NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 29, 2014

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Stafford's 3 TDs lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) .................................................................................... 2

Eric and Jessie (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................................................................................ 4

Jets' Smith lashes out at fan after loss to Lions (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................................. 4

Stafford, Tate lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) ....................................................................................... 6

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Geno Smith loses fans after loss as turnovers mount (Kimberley Martin) ............................................................... 7

Rex Ryan's job, Jets' season are in big trouble (Bob Glauber) ................................................................................... 9

At 1-3, Jets look to defy odds of making playoffs (Kimberley Martin) .................................................................... 10

Michael Vick not lobbying to replace Geno Smith (Barbara Barker) ....................................................................... 11

Jets grades: A lot of blame to go around (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................................. 12

Jets defense stands by Geno Smith (Greg Logan) ................................................................................................... 13

THE RECORD ........................................................................................................................................................ 14

Stafford's 3 TDs lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (J.P. Pelzman) ..................................................................................... 14

Jets notes: Eric Decker gets more snaps (J.P. Pelzman) .......................................................................................... 15

Jets licking their wounds (Jeff Roberts) ................................................................................................................... 15

NFL: Jets replay vs. Lions (Jeff Roberts) ................................................................................................................... 17

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 17

Eric Decker stands by Geno Smith, saying of fans' chants for Mike Vick: 'That stuff, to me, is B.S.' (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Calvin Pace on 1-3 teams almost never making playoffs: 'We'll be the ones to change that' (Darryl Slater) ......... 18

Willie Colon insists Jets' season isn't over: 'The hell with the naysayers' (Darryl Slater) ........................................ 20

Lions 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad and the ugly from the Jets' third straight loss (Darryl Slater) ....................... 20

Rex Ryan is sticking with Geno Smith: 'I'm not going to replace him' (Dom Cosentino)......................................... 22

After Geno Smith curses at fan, Mike Vick says part of a QB's 'professionalism' is handling criticism (Daryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 23

Sheldon Richardson to Jets fans chanting for Michael Vick: 'Shut up' (Dom Cosentino) ........................................ 24

"(Bleep) you!": Geno Smith apologizes for cursing at fan on camera after Jets loss (Dom Cosentino) .................. 25

Instant analysis from Lions 24, Jets 17, when the boos rained down on Geno Smith (Dom Cosentino) ................ 25

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 26

Struggling Geno screams ‘F–k you’ at fan after Jets fall to Lions (Brian Costello) ................................................... 26

Report card: Jets having ‘D’ problems (Brian Costello) ........................................................................................... 28

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After hot start, Ivory vanishes (Bart Hubbuch) ....................................................................................................... 29

Gang pilot must get bleeping act together (Steve Serby) ....................................................................................... 30

Ex-Jet Ihedigbo hits, takes shots at Geno (Bart Hubbuch) ...................................................................................... 31

Jets blitz: Golden Tate is golden (Bart Hubbuch) .................................................................................................... 32

Jets’ supposedly vaunted defense blows it again (Brian Lewis) .............................................................................. 33

Decker’s wife singing turns out to be highlight of rough day (Brian Lewis) ............................................................ 34

‘It’s ugly’ — and Rex Ryan is in trouble (George Willis) .......................................................................................... 35

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 36

Geno Smith turns it over twice as NY Jets lose to Lions at home (Seth Walder) .................................................... 36

Jets QB Geno Smith yells ‘f--- you’ at fan following loss to Lions (Seth Walder) ..................................................... 37

NY Jets less Green, more like black and blue (Mitch Abramson) ............................................................................ 38

Eric Decker catches touchdown, wife Jesse James Decker sings National Anthem by NY Jets lose (Kevin Armstrong) .............................................................................................................................................................. 39

I swear, it's time for NY Jets coach Rex Ryan to bench Geno Smith (Gary Myers) .................................................. 40

In NY Jets loss to Lions, can't defend Rex Ryan's defense (Manish Mehta) ............................................................ 42

Fox and CBS analysts join NY Jets fans in ripping Geno Smith (Bob Raissman)....................................................... 43

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 46

Jets and Smith Picked Apart by Lions, and Fans (Ben Shpigel) ................................................................................ 46

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 48

Jets Fall to Lions, and the Blame Leads Back to Geno Smith (Stu Woo) .................................................................. 48

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 49

Jets QB Geno Smith curses at fan (Rich Cimini) ....................................................................................................... 49

Geno, Jets' tart start will only worsen (Johnette Howard) ...................................................................................... 51

Pressure getting to Geno Smith, a bad sign for Jets' struggling quarterback (Rich Cimini) .................................... 52

Jets' defense couldn't stop Lions (Jane McManus) ................................................................................................. 54

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 54

Rex Ryan on Jets 1-3 start: ‘No doubt we’re in a hole’ (Kristian Dyer) .................................................................... 54

Geno Smith caught on film cursing at Jets fans after Lions loss (Kristian Dyer) ...................................................... 55

Jets losing streak extends to three with loss to Lions (Kristian Dyer) ..................................................................... 56

SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 57

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stafford's 3 TDs lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 28, 2014

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/staffords-3-tds-lead-lions-over-jets-24-201152049--nfl.html

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Matthew Stafford knew Calvin Johnson was still hurting, so he found a few other options. And the Detroit Lions' offense didn't miss a beat.

Stafford threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Lions overcame Johnson being limited by an ankle injury to beat the New York Jets 24-17 on Sunday.

''He had a couple of catches, but he obviously wasn't himself out there,'' Stafford said of Johnson. ''The other guys stepped up big.''

Jeremy Ross and Eric Ebron caught scoring passes for the Lions, off to a 3-1 start for the second straight season. Stafford finished 24 of 34 for 293 yards, and appeared unfazed by his top receiver shuttling in and out of the game.

''We knew Calvin was going to be limited today and we were hoping to not have to use him unless it was an emergency,'' wide receiver Golden Tate said. ''I think we responded well.''

Johnson's ankle had him questionable for the game. He had just two catches for 12 yards, but Tate did his best Megatron impersonation, catching eight passes for 116 yards.

''You guys get caught up in names,'' Jets linebacker Calvin Pace said. ''But Golden Tate is a good receiver, too.''

A struggling Geno Smith had two more turnovers as chants of ''We Want Vick!'' echoed throughout MetLife Stadium at times. As he walked off the field, a television camera caught the Jets quarterback shouting an expletive at a heckler in the stands.

''Before we start this off, first of all I want to apologize if any kids saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field,'' Smith said to open his postgame news conference. ''I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation, and it's a part of my learning process.''

The Jets, who made it close on Chris Johnson's 35-yard run with 6:58 left, fell to 1-3 for the first time in Rex Ryan's six seasons as coach.

Smith was 17 of 33 for 209 yards, including an 11-yard TD pass to Eric Decker, but threw an interception and lost a fumble - giving him seven turnovers in four games. The calls for Vick, the veteran backup, could intensify this week despite Ryan saying after the game that Smith would start next Sunday at San Diego.

''I've got to let that stuff roll off my back,'' Smith said. ''But today, I didn't do well with that.''

Johnson ripped off a 35-yard run, making it 24-17. But the Jets couldn't muster much else, and the Lions ran out the last 3:41.

The game was a matchup of Detroit's top-ranked defense and New York's No. 2. The Lions had the first big play of the game as Stafford found Ross for a 59-yard touchdown and a 10-3 lead. Ross blew by converted safety Antonio Allen, and then Allen missed a late tackle attempt as Ross got into the end zone.

After the Jets went three-and-out on consecutive possessions, Ebron made it 17-3 with a 16-yard catch - the first TD in the NFL for the No. 10 overall draft pick in May.

The Jets stayed in it by scoring on their first possession of the second half, an 11-yard pass from Smith to Decker that made it 17-10.

But the Lions reclaimed control on Stafford's 1-yard TD run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Stafford's run, upheld by video review, capped a 14-play, 90-yard drive that included a 10-yard catch by Reggie Bush on third-and-9, a 21-yard grab by Ryan Broyles - his first of the season - on third-and-2, and a 16-yarder by Tate on second-and-1 from the Jets 18.

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''Our defense did a great job all day stopping the run, pretty much shutting down the offense,'' Stafford said. ''We stumbled a little bit in the third quarter and we needed to put a statement out there. That drive was huge.''

NOTES: Darius Slay intercepted Smith in the fourth quarter, and former Jets safety James Ihedigbo had a strip sack of Smith on New York's next possession. The fumble was recovered by Darryl Tapp. ... Lions K Alex Henery, signed earlier in the week to replace rookie Nate Freese, kicked a 51-yarder, but was wide right on a 52-yard attempt. ... Jets WR David Nelson (left ankle) and safety Calvin Pryor (thigh) left and didn't return. Allen also had a significant limp after the game. Lions RB Joique Bell was being evaluated for a head injury, while running back Theo Riddick and fullback Montell Owens left with hamstring injuries. Neither coach had any updates.

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Eric and Jessie (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 28, 2014

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/eric-and-jessie

Jessie James Decker has made her New York Jets debut.

The country pop music and reality TV star -- and wife of Jets wide receiver Eric Decker -- performed the national anthem before New York's game against Detroit at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Jessie James Decker, decked out in her husband's green No. 87 Jets jersey, belted out the anthem to big cheers from the crowd. She has performed "The Star Spangled Banner" several times in the past, including at a Denver Broncos game _ when Eric played there _ and the AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The couple starred in their own reality show, "Eric & Jessie," and welcomed their first child, Vivianne Rose, in March _ a few days after the Jets signed the wide receiver as a free agent.

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Jets' Smith lashes out at fan after loss to Lions (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 28, 2014

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=TiWFiVKG

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Geno Smith completely lost his cool - and maybe a bit of his grip on the New York Jets' starting quarterback job.

Frustrated after a third straight loss and calls for his backup increasing, Smith was caught by a TV camera yelling an expletive at a heckler in the stands as he walked off the MetLife Stadium field following a 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

"Before we start this off, first of all I want to apologize if any kids saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field," Smith said to open his postgame news conference. "I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation, and it's a part of my learning process."

Smith had two more turnovers as chants of "We Want Vick!" echoed throughout the stadium at times, perhaps none louder than after he was intercepted by Darius Slay in the fourth quarter.

"That stuff, to me, is B.S.," wide receiver Eric Decker said of the chants.

Asked what he thought when he heard the calls for Vick, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was blunt.

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"Shut up," Richardson said. "If that's the case, produce a child who can come and make it to the NFL and let's see what he's got. Other than that, just shut up."

Vick didn't get into this one, and coach Rex Ryan confirmed that Smith will start again for the Jets (1-3) next Sunday at San Diego despite his struggles.

"No, I'm not going to replace him," Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned (around). He's a tough, resilient young man. I think we're going to win. We'll win soon."

Smith was 17 of 33 for 209 yards, including an 11-yard TD pass to Decker, but threw an interception and lost a fumble - giving him seven turnovers in four games.

That's what has many fans frustrated, tired of the mistakes being made by the second-year quarterback.

"He's got to keep his composure, no matter how frustrated he gets," Richardson said. "But it happens."

Despite the skid and the struggles, the Jets players insist they still believe in Smith as the starting quarterback.

"One hundred percent, yeah," Decker said. "It's hard to see him take, really, all the criticism. It's not just him. Everyone is doing this together. ... We've got to make some plays for him, take some pressure off him."

Matthew Stafford got the Lions up and down the field - even without Calvin Johnson being much of a factor.

Stafford threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Lions overcame Johnson being limited by an ankle injury. Jeremy Ross and Eric Ebron caught scoring passes for the Lions, who are off to a 3-1 start for the second straight season. Stafford finished 24 of 34 for 293 yards, and appeared unfazed by his top receiver being in and out of the game.

Johnson was clearly impeded by his injured ankle, which had him questionable for the game. He had just two catches for 12 yards, but Golden Tate picked up for him, catching eight passes for 116 yards.

"We knew Calvin was going to be limited today and we were hoping to not have to use him unless it was an emergency," wide receiver Golden Tate said. "I think we responded well."

The Jets, who made it close on Chris Johnson's 35-yard run with 6:58 left, fell to 1-3 for the first time in Ryan's six seasons as coach.

New York stayed in it by scoring on its first possession of the second half, an 11-yard touchdown from Smith to Decker midway through the third quarter that made it 17-10.

But the Lions reclaimed control on Stafford's 1-yard run for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Detroit a 24-10 lead. Stafford's run - upheld by video review - capped a 14-play, 90-yard scoring drive.

"We have the ability," Decker said. "It's about executing the plays. Period."

NOTES: On New York's next possession after Slay's interception, former Jets safety James Ihedigbo had a strip sack of Smith on New York's next possession. The fumble was recovered by Darryl Tapp. ... Jets WR David Nelson (left ankle) and S Calvin Pryor (thigh) left and didn't return. CB Antonio Allen also had a significant limp after the game. Lions RB Joique Bell was being evaluated for a head injury, while running back Theo Riddick and fullback Montell Owens left with hamstring injuries. Neither coach had any updates.

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Stafford, Tate lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 28, 2014

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/stafford-tate-lead-lions-over-jets-24-17-074131924--nfl.html

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Calvin Johnson ran around a little, made a couple of plays and watched from the sideline a lot more than he's used to.

Two catches, 12 yards. And that was more than the Detroit Lions needed against the New York Jets.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Lions overcame Johnson being limited by an ankle injury to beat the Jets 24-17 on Sunday.

''He had a couple of catches, but he obviously wasn't himself out there,'' Stafford said of his No. 1 receiver. ''That's the kind of guy he is, to come out here and play for us and helping us out with depth. The other guys stepped up big.''

Jeremy Ross and Eric Ebron caught scoring passes for the Lions, off to a 3-1 start for the second straight season. Johnson's ankle had him questionable entering the game, but Golden Tate did his best Megatron impersonation, catching eight passes for 116 yards.

''We knew Calvin was going to be limited today and we were hoping to not have to use him unless it was an emergency,'' Tate said. ''I think we responded well.''

Stafford finished 24 of 34 for 293 yards, and appeared unfazed by his top receiver shuttling in and out of the game.

The game was a matchup of Detroit's top-ranked defense and New York's No. 2. The Lions had the first big play of the game as Stafford found Ross for a 59-yard touchdown and a 10-3 lead over the Jets (1-3). Ross blew by converted safety Antonio Allen, and then Allen missed a late tackle attempt as Ross got into the end zone.

''This team is not the only team that's going to get lit up by a team throwing the football,'' Jets coach Rex Ryan said. ''They do a pretty good job. They have a lot of weapons over there.''

Here are a few other things to know about the Lions' victory over the Jets:

FRUSTRATED GENO: Jets quarterback Geno Smith lost his cool after the game, and was caught by a TV camera yelling an expletive at a heckler in the stands as he walked off the MetLife Stadium field.

''First of all, I want to apologize if any kids saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field,'' Smith said to open his postgame news conference. ''I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation, and it's a part of my learning process.''

Smith was 17 of 33 for 209 yards, but had two more turnovers - an interception and a fumble - as chants of ''We Want Vick!'' echoed throughout the stadium at times, perhaps none louder than after he was intercepted by Darius Slay in the fourth quarter. Ryan, however, insisted that Smith will start next Sunday at San Diego.

''I believe in him,'' Ryan said.

THEY LIKE MIKE: Vick didn't get into the game, but he heard the calls for him to take over for Smith.

''I have mixed emotions about it,'' the backup quarterback said, ''because I've been through that, too''

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If Smith struggles again against the Chargers, the Jets could have a full-blown quarterback controversy. Asked what he thought when he the fans chanting for Vick, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was blunt.

''Shut up,'' Richardson said. ''If that's the case, produce a child who can come and make it to the NFL and let's see what he's got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that.''

MOMENTUM CHANGER: New York stayed in it - and fired up the fans - by scoring on its first possession of the second half, an 11-yard touchdown from Smith to Eric Decker midway through the third quarter that made it 17-10.

But the Lions reclaimed control on Stafford's 1-yard run for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Detroit a 24-10 lead. Stafford's run - upheld by video review - capped a 14-play, 90-yard scoring drive.

''We were just clicking,'' Tate said.

EBRON EMERGES: With Joseph Fauria out with an ankle injury, Ebron had a breakout game as the Lions' No. 2 tight end.

The No. 10 overall pick in May didn't light up the stats sheet with three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown - his first in the NFL - but he helped pick up the slack left by Johnson being in and out of the lineup.

''I couldn't ask for anything more,'' Ebron said of his 16-yard TD. ''I couldn't ask for a better throw or a better play call.''

INJURIES: The Jets lost wide receiver David Nelson (left ankle) and rookie safety Calvin Pryor (thigh) to injuries, and they didn't return. Cornerback Antonio Allen also had a significant limp after the game.

Lions running back Joique Bell left with a head injury, while running back Theo Riddick and fullback Montell Owens had hamstring injuries. Neither coach had any updates.

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NEWSDAY

Geno Smith loses fans after loss as turnovers mount (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-loses-fans-after-loss-as-turnovers-mount-1.9425457

Geno Smith glared at the MetLife Stadium stands, then spit at the ground. Minutes after losing his third consecutive game, the frustrated Jets quarterback lost his cool in front of the hometown crowd.

Smith's four-letter expletive directed at a male fan only compounded the damage he did on the field Sunday during a 24-17 loss to the Lions. It was the tipping point for a typically mild-mannered quarterback who couldn't corral his emotions in the heat of the moment.

"First of all, I want to apologize if any kid saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field,'' Smith said at the start of his postgame news conference. "I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation. It is a part of my learning process, I have to get better with that. I have to let that stuff roll off my back, but today I didn't do well with that.''

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Smith, who was booed in the first half, threw his fifth interception and lost a fumble on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter. Those mistakes invited more calls for his backup, Michael Vick.

But Smith said he wasn't worried about being benched during the game. Asked if he thought Vick would replace him at halftime, Smith said, "Not at all.'' He also said he's well equipped to lead this team.

"I am built for this,'' Smith said. "I have played football my entire life. I have dealt with heckling fans. It is not something I am not used to. The key thing for me is to continue to stay grounded, keep working. I am only 23 and I can't begin to tell you how much improvement I have to do.

"It is a long process, a long process. And I am in it for the long haul.''

That's precisely what troubles some Jets fans. But Rex Ryan reiterated he's sticking with Smith, who has four touchdown passes, including one Sunday.

"I'm not going to replace him,'' Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned around. He's a tough, resilient young man. I think we're going to win. We'll win soon.''

