SUNDAY JETS ARTICLES

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Jets Preview

Sunday, October 29, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

FOUR QUESTIONS

Can the Jets keep their running game rolling and neutralize Browns NT Ted Washington, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 365 but is believed to be closer to 400 pounds?

Rookie C Nick Mangold is the first line of attack, but he'll have help from OGs Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore. The Jets, who have one of the smallest offensive lines in the NFL, likely will try to run outside much of the time rather than challenge Washington, who is in his 16th NFL season.

Will this be the week the Jets defense finally mans-up against the run?

New Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, the team's former offensive line coach, is expected to run the ball a bit more than predecessor Maurice Carthon. RB Reuben Droughns (80 carries, 257 yards, one TD) is no slouch. The Jets rank 28th in the NFL in run defense, yielding 142.4 yards per game, but NT Dewayne Robertson is coming on.

How will the Jets secondary do against Browns TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards?

Winslow, who has missed all but two games of his first two seasons, leads all TEs with 33 receptions for 317 yards and two TDs. He had criticized former offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon for not getting him the ball more. Edwards is averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch on 22 grabs.

Can QB Chad Pennington take advantage of the Browns' banged-up secondary?

Cleveland lost CB Gary Baxter for the season last week to a knee injury and CB Daylon McCutcheon already is out for the season with a knee injury as well. CB Leigh Bodden has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but may be pressed into action this week.

Three Things You Might Not Know About The Brown

The Browns special teams put Cleveland first in the NFL in opponents' averaging starting field position (20.0-yard line) and second in the NFL in starting field position (30.3-yard line). KR Josh Cribbs ranks first in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 28.7-yard average and K Phil Dawson has 10 touchbacks and has a 83.9 career field goal percentage.

Charlie Frye is the Browns' ninth starting quarterback since 1999. The franchise was set back for years when QB Tim Couch, drafted first overall in 1999, never panned out in four seasons. He's now out of football.

In addition to Couch, DE Courtney Brown, selected first overall in 2000, and DT Gerald Warren, taken third overall in 2001, also are no longer with the team.

History

The Browns hold a 10-7 lead in the all-time regular-season series.

Injury Report

Jets -- Questionable -- RB Cedric Houston (knee), CB David Barrett (hip) and C/T Trey Teague (ankle).

Browns -- Questionable -- CB Leigh Bodden (ankle) and WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs).

The number of starting NFL QBs from the MAC: Ben Roethlisberger (Miami of Ohio), Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Charlie Frye (Akron) and Bruce Gradkowski (Toledo).

245.2

The number of yards the Browns are averaging per game, which ranks last in the NFL.

0

The number of games played by Pro Bowl C LeCharles Bentley, a big-ticket free-agent signee who suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first day of training camp last summer.

Prediction

Jets 27, Browns 13

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http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/116210023429680.xml&coll=1

Jets: Mangini back where it all began

Sunday, October 29, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

CLEVELAND -- Eric Mangini is coming full circle today when he leads the Jets against the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

In 1995, he landed his first job in the NFL as a public relations intern with the Browns under then-coach Bill Belichick. Cleveland reporters recalled this week a shy Mangini who would deliver food to the media room, never uttering a word.

This afternoon, Mangini, the youngest head coach in the NFL, returns to Cleveland as the man in charge. He has a lot to say these days and when he speaks, his team listens.

"This is more fun, going back this way," Mangini said with a smile. "It's better to do the conference call (on Wednesdays with the media from the opposing team) than to set up the conference call. I enjoyed my time in Cleveland (one year). It's always nice to visit a place that was important in your development."

In only his eighth game as a head coach, Mangini finds himself in an interesting and perhaps unexpected situation. How does he keep the Jets (4-3), who are on a two-game winning streak, from overlooking the hapless Browns (1-5)?

That's right. The Jets, who some thought would be fortunate to win four games all season, must guard against overconfidence.

Well, at least the oddsmakers are doing their part to help. The Jets are a three-point underdog.

"I think these games are the ones you have to be more focused for. You just have to go compete and play your game," linebacker Eric Barton said. "This is the NFL. There is no easy week. We just have to go out there with the mind-set that we're going to play hard and try to get a win."

One of Mangini's biggest assets is his ability to keep his team focused. All season, he has refused to talk publicly about more than the next day's practice and he has drilled that mentality into his team.

To that end, Mangini hasn't talked about the upcoming bye week. He hasn't acknowledged the Jets' soft schedule. The Browns were the only thing he was interested in discussing this week.

"I don't think we're concentrating on their record," quarterback Chad Pennington said. "We realize that this is going to be a tough game. The 1-5 record for Cleveland doesn't speak for how well their defense has been playing and how close the games they've lost have been."

Fact is, the Browns have been competitive this season although they're a mess right now. They lost to the Ravens by one point, the Saints by five points, the Panthers by eight points and the Broncos by 10 points.

And they've been competitive with an offense that ranks last in the NFL, averaging just 245.2 yards per game.

As a result, offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, a former Giants fullback, resigned under pressure on Monday. Offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, whom Mangini wanted to interview for his offensive coordinator's post but didn't get permission from the Browns, replaces Carthon, whose hard-driving style was unpopular with the players.

