Jets News 9-16

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Mulligan, Pool Bring Smiles to Young Patients

By Andrew LeRay

Posted 2 hours ago

We cheer for them on Sundays, and sweat out each and every play they make. But lost somewhere in the shuffle is the fact that there are men behind the facemasks who have duties and responsibilities outside their jobs; much like the rest of us.

On Tuesday, S Brodney Pool and TE Matthew Mulligan took the time to visit Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, N.J. Arriving complete with Jets memorabilia, the players moved from room to room, greeting patients, talking football and taking pictures. For the patients, it was an experience that made an otherwise painful day a bit brighter.

“I’m really happy that they came here to visit me,” said Tyler Goodyear, a 14-year-old high school freshman. “It really boosts my confidence. The small things that they do can make someone’s day. It’s awesome.”

A Jets fan throughout his life, Goodyear was set to play WR and CB at school this fall. Unfortunately, a dirt bike accident derailed his season and has him recovering at Goryeb. He remains steadfast in his determination to play next season, and the visit from Pool and Mulligan helped raise his spirits even more.

“It’s inspiring,” said Tyler’s father, Glen. “He needs something like this to make him feel good. He’s been through a lot. I think the Jets are very dedicated, and it shows a lot of heart.”

Among the dedicated Jets is Mulligan, a repeat visitor to Goryeb, having visited there several times during his three-year Jets career.

“To be able to see kids in that particular situation enjoy life for however long we’re there — the kids may be thinking they’re having a good time, but for me, it’s really uplifting,” said Mulligan.

While Pool was making his first visit to the hospital, he has been on similar visits and understands the importance of reaching out to the less fortunate Jets fans.

“It’s big, because anytime you can put a smile on a little kid’s face, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s a fun thing to do," he said. "To go out and see those kids smiling just from giving them an autograph is pretty big."

For one patient who got to meet Pool and Mulligan, the visit was therapeutic for both him and his mother. Sam Fishman is a 9-year-old student at Bragg Elementary School in Chester, N.J., and is in Goryeb recovering after surgery to remove an infection in his femur.

Last season Fishman was able to take the field at MetLife Stadium to play in an exhibition at halftime of a Jets home game. This year the linebacker will miss his football season, but he reveled in the opportunity to spend time with members of his favorite team.

“It was literally the first smile I've seen in a week,” said Sam’s mother, Laura. “It’s been an unhappy week of misery, and a smile is worth … it’s priceless.”

Kristin Holtzman is a child life specialist at Goryeb, and each year she sees the effects of the player visits firsthand.

“It’s amazing to see their reactions,” said Holtzman. “You see smiles on faces that you haven’t seen. You saw all the kids decked out in Jets gear. They were so excited, and they couldn’t wait. They were all so thankful and so grateful that Matthew and Brodney were able to come in and be a part of their day.”

The effect the visits had on the patients were obvious, but the effects the patients had on the players were not as visible. However, while returning to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center two hours later, Mulligan spoke about how he was impacted by the visits.

“I’ve been to that hospital quite a few times, so I’m a regular there. It makes me realize how blessed I really am to be in this position, because there are a lot of people out there who are in unfortunate situations. For us to be able to do that, I think it’s a great thing."

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Jets’ 3rd-Down Threat LaDainian Tomlinson: I Used To Be ‘Real Fast,’ Now I’m Just Fast

September 16, 2011 7:19 AM

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — LaDainian Tomlinson realizes he’s no longer considered the dominant, game-changing rusher he once was or even an every-down running back.

Just don’t think for a moment that he thinks he’s anywhere close to being done. In his second year with the Jets, Tomlinson is remaking himself as a third-down threat out of the backfield.

“It’s the role that I’m in and, for me, I don’t think it makes sense to sit here and try to pout about what’s not happening and the things you can do,” he said Thursday. “Embrace it. That’s the way I’ve always been.”

“He’s a freak,” said offensive lineman Matt Slauson. “Everybody counted him out, said he’s too old, he can’t do it anymore. But last year he destroyed everyone. In my opinion, he was the comeback player of the league.”

Some might say this version of L.T. is a shell of the electrifying player who once set an NFL record with 28 rushing touchdowns and 31 overall scores in 2006. Well, he’s 32 now and his 13,420 yards rushing and 588 receptions have surely taken a toll. But, Tomlinson still presents a challenge for opposing defenses. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys.

Tomlinson rushed for just 16 yards on five carries in the opener Sunday, but tied for the team lead with six catches for 73 yards. That included a 32-yard catch-and-run that helped set up the Jets’ first score late in the first half.

“I think he has proved people wrong,” fullback John Conner said. “I think some people think he’s probably ready to hang it up, but he’s still moving great out there with great feet and makes a lot of big plays for us.”

Coach Rex Ryan says Tomlinson might not have the speed he had as a young player, but still has some slick moves.

“He’s a guy that I think when it’s all said and done, when his career’s over and he’s in the Hall of Fame and all that, he’ll come back and win like a ‘Dancing In The Stars’ kind of thing,” Ryan said.

Umm, Rex, it’s “Dancing WITH The Stars.”

“I created my own show,” Ryan said, grinning. “It’s ‘Dancing In the Stars.’ Anybody can do it with the stars.”

So, how about it, L.T.? Maybe a few foxtrots and waltzes down the line?

“Uh, no,” Tomlinson said with a laugh. “I won’t be on ‘Dancing With The Stars.’ That’s not going to happen. But, I’m glad Rex can still see the skills. I would say back then, I used to be real fast.

“Now I’m just, you know, fast.”

Fast enough to make defenses pay attention to him whenever he’s out on the field. While that might not be as often as it once was, he’s OK with that, even though he needs 243 yards rushing to pass Jerome Bettis (13,662) for fifth place on the NFL’s career rushing list.

“I’ve always been a guy that whatever my role was, whether it was carrying the ball 25 times or catching the ball out of the backfield, I was going to do the best I could,” he said. “It’s no different here, playing that third-down role.”

He has taken a backseat to Shonn Greene, who has been tapped as the starter in his third season. That comes after Tomlinson ran for 914 yards and could have had a shot at his ninth 1,000-yard season in 10 years if he hadn’t rested for the regular-season finale against Buffalo.

“I think you approach it as not being as selfish as a guy who wants to do everything,” Tomlinson said.

Greene had just 26 yards rushing on 10 carries Sunday, but the Jets couldn’t do much of anything on the ground against the Cowboys. Mark Sanchez ended up throwing 44 times for 335 yards, while the team used several three-tight end sets.

“We’re still using the fullback, but we’re using more tight ends, so it’s a different change,” Tomlinson said. “We’re working on it, we’re getting better, but we’re still going to be able to run the football. I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for us.”

Tomlinson carried the ball three times on first down and twice on second down against Dallas, but two of his six catches came on third-down plays for first downs.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do, is running routes out of the backfield as I got a little older,” said Tomlinson, who has said he wants to play through next season. “Of course, I’ve said before that I embraced it. I embraced the role and, obviously, I want to touch the ball, no doubt. When I’m running routes, I want Mark to look for me. So, I think that’s a part of the competitiveness that you have and wanting to contribute to the team, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

The less-is-better approach is one Tomlinson insists he would have taken years ago if he was asked, even during his biggest seasons with the San Diego Chargers. The first season he had less than 300 carries was his eighth in 2008.

“My first, second, third year, I carried the ball a lot, so it got to the point where even in San Diego, I really wanted Michael Turner to help me out a lot and the same with Darren Sproles,” he said. “It was just because I felt I wanted to be fresher as the season went along and we got closer to the playoffs.”

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was part of his father Marty’s staff in San Diego from 2002-05, when Tomlinson ran for 6,125 yards and 62 touchdowns.

“Obviously, he’s still a great player,” Schottenheimer said. “The only thing I see is back then, when he would break, you very rarely saw anybody on the screen with him. He’s learned to use his quickness and stuff now, but still just a great player and obviously a guy that’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

Notes: Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, under contract through this season, said he’d like to coach through the 2012 season. “That’s my goal,” he said. “Then I’ll be 65 and that might be enough, but trust me, I don’t think that far ahead.”

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NY Jets, Rex Ryan have an advantage on special teams with coach Mike Westhoff pulling the strings

Filip Bondy

Friday, September 16th 2011, 4:00 AM

No little kid dreams at night of playing on special teams in the NFL, blocking punts and delivering brutal tackles on kickoffs. No college star, either. Joe McKnight, a standout running back at USC, was really no different, which is why he and Mike Westhoff didn't exactly hit it off last season.

"He hated me last year," McKnight said Thursday, while the special-teams coach was scheming to wreak more havoc Sunday against Jacksonville. "He wanted me to make plays and I didn't really want to be on special teams. You don't want to (tick) off Westhoff. He pushes some buttons."

Westhoff wouldn't exactly admit to an out-and-out loathing of McKnight in 2010, although he clearly wasn't pleased.

"He wasn't particularly suited for things he had to do on special teams," Westhoff said. "I gave him an opportunity. He showed flashes. I didn't hate him. I just didn't like him too much."

Then came last Sunday, when McKnight's well-choreographed sprint down the middle produced a game-changing block on a punt that was timed in just 1.87 seconds, snap to boot. Some people consider a blocked punt to be the single most devastating play in the sport. It certainly worked out that way against the Cowboys, when Isaiah Trufant scooped up the ball and ran 18 yards for the score with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

For Westhoff, the play was particularly gratifying, because there was very little luck involved and because he had hand-picked Trufant off the practice squad, liking the pure speed. The Cowboys didn't botch the snap. They just misread the rush, which is what is supposed to happen.

"Most punts that are blocked, there is a mistake," said Westhoff, whose special teams have blocked 11 kicks since he came to the Jets in 2001 from Miami. "This one I'm very proud of."

