Preseason Game 3 New York Jets vs. New York Giants Quick Hits

Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants defeated the Jets 35-24 to win the Snoopy Bowl. However the Jets starters played their most complete game of the preseason and although many questions still remain the 2014 New York Jets are taking shape.

1) Geno Smith extremely sharp – Geno Smith finished 9/14 for 137 yards with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. He also ran for 17 yards on three carries. Smith had exceptional ball placement with none even close to being intercepted, stayed in under pressure and went through progressions making good choices. He didn’t try to force things on 3rd and long and would have put up more points if it weren’t for a very weak holding call on Winters before halftime that negated a 20 yard pass to Kerley and two drops in the red zone (Sudfeld, Decker). The Jets have their starting quarterback and one that is significantly improved over last year.

2) The offense gets in rhythm in the 1st half – The Jets unleashed an arsenal full of screen passes, intermediate 20 yard routes along with some crossing routes. Smith completed his nine passes to seven different receivers, including three to Jace Amaro, one of which was a touchdown. Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory combined for 62 yards on 11 carries, which is around 6 yards per carry. Smith was sacked once and under pressure a couple of other times but the offensive line for the most part held up in both the running and passing game. The Jets can beat you running the ball or with multiple tight ends or by isolating players in good match ups, all of which Marty Mornhinweg showed tonight.

3) Jets play great defense for 28 minutes – The Jets owned the line of scrimmage and pressured Eli Manning constantly. Babin and Wilkerson both had strip sacks. Richardson, Coples, McIntyre, Pace and even Damon Harrison had pressure. What is most important is that the pressure came from the front 7 and did not require heavy blitzing to get to the quarterback. Antonio Allen did a good job in coverage before injuring himself colliding with Demario Davis on a tackle. Darrin Walls played well, he jumped a route and should have had a interception for a touchdown. Kyle Wilson is still getting torched and might get replaced by a healthy Patterson, if there is such a thing.

4) The Jets 2 minute defense was terrible – The Jets played off coverage and dropped back into zones thus allowing Eli Manning to go 91 yards on 11 plays in less than 2 minutes. They stopped rushing the passer and their secondary was exposed. The prevent defense only prevents you from winning and this is further proof. Victor Cruz was able to consistently get open for 18-20 yard chunks. Antonio Allen was out of the game at this point with Lequawn Lewis back there so take some of it with a grain of salt.

Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) leaves the field after the fourth quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Colts 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

5) Michael Vick a mixed bag – Vick got 2 series with the starters in the 2nd half. In the 1st one he fumbled the snap then recovered it and tried to hand it to Chris Johnson but that was fumbled as well and recovered by the Giants. Then he led a beautiful 11 play touchdown drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Eric Decker against the Giants 2nd team defense. Vick finished 4/5 for 35 yards and a touchdown and 0 interceptions. He also rushed 3 times for 7 yards.

6) 2nd half offensive standouts – Greg Salas had 2 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown continuing his push for a roster spot. Zach Sudfeld had 2 catches for 22 yards as well. Matt Simms continues to play well against 3rd stringers and vanilla coverages. Jacoby Ford and Clyde Gates were in a competition to see who could drop more passes and Ford won.

7) Backup defense gets beaten badly for 28 points in the 2nd half- Brandon Dixon got beaten deep for a long touchdown twice, once by Preston Parker the other by Corey Washington, and Johnny Patrick did not have a good night with a couple of penalties. After holding Andre Williams to 6 carries for 1 yard the defense let him run for 48 yards on 5 carries and a touchdown on the following drive. Ryan Nassib was made to look like a competent quarterback. This is the 1st time the Jets backups haven’t dominated the 2nd half. Whether it is the glut of good, young Giant receivers or the fact that they are missing Enemkpali and Troy Davis, who left the game, they didn’t have the same spark.

8) Special Teams – The coverage teams had a few penalties and missed a few tackles. Jacoby Ford fumbled a punt return that the Jets luckily recovered. Folk hit a 31 yard field goal and Ryan Quigley had two good punts and two absolute shanks. The Jets still need a punter. They also need to hope Jalen Saunders returns so he can be the primary punt returner.

9) Injuries – Sheldon Richardson left with an undisclosed injury but returned. Antonio Allen suffered a head injury after hitting face to face with Davis on a tackle and did not return. David Harris left with a leg injury just before halftime but returned. Troy Davis left the game with an undisclosed injury.

The only surprise non-starter was Enemkpali, who has made plays in the 1st two games including 2 strip sacks and a blocked punt, hopefully it is not serious because he is on the cusp of gaining a roster spot. Saunders, Milliner, McDougle (IR), Cumberland, and Barnes (PUP) did not dress for the game other than Enemkpali.