"Change is part of football," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "Maurice and I sat down and we had a long discussion because we've been together for so long and we're friends. It (accepting his resignation) wasn't easy. But it's something that you have to do, and we move on."

Crennel may be closer to Mangini than he is to Carthon. Crennel and his family stayed with Mangini and his family for nearly six months in 2001 while Crennel was waiting for the construction of his house to be completed.

Crennel said he's not surprised at Mangini's early success.

"With Eric, you saw right away his work ethic and knew that he would work however long it took. I saw that at the Jets when we were together (1997-1999).

"Then, in New England, when he was handling the defensive backs and dealing with some of those egos and getting guys to play at a high level, being able to develop young players, that gave you an indication that he was going to be able to deal with players.

"(And) being in the meeting room with him, his ideas and adjustments, you knew that he was a sharp guy and you knew that some day he'd have the opportunity to be a head coach."

That day is now, and this afternoon Mangini will return to the place where it all started.

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http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/oh/story/sports/pro/browns/2006/10/29/ddn102906browns.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=27

Browns in transition a puzzle for Jets

By Sean McClelland

Staff Writer

What you need to know about today's Jets-Browns game at Cleveland Browns Stadium:

Overview

Latest headlines

Can we just move our clocks ahead to Nov. 18?

The 'i' has been dotted; here's the 't'

Record 50 districts asking for income taxes Nov. 7

Income tax is schools' new funding solution

Netzley: Income tax the answer

Two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. The Jets are riding high, unexpectedly above .500 under first-year head coach Eric Mangini, while the Browns are tripping along at 1-5 and hoping new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson can spark their league-worst offense. Look for a 25-mph wind to play havoc with the passing and kicking games.

Scouting the Browns

At least the offensive linemen are happy now that Davidson, their position coach, has dislodged Maurice Carthon, who resigned his coordinatorship under pressure. Maybe they will play better and make him look good, but right tackle Ryan Tucker is out with a mystery illness, which doesn't bode well.

Scouting the Jets

Accurate QB Chad Pennington operates a diverse offense now that rookie Leon Washington has emerged as an outside running threat to complement Kevan Barlow. Big test for rookie center Nick Mangold (Alter High, OSU), up against 385-pound nose tackle Ted Washington.

Numbers game

Browns' Kellen Winslow II leads NFL tight ends with 33 receptions. Get this, though: His 38 career catches are second-most in history at that position through eight career games, behind only Keith Jackson (48).

Injury report

BROWNS — Questionable: CB Leigh Bodden (ankle); S Justin Hamilton; WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs); DB Brodney Pool (hamstring); S Brian Russell (ankle); OT Ryan Tucker (illness); FB Lawrence Vickers (elbow); TE Kelln Winslow II (knee).

JETS — Questionable: FB B.J. Askew (foot); DB David Barrett (hip); WR Laveraneus Coles (calf); WR Tim Dwight (thigh); RB Cedric Houston (knee); OL Trey Teague (ankle).

Prediction

Jeff Davidson spots holes in the Jets' 30th-ranked defense from his perch upstairs and Charlie Frye exploits them. Browns 23, Jets 21.

— Sean McClelland,

Dayton Daily News

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http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6114918

Who will cover Sunday?

ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE

N.Y. Jets (4-3, 5-2 ATS) at Cleveland (1-5, 2-3-1 ATS)

The Browns will try to get their sluggish offense going when they host the Jets in a non-divisional game at Cleveland Stadium.

Cleveland was limited to just 165 total yards, including 34 on the ground, in last week's 17-7 loss to the Broncos as a four-point home underdog. The Browns are averaging just 14.7 ppg and have scored more than 17 points just once – in their 24-21 victory at Oakland, the team's only win of the season.

The Jets hit the road following consecutive SU and ATS home wins over the Dolphins (20-17) and Lions (31-24). Since getting blanked 41-0 at Jacksonville, New York has tallied 51 points. Also, six of the team's seven contests this season have been decided by eight points or less.

Of the Browns myriad problems, the most glaring is in the running game, as the team rates 31st in the league in rushing offense (68.2 ypg) and 29th in rushing defense (144.2 ypg). One possible positive for Cleveland is that the Jets have struggled on defense, giving up 24.7 points and 372.3 yards per game, including 142.4 rushing ypg.

Cleveland is just 5-10 ATS in its last 15 home games.

The Jets, who entered 2006 in a 1-9 ATS slump on the road, are 2-1 SU and ATS as a visitor this year.

New York's last 11 games have soared over the total. However the under is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Cleveland Stadium (3-0 this year).

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http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6114922

NY Jets at Cleveland: Unlike his former mentor, Jets rookie head coach Eric Mangini and the Browns' Romeo Crennel are good friends. No icy stares on Sunday like there were when Mangini faced Bill Belichick. The two are such buddies that Mangini had Romeo and his wife stay at his house for almost five months while the Crennel's house was under construction in New England. Mangini has already has won as many games as Herm Edwards did with the Jets last season. Jeff Davidson, 39, is the Browns' new offensive coordinator and he better be good, considering Cleveland is last in the NFL with 245 yards per game. GM Phil Savage could be on shaky ground with owner Randy Lerner.