Rex Ryan says he is delighted with Westhoff, too, for many good reasons. The special teams beat Dallas with that blocked punt and Nick Folk's field goal. The unit has been consistently superior under Westhoff, before and after Ryan re-signed the coach when he took over more than two years ago.

While the Giants' punt and kickoff units have been frequent saboteurs - remember the Eagles' onsides kick and then Matt Dodge's punt against Philly? — the Jets have a substantial edge against most opponents in that key department.

"It was the easiest decision of all time," Ryan said, about retaining Westhoff. "I talked to him for I guess it was half an hour, but I'd have hired him after two minutes. He has such great passion for it. You can just tell, he loves coaching and cares about the players. He's tough, he's hard on 'em, but man he cares about 'em."

McKnight says Westhoff doesn't have to scream at players to scare them, to make them go harder. He just has to embarrass them by showing films of their errors.

"You mess up, he's gonna let you know, he's gonna talk about you," McKnight said.

So McKnight worked harder, and then he had that clear shot at Mat MacBriar's punt.

"I was like a baby in a candy store when it opened up," McKnight said. McKnight injured a finger Thursday in practice fielding a punt, but when Westhoff replayed the blocked punt for the team again the pain was gone.

There was a report recently that Westhoff planned to retire after this season and he would take a role in the media as an analyst. Westhoff said Thursday that just wasn't true, that he plans to coach one more year after this one, then retire at age 65. Ryan says Westhoff isn't going anywhere, because "we've franchised him."

The coach has been through considerable medical ordeals over the past 23 years, fighting off cancer of the femur in his leg, nearly dying during botched surgery and then enduring 10 operations and a cracked bone graft. Maybe because of that, Westhoff views the game of football as a constant flow of crises, rather than one grand triumph or failure.

"You block a punt, then kickoff on the next play, they return it for a touchdown, the block doesn't look so good," he said.

After the blocked punt on Sunday, Folk booted the ball deep on the ensuing kickoff for a touchback. Westhoff exhaled, for a moment.

Jacksonville next.

fjbondy@netscape.net

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2011/09/16/2011-09-16_gang_green_a_special_case.html#ixzz1Y7bffkM5

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NY Jets head coach Rex Ryan, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, have issues to tackle with defense

BY Manish Mehta

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, September 16th 2011, 4:00 AM

Moments after the Jets escaped with a wild comeback win over the Cowboys on Sunday night, Rex Ryan, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and every defensive player realized this sobering truth: They're far from a finished product. For all the preseason chatter about how great Gang Green's defense can become this season, Tony Romo & Co. exposed plenty of cracks.

"The sky wasn't falling," Pettine said. "But, it was a ‘Hey we aren't as good as we think we are' moment in the defensive room as well."

The Jets have had a defensive track record of success under Ryan. They finished tops in the league in total defense and scoring defense in 2009 before finishing third and sixth in those categories, respectively, last season. However, past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

"We get hyped up and a lot of times guys buy into it," Pettine said in the run-up to Sunday's game against the Jaguars. " ‘Hey, I'm wearing a Jets jersey. I must be good.' It doesn't happen that way. They have to understand. It's human nature when you go for such a long period of time (and people say), ‘Hey, you guys are an elite defense.' Well, we're an elite defense when we prove it on the field. I think that was a good wake-up call for our group."

Ryan mentioned "seven glaring" mistakes in the season opener. Pettine wasn't so forgiving. "I don't know the exact number, but I think there were more than seven," he said. "It all depends on your definition of glaring."

The Jets sprinkled mental mistakes, communication lapses and technique errors across four quarters, which resulted in them giving up 390 total yards. Gang Green allowed more yards only three times in 19 games (including playoffs) last season. For a team with 10 returning starters on defense, the breakdowns were somewhat surprising.

"We've been together for so long that you can't assume that you have it down," Ryan said. "You still got to dial in. But the fact that we have been together this long, the corrections should (be fast)."

It wasn't all bad. Although the 327 passing yards allowed were the most since Week 3 last season — a span of 17 games — the pass rush was effective at times. The Jets recorded three of their four sacks when bringing four or fewer rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Ryan and Pettine's defense was particularly effective when blitzing defensive backs, a staple in their scheme. In those instances, Romo completed only 42% of his passes with a 27.8 QB rating.

"For whatever reason, one play we played very well and the next play we didn't," safety Brodney Pool said. "None of the stuff we messed up with was too complicated."

For example, the Jets were beaten by a "perfect throw" from Romo to Jason Witten early in the fourth quarter, according to Pettine. The play went for 64 yards partly because the Jets' design called for minimal help on that side.

Dez Bryant's 42-yard catch-and-run on the third play from scrimmage came as a result of outside linebacker Bryan Thomas getting lined up a little late and giving free access to the wide receiver rather than rerouting him after the snap, Pettine said.

Despite the uneven performance, the Jets are plenty confident that the mental mistakes and communication lapses will subside.

"They will go away eventually," Darrelle Revis said. "We want to do it at a faster pace. Right now, there's really no time for excuses. Football is here."

The Jaguars' run-heavy offense that gained 163 yards last week lacks the offensive firepower of Dallas. Jacksonville quarterback Luke McCown, who has only eight career starts, has already admitted that he's lost some sleep thinking of ways to decipher Ryan and Pettine's tactics on Sunday.

The final verdict is months away, so there's a strong sense not to jump to conclusions after one less-than-stellar week.

So, exactly how good is the Jets defense right now?

"Good enough to be 1-0," Pettine said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2011/09/16/2011-09-16_for_jet_defense_plenty_of_issues_to_tackle.html#ixzz1Y7cafvUe

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Jets fan recalls terrifying feeling as victim of chaos resulting from Larry McKelvey and stun gun

Gary Myers

Friday, September 16th 2011, 4:00 AM

The chaos in Section 323 in the upper deck at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night was terrifying for one Jets fan who came to pay his respects during the pregame 9/11 ceremonies and then cheer for a victory over the Cowboys.

But instead, he got his head banged against the concrete floor, had bruises all over his body and suffered a jammed wrist. He did nothing wrong except not moving fast enough when a mass of humanity quickly came tumbling down Section 323.

Late in the first half, he was standing up watching the game in front of his seat about halfway up the section. He had come in for the game from out of town and was with a group of friends. A few rows up, he heard some loud voices.

That's where Leroy McKelvey was located and about to use his stun gun.

"I don't know if people were talking or yelling at him," the Jets fan told the Daily News yesterday. "I just heard voices behind me."

Then one of his friends screamed. "Watch out," he said.

McKelvey, wearing his Cowboys jersey and brandishing his stun gun, was flying over rows of seats with a man he was battling on top of him. "He was getting tased with a stun gun," the Jets fan said. "I had nowhere to go. They knocked me over and were on top of me. The stun gun was going off."

The Jets fan, who did not get hit with the stun gun, had fallen forward over two rows of seats. Along the way, he hit his head on the concrete. He had a dozen bruises. He wound up draped over a row of seats with his head on the ground in the spot where you would otherwise have your feet. He was holding onto the seat backs in the row in front of him. He was fortunate his head did not get crushed.

He was down for a couple of frightening minutes. "I was face down," he said. "I don't know who else was on top of me. I couldn't get up right away."

He had come to watch a game. He would be one of the innocent victims in this latest act of fan violence.

Another Jets fan who contacted The News said he and his friends got involved in trying to subdue McKelvey. "You couldn't get too close to the taser because you were afraid of getting hit. It was making a crackling noise. He had been zapping everybody he could," he said. "For about two minutes, it was nuts. My two friends jumped in to get the taser out of his hands. We had his arm immobilized.

"It was an old electronic protection device. It didn't have the juice to knock you out. But if it hits you, it's uncomfortable. The suggestion was made to tase him in a certain place or shove it up a certain place. He heard that and kind of calmed down."

They handed the stun gun over to police.

The fight near the top of the section began when fans said McKelvey, who came up for the game from South Carolina, refused to stand for the national anthem and was talking when the stadium was quiet for the playing of "Taps" and "Amazing Grace." That infuriated fans around him, and when he attempted to get up from his seat during a play to go to the bathroom or concession stand late in the second quarter, the fans gave him a hard time. An argument began and soon escalated.

McKelvey managed to get past stadium security with a cell phone-sized stun gun in his pants pocket. Witnesses said the stun gun McKelvey was using had two prongs and he had to touch his victims to send the electric jolt.

The injured Jets fan was given medical attention at the stadium to clean up cuts on his arms and legs and was in contact with police and stadium officials. He said he had concussion-like symptoms and went to see his doctor Monday and was cleared to return to work.

By the time his group was ready to resume watching the game Sunday night, it was the late in the fourth quarter. They were given a new location to sit.

"After we were brought down and walked through the tunnel, (McKelvey) was in the tunnel handcuffed," the Jets fan said. "State troopers were behind him and he had a smile on his face. The image of him smiling, I still had that in my mind."

It's inconceivable why anybody would bring a stun gun to a football game and it's despicable that they would use it. The Jets fan said the pat-down when he entered the stadium was not as vigorous as he anticipated, especially with the heightened security alert on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It made him uneasy.

But a friend at the game Sunday told me the pat-down actually was too aggressive. The procedures are the same throughout the stadium, and consistent application of the approved procedures is what is expected by the officials who run MetLife Stadium. Individual perception of the pat-downs can vary depending on a person's expectations.

The NFL uses metal detectors at the Super Bowl but has not instituted that as a part of the security procedures for regular-season games. If fan behavior continues to degenerate, the league may have no choice but to upgrade its policies. It can't make fans comfortable that a man was able to enter the stadium with a stun gun.

