Game 2 Jets News articles 9/16-NY Post

[Kentucky Jet]

FROM SPY INTO THE FRYING PAN

By MARK CANNIZZARO

Laveranues Coles

September 16, 2007 -- BALTIMORE - Spygate and Bill Belichick's espionage antics have been in the Jets' rearview mirror as they've looked toward today's game against the Ravens with some trepidation.

The Ravens, like the Jets, are 0-1, and they're angry after turning the ball over six times last week in their loss to the Bengals. Today marks the Ravens' home opener, and the vaunted Baltimore defense has the Jets' attention.

"You don't want to go 0-2," Jets running back Thomas Jones said. "You don't want to start off like that. It just puts you further in a hole. When you lose a game, you obviously want to come back the next week and get a win to get that taste out of your mouth."

Safety Kerry Rhodes insisted the controversy from the Patriots game fallout has not been a distraction, that the Ravens have had the Jets' attention all week.

"We're trying to get a win here," he said. "We're 0-1 and they're 0-1, so it's going to be an important game. We are both trying to get a win."

Here's an inside look at how we think it'll play out and who'll be 1-1 and 0-2 when it's over:

BEST BATTLE

Laveranues Coles vs. Chris McAlister. Coles, who had seven catches for 59 yards and two TDs last week, is the Jets' best receiver. McAlister is the Ravens' top corner, a player who has speed and is a ball hawk who has 22 career INTs, including four returned for TDs. Coles is strong off the line of scrimmage and catches almost everything throw to him, but is not a speedster. McAlister is faster than Coles and will be all over him.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

If the Jets don't establish a running game, they have little chance of winning against the aggressive Ravens defense, particularly if Kellen Clemens is making his first NFL start. That means Jones, who got off to a slow start to his Jets career in last week's opener (42 yards on 14 carries) needs to break out. He'll have a tough time doing that, though, with Ray Lewis, one of the best pursuit defenders in the game, chasing after him. The Jets need to account for Lewis by constantly putting a body on him or he'll wreak havoc on the Jets offense and dance the night away. Lewis is nursing a triceps injury, which could affect his tackling.

COACHING CORNER

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is under pressure to be at his creative best to offset the aggressive Ravens defense. That means finding ways to keep the pass rush off either Clemens or Chad Pennington, should he play. On the other side of the ball, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is a blitzing fool. "Rex Ryan doesn't need much prodding to want to bring pressure," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "He gets up [in the morning] and is ready to blitz. I'll leave it to Rex to figure out what he needs to do to get after the Jets." That could mean a lot of three-step drops for Clemens or Pennington and screens on pass plays to offset the aggressive Ravens.

HOT SEAT

Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, quite simply, must play better. The Jets expect and need more out of a No. 4 overall pick in the draft who had a spotty rookie season. Ferguson, who struggled last week, today will see a lot of Ravens right outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who had 9

[Kentucky Jet]

WHEN THERE'S A WILLIS . . .

By MARK CANNIZZARO

September 16, 2007 -- BALTIMORE - Linebacker David Bowens is in his first season with the Jets, having signed as a free agent during the offseason. Yet when the name Willis McGahee was brought up to him in conversation the other day, he said, "I know. I've heard."

What Bowens has heard is how prolific McGahee, now the Ravens' feature back whom the Jets must deal with today, has been against the Jets, rushing for 705 yards on 138 carries in his career in Buffalo.

"He's a back that's had our number," Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis said.

McGahee has rushed for 100 or more yards in his last five meetings with the Jets, averaging more than 132 yards per game.

"He's been very successful against us," Jets linebacker Victor Hobson said. "Some people have those teams they just seem to do well against. Unfortunately, it's been us in the past. He's definitely added a lot to that Baltimore offense."

"I think he's one of the most underrated backs in the league," Bowens said. "You always hear about [Kansas City's] Larry Johnson and [san Diego's] LaDanian Tomlinson, but [McGahee's] not mentioned because he's not scoring 25 or 30 touchdowns a year. He has it all. He's just one of the good guys that doesn't get mentioned."

*

It looks as if Jets rookie CB Darrelle Revis will start at CB again with Andre Dyson still questionable with a foot injury. Revis is likely to remain the starter. . . . The Jets also listed starters RB Thomas Jones (calf) and RG Brandon Moore (shoulder) as questionable, but both are expected to play. . . . CB Justin Miller, also listed as questionable with a thigh injury, could again be replaced on kickoff returns by RB Leon Washington.

*

Ravens QB Steve McNair, questionable with a groin injury, is expected to be a game-time decision. . . . LB Ray Lewis is listed as questionable with an arm injury, but he'll definitely play.

[Kentucky Jet]

RAVEN RAY: JETS IN WRONG PLACE AT WRONG TIME Ray Lewis

September 16, 2007 -- BALTIMORE - It wasn't quite a guarantee. But you can sense the urgency in Ray Lewis' voice heading into this afternoon's game against the Jets at M&T Stadium.

"I don't know one person in this organization, as well as our city, that's thought about 0-2," the Ravens' Pro Bowl linebacker said. "The bottom line is the Jets pulled a bad draw. It's just the way it comes down."

One of the beauties of the NFL is that in a 16-game regular season, every game carries significance. The Ravens were beaten, 27-20, at Cincinnati Monday night as several key players suffered injuries affecting their status for today's game. The Jets, meanwhile, were whipped by the Pats, 38-14, at the Meadowlands, where Bill Belichick was exposed as a cheater and the Jets as a team in need of a defense.

No doubt Lewis wasn't pleased what with he saw on the Ravens' game film. He saw Baltimore commit six turnovers. He saw Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden limp off the field with a debilitating toe injury, and CB Samari Rolle leave with a foot injury. QB Steve McNair was sidelined in the fourth quarter with a groin injury suffered earlier in the game. And Lewis, himself, played through a strained triceps, leaving the Ravens (0-1) banged up and desperate for a win today against the Jets (0-1).

"Dropping that one in Cincinnati the way we did, making all the mistakes and mental errors that we did in that game, you just can't do it, bottom line," Lewis said. "Our focus is to come home, win the games at home. Home is where we're resilient."

Of course, none of this bodes well for Kellen Clemens, who could see extensive duty today if Chad Pennington's tender ankle proves too sore. There are plenty of less intimidating defenses for a young quarterback to debut against, but this could be a good thing for Clemens in the long run.

Truth is, he has nothing to lose today. No one expects someone who hasn't seen any significant action in the NFL to master a defensive power like the Ravens. This is as much about the future as it is the present.

