Jets News 12-13

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Cro's Already Focused on the Eagles

By Andrew LeRay

Posted 15 hours ago

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Sometimes it takes a crushing loss for a team to turn its season around. The Jets are hoping the heartbreaking defeat in Denver in Week 11 will serve as the last blemish on an otherwise successful season. The Green & White took another step toward reaching the playoffs with the 37-10 throttling of the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“It was a great game, a complete game,” said head coach Rex Ryan during a conference call with local media. “All three phases did a tremendous job. I’ve been around a lot of great defensive performances, but holding a team to 4 yards in the first half is the best I’ve ever seen.”

There is no doubt the Jets defense has been peaking over the last six quarters of football. Since the third quarter of last week’s 34-19 victory over the Redskins, the Jets defense has forced four turnovers and allowed one touchdown and 16 points.

The team is now ranked sixth in the NFL in both passing and total defense in advance of tonight's St. Louis-Seattle game and will look to improve upon those numbers even further. Even though they sit at 8-5 and control their playoff destiny, the Jets will not change their mentality.

“Our approach doesn’t change,” said CB Antonio Cromartie. “We’re still in the fight for the playoffs. The biggest thing is to keep our minds focused on one week at a time, and right now it’s on a very good Philadelphia team.”

The Eagles have not had the type of season they had envisioned, but their roster brims with talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have some of the most electrifying speed demons in the game.

“They have two excellent receivers on the outside with [Jeremy] Maclin and [DeSean] Jackson,” said Cromartie. “You have a quarterback [Michael Vick] that’s a two-way weapon. You have the running back, [LeSean] McCoy, and other guys have stepped in from [Riley] Cooper to Jason Avant. They’re doing a heck of a job.”

The Eagles are coming off a 26-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins, who had won four of their previous five. Still, Cromartie has no doubts who the better team will be on Sunday.

“On defense I think we match up well because we have one of the best tandems at cornerback in the NFL,” said Cromartie. “We’re going to go out, compete, and have fun.”

The secondary smothered the Chiefs and QB Tyler Palko on Sunday and, with the help of a ferocious pass rush, held Kansas City to minus-15 net passing yards in the first half. While CB Darrelle Revis has been playing at an elite level all season, Cromartie feels himself turning the corner as the year rolls along.

“I think the last few weeks have been pretty good for me,” said Cromartie. “Whatever happened at the beginning of the year isn’t my concern. My only concern is going out, helping this team compete and try to win a game.”

Unfortunately, the defensive backfield lost one of its cornerstones as S Jim Leonhard is out for the remainder of the season with a torn patella tendon. Cro admitted the injury is a difficult one, but it’s a road the team has been down before.

“He’s been the head general of our defense,” said Cromartie. “Losing him is hard for us, but we have guys that can step in and do a great job. This group has been together for the last two years. We can communicate without communicating.”

With Leonhard out, S Brodney Pool will step into the starting larger role and the Jets will look to step further into the playoff picture.

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It's official: Leonhard on IR

December, 12, 2011

Dec 12

10:34

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

A few hours after Rex Ryan confirmed reports that S Jim Leonhard is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, the Jets made it official by placing him on injured reserve.

They have an opening on their 53-man roster and will look to fill it Tuesday.

"We’re going to try and bring in a good football player that would add some depth to us," Ryan said, meaning a safety. "That’s what you’re going to get. We don’t need a starter. We have our starters in Eric Smith and Brodney Pool, but we need somebody. We have Tracy Wilson, a young, developing player also as a safety, but we need somebody else to come in there and add some depth to us."

The Jets went into training camp with good depth at safety, but they traded Dwight Lowery to the Jaguars for a seventh-round pick and waived Emanuel Cook two weeks ago. Cook was claimed on waivers by the Ravens.

NO PICK FOR MASE: Former Jets WR Derrick Mason was released Monday by the Texans. What does that mean for the Jets, who received a conditional seventh rounder from the Texans? It means they get nothing.

When they made the trade after Week 5, the Texans agreed to give a seventh rounder to the Jets if Mason caught 33 passes over the final 11 games. He fell well short of that mark -- six receptions for 55 yards. There's no way he would've made it to 33, even if he had made it through the season on the Texans' roster.

MOORE OK: RG Brandon Moore (hip) came out of Sunday's game in good shape, according to Ryan. Going forward, the practice plan is to rest him on Wednesdays, limit him on Thursdays and let him go 100 percent on Fridays.

INSIDE KNOWLEDGE: You can bet Ryan will call his brother, Rob, the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, to get some intel on the Eagles.

"I don’t know if he’ll be answering the phone or anything after what happened," joked Ryan, alluding to the Cowboys' meltdown against the Giants.

The Cowboys lost to the Eagles, 34-7, so they obviously don't have all the answers.

INJURED: The Jets placed TE Jamarko Simmons (back) on practice-squad IR.

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December roll puts playoffs in view

December, 12, 2011

Dec 12

6:08

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By Jane McManus

As the playoff pieces come together almost as cleanly as a Broncos fourth-quarter drive, the Jets have once again moved from post-season longshot to wild-card favorite. If the season ended now, the Jets would have the sixth seed and be in the playoffs.

With three weeks left, it’s a little to early to ride off into the sunset. The Bengals and Titans are still well in the hunt, and the Jets have the Eagles, Giants and Dolphins to come. The fact that the Jets have won three straight and are poised to reach the postseason for the third time in his three years as coach,

Rex Ryan made a Super Bowl reference Monday.

“We go into every season with the ultimate goal,” Ryan said. “Now we haven’t reached it yet, but that’s what we strive to do. Sometimes I get criticized for putting it out there, that these are goal and our expectations are at this level, but that’s how we are.

“We’re not going to set our expectations low and, ‘Hey we overachieved at being .500.’ That’s not who we are. So we’re trying to attack the thing, we’re trying to accomplish the ultimate goal and that’s to be holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.”

Ryan made a point of saying that the Jets aren’t keeping their eyes locked on the scoreboard.

“The only thing we’re focused on is us and we’re not worried about anybody else,” Ryan said. “...If we don’t take care of our business, it’s not going to matter what anybody else does or doesn’t do.”

That said, after the past few games a few of the players are always checking up on scores It wasn’t too early, however, for some optimism among the Jets players.

“I think guys are excited about the opportunity after winning three straight,” C Nick Mangold said.

There was a lot of talk of the Jets having charge of their own destiny and, though he didn’t seem as though he wanted to guarantee anything, Ryan did express confidence.

“We think we’re going to get a good outcome,” Ryan said.

Ryan said the players actually get fitter as the season moves forward, rather than getting worn out. Ryan said giving the players the full week off helps them stay fresh, and that’s part of the formula of playing well late in the season.

“The type of men that we have on our team is a big part of it, we do get better, we think we have a great coaching staff we think that helps us, even the way we train.”

Things have lined up in the best possible way for the Jets. Now all they need is to take off.

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Both the NY Giants and NY Jets say destiny is calling their number

Ny Giants & NY Jets push for playoffs as meeting looms

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Originally Published: Monday, December 12 2011, 9:37 PM

Updated: Tuesday, December 13 2011, 3:19 AM

Tony Gutierrez/AP

Brandon Jacobs scores what proves to be winning touchdown asGiants show Cowboys and the NFL they are peaking at just the right time.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Shonn Greene (l.) has a huge day vs. the Chiefs.

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The Jets and Giants have played only one game against each other when it was crucial to both teams.

It was the summer of 1969, a few months after the Jets had shocked the Colts in Super Bowl III.

Even though the Giants were in the midst of an 18-season stretch of not making the playoffs, the Jets were not considered champions of New York until they beat the Giants, 37-14, in the Yale Bowl in the first-ever meeting for bragging rights.

There may never be a Subway Super Bowl, so the Giants-Jets game on Dec. 24 may be the closest it ever comes to happening. It could be the most important Giants-Jets game since 1969.

Three weeks to go and the Giants and Jets are in control of their own playoff destinies. They have made the playoffs in the same season only five times and not since 2006.

After making a mockery of their goal to win the AFC East with three-game and two-game losing streaks, the Jets have a one-game lead for the No. 2 wild-card spot. Win out, finish 11-5 and they’re in, regardless of what happens to the Bengals, Titans, Raiders and Broncos.

The Giants ended their four-game losing streak with Sunday night’s wild victory at Cowboys Stadium and now control their own destiny. Win out, finish 10-6, and they will win the NFC East.

The problem is both teams can’t win out; they play each other.

Not to worry. The Giants can lose to the Jets and still win the NFC East. The situation is more precarious for the Jets with three wild-card teams just a game behind them.

If the Giants split with the Redskins and Jets the next two weeks and the Cowboys beat the Bucs and Eagles the next two weeks, and then the Giants beat the Cowboys in the final game of the season on Jan. 1 at MetLife Stadium, they will each finish 9-7, but the Giants will win the division based on their head-to-head sweep.

Here’s another tie-breaking scenario in which the Giants can clinch the NFC East before they even play the Cowboys again: If the Cowboys beat the Bucs and lose to the Eagles and the Giants beat the Redskins and Jets, then the Giants will be 9-6 and Dallas will be 8-7 going into the final game.

Even if the Cowboys win the final game to get even, the Giants will win the division on the third tie-breaker: record in common games.

They will have split the head-to-head, had the same division record (3-3), but the Giants would be 8-4 in common games and the Cowboys would be 7-5.

Common games is the third tie-breaker to settle division ties, moving ahead of conference record a few years ago.

“I’ve always been a huge believer in you’ve got to take care of your own business,” Tom Coughlin said Monday. “Whenever you start to drift into thinking other people can help you out, you get in trouble. We realize how difficult each one of these games will be, but we put ourselves in position where if we can take care of our business, what we wanted all along will present itself as an opportunity for us.”

That’s the NFC East title.

