| The Jets' season summed up in one sad play. (via SBNation) |
In the most recent installment of Sanchbow: Chronicling the Jets' QBs, we used more words than we care to admit to describe the lasting image from the 49-19 Thanksgiving beatdown courtesy of the Patriots: quarterback Mark Sanchez being tackled by his teammate's butt.
Specifically: Guard Brandon Moore unwittingly used his arse to not only take down Sanchez but also force a fumble in the process. Patriots safety Steve Gregory returned the loose ball for a touchdown as part of a 52-second sequence that produced 21 New England points. The play also serves as a fitting metaphor for the Jets' forgettable season.
"I really don't know what to say about it," Moore said Monday, via ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini. "It's the weirdest play I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of plays over my time in football."
Moore isn't shocked by the notoriety ("The littlest things nowadays turn into Internet sensations; it's not surprising."), but that doesn't mean he isn't bothered by it.
"Yeah, to be part of something like that is ... it's not something you want to be part of."
Not helping: NBC color analyst Cris Collinsworth's description of what went wrong on the play. Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork "just threw Brandon Moore into Mark Sanchez," Collinsworth said moments after it appeared that, well, Wilfork threw Moore into Sanchez. "… This is what Reggie White used to do to people, just fork-lift them."
Moore wasn't impressed.
"The Collinsworth guy, I've never really been a big fan of his," Moore said via Cimini. "To portray it that way and to see it on TV ... when somebody slides into the back of you, you're going to fall. That happens a lot in general. You don't know what's going on [behind you]. I didn't know what was going on until after the game. During the game, I didn't know. It's a good thing."
Fair point. Sanchez blew the play from the start. He turned the wrong way on a handoff and decided to tuck the ball and run. Unfortunately for him, he ran right into Moore's butt. Whether the unintentional comedy that ensued was a function of Wilfork or just dumb luck depends on who's telling the story.
What isn't up for debate: The Jets remain a hot mess.
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