For the Jets to have any chance today, the educated thought is they must mount a time-consuming, points-producing running game. Feed Thomas Jones to the wolves and hope for a close, tight game that can be won at the end.

But should Clemens be sacked a half dozen times, throw a couple of interceptions and look like the novice he is, then it will be chalked up to inexperience and being pressed into duty against the desperate Ravens, whose Super Bowl aspirations would be severely dented with a loss today.

"Whether you lose one late or whether you lose one early, get it out of your system, get it out of the way, learn from your mistakes and let's move on," Lewis said. "That's what I believe the maturity of this team has grown into."

The Ravens will depend on that maturity should McNair not be able to go. His backup, Kyle Boller, has made 34 career starts, though none last season. "He's letting the game come to him, instead of him trying to force the game," McNair said of Boller. "That's the most important thing to a quarterback is to be calm and be confident and believe in what you see."

What Clemens will see is Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense looking at him like prey for a victory-starved team and crowd.

"Playing in front of Baltimore fans, 12 years for me, it never gets old," Lewis said. "It's going to be a nice day, the crowd is going to be crazy. It's going to be a beautiful day in Baltimore."

Sounds a lot like a guarantee.

george.willis@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Rich Cimini

Bill Belichick will move on from 'Spy Gate'

Sunday, September 16th 2007, 4:00 AM

A long time ago, Bill Belichick granted me access into his hidden, high-tech world of X's and O's. It was August 1998, the eve of the Jets' final preseason game. They were in Chicago, and Belichick, Bill Parcells' defensive chief, already was preparing for the opener in San Francisco.

Belichick was set up in a darkened ballroom at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, where he was surrounded by the tools of his trade - a VCR, an eight-foot screen, a yellow legal pad, a red marker and 28 cassettes strewn across a table. For two hours, he studied tape of the 49ers' prolific offense, pointing out minutia the casual fan never sees: How one of the receivers tipped his routes, how certain offensive-line "splits" - the space between each lineman - told the defense run or pass.

Afterward, with the lights turned up, Belichick was in a nostalgic mood, recalling how he started breaking down film for his father - an old Naval Academy coach - at the age of 8. Young Bill used a reel-to-reel projector in the family's dining room - good thing the walls were white, he cracked - diagramming plays on index cards.

I left that interview thinking I had spent an evening in Bill Gates' computer lab, watching the genius hatch Microsoft Windows. Now, in the aftermath of "Spy Gate," it's impossible not to wonder about Belichick and his tactics.

His window is cracked.

Now I wonder, were any of those 28 tapes illegally recorded.

Belichick still is a terrific football coach - you don't win that many Super Bowls just by stealing signals - but his Lombardi-esque resume will be forever tainted by the video scandal. Suddenly, opposing players and coaches are coming out of the woodwork, questioning Belichick's integrity. You hear wild stories (maybe they're not so wild) about elaborate, information-gathering schemes used by the Patriots. (Heard one about how they comb the visiting team's hotel after it checks out, looking for discarded play sheets, game plans, etc.)

That Belichick would resort to such methods is truly Nixonian. To assign a low-level video man to tape the Jets' defensive signals, knowing the head coach on that very sideline (Eric Mangini) is well-versed in your Patriot Acts, is as brazen as brazen gets. Belichick is too smart for that. Then again, smart coaches sometimes do dumb things. When Bill Parcells coached the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, he made dozens of calls from his New Orleans hotel room to the Jets' facility in Hempstead, L.I., setting up his next job, it was revealed years later. Did he think no one would find out?

The big question now is, what will become of Belichick? Something tells me this is the beginning of the end for him in New England. He could very well lead the Patriots to their fourth Super Bowl - the talent is there - but "SpyGate" has become a huge embarrassment for owner Robert Kraft, who, according to commissioner Roger Goodell, had no knowledge of last week's spy tactics against the Jets.

Like many of his colleagues in the NFL, Kraft is an image-conscious owner and the image of his franchise has been tarnished. Kraft accepted Belichick's apology, saying he "looks forward to working with (Belichick) as we move forward," but don't underestimate the embarrassment factor.

There were rumors before the season that Belichick, who staged an uncharacteristic spending spree in the offseason, was gearing up for one final run. His contract status is a closely guarded secret, but don't be surprised if he's coaching elsewhere (or not at all) next season. Eight years is a long time to be in one place. There, too, are rumblings that the Kraft family was distressed last year when the coach was named as "the other man" in a salacious divorce case. Again, image.

If Belichick feels he's not getting enough support (and money) from ownership, he could shoot his way out, assuming he's not a free agent. He's done it before, resigning as the HC of the NY Jets in 2000. Looking into a crystal ball, here's one man's prediction on how it will turn out:

Belichick will wind up with the Redskins, replacing Joe Gibbs. He'll become the first $10 million-a-year coach, making the $500,000 fine from Goodell seem like small potatoes. Belichick will be like one of those college basketball coaches, leaving behind a school on probation and heading for the next job.

The Patriots? Don't cry for them. As per Goodell's punishment, they will have to surrender a first-round pick, assuming they make the playoffs, but the cupboard won't be empty. They still have another first-rounder in 2008, acquired from the 49ers, and they still have Tom Brady. Belichick's front-office lieutenant, Scott Pioli, will remain in New England and hire the next coach, Notre Dame's Charlie Weis or Iowa's Kirk Ferentz.

In the meantime, Belichick will try to do what he loves most, living Sunday to Sunday, but it can never be the same. The innocence is gone. It reminds me of a passage from "The Education of a Coach," written by the late David Halberstam. Recounting Belichick's first job, an entry-level position with the Baltimore Colts, Halberstam describes the young coach's uncanny ability to see things on film that got by the most experienced coaches. There's a quote from former Colts safety Bruce Laird that now jumps off the page:

"It was like having a great spy working for us."

[Kentucky Jet]

PLAYBOOK

BY HANK GOLA

Jets at Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, 4:15 p.m.

The Line: Ravens by 6.5

TV: Ch. 2 (Dick Enberg, Randy Cross))

Radio: WEPN-1050 AM, WABC-770 AM (Bob Wischusen, Marty Lyons). Nationwide on Westwood One (Mark Champion, Jim Fassel)

Forecast: Sunny, low 70s.

