Advertisement
Advertisement

Chargers Scouting Report: Jets

Share

Like the Chargers’ previous two opponents, the Jets send out a raw quarterback and a top-drawer defensive line.

Geno Smith, the quarterback, has a long way to go. In 20 career starts, he has 31 turnovers and a 68.5 passer rating. Also, he cussed at a fan last Sunday following New York’s third consecutive defeat.

What premium talent the Jets (1-3) have, is largely found in the defensive front-7 where three first-round draftees lead the NFL’s top-ranked rush defense.

Advertisement

A veteran, healthy offensive line, anchored by center and four-time Pro Bowler Nick Mangold, is capable at run- and pass-blocking.

It’s on the perimeter where the talent is thinnest, both on offense and defense. The Jets have yet to intercept a pass. At wide receiver, San Diego’s first four opponents were more gifted.

Repeat performance?

The Chargers (3-1) have won their last three games. In double-digit wins the last two Sundays, their defense clamped down on a novice quarterback.

Bills coach Doug Marrone benched EJ Manuel this week, eight days after the Chargers read him well in his 13th career start. The Bills drafted Manuel 23 spots before Smith went to the Jets.

Last Sunday against Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles in his first NFL start, the Chargers registered a second-half shutout and two interceptions.

With Philip Rivers to make his 133rd consecutive start Sunday, the Chargers are seven-point betting favorites to win.

Kickoff is 1:25 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium, where the Jets won as underdogs in the 2004 and 2009 playoffs. San Diego leads the season series 20-12-1.

Playmakers

Desperate at wide receiver, the Jets guaranteed ex-Broncos No. 2 Eric Decker $15 million in March to leave the Broncos. Decker (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is powerful and disciplined, but not a true No. 1 wideout.

Jeremy Kerley (5-9 ½, 188) is a brave slot receiver with less downfield speed than the Chargers’ Eddie Royal.

WR David Nelson and rookie TE Jace Amaro are 6-foot-5 targets with good straight-line speed.

Kerley leads the team with 16 receptions (9.0 per catch). Decker has 14 catches for 204 yards (14.6) and two TDs, best among Jets pass-catchers.

At running back, energetic thrasher Chris Ivory (5-11½, 222) and still-speedy Chris Johnson (5-11, 191) work ahead of Bilal Powell (5-10½, 204).

In yards per carry, it’s Ivory (5.5), Powell (4.7) and Johnson (4.1). Johnson has the group’s lone TD catch.

Growing pains

Smith (6-2½, 218) can whip tight spirals at the Jets’ breezy stadium and runs well (4.58). He sails too many passes, a factor in his 26 career interceptions. He has 12 fumbles in 20 games, due in part to small hands.

Jets fans chanted for Smith’s backup, Michael Vick, amid five consecutive three-and-outs last Sunday. Responding to a heckler afterward, Smith was caught by a TV camera yelling an obscenity.

So, it’s not a bad time to hit the road. Except Smith is 2-7 away from home with six TDs, 14 interceptions and a 55.4 passer rating.

One of his better performances away, at Miami in last year’s finale, opened the door for the Chargers to make the playoffs.

Coach Rex Ryan said he’s sticking with Smith.

Vick didn’t play last Sunday and has played only six snaps, three in the opener. He’s on a one-year deal for $4 million guaranteed. The Eagles were interested in retaining Vick, 34. He reunited with playcaller Marty Mornhinweg.

Advertisement