--FS Eric Smith is appealing his one-game suspension and $50,000 fine from the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona WR Anquan Boldin last week. If the suspension isn't overturned, Smith will have to sit out the Jets' game against Cincinnati on Sunday. Smith currently is on the reserve/suspended list.

--RB Jesse Chatman practiced Monday. He has returned to the Jets after not being allowed to practice or attend team meetings during a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on steroids and related substances. Chatman is eligible to play against the Bengals and currently has replaced Smith on the roster. If Smith is reinstated by the NFL, the Jets will have to make another roster move to keep Chatman active.

--P Reggie Hodges has recovered from his hamstring injury and will kick against Cincinnati. It will be his first game since replacing Ben Graham, who was released twice in less than two weeks because of his lack of hang time.

--WR David Clowney (fractured clavicle) practiced Monday, but wore a red "no-contact" jersey, so he may not be quite ready to return to action.

--K Mike Nugent (thigh) doesn't appear ready to go for Sunday, which means that Jay Feely likely will handle the Jets' placekicking chores for the fourth straight game.

REPORT CARD AFTER 4 GAMES

PASSING OFFENSE: A-minus -- Sure, there have been a few missteps, but the Jets have been much more productive with Brett Favre than they were with either Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens last season. Favre's six TD passes against Arizona tied Joe Namath's hallowed club record and displayed the potential of this aspect of the offense. WRs Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey all have established great chemistry with the future Hall of Famer, who leads the NFL in passer rating.

RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus -- After a strong start in the first two games, the ground game sputtered somewhat against both San Diego and Arizona. Thomas Jones had only one rushing TD all of last season and has only one in his first four games of 2008. The sequence against the Patriots in Week Two when three runs by Jones failed to score a TD after a first-and-goal at the 3 symbolized the Jets' frustration in this area.

PASS DEFENSE: B-minus -- This is still a work in progress, although the 13 sacks the Jets have recorded puts them far ahead of last season's pace, when they only posted 29 sacks for the season. OLB Bryan Thomas has four sacks and so far has responded after a disappointing 2007 campaign, while backup David Bowens (two sacks) has made a smooth transition from ILB to OLB. The secondary has been somewhat spotty so far, although CB Darrelle Revis and SS Kerry Rhodes continue to impress.

RUSH DEFENSE: B-plus -- Kris Jenkins has provided the Jets with the legitimate 3-4 nose tackle they desperately needed, and his ability to tie up blockers and also make plays has given this unit a necessary shot in the arm. Opponents are averaging only 3.1 yards a carry, although they have rushed for six TDs against the Jets.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C-plus -- Despite the return of longtime special teams guru Mike Westhoff from medical leave to again coach this unit, the Jets have struggled at times. Other than against San Diego, the kickoff returns have been ordinary for the most part, and P Ben Graham was released twice because of his lack of hang time. The Jets will roll the dice with Reggie Hodges, who has a big leg and plenty of potential but hasn't punted in a regular-season NFL game since 2005. K Mike Nugent still hasn't returned from a strained right thigh.

COACHING: B-minus -- The Jets' game plan against Arizona was excellent, but the one against New England in Week Two left something to be desired. The Jets' defense never quite adjusted to the Patriots' flanker screens, and the offense was a little too conservative. But give offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer credit for ditching most of the pre-snap motion and shifting formations from the offense because Favre wasn't comfortable with all of it.