Jets news articles, Tues., 9/4

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' RB Thomas Jones returns to practice for first time since Aug. 12 ankle injury

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BY KRISTIE ACKERT

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 4:00 AM

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Jets running back Thomas Jones wasn't about to take another day off just because it was Labor Day. For the first time since he injured his right calf on Aug.12, Jones suited up yesterday and practiced with his teammates.

Eric Mangini, always secretive when it comes to injuries, would not comment on Jones' rehabilitation or speculate on his ability to play when the Jets open the season Sunday against the Patriots. According to NFL rules, the Jets do not have to release a list of injured players until tomorrow.

Still, in pads and doing drills, Jones looked like he will play in the opener.

Jones missed a majority of training camp and made only a fleeting appearance in the preseason opener, carrying eight times for 27 yards and a touchdown, before getting hurt during practice at Hofstra. Mangini, however, said he did not expect Jones, acquired from the Bears in March, to take long to fit into the Jets offense.

"I definitely think it's important to work with the group as much as you can. The one thing that's different is when you have a veteran player who's been exposed to multiple systems," Mangini said. "The things they can draw on going into a game without that level of practice is much better than if you had a young guy who is in the same situation, a high draft pick running back that had been out of camp."

The Jets need Jones, who did individual and position drills with running backs coach Jimmy Raye, to find his fit with this group quickly.

The Jets, 20th in the league in rushing last year, expect Jones to be their feature back, but are comfortable with 5-8, 202-pound Leon Washington contributing heavily after 151 rushes as a rookie last year.

CAPTAIN COLES: With a big smile, Mangini announced that outspoken WR Laveranues Coles was voted by his teammates to be one of the team's six captains. Last year, Coles was open with his criticism of Mangini's strict regime. He called the coach "ornery" and a "mean little guy" last season, but the two have seemingly found a working relationship since then that revolves around what Coles described as the basic "man upstairs" principal. "I will bring (the team's) concerns to him, but I told them, he will listen, but in the end he's the man upstairs, it's his decision." Also named captains were QB Chad Pennington, LB Jonathan Vilma, DE Shaun Ellis, K Mike Nugent and LB Brad Kassell.

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[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' DeVito, Kowalewski vie for game-day roster spots

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: September 4, 2007)

HEMPSTEAD - Mike DeVito headed to Jones Beach, but he kept checking his cell phone for messages. Joe Kowalewski couldn't sleep for two days. And, in the end, no news was good news.

No phone calls, no requests to bring in their playbook. So DeVito, a rookie defensive lineman who was born in Suffern and grew up on Cape Cod, and Kowalewski, a second-year tight end who was on the Jets' practice squad last season, figured out they were on the Jets' 53-man roster after 22 players were released Saturday.

Of course, now the hard work begins. The Jets open their 2007 season hosting AFC East rival New England Sunday at the Meadowlands and the players must vie for a spot on the 45-man game-day roster.

"Coming into the year, I was having that in the back of my head, that there was the practice squad," said Kowalewski, an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse. "But then you get out there and start playing, and you realize you can't go in with the thought process of that. You've got to go for it. You're out here. You belong. You've just got to show them. You can't be happy with just making it."

The Jets did sign seven players to their practice squad yesterday, leaving one spot open. A player could still easily be claimed from another team and one of the young Jets could be cut and re-signed to the practice squad.

"I still have to do more," said DeVito, the grandson of the late Suffern football coach Ralph Consiglio. "I still want to play. I still want to be active."

DeVito had two tackles and a sack in the Jets' 13-11 win at Philadelphia Thursday in their preseason finale. Kowalewski, one of four tight ends on the final roster, had three catches for 12 yards.

Those performances may have tipped the scales in their direction. Quarterback Marques Tuisasosopo, who completed 9 of 16 passes for 78 yards, ran for an 11-yard touchdown and guided a two-minute drill to set up Mike Nugent's winning field goal, is sure his performance against the Eagles earned him a roster spot.

The Jets had considered relying on versatile second-year pro Brad Smith as their third quarterback. Instead, Smith has stopped attending the quarterback meetings and is instead studying the game plan as a wide receiver.

"Any time you do good things on the field, it's always been a good thing for me," said Tuiasosopo, who played 11 games over six seasons with the Raiders. "Anytime I get a chance to go out there and play, it can only be a positive. It could still go the other way, but other people see it."