Ryan also said Smith has the tools to be "really good.''

"I believe in him.''

The Jets' offense faded badly after a 71-yard opening drive ended with Nick Folk's 27-yard field goal. They went nowhere the rest of the half, failing to get a first down on their next five possessions and netting 27 yards.

Smith completed 17 of 33 for 209 yards. Matthew Stafford (24-for-34, 293 yards) threw touchdowns to Jeremy Ross (59 yards) and Eric Ebron to give the Lions (3-1) a 17-3 halftime lead. The Jets never caught up.

Golden Tate made eight catches for 116 yards on a day when Lions star Calvin Johnson, slowed by a sore ankle, had only two receptions for 12 yards.

The Jets are 1-3 for the first time under Ryan, and their schedule doesn't get any easier. They travel to San Diego to face the Chargers on Sunday before playing the Broncos and Patriots in consecutive weeks. Although the organization says it is confident in Smith, many fans aren't.

"We want Vick!'' chants rained down after Smith's interception. The calls for Vick began in the second quarter, and the boos continued when Smith started another series. But he insisted he had no reaction to the chants for Vick.

"It is part of the job, and I understand that,'' Smith said. "My reaction to that is to go out and try to score more touchdowns.''

His teammates didn't take kindly to the negativity, however. "I say to hell with the naysayers,'' Willie Colon said. "I'm going to stick with my guys, stick with my family. And whatever happens, happens.''

Colon was one of several teammates who acknowledged Smith was wrong for cursing at a fan. But they all understood it.

Eric Decker caught an 11-yard touchdown pass to pull the Jets to within 17-10 in the third quarter. He called the chants for Vick "BS.'' He added: "[Geno's] a playmaker . . . Obviously, he's made mistakes as well.''

And therein lies the problem.

But the Jets refuse to give up on Smith, and they're determined to sink or swim with him -- at least for now.

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"When it comes down to it,'' Decker said, "us in this locker room, that's all we got.''

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Rex Ryan's job, Jets' season are in big trouble (Bob Glauber) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/rex-ryan-s-job-jets-season-are-in-big-trouble-1.9430578

A month's worth of football, and all the Jets have to show for it is one win, and that was against a team with a rookie quarterback that is 0-4 and counting.

A month's worth of football, and the Jets are 1-3 and already coming dangerously close to going kerplunk for the rest of the season. We could be witnessing Rex Ryan's run in New York evaporate less than a year after Jets owner Woody Johnson triumphantly announced that Ryan would be back in 2014.

Another alarming loss Sunday, falling 24-17 to the Lions, and the Jets' woes continue with no end in sight. Their next three opponents -- at the Chargers, home to the Broncos and at the Patriots -- all went to the playoffs last season and will undoubtedly be favored to beat them. So if form holds true in all three, that would make the Jets 1-6, and that would be enough evidence for general manager John Idzik to make a coaching change.

And it might prompt Idzik to rethink his conviction about Geno Smith, who struggled yet again and for the first time this season heard chants from the crowd for Ryan to go with Michael Vick. The coach said afterward that Geno is still his guy, this just minutes after Smith not only lost the game, but lost his cool. As he was walking off the field, he was caught on camera cursing at a fan in the stands.

Smith began his postgame news conference with an apology, saying he "let my temper get the best of me in that situation. I have to let that stuff roll off my back, but today, I didn't do well with that."

He didn't do well in the preceding three hours, either. After a promising drive to open the game netted a field goal, Smith went three-and-out on his next five possessions, prompting plenty of boos and calls for Vick to play. Smith did improve in the second half, but on his final drive, the Jets went three-and-out when his swing pass to Chris Ivory in the right flat caromed off Ivory's hands.

Ryan announced immediately after the game that he is sticking with Smith for next week. And possibly beyond that.

"I'm confident in Geno," Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned around. He's a tough, resilient young man. I think we're going to win. We'll win soon."

They had better win soon. To save the season and to save Ryan's job. Despite receiving a contract extension in the offseason, Ryan most likely needs a winning season -- and possibly a playoff berth -- to keep his job. Judging from what we've seen so far, neither outcome will materialize.

This is a bad football team right now, and a poorly coached one at that. The offense hasn't gotten untracked with Smith, and the defense has not played well enough to win. And it's not only the injury-depleted secondary that's at fault -- the Jets' vaunted front seven crumbled, too. There was no better evidence than on the Lions' drive after Smith had gotten the Jets to within 17-10.

Badly in need of a defensive stop, the Jets allowed the Lions to go 90 yards on 14 plays. Matthew Stafford capped the drive by racing around right end for a 1-yard TD run and 14-point lead.

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Ryan still has time to correct things, and a win over any of their next three opponents could provide the spark for a resurgence. Though the odds are stacked against NFL teams with losing records after four games, stranger things have happened. Consider: Since the league adopted its current playoff format in 1990, 25 teams have gotten to the playoffs after starting 1-3 or 0-4. That includes last year's Eagles and Panthers.

Things looked bleak for all of those teams, just as they do for the Jets. But if Ryan is to join that unlikely group, then things will have to turn around in a hurry. Judging from the look of things, that doesn't appear likely.

From the quarterback who couldn't maintain his composure both during and after the game, to the defense that played a much smaller game than they talk, to a coaching staff that has woefully underperformed, this looks like a team that's about to go under.

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At 1-3, Jets look to defy odds of making playoffs (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/at-1-3-jets-look-to-defy-odds-of-making-playoffs-1.9430895

How worried are the Jets about being 1-3?

"There's no doubt we're in a hole," Rex Ryan said Sunday after the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Lions.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, there's only a 14.5 percent chance that 1-3 teams will make the playoffs. And since the NFL adopted its current playoff format in 1990, 25 teams have gotten to the playoffs after starting the season 1-3 or 0-4. But the Jets weren't interested in a history lesson after the game.

"That's those teams," linebacker Calvin Pace said of the odds not being in their favor. "We'll be the ones to change that.

"It's a long season ahead. For you to make it in this league, we don't listen to people like you guys [reporters]. Hopefully, you guys don't take that the wrong way. We play football. You guys report on football. So if we listened to what you guys had to predict us to finish, or fans, then there wouldn't be a point of playing. Got to line up and play, and I trust that we'll get better."

The Jets are 1-3 for the first time since 2007. But even though the odds are stacked against them, they believe they can turn things around.

"Totally," Willie Colon said. "The worst thing we can do is divide and point the finger . . . Whatever the answer is, we've got to find it."

Referring to their three-game losing streak, the veteran right guard said: "Its hurts. It's ugly. I'm tired of it, I know the rest of the team is tired of it. We have to stay as a family and find a way to get out of it."

Over the next three weeks, Ryan's defense will face quarterbacks Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

Said Muhammad Wilkerson: "We got to keep fighting . . . It's not getting easier. This is going to be a tough task for us. This is what shows how great we can be, how tough can we be. How bad we want this. We'll see in these next couple of weeks."

Were there any postgame injury updates?

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Worse than the final score were the amount of Jets making their way to the trainers' room. Receiver David Nelson limped off the field in the second quarter because of a left ankle injury. He did not return but reportedly said that X-rays were negative. Rookie safety Calvin Pryor was ruled out with a left quad injury after taking a helmet to his upper leg.

"It was a tissue bruise," he said. "Right now, I'm day-to-day. We'll see how I feel during the week."

Converted cornerback Antonio Allen was seen hobbling out of the locker room, but the team did not disclose the injury. Fullback Tommy Bohanon had his shoulder and collarbone X-rayed after the game, but it's unclear what his injury is and if he'll miss any time.

Nose tackle Damon Harrison (ankle) also left the game but returned later in the fourth quarter.

Is it true Suh wants out of Detroit?

Ndamukong Suh reportedly wants to bring his talents to the Big Apple. The Lions' tenacious pass rusher, who is set to become a free agent in March, is instead interested in playing in New York, according to an ESPN report. Suh is represented by Roc Nation Sports -- the same agency that represents the Jets' Geno Smith, the Giants' Victor Cruz, the Yankees' CC Sabathia, the Mariners' Robinson Cano and the Thunder's Kevin Durant, among others.

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Michael Vick not lobbying to replace Geno Smith (Barbara Barker) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/michael-vick-not-lobbying-to-replace-geno-smith-1.9431050

Michael Vick said he never heard the chants.

The Jets' backup quarterback claimed he was too into the game to pay attention to Jets fans who were calling for Rex Ryan to bench Geno Smith during Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Lions. Yet when told about the "We want Vick'' chants, Vick admitted to conflicting feelings.

"I have mixed emotions about that. I've been through that. I know what it's like,'' Vick said. "It's so unfair. You can ruin quarterbacks that way.''

Fans wasted little time showing their frustration with Smith, the second-year quarterback who turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter. He completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards as the Jets (1-3) lost their third game in a row.

There were scattered chants for Vick in the first half after the Jets failed to make a first down for five consecutive possessions. A fairly loud and long "We want Vick'' chant burst forth in the fourth quarter after Smith threw an interception and lost a fumble on consecutive possessions.

Many predicted a quarterback controversy after the Jets signed Vick in March. He replaced Eagles starter Kevin Kolb early in the 2010 season.

Vick was a friend and mentor of Smith's before joining the Jets. He has tiptoed around the subject of what his role is supposed to be, saying only that he has to be ready if the team needs him. After the game, Vick was asked if he thought his opportunity was getting closer.

"I don't know,'' he said. "I just have to continue to keep working hard and fulfill my purpose of being here. Whenever the time comes, if it comes, then I have to be ready. Who knows? You have to give the young guy a chance to work it out.''

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With Ryan under pressure to reach the playoffs, one has to wonder how many more opportunities the "young guy'' will have. It appears he'll get at least one more chance Sunday against the Chargers. After the game, Ryan said, "If Geno is healthy, then Geno Smith will start.''

Vick said he's ready if needed, but indicated it isn't right to pin everything on the quarterback.

"I'm a 12-year veteran. I should be ready,'' he said. "I'm only one person, so that doesn't mean I'm going to come and be the savior and save the game and things are always going to go my way. You just have to take it one day at a time and figure out how we get our next win.''

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Jets grades: A lot of blame to go around (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-grades-a-lot-of-blame-to-go-around-1.9430876

OFFENSE

D+

Save for touchdowns by Eric Decker and Chris Johnson, the Jets looked abysmal. Much of the blame falls on quarterback Geno Smith, who committed two turnovers (including his fifth interception) and made several poor throws. There were some bright spots, though: The Jets outrushed the Lions 132-88 and averaged 4.9 yards per carry; the offensive line held its own against Ndamukong Suh (one tackle); rookie tight end Jace Amaro had a team-high five receptions and set career highs in catches and receiving yards (58); and Greg Salas had two catches for 60 yards, including a 32-yard reception. But five straight three-and-outs can't happen.

DEFENSE

C-

While Calvin Johnson (ankle) was a nonfactor, Golden Tate had a career-high eight catches and 116 yards. Even worse, the Jets allowed a backbreaking scoring drive for the third straight week. This one was a 14-play, 90-yard drive that made it 24-10.

SPECIAL TEAMS

B

Ryan Quigley impressed with punts of 61, 58 and 52 yards and kicker Nick Folk made a 27-yard field goal to give the Jets a 3-0 lead. Speedster Saalim Hakim had a 32-yard kickoff return, but Walter Powell, who replaced the inactive Jalen Saunders, averaged just 4.3 yards on punt returns.

COACHING

D

Had it not been for the hapless Raiders in Week 1, the Jets easily could be 0-4 right now. Rex Ryan has drawn a line in the sand regarding his starting QB, but that decision could doom the team if Smith doesn't stop turning over the football. Also troubling is the fact that Ryan's secondary continues to give up big-play TDs. Meanwhile, Marty Mornhinweg said Thursday that he put a little too much on Smith's plate in the red zone. But once again, he strayed from Chris Ivory (17 carries, 84 yards), who clearly was the hot hand early.

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Jets defense stands by Geno Smith (Greg Logan) Newsday September 28, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-defense-stands-by-geno-smith-1.9430972

Think of 315-pound Muhammad Wilkerson and 294-pound Sheldon Richardson as the Jets' sergeants-at-arms. They had their hands full Sunday with a Detroit offense that made clutch plays during a 24-17 Lions victory, but when home fans at MetLife Stadium chanted for backup quarterback Michael Vick, the two defensive linemen came to the aid of struggling starter Geno Smith.

Smith left the field cursing his detractors in the stands and then apologized immediately afterward. Two Smith turnovers in the fourth quarter and five straight three-and-out series in the first half put the defense in a tough spot, but Wilkerson and Richardson made it clear they're not hoping for a change to Vick.

"We can't separate ourselves," an emotional Wilkerson said. "We can't divide as a team."

Wilkerson was ejected from a Week 2 loss at Green Bay, so he understands emotions can spin out of control. He said Smith's vulgar outburst was "out of character and not right," but Wilkerson wasn't about to give the crowd a pass.

"Jets fans are difficult," Wilkerson said. "We're out there playing. At the same time, we need those guys to back us up . . . to support us. When you've got fans screaming negative things toward us, that's not going to build us up. That's only going to break us down.

"We've got to keep that out of our minds and stick together. If they want to be all in, then, they've got to be all in with us -- when it's bad, when it's good. It's that simple. But Geno was definitely wrong for cursing at the fans, and I'm pretty sure guys will let him know that's not acceptable."

Pros know they must tune out crowd reaction, but Wilkerson added, "As a player, it really does hurt that fans are screaming negative things at you."

Richardson faulted the hypocritical nature of many fans, saying, "You cheer for [Smith] when he throws a touchdown, but you were talking about you wanted Vick the whole game. [But] he's got to keep his composure no matter how frustrating it gets."

Asked what he thought when Jets fans called for Vick, Richardson said, "Shut up. If that's the case, produce a child to come into the NFL, and we'll see what he's got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that ."

No one on the defense could question Smith without first looking in the mirror. Detroit took a 10-3 second-quarter lead on a 59-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Jeremy Ross, who came open because of a breakdown by cornerback Antonio Allen and rookie safety Calvin Pryor.

"He ran a double move," Pryor said of Ross. "There was miscommunication between us two [Allen] . . . we were on two different pages."

Although the Jets held the Lions to 6 of 15 on third-down conversions, Ross' TD came on third down, and Stafford hit three third-down passes on a 90-yard drive for his clinching one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

"We've got to get off the field," Wilkerson said. "We're having too many mistakes. That's why we're losing games."

Looking ahead to a schedule that matches the Jets' defense against San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers followed by Denver's Peyton Manning and New England's Tom Brady, Wilkerson said, "These next couple

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teams are not getting easier. This is where it shows how tough we can be, how bad we want this. We'll see in these next couple weeks."

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THE RECORD

Stafford's 3 TDs lead Lions over Jets 24-17 (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 28, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/news/stafford-s-3-tds-lead-lions-over-jets-24-17-1.1097949

EAST RUTHERFORD – The cries for Geno Smith to be benched grew louder Sunday.

Quite literally.

Smith threw a touchdown pass but also lost a fumble and threw an interception as the Jets lost to Detroit, 24-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Jets (1-3) have lost three straight games and will face 2013 playoff teams San Diego, Denver and New England in their next three contests.

Detroit (3-1) won despite little contribution from superstat wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who was slowed by an ankle injury and played a limited amount of snaps.

Fans booed when Smith took the field on the Jets’ next series after he threw the fourth-quarter interception. Some also chanted “We want Vick” at one point, referring to backup quarterback Michael Vick. Some fans yelled at Smith as he left the field after the game, and he yelled back, according to a witness.

Chris Ivory ran the ball extremely well on the first series of the game as the Jets moved 71 yards in 14 plays and scored on Nick Folk’s 27-yard field goal. Ivory had 51 yards in nine carries on the drive.

The Lions answered with a 51-yard boot by former Philadelphia Eagle Alex Henery, who was signed last week after seventh-draft pick Nate Freese was waived. Stafford had connected with Golden Tate on a 35-yard pass to the Jets’ 39 to set up the field goal.

After the Jets’ first drive, they didn’t manage a first down on their next five possessions. Detroit’s offense wasn’t doing much either until the Lions went 83 yards in only five plays midway through the second quarter. Stafford connected with Jeremy Ross for a 59-yard touchdown and a 10-3 lead. Ross appeared to beat cornerback Antonio Allen on the play, and safety Calvin Pryor came over too late.

Detroit tacked onto its lead in the final minute of the first half, going 47 yards in five plays. The payoff came on Stafford’s 16-yard pass to rookie tight end Eric Ebron with 22 seconds left in the first half. Detroit led 17-3 at halftime.

The Jets tightened the score in the third quarter on an 11-play, 74-yard drive that was climaxed by Smith’s 11-yard pass to Eric Decker, who used second effort to get into the end zone. That made the score 17-10, Detroit.

Detroit responded with a ??-play, 90-yard drive, capped by Stafford’s 1-yard scramble for a 24-10 lead with 14:54 left. The Lions failed to capitalize on turnovers by Smith on each of the Jets’ next two possessions. First he threw an interception to Darius Slay, and then he lost a fumble when sacked by blitzing safety James Ihedigbo, a former Jet.

Detroit got no points from either miscue, so that left the door open for the Jets. Chris Johnson’s 35-yard burst up the middle with 6:58 left cut the deficit to 24-17. Johnson broke two tackles on the run. But the

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Jets went three-and-out on their final possession, and the Lions wrapped up the game when both Reggie Bush and Stafford ran for clock-killing first downs.

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Jets notes: Eric Decker gets more snaps (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 29, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-notes-eric-decker-gets-more-snaps-1.1098157

Decker gets more time

Wide receiver Eric Decker, who played sparingly in the Jets' loss to Chicago on Monday night because of a lingering hamstring problem, was able to play the whole game Sunday against Detroit. He finished with four receptions for 48 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter in which he scored thanks to his own second effort. Decker was in for only 12 plays against the Bears.

"I felt all right," said Decker, whose wife, country singer Jessie James Decker, performed the national anthem. "My biggest thing is that I need to get back on the practice field [more often] and be able to get my conditioning level up, be able to get timing with Geno [Smith].

"It's hard for a quarterback," Decker added, "when he doesn't have his guys out there working with him. I had a couple of drops. That never helps out. For me, when I get repetitions throughout the week, when I catch the ball, moving around, it makes it easier during the game. Unfortunately, I haven't allowed myself to do that with the injury."

Ivory hot early

Running back Chris Ivory had 51 yards on nine carries on the Jets' first possession, which resulted in a field goal. But he totaled only 84 yards on 17 attempts for the game.

