JET REPORT CARD
QUARTERBACKS: A
Chad Pennington (28-37, 253 yards, 1 TD) was again sharp, and this time it came against one of the NFL’s better defenses.
RUNNING BACKS: A
Curtis Martin (13-37, rushing, 3-34 receiving) had tough sledding, but LaMont Jordan (career-high 107 yards on 13 carries) had a coming-out party.
WIDE RECEIVERS: A
Laveranues Coles (5-60), Wayne Chrebet (3-47) and Santana Moss (2-8) kept the San Diego defense honest, making key catches.
TIGHT ENDS: A
Anthony Becht (4-26, 1 TD) was active in both the passing game and blocking for the run.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A
In a word, superb. Pass protection against a blitzing Chargers’ defense that entered with 22 sacks, was terrific. The run-blocking, while sometimes spotty, still controlled the line of scrimmage.
DEFENSIVE LINE: A
>DT Josh Evans showed leadership in his Saturday night address of the team and he did it on the field with a sack and a blocked PAT. DE Shaun Ellis had a forced fumble.
LINEBACKERS: A
Sam Cowart (seven tackles, Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones were at their best in stopping dangerous Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson (12-60). It should he noted, too, that San Diego was held to only 1-of-9 on third downs.
SECONDARY: A
The only blemish was a TD pass between CB Aaron Beasley and FS Damien Robinson. Otherwise, a great job of run support from SS Sam Garnes (5 tackles) and Robinson (6 tackles). CB Donnie Abraham had a late INT.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Moss had a 52-yard punt return for a TD, his second in as many weeks, and averaged 23.2 yards on five returns. Jerald Sowell forced a fumble. KO and punt coverage was again solid.
KICKING GAME: A-
K John Hall had FGs of 24, 32 and 38 yards and he had a 43-yarder blocked, his second blocked FG in as many weeks. P Matt Turk averaged 45.8 yards on four punts.
COACHING: A
You cannot question whether the team responded to Herman Edwards. This was as fired-up and complete a performance as the Jets have had all year.