Take, for instance, linebacker Anthony Schlegel, a third-round pick in 2006 who was cut Saturday and signed by the Bengals. Or veteran defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen, cut after being a starter last year in his only season with the Jets and claimed by the Eagles.

It's the business. But DeVito found it hard to see veterans such as von Oelhoffen and defensive lineman Bobby Hamilton released, even if it meant he had earned a job.

"It's tough because those guys helped me out a lot," said DeVito, an undrafted free agent out of Maine. "I looked up to those guys, they really helped me to learn the system. Without them, I don't know how well I would have done. I saw Kimo before he left. Kimo kept telling me the same thing, 'Keep working hard and do what you know how to do."'

Notes: Running back Thomas Jones participated in practice, at least to a limited degree, and is expected to play Sunday against the Patriots. ... Quarterback Chad Pennington and wide receiver Laveranues Coles were voted the offensive captains by their teammates, linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive Shaun Ellis were selected as the defensive captains and Nugent and linebacker Brad Kassell were picked as the special teams captains. "Guys have been talking about reworking the schedule - to not be around the building as long as they are," said Coles, in his first year as a captain. "That's one of the first things that I will try and get done. It's one of those things where I'm going to shoot for the stars and hopefully the coach will work with us and make me look good my first time out." ... Cornerback Manny Collins, wide receiver Chris Davis, quarterback Brett Ratliff, linebacker Jason Trusnik, offensive lineman Robert Turner and running back Danny Ware, all rookies, along with second-year safety Raymond Ventrone were signed to the practice squad.

Reach Andrew Gross at apgross

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Jones practices, likely to play Sunday

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 4, 2007

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Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Furl Google Newsvine Reddit Spurl Yahoo Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback Text size: It was a scene the Jets waited more than three weeks to witness: Thomas Jones, wearing helmet, pads and full football regalia, taking a pitch from the quarterback, squaring his shoulders and accelerating through a hole in the line of scrimmage.

So what if the vision wasn't ideal. The quarterback was really just running backs coach Jimmy Raye and the hole actually was next to an upside-down blue garbage can used to depict the offensive tackle. The point is that Jones practiced. And if he practiced, it stands to reason that he can play.

Yesterday, for the first time since he strained his right calf Aug. 12, Jones took part in a Jets workout. He stretched with the team and participated in agility drills with nary a limp or wobble. Then, while the rest of the squad worked on special-teams plays, Jones and Raye found space in the end zone to refine the timing and footwork that surely rusted just a bit during the convalescence.

Is the calf golden? Hard to say. Jones spent some extra time stretching his lower right leg and showed no ill effects from the injury. But although coach Eric Mangini would not say so, Jones almost certainly will be able to play in Sunday's season opener against the Patriots.

"I'm confident that all the injured guys will do the best they can to be on the field on Sunday," Mangini said.

Mangini dampened speculation that the reason he kept only two traditional running backs on the 53-man roster - Jones and second-year player Leon Washington - is because he expects to have Jones for Sunday. He said wide receiver Brad Smith can take handoffs, as can fullbacks Stacy Tutt and Darian Barnes.

More and more, it's looking as if they won't have to.

As for Jones finding his groove after the layoff, Mangini said he thinks his experience will help him overcome any flat lines in the learning curve.

"The things they can draw on going into a game without that level of practice is much better than, say, if you had a young guy who is in the same situation," Mangini said.

There also is the question of chemistry with the offensive line. Since Jones' injury, rookie Jacob Bender has taken over at left guard. The two presumably never worked together during the opening stages of training camp, when Bender was with the second- and third-string units.

Although Mangini would not confirm Jones' readiness for Sunday, he seemed excited about getting the running back on the field soon. "He has a lot of things that he does well," Mangini said. "He's able to make people miss. He's able to get tough yards."

And from the looks of it, he'll be able to do all of those things against the Patriots.