Injury Impact

The door is open just a crack for Chad Pennington to hobble out on his injured ankle but it's likely that Kellen Clemens gets his first start. Meanwhile, Steve McNair has been telling people he'll gut another one out on an injured groin, leaving Kyle Boller in reserve. The Ravens' injuries go deeper. Big OT Jonathan Ogden (toe) is out indefinitely (Adam Terry starts in his place) and MLB Ray Lewis will try to play with a triceps injury. Return specialist B.J. Sams (knee) has been placed on IR.

Feature Matchup

QB Kellen Clemens vs. S Ed Reed and the Ravens' blitz: Talk about bad timing. Clemens may have been a preseason stud but think back to 2004 when the Ravens saddled a young Eli Manning with a 0.0 passer rating and you'll see what they have in store for Clemens' starting debut. Baltimore coordinator Rex Ryan's defense uses so much deception and blitzes so frequently - especially against this troubled O-line - that Clemens' head should be spinning. RB Willis McGahee vs. MLB Jonathan Vilma and SS Kerry Rhodes: With McNair hobbled and in the wake of their turnover-filled night in Cincy, the Ravens can be expected to give McGahee more touches than he had last week. It just so happens that McGahee built his Buffalo career against the Jets and Vilma, his former Miami teammate, with five straight 100-yard games and a 132.6 average. The Jets were unable to stop the inside running game last week and gave the Patriots too many manageable third downs.

Scout Says

"Everything, even special teams, tips the Ravens' way in this one. Clemens is going to see things he's never seen before and his only chance for success is to take short drops and make quick reads. Laveranues Coles has a key matchup against (Ravens corner) Samari Rolle, who will likely come up in press coverage. Defensively, the Jets were dreadful a week ago. Their secondary was exposed by spread formations and their defensive tackles could not hold the point against the run. At least they won't be facing the same kind of firepower. The Ravens were outmatched last week by a mediocre Bengals defense."

Intangibles

Both teams have to shake off opening day losses but it should be easier for the team making its home debut. The Ravens, particularly their defense, are in a bad mood after handing last week's game over with turnovers and as Lewis said, the Jets could be catching the wrong team at the wrong time. The Jets are going to have to withstand an early onslaught of emotion while the Ravens test Clemens' poise under pressure. They'll have to rally around their young quarterback.

Prediction

Ravens, 30-10. Baltimore's defense takes out its frustrations. It could get ugly.

[Kentucky Jet]

BALTIMORE - In a span of seven days, Chad Pennington has gone from hop to hope.

When Pennington staged his one-legged exit in last week's loss to the New England spies, it appeared as if his injured right ankle would keep him on the sideline for at least one game, maybe longer.

By Wednesday, Kellen Clemens seemed a lock to make his first NFL start today against the Ravens. But yesterday, despite having received only a small portion of the week's practice reps, Pennington still was in the picture, lobbying hard for a chance to start.

The quarterback situation was "up in the air," according to a person familiar with the situation. Pennington's ankle responded well after Friday's practice, the first day he really tested it, apparently making Eric Mangini's decision a little tougher than it appeared four days ago.

It would be a gamble, playing Pennington on a bad wheel against the blitz-happy Ravens, meaning it's likely Mangini will stick with his original plan - Clemens. Pennington is listed as questionable on the injury report.

Either way, the Jets have a huge challenge, facing coordinator Rex Ryan's complex, quarterback-devouring defense.

"Their defense is scary when you look at the film," guard Brandon Moore said.

Said wide receiver Justin McCareins: "They've got an all-star team on defense."

The Ravens finished first in total defense last season, combining superior talent with an ever-changing scheme. Ryan, the son of defensive guru Buddy Ryan, employs a 3-4 base scheme, but they use multiple fronts. They can morph into a 46 defense, a pressure-intensive, eight-man front. They blitzed a league-high 322 times last season, according to STATS, LLC.

"Rex Ryan doesn't need prodding to bring pressure," Ravens coach Brian Billick said with a laugh.

This would be a tough spot for a healthy Pennington, let alone Clemens, whose light NFL resume consists of only garbage-time snaps.

"We're not a typical defense that you can just pick up," safety Ed Reed said. "It takes time for a quarterback that's coming in for the first time ... We like to shake 'em up and rattle them a little bit."

Since 2004, the Ravens are 7-4 against first-year starters, including the mugging of the Jets' Brooks Bollinger in 2005. Who can forget Eli Manning's 4-for-18 debacle in 2004? He pulled a Blutarsky that day, with a 0.0 passer rating.

Earlier that season, the Ravens also messed with the head of Carson Palmer, intercepting him three times. A year ago, they beat Philip Rivers, Vince Young and Derek Anderson.

The Jets are 8-19 without Pennington, averaging only 15 points per game.

The Ravens have studs on all three areas of defense - line, linebacker and secondary - led by Ray Lewis, who greeted Bollinger two years ago by driving him into the ground on his first pass attempt.

After falling last Monday night in Cincinnati, Lewis came close to guaranteeing a win over the Jets, saying, "I don't know one person in this organization ... that's thought about 0-2. The bottom line is, the Jets pulled a bad draw. It's just the way it comes down."

Lewis is the emotional leader of the Ravens, with the ability to whip his teammates and the crowd into a frenzy with his crazy celebrations.

"Hopefully," tight end Joe Kowalewski said with a thin grin, "we can keep his dancing to a minimum."

To counter the Ravens' blitz, the Jets can play an up-tempo style in their no-huddle, preventing the defense from moving around before the snap. The Patriots used that strategy in last January's playoff win over the Jets, and it worked like a charm.

As Mangini said, "Being able to play fast will be important."

Pennington allows them to play that way because he can think on his feet and deliver the ball quickly. Oddly, he's never faced the Ravens in his career, having missed the last two meetings (2004 and 2005) due to injury. Clemens has a stronger arm, which would allow them to attack vertically.

"I thought he had the ability to make big-time throws, which is something you always look to have in a quarterback," said CBS' Charley Casserly, who evaluated Clemens last year as the Texans' GM.

Of course, Clemens might not have time to throw downfield, considering the Ravens' reputation and the Jets' pass-protection issues from last week. If Clemens gets the call, and if Lewis & Co. start getting in his face, the former Oregon standout might be well-advised to remember his alma mater's nickname.

Duck.

Numbers gain

20: The number of defensive touchdowns the Ravens have scored since 2003, the most in the NFL. They are 17-2 in those games.

[Kentucky Jet]

Mike Lupica

Patriots' Bill Belichick never played by the rules

Sunday, September 16th 2007, 4:00 AM

Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 by the NFL for using cameras last Sunday against the Jets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON - This is who Bill Belichick was all along, he just has more Super Bowl rings now. And more people who want to put him at the top of their smack list.