As far as Rex Ryan's comments about not recommending fans wearing Cowboys gear attend the game, the second Jets fan said, "You can't blame Rex. That's an insult. The guy came with a stun gun. And he used it. If it was a Jets fan, we would have jumped on him."

The man who hit his head on the concrete has been to his last Jets game. "I have no interest in ever going to a game anymore," he said.

After the incident, half of Section 323 emptied out. They missed a great comeback by the Jets.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2011/09/16/2011-09-16_jets_fan_recalls_terrifying_feeling_as_victim_of_chaos_resulting_from_larry_mcke.html#ixzz1Y7d8sMyH

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Leonard: Don Bosco beats up Sanchez

Friday, September 16, 2011 Last updated: Friday September 16, 2011, 3:35 AM

The Record

Mark Sanchez tried to stop it, but the question was on him like a blitzing safety. The Jets quarterback was doing a radio show Tuesday and was asked about his alma mater, Mission Viejo High School, getting "their heads handed back to them" by Don Bosco on Saturday.

Sanchez didn’t want to go there. He didn’t want to acknowledge the 35-7 beating his Diablos absorbed. To his credit, Sanchez took some verbal abuse about the lopsided loss. It was a decidedly playful segment of the interview, boys being boys.

But one thing Sanchez said in attempting to explain away the loss inadvertently touched on what has been a lightning rod topic for several years in North Jersey. The ongoing battle between public and private schools for the hearts, minds and bodies of elite athletes has been the subject of numerous debates.

"They’re busing kids in from Connecticut and Staten Island to go to Don Bosco," Sanchez said. "That ain’t fair."

In attempting to preserve some shred of his West Coast pride, Sanchez claimed a team of West Coast all-stars would have a shot to beat the Ironmen. In saying that, he intimated that Don Bosco is an East Coast all-star team. And to say that would mean that Don Bosco recruits student-athletes. The "R-word" is worse than any four-letter word ever could be around the Don Bosco campus.

Regarding Sanchez’s comments, Don Bosco athletic director Brian McAleer responded: "We didn’t take any offense to it. We just laughed it off. But he doesn’t have his facts straight."

In Sanchez’s defense, he wasn’t saying it with any sort of agenda. He was just looking for a way out of the conversation.

"I was just messing around," Sanchez told The Record’s Jets writer, J.P. Pelzman. "I’m proud of my high school and I’m a sore loser. I didn’t mean anything by it."

Sanchez was particularly disappointed in the result because it came after months of trash-talking with Dave Szott, a proud New Jersey native and graduate of Clifton High School.

Szott is the Jets’ director of player development and tried to prepare Sanchez for the humiliation his high school team would face. But those California guys, they never listen.

Said Sanchez, "It was a heartbreaker."

E-mail: leonard@northjersey.com

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Jets notes: David Harris sits out practice for second day in a row

Friday, September 16, 2011 Last updated: Friday September 16, 2011, 3:35 AM

The Record

Harris sits out again

Linebacker David Harris missed practice Thursday for a second consecutive day because of a toe injury, yet coach Rex Ryan again insisted he isn't concerned about Harris' availability for Sunday's game against visiting Jacksonville.

"The trainers feel confident that he can play,'' Ryan said, adding that Harris "probably" would be able to practice today. In fact, Ryan indicated that Harris might have "done more" Thursday if the Jets had practiced outdoors on their grass fields. Because of the rain that moved through the area, Ryan chose to move practice from the wet fields to the Jets' indoor practice facility. But that field has artificial turf, and Ryan didn't want to expose Harris' ailing toe to that surface.

Ryan wasn't specific about the injury, saying "he's got a tendon that's hurting, I think." However, he said it is not broken.

Westhoff: 1 more year

Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said Thursday he intends to coach at least one more season after this year, saying "I really think I would like to go this [year] and one more, that's my goal. Then I'll be 65."

Westhoff is under contract through the end of this season. He said before the 2010 season he planned to retire at the end of 2011, but now seems to have revised that.

Of course, if he schemes up more plays such as the fourth-quarter blocked punt that tied the score against Dallas on Sunday night, the Jets might give him a lifetime deal. Westhoff said he designed the rush to overload Dallas' blockers, and give the Jets a "3-on-2 situation." However, he expected a Jet to come free from the outside. Instead, Joe McKnight raced unblocked up the middle to block Mat McBriar's punt.

Westhoff also said he intends for starting cornerback Antonio Cromartie and McKnight to share kickoff-return duties, saying Cromartie "really likes to do it."

— J.P. Pelzman

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As Jets face Jacksonville Jaguars, Rex Ryan & Co. want to assert running game

Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 3:45 AM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

Of the run plays that quarterback Mark Sanchez admittedly checked out of Sunday night, opting to pass instead, one was the Jets’ final offensive snap.

The plan was to hand off the ball, which would have made Nick Folk’s game-winning 50-yard field-goal attempt shorter and forced the Dallas Cowboys to burn a timeout. But coach Rex Ryan said when Sanchez read Plaxico Burress in one-on-one coverage, he couldn’t resist.

From the sideline, Ryan thought, “What are we doing?” The pass, thrown flat, fell incomplete.

“If he hit it, it would have been the greatest thing going,” Ryan said. “In that situation, he probably should have. ... It’s hard to say.”

Sanchez is freer to change plays, and to pass more, in his third year, but the Jets also want to make sure they don’t abandon the identity that got them to back-to-back AFC Championship games: ground and pound.

In Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they hope to assert their run game and boost the anemic 2.8 yards-per-carry average in their 27-24 victory against Dallas. Ryan told his squad as much in a weekly team meeting.

“Rex mentioned he wanted to get the running game going again, that’s our identity,” fullback John Conner said. “We want to get that going and be a physical run team again.”

That won’t necessarily be an easy task: The Jaguars restocked their defense in free agency and impressively held Tennessee Titans featured back Chris Johnson to 24 yards on nine carries in Week 1, a 2.7 yards-per-carry average.

But the players who make the ground game work see areas for improvement. In the opener, the Jets only ran on 25 percent of their offensive plays. They used many formations that favor pass, including the no-huddle set they used to help key their comeback and combat Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme.

“The running game is something that comes through time and comes through work,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Dallas was going to come in here with the mind-set that they wanted to bring pressure from all different angles, and try to create penetration, and get the running game knocked off. What happened was, they ended up singling their corners out on the outside, gave us the possibility of hitting some big plays.”

Left guard Matt Slauson acknowledged that because there was no offseason, the offensive line is still learning on the move. Rob Ryan, he said, threw off the offense with his blitzes, and the line needs to be more “efficient” in its recognition of fronts, linebackers and personnel.

Another factor: Conner, who was coming off a preseason ankle injury, was used on only six plays, by an unofficial count. Conner said based on what the team has done in practice this week, he does expect to be used more against the Jaguars.

More coverage:

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said the less-frequent use of the fullback in the opener was a change, to which the offense was still adjusting. But in its place, he said, were formations with more tight ends.

The three-tight end grouping, with Dustin Keller, Matt Mulligan and Jeff Cumberland, unofficially netted a successful average of nearly 7 yards per play on the 12 snaps it was used. The Jets passed five times out of that formation to surprise defenses, but they also ran seven times.

“It really keeps the defense off balance, having three tight ends,” Tomlinson said. “They don’t know if you are going to throw the football or run it. Teams can’t pinpoint what exactly you do out of that particular formation, so it makes it tough on them.”

The backfield’s designated “bell-cow,” Shonn Greene, actually played in a handful less snaps than Tomlinson by an unofficial count, in part because Tomlinson is the primary back for the no-huddle offense.

The Jets’ 2011 offensive identity is still developing. But at least for starters, they want to be a team that averages more than 2.8 yards per carry.

“We’re not really sure how many times a run is going to get called, because Mark is another year mature,” Slauson said. “Our staff thinks Mark can do more things in the air, especially with our weapons. That means in the run game, whenever a run is called, we have to make sure we’re incredibly efficient at it.”

For more Jets coverage, follow Jenny Vrentas on Twitter at twitter.com/Jennyvrentas

Jenny Vrentas: jvrentas@starledger.com

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Third down’s a charm for Jets vet Tomlinson

Jets Blog

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Last Updated: 8:58 AM, September 16, 2011

Posted: 2:25 AM, September 16, 2011

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Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson admits he is not as fast as he once was, but he showed last week against the Cowboys he still can get it done.

Tomlinson had six catches for 73 yards in the Jets’ 27-24 season-opening won over the Cowboys, and gave a stagnant offense a huge boost by catching passes out of the backfield and then weaving through the Dallas defense.

“I would say back then I used to be real fast,” Tomlinson said of the days when he was an All-World back for the Chargers. “Now I’m just fast.”

Just fast is good enough for the Jets, who are using Tomlinson as a complementary back in his second year with the team. He no longer carries the load for the Jets, but he showed how important he can be against Dallas, even in a reduced role.

“He might have lost some speed since when he was younger but he still has the skill,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “He has great hands, has great vision. He can still move. He’s a guy that I think when it’s all said and done and his career is over and he’s in the Hall of Fame and all of that, he’ll come back and win the ‘Dancing [With] the Stars’ contest.”

Tomlinson does not envision doing the cha-cha.

“I won’t be on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ “ he said. “That’s not going to happen. But I’m glad Rex can still see the skills.”

The Jets’ offense had sputtered most of the first half Sunday, struggling to deal with the Cowboys’ pressure and the exotic looks defensive coordinator Rob Ryan threw at them. Finally, the Jets put a drive together just before halftime, and the key play came from Tomlinson.

On first-and-10 from the Cowboys’ 36, quarterback Mark Sanchez avoided a sack and threw a short screen pass to Tomlinson, who avoided a tackle and ran 32 yards to the 4, setting up the Jets’ first touchdown.

