Jets Forget How to Tackle in Oakland Debacle

Just a question: Can it be called “poor tackling” if you don’t actually make the tackle?

OK, next question: Does Mike Maccagnan still have Matt Flynn’s number?

We don’t yet know the extent of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s and Geno Smith’s injuries, but we do know this: The Jets aren’t nearly as good without Fitz as they are with him.

If Smith, who hurt his left shoulder in the fourth quarter of the disaster in Oakland, is OK to play next Sunday vs. the Jaguars, well, he’s still Smith, and that’s the problem.

Geno wasn’t terrible on Sunday. He made some really nice plays, particularly on the late TD throw to Kellen Davis, where he kept the Raiders D guessing pass-or-run until it was too late. In that instance, the third-year quarterback showed his arm, athleticism and something that’s been sorely lacking so far in his NFL career — a good head.

It’s that lack that holds Smith back, and it’s what will likely put a big dent in Gang Green’s postseason hopes if Fitzpatrick’s ailing left thumb keeps him out of the lineup for an extended stretch.

Even before Fitz and Smith got banged up, rumors were heating up about a potential trade of Drew Brees to New York, with Maccagnan potentially parting with a few draft picks for the Saints star. But, with the trade deadline a day away, another question: when does a big midseason trade ever happen in the NFL? Not to mention, trading Brees after a 7-TD day (not a typo) that got the Saints to .500 would likely cause a riot in the Big Easy.

No deal. But the 30-year-old Flynn, who is sitting at home after the Jets cut him despite an impressive preseason, might be worth another look (who’m I kidding, call him now!!!).

It wouldn’t have mattered if Brees was quarterbacking the Jets against the Raiders, or if the guy under center was actually a combination of Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Superman. Their defense was so awful that Oakland basically couldn’t lose.

Behind an offensive line that completely neutralized what was supposed to be a formidable Jets front, QB Derek Carr was in top form. If the second-year pro wasn’t weighed down by being the younger brother of the eminently underachieving David Carr, he’d be recognized for what he really is: a star in the making (call it the reverse Manning effect).

Meanwhile, the Jets evidently forgot how to tackle, as Oakland WR Michael Crabtree made about 10 defenders miss on his 36-yard TD catch-and-run, which was topped a bit later by RB Taiwan Jones, who somehow made 12 whiff on his own 59-yard score.

On D, the Raiders did a great imitation of the Jets (at least in the first five games of the season), holding Chris Ivory to just 17 yards on 15 carries.

In short, the Jets stunk on Sunday. And now, they have the same record as the Raiders.

That should hurt more than any injuries they suffered.

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