JETS ARTICLES - TUE

[Sperm Edwards]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-jets-manginithegambler&prov=ap&type=lgns

Jets' Mangini gaining reputation as aggressive gambler

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer

October 2, 2006

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Eric Mangini is gaining quite the reputation for being a gambler.

The New York Jets' coach has gone for it on fourth down, pulled off an onside kick moments after scoring a touchdown and sprinkled in a few trick plays. And that's just in one game.

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No longer the conservative, predictable team that marked Herman Edwards' tenure as coach, Mangini's Jets have shown to be an aggressive bunch through the first four games of the season. Not that the rookie coach considers himself to be much of a gambling man.

"Ummm, no, not really. I've got pretty much index stocks and blue chips," Mangini said Monday. "But I think that anything that's thought out and practiced and worked on and looked at in terms of the situation, I think it's more of an educated risk."

Call it what he may, the Jets have become one of the NFL's most exciting and unpredictable teams. They're 2-2, and could have been 4-0 if not for a few plays here and there against New England two weeks ago and Indianapolis on Sunday.

"Some of the stuff that we do, he's putting us in the best position to win the game," tight end Chris Baker said. "Indianapolis is one of the best teams in the NFL, so we needed a lot of things to go our way and we needed to take a few more chances than we would need to against, say, somebody else. He put us in a good position and that's part of why that game was so close."

In Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts, the game was tied at 14 when the Jets got the ball at their 21 with 13:11 left in the third quarter. They slowly marched down the field on a nearly 8 1/2 -minute drive and got to the 7. Cedric Houston rushed for 5 yards on first down, but was stuffed for no gain on the next two plays.

Faced with a fourth-and-goal against one of the NFL's elite teams, many coaches might have decided to just go for the field goal and put points on the scoreboard. Instead, Mangini went for it.

"If I had a chance to do it again, I'd do exactly the same thing," Mangini said. "I'd put the ball in the offense's hands again."

The crowd at Giants Stadium cheered the move, but Chad Pennington threw an interception -- his first in the red zone in his career -- on a pass meant for James Dearth, who hasn't had a reception in the NFL since 2001.

"We've talked about it, and it's something we have prepared for and that was the approach we were taking," Mangini said. "Whenever you play a team as explosive as the Colts, I think an aggressive approach is a sound approach."

The players agreed, saying there's no reason to second-guess the call.

"You've got to beat a great team, so you've got to go for things like that," wide receiver Tim Dwight said.

Colts coach Tony Dungy wasn't surprised by the call.

"Teams that play us do things like that," Dungy said. "Like the onside kick, going for it on fourth down. Teams feel like they are going to need points against us. ... I would've done the same thing against us."

Earlier in the game, Mangini set the precedent for how aggressive he'd be.

In the first quarter, rookie Brad Smith -- a quarterback-turned-receiver -- lined up under center and Pennington set up as a wide receiver. Smith, helped by a block thrown by Pennington, ran 8 yards for a first down.

Moments after scoring a tying touchdown early in the second quarter, Mangini and his coaching staff caught the Colts off guard again. Mike Nugent squibbed an onside kick to the right side that was recovered by Kerry Rhodes.

During the ensuing drive, the Jets faced a fourth-and-1 from the Colts 30 and went for it, with Smith again lining up at quarterback. Smith pitched out to Leon Washington, who scrambled for 3 yards and a first down. That helped set up another scoring drive that gave the Jets a brief 14-7 lead.

"The plan was to be aggressive," Mangini said. That's why we kicked the onside kick, that's why we went for it on fourth-and-1. That's why we're committed to scoring touchdowns."

The Jets weren't done with the trickery. Trailing with 8 seconds left after Peyton Manning scored a touchdown following Justin Miller's 103-yard kickoff return, New York was desperate. What unfolded was something out of sandlot ball, but something the Jets said they've practiced many times.

Pennington threw a short pass to Washington, who ran for an 8-yard gain and lateraled the ball to Smith. A series of four laterals and two fumbles recovered by the Jets followed before the Colts pounced on one final fumble to end the chaos.

Even with the ball flying all over the field and no time left on the clock, the Jets believed they could still win. That's the type of thinking Mangini has cultivated in his short time as a coach.

"When it all comes down to it, we're all in this together," Mangini said. "And if we're going to be aggressive, we're going to be aggressive together."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/100306/jag_5392957.shtml

JETS AT JAGUARS

COACH

Jaguars: Jack Del Rio (28-24, fourth season).

Jets: Eric Mangini (2-2, first season).

RECORD

Jaguars: 2-2 (0-1 in AFC South).

Jets: 2-2 (1-1 in AFC East).

LAST WEEK

Jaguars: Lost to Washington 30-36.

Jets: Lost to Indianapolis 31-28.

KEY STAT

Jaguars: Jacksonville allowed its first 100-yard rusher in 13 regular-season games last week against the Redskins.

Jets: The Jets rank near the bottom of the league (25th) in rush defense, but had given up just two rushing TDs heading into last week's game. The Jets gave up three rushing TDs last week.

