(Tuesday 8/15) Jets articles

[Sperm Edwards]

The day in camp

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

DL KIMO VON OELHOFFEN

Jets defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen is a man of a few words and a long name. He lets his play on the field do his talking, as it did in the AFC wild-card game last season when his legal hit on Carson Palmer's knee knocked the Bengals quarterback out of the game on his first pass.

Ask von Oelhoffen about it and he gives you a "I don't want to talk about that" reply. Ask him about going from the Super Bowl champion Steelers to the rebuilding Jets and he'll give you the politically correct answer.

"I can say that I'm glad to be here," said von Oelhoffen, who signed a three-year, $9.2 million contract that included a $3.2 million signing bonus. "Everybody right now is committed to winning and doing what it takes to accomplish that goal. Cannot make comparisons."

We will.

On the surface, signing with the Jets was not a wise decision by von Oelhoffen, whose father is German-Hawaiian and mother is Hawaiian-Portuguese. But the Jets likely overpaid him and he's playing in a defense that's similar to the Steelers'.

In six seasons in Pittsburgh, von Oelhoffen started every game but one. Last season, he finished with 40 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. Even so, his claim to fame is his hit on Palmer's left knee as the quarterback was releasing the ball. Palmer required reconstructive surgery.

Von Oelhoffen apologized to Palmer, his family and Bengals fans and said the injury took a toll on him, too.

With the Jets von Oelhoffen is playing right defensive end, but he'll likely see time at nose tackle. His versatility and experience in the 3-4 defense are what attracted the Jets to him.

"Kimo has been outstanding with the younger guys, getting them up in the film room, talking them through technique, talking to them about the way to approach training camp, giving them some of the tricks of the trade," said coach Eric Mangini.

WHO'S HOT

WRs Laveranues Coles, Tim Dwight and Reggie Newhouse each had a good day yesterday. QBs Patrick Ramsey and Brooks Bollinger threw well.

WHO'S NOT

CB Justin Miller was beaten for a TD. ... Ramsey and C Norm Katnik had a bad exchange.

ASKEW ON THE BUBBLE?

FB Jamar Martin (5-11, 244 pounds) could be a huge addition. Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer knows the value of a good blocking FB, because the coach worked with Pro Bowler Lorenzo Neal the past three seasons in San Diego.

Neal, a former Jet, is the premier blocking fullback in the league and has paved the way for fellow Pro Bowler LaDainian Tomlinson.

The move to bring in Martin, a three-year veteran, could mean trouble for starter B.J. Askew, who is more runner than blocker and has had a quiet camp.

Also, it doesn't bode well for Askew that rookie free-agent FB Stacy Tutt is working with the first team this week.

QUICK HITS

The Jets made several calls yesterday looking for NTs and are expected to bring some in this week. ... The Jets have no more two-a-days scheduled, but Mangini has threatened to resume them if he's not pleased with practices. ... CB David Barrett (leg) returned to practice after missing all but the first couple of days. "I felt good," he said. "I don't feel I'm behind. I was in my (play)book." ... Newhouse is the son of former Cowboys FB Robert Newhouse. ... The Jets re-signed CB Jovon Johnson.

Injury report: Safeties Erik Coleman (appendectomy) and Jamie Thompson (knee), CB Drew Coleman (knee) and WR Dante Ridgeway (knee) didn't practice.

[Sperm Edwards]

JETS: One more fumbled exchange and Mangini might snap

TOM ROCK

August 15, 2006

Coach Eric Mangini called it "the most fundamental play in football." The fact that the Jets could not execute it two days in a row likely soured his mood.

It's the snap, the exchange from center to quarterback, and yesterday, for the second consecutive day, two players had to run for botching it. This time, Kellen Clemens and Norm Katnik took the lap of infamy.

"They execute it in peewee football, grammar school football, high school football and college football," Mangini said. "Those things, to me, shouldn't happen." Despite the one glitch, yesterday's practice was much crisper than Sunday's, when nine players had to run laps. Mangini said moribund practices are common at this point in training camp, though not excusable.

"These are the dog days of camp. Everybody is tired, everybody is dealing with the volume of information, everybody is sore," he said.

"The whole NFL is going through this right about now and it's just something we have to work through."

Bottom line

RBs Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston each had one of his best practices of camp, only to learn afterward that the Jets had traded for Lee Suggs. Too little too late, perhaps.

