MVN - Most Valuable Network

Jets Can’t Sleep On Bengals

It easy to look forward to the Jets early November match-up with the Bills and assume they will be 5-2 at that particular point. However, let’s not forget these are the Jets and they are only a 2-2 team. At first glance, there is plenty to feel good about in this week’s game against the 0-5 Bengals. Under Eric Mangini, the Jets have played their best two games over the past two years coming out of the bye week. The Bengals can’t run the ball and can’t stop the pass. Brett Favre seems to be hitting in his stride in the Jets offensive system.  Yet, the Jets can’t believe the hype surrounding this game and must find a way to avoid a major let down.

There is still catching up to do with the Bills and Patriots, meaning the Jets can’t afford to stumble at home against a win-less team. The Bengals have played the Titans, Giants, and Cowboys tough, all of whom are better teams than the Jets as of today. Here is how the Jets can take of business this week, preceded by a few news and notes:

News:

- Punter Ben Graham was released again, meaning Reggie Hodges will take over punting duties for the foreseeable future. Kicker Mike Nugent is still probably a week away from playing, meaning Jay Feely will remain on the roster.

- I don’t expect to see David Clowney or Justin Miller this week. Clowney should be a nice addition when he returns from a collarbone injury, hopefully he is back by the Oakland game. Nobody knows why Justin Miller hasn’t been active yet, and it remains to be seen whether or not he ever gets back on the field.

- Eric Smith likely won’t win his appeal. Jesse Chatman will be active this week, although when Smith’s suspension is over the Jets will have to make another roster move to make space for him.

How the Jets Can Avoid the Let-Down:

- Keep letting Brett be Brett. The Jets should be able to throw all over the Bengals secondary. There is no reason to come out with a conservative game plan. They should be in attack mode right out of the gates.

- Come after Carson Palmer. I am confident that Darrelle Revis can lock down Chad Johnson, I am actually much more worried about T.J. Houshmanzadah (spelling?). The Bengals have no running game, meaning the Jets can’t let Palmer sit in the pocket and carve them up.

- Get an early lead. The worst thing the Jets can do is give the Bengals confidence early and let them hang around. If the Jets can jump out to a quick 10 or 14 point lead, it should be smooth sailing.

Jets First Quarter Awards

We are one-fourth of the way through the season, you can read my recap of the Jets first four games and prediction for the rest of the season over at the New York Times Fifth Down Blog. Here is the link: http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/jets-bloggers-the-state-of-the-home-team/#more-1290

Anyway, on to the first quarter awards:

Offensive MVP: Quarterback Brett Favre - Favre leads the NFL in touchdown passes with 12, and outside of the San Diego game hasn’t killed the Jets with turnovers. He has completely changed the dynamic of the Jets offense, while providing leadership and confidence in the huddle.

Offense - Most Improved: Tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson - It has been refreshing not to see D’Brick routinely getting beat for sacks. The third year pro has been steady in both pass protection and in the running game. He may be on his way to validating himself as a top five selection.

Offense - Best Newcomer: Receiver Chansi Stuckey - Stuckey has established an early rhythm with Brett Favre and become a factor inside the red-zone. He missed all of last season with an injury, which makes him eligible for this award. The Jets have been searching for a slot receiver since Wayne Chrebet retired and Stuckey is making it look like the search can end.

Honorable Mention - Receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles, Tackle Damien Woody

Defensive MVP: Cornerback Darrelle Revis - Revis is starting to look like a legit lock down corner. Beyond that, he has already racked up three interceptions and one touchdown. It makes a big difference if you have a guy who can take out a team’s number one receiver. I am looking forward to seeing him battle Brandon Marshall later in the year.

Defense - Most Improved - Linebacker Bryan Thomas - Thomas leads the team with 4 sacks, and is looking even better than he did during his career year in 2006. Clearly the signing of Calvin Pace and the drafting of Vernon Gholston lit a fire under him.

Defense - Best Newcomer - Nose Tackle Kris Jenkins - It is a toss up between him and Calvin Pace, but Jenkins has been the main reason the Jets run defense has improved so drastically. He has also been a factor in the pass rush and blocked a field goal. If Jenkins can stay healthy and keep playing at this level, he will be a pro-bowler.

