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At the halfway point of the season, the Jets wish they could get a do-over.
The first half has been a major disappointment for a team that has never suffered a losing season in coach Rex Ryan’s first three years. Standing at 3-5 with five out of its final eight games coming on the road, that is a streak that could be in jeopardy.
There are not many positives to point to from the Jets’ first half. They lost key players to season-ending injuries on both sides of the ball with cornerback Darrelle Revis and wide receiver Santonio Holmes landing on injured reserve. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been as inconsistent as ever, and backup Tim Tebow’s role remains a mystery.
Here’s a look at the Jets’ first half:
Player of the first half
Antonio Cromartie. The “other” cornerback has played his best football as a Jet since Revis tore his left ACL in Week 3 against the Dolphins. Cromartie elevated his game and has been a shutdown corner against some strong wide receivers, such as the Texans’ Andre Johnson and the Colts’ Reggie Wayne. Cromartie has three interceptions this season, one returned for a touchdown and two others were called back because of penalties.
Disappointment of the first half
The Jets coaches seem to have no idea how to use Tebow. When the team made the trade for Tebow in March, it touted him as a versatile weapon that could add a new dimension to the offense. All spring and summer the Jets talked about other teams having to prepare for him. Through eight games, he has had no impact on offense, playing just 10 percent of the team’s snaps.
What needs to stay
The weakness of the Jets’ defense last season was its back end. The team has corrected that with the additions of hard-hitting LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell. The Jets need to keep running these two out there for nearly every snap and letting them intimidate opponents with their physical play. Landry and Bell have quickly become leaders, setting the tone for the defense with the way they play and, in some cases, what they say.
What needs to change
The offseason chatter was about getting back to Ground and Pound. The Jets have been unable to do that in all but one game this season. It’s time to scrap the idea of being a run-heavy team all together. Shonn Greene is not a running back who can carry a team. The offensive line has deteriorated fast. While Sanchez has had his struggles, he seems to be better when more responsibility is placed on him. Put it on Sanchez and see what he can do. If he fails, then the Jets can open up the competition with Tebow in the offseason.
Midseason report card
OFFENSE
The Jets dumped offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer after last season, promising bigger and better things from his replacement, Tony Sparano. So far? It’s hard to tell the difference. The Jets are 27th in the NFL in offense (317.4 yards per game), one spot better than the Rams, Schottenheimer’s new team. Quarterback Mark Sanchez (52.9 completion percentage, 10 TDs, 8 INTs, 7 fumbles, 72.8 rating) has been inconsistent, but it’s not all his fault. The offensive line has struggled, receivers have dropped balls and the running game has been sporadic.
D
DEFENSE
One of the most surprising parts of the Jets’ season has been the play of the defense. Expected to be dominant, it has been so-so. It has allowed big plays at inopportune times, failed to get a stop when it needed one in New England and has struggled to get off the field on third down (45 percent conversion rate). The secondary has played well, forcing seven interceptions. The front seven has not lived up to its preseason billing and continues to get no pressure on the quarterback (12 sacks).
C
SPECIAL TEAMS
What in the world of Mike Westhoff? The legendary special teams coach is in his final season before retiring. This may be a season he wants to forget. The Jets have already given up two blocked punts, a kickoff return for a touchdown, an onside kick and a blocked field goal. On the plus side, Tim Tebow has helped the punt team with three successful fakes and Joe McKnight is one of the best returners in football when healthy.
C+
COACHING
Rex Ryan abandoned the Super Bowl guarantees this year. Smart move. This team isn’t winning the Super Bowl. Many of the Jets’ problems fall on GM Mike Tannenbaum for assembling a flawed roster, but Ryan’s role in that cannot be overlooked either. Ryan’s teams never seem to score upsets anymore, just beat teams they should beat. T
ony Sparano is quickly becoming as hated by the fans as predecessors Brian Schottenheimer and Paul Hackett were. QB coach Matt Cavanaugh needs to take some heat for Mark Sanchez never improving also.
D