“Control your own destiny” are the most welcome words in the NFL this season, even more welcome than “the Colts are coming to town.” But here’s the flip side to the Giants controlling their destiny. So do the Cowboys. If they win out, they will win the NFC East.

The Jets just need to keep winning because there are so many teams right behind them fighting for one spot. But with the Eagles finally looking like the Eagles with the return of Michael Vick in the victory in Miami, it won’t be easy for the Jets on Sunday in Philly. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL the Jets have never defeated. They are 0-8, including 0-4 in Philadelphia.

After the Jets lost to Tim Tebow in Denver on Nov. 17, Rex Ryan told his players, “It’s playoff time right now. That’s the way we approached it every game.”

The Jets have since beaten the Bills, Redskins and Chiefs. They have put themselves in position where they dont have to be scoreboard watching as long as they keep winning.

“The only thing we’re focused on is us,” Ryan said. “We’re not worried about anybody else. If we take care of our business, it doesn’t matter what anybody else does. We have to get into the playoffs. We know that.”

In less than two weeks, New York will finally get its Subway Super Bowl ... sort of.

gmyers@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-giants-ny-jets-destiny-calling-article-1.990578#ixzz1gQDVfiAu

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Rex Ryan strengthens grip on NY Jets job, on day Chiefs fire Todd Haley and Dolphins ax Tony Sparano

Simple ground and pound philosophy working

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, December 12 2011, 10:22 PM

Howard Simmons/New York Daily News

Rex Ryan will keep smiling, as long as he keeps making these playoff runs.

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A day after the Jets embarrassed the Chiefs at MetLife Stadium and officially began rolling toward the playoffs, Kansas City fired its coach, Todd Haley. The Dolphins also fired Tony Sparano on Monday.

That is the way that it works in the NFL, and in all sports, really. If you win enough you get to stay . . . until they fire you. If you lose too soon, they get to fire you quicker. Every coach knows eventually he’s going to get the ax. They just don’t know when. Few get to walk away unscathed and on their own terms.

That fact is not lost on Rex Ryan, who broke into the head-coaching ranks the same year as Haley, 2009.

“That’s the way it is. This is a man’s league. You have to win,” Ryan said. “We all know that as coaches. Obviously there are going to be some years that aren’t as good as others and some years that are better than others.”

The Chiefs won the AFC West last year, but couldn’t get out of the way of their own shadow this year. Under Ryan, the Jets have gone to two straight AFC Championship Games and appear to be on yet another mad dash to the playoffs, where Ryan believes anything can happen.

For all of his bold predictions about winning championships, Ryan has produced in the most fundamental way that insulates a coach: His teams have made the playoffs.

Ryan has done something that Haley and Sparano weren’t able to do — give his team a successful brand. When you think of the Jets under Ryan you think: Playoffs? Why not? They’ve done it the first two years under Ryan and they’re about to do it again.

Haley and Sparano woke up and got a pink slip on Monday. Ryan woke up on Monday with his playoff destiny in his hands and another chance to make good on his preseason boasts.

“I get criticized for putting it out there that these are our goals, and our expectations are at this level. Well that’s how we are,” Ryan said. “We’re not going to set our expectations low and go, ‘Hey we overachieved at being .500.’ That’s not who we are. We’re trying to attack the thing. We’re trying to accomplish the ultimate goal and that’s to be holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.”

Ryan is sitting pretty right now because he has the full backing of owner Woody Johnson and he has kept the Jets relevant in December and January.

The Jets got control of their playoff destiny thanks to thorough domination of Kansas City and some help from around the AFC. They got production from all phases and played the type of game that Ryan had envisioned for the team when the season started. The Jets held the Chiefs to four total yards in the first half. Mark Sanchez rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more — a first for a Jets quarterback. And Shonn Greene rushed for 129 yards and had another 58 yards on three receptions. All of this in Week 13 and to Ryan’s way of thinking, it happened right on schedule.

Ryan said he isn’t looking around at what the other wild-card contenders are doing. He’s concentrating on Philadelphia, the next opponent.

Before the season started, the Eagles were considered one of the top championship contenders based on the talent that they had on the field. Now they’re just a sad, pathetic mess and the fans are calling for Andy Reid’s head. At 13 years, Reid is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NFL. It seems so long ago that Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb had the Eagles in four straight NFC Championship Games, finally getting a shot in the Super Bowl by winning the fourth one.

If the Jets play against the Eagles the way they played against the Chiefs, then they should have no trouble. They will be without safety Jim Leonhard, a quarterback in the secondary and a reliable return man. Leonhard is gone for the season after tearing his patellar tendon against the Chiefs.

For Ryan it’s just another bump on the road to the playoffs.

This season is beginning to take on the feel of Ryan’s first one, when the Jets went 6-2 in December and January. Even Sanchez looked like he had regressed to some of his rookie ways during their losing streaks. But he is coming around now that the Jets can sniff the playoffs.

Ryan said he has built a team that is designed to excel in the crunch months, from increasing strength training to giving his players the full bye week off.

“Everything is set that way so that at the end of the year we're at our very best,” he said. “Obviously the focus and attention to detail is there. It’s physical, it’s mental. It’s everything. We’re set up to win games (late in the season). We always talk about you have to win when the snow flies in December and January. That’s how we set up our team.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-strengthens-grip-ny-jets-job-day-chiefs-fire-todd-haley-dolphins-ax-tony-sparano-article-1.990584#ixzz1gQEIKZux

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NY Jets confirm safety Jim Leonhard out for season; Brodney Pool will replace him as starter

Tannenbaum looks to add depth at safety position

BY Manish Mehta

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Originally Published: Monday, December 12 2011, 10:29 PM

Updated: Tuesday, December 13 2011, 12:57 AM

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Jim Leonhard's season goes down on this tackle after interception.

The Jets’ defense will be without one of its most valuable components down the stretch for the second consecutive season. Rex Ryan confirmed a Daily News report that veteran safety Jim Leonhard had suffered a season-ending right knee injury in the Jets’ 37-10 win over the Chiefs on Sunday. An MRI on Monday revealed that Leonhard has a torn patellar tendon that will sideline him the rest of the way. He missed the final five games of the regular season and the playoffs last year with a fractured tibia.

“Obviously it’s a huge blow to our football team, but one that we think we can overcome,” Ryan said.

Leonhard’s latest injury occurred on an interception in the second quarter when Chiefs wide receiver Steve Breaston grabbed his right leg.

“You feel absolutely terrible for him,” Ryan said. “This team means everything to Jim. His leadership is obviously going to be missed. He’s one of the guys that just elevates other players around him.”

Brodney Pool will replace Leonhard in the starting lineup. A year ago, Pool and Eric Smith, who took over after Leonhard was hurt, thrived late in the season and in the playoffs. Pool’s experience and his knowledge of Ryan’s and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s system should help matters now.

“I thought Brodney really stepped it up for us last year,” Ryan said. “We expect him to take off just from there.”

Ryan said the 29-year-old Leonhard — who was “in good spirits” on Monday at the team facility, according to cornerback Antonio Cromartie — will assume his role as a de facto coach like he did last year after his surgery. Ryan, of course, brought Leonhard over from the Ravens in 2009 to teach the subtleties of the defense to Jets players. Last week, Pettine called Leonhard “the quarterback of the back end,” praising his ability to make in-game adjustments and calls due to his familiarity with the system.

“Mentally, he does so much for us,” Pettine said then. “We all saw last year when he had the unfortunate injury it took us a little bit of time to adjust to life without him.”

With rookie Tracy Wilson as the only other safety on the roster, Ryan admitted that general manager Mike Tannenbaum will look to add another one to “help us with some depth in the long term.”

“We don’t need a starter,” Ryan said.

Veteran cornerback Donald Strickland could be another safety option. Gang Green traded cornerback/safety Dwight Lowery to the Jaguars before the start of the season. They also waived safety Emanuel Cook a couple weeks ago.

Cromartie was confident that the secondary, which will face a daunting challenge against the Eagles this weekend, will be able to adjust without Leonhard.

“One thing that’s helped us out this year is that everyone knows everybody on the back end,” Cromartie said. “This group has been together for (two) years. We know what to expect from each other. We can communicate without even communicating. We know where each other is going to be and how we want to play.”

Leonhard will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ website, the rehab timetable for a patellar tendon tear is 6-12 months.

“I know he’s the hardest-working guy around,” Ryan said. “This is a setback. This is not going to be the end for Jim Leonhard. Obviously he’s not going to go out two years in a row like he wants, and that’s holding that Vince Lombardi Trophy. . . . I don’t think Jim Leonhard’s done playing.”

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Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-jets-confirm-daily-news-report-safety-jim-leonhard-season-brodney-pool-replace-starter-article-1.990593#ixzz1gQFCgk00

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NY Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie says he has nothing to prove against Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha

Says Gang Green's offseason chase of Asomugha is ancient history

BY Kevin Armstrong

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, December 12 2011, 10:42 PM

Al Bello/Getty Images

Antonio Cromartie has broken up plenty of passes this season, while Nnamdi Asomugha struggles in Philly.

Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie feels like he has nothing to prove on the field Sunday in Philadelphia, even though Nnamdi Asomugha, the defensive back the team targeted as his replacement in free agency, will be playing for the Eagles.

“I’m not going against (Asomugha),” Cromartie said Monday. “I’m not worried about someone else or what happened.”

Asomugha, who also considered the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Eagles, but his first season in Philadelphia has been a failure, both individually and for his team. At 5-8, the Eagles have fallen far short of preseason expectations, with Asomugha getting beaten several times for touchdowns.

“I can’t tell you what’s going on there because I’m not there,” Cromartie said.

The season has taken its toll on Asomugha. He sprained his MCL during practice on Nov. 24, and suffered a concussion and shoulder injury against Seattle on Dec. 1.

Cromartie has endured ebbs and flows this season as well. As a kick returner, he’s displayed dynamic ability (23.3-yard average on 10 kickoff returns), but he’s also muffed a return.

As a cornerback, he enjoyed AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors but followed that up with four penalties levied against him the next week.

