JETS ARTICLES - WED 11/8

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/469303p-394983c.html

Jets midseason report card

By RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

They're entertaining. They're competitive. They have a plan. All they need is more talent. If you're a Jets fan, you can live with that type of team - for now.

Presumably, the talent will come, if GM Mike Tannenbaum does his job. Right now, the most important things are establishing a foundation and creating a winning atmosphere. Rookie coach Eric Mangini has accomplished that while managing to keep the team on the periphery of playoff contention.

At 4-4, the Jets have exceeded expectations. Many scouts felt they had bottom-five talent, but they have stayed competitive in all but one game. Their wins have come against teams with a combined 9-23 record, and they're 0-3 against winning teams, so there should be no illusions about where they stand in the NFL's food chain. But at least they're heading in the right direction.

Playoffs? Not this year, but they could easily win eight games.

QUARTERBACKS: B-

Chad Pennington raised the bar with his terrific start, making his recent struggles even more pronounced. But don't lose sight of the big picture: Not much was expected after his second shoulder surgery. Without Pennington's brains and leadership, there wouldn't be a no-huddle attack. But the interceptions are starting to pile up, and the Jets have no chance when he gets sloppy. Job security will be an issue with another bad game or two.

RUNNING BACKS: C

The Jets are eight games into the post-Curtis Martin era, and they still haven't found a complete back. Rookie Leon Washington, gradually taking over, has plenty of giddy-up, but he's not a 20-carry-a-game back. Kevan Barlow wants more chances in a one-back set, but the coaches don't see him that way. Cedric Houston deserves a shot. Derrick Blaylock, the opening-day starter, has been discarded like radioactive debris.

WIDE RECEIVERS: B+

If it weren't for Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, both of whom make big plays after the catch, this team would be in big trouble. They have accounted for 45% of the entire offense. They occasionally struggle, but who can complain? This was supposed to be one of the weakest areas on the team. Rookie Brad Smith does everything except sing the national anthem.

TIGHT ENDS: B-

Chris Baker has emerged as one of Mangini's favorites. He's a sturdy blocker and catches just about everything thrown to him, which isn't much. Baker deserves a bigger role in the passing game, but the coaches are so obsessed with protecting Pennington that he is used as a third tackle.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C+

There have been growing pains, especially for rookie LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but the group is showing signs of improvement. Ferguson has plenty of potential, but he hasn't asserted himself, particularly in the running game. Rookie C Nick Mangold has been rock-solid since Day 1. Kevin who? RT Anthony Clement is a liability in pass protection.

DEFENSIVE LINE: D

Can't stop the run, can't rush the passer - a deadly combination. The only player showing signs of improvement is NT Dewayne Robertson. Where is Shaun Ellis? He's gone 14 out of 15 games without a sack. Kimo von Oelhoffen? It looks like they wasted a $3 million signing bonus on the ex-Steeler. They get more from Bobby Hamilton, who plays less. Widebody Rashad Moore deserves more action.

LINEBACKERS: C-

Jonathan Vilma, miscast in the 3-4, has made plenty of tackles, but few impact plays. Memo to coaches: Free Villy. First-year 'backer Bryan Thomas is improving, but still doesn't get enough pressure on the quarterback. Eric Barton and Victor Hobson are making some plays, but it's hard to ignore the run-defense ranking - 30th.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: B-

Not bad, considering they are not getting much help from the pass rush. The Jets haven't yielded many big pass plays, although much of that is due to the bend-but-don't-break scheme. SS Kerry Rhodes, a threat everywhere, is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. CB Andre Dyson was a solid pickup. CB Justin Miller needs work on the tackling dummy.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+

Justin Miller's kickoff returning is best described by the slogan from a certain car commercial: Zoom, zoom. Punter Ben Graham keeps getting better, and kicker Mike Nugent rebounded after a nightmarish opener.

COACHES: B

Life is different around the Weeb. Eric Mangini changed the culture, eliminating Herm Edwards' comfort zone. He has brought creativity and aggressiveness to the offense. He adjusts well and does a nice job of integrating role players into the game plan. For the most part, the team is organized and well-conditioned. Negatives: The first-quarter blues indicate a glitch in preparation. The defense is underachieving, and that falls on Mangini, an alleged defensive whiz.

FRONT OFFICE: B+

GM Mike Tannenbaum's first draft, which has produced five significant contributors, looks like a winner. None of his veteran acquisitions is lighting it up, although he found a few solid role players. At the same time, none of the players he dumped, including John Abraham, Kevin Mawae and Ty Law, is making him look bad. Biggest criticism: Knowing the severity of Curtis Martin's injury, he should have made running back a higher priority.