[Sperm Edwards]

Barrett has lots of time to catch up

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

August 15, 2006

David Barrett hopes his days of riding bicycles are over. The cornerback, projected to be a starter this season, has missed most of training camp after suffering a groin injury in the first week. So he's been tucked into a corner riding an exercise bicycle and doing other calisthenics.

"It wasn't fun," he said of watching practice while literally spinning his wheels.

Barrett returned to the field yesterday, and although he began with the third-string defense, he said it's just a matter of time before he is back contributing.

"I didn't really lose anything," he said after sitting out two weeks. "I was still in my books every day. It's not like I forgot everything just because I wasn't out there playing."

Checking ego at door

Some college quarterbacks become wide receivers in the NFL, but Stacy Tutt has gone from throwing passes to throwing blocks. The rookie free agent is a fullback this training camp, and Eric Mangini has noticed his enthusiasm and willingness to do what is asked of him. "There is an element of Ray Lucas in Stacy, where Ray said, 'Hey, I would have cleaned helmets to get on the team,'" Mangini said.

Mangini also praised the intelligence of Tutt, who played for I-AA Richmond. "Obviously, having seen the world as a quarterback for a long time, it gives him an even deeper understanding of how things work," Mangini said.

Jet streams

NT Dewayne Robertson, who has moved around the line, played some defensive end yesterday. Mangini likes the flexibility of shuffling his front three. "I'm still trying to get adjusted to the different positions I'll be playing," Robertson said. The Jets could be looking for help at NT ... They re-signed DB Jovon Johnson, whom they waived Aug. 4.

[Sperm Edwards]

BARRETT RETURNS TO FIELD

By EVAN GROSSMAN

August 15, 2006 -- JET NOTES

As one defensive back was subtracted, the Jets also added one to the practice field.

On the same day Derrick Strait was shipped to Cleveland in exchange for Lee Suggs, the Jets welcomed back David Barrett, who had yet to practice because of a groin injury. Barrett resumed his battle to reclaim a starting corner position yesterday.

"It was real hard," Barrett said of watching practice and being forced to take part in head coach Eric Mangini's strict workout regimen for injured players. During practices, injured players work on exercise bikes, toss medicine balls and run laps around the field.

"David has made progress," Mangini said.

Barrett will be fighting with Justin Miller and Andre Dyson for a job at corner. Dyson, a six-year pro, was brought in during the offseason as an unrestricted free agent from Seattle, but Barrett didn't see that acquisition as a slap at his skills.

"I took that as a great compliment because we have another person that's going to come in and help our secondary," Barrett said. "That's definitely a great thing."

Mangini also thinks versatility in the defensive backfield is a great thing. Looking back the last two years at the hodge-podge the Patriots deployed in their injury-riddled secondary - wide receivers playing corner, etc. - Mangini is asking his defensive backs to learn every position. Friday in Tampa, for example, Strait started at safety, though he had played the majority of his NFL downs as a nickel back.

"It just gives you options," Mangini said. "What we're trying to do is create as many options as we can, offensively and defensively, to take advantage of what our opponent is giving us."

*

The Jets signed DB Jovon Johnson yesterday. . . . WR Brad Smith made a nice run on a reverse play in practice. . . . Cedric Houston made up for an early fumble with a long, powerful gain up the middle during 11-on-11 drills.

[Sperm Edwards]

CB Strait outta town

One cornerback is sent packing, one returns.

On the day they traded backup CB Derrick Strait to the Browns for RB Lee Suggs, the Jets welcomed back a familiar face in their secondary, CB David Barrett.

Barrett had missed nearly two weeks of training camp because of a strained groin. He worked on the second-team defense, behind Justin Miller. In fact, Barrett made a nice break-up on a pass.

There's no doubt the Jets felt more comfortable in dealing Strait, a former third-round pick, with the knowledge that Barrett was healthy again.

Strait's departure also bodes well for longtime nickel back Ray Mickens, who seems assured of making the team as the fourth corner.

The Jets had high hopes for Strait when they drafted him in 2004, but he was slowed by the foot injury as a rookie and never amounted to more than a third or fourth corner. With SS Erik Coleman (appendectomy) on the sideline, Strait was moved to safety last week.

Coleman is expected to miss at least another week, but he was seen on the sideline, running sprints. Rookie Eric Smith continued to work at strong safety.

