Three on O: Griffin, Wesco, Shell
After each game, we've been highlighting three defensive and three offensive players and looking in detail at their performance. We'll conclude today with the offense:
Buyin' Griffin
Ryan Griffin had a slow start to the season with nine catches for 56 yards in the first six games, but he broke out on Sunday with 63 yards and a touchdown on three catches in the first quarter alone.
Thereafter, he only had one catch for three yards, but it was a touchdown and then he would also, of course, add the two-point conversion.
Although Griffin got into the end zone three times, his other two catches were arguably more impressive plays. He gained 23 on a deep over route and then went up to make the catch on this 16-yarder:
On the first touchdown, the Jets tried to use a Griffin rub route to free Le'Veon Bell on a wheel route over the top. However, both defenders went with Bell and Griffin was left uncovered underneath. One quick side-step led to Austin Calitro overpursuing and allowed Griffing to run it in.
His touchdown and two-pointer in the second half both came as he leaked out and was completely unaccounted for.
As a blocker, Griffin had mixed results but did block well on Vyncint Smith's end around. He was beaten for one pressure in pass protection though.
Finally, on special teams, Griffin was credited with one tackle but also blocked the wrong guy on a kickoff return that was blown up.
With Chris Herndon ready to return, Griffin could be a useful second tight end if he can still produce rather than just seeing all his targets go to Herndon. As a longer-term option, who knows? Griffin is about 10 weeks away from his 30th birthday, but could perhaps be a useful low-cost veteran presence if re-signed.
Trev up the engine
Trevon Wesco was only on the field for six offensive snaps this week but there were some interesting plays in among those.
On an early play, he was lined up as a wide receiver in a bunch formation and ran a deep decoy route to open up the middle for Griffin's 23-yard catch. He was also blocking downfield on that play.
In the third quarter, Wesco lined up at tight end and blocked down on Calais Campbell, driving him off the line. However, he didn't finish well on that play, allowing Campbell to get off his block and in on the tackle. Had Wesco stayed on his block, Le'Veon Bell might have been able to fall forwards for a first down.
Wesco finished superbly on this play though, as he drove his man out of the play on a lead block from the fullback position:
While the play wasn't successful, it could have popped for a big gain had Brandon Shell's man not beaten him to the ball.
Wesco also contributed on special teams with one tackle in coverage. However, he also had a penalty for an illegal double team block and was blocked out of the play on a punt return.
All's well that ends Shell
Shell remained at right tackle this week and didn't make much of an impact in the running game. However, he did a decent enough job of limiting pressure in pass protection.
Shell's man made a sack in the fourth quarter, but that was really a coverage sack. He also gave up a couple of pressures but one of those was late in the play.
In the running game, he was less effective although he had one good block on the edge. As shown in the above gif, he was unable to make a reach block which led to one run being blown up in the hole. He also allowed penetration once and didn't sustain his block on another play.
However, the most troubling play was this one:
Campbell dominates Shell here, shoving him down and then dropping off to make the tackle. Had Shell been able to occupy Campbell better, Bell could have had a one-on-one with a safety at the second level.
It's difficult to assess anyone individually when the offensive line is playing so poorly as a unit, but Shell seems to be playing at a higher level than Chuma Edoga, so who gets benched when Kelvin Beachum returns?
It's actually an interesting comparison between Edoga and Shell. Both have given up four sacks, one hit and 11 pressures, plus four penalties. The difference is that Edoga has given all this up in 89 fewer snaps. Shell has a slightly better run blocking grade as well, per PFF.
Previously: 3-on-O: Cashman, Burgess, Fatukasi