BEST & WORST

OFFENSIVE MVP: WR Laveranues Coles

DEFENSIVE MVP: SS Kerry Rhodes

SPECIAL TEAMS MVP: KR Justin Miller

MOST IMPROVED: WR Jerricho Cotchery

LEAST IMPROVED: RT Adrian Jones

BIGGEST SURPRISE: QB Chad Pennington

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: WR Justin McCareins

BEST ROOKIE: C Nick Mangold

BEST FREE AGENT: CB Andre Dyson

WORST FREE-AGENT SIGNING: DE Kimo von Oelhoffen

BEST-KEPT SECRET: ST/LB Matt Chatham

BEST COACHING MOVE: Giving Pennington flexibility to run no-huddle and call audibles

WORST COACHING MOVE: Committing to the 3-4

BEST MOMENT: Pennington throwing for 319 yards in the opener, silencing those who wondered if he'd ever be the same.

WORST MOMENT: Curtis Martin announcing he won't play in 2006, and probably never will again.

3 REASONS TO HOPE

1. Mister Softee schedule: Only two of the remaining eight opponents have winning records. Combined record of opponents: 29-35.

2. Healthy as an ox: Unlike last season, they haven't suffered any major injuries. Chad Pennington is halfway to his first complete season.

3. The kids are all right: The promising rookies will continue to grow into bigger roles, especially RB Leon Washington and WR Brad Smith.

3 REASONS TO WORRY

1. A case of the runs. The run defense is pathetic, and there hasn't been any sign of improvement.

2. Stale air. The passing game has become predictable, too wideout-reliant. How 'bout a screen pass every now and then?

3. Closing problems. They have blown two fourth-quarter leads (and nearly three others), and it's going to bite them hard one day.

[Sperm Edwards]

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Where is Schlegel?

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

By RANDY LANGE

RECORD COLUMNIST

The Jets are playing a version of the once-popular computer game and TV show, "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" It's called "Where in the World is Anthony Schlegel?"

Schlegel may as well be in San Diego, because he hasn't been visible around these parts in months.

As the Jets prepare to hit the second half of their schedule, many fans wonder if they'll see the third-round linebacker from Ohio State. The multiple-Division I-A team captain and noted wild-boar hunter hit just one opposing player in his first season in green.

On the surface, this is one of the few mistakes in the positive first year of the Mike Tannenbaum-Eric Mangini regime. Third-round rookies are supposed to contribute right away, but Schlegel, taken 76th overall, has been deactivated for all eight games.

NFL sources since the draft have offered opinions that the Jets badly reached for Schlegel, that Team X considered him a second-day selection and Team Y didn't give him a draftable grade.

The last time Schlegel played, he struggled in pass coverage in the second half of the preseason game at Washington. And it was telling when Eric Mangini cut inside linebacker Ryan Myers, picked up 'backers Ryan Riddle and Cody Spencer, and both began playing while Schlegel continued to sit.

But the Jets haven't written off Schlegel, and not just because he's a high pick. It is believed they weren't in love with any of the players left on their board for their two third-round picks, at 76 and 97, so they went with two second-day picks in Schlegel and Eric Smith for the intangibles that Mangini covets. Smith has been contributing in the dime and as the punt team fullback.

It may not make Jets Nation feel any better, but Schlegel isn't the only first-day pick who has yet to play. Neither have Philadelphia OT Winston Justice (39th), Minnesota center Ryan Cook (51st), or Buffalo corner Ashton Youbouty (70th).

In any event, Mangini and special-teams boss Mike Westhoff have expressed optimism that Schlegel's debut, at least on specials, is near.

"Anthony is really a hardworking young man," Westhoff said. "There were some levels that were not quite where I wanted them to be, so he was behind some other guys, but he's gotten better. I see him improving. His time will come. When, I honestly don't know, but I think he'll be fine."

Schlegel's locker room body language speaks of a proud player depressed that he hasn't been tapped on the shoulder and told to go in and put a Buckeye blast on somebody. But when pressed, he still says he'll be seen and heard from soon.

"They're going to put me in there when they put me in there, and there's nothing I can do about it," Schlegel said. "I look at it that I will go out there every day in practice and help the team as much as I can. And when I get that opportunity, I will play to the best of my ability."

TREY SHELVED: The Jets placed ninth-year veteran Trey Teague on injured reserve Tuesday. Teague left Buffalo to sign with the Jets in April and likely would have been their starting center if he hadn't broken his left ankle at a June minicamp.

But with first-round rookie Nick Mangold making himself very comfortable at the position and Teague perhaps suffering a setback in his rehab a month ago, the Jets decided to end his season and start over next year.

The Jets also signed 325-pound free agent DT Keyonta Marshall, the Eagles' seventh-rounder in 2005, to their practice squad and released center Norm Katnik.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/SPORTS01/611080364/1108/SPORTS01

Jets ready to make second-half push

By Andrew Gross

The Journal News

(Original Publication: November 8, 2006)

The symmetrical nature to this season - eight games to go coming off a bye week - has given the Jets a chance to hit the proverbial reset button. And there are definite priorities in the second half if the team is to fulfill its goal of reaching the postseason.

