Monday Wrap: Edwards holds on tightly, Wildcat laughs last
The Jets and Dolphins weren't expected to set the scoreboard on fire Monday in Miami but instead they gave us an instant classic, with five lead changes in the final period and 58 points to sink our teeth into. Let's recap it from a roto perspective.
• Checking the Jets: Braylon Edwards(notes) didn't get a victory in his Jets debut but he was the fantasy story of the evening, scoring once and narrowly missing two other touchdowns (he lost a half-yard on an official review). Motivation and focus go a long way, apparently; Edwards made a couple of difficult grabs and didn't really have a drop on the night (he had a long pass slip through his hands in the fourth period but it would have been an outstanding, diving grab). Maybe getting out of Cleveland was all this guy needed. Edwards also loves the stage of Monday night; his three 100-yard games from 2008 all came in front of Mike Tirico & Company.
Edwards was needed on the field because Jerricho Cotchery(notes) wasn't able to do a lot; he tweaked his hamstring injury and had just one catch on the night. David Clowney(notes) chipped in with four receptions including a 53-yarder where the ball caught him more than the other way around (perfect throw from Mark Sanchez(notes)). Dustin Keller(notes) didn't have a catch and has fallen out of our circle of trust.
Thomas Jones(notes) made only 42 yards for his 13 carries but he also scored a pair of short touchdowns, bailing out his fantasy day. He'll probably get scoring chances against Buffalo and Oakland the next two weeks. Leon Washington(notes) had 57 yards on 11 touches but keeps you wanting more; he's just a deep flex option at this point. Shonn Greene(notes) had a brief cameo, rushing three times for nine yards.
• Checking the Dolphins: Perhaps the Chad Pennington(notes) injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it forced Miami to get the Chad Henne(notes) development project on the front burner. Henne was outstanding in his second start (20-for-26, 241 yards, two scores) and if anything his play looked even better on the screen. Henne's first touchdown pass was a beautiful touch pass between two defenders to Anthony Fasano(notes) (welcome to the season); Henne's second scoring strike was a perfect post throw to Ted Ginn Jr.(notes) (beating Darrelle Revis(notes) on the play); and perhaps Henne's most important toss of the night was a sideline laser to Greg Camarillo(notes) in the final minute which gave Miami a first down at the 4-yard line (and set up the game's winning touchdown).
Bottom line, while Henne lacks in experience, he's got the arm to make any throw in the passing tree, and that has to help Ginn, Fasano and the rest of the receivers here. Miami's passing game isn't going to be a fantasy bonanza, but at least we can start considering these guys through the bye season.
As for the Miami rushing game it was business as usual – Ronnie Brown(notes) (21-74, two scores) looked better than the stats would indicate and Ricky Williams(notes) ran like a man possessed (11-68 rushing, 3-70 receiving, though he was hobbling in the fourth period). The Wildcat was effective here but in truth the Dolphins weren't really tricking the Jets so much as they were pushing their front seven around; give a tip of the cap to Miami's offensive line for a dominant performance.
The Dolphins may have salvaged their season with this victory but there's tough sledding ahead after their Week 6 bye – the Saints, Jets and Patriots wait on the schedule, with the last two matches on the road.
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Photo via US Presswire
