Week 16 Jets Report Card

Dec. 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) takes a snap from center Nick Mangold (74) against the San Diego Chargers during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Coming out of the Jets 27-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers, the grades are in. Let’s get right to them:

QUARTERBACK:C McElroy didn’t do anything “wrong” yesterday. He had a decent game, but spent too much time on his back for the grade to be anything higher. His final stats line was 14-24 for 185 yards and 1 interception. When he had time to throw, he generally delivered the ball pretty well. He was able to scramble and get some positive plays done, running 4 times for 25 yards. As mentioned earlier this morning, he was fired up as he led the team down the field early in the game. For this one? He was OK. He will get better.

RUNNING BACKS:D When the running backs average 3 yards per carry, it’s not a good day. 14 carries for 38 yards for Shonn Greene is no day to write home about. After some stellar performances previously, the running game regressed yesterday afternoon. 69 yards of net rushing, to a team ranked in the bottom portion of the league, is inexcusable.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS:C There weren’t any dropped passes, but the receivers spent another day having trouble getting open. Some of the sacks were because McElroy held the ball too long, but then again, if the receivers had been open, he wouldn’t have had to hold the ball so much. This group as a whole, can’t get off press coverage, and cannot get separation from defensive backs. Braylon Edwards is back, and his experience will lend some much needed mentoring to the younger players, but that will come with time. Gates made a nice play coming back to the football on the pass from Jeremy Kerley, but by and large, it didn’t go well. However, we do have congratulations to give out, as Hayden Smith recorded his first reception in the NFL, catching a 16 yard pass from Greg McElroy. He has come a long way for a guy that never played a down of American football before 2012.

OFFENSIVE LINE:F It’s been a long time since our offensive line deserved an F, but yesterday, I would have given them a “Q” if I could. I think they forgot to come. 11 quarterback sacks, countless hurries, countless knock downs, it was ugly. He spent more time on his back than Kelly Bundy did on “Married with Children”. Nobody can effectively play quarterback under that type of duress. As far as the running game? 3 yards per carry? Terrible. Enough said.

Dec 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Quinton Coples (98) rushes San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the second half at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE:B Good solid B for these guys yesterday. Muhammad Wilkerson continues his beast-like play with another sack and a pass knocked down. He has racked up 61 tackles for the year, and is proving to be a keeper for years to come. Quinton Coples had a great day as well, with 1.5 sacks, and leads the team with five. They also as a group allowed 2.9 yards per carry on the ground. The defensive line has been the most consistent performing group on this team.

LINEBACKERS:C Bart Scott did have a sack yesterday, surprising everyone in what might be his final home game as a member of the New York Jets. These guys weren’t terrible, but did nothing exciting either. David Harris was again the team leader in tackles with 9, 8 solo. David just might be the only LB that returns with this team. All in all, a just a middle of the road day for the linebackers.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:C Again, not great, but not terrible. Darrin Walls had an interception in his hands that he dropped, which would have made this grade higher. They held Rivers to 50% passing, 11-22 for 165 yards, but 2 long TDs, one to Denario Alexander and one to Antonio Gates. They did well, but couldn’t keep it up in the end. The defense wore down when the offense couldn’t get anything going. Seems like a story that we have heard quite a few times in 2012, doesn’t it? They cover well, but nobody can cover all game when they are forced to be perfect.

SPECIAL TEAMS:D In Mike Westhoff’s final home game as a special teams coach (most likely), the special teams was not great. They gave up a punt return for a TD, which we all know must provoked a few choice words from coach Westhoff. And in a surprising turn of events, Robert Malone didn’t look great punting the football, averaging only a little over 26 yards over 6 punts, although he did land 2 inside the 20. Not a great day for the special teams.

One more weekly report card to go.