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2003328455_nfllocalconnections29.html

NFL Connection | Von Oelhoffen knows all about heavy lifting

Kimo von Oelhoffen is starting on the Jets' defensive line, and in seven weeks the team has matched its victory total from all of last season.

Then again, maybe that's not so surprising since von Oelhoffen knows a thing or two about building things. He owns Vono Inc., a general contracting business based in Kennewick. As a lineman, he operates among the league's heavyweights. As a contractor, he's more likely to operate heavy machinery, everything from excavators to bulldozers. His company does millions of dollars in business each year, building everything from bridges to the infrastructure for housing developments.

Von Oelhoffen was born in Hawaii, but now lives in Eastern Washington. His wife, Tondi, was the first Kamiakin athlete to earn 12 varsity letters. Her maiden name is Redden and she was MVP of the 1985 state basketball tournament. She was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame this year.

Kimo played junior-college football at Walla Walla in 1991 before going to Boise State. In 1994, he was drafted in the sixth round by Cincinnati. He played six seasons for the Bengals before going to Pittsburgh in 2000. Von Oelhoffen had eight sacks in 2003 for Pittsburgh and won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers last season before signing with the Jets in the offseason.

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SCOUTING REPORT

Jets at Browns

Kickoff: 4:15 today.

Records: Jets are 4-3; Browns are 1-5.

Broadcast: TV -- WOIO (Channel 19); Radio -- WHBC 1480-AM, WAKR 1590-AM, WQKT 104.5-FM),WMMS (100.7-FM)

Injury report: Browns -- CB Gary Baxter (knees) was placed on injured reserve. OT Ryan Tucker (illness) is out. CB Leigh Bodden (ankle), S Justin Hamilton (ankle), WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs), S Brian Russell (ankle), S Brodney Pool (ankle), TE Kellen Winslow (knee) and FB Lawrence Vickers (elbow) are questionable. Jets -- FB B.J. Askew (foot), CB David Barrett (hip), WR Laveranues Coles (calf), WR Tim Dwight (thigh), RB Cedric Houston (knee), OL Trey Teague (ankle) are questionable. Thirteen other players listed as probable.

Roster moves: The Browns waived DB Antonio Perkins on Saturday and signed G Fred Matua off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.

Key stat: 142 -- the average number of yards the Jets have allowed rushing per game. Is this the week the Browns actually commit to the run?

Matchup to watch: Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson vs. Jets coach Eric Mangini. Two coaches? Yep, with Davidson calling his first game, he'll have to go against the coach who almost was hired as Browns defensive coordinator a year ago. Can a play caller revive an offense?

The Browns win if: They find a way to get 300 yards in offense. That would almost double last week's total, and show that the offense can take advantage of a weaker defense and perhaps even (gasp) score points.

McManamon's pick: The Jets are not as good as their 4-3 record would indicate, but that being said, the Browns have played to every bit of their 1-5 mark. Rarely has so much hope been entrusted to one play caller. Browns 24, Jets 16.

-- Patrick McManamon

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Tree branches out

Jeff Schudel JSchudel@News-Herald.com

10/29/2006

Belichick protégé and former Browns intern Mangini is off to good start in N.Y.

Bill Belichick's coaching tree is starting to become a forest.

Seven men who served as assistant coaches under Belichick with either the Browns or Patriots are now head coaches in college or the NFL.

The list includes Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who got his start under Bill Parcells with the Giants. Fifteen others who were either position coaches or worked in minor roles in the personnel department under Belichick have risen to the rank of defensive or offensive coordinator or the equivalent of personnel director or general manager of various NFL teams or colleges.

Belichick gets no credit for discovering Crennel.

But he gets all the credit for seeing the potential in Eric Mangini.

Mangini, at 35 the youngest head coach in the NFL, is in his first year as the head coach of the Jets. He will be across the field from his good friend Crennel today when the reinvigorated Browns play the Jets at 4:15 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Mangini got his start in 1994 as a hustling, eager ball boy with the Browns. He was fresh out of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, which is also Belichick's alma mater. The connection helped Mangini secure the unglamorous job of chasing balls in the 1994 minicamp and being on the sideline always ready with a ball in hand. A ball boy who is empty-handed when a football is needed so practice isn't disrupted in the morning could be out of a job before the afternoon practice.

"In between minicamp and training camp, there's some down time," Mangini said during a conference call Wednesday. "Kevin Byrne (former Browns public relations director) was nice enough to let me volunteer in PR.

"I went back to being a ball boy, and at the end, I was going to leave. Kevin asked me to stay on as an intern. When I got through with my job at night, I was looking for anything to do and help out the organization. Bill gave me some projects at that point, and I did them as best as I could. At the end of the year, he asked me to stay on as a coaching assistant."

Mangini was with Belichick every year until getting the gig with the Jets except in 1996, when he was with the Ravens. He coached the Patriots' defensive backs from 2000-2004 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005, when Crennel left the Patriots to coach the Browns.

One of Mangini's most satisfying accomplishments occurred in 2004, when he converted 12-year veteran receiver Troy Brown to cornerback because of devastating losses in the Patriots' secondary.

