Marcus Maye, Bryce Hall, NY Jets Film
Marcus Maye, Bryce Hall, NY Jets, Getty Images, Jet X Graphic

Minor post-snap deficiencies from Marcus Maye and Bryce Hall lead to TD

While standing in front of his team for the first time in a post-game situation, head coach Robert Saleh delivered an interesting message in the New York Jets locker room after defeating the Giants.

“(There’s) a lot to learn off of from this tape,” Saleh told his team. “I know it’s a day off tomorrow but watch the tape. Watch your individual performance. Turn the lights off, sit in a dark room by yourself and watch your tape. And tell yourself what that thing says. Find a way to make that speak louder the next time.”

The purpose of the message is clear: Each player can improve their game by analyzing their performance on every snap.

By focusing on and diving into the film, a player can find those minor details that escaped recognition during the game. Then, they can take what they have learned and apply it to their next opportunity.

While that sentiment will always ring true, it seems especially appropriate just one week later following the Jets’ performance in Green Bay. Despite leaving the state of Wisconsin with a win, the Jets defense struggled to make plays early in the game.

I decided to take action on Saleh’s advice by analyzing one specific play from Saturday afternoon (full video can be seen above this article or by clicking here for Jets X-Factor’s YouTube channel). This is not meant to overly criticize a player or broadly define someone’s performance. The goal is the exact purpose of the message: find what went wrong and determine how the performance can improve next time around.

After starting at their own 19-yard line, the Packers went 18 plays to get to a third-and-4 situation at the Jets’ 6-yard line. On the 19th play of the drive, the Packers dialed up a spot concept to the boundary.  The tight end ran the corner route to the back pylon, the WR ran the curl route to the goal line and the running back went into the flat.

With the Jets’ defense in a Cover 2, Kurt Benkert threw the football over the outstretched arm of Bryce Hall to hit Jace Sternberger on the corner route in the end zone. However, Marcus Maye could also be seen closely trailing Sternberger as he caught the ball.

In this video breakdown, I focus solely on Maye and Hall to show what I believe they could have done better to change the outcome of the play.

Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here

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James Wighaus started Back Shoulder Breakdown as an Instagram page in September 2020. His vision was to create X's and O's content for those that enjoyed the game of football but were searching for a deeper understanding of what goes on in between the white lines. The ex-quarterback and film junkie provides film breakdowns and intriguing analysis that takes you straight to the gridiron and into the mind of the player. Email: james.wighaus[at]yahoo.com
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Matt Galemmo
Matt Galemmo
1 year ago

Thank you for the breakdown, but I don’t think I understand. If Hall gets deeper, doesn’t he get torched on the flat? I mean, it seems like he has help on the corner and the curl, so is getting deeper his responsibility?

Matt Galemmo
Matt Galemmo
1 year ago
Reply to  James Wighaus

That’s interesting. So if I understand right, if he drops deeper right off the snap, the QB might come off the corner route, and then he can put his foot in the ground and drive on the flat, but he sort of ignored the corner initially, which made it an easy read.

I still feel like I should be more disappointed in Maye, though. What else does he have to do but take away the corner?