Belichick didn't think the rules applied to him when he was the coach of the Jets for one day one time. He doesn't think they apply to him now. In a profession filled with guys who seem as if they aren't wired right - head coach in pro football being the profession - maybe it figures that the best coach is the one who might have the worst wiring of all, at least when it comes to anything other than getting an edge on the other guy.

That's why it is always worth going back to the beginning with Belichick, always worth remembering that he showed up in New England under a great big cloud of soot. If you don't think it happened that way, then you are apparently under the impression that the Patriots didn't figure out a back-door way to get to him after he already had a contract to coach the Jets the minute Bill Parcells retired.

It is why Robert Kraft of the Patriots can't get too indignant now that his coach has gotten clipped this way for cheating by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who sure wasn't going to have anybody think he went hard on the Bengals and hard on Pacman and hard on Michael Vick and easy on a coach who flagrantly broke the rules. Not only broke them, but broke them against a coach, Eric Mangini, who had to know every spy move Belichick had, and might even have played hidden camera tricks himself once, who knows?

Remember how it all played out at the time with the Jets, though. Belichick took the Jets' job, then held that weird press conference the next day and said he was stepping down as the "HC" of the "NYJ." And why do you think he did something like that? I've always believed somebody, acting as a go-between for the Patriots, let him or his people know that there was a much better deal - more money, more power, the whole NFL ****tail for control freaks like Belichick - waiting for him in Foxboro with the "NEP."

Did the Jets think that at the time? You bet. They also knew they couldn't fight Belichick all the way to the Supreme Court, either. Knew they couldn't stop Belichick from going anymore than Kraft could have stopped Parcells from leaving the Patriots for the Jets when Leon Hess dangled a better deal in front of him (Belichick didn't learn all these moves on his own). So the Jets couldn't take the moral high ground then and Kraft can't take the high ground now, and that is just another rich part of this story.

There are no good guys here, except for Goodell, who did the right thing, hit Belichick and the Patriots hard and fast and let it be known that he isn't just the sheriff of Pacman and Vick and them. If Kraft didn't know about Belichick, he should have. Does anybody believe that the current Jets coach wasn't part of this we-make-the-rules culture when he worked for Belichick? Come on.

But in the end, this isn't about the Patriots owner and it isn't about the Jets and their coach. It isn't about what other teams and other coaches might be doing, no matter how some of these network football flacks want to change the subject that way. This is about Belichick. It is about a coach who has won three Super Bowls in the last six years and been celebrated as a genius in a book by the late David Halberstam and has even passed Parcells now in terms of legend and reputation.

This sticks to him forever, even if he keeps winning, the miracle drug of everything. Maybe it sticks in a way, with both this coach and his owner, that gets him to walk away from the Patriots after this season, whether the Patriots win another Super Bowl or not. Because whatever Kraft is saying, his coach has committed the one high crime that big, powerful bosses like Bob Kraft find almost impossible to ignore:

Belichick made the boss look bad.

Rupert Murdoch didn't let a no-taste, no-class publisher like Judith Regan do it with that O.J. book, no matter how much money Regan's books had made for Murdoch at HarperCollins. Kraft likes the way the Patriots are treated like the Yankees of football now, likes the fact that he has become one of the most prominent owners in all of sports.

He can't like this. In a statement released the other day Kraft said this: "We are deeply disappointed that the embarrassing events of this past week may cause some people to view our team in a different light."

Just not Kraft's coach, whom I believe is as likely to leave the Patriots now as he left the Jets a long time ago. Kraft just got a much bigger bang for his buck.

No one can ever prove that the Patriots tampered with Belichick to get him in the first place. But Belichick did this. He filmed the other coaches, filmed coaches working for one of his protégées, in broad daylight, after being specifically told by the commissioner not to do anything like this. If you're born round, you don't die square.

[Kentucky Jet]

Gary Myers

Bill Belichick's tactics tarnish Tom Brady's reputation

Sunday, September 16th 2007, 4:00 AM

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will always be linked, like Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw, Tom Landry and Roger Staubach, Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr, Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman. They won multiple championships together, creating a bond that lasts forever.

Belichick is now known as a cheater. And if Brady benefitted by Belichick's cheating, even if he wasn't a part of the spying, that tarnishs his image and accomplishments, too. New England won three Super Bowls in four years, just the second team to do it, but this scandal has put their dynasty up for review. They have become the Barry Bonds of the NFL.

Roger Goodell backed off and didn't suspend Belichick, the first mistake he's made as commissioner, so it's not likely he will place an asterisk next to the Patriots' Super Bowl titles, even if they are now tainted. Goodell was never in a situation where he had to choose between suspending Belichick or fining him and the Patriots and taking awy draft picks. The league is defending Goodell's decision by emphasizing the importance of draft picks. That's fine. But that still didn't preclude Goodell from also suspending Belichick. It was not an either/or situation.

Belichick and Brady may have won their Super Bowls anyway, but now that Belichick has been been caught, until it is proven that he didn't use video spying to steal the defensive signals of the Rams, Panthers and Eagles in the Super Bowl, then the "team of the decade" title is still available. It's hard to look at Belichick and his success the same way now. And if Brady knew what was coming on defense, it cheapens those two last-minute drives to beat the Rams and Panthers. It's a shame for Brady because he is a Hall of Fame player.

"I would say the titles are certainly tainted," one general manager said. "You would have to think that. If Belichick is a Hall of Fame coach and he cheated, he would have to think the information he was getting was important for him to do that. Why would he ever put himself at risk to do something that would contaminate him like it has?"

The arrogance of Belichick was never more evident than his attempt to get away with the spying against Eric Mangini, his former protégé who had inside information on the Patriots' operation. The GM said it doesn't shock him that Belichick would be looking for that extra edge, even if it was against the rules. "No, you've seen that side of him," he said. "It surprises me that he would do it against the Jets. Do you pick and choose? The one guy I'm not doing it with is the guy who knew I was doing it."

The Patriots won all three of their Super Bowls by three points. They beat the Rams and Panthers on flawless two-minute drives by Brady.

Former Rams coach Mike Martz, now the Lions' offensive coordinator, told the Daily News last week he didn't suspect Belichick was stealing his signals in the Super Bowl. "If he did, he didn't do a very good job," he said. The Pats scored only one offensive TD in that game, but the Rams couldn't stop Brady at the end, setting up Adam Vinatieri's field goal on the last play of the game.