The 2003 Patriots Super Bowl championship team led the NFL with 29 interceptions, allowed the fewest touchdowns (11) and broke up a league-high 121 passes. Opposing quarterbacks had a league-low 56.2 passer rating against New England's defense.

Looking back, Mangini said he never thought about being an NFL head coach 12 years ago, when his main job was to make sure the mini-fridge in the media workroom was full.

"I believe that if you do the best job at the task at hand, success will come," Mangini said. "People recognize that, and that's something that I've always tried to do. I'm thankful for the opportunity Bill gave me. He has given that opportunity to a lot of young guys who have gone on to be very successful."

Mangini's desire to be involved in football has been insatiable. While at Connecticut Wesleyan, he studied in Melbourne, Australia, and coached a semipro team, the Kew Colts, to a 22-3-1 record and two championships.

Crennel saw Mangini's work ethic when they coached with Belichick for the Jets under Parcells from 1997-99.

When Mangini coached the Patriots' secondary, he worked directly under Crennel, the defensive coordinator. Crennel joined the Patriots' staff in 2001, one year later than Mangini. Crennel lived with the Mangini family while his house was being built in the Foxboro, Mass., area.

Mangini and Crennel were on the Patriots' staff that won three Super Bowls from 2001-2004. Crennel wanted Mangini to be the Browns' defensive coordinator in 2005, but Mangini chose to take the same job with the Patriots.

It turned out to be an excellent career move.

"He was staying until 2 in the morning doing the job (with the Jets in 1997), so you knew he had the work ethic," Crennel said. "He was a pretty sharp kid, and he could pick things up pretty quickly. When he started coaching players on a regular basis, you could see that he was able to handle them. There are some egos in the defensive backfield. It showed when he was able to handle those egos while coaching in New England."

Defensively, the Browns and Jets play the same 3-4 scheme - no surprise considering the Parcells-Belichick roots both teams have.

The X-factor in the game today is Jeff Davidson. Davidson was on the Patriots' staff as the assistant offensive line coach during the time Crennel and Mangini were together there. He was hired in 2005 by Crennel to coach the Browns' offensive line. Mangini wanted Davidson to be the Jets' offensive coordinator, but Davidson stayed with the Browns as Crennel's assistant head coach.

"I worked with Jeff for a long time at the other place," Mangini said. "He's a real smart, detailed and hard-working guy. He's innovative. One of the things that impressed me about Jeff was that even though he came from the offensive line background, he was always trying to learn about the passing game.

"He eventually transitioned his work to the tight ends. He is constantly trying to hone and develop his craft."

Davidson will call plays for the first time today after replacing offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon on Monday.

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New York Jets at Cleveland Browns

Time/site: 3:15 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium

Line: Browns by 2

Last meeting: Jets won 10-7 at Cleveland on Nov. 21, 2004

The skinny: Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon walked plank after disgusting loss to Broncos, but Romeo Crennel wants it known that Carthon wasn't fired. Uh, OK. And those are palm trees growing out there on the shores of Lake Erie.... Crennel and Jets coach Eric Mangini were both defensive assistants under Bill Belichick during days with Pats.... J-E-T-S no longer a J-O-K-E. It's October and they've equaled last year's win total.... Rookie TB Leon Washington lookin' like the real deal. He had first two-TD game in win vs. Lions.

Prediction: Jets 20, Browns 17

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/466176p-392281c.html

The forgotten Jet

BY JIM RICH

There has been talk about Curtis Martin's retirement lately - not whispers, but also not shouts. More like the polite tone of condolence one hears at a funeral.

It's been hard to hear, however, over the buzz of the Jets' 4-3 record in his absence.

Leon Washington is running for 100 yards per game. Chad Pennington is throwing touchdown passes. Eric Mangini has the playoffs dancing like sugar plums in the heads of his players and their fans.

No one really seems to miss Martin.

Through it all, he hasn't called anyone an idiot. He hasn't lambasted the Jets' running game coach for betraying his trust. He hasn't wondered aloud why he is still on the team. He hasn't forced himself onto the field or the back page.

He has done what he always does: gone about his business in a quiet, professional manner. But after 11 years of the brutal punishment that is the life of an NFL running back, Martin's body - specifically his knee - is finally telling him what he needs to hear: it's time to step aside.

"I think every NFL player's dream is to go out on your own terms," Martin said last week. "But sometimes it doesn't happen like that."

That's where Martin is wrong. You don't have to be Tiki Barber or Barry Sanders, bowling over defenders as you gallop out the door, in order to go out on your own terms.

There isn't a Jet this side of Joe Namath who has been better than Martin. Day in and day out, he's been everything that Namath was to the franchise, if not more. The only thing Martin hasn't delivered is a Super Bowl trophy, and that can hardly been pinned on him.

In eight seasons with the Jets, Martin missed five games - four of which came last season. From 1999-2004, he did not miss a game, a streak nearly unheard of for a running back. He holds or shares eight Jets records and has rushed for 1,000 yards or more seven times during his tenure at the Meadowlands. Only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton have carried the ball more times in NFL history.

Nobody's talking about how the Jets miss Martin because last year he was a struggling back on a struggling team. Even when he was at the top of his game, he was rarely the headline grabber. He played on some good Jets teams and some bad ones, but you rarely saw his picture in the newspaper unless he was carrying a football.