"Basically, we look at it like two halves - actually, we take it as four quarters - but it's a new half-season," running back Kevan Barlow said. "We got a week off to regroup and get our minds refreshed and definitely become better players. Hopefully, it'll show up in the second half of the season."

The Jets (4-4) resume play Sunday at New England (6-2).

And while coach Eric Mangini eschews singling out players, units or any individual factors, the Jets do need to play better defensively in the second half. They also need to take better advantage of their favorable schedule, excluding, of course, this week's game and next week's when they host the Bears.

So far, they've just been average - .500 in the regular season and 2-2 in the preseason.

"It definitely feels like you get a fresh start," rookie wide receiver Brad Smith said. "It's the second half of the season. Things kick up a notch. You have to get your mind right, get prepared. We've been .500 throughout the whole year, we want to take our game to the next level so we're going to work really hard."

Once the Jets conclude this tough two-week stretch, there isn't another powerhouse on the schedule. In fact, of the Jets' last six opponents, Minnesota, at 4-4, is the only .500 team in the group.

The Vikings, Texans, Packers, Bills, Dolphins and Raiders are a combined 16-32. The Jets are at Green Bay, Minnesota and Miami, and those teams are a combined 4-7 at home. The Jets host Houston, Buffalo and Oakland, and those teams are a combined 1-11 on the road.

Plus, the Jets already have wins over the Bills and Dolphins.

The Jets' four victories have come against teams with a combined 9-23 record, but a lackluster 20-13 loss at Cleveland (2-6) prior to the bye week seriously dented the team's playoff aspirations.

That defeat highlighted the Jets' defensive deficiencies. The Browns gained 267 total yards, and Reuben Droughns rushed for 125 yards behind a makeshift offensive line. It marked the fourth 100-yard game the Jets have allowed and the seventh straight week an opposing running back has gained at least 80 yards.

"I think, obviously, we are not where we want to be or where we need to be defensively," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. "Typically, the front-seven guys are the major part of the run defense but, overall, we need to keep harping and demanding from our players the type of technique that we are looking for and a lot of the little things that often make a big difference."

The Jets prospered over the last quarter and a half against Cleveland when they blitzed the Browns frequently. Still, their defense is ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 359.1 yards per game, an average of 5.4 per play.

If anything needs to be reset in the second half, that's it.

"I don't know if there's one key," safety Erik Coleman said. "All the time, you want consistency. I know, me, personally, I need to be more consistent and get my run fits (positioning) and get my pass routes and try to make some plays."

The Jets are going to have to make a lot of plays since it's likely both AFC wild-card teams will finish at least 10-6.

Denver (6-2), San Diego (6-2) and Kansas City (5-3) are jockeying for position in the AFC West, and Jacksonville (5-3) is chasing Indianapolis (8-0) in the AFC South.

Notes: The Jets have placed veteran offensive lineman Trey Teague on season-ending injured reserve. Teague, who signed a two-year deal as an unrestricted free agent after playing the last four seasons with the Bills and the previous four with the Broncos, broke his left ankle during an offseason workout in June. The 31-year-old Teague was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list for the start of the season but has not suited up for any of the games. In his absence, first-round pick Nick Mangold became the starting center and is likely the team's rookie of the year. ... The Jets also released offensive lineman Norm Katnik from their practice squad and signed defensive lineman Keyonta Marshall, the Eagles' seventh-round pick in 2004, to the practice squad.

[Sperm Edwards]

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Jets looking ahead

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Early line

Patriots by 10½

This is the ninth straight game the Patriots have been favored over the Jets, with New England winning the last seven (6-1 vs. the spread). The line is this rivalry's largest since the Pats (minus-13) pummeled the Kotite Jets in Foxboro in 1996, 34-10. It's only the fourth time in the last 10 years the Jets have been double-digit underdogs (twice last year), and it's the most the Patriots have been favored by in any game since 2004.

On the hot seat

QB Chad Pennington

He nearly pulled off a miracle victory against Tom Brady and the Patriots in Game 2. Winning this one won't be easy. Pennington's Jets have lost their last four to Brady's Pats, and Brady is coming off a four-interception game vs. Indianapolis that most Jets feel will make him tougher than ever to beat -- "We know he'll be on point," safety Erik Coleman said. But Pennington also is coming off a struggle, his 11-for-28, two-pick outing at Cleveland. Maybe that has leveled the playing field.

Game plan

The Jets' run defense -- "That's a glaring thing for us," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said -- must show progress by slowing New England's Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney (145 yards and two TDs combined in September matchup). That will help them satisfy the Mangini mantra to "finish," something they've done poorly in this series lately. The Jets haven't held a lead on the Patriots in their last four games and haven't led in the second half in the last seven meetings -- the longest current drought among the NFL's 48 division rivalries.