There is suspicion in Carolina that Brady knew what was coming as the Patriots moved from their 40-yard line to the Panthers 23 to get in position for Vinatieri's game-winner with four seconds left. The coach-quarterback headset communication cuts off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock. When a team is in the no-huddle offense, the quarterback can stand at the line and if the team has stolen the signals, the coach calling the plays can adjust the call before the communication is turned off. The defense, which is already lined up not knowing when the snap is coming, has no time to adjust.

"Because they are in a no-huddle and they have the signals, the coach on the headset can say, 'Tom, they are in Over Cover 2,'" one head coach said. "I think of countless times, the Super Bowl being one of them, with the no huddle at the end of the game, where he knows exactly where to go."

Eagles safety Brian Dawkins was not accusing Belichick last week of stealing signals in their Super Bowl, but he did say, "I was giving them a whole bunch of credit for making halftime adjustments ... It's troublesome. I don't know how different to say it - it bothers me."

Donovan McNabb, smiling, said, "Maybe we can get our ring back. Maybe we can get the real one."

Colts coach Tony Dungy, who twice lost to the Patriots in the playoffs before finally beating them in the AFC title game last season, said, "Really a sad day for the NFL. It's another case of the 99% good things that are happening really being overshadowed by one percent bad ... I feel sorry for some really good people on the Patriots that are going to be tarnished by this."

Belichick made them all rich. Now he has put their accomplishments under suspicion.

The new frontier

Every team has advance scouts who sit in the press box and take notes on the upcoming opponents. If they can steal the defensive signs just by watching, that's part of the game. It's been going on forever and it's not against the rules; using video cameras on the sidelines is. But in this high-tech world, what is the next form of cheating? "There are binoculars that film now," one head coach said. "They are at every game." A check of electronic Web sites feature binoculars that have built-in video capabilites. One advertises them as "essential gear for coaches and scouts." That has now taken on a whole new meaning now. What would keep a spy from sitting in the stands and innocously using the binoculars? No word on how many have been shipped to Foxboro in care of the man in the gray hoodie.

Not so picky

Taking away the Patriots' own first-round pick in 2008 would have meant more if New England didn't also own the 49ers' No. 1. Sure, the draft is the lifeline for NFL clubs, but the Pats will still have four picks in the first three rounds (they also own Oakland's third-rounder) if they make the playoffs and lose their own No. 1; or, if they miss the playoffs and have to give up their second-and-third-round picks, they will still have two No. 1 picks and a third-rounder. ... Belichick is one of the great draft-day wheeler-dealers so he will overcome a shortage of picks. ... How did he get the extra No. 1 in '08? In this year's draft, the Pats owned the Seahawks' pick (No. 24) in the Deion Branch trade and selected Miami safety Brandon Meriweather. Belichick then traded his own first-rounder (No. 28 overall) to the 49ers for a fourth-round pick in the April draft and San Francisco's No. 1 pick in 2008. He traded the fourth-rounder right before the round started to Oakland for Randy Moss, who had a brilliant debut vs. the Jets last week with nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.

Chad deserves better

The fans cheering Kellen Clemens' entry in the Jets' opener last week was interpreted as dissing Chad Pennington. He did not deserve it. Just remember Pennington, playing with one good arm, which was not his throwing arm, won a playoff game and would have gotten to the Jets to the AFC title game in 2004 if Herm Edwards didn't get ultra-conservative and Doug Brien didn't miss two field goals. After the season, Pennington had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. ... If Clemens does start today, plays well and the Jets win, get ready for a quarterback controversy. ... There are some similarites between the career paths of Clemens and Brady. Mangini inherited Pennington and drafted Clemens. Belichick inherited Drew Bledsoe and drafted Brady. In 2001, Brady was the Pats best QB in camp and took over when Bledsoe was hurt against the Jets in the second game of the season. This summer, Clemens was the Jets' best QB and now may take over in the second game. ... What is Romeo Crennel waiting for? Just play Brady Quinn. He was so sold on Charlie Frye as his opening day starter that he benched him in the second quarter after only 10 passes and two days later the Browns traded him to Seattle. ... The Chiefs are going to be dreadful on offense. Damon Huard, the starter, is a backup and Brodie Croyle played so poorly in the preseason that Edwards could not start him. The Chiefs, picking at No. 23 in the last draft, were ready to take Quinn as he fell through the first round. The Browns traded up with Dallas, one spot ahead of Kansas City, and grabbed Quinn. KC will regret not making a move to get him.

Late hits

Roger Goodell does have his priorities straight. In the midst of the Bill Belichick scandal, he found the time to fly up to Buffalo on Thursday morning to visit Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury last week against the Broncos. We may not agree with all of Goodell's decisions, but his heart is in the right place.

Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz last week compared Jon Kitna to Kurt Warner, who came out of nowhere in St. Louis in 1999 to be the regular season and Super Bowl MVP. Kitna, 35, is in his 11th season, and been just a journeyman player. But last year he threw for 4,208 yards and can do it again. Why? Martz may not have been a great head coach, but he's the best offensive coordinator in the NFL. "Jon is like Kurt," Martz said. "You have to be in the right spot."

Brett Favre faces the Giants in the Meadowlands today for the first time since handing Michael Strahan the sack he needed to break the single-season record in 2001 when he apparently took a dive late in the game. Will he help Strahan reach another milestone today? Strahan is tied with Lawrence Taylor for the Giants' all-time lead with 132.5 sacks, which definitely deserves an asterisk because LT's 9.5 sacks as a rookie in 1981 are not in his career total. They came before sacks were an official statistic. Favre owes it to LT to make Strahan earn it legitimately.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Jones has history of improving in Game 2

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 16, 2007

It may seem as if Thomas Jones got off to a slow start in his Jets career. Forty-two yards on 14 carries isn't why the Jets traded for Jones in the offseason.

But that performance turned out to be close to or better than average, at least for starters. In his seven previous games to start a season, Jones averaged a mere 46.5 rushing yards per game and 2.88 yards per carry. He was at 3.0 yards last Sunday.

His numbers dip even further when considering his first game with a new team. In those three games, he debuted with an average of 37.6 yards and had 2.63 yards per carry.

"We got behind and had to throw the ball, that's what happened this [past] game," Jones said. "As far as the past, I don't know. The first game of the season is unpredictable. You never know how the game is going to go."

Jones is bound to return to form. He already may have started doing that, gaining 36 of his 42 yards in the second half last week. After a shaky opening half, Jones seemed to be more comfortable with his blockers, more trusting of his sore calf and certainly more at home carrying the ball.