Coach Rex Ryan was asked why offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg went away from Ivory after his fast start.

"There are a lot of things that contribute to that," Ryan said. "You [reporters] don't know if a back is winded or if [we're] trying to keep some guys fresh. One of the strengths we have is that we have three backs that we feel good about. We want to play all three."

Chris Johnson had a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, his first score rushing as a Jet. He broke two attempted tackles on the play.

Starters banged up

Three Jets starters were hurt Sunday. Wide receiver David Nelson (ankle) and safety Calvin Pryor (thigh) were injured and didn't return, and cornerback Antonio Allen was spotted limping very badly in the locker room afterward. Nelson was seen wearing a compression sleeve on his right ankle.

Ryan had no updates on the severity of any of the injuries.

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Jets licking their wounds (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 29, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/gang-green-licks-wounds-1.1098141

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EAST RUTHERFORD — Each step twisted his face into a grimace.

Each limping stride provoked a pained sigh.

Antonio Allen tried to hobble through the Jets locker room Sunday, barely able to put any weight on his lower right leg.

But the safety-turned-cornerback could not make it to the MetLife Stadium X-ray room on his own. A howl of agony escaped him, and the team called a cart to drive him

The Jets' defense was not just beaten in the Detroit Lions' 24-17 victory. It was battered, even with Lions All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson playing a limited role due to a sore ankle.

And once again, Rex Ryan's vaunted unit — the NFL's second-ranked defense entering the game — was unable to prevent a long, back-breaking second-half drive that sealed defeat.

"That was a killer," Ryan said of the 90-yard, 14-play march that ate up 7:32 and resulted in the deciding touchdown six seconds into the fourth quarter. "Our offense went right down the field and scored a touchdown [to make it 17-10], and then to let them drive the length of the field and convert all those third downs on us…"

The frustration was evident in his words.

The defense's struggles were overshadowed by another poor Geno Smith performance and his foul-mouthed lashing out at a fan. But the unit deserved its own share of blame in the Jets' third-straight defeat.

Ryan attributed their problems to nebulous "mistakes." There were many.

The defense could not stop the 90-yard drive — all but 12 yards came through the air — immediately after they had pulled to within seven in the third.

The secondary suffered another communication breakdown, this time between Allen and rookie safety Calvin Pryor in the second quarter. It resulted in Jeremy Ross' 59-yard touchdown reception from Matthew Stafford (24-of-34, 293 yards, two passing touchdowns and one running), giving Detroit its first lead, 10-3.

And the Jets — already without 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner (quad) for the third time this season — then watched Pryor and Allen get hurt.

Pryor was forced from the game in the second with a left quad injury. He said he is day-to-day. He was hit in the thigh while recording his first career sack, which he shared with Muhammad Wilkerson.

There was no official word on Allen's injury. He did not speak to the media.

The defensive breakdowns occurred despite Johnson catching only two passes for a total of 12 yards. Instead, Golden Tate beat Darrin Walls — and occasionally even linebackers — for eight receptions for 116 yards. Five of his catches were for first downs.

"We got to get off the field. It's that simple," said Wilkerson of the Jets' occasional third-down struggles. They were 6-of-15 in third-down efficiency. "There's nothing else to it. We have to get off the field."

"To be a great defense, you can't give that up, especially multiple times," linebacker Demario Davis said. "We have to find a way to stop that from happening."

And they will have to do it against the Chargers' Philip Rivers, the Broncos' Peyton Manning and the Patriots' Tom Brady over the next three weeks.

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Wish them luck, Jets fans. They are going to need it.

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NFL: Jets replay vs. Lions (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 29, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/nfl-jets-replay-vs-lions-1.1098151

Turning point

The Jets battled back to within a touchdown, 17-10, in the third quarter. It was a great time for Rex Ryan's celebrated defense to make a stop, right? Wrong. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford capped a 90-yard, 14-play drive that ate up 7:32 with a 1-yard TD run. It gave Detroit a 24-10 lead with 14:54 remaining and proved to be the deciding score.

Star of the game

With All-Pro Calvin Johnson barely a factor, Stafford torched the Jets for 293 yards and two passing TDs. He also ran for another score. Stafford (24-of-34 passing) found eight different receivers. Johnson, limited by an ankle injury, caught two passes for 12 yards.

Costly mistakes

Jeremy Ross torched Antonio Allen and Calvin Pryor in the second quarter, splitting them on a 59-yard TD pass from Stafford. Allen had a chance to tackle Ross from behind after the reception, but the receiver slipped away. It gave the Lions a 10-3 lead. … David Harris was beaten by rookie TE Eric Ebron for a 16-yard TD reception with 22 seconds remaining in the first half. It gave Detroit a 17-3 lead. … CB Darrin Walls missed a tackle on Tate near the Jets' 18 in the third. Tate turned a short gain into a 16-yard reception and first-and-goal from the 2. Stafford scored on a run two plays later. … Geno Smith lost a fumble at the Lions' 42 in the fourth on a sack by former Jet James Ihedigbo. … On 3rd-and-5 from the Jets' 25 in the second quarter, Nick Mangold unleashed a high snap that Smith could not corral. Smith fell on the fumble at the Jets' 8. It was Mangold's fault, but Smith was charged with the fumble.

Eye-catching

Chris Johnson finally broke one, escaping tackles at the line of scrimmage and sprinting 35 yards for a TD with 6:58 remaining. His first TD as a Jet cut the Lions lead to 24-17. … Eric Decker caught a Smith pass near the Detroit 3 and muscled the final few yards for an 11-yard TD reception in the third. It cut the Lions lead to 17-10. The big play on the drive was Greg Salas' 32-yard catch-and-run to the Lions' 14 on a 3rd-and-9. … Ryan Quigley averaged a career-best 51.7 average and 49.3 net average on six punts.

Looking ahead

The Jets (1-3) travel cross-country to face San Diego (3-1) in the start of a difficult three-game stretch against some of the NFL's best quarterbacks.

First comes Philip Rivers. The Jets then host Peyton Manning and Denver before heading to Foxboro to face Tom Brady and the Patriots.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Eric Decker stands by Geno Smith, saying of fans' chants for Mike Vick: 'That stuff, to me, is B.S.' (Darryl Slater)

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NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/eric_decker_stands_by_geno_smith_saying_of_fans_chants_for_mike_vick_that_stuff_to_me_is_bs.html

EAST RUTHERFORD – Geno Smith’s top wide receiver, Eric Decker, stuck by the Jets’ struggling quarterback after Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Lions, in which Smith committed two turnovers, bringing his season total to seven, as the Jets fell to 1-3.

Decker did not like hearing fans chanting the name of backup quarterback Michael Vick, as they shouted for coach Rex Ryan to replace Smith with Vick – something Ryan said he is not going to do right now.

“That stuff, to me, is B.S.,” Decker said of the chants.

Decker is unequivocally standing with Smith.

“He didn’t give up,” Decker said. “He didn’t throw in the towel when people were chanting Vick. The guy (Smith) can make plays. Obviously, he’s made mistakes as well. Now it’s fine-tuning those things. It’s not just him. It’s how we run the football. It’s how we block.”

Decker said the Jets “100 percent” believe in Smith.

“It’s hard to see him take really all the criticism, because it’s not just him,” Decker said. “We’ve got to make some plays for him, take some pressure off him. He’s made some mistakes. Yeah, OK, he’s made some mistakes. But we’ve got to be better to overcome those things, and he’s got to do a better job of eliminating those, and he is.

“Everyone stands behind Geno. He’s going to lead us this year. He’s going to win us some ballgames. We’re all going to do it together. I’m excited to see what kind of mentality and what we do as a unit when we show up this week at practice.”

Decker looked good, in terms of his physical movement, on Sunday after playing just 12 snaps in Monday night’s loss to the Bears, because his injured right hamstring tightened. Decker was targeted 10 times on Sunday and had four catches for 48 yards, with a long of 18. He did have a pass go through his hands, though. He also made a strong effort charging into the end zone on an 11-yard catch and run.

“I felt all right,” Decker said. “The biggest thing is we need to get back onto the practice field and get my conditioning level up, be able to get my timing with Geno and, for my own sake, catching balls throughout the week, running certain routes, all the things that you take over from the practice field to the game. It’s hard for a QB when he doesn’t have his guys out there working with him (in practice). For me, when I get repetitions throughout the week, when I catch the ball moving around, it makes it easier during the game. Unfortunately, I haven’t allowed myself to do that with a hamstring (injury).”

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Calvin Pace on 1-3 teams almost never making playoffs: 'We'll be the ones to change that' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/calvin_pace_on_1-3_teams_historically_having_slim_chance_to_make_playoffs.html

EAST RUTHERFORD – Calvin Pace, the Jets’ 33-year-old strong-side linebacker, is not buying into the notion that his team has very little chance of making the playoffs.

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The Jets on Sunday lost their third straight game, 24-17 to the Lions. The Jets are now 1-3. Since 1990, just 14.5 percent of the teams that started 1-3 made the playoffs. The percentage for 2-2 teams: 36.2.

“That’s those teams,” Pace said. “We’ll be the ones to change that. It’s a long season ahead. For you to make it in this league, we don’t listen to people like you guys (reporters). Hopefully, you guys don’t take that the wrong way. We play football. You guys report on football. So if we listened to what you guys had to predict us to finish, or fans, then there wouldn’t be a point of playing. Got to line up and play, and I trust that we’ll get better.”

Right guard Willie Colon agreed with Pace, saying he "totally" believes the Jets can still reach their ultimate goal.

"I think it’s still early," he said. "We have a lot to change. The worst thing we can do is divide and point the finger."

Still, he acknowledged the obvious about this losing streak.

"It’s ugly," he said. "Our hopes were never to be here. All we can do is look inside each other and find a way to get out of this foxhole. It hurts. It’s ugly. I’m tired of it. I know the rest of the team is tired of it. We’ve got to stay as a family and find a way to get out of it."

Weak-side linebacker Demario Davis doesn't even want to think about making the playoffs, or not making it, at this point.

"Man, you're looking too far ahead for me, boss," he said, when told about the 14.5 percent stat. "I'm just trying to get a win in San Diego (next week)."

Two teams actually made the playoffs last season after starting 1-3 -- the Eagles and Panthers. The Eagles won their opener and dropped the next three, just like the Jets have done.

Since 1990, a total of 24 teams have started 1-3 and made the playoffs. One team has started 0-4 and reached the postseason. Before last season, no 1-3 or 0-4 team had made the playoffs since Denver in 2011.

The Jets have twice made the playoffs after starting 1-3 -- in 1991 and 2002. The Saints, Chargers and Packers have also twice had a losing record after four games and still made the playoffs, including the 0-4 Chargers in 1992. The Eagles have accomplished this feat three times, overcoming a 1-3 start to reach the playoffs.

The roughest drive for the Jets’ defense on Sunday came on the Lions’ second possession of the second half. Detroit marched 90 yards in 14 plays, to go up 24-10 on quarterback Matthew Stafford’s 1-yard touchdown run, with 14:54 left in the game. The drive took up 7:32 of game clock.

On that drive, the Lions got an 11-yard pass on third-and-10 from their own 10, a 10-yard pass on third-and-9 from their 22, and a 21-yard pass on third-and-2 from the Jets’ 48. Otherwise, the Lions on Sunday went 3 of 12 on third down.

For the game, the Jets surrendered 360 yards. Ninety of them came on that one drive.

None of the plays on that drive included passes to the Lions' best receiver, Calvin Johnson, who was significantly limited by an ankle injury. Johnson was targeted just twice, and had two catches for 12 yards. Golden Tate finished with eight catches on 10 targets for 116 yards, with a long of 35.

On the 90-yard drive, Tate had catches of 9, 11 (on third down), 12 and 16 yards. He was targeted five times on the drive's 14 plays.

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“We don’t have a big room for error, and at crucial situations in the game, we’re not getting off the field, or a mental lapse here or there,” Pace said. “But I trust in the players and the coaches, and we’ll try to find a way to get this corrected.”

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Willie Colon insists Jets' season isn't over: 'The hell with the naysayers' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/willie_colon_insists_jets_season_isnt_over_the_hell_with_the_naysayers.html

EAST RUTHERFORD – The Jets are 1-3 for the first time since 2007, and frustration is building in their locker room, as you would imagine it would in any NFL locker room that is dealing with a three-game losing streak at the quarter pole of the season.

After Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Lions, Jets quarterback Geno Smith cursed at a fan while he was coming off the field. Smith brought this up, unprompted, in his postgame press conference. In bringing it up, Smith also apologized.

Jets right guard Willie Colon, a ninth-year pro, has been around the NFL quite a bit longer than Smith, a second-year pro. While Colon acknowledged that a player is “never going to win” by taking on a fan like that – and that it is “never good” to do that sort of thing – Colon also pushed back against the idea that the Jets’ season is lost.

Despite the 1-3 start, he said he remains confident that this team can accomplish its goals this season – one of which was to break a three-year playoff appearance drought. Since 1990, just 14.5 percent of teams that started 1-3 made the playoffs, according to ESPN.

What makes Colon so confident in this belief?

“Because we’re all we got,” Colon said. “There are going to be naysayers and there is going to be a lot of B.S., and that bothers me because we’re a family. I know how hard I worked in the offseason, and I know how much I battled every day with my knee (coming off arthroscopic knee surgery). So I say the hell with the naysayers. I’m going to stick with my guys. I’m going to stick with my family. And whatever happens, happens.”

In the next three games – at San Diego, versus Denver, and at New England on a quick, Sunday-to-Thursday turnaround – the Jets will find out a lot about what kind of team this really is.

The Jets are 0-1 on the road this season, having lost at Green Bay. Last season, they went 2-6. In 2011, they also went 2-6. In 2012, they went 3-5 on the road. So, since the beginning of the 2011 season, the Jets are 7-18 on the road, including 2-7 since the start of last year.

They head West next week trying to reverse their fortunes, and save their season. Since 1990, just 5 percent of 1-4 teams have made the playoffs.

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Lions 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad and the ugly from the Jets' third straight loss (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/good_bad_ugly_jets-lions.html

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EAST RUTHERFORD -- That's three straight losses now for the Jets, who followed defeats by Green Bay and Chicago with Sunday's 24-17 loss to Detroit. The Jets will try to avoid getting swept by the NFC North in December at Minnesota -- outside.

This is the first time since 2007 that the Jets have started 1-3. Since 1990, teams that started 1-3 made the playoffs just 14.5 percent of the time, compared to 36.2 percent for 2-2 teams, according to ESPN.

Will the Jets be able to rebound from this 1-3 start and at least make a playoff push? Or will this be their fourth straight year absent from the postseason?

The Jets are now 0-3 in this six-game stretch against tough opposing quarterbacks. Next up is a trip to San Diego to play Philip Rivers. Then the Jets host Peyton Manning and the Broncos, before traveling to New England on a short Sunday-Thursday turnaround to meet Tom Brady.

Things are getting no easier for the Jets, who are now 1-2 at home, equaling their number of home losses from all of last season.

Here is a look at some things that went well, poorly and very poorly for the Jets on Sunday:

THE GOOD

Receiver Greg Salas, who made the final roster cut because of his special teams ability, saw significant action after David Nelson got hurt. Salas has long been known as a sure-handed catcher. But he hadn't gotten a ton of opportunities. He had eight catches in eight games with the Jets last year and three in the first three games this year. On Sunday, Salas made two catches for 60 yards. Salas had a 32-yard catch and run on third-and-9 from the Lions' 46 -- during a third quarter possession that ended with the Jets' second touchdown. That score cut the Lions' lead to 17-10.

THE BAD

The Jets lost two starters to injuries in the second quarter. First, their No. 2 outside receiver, Nelson, went down with an ankle injury after making his only catch of the day, for 7 yards. Then rookie safety Calvin Pryor went down with a thigh injury. Neither player returned to the game. Salas got more action in place of Nelson, while Jaiquawn Jarrett replaced Pryor in the Jets' safety duo alongside Dawan Landry. It was yet another blow to the Jets' secondary, which didn't have cornerback Dee Milliner (quad) on Sunday for the second straight game, and for the third time in four contests this year.

THE UGLY

Geno Smith had turnovers on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter, with the Jets down 24-10. First, he threw an interception. He was hit as he threw, but he had plenty of time earlier in the play. Smith's pass, for Salas, sailed high and was picked off by cornerback Darius Slay. That pick ended a disastrous three-play stretch for the Jets' offense. First, Smith badly overthrew a wide-open Chris Ivory on a screen pass on first-and-10 from the Lions' 41. Then right tackle Breno Giacomini jumped on second-and-10, setting the Jets back into the second-and-15 situation from which Smith threw his interception. On the third play of the Jets' next drive, first-and-10 from the Lions' 35, Smith was again hit as he threw. This time, it was strong safety James Ihedigbo who got the turnover, when he knocked the ball out of Smith's arm, which was not moving forward. The Lions got points off neither turnover. They missed a field goal after the first and punted after the second. The Jets still had a chance. They were down 24-17 when they got the ball back with 4:36 remaining in the game. The drive started at their own 16 and gained just eight total yards before going three plays and out. A fittingly awful end to the day for the Jets' offense came on third-and-2 on that drive, when Ivory dropped a screen pass that almost certainly would've resulted in a first down.

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Rex Ryan is sticking with Geno Smith: 'I'm not going to replace him' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/rex_ryan_is_sticking_with_geno_smith_im_not_going_to_replace_him.html

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Now that they're 1-3 for the first time since 2007, and now that Geno Smith turned the ball over two more times and heard it from fans at MetLife Stadium, what are the Jets' plans for their starting quarterback spot?

"I’m confident in Geno," head coach Rex Ryan said after the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Lions on Sunday. "If Geno’s healthy, then Geno Smith will start [next week].”

Smith, the team's second-year starter, had one of those games again: He completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also lost a fumble, bringing his season turnover total to seven through four games, which is ahead of the pace he set last year as a rookie, when he gave it away 25 times.

The Jets spent the entire offseason reminding anyone who would listen that Smith had improved, and in many ways, it was obvious that he did: The skittishness that characterized so much of his play as a rookie is indeed gone. And the Jets have shown an ability to move the ball this season. But the turnovers, the decision-making, and even a lack of accuracy when pressured remain. And while we're only four games into Smith's second season, it's worth wondering when he might be able to get that under control.

Especially with the Jets 1-3 with three straight losses after already having played three home games. And especially with an unforgiving schedule of at the Chargers, the Broncos at home, and at the Patriots staring them in the face these next three weeks.