OFFENSIVE RANK

Jaguars: 18th in total yards (318.3 per game)

Jets: 14th in total yards (327 per game)

DEFENSIVE RANK

Jaguars: 14th in total yards (307.3 per game)

Jets: 29th total yards (378.3 per game)

OFFENSIVE LEADER

Jaguars: WR Reggie Williams bested his career high in touchdown receptions by hauling in two TDs last week against the Redskins. Williams averages 60.8 yards per game.

Jets: QB Chad Pennington is completing 67.2 percent of his passes and has a 102.3 quarterback rating. He's thrown six touchdown passes.

DEFENSIVE LEADER

Jaguars: Cornerback Rashean Mathis increased his career-interception total to 16 by picking off Mark Brunell last week. Mathis could be on the way to a Pro Bowl season.

Jets: Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is the Jets' most accomplished playmaker on defense. He averages a team-high 10 tackles per game.

STREAKS

Jaguars: The Jaguars defense has allowed the second-fewest rushing touchdowns (25) in the NFL from 2003-06.

Jets: The Jets haven't scored an offensive touchdown on the opening drive of their last 18 games and haven't scored in the first quarter this season.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1159855532210440.xml&coll=1

Jets: Mangini's 3-4 scheme proving difficult for Vilma

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Perhaps he was busy. Perhaps he didn't want to talk. Maybe he was tired.

Then again, perhaps he's frustrated and believed his frustration would rear its ugly head during a probing interview in the wake of the Jets' defensive collapse Sunday against the Colts.

Whatever the reason, inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is probably the most media-friendly player on the team, avoided reporters yesterday.

Vilma's reluctance to talk raises the question as to whether he's becoming increasingly frustrated in the Jets' 3-4 defense, which is clearly ill-suited for his sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability.

He had a team-high tying 11 tackles in the 31-28 loss Sunday at Giants Stadium, but he was invisible during back-to-back fourth-quarter drives directed by Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. During the game, he missed tackles in key situations.

In fact, Vilma, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, has been missing in action for much of the season. He has a team-high 39 tackles, but he has no impact plays. He doesn't have a sack, interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery.

"The defense didn't do it and it cost us the game, especially the last two drives," Vilma said after Sunday's game. "It was very frustrating. In my short career, the offense has been doing so well and we're not backing them up. It's very frustrating."

Rookie coach Eric Mangini came to town with a reputation as a defensive guru, but his defense has played horribly this season and a large part of the problem is he doesn't have the personnel to play a 3-4 scheme. The Jets can play a multitude of fronts, and did play a 4-3 at times against the Colts, but their base is a 3-4.

In addition to folding against the Colts, the defense yielded a 7-minute, 59-second drive in the fourth quarter of a 24-17 loss to the Patriots when they needed a stop.

Although the Jets were going against the top two quarterbacks in the league in Manning and the Patriots' Tom Brady in those games, they're ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense, yielding 378.3 yards per game, 140.5 yards rushing. They have virtually no pass rush (eight sacks -- three by safety Kerry Rhodes).

Mangini insists it's a matter of players trusting that everyone's doing his job and is in the right spot. That, he says, will come with experience.

Even so, it's painfully obvious that Vilma and nose tackle Dewayne Robertson are miscast in the defense, and the Jets don't have a playmaking defensive end/linebacker in the mold of former Patriots standout Willie McGinest.

The players, however, say they believe in the defense, one that doesn't allow for any freelancing.

"We're still learning it," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "We believe in it. We're playing it. We're not fussing about it or whatever. We just have to own up to it and do everything right every time.

"It's not easy. If you're not in the right spot in the run fixes (taking on the blocks), just an inch off, it's tough."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1159855040210440.xml&coll=1

Jets notes: Left knee injury sidelines Houston

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

As expected, an MRI yesterday revealed that running back Cedric Houston suffered a hyperextended left knee in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts at Giants Stadium, according to someone with knowledge of his medical condition.

That person requested anonymity because of the Jets' policy of releasing few details of players' injuries. Houston is expected to be out two to four weeks.

"It's not that serious," the person said.

Houston, a second-year pro, was hurt when he was hit by Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney on a third-and-goal from the 2. He finished the game as the Jets' leading rusher with 49 yards on 12 carries.

Veteran Derrick Blaylock, who was deactivated in favor of Houston the past two games, will likely be activated this week.

Coach Eric Mangini said he has no regrets about going for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 2 against the Colts, passing up a field-goal attempt late in the third quarter. The score was 14-14 at the time.

"I would do it again," he said. "The plan was to be aggressive. That's why we kicked the onside kick. That's why we went for it on fourth-and-one. (Indianapolis) is an explosive offense that puts points on the board very quickly."

Asked if he was a gambler, Mangini said: "I've got pretty much index stocks, blue chips."

WR Jerricho Cotchery's three TD receptions put him a tie with the Jaguars' Reggie Williams for the most among AFC wide receivers. ... RB Kevan Barlow's four rushing TDs tie him with the Bengals' Rudi Johnson for the AFC lead.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/sports/football/03jets.html

Fourth-Down Plays Are High Risk, Aggressive Jets Learn

By DAMON HACK

In the moments after the Jets lost, 31-28, to Indianapolis on Sunday, Colts Coach Tony Dungy was asked to place his veteran feet inside the rookie shoes of Jets Coach Eric Mangini.