Notes & quotes: The Jets announced their captains for 2007: Chad Pennington and Laveranues Coles on offense, Shaun Ellis and Jonathan Vilma on defense, and Mike Nugent and Brad Kassell on special teams. "The guys have already begun putting in their requests for different changes that they want done," Coles said. "It's not one of those things where they elected me just as a token. They really want me to do some work." ... The Jets signed seven players to the practice squad: CB Manny Collins, WR Chris Davis, QB Brett Ratliff, LB Jason Trusnik, OL Robert Turner, S Raymond Ventrone and RB Danny Ware. They have one open spot on the practice squad ... Mangini joked that his hometown of Hartford, about halfway between New York and Boston, has "transitioned heavily to New York, primarily to the Jets" since his hiring.

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[Kentucky Jet]

Jets notebook

Coles's new route could be diplomatic one

By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff | September 4, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Yesterday morning, Laveranues Coles had barely arrived at Jets headquarters when the requests started to come in.

The 29-year-old wide receiver had been elected one of the team's six captains a day earlier, and he was already being asked to lobby coach Eric Mangini about several issues.

"They've been talking about reworking the schedule," Coles said with a laugh before practice yesterday. "Not like days off, but so they're not around the building as long as they are. I don't know how I'm going to get that done. But it's one of those things where I'll shoot for the stars and hopefully Coach will work with us and make me look good my first time out."

Coles, defensive end Shaun Ellis, linebacker Brad Kassell, kicker Mike Nugent, quarterback Chad Pennington, and linebacker Jonathan Vilma were voted captains by their teammates, and on Sunday, they will meet their New England counterparts at midfield before the season opener at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"It's flattering, like last year," said Vilma. "The players voted me in, so that says a lot about how the other players think about me. I appreciate that. Aside from that, just do what I did last year."

The outspoken Coles stands in contrast to the tight-lipped Mangini, who's kept a tight rein on his players. Mangini said Coles isn't afraid to speak his mind, a quality the second-year head coach respects, even though he might not always agree with his wide receiver.

Mangini said he expects Coles and the other captains to serve both the players and the coaching staff to ensure that everyone is working together. Coles, even though he's already thinking about pressing for schedule alterations, understands who will call the shots.

"This is run by the man upstairs," said Coles. "He'll hear from you, but ultimately it's about what he wants to do."

Plugging away

The Jets will face an altered New England defense because of the absences of Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour.

"They're going to replace those guys, and whoever goes in is going to do well for them," Vilma said.

Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who anticipated that he would be smashing helmets with Harrison downfield, isn't shedding any tears after learning that the safety won't be on the hunt. But Cotchery understands that with James Sanders and Jarvis Green expected to fill the two veterans' positions, the Patriots might not be so shorthanded.

"That system," Cotchery said with a nervous laugh. "You can plug anyone in, pretty much. They've been doing it for a while now. They did it last year when they had to plug someone in.

"They have guys that are capable of coming in and not just being fill-in guys. They have guys that come in and make plays. I don't think it will be a problem at all.

"Any time you lose a player of [Harrison's] caliber, it definitely has an impact. But with the way they roll those guys in, I don't think it will be a big deal."

Jones keeping up

Mangini didn't bite when asked whether Thomas Jones will be ready by Sunday, although the running back was present at the beginning of practice yesterday. Jones, who rushed for a total of 2,545 yards and 15 touchdowns for Chicago the last two seasons, injured his leg in the first preseason game this year and hasn't played since. "He's continuing to work hard," Mangini said. "He's making progress, just like all those guys are." . . . The Jets added seven players to the practice squad: cornerback Manny Collins, wide receiver Chris Davis, quarterback Brett Ratliff, linebacker Jason Trusnik, offensive lineman Robert Turner, safety Ray Ventrone, and running back Danny Ware.

[Kentucky Jet]

By KAREN CROUSE

Published: September 4, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 3

[Kentucky Jet]

As always, the Patriots will press on

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 4, 2007

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG

Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO

[Kentucky Jet]

COLES IN CHARG

MANGINI NAMES WR ONE OF JETS' CAPTAINS

By MARK CANNIZZARO

September 4, 2007 -- Laveranues Coles and Eric Mangini are the Jets' version of the Odd Couple.

Since the disciplinarian Mangini arrived as head coach last year and implemented his long and tough practices, Coles has grumbled publicly, complaining about how the practices break the players down and even going so far as to raise speculation that playing in such an environment might force him to retire early.

Knowing how no-nonsense Mangini is, Coles' commentaries would seem to indicate he'd have a spot in the coach's dog house.

