and that’s a major reason the Jets are 3-3 heading into their game Sunday against Kansas City.
“A lot of the situations that we’ve been in, we’ve hurt ourselves with turnovers, penalties and taking ourselves out of good situations,” running back Thomas Jones said. “A lot of our problems have been just us. If we can eliminate some of those mistakes, I think we’ll be in good shape.”
Last weekend’s 16-13 overtime loss at Oakland was a prime example of New York’s inconsistency. The Jets opened the game with an empty backfield and a no-huddle offense as Favre threw pass after pass – seven on the drive – to help New York to a quick 3-0 lead.
It appeared it would be shades of the scoring outburst against Arizona, when Favre had six touchdown passes in a 56-35 win in Week 4. But the offense got bogged down after the opening possession, and it didn’t help that Favre threw two interceptions.
“I like our game plans,” Favre said. “I like the way Schotty calls the games. We have to be more consistent because I can assure you, if you watch the tape like we do, there were plays to be made individually, me included. Numerous plays I could have made that I didn’t make. Those are some of the things that people don’t see.
“The game happens so fast, you don’t see that. You just kind of think, ‘They’re running it. Why don’t they throw it?’ It’s tough on a play caller. It’s tough on a head coach. We have to execute, individually, the game plan.”
In overtime, the Jets ran the ball nine times while Favre threw just four passes. Granted, Jones ran for 159 yards, the second most of his career, but why not put the game on Favre’s right arm?
“I’ve obviously heard about that stuff,” Schottenheimer said. “Anytime you lose, you’re disappointed. We looked at, I think there were eight runs and there were six passes (called). There’s nothing I would really do differently.”
The versatile Brad Smith got his first extended playing time last week, giving the Jets a more creative element lacking in the first five games. Smith, a former college quarterback now playing wide receiver, ran four times for 59 yards, including a Jets season-high 36-yarder, and caught four passes for 29 yards.
“Brad’s always a part of the plan,” Schottenheimer said. “There are specific things we want to do with him and those are in each and every week, but not every week you’re given the right look to run those plays.”
wasn’t expected with Favre stepping in at quarterback. New York’s offense ranks 18th overall, 16th in rushing and 17th in passing, but is eighth in scoring with 154 points.
So what gives? Well, the turnovers at terrible times are a major factor. Favre’s eight interceptions are the second most in the NFL behind the 10 thrown by San Francisco’s J.T. O’Sullivan. New York has also been called for 30 penalties, resulting in 251 yards of lost yardage.
“We do a lot of good things, but a lot of times you’ll see a little breakdown here, or a little breakdown there, whatever the case may be,” right tackle Damien Woody said. “Our main focus is consistency. We need to be consistent throughout the whole game in everything we do. If we do that, we’re definitely capable of being a very explosive offense.”
The Jets will have another opportunity to show that this weekend against the lowly Chiefs, who are the league’s worst defense against the run and are ranked 31st overall.
“For the most part, we’re a game-plan specific team,” Schottenheimer said. “This week’s plan is going to be different than last week’s, and next week’s will be different than this week. We have our packages, and when you come into a game, you see how the packages go and you kind of keep track of what you’re doing, what you’ve had success with.”
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