QuickFix: Reviewing the rotations in New England

Happy New Year!

Let's start today's analysis with a quick review of the rotations on offense and defense in yesterday's game.

Rotation on the line

In the final game of the season, the Jets opted to give two players who have hardly played for most of the year extended playing time.

Wesley Johnson returned to the starting line-up at center and Brent Qvale started at right tackle due to Brandon Shell being out with a concussion. However, Jonotthan Harrison rotated in for plenty of reps at center and Ben Ijalana saw extensive work at right tackle. In fact, these two reserves played more than the starters.

Youngsters filling in due to injury

With Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Matt Forté inactive, several young players saw more action at the skill positions on offense, including tight end Neal Sterling, who played a season high 32 snaps.

Running back Elijah McGuire also saw extended action having barely played last week and rookie ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen saw more action, especially after Robby Anderson was knocked out of the game.

Ealy continues to fall down the depth chart

Kony Ealy's regression over the course of the season has been disappointing. He had less than 10 snaps for the first time all season. In fact, seldom-used reserve Obum Gwacham saw more reps than he did.

The defensive rotations were otherwise basically the same as they had been, except for the fact that Rontez Miles had to replace Marcus Maye after he left the game with an injury. This also meant that Jamal Adams had to play deep more often that he did in most of the other games.

There was also a temporary adjustment when Morris Claiborne missed a few series with a shoulder injury. Juston Burris stepped up into the first unit and Darryl Roberts filled in as the nickel back for his first snaps since the Denver game, but Claiborne returned soon afterwards and finished the game.

PREVIOUSLY: Special teams analysis