“I believe in him," Ryan said. "I know he’s a hard-working guy. I think he’s got the tools to be really good, In my opinion, it’s not a question of if it’s going to happen, it’s a question of when. He’s going to be that kind of guy. I think he’s a good quarterback. I think he’s going to have a chance to really be something one day.”

The fans' patience is beginning to wear thin. After Smith threw a pick in the fourth quarter, some chanted backup Michael Vick's name.

"It is a part of the game," Smith said. "It is a part of the job and I understand that. My reaction to that is to go out and try to score more touchdowns."

And when Smith returned to the field for his next series, there were plenty of boos.

Neither of those crowd reactions sat well with defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who said the fans demanding Vick should, "Shut up." And right guard Willie Colon said, "To hell with all the naysayers."

Then there's Smith's own frustration. He apologized after the game for cursing at a fan as he left the field.

Ryan said he gave no thought during the game to lifting Smith for Vick.

“No," Ryan said. "I thought that we were going to get it done with Geno. Because I’m not going to replace him. I feel good about Geno, and again, I think he’s gonna get it turned. I know he’s a tough, resilient young man. I think we’re going to win, and we’re going to win soon.

"If it was just him making mistakes, we might have a different solution. But I don't believe it's just on one man."

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Smith owned up to his mistakes on the field and said they were part of his "learning process."

"I can’t have those turnovers; I can’t have those situations," he said. "It is a part of my learning process. At this stage in the game I have to take care of this team and we have to get victories."

But much longer and how many more losses do the Jets have to take before enough is enough?

“We do need wins, there’s no question about it," Ryan said. "I think we’ll get there. I don’t think there’s any doubt."

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After Geno Smith curses at fan, Mike Vick says part of a QB's 'professionalism' is handling criticism (Daryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/after_geno_smith_curses_at_fan_mike_vick_says_of_qbs_part_of_your_professionalism_is_working_through.html

EAST RUTHERFORD – Probably better than anybody in the NFL, 34-year-old Michael Vick understands how the noise level of criticism aimed at struggling quarterbacks can be almost impossible to ignore.

Vick has heard plenty of vitriol from fans over the years – much of it resulting from his own heinous actions off the field – following his return to the league serving 548 days in prison for running a dog-fighting ring.

But even before all that, Vick had to deal with the ups and downs of being the Falcons’ starting quarterback for five seasons. Surely, prior to becoming a polarizing figure upon his arrest for dog-fighting charges, Vick heard a fan yell something negative at him.

Things got ugly – and loud – after Sunday’s 24-17 Jets loss to the Lions, for the man Vick is now backing up, Geno Smith.

He cursed at a fan as he left the field, following Smith’s unsightly performance: 17-of-33 passing for 209 yards, with one touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble. Smith now has seven turnovers in four games this season, including five picks.

Out of Smith’s 20 career NFL games, he has thrown zero picks in just four of them. The Jets are 4-0 in those games. In his other 16 games, the Jets are 5-11.

Vick knows that no matter now bad things get, a quarterback can’t do what Smith did after Sunday’s game, when he cursed at a fan.

(In 2006, Vick’s final year in the NFL before he went to prison, he flipped off home-crowd fans at the Georgia Dome following a loss to the Saints.)

Properly handling criticism, Vick said, is “one thing you’re going to have to do as a quarterback. All eyes on you. And you’ve got the utmost support since Day 1, from everybody, from the entire organization, the fans. It’s a part of the game and part of your professionalism is working through it.”

Vick said he had “no thoughts” on fans chanting his name as Smith struggled Sunday. Those who yelled for Vick wanted him to play in place of Smith. But it isn’t going to happen right now. After the game, Jets coach Rex Ryan said, “I’m not going to replace him,” in regard to Smith. But if Smith sputters again at San Diego next week, the chants could be even louder when the Jets host the Broncos on Oct. 12. Vick said he did not hear Sunday’s chants.

“I was into the game,” he said.

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Vick said he would advise Smith to look at the big picture.

“It’s going to be this way throughout your entire career,” Vick said. “Sometimes you’re going to get off to hot starts. Sometimes it’s not going to go as well. You’ve just got to stay persistent in your approach and continue to fight. The team’s going to be watching him. All eyes are going to be on him. He’s got to find a way. He’ll find a way to make this right and we believe in him.”

Vick dismissed the notion that he could automatically be a savior for this offense, which went 1 of 2 on red zone touchdown opportunities Sunday, and is 5 of 14 this season.

“I’m only one person, so that doesn’t mean I’m going to come in and be the savior and save the game and things are always going to go my way, either,” Vick said. “You’ve just got to take it one day at a time and ease up on the pressure and figure out what’s the next best move for this team.”

Vick continues to publicly stand by Smith. On Sunday, Vick repeated a phrase he said last week, when fans’ cries for Vick to replace Smith were not as loud as they sounded Sunday.

“You’ve got to give the young guy a chance to get out of the hole,” Vick said.

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Sheldon Richardson to Jets fans chanting for Michael Vick: 'Shut up' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/sheldon_richardson_to_jets_fans_chanting_for_michael_vick_shut_up_just_shut_up.html

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Geno Smith wasn't the only Jets player frustrated by Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Lions on Sunday, the team's third in as many weeks.

Sheldon Richardson, the Jets' defensive end, didn't take kindly to Jets fans shouting for Smith, the team's quarterback, to be replaced by Michael Vick as Sunday's loss dragged on.

The fans chanted Vick's name after Smith threw an interception in the fourth quarter, and they booed as Smith returned to the game the next time the Jets got the ball.

"Shut up," Richardson said. "If that's the case, produce a child to make it to the NFL and then let's see what he got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that."

This is what honest emotion from a football team that keeps finding ways to lose sounds like.

Earlier in his two-minute session with reporters, Richardson was told Smith had cursed at a heckling fan as he walked off the field. Richardson's reaction: "It's frustrating. You cheer for him when he throws a touchdown, but you were talking about how you wanted Vick the whole game. It happens. But he's got to keep his composure, no matter how frustrating it gets."

Smith completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. But he struggled mightily. He also had a lost fumble, which means Smith now has seven turnovers in just four games.

Right guard Willie Colon stood up for Smith and said he tried not to pay the hecklers any mind.

"I don’t listen to them," Colon said. "Geno is our quarterback. We stand behind Geno and I stand by any man that’s at the helm, and right now Geno is our quarterback. That’s all that matters right now."

After the game head coach Rex Ryan said he planned to stick with Smith as the Jets' starter.

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"(Bleep) you!": Geno Smith apologizes for cursing at fan on camera after Jets loss (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/geno_smith_caught_on_camera_cursing_at_fan_after_jets_loss.html

EAST RUTHERFORD -- On top of everything else, Geno Smith felt obligated to apologize for something he said to a fan as he left the field following the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Lions.

Update: Here's the video of Smith cursing at the fan.

"Before we start this off, first of all I want to apologize if any kids saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field," Smith, the Jets' quarterback, said to open his postgame press conference after Sunday's game. "I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation, and it's a part of my learning process.

"I've got to get better with that. I've got to let that stuff roll off my back. But today, I didn't do well with that."

According to multiple reports, Smith twice shouted, "[Bleep] you!" at a fan who had been heckling him after he went 17-for-33 for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The outburst was caught on camera by CBS2, the local affiliate in New York City, though it's not clear whether Smith's curses ever made it on the air because Sunday's game was broadcast on FOX.

It was the Jets' third straight loss, and it was the fourth time in as many games Smith had turned the ball over. In addition to his pick, he also had a fourth-quarter fumble, bringing his season total to seven turnovers (five interceptions, two lost fumbles).

By the fourth quarter, fans were booing Smith, and there more than once, there were calls from the stands for his backup Michael Vick to replace him, which led defensive end Sheldon Richardson to tell reporters afterward that the fans should, "Shut up."

Said right guard Willie Colon: "Just a frustrated quarterback. I cuss a lot, too. I’m trying not to cuss right now. He’s just passionate. There’s a lot put on his shoulders. A lot. Day to day, he hears it. So I feel bad for the kid, but I stand up for him."

Smith would only acknowledge that he had shouted at one fan in particular.

"No matter what happens, I've got to not feed into it—it's a part of the job," Smith said. "I understand that fans want to come out and see victories and at times they get heated, and we do too as players.

"I can't even begin to talk about that because what I did was wrong, and two wrongs don't make a right."

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Instant analysis from Lions 24, Jets 17, when the boos rained down on Geno Smith (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/instant_analysis_from_lions-jets.html

EAST RUTHERFORD -- All those fears about Lions wideout Calvin Johnson torching the Jets' vulnerable corners? Didn't happen. But it also didn't matter: The Jets hung around, but they still got beaten soundly on both sides of the ball in a 24-17 loss to the Lions on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

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That makes the Jets 1-3 with three home games already in the books. Oh, and their upcoming games are at the Chargers, Broncos at home, and at the Patriots. This is a team that very well could be 1-6 in another three weeks. The Jets made a lot of self-inflicted mistakes during losses to the Packers and Bears the last two weeks. They did that again this time, but they also got whipped on both sides of the ball.

A quick postgame recap of what happened:

• Geno Smith was brutal. It took until the fourth quarter for Smith to throw his first pick of the game, and he got drilled for a strip-sack on the Jets' next possession. But Smith (17-for-33, 209 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) struggled all afternoon. He misfired on passes and neglected to run at least once when he had plenty of room to do so. Smith was inconsistent throughout, even when he went 5-for-8 on a third-quarter touchdown drive. The crowd at MetLife began to grow restless: They chanted for backup Michael Vick more than once and booed Smith early in the fourth quarter. How long until head coach Rex Ryan pulls the trigger?

• That drop. The Jets had third-and-two on their own 24 with 3:53 left when Smith fired a screen pass at running back Chris Ivory, who had plenty of room in front of him to get the sticks. Only Ivory dropped it. Rather than risk not making it and basically ending the game, Ryan chose to punt, taking a chance that with two timeouts and the two-minute warning, the Jets' defense could make a stand and get the offense the ball back. They didn't.

• The defense. The D was stout for the first 19 minutes or so, but then Jeremy Ross beat cornerback Antonio Allen for a 59-yard touchdown pass, though safety Calvin Pryor did seem to freeze on Lions quarterback Matt Stafford's play-action fake. But the real killer came after the Jets cut the lead to 17-10 with 7:32 left in the third, when the Lions marched 90 yards on 14 plays—a drive that devoured the rest of the quarter. Detroit converted all three of its third downs on that drive, too. It was rather reminiscent of how the Packers drove 97 yards at the end of the first half two weeks ago.

• Injuries. Pryor (thigh) and wideout David Nelson (ankle) both left the game with injuries in the first half and did not return. And nose tackle Damon Harrison left in the fourth quarter with some sort of leg injury. Jaiquwan Jarrett replaced Pryor, and Greg Salas (two catches, 60 yards) got more involved in the offense after Nelson went down.

• So what about Calvin Johnson? Megatron nursed an ankle injury during the week, and the Lions kept rotating him in and out. He caught just two passes for 12 yards and mostly was a decoy, though Stafford didn't look his way all that often, either. Instead, the Jets had trouble stopping Golden Tate, who caught eight passes for 116 yards, with nickel back Kyle Wilson guarding him at times. Stafford finished 24-for-34 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions did not turn the ball over.

• Bad penalties. This was a big problem against the Raiders and Packers, and it was an issue again. The Jets got pinched four times for false start penalties (two on right tackle Breno Giacomini, one each on left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and running back ChrisIvory). And LeQuan Lewis, fresh off the practice squad after Ellis Lankster got cut, got flagged for a false start and an illegal block on separate special teams plays.

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NEW YORK POST

Struggling Geno screams ‘F–k you’ at fan after Jets fall to Lions (Brian Costello) New York Post September 28, 2014

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http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/fans-demand-vick-as-geno-struggles-in-loss-to-lions/

After listening to what the fans thought of him all day, Geno Smith returned the favor after a 24-17 loss to the Lions.

Smith shouted “F*** you” at a fan heckling him as he walked off the field, completing a miserable day for the Jets’ second-year quarterback. Smith had two more turnovers, bringing his season total to seven, looked out of synch for most of the game and heard the crowd of 78,160 at MetLife Stadium chant for backup Michael Vick to enter the game.

Then, as he made his way to the locker room , the fan yelled something that drew Smith’s ire. Smith immediately apologized after the game for his outburst.

“No matter what happened, I have to not feed into it. It’s part of the job,” Smith said. “I understand the fans want to come out and see victories and at times, they get heated. We do, too, as players. What I did was wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Coach Rex Ryan probably delivered some curse words watching this performance. The Jets dropped their third straight game, falling to 1-3 for the first time since 2007. The offense struggled to find any flow after the first drive of the game and the defense gave up a 90-yard drive in the second half that sealed the defeat.

But all eyes were on Smith, who finished 17-of-33 passing for 209 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one lost fumble. The cries for Vick are getting louder from the fans, but Ryan said he never considered making a change during the game and will stick with Smith next week against the Chargers.

“I’m not going to replace him,” Ryan said. “I feel good about Geno. I think he’s going to get it turned. I know he’s a tough, resilient young man and I think we’re going to win and we’re going to win soon.”

Smith has had a few patches of good play to start the season, but overall he remains the turnover-machine he was as a rookie.

You wonder how long the Jets can stand by Smith as the schedule gets tougher now with the Chargers, Broncos and Patriots next.

“In this game, you’re going to have some tough times, you’re going to have some tough stretches,” Smith said. “The measure of your character is how you respond to all of that. I look forward to responding.”

Smith said he had no response to the fans chanting for Vick. His teammates were upset with the fans, though. Wide receiver Eric Decker called it “BS” and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said the fans need to pipe down.

“Shut up,” Richardson said of the fans calling for a quarterback change. “If that’s the case, produce a child to make it to the NFL; we’ll see what he’s got. Other than that, just shut up. We’ve got coaches to do that.”

The Jets began the day with a nice drive that featured 51 yards from running back Chris Ivory. The drive stalled at the Lions’ 9-yard line and the Jets settled for a Nick Folk field goal. After that, though, the offense vanished. The Jets had five consecutive three-and-out series and failed to score another point in the first half.

“We can do it,” said Decker, who had four catches for 48 yards. “Now, it’s a matter of being consistent. Whether it’s a dropped pass or a false start or just a bad play. That stuff, we have to eliminate. We have to be better than that. We have to find a way to get some momentum.”

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The Lions took a 17-3 halftime lead as Matthew Stafford picked on the weak Jets’ secondary even with top target Calvin Johnson at less than 100 percent. Johnson played sparingly and had just two catches as he deals with an ankle injury. But Golden Tate had 116 yards receiving, finding holes in the Jets’ zone coverage, and Stafford connected with Jeremy Ross for a 59-yard touchdown and tight end Eric Ebron on a 16-yarder.

The Lions had 360 total yards, and had no turnovers. The Jets have two fumble recoveries this season and no interceptions.

“Guys are making a lot of good plays,” Ryan said of his defense. “Unfortunately, we’re not making the big plays. I think that’s what’s separating this defense from being a really good defense. We’re decent, but we’re not where we want to be.”

The Jets’ offense showed some life on its first drive of the second half. Smith connected with Decker for an 11-yard score that capped an 11-play, 74-yard drive and cut the Lions’ lead to 17-10.

The ensuing kickoff left the Lions at their own 10, and MetLife was getting loud. But Ryan’s vaunted defense let the Lions march 90 yards on 14 plays, converting three third downs along the way. Stafford ran for a 1-yard score to put Detroit up 24-10 with 14:54 left in the game.

The next two Jets’ drives ended with Smith turnovers. He was intercepted by Darius Slay as he took a hit from Ezekial Ansah and then fumbled after getting hit by former Jet James Ihedigbo.

“I don’t think I’ve played as well as I’m capable of yet, up until this point,” Smith said. “I’ve got to put together a complete game. It’s been one or two plays here and there every single game that’s come back to bite us in the butt. I’ve got to do a better job, obviously, and stop the turnovers.”

Running back Chris Johnson scored on a 35-yard run with 6:58 remaining to bring the score to 24-17, but the Jets went three-and-out when they got the ball back and then the Lions ran out the clock.

“We have a gut check this week,” Decker said. “You lose three in a row and go to the West Coast to play a good team, we’ll see what we’re made out of.”

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Report card: Jets having ‘D’ problems (Brian Costello) New York Post September 28, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/report-card-jets-having-d-problems/

Offense

The Jets came out and moved the ball on their first drive and then disappeared until the second half. QB Geno Smith (17-of-33 passing, 209 yards, one TD, one INT, one fumble) played even worse than his stat line. He looked jittery all day and then came unglued after the game, cursing at a fan. WR Eric Decker (four catches, 48 yards, one TD) played through his hamstring injury, but had a few drops. RB Chris Ivory (17 rushes, 84 yards) started off strong, but the Jets went away from him. He also had a bad drop.

Grade: D

Defense

Well, the Jets stopped the hurting Calvin Johnson (two catches, 12 yards), but they gave up way too many big plays and crumbled in the second half, allowing a 90-yard, momentum-killing drive. WR Golden Tate (eight catches, 116 yards) had a field day against the zone coverage. QB Matthew Stafford (24-of-34, 293 yards, two TDs) found holes in the defense when he had to.

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Grade: D

Special Teams

It’s a bad sign when your punter may have had the best game. Ryan Quigley (six punts, 310 yards, 51.7 average) showed some consistency after lacking it early on this season. Nick Folk added another field goal to remain perfect on the season. PR Walt Powell made some questionable decisions fielding the ball, but it did not cost them.

Grade: A-

Coaching

This one is not on the coaches. The players just stunk it up. Rex Ryan did not make the switch at quarterback despite calls from the crowd. Ryan’s defense collapsed in big moments again, a trademark of his defenses. OC Marty Mornhinweg went conservative early on, running Ivory for 52 yards on the first drive. Then, he went away from Ivory for some reason. On a day when the offense could have used some creativity from Mornhinweg, he played it straight.

Grade: C

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After hot start, Ivory vanishes (Bart Hubbuch) New York Post September 28, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/after-hot-start-ivory-vanishes/

There weren’t a lot of details coming out of the Jets after Chris Ivory’s puzzling disappearance Sunday afternoon.

Ivory got off to a blazing start against the Lions with 51 yards on just nine carries, then was barely used the rest of the way in what turned out to be a 24-17 loss at MetLife Stadium that dropped the Jets to 1-3.