Not only hasn't that happened, but also yesterday, as the Jets began their preparations in earnest for Sunday's season opener against the Patriots, Mangini welcomed Coles with open arms, naming his No. 1 receiver, as one of the team's 2007 offensive captains.

"I think it's great, (because) we'll be able to spend even more time together," Mangini said, deadpan.

"I've learned to appreciate how much he does and just how important it is to him, not just his performance, but the group's performance," Mangini said, growing more serious. "The one thing that I respect so much about him is the caring that he has for his teammates. He's a very selfless guy. He's one of those guys that if you're stuck at the airport (and) nobody is picking up the phone at home, you could call him, he'd come and get you. He's the (kind of) guy that would help you move. . . . I just respect where he's coming from and the things that he says.

"Another thing that you got to love about [Coles] is he says what he thinks, he says what he feels. . . . I like the way that he's giving me feedback. That stuff is important."

Knowing what a squeaky wheel Coles is, his teammates, who voted him in as a captain, had a list of suggestions waiting for him when arrived to work yesterday.

"We have some things for [Coles] as far as the schedule goes, so we are like, 'Hey captain, can you take care of these things for us?' " receiver Jerricho Cotchery said.

"I didn't even get a chance to change into my clothes [yesterday] morning and they were already putting in requests," Coles joked. "It's Coach's team and ultimately up to him to decide. All I can do is voice their opinion. Hopefully, he'll work with me."

Coles said he'd love to ease the players' schedule in an effort to keep them away from the practice complex a little more often.

"It's one of those things where I'm going to shoot for the stars and hopefully [Mangini] will work with us and make me look good my first time out," Coles said.

Good luck on that one.

Cotchery joked that because opposites often attract, Coles and Mangini are a match.

"You have some guys that are quiet and some guys that are very outgoing who tend to attract to each other," Cotchery said. "I'm a quiet guy, but I love Laveranues Coles. . . . I can listen to him all day and I think that is the type of relationship they [Coles and Mangini] have."

*

The other offensive captain is Chad Pennington. On defense, LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Shaun Ellis are captains for the second consecutive year. K Mike Nugent and LB Brad Kassell are special teams captains. . . . The Jets announced their practice squad, which includes seven players they cut on Saturday: Former Rutgers CB Manny Collins, WR Chris Davis, QB Brett Ratliff, LB Jason Trusnik, OL Robert Turner, S Raymond Ventrone and RB Danny Ware. The Jets have one roster spot remaining to sign someone else.

RB Thomas Jones (calf) practiced, at least on a limited basis while the media was allowed to watch. Mangini was, as usual, cryptic about Jones' availability for Sunday. Bet on Jones playing, but splitting time with Leon Washington.

[Kentucky Jet]

No one doubting Thomas now

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets franchise running back Thomas Jones is back. Yesterday, he practiced for the first time since suffering a strained right calf on Aug. 12 during a blitz pickup drill. Dressed in full pads, he stretched with the team and went through his usual routine during the period in which practice was open to the media.

But, according to center Nick Mangold, Jones never left. Though he didn't take any physical reps, Jones took plenty of mental reps and because of that, Mangold doesn't think Jones will need much time to get back in sync with the offensive line.

The eighth-year pro, who has rushed for more than 2,500 yards in the past two seasons with the Bears, will be in the starting lineup when the Jets meet the Patriots in their season opener Sunday at Giants Stadium.

"We did a lot of work in the off-season and if you ever watched him or talked to him, you know how hard he works," Mangold said yesterday as Patriots' week began at their Hofstra University training complex.

"And it's not like he went away for however long. He has still been here and we're (the offensive line) always asking (him) questions. 'TJ, what do you think about this?' So you're always building that chemistry as time moves forward."

Jones was unavailable for comment.

During the three weeks Jones was sidelined, the Jets didn't dramatically change their running back with Leon Washington in the lineup. That, they say, makes the transition back to Jones all the more smooth.

"Thomas is a great runner," said fullback Darian Barnes. "His situation didn't change anything. You try to run plays to the point where you feel you can put anybody in there and they can run the play effectively."

Jones, 29, isn't just anybody, however. The Jets swapped second-round picks with the Bears and then signed Jones to a four-year, $20 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed to ignite a running game gone bad. The Jets ranked 30th in the NFL in yards per carry (3.5 yards) last season.