Cromartie maintains confidence heading into the Eagles matchup.

“We feel like we have one of the best tandems at cornerback,” Cromartie said.

MOORE OF THE SAME

Right guard Brandon Moore (hip) missed all three practices last week, but was able to play Sunday. Ryan said he expects Moore to sit out Wednesday, ease in Thursday and go full on Friday as part of a plan to better maintain his availability down the stretch.

HALE TO THE EX-CHIEF

Chiefs coach Todd Haley was fired Monday morning after the 37-10 loss to the Jets. Ryan referred to the dismissal as an “unfortunate thing” in the coaching business. He wished Haley, a former Jets scout and assistant, well.

SMITH DONE FOR YEAR

The Eagles placed former Giants wideout Steve Smith on season-ending injured reserve due to a bone bruise in his left knee.

Smith had not played since Week 12 against the Patriots and finished the season with 11 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-jets-cornerback-antonio-cromartie-prove-eagles-nnamdi-asomugha-sunday-article-1.990606#ixzz1gQFjAp8L

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Jets report card

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Record

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Rushing offense: A-minus

Shonn Greene rushed for a season-high 129 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries as the Jets' offensive line worked in cohesion despite RG Brandon Moore (hip) being unable to practice all week. QB Mark Sanchez chipped in with a pair of short touchdown runs, giving him five for the season and only one behind Greene. LaDainian Tomlinson and Bilal Powell totaled only 24 yards on 15 carries.

Passing offense: B-plus

The deep ball again was missing from the Jets' arsenal, but it didn't matter as the offense turned screens into long gains against the hard-rushing, blitz-happy Chiefs. Greene had a 36-yarder to set up a TD, and Tomlinson's 19-yard reception marked his first touchdown at MetLife Stadium. Sanchez became the first Jets QB to throw two TDs and run for two in the same game, but he was sacked three times.

Rushing defense: A

The Jets stacked the box and dared Tyler Palko to beat them, and it shut down a Kansas City rushing game that doesn't scare opponents anyway. RBs Jackie Battle, Dexter McCluster and former Jet Thomas Jones totaled a measly 46 yards on 19 carries, with Palko (12 yards) contributing the Chiefs' longest rush of the game. NT Sione Pouha stopped Battle in the end zone for two points.

Passing defense: B-plus

The Jets registered a season-high five sacks against Palko, with Pouha getting his first of the season and ILB Bart Scott getting his first full sack since Week 2 against Jacksonville. The last play of S Jim Leonhard's 2011 season was an important one. His interception off Palko in the second quarter set up the Jets' second touchdown, but also resulted in his season-ending knee injury. OLB Calvin Pace had a half-sack and batted down a Palko pass attempt.

Special teams: B

The kickoff returns continued to be less productive than earlier in the season, but Jeremy Kerley's 26-yard punt return led to a touchdown. The coverage teams excelled, with Kansas City KR Dexter McCluster limited to a 17.8-yard average on five returns. Marquice Cole downed a T.J. Conley punt at the Kansas City 5, part of a day in which Conley averaged 42.9 net yards on five punts. The Jets broke a four-game streak of having one special-teams turnover by playing error-free.

Coaching: A-minus

Coach Rex Ryan challenged his team Saturday night to blow out an overmatched opponent for a change, and the Jets responded. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's schemes confused the inexperienced Palko, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wisely used the screen pass as a weapon. Grade reduced from a possible A-plus by some glitches, such as having to burn a timeout before the Jets' first offensive play. Ryan also didn't explain why he exposed Sanchez to a blindside hit by Tamba Hali with the outcome not in doubt in the final quarter.

— J.P. Pelzman

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Charity begins with Holmes

Jets Blog

By DAVID SATRIANO

Last Updated: 5:08 AM, December 13, 2011

Posted: 3:20 AM, December 13, 2011

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Santonio Holmes has raised plenty of eyebrows over the course of his career, for his controversial locker room rants and trouble-making nature. Last night however, the Jets' boisterous wideout put his words to good use off the field at a fundraiser for Sickle Cell Disease, from which his son, Santonio III, suffers.

"I think honestly it's the smiles that it brings to the faces of the kids," said Holmes, about the most rewarding part of his foundation, which held the event at the Fresh Meadows Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y. "The families, the mothers the fathers who came out tonight to support this cause."

Holmes started the foundation, III & Long, in 2009 after his son was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. The foundation raises money, which is used to fund research in finding a cure for the disease, as well as to defray expenses for families who have children suffering from the disease. The hospital visits and medication aren't cheap.

"Just seeing everyone happy, knowing the struggles they go through that are not presented tonight, kind of gives you insight to how much people cherish life, and how precious it is," Holmes said.

While he helps to fight the disease off the field, Holmes has been very good at fighting off defenders on the field this season. He scored on a 4-yard pass form Mark Sanchez in Sunday's 37-10 rout of the Chiefs, and has now scored in three straight games. He is second on the Jets in receptions and receiving yards, and is tied with Plaxico Burress for the team lead with seven touchdowns.

"Football is work. And my kids are my priority, and my pride and joy but I don't think about it as much when I'm playing as opposed to once my work day is over with, that's when my kids get my time, and my focus," Holmes said.

Holmes' ability to separate the two has helped the Jets to an 8-5 record. They hold the sixth and final playoff seed in the AFC, with three regular-season games remaining. The Jets travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles this weekend, before a Christmas Eve showdown versus the Giants, and a New Year's day game in Miami, a tough stretch.

"You can only win one game at a time. But we control our own destiny," Holmes said. "If we win these next three games, we'll have an opportunity to play in the playoffs."

Former Jets great Victor Green was also on hand to support the cause with Class Act Sports, an organization created to highlight the positive contributions athletes have made off the field that often go unnoticed.

Green said he thinks the Jets have a good shot to cash in on coach Rex Ryan's annual guarantee of winning the Super Bowl.

"The past two years, [the Jets] have been in the same predicament," Green said. "And it seems like towards the end of the year, they always find a way to peak and I think they're getting the momentum. Once they get in, they have enough talent there to make a run."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/charity_begins_with_holmes_U2isD67POKpdNdmN0X35dI#ixzz1gQGw6C8k

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Jets' Leonhard out for season, again

Jets Blog

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Last Updated: 8:32 AM, December 13, 2011

Posted: 1:40 AM, December 13, 2011

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The Jets got a bad case of déjà vu yesterday, learning safety Jim Leonhard is not going to be able to finish the season for the second straight year.

The Jets’ worst fears were confirmed when an MRI exam showed Leonhard has a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, which will cause him to miss the rest of the season. He was placed on injured reserve yesterday.

Leonhard missed the team’s final five regular season games and playoff run last season with a broken right leg.

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Leonhard injured his knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s 37-10 victory over the Chiefs when wide receiver Steve Breaston tackled Leonhard after he intercepted a Tyler Palko pass. The injury will require surgery to repair the tendon.

Neil Miller

OVER AND OUT: Jets safety Jim Leonhard grimaces in pain after suffering a season-ending tear to the patellar tendon in his right knee during Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

“You feel absolutely terrible for him,” coach Rex Ryan said. “This team means everything to Jim and his leadership is obviously going to be missed, without question. He’s one of the guys that just elevates other players around him.”

The 29-year-old Leonhard is in the final year of a three-year deal he signed with the Jets in 2009. Leonhard followed Ryan to the Jets from the Ravens, where he played for a season. Leonhard told

The Post last week he hoped to re-sign with the Jets this winter.

The Jets had the day off yesterday, so the media was not permitted in the locker room and Leonhard was not one of the three players selected by the team to participate in conference calls with reporters.

Two of his teammates, cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson, told reporters they saw Leonhard earlier and he was in good spirits. Cromartie said Leonhard told him he is waiting for the swelling to go down to have surgery.

“It’s hard,” Cromartie said. “Having a guy like Jimmy, he’s the head general of our defense, he knew where everybody is supposed to be and a guy that was just a great leader. Losing him is hard for us.”

The Jets will turn to Brodney Pool to play alongside Eric Smith at safety. Pool started 12 games in 2010 and stepped in for Leonhard last year when he was injured. Ryan said the safeties are interchangeable in his defense so both Pool and Smith will pick up some of Leonhard’s repsonsibilities.

“It’s a huge blow to our football team, but it’s one that we think we can overcome,” Ryan said.

The Jets re-signed Pool in August at the start of training camp. He actually started Sunday’s game in place of Smith because the Jets opened the game in their nickel defense.

Ryan said general manager Mike Tannenbaum will look to add depth at safety. The Jets use a lot of defensive sets with three safeties on the field. That could be where this injury hurts them the most. Cornerback Donald Strickland can also play safety in some formations.

The Jets made a few moves earlier this year that affected their depth at the position. They let James Ihedigbo go to the Patriots as a free agent. They traded Dwight Lowery before the season to the Jaguars. Then, two weeks ago they released Emanuel Cook.

“

We’re going to try to bring in a good football player that will add some depth to us,” Ryan said. “We don’t need a starter. We’ve got our starters in Eric Smith and Brodney Pool.”

Ryan believes Leonhard can return from a second-straight leg injury. He did not say whether the Jets would pursue him this winter.

“There’s a business side of football,” Ryan said. “We know Jimmy is a tremendous player. I think this is a setback. This is not going to be the end for Jim Leonhard.”

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/blowing_the_joint_ettjQL1K4nS9X1nrfncA5I#ixzz1gQHSQ18k

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Now Jets must keep focus on playoff prize

Jets Blog

Last Updated: 2:47 AM, December 13, 2011

Posted: 1:43 AM, December 13, 2011

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Mark Cannizzaro

If you have followed the Jets long enough, you know their history: Serve them a plate of prosperity and they’ll spill it all over themselves.

They have lived it. You have paid the dry-cleaning bills. And you have seethed, wondering the inexplicable: How could they screw up such a good thing?

