The improbable improvement of Kareem Jackson

[buddyboy]

Interception on a tipped pass is nice to see, but really not even something I'd attribute to him. He's had solid coverage, but it still frustrated me that he had his back to the play on that endzone pass (which, in fairness, didn't end up being even catchable by his receiver)

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Perki-Perk

What's with all the seasoning. Crow is not meant to be tasty! lol.

And Kareem isn't bad at all. He's actually turned out to be a pretty good corner. Not quite great yet, but he's looked better than J-Jo in a couple games. He's learned a lot from him and Vance obviously.

I've defended Kj since day one. Not that he didn't "suck" but he played over his head as a rookie.

However, he has looked better than Jjo in the last 2-3 games, because Jjo's level of play has dropped as much as Kj's has improved. I think Jjo is dealing with one of those undocumented injuries & we just need him to get healthy.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

I've defended Kj since day one. Not that he didn't "suck" but he played over his head as a rookie.

However, he has looked better than Jjo in the last 2-3 games, because Jjo's level of play has dropped as much as Kj's has improved. I think Jjo is dealing with one of those undocumented injuries & we just need him to get healthy.

It's easy to sit back and say "I've defended him since day one" when you registered for this board only a few months ago.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

Interception on a tipped pass is nice to see, but really not even something I'd attribute to him. He's had solid coverage, but it still frustrated me that he had his back to the play on that endzone pass (which, in fairness, didn't end up being even catchable by his receiver)

Get over it, watch other CBs, sometimes you play the QB, sometimes you play the receiver. On that play, he's playing the receiver, he's going to have his back to the QB. That was text-book & Sanchez threw the ball away because he knew he had no shot.

As far as the INT on the tipped ball, I think it shows great, yes great, improvement on the part of Kj because it shows he's expanding his awareness beyond his particular responsibilities. The game is slowing down for him & now he's able to "see" the field. More or less. Just like jumping the pass on his last INT, he's not focusing on "technique" he's playing off instincts & it was his instincts that made the Texans think he was "the most NFL ready" corner available @ 20

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

Get over it, watch other CBs, sometimes you play the QB, sometimes you play the receiver. On that play, he's playing the receiver, he's going to have his back to the QB. That was text-book & Sanchez threw the ball away because he knew he had no shot.

As far as the INT on the tipped ball, I think it shows great, yes great, improvement on the part of Kj because it shows he's expanding his awareness beyond his particular responsibilities. The game is slowing down for him & now he's able to "see" the field. More or less. Just like jumping the pass on his last INT, he's not focusing on "technique" he's playing off instincts & it was his instincts that made the Texans think he was "the most NFL ready" corner available @ 20

What do you mean "get over it". I've defended KJ over the years constantly, I'm just nitpicking that there is still room for improvement.

A couple games ago when he jumped that pass, now THAT was encouraging.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

What do you mean "get over it". I've defended KJ over the years constantly, I'm just nitpicking that there is still room for improvement.

A couple games ago when he jumped that pass, now THAT was encouraging.

Get over it, as in he will not always be facing the QB, sometimes it's better to keep his eyes on the receiver. That receiver never "went" for the ball, Kj had no "tell" to turn around & look for the ball. Sanchez threw it away.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by b0ng

It's easy to sit back and say "I've defended him since day one" when you registered for this board only a few months ago.

Don't be getting "all literal" on us.

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

Get over it, as in he will not always be facing the QB, sometimes it's better to keep his eyes on the receiver. That receiver never "went" for the ball, Kj had no "tell" to turn around & look for the ball. Sanchez threw it away.

You're right, the WR never made a movement that he was actually going for the ball. I do think that a good QB and good WR can make that hookup over his head (neither of which existed in last night's game, but like I said, I'm nitpicking to temper my own optimism)

[76Texan]

On the INT, the Jets lined up with 2 receivers and the TE on Jackson's side.
The Texans were in 2-deep, man-under.

The Jets ran a double Hi-Lo concept with the #1 receiver - the wide out Schilens #85 (Kareem's man) - and the #2 receiver - the slot receiver #11 Kerley (McCain's man) - running deep routes to clear out the space underneath.
The TE #86 Cumberland ran a 10-yd square out.

This pattern is designed to keep the safety Nolan back deep while forcing the LCB back on his heel as well (as he might not get safety's help).