If faced with the choice of attempting a short field goal from the Colts

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjsumary3024915223oct02,0,4325491.story?coll=ny-jets-print

THE SUMMARY

October 2, 2006

1 2 3 4 F

COLTS 7 7 0 17 31

JETS 0 14 0 14 28

THE SCORING

FIRST QUARTER

Ind: Rhodes 6 run (Gramatica kick), 12:28. Drive: 4 plays, 26 yards, 1:34. Key plays: Mathis sacks Pennington and forces fumble, recovered by Thomas on Jets 26. Indianapolis 7, Jets 0.

SECOND QUARTER

Jets: Cotchery 33 from Pennington (Nugent kick), 10:10. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 3:12. Key plays: Pennington 15 pass to Dwight on 3rd-and-6, Houston 13 run. Indianapolis 7, Jets 7.

Jets: Barlow 1 run (Nugent kick), 4:44. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:26. Key plays: Rhodes recovery of onside kickoff at Jets 43, Pennington 18 poass to Cotchery, L.Washington 3 run on 4th-and-1, Pennington 7 pass to Dwight on 3rd-and-4, plus 7-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Mathis, Houston 8 run on 2nd-and-11, 2-yard pass interference penalty on Bethea on 3rd-and-3 for automatic first down. Jets 14, Indianapolis 7.

Ind: Addai 4 run (Gramatica kick), :16. Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 4:28. Key plays: Manning 41 pass to Wayne, Manning 18 pass to Harrison on 3rd-and-8, Manning 4 pass to Addai on 3rd-and-4. Jets 14, Indianapolis 14.

FOURTH QUARTER

Ind: FG Gramatica 20, 12:58. Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards, 6:33. Key plays: Moorehead interception in end zone for touchback on 4th-and-2, Addai 7 run on 3rd-and-2, Manning 9 pass to Harrison, Addai 10 run, Manning 14 pass to Wayne on 3rd-and-6, Rhodes 16 run, Jets stop Colts on 2nd-and-goal from the 1 and 3rd-and-goal from the 2. Indianapolis 17, Jets 14.

Jets: Barlow 5 run (Nugent kick), 7:55. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:03. Key plays: Pennington 10 pass to Coles on 3rd-and-3, Askew 5 run on 3rd-and-2, 5-yard illegal contact penalty on Doss on 3rd-and-2. Jets 21, Indianapolis 17.

Ind: Fletcher 2 pass from Manning (Gramatica kick), 2:34. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:21. Key plays: Manning 10 pass to Clark, Manning 11 pass to Harrison, 22-yard pass interference penalty on Miller. Indianapolis 24, Jets 21.

Jets: Miller 103 kickoff return (Nugent kick), 2:20. Jets 28, Indianapolis 24.

Ind: Manning 1 run (Gramatica kick), :50. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 1:30. Key plays: Manning 11 pass to Fletcher, Manning 19 pass to Harrison, Manning 15 pass to Wayne. Indianapolis 31, Jets 28.

ATTENDANCE

77,190.

TEAM STATISTICS

Ind Jets

FIRST DOWNS 26 23

Rushing 11 9

Passing 14 10

Penalty 1 4

THIRD DOWN EFF 7-12 7-13

FOURTH DOWN EFF 0-0 1-2

TOTAL NET YARDS 352 321

Total Plays 68 63

Avg Gain 5.2 5.1

NET YARDS RUSHING 160 135

Rushes 36 37

Avg per rush 4.4 3.6

NET YARDS PASSING 192 186

Sacked-Yds lost 2-25 3-21

Gross-Yds passing 217 207

Completed-Att. 21-30 17-23

Had Intercepted 0 1

Yards-Pass Play 6.0 7.2

KICKOFFS-EndZone-TB 6-3-0 5-0-0

PUNTS-Avg. 4-46.5 3-49.0

Punts blocked 0 0

FGs-PATs blocked 0-0 0-0

TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE 109 216

Punts Returns 3-25 1-12

Kickoffs Returns 4-84 6-204

Interceptions 1-0 0-0

PENALTIES-Yds 10-64 5-47

FUMBLES-Lost 0-0 4-2

TIME OF POSSESSION 28:03 31:57

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

Rushes-Yards-Long-Touchdowns

Ind: Addai 20-84-10-1, Rhodes 15-75-16-1, Manning 1-1-1-1.

Jets: Houston 12-49-13-0, Barlow 13-35-8-2, Washington 9-33-7-0, Smith 1-8-8-0, Askew 1-5-5-0, Pennington 1-5-5-0.

PASSING

Completions-Attempts-Interceptions-Yards-Touchdowns

Ind: Manning 21-30-0-217-1.

Jets: Pennington 17-23-1-207-1.

RECEIVING

Receptions-Yards-Long-Touchdowns

Ind: Harrison 7-79-19-0, Wayne 4-74-41-0, Fletcher 3-19-11-1, Addai 3-15-6-0, Utecht 2-16-9-0, Clark 2-14-10-0.

