Things We Learned About the Jets

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Things we learned about the Jets

November, 25, 2014

NOV 25

12:15

PM ET

By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com

A few takeaways from the New York Jets’ 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills:

1. After a performance like that, I can’t help but think of a fitting Marvin Washington quote from a dark time in the 1990s. Washington, always quick with a one liner, once described a particularly galling loss this way: “Three words: Horr-i-ble.” Pretty much sums it up.

2. Reiterating what I wrote after the game, this one’s on Rex Ryan. His team showed absolutely no pulse. He prides himself on having the most physical team in the league, but his players were on the receiving end of almost every big hit. The players can talk all they want about their affinity for Ryan, but you know what they say: Actions speak louder than words.

3. Ryan’s latest quarterback decision will shed some light on what the organization thinks of Geno Smith, who replaced an ineffective Michael Vick in the third quarter. Smith (10-for-12, 89 yards) wasn’t awful in garbage time, and you could make a case for him to get his old job back -- you know, one last evaluation period before the offseason. If Ryan sticks with Vick, it probably means the organization has seen enough. The sense I get is that Vick, if healthy, will get another shot.

4. Halftime numbers: Vick, six completions for 42 yards. Bills wide receiver Robert Woods, six receptions for 64 yards.

5. The Jets faced an excellent front four, but the level to which their offensive line has dropped is alarming. They allowed a season-high seven sacks, six of which came against standard pressure by the Bills, according to the ESPN Stats & Information. In other words, it was nothing fancy. The Jets were dominated by four-man rushes. Right tackle Breno Giacomini, John Idzik’s second-biggest free-agent signing, is working out as well as they had hoped.

6. A couple of players remarked after the game that the Bills used more two-deep safety looks than usual. With starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin, they probably were concerned about giving up big plays. They also may have been worried about Vick’s scrambling. The point is, without the usual number of eight-man boxes, the Jets should’ve been running the ball. But pass-happy Marty Mornhinweg kept passing,; the pass-run ratio in the first half was 18 to 10.

7. Eleven games into the season, the Jets still have no offensive identity.

8. Weird approach by Ryan in the secondary. He used eight players, essentially rotating at one safety and one cornerback spot. Jaiquawn Jarrett and Calvin Pryor shared time at safety, with Marcus Williams and Phillip Adams sharing at corner. Antonio Allen played both spots. It had a preseason feel to it. I think Ryan has taken the “competition” thing too far.

9. The Jets are 0-5 on the road, having been outscored by 89 points. Under Ryan, they’re 1-5 when coming off the bye week. Maybe a return trip to Dave & Busters wouldn’t have been such a terrible idea.

10. I applaud Sheldon Richardson for expressing genuine emotion after the game. He can be surly after losses, but this one hurt him in a way that moved him to the brink of tears. There should’ve been more of that in the locker room, but too many players acted like zombies.

11. Looks like the “Suck for the Duck” campaign is back on.