The Rex Ryan Report Card

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After an impressive 3-0 start and disappointing 1-4 slide, are the Jets better or worse than they were a year ago?

The answer is yes.

While the situation at quarterback is still a work in progress, for the most part Rex Ryan has seemingly put the Jets and the organization on the right track after years of under achievement and mixed results under his predecessors Eric Mangini and Herm Edwards.

One just needs to look at the state of the Cleveland Browns (0-7) to ask if firing Mangini was the right thing to do.

The acquisition of Braylon Edwards, the trading up in the draft to land Mark Sanchez and a commitment to build a ferocious defense are all attributable to Ryan's leadership on and off the field. His decision to retain most of the staff was smart and his commitment to Mark Sanchez to succeed is admirable.

At 4-4, the Jets are at best a "one and out" playoff prospect. With so many teams ahead of them and divisional road games still to play in Buffalo and New England, the prospect of a wildcard slot seems unrealistic. Nevertheless, the Jets can play for pride and progress to truly develop over the long-term a quality franchise than can compete for the division each and every season.

Ironically, the missing piece for the Jets is a consistent pass rusher who can sack the quarterback.

With Kris Jenkins down, the Jets should make a trade for a quality pass rusher. Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston have a combined total of 3.0 sacks and the defense has just 14 in total. Not the kind of impact necessary to scare any offensive line.

The Jets running attack has improved each week and the reason is Thomas Jones and an offensive line anchored by Nick Mangold, arguably the best center in the NFL. Jones is on pace for 1,400 rushing yards and the notions that Thomas Jones was long in the tooth were just not true. Even with Leon Washington hurt, the Jets have an able stable of backs and this should help Mark Sanchez further mature as quarterback.

The addition of Braylon Edwards to compliment Jericho Cotchery along with Dustin Keller gives the Jets a great receiving corps for the next 5 to 7 years. Keller is developing into an All-Pro tight end and Edwards has been a reliable and clutch option for Sanchez since being traded from the Browns.

Jay Feely has been excellent all season and his 55 yard FG yesterday shows he has plenty of leg left in him. The usually reliable special teams unit was embarrassed by Ted Ginn and it will be interesting to see if they can recover after this bye week.

Since I was not a fan of the Ryan selection, he has impressed me on several levels.

First, the players like him and they play for him. This team has not quit in any of the eight games and the unit seems to believe in his direction for the organization.

Second, Ryan is tough on the opposition and isn't afraid to get physical. The Jets play with emotion and that's a good thing for a young squad.

Third, Ryan is passionate about football. The son of a coaching legend, Rex Ryan is committed in the long term to putting the Jets right once and for all. With a new facility under construction this team will be better next year barring injury to their franchise players.

The Jets could easily be 6-2. But they could also be 2-6. Given last year's collapse, I think the bye week came at a perfect time and Ryan will make the adjustments necessary to keep the Jets competitive in November as well as December. I give Head Coach Rex Ryan a C+ for the effort and hopefully we'll see continued improvement in the last eight games of 2009.

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