You can make yourself dizzy recounting the list of scenarios over the years when the Jets have seemingly had it all going for themselves only to falter, sometimes in the most dramatic ways.

Prosperity has been like a drug for the Jets, but they constantly have overdosed on it.

Paul J. Bereswill for The New Yo

GREENE MACHINE: Shonn Greene easily eludes the Chiefs defense for a big gain during Sunday’s 37-10 Jets victory, but the road to the playofffs won’t be as smooth, beginning with a tough tilt this week at Philadelphia.

We’ll spare you the dreadful details of their dark history with this bad habit, but even the Rex Ryan Era has not been immune to the tendency — despite the last two seasons ending in trips to the AFC Championship game.

You’ll recall, after the Jets’ Oct. 23 win over the Chargers got them to 5-3 at the turn, you heard these words from Ryan and his players: “We’re just hitting our stride now.’’

The Jets, in their own words, were ready to take off — right back to the AFC Championship game, which seemed a forgone conclusion if you bothered to listen to Ryan’s pontificating.

That take-off, however, was unceremoniously aborted, the “stride’’ derailed on Nov. 13 at home against the Patriots in the form of a 37-16 humbling on national television.

Then, Tim Tebow went John Elway on the Jets with his own version of “The Drive,” and that “stride’’ had suddenly vanished at a 5-5 crossroads.

You, of course, remember last season when, after the 9-2 start the Jets went to Foxborough, Mass., with the intention of finally overtaking the Patriots as the kings of the AFC East. A 45-3 drubbing later and the Jets had again handled prosperity the way a rookie running back handles a wet football.

They fumbled.

Though it’s a different year and a different scenario, the Jets find themselves in a similar situation: having to handle some prosperity after Sunday’s aligning of the stars.

Except for losing safety Jim Leonhard for the season to a right knee injury, there aren’t many things that could have gone better for the Jets Sunday.

Most importantly, the Jets took care of their own business, whipping the lowly Chiefs 37-10 at home.

Then crucial dominoes fell in their favor — three of the four teams they are battling for the final wild-card playoff spot lost — and suddenly the Jets found themselves in the sixth playoff perch with destiny in their hands.

Prosperity again. What will they do with it?

The Jets’ task these next three weeks will be to conduct themselves exactly the way they did the last three weeks since that terrible Tebow moment in Denver: play with a win-or-die urgency.

That begins Sunday in Philadelphia, where the underachieving Eagles’ self-proclaimed “Dream Team’’ has been living a nightmare this season, mired at 5-8 and basically eliminated from the playoffs.

If the Jets don’t drive down the New Jersey Turnpike truly understanding how dangerous the Eagles, with Michael Vick back, are to their playoff chances, they probably think there are no tolls to pay on the way and that gas is a dollar a gallon.

In a way, the Jets’ next opponent isn’t as much the Eagles as it is themselves. They need to have their minds right, to feel the desperation that fueled them the last three weeks.

They must cast aside the bit of prosperity that fell into their laps Sunday and pretend if they lose to the Eagles their season is over.

“Our approach doesn’t change; we’re still in a fight for the playoffs and one game can change everything for us,’’ cornerback Antonio Cromartie said yesterday.

“We’re going to keep the same mindset we’ve had going into the previous three games where our only focus is the next game,’’ center Nick Mangold said.

The Jets need to forget about the new-found prosperity that came to them Sunday and keep those promises Cromartie and Mangold made yesterday.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/back_in_stride_kEp4uVjJ33rZ3HHJXVgPmM#ixzz1gQI3bxID

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Jets coach says watch out for Eagles

Jets Blog

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Last Updated: 8:32 AM, December 13, 2011

Posted: 1:41 AM, December 13, 2011

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Get ready for Rex Ryan to build up the Eagles this week to sound like a cross between the 1985 Bears and the 1999 Rams.

The Jets coach began talking up his team’s next opponent yesterday. He clearly wants the Jets to see past the Eagles’ 5-8 record and look at the flashy names on the team’s roster.

“This is as talented a team as we’re going to face all year,” Ryan said on a conference call with reporters.

The Eagles were viewed as a Super Bowl favorite entering this season, but they have struggled mightily. Ryan’s Jets are coming off a 37-10 dismantling of the Chiefs and are feeling good about themselves. Ryan is going to grab his team’s attention by pointing out how dangerous the Eagles can be.

“They probably have as many explosive playmakers as anybody we’ll face,” he said. “Their defense is probably as talented as any defense we’ll face all year. It’s going to be a huge task for us.”

Then there’s this stat, which Ryan is sure to love: The Jets are 0-8 all-time against the Eagles. Ryan loves nothing more than to rewrite Jets history.

* One of those talented Eagles is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who was a major target of the Jets in free agency.

They had to settle on bringing back Antonio Cromartie when Asomugha chose the Eagles. Cromartie said he is not focused on showing up Asomugha this week, though.

“No, because I’m not really going against him,” Cromartie said on a conference call. “I feel like the last few weeks have been pretty good for me. I’m not worried about someone else on another team or what happened at the beginning of the year. That’s not my concern. “

* Ryan had high praise for quarterback Mark Sanchez.

“That was one of his best games. He was confident. He was accurate with the football,” Ryan said on 1050 ESPN.

* Guard Brandon Moore did not practice last week as the team tried to rest his surgically repaired hips. Ryan said the plan this week is for Moore to sit out tomorrow, practice in a limited role on

Thursday and then practice fully Friday. ... Rookie Jeremy Kerley is back as the punt returner with Jim Leonhard out for the season.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/rex_says_watch_out_for_birds_YuTReh1DI6gnUeUIY1lxYK#ixzz1gQIjEw2z

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Morning take: Will Dolphins go top shelf?

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

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By James Walker

Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday morning in the AFC East:

• Will the Miami Dolphins chase after the top head coaches?
  

Morning take: Miami should certainly start at the top. But if we’re talking Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, I don’t think it will work. Miami is unwilling to give up complete control and that’s what it will take to land the very best.

• Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey says he has no questions about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
  

Morning take: Fitzpatrick is streaky and hasn’t been at his best in the second half of the season. Fitzpatrick still has a lot to prove that he will not be the next Kevin Kolb.

• The spotlight is now on New York Jets starting safety Brodney Pool.
  

Morning take: Losing Jim Leonhard for the season is big for New York, but Pool can help soften the blow. Pool is the team’s most athletic safety.

• New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says the team needs more fire.
  

Morning take: New England has been playing down to its competition lately. Whether it’s not finishing or keeping games too close, the Patriots have a few more weeks to work through it before the playoffs.

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Jets’ Rex: ‘It’s Playoff Time Right Now’

December 13, 2011 7:32 AM

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NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Everything seems to be falling into place — again — for Rex Ryan and the Jets.

Well, almost everything. Starting safety Jim Leonhard is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.

But they’ve got a three-game winning streak, the offense is finally clicking and the defense is shutting down opponents. The teams they’re competing with to make the postseason also lost Sunday.

“It’s playoff time right now,” Ryan said. “That’s how we’ve approached it every game.”

It’s beginning to feel a lot like 2009, when the Jets appeared out of the mix late in the season, only to bounce back, get a couple of breaks and make it all the way to the AFC championship. After all those struggles and moments of panic earlier this season, the Jets (8-5) suddenly control their playoff destiny.

“Our approach doesn’t change,” cornerback Antonio Cromartie said. “We’re still in a fight for the playoffs. I mean, one game could change everything for us.”

Such as this week at Philadelphia, when the Jets take on the Eagles (5-8) in a matchup that appeared a lot sexier in the summer when New York lost out to the NFL’s “Dream Team” on getting prized cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Jets aren’t taking the game lightly, though, not against a team with Michael Vick that still has an outside shot at getting to the postseason.

“I think we understand the importance of these games late in the season,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said after the Jets’ 37-10 win over Kansas City on Sunday. “We understood, especially my rookie year, and this year we missed opportunities early in the season and anytime you do that you want to try to make up for them. And guys understand that, we understand the kind of wild-card race we’re in.

“So, I think we just find a way to click, and that’s important late in the season.”

Tempering the Jets’ excitement, though, was the Leonhard news Monday.

“(The mood) is kind of mixed because of what happened to Jim,” center Nick Mangold said. “He’s a great leader, a great player for us. But, we have injuries and guys have to step up, so I think guys are excited about the opportunity after winning three straight and we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us in Philly.”

Leonhard was hurt after making an interception in the second quarter and will now be forced to only watch for the second straight year as the Jets try to reach the postseason. He broke the same leg last season almost exactly a year ago.

“That’s going to be a huge loss for us,” Ryan said.

If there’s any consolation, New York knows it can win without Leonhard after going deep into the playoffs last season. It’s not the ideal situation, but then again, that’s how the Jets have operated much of the time during Ryan’s three years in New York.

“This team means everything to Jim, and his leadership is going to be missed without question,” Ryan said. “He’s one of the guys that elevates other players around him.”

Two years ago, the Jets entered Week 15 on a three-game winning streak — just as they will this season — but lost to Atlanta at home to fall to 7-7 and see their playoff hopes placed in serious jeopardy. Ryan even mistakenly thought their shot at the postseason was over. But then, they beat a previously undefeated Indianapolis team that rested Peyton Manning and a playoff-bound Cincinnati squad that had nothing to play for.

Lucky breaks and all, the Jets soared into the AFC championship game. Cornerback Darrelle Revis said last week that this year’s team reminds him an awful lot of that bunch. The season appeared as if it might start spinning out of control after a deflating loss to Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos a few weeks ago. Instead, the Jets have bounced back — as they always seem to do.

A loss Sunday, though, and New York will have to start relying on lots of help again.

“Pressure either brings out the best or worst in players,” Sanchez said.

He should know. In less than three seasons, Sanchez has already established himself as a player who can handle late-season pressure. He struggled mightily at times earlier in the year and fans were booing him in pregame introductions just a few weeks ago.

