New York Jets Too Big For Allen, Not Carr

Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs for a 71-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Raiders 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Wrong Man in the Middle

Somebody needs to tell me what Miles Burris was doing starting at middle linebacker for the Raiders yesterday. Kaluka Maiava is actually better at diagnosing and attacking running plays better than starter Nick Roach but when Roach was ruled out with a concussion, Burris started. This is just like Matt Giordano over Mike Mitchell in 2012 in that Allen is so determined to turn Burris into something, he’s forgetting he has games to win.

He was the worst tackler in the NFL in 2012, he’s never been a middle linebacker before, he can’t cover and he was run over at the goal line this preseason. Well, his act continued yesterday when he overpursued himself into a block instead of shooting the gap as Maiava consistently did this preseason. The result was a 70-yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory that turned out to be the game-winning touchdown of the day.

In a game where the final score was 19-14, a stop there would have been huge for the Raiders and I’m convinced Maiava would have been there to make that play. He would have been there for other plays too as the Jets grounded and pounded the Raiders for 212 yards on the day. This problem will be over soon as starter Nick Roach comes back but this Burris thing came out of nowhere.

Don’t wonder why you give up 212 yards rushing when you start your worst linebacker in the middle.