JET REPORT CARD
QUARTERBACKS: C+
Despite a slow start sparking the offense, Chad Pennington (22-34, 265, 2 TDs, 1 INT) had another worthy game.
RUNNING BACKS: F
Curtis Martin (11-for-26 yards rushing, 2-11 receiving) was a non-factor, which always spells doom for the Jets.
WIDE RECEIVERS: A-
Laveranues Coles (10-158) simply is one of the best WRs in the game. Wayne Chrebet (5-66, 1 TD) also made some terrific catches.
TIGHT ENDS: D
As the lack of running game would indicate, Anthony Becht and Chris Baker weren’t good enough.
OFFENSIVE LINE: D
Poor run-blocking, with Martin losing yards as often as he was gaining. The pass-blocking was better.
DEFENSIVE LINE: C
DE Shaun Ellis (one sack, one batted pass, five tackles) had his best game as a Jet. NT Jason Ferguson was active.
LINEBACKERS: C
Sam Cowart had 10 tackles; Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones each had 5. James Darling had a killer face mask penalty.
SECONDARY: C+
In the end, Jerry Rice again foiled the Jets, but for most of the game, the secondary was excellent in mixing man and zone and not allowing the big play. But Rich Gannon still threw for 342 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C
KO returner Chad Morton (26.1-yard average on seven returns) killed the Jets with a fumbled punt return after replacing the injured Santana Moss, who had a key 29-yard punt return before getting hurt. Nick Ferguson had a damaging block-in-the-back penalty on a Morton KO return to the 49.
KICKING GAME: C
K John Hall made FGs of 36 and 45 yards, but he had a 34-yarder blocked. P Matt Turk averaged 42 yards on four punts.
COACHING: C
Herman Edwards and staff had the players revved up for this one, but the offense was too much in a shell early in the game and the running game was abandoned too early.