Since then, Sanchez has led New York to three straight wins while throwing seven touchdown passes and just one interception, while also running for two scores. The offensive line, which appeared a shell of its former solid self, is again protecting the quarterback and making big holes for Shonn Greene and the running game.

“It’s really coming together,” Mangold said. “We’ve done a much better job of execution up front and making sure we’re doing the right thing, which I think has helped.”

The defense, although not perfect, has played more along the way Ryan expects: smothering and dominant. There might have been no better example of that than how the Jets stifled the Chiefs during the opening two quarters Sunday.

“I’ve been around a lot of great defensive performances, but holding a team to 4 yards in the first half was about as good as I’ve ever seen it,” Ryan said. “It definitely was as good as I’ve ever seen. I like the way we’re playing.”

The Jets know they’ve just got to keep it up — against Philadelphia, the Giants and at Miami — and then the real pressure of the postseason begins.

“We just have to keep playing like we did (Sunday),” safety Eric Smith said. “If we can put this effort together each week, we have a good shot at winning.”

Notes: RG Brandon Moore was fine after playing the entire game against the Chiefs without practicing because of soreness in his surgically repaired hips. Ryan said the plan moving forward will likely have Moore sit out Wednesday, be limited Thursday and then put in a full practice Friday.

… The Jets are 0-8 all-time against the Eagles, the only team New York has never defeated.

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Green Lantern: Christmas Eve Will Be Just Another Day If Jets Don’t Shoot Down Eagles

Sunday In Philadelphia Is All That Should Matter To Gang Green Players, Fans

December 13, 2011 7:46 AM

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Mark Sanchez (credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images), Michael Vick (credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

By Jeff Capellini, CBSNewYork/WFAN.com

NEW YORK (WFAN) — Ah yes, Christmas Eve.

There’s nothing better than the anticipation that comes with spending time with family and friends, seeing children enjoy all the fruits that come with yet another year of good behavior. Nothing.

And this time around stands to be even more memorable than year’s past.

But there will be no snooping.

If NBC has its way you could even end up hearing that jingle, followed by receiving that Lexus that’s supposedly a rite of passage, especially during these trying economic times. Or, perhaps Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will reward you for catching their new and forced-down-our-throats “Sherlock Holmes” flick during the day by dressing up as Santa Claus and his English elf later that night at your very special gathering.

Make no mistake, Dec. 24 once again has all the makings of that special day you’ve enjoyed since you were a tiny tot.

But all that said, as far as the NFL goes, you are forbidden to look ahead.

If I so much as hear a Jets fan mention the Giants before next Sunday at around 7:30 p.m., I’ll turn your home into a coal mine.

There is work to be done between now and then, work the Jets absolutely under no circumstances can afford to take any less seriously than the work they have put in over the last month, the effort that has helped them save their season and put them in position to actually enjoy Christmas the way they had envisioned some 14 weeks ago.

I keep reading how the Jets ‘ remaining regular season schedule is “favorable.” Sure, the combined record of their final three opponents is a rather unremarkable 16-23. I get it.

But if you think the Jets (8-5) should just waltz through those three games, you are a hell of a lot more arrogant than you should be. Yes, the Jets, on paper at least, should be able to complete an incredible run of six straight wins to close their season, a streak that would give them the same record they had last season and, almost assuredly, the same playoff seed. However, contrary to popular belief, all three of their remaining opponents have plenty to play for, even if at least two of them have no chance to make the playoffs.

I’ll only deal with the first one on the ledger in this space at this particular time. The other two won’t need any introduction or analysis anywhere in the Jets’ oft-uncivilized world once the time is right.

You can kill the Eagles (5-8) for being this “Dream Team” that went afoul of expectations all you want, but the bottom line is they are still very dangerous. They have more weapons on both sides of the ball than the Jets’ last three vanquished opponents combined. They have the ability to run and stop the run. They can pass and stop the pass. We are beginning to see that despite all their dysfunctional issues, they appear to have a sense of pride.

Oh, and did I mention the Jets have never won in Philadelphia in the regular season? In fact, the Jets have never beaten the Eagles in eight tries, whether at Shea, Giants Stadium,Veteran’s Stadium or their current home.

This won’t be easy for the Jets. Lincoln Financial Field can be a brutal place to play, mostly because it’s in Philadelphia, where they hate everyone, most especially sports teams from New York. The Eagles and their fans will want nothing more than to destroy their big brother city’s chances at postseason play, which a loss could very well do if things don’t shake out correctly the rest of the way.

And while the Jets are on a roll and appear to have a better clue on offense and more accountability on defense, they still have not beaten anyone of note since getting embarrassed by Tim Tebow in Denver a month ago. The one thing the Jets have done during their three-game winning streak is beat teams they were supposed to beat, one in dramatic fashion, one with a fourth quarter that was reflective of a team that understood the urgency of the situation and the other, Sunday’s 37-10 pasting of the hapless Chiefs, in the way a contender is supposed to handle a doormat — from the get-go.

But trying to control Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, not to mention underrated tight end Brent Celek and receiver Jason Avant, plus a defense that when on can be as good as once lauded, will require that the Jets do something they still have not done since the Jacksonville game back in Week 2 — play a complete 60 minutes.

Even during Sunday’s rout of Kansas City the Jets had some lulls, primarily on offense. It wouldn’t be fair to judge the Jets defensively either way because the Chiefs were just that bad.

While expecting the Jets to march 80 yards on every drive is unrealistic, they still did look a bit disheveled during a few stretches of the first half. But the good news is the Tom Moore influence on the offense was readily apparent while the outcome was still sort of in doubt. The play-calling was nicely balanced. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was not put in precarious situations that would have forced him to throw into coverage, as evidenced by the fact that Jets receivers combined for all of three catches for 22 yards, including not a single grab by their hottest receiver, Plaxico Burress.

Tight end Dustin Keller became a factor again and LaDainian Tomlinson was used as originally advertised.

And the Jets rightly leaned on Shonn Greene as both a runner and receiver. Greene is on pace to maybe hit that 1,150-1,200-yard rushing mark many penciled him in for back in the preseason and he’s clearly worked on his hands because they throw to him now and, to the surprise of many, he catches the ball.

However, the efficiency will need to continue against the Eagles because as the Jets will soon find out Vick is not Tyler Palko or Rex Grossman. Yes, Vick is wildly inconsistent and it seems like a stiff breeze is enough to knock him out of games from time to time, but he remains dangerous

nonetheless. If I’m Rex Ryan or defensive coordinator Mike Pettine I instruct my charges to keep the slashing quarterback in the pocket as much as possible. Make him throw to beat you. Hope the Jets build off Aaron Maybin’s resurgence and their five-sack effort from Sunday. Do not let Vick improvise, for that’s his ultimate strength.

McCoy has quietly turned into an elite NFL running back. In deference to the great Cris Carter, all McCoy does is score touchdowns … and slice up opposing defenses and catch passes. The list goes on and on. He’s a true offensive beast.

Maclin, when healthy, is a stud of a receiver, and Jackson, when not pouting or otherwise acting like a child, can change any game at any time. Celek always seems to be open and has very good hands, and Avant does all the little things, plus many of the spectacular things that are often overlooked in the final analysis. Heck, even Riley Cooper can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention.

You shouldn’t expect the Jets to shut this team down. The combination of all that skill, playing with a purpose and competing in their own building in front of a mob of folks who wouldn’t give a second’s thought to stealing all of your Christmas presents will have the Eagles extremely keyed up for a matchup that many thought back in August was a Super Bowl preview. Well, this game might very well be the Eagles’ championship game. To expect them to lay down is crazy. On the contrary, I expect them to bring it much like they did against the Giants a few weeks ago and this past Sunday against the formally surging Dolphins.

So it’s imperative the Jets score points, a lot of them. They’d be well-advised to get out to some kind of lead and then not go into a conservative shell, which sometimes happens with this bunch because they’re not too good at embracing prosperity.

And if you think I’m overreacting or giving the Eagles way too much respect, I’ll just say this: Nobody in their right mind expected Tebow to do what he did to the Jets. Yet he did it. What that loss did was galvanize the Jets into more of a united front. I’m not saying they have since regained the “swagger” so many fans love to use as a badge of honor, but they did come to realize the seriousness of the situation. Now, the Jets are in a situation where one loss could end everything. They likely won’t have the luxury of learning from another loss, unless they plan on taking their lesson into next season. The Jets are simply more self-aware now, and not in the manner we’re accustomed with dream quotes for reporters.

The Jets know what needs to be done because they’ve been in playoff mode for a month. So it really doesn’t matter that Sunday’s opponent is the Eagles. The same approach would have to be taken regardless of the foe. But when you look at all the talent the Eagles have and at a coach in Andy Reid who may not have won the big one yet, but always seems to have his teams in position late in seasons to at least compete for a ring, the opponent and venue this weekend will, without question, pose the most difficult of challenges for the Jets since they got shellacked by the Patriots the second time.

The only way Christmas Eve week has the chance to live up to the hype is if both New York teams take care of business this week. And while I generally do not concern myself with what the Giants do, they should kick around the crappy Redskins on Sunday at home.

That will leave the Jets to live up to their end of the bargain.

And winning in the madhouse that is always Philly, considering all that’s at stake, could very well be the only way we truly learn if these Jets are, indeed, everything many believe they are cracked up to be.

Read more columns by Jeff Capellini

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Sanchez-Fitz-Moore-Losman Watch

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

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By James Walker

Now it's getting ridiculous.

The Miami Dolphins can't protect their quarterbacks. So, the race to determine the No. 2 quarterback in the AFC East continues to change names. First, it was the "Sanchez-Fitz-Henne Watch." That later changed to the "Sanchez-Fitz-Moore Watch."

Now, at least for this week, we debut the "Sanchez-Fitz-Moore-Losman Watch."

Moore suffered a blow to the head as the Dolphins gave up nine sacks in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. J.P. Losman replaced Moore and has a good chance to start Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, his former team.

