The question for the gashed, humbled members of Gang Green is this:
If Andy Dalton — ANDY DALTON!!! — can torch you guys for 5 TD passes, how many should we expect Drew Brees — DREW BREES !!! — to throw Sunday against you guys?
“I don’t know … I don’t predict the future … I don’t know … but if we execute, it won’t be many,” Sheldon Richardson told The Post. “How many did Tom Brady throw for … in two games?”
Brady threw one touchdown pass in the first Jets game and none in the rematch.
“If we don’t do the things we’re supposed to do, the things we’re coached to do, I would imagine that Drew Brees would take advantage of it,” Damon Harrison said.
You give coach Rex Ryan the benefit of the doubt here, but his defense gave Geno Smith no chance in Cincinnati, and it better show up in an angry, indomitable mood against Brees and Co.
It seems as though Ryan’s Jets have been “Scared Straight” over the dangers of the Brees Menace.
“We got something to prove, we got our ass kicked last week, we got something to prove, simple as that,” Richardson said.
It is a formidable challenge trying to prove it against Brees, even if he isn’t as lethal outside the Superdome.
“I’m expecting us to go out and play like ourselves,” Demario Davis said.
Brees, much like Russell Wilson, has made a career making a mockery of the notion he is too short.
“It’s unusual … most quarterbacks in this league are much taller,” Ryan said. “He has got phenomenal vision down the field … he can visualize the whole field, he’s just uncanny that way. He also does a tremendous job of slipping and moving through open lanes.
“He doesn’t get many passes blocked … he finds open windows, and that’s where he throws to.”
And the throws are remarkably accurate — 67.5 percent, 19 TDs, five interceptions. “And it’s not just checkdowns or curls or whatever, he’s hitting them all,” Ryan said.
Tight end Jimmy Graham (40 catches, 630 yards, 8 TDs) is the one he likes hitting in the red zone.
“He’s a unique cat now,” Ryan said. “He’s got the speed of a receiver, the size of an offensive tackle … it’s a huge challenge for anybody that’s asked to do that.”
It was safety Antonio Allen who mostly shadowed Rob Gronkowski. How is Graham different? “He’s a lot faster, more athletic … just got to beat him up, put your hands in him,” Allen said.
The freakish 6-foot-7 Graham was limited to only 18 snaps last Sunday against the Bills by a bad foot. “And only two touchdowns,” Ryan cracked. “Three targets, three catches, I got it. And really, coming all the way here, it’s not good for him to play … if it was our player, no way … and Sean [Payton] shouldn’t bring him.”
Payton is bringing him. When Ryan was asked if covering Graham with Antonio Cromartie was a thought, he said: “It’s a thought.”
Or a smoke screen.
“Why did New England put Aqib Talib on him?” defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said.
“It’s crazy because Graham basically is a wide receiver,” Calvin Pace said. “It’s a tough matchup. It’s like, who do you put on him? I don’t want to guard him (chuckle). You put a safety on him, he’s got a height advantage on him. … It’s tough … they do a good job of getting him in space. So it’s going to be a person that’s got to get hands on him, just know where he is.”
Running back Darren Sproles is the Saints’ other game-breaker.
“His quickness, change of direction, that’s what it is, more than his overall speed,” Ryan said. “He’s as fast going sideways as he is going forward. It’s a scary combination he has.”
Sproles has 36 receptions for 366 yards and 1 TD.
“He’s a big play waiting to happen,” Pace said. “He’s very dangerous in space.”
Brees can go vertical to any receiver at any time.
“Other than the Falcons, I don’t think we’re probably going to see a better group of skill guys,” Pace said. “If we can handle Atlanta, we should in theory be able to handle New Orleans.”
But what if they couldn’t handle Cincinnati?