Jets: Coles 6-81-19-0, Cotchery 3-65-33-1, Dwight 3-31-15-0, Washington 1-8-8-0, Baker 1-6-6-0, Ryan 1-6-6-0, Houston 1-5-5-0, B.Smith 1-(minus 4)-(minus 4)-0, Pennington 0-7-7-0, McCareins 0-2-2-0.

PUNTING

Punts-Averages-Touchbacks-Inside 20-Long

Ind: Smith 4-46.5-1-1-54.

Jets: Graham 3-49.0-0-0-59.

DEFENSE

Tackles-Assists-Sacks

Ind: June 10-3-0, Brackett 9-4-0, Hayden 5-3-0, Jennings 5-0-0, Bethea 4-2-0, Gardner 4-1-0, Doss 3-1-0, Mathis 3-0-2, David 3-0-0, Freeney 3-0-0, Reagor 2-0-1, J.Thomas 2-0-0, Da.Reid 1-1-0, LaCasse 1-1-0, Schobel 1-0-0, Keiaho 1-0-0, Giordano 1-0-0, Brock 0-1-0.

Jets: Miller 9-0-0, Barton 8-3-0, Vilma 6-5-0, Ellis 5-0-2, Dyson 5-0-0, Hobson 4-2-0, Robertson 4-1-0, Rhodes 3-2-0, B.Thomas 2-2-0, von Oelhoffen 2-0-0, Smith 2-0-0, Smith 2-0-0, Coleman 1-3-0, Hamilton 1-2-0, Coleman 1-0-0, Strait 1-0-0, Spencer 1-0-0, Washington 1-0-0, Washington 1-0-0, Clement 1-0-0. Interception - Ind: Moorehead 1-0. Opponents Fumbles Recovered - Ind: David, Thomas. Jets: None.

MISSED FIELD GOALS

None.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjnotes024915229oct02,0,1186669.story?coll=ny-jets-print

It's Chad's first pick in red zone

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

October 2, 2006

Not many people can claim to be perfect at something, and now neither can Chad Pennington.

Pennington, who had gone his entire NFL career without throwing a red-zone interception, saw a streak of 120 straight turnover-free passes inside the opponents' 20 end when his pass for tight end James Dearth in the end zone was picked off by Rocky Boiman.

The execution on the play will be overshadowed by the decision preceding it - the Jets went for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 2 rather than kick a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter - but the interception and touchback was a worst-case outcome for the Jets.

"It's fourth down," Pennington said of forcing the pass rather than taking a sack or throwing it out of bounds, either of which would have given the Colts the ball. "Hopefully, we can get a touchdown, a great catch, a pass interference. You can't take the sack and say 'Well, we'll get 'em next time.'"

With the touchback, the Colts started at the 20 and drove for a go-ahead field goal and a 10-point swing.

No-huddle bugs Dungy

The Jets have been able to keep opponents off balance with a no-huddle offense all season, but Colts coach Tony Dungy insinuated that the Jets may be playing loose with substitution rules. "We've been running no-huddle a long time and we've been informed of the rules," Dungy said. "I guess I've done a bad job at understanding what they are.

"Everything I've been told is just not the case. We will figure it out and find out what we can do, what other teams can do, what other teams can't do and it's just not a good day to talk about it."

Jet streams

Jets G Pete Kendall started, playing for the first time since pulling his hamstring in the season-opener ... FB James Hodgins, who was signed by the Jets on Tuesday, was on the field yesterday ... Colts WR Marvin Harrison's 14-yard catch on the second play of the third quarter was the 952nd of his career, moving him into fourth place on the all-time list.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjqa024915228oct02,0,6812428.story?coll=ny-jets-print

JETS Q&A

Just couldn't stuff Peyton

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

October 2, 2006

Did the Jets contain Peyton Manning?

For the most part. They did hold him to his lowest yardage total of the season, 217, but allowed him to engineer a pair of go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter. "We tried to be aggressive and play smart," CB Andre Dyson said. "We tried to make hard reads on Peyton. He did a good job the last two drives. We just have to find a way to get off the field and make plays when it's crucial."

How did the Jets defend the Colts on the last two drives?

The Jets rushed only three or four players at a time and dropped as many defenders into coverage as possible. "It's tough in that situation where they have many explosive weapons," Jets coach Eric Mangini said.

How did D'Brickashaw Ferguson do against Dwight Freeney?

Not too badly. Unfortunately, he wasn't lined up against the Pro Bowler the entire game. On the third play from scrimmage, the Colts pulled a switcheroo on the rookie left tackle and Robert Mathis smoked him for a strip-sack on Chad Pennington that led to the Colts' first touchdown. Ferguson was a big part of the crew that kept Freeney without a sack for the fourth game in a row.

Why wasn't Justin Miller returning the last kickoff?

Jets coach Eric Mangini said he decided to put rookie Leon Washington back there because he was afraid Miller was too winded after returning the previous kickoff 103 yards and then playing defense.