Jackson recognized the pattern very well and broke off his man to help out Quin.
The flexibility in the hips afforded Kareem the ability to react back and change direction quickly - as well as to stick with the receiver.)
He was ready to put the hit on the TE when he saw the ball being deflected.
Again, that hip flexibility allowed him to change direction yet again to make the INT.

On one of his previous INTs, he also recognized the tip ball quickly and played through the receiver to get to the ball. There's no PI on a batted ball; the CB can even tackle the receiver if he wanted to.
He beat the receiver to the punch.

All 3 of his INTs are quality plays, IMHO.

[76Texan]

On the ball that Sanchez had to throw away, the receiver Schillen ran a swirl route.
Jackson was in one-on-one with Schillen, no safety help.

Schillen ran 10 yards and worked to the inside hard before cutting back toward the corner.

Had Jackson turned his head (it would have been to the inside), he would have lost the receiver when he cut back toward the corner.

All Jackson had to do is what he did: To pin the receiver to the end line and push him out of bound when the ball comes (with the change in rule that came out a few years ago, the CB can push the receiver out of bound once the ball is in his hands.) If the receiver doesn't have both feet in bound, it's an incompletion. Simple but efficient strategy by Jackson here.

[badboy]

Coaching. We see it on our Oline also.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

All Jackson had to do is what he did: To pin the receiver to the end line and push him out of bound when the ball comes (with the change in rule that came out a few years ago, the CB can push the receiver out of bound once the ball is in his hands.) If the receiver doesn't have both feet in bound, it's an incompletion. Simple but efficient strategy by Jackson here.

I can only hope that was Kj's plan. Hope he isn't reading these boards & feeling the pressure to turn his head & play the ball. The simplest thing to do there, like you said, is when the reciever keys in on the ball in the air, before his feet comes down, push him out of bounds.

I don't see many DBs playing it that way. But since the rule change, it's the highest percentage play imo.

I agree, Kj did an excellent job forcing the receiver to the back line & keeping his eyes on him.

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

I can only hope that was Kj's plan. Hope he isn't reading these boards & feeling the pressure to turn his head & play the ball. The simplest thing to do there, like you said, is when the reciever keys in on the ball in the air, before his feet comes down, push him out of bounds.

I don't see many DBs playing it that way. But since the rule change, it's the highest percentage play imo.

I agree, Kj did an excellent job forcing the receiver to the back line & keeping his eyes on him.

Completely forgot about that rule, ya'll are 100% correct.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

I can only hope that was Kj's plan. Hope he isn't reading these boards & feeling the pressure to turn his head & play the ball. The simplest thing to do there, like you said, is when the reciever keys in on the ball in the air, before his feet comes down, push him out of bounds.

I don't see many DBs playing it that way. But since the rule change, it's the highest percentage play imo.

I agree, Kj did an excellent job forcing the receiver to the back line & keeping his eyes on him.

It happens from time to time.
Jackson did it against Dez Bryant once in his rookie year on a ball along the sideline. Bryant is big and tall and can jump. It was a good play by Jackson knowing that he can't outjump the receiver.

Also, JJo did it recently against the Denver's receiver, whatshisname (?) in the endzone. He was beat, but recovered enough give the receiver a shove before he can get both feet inbound.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Also, JJo did it recently against the Denver's receiver, whatshisname (?) in the endzone. He was beat, but recovered enough give the receiver a shove before he can get both feet inbound.

Nah, Jjo had nothing to do with that play. He was beat, like a rookie playing on the '10 Texans' defense. D.Thomas just wasn't able to get his toe down.


I didn't see a push that should have prevented Thomas from getting his toe down.

[b0ng]

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

Nah, Jjo had nothing to do with that play. He was beat, like a rookie playing on the '10 Texans' defense. D.Thomas just wasn't able to get his toe down.


I didn't see a push that should have prevented Thomas from getting his toe down.

Watch the replay again Fidd, in slow motion if you will.
J Jo did just enough to push D. Thomas out of bound.
I just rewatched it again (I must have rewatched that play close to twenty times.)

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Nice pix, b0ng!
For that, you deserve all the zesty garlic parmesean sauce you want on your crow.

[rolyat93]

Originally Posted by b0ng

It's easy to sit back and say "I've defended him since day one" when you registered for this board only a few months ago.

I defended him on Clutchfans, can I have a cookie?

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by rolyat93

I defended him on Clutchfans, can I have a cookie?