Week 1 Jets Report Card

Sept. 9, 2012; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan following the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John O

All right fans, week 1 is in the books, and it’s time to put in our gradess. Rex Ryan and company will be happy with these grades, as these will increase the GPA quite a bit. Here we go:

QUARTERBACKS:A-

Mark Sanchez had an outstanding football game, completing 19-27 for 266 yards and 3 TDs, two of them to Stephen Hill. The only blemish on the day was the ill-advised flip pass on the opening drive that resulted in an interception. The great thing about it was how Mark responded, which was with poise and confidence. He wouldn’t have done that in the past, and is a great sign. Tim Tebow didn’t attempt a throw so he doesn’t figure into the grade.

RUNNING BACKS:C+

The Jets didn’t have a great day running the football, netting only 118 yards on the ground and a 3.3 yard average. It was good enough today to keep the Bills off balance, but that won’t be good enough as the season goes along. Shonn Greene did have 94 yards on 27 carries and 1 TD, but a pedestrian 3.5 yards per carry. Tim Tebow only rushed for 11 yards, Bilal Powell for 10. That has to get better.

Sept 9, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill (84) and New York Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland (86) celebrate Hill

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS:A

Stephen Hill was the star of the day on the outside, with 5 catches for 89 yards and 2 TDs in his debut. He, for the most part, cured his preseason case of the dropsies, and looked like he all the threat they hoped he would be and more. Jeremy Kerley added a TD in 4 catches, and Santonio Holmes added 4 receptions of his own. Even Chaz Schilens had a catch. Dustin Keller only had one, but he was still a bit hampered by his hamstring.

OFFENSIVE LINE:A

The offensive line was tremendous yesterday, led by the young Austin Howard. He had to deal with “Super” Mario Williams all day long, and you didn’t even hear his name called. The line as a whole was great, not letting Mark Sanchez take a sack all game long. The only thing keeping them from an A+ was the running game not averaging 4 yards per carry. Good job all and all.

Aug 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (93) along the sidelines during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jets 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

DEFENSIVE LINE:B-

This was the weakest performing unit for the Jets on the day in my opinion. They had some pressures on Ryan Fitzpatrick, but didn’t get to him for a sack all game long. Yes he is elusive, but still, not one? They also had a tough time with CJ Spiller, who came in for the injured Fred Jackson, and rushed 14 times for 169 yards and 1 TD. Nobody on the defensive line had more than 1.5 tackles. The only thing keeping that in a B grade is that Fred Jackson didn’t really do anything.

LINEBACKERS:B+

The linebackers played a good game, but that was partially because the defensive line didn’t make a lot of tackles so the linebackers had a lot of tackles to make. Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, and David Harris had 13.5 tackles between them for the game. There was a key miss by Bart on the long TD by CJ Spiller, which keeps the grade down a little bit. Calvin Pace had the active game, in the backfield quite a bit.

Sept. 9, 2012; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John O DEFENSIVE BACKS:A+

Any day a defensive backfield has 3 INTs, one for a TD, is a great day. Even Kyle Wilson, who many Jets fans have grown sick of, and fast, had a pick today. And can LaRon Landry hit, or what? All in all an excellent day by the Jets’ secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS:A+ Jeremy Kerley ran back a punt 68 yards for a TD, making him the only player in Jets history with a receiving TD and punt return TD in the same game. Robert Malone debuted with a beautiful punt with over 5 seconds hang time that was downed inside the five. Nick Folk was perfect, nothing else to be said here.

A great day was had by all.