Here is how we grade their Week 14 performances:

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Result: W, 37-10 against Kansas City

Stats: 13-of-21 for 181 yards, four total TDs

QBR: 80.8

Analysis: Sanchez did what was expected and then some in a blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He made the right reads, didn't turn over the football and was great in the red zone. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores. This is the efficient Sanchez we saw in the playoffs last year. If he plays this well the rest of the year, the Jets have a chance to make the postseason and possibly do some damage after that.

Walker's grade: A-

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills

Result: L, 37-10 against San Diego

Stats: 13-of-34 for 176 yards, two INTs

QBR: 11.9

Analysis: Here is one criticism I have for Fitzpatrick: He's failed to carry his team in the midst of its worst funk of the season. Buffalo needs someone -- anyone -- to step up and get momentum back for the Bills. Fitzpatrick is now the face of the franchise after signing a $59 million contract extension. But he hasn't played great since, including another dud Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. Fitzpatrick will set new career highs in a lot of categories this year. But after a fast start, his entire body of work isn’t turning out to be all that impressive.

Walker's grade: D-

Matt Moore/J.P. Losman

Result: L, 26-10 against Philadelphia

Stats: (combined) 17-of-29 for 95 yards, one TD, one INT

QBR: 3.4 and 2.9

Analysis: Moore and Losman couldn't do much with a turnstile offensive line. Both quarterbacks were eventually injured, although Losman's isn't expected to be serious. Moore and Losman combined for 95 yards. The good news is Buffalo's defense hasn't stopped anyone in a long time. Losman should be motivated if he plays against the Bills team that drafted him. But both quarterbacks were bad on Sunday.

Walker's grade: F

This week’s winner: Mark Sanchez (three points)

Second place: Fitzpatrick (two points)

Third place: Moore-Losman (one point)

Overall standings (fourth quarter)

First place: Sanchez (three points)

Second place: Fitzpatrick (two points)

Third place: Moore-Lowman (one point)

The winner of the fourth quarter will be the second-best quarterback in the division behind Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. The "Sanchez-Fitz-Moore-Losman Watch" will continue after Week 15.

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B&C Morning Show: Eli Gets The Love, Craig Gets Worried, Jeter Gets It Done

December 13, 2011 6:15 AM

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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

From Boomer & Carton

During today’s show open, Boomer & Craig had a lot to get to. They began by teasing a story involving Derek Jeter and his apparent practice of providing his departing ‘lady-friends’ with a valuable parting gift.

From the gridiron, Boomer is happy to see Eli Manning finally getting the love he deserves here in New York, while the Jets got some bad news yesterday as Rex Ryan said Jim Leonhard is done for the season.

Craig called it a crossroads as far as both the Jets and Giants are concerned. The Jets have to travel to Philadelphia to play the dangerous Eagles, while the Giants host the 4-9 Washington Redskins.

With that said, Craig spoke about being extremely worried as far as the Jets are concerned and he is just hoping that as the week goes on he somehow gains more confidence in their chances in Philly, because as of today he believes Rex’s Gang Green is in big trouble.

As for the Giants – after Sunday’s thrilling come-from-behind win over the Cowboys – they now control their own destiny and despite their laundry list of injuries, Craig doesn’t see the Redskins offering much resistance on Sunday.

When briefly touching on the aforementioned Jeter story, Craig revealed a fascination he has with professional athletes, beginning with the 6’5″ blonde one sitting to his right…

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Eagles coach hears only what he wants

6:14 AM, Dec. 13, 2011 |

Written by

Column by Kevin Callahan

Courier-Post Staff

The first comment Eagles coach Andy Reid made Monday about the win over the Dolphins, right after his usual opening report on injuries of course, was about his team’s fans.

Yes, Reid’s very first words were a hug for those fans who backed his sad squad in rainy Miami.

“I’d like to just thank the fans for the great job that they did in support of us down there,” the cheery Reid said. “At times it was almost playing a home game, so it was tremendous support. I just appreciate their effort coming out on a game that the weather wasn’t great and giving the support that they did.”

Strange that Reid heard the fans in SunLife Stadium during the Eagles’ 26-10 win over the Dolphins, but he never heard the fans at home two weeks ago.

Reid said with a straight and stern face after the throaty home fans chanted “Fire Andy” midway through the third quarter during of a 38-20 loss to New England at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 27 that he didn’t hear the calls for his head.

So, it just seemed odd Reid heard the cheering in South Beach and not the jeering in South Philly. Maybe there are better acoustics. Maybe it’s because Florida is closer to the equator.

Really, Reid might just be hearing better nearer Earth’s middle. He returned Monday to Philadelphia and didn’t hear well, either, obviously missing the enthusiasm in the voices of reporters covering his pulsating press conference.

“I’m pretty excited that we won the game, but this feels like we lost it here,” Reid said at the NovaCare Complex.

The truth is, Reid hears what he wants to hear. He acknowledges what he wants to acknowledge. He comments on what he wants to discuss.

He obviously heard the executioner’s song of “Fire Andy” at the Linc. Even rookie center Jason Kelce said afterward it would be “hard not to hear it.”

Reid’s selective hearing is no big deal. His embracing the Eagles’ fans in Miami isn’t, either.

Unless you just happen to be an Eagles season-ticket holder.

The faithful fans who welcome the Eagles home for a 4:15 game Sunday against the Jets might not be enthused to know that Reid can’t hear them, but he can hear the Frequent Flying Fans to Miami.

The fans who pass up spending the Sunday before Christmas at home or at a family party might not be as excited about attending an Eagles game that could be meaningless at kickoff.

They might not be too thrilled about paying big money on the parking and concessions for a game that doesn’t matter if the Cowboys win Saturday night and the Giants win earlier Sunday, especially when the money could be used to buy another dozen or so Christmas presents for the kids.

The fans might actually start the “Fire Andy” chant again for Santa to hear Sunday.

But it is impossible to imagine that Santa, or even Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, will give the loyal season-ticket holders who have turned him from a millionaire into a billionaire an early Christmas present.

It wouldn’t be like the fans are reaching and asking for a Super Bowl appearance or even a playoff berth.

They would just be calling for Lurie to fire his 5-8 coach.

It happened Monday in Kansas City. Yes, Todd Haley was fired. The Chiefs are 5-8 after winning the division last year — just like the Eagles on both counts.

And, oh yeah, Reid put the final nail in the coffin of Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, who was fired Monday, too, with a 4-9 record.

But, Reid will be on the sideline at the Linc this week.

So, if the Eagles’ fans choose to chant “Fire Andy” again, the words will be hollow.

In fairness, though, Reid should acknowledge the home fans afterward. He should at least say he heard them.

Indeed, that’s the least Reid can do for the fans who didn’t make the festive flight to Florida. This is the least Big Red can do for the fans who were told by wide receiver Jason Avant not to jump back on the bandwagon after beating Dallas earlier in this season.

This is the least the Eagles coach can do for the fans who were criticized by a rookie, when linebacker Casey Matthews said, “I don’t think anyone will understand these fans.”

No, what is really difficult to understand is how Reid can’t hear the fans at home.

Will Lurie hear them?

[flgreen]

Cromartie not concerned with Asomugha

Originally published: December 12, 2011

Updated: December 12, 2011 9:38 PM

By RODERICK BOONE roderick.boone@newsday.com

Photo credit: Getty Images | Nnamdi Asomugha of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off of the field after losing to the New England Patriots, 38-20. (Nov. 27, 2011)

Antonio Cromartie isn't all antsy to see Nnamdi Asomugha on Sunday.

The Jets pursued Asomugha hard when free agency began in late July, looking to pair the former Raiders All-Pro cornerback with Darrelle Revis. Asomugha instead signed a five-year, $60-million deal with the Eagles, and the Jets wound up bringing Cromartie back with a four-year, $32-million pact.

Both have struggled this season, but Cromartie doesn't seem keyed up to show he's a better player than Asomugha when the teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field.

"Nah, because I'm not really going up against him," Cromartie said Monday. "I had a few ups and downs earlier in the season. The last few weeks have been pretty good for me. I'm not worried about someone else on another team or what happened . . . My concern is to go out and help this organization and this team the best way I know how.''

Rex: Firing unfortunate

The Chiefs, thumped by the Jets, 37-10, on Sunday, fired coach Todd Haley Monday. Haley, who started his career as a scout with the Jets in 1995, went 19-27 in his three seasons.

The Chiefs (5-8) drew 11 penalties for 128 yards Sunday. They were penalized five times for 81 yards on a third-quarter drive, including a 15-yarder on Haley for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"As a member of the coaching community, it's always tough when you hear news like that," Ryan said. "I never knew Todd well, but when I've been around him, I've had a lot of respect for him . . . It's just an unfortunate thing. These things do happen, but I wish him the best. It's really just an unfortunate deal."

Extra points

Ryan said the plan for G Brandon Moore (hip) probably will be to sit out practice on Wednesdays, be limited Thursdays and try to go full-out on Fridays . . . Ryan said of the Eagles: "This is as talented a team as we'll face all season."

[flgreen]

Leonhard vows to return, but for whom?

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

12:05

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

Jim Leonhard vowed to be back in 2012, but he's not sure if it'll be with the Jets.

The veteran safety, who will undergo surgery Wednesday morning to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, admitted Tuesday his uncertain future already has crossed his mind. He becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season.

"Absolutely," Leonhard said on his weekly radio spot on WFAN. "That’s kind of where your mind goes right away: What’s next? Obviously, I don’t have a contract after this year and, coming off back-to-back injuries like this, you’re going to get that tag.

"I've loved my experience here. Whatever happens, I'm going to be back (somewhere). I'm going to rehab this thing as hard as I can. One thing I can say, I've always come back from things like this stronger."

Leonhard suffered a badly broken leg last December and was 100 percent by the start of training camp. This time, the timing couldn't be worse because he's looking at a six- to nine-month rehab, and he's due to hit the open market in March. As much as they admire Leonhard, the Jets probably will have to find another starting safety.