-- Randy Lange

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjchalk084966126nov08,0,418630.column?coll=ny-jets-print

JETS CHALK TALK

To avoid getting burned, turn up heat

Tom Rock

November 8, 2006

The Jets defense in the first half of the season was bad. It's hard to use any other word to describe a unit that allowed an average of 359.1 yards per game, worse than all but one team in the NFL, and gave up 143 rushing yards a game, ranked 30th.

But there is a chance that the Jets can use the final 20 minutes of the loss at Cleveland two weeks ago as a springboard into respectability. In those five series, a lightbulb suddenly appeared over the heads of many players (and perhaps even defensive coordinator Bob Sutton).

Trailing 17-3 late in the third quarter, the Jets played defense with urgency and back-against-the-wall aggression. If they can maintain those elements against the next eight opponents - only one of which is among the top 10 offenses in the league (the Packers at No. 10) - they could have a chance to climb out of the statistical cellar.

"We can carry it over to the second half by trying to do the same things we did in those last 20 minutes," said linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Vilma, who agreed that the span was the best defense the Jets have played this season. "You could definitely sense that guys were getting active."

By blitzing, and often sending five to six defenders, the Jets not only applied pressure on Browns quarterback Charlie Frye but also clogged gaps that prevented Reuben Droughns from snapping off the long runs he made in the first half of the game. Blitzing also created more one-on-one battles for defensive linemen Shaun Ellis and Dewayne Robertson, allowing them to move up and down the line of scrimmage more easily and make plays.

The Jets not only sent linebackers such as Vilma, Bryan Thomas and Eric Barton (who was particularly active) on the blitzes. They sent cornerback Drew Coleman on one third-and-10 play that resulted in a 10-yard sack. When playing the nickel on late downs, the Jets often had safety Kerry Rhodes lined up where an inside linebacker would usually be, sometimes sending him on blitzes while leaving Vilma back in coverage. Rhodes nearly deflected several pass attempts and rushed Frye into shorter drops and dump passes that kept the chains from moving.

During the final stretch, the Jets allowed one first down and forced three three-and-outs while holding the Browns to a three-and-out field goal after they started with the ball on the Jets 9 following a fumble. The Jets managed to force three plays and a punt only nine times in the first 7 1/2 games, then did it three times in the second half against Cleveland.

"We definitely don't go out there wanting to stay out there," linebacker Victor Hobson said. "If you can get the ball back to your offense, it makes it easier on everybody."

Even coach Eric Mangini was pleased with the results, at least on the defensive side.

"I liked the way those guys kept responding, kept giving the offense a chance and giving us a chance to tie the game there," he said. "And the three-and-outs, I thought those were very important."

There were very few defensive bright spots for the Jets in the first eight games. The final five stops, however, may be like the chip-in for a birdie on 18 that keeps a bad golfer coming back again and again. If the Jets can maintain the momentum and attitude from the end of the Cleveland game, it could be enough to erase a bogey-filled first half.

"It's something we have to hold onto and continue to play at that level," Hobson said. "When you show what you are capable of doing, you have to keep doing it."

STORYLINES

Mixed blessing

Linebacker and special teams captain Matt Chatham, who played for the Patriots the last six seasons, said he had mixed emotions about watching his former team's 27-20 loss to the Colts on Sunday night. "They're really scary after a loss," he said of the Patriots, who have not lost consecutive regular-season games since late in 2002 (they lost consecutive home games earlier that season). "It was a hard thing watching the game knowing I needed them to lose because we needed them to have a loss for the division, but then also knowing we'd have to play them a week after a loss." Of course, the last time the Pats lost two straight, the Jets delivered the hammer with a 30-17 win at Foxboro.

Harrison's health

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was evasive about the extent of the injury to safety Rodney Harrison, who left Sunday's game in the first quarter with an arm or hand injury, but New England may be making plans to move forward without the two-time Pro Bowler in an already shaky secondary. The Patriots signed third-year safety Rashad Baker this week and released cornerback Antwain Spann. Even with Harrison on the field, the Patriots were shaky against the pass. They are allowing 229.0 yards per game, 28th in the NFL. In the earlier meeting with the Jets and a quarterback they have tormented for much of his career, the Patriots allowed Chad Pennington to complete 22 of 37 passes for 306 yards, two touchdowns and a 92.8 passer rating.

Graham a go-to guy?

Ben Graham handles the Jets' punting, but coach Eric Mangini said he's been kicking around the idea of using the Australian in other capacities. Graham, who is 6-5, 230 pounds, was a standout player in the Australian Football League for years before coming stateside for a shot at the NFL. He probably has the athleticism to run with, pass or catch a football. He lined up under center for one play earlier this season, attempting to draw an offsides before taking a delay of game and punting. Mangini said the chance of injuring a valuable punter on a gadget play will likely keep the trickery buried in the playbook. But don't be surprised if one day the big Aussie's athleticism is used by the Jets in an important situation.