IT'S RAMSEY'S TURN: Continuing the quarterback rotation, Patrick Ramsey practiced yesterday with the starters. Chad Pennington, coming off his shoulder scare in the preseason opener, dropped to fourth. No surprise there. Pennington got very few reps in what amounted to a half-day.

Rich Cimini

Originally published on August 15, 2006

[Sperm Edwards]

Jets get Suggs for Strait, shore up run game

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The Jets finally pulled the trigger on a much-anticipated trade for a running back yesterday, acquiring the injury-prone but talented Lee Suggs from the Cleveland Browns for cornerback/safety Derrick Strait.

The Jets have been searching for a running back since they learned that the career of future Hall of Famer Curtis Martin was in jeopardy. Martin, 33, has been slow to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last December and has a bone-on-bone condition in the knee.

The club intensified its efforts when neither Derrick Blaylock (six carries for 12 yards) nor Cedric Houston (five for 17 yards) stepped up in the preseason opener at Tampa Bay on Friday. The Jets rushed for just 44 yards on 16 attempts.

Suggs, 6-foot and 213 pounds, has been beset by injuries in each of his first three seasons. Last season he was slowed by ankle and thumb injuries and played only eight games, rushing for 15 yards on eight carries.

But when healthy, Suggs, a fourth-round pick in 2003 out of Virginia Tech, is an explosive, quick back who can score from anywhere on the field.

In 2004, after earning the starting job in training camp, Suggs suffered a neck injury and missed the first three games. But he came back to rush for 744 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games, sitting out three games with a toe injury. He ended the season with three straight 100-yard games.

As a rookie, Suggs missed the first 11 games with a shoulder injury.

Overall Suggs, 26, has rushed for 1,048 yards and four touchdowns on 263 carries (4.0-yard average) in 25 games, four starts. He was behind Reuben Droughns and William Green.

Martin, who advised the team to select a running back before last April's draft because he was concerned about his ability to play this season, continues to rehab.

A person close to Martin, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said Martin probably won't be ready for the start of the season, if at all.

Blaylock and Houston took the trade -- and new competition -- in stride.

"I think it's good for the team when we can do something to help the team," said Blaylock, who was given a $3.2 million signing bonus last off-season as Martin's heir apparent. "That's what it's all about. It's about team. When (Suggs) gets here, whatever I can do to help him, I'll do."

Asked if he thought he and Blaylock were given enough time to prove themselves, Houston said, "Definitely. They gave us chances to come out here every day and show what we can do. It's not like they skipped reps with us. They gave us chances every day."

The trade might make Houston expendable, although he started four games last season for an injured Martin.

Strait, a third-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2004, was having a good camp and his versatility had the Jets excited. A cornerback who can also play nickel, he started at safety against the Buccaneers and held his own. The Browns will play him at cornerback.

"I'm surprised, but in this business anybody can get traded," Strait told The Star-Ledger before boarding a plane to Cleveland. "The Jets have strengthened their running-back situation and I think the Browns have strengthened their cornerback situation.

"I'm disappointed to be leaving the Jets, but I'm getting an opportunity to play for coach (Romeo) Crennel. They run pretty much the same defense as the Jets, so I should be able to make the transition very fast."

Strait's agent, Michael Lartigue of CAA Football, thinks the move is a good one for his client.

"It's a fresh, new start for Derrick with a new team," said Lartigue. "He plans to go to Cleveland and compete for a starting job right away. He can help them at cornerback or safety. He's willing to do whatever they ask him.

"He's just thankful for the opportunity the Jets gave him. He loved the coaches, city and fans. It was great, but he's ready to move on. He's excited."

Last season Strait started at nickel back, finishing with 31 tackles and two passes defended in 16 games.

[Sperm Edwards]

Suggs joins committee

Injury-prone back obtained from Browns for reserve DB Strait

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

August 15, 2006

The Jets brought in a new running back, but the old question remains: How many players will it take to replace Curtis Martin?

Lee Suggs, a speedy but oft-injured running back in three seasons with Cleveland, was acquired by the Jets yesterday in a trade that sent defensive back Derrick Strait to the Browns.

Suggs flew to New York last night and could be on the field today pending a physical. He will join Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and promising rookie Leon Washington in a backfield that remains in the shadows of Martin's 14,101 career yards, even though the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history hasn't taken a handoff since having potentially career-ending knee surgery in December.