Washington wound up misplaying the kick, taking it out of the end zone before being tackled at the 2. Miller said he was available for the return. "It's not my call," Miller said. "If he wants me out there, he's going to put me out there."

What happened to Laveranues Coles on the final play?

The Jets receiver was writhing on the field and being tended to by trainers as the rest of the players walked to the tunnel following an exciting but ultimately fruitless gadget play on the last snap. "I'm cool," he said after the game, though he grew testy at the repeated questions about his condition and did not appear to be injured.

Two teams call the Meadowlands home; who has the best record there this year?

That would be the Colts, who are 2-0 with wins over the Giants and the Jets. The "home" teams are a combined 0-3 in the building.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjgrades024915230oct02,0,1653457.story?coll=ny-jets-print

GRADING THE JETS

BY TOM ROCK

October 2, 2006

OFFENSE

C

The running game showed signs of improvement and Cedric Houston appeared to be heading toward the starting job before he injured his knee in the third quarter. The team ran for 135 yards, the first time above 100 in eight games. Chad Pennington controlled the tempo of the game with short passes, and completed 17 of 23 for 207 yards. But two turnovers, including the interception from the Colts' 2, resulted in a 17-point swing.

DEFENSE

D

After containing the high-powered Colts offense for most of the game, Indianapolis accumulated 129 of its 352 total yards on the final two drives and the Jets allowed the go-ahead touchdown twice in the final 2:34. The Jets were unable to slow down the Colts' running game, which had been almost as bad as the Jets' but averaged 4.4 yards yesterday. The defense did not provide any turnovers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

B

A kickoff return for a touchdown and a recovered onside kick should mean an automatic A-plus. Even Matt Chatham, who butchered the onside kick last week, returned a kickoff 20 yards. But the last kickoff that stuck the Jets at their own 2 with 47 seconds remaining after rookie Leon Washington mishandled a bouncing ball near the end zone really cost the Jets precious yardage at a critical time.

COACHING

C (plus)

Mangini & Co. coached as if they had nothing to lose. The onside kick after the first touchdown and the gutsy fourth-and-1 option from Brad Smith to Leon Washington showed faith in players making plays. But after making the point that the Jets were not going to back down, the play-calling remained aggressive. Start dialing now to discuss the decision not to kick the field goal and take a 17-14 lead on this afternoon's sports radio talks shows.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/457868p-385308c.html

No defense for way this unit has played

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Many pundits expected the Jets' defense to be ahead of the offense early in the season, but it has turned out just the opposite. The Jets are ranked 29th in total defense, they can't stop the run and frustration is building in the locker room.

Clearly, the change to Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme isn't going as smoothly as hoped.

"The 3-4 isn't easy," SS Kerry Rhodes said yesterday. "If you're not in the right spot in run fits - I mean, even just an inch off - it's tough. There's going to be a little seam here or a little seam there."

Rhodes claimed that "we believe in (the system) - we're not fussing about it - but we have to own up to it and get it fixed."

The Jets are surrendering an average of 140.5 rushing yards per game, worse than last season. On Sunday, they face the Jaguars (2-2), who haven't run the ball particularly well.

LB Jonathan Vilma, struggling in the transition to the 3-4, said after Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts that the overall performance of the defense has been "very frustrating." Yesterday, he avoided reporters in the locker room.

The Jets actually used multiple fronts against the Colts, including one that consisted of 4-3 spacing, but they still allowed 160 yards on the ground.

"We need improvement," Mangini said.

HOUSTON HAS A PROBLEM: RB Cedric Houston, who injured his left knee in Sunday's game and left the stadium on crutches, went for an MRI exam. Mangini declined to give an update. Houston will miss at least one game, perhaps more. It means that Derrick Blaylock, inactive the last two games, will be back in the mix.

LATERAL MOVE: The Jets' final play took 37 seconds in real time, from Chad Pennington's completion to Nick Mangold's fumble, with all the laterals in between. The ball changed hands eight times, but it paled in comparison to a game-ending kickoff against the Chiefs in 1988. In a 38-34 loss, the Jets had 12 exchanges before Ken Rose was knocked out of bounds at his own 39.

WHAT IF: If the Jets had managed a third-down stop in the fourth quarter against Peyton Manning, or two weeks ago against the Patriots' Tom Brady, they could be 3-1 or 4-0. That's a wildly optimistic view, naturally.

"We're not looking at it like we could be 4-0," Rhodes said, "but it's in the back of minds, of course."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/457867p-385306c.html

Jets behind Mangini move

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

The gamble backfired, and the actual design of the ill-fated play left many questions, but Eric Mangini's all-or-nothing decision Sunday from the Colts' 2-yard line scored points in his own locker room. For the Jets, it was a refreshing change from the era of conservatism under Herm Edwards.

"I wouldn't call it a gamble; I'd call it being aggressive, confident that we were going to score," guard Brandon Moore said yesterday. "As you can tell by his play-calling and decisions, he's going to be an aggressive coach. That's how he wants us to play, and that's how he wants to coach. I like that. I don't like that we didn't back him up on it, but I like it."