He's bound to get more opportunities today against the Ravens. Not only does Baltimore's offense make it unlikely that the Jets will be playing from far behind, but having Kellen Clemens make his first NFL start should provide Jones plenty of carries. That, according to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, is what Jones needs.

"The running game is about being able to continue to pound the ball," Schottenheimer said. "Thomas is a guy where, like a lot of backs, the more he touches the ball, the better he's going to do."

One of the unique points of Jones' game that was evident against the Patriots is his starting point. He sometimes was as far as 9 yards behind the line of scrimmage, 2 or 3 yards farther than Leon Washington. Some backs prefer the additional real estate, saying it gives them better vision of the field and more time to make subtle adjustments. But with a young and (against the Patriots, anyway) overmatched offensive line, by the time Jones reached the point of attack, the slim holes that had opened were slammed shut. Four of Jones' carries were for zero or negative yards.

"It just depends on the play," Jones said of his launching spot. "Some plays are faster-developing than others and others are slower at developing. It just depends on the play."

Schottenheimer said that while the team monitors the starting point for backs and "there is a landmark we prefer," each player finds his own comfort level when starting out. "Obviously, you don't want to tip the defense off when you're doing one thing from one depth and something else from another depth," Schottenheimer said.

There's statistical reason to believe that things are about to change for Jones. In his second games of the year, he's averaging 89.6 yards, including a career-high 173 in 2002. Asked if he's looking forward to the first Jones explosion, Schottenheimer smiled and said, "I don't think there's any doubt that that will happen."

MEET THE ENEMY

Willis McGahee, RB

This year, McGahee gets only one shot at the Jets.

"I don't know if that's good or bad yet," linebacker and former University of Miami teammate Jonathan Vilma said with a smile.

Traded from AFC East rival Buffalo, where he feasted on the Jets twice a year - including a combined 275 rushing yards and his only two 100-yard performances in the two meetings last season - McGahee will try to continue his success in another uniform. And he may feel the need to cram his usual two helpings into one meal.

McGahee's career numbers are decent, but against the Jets, he averages 117.5 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry and has three touchdowns. He also has 38 rushing first downs and 18 runs of at least 10 yards in only six games against the Jets.

McGahee and Vilma usually trade verbal jabs before facing each other, but Vilma said this year he's not participating.

"No, I'm not talking to him," he said. "I'm not talking until we beat him."

Ravens 20, Jets 17 (OT)

Nov. 14, 2004

In the first of four overtime games that season, including two in the playoffs, the Jets lost on a 42-yard field goal with 7:35 remaining in overtime. The Jets had tied the score with five seconds left in regulation when Doug Brien kicked a 20-yarder to cap a 10-play drive. The Jets won the toss in overtime and had the ball twice but went three-and-out both times. Curtis Martin ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Quincy Carter started at quarterback and completed 13 of 22 for 175 yards but was sacked five times. Rookie DE Bryan Thomas had 1 1/2 sacks, a career high until late last season.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets host Miami next Sunday, with a halftime ceremony honoring Wayne Chrebet.

Baltimore air shows

The top two passing performances in Jets history have occurred in the city of Baltimore:

Joe Namath threw for 496 yards and six TDs against Johnny Unitas' Colts in a 44-34 win on Sept. 24, 1972.

Vinny Testaverde passed for 481 yards while throwing a team-record 69 passes (36 completions, two TDs, three INTs) in a 34-20 loss to the Ravens on Dec. 24, 2000. - TOM ROCK

Jets at Baltimore, 4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2Radio: WEPN (1050), WABC (770)

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Vilma gets to play idol: Ravens' Ray Lewis

BY TOM ROCK.tom.rock@newsday.com

September 16, 2007

Jonathan Vilma clearly remembers watching college football games as a youngster and saying: I want to be like him.

The player he idolized was Ray Lewis, then a linebacker at the University of Miami, near where Vilma grew up. In just a few short years Lewis would become one of the NFL's most dominating defensive players and Vilma would be at Miami - being called "the next Ray Lewis."

Today, Vilma will play against Lewis' Ravens for the third time in his young pro career. And while Vilma has become a solid player with a Pro Bowl appearance and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award on his mantel, he still shakes his head when people make the obvious comparisons between him and his childhood hero.

"I'm always flattered to hear that," said Vilma, who recalled being stunned during his career in Coral Gables when he realized that Lewis even knew who he was. "It's weird when people say that. You never envision yourself being in that [place]."

It's easy to say Vilma and Lewis are similar because they play the same position and attended the same college. Both are athletic playmakers. But for someone who has played alongside both of them to draw those same conclusions, well, that pretty much cements the comparison.

"I know from playing with Vilma my years at Miami that he's a smart guy, a leader, and he's just like Ray," Ravens safety Ed Reed said. "I know those guys' mentalities. They're two smart guys, two leaders, two physical guys and two playmakers."

It was Reed, two years ahead of Vilma at Miami, who brokered a meeting between the two players when Vilma was first entering the league. The two Florida natives still talk regularly during the offseason, often chatting about their beloved 'Canes.

"Jonathan is a young, aggressive and talented linebacker who plays the game the way it is supposed to be played," Lewis said this past week. "I enjoy watching him play any chance I get."

Even though Lewis has a strong statistical lead on Vilma through their first three years as a pro, Vilma said there are similarities in approach that they share. And not only with each other.

"We're all cut from the same mold; you play hard, you run, you have fun," Vilma said, including the entire group of former 'Canes such as Micheal Barrow, Jessie Armstead, D.J. Williams and Darrell McClover who have wrested the title of Linebacker U. from Penn State in recent years. "It's all the same mold of guys. You want to keep the tradition going."

It's still early to call it a fully successful transition, but in one game this season Vilma seems more comfortable and capable in the 3-4 defensive scheme implemented last year. Perhaps that has more to do with the defense's new hybrid nature in which it shuffles defensive linemen to play something more similar to a traditional 4-3.

Vilma was credited with six total tackles against the Patriots, but he was around the ball much more than he seemed to be last year.

In several cases he was unable to finish, but that could be considered an improvement from 2006, when he rarely was even in the frame on important plays.

Perhaps his most glorious defeat came in the third quarter when he took a crack at covering Randy Moss, sprinting back to be within arm's length of the receiver on his 51-yard touchdown catch.

"I didn't really bite on the play action, and I figured they wanted to get Randy off at some point in time because he had done a couple of fades and I figured they wanted to get him on one of those long over routes," Vilma said. "I ran with him hoping the safety would overlap, and unfortunately he got behind the safety and scored."