Martin has been on the physically unable to perform list since training camp opened last month. Although Martin said last week that he expects to return from the surgery and what has been reported as a "bone-on-bone" condition in his right knee, the move for Suggs indicates that the Jets believe he will not be ready for the season opener Sept. 10.

"We've added more competition and depth at the running back position," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement.

What the Jets haven't added is a hands-down workhorse of a starter. They haven't had that since Martin went down in the Dec. 4 game at New England last year.

Suggs' NFL career has been defined by two elements: his 186-yard rushing performance at Cincinnati on Dec. 28, 2003, and the litany of injuries that have kept that standout performance singular. In 2003, he was sidelined by a shoulder injury before returning for the breakout game that still accounts for nearly one-fifth of his career yardage and half his career touchdowns.

He was the Browns' starting running back in 2004 but hurt his neck in the preseason and missed several games. Last season, he carried only eight times in eight games as he was hindered by ankle and thumb injuries. He's missed 23 games because of injury and played in 25.

"He's excited," Suggs' agent, Joel Segal, said of his client's reaction to the trade. "He wants to contribute and help the Jets win. He's excited about the fresh start and the chance to compete for playing time."

With Martin out indefinitely, Blaylock and Houston had been sharing the bulk of the backfield duties. Both players, who learned about the trade after practice yesterday, said they will welcome Suggs despite a likely cut into their playing time.

"I think it helps the team out a lot," Houston said. "I can probably learn some stuff from him."

On Sunday, Blaylock said he thought the Jets had enough pieces for a successful running game without having to add anyone. "Whatever we can do to help this team win, I'm all for it," Blaylock said yesterday. "Of course it's a competition out here [among the running backs], but it boils down to winning."

It was obvious, after totaling only 44 yards on 16 attempts in Friday's loss to the Buccaneers in the preseason opener, that the Jets could have difficulty running the ball this season. Suggs, who was playing behind two-year starter Reuben Droughns in Cleveland, ran for 13 yards on four carries in the Browns' preseason opener against the Eagles this past weekend.

Strait was a third-round pick by the Jets in 2004 and a backup cornerback in two seasons. He started Friday's preseason opener at safety in place of Erik Coleman, out after an appendectomy. Rookie Eric Smith, a third-rounder from Michigan State, played safety with the starting group in yesterday's practice.

Lee Suggs, RB

Virginia Tech Ht: 6-0 Wt: 213 Age: 26

Year G Atts. Yards Avg. TD

2003 7 56 289 5.2 2

2004 10 199 744 3.7 2

2005 8 8 15 1.9 0

Career 25 263 1,048 4.0 4

WRITER'S BLOG

Jets coach Eric Mangini raved over QB Kellen Clemens' poise.

newsday.com/sports

[Sperm Edwards]

Jets need Suggs-cess

Get Lee, wait on Martin

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

For three weeks, the Jets withheld their true feelings about Curtis Martin's chances of returning from a career-threatening knee injury. Yesterday, they came clean, not with words, but action - and it's an ominous sign for Martin's future.

Finally pulling the trigger on a trade that addresses the running back crisis, the Jets acquired Browns backup Lee Suggs in a rare player-for-player swap. They sent underachieving cornerback Derrick Strait, a former third-round pick, to Cleveland.

The Jets made the trade for two reasons:

They have concerns about whether Martin, 33, still not practicing because of a painful, bone-on-bone condition in his surgically repaired right knee, will play again. They also lack confidence in backups Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston, both of whom struggled in the preseason opener in Tampa.

Privately, the Jets say they aren't ready to write off Martin, but the trade is a strong indication they're not counting on him for the Sept. 10 season opener in Tennessee.

A week ago, Martin expressed hope that he'd be ready to start his 12th season, but the Jets weren't willing to wait and see.

After more than a week of exploring the trade market, the Jets settled on Suggs by Sunday afternoon. That explains why Strait, showcased in Friday night's game as a surprise starter at safety, barely practiced on Sunday.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini weren't made available for comment. Tannenbaum released a statement that offered little insight into the club's thinking, saying the Jets have "added more competition and depth at the running back position."

In Suggs, a 26-year-old Virginia Tech product, the Jets have the anti-Martin - flashy, but not dependable. In three seasons, he has missed 23 of 48 games because of injuries to his shoulder, neck, toe and thumb.

