New York Jets Week Eight Report Card

Oct 27, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on the sidelines during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated New York 49-9. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

There is no getting around, or sugarcoating, the fact that yesterday was a disaster. With that, let’s get right to the grades for yesterday’s game:

QUARTERBACK: D+ The game was not all on Geno Smith’s shoulders, by any means. This was a stinker, up and down the roster. But, that doesn’t mean that Geno didn’t take a step back yesterday, because he absolutely did. He did complete 20 out of 30 passes, but he had two inexplicable pick-sixes. For the first time in a while, Geno actually seemed to me like a deer caught in the headlights.

Rex had the right idea giving Geno most of the fourth quarter off, as he needed it to clear his head for next week. Simms didn’t play long enough to be included in this evaluation, but he definitely helped in getting Geno’s head back on right for New Orleans.

But a bad day was had at the quarterback spot, as is expected with a rookie.

RUNNING BACKS: F When the top rushing numbers are put up by the backup quarterback, and a third string running back, you know the day has been an epic fail. Both Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory rushed for under two yards per carry. That is not going to get it done under any circumstances. Not even Geno could get it going on the scramble, with two rushes for eight yards.

Only Matt Simms and Alex Green had success, Simms with three scrambles for 35 yards, and Green with three rushes for twenty yards. The offensive line was no help, but the running backs just were not able to do anything at all yesterday. Not good.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: C- It’s pretty much going to be a broken record as we go through yesterday’s game. The wide receivers were not getting separation, and did very little to help Geno out all day long. The only guy that keeps this grade out of a “D” or an “F” is David Nelson. He was the bright spot on a very dark day, catching eight passes for 80 yards. He is turning into an excellent low-budget acquisition by John Idzik.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F These guys as well were not any good yesterday. The pocket set for Geno Smith was inconsistent. The running backs had no holes to run through all game long. Overall, the average yards on the ground came up to a 3.9, but that was only because of some late runs by Alex Green and Matt Simms. The running game was never as good as that number.

The passing game never settled in either. Other than a few plays here and there, there was no offensive rhythm, and you know by now if you read my posts, that starts with the offensive line. Not a good job by the guys up front.

Sep 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) reacts after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (not pictured) during the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: C Our budding star, Mr. Muhammad Wilkerson, did make his presence felt yesterday, albeit in a losing effort. He did record one sack and an interception off of a deflection. The Bengals only did net 79 yards rushing, which isn’t a bad effort, and right along with how the defense has played all year.

The problem was in the passing game. They did not get enough consistent pressure on Andy Dalton to make a difference. Andy had all afternoon to throw the ball all over the football field, and he did that to the tune of five touchdowns through the air. The passing game beat the Jets yesterday to absolute epic proportions.

LINEBACKERS: D Did anyone hear the linebackers’ names called? I think I heard the name of Demario Davis once. I don’t remember hearing Calvin Pace or David Harris at all. Coples I heard once. What am I trying to say? The linebackers had no impact on the football game. The Bengals took them out.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: F Calling these guys brutal would be a compliment. What the heck happened yesterday? The backfield was all over the place. I wonder if Tom Brady saw the highlights and wondered how well he would have played if we played that badly last week? To quote Bart Scott, they “Couldn’t stop a nose bleed”. If there was a grade lower than an “F”, they would have received it.

And it starts from the top. Antonio Cromartie has been awful. I firmly believe that he is still hurt, worse than any of us know. There is no other way to explain how poorly he has played. Dee Milliner has been rough. Was he worth a high first round pick? It’s too early to say absolutely not, but it is certainly a question without a clear-cut answer. Not good.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C These guys were their usual, fine performance. Ryan Quigley punted to an over 45 yards per kick average. Nick Folk continued his perfect season going 3-3, including a season long fifty yarder. At least one group played well.