“I thought he played outstanding in the game,” Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “He’s a competitor. He’ll get his touches a lot of different ways. One of the things that we challenged him with when we got back was third down. He made some big, clutch plays on third down coming out of the backfield that just shows you the guy can still help you win.”

There were some questions entering this year how the 32-year-old former MVP would handle being the second option in the Jets’ backfield. But he has shown no problem shifting into a reduced role.

“For me, I don’t think it makes sense to sit here and pout about what’s not happening,” Tomlinson said. “ embrace it. That’s the kind of guy I’ve always been.

“I’ve always been a guy that whatever my role was — whether it was carrying a ball 25 times or catching the ball out of the backfield — I was going to do the best I could. It’s no different here playing a third-down role.”

Tomlinson said he actually thought the Chargers could have reduced his touches in his final few years there and turned to Michael Turner or Darren Sproles more. Last year, the Jets used him more than he thought they would.

“I think you approach it as not being as selfish as a guy who wants to do everything,” he said. “I just believe you stay fresher longer throughout the year and throughout a game if you’re able to share the load a little bit. That way, in the fourth quarter, you still have the burst and you still have the legs to finish the game off.”

brian.costello@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/third_down_charm_for_veteran_running_kKzpO523t6y5UHm99zyTEM#ixzz1Y7f27YtG

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Botched call by Sanchez could have hurt Jets vs. Cowboys

Jets Blog

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Last Updated: 8:57 AM, September 16, 2011

Posted: 2:14 AM, September 16, 2011

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The Jets have entrusted quarterback Mark Sanchez to call more audibles this season, but one he made Sunday could have proven costly.

Jets coach Rex Ryan saud yesterday that on the team’s final drive to set up Nick Folk’s game-winning field goal, a run was called on third down at the Cowboys’ 32 with 37 seconds left. But Sanchez audibled to a pass to Plaxico Burress. A run would have forced the Cowboys to use their final timeout, making their chances of pulling out a miracle even slimmer.

It worked out for the Jets. The pass fell incomplete, Folk kicked the 50-yard field goal, and the Cowboys could not answer.

“He kind of got fooled,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “There’s a fine line. When you give him that freedom, you’ve got to give him the freedom to go ahead and make that decision.

“It’s not like we want him coming over all the time, ‘was that ok?’ No, make a decision and live with it. That’s what he did.”

Ryan said he trusts Sanchez to switch plays at the line, unlike when Sanchez was a rookie. But he did say when he saw the audible he thought “What are we doing?”

“If he hit it, it would’ve been the greatest thing going,” Ryan said. “In that situation, he probably should’ve . . . It’s hard to say.”

* Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis had the big interception in Sunday’s win, but it was another play that brought a smile to his face. Revis actually blitzed once against the Cowboys. The All-Pro corner said he remembers doing that once before under Ryan and once under previous coach Eric Mangini.

“It kind of felt great,” Revis said. “You try to put on your Ray Lewis mode.”

Not that Revis wants to do it all the time, though.

“I’ll stick to covering and leave it to David Harris and Jimmy Leonhard and those guys who do it way better than me,” he said.

* Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff confirmed that he wants to coach through the 2012 season, as reported in Wednesday’s Post. But he left himself some wiggle room.

“I’m really thinking I’d like to go this one and then one more,” he said. “That’s my goal, because then I’ll be 65 and that might be enough. ”

* Harris missed his second day of practice with a toe injury, but Ryan said he still expects him to play. Ryan said Harris does not have a broken toe or turf toe. WR Santonio Holmes (knee/quad), S Eric Smith (ankle) and RB Joe McKnight (finger) were all added to the injury list, but Ryan said all are expected to play. Holmes and Smith were limited in practice. Holmes said his injuries are “nothing to worry about.”

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/botched_audible_could_have_been_avQbxpU0K6Nvu9HV826OSI#ixzz1Y7fQwPwj

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Jets rookies stepping in and stepping up

Jets Blog

By BRIAN LEWIS

Last Updated: 9:03 AM, September 16, 2011

Posted: 2:22 AM, September 16, 2011

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With heavy losses this offseason — including Shaun Ellis, Kris Jenkins, Trevor Pryce and Brad Smith — the Jets had to help replenish their ranks through the NFL Draft. Their small rookie class is already starting to work its way onto the field, led by first-round pick and starting defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.

Wilkerson was the first rookie to start Week 1 in the Jets’ base defense since 2008, and the first to start for Rex Ryan since 2006 when he was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator. Ryan said Wilkerson played “well,” and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine deemed the Linden (N.J.) native’s debut solid.

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“Muhammad was solid, not spectacular,” Pettine said. “I don’t think there were too many minuses in there. It was a good start for him. . . . We didn’t want to get him too many reps, it being opening night on that stage. Didn’t want to throw the kid out there to play 60 snaps. He was in a rotation and the five guys that played (on the defensive line) all were pretty solid.”

The five were Wilkerson and backup Ropati Pitoitua, nose tackle Sione Pouha, defensive tackle Mike DeVito and backup Marcus Dixon. Third-round pick Kenrick Ellis was inactive against Dallas. But, against a run-oriented Jacksonville team this Sunday, that could change for the 6-foot-4, 346-pounder built more in the Jenkins’ mold than the lighter Pouha’s.

“They tell me I just have to try and get my technique right, not get knocked back, just keep on working. I’m a rookie. I’ve got to get my technique right, that’s it, and keep on working,” said Ellis, who was inactive last week largely to get Isaiah Trufant on the roster. That proved a wise move since Trufant returned a blocked punt 18 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

“It’s just hands, reading your blocks, knowing where the blocker is going, what the offensive line is trying to do to you, where he’s trying to move you, how to fight pressure. I’m a big guy, but just trying to make sure I don’t get moved out of the hole, just staying low and staying sturdy in there.”

The Jets staff hadn’t decided yesterday whether to use five or six linemen against the Jaguars and running back Maurice Jones-Drew. The answer likely would determine if Ellis will make his NFL debut.

“That certainly is a possibility . . . we’ll see,” said Ryan. “The young man did a nice job in practice.”

Added Pettine, “He had a real good week of practice this week. We have that decision to make. [Jacksonville] is a running football team.”

Running back Bilal Powell, grabbed in the fourth round, was also inactive, while Greg McElroy and Taylor Biggs were on injured reserve. But undrafted free-agent Nick Bellore played, as did fifth-round pick Jeremy Kerley, a wide receiver. The TCU product may make his biggest contribution in the Wildcat, whenever the Jets unveil it.

“It’s always a match-up thing,” said Kerley, who conceivably could fill the role of the departed Smith. “Hopefully we’ll practice it a little bit more. Any time we feel like we could out-leverage somebody using the Wildcat, that’s when it’ll come into play.”

Outside linebacker Jamaal Westerman said both rookie linemen have been sponges, soaking up information.

“They’re always working to get better, always asking questions,” he said. “They ask DeVito and different questions about what do you see, how to approach this block, this backfield set. They’re trying to improve their games to get to the next level. . . . They’ve been doing a tremendous job.”

brian.lewis@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jets_rookies_step_in_and_step_up_Wl0FaSzuluOgDaLgWZVEBJ#ixzz1Y7fkGSxF

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Sam DeLuca, a Former Jet and Broadcaster, Is Dead at 75

By DANIEL E. SLOTNIK

Published: September 15, 2011

Sam DeLuca, a scrappy guard for the Jets in the 1960s who became a broadcaster after a career-ending injury, died Tuesday at his home in Pelham, N.Y. He was 75.

The Fifth Down

The cause was pancreatic cancer, T. J. Reynolds, a family friend, said.

DeLuca was drafted by the Giants in 1957 to replace the All-Pro guard Bill Austin, who planned to retire that year. Austin decided to play another season, and the Giants sent DeLuca to the Canadian Football League, where he played for three years.

He joined the Los Angeles Chargers when the American Football League was founded in 1960 and started on the Chargers’ A.F.L. championship team during the 1963-64 season before returning to New York, this time as a Jet.

DeLuca, 6 feet 2 inches and 245 pounds, played his first full season with the team in 1964-65. He became a team captain, and during the 1965 and 1966 seasons he led the offensive line that protected a flashy young quarterback named Joe Namath.

But in the final preseason game of 1967-68, one season before Namath guaranteed and delivered a Jets victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, DeLuca sustained a knee injury that permanently removed him from the line.

DeLuca’s injury coincided with a strike by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that kept the two usual Jets commentators, the veteran broadcaster Merle Harmon and the Daily News sports columnist Dick Young, off the air for two games.

DeLuca covered both games alongside Wally Schwartz, WABC’s general manager, and proved so adept that by spring he was hosting pregame and postgame radio shows for the Mets. In time he became Harmon’s regular color commentator on Jets broadcasts and worked with him until 1972, when he moved to NBC. He retired as a sportscaster in 1988.

DeLuca said he missed the excitement and glamour of professional football, but appreciated the consolations of his new job.

“There was less pressure,” he said in an interview with a WABC Radio fan site. “I found that I liked it, because I could go out to dinner the night before a road game and not worry about having to play the next day.”

Saverio DeLuca was born in Brooklyn on May 2, 1936. He attended Lafayette High School with the future Dodgers pitching star Sandy Koufax and the future Mets owner Fred Wilpon, and played for the school’s championship football team in 1952.

DeLuca was a third-team all-American guard at the University of South Carolina before he was drafted by the Giants.

He married Diane Johnson in 1976 and is survived by her, their son, Sam, and a son and two daughters from a previous marriage.