Publicly, no player second-guessed the controversial strategy, the most dissected in-game decision of Mangini's young career. Few players not named Jeremy Shockey would criticize their coach. Even so, there seemed to be a genuine appreciation of Mangini's bold choice, which loomed large in the heartbreaking 31-28 loss to the Colts.

"To beat the Colts, we needed touchdowns, not field goals," wide receiver Tim Dwight said.

Edwards was well-liked by his players, but many of them didn't care for what they perceived as a play-not-to-lose mentality. Mangini, trying the change the culture around the team, didn't play to lose - but he did anyway, with a fourth-down pass from the 2-yard line that was intercepted by linebacker Rocky Boiman in the third quarter.

It was a daring call, considering two-point conversions (from the same distance) have less than a 50% success rate. Mangini preferred to call it an "educated risk." He doesn't consider himself a gambler, joking, "I've pretty much got index stocks and blue chips."

After sleeping on it, and reviewing the tape, Mangini refused to second-guess himself.

"We would do it again," he said. "The plan was to be aggressive. That's why we tried the onside kick. That's why we went for it on fourth-and-1. We were committed to scoring touchdowns. ... Whenever you play the Colts, an aggressive approach is a sound approach."

Nevertheless, questions lingered. Mangini was prepared for them, showing up yesterday with his scripted responses.

Why assume that Peyton Manning, held to 91 yards passing to that point, was going to explode?

Mangini recalled a game from 2003, when Manning rallied the Colts from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to shock the Bucs, 38-35.

Why call a bootleg, with a run-or-pass option, for a quarterback not known for his fancy footwork?

"He's always been effective running the ball into the end zone when he does have those options," Mangini said of Chad Pennington. "I've been on the other side of that a bunch of times."

Indeed, Pennington has five career rushing touchdowns, including three against the Patriots, Mangini's former team. In this case, Pennington, with defensive end Raheem Brock in his face, couldn't run. So he threw into the end zone for a well-covered James Dearth, who never had a chance to make the catch.

Why use Dearth, a long snapper who hasn't caught a pass since 2001, as the primary receiver? Mangini had an answer for that, too, recalling how Patriots linebacker-turned-tight end Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl after having only one regular-season reception.

The Jets had hoped to fool the Colts, but Indianapolis played pass all the way. One player said, "It's like they were in our huddle." Brock lined up wider than they expected, according to Dearth and Moore - a sure sign that Brock expected a bootleg run or pass. Another player said Dearth was the only player in a pass route, which explains why he attracted two defenders.

The play was doomed from the outset. But the coach refused to lament what might have been.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10032006/sports/jets/almost_an_upset_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

ALMOST AN UPSET

By MARK CANNIZZARO

October 3, 2006 -- JETS REPORT CARD

QUARTERBACKS B+ Chad Pennington (17-for-23, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 97.6 rating) played a wonderfully smart game.

RUNNING BACKS C+ Best game for the rushing attack this season with 135 yards on 37 carries. Cedric Houston had the most yards (49 on 12 carries).

WIDE RECEIVERS B+ Laveranues Coles (6 catches, 81 yards) again led the way. Jerricho Cotchery (3-65, TD) made another big scoring play. Tim Dwight (3-31) provided a spark, as did rookie Brad Smith at QB, creat ing a couple of first downs.

TIGHT ENDS C Chris Baker and Sean Ryan each had one catch for 6 yards. Run block ing was better.

OFFENSIVE LINE B After a slow start, which included LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson being beaten for a sack and a forced fumble on Pennington, the line settled down and was more physical in the running game.

DEFENSIVE LINE C DE Shaun Ellis had two big momen tum-changing sacks on Peyton Man ning. NT Dewayne Robertson was more active in the middle. Overall, not enough pressure applied to Manning.

LINEBACKERS C Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton each had 11 tackles. The run defense wasn't very good.

SECONDARY C Wild day for this group. CB Justin Miller had nine tackles, CB Andre Dyson had six, S Kerry Rhodes had five tackles and a pass defensed. Too many big plays allowed.

SPECIAL TEAMS A Perfectly executed onside kick; Miller had a team-record 103-yard kickoff re turn for a TD; coverage held danger ous Terrence Wilkins from hurting them.

KICKING GAME A P Ben Graham had a fine day with 49.0 yards gross and 40.7 yards net on three punts. Nugent had to boot a 30-yard PAT after a holding penalty.

COACHING C+ Eric Mangini and his staff had a great plan for the game and nearly pulled it off. Only Manning's greatness foiled them in the end. The only blemish, and it was a big one, was Mangini's decision to go for the TD on fourth-and-goal from nearly the 3 at 14-14. He should have kicked the FG at that time. Those three points were the differ ence in the game.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10032006/sports/jets/mangini_claims_hed_do_it_again_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

MANGINI CLAIMS HE'D DO IT AGAIN

By MARK CANNIZZARO

October 3, 2006 -- JET NOTES

Eric Mangini had no change of heart whatsoever overnight regarding his controversial decision to go for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal Sunday instead of taking the likely three points in the third quarter of an eventual 31-28 loss to the Colts.