There were no paternity suits.

No messy divorces.

No DUIs.

No squabbles with coaches, teammates or media.

All he did was carry the ball 21 times a game for eight years and every season, before you realized it, he had 1,400 yards. Or 1,500. Or 1,600.

He was automatic - like coming home at night and flipping on a light switch. But such is the case with the luxuries of life: we take them for granted until they are gone.

"If that ends up being the situation, I'm sure I'll make peace with it," Martin said recently, of never playing again. "But until that is a reality, my mind won't make peace with it."

The Jets and their fans might be at peace right now, but denial is one of the first stages of mourning. Someday it's going to hit them hard that Curtis Martin is never coming back.

Then they'll remember all those good years and they will miss No. 28.

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/466175p-392279c.html

Back where it all began

Eric and Mike return to Cleveland

Jets at Browns, at Browns Stadium, 4 pm

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Eric Mangini (left) and Mike

Tannenbaum are back in

Cleveland today.

CLEVELAND - The year was 1995, and the Jets were suffering through the first of two miserable seasons under Rich Kotite. Who could've known the future of the organization was being shaped 500 miles away beside a copy machine inside the Cleveland Browns' offices?

The machine was so big that it was called "Queen Mary," and it's where a couple of bottom-of-the-totem pole employees struck up a friendship.

Eric Mangini was 24, a Wesleyan graduate who left a substitute-teaching job in Hartford to chase his coaching dream. Mike Tannenbaum was 26, two years removed from Tulane's law school, hoping to make a career in sports management.

They worked under coach Bill Belichick, who assembled a group of young, talented entry-level staffers. They were known as PHDs - poor, hungry and driven. They lived in apartments where the d

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JETS GAMEDAY

Getting a sniff by viewing nose

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

October 29, 2006

The future of the Jets' nose tackle position could be on display today. It's just not certain which uniform he will be wearing.

The Jets have been improving their play at nose tackle, with starter Dewayne Robertson and backup Rashad Moore becoming more and more comfortable with the intricacies the position presents in the context of a 3-4 defense. Robertson is coming off his best game of the season, when he had a sack and a forced fumble against the Lions.

But if they are interested in seeing how the position is supposed to be played, they should pay attention when the Jets have the ball. Because standing just across from rookie center Nick Mangold will be 6-5, 365-pound Ted Washington, a 16-year veteran, four-time Pro Bowler and prototype for the position.

The Jets' two nose tackles already are well aware of Washington's prowess.

"He's one of the most dominant nose guards in the 3-4 scheme, so of course I've watched him and tried to pick up things," Moore said. "When we've been watching other teams and they face Cleveland, I see him out there working and I try to learn from that."

Jets coach Eric Mangini even used some time in the video room this week to multi-task. While he was going over Washington for the sake of the offensive linemen who will be assigned to block him, he also pointed out Washington's technique to the defensive players charged with emulating him.

"I think that any time you face a team that runs a similar system, there are some things that you can teach off of both ways," Mangini said. "So when I am showing the offensive side of the ball, you could make a similar coaching point and explain how it applies to the flip side."

There could be quite a bit of those comparisons and learning experiences on the field Sunday. The Jets' Bryan Thomas is playing a role similar to the one linebacker Willie McGinest refined with the Patriots and now plies for the Browns. Cleveland is in its second year of the big 4-3 to 3-4 change, and it spent this offseason plucking players such as Washington and McGinest, who not only have experience but success in the format. The Jets could be on the prowl for similar guys this offseason if the current cast does not adapt at a suitable pace. Washington is a player who has bopped around the league; is it possible he could be wearing a Jets jersey for his 17th NFL campaign?

After a sluggish start, Robertson has started showing signs of progress at the position. He was the Jets' defensive player of the week after the Lions game, and Mangini said he had been in consideration for that honor in recent weeks. Moore, who was out of football for a year after knee surgery, said he is beginning to regain the strength and endurance that were sapped by inactivity. He also said he can sense the comfort level rising among all of the Jets' front defenders, a group that should be able to stop what has been a terrible Browns running game.

"It's what it's about, buying into the system," Moore said. "I think we're starting to buy into it, and it's showing."

4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WABC (770), WEPN (1050)

SCOUTING THE BROWNS

THE PLAYER

KELLEN WINSLOW, TE

The player who once notoriously referred to himself as a soldier at the University of Miami has seen less action than a draft dodger in his NFL career. Two games into his rookie season, he broke his right fibula, an injury that required two surgeries. Then in the spring before 2005 training camp, he flipped off his motorcycle in a parking lot, tearing his right ACL and sidelining him for another full year. Now in his third season but with only eight career games played, he is finally beginning to show the promise that made him the Browns' first-round pick in 2004 and a perceived impact player. This season, he has 33 catches for 317 yards and two touchdowns, showing no ill effects from the myriad injuries that have thwarted his early career.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

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http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292006/sports/jets/jets_in_a_chaddy__mood_jets_george_willis.htm

JETS IN A CHADDY MOOD

By GEORGE WILLIS

October 29, 2006 -- CLEVELAND - There is one reason to be opti mistic about the Jets this season. One reason why you won't be considered insane for thinking they could make the playoffs. That reason isn't strength of schedule or rookie coach Eric Mangini. It's Chad Pennington.