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NY Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis called out, sort of, by Jacksonville Jaguars WR Jason Hill

BY Kevin Armstrong

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, September 16th 2011, 4:00 AM

Darrelle Revis may have to prove he's more than just a television star to Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Jason Hill.

"This is a game full of good players making plays. He just made a lot more plays on TV than we've made being here in Jacksonville," Hill told the Florida Times-Union. "He's a good player. We respect him.

"Hopefully he respects us because we're going to bring it just like they're going to bring it."

Revis, whose interception with 49 seconds left clinched last Sunday's victory for the Jets in the season opener against Dallas, has said this season is a "revenge" year to prove his troublesome hamstring from last season is back to full strength. Hill, meanwhile, is a sixth-year wideout who has not practiced this week due to a hip injury.

"This is a league full of great players. I think sometimes they get overhyped," Hill said. "I talked to Drew (Coleman). Drew played there (in New York).

"He says it's just the aura of New York. They got a big media."

Wideout Santonio Holmes (knee/quad) was limited in practice Thursday but maintained that he will be ready to play Sunday.

"Nothing to be worried about," Holmes said. "Game day is on Sunday, not today. I took it easy today."

RB Joe McKnight dislocated the pinkie on his left hand during a kickoff return. He said he did not look when the trainer popped it back in.

LB David Harris suited up, but did not practice for the second straight day, stretching instead on the sideline with trainers.

ROLE AGREES WITH L.T.

The lasting question of tailback LaDainian Tomlinson's tenure as a Jet is how long he will go, especially this season as he transitions to third-down back status.

Tomlinson, 32, welcomed his second child, Dayah Lynn, into the world at 6pounds, 12 ounces, on Saturday. Then on Sunday night, he ran the ball five times for 16 yards against Dallas, but he leaked out of the backfield on screens and short routes for 73 receiving yards, catching six of seven balls thrown his way.

"I've always been a guy who's embraced what his role is," Tomlinson said. "I feel like this is something I've always wanted to do when I got older."

WISHFUL WILDCAT

Talking about his team's use of the Wildcat this season, Rex Ryan joked about where he hoped former do-it-all star Brad Smith would have landed during free agency. "I was hoping New England would've taken Brad Smith because that would mean (Tom) Brady wasn't out there," Ryan said.

CROMARTIE'S RETURN

Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff expects to use cornerback Antonio Cromartie again as the primary kick returner, citing his aggressiveness as the most attractive part of his skill set.

Rookie Jeremy Kerley, who also returns punts, handled the role through the preseason, but Westhoff said he didn't want to risk injury to Cromartie, a starting cornerback, in meaningless contests.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2011/09/16/2011-09-16_jag_revis_overhyped_by_new_york_media.html#ixzz1Y7gkWAif

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Jets hope to improve run attack Sunday vs. Jaguars

Thursday, September 15, 2011

BY J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

The Record

FLORHAM PARK – Shonn Greene seemingly had a step on everyone, but soon found himself hemmed in, and brought to a halt.

That actually describes what happened when reporters chased him down in the Jets’ locker room Monday, the day after Greene and the running game did very little against the Dallas defense in the Jets’ season-opening win.

The Jets hope it will be different Sunday when they host Jacksonville at MetLife Stadium, although the Jaguars allowed only 24 yards on nine carries to Tennessee superstar Chris Johnson on Sunday.

“We know it’s going to be tough sledding this week,” coach Rex Ryan said Thursday. “You get this team coming in that held Chris Johnson to [2.7 yards] a carry.”

Still, the Jets have no intention of abandoning their ground game, even after getting only 45 yards on 16 attempts against the Cowboys.

“From our standpoint as a staff, it’s never changed,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “We go in wanting to be balanced and then we’re going to do whatever [we need to win], however the game unfolds. Again, I think you have to give Dallas a lot of credit, they did a great job loading up the box trying to take away the run. The passing game kind of got hot. … We hope to come out 50/50 [run-pass ratio], but it generally doesn’t happen that way.”

Of course, a good running game would help keep some defensive pressure off Mark Sanchez, who was sacked four times Sunday and knocked down numerous others. He was beat up so much in that game that the Jets had him take a concussion test as a precaution. He passed the test.

“Obviously, we feel like the running game will come,” Schottenheimer added. “We have a great offensive line. That hasn’t changed. If there’s a group that you know has pride, it’s that group, with how well they’ve all played. The running game is something, it comes through time, it comes through work.”

Fullback John Conner practiced sparingly during the week leading up to the game because of a sprained ankle, and was in for only a few plays Sunday, partly because he still was healing and partly because the flow of the game dictated the Jets using multiple-receiver sets quite often.

“I guess they wanted to ease me back into things,” Conner said, “but I think in the games to come I’ll be out there a little more helping the running game get going.”

As for the ground game, Conner said, “It’s one of those things that take time. … It’s our identity, so it’s one of those things we have to continue to work on.”

Greene said the Cowboys “had a bead on our running game, [and were using] a lot of blitzes, a lot of stunts and stuff we hadn’t seen.”

Greene added that the NFL is a “copycat league” and that the Jets can expect upcoming opponents to try to use the same tactics as Dallas.

“Any week can be a breakout week for us running the football,” veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “We’ve always been able to rely on it, [and] we expect to be able to run the ball if we need to.

“We’re still using the fullback, but we’re using more tight ends, so it’s a different change,” Tomlinson added, referring to the multiple formations. “We’re working on it, we’re getting better, but we’re still going to be able to run the football. I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for us.”

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LaDainian Tomlinson becomes father, sleeps on hospital bench night before season-opening win against Cowboys

BY Manish Mehta

The greatest running back of the past decade started timing his wife’s contractions at 3:30 on Saturday morning.

LaDainian and Torsha Tomlinson weren’t expecting their second child – and first girl – until Monday, Sept. 1. By 5:30 a.m., the future Hall of Famer called the doctor: Torsha’s contractions were three minutes apart.

They reached the hospital in Morristown, NJ, by 7 a.m.

Dayah Lynn Tomlinson entered the world at 9:16 am on Saturday. Six pounds, 12 ounces. 19 inches.

In the summer of 2010, the Tomlinsons became parents of a baby boy, Daylen Oliver, for the first time after a five-year struggle that included a stillbirth in 2005. This week, they received their second miracle.

The weekend only became crazier for Tomlinson, who was preparing for the Jets season opener against the Cowboys on Sunday night. He stayed with his wife and daughter on Saturday night, sleeping on a hospital bench with a cushion. At one point, he woke up in the middle of the night to help his wife with the baby. Tomlinson woke up Sunday morning in the hospital before dring to the Jets’ hotel near the Meadowlands to attend team meetings on gameday.

Torsha had received clearance from doctors to go home so that she could watch the game that night. She tried to convince her husband to let a family member take her and the baby home, so that he could get some rest before kickoff.

He refused.

“He insisted that he would be the only one driving his baby girl home from the hospital,” Torsha told me.

So, hours before kickoff, Tomlinson drove about 45 minutes from the team hotel back to the hospital in Morristown to take his wife and newborn to their house.

Then, he drove back to the Meadowlands for kickoff.

Tomlinson made a seamless transition to his new role as the team’s third-down back with a team-high six catches for 73 yards. (Four of those six receptions went for first downs).

“I was very proud of him,” Torsha said. “He showed up on Sunday in more ways than one.”

For more Jets news, follow Manish Mehta on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TheJetsStream

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Banged-Up Jets David Harris, Santonio Holmes Expected To Play Sunday

September 16, 2011 8:53 AM

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) – Jets linebacker David Harris did not practice on Thursday because of a toe injury, while wide receiver Santonio Holmes was limited with a sore knee and quadriceps.

But both are expected to play Sunday against Jacksonville.

“The trainers feel confident that (Harris) can play,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said.

Harris missed his second straight day of practice after being injured in the opener against Dallas on Sunday. Ryan said the toe is not broken and Harris doesn’t have turf toe.

“He’s got a tendon that’s hurting, I think,” said Ryan.

The team practiced on its turf in the field house because of rain, and Ryan admitted Harris “would’ve done more” if they practiced on grass.

Meanwhile, according to Holmes, his injuries are “nothing to be worried about.”

“Game day is on Sunday,” he said.

Running back Joe McKnight dislocated a finger, but missed no time, while safety Eric Smith rolled an ankle. Both are also expected to play.

[Jetsfan80]

The LT piece is touching. Sounds like he'll make a great dad.

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Schwartz: Jets Vs. Jaguars Preview

September 16, 2011 10:04 AM

Reporting Peter Schwartz

Filed under

Jets, Sports, Syndicated Sports, WFAN Blogs

By Peter Schwartz

The Jets put a lot of physical and emotional effort into their come-from-behind 27-24 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night. With the game being on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Jets felt a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves to win — and they rallied to make it happen.

Did they have a little bit of luck along the way?

Absolutely, but good teams also find a way to make their own breaks as well.

But this Sunday, they have to turn the engines back on when they welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars to MetLife Stadium. The game doesn’t have the same buzz as the opener against Dallas, but the Jets are taking the contest game very seriously.

After the events of Sunday night, a lot of people are bringing up the “L-word.”

How do the Jets avoid a letdown?

By turning on their DVD players!

“This one is huge and this one is easy,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “Because all you have to do is pop on the tape from two years ago when we played Jacksonville.”

On that day at Giants Stadium, the Jaguars headed back south with a 24-22 victory. They did so by pushing the Jets around.

“We pride ourselves on being a physical football team,” said Ryan. “They handed it to us. They imposed their will on us. They ran the ball better than we did. They were more physical than we were. They came up with three turnovers, so this one won’t be hard to get our team up for. We know what happened the last time we played them. They beat us at our place, so we’ll let the video do most of the talking.”