Is there another linebacker in the NFL who could have very nearly matched Moss stride for stride on such a long route? Jets safety Kerry Rhodes just shook his head. "No, no, no, no, no," he said. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said: "It'd be hard to get back any deeper than he was."

It's that kind of speed that sets Vilma apart from Lewis. There are some who believe that Vilma has the skills to play safety in the NFL - if he wanted to.

But why would he? Not when the player he looked up to as a kid is a linebacker.

Comparing VILMA and LEWIS in their first three NFL seasons

RAY LEWIS

Season Total tackles Solo tackles Sacks Interceptions

1996 142 104 2.5 1

1997 210 163 4 1

1998 154 119 3 2

JONATHAN VILMA

2004 118 75 2 3

2005 187 143 .5 1 2006 116 68 0 1

More articles

Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Clemens facing a tall order in first NFL start

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: September 16, 2007)

BALTIMORE - Kellen Clemens remembers how calm he felt prior to his first college start, surprisingly calm. Then again, he was facing the Mississippi State defense as an Oregon sophomore, not the opportunistic Ravens he'll face today as the Jets' quarterback.

The 24-year-old NFL sophomore is expected to start in place of Chad Pennington, who injured his right ankle last week, when the Jets face Baltimore today at 4:15 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens had the NFL's No. 1 defense last season.

"I've got to be honest, the situation really hasn't been all that different," Clemens said. "We're preparing as a team to try and beat the Baltimore Ravens. I'm not getting caught up in the what-ifs or what-could-be's and the hypotheticals."

Both teams lost their openers. The Jets fell to the Patriots 38-14 at the Meadowlands in a game that ultimately was overshadowed by the NFL's investigation into New England videotaping the Jets' defensive signals. The Ravens turned the ball over six times in a 27-20 loss at Cincinnati.

And both teams spent the week dealing with lineup uncertainties. Ravens backup quarterback Kyle Boller replaced Steve McNair after the veteran injured his groin against the Bengals. Baltimore left tackle Jonathan Ogden will be sidelined after aggravating a toe injury, and the Ravens had to place kick returner B.J. Sams on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

But linebacker Ray Lewis, the heart of the Ravens' defense, will try to play despite a badly strained triceps muscle in his right arm. He had a team-high 14 tackles against the Bengals.

"He is a great player, one of the best linebackers ever, and I have a lot of respect for him and what he means to that team," said running back Thomas Jones, who was limited to 42 yards on 14 carries in his Jets debut. "We are preparing for him to be there, and if he is not there, we will treat it the same."

The Bengals gained just 236 yards against the Ravens in the opener, and Baltimore allowed 264.1 yards and 12.6 points per game in 2006.

The Jets did not have good luck the last time they went to Baltimore with Pennington injured, losing 13-3 on Oct. 2, 2005, as Brooks Bollinger completed 14 of 28 passes for 149 yards.

Safety Ed Reed remembers rattling Bollinger in that game and said the Ravens are looking forward to facing another inexperienced quarterback.

"Always," Reed said. "We're not a typical defense that you can just pick up. It's something that takes some time for a quarter(back) that's coming in for the first time. I'm sure he's excited, too, and looking forward to the challenge, but at the same time, somewhere in the back of his head he's a little shaken up."

And the best way to rattle Clemens further would be to pressure him.

"Get to him as quickly as possible," Reed said. "If you're in his face, you might get him out of the pocket and force him to throw the ball somewhere he doesn't really want to throw it."

Clemens, though, is stronger-armed than Pennington, meaning the Jets' offense should have more of a vertical attack.

"He has a very strong arm, and the Jets have great speed, so that is certainly something that you are going to have to account for," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "That combination of what they may do can be lethal if you are not on top of it."

First, though, Clemens must have time to throw, and the Jets' offensive line gave up five sacks to the Patriots. Adrien Clarke again is expected to start at left guard.

But just like in college, Clemens is not sweating what could be considered a stacked deck.

"I really surprised myself with how calm I was," said Clemens, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-34 win over Mississippi State on Aug. 31, 2003. "I had a good week of preparation."

That's how he feels now, too.

But Clemens will need more than just a calm approach to duplicate his college success against the Ravens.

"There's things that you have to experience," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "You have to see."

Reach Andrew Gross at apgross@lohud.com and read his Jets Journal blog at www.jets.lohudblogs.com.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets game day vs. Ravens

Sunday, September 16, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

When the Jets have the ball: Second-year QB Kellen Clemens will undergo the ultimate test against the Ravens' blitz-happy defense. Quick reads and a running game, led by Thomas Jones, are the keys. Clemens has spent little time with starting WRs Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, but he worked well with WR Justin McCareins during the preseason. The Jets O-line must step up in pass protection. Cleverly disguised screen passes could be huge.

When the Ravens have the ball: Self-proclaimed Jet killer, RB Willis McGahee, rushed for 705 yards in six career games vs. the Jets while with Buffalo, including five straight 100-yard games. QB Steve McNair (groin) could be a game-time decision. If he can't go, Kyle Boller gets the call. In a 27-20 loss to the Bengals last week, the Ravens had six turnovers that led to 24 points. Look for a heavy dose of McGahee.

Special teams: The Jets gave up an NFL-record 108-yard kickoff return to the Patriots' Ellis Hobbs last week and special teams coach Mike Westhoff is livid. The Ravens lost PR B.J. Sams (knee) for the season last week but backup Ed Reed replaced him and promptly returned a punt 63 yards for a TD. Ravens PK Matt Stover is among the league's best.

Four Downs

How will QB Kellen Clemens do in his first NFL start?

The Ravens will blitz everybody but the hot dog man. Clemens' fate rests with the play of the offensive line, which allowed five sacks last week vs. the Patriots. Clemens looked great in the preseason vs. backups. He'll have to do it against the league's best defense today.

How will LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson hold up?

Ferguson struggled last week vs. the Patriots. He gave up the sack that injured QB Chad Pennington, yielded to pressure on another sack and was called for consecutive penalties on one drive. Selected fourth overall, Ferguson needs to deliver in a big way vs. the Ravens. His primary assignment? Pro Bowl outside LB Terrell Suggs.

Can franchise RB Thomas Jones shoulder the load?

Jones had just 14 carries for 42 yards last week vs. the Patriots. History shows he gets stronger as the game goes on. Coach Eric Mangini may have to table the Jones-Leon Washington rotation. You have to meet force with force vs. the Ravens and Jones is the guy. Baltimore held the Bengals to only 55 yards rushing last week.

