EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The sorry Jets didn't lose to the sorry Cardinals, 7-6. Now for the grades ...
RUSHING OFFENSE
The Jets cranked out 177 yards against a pretty good defense, their second-best rushing day of the season. The news here is that Bilal Powell, not Shonn Greene, got the start. Powell got the first four carries of the game. In fact, Greene didn't get his number called until 3:44 left in the first quarter. Maybe that sparked something, because Greene (104 yards) responded with the eighth 100-yard game of his career. The offensive line did a fantastic job, opening huge holes. Tony Sparano sprinkled in a couple of misdirection runs that worked. The only negative was Khalil Bell, who, in his first action, lost a fumble.
PASSING OFFENSE
It was so bad that Rex Ryan, a staunch Mark Sanchez supporter, benched him in the third quarter after three interceptions and 10 possessions that produced zero points. Actually, it should've been four interceptions. Sanchez was careless with the football, failed to recognize blitzes and demonstrated poor body language. Greg McElroy, in his NFL debut, provided an immediate spark, leading the game-winning TD drive. The best thing he did was not mess up. Hello, quarterback controversy.
RUSHING DEFENSE
This was simply a dominating performance by the Jets, who held the Cards to 81 yards -- but 40 came on Rashad Johnson's run on a fake punt. On plays from scrimmage, the Jets limited them to 41 yards on 20 carries. They got a lot of production out of the linebackers, especially Bryan Thomas ( two tackles for loss), Bart Scott (one) and David Harris (six tackles, 0.5 sack). The Jets were aggressive, crashing the line of scrimmage with blitzes and eight-man fronts.
PASSING DEFENSE
Talk about domination. The Cards were 0-for-15 on third down, a remarkable figure. QB Ryan Lindley (10-for-31, 72 yards) was overwhelmed, often missing receivers by several yards. The Jets sacked him only twice, but they got decent pressure with a variety of blitzes. S LaRon Landry made a great read on an interception and CB Antonio Cromartie did a nice job on WR Larry Fitzgerald, who had only one catch on seven targets. It's amazing they had just one interception in the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The nightmare continues. The Jets could've lost the game because of a lapse by their punt-return team, which fell for a fake punt that resulted in a 40-yard run by Johnson. It set up a field goal for the Cards, giving them a 3-0 halftime lead. The Cards made a great read, capitalizing on an overloaded front. The hiccups also hit the FG unit, as Nick Folk doinked two attempts off the uprights from 46 and 52 yards. Nice game for P Robert Malone.
COACHING
Rex Ryan's decision to bench Sanchez probably won the game. He wanted a spark -- any kind of spark -- and he got it from McElroy. Now the real decision comes: Does he stick with McElroy or go back to Sanchez? It's the biggest decision of Ryan's coaching career. Clearly, the defense still is playing hard for Ryan. The defense nearly pitched a perfect game. The offense managed one good drive, but there were the usual number of glitches.
Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.comFollow Rich on Twitter
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Rich Cimini
Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse University graduate, now covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
Jane McManus
Jane McManus has covered sports in the New York area since 1998, and began covering football just before Brett Favre's stint with the Jets. Her work has also appeared in Newsday, USA Today, The Journal News, The Cincinnati Enquirer and The New York Times.
THE 50 GREATEST JETS
Drawn from more than five decades, we present the 50 Greatest Jets. Photos 
Rank 'Em »
TWITTER-
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
It's early, but ... Rex Ryan not pleased with Mark Sanchez's 3 INTs today. #Jets http://t.co/lOaHWpdPWw
about 7 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Xs, Os and Z -- Jay-Z, that is. Geno Smith hires Roc Nation Sports. The story: http://t.co/C8Dhrgh1K4
about 9 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Sanchez said QB coach David Lee is stressing footwork drills. He said Lee considers proper footwork "an art form." #Jets
about 10 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Sanchez sounds like he's really bought into Mornhinweg's system: "I just really feel like this coaching staff will get the best out of me."
about 10 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Regardless of who represents him, Geno Smith will sign a four-year contract for $5 million, give or take a few thousand. #wagescale #Jets
about 10 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
I'm wondering if Jay Z makes it to Cortland this summer for training camp. I'm sure he'd be a big hit at Doug's Fish Fry. #Jets
about 10 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Geno on Jay Z's Roc Nation: "Being in NY, from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, connections they have, it's a good move." #Jets
about 10 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Geno Smith said he has hired Jay Z's Roc Nation as his agents. #Jets
about 12 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Some perspective required: #Jets are learning new offensive system, WR corps depleted, defense always ahead of offense this early.
about 12 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Early thought on #Jets QB comp: Ugh. Sanchez 6-for-11, 3 INTs, 1 sack. (1 INT may have been a sack.) Geno Smith 3-for-10, 1 INT, 1 sack
about 12 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Sanchez intercepted by NT Damon Harrison on a screen. One play later, Sanchez picked by Jarrett on poor throw to Kerley on deep seam. #Jets
about 12 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
TE Hayden Smith, former rugby player, looks much improved. Has made a few catches. #Jets
about 13 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
In first team period, Sanchez and Smith get 6 reps apiece, Simms 2, McElroy 1. #Jets
about 13 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Geno Smith in first period: 6 plays, 0-for-4, 1 INT (1 drop), 1 penalty. #Jets
about 13 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Geno Smith intercepted by McIntyre. Came on deflection/drop by Mayo. #Jets
about 13 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Sanchez intercepted by Cromartie on third play. #Jets
about 13 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Mark Sanchez drops back, looks downfield and throws to ... me? #Jets http://t.co/mXMXnsA94K
about 14 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Quinton Coples still working with DLM in positional drills. #Jets
about 14 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
As expected, RB Mike Goodson not at practice. Arraignment occurred this morning in Morris County Court. #Jets
about 14 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Injured players working on side: Holmes, Hill, Milliner, Garay, Jordan White, among others. #Jets
about 14 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini
-
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| DET | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAC | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| NYJ | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| NYG | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
You must be signed in to post a comment