Suggs received word of the trade late yesterday and he was en route to New York last night. Assuming he passes his physical, the 6-foot, 213-pound back will practice today.

"It's a fresh start and that's what I really wanted," Suggs said. "I get to go somewhere with a clean slate, to a team that wants me and seems to need me."

Suggs ran for a career-best 744 yards in 2004, finishing the season with three straight 100-yard games. (He did, however, fumble six times.) He got hurt last year, carried only eight times and lost his starting job to Reuben Droughns, who is entrenched as the Browns' No. 1 back. They also have former first-round pick William Green and rookie Jerome Henderson, making Suggs expendable.

Suddenly, the Jets have an overcrowded backfield, with Suggs, Blaylock, Houston and rookie Leon Washington at halfback. And there's Martin, currently on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

What's next for the future Hall of Famer? The Jets could keep Martin on the PUP list at the start of the season, meaning he'd be required to sit out the first six weeks. That would give him more time to rehab his knee and assess his options.

Asked if this trade means Martin is on the verge of retiring, a person familiar with the situation said, "Oh, gosh, no."

Indeed, Martin made it clear in his last interview that he wanted to play in 2006. People close to the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher, though, have said they'll be surprised if he makes it back.

Originally published on August 15, 2006

[BwanaZulia]

injury-prone but talented

Doesn't that feel like it sums up our entire team?

Do you have see, "never injured, but not so talented"

BZ

[Sperm Edwards]

HOPIN' FOR SUGGS-CESS

JETS MAKE DEAL FOR RB; NOT

WAITING FOR MARTIN

By EVAN GROSSMAN

LEE SUGGS

Photo: Tom Cammett/WireImage

August 15, 2006 -- In an indication of how little faith the Jets have in Curtis Martin's ability to return to the field following off-season knee surgery, the team dealt cornerback Derrick Strait to the Browns yesterday in exchange for running back Lee Suggs, in an effort to shore up what has been a rickety and unreliable backfield.

Martin has yet to practice in training camp, eight months after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, and many are questioning if the future Hall of Famer will ever play again. Through the last two weeks of camp, Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Leon Washington have battled for carries, and the unit was disappointing in Friday's preseason-opening 16-3 loss to Tampa Bay, accumulating 44 yards on 16 carries.

Houston gained 17 yards on five carries against the Bucs, while Blaylock chipped in with 12 yards on six carries. Washington ran only once for one yard. Apparently, the Jets had seen enough.

Suggs has battled injuries throughout the first three seasons of his NFL career and was limited to eight games last year, 10 in 2004 and seven in 2003. When he's been healthy though, Suggs has played well, evidenced by the 186-yard, two-TD performance he had the final game in 2003 against Cincinnati after missing most of the season with injury.

"We've added more competition and depth at the running back position by acquiring Lee Suggs," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We're committed to continually evaluating opportunities to improve our football team. In the case with Derrick Strait, we appreciate his contributions to our team for the past two seasons, and wish him well in his future."

Coming out of camp in 2004, Suggs won the Cleveland starting job but was again hampered by injury, forced to miss three games with a neck injury suffered in the preseason. Ankle and thumb injuries limited Suggs, 6-0, 213, to eight games last year.

Head coach Eric Mangini was not made available to comment on the trade. Ironically, during his morning media session, right about the time Strait was likely headed to the airport to fly to Cleveland, Mangini praised Strait's versatility in the defensive backfield. Strait, a natural cornerback, started for the Jets at free safety Friday against the Bucs, but consistent with Mangini's top-secret mentality and the shroud of secrecy that's cloaked the Jets this summer, he made no mention of the deal.

Even players asked to comment about the trade following yesterday's practice were mum on Suggs, expected to be the lead horse in the Jets' running game.

Both Blaylock and Houston - informed of the trade during practice - were expectantly diplomatic, saying that adding Suggs to the crowded backfield will only make the Jets a better team.