STATLINES

Don't look for a lot of three-and-outs when the Jets and the Patriots play each other Sunday. Statistically, both teams are among the best in the NFL at converting those third downs into firsts, while their defenses are among the lower echelon when it comes to stopping teams on third down. A look at the percentages and the league rankings on third downs:

THIRD DOWNS ON OFFENSE

Team Attempts Made Pct. NFL rank

Jets 108 46 42.6 7

Patriots 110 47 42.7 5

THIRD DOWNS ON DEFENSE

Team Opp. attempts Made Pct. NFL rank

Jets 106 48 45.3 27

Patriots 106 41 38.7 21

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11082006/sports/jets/jets_need_to_mix_in_baker_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

JETS NEED TO MIX IN BAKER

By MARK CANNIZZARO

November 8, 2006 -- YOU'LL sooner hear Eric Mangini specifically detail the injuries to every one of the players on the Jets' injury report before you'll hear Chris Baker scream out for more passes thrown his way.

The soft-spoken tight end is the anti-T.O., the anti-Chad Johnson.

You'll never hear Baker rant, "Give me the damn ball," the way Keyshawn Johnson once did around these parts.

Yet what Baker represents to the Jets' offense, which struggled mightily in Cleveland two Sundays ago, is an untapped pass-catching, potential big-play talent. That said, we're going to take the opportunity to do what respectful Baker refuses to do and call for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Chad Pennington to get Baker the damned ball.

Generally, when Baker touches the ball, positive things happen. The Jets need to remember how prolific a pass catcher Baker was in college at Michigan State and throw more passes to him. It also will open up the field for WRs Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

Remember, when we last left Baker and the Jets, he was making one of the most acrobatic catches you'll ever see on the game's most critical play: fourth-and-4, down a touchdown in Cleveland.

Unfortunately for the Jets and Baker, the officiating crew, unable to agree even among themselves, bungled the call and left it, as Baker put it, "The catch that wasn't."

Bottom line, though, is Baker made the catch in the most crucial of moments, and the athleticism he showed should have opened any eyes that weren't already aware of his receiving prowess.

Baker has, for the most part in his career, been known more as a solid blocker who gets an occasional pass thrown his way.

That needs to change. It should change with Baker. Utilize him. Make him the weapon he can be in the passing game.

As it is, tight end has been an utter black hole for the Jets for what seems like an eternity (where have you gone, Mickey Shuler?).

There have been some flash-in-the-pan teases (Johnny Mitchell might come to your mind). And there have been plenty of busts, the most recent being Doug Jolley, who was touted by Jets' management at the time to be better than any player in the 2005 NFL Draft when they wasted a trade on him.

Has there been a more irrelevant player in recent Jets history than Jolley? And the scary thing is, Jolley was brought in with Baker already here.

Baker is in a tough spot, because he badly wants to change the perception people have of him, yet he refuses to be a distraction and disrespect Mangini, Schottenheimer or Pennington.

"I feel you shouldn't go to the head man and say, hey, I want the ball, or show up your quarterback," Baker said. "Things like that are not going to help. They only cause a distraction. It's not for me to say, hey, and go crazy like you see some guys do.

"What I try to do is go out and practice and show some of the things I can do," Baker went on. "When there is a perception, like, 'This is what he does,' you kind of get locked into that. Even with previous coaches, they just had a perception, 'Well, this is what he can do,' and it's hard to shake that."

Asked to define the perception he's been labeled with, Baker provided this scouting report: "Can't catch that well, can't run that fast, can't get open. Basically, more of a blocker."

Playing some 12-15 pounds lighter than he did a year ago (something Mangini not only noticed but has praised), Baker is poised to change those stagnant perceptions about his game. And things do appear to be starting to change. Pennington has acknowledged wanting to get the ball to him more, and Schottenheimer last week spoke of the same thing.

"Obviously, Coles is going to catch his fair share of balls, so is Jerricho Cotchery," Schottenheimer said. "We realize what Chris can do, and the more we face teams that want to play us two-shell coverage, the more he'll get involved."

That needs to start Sunday in New England, where the Patriots' defense surely will be keying on Coles and Cotchery more than they will be paying much mind to Baker.

"You have to prove what you're able to do and they'll give you opportunities to do it," Baker said.

He's already been doing that. Check out the end-game film from Cleveland.

Now get him the damned ball.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11082006/sports/jets/bad_foot_slams_door_on_teagues_season_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm

BAD FOOT SLAMS DOOR ON TEAGUE'S SEASON

By MARK CANNIZZARO

November 8, 2006 -- Where have you gone, Trey Teague?

As of yesterday, the Jets' backup offensive lineman has been placed on injured reserve, thus ending what has been for him an absolutely lost season.