Look around the NFL landscape. There are a number of teams trying to play through some sort of adversity at their quarterback position. We all know Drew Bledsoe has been benched in Dallas for Tony Romo. But what about the mess in Miami where Daunte Culpepper was a failure and now Joey Harrington, a bust in Detroit, is the starter? Furthermore, backups Charlie Batch (Steelers), Damon Huard (Chiefs), Seneca Wallace (Seahawks), Bruce Gradkowski (Bucs), Andrew Walter (Raiders) and Kyle Boller (Ravens) have all been pressed into action because of injuries. Instability at quarterback has always been a prescription for failure.

Mangini and the Jets don't have such headaches, thanks to the terrific comeback Chad Pennington has made from two shoulder surgeries that cost him much of last season. None of us knew what to expect from Pennington; we figured he'd have a popgun arm, couldn't the throw the deep ball and the Jets' offense would be largely one-dimensional.

So much for the pessimism. Seven games into his Comeback Player of the Year season, Pennington has been inspiring. His quarterback rating (91.3) ranks 11th in the league, highlighted by a 65.8 pass-completion percentage. But it's not all about the stats. It's more about the leadership he has displayed, especially on the field. There's no better example of that than when the Jets utilize their version of the no-huddle offense, something they'll use to exploit an underrated Browns defense today at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

"He's like having another coach out there," WR Justin McCareins said. "The coaches trust him enough to make decisions based on what he sees and [to] not need approval from the coaches on the sidelines. He can basically take us in a lot of different directions on any given play. He does a good job managing us and does a good job of making sure we make adjustments on anything we might see."

The no-huddle has become a weapon for the Jets, only because Pennington has the genius to make it work. Quick reads, quick decisions, quick calls, and quick adjustments. It all starts with the quarterback. Peyton Manning in green.

"Sometimes you sit back there and marvel at how efficient Chad has been in managing it," guard Pete Kendall said.

Pennington won't say, "I told you so." But you can tell he is taking pride in being the Jets' leader again. The quarterback controversy back in training camp seems like a foolish exercise now.

"I take pride in being able to manage a game effectively because what that means to me is that you understand how to win the game," Pennington said. "I've tried to take pride in managing the game and producing wins, and that's what we are trying to do."

Without Pennington, the Jets might as well forfeit the season. We saw what happened last year. It was a disaster. The upside is the last-place schedule where if Pennington stays healthy, the Jets should be in the playoff hunt come December. Being the smart quarterback, Pennington is only focused on the Browns.

"It's too early in the season to get too confident about the possibilities," he said. "Nine games left, a lot of big-time games coming up. We've got to keep the same approach week in and week out."

As long as Pennington is healthy, the Jets have a chance. At least for now, Mangini doesn't have to worry about his quarterback. A lot of NFL coaches aren't so fortunate.

george.willis@nypost.com

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292006/sports/jets/mangini_has_good_memories_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

MANGINI HAS GOOD MEMORIES

By MARK CANNIZZARO

October 29, 2006 -- CLEVELAND - There surely will be a time today at Cleveland Browns Stadium when Eric Mangini reminisces about what used to be for him here.

Mangini began his NFL career, if you will, with the Browns, for whom he was a public relations assistant in 1995. As his story goes, Bill Belichick got to know him and his love for the game, saw some potential there and made him a coach. The rest, as they say, is history.

Asked about going back to Cleveland as a head coach, Mangini said, "This is more fun, going back this way. It's better to do the conference call than to set up the conference call. I enjoyed my time in Cleveland. I learned a lot. I like the city. I liked that experience. It's always nice to visit a place that was important in your development."

*

What has happened to the supposed malcontent RB Kevan Barlow, who when he was traded to the Jets had compared 49ers' head coach Mike Nolan to Hitler?

Barlow has been a model citizen here and has developed a special bond with Mangini, of all people.

"I wasn't too happy where I was, but I'm happy here," Barlow said. "The head coach is on right track to being a successful guy."

Barlow, accustomed to being the feature back, said he's getting used to sharing the load with Leon Washington. Through six games, Barlow has 79 carries and Washington has 71. Washington, though, has more yards (346 to 236), but Barlow has five TDs to Washington's two.

"I definitely like the part as the Jerome Bettis, getting all the touchdowns," he said. "I can play the whole game if I had to be a single back, but we've got a good thing going right now. I can't complain; I'm getting touchdowns. I'm happy with my role here.

"I like Coach Eric a lot, he's my buddy. I heard some things about him being such a disciplinarian and didn't think he was going to be a great guy, but I respect him as a coach and he's been like a friend."

LB Matt Chatham, one of the most astute and well-spoken players in the team's locker room, made an interesting observation on the mindset of the Jets.