Leonhard said the season-ending injuries were "eerily similar" because they happened almost one year apart, and he called them "two kind of flukey things." On Sunday, he tore the ligament on an interception. It looked like his knee was twisted when Chiefs WR Steve Breaston grabbed Leonhard's ankle from behind, but Leonhard said it occurred before that awkward movement.

"I talked to the doctor and I was like, 'I think he hit me directly on the knee,'" Leonhard said. " ... He kind of gave me a goofy look. Once I saw the replay, he didn’t touch my knee. It went before he ended up grabbing my ankle. I tried to hop out of it. Once I tried to do something with that leg, I realized nothing was happening. I decided to go down and get the docs out there."

Leonhard said he has confidence in his replacement, Brodney Pool, adding that he believes the defense will adjust better than it did last season in the aftermath of his injury. A year ago, it "threw everything out of whack" because the broken leg happened three days before a critical game against the Patriots, a "really awkward time to have an injury."

"The fact that we’ve been through it before, it’s not as big a shock to the guys," he said, adding, "I don't think it’s going to be quite as devastating as it was last year, just from a timing aspect."

Leonhard also expressed confidence in rookie Jeremy Kerley, who becomes the full-time punt returner -- again. Leonhard believes Kerley, who muffed a punt last week against the Redskins, was made a scapegoat because of the recent fumbling issues on special teams.

"It was three or four weeks in a row and, all of a sudden, it was like everyone was extremely frustrated and took it out on him a little bit," Leonhard said.

Leonhard was philosophical on his injury, saying he believes happen for a reason. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a boy, in less than two weeks.

"That might be the reason," he said.

[Bleedin Green]

Two years ago, the Jets entered Week 15 on a three-game winning streak — just as they will this season — but lost to Atlanta at home to fall to 7-7 and see their playoff hopes placed in serious jeopardy. Ryan even mistakenly thought their shot at the postseason was over. But then, they beat a previously undefeated Indianapolis team that rested Peyton Manning and a playoff-bound Cincinnati squad that had nothing to play for.

I know it's 2 years later, but am I the only who still gets annoyed hearing this load of crap? Fine, say whatever you want about the Colts game, but this constant trying to paint the Bengals game as a gimme is ridiculous. Are reporters really that desperate to paint the Jets as losers that they're really still pulling this crap two years later? I mean, it's not like there hasn't been plenty of material to use.

The Bengals played everybody for the week 17 matchup and the Jets absolutely dominated them from the opening kickoff. Brad Smith did what he usually does against that team and tore them a new one over and over again and by the time they benched a single player, they were already losing 30-0 early in the third quarter. Oh yeah, and then the Jets turned around and beat the crap out of the Bengals for the second time in a week, this time on the road in the playoffs.

The Jets are far from a lock to make the playoffs this season, but if they do it's like reporters are already trying to paint as if they only will have made it in because of pure luck.

[flgreen]

Jets sign Gerald Alexander to take Jim Leonhard's spot on roster

BY Manish Mehta

The Daily News has learned that the Jets will sign free agent safety Gerald Alexander to take Jim Leonhard’s spot on the 53-man roster. The Jets were in the market for another safety after Leonhard was placed on injured reserve due to a season-ending torn patellar tendon in his right knee suffered during Sunday’s win over the Chiefs.

Rex Ryan said on Monday that general manager Mike Tannenbaum was looking to add a safety to “help us with some depth in the long term.”

Alexander, 27, has 30 career starts. He played in two games with the Dolphins this season before being waived last month. (He was signed by Miami in the preseason before being waived during final cuts. The Dolphins re-signed him in October).

The five-year pro from Boise State was the Lions’ second-round pick in 2007. Alexander, who’s also played for the Jaguars (2009 & 2010) and Panthers (2010), played alongside Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson for one season in college.

The Jets desperately needed depth at safety after Leonhard was lost for the season. Rookie Tracy Wilson was the only safety on the active roster behind starters Eric Smith and Brodney Pool. Depending on how fast Alexander picks up the Jets’ defensive system, he could be in on the team’s three-safety packages.

[flgreen]

Game review: Big Vlad, secret weapon?

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

1:45

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

Thoughts and observations after breaking down the tape of the Jets' 37-10 win over the Chiefs:

BIG ROLE FOR VLAD: The Jets unveiled their new version of Rob Turner -- the seldom-used, but oft-criticized OLM Vladimir Ducasse, who played 19 of 66 offensive snaps, unofficially. Clearly, they wanted to hit the Chiefs with their "heavy" package, as the Jets employed multiple TEs on 31 snaps. In fact, they used three TEs on eight plays.

Ducasse actually started the game as the only TE on the field, a rather odd look. He wound up playing TE on 17 of his 19 plays. On the other two, he was the left tackle, with D'Brickashaw Ferguson shifting to TE on the opposite side of the formation, creating an unbalanced look.

So now you're thinking, "Vlad had to be a big reason why Shonn Greene rushed for a season-high 129 yards." Uh, not exactly. There was no difference in the overall production when the 325-pound Ducasse was on the field. Check it out:

Team rushing with Ducasse: 18 attempts for 69 yards (3.8 ypc), 2 TDs

Team rushing without Ducasse: 24 rushes for 90 yards (3.8 ypc), 1 TD

Another thought about Ducasse: The Jets ran the ball on 18 of his 19 plays, which is about as predictable as you can get.

POWER FOOTBALL: The Jets didn't gain much of their rushing yardage (159 yards) on the perimeter. This was straight-ahead, power football. Most of it came between the tackles, as you will see from this breakdown (based on the official play-by-play):

Left end: 3 rushes for 10 yards.

Left tackle: 7 for 13 yards.

Left guard: 4 for 19 yards (one TD).

Center: 7 for 16 yards.

Right guard: 7 for 47 yards.

Right tackle: 11 for 55 yards.

Right end: 3 for -1.

NICK OF TIME: C Nick Mangold demonstrated his versatility, getting downfield on two big screen passes. On LaDainian Tomlinson's 19-yard TD, Mangold made a terrific open-field block on Derrick Johnson, squashing the Chiefs' LB. On the screen to Greene that went for 36 yards, Mangold was 30 yards downfield, blocking LB Jovan Belcher. Clearly, Mangold's high-ankle sprain is a thing of the past. He kind of reminded me of Kevin Mawae in his heyday, exceptional movement for a center.

SCHOTTY SHOUT-OUT: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer takes a lot of heat from fans and media, but let's give him credit here for a job well done. In this game, he showed some creativity within the confines of a conservative game plan. For example:

• For the second straight week, you saw the three-headed Wildcat -- Greene, Tomlinson and WR Jeremy Kerley.

• He created a role for rookie TE/FB Josh Baker, who lined up in both positions. In fact, his 17-yard reception came when he was lined up as a fullback. Baker is starting to carve a little niche for himself.

• On the game-opening TD drive (11 plays, 77 yards), Schottenheimer kept the Chiefs off-balance by using five different personnel groupings.

• The 36-yard screen left to Greene was the perfect call because the Chiefs blitzed from the right side.

• He confused the Chiefs on Tomlinson's 19-yard TD, using Tomlinson and Kerley in the backfield out of shotgun. That opened space for Tomlinson, who ran the same in-cut he did to score against the Raiders earlier in the season.

• Mark Sanchez's naked bootleg (1-yard TD) worked like a charm, reminiscent of the bootleg TD in last December's critical win over the Steelers. On this one, Sanchez, Greene and FB John Conner sold the fake with a great run-action.

• Sanchez' QB draw (3-yard TD also was an excellent call, although I suspect it may have been a check-with-me at the line of scrimmage. If so, Sanchez made a nice read, recognizing he had a numbers advantage up front.

The Jets used a "bunch" formation to the left, forcing the Chiefs to empty the box. They rushed only four, and S Sabby Piscitelli, in the slot, cheated toward WR Santonio Holmes on the outside right. Piscitelli probably was thinking slant, so he doubled Holmes with the hope of clogging the passing lane. Sanchez pump-faked the slant to Holmes and took off for the end zone, sliding between blocks by Mangold and RG Brandon Moore.

MARKED MAN: Sanchez continued to grind along, posting fancy numbers (season-high 121.3 passer rating) with a performance that was anything but fancy. He attempted only two passes of 21+ yards (both incomplete), according to ESPN Stats & Information, and only eight of his 21 attempts were targeted for wide receivers. Evidently, he wanted to stay away from the Chiefs' well-regarded cornerbacks, Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr, so he threw mostly to his TEs and RBs. WR Plaxico Burress didn't catch a single ball, ending his streak of six straight games with at least three catches.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE DEFENSE: The Jets dominated in ridiculous fashion, and I could throw out a bunch of impressive numbers. But I'll leave you with this: The Chiefs gained no yards, or lost yardage, on 25 of their 58 plays -- 16 incompletions, five sacks and four runs for loss. Wow.

[flgreen]

Frustrated Leonhard says time with Jets could be over

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12:59 PM, December 13, 2011 ι By BRIAN COSTELLO

Jets safety Jim Leonhard will have surgery to repair the torn patellar tendon in his right knee on Wednesday morning, he said in an radio interview Tuesday.

Leonhard spoke about the season-ending injury he suffered in Sunday’s win over the Chiefs for the first time during his weekly paid appearance on WFAN.

“It’s obviously frustrating,” Leonhard said. “It’s not the way you envision your season ending. It’s the risk you take when you play this game. It is frustrating, especially for the second year in a row. I really have no reasons why. “

Leonhard broke his leg in December last year, ending his season prematurely. A year later, he injured his knee after intercepting a Tyler Palko pass in the second quarter of the Jets’ 37-10 win.

He said he believes the injury occurred when he was pushing off after catching the ball, not when wide receiver Steve Breaston tackled him.

“He didn’t touch my knee,” Leonhard said. “It went before, I think, he even grabbed my ankle. I tried to hope out of it. Once I tried to do something with that leg I realized nothing was happening.”

