The Post grades the performance of the Jets during the 2011 season.
The team finished 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time in Rex Ryan’s three years as head coach.
Quarterback
So much was expected of Mark Sanchez in Year 3, and he failed to deliver in many ways. Sanchez was marginally better statistically (303-of-543, 3,474 yards, 26 TDs), but this was supposed to be the year he made major strides. He committed 26 turnovers (18 INT, eight fumbles). That is unacceptable. Sanchez had some good moments late in games but was miserable in the fourth quarter in the final two games (four INTs).
Costello’s Grade: C
Running backs
Shonn Greene started the year off slow but finished strong. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry (253 carries, 1,054 yards, six TDs). He was hurt by the team’s emphasis on the pass early in the season. LaDainian Tomlinson (75 rushes, 280 yards, one TD) likely is done with the Jets. Fullback John Conner played better at the end of the year, but needs to improve.
Costello’s Grade: C
Wide receivers
This group was supposed to be great. Instead, it was below average. Santonio Holmes (51 catches, 654 yards, eight TDs) posted career lows in catches and yards. Then, he capped it off by fighting with teammates. Plaxico Burress (45 catches, 612 yards, eight TDs) helped the Jets’ red-zone production but had little impact between the 20s. Derrick Mason was a disaster and was gone before Halloween. Rookie Jeremy Kerley (29 catches, 314 yards, one TD) showed some promise at the end of the year.
Costello’s Grade: D
Tight ends
Dustin Keller (65 catches, 815 yards, five TDs) led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He had some inconsistencies but became Sanchez’s security blanket. Matthew Mulligan committed nine penalties, the second-most on the team despite playing limited snaps.
Costello’s Grade: B-
Offensive line
There are several units on the Jets that are hard to grade because they have some elite players and some players who had terrible seasons. This is one. Center Nick Mangold showed just how valuable he is to this team when he missed two games. Mangold is the MVP of the offense. Guard Brandon Moore had a great season, not allowing a hit on Sanchez. Right tackle Wayne Hunter was the weak link of this group. He allowed 11 sacks and committed 11 penalties in his first year as a starter. The Jets need to make a change at right tackle. Left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson had a down year. The group struggled early with run blocking, too.
Costello’s Grade: C-
Defensive line
Nose tackle Sione Pouha (58 tackles, four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries) is the most underrated player on the Jets. He stuffed up the middle for the team.
His running mate, Mike DeVito (27 tackles, two forced fumbles), dealt with injuries to both knees but was solid when healthy. Rookie Muhammad Wilkerson (35 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, three sacks) had a strong season. Marcus Dixon and Ropati Pitoitua provided depth to one of the Jets’ stronger units.
Costello’s Grade: A-
Linebackers
There were some major letdowns with this group this year. They had trouble with fast runners who could get to the edge (Darren McFadden, LeSean McCoy). David Harris was the best player on the field at times (86 tackles, five sacks, four INTs). Bart Scott had his role reduced greatly this season. He barely played on passing downs. Calvin Pace had a strong start to the year, but faded. The loss of Bryan Thomas in Week 4 hurt the team greatly. Aaron Maybin (six sacks) was a surprise but did not have a sack in the final four games.
Costello’s Grade: C+
Secondary
This is another unit like the offensive line with a truly great player and others who don’t measure up. Darrelle Revis (four INTs, 21 passes defended) had another outstanding year. Antonio Cromartie was up and down. When he was good, though, he could shut people down. The safeties were an issue. Eric Smith always seemed to be around when the Jets allowed a big play. The Jets need to find some answers at safety next year.
Costello’s Grade: B
Special teams
The Jets had one of the best kick returners in the league in Joe McKnight, whose 31.6 yards per return led the league. Cromartie also did a great job returning (24.5 average). The coverage teams were strong all year. The biggest problem on special teams for the Jets were fumbles (five). They did not do much on punt returns (9.7 average) all season.
Costello’s Grade: B-
Kickers
Nick Folk went 19-of-25 on field goals, with most of his misses coming from long distance. He hit a game-winner against the Cowboys, but his early miss against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium really sucked the life out of the Jets. Punter T.J. Conley averaged 42.7 yards per punt. He was inconsistent all season.
Costello’s Grade: C
Coaching
Rex Ryan lost control of this team. That is the biggest indictment of a head coach there is. Ryan admitted he did not have the “pulse” of this team. When he named Holmes a captain over the summer, there was a lot of eye-rolling in the locker room. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had a terrible year. The offense never established an identity, giving up on the passing game early and failing to establish a strong running game. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine had some good games, but his defense allowed some killer drives (Patriots twice, Broncos, Dolphins) that led to losses. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff adjusted without Brad Smith and found another star returner in McKnight.
Costello’s Grade: D
brian.costello@nypost.com