Student assistant Mike Rodak takes a look at the television copy of Monday night’s game against the Jets and offers some of his second-quarter observations:

1. The Patriots’ occassional tackling problems in the game, which were seen when CB Darius Butler was run over by Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson late in the first quarter, cropped up again early in the second quarter. RB Shonn Greene was able to turn the corner for an 11-yard run after OLB Rob Ninkovich and DE Ron Brace missed the tackle. On the next play, NT Vince Wilfork beat C Nick Mangold and dove at Greene’s feet, but Greene was able to keep his balance and continue running for a short gain instead of a loss.

2. Patriots RB Danny Woodhead’s 35-yard reception on the Patriots’ first offensive play in the second quarter came on a six-man blitz from the Jets, who were in their nickel package. It appeared to be a zone blitz, with DE Mike DeVito dropping into coverage, but the Patriots' six-man protection handled the blitz without any problems. DeVito was obviously no match for Woodhead coming out of the backfield, and complicating things for the Jets was the fact that S Brodney Pool blitzed, leaving S Eric Smith as the single deep safety.

3. The Patriots’ third-and-1 run by RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis late in the quarter was stopped short after lead-blocking FB Dan Connolly was driven back by oncoming ILB Bart Scott in the backfield, creating an unexpected obstacle for Green-Ellis. In addition, DeVito was able to submarine C Dan Koppen and then trip-up Green-Ellis, allowing other Jets tacklers to take Green-Ellis down well short of the first down marker.

4. As had been the case with James Inhedigbo earlier in the game, the Patriots had trouble picking up safety blitzes off the weak side of the formation. The Jets used as many as seven defensive backs on some plays in the game, including on the 6-yard sack of QB Tom Brady by S Eric Smith late in the second quarter. On the next play, the Jets brought both a defensive back blitzer and LB David Harris as an extra rusher. Connolly was unable to come off a double-team with C Dan Koppen in time to pick up Harris before he sacked Brady.