Teague, the former Bill signed in the offseason to compete for a starting job or be a key backup, suffered an injured ankle/foot in the offseason workouts and never has seen the field. When training camp began, he was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

When he was taken off of PUP, Teague began practicing with the team a few weeks ago and has been listed as questionable for games ever since. Yesterday, being placed on IR effectively ended his season.

In other transactions yesterday, the Jets cut OL Norm Katnik from the practice squad and signed DL Keynota Marshall, who was in Eagles' training camp this summer.

*

Last season, the Jets entered their bye week 2-5 and finished 4-12. As poorly as the Jets' defense has played this season, ranked 31st overall in the league, it is ranked third in the league with 10 INTs.

The Jets are first in the NFL in team kickoff return average with a 26.4-yard average. Second-year CB Justin Miller is the main reason for that, averaging 29.7 yards per return with two brought back for TDs. Only Patriots' rookie RB Laurence Maroney is leading him, and that's by mere percentage points.

*

Eric Mangini was asked the other day what sold him on Australian Rules Football player turned punter Ben Graham when he scouted him.

"He kicked the ball over the Yarra River, and that was it for me," Mangini said. "It was like this made-for-TV competition with all of the strongest legs in Australia. Someone showed me the videotape and usually you put it in the water and you [get it] close the edge. Then he kicked it over.

"Now, it was their [Australian Rules Football] ball, but and at that point I was kind of curious to see what he could do for us [with an NFL football]."

*

Though there are definitely some cool feelings that remain between Mangini and his mentor, Bill Belichick, because Sunday will be the second meeting between the two this season, their relationship is not likely to be as dissected like last time.

It should be noted, though, that in pre-game warm-ups in the last meeting at Giants Stadium, Mangini and Belichick never went near each other on the field for fear of any interaction. And, after the game, their handshake was brief at best.

"We always like it when it's more about what happens in between the lines," said Jets' LB Matt Chatham, who played under Mangini and Belichick from 2000-2005. "I know up there that Bill is telling them to completely put that aside. If you ask that question, they're not going to answer."

It's interesting to note, though, that whenever Mangini talks about anything he did or what went on in New England, he refers to it as "that other place."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/11/08/cracks_in_the_home_foundation/?rss_id=Boston.com%20--%20New%20England%20Patriots%20news

Reception party

Jets coach Eric Mangini, the former Patriots defensive coordinator, on what type of reaction he expects Sunday from the Gillette crowd: "I'm sure it will be incredibly friendly. Maybe a parade. I guess if you can boo Adam [Vinatieri], I'm sure that there might be one or two for me. I hope he didn't use them all up."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1162965906231910.xml&coll=1

JETS MIDSEASON REPORT

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

FIRST HALF

Through the midway point of the season, the decision to let coach Herman Edwards go to Kansas City seems like a good one. Eric Mangini -- the youngest head coach in the NFL at 35 -- runs a tighter ship than Edwards and appears to be what the Jets needed. The Jets have already matched their win total from last season. Accountability, attention to detail and discipline are the new buzz words around the franchise.

But the fact is, it's the health of quarterback Chad Pennington, not Mangini's core values or his much-ballyhooed 3-4 defense, that has the Jets 4-4 after eight games. Pennington's subpar effort in a disappointing loss to the Browns in Week 8 illustrated his importance.

Here's a look at the highlights and lowlights of the first half of the season:

OFFENSIVE MVP

Pennington has made nothing short of a miraculous recovery from his second rotator cuff surgery in as many years. Many, including yours truly, believed his career was over. Instead, his arm appears as strong as ever and he has increased his velocity by throwing more with his body.

His eight interceptions is a bit alarming, but he has run the no-huddle offense to perfection and has recaptured the magic he had with WR Laveranues Coles in 2002. Pennington has completed 62.4 percent of his pasess with nine TDs and a solid 90.6 QB rating.

DEFENSIVE MVP

This is a tough one because the unit has played so badly -- ranked 31st in the NFL -- we'll give it to safety Kerry Rhodes, who has emerged as a big-time playmaker. His early blitzing helped the Jets to two victories in their first three games (both wins coming on the road) and he has a ball-hawk. His stat line: two interceptions, three sacks, three forced fumbles, six passes defensed and 46 tackles. Not bad.

BEST QUOTE

"If I don't play (again), they (the doctors) are saying I have a chance to have a normal life. But if I do play, I can jeopardize that."

-- RB Curtis Martin, during a news conference to announce he won't play this season and his career is likely over.

BEST FREE-AGENT SIGNING

CB Andre Dyson

Dyson was signed to a five-year, $11.5 million deal that included a $3 million signing bonus and has emerged as the Jets' best cornerback. He has a team-high three interceptions and is a great locker-room guy. In his sixth season, he'll only get better.

BEST ROOKIE

It's a tossup between LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson (drafted fourth overall) and C Nick Mangold (29th overall). Both have started since day one of training camp and done a great job. Each figures to be a Jet for years to come.