"Lee Suggs is a good running back, and by bringing him in, I think that'll help the team," Houston said. "It changes the face [of the running back competition] a little bit with a new guy coming in, but we're all out here competing and I'm not going to stop anything I'm doing right now."

evan.grossman@nypost.com

Click hear to view Lee Suggs graphic

[Sperm Edwards]

Jets Trade for Suggs to Bolster Backfield

By KAREN CROUSE

Published: August 15, 2006

Enlarge this Image

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Lee Suggs led the Browns in rushing in 2004, but injuries have marred his three N.F.L. seasons.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Aug. 14

[Sperm Edwards]

Backfield in shambles, Jets pluck Suggs from Browns for Strait

By Andrew Gross, The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The New York Jets obviously didn't feel comfortable going into the season solely with the running backs on their roster. Even more obvious is the uncertainty over the physically unable to perform Curtis Martin.

So Monday they acquired from the Cleveland Browns Lee Suggs, a former fourth-round pick who was good enough to win the starter's job in 2004 but never able to stay healthy long enough to remain a No. 1.

Cornerback Derrick Strait was sent to the Browns in exchange.

"We've added more competition and depth at the running-back position by acquiring Lee Suggs," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We're committed to continually evaluating opportunities to improve our football team."

The 6-foot, 213-pound Suggs, 26, is expected to be in uniform for Tuesday's practice at Jets training camp.

Second-year pro Cedric Houston and six-year veteran Derrick Blaylock, along with rookie Leon Washington, have been competing for Martin's spot but none had distinguished themselves through the first two weeks of camp. The Jets combined for just 44 rushing yards on 16 carries in a 16-3 preseason loss at Tampa Bay Friday night.

"Lee Suggs is a good running back and by them bringing him in, I think that will help this team out a lot," said Houston, who had 17 yards on five carries against the Buccaneers while Blaylock gained 12 yards on six rushes. "It changes the face a little bit with a new guy coming here but we're all out here competing and I'm not going to stop anything I'm doing right now. I'll just keep competing and just try to get coach to call my number."

The Jets have been scouring the league for running back help since training camp opened July 28. The 33-year-old Martin, the NFL's fourth-leading career rusher, had been placed on the PUP list the day before as he tries to recover from knee surgery last December. Last week he said he was not mulling retirement, but would not directly deny reports that his cartilage damage is so bad he's "bone on bone" now.

Martin continues to rehab, and said last week he wants to play this season.

Still, Martin has been an ironman his entire career, known as much for his running as his ability to play through pain. When he went out last season, he broke a string of 119 consecutive regular-season starts and ended his streak of 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career, a record he shares with Barry Sanders.

It was easy to see why the Jets believed Martin would bounce back, given his history. They had a chance to get a running back high in the draft, but waited, then chose undersized Washington in the fourth round.

With Washington's Clinton Portis dislocating his shoulder in the Redskins' preseason opener, the Jets moved quickly before it became even more of a seller's market.

"All I knew is that the Jets definitely needed help at running back and Lee Suggs is a great running back, and the Browns needed help at cornerback," said Strait's agent, Tracy Lartigue of CAA Football. "These are two young players that just needed fresh starts in the NFL. I think both teams benefited."

Suggs had just 15 yards on eight carries as an injured left ankle, then a thumb injury limited him to eight games and dropped him behind William Green and Reuben Droughns on the depth chart. He earned the starter's job during training camp in 2004 but suffered a neck injury in the final preseason game then injured a toe after missing the first three games.

Overall, the Virginia Tech product has gained 1,048 yards with four touchdowns on 263 carries in three seasons, starting just three of his 25 NFL games.

Suggs appeared in only seven games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury he sustained at Virginia Tech. In his final game that season, he ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He finished 2004 with 744 yards and two touchdowns.

"Obviously, bringing him in here is going to help the team and that's how I want to leave it," Blaylock said. "Whatever we can do to help this team win, I'm all for it."

The 5-11, 189-pound Strait, a third-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2004, has a decent chance of starting in Cleveland. The Browns have lost veteran cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon (knee) and Gary Baxter (shoulder) for the remainder of training camp.

Strait was showing his versatility with the Jets, playing safety at Tampa Bay and also being used in nickel packages.

Strait was a third-round pick in 2004, but has been a backup in his two NFL seasons. During camp, he moved over to safety in the absence of Erik Coleman, out after an appendectomy.

The Browns were believed to be shopping Suggs for a center following the loss of starter LeCharles Bentley to a season-ending injury and the sudden retirement of backup Bob Hallen.

"We had some depth at the position and that probably had more to do with it than anything," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

[Sperm Edwards]

Jets deal CB Strait to Browns for RB Suggs

Associated Press

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The New York Jets got the running back help they needed Monday, acquiring Lee Suggs from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive back Derrick Strait.

