New York Jets Week Two Report Card

Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan reacts during the second half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Week two is in the books for the Jets, let’s look at the grade from last night:

QUARTERBACK: D+

This was definitely the outing of a rookie quarterback. Geno Smith is a rookie, and it clearly showed last night.

Well, the good news is that Geno was never intimidated by the situation. He kept calm no matter how the game was going. He stood in their and took a few pretty good pops, and made his throws. Good job out of him for that. He also was not helped by his wide receivers at all. There were drops and fumbles at far too many crucial times. Geno is not going to excel if guys aren’t going to catch the football.

However, three interceptions in the final quarter is something that has to change. He knows that, and it will. But for now we have to grade honestly, and it was bad. He gave away points, and he cost his team the game. The game was ripe for the taking, heck the Patriots were begging to lose this one. But Geno Smith gave it right back to them, and in pretty poor fashion. His pocket presence was inconsistent as well, too many times he had a problem feeling the rush approaching. His internal clock needs to get stronger, and get the ball out faster.

RUNNING BACKS: C

Chris Ivory did get things going with nearly 4.5 yards per carry on the ground, and Bilal Powell did record a couple of nice runs including a touchdown. However, the game was inconsistent. They needed to take more pressure off of Geno Smith, and they didn’t do it. 52 yards from the leading rusher on the day is not enough to save the quarterback.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: D-

We have said a lot about this group already, it doesn’t need repeating. Far too many drops. The quarterback wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but when he does put it on your hands, you have to catch it. Period, there is nothing left to be said about it. And the Jets didn’t do that.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C+

This was tough to judge because the line did some better things, but left a lot to be desired as well.

On the plus side, there was improvement in the running game. It was inconsistent, but it was there. As opposed to running for two yards per carry, the Jets’ top running back ran for four yards per carry, which is obviously a step up.

However, Geno Smith was running for his life again. He was sacked four times, and hurried several other times. They have to keep their quarterback upright, and that is not being done. Help the rookie quarterback, give him time to throw, please.

Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles away from New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: A-

Another outstanding outing by the guys up front. The run defense was stout, allowing barely over two yards per carry on the ground. Tom Brady could not get into a rhythm all night long. Damon Harrison and the crew showed how they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in this league for many years to go.

The Muhammad Wilkerson ankle injury late was a little nerve-wracking, hopefully it is not a high ankle sprain and he is OK when the game against the Bills rolls around next week.

LINEBACKERS: B+

Again, the linebackers must get a lot of credit, along with the defensive line. The defense had a terrific game, for the most part. Any time you hold New England to 13 points, it’s hard to give a grade that is too low. 13 points allowed will win nine out of ten times.

The grade comes down to a “B” because of the middle of the field. Julian Edelman was open over the middle too much, and the linebackers need to do more to take that away. It’s not just about stopping the run game, they have to take out that short pass over the middle as well. 13 receptions for the guy in the slot is too much.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: B+

Going to give these guys a B+ as well. For the most part, they played well, as the rest of the defense did, allowing only 13 points to Tom Brady and company.

However, if you take away all of the mis-communications between Tom and his receivers, their performance doesn’t look anywhere near as good. They allowed 13 catches by the slot receiver, and had a huge breakdown for the only touchdown scored by New England. So, it wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t an “A”.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Nick Folk was fine, as usual. Robert Malone wasn’t the usual weapon he normally is, with at least one shank, and averaging under 40 yards per punt. For a guy with a canon of a leg, this was an off night for Robert. Kyle Wilson, when given the chance to return a punt, returned two for a whopping three yard average. Nobody killed them on specials, but they didn’t do anything exciting either.

What kind of grades did you guys have?