This is the final year of Leonhard’s three-year contract with the Jets. He will be an unrestricted free agent. He was asked if he has thought that he might have played his final game as a Jet.

“Absolutely,” Leonhard said. “I think that’s kind of where your mind goes right away is what’s next.

Obviously, I don’t have a contract after this year and coming off back-to-back injuries like this obviously you’re going to get that tag. I’ve loved my experience here. Whatever happens I’m going to be back. I’m going to rehab this thing as hard as I can and one thing I can say I’ve always come back from things like this stronger. We’ll see what happens. You never know.”

Leonhard and his wife Katie are expecting their first child in less than two weeks. He said maybe this injury happened for a reason related to the birth of their son.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/jetsblog/frustrated_leonhard_says_time_with_Ai1e09RRqHMSxy67d2tDWP#ixzz1gRvPThci

[flgreen]

Jets: Oh-for-forever against Philly

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

5:06

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

Strange, but true: Until last Dec. 19, the Jets never had won a game in the state of Pennsylvania -- 0-7 at Pittsburgh, 0-4 at Philadelphia.

They took care of the Steelers curse with a huge win that day in Pittsburgh, and now it's on to Philly Sunday to face a team they've never beaten -- anywhere.

The Jets are 0-8 against the Eagles, the only team in the NFL they haven't defeated. This bizarro rivalry, if you can call it that, includes blown leads, wacky coaching decisions and a play that will live in infamy.

Enjoy the memories:

1. Eagles 24, Jets 23 (Dec. 9, 1973, at The Vet) -- Emerson Boozer rushed for two TDs to give the Jets a 17-0 lead, but they collapsed in the second half.

2. Eagles 27, Jets 0 (Dec. 18, 1977, at The Vet) -- Brutal. The Jets dropped to 3-11, thanks to three interceptions and a 100-yard passing day by Richard Todd.

3. Eagles 17, Jets 9 (Nov. 12, 1978, at The Vet) -- The Jets came in with a decent team (6-4), but Matt Robinson was intercepted twice and passed for only 143 yards.

4. Eagles 38, Jets 27 (Dec. 20, 1987, Giants Stadium) -- Rex Ryan's all-time favorite coach was in charge of the Eagles -- his father. Buddy Ryan pulled out a win even though his defense couldn't stop Ken O'Brien (301 yards) and Al Toon (10 catches for 168 yards).

5. Eagles 35, Jets 30 (Oct. 3, 1993, Giants Stadium) -- The Jets were ready to deliver the knockout punch in the fourth quarter, but Eric Allen intercepted Boomer Esiason and returned it 94 yards for the game-winning TD -- one of the most amazing returns in NFL history. The Jets blew a 21-point lead even though the Eagles had lost starting QB Randall Cunningham.

6. Eagles 21, Jets 20 (Dec. 14, 1996, at Giants Stadium) -- This game effectively ended the Rich Kotite era. The Jets blew a 20-7 lead and fell to 1-14. A few days later, Kotite announced he wasn't quitting and wasn't getting fired, but that he was "stepping aside" -- even though he coached the final game.

7. Eagles 24, Jets 17 (Oct. 26, 2003, at Lincoln Financial Field) -- Coach Herm Edwards sabotaged the Jets with this ill-fated idea: Instead of rushing Chad Pennington back into the lineup after missing six games with a broken hand, he decided to keep Vinny Testaverde as the starter -- and would make the change at halftime. So he yanked Testaverde, who played well, and Pennington wound up throwing a killer interception.

8. Eagles 16, Jets 9 (Oct. 14, 2007, at Giants Stadium) -- The Jets had three chances to tie it from the Eagles' 1-yard line, but Brian Schottenheimer made a couple of head-scratching calls and the Jets dropped to 1-5.

[stoicsentry]

Jets: Oh-for-forever against Philly

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

5:06

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

Strange, but true: Until last Dec. 19, the Jets never had won a game in the state of Pennsylvania -- 0-7 at Pittsburgh, 0-4 at Philadelphia.

They took care of the Steelers curse with a huge win that day in Pittsburgh, and now it's on to Philly Sunday to face a team they've never beaten -- anywhere.

The Jets are 0-8 against the Eagles, the only team in the NFL they haven't defeated. This bizarro rivalry, if you can call it that, includes blown leads, wacky coaching decisions and a play that will live in infamy.

Enjoy the memories:

1. Eagles 24, Jets 23 (Dec. 9, 1973, at The Vet) -- Emerson Boozer rushed for two TDs to give the Jets a 17-0 lead, but they collapsed in the second half.

2. Eagles 27, Jets 0 (Dec. 18, 1977, at The Vet) -- Brutal. The Jets dropped to 3-11, thanks to three interceptions and a 100-yard passing day by Richard Todd.

3. Eagles 17, Jets 9 (Nov. 12, 1978, at The Vet) -- The Jets came in with a decent team (6-4), but Matt Robinson was intercepted twice and passed for only 143 yards.

4. Eagles 38, Jets 27 (Dec. 20, 1987, Giants Stadium) -- Rex Ryan's all-time favorite coach was in charge of the Eagles -- his father. Buddy Ryan pulled out a win even though his defense couldn't stop Ken O'Brien (301 yards) and Al Toon (10 catches for 168 yards).

5. Eagles 35, Jets 30 (Oct. 3, 1993, Giants Stadium) -- The Jets were ready to deliver the knockout punch in the fourth quarter, but Eric Allen intercepted Boomer Esiason and returned it 94 yards for the game-winning TD -- one of the most amazing returns in NFL history. The Jets blew a 21-point lead even though the Eagles had lost starting QB Randall Cunningham.

6. Eagles 21, Jets 20 (Dec. 14, 1996, at Giants Stadium) -- This game effectively ended the Rich Kotite era. The Jets blew a 20-7 lead and fell to 1-14. A few days later, Kotite announced he wasn't quitting and wasn't getting fired, but that he was "stepping aside" -- even though he coached the final game.

7. Eagles 24, Jets 17 (Oct. 26, 2003, at Lincoln Financial Field) -- Coach Herm Edwards sabotaged the Jets with this ill-fated idea: Instead of rushing Chad Pennington back into the lineup after missing six games with a broken hand, he decided to keep Vinny Testaverde as the starter -- and would make the change at halftime. So he yanked Testaverde, who played well, and Pennington wound up throwing a killer interception.

8. Eagles 16, Jets 9 (Oct. 14, 2007, at Giants Stadium) -- The Jets had three chances to tie it from the Eagles' 1-yard line, but Brian Schottenheimer made a couple of head-scratching calls and the Jets dropped to 1-5.

Hey Rich,

Once again, you're a douche.

Thanks,

Stoic.

[Jet27]

Jets: Oh-for-forever against Philly

December, 13, 2011

Dec 13

5:06

PM ET

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By Rich Cimini

Strange, but true: Until last Dec. 19, the Jets never had won a game in the state of Pennsylvania -- 0-7 at Pittsburgh, 0-4 at Philadelphia.

They took care of the Steelers curse with a huge win that day in Pittsburgh, and now it's on to Philly Sunday to face a team they've never beaten -- anywhere.

The Jets are 0-8 against the Eagles, the only team in the NFL they haven't defeated. This bizarro rivalry, if you can call it that, includes blown leads, wacky coaching decisions and a play that will live in infamy.

Enjoy the memories:

1. Eagles 24, Jets 23 (Dec. 9, 1973, at The Vet) -- Emerson Boozer rushed for two TDs to give the Jets a 17-0 lead, but they collapsed in the second half.

2. Eagles 27, Jets 0 (Dec. 18, 1977, at The Vet) -- Brutal. The Jets dropped to 3-11, thanks to three interceptions and a 100-yard passing day by Richard Todd.

3. Eagles 17, Jets 9 (Nov. 12, 1978, at The Vet) -- The Jets came in with a decent team (6-4), but Matt Robinson was intercepted twice and passed for only 143 yards.

4. Eagles 38, Jets 27 (Dec. 20, 1987, Giants Stadium) -- Rex Ryan's all-time favorite coach was in charge of the Eagles -- his father. Buddy Ryan pulled out a win even though his defense couldn't stop Ken O'Brien (301 yards) and Al Toon (10 catches for 168 yards).

5. Eagles 35, Jets 30 (Oct. 3, 1993, Giants Stadium) -- The Jets were ready to deliver the knockout punch in the fourth quarter, but Eric Allen intercepted Boomer Esiason and returned it 94 yards for the game-winning TD -- one of the most amazing returns in NFL history. The Jets blew a 21-point lead even though the Eagles had lost starting QB Randall Cunningham.

6. Eagles 21, Jets 20 (Dec. 14, 1996, at Giants Stadium) -- This game effectively ended the Rich Kotite era. The Jets blew a 20-7 lead and fell to 1-14. A few days later, Kotite announced he wasn't quitting and wasn't getting fired, but that he was "stepping aside" -- even though he coached the final game.

7. Eagles 24, Jets 17 (Oct. 26, 2003, at Lincoln Financial Field) -- Coach Herm Edwards sabotaged the Jets with this ill-fated idea: Instead of rushing Chad Pennington back into the lineup after missing six games with a broken hand, he decided to keep Vinny Testaverde as the starter -- and would make the change at halftime. So he yanked Testaverde, who played well, and Pennington wound up throwing a killer interception.

8. Eagles 16, Jets 9 (Oct. 14, 2007, at Giants Stadium) -- The Jets had three chances to tie it from the Eagles' 1-yard line, but Brian Schottenheimer made a couple of head-scratching calls and the Jets dropped to 1-5.

9. Eagles 13, Jets 30 (December 18, 2011, at Philly) --- Mike Vick scrambles around all day long, goes nowhere really fast. Sanchez does well, Greene runs for 100 plus yards...Vick hurts his little ribs again and Rex presents Vick with a new Puppy at the end of the game...F Philly, and F Vick!