Strait Suggs

With Curtis Martin on the physically-unable-to-perform list because of a lingering knee injury, the Jets were desperate to get another back on the roster. Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston were taking most of the plays at running back, but neither is the type of player who can shoulder the entire rushing load.

Martin's future is less certain. He underwent surgery on his right knee in December, and has yet to recover fully. He has yet to practice, and reports have said he has a "bone on bone" condition in his knee. But Martin continues to rehab, and said last week he wants to play this season.

Suggs hasn't been able to stay on the field for the Browns, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. At various times in his pro career, Suggs has been sidelined by injuries to a shoulder, neck, toe, ankle and thumb.

The speedy 6-foot, 213-pounder appeared in only seven games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury he sustained at Virginia Tech. In his final game that season, he ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Suggs won a starting job in training camp in 2004, but hurt his neck in the final preseason game and was inactive for the first three games of the regular season. He returned to play in seven games before missing three straight with a toe injury.

He finished '04 with 744 yards and two touchdowns.

Suggs hurt his ankle during the preseason last year and missed Cleveland's first two games. He dressed in Weeks 3 and 4 but injured his thumb and was inactive for six weeks.

Suggs has rushed for 1,048 yards and four TDs as a pro.

Strait was a third-round pick in 2004 but has been a backup in his two NFL seasons. During camp, he moved over to safety in the absence of Erik Coleman, out after an appendectomy. Strait had 31 tackles last season, but has yet to notch his first career interception.

"It's a great opportunity for Derrick," said his agent, Michael Lartigue. "They know what kind of player Derrick is. Lee Suggs is a great running back. It's a fresh start, change of scenery for both Derrick and Lee."

Strait will bring some immediate and needed depth at cornerback for the Browns.

Daylon McCutcheon recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and may not be back in time for the Sept. 10 season opener against New Orleans. Gary Baxter strained his left pectoral muscle on the first play from scrimmage Thursday in the preseason opener in Philadelphia and is expected to be out three to four weeks.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

[spjets]

i dont see BARRETT staying healthy...groin injurys are a b!tch....

[Sperm Edwards]

Lucas lookalike

Stacy Tutt is the less celebrated college quarterback making the transition to another position as a Jet. But the Richmond QB seems to be doing as well in his move to, yes, fullback as former Missouri QB Brad Smith has been as a wide receiver.

"There's an element of Ray Lucas in Stacy," said coach Eric Mangini, who was on the Jets' staff in the late '90s when Lucas was willing to do anything to take the field.

"Ray has said, 'I would've cleaned helmets to get on the team,' " Mangini said. "Athletically, Stacy brings a lot of things to the table. He has good size, he's smart. And seeing the world as a quarterback for a time gives him a deeper understanding of how things work. Combined with his work ethic and selflessness, it's an encouraging package."

For the second straight day, Tutt got some first-team reps at FB.

Briefs

Patrick Ramsey got the first-team reps and connected on one of his nicest passes of camp, a 25-yard seam route to slot man Tim Dwight. ... Big rookie DT Tui Alailefaleula (leg) returned to practice. ... After trading Derrick Strait, the Jets re-signed CB Jovon Johnson, whom they signed and waived two weeks ago.

-- Randy Lange

[Sperm Edwards]

Jets blog

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Reggie's catching on

August 15, 2006

Every summer, players with no chance of squeezing onto an NFL opening-day roster make themselves impossible to ignore. One such Jet is wide receiver Reggie Newhouse.

"I'm step by step, play by play just going at it hard," said Newhouse, the former Cardinal and son of former Cowboys icon Robert Newhouse who's had a good camp.

Newhouse had a 25-yard catch-and-run against the Buccaneers, and Monday he turned in two more pretty practice receptions, on consecutive plays: a deep out-route from Chad Pennington followed by a grab down the deep middle from Patrick Ramsey.

The Jets have Laveranues Coles, Justin McCareins, Jerricho Cotchery, Tim Dwight and rookie Brad Smith at the position. Can they keep six wideouts on their final 53? Newhouse is making them crunch the numbers.

-- Randy Lange

[Sperm Edwards]

A tale of two passes

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports

August 14, 2006

More Jets: Pennington's curious behavior

TAMPA, Fla.