"I think we're kind of in the middle of a metamorphosis here where we're trying to change the perception where guys shouldn't surprised when we do well," he said. "Guys shouldn't be surprised when there's success. That's kind of a mental change and an attitude around this building. I think we're on our way."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292006/sports/jets/brownie_sunday_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

BROWNIE SUNDAY

By MARK CANNIZZARO

October 29, 2006 -- CLEVELAND - When the Jets arrive in hostile territory today with a chance to get themselves to an eye-opening 5-3 at the midway point of the season, they hope Cleveland doesn't rock.

In the 1-5 Browns, the Jets face their third consecutive one-win team.

This one, however, feels more dangerous to them than the hapless Dolphins or bumbling Lions, though.

In the Browns the Jets see not only a team that's suffered all five of its losses to teams with winning records, but one that represents a wounded animal, with its head coach having been forced by ownership and management to fire his offensive coordinator and friend, Maurice Carthon, earlier in the week.

Really, the Jets can look at this game and ask themselves, "Where would we stand right now had we faced the same schedule the Browns have?"

The 4-3 Jets, after all, have gotten fat on weaker opponents and are 0-3 against teams with records of at least .500 (the 5-1 Patriots, 6-0 Colts and 3-3 Jaguars). The Jets' four wins have come against teams with a combined 5-22 record.

The Browns' five losses have come against teams with a combined 22-9 record. Their only win came against the lowly Raiders.

So you do the math, jumble it all up and figure it out.

The way the Jets figure, though, is that the Browns are a team that's better than their record.

"If all you look at is win-loss records and a quarterback [Charlie Frye] you don't know that well, you'll get caught in a trap - not a trap because you're looking past them, but a trap because you didn't respect how good they are," Jets linebacker Matt Chatham warned. "Record isn't always as indicative in this league of ability and what they can do. So you have to tread carefully.

"At the end of the day, when we had to sit down and look at this team, break it down, throw out all the B.S., and say who are they and what have they done? Well, five of the six teams they've played have been winning teams. Probably all those teams will be playoff teams and none of those games were more than about a touchdown game."

Indeed, even Cleveland's losses have been close. Take away the Browns' 34-17 defeat to the Bengals and their other four losses have been by an average of six points.

"In this league, if you take anyone lightly you'll lose the game," Jets LG Pete Kendall said. "For us, we just had to turn on the film. Cleveland's defense is really a stingy group. They're difficult to attack. We don't look at that defense as a defense that's a 1-5 defense."

Jets' receiver Laveranues Coles went as far as to say, "That's probably one of the most talented defenses we'll see all year as far as size, speed, strength and veterans, guys that go out and play football and are flat-out physical. Don't let their record fool you. They have a good football team."

Chad Pennington echoed Coles' remarks.

"I don't think we're concentrating on their record," he said. "We realize that this is going to be a tough game. The 1-5 record for Cleveland doesn't speak for how well their defense has been playing and how close the games they have lost where they have been right there ready to win it.

"They play great team defense," Pennington said. "They make you earn every yard that you get. They're only giving up 54-percent completion percentage and only 192 yards in the passing game. They held Carolina to zero-for-11 on third down. When you play this team, you're going to be in for a long, physical day."

If the Jets can endure that long, physical day and care of business, though, they'll find themselves 5-3 at the midway point with a favorable schedule in the second half and can actually take aim at a playoff berth - something few imagined possible when this season began.

PREDICTION

The Jets will again take care of business against their third one-win opponent in as many weeks. They'll run some on the Browns, but look for Chad Pennington to have a big day to his wideouts.

- Mark Cannizzaro

JETS 23

BROWNS 13

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/SPORTS01/610290375/1108/SPORTS01

Jets face Browns' new play-caller

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original Publication: October 29, 2006)

CLEVELAND — Things weren't necessarily working for the Browns' offense this season. Now the Jets get to see firsthand what changes they'll make.

The Browns (1-5) host the Jets (4-3) today in the first game since offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon resigned and offensive-line coach Jeff Davidson assumed the play-calling responsibilities.

"When you have a new signal-caller, it could be some philosophical changes," said Jets coach Eric Mangini, who tried to hire Davidson as his offensive coordinator heading into this season. "I think that the system will remain pretty much intact. There may be some new plays mixed in. The difference is when you have someone who hasn't called the plays who's now calling plays. Each coordinator has a fingerprint."

Davidson most likely will try to be more aggressive than the conservative Carthon.

Anything would be an improvement. The Browns come into the game 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (68.2) and 26th in passing yards (177.0).

But you won't hear the Jets say a bad word about Cleveland.

"They've got all the tools in place; their 1-5 is very misleading," Jets cornerback Andre Dyson said. "They played some great teams and lost some close games. They've got an offense with multiple running backs and multiple wide receivers, so it's going to be a tough challenge for us."

Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles pointed to the Browns' 20-12 loss at Carolina on Oct. 8 in which the Panthers went 0 for 11 on third-down conversions.

Plus, the Browns have a tendency to keep it close with Charlie Frye starting at quarterback.

In four of his five starts last season, the final margin was six points or less, and the Browns won two of those games. This season, two of the Browns' losses have come by a combined six points — 19-14 to the Saints in Week 1 and 15-14 to the Ravens in Week 3.

"Their record doesn't say what they've done," Coles said. "Their defense is outstanding, the front seven is great, the secondary is good. They have a great scheme. Their defense runs the same defense we run except for a few little intangibles here and there."