"If I had it to do over again, I would do it again," Mangini said of the failed try from the 2 yard line. "The plan was to be aggressive. That's why we kicked the onsides kick. That's why we went for it (earlier) on fourth-and-1. (The Colts have) an explosive offense that puts points on the board very quickly. We talked about it. It was something we prepared for.

"Whenever you play a team as explosive as the Colts, an aggressive approach is the sound approach. We wanted to move the ball consistently and move down the field. The goal was touchdowns. We outlined that early in the week. That's what we were committed to: scoring touchdowns.

"If I had a chance to do it again, I'd do exactly the same thing. I'd put the ball in the offense's hand again. That would be the approach."

Mangini also defended the play on fourth-and-goal, intended for reserve TE James Dearth, by saying the Patriots caught opponents off guard by throwing TD passes to LB Mike Vrabel.

*

Mangini offered a hint of humor when asked if he characterizes himself as a gambler.

"No, not really," he said. "I've got pretty much index stocks, blue chips. I think anything that's thought out and practiced and worked on and looked at in terms of the situation, is more of an educated risk."

*

Mangini was essentially mum on the status of RB Cedric Houston, who injured his left knee on a goal-line run and had to be carted off the field in the third quarter.

"We'll get together with the doctors, then I'll meet with those guys later (today), see where he is for the week," Mangini said.

From the looks of the injury, with Houston unable to put any weight on the left leg, don't count on seeing him play this week in Jacksonville. That's a shame for the Jets, because Houston looked as if he was running better than the rest of the group.

Houston's injury means Derrick Blaylock, inactive the past two games, likely will play again.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10032006/sports/jets/still_at_a_loss_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

STILL AT A LOSS

By MARK CANNIZZARO

October 3, 2006 -- The Jets did so many good things Sunday.

There was the franchise-record 103-yard kickoff return by Justin Miller to give the team a 28-24 lead over the Colts with just more than two minutes remaining in the game.

There was the successful onside kick that ripped the momentum out of the arms of the Colts as if they had the ball stripped from them.

There was the touchdown scored following the onside kick, good for a 14-7 lead at the time and validating the brave and brash call.

There was the sighting of a productive running game for the first time all season, with the committee of Cedric Houston, Kevan Barlow and Leon Washington helping to produce 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

There was yet anther standout performance from Chad Pennington, who continues his Comeback Player of the Year play.

There was another virtuoso performance from receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

There were even two sacks from missing-in-action DE Shaun Ellis, who had 21/2 all last season and had been shut out through three games this year.

So many good things turned up on film as the Jets sat and watched yesterday with the coaches.

The only thing missing was a victory, and that left a distinct hangover among the masses at Weeb Ewbank Hall as everyone tried to sort out what went wrong in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts and why the Jets aren't the surprise team of the NFL at 3-1 through the first quarter of the season.

"I would expect no one ever wants to lose," Eric Mangini said yesterday. "That's why we draft competitive guys who hate losing at anything, whether it's football, Scrabble, or a pickup game with their uncle.

"We want guys that hate to lose. These guys will push real hard to make sure that doesn't happen again."

As much as the loss irritated the Jets, Mangini made it clear the postgame focus doesn't change, win or lose. That's why there was no panic in his voice yesterday when he said, "We've got to have a consistent approach and don't get too high or too low."

The Jets' players have done a pretty good job of mirroring their head coach.

"We gave a pretty good football team a run for their money, but we're disappointed we didn't come away with a win," WR Tim Dwight said yesterday.

DT Kimo von Oelhoffen said, "You don't accept moral victories. We're here to win football games, period. As a professional, your greatest evaluation is production, nothing else. You don't produce, you don't play. We've got to start producing."

That will have to happen Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla., where the Jets will play an angry and confused Jaguars team that has lost its last two games, including a killer in OT against the Redskins on Sunday in Washington.

The Jags started off 2-0 with a win over the Cowboys in the opener then what was thought to be a statement victory over the Steelers in Week 2.

What followed was a tough 21-14 loss to the very Colts who crushed the Jets' collective will Sunday, then the 36-30 OT loss in Washington.

"It was a good effort against the Colts, but we came up short," TE Chris Baker said. "Now its time to move on."

DE Bobby Hamilton said, "When we leave here (last) night, the Colts game is forgotten. The first quarter of the season is over. We're going to keep fighting."

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/SPORTS01/610030335/1043/SPORTS

Jets' 3-4 can't close the door

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original Publication: October 3, 2006)

HEMPSTEAD — Four games in and the Jets believe they're starting to grasp the intricacies of their new 3-4 defense.

"You've got to see everything so you know where you fit,'' veteran defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen said yesterday. "We're starting to see it, and we're starting to understand it.''

So far, though, the results have been decidedly mixed for the 2-2 Jets, particularly in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts.

They managed to hold Peyton Manning to a season-low 217 passing yards. But he directed two scoring drives in the final 7:55, each series coming after the Jets had taken the lead.

On each drive, the Jets were unable to mount any type of pass rush. Couple that with coverage strikingly similar to a prevent defense and Manning had a field day.

