Rookie DE Quinton Coples had an impressive debut against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night, registering a sack, five tackles, forcing a fumble and knocking down a pass. The offense, however, managed to gain only 173 total yards, as the Jets dropped the preseason opener, 17-6.
QB Mark Sanchez started the game and completed 4 of 6 passes for just 21 yards. He was also sacked twice. Starting RB Shonn Greene averaged only 2.2 yards/carry on 5 rushing attempts. QB Tim Tebow replaced Sanchez in the 2nd quarter and completed only 50% of his passes (4 of 8) and threw an interception in Cincinnati's territory. Although he did lead the team in rushing - 4 runs for 34 yards.
Rookie WR Stephen Hill and free agent acquisition WR Chaz Schilens both started the contest, as WR Santonio Holmes missed the game with an injury. If this was the first round of their battle for the number two receiver spot, it certainly went to the rookie. Hill caught 2 of 3 passes thrown to him for a total of 17 yards (he also dropped one). Schilens was targeted only once and did not catch anything.
S LaRon Landry played in his first live game action since last November. He was placed on injured reserve last season with an Achilles/heel injury. He started the game opposite another free agent acquisition, S Yeremiah Bell.
S Eric Smith suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee and will most likely miss the remaining preseason games. He had offseason arthroscopic knee surgery on the same knee to repair a torn meniscus.