That video was looked at and examined a lot this week and its shows that Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez threw an interception on the game’s first play. He was 16 of 30 that day for 212 yards, a touchdown and two picks.

He’ll have to step it up this time around against a pretty good Jaguars defense.

“We dropped a game to them at home,” recalled Sanchez. “It just reminds us how well we need to play at home and protect our stadium. But they’re a good disciplined football team under coach Del Rio and we know they have some great players. They’re a tough, physical team so we need to be up for this game and excited, and play well at home.”

After a slow start, the Jets offense picked things up a bit in the second half against the Cowboys. Gang Green was simply following the same script from last season when they came from behind to win on numerous occasions.

But, the Jets would eventually like to flip that script and come out flying.

“It’s always good to start off quick,” said wide receiver Derrick Mason. “You never want to get in a habit of having to play catch-up in any game. We want to be able to come out of the gates, score points and make it a lot easier for our defense.”

The Jets defense will be facing a new-look Jaguars offense following the release of David Garrard just before the start of the season. Luke McCown was 17 of 24 for 175 yards in the Jaguars’ season opening 16-14 win over the Titans.

“They’re similar but their different,” said Jets nose tackle Sione Pouha of the Jaguars offense. “They don’t have (Garrard) there, but I think they’re similar in the way that they have the same coaches and they establish the run with Maurice Jones-Drew back there.”

Paying close attention to McCown will be cornerback Darrelle Revis, who has been hard at work learning about the Jaguars new starter.

“This is the first time I have been introduced to him,” said Revis. “I’ve been watching film on him this week. He’s a solid NFL quarterback. He’s starting (and) they had a great game last week and you see that they are improving as a team.”

Offensively, the Jets will look across the field and see some familiar faces on Sunday. Former Gang Green cornerback Drew Coleman and safety Dwight Lowery are now with the Jaguars.

They will always be friends, but for a day, they are foes.

“It’ll be good (to see them) before the game,” said Sanchez. “As soon as we start playing we have to get after it. We’ll see how they play against us. They’ve always played traditionally well against our offense when they were on the same team as us. They’re still good friends of ours, but we’re trying to win a game. So we’ll put that aside for 60 minutes and then high five at the end, but that’s about it.”

There won’t be any special ceremonies on Sunday. I’m guessing there won’t even be a welcome back video for Coleman and Lowery. But, for a week two game, it’s a huge contest for the Jets. They will play three in a row on the road after this game and need to establish that they’ll be dominant at home.

This is not a slam-dunk. The Jaguars will give the Jets fits. But, as we have come to learn about Gang Green, they can get up after taking a punch.

JETS-JAGUARS SERIES

Sunday marks the 9th regular season meeting and 10th meeting overall between the Jets and Jaguars. The Jaguars lead the regular season series 6-2 with the Jets winning the only post-season meeting, a 34-24 victory in the AFC Divisional Playoff on January 10th, 1999 at Giants Stadium.

The last meeting between these two teams took place on November 15th, 2009 when the Jaguars beat the Jets 24-22 at Giants Stadium. Josh Scobee nailed a 21-yard field goal as time expired after Maurice Jones-Drew took a knee at the one-yard line. The Jets had no timeouts left and were going to let Jones-Drew score so that they could get the ball back, but Jones-Drew was instructed to take a knee.

The Jets were supposed to let MJD score on the previous play, but somebody didn’t get the memo.

“Well, there you go,” said, Ryan. “Ten of us knew to let him score. I’m not going to put Marques Douglas under the bus (joking). You know I love Douglas, but he had the classic quote of all time. He told me, “Hey, he’d been breaking that tackle all day.” (I was) like, “Really, that’s what you came up with?” (laughing). That’s what he said to me.”

It was no laughing matter at the time, but the Jets did wind up making the playoffs despite letting that game slip away.

The Jets last regular season win over the Jaguars was a 13-10 win on November 23rd, 2003 at Giants Stadium.

A SPECIAL DAY AT THE MEADOWLANDS

The Jets have announced plans for Hispanic Heritage Day Sunday at the MetLife Stadium. Here is a portion of the Gang Green’s official press release:

“The day is part of a league-wide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2011). When the Jets kick off against the Jaguars at 1pm they will be wearing the blue and gold New York Titans uniforms, the franchise’s original name and colors from 1960-1962.

At this Sunday’s game, the Jets will celebrate Hispanic heritage with a variety of cultural entertainment, performances and activities that reflect the vibrant diversity of New York’s Latino population, the second largest in the country. The team has selected Ricardo Fernández as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, a recognition made possible through the support of Bud Light. Fernández is the president of Lehman College, now in his 22nd year at the helm. He is the longest-serving of the 23 current CUNY presidents and a long time leader and advocate in his community.

Hispanic Heritage Day will feature the National Anthem performed by New York native and Latin Grammy award nominee Prince Royce. A singer, composer and actor in both Spanish and English, Prince Royce’s self-titled debut album has been certified Double Platinum and it features Royce’s first single, a bilingual and bachata cover of the 1961 Ben E. King song, ‘Stand By Me.’ At halftime, one fan who wins the field goal kicking contest will win a trip for two to the 2011 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas this November.”

THE PREDICTION

This will be a tough, physical football game. The Jets won’t have any problem getting up for the game, but it won’t be a walk in the park. I can see it being tied with five minutes to go. Nick Folk is one of the heroes again.

Jets 16, Jaguars 13

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Jets LB David Harris won't get full practice in before Jaguars game

Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 11:24 AM Updated: Friday, September 16, 2011, 11:42 AM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger By Jenny Vrentas/The S

Jets linebacker David Harris doesn't look like he'll be getting in a full practice before Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Harris, the team's leading tackler each of the past two seasons, missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices with a toe injury. He dressed for practice today and went through individual drills, but as soon as the team portion of practice began, he headed off to the side to work with the strength and conditioning staff.

Only the first 30 minutes of practice are open to the media, so Harris' practice status will be updated later. When the media period ended, Harris was doing work such as jumping from one leg to the other with the strength and conditioning staff, while the first-team defense did team work.

Coach Rex Ryan said yesterday Harris will play Sunday, despite missing practices this week. His toe is not broken nor does he have turf toe, Ryan said.

Harris wears the helmet with the embedded radio for the defense.

WR Santonio Holmes (knee/quad) and S Eric Smith (ankle) were participating in practice during the portion open to the media. Both starters were limited yesterday as new additions to the injury report.

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No statement necessary

Ten things the Jaguars need to do beat the New York Jets

Friday, September 16, 2011 By John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer

Let’ s start with this: This is not a statement game.

It’s too early to think about the Jaguars bursting onto the national scene anyway, a mere week into the season. Even with a season-opening victory over Tennessee, much about this team – i.e., how good they really are, how far Luke McCown can take the team, how improved the defense really is – remains very much unknown.

But there’s this, too:

The NFL is not a “statement” league. Style points count for nothing, and reputation is meaningless. Such things matter in college, but not in professional football.

In the NFL, you win enough games and you get to the postseason.

What the national media thinks about that is meaningless.

But while the Jaguars don’t need to prove anything to anyone else in the league or in the media – although Jaguars fans seem to be obsessed with doing so – Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., without question is an important game.

The Jaguars are confident. They believe they’re better than observers believe. They believe they’re better than last year, and better than the year before. They believe they can contend for a postseason appearance.

But at some point to be such a team you have to start beating good teams, and you have to do it on the road. Sunday is a chance to do both.

A victory Sunday would make the Jaguars 2-0 for the first time since 2006, and would give them a reasonable chance for a very, very good start. It would also excite the fan base, and sure, it would do a bit to alter how people nationally are viewing them.

But a statement? No, the Jaguars don’t need to worry about statements. They don’t matter in the NFL, anyway. They need to worry about winning, and getting to 2-0. Do that, and keep doing it, and eventually statements won’t even be a topic.

With that in mind, here are 10 things the Jaguars have to do to beat the Jets:

1.Run effectively. This is always key for the Jaguars. It’s even more so against a team that feeds off its ability to blitz and defend the pass.

2.Let Luke loose – even if only a little. The Jaguars don’t want to turn this into a pass fest. They still have to do what they do best, but McCown showed last week he can make big-time throws in crucial situations. The Jaguars may have to let him do it a few more times Sunday.

3.Shut out the crowd. Easier said than done in MetLife Stadium. Love seeing Fireman Ed.

4.Stop the run. This is what the Jaguars want to do best. They can’t win many games if they don’t do it, and that’s almost certainly true against the Jets.

5.Pressure Mark Sanchez. The Jets’ quarterback will make mistakes if rushed.

6.Attack the middle of the defense. It’s difficult to pass on the New York corners. Someone needs to work the middle of the field.

7.Forget the past. The Jaguars historically have been successful against the Jets in New York. More recently, they have struggled on the road. None of that matters Sunday.

8.Force turnovers. The Jaguars were solid against Tennessee last week defensively. They’ll need to be more than that against the Jets. You win games on the road by making a game-turning play or two.

9.Contain LaDainian. LaDainian Tomlinson is aging, but he’s still dangerous. The Jaguars contained Chris Johnson last week, and they’ll need to do the same – on the ground and as a receiver – Sunday.

10. Ignore the hype. The Jets are in New York. They’re brash. They’re well-publicized. They love to talk. Their fans are rowdy. They’re also beatable. Worry not about the extracurriculars and focus on the . . . well, on the curriculars – or something like that. This team trailed by 14 points late in the fourth quarter last week and hasn’t been a world-beater in the regular season the last two seasons. Just play.

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Final Word: AFC East

September, 16, 2011

Sep 16

1:30

PM ET

By James Walker

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 2:

[+] EnlargeChad Henne

Robert Mayer/US PresswireChad Henne had arguably the best performance of his career against the Patriots Monday, throwing for 416 yards.

