Jets quarterback Geno Smith has taken most of the blame for Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, but the men he’s throwing the ball to say you can point the finger at them, too.
“We have to do a better job of catching the ball when the ball is thrown our way and continue to manage the game,” wide receiver David Nelson said. “I think yesterday we were trying to press a little too much. We were trying to make plays as a receiving group instead of just taking what was given to us. We got way too impatient and were trying to press too much.”
Nelson had no catches in the 19-3 loss despite being targeted five times. Stephen Hill also had no catches, and Santonio Holmes had just one for 12 yards. Greg Salas was the top wide receiver with two catches for 48 yards.
After the game, coach Rex Ryan said the receivers have to do a better job of catching the ball. Nelson said they had three drops.
“We’ve got some veteran guys in here, but we also have some younger guys who are trying to take it upon themselves to make a big play, trying to make a 5-yard play into a 60-yard play,” Nelson said.
“Maybe that means you’re not completely looking a ball all the way in. Maybe that means you’re not running your routes to full depth because you’re trying to get to a spot to speed things up because maybe the pressure’s been getting to him too much.”
Ryan said one of the problems last week was that due to injuries with Holmes and tight end Kellen Winslow and Nelson’s illness there was no rhythm to be found in practice because they could not keep the same players out there.
“I think we have weapons,” Ryan said. “I think we need more consistency.”
RG Willie Colon has seen the other teams the Jets are competing with for a playoff spot and he believes the Jets need to improve their effort.
“We see other teams that are fighting for the same spot. They’re playing harder,” Colon said. “They’re playing faster. They’re executing better. Right now, we’re stagnant. We just have to do better. I think we’re coming out with a lot of intensity, heart and fire but we’re not playing good football for four quarters and that’s hurting us right now.”
LB Troy Davis suffered a chest injury on a hit from Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw on a Jets punt Sunday. Davis had to stay overnight in Baltimore in the hospital, but returned to New Jersey on Monday.
The Jets clearly think it should have been a penalty.
“I’m not going to get into me judging officials,” Ryan said. “At the time I thought it was [a penalty] but I don’t have a great view of things.”
The Jets actually got flagged on the play for unsportsmanlike conduct. when one of their coaches collided with an official tracking the play.
Ryan offered no injury updates on Davis or any of the other injured players, including CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) and RB Chris Ivory (ankle). The team is required to provide an injury report Wednesday.