New York Jets Week One: Earning Their Wings

Sep 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts after completing his first career touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

For those of you new to this column, it has nothing to do with airplanes. It is simply our term for giving out game balls. We will pick 3-4 top performers each week, and give them their “wings”. So, who earned their wings this week:

• Geno Smith: It wasn’t pretty, but Geno got the job done, his first win in his debut as an NFL starter.  He went 24-38, 256 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.  He also led the ground game with 47 yards.  For the most part, his decision making was solid.  He got better as the game went along.  Good debut.
• Damon Harrison: It was a big game, for Big Dame.  He earned the start, ahead of Kenrick Ellis at nose tackle, and posted 5 tackles, 4 solo.  He was in the backfield providing pressure on almost every play.  Great job out of him.
• Kellen Winslow, Jr: An excellent game for Winslow, providing an excellent safety valve weapon for Geno.  He caught 7 passes for 79 yards and 1 TD, and looked good doing it.
• Defensive front: I’m going to give one to every member of the Jets’ front seven today, for the excellent job they did.  Sheldon Richardson, Mo Wilkerson, Antwan Barnes with the pressure, Demario with a huge tackle on Vincent Jackson from behind…they were all great.  We will be in a lot of games if the defense plays this well.

Anyone you guys would give “wings” to?