Ivory got just eight more carries after the opening drive (which ended in a field goal that gave the Jets their only lead), finishing with a team-high 84 yards and causing no shortage of heads to be scratched afterward.

While it’s true the Jets have a backfield-by-committee with Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell backing up Ivory, the decision to totally abandon a back after such a hot start was curious, to say the least.

But if you wanted answers from Rex Ryan following the Jets’ third consecutive loss, you were going to be disappointed.

“There are a lot of things that contribute to that,” Ryan said of Ivory’s limited role after the opening drive. “You don’t know if a back is winded or if you’re trying to keep some guys fresh. One of the strengths we have [is] three backs that we feel good about. We want to play all three.”

Of course, Ivory didn’t help his case for playing time after the opening drive with his inability — again — to catch the ball out of the backfield with any consistency.

Although Geno Smith’s accuracy was a problem, Ivory was the target of six throws but managed to catch just two for 16 yards.

Ivory’s biggest miscue in the passing game helped to seal the outcome, too. He dropped a short (and admittedly hard-thrown) swing pass from Smith on third-and-2 from the Jets 24 with 3:53 left and Gang Green trailing by seven.

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The Jets could never get the ball back after that Ivory mistake as Detroit ran out the game’s final 3:41.

Ivory spoke mainly in generalities afterward.

“We just didn’t execute,” Ivory said. “There’s a lot that plays into the game. There’s not just one thing that causes a team to lose. There’s a lot of different things that you can go and look at. You just have to be the team with the least mistakes.”

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Gang pilot must get bleeping act together (Steve Serby) New York Post September 28, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/gang-pilot-must-get-bleeping-act-together-2/

It HAD already been another bad day for Geno Smith, “We Want Vick” chants ringing in his ears, and somehow, it turned even worse for him as he began making his way off the MetLife Field after Lions 24, Jets 17.

A disgruntled fan provoked him, and by the time Smith had made it to the podium for his postgame press conference, he was apologizing for Fox cameras capturing him lashing out with a “F— you.”

“Before we start this off, first of all I want to apologize if any kid saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field, I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation,” Smith said. “It’s a part of my learning process. Got to get better with that, got to let that stuff roll off my back. But today, I didn’t do well with that.”

You have no chance in this market if you are thin-skinned. Richard Todd once flipped the Shea crowd the bird. Of course, this makes Smith Rex Ryan’s dream quarterback, being that the coach cursed out a fan who reminded him a couple of years ago that Bill Belichick was a better coach. Smith would only divulge the insult directed at him had nothing to do with Michael Vick.

“Brady is better than you,” couldn’t have driven him mad. “Sanchez is better than you,” might have done the trick, however.

“You know what, no matter what happened, I’ve got to not feed into it,” Smith said. “It’s a part of the job. I understand the fans want to come out and see victories, and at times they get heated. We do too as players. I can’t even begin to talk about that, because what I did was wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Right.

Smith had been serenaded early on with choruses of “Mi-chael Vi-ick” before “We Want Vick.”

“It’s part of the game, part of the job,” Smith said. “My reaction to that is go out and try to score more touchdowns.”

It indeed is part of his job to play deaf and dumb to cries for Vick.

But it is not part of Ryan’s job.

If Ryan persists in acting deaf and dumb about Smith’s alarming regression (4-for-12, 32 yards passing in the first half, an interception after missing a wide-open Chris Ivory and a fumble in the fourth quarter), he’ll go down with the ship Smith simply doesn’t appear ready to right against the likes of Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Brady over the next three weeks.

Asked who will start in San Diego Sunday, Ryan said: “If Geno’s healthy, Geno Smith will start.”

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If Geno starts in San Diego the way he started against the Lions, Ryan better hand the ball to Vick, because 1-4 is a death sentence.

It is one thing to want to develop a young quarterback, quite another to throw the season away when the young quarterback is not developing.

“I’m not going to replace him, I feel good about Geno,” Ryan said. “He’s a tough, resilient young man. I think we’re going to win. We’re going to win soon.”

2015, perhaps?

Ryan better have Smith on a short leash. One more stinker, and it will be time to see if Vick can recapture some of his old magic.

“I’ve just got to be ready at all times,” Vick said. “My job is to help Geno get better, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The Jets were buried in a 17-3 hole at halftime because Smith’s final five possessions were three-and-ouch. His Hail Mary at the end of the first half sailed out of bounds.

Enter the boobirds.

Enter Vick for the much-needed spark at the start of the second half, right?

“No, I thought we were going to get it done with Geno,” Ryan said.

The ball sailed on Smith’s interception and his fumble was his seventh turnover of the season.

“I should apologize to the defense for having another two turnovers,” Smith said.

Of course, the defense should also apologize to him for letting Matthew Stafford embark on a 14-play, 90-yard drive — without a hobbled Calvin Johnson — immediately after Smith hit Eric Decker with an 11-yard touchdown pass that brought the Jets to within 17-10.

“I’m built for this, man. I’ve played football my entire life,” Smith said. “I’ve dealt with heckling fans. It’s not something that I’m not used to. The key thing for me is to continue to stay grounded, keep working. I’m only 23. I can’t begin to tell you how much improvement I’ve got to do. It’s a loooong process, and I’m in it for the long haul.”

One more bleep up, he’ll be in a U-Haul.

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Ex-Jet Ihedigbo hits, takes shots at Geno (Bart Hubbuch) New York Post September 28, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/ex-jet-ihedigbo-hits-takes-shots-at-geno/

Things are going wrong so quickly for the Jets that they gave James Ihedigbo, of all people, the chance to exact revenge Sunday afternoon and chirp about it, too.

A backup safety for the Jets for three years before leaving in 2010, Ihedigbo was a key contributor for the Lions in their 24-17 win over Gang Green at MetLife Stadium with a sack and forced fumble to go along with five tackles.

Ihedigbo not only savored that turn of events afterward, but the journeyman defender also added to Geno Smith’s very bad day by criticizing the embattled Jet’s quarterback skills.

Daily Clips Cont.

32 | P a g e

The fumble forced by Ihedigbo was one of two Smith turnovers on the day (he also threw an interception), and the second-year pro has now turned the ball over seven times in just four games this year.

“He’s a young quarterback who really needs to continue to work at his craft,” Ihedigbo said. “He’ll get better and better if he does that, but he’s just not there yet. He’s improved from where he was last year, but he’s still a young quarterback who’s learning.”

Ihedigbo said a big reason for Smith’s interception problems is he still has the young quarterback’s tendency to stare down his intended receiving target.

What tempered Ihedigbo’s critique of that aspect of Smith’s game, though, was his belief the Jets quarterback is doing that partly under orders.

“He does lock in on his receivers,” Ihedigbo said. “It’s fair to say he’s a one-look guy, although I don’t know if that’s entirely his fault. I would put that on the coaches, because that’s how the offense is designed for him — to make the easy read and get the ball out of his hands.”

Ihedigbo was in a talkative mood because his own performance was memorable. After missing the Lions’ first three games because of knee and neck injuries, Ihedigbo made the most out of his official debut in a Detroit uniform.

Ihedigbo’s big moment came early in the fourth quarter, with the Lions trying to protect a 24-10 lead and the Jets suddenly on the move at the Detroit 35.

Ihedigbo blitzed from Smith’s right and blasted him just as he was about to release the ball, forcing a fumble recovered by defensive end Darryl Tapp.

It sounded afterward as if Ihedigbo were hoping Rex Ryan — who had allowed him to walk in free agency in 2011 — took note of who caused that particular Smith turnover.

“[Beating the Jets] did mean something, although I don’t want to make it personal,” Ihedigbo said. “It’s a special place because I played here and still have a lot of relationships here and coaches here that I played for here, so it’s special and cool to come back. But above everything, getting the win was the biggest thing.”

Ihedigbo, who also had brief stints with the Patriots and Ravens after leaving New York, smiled and then exhaled.

“It’s good to be back,” he said.

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Jets blitz: Golden Tate is golden (Bart Hubbuch) New York Post September 28, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/28/jets-blitz-golden-tate-is-golden/

Hero

Thanks to Golden Tate, the Lions didn’t even miss the hobbled and limited Calvin Johnson. Tate riddled the Jets’ struggling secondary with eight catches for 116 yards, including a 35-yarder to set up Detroit’s lone field goal. It was just the fourth 100-yard receiving day in 62 career regular-season games for the former Seahawk.

Zero

Daily Clips Cont.

33 | P a g e

What a day for Geno Smith. When he wasn’t yelling an obscenity at a fan, the Jets’ beleaguered quarterback could usually be found throwing an incompletion or an interception or losing a fumble. Jets fans couldn’t be blamed for their multiple “MI-CHAEL VICK!” chants throughout the game.

Unsung hero

Former Jets safety James Ihedigbo had a big day against his old team, recording five tackles and forcing a Smith fumble by way of a sack at the Detroit 35 early in the fourth quarter with the Lions trying to preserve a 24-10 lead. Ihedigbo’s performance was even more impressive considering he had missed the first three games because of knee and neck injuries.

Key stat

5: The number of completions of 21 or more yards by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (including a 59-yard TD), and not one of them was to perennial All-Pro Calvin Johnson.

Quote of the day

“F*** you!”

— Geno Smith to a fan after the game (Smith later apologized).

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Jets’ supposedly vaunted defense blows it again (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 29, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/29/jets-supposedly-vaunted-defense-blows-it-again/

The Jets’ defense has been much-hyped, second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed and second to none in hubris. But for the third straight week, the unit found itself in a nail-biter only to cough up a backbreaking drive — or two — that cost the game.

Two weeks ago, it was Green Bay. On Monday it was Chicago. And Sunday it was an interminably long touchdown march by Detroit, one that spanned the third and fourth quarters and sent Gang Green to a 24-17 loss.

“That was a killer. Our offense went right down the field and scored a touchdown, and then to let them drive the length of the field and convert all those third downs on us. … Yeah, that’s something we pride ourselves [on],’’ coach Rex Ryan said. “And making mistakes, that’s the killer. Sometimes an opponent will make some plays on you, but when you contribute with your own mistakes, that’s the killer as a coach.’’

The Jets (1-3) lost their third straight, and for the third consecutive game let their foe drive the length of the field at the worst possible time.

“That’s part of the game; it happens. But to be a great defense, you can’t give that up, especially multiple times. We [have] to find a way to stop that from happening,’’ linebacker Demario Davis said. “Why is this happening? Why are you able to go three-and-out here and three-and-out there, and then one drive they put all the plays together right? It’s just adversity. I can’t tell you why it’s happening.’’

A great defense doesn’t allow what the Jets did Sunday, scoring to get within 17-10, only to see the Lions take the ball with 7:21 left in the third and hold it well into the fourth. Detroit mounted a 14-play, 90-yard, 7:32 odyssey through the vaunted Jets’ defense, converting three third downs — including 3rd-and-10 and 3rd-and-9 — to cap it with Matthew Stafford’s 1-yard touchdown run.

Daily Clips Cont.

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“Like Rex said after this game, it’s mistakes that’s hurting us,’’ said Muhammad Wilkerson. “Keep repeating mistakes, doing the same thing then we’re going to keep losing games. We’ve got to take control of that.’’

It’s now happened three straight weeks.

Two weeks ago in Green Bay, the Jets led 21-9 and had the Packers pinned back on their own 3, before letting them march 10 plays and 97 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. And after knotting it at 24-all with 2:21 left, the Jets let Jordy Nelson catch the game-winning 80-yard TD on the next play.

On Monday, down just 17-13, they saw Chicago take its first drive of the second half 80 yards to go ahead by 11. And even after clawing within 24-19 with 9:52 left, the Jets saw the Bears work the clock like a shrewd hourly employee in a 12-play, 6:42 drive for an insurance field goal in the waning moments.

Safety Calvin Pryor, out of the game on that late drive after taking a helmet to the leg, added, “In those situations you have to get off the field. Majority of the time it comes from us having miscommunications and us having mental mistakes and breakdowns, so that’s something we have to change.’’

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Decker’s wife singing turns out to be highlight of rough day (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 29, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/29/deckers-wife-singing-turns-out-to-be-highlight-of-rough-day/

Eric Decker’s day started well enough, suiting up and starting for the Jets despite hardly practicing all week, and his wife — country singer Jesse James Decker — singing the national anthem at MetLife Stadium. But it didn’t end quite the way he had hoped, Gang Green falling to the Lions 24-17 for their third straight loss.

The wide receiver didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, and was limited Friday, listed as questionable to play against Detroit because of a hamstring injury. But he started and reclaimed his position as the focal point of the passing game.

Decker was targeted a team-high 10 times, catching four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

“I felt all right,” Decker said. “My biggest thing is I need to get back on the practice field and get my conditioning level up, be able to get my timing with Geno [Smith], just for my own sake catching balls throughout the week, running certain routes. You really take it from the practice field to the games.’’

Smith seemed out of sync with Decker for much of the day. While four of his six targets to running back Chris Ivory went incomplete, two of those were egregious drops. Of the six incompletions thrown Decker’s way, only one or two could be considered drops.

“It’s hard for a quarterback when he doesn’t have his guys out there working with him,’’ Decker said. “I had a couple drops. That never helps out. For me, when I get repetitions throughout the week is when I catch the ball. It makes it easier during the game, and unfortunately I haven’t allowed myself to do that with the hamstring.’’

With the Jets down 17-3 at the half, Smith orchestrated a touchdown drive, hitting Decker for an 18-yard reception — just the Jets’ second completed pass since the first quarter — and an 11-yard score, the wideout slithering between two Lions and diving across the goal line.

Daily Clips Cont.

35 | P a g e

“We can [move the ball],” Decker said. “Now it’s a matter of being consistent, whether it’s a matter of a dropped pass or a false start or maybe just a bad play, that’s the stuff we have to eliminate. We’ve got to be better than that, find a way to get some momentum.

“On Monday we’ll watch the tape and really be accountable for how everyone plays, and speaking for myself I’ve got to play better, too.’’

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‘It’s ugly’ — and Rex Ryan is in trouble (George Willis) New York Post September 29, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/29/its-ugly-and-rex-ryan-is-in-trouble/

Jets offensive guard Willie Colon stood in front of his locker following the Jets’ third straight defeat and summed up the state of the season in two words: “It’s ugly.”

Actually, that might be understating things a bit.

A 24-17 loss to the Lions Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium dropped the Jets to 1-3 and put Rex Ryan’s status as head coach on the clock. If this game was a referendum on his ability to coach, motivate and lead his team to a much-needed victory then he failed as much as his players.

Instead of evening their record at .500, the Jets find themselves in a haze of uncertainty heading into a brutal stretch of their schedule with games against the Chargers, Broncos and Patriots. What should have been a confidence builder has left the Jets on the verge of collapse. The problems; where do we start?

A quarterback controversy is now raging after Geno Smith committed two more turnovers, prompting the home fans to chant: “We want Vick.” Ryan insisted he gave no thought to replacing Smith with Michael Vick during the game — “I thought we were going to get it done with Geno,” he said — but calls for Vick should intensify. “Whenever the time comes, if it comes, I just have to be ready,” Vick said.

Meanwhile, Smith’s teammates came to his defense by ripping their fans for booing. Fans can be fickle, but the Jets aren’t helping themselves by snapping back.

“You’ve got fans screaming negative things towards us. That’s not going to build us up. That’s only going to break us down,” defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said. “We’ve got to keep that out of our minds and stick together. But if they want to be all in, then they’ve got to be all in with us as well when it’s bad and when it’s good.”

Perhaps more troubling is a defense that continues to fold in the clutch. The Jets had all the momentum after Eric Decker caught an 11-yard touchdown to cut Detroit’s lead to 17-10 in the third quarter. But the Lions regained control with a marathon 14-play, 90-yard drive through the gut of Ryan’s defense by converting three third-down situations. It was similar to the long drives the Jets yielded in losses to the Packers and Bears.

“We didn’t make any plays,” linebacker Calvin Pace said . “Somebody’s got to make a play and nobody did.”

Truth is, there wasn’t a moment in the game where it felt like the Jets were the better team. Their opening drive covered 71 yards on 14 plays but netted only a field goal. The next five possessions ended in three-and-out, setting a tone of inconsistency that ultimately cost them the game.

“Guys are making a lot of good plays,” Ryan said. “Unfortunately, they’re not making the big plays.”

Daily Clips Cont.

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All of this reflects poorly on Ryan, who talked all week about how well his team practiced. But the Jets didn’t respond like winners. They lost their second straight game at home; the quarterback cussed at the fans; the defense didn’t hold up and they now face Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in succession. If the Jets haven’t already dug a deep enough hole for themselves, it could be a crater by the time Halloween approaches.

“The way it’s going to change, it’s going to take everyone in that room,” Ryan said. “We know it’s a united group. We’re going to fight to stick together and fight our way out. We know it’s not easy, but that’s the only way we know how to do it and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Ryan was a lame-duck coach when the season began needing a winning season and perhaps a playoff berth to keep his job. But at 1-3, it’s getting ugly for everyone.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Geno Smith turns it over twice as NY Jets lose to Lions at home (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 28, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-turns-times-ny-jets-lose-lions-home-article-1.1955913

Ladies and gentlemen, start your questions.

Quarterback questions that is, because Rex Ryan is going to be asked them all week long. After Geno Smith committed two more turnovers in Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Lions, his starting job became that much more tenuous if it even exists any more at all.

The Jets have Michael Vick waiting in the wings, a fresh veteran arm that can be turned to if needed. The loss increases Gang Green’s current streak to three losses, two of which came at home. The harsh reality for the Jets is that they are 1-3 with the Chargers, Broncos and Patriots next up on the docket.

Smith and the Jets were chasing the Lions for most of the game and an interception and fumble from the quarterback were critical and their failure to catch up.

Not that Smith had much help from the defense. Matthew Stafford was able to pick apart the coverage and move the Lions offense well all game even with Calvin Johnson barely playing. Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns and added another on the ground.

The Jets got off to what looked like a strong start when Chris Ivory, who has been the team’s best running back, put the offense on his back during the team’s first drive, rushing nine times for 51 yards. A week after the Jets went just 1-6 in the red zone they stalled out in their first try Sunday as Nick Folk was forced to kick a 27-yard field goal.

Ivory may have had the offense rolling to start the game but nothing was working after that: the Jets went three-and-out on their next five drives.

Meanwhile, the Lions feasted on poor pass coverage from the Jets’ defense, even with Calvin Johnson banged up. Jeremy Ross burned Antonio Allen for a 59-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-10 with 6:19 left in the second quarter. Allen may have been expecting help deep from rookie safety Calvin Pryor.

