Jets Ups & Downs: Week Four

Emailing back and forth with some Jets fans this morning, my cousin-in-law Matt (a fellow Jets fan) mentioned to me "that is the kind of game that really changes a season." His point being, if the Jets win, not only would the team be better off, but the respect level of the franchise would have gone up around the league.

Being 3-1 at the quarter pole rather than 2-2 is a bigger difference than it seems, especially had the Jets 'stole' one from the Colts. As we all know, in football, moral victories don't get you playoffs berths, but look around the corner of the Jacksonville game on the schedule and it looks like the Jets have only two other teams left (New England & Chicago) that look to be playoff ready, so the season is far from over.

Long-term I think the Colts game will strengthen the team's resolve, but look to see how the team responds in the coming weeks. As Mangini has talked about since the beginning and Pennington echoed after the game "football doesn't build character, but it reveals character. I think our character has been revealed over these last four games. What we have to do is look at the film, get the corrections made, and then move on."

That's what we like to hear Char. Moving on to the ups & downs ...

Ups

Justin Miller - After four games, the Jets are now ranked #3 in kick return average. Think Miller's 103 yard return had something to do with that? Miller also held his own in David "The Roller Coaster Ride" Barrett's absence contributing 9 tackles and a pass defensed while ... ahem ... holding Reggie Wayne to four catches for 74 yards.
Dewayne Robertson - Just in time or too little too late? After going MIA for some time now, Robertson was seen bowling over linesmen and getting into the backfield. I will have to check the footage, but Robertson seemed to play end and tackle during the game.
Jerricho Cothcery - Cotch continued his electric play with a 33 yard touchdown where he abused the D-Back on the play to get into the endzone. At 24 years of age, 6'0" and 207 pounds, he is looking more like a David Givens style receiver (he can beat players with finesse or brawn) game by game.
Shaun Ellis - Tallied two sacks on the day. Ellis brought pressure consistently, and a lesser QB would have been on his back more.

Cedric Houston - As Blaylock has taken a back seat, Cedric Houston is proving that he deserves playing time. Contributing 12 carries for 41 yards, Houston could be sorely missed by the Jets if his knee prohibits his play.
Brad Smith - Created some excitement in having a hand in converting at least two first downs. One with his legs, one with a option-flip to Leon Washington.
Tim Dwight - Made some excellent blocks to spring other players in crucial situations. Also contributed with some key catches.
Mike Nugent/Kerry Rhodes -Connecting on the onside kick, both players executed the play exceedingly well.

Downs

Leon Washington - For his exciting play throughout the day, the poor fielding of the kick at the end of the game was brutal.
Nick Mangold - Negating whatever else he might have done on the day, and although the play probably wouldn't have worked anyway, Mangold's errant toss to Leon Washington on the Cal-Stanford band play (known by the Jets as 'Schoolyard') dashed the collective hopes throughout Jetdom.
Kimo von Oelhoffen - I think I saw his picture on my milk container this morning.
Run Defense - Two years and a defensive scheme later, but the Jets just haven't been the same since the loss of Jason Ferguson in their run defense. Want to really compete? Stop the run.

Add your ups and downs in the comments...