All eyes on Henne: Few quarterbacks have received more heat this offseason than Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne. But the fourth-year player had the best outing of his career in Week 1. Henne threw for 416 yards and had three total touchdowns (two passing, one running) against the New England Patriots. But was it a fluke or will Henne keep that momentum going Sunday against the Houston Texans? This is a make-or-break year for Henne. He needs to continue to play well to erase doubts from his previous three seasons.

Last shot for a while at home: Miami's struggles at home are well documented. The team is 1-8 in its previous nine games at Sun Life stadium dating to last season. But Miami could be in trouble if it drops back-to-back home games to start this season. Miami will hit the road for three straight games following Sunday's matchup against Houston. The Dolphins were road warriors (6-2) in 2010. But winning six road games two years in a row is very difficult. Miami will play at Cleveland (Sept. 25), at San Diego (Oct. 2) and at the New York Jets (Oct. 17) after a bye week.

Stacking the box: On paper, the offense of the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) appears to be a favorable matchup for the New York Jets' defense. Look for the Jets' game plan to be simple: Stack the box against the run and see if Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown can beat them. Jacksonville ran the ball 47 times last week to protect its journeyman quarterback. Most likely that approach wouldn't get very far against the Jets' front seven. McCown needs a good game to beat New York.

Another RB test for Bills: There are plenty of great matchups to watch in Week 2 in the AFC East. But one I'm really looking forward to is the run defense of the Buffalo Bills (1-0) versus Oakland Raiders (1-0) tailback Darren McFadden. The Bills held Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl tailback Jamaal Charles to 56 yards rushing last week. McFadden is coming off a 150-yard rushing performance in a win over the Denver Broncos. Winning this battle should go a long way toward determining which team stays undefeated.

The new guy at center: New England Patriots veteran center Dan Koppen reportedly will miss eight to 10 weeks with a fractured fibula. This puts Dan Connolly, who filled in at guard last season, in the middle at center against the San Diego Chargers (1-0). New England ran a lot of no-huddle and quick-huddle on offense last week. That requires a lot from the center, who has to work with the quarterback to make the proper adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had great chemistry with Koppen. That will be hard for Connolly to replicate.

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Jets Statement on Enhanced Security Procedures

The Jets released the following statement this afternoon in advance of Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium between the Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars:

"At the direction of the NFL, all teams have been instructed to implement enhanced security procedures at the stadium gates. These procedures will require additional time for entry into the stadium. This modification is not based on any specific threat but is part of an ongoing effort to provide a safe environment for fans attending the games.

"Gates open two hours prior to kickoff. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive at the entry gates 30 minutes earlier than their normal time. We thank fans for their patience while entering the stadium."

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September 16, 2011 1:19 PM 1 comment

Darrelle Revis on Jaguars WR Jason Hill: “I don't even know who that is. He shouldn't have been talking in the first place'

BY Manish Mehta

A day after Jaguars wide receiver Jason Hill suggested that Darrelle Revis – and the rest of the Jets—may be overhyped, the All-Pro cornerback fired back.

“I don't even know who that is," Revis said after practice today. "He shouldn't have been talking in the first place."

On Thursday, Hill told the Florida Times-Union that Revis may be a product of all the exposure in the New York media market.

"This is a game full of good players making plays. He just made a lot more plays on TV than we've made being here in Jacksonville," Hill told the Florida Times-Union. "He's a good player. We respect him. Hopefully he respects us because we're going to bring it just like they're going to bring it."

Hill, who is playing his sixth season, has 55 career receptions and five career touchdowns. He’s listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Jets with a hip injury. Revis, predictably, hopes that Hill plays.

"This is a league full of great players. I think sometimes they get overhyped," Hill said. "I talked to Drew (Coleman). Drew played there (in New York). He says it's just the aura of New York. They got a big media."

Rex Ryan also chimed in on Hill's remarks.

"The best corner in football, and it's not close, is Darrelle Revis," Ryan said. "We'll see how he feels after the game."

“Who are we kidding?" Ryan added. "He’s the best in the league. It’s not close. Jason Hill, Osgood, any of those guys that are out there will find that out… just like they do every week when they go up against this guy.”

Revis was on the receiving end of a similar comment as a rookie when then-Cowboys WR Terrell Owens said that he had never heard of the Jets cornerback in the run-up to that the game. Revis held Owens in check for most of that game before Owens scored a late touchdown.

NOTES:

LB David Harris (toe), WR Santonio Holmes (ankle.quad) and S Eris Smith (ankle) are questionable. Ryan says he believes that Harris will play Sunday. However, he didn't sound as confident about Holmes' and Smith's chances at this point.

"I feel good about David playing," Ryan said. "The other two guys, I think it's questionable whether they play. I'm hoping they do. But we'll see."

-- With Kevin Armstrong

For more Jets news, follow Manish Mehta on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/TheJetsStream

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without defensive starters Derek Cox and Aaron Kampman against the New York Jets and could be without tight end Marcedes Lewis and receiver Jason Hill.

Cox (chest) and Kampman (knee) were ruled out Friday. Lewis (calf) and Hill (hip) were listed as doubtful on the team's injury report.

Cox, Lewis and Hill were injured in Sunday's season opener. Cox missed practice all week. So did Kampman, who is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.

Lewis and Hill returned to practice in a limited capacity Friday, but coach Jack Del Rio isn't counting on either of them to play against the Jets.

If they can't go, tight end Zach Miller and rookie receiver Cecil Shorts likely would have expanded roles.

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Jets WR Derrick Mason reacts to exchange with Bill Belichick in NFL Network documentary

Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 1:16 PM Updated: Friday, September 16, 2011, 1:49 PM

Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger By Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger

Derrick Mason said he's looking forward to seeing Patriots coach Bill Belichick in a little more than three weeks.

A documentary done by the NFL Network that premiered last night called "A Football Life," where Belichick is wired for a whole season, revealed that the two have a chippy past. After Mason caught a first down catch against the Patriots in 2009 with the Ravens, the two had a brief sideline confrontation .

"Oh, (expletive) you Mason, just (expletive) you," Belichick said after Mason made a comment following the catch. "Why don't we talk after the game, just shut the (expletive) up."

The video appears to show Mason going over to pat Belichick on his backside and he begins to laugh, to which Belichick responds: "Can you look at the scoreboard? (the Patriots won by 6)."

Today in response, Mason said that he'll see Belichick again on the sidelines when the Jets travel to New England. He also made several sarcastic remarks about the Patriots head coach and the "spy gate" scandal back in 2008.

"(I won't see him) not before (the game), during the game," Mason said. "I respect him because he's a very good head coach. They won a bunch of games during those times (putting emphasis on the words). When they were allegedly...you know (referring to spy gate). They won a bunch of games.

"But nah, I respect coach, he's a good coach. But I will see him out there."

Mason is 1-5 lifetime against the Patriots with a little more than 70 yards per game. The teams play each other again on Oct. 9.

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David Harris, Santonio Holmes, Eric Smith questionable for Jaguars game

Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 1:32 PM Updated: Friday, September 16, 2011, 1:54 PM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

Three Jets starters are questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars: LB David Harris (toe), WR Santonio Holmes (knee/quad) and S Eric Smith (ankle). All three were limited in today's practice.

"I feel good about David playing," coach Rex Ryan said. "The other two guys it's questionable. I hope they do, but we'll see. If the game was today, it would be questionable that they'd play."

Harris injured his toe in the Week 1 opener. Holmes and Smith were injured in practice.

WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), QB Mark Brunell (calf), CB Marquice Cole (ankle), FB John Conner (ankle), TE Jeff Cumberland (hamstring), DL Marcus Dixon (knee), RT Wayne Hunter (knee), WR Derrick Mason (knee), RB Joe McKnight (finger) and NT Sione Pouha (knee/ankle) practiced fully and are probable.

* * *

The Jets are encouraging fans to arrive at the entry gates to Sunday's game 30 minutes earlier than their normal time. The NFL has asked its teams to implement enhanced security procedures at the stadium gates.

* * *

Ryan said whether or not rookie NT Kenrick Ellis will play is a game-time decision. The third-round pick was a healthy scratch last week.

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Friday injury report

September, 16, 2011

Sep 16

2:48

PM ET

By Jane McManus

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Out: CB Derek Cox (Did not practice) chest; DE Aaron Kampman (DNP) knee.

Doubtful: WR Jason Hill (limited practice) hip, TE Marcedes Lewis (LP) calf.

Probable: DT Tyson Alualu (LP) knee.

NEW YORK JETS

Out: WR Logan Payne (out) wrist, OL Robert Turner (out) ankle.

Questionable: LB David Harris (LP) toe, WR Santonio Holmes (LP) knee/quad, DB Eric Smith (LP) ankle.

Probable: QB Mark Brunell (Full Practice) calf, WR Plaxico Burress (FP) ankle, DB Marquice Cole (FP) ankle, RB John Conner (FP) ankle, TE Jeff Cumberland (FP) hamstring, DL Marcus Dixon (FP) knee, OL Wayne Hunter (FP) knee, WR Derrick Mason (FP) knee, RB Joe McKnight (FP) finger, DL Sione Pouha (FP) knee/ankle.

[stoicsentry]

Oh crap, Holmes and Harris questionable? Ut oh

[flgreen]

Oh crap, Holmes and Harris questionable? Ut oh

Yeah, that's a concern. I watched Rex's presser, he seems to think that Harris will play, but when pressed about Holmes, and Smith, not so much

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Next Chance to Smash That 1st-Quarter Slump

By Andrew LeRay

Posted 52 minutes ago

When the Jets play the Jaguars on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, they will try to break an undesirable first-quarter drought. The Green & White have not scored an offensive touchdown in the first quarter of any game since a 1-yard run by RB LaDainian Tomlinson in Week 4 of 2010 in their 38-14 win at Buffalo.