Last season against the Patriots, the Jets rushed for just 52 yards on 24 carries in the first meeting, a 24-17 loss at Giants Stadium. In their second meeting, the Jets gained 117 yards on 29 attempts in a 17-14 victory at Gillette Stadium. Ex-Jet Kevan Barlow ran for 75 yards on 17 carries in his best game as a Jet.

In an AFC first-round matchup with New England, the Jets rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries in a 37-16 defeat.

Although the Patriots will be without Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour (reserve/physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury) and hard-hitting safety Rodney Harrison (four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy), the Jets haven't exhaled.

"They're a great team, regardless," said Barnes, who spent the two previous seasons with the Dolphins. "Their front seven, whoever they put there, they're coming to play."

So is Jones. Even though he had just eight carries for 27 yards and a touchdown in the only preseason game he played, the Jets saw plenty. Besides being able to get the tough yards between tackles and bounce outside, Jones can also catch the ball and is a devastating pass blocker. His running ability opens up the play-action for quarterback Chad Pennington.

"He has a lot of different things that he does well, not just on first and second down, but on third down," said Jets coach Eric Mangini. He's able to make people miss. He's able to get tough yards. All those things are excellent. You have to account for them. That's a positive thing."

Jones, however, can't do it alone. It appears the Jets will start rookie left guard Jacob Bender, an exceptional run blocker, against the Patriots. The uncertainty at the position in the wake of the Pete Kendall fiasco was a setback, but Mangold feels the unit is coming around. Four of the five starters are back: right guard Brandon Moore, right tackle Anthony Clement, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Mangold.

"It (the offensive line) is a work in progress," said Mangold. "I think one of the big things is to get that line of communication more solidified. I think we've done a good job getting that done."

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/ind...2240.xml&coll=1

Coles elected to co-captain of offense

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Laveranues Coles has done a lot of things in his career. Pro Bowl. Big contract. Team MVP. Leading his team in receptions.

But yesterday, Coles earned something he had never had. He was elected as an offensive captain along with quarterback Chad Pennington.

"It's a great honor to be elected by your teammates and for them to view me as one of their leaders," said Coles, an eighth-year pro. "I'm not a very vocal person. I have always been a jokester, but for the guys to pick me and allow me to be the voice of the team ... it's an honor."

Coles and Jets coach Eric Mangini have a sort of odd-couple relationship. Last season, Coles was the only player to publicly complain about Mangini's workload but Mangini shrugged it off and repeatedly praised Coles for his toughness and talent.

"For me, it's about my teammates," said Coles. "It's not about his and my relationship."

Mangini joked that now he'll be able to spend more time with Coles.

"The one thing that I respect so much about him is the caring that he has for his teammates," said Mangini. "He's a very selfless guy. He's one of those guys that if you're stuck at the airport, you could call him. ... Another thing that you got to love about L.C. (Coles) is he says what he thinks. I like that. I like the way that he's giving me feedback."

Coles said the first thing his teammates have asked him to do is to try to change the schedule so players don't spend so much time in the building.

"I'm going to shoot for the stars and hopefully the coach will work with us," he said.

The other captains were: LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Shaun Ellis (defense) and K Mike Nugent and LB Brad Kassell (special teams). In addition to Thomas Jones returning to practice yesterday, the Jets are completely healthy with CBs Justin Miller (hamstring) and Andre Dyson (right leg), and S Eric Smith (hamstring) are all practicing full throttle. ... As expected,former Rutgers player CB Manny Collins, RB Danny Ware and G Robert Turner were among the players named to the expanded eight-player practice squad. WR Chris Davis, QB Brett Ratliff, LB Jason Trusnik and S Ray Ventrone were also named and the Jets have one more slot to fill. The Jets are expected to sign G/C Mike Elgin, who was cut by the Patriots.

"Right now, this is a big stepping stone," Collins said. "To me, the sky is the limit. You never know what might happen. ... As we always say at Rutgers, 'Keep chopping,' and I ended up making it."

Patriots WR Randy Moss (hamstring) didn't play in the preseason but is expected to play vs. the Jets. ... The Bengals claimed Jets LB Anthony Schlegel.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php...3dnFlZU VFeXk2

Chad: We'll be ready

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- In retrospect, the Jets' second series of their preseason opener against Atlanta was a momentous occasion.