Safety Kerry Rhodes, though, said the Jets' scheme did not change late in the game.

"The 3-4 is not easy,'' Rhodes said. "If you're not in the right spot, just like an inch off, it's tough. It'll be a little seam here, a little seam there. We're still learning it. We believe in it. We're playing it. We're not fussing about it. We just have to hone up to it and do everything right all the time.''

Manning's performance was similar to Tom Brady's in the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Patriots in their first home game. Brady directed a 16-play drive over 8:15 in the fourth quarter, effectively killing the clock even though the Patriots didn't score.

"We had good spots in the (Colts) game, pretty much through three quarters,'' Rhodes said. "But it's a four-quarter game. They made more plays than we did. I don't know if it's more on us or more on them. They're a good team. But we can't have minor breakdowns.''

The numbers certainly don't tell a good story.

The defense ranks 29th in the league, allowing an average of 378.3 total yards per game. The Jets are 25th against the run, allowing 140.5, and 27th against the pass, allowing 237.8. The 98 first downs they've given up are tied for 31st in the league.

Defensive end Shaun Ellis did sack Manning twice, for a total loss of 25 yards. That was the good.

The bad: He was the only Jet to lay a hand on Manning.

"It was very frustrating,'' said third-year Jet Jonathan Vilma, who tied linebacker Eric Barton for the team high with 11 tackles. "In my short career, the offense has been doing so well and we're not backing them up.''

The switch to three down linemen has forced Vilma from his middle-linebacker role, where he was proficient in roaming sideline to sideline to make plays, to an inside role that requires little lateral movement and more north-south play.

The other player seemingly ill-suited for the new defense is Dewayne Robertson, who had five tackles against the Colts and looked good while lining up at an angle against the center or guard. But mostly this season, Robertson has lined up as the nose tackle, directly over the center.

In that role, he's been blocked efficiently, often without being double-teamed.

"He's worked in both spots,'' Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "It just depended a little bit on the formation. Each week, that's going to be a little bit different. There are some positive things that Dewayne did. There are some things that he and the rest of the group need to do better. The important thing is that we have different fronts and understanding where you fit in the front, where the linebackers fit.''

Essentially, it's a matter of trust, something von Oelhoffen said was lacking early in the Week 2 loss to the Patriots.

Mangini seemed to indicate yesterday that the trust level is still not where it needs to be.

"Trust is being coachable,'' von Oelhoffen said. "Doing what you're coached and doing it every day.''

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/SPORTS01/610030334/1043/SPORTS

Jets' Washington is coming home

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original Publication: October 3, 2006)

HEMPSTEAD — Alltel Stadium stood just behind the housing complex where Leon Washington grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets' rookie running back was a soda vendor during Jaguars games as a teenager and was named the Gator Bowl MVP there as a Florida State junior.

Needless to say, Washington can't wait for the Jets' game at Jacksonville on Sunday.

"In Pop Warner, I had a chance to play in the old Gator Bowl, before they built Alltel Stadium,'' Washington said yesterday. "I played two times in college in the new Alltel Stadium. It brings back a lot of childhood memories. I'm sure it will be emotional for me.''

Even better for Washington, he's become a significant part of the offense, with 58 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards in the past two games. But he's worried about finding enough tickets for his family.

"I already informed everybody, 'Y'all better do some scalping,' '' Washington said. "Tickets are not cheap.''

Actually, being able to provide for his family — he's the first to graduate from high school, and his mother raised six children working as a hotel maid — is something that makes Washington proud. His base salary is a reported $275,000.

"It's very satisfying,'' Washington said. "Whenever they have a need, the need gets taken care of. But if you want something, it's a different ballgame. It's a roof over your head, transportation, food. All the other stuff is wants.''

Houston's hurt: Coach Eric Mangini acknowledged that running back Cedric Houston has injured his left knee. Houston was carted off the field in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Colts after defensive end Dwight Freeney hit him in the kneecap with his helmet.

Houston led the Jets with 49 yards on 13 carries in the loss.

"Cedric was doing some positive things,'' Mangini said. "Injuries do take place, and we'll evaluate where we are. I think Kevan (Barlow) did a nice job. Leon and Derrick (Blaylock) will have another opportunity, too, depending on how the week in practice goes.''

Wide receiver Laveranues Coles, also a Jacksonville native, was shaken up on the game's last play but said he was OK immediately afterward. He was not available for comment yesterday.

No regrets: Mangini said he would go for it again on fourth-and-goal from the Colts 2, despite what happened with the score tied 14-14 in the third quarter. Quarterback Chad Pennington, who also had the option to run the ball in, threw an interception on a pass intended for tight end James Dearth, who is used mainly as the long snapper.

The play broke down when the Colts spread out their defensive linemen. Dearth tried to hit Raheem Brock before starting his pattern toward the back of the end zone. But two defenders followed him, and because Brock wasn't where Dearth expected him to be, the tackle was able to scoot by and put pressure on Pennington.

"They got us on that play,'' said Dearth, whose last catch was a touchdown from Vinny Testaverde against the Bengals in 2001. "They played kind of wide. It was a little different and we weren't expecting that.''