Brandon Marshall is so good, he even comes up with the ball on interceptions.
When Cleveland’s Tashaun Gipson picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick’s pass in the second quarter of Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium, it ended the Jets’ chance to tie the score at seven ... for about two seconds. Then Marshall, Gang Green’s biggest offseason acquisition not named Revis, somehow took the ball back.
Running back Chris Ivory took it in for a score two plays later, for the first of four TDs the home team would ring up in opening the season 1-0 with a 31-10 win.
Marshall, Fitzgerald and Ivory were all standouts on Sunday. Marshall clearly showed that his addition gives the Jets something they’ve lacked for the better part of a decade: a true number-one receiver. He may not be a burner at age 31, but his nose for the end zone is second-to-none -- or at least to anyone not named Gronkowski. The Amish Rifle, meanwhile, was exactly what the Jets needed him to be -- smart, efficient and able.
Finally, Ivory rammed his way to 91 hard-earned yards. Reserve RB Bilal Powell was also productive, a welcome sign given the fact that Ivory’s punishing style makes him vulnerable over the course of a 16-game campaign.
But what really stood out for the Jets was their decided advantage in the turnover battle -- a huge turnaround from last season, when they gave away the ball nearly twice as much as they got it back from opponents. Of course, it helps when you’re playing against Johnny Football.
I’m a Manziel fan. He’s uniquely talented and extremely fun to watch. I think he’s got what it takes to be a successful NFL QB (full disclosure: I know I repeat this often, but I think it’s only fair -- I said the same thing about Tim Tebow), and he showed some flashes of that potential yesterday.
I’d be very happy to have Manziel on my team. That said, if he was, I’d watch games with a keg of Maalox next to my recliner. The Browns’ second-year signal-caller, who entered the game after first-stringer Josh McCown suffered a concussion after his attempted leap for a touchdown was aborted by LB Demario Davis, gives new meaning to the term unpolished.
Manziel, who would be a senior this fall if he’d stayed in college, plays as if he’s still at Texas A&M. Unfortunately for the former Heisman winner, the Jets D is a lot bigger, faster and tougher than that of A&M’s opponent this weekend (Ball State). He simply can’t get away with the stuff he used to, and his apparent inability to realize this led to three turnovers that turned what was a tight game into a runaway win.
All in all, the ball bounced just right for the Jets on Sunday. It was a welcome departure from 2014, and a great way to kick off the new season.
