Zero. None. Zilch. Jets fans and their offensive coordinator don't need to be reminded about the number of points their team put on the scoreboard in Sunday's 9-0 home loss to the Packers.
"That's why this week we've talked about two things," Brian Schottenheimer said. "Details and discipline."
The Jets had put up at least 24 points in each of the victories during their five-game winning streak, but as they fell to 5-2, the coaching staff took a look in the mirror.
A part of the issue that contributed to the shutout was the inability of the Jets to put their typical ground-and-pound offensive philosophy into practice. Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combined for 23 carries and 66 yards. The longest runs vs. the Pack were by quarterback Mark Sanchez and punter Steve Weatherford, who had 20- and 17-yarders respectively.
"I think you give the Packers credit," Schottenheimer said. "They did a good job against us running the football. The reason we kind of went with so many passes is that we were moving the ball throwing it. I felt very comfortable with the way we were moving the ball in the passing game."
It is true, as Schotty points out, that the Jets put up 256 yards in the passing game and had plays of 49, 40 and 32 yards through the air. In addition, both interceptions were ripped from Green & White receivers' hands, which was symbolic of the wideouts' inability to hang on to Sanchez passes throughout the game. Although there's no official number for drops, head coach Rex Ryan counted "eight or nine," including the two INTs, from the coaches' video review.
None were more painful than those by sure-handed seventh-year man Jerricho Cotchery.
"It breaks your heart for all of us because you know how much he cares and how hard he works," Schottenheimer said. "He's just one of those guys, if I had to throw a ball to anybody with the game on the line, I wouldn't bat an eye to throw it to him. He's a pro and he accepts it and he'll bounce back this week."
As the Jets moved forward to gameplanning against the Lions, they knew they'll be facing an intimidating front four that includes end Kyle Vanden Bosch and rookie tackle Ndamukong Suh. Schottenheimer said he doesn't go into a game with a number in his head of how many times he wants to run or throw the ball, and that he tests it out more by feel and experience. He admittedly was conservative in Week 1's loss to Baltimore and was aggressive against the Packers.
Detroit comes into this game as the 27th-ranked defense in running yards allowed per game, which could mean Tomlinson and Greene will be featured more prominently than they were in Week 8, depending on how the game goes early on.
"It's funny because the way they play, the box is going to be loaded," Schottenheimer said. "You're not going to have to find the safety because he'll be in the box. The way they play and the way they get upfield, there are seams that are created."
The Jets will move on, as they have throughout the week at practice as music from prominent Motown-based musicians played over the speakers. Nearly every player in the locker room has noted that in the NFL, there's no time to lick your wounds after a loss. The next opponents are dangerous, even if they sport a 2-5 record and an inconsistent defense. Coming off of last week's performance, the coaching staff is looking to get back to doing all the little things that make the engine run.
"We didn't play very well, and I can't remember this group having this many missed opportunities," Schottenheimer said. "Especially in the fourth quarter. Jerricho is one of those guys, he makes those plays for us. Mark makes those reads and has made those reads and throws for us and it's just unfortunate we feel like offensively we lost the game for us.
"We own that. It's inexcusable. We need to play better."