WORST MOVE

This one is easy. For some reason, the Jets signed 13-year veteran NT/DE Kimo von Oelhoffen to a three-year, $9.2 million free-agent contract that included a $3.2 million signing bonus. His next impact play will be his first.

COACHING

BEST DECISION: Mangini's overall philosophy to play the best player at every position. He's not afraid to play rookies or bench a player if he's not getting the job done.

WORST DECISION: Mangini's insistence on playing Dewayne Robertson (6-1, 317 pounds) at nose tackle. Robertson is a gap-shooting defensive tackle, not a two-gapping (playing both running lanes on each side) nose, a position played by players who routinely weigh 350 and above.

MOMENTS

MOST SIGNIFICANT: Another easy one. That came during the first week in training camp when it became apparent Pennington had made a stunning recovery from two rotator cuff surgeries and was impressive beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

WORST: When Curtis Martin officially declared that his season and likely his career was over last week following what was thought to be a routine arthroscopic procedure on his right knee last December. He has a bone-on-bone condition that doesn't allow him to cut.

THE SECOND HALF

If the Jets don't figure out a way to stop the run, it'll be a long second half of the season, even with a healthy Pennington. They rank 30th in the NFL in run defense, allowing an embarrassing 143.0 yards per game. If the Jets can shore up their defense, they have a favorable schedule after games against the Patriots and Bears, and could finish at or above the .500 mark.

[Sperm Edwards]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6148480

Life's a kick in NFL for Jets' Graham

/ Associated Press

Posted: 12 hours ago

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - Ben Graham's journey to the NFL began with a long kick over a big river in Australia.

Sounds like the premise of a heartwarming children's tale, except this one's true. New York Jets coach Eric Mangini saw the tape that proved it.

"He kicked the ball over the Yarra River, and that was it for me," Mangini said, recalling the jaw-dropping video he saw nine years ago.

Graham was competing in a made-for-television event that featured some of the strongest legs in the Australian Football League, where he was a star for the Geelong Cats. He made it to the final of the competition and had to kick it as far as he could into Melbourne's main river.

"He kicked it over, and at that point, what he was doing with that ball, I was kind of curious to see what he could do for us," said Mangini, who was then an assistant with the Jets.

Mangini offered him a chance to try out for the team and Graham briefly flirted with the idea.

"Eric saw the footage before I sent the DVDs out to get my name out there on the radar in America, but he was the first one to see," Graham said in his warm Australian accent. "He worked me out and that started the ball rolling."

And just like a boomerang, the two are back together - even though it took a while.

Graham is in his second season booming punts for the Jets, and ranks ninth in the NFL with a 38.6-yard net average. It would be higher if not for 61- and 56-yard punts earlier this season that were negated by penalties. Not bad for a guy who knew nothing about punting until last summer.

"If someone had asked me two years ago and said that in two years time, 'This is where you'd be,' I would've taken it hands down," Graham said.

The 33-year-old Graham was considered mostly a novelty last summer when Herman Edwards brought him into training camp to compete with veteran Micah Knorr. But with each left-footed, end-over-end thump, it became apparent Graham was the real deal.

He had an impressive rookie season in which he had a net average of 37.9 yards. When Mangini took over as the Jets' coach, it was a no-brainer that he'd keep Graham.

"He has incredible strength," said special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, who previously coached Pro Bowlers Reggie Roby, Matt Turk and Rohn Stark. "Ben is really capable, not that he's one of those guys, but I'm familiar with very good football players and Ben Graham is a talented man and has really done a heck of a job adapting to a skill that's in a lot of ways foreign to him."

The Jets have considered using Graham on kickoffs because of his strong leg, but Westhoff said that will have to wait a while until he becomes more familiar with the kicking motion. The team has also entertained thoughts of getting the 6-foot-5, broad-shouldered Graham more involved in the offense.

A punter lining up at tight end? It could happen, especially with Mangini's penchant for trying new things.

"We've worked on some of that stuff, and he has done some things situationally," Mangini said. "Punters are tough to get, and punters of his caliber are tougher to get. So there is always that risk-reward of getting too involved situationally and then losing them."

Graham welcomes the idea of going out for a pass.

"I know I've got the skills to contribute elsewhere," he said. "But it's a game where you concentrate on your job. If something happens down the track, we'll definitely work on that to the point where we know it's going to work in an NFL game."

The precedent had already been set for Australians to come over to the NFL, with Darren Bennett doing it 12 years ago. But Graham had never actually punted before.

"I've kicked a ball ever since I could walk, so the kicking technique was a natural thing," Graham said. "To confine the technique just to a punting action was the hard part. A consistent stepping pattern, a consistent drop."

Graham was given some leeway last season when it came to the types of punts he was asked to do, but refined his footwork and technique in the offseason.

