New York Jets’ Week Nine Report Card

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks off the field after defeating the the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s get right to the grades from yesterday’s win over the New Orleans Saints from MetLife Stadium:

QUARTERBACK: B- It’s hard to grade Geno on this one, because he wasn’t asked to do very much. 8-19 for 115 yards is not a great day through the air. What brings the grade up, however, is what ISN’T in the recap. He didn’t throw an interception, nor did he lose the ball via fumble.

Simply put, Geno Smith didn’t turn the ball over.

Geno played well yesterday, in that he managed the game well. He didn’t make mistakes, and when he had to, he made plays. He scrambled for 18 yards on the ground and one touchdown, all in key spots. He made the throws that he had to make as well. He took two sacks, but didn’t lose much on them at all. It was a mature performance for Geno Smith.

RUNNING BACKS: A The running attack pushed its will on the New Orleans Saints yesterday. The leader was clearly Chris Ivory, but when you average 5.5 yards per carry on the ground, and rush for nearly 200 yards (198), your running game has done something good.

Ivory led the way, making his best case to the Saints that they should have kept him around, running the ball 18 times for 139 yards and one score. Bilal Powell added nine carries for 29 yards. Geno Smith got in the act, scrambling six times for 18 yards. The backfield just looked terrific, and hopefully they can continue this momentum after the bye week.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: B- This was also a tough group to grade this week, only because they weren’t asked to do very much. Geno Smith only attempted 19 passes, which we all know from watching this team all year is a low number. But when they were asked to perform, they got it done.

Greg Salas made two huge catches, as did Zach Sudfeld. They posted 57 and 46 yards respectively, on two catches each, averaging over 20 yards per catch. When these guys were asked to play, they played well, which brings his grade, like Geno Smith’s, to a “B-“.

OFFENSIVE LINE: A I am not known to give out a lot of high grades, as you all know. However, one is more than deserved here. The offensive line, to me, had its best game in quite some time. For the most part, they kept Geno Smith clean. They gave up two coverage sacks, but the Jets didn’t lose any yardage on them. And on the ground, they posted 5.5 yards per carry, and 198 yards total. These are dominating figures that force us to give credit to the offensive line.

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is pressured by New York Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: A With all of these “A’s”, people are going to start wondering who is writing this. It’s still me.

Yes, the Saints did score 20 points. But that doesn’t mean that the defense wasn’t still outstanding, as it absolutely was. The front was great. They allowed 41 yards rushing, even below their season average. More importantly, they were in Drew Brees’ face all day long. Sure, they only recorded two sacks (one by Wilkerson), but they recorded several hurries and hits. We talked all week about how the Jets needed to make Drew uncomfortable. They did just that, with a great push into the backfield.

LINEBACKERS: A Although it was just one play, it was a huge one by Mr. Coples, was it not? That fourth down stop he made on the end-around was about as good as it gets. Imagine if he starts playing well consistently, and adds that to this already high performing defense? It could be scary.

Calvin Pace added a sack, and generally speaking, didn’t let the Saints’ offense get on a roll all afternoon. They did their part in keeping the quarterback uncomfortable.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: B For the most part, the secondary performed well. Dee Milliner stepped up with a pass defended. Antonio Cromartie posted an interception, and the secondary caused a second interception on a tipped pass. Drew Brees only completed 30 out of 51 pass attempts.

They don’t get an “A” because they did allow well over 300 yards. Sorry boys, you will have to take the B.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+Nick Folk had another wonderful football game, making all four of his field goal attempts. He has gone from a guy to worry about, to a guy that is as easy to count on as death and taxes.

Nothing else really special out of this group, but no real mistakes either.

So how do your grades look?