It’s a streak that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is not proud of.

“It’s one of those things where you try not to get too frustrated with it,” said Schottenheimer. “Bottom line, we need to execute better. You have to go and just take one play at a time, focus on that play and execute that play to the best of your ability.”

By not finding the end zone in the first quarter, the Jets have had to climb out of an early hole on several occasions. In fact, they have fallen behind in 10 of the last 14 regular- and postseason games. By failing to score early and giving up the first points of the game, the offense is pressured almost immediately.

QB Mark Sanchez knows all about the streak, and the importance of setting a positive offensive tone early in the game.

“We need to start faster,” said Sanchez. “Whether it’s in the no-huddle or whatever, we just need to start faster and sustain a couple more drives and be better in the red zone.”

Sanchez has shown the ability to thrive in the no-huddle in the past, and that is something Schottenheimer always considers using.

“We talk about it every week,” said the coordinator. “It’s always available and Mark likes it. He’s very comfortable in it. It’s a tool for us that we can use and we’ll get to it when we need to.”

As for why the streak has reached 16 games and counting, Schottenheimer and his QB differ in opinion.

“I think the play-calling is fine,” said Sanchez. “We just can’t have negative plays on first down. We need to get much better on first down.”

While Schottenheimer would agree that first downs have been an issue, he insists that some fault rests on his shoulders.

“Obviously, if you come out and give up a sack on the first play, that kind of shoots you in the foot a little bit,” said Schottenheimer. “But I need to call better plays.”

Sanchez and the Jets have put together five fourth-quarter come-from-behind wins in their last 15 games dating to Game 6 at Denver last season. Although they have shown exceptional resolve when falling behind, their path to victory could be much less strenuous with some first-quarter scores.

The Jets did score a TD in the first quarter of their Week 15 victory over the Steelers last season, but that came on Brad Smith's 97-yard kickoff return to open the game. Smith is now gone to Buffalo, and with him went the scoreless first quarter drought, according to Schottenheimer.

“We’re obviously aware of it,” said Schottenheimer. “But this is a new group. To go back and compare it to last year – it’s a brand new group, so that’s in the past. We look at it that way, we really do.”

Pettine on the Jaguars

The Jaguars come to New York boasting one of the most dynamic and respected halfbacks in the game. RB Maurice Jones-Drew was vilified by both Jets fans and fantasy football players in 2009 when he took a knee instead of punching in a TD in the fourth quarter of their 24-22 win over the Green & White.

The Jets were left with no timeouts, and by taking a knee, the Jaguars were able to bleed the clock and set up for the game winning field goal as time expired. Although the Jets had cleared the way for Jones-Drew to score, he called their bluff and made them pay.

“We watched that game, and it’s still one that bothers us,” said Pettine. “We allowed a team to come in here and be more physical than we were. That’s something we never want to have happen, especially at home.”

Jones-Drew finished that game with 123 yards rushing and a touchdown. This time around, Pettine expects another heavy dose of the Jags’ tailback.

“This is not a flashy offense,” said Pettine. “Especially on the road, they’re going to come in and they want to take the crowd out of it. They’re going to run the football.”

[flgreen]

Ryan not bluffing, Jets' D one of the best

September, 16, 2011

Sep 16

3:27

PM ET

By Mike Mazzeo

The Jets allowed 390 total yards to the Cowboys last Sunday -- including 9.1 yards per catch and 21 first downs -- but head coach Rex Ryan believes his defense is still as good as any in the NFL.

“It’s based on fact,” Ryan said. “The proof is in the pudding. You don’t bluff your way into being the number on defense in the league (two years ago and last year being third) and having a history of being top two or three defense in the league every year. I just know that’s what we have, that kind of ability. I believe in our coaching staff, the continuity, there is no reason to doubt it. The team (Dallas) was like third or fourth in the league in offense last year and they got a lot of opportunities with the ball. They’re going to move the ball like that on a lot of people.”

Asked to pinpoint what went wrong, Ryan replied, “We made more mistakes than we’re accustomed to making, that’s for sure. I always think it’s a joke when the other coach will be talking about a team and not give the proper credit to the other side. The Dallas Cowboys are pretty darn good and everybody that plays them will figure that out.”

Ryan pointed out that he thought his defense -- not just his secondary -- made seven “glaring errors” in Sunday’s 27-24 win.

“No, I wasn’t talking about the secondary,” Ryan said. “Shoot, they made less mistakes than the rest of them. That was my unofficial number. (Mike Pettine) thinks it’s more or whatever. I understand, but that’s the number that I had.”

Ryan also said he “feels good” about the Jets’ pass rush, which combined for four sacks against an inexperienced Dallas offensive line. He also is confident in his unit’s ability to stop the run.

THE KEY? STOP MJD: To win this Sunday against Jacksonville, the Jets are going to have to contain Maurice Jones-Drew, a dynamic back who had 24 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

“You better have a bunch of guys on him,” Ryan said. “The thing is, too, he hits. You have to wrap him, because he’s a spinner too. He’s got great body control and power and balance and speed. It’s a great combination.

Asked if he Jones-Drew reminded him of any back from the past, Ryan replied, “It’s tough because he’s part Jim Nance. I go back to that, because he’s built like a bull. Yet, he’s got speed and little-man moves and all that. Jim Nance was huge, but a bulldozer-type guy that can run you over, and a (big) neck. He’s just short. He’s kind of like that. I’ll throw in, a combination of Emerson Boozer and Jim Nance. We’re in the thorwback mode, we’ll go back a little bit.”

GTD: On rookie defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis making his debut this week, Ryan said: “That’ll be a decision we make on game day.”

[Bleedin Green]

Yeah, that's a concern. I watched Rex's presser, he seems to think that Harris will play, but when pressed about Holmes, and Smith, not so much

How about we get Harris and Holmes to play, and Smith not to play? That's a win-win-win.

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Belichick, Mason have sparring session

September, 16, 2011

Sep 16

5:00

PM ET

By James Walker

The dangerous part of having a microphone on during games is there's often foul language used in the heat of competition.

Do you really want to know some of the things said during NFL games? Take New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick for example.

Belichick says very little when the media cameras are on. But in the NFL Network's documentary "A Football Life," Belichick gave New York Jets receiver Derrick Mason an earful in last year's game with the Baltimore Ravens, Mason's former team.

"Oh, f--- you Mason. Just f--- you," Belichick responded to Mason after the receiver said something after a reception. "Why don't we talk after the game, all right? Just shut the f--- up."

This week Mason told New York reporters that he respects Belichick. But that didn't stop Mason from taking a shot at the Hall of Fame coach by discreetly referencing Spygate.

"They won a bunch of games during those times, when they were allegedly, you know ... They won a bunch of games," Mason said.

Surprised by the Mason-Belichick sparring match? You shouldn't be.

In my three years covering the AFC North, Baltimore's locker room had a genuine disdain for the Patriots. Baltimore felt the Patriots were the league's favorite golden boys, while the Ravens, in their view, were treated like the NFL's bad-boy step children. The "Flag Game" was an example that always stuck with Baltimore.

The influx of former Ravens have added more fuel to the Jets-Patriots rivalry. Coach Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott are leading the charge. Mason is the latest to get involved.

The Patriots will host the Jets on Oct. 9. The return matchup in New York is set for Nov. 13.

[Bleedin Green]

Belichick, Mason have sparring session

September, 16, 2011

Sep 16

5:00

PM ET

By James Walker

The dangerous part of having a microphone on during games is there's often foul language used in the heat of competition.

Do you really want to know some of the things said during NFL games? Take New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick for example.

Belichick says very little when the media cameras are on. But in the NFL Network's documentary "A Football Life," Belichick gave New York Jets receiver Derrick Mason an earful in last year's game with the Baltimore Ravens, Mason's former team.

"Oh, f--- you Mason. Just f--- you," Belichick responded to Mason after the receiver said something after a reception. "Why don't we talk after the game, all right? Just shut the f--- up."

This week Mason told New York reporters that he respects Belichick. But that didn't stop Mason from taking a shot at the Hall of Fame coach by discreetly referencing Spygate.

"They won a bunch of games during those times, when they were allegedly, you know ... They won a bunch of games," Mason said.

Surprised by the Mason-Belichick sparring match? You shouldn't be.

In my three years covering the AFC North, Baltimore's locker room had a genuine disdain for the Patriots. Baltimore felt the Patriots were the league's favorite golden boys, while the Ravens, in their view, were treated like the NFL's bad-boy step children. The "Flag Game" was an example that always stuck with Baltimore.

The influx of former Ravens have added more fuel to the Jets-Patriots rivalry. Coach Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott are leading the charge. Mason is the latest to get involved.

The Patriots will host the Jets on Oct. 9. The return matchup in New York is set for Nov. 13.

I'm sorry, but this is just plain idiotic. Yes, the Ravens and Pats clearly have a pretty good rivalry for non-divisional opponents, but the Jets/Pats rivalry is at a level far beyond that, and certainly was before Rex or any former Ravens came to town. Hell, at least these days the teams' head coaches will actually speak to one another.

[RutgersJetFan]

I'm sorry, but this is just plain idiotic. Yes, the Ravens and Pats clearly have a pretty good rivalry for non-divisional opponents, but the Jets/Pats rivalry is at a level far beyond that, and certainly was before Rex or any former Ravens came to town. Hell, at least these days the teams' head coaches will actually speak to one another.

It is quite odd. Especially since the game they're most bitter about, they lost because Brian Billick couldn't keep himself from prematurely ejaculating via timeout.