It was the last time the whole first-string offense was on the field at the same time. Not that it did much on that possession, managing only one first down before punting.

That unit figures to convene again on the FieldTurf of Giants Stadium sometime during the first quarter of Sunday's regular-season opener against New England, and the question remains of just how effective it will be.

After he carried eight times for 27 yards and a touchdown in that game, new running back Thomas Jones suffered a strained right calf in practice two days later, and hasn't played since. But the fact that the Jets have only two "pure" running backs on the roster seems to indicate they are pretty certain he'll play Sunday.

In Jones' absence, the Jets' first-string offense struggled in the next two preseason games, with backup running back Leon Washington's 79-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Pennington their one shining moment and lone touchdown.

But Pennington still is convinced the offense will be able to put it together, just as it did on opening day against Tennessee last season when Pennington passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-16 victory.

"We had a really good spring and a really good training camp and the guys have been able to make progress," Pennington said Thursday after sitting out the Jets' preseason finale. "We just haven't performed as well as we would have liked in the preseason games.

"I'm not going to get discouraged about that because there are a lot of different factors that go into preseason games. ... We've got some veteran guys in the receiving corps and veterans across the board that know what to do once the regular season starts, so I don't think we'll have a problem."

And certainly the Jets already have been the recipients of some good fortune, as the Patriots will be without two defensive standouts.

Defensive end Richard Seymour was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list with an undisclosed injury, so he'll be out for at least six games. And safety Rodney Harrison will miss four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

But as coach Eric Mangini always preaches, the Jets are focusing more on themselves and what they must do.

"I'm very excited to see what we can do out there," seventh-year wide receiver Justin McCareins said Monday, "and I think we're as prepared as possible. ... Obviously you can't tell yet until we play for real, [but with] my history in the league and my experience, this feels like it's a very prepared offense. I haven't been around a team that's worked harder or demanded as much of itself as this year's."

Wide receiver Laveranues Coles put it all into perspective, as he often does.

"When you have guys working as hard as the guys in this locker room," the eighth-year veteran said Monday, "you hope when everybody gets on the field together, the formula works and everything goes in the right direction."

But he added, "You don't actually know until you actually get on the field. Until you actually get in a ballgame and start getting in a groove and guys start getting it going, I can't tell you what direction we're headed in, one way or another."

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

[Kentucky Jet]

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php...3dnFlZU VFeXk2

Jets notebook

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

New challenge for DeVito

Rookie defensive end Mike DeVito went to a mall and to Long Island's Jones Beach on Saturday with a cousin, but made sure to bring his cellphone, which he kept checking for messages.

Fortunately for him, he never did get a call from the Jets on the day rosters had to be trimmed to 53 players, so that meant the free agent from Maine had made the squad.

"Around 5 or 6 o'clock [saturday], I thought, OK, I'm probably all right now," a happy DeVito recalled Monday. The 6-foot-3, 298-pounder showed the Jets enough during preseason, including a sack against the Eagles last week, that they chose to keep him and release veterans Bobby Hamilton and Kimo von Oelhoffen.

"It's tough," DeVito said of them being waived, "because those guys helped me out. Without their help, I don't know how well I would've done. ... Now I've got to stick around. Now I've got to show [the Jets] that they made the right decision by keeping me."

Captains named

Coach Eric Mangini said Monday that the team voted on captains Sunday, two each from offense, defense and special teams. On offense, Chad Pennington and wideout Laveranues Coles were chosen. On defense, the captains are end Shaun Ellis and linebacker Jonathan Vilma and the special-teams captains are Brad Kassell and kicker Mike Nugent. Pennington, Vilma and Ellis were all captains last season. Nugent has some experience in the role, however, as he was a captain at Ohio State.

Briefs

While stretching before practice Monday, RB Thomas Jones talked with Mangini. It appears that Jones, out for three weeks with a strained right calf, will play Sunday against New England. ... The Jets signed seven players to their practice squad. They are CB Manny Collins, formerly of Rutgers, WR Chris Davis, QB Brett Ratliff, LB Jason Trusnik, OL Robert Turner, S Raymond Ventrone and RB Danny Ware. The Jets still have one spot left on the practice squad.

-- J.P. Pelzman

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets 21 Patriots 17- my prediction!