But the Jets’ worst player in coverage wasn’t in the secondary, it was David Harris. The inside linebacker surrendered 23 and 35-yard receptions to Golden Tate and then a 16-yard touchdown to Eric Ebron with 22 seconds left in the half.

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37 | P a g e

Despite a smattering of calls for Vick from the crowd to start the second half, Smith and the offense were able to respond on the first drive of the second quarter. After Greg Salas’ 32-yard reception brought the Jets into the red zone, the Jets finally converted inside the 20 when Smith hit Decker who leapt into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with 7:26 left in the third quarter. Decker’s second touchdown of his Jets’ career brought the Jets within seven points, down 17-10.

But the Jets defense couldn’t keep up their end of the bargain, allowing the Lions to march down the field on a 14-play, 90-yard drive after the Decker touchdown, chewing up over 7 and a half minutes of the clock. The drive ended on a one-yard touchdown scramble by Stafford on the first play of the fourth quarter, extending the Lions’ lead to 24-10.

On the ensuing drive Smith did something he has done in every game this season: throw an interception. The second-year QB overthrew his receiver in what had appeared to be a response drive, and the ball sailed right into the arms of Darius Slay. Though the Lions missed a field goal off the turnover, the crowd bood Smith as he returned to the field, hoping for Vick instead. Many simply left even with the Jets within two scores.

And the Jets made it a ball game. The offense pieced together a 75-yard drive on just seven plays without making a mistake that ended with a Chris Johnson 35-yard touchdown run, his first score as a Jet. But the Jets offense couldn’t get it done on their final drive, allowing the Lions to run out the clock.

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Jets QB Geno Smith yells ‘f--- you’ at fan following loss to Lions (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 28, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-qb-geno-smith-yells-f-fan-loss-lions-article-1.1955964

The Jets can't beat other NFL teams, so they’ve apparently found a new opponent: their own fans.

Geno Smith hurled an obscenity at a fan following Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Lions at MetLife Stadium. CBS 2 caught the quarterback on camera yelling “F--- you” at a fan while walking off the field.

Smith opened his own press conference by apologizing for cursing at the fan.

The crowd made its preference at quarterback known. In the second half, fans filled the stadium with calls for veteran backup Mike Vick and started booing when they saw Smith on the field. While Smith regretted the incident, his teammates stood behind their QB.

“Shut up,” Sheldon Richardson said when asked for his thoughts on the fans chanting for Vick. “If that’s the case, produce a child to come make it to the NFL and we’ll see what he got. Other than that, just shut up. We got coaches to do that.”

“That stuff, to me, is B.S.,” Eric Decker said of the chants.

Rex Ryan said he was sticking with Smith despite the second-year pro’s continued struggles. He lost a fumble and threw a pick, giving him seven turnovers in four games.

Even though Ryan said Smith will start Sunday in San Diego, he’ll have to fight off questions about Vick all week with his team on a three-game skid. The coach said he did not consider switching to Vick mid-game.

“I’m not going to replace him, I feel good about Geno,” Ryan said.

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Ryan needs his quarterback and his team to shape up, and fast. “It’s not a question of ... if it’s going to happen, it’s a question of when,” Ryan said. “I think he’s a good quarterback. I think he’s got a chance to really be something.”

Even if Ryan is right — that it’s a matter of when, not if, for Smith — he needs it to happen almost overnight, because the Jets are 1-3 with the Chargers, Broncos and Patriots on deck. That’s the sort of schedule that can make a season, and a coaching tenure, unravel in a hurry.

“We do need wins,” Ryan said. “There’s no question about it. I think we’ll get there.”

Smith, who apologized for the F-bomb incident without prompting, said it was one fan that set him off, though the tape did not pick up what the person said. The quarterback said it did not have to do with Vick.

“No matter what happened I’ve got to not feed into it,” Smith said. “It’s a part of the job. I understand the fans want to come out and see victories. And at times they get heated and we do too as players.

“What I did was wrong,” the quarterback added. “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Ryan’s press conference occurred before it became known that Smith had cursed, and afterward the coach declined comment.

Willie Colon described Smith as “just a frustrated quarterback” but admitted, “It’s never good to yell at the fans. You’re never going to win it.”

The guard, who said earlier in the week that it was too early to consider a move at quarterback, also said that the players continue to have Smith’s back.

“Geno is our quarterback,” Colon said. “I stand behind Geno.”

The Jets chased the Lions (3-1) for most of the day Sunday and never were able to quite get back because of two factors: Smith’s turnovers and the pass defense. Smith sailed a pass to Greg Salas in the fourth quarter that was picked off by Darius Slay, giving the QB an interception in every game this season. Later, Smith fumbled and the Lions recovered.

The second-year QB completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards with a touchdown to Decker, the interception and fumble.

Every time the Jets offense did do something right, the pass defense let them down, despite the fact that Calvin Johnson (ankle) barely played and only caught two passes for 12 yards. Matthew Stafford threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns including a 59-yarder to Jeremy Ross over Antonio Allen.

The Jets had the ball down a touchdown late in the game but went three-and-out, stalling at their own 24-yard line, where they elected to punt. They never got the ball back.

Even at 1-3, Colon was adamant that the Jets can still turn their season around.

“To hell with the naysayers,” he said.

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NY Jets less Green, more like black and blue (Mitch Abramson) New York Daily News September 29, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-gang-green-black-blue-crew-article-1.1956334

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The Jets defense is used to inflicting zingers on opposing teams, but on Sunday Gang Green was hit hard by the injury bug.

Rookie safety Calvin Pryor (thigh) and wide receiver David Nelson (ankle) both sustained first-half injuries and didn’t return in the 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions, adding to a growing list of players already dealing with bumps and bruises.

Defensive lineman Damon Harrison sustained an ankle injury but was able to return. And cornerback Antonio Allen could be seen limping badly out of the locker room, visibly in pain.

That was a scary sight considering that cornerback Dee Milliner missed his second straight game on Sunday with a quadriceps injury.

Nelson went down and grabbed his left ankle with 9:32 left in the second quarter after catching a seven-yard pass from Geno Smith on third-and-8 from the Jets 24.

Nelson, who hardly practiced this past week because of a bout with food poisoning, got up slowly, limped off the field under his own power and would not return.

After combining on a sack with Muhammad Wilkerson with 3:06 left in the second quarter on third-and-2 from the Detroit 39, Pryor had his left thigh massaged by a team trainer on the Jets’ sideline.

On the ensuing defensive series, former Fort Hamilton and Brooklyn-product Jaiquawn Jarrett took Pryor’s place.

Pryor, the 18th pick of the 2014 draft out of Louisville, missed the preseason opener after suffering a concussion in training camp.

TWITTER JOE NAMATH

If the Jets are playing, then Broadway Joe Namath is somewhere tweeting about his former team, occasionally critically.

After Smith tossed a Hail Mary pass out of bounds to end the first half, Namath seemed incredulous. “Just wondering,” Namath tweeted. “did the Jets quarterback throw the last pass of the first half, a Hail Mary, off the field to the right out of bounds?”

Jets fans were happy to answer Namath on Twitter, telling the legendary QB that, yes, Smith did throw the prayer out of bounds.

Namath did voice his support for the team, however, following a Chris Johnson rushing touchdown that drew the Jets to within 24-17, tweeting, “Still in the Game! Could actually win! Amazing!”

Namath then went silent in the hours following the loss.

INACTIVE

The following Jets were inactive Sunday: WR Jalen Saunders, CB Dee Milliner, LB Ikemefuna Enemkpali, LB A.J. Edds, OL Dakota Dozier, T Ben Ijalana and DT Kenrick Ellis.

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Eric Decker catches touchdown, wife Jesse James Decker sings National Anthem by NY Jets lose (Kevin Armstrong) New York Daily News September 29, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-eric-decker-wife-victory-article-1.1956301

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40 | P a g e

Eric Decker’s trek east from Denver to the doldrums of the AFC included wooing by Jets coach Rex Ryan, a pay raise and opportunity for his wife, country singer Jessie James Decker, to enjoy a larger stage.

On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, she sang the national anthem and Eric hauled in a touchdown pass. It was partly what they envisioned, but also included new realities, some of them brought upon Decker by himself (two drops) and some by new teammates. In short, he knew that rhythm was lacking in the 24-17 loss to the Lions.

“I gotta play better, too,” he said.

Decker, coming off a Monday night performance cut short due to a nagging hamstring injury, caught four balls for 48 yards, but there were six more quarterback Geno Smith threw his way that did not wind up in his gloves. Theirs is a quarterback-receiver relationship somewhat slowed by his ailing hamstring in recent weeks, but it was the inability of the offense to sustain early gains that grounded the Jets. Decker mentioned that he will be able to help out more with better conditioning and timing. He also noted the need to surround Smith with options whether on short or long routes.

“It’s hard to see him take all the criticism because it’s not just him,” said Decker, who has hauled in two touchdowns this season. “We’ve got to make some plays for him, take some pressure off him. We gotta be better than that. We need to find momentum.”

Wideout Jeremy Kerley, who was limited to one catch for three yards, believed the unit needed to find its stride by weaving together a number of series, quarters and halves.

“It’s been difficult,” Kerley said. “No matter what, you just have to keep running. Once we can put it together, we’ll see the team we’re supposed to be.”

Smith overthrew some receivers and was indecisive releasing the ball at other times. Still, his wideouts and tight ends, tailbacks and linemen maintained that they stood behind him. From Decker to Kerley to rookie tight end Jace Amaro (five catches, 58 yards), they insisted that they can catch on. In assessing his team’s play, Decker, the Jets’ biggest free agent catch in the offseason, looked around his new locker room.

“We’re gonna learn a lot about each other when we show up for practice,” Decker said.

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I swear, it's time for NY Jets coach Rex Ryan to bench Geno Smith (Gary Myers) New York Daily News September 28, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-swear-time-jets-coach-rex-ryan-bench-geno-smith-article-1.1956257

It's time for Rex Ryan to bench Geno Smith, the F-bomb-dropping quarterback who is crumbling under the pressure of playing in New York. Michael Vick is no savior, but at least he can provide a spark to another Jets season quickly falling apart.

Ryan, a veteran at cursing out Jets fans, was walking toward a stadium exit wearing sunglasses and a blank look with his wife by his side about 40 minutes after Smith heard something he didn’t like from the stands, looked up, and shouted “F--- you,” to a fan giving him a hard time following the Jets’ third straight loss.

Smith played miserably in the clutch again – two fourth-quarter turnovers in the 24-17 loss to the Lions — but the ultra-loyal and stubborn Ryan said Smith will start Sunday in San Diego. The big news after the game was Smith cursing, caught on CBS 2 video.

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Taking on the fans is a fight an athlete can never win, especially in New York. Word of Smith’s tirade had not spread when Ryan held his postgame news conference, so he was not asked about it. After I viewed the video a few minutes later, I saw Ryan coming out of the locker room. Clearly his reaction was essential, except Ryan, who likes to say he avoids no issue, was not such a stand-up guy. Maybe the pressure of fighting for his job for the second straight season with a flawed roster, thanks to GM John Idzik, is getting to him, too. The 1-3 record is the Jets’ worst through four games since Ryan arrived in 2009.

As Ryan began the long walk down a hallway to the exit near where his car was parked, I attempted to ask him what he thought of Smith’s mini-tirade. He had Bruce Speight of the Jets’ PR staff running interference and Speight decided Ryan would not speak to the media again until Monday. Finally, as he was about to open the glass doors to leave MetLife after he emerged from behind a dark curtain, I said, “Rex, how do you feel about your quarterback cursing out the fans?”

Total silence.

He continued to look straight ahead. He didn’t flinch. No response. That’s the first time that’s happened in six years.

Thanks, Rex.

His quarterback, a long way from becoming the face of the franchise, is destroying the season. He has seven turnovers in four games and unless Ryan has been assured by Woody Johnson he will be back in 2015 even if he makes it four straight years without the playoffs, then Smith is in the process of getting him fired.

Smith apologized after the game for his mouth, but they all wind up apologizing in the NFL, regardless of the offense. The fans were chanting “Michael Vick, Michael Vick” in the first half and then “We Want Vick. We Want Vick” in the second half.

On back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter, with the Jets down 24-10, Smith threw an interception and lost a fumble, and after Chris Johnson’s 35-yard run brought the Jets within seven, they had the ball at their own 16 with 4:36 remaining.

Smith failed to get the Jets the tying TD on their final possession for the third straight game. After Smith connected with Jace Amaro for nine yards, Chris Ivory lost two yards and then Smith threw a fastball – he has no touch – on a swing pass to Ivory that went right through his hands on third down. Ivory should have caught it, Smith should have made it more catchable, but even if Ivory held on, it was no guarantee he would have made the first down. The Lions ran out the clock and then Smith ran off his mouth.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson wants the Jets fans to be “all-in,” but he didn’t excuse Smith’s potty mouth. “Geno was definitely wrong for cursing at the fans,” he said. “I’m pretty sure Rex and the guys will get on him and let him know that’s not acceptable.”

Smith said he “kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation.” Then he said, “It’s part of my learning process.”

Oh, please.

It’s one thing for Smith to continually attribute his bad mistakes to inexperience – Jets fans are so sick of this after hearing it from Mark Sanchez for four years – but now it’s a learning experience to not say “F--- you” to a fan? The Jets are enabling him on the field just like they enabled Sanchez, but at least Sanchez had the good sense not to curse out the fans, even if Ryan set the standard for him. At halftime of a tough loss to the Patriots in 2011, and just after the Jets had mangled a timeout, Ryan walked up the tunnel to the locker room. He was in a bad mood.

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“Hey Rex, Belichick is better than you,” one fan shouted.

“Shut the f--- up,” Ryan said without breaking stride.

The NFL fined him $75,000. Smith can expect the NFL to be taking money out of his paycheck. By the way, the league won’t be able to claim it can’t get its hands on the video when it comes to fining Smith.

The Jets face Philip Rivers in San Diego, Peyton Manning at MetLife and Tom Brady in Foxborough in the next 11 days. If the Jets are 1-6 and Smith is still the QB when they came home to play the Bills on Oct. 26, then Sunday’s exchange might be considered G-rated by comparison.

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In NY Jets loss to Lions, can't defend Rex Ryan's defense (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 28, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-defending-jets-rex-ryan-poor-defensive-performance-article-1.1956279

Rex Ryan's prized defense blew a gift from the football gods in glorious fashion Sunday, looking every bit like a garden-variety group that isn’t scaring anyone.

The best wide receiver on the planet was unofficially operating at around 10% efficiency, slowed by a nagging ankle, but the hallmark of Ryan’s team pulled the bigger disappearing act. The Jets pass coverage hovered somewhere between horrible and somewhat bad against the Lions, a painful reality that isn’t likely to change this season.

The combination of inadequate personnel (see: GM John Idzik), inexperience (see: Darrin Walls and Calvin Pryor) and overmatched linebackers (see: David Harris) was a killer for a team that couldn’t stop Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his supporting cast.

“The guys are making a lot of good plays,” Ryan said of his defense. “Unfortunately they’re not making the big plays. That’s really what’s separating this defense from being a really good defense. We’re decent, but we’re not where we want to be.”

Decent isn’t anywhere close to good enough.

The Jets’ inability to get critical third-down stops or create a turnover surely didn’t help matters against a Lions offense that beat Gang Green on nearly every important play: No Calvin Johnson, no problem.

The all-everything receiver was held to only two catches (on two targets) for 12 yards as he shuffled in and out of the lineup, but Stafford picked on linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties to carve up Ryan’s defense anyway. Seven players other than Johnson caught a pass — even Ryan Broyles! — to help the Jets dig a 1-3 hole that has their season perilously close to spinning out of control at the quarter pole.

“It’s not getting easier,” said defensive lineman Mo Wilkerson, whose team faces Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as part of a Murderers’ Row of quarterbacks in the first half of the season. “This is going to be a tough task for us. This is what will show how great we can be, how tough we can be, how bad we want this. We’ll see in the next couple weeks.”

They’ll have to fix the issues that plagued them against Stafford or suffer a similar fate at the hands of three of the league’s top quarterbacks during this pivotal stretch. Ryan’s defense allowed the Lions to convert 30% on third downs (6- for-15), including three on a backbreaking 11-play, 89-yard march that spanned about half of the third quarter.

“Third down should be a down we should win,” Walls said. “So it’s frustrating when we don’t.”

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After Geno Smith orchestrated a touchdown drive on the Jets’ first possession of the second half to draw within 17-10, the defense failed miserably. A communication breakdown between cornerback Antonio Allen and Pryor, the rookie safety, midway through the second quarter already had resulted in a 59-yard touchdown strike from Stafford to wideout Jeremy Ross. This time, the defensive breakdowns and poor execution led to a much slower death.

Stafford converted three consecutive third downs, including a third-and-10 and third-and-9, on completions to Golden Tate, Reggie Bush and Broyles, to highlight a 7-minute, 32-second drive that proved to be too much to overcome.

“We don’t have a big room for error,” Pace said. “In crucial situations in the game, we’re not getting off the field. Or a mental lapse here or there.”

Although Ryan maintained that the Lions “got a lot of weapons,” the biggest one was a nonfactor. Instead, guys like Tate (eight catches for 116 yards), rookie tight end Eric Ebron (first career touchdown) and Ross had their way with the Jets’ porous pass defense. The Lions took advantage of mismatches with Tate, who easily beat Harris a couple times in his memorable day.

“You guys get caught up in names too much,” Pace said of getting beat by guys not named Megatron. “It’s not like they’re playing with high school cats out there.”

Stafford, who went 24-for-34 for 293 yards, with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and a 116.4 passer rating, spread it around on a day when Detroit dominated the time of possession by nearly 10 minutes.

“We’re killing ourselves. Always,” Sheldon Richardson said. “It’s always happening like that.”

Ryan’s defense forced back-to-back three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, but it only gave false hope. After the Jets punted with 3:49 left, the defense needed one more stop to give Smith, who had a forgettable afternoon that included two fourth-quarter turnovers and one profanity-laced message to a fan, one more chance.

Ryan’s defense couldn’t deliver. Stafford & Co. converted two first downs to end the game.

The frustration and agitation was palpable in the Jets’ locker room.

“The effort on Sundays is unquestioned,” linebacker Demario Davis said.

The talent and execution are another story.

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Fox and CBS analysts join NY Jets fans in ripping Geno Smith (Bob Raissman) New York Daily News September 28, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/raissman-review-fox-curses-geno-smith-article-1.1956236

A quarterback under siege cannot purchase thick skin. He can buy a supply of earplugs.

