Who's To Blame?

No Super Bowl. No playoffs. A .500 record to show. This is what team the New York Jets are at this very moment. So let's point fingers; whose shoulders should this mediocre play fall on for a team that has reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games?

First and foremost, offensive coordinator Brian Shottenheimer is becoming more and more predictible week after week. If I know what play is coming next on the couch at home (or from my phone at Bed Bath & Beyond), don't you think that a defensive coordinator will know what play is coming next? Teams gameplan and watch film ALL week long to try and figure out what the offense will throw at them come Sunday (or Thursday...or Monday). You look at successful teams like the Patriots, they love to mix up the playbook. Granted, they have the best QB in the game to do so, but the Patriots run a lot of different plays ranging from short, quick screens to the deep threat 40 yards down the field. They also give a variety of different looks, and constantly change the pace and speed of the game; something Peyton Manning was excellent at.

Both QB's could effectively run a no-huddle offense, as well as also take several minutes off the board with long drives. So how does this circle back to the Jets? Shottenheimer is the most vanilla play-caller in the league (although Giants fans may disagree), and it doesn't help a young QB like Mark Sanchez that the defense pretty much knows what the play is before it happens.

Next, the offensive line. It starts up front. The big fellas MUST protect their quarterback, and this unit has done a horrendous job all year in doing that for Sanchez. RT Wayne Hunter, who for some reason was signed to an extension in the offseason, has been atrocious all-year, giving the Sanchise no time to breathe back in the pocket. A fun fact, after the Jets' miserable loss on Thursday night to the Bronocs, something interesting was trending on Twitter. No, not Tim Tebow. Or "Tebow Time." No, what was trending on Twitter was Wayne Hunter. Yes, the offensive lineman for the Jets was trending across the country. If that doesn't point out how bad this line has been, I don't know what will.

To think that the offensive line was actually the strength for the Jets for the last couple of years is ironic. LG Alan Faneca was let go a couple years ago (a move I still haven't gotten over), and RT Damien Woody was also let go in "cost-cutting" decisions. Well, the Jets must be real glad they saved that money now that their offensive line is average at best.

Okay, here's the part you've been waiting for me to say: Mark Sanchez. It's been speculated within the Jets most recent loss that ancient, backup QB Mark Brunell should start ahead of Sanchez because of his poor play. And to all of those who say that, I simply shake my head because no response is needed. Brunell at this point in his career is simply a "mentor" and keeps Sanchez entertained on the sideline. We're not living in 1998.

Of course Sanchez has to improve his play. He knows that. Rex Ryan knows that. We all know that. His last couple games have been rough, and I acknowledge that. His interceptions this year have been very costly. He has been throwing less than the last couple years, but this year, they are coming at the wrong times. Look at last week versus Denver: the pick-six he threw was absolutely dreadful and he should be embarrassed for that throw. I know I was.

But unlike most fans and people in the media, I really don't think that Sanchez is the MAIN cause of the Jets problems. By the way, look at the running backs on the roster. It almost feels like a monumental achievement when the Jets run for more than five yards at a time. Shonne Greene has been underwhelming this season, and LaDainian Tomlinson is unfortunately a third-down receiver out of the backfield and a solid pass protector at this point. Throw in Joe McKnight and Bilal Powell. Not too many QB's would be having tremendous success when the RB's aren't helping to move the chains.

To sum this rant off, defenses don't need to blitz, and they don't need to worry about stacking the box. Defenses can stop the run because the runners of the Jets run into brick walls two yards into the line of scrimmage. Therefore, Sanchez sees a sea of defenders all over his receivers. Also remember, the Sanchise has NO time to make any decisions with an awful O-Line. Go back to Sanchez's first season. Thomas Jones was a solid back, and was a legitimate threat in the backfield. The O-Line made the team successful, and gave Sanchez the opportunity to be successful because it gave him the ability to do what he does best: play-action passing and rolling out to pass. Without a good running game, a QB like Sanchez takes the heat. In my opinion, it's unfair for Sanchez to receive ALL the blame. Does he have to improve? Of course. But first, give him an offensive coordinator that knows what he's doing, a solid offensive line, and a successful running game. Then we'll talk.

-David Otero

Catch David Otero on the Sportswire on Tuesdays from 6-7 pm on 88.1 FM and Wcwp.org, and follow him on Twitter @David_ODog.