Honorable (Playing Very Well) Mention - Linebacker Calvin Pace, Safety Kerry Rhodes, Defensive End Shaun Ellis

Grading the Jets First Quarter: Quarterback & Running Back

Brett Favre - 87/124, 935 yards, 12 TD’s, 4 INT’s — On Pace For: 3740 yards, 48 TD’s, 16 INT’s. Favre excited Jets fans week one with a pair of touchdown passes and a victory. Over the next two weeks, he faced criticism for turning the ball over and not being on the same page of his receivers. The inevitable doubt about him coming back was running through everyone’s mind as the national media pounced all over him and the Jets, fortunately Favre silenced just about everyone by bouncing back with a 6 touchdown performance against the Cardinals. He isn’t going to do anything but get better as he gets more comfortable with the offense, and should rack up some big games in the upcoming weeks against a few weak defenses. Grade: B+

Thomas Jones - 254 yards, 1 touchdown, 3.8 yards per carry — On Pace For: 1016 yards, 4 touchdowns. Jones had a fast start but has been quiet the last couple of weeks, although part of that has to do with the type of games the Jets were involved in. He does look a little quicker but the Jets are going to need more than 1016 yards from him this year, every team won’t be like the Cardinals, the Jets are going to need to run the ball to win games and be a playoff team. Grade: B-

Leon Washington - 62 yards rushing, 76 yards receiving — On Pace For: 248 yards rushing, 304 yards receiving. The coaching staff has made a greater effort to get Washington the ball, which is the right choice. It is only a matter of time before he rips of a big play on a screen or a run. He has been very good on kick and punt returns, as expected. Grade: B

Grading the Jets First Quarter: Wide Receivers

The bye week is a good chance to evaluate how the Jets have performed through one quarter of the season. Today I am going to look at their wide receivers and tight ends:

Jerricho Cotchery - 18 receptions, 243 yards, 3 touchdowns — On Pace For: 72 receptions, 972 yards, 12 touchdowns. Cotchery is developing into a more of a deep threat and has provided his share of big plays down the field. He still struggles sometimes when the coverage is rolled to him and can disappear at times, like he did against the Patriots. Regardless, he is catching the ball well and running hard after the catch, like usual. Grade: B+

Laveranues Coles - 18 receptions, 257 yards, 4 touchdowns — On Pace For: 72 receptions, 1028 yards, 16 touchdowns. Coles has come on strong during the last couple of weeks and obviously exploded in week four against the Cardinals. It is a shame that he was a little out of it the first couple of weeks, because his numbers could be even better than they currently stand. Coles may not be ready to relinquish his position as the Jets top receiver to Jerricho Cotchery quite yet, in a big spot I still think the Jets would look to #87 first. Grade: B+

Chansi Stuckey - 14 receptions, 134 yards, 3 touchdowns — On Pace For: 56 receptions, 536 yards, 12 touchdowns. Stuckey developed an early rhythm with Brett Favre and seems to be a favorite target of his when the Jets get near the end-zone. He does a good job of getting open when Favre moves around the pocket and is dangerous on short crossing routes. Despite talk of a battle for the third receiver spot, Stuckey clearly seized the spot over Brad Smith. Grade: B+

Brad Smith - 0 receptions, 1 rush for 17 yards. Where has he gone? By my count he has only had 2 balls thrown his way so far this season, after having a relatively strong training camp. Expect the Jets to try to get him more involved over the next few weeks. Grade: D

Chris Baker - 6 receptions, 69 yards — On Pace For: 24 receptions, 276 yards. Baker has been fairly quiet this year and is yet to get into the end-zone, where he is usually targeted often. I think as Favre gets more comfortable in the offense, we will see Baker become more of a factor in the offense. Grade: C

Dustin Keller - 6 receptions, 84 yards, 2 touchdowns — On Pace For: 24 receptions, 336 yards, 8 touchdowns. Keller is slowly becoming a bigger part of the offense and seeing more reps. He just missed making a few big plays down the field, but has racked up a few touchdowns. I expect him to eventually turn into the Jets number three option in the passing game behind Coles and Cotchery. Grade: B

Bubba Franks - 6 receptions, 47 yards. — On Pace For: 24 receptions, 188 yards. Franks made a few plays last week and had a touchdown called back. Favre is obviously comfortable with him, which means he will probably catch a pass or two every week. Grade: C