Judging by the heat he took Sunday, even before he lost to the Lions and then cursed out a fan, Geno Smith is going to need both — and more — to handle what’s coming his way. Some of Smith’s critics were not satisfied offering analysis. They were out to embarrass the quarterback, too.

At halftime, with the Jets down 17-3, Fox aired a highlight of Derek Jeter returning to the Yankees dugout after his final at-bat in Boston. “Jeter is now retired,” Curt Menefee said. “Some Jets fans wish that Geno

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Smith would do the same thing.” Retire? The guy is in his second season in the league. Menefee was never recognized as the King of Sting. That bit of wit and wisdom puts him in the running. Congratulations.

Jimmy Johnson attempted to soften that cheap shot, er, blow with another angle. He said if Rex Ryan eventually replaces Smith with Michael Vick, he could damage the young QB’s future. Michael Strahan squashed that theory, saying Ryan can’t be shackled by either Smith’s future or his emotional state.

“It’s professional football,” Strahan said. “Who cares about your feelings?”

Bart Scott certainly doesn’t. Before the Foxies dumped on Smith, Scott compared Vick to a “Ferrari who shouldn’t be kept in the garage” and compared Smith not to the little engine that could, but to a “Toyota Camry.”

“…(Smith) is a second-round draft pick. He’s expendable,” Scott said on CBS’ “The NFL Today.” “You are lying to your football team if you tell them Geno Smith gives you the best chance to win right now. Rex has one foot out the door and another one on a banana peel. He’s coaching for his job. He better get it right, right now.”

Remember, Scott, the former Jet who was always so gracious to the media, delivered his soliloquy over an hour before Smith turned the football over two more times in the Meadowlands. Incredibly, Vick, an innocent bystander here, took heat. Bill Cowher , the jaw-jutting know-it-all, said: “Michael Vick is not a Ferrari….He’s an antique. And he looks good where he is as a backup quarterback.”

If Cowher said this, it must be true. Either that or he was just looking to one-up Scott.

For Smith, it will only get worse. As we have all been told, over and over and over again, the Jets now have to run the Rivers-Manning-Brady gauntlet. You have probably been informed, mostly inside the Valley of the Stupid, they will definitely lose all three games. So the only thing left for Gasbags to blabber about is whether Ryan should give Smith the hook.

Either that or just beat up on Smith, who, with his postgame act, has made himself easiest of targets.

Not only was the Jets quarterback situation being pushed, ESPN raised the specter of more dysfunction and dissension inside the organization.

On “NFL Countdown,” Adam Schefter reported “disenchantment inside” the Jets organization with GM J ohn Idzyk “lingers” over the GM’s decision not to spend money the Jets have on talent, especially in the secondary. Gee, we wonder exactly who inside the organization would be the most ticked off about that (Rex)?

But the bigger Jets bombshell on ESPN (surprised this scoop was not saved for “Outside the Lines”) was delivered by Cris Carter who exclusively revealed that Jets DB’s “couldn’t even cover Chris Berman .”

TAKEN TO TRASK

Counting all forms of media, there are probably thousands of cats paid to be NFL analysts. Coming up with original material can’t be easy.

That’s why Brandon Tierney, a member of CBSN’s “That Other Pregame Show” panel, deserves credit for his take on Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles — we think. Uh, at least it was different.

When explaining Bortles’ attributes, Tierney spoke of the quarterback’s presence on and off the field, which includes “his beautiful fiancé.” Judging by the quizzical/disgusted look on her face, Amy Trask , another TOPS analyst, found Tierney’s remark chauvinistic.

She asked what does “the beauty of a player’s girlfriend or fiancé have to do with anything?”

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Tierney: “A man with the confidence to pursue then eventually secure a beautiful woman, well, I feel pretty good about that guy in the huddle telling 10 other guys what to do.”

Why? Is this some new form of fantasy football. Does the QB bring pictures of his girlfriend or wife into the huddle for motivational purposes? Tierney did not reveal whether NFL scouts ask college quarterbacks to produce photos of their girlfriends before the draft. That could trigger another NFL investigation.

Trask was not amused by Tierney’s take.

“Wow, wow,” she said. “I don’t even know where to begin with you on this, to quantify a woman. Beauty takes on many forms.”

NOT SO STERLING

During his broadcast career, Sterling Sharpe has been a contrarian. That’s a polite way of saying he is a …

So it’s no surprise Sharpe’s not going gaga over the Giants performance in Washington Thursday night. When asked, on NFLN’s “GameDay First,” whether the Giants were legitimate NFL East contenders, Sharpe gave a thumbs down.

“No. Right now, no,” he said. “I haven’t seen the consistency. …I want to see more consistency.”

The bet here is that won’t change his mind, either.

FOCUS ON THE FIELD

CONTROVERSY? WHAT CONTROVERSY?

For the first time in three weeks, the pregame shows were all about the game and not about off-field situations surrounding it. Not even a mention of Ray Rice , domestic violence or the future of Roger Goodell.

Gloria Allred didn’t even get face time.

Those in charge of the NFL Network’s “GameDay” pregame show, whose analysts did not offer many opinions on the scandals, must have been breathing a sigh of relief. They did not have to deal with controversy. They also had Richard Sherman in studio to glom their airtime.

The way Michael Irvin & Co. fawned over Sherman made it seem as if he was their boss.

Or a future threat to take their job.

SACK THAT

Fox’s Johnson obviously has no sympathy for Peyton Manning.

During a debate on whether the OT rules should — again — be changed (to give a team a chance to match a first-possession touchdown), Johnson said there would be no debate if a superstar QB was not involved.

“Opportunity? He (Manning) had 60 minutes of opportunity,” Johnson said, referring to last Sunday’s Broncos-Seahawks game in which Seattle took the OT kickoff down the field for the winning TD. “He had plenty of time tio win it in regulation.”

Agreed.

BARBER CHOP

Rob Riggle , Fox’s alleged pregame funny bone, can be cruel.

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Why else would he say: “Retiring from the NFL has its perks. It allowed Michael Strahan to live out Tiki Barber’s dream.”

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NEW YORK TIMES

Jets and Smith Picked Apart by Lions, and Fans (Ben Shpigel) New York Times September 28, 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/29/sports/football/new-york-jets-undoing-against-detroit-lions-is-passing-on-offense-and-defense.html?ref=football&_r=0

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The crowd chanted for Geno Smith’s backup. Smith cursed at a heckling fan. Sheldon Richardson afterward told those who booed to shut up.

This is what a three-game losing streak sounds like. And this is what it looked like: a total mess.

The Jets’ offense was as disorganized as elementary school recess. Their secondary was shredded for two more passing touchdowns, their defense pummeled for two more long scoring drives.

The Jets plunged into a state of flux by succumbing, 24-17, to the Detroit Lions. They finished the first quarter of their season at 1-3, thumped by talented quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and, on Sunday, Matthew Stafford — and the more imposing section of their schedule begins next weekend.

A game in San Diego commences a 12-day stretch that includes a home matchup with Peyton Manning and Denver before a Thursday night trip to New England.

Despite the Jets’ insistence to the contrary, Smith remains turnover-prone, and their secondary remains vulnerable, and their entire team remains as reliable as a $2 umbrella. The Jets prefer not to traffic in hypotheticals, or in how poorly history views 1-3 teams: between the 2002 and 2013 seasons, only 11 of 84 have reached the playoffs. They’d rather deal with what is, and reality presents a harsh glare.

“Our hopes were never to be here,” said offensive lineman Willie Colon, who added: “It hurts, it’s ugly, I’m tired of it. I know the rest of the team’s tired of it.”

Smith is, too. Frustration manifests itself in different ways. For Smith, who committed two more turnovers, running his season total to seven in four games, that meant obeying his impulse. Smith completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards, but his final incompletion was not his fault. The ball bounced off the hands of Chris Ivory, on a third-and-2 at his team’s own 24, and the Jets elected to punt. Detroit took possession, gained two first downs and ran out the clock.

On Smith’s way to the locker room, a camera from WCBS-TV caught him yelling an expletive at a heckling fan. Smith opened his news conference by apologizing.

“I have to let that stuff roll off my back,” Smith said, “but today I didn’t do well with that.”

Smith expects more from himself, and the Jets expect more from him. They demand a leader who can control his emotions and conceal his exasperation, while also throwing exclusively to players wearing green jerseys. Some teammates were surprised that Smith lost his composure.

“I cuss a lot, too,” Colon said. “I’m trying not to cuss right now. He’s just passionate. There’s a lot put on his shoulders. A lot. Day to day, he hears it.”

Smith will continue to hear it as long as he misfires on several passes; authors five straight drives without recording a first down; loses a fumble; and throws a miserable interception. Then came the chants for

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Michael Vick, who professed not to hear them. Colon heard them. So did Richardson and receiver Eric Decker.

“If that’s the case, produce a child to make it to the N.F.L. and then let’s see what he got,” said Richardson, referring to any fan who booed Smith or called for Vick. “Other than that, just shut up. We’ve got coaches to do that.”

They have one in particular, and that man, Rex Ryan, said he was not considering changing quarterbacks. His words confirmed support voiced for Smith within the locker room.

“I’m not going to replace Geno,” Ryan said. “I feel good about Geno.”

He added: “If it was just him making mistakes and all that type of stuff, then we might have a different solution there. But I don’t believe it rests on one man.”

Decker said: “It’s hard to see him take really all the criticism, because it’s not just him. We’ve got to make some plays for him, take some pressure off him.”

The Jets could do that by catching the ball; Decker had two drops. They could also force a punt at a critical juncture, which did not happen for the third straight game.

Two weeks ago, Green Bay romped 97 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. Last week, Chicago drove 80 for a score just after halftime. On Sunday, after cutting their deficit to 17-10 on an 11-yard touchdown catch by Decker, the Jets had Detroit pinned at its own 10-yard line, facing a third-and-10.

Stafford connected with Golden Tate for 11 yards, then Reggie Bush for 10 yards on a third-and-9 and then Ryan Broyles for 21 on a third-and-2. After Tate bowled over Darrin Walls on a 16-yard catch-and-run, Stafford ran into the end zone from 1 yard out, extending the Lions’ lead to 24-10.

“Somebody’s got to make a play,” linebacker Calvin Pace said, “and nobody did.”

Or, as Ryan said of his defense, which has allowed 864 passing yards and 7 touchdowns (with no interceptions) the last three games: “They’re making a lot of good plays. Unfortunately, they’re not making the big plays.”

Detroit entered Sunday allowing 63.7 rushing yards per game. The Jets gained 52 on the ground on their first drive. Smith played the role of automaton, turning to hand off the ball to Ivory again and again, nine times in all.

The play calls reflected a commitment echoed all week by the Jets: more running, more Ivory. But that opening series, which produced a Nick Folk field goal, proved a mirage.

A snap from Nick Mangold came early, sailing beyond Smith. Passes floated wide or long. A false-start penalty turned a third-and-short into a third-and-long, which turned into the Jets’ fifth straight drive without a first down.

On those drives, the Jets gained all of 10 yards.

“You can see the stretches where we can be special,” Smith said. “Then you see times where we have lapses.”

As Smith sputtered, Stafford completed short and intermediate passes, waiting and waiting — for a favorable matchup, for a communication breakdown — until an opportunity to shred the Jets presented itself. It did, on a third-and-10 at his 41.

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Jeremy Ross split cornerback Antonio Allen and safety Calvin Pryor, whom Ryan exonerated afterward. Ross beat them so badly that he had time to turn around at the Jets’ 20 and catch an arching pass that was slightly underthrown. He shed a tackle by Allen and galloped 15 yards into the end zone.

Detroit’s next scoring drive lasted 46 seconds, covered 47 yards and ended with Stafford, who tossed for 293 and 2 touchdowns, zipping a perfect pass up the seam to Eric Ebron for a 16-yard score that put the Lions ahead, 17-3, with 22 seconds left before halftime.

To those who play and coach on Sundays, every play of every series of every game is critical. But as the Jets emerged for the start of the third quarter, they faced the most important 30 minutes of their season.

Instead of soaring, they fizzled. They did not respond so much as revisit the same problems — turnovers, miscommunication, poor technique — that plagued them last week, and the week before that.

Baseball fan that he is, Ryan during the week drew upon the grind of that sport to explain the urgency his team faced. Losing one game in football, he said, is like dropping 10 straight in baseball.

The Jets have not lost 30 in a row, but if you took a look or a listen around MetLife Stadium on Sunday, it might have felt that way.

EXTRA POINTS

David Nelson (ankle) and Calvin Pryor (quadriceps) did not return to the game, and Antonio Allen was grimacing and limping in the locker room afterward.

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Jets Fall to Lions, and the Blame Leads Back to Geno Smith (Stu Woo) Wall Street Journal September 28, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/articles/jets-fall-to-lions-and-the-blame-leads-back-to-geno-smith-1411953984?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB11791489885250284008304580182603019278786.html?mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories

Never mind that he is only 23 years old and in the second year of his NFL career. Forget that his pricey new receiver, Eric Decker, dropped two passes; that his center fired a snap past his head; that his running backs all but disappeared after an encouraging start.

It's not fair to lay all the blame on Geno Smith for the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But as long as he is the Jets' quarterback and leader, as long as he continues to turn the ball over, and as long as Michael Vick languishes on the sideline as his backup, Smith will get booed off his home turf.

On Sunday, after completing 17 of 33 pass attempts for 209 yards, with one touchdown and one interception in the Jets' third straight loss, all Smith could offer was remorse. First, for swearing at the fan who heckled him after the game: "I kind of let my temper get the best of me." Then, for what happened during the game: "I should apologize to the defense for having another two turnovers today."

Those turnovers, both of which came in the fourth quarter, help explain why the Jets are 1-3 as they enter a tough gauntlet of games. Up next are three Super Bowl contenders: San Diego on the road, Denver at home and New England away. If Smith keeps giving the ball away, the Jets could easily be 1-6.

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"We're in a hole, there's no doubt," coach Rex Ryan said afterward. What frustrates Ryan is that the Jets' losses have followed a pattern: Smith's mistakes are undermining a mostly capable defense.

Still, Ryan said that Smith, not Vick, would start against San Diego next Sunday. "I'm not going to replace him," Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned."

After a promising preseason and an opening-day win over the Raiders in which Smith completed 82% of his passes, it appeared as though he had already made that turn. Besides being more accurate than he was as a rookie, he was making better decisions with the ball when under pressure or when his receivers were covered.

But the poor choices have returned. Two weeks ago, the interception that sparked Green Bay's comeback came as he threw while being tackled. The same thing happened against Detroit in the fourth quarter—twice. First, Smith unloaded a pass intended for Greg Salas while taking a hit, and it sailed over the receiver's head and into the arms of Lions cornerback Darius Slay. The next drive ended when Smith fumbled as he was winding up to throw.

Moments after the interception, with the Jets down 14, fans began chanting, "We want Vick!" Ryan ignored the chants, but Smith couldn't help hearing them. "It is a part of the job and I understand that," he said. "My reaction to that is to go out and try to score more touchdowns."

After Smith and running back Chris Johnson led the Jets to a touchdown drive with seven minutes left in the game, they could have used just one more. They got the ball back with 4:36 remaining, but gained only 8 yards in three plays before punting. The Lions ran out the clock for the win.

It was the theme for the afternoon. After starting the game with a field-goal drive, the Jets went three-and-out on five straight possessions. Decker dropped two first-down passes, center Nick Mangold launched a snap high and to the right of Smith, and the defense let Lions receiver Jeremy Ross slip by them for a 59-yard scoring pass from Matthew Stafford. The Lions took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Smith and Decker atoned on the first drive of the second half, connecting on an 11-yard touchdown pass. But the Jets' defense immediately let the Lions score on a 14-play, 90-yard drive. That's when the turnovers for Smith and the clamoring for Vick started.

Of course, if it's fewer turnovers the fans want, Vick may not be the answer. Since 2001, he has averaged 1.14 turnovers a game, according to Stats LLC. That's better than Smith's 1.60 rate, but still much worse than elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

Ryan said he never considered replacing Smith with Vick Sunday, even after the five straight three-and-outs. Ryan pointed out that the defense made mistakes too, and Decker owned up to his dropped passes.

"If it was just him making mistakes, we might have a different solution, but I don't believe it's just one man," Ryan said.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Jets QB Geno Smith curses at fan (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 28, 2014

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/11608574/geno-smith-curses-fan-new-york-jets-loss-detroit-lions

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Embattled quarterback Geno Smith lost his cool after the New York Jets' third straight loss, shouting an obscenity at a heckler as he walked off the field Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

"F--- you!" Smith yelled at the fan moments after the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Footage of the incident, caught on camera by WCBS 2 New York, shows Smith -- with his helmet off -- glaring into a crowd before spewing the profane response. The heckler isn't seen on camera, and there is no audio of the fan yelling at Smith.

Smith opened his postgame news conference by apologizing for the outburst. He declined to specify what the fan said to set him off, saying only that it came from "one guy," and it wasn't a Michael Vick-related comment.

Nevertheless, the fan was sitting in a section behind the Jets' bench that chanted "We Want Vick!" during the game. Smith suffered another poor performance -- an interception and two lost fumbles -- resulting in a few Vick chants throughout the game.

Smith received a vote of confidence from Jets coach Rex Ryan, who said the second-year quarterback will remain the starter for next week's game at the San Diego Chargers. But the pressure is mounting on Smith, and his outburst showed that it could be affecting him.

"I want to apologize if any kid saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field," Smith said. "I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation. It's part of my learning process. I have to get better with that. I have to let that stuff roll off my back, but today I didn't do well with that."

The incident brought back memories of a similar outburst by Ryan, who was fined $75,000 by the NFL for yelling a profanity at a fan as he walked off the field at halftime of a game in 2011.

The league didn't immediately respond to a question on whether Smith is subject to a fine.

Smith received public support from his teammates, at least one of whom lashed out at the fans.

Asked how he'd respond to the angry fans, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said, "Shut up. If that's the case, produce a child to make it to the NFL, we'll see what he's got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that."

Smith said he had no reaction to the fans chanting for Vick. The fan base is frustrated because Smith has eight turnovers in four games, coming off a rookie season in which he committed 25 turnovers.

"The important thing is that I get my guys rallied up and get them ready to go next week because next week is the most important game for us," said Smith, who completed only 17 or 33 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown.

"We can't dwell on this," he added. "Whatever it is, I have to make sure I right the ship and get this thing going."