But the Jets can't be blamed for trying to convince themselves they're playing a Super Bowl contender. It's a key game for them as they look to go into their bye week two games over .500. Their current two-game winning streak is their first since Nov. 28-Dec. 5, 2004.

So they resorted to the age-old NFL mantra, as repeated by Dyson and Coles, that their cellar-dwelling opponent is much better than its record indicates.

"We're winning now, and people are starting to look at us," Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said. "But it doesn't matter what they think anyway. We're just trying to get another win and focus on Cleveland right now."

The question remains whether the Browns will be able to focus, or if last week's upheaval — Carthon is closely associated with coach Romeo Crennel on the Bill Parcells-Bill Belichick coaching tree — will be too much of a distraction.

Many players reportedly did not like Carthon's play-calling, with tight end Kellen Winslow being one of the more outspoken members of that group.

"It's out of my hands. My opinion doesn't matter," Frye said. "It's a decision that was made, and we're going to rally behind Coach Davidson and go out and play for him. He's a different personality. I just get the feeling that he has a good understanding of the offense that was run up there in New England. I know he had a say in some of the plays being called up there, so he gets a lot of respect from a lot of players on the team."

But in the end, the Browns just changed their offensive coordinator. It's not as if they imported several All-Pros.

"What we do is focus on the tendencies they had prior to the coach's leaving," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "They still have the same players, and there are only so many different things they can run. We'll practice that and adjust to anything that happens."

[SoFlaJets]

that's one of the best articles I've ever read by Rich Cimini the one about the early years in Cleveland.I was actually able to be in those rooms he described-good job Rich.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMTkmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMTIwOTgmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2

Mangini can feast on old pal

Sunday, October 29, 2006

By RANDY LANGE

STAFF WRITER

CLEVELAND -- Of all of the reunion specials Eric Mangini has endured in his first season as Jets' head coach, today's meeting with Romeo Crennel and the Browns is the most intriguing of all.

Crennel was Mangini's boss, his coordinator, on Bill Belichick's Patriots for four years. The two spent countless hours together -- in fact, their families shared the Manginis' Massachusetts home in 2001 while the Crennels' house was being built.

"It was nice to have someplace to go that wasn't a hotel and be able to visit with people you enjoy being with," Crennel reminisced.

"Romeo always brought wine and snacks," Mangini recalled. "Well, more snacks than wine."

Today, one close friend will win and one will lose. And if the form of the first seven weeks holds, the Jets, even though two-point underdogs, will come away from the possibly showery, windy, chilly Dawg Pound on the shores of Lake Erie with yet another expert-confounding victory.

Crennel has struggled to a 1-5 start after last year's 6-10 debut, had to accept the resignation of another friend, offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, last week, and feels the columnists and fans nipping at his heels. Meanwhile, Mangini, 24 years his junior, is leading a charmed life.

Even a loss at Cleveland Browns Stadium would not take the edge off what the Mangini Jets have accomplished heading into their bye week. A 4-4 record would still mock national prognosticators' preseason views that Gang Green was the worst team in the NFL.

But 5-3? The Jets last achieved that first-half mark in Herm Edwards' first year at the helm, 2001, and before that under Bill Parcells in 1998 -- playoff teams both. In recent NFL history, 5-3 off a win is more than just a one-win-better harbinger of second-half success than is 4-4 off a loss.

And 5-3 would thrust the Jets squarely into the early chatter about AFC wild-card teams.

Are these Jets really that good? Mangini, true to his philosophy, and his players, who've had the same beliefs driven into their collective psyche, won't go there yet.

"I consider this to be just part of the progression," Mangini said. "To us, it's always going to be about wins and progress. I think there's been some progress made. We need to continue to build on it."

"It would be great to win another game, yeah," linebacker Eric Barton said. "But you don't get a trophy for being 5-3 at the bye."

The most important question for the Jets on Monday will be whether they are merely the best of the NFL's worst or a major project that, like Central Jersey's I-78, is actually ahead of schedule.

Barton and his defense probably hold the answer. Surely there has been progress in the installation of the 3-4, but it has been hard to see.

The Jets rank 30th in yards allowed, 28th in run defense, 26th in pass defense and 27th in scoring defense. They are the worst in the league in sack percentage, red zone TDs allowed and forcing opponents into three-and-out drives.

One weakness of the first seven games has been identified: missed tackles. Mangini, while taking his players out of full pads the past few weeks of practice, has put them back into unpopular drills to emphasize proper tackling fundamentals.

"No, nothing like training camp -- thank God," Barton said of the one-on-one full-contact stuff of early summer. "But we did a couple of drills last week and we're still doing them. We need to get better."

Saving 50 yards after contact today could be the difference between improvement or stagnation in the defense, between a win and a loss over the desperate Browns.

Whatever the outcome, the Mangini Jets will continue to hold their tongues through the bye week about the prospects for their final eight games.

"It's too early to get too confident about the possibilities," QB Chad Pennington said. "But winning does build confidence, especially when you have a young team like we do. You have proof you can win."

And 5-3 would be more proof yet that these Jets may be worthy not just of wine and snacks but of champagne and lobster.

E-mail: lange@northjersey.com