"I was just pretty much looking to get the ball down the field the best I could last year," he said. "So this year, there are expectations and standards and trying to capitalize on field position and the rest of it."

One big surprise for Graham was having to hold the ball on field-goal attempts. So, he spent countless hours practicing with kicker Mike Nugent, taking snaps and learning how to place the ball down correctly.

"The good thing is he was willing to put the practice in," Nugent said. "He wasn't one of those people who was bothered. To this day, he's been working every day and asking, 'Did I do that the way you want it?' and 'What can I do to work on it?' He's doing a great job."

Graham's quick progression has impressed his teammates, who named him a special teams captain before the season.

"I really admire him the way he handles everything," Nugent said. "I think it's just an awesome story."

[Sperm Edwards]

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMjEmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMTU5OTcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2

Jets report card

Rushing offense: C-minus

Started poorly, peaked with 221 yards vs. Detroit, then had a Brown-out at Cleveland. Rookie Leon Washington has been great but after averaging 42 plays and 17 carries the last four games, he could use help from Kevan Barlow (banged-up and unable to break free), Cedric Houston and Derrick Blaylock. Rookie C Nick Mangold and TE Chris Baker have led the blocking.

Passing offense: B

Chad Pennington struggled in October, but all things considered, the passing game has been Gang Green's salvation. Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery and the wideouts don't drop passes and get yards after the catch. Rookie LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson has been improving, RT Anthony Clement needs to improve his protection.

Rushing defense: D-minus

The Jets are 30th in yards allowed per game (143.0) and 26th in yards per rush (4.4). It begins to fall apart on first down, when they're yielding 5.1 per carry. NT Dewayne Robertson and LBs Jonathan Vilma and Bryan Thomas are making progress, but there have been too many rushing TDs allowed and not enough forced fumbles or tackles for loss.

Passing defense: D-plus

Also shaky in the NFL rankings, but coverage and pressure have slowly been improving and have accounted for 13 of the Jets' 14 takeaways. S Kerry Rhodes is responsible for five turnovers (two interceptions, three strip sacks). LCB Andre Dyson has been picked on as much as the three-headed right corner, but at least Dyson has three picks.

Special teams: B-plus

Aggressive, fast Justin Miller has become one of the NFL's most dangerous kickoff returners. Ben Graham's had five straight inside-the-20 punts, capped by his career-long gross (69 yards) and net (68) kick at Cleveland. Mike Nugent's been better on FGs since Tennessee, but has been weak, same as last year, on kickoffs. Rashad Washington has led good coverage units.

Coaching: B

Eric Mangini's stamp hasn't worn off – even after 58 minutes of scuffling, the Jets were a bad call from tying the Browns. Gambles have generally worked. Brian Schottenheimer needs to free rookie Brad Smith and get TEs and RBs more involved in the offense. Mangini and DC Bob Sutton should keep up the aggressive, blitzing play-calling after late success last game.

-- Randy Lange

[Sperm Edwards]

http://jets.blogs.nj.com/default.asp?item=271779

Cards Stacked Against Gang Green

Posted by Bob Bullock

You would think the Jets would feel good about things right about now. The team is coming off of a bye week, the team in front of them lost so they picked up ground in the division and they play that team this weekend for a chance to get even closer. Ah, but things aren't always as they appear in the National Football League. Upon closer look, the Jets are facing some astronomical odds heading into this weekend's game against the Patriots. Just take a look at this fact from Mark Cannizzaro's piece today:

Under Bill Belichick's watch dating back to 2002, the Patriots have gone 57 games without losing two games in a row. Since the NFL merger, that's the second-longest such streak in league history, three games shy of the 49ers' 60-game streak without a two-game losing streak from 1995-1999.

During that span, the Patriots are 11-0 in games played after a loss.

OUCH! That doesn't sound too promising now, does it?

Put all of that on top of the fact that Tom Brady had an awful game against the Colts last week and will surely bounce back with a great game, the Jets are facing some serious problems this weekend. Jets' receiver Laveranues Coles had this to say, referring the the Patriots;

"You're generally what you're track record says," Coles said. "You look at the way they've been playing this year, plus the fact that we have to go up to their home to try and beat them. You know you have a great challenge ahead of you."

"Challenge" is a nice way to put it, I would call it more of a "monumental task" myself, but if challenge is the word Coles wants to use, then by all means....

So do the Jets have any shot at all this weekend? I'll put it to you this way; after watching the horrible FISH beat the Super Bowl Shuffling Bears on Sunday AT Chicago, anything is possible. However, it will take a great effort, some serious breaks and, of course, the needed turnovers for Gang Green to get out of New England with a win.

[BwanaZulia]

2. Stale air. The passing game has become predictable, too wideout-reliant. How 'bout a screen pass every now and then?

Wow... talk about changing times. For the last 5 years all I would hear about was the damn screen pass and now..

BZ