Quarterback: (Grade — A-)

I can sum up Chad Pennington’s effect on the Jets with one play. It’s first and 10 for the Jets on Indy’s 33 and a Colt defensive lineman goes offsides. Chad understands that this makes it a “free play” and looks for his deepest receiver. He sees Jericho Cotchery deep and completes a play that ends with six. This is what Chad brings to the Jets: intelligence, accuracy and, quite possibly, a Comeback Player of the Year award.

Running Backs: (Grade — D-)

Derrick Blaylock clearly is not what the Jets expected when they signed him last year to be Curtis Martin’s replacement. Kevan Barlow has four touchdowns, but cannot do much else besides power his way in from a couple yards out. No matter who you are talking about, though, the Jets rank 29th in the NFL with three yards per carry, and still lack a clear-cut No. 1 back.

Wide Receivers: (Grade — A)

With Pennington at QB, Laveranues Coles (30-412-1) and Cotchery (18-284-3) look to rival any team’s 1-2 WR combos. Brad Smith is looking more and more like Antwaan Randle El every game. Justin McCareins, however, looks like he’s in the doghouse and may never get out.

Tight Ends: (Grade — C-)

Chris Baker and Sean Ryan will not be mentioned in the same breath as Antonio Gates, but they also won’t be mistaken for Doug Jolley.

Offensive Line: (Grade — C)

After giving up 14 sacks through four games last season, the O-line has only allowed 10 this season. It may not sound impressive, but considering this year’s line boasts a left side with two rookies, that’s not half bad. The real problem is penalties, as the unit has seen the yellow flag thrown on them 10 times. If I hear another penalty called on Brandon Moore anytime soon, I might cry.

Defensive Line: (Grade — F)

Shaun Ellis had two sacks in the Indy game, but other than that, the unit has been useless. One person who has to take a lot of the blame is Dewayne Robertson. The former first-round pick is incapable of being the two-gap defensive tackle that the 3-4 defense requires. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton needs to quickly find an answer to fix the league’s 25th-ranked rush defense.

Linebackers: (Grade — C)

Jonathan Vilma is adjusting well to Mangini’s 3-4 defensive scheme and is third in the NFL in total tackles (40). Victor Hobson has two sacks and a fumble recovery for a TD for the season. Bryan Thomas has a sack and a fumble recovery of his own. Forgetting individual performances, however, the unit needs to better help stop the run.

Defensive Backs: (Grade — C+)

This unit is two-faced. On the good side, the unit is fourth in the NFL in takeaways, with eight. On the bad side, the Jets are ranked 27th in passing yards allowed per game. Too bad Kerry Rhodes (30 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes deflected and an onside kick recovery) can’t play all four secondary positions.

Special Teams: (Grade — B-/C+)

Mike Nugent is lucky the Jets won against Tennessee after his collapse (two missed FGs and a missed PAT). He’s made all his kicks since that game, but his kickoffs are still a concern. Ben Graham was not as lucky when his worst punt ever (a 10-yard shank against New England before the half) was one of the causes of a Jets loss. Other than that, the Aussie kicker has been all-pro. Justin Miller is the reason the Jets are third in the NFL in kickoff return average. Mike Westhoff continues to show why he’s one of the best special teams coaches with that surprise onside kick against the Colts.

Coaching: (Grade — B+)

This would be an easy A, if not for the Jets losing by three to the Colts because Mangini decided to go for it on fourth and goal rather than kick a field goal. The “young Belichick” has brought a swagger and unpredictability to the Jets not seen during the Edwards era. He’ll need to work on the defense as a whole (29th in yards given up per game) and the running game, but at 2-2, Eric Mangini is leading the Jets to a quicker than expected start. P.S. Brian Schottenheimer deserves a big shout out for the resurrection of the Jets offense.