Ryan was unequivocal in his support.

"I'm not going to replace him," he said. "I feel good about Geno."

Smith is known for his even-keeled demeanor, so his exchange with the heckler was out of character. Veteran guard Willie Colon said it's a no-win situation when players get into it with fans.

"He's a frustrated quarterback," Colon said. "I cuss a lot, too. I'm trying not to cuss right now. There's a lot put on his shoulders -- a lot, day to day. He hears it. I feel bad for the kid, but I'll stand up for him."

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Geno, Jets' tart start will only worsen (Johnette Howard) ESPN New York September 28, 2014

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/11608248/new-york-jets-1-3-start-season-only-worsen

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Forget how close the final score looked. The reeling New York Jets have mastered close-but-not-quite finishes, if nothing else. As of Sunday, they also look like a team that is in danger of falling down an elevator shaft, and officially trending toward the sort of controversies no NFL club likes: How long before their starting quarterback, Geno Smith, is benched for backup Michael Vick? How long after that before head coach Rex Ryan's job security is a question again, too?

As grating and full of missed opportunities as the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions was Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the bigger picture when you spin their 1-3 season forward looks even worse.

It's about to get even uglier around here.

And the Jets' immediate future looked that way even before Smith -- who heard boos in the second half, along with chants for Vick -- cursed at a fan on his way off the field.

"Shut up," Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said his message to Smith's hecklers would be, though Richardson nonetheless added that Smith has to keep his composure better.

The Jets are riding a three-game losing streak, and when they look ahead, here's what the coming weeks bring: At San Diego against Philip Rivers; at home against Peyton Manning and the Broncos; at New England and Tom Brady, then home against the Bills. And even the next game doesn't look like a sure win. Buffalo, now 2-2, has already beaten Chicago.

This is not a good time for the Jets to be asking who their starting quarterback should be. But in the NFL, it never is.

Vick, who was largely supportive of Smith after the game, even slipped himself and said, "Whenever the time comes" for him to play, then quickly added, "if the time comes ..."

Referring now to the chants for him and boos for Smith, Vick added, "I have mixed emotions because I've been through that. I know what it's like. It's so unfair. You can ruin quarterbacks that way."

Smith probably has one more game to save his job, despite Ryan's insistence he still believes in him and he'll start Smith next week.

But the Jets' problems right now stretch beyond Smith. Self-inflicted mistakes remain a maddening problem. The offensive line left Smith vulnerable to several crushing hits. And Ryan perfectly captured what's wrong with his defense, which began the day ranked second in the NFL.

"They're making a lot of good plays," Ryan said. "Unfortunately, we're not making the big plays. ... We're not where we want to be."

It didn't help that Smith got progressively worse as the game went along. He had another interception and a lost fumble. But a second fumble that was charged to him was actually the fault of center Nick Mangold, who snapped the ball so high Smith was lucky to even get a hand on it before scrambling and falling on it for a 17-yard loss.

It would've helped if the Jets' defense could've stopped the Lions right after Smith recovered from a five-possession stretch of three-and-outs in the first half and found Eric Decker for an 11-yard touchdown on the Jets' first possession of the second half. That narrowed the Lions' lead to just a touchdown. The MetLife Stadium crowd was howling now, and it got louder when the Lions took over the ball on their own

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10 after a poor kickoff return. But then the Jets' defense gave up a 90-yard, 14-play drive to Detroit that ate up 7½ minutes and began with Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford converting long, back-to-back third-down conversions to start the series.

"That was a killer," Ryan allowed.

"We've got to get off the field. ... We've got to get off the field," Jets tackle Muhammad Wilkerson muttered.

It was that kind of day for the Jets. One step forward, three pratfalls back.

The Lions were missing All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson most of the game. And yet the Jets let Golden Tate scorch them for eight catches and 116 yards, although, as Ryan flatly said, "He's no Calvin Johnson."

They had a busted coverage that led to a 59-yard touchdown catch by backup wideout Jeremy Ross.

The Jets' offense, after going a demoralizing 1-for-6 in the red zone in last week's loss, began this game with an impressive drive to the Lions' 9-yard line and stalled there, settling again for only a field goal. After that, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg had another of his mysterious mental walkabouts in the middle of the game. Though Chris Ivory gained 51 of the Jets' 71 yards on that opening drive, he didn't get another carry for three possessions. He finished with only 34 yards the final 54 minutes of the game. (But at least there was a Chris Johnson sighting. He broke a 35-yard run for a touchdown. "My first touchdown," Johnson reminded everyone, as if he knows far more has been expected of him, too.)

Throw it all together, and Vick, a 12-year veteran who speaks like a man who has been through a lot, was right to say, "I'm only one person. So that doesn't mean I'm going to come in and be the savior and save the game and things are always going to go my way." With a world-weary smirk, Vick added, "You guys will be interviewing the next quarterback, asking him if he's ready."

Going to Vick now would only be a short-term solution to the Jets' long-running problem of not having a franchise quarterback for decades. But it's not the only thing that's gone wrong so far.

And it's about to get even uglier around here.

"But I don't think it's just one man," Ryan insisted. "When you contribute with your own mistakes, that's a killer as a coach.

"I always feel if you don't make the corrections, then it'll happen to you again. And don't be surprised when it does."

That's the story of the Jets' season so far.

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Pressure getting to Geno Smith, a bad sign for Jets' struggling quarterback (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 28, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/43800/curses-pressure-getting-to-geno-smith-a-bad-sign-for-jets-qb

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With one slip of the tongue, Geno Smith turned a bad day into a really bad day. After another poor performance, resulting in occasional chants of "We Want Vick!" at MetLife Stadium, Smith walked off the field Sunday -- clearly angry -- and violated one of the 10 commandments of NFL quarterbacking: Thou shalt not let the fans get inside your head.

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"F--- you!" Smith yelled at a heckler behind the New York Jets' bench after an ugly 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions -- the Jets' third straight defeat.

The brief exchange was caught on camera by WCBS 2 New York, and it shows Smith glaring at the fan, pausing a moment and shouting the profanity with conviction. There was nothing flippant about it.

We might have witnessed the beginning of the end of Smith as the Jets' starting quarterback.

It wasn't just the unfortunate outburst; it was everything that unfolded. The supposedly improved Smith continued to regress, committing three turnovers and missing a handful of open receivers. He fed the blood-thirsty crowd, which started chanting for Michael Vick during a stretch of five consecutive three-and-out possessions in the first half. It got louder in the fourth quarter, when Smith was intercepted.

It's one thing when a gladiator is defeated by the lions -- or, in this case, the Lions. It's quite another situation when he's affected by the coliseum's angry mob. Smith let it get to him -- the bad day, the swirling quarterback controversy, everything. During his postgame apology, he said it was only "one guy" in the crowd, but that doesn't matter. Smith showed cracks, stripping away perhaps his greatest attribute -- his thick skin.

Smith is known for an even-keeled demeanor, which he demonstrated during a wildly inconsistent rookie season. But Sunday's outburst showed a different side. A starting quarterback can't have rabbit ears; it's not a good look. You don't pick fights with the paying customers. It shows immaturity and a lack of poise. For all his mistakes, Mark Sanchez never lashed out at a fan.

"It's part of my learning process," Smith said. "I have to get better with that. I have to let that stuff roll off my back. But today I didn't do well with that."

Smith received a vote of confidence from Jets coach Rex Ryan, who said he's not considering a change. It's the right call; Smith should get at least another start to right himself and the offense. At this point, benching Smith would be a panic move for an organization that still believes he can be the franchise quarterback, but let's be clear: It has to be a short leash. The margin for error is almost gone. The chances of a 1-3 team making the playoffs are 14.5 percent, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

That the Jets are going on the road, facing the San Diego Chargers, is a plus for Smith. To paraphrase the slogan in an airline commercial, he needs to get away.

Ryan said he never considered switching to Vick, although I'm not sure I'm buying that. I think Smith bought himself the rest of the game by opening the second half with a 74-yard touchdown drive that ended with his 11-yard scoring pass to Eric Decker. But it went downhill from there, starting with Smith's interception and a strip-sack on back-to-back possessions. He has eight turnovers in four games, and his passer rating has dropped to 77.0.

"No, I'm not going to replace him," Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned [around]. He's a tough, resilient young man. ... I think he has the tools to be really good. In my opinion, it's not a question of if it's going to happen, but a question of when he will be that kind of guy. I think he's a good quarterback. I think he has a chance to really be something one day."

Part of the problem is a trust issue. After last week's loss, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg chided himself for putting "too much on his plate." On Sunday, Mornhinweg's cleaned Smith's plate, leaving only a couple of crumbs. It was an ultra-conservative game plan, starting with 10 runs on the first 13 plays. It led to an early field goal, but then came the deep freeze. Smith completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards and, frankly, he was worse than the stats indicate.

"I have to make sure I right the ship and get this team going," Smith said.

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Right now, the team is headed toward an iceberg.

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Jets' defense couldn't stop Lions (Jane McManus) ESPN New York September 28, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/43803/jets-defense-couldnt-stop-lions

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- It turned out wide receiver Calvin Johnson wasn't the biggest offensive threat the New York Jets faced in the 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. With nary a replacement ref in sight, wide receiver Golden Tate led all receivers with 8 catches for 116 yards, and picked up four first downs on those catches.

The Jets seemed unprepared to handle Tate and Johnson, and Tate was occasionally lined up against a linebacker.

"Sometimes you'll have that in zone," Ryan said. "When you're trying to protect over the top, those things happen. I don’t know who else you want to put underneath. He beat two men. He beat loaded coverages. He beat a lot of different things. The game plan was to stop (Lions WR) Calvin Johnson. That was the No. 1 priority. We recognize that Golden Tate is a good football player."

Johnson had two catches for 12 yards.

Rookie safety Calvin Pryor, said sometimes linebackers do get put on wides -- even with a full slate of cornerbacks. The Jets' cornerbacks have been thinned with Dee Milliner out with a quad injury for the second straight week. Antonio Allen has been converted from safety and Darrin Walls finds himself starting for the first time in his career.

Later, Pryor appeared to give up a 59-yard touchdown to Jeremy Ross but was later exonerated by Ryan. Pryor said the zone called for another player to come deep.

"It was just a miscommunication by me and (Allen)," Pryor. "He did a good job, he ran a double move, he did a good job finding his receiver and they scored."

The Jets got within a touchdown early in the third quarter, 17-10, when Geno Smith hit Eric Decker with an 11-yard pass. The Jets' defense couldn't stop the Lions from marching 90 yards on the next series when quarterback Matthew Stafford scrambled a yard for the touchdown and a 24-10 lead.

"We've got young guys, so guys have to find a way to make themselves individually better," linebacker Demario Davis said. "If it's mental, you’ve got to spend way more time in the film room. If it's physical, you've got to stay out there with your coaches and work on technique to be the best player you can be. If everyone matches that potential on Sundays, we'll find a way to win."

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METRO NEW YORK

Rex Ryan on Jets 1-3 start: ‘No doubt we’re in a hole’ (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 28, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/09/28/rex-ryan-jets-1-3-start-doubt-hole/

At 1-3, the Jets aren’t where they envisioned themselves being at this point in the season, even as they caution the year just started.

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It isn’t panic mode yet, but they aren’t doing themselves any favors with the way they are losing.

“I think it’s still early,” guard Willie Colon said. “We have a lot to change. We’ve got to find it in ourselves to get out of [this]. The worst thing we can do is divide and point the finger. We’ve just got to look at the tape and find a way to get out of it. Whatever the answer is, we’ve got to find it.”

The answer Colon alluded to could be as simple as eliminating self-inflicted wounds. Quarterback Geno Smith had two turnovers and the team had six penalties.

“There’s no doubt we’re in a hole. It doesn’t get any easier. We just have to keep working and digging and find ways to get out. It’s all of our focus on one opponent. After we look at the film, we take the corrections and move on,” Jets head coach Rex Ryan said. “I always feel that if you don’t make the corrections, then it will happen to you again, and not to be a surprise when it does. You go back and correct it. Then you move on.”

Jets notes …

» Wide receiver David Nelson left in the second quarter with a left ankle injury. He told Metro after the game the ankle is swollen and he’s uncertain as to the injury. Nelson hobbled around the locker room after the game with a noticeable limp.

» Nose tackle Damon Harrison left the game briefly in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be an injury to his lower right leg. He left the game on his own feet and returned on the next drive. He told Metro the injury was “nothing” and that he’s feeling fine.

» The Jets sacked the opposing quarterback four times for the third straight game. The Jets last accomplished the feat in 1985.

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Geno Smith caught on film cursing at Jets fans after Lions loss (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 28, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/09/28/geno-smith-caught-film-cursing-jets-fans-lions-loss/

Moments after the Jets dropped a third straight game with a 24-17 loss to the Lions, quarterback Geno Smith walked off the field to a chorus of boos and heckles. Smith spat on the ground and angrily looked at the crowd before twice uttering “F— you!” at a group of fans.

Despite his meltdown on and off the field, Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Smith will still be his starting quarterback moving forward.

The moment, captured by CBS2′s camera, showed an angry and frustrated Smith immediately after yet another subpar performance. Smith finished the game 17-of-33 for 209 yards with a third quarter touchdown but also an interception and a fumble lost. He looked lost in the pocket, consistently overthrew targets and missed open targets down the field on several occasions.

But the moment where his anger spilled over and was directed toward fans has become the ugly takeaway that encapsulates yet another difficult Jets loss.

“I want to apologize if any kid saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field,” Smith said. “I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation. It is a learning process. I have to get better with that. I have to let that stuff roll off my back but today I didn’t do well with that.”

The video of Smith cursing at the Jets fans will air first tonight at 9:45 p.m. on WLNY.

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“No matter what happened, I’ve got to not feed into it,” Smith said. “It’s part of the job. I understand the fans want to come out and see victories. We do too as players. [I] can’t even begin to talk about that because what I did was wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Smith fell apart after starting the game with three completions in his first four passes. He completed only one of his next eight passes before halftime as the Jets’ offense stalled.

He was plagued by the same inconsistencies as last year, leading to questions about his development or lack thereof.

“I thought at times he looked really good. Then at other times weren’t quite so good, like the whole team,” Ryan said. “His play was typical of the whole team.”

Smith had 21 interceptions last year, while he is on pace for 20 interceptions this year.

Fans began to chant for veteran backup Michael Vick during the third quarter.

“I’m confident in Geno,” Ryan said. “If Geno Smith is healthy, Geno Smith starts.”

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Jets losing streak extends to three with loss to Lions (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 28, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/09/28/jets-losing-streak-extends-three-loss-lions/

Despite an injury to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the Lions offense looked just fine in a 24-17 win over the Jets. The offense struggled for the Jets, who lost their third straight game and dropped to 1-3 on the year.

Alex Henery kicked a 51-yard field goal and Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes to give the Lions a 17-3 lead heading into halftime. Nick Folk hit a 27-yard field goal on the opening drive for the lone bright spot in the first half.

The Lions were the league’s top-rated total defense, and they limited the Jets’ ability to move the ball for good chunks of the game.

Geno Smith, who completed just 4-of-12 passes in the first half, started the second half off stronger with an 11-yard touchdown pass on the first drive of the third quarter and another touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.

But the loss was the third straight by the Jets — all against NFC North opponents.

Metro looks at three things that went wrong in the loss.

1. Controlling Tate

With so much attention on Calvin Johnson, the Jets were far more affected by Golden Tate. The Lions wide receiver signed as a free agent this offseason because he knew he would benefit from the attention given to Johnson. Tate was open plenty on underneath routes and slants during the game. In the first half alone, he had four receptions for 68 yards en route to eight receptions for 116 yards. Johnson was rarely targeted in the game as Stafford made good use of Tate and his tight ends. There were rumors this offseason the Jets had interest in Tate. He was one of the best wide receivers available in free agency and known by former Seahawks front office member John Idzik. But the Jets were content to sign Eric Decker. Johnson was targeted twice and had just two receptions for 12 yards.

2. Beaten over the top

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The Jets were in a pretty good spot with 6:19 left in the second quarter. The offense was sputtering, but the Jets were holding up defensively and had kept the score at 3-3. But on third-and-10 from their own 41-yard line, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford went deep on a go-route to Jeremy Ross for a 59-yard touchdown pass and 10-3 lead. Cornerback Antonio Allen had man coverage on the play, but he didn’t get any help over the top from rookie safety Calvin Pryor. The link-up by Ross was the longest play in his professional career. Overall, a secondary that was missing top cornerback Dee Milliner for a second straight game and lost Pryor in the second quarter with a thigh injury didn’t perform too poorly though.

3. Turnovers, turnovers

It was hard to fault the defense in this one, even as they gave up two passing touchdowns and a one-yard touchdown run to Matthew Stafford. The defensive line created good pressure on the Lions and limited their running game (which isn’t very good to begin with). But two turnovers from quarterback Geno Smith, one an interception and one a fumble, continued to haunt the offense’s ability to move the ball. In turn, the turnovers created more pressure on the defense.

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SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press September 28, 2014

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Sunday-s-Sports-Transactions-5786695.php

BASEBALL American League TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Claimed RHP Cory Burns off waivers from Tampa Bay. Selected the contract of 1B Matt Hague from Buffalo (IL). National League MIAMI MARLINS — Signed manager Mike Redmond to a two-year contract extension through 2017. HOCKEY National Hockey League DALLAS STARS — Signed F Remi Elie to a three-year, entry-level contract. Assigned G Jack Campbell, LW Ludwig Karlsson, G Henri Kiviaho, G Maxime Lagace, C Taylor Peters, C Gemel Smith, RW Matej Stransky, RW Branden Troock and D Troy Vance to Texas (AHL) and C Jason Dickinson to Guelph (OHL). Released LW Nicholas Blanchard, D Maxime Fortunus and D Derek Meech from their professional tryouts and D Derek Hulak from his amatuer tryout. FLORIDA PANTHERS — Assigned F Connor Brickley, G Sam Brittain, G Michael Houser, F Steven Hodges, D Josh McFadden, F John McFarland, F Brett Olson, D Jonathan Racine, F Logan Shaw and D Shayne Taker to San Antonio (AHL). Released F Joe Basaraba from his professional tryout and D Joshua Brown from training camp. NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned G Scott Wedgewood, D Renat Mamashev, D Corbin McPherson and F Joe Whitney to Albany (AHL). Released D Mike Komisarek. COLLEGE KANSAS — Fired football coach Charlie Weis. Named Clint Bowen interim football coach.

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