Will LB Jonathan Vilma and Mangini's 3-4 defense finally make a statement?

The unit was little more than a punching bag last week vs. the Patriots in the 38-14 drubbing. New England accumulated 431 yards total offense and added a 108-yard kickoff return. In addition to not being able to stop the run -- allowing 134 yards -- the secondary was burnt by Patriots WR Randy Moss (nine catches, 183 yards, one TD).

History: The Jets trail the all-time series, 4-1. The Ravens' 42-14 home record is the best in the NFL since 2000 and M&T Bank Stadium is one of the loudest in the NFL. Baltimore was 7-1 at home last season.

One more thing: Jets coach Eric Mangini was a low-level assistant coach with the Ravens in 1996, their first year in Baltimore, under then-coach Ted Marchibroda and met his wife, Julie, there. He fondly recalled his days in Baltimore this week.

[Kentucky Jet]

Ravens aim to make debut of Clemens pressurized

Sunday, September 16, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

BALTIMORE -- The football didn't fall far from the baby crib in the case of Buddy Ryan and his son, Rex. The elder Ryan terrorized the NFL in the 1980s and 1990s with his famed 46 defense, and Rex has carried on the family legacy in Baltimore, where the Ravens are one of the league's most feared defenses, seemingly chewing up and spitting out quarterbacks on a weekly basis.

Next on the menu is the Jets' Kellen Clemens. The second-year pro will make his first NFL start this afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, replacing the injured Chad Pennington (right ankle), and this week the Ravens could hardly hide their glee at the prospect of welcoming Clemens to their blitz-happy world. Surviving the Ravens' defense has become somewhat of a rite of passage for young quarterbacks.

Last season, the Ravens left their indelible mark on several first-year starters. Tampa Bay's Chris Simms threw for just 133 yards and was intercepted three times in 27-0 shutout. The Raiders' Andrew Walter was sacked five times and threw three interceptions in a 28-6 drubbing. The Chargers' Phillip Rivers threw for only 145 yards in a 16-13 loss.

"Rex Ryan doesn't need much prodding to want to bring pressure," said Ravens coach Brian Billick this week of Ryan, in his ninth season with the club, his third as defensive coordinator. "He gets up (in the morning) and is ready to blitz."

Ravens Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed almost sounded a sympathetic note for Clemens. Starting your first NFL game is one thing, starting it against the Ravens is quite another.

"We're not a typical defense that you can just pick up on," Reed said. "It's something that takes some time, and for a quarterback who comes in for the first time, I'm sure he's excited and looking forward to the challenge, but at the same time somewhere in the back of his mind, I'm sure he's a little shook up."

The last time the Jets threw a first-time starting quarterback to the wolves, er Ravens, was in 2005 when Brooks Bollinger felt the Ravens' wrath. He was sacked five times and pummeled all game in a 13-3 loss that felt much worst.

"We want to get to him as quickly as possible, get in his face, get him to force the ball to someplace where he doesn't want to throw it," Reed said of the strategy when facing an inexperienced quarterback. "It's just what we do."

Clemens, a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2006, has heard the rhetoric and seen the film. He says he has slept well this week. The Jets are expected to scale down their offense a bit and try to establish the running game, but they'll still use their no-huddle, which has befuddled opposing defenses. They may be more vertical with Clemens, who has a big-time arm.

"They're going to do some different things," said Clemens of the Ravens. "They're a very good defense. There's not a lot of weak spots in those 11 guys. ... The Ravens have got five guys on their team who've been to the Pro Bowl. They create a lot of havoc and a lot of turnovers."

In 2006, the Ravens, who ranked first in the NFL in defense and points allowed, led the league with a plus-17 turnover ratio, creating 40 turnovers, including an NFL-best 28 interceptions. Baltimore finished 13-3 and lost to the Colts in first-round playoff matchup.

Clemens, 24, was drafted as Pennington's successor. At Oregon, where he threw for 7,555 yards and 61 touchdowns while completing 61 percent of his passes as a three-year starter, he was mentioned in the same breath as Vince Young and Matt Leinart entering his senior season. But he suffered a broken left fibula in the eighth game of the season and was still hobbled at the NFL Combine that February. He ended up being the fourth quarterback selected behind Young (Titans), Leinart (Cardinals) and Jay Cutler (Broncos) -- all starters this season. Critics pointed to Clemens' 6-foot-1 frame as a negative.

"We really liked him (coming out of college)," said Billick, who interviewed Clemens at the combine. "(Head coach) Mike Bellotti does a great job out in Oregon with what they do schematically. I remember being very impressed with him."

This week, Clemens, who grew up on a 3,500 acre family-owned farm in the cowboy town of Burns, Ore., has revisited his past with an inquiring media. Among the things he recalled was his first start at Oregon. As a redshirt sophomore, he completed 14 of 21 passes for 247 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 42-34 victory. He directed the Ducks to three touchdowns in the first 10 minutes.

"I'll tell you what, it (the three early touchdowns) was a confidence booster," Clemens said, smiling at the memory. "I remember that game vividly. It was a lot of fun."

Hopefully, Clemens will be able to say the same about his first NFL start.

[Kentucky Jet]

Ravens' Lewis still super

Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker a major worry for Jets

Saturday, September 15, 2007

BY M.A. MEHTA

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- He inflicts the kind of bone-crunching, jaw-rattling pain that makes opponents wish they'd either thrown on a few more layers of protection or said a few extra Hail Marys on Sunday morning.

When Ray Lewis -- past-his-prime Ray Lewis -- hurls his 32-year-old body into you, the message is crystal clear: He's still the nastiest man on the NFL's scariest defense.

Lewis, the anchor of a Baltimore Ravens defense that hopes to feast on the Jets tomorrow, plays with the same reckless abandon that has turned him into one of the most dominant middle linebackers in NFL history.

"He's bringing everything he has when he's hitting you," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said yesterday after practice at Hofstra University. "That's what the old-school linebackers are known for. If you want to know how to play linebacker, look at Ray Lewis."

The Jets' offensive line -- which gave up five sacks and nearly sent Chad Pennington to the ER in its Week 1 loss to the Patriots -- faces the gargantuan task of trying to slow down the seven-time Pro Bowler.

"He gets to the ball very fast," said offensive lineman Brandon Moore. "He is one of the fastest guys running sideline to sideline and is good at sniffing blocks, getting off of blocks and not allowing guys to get to him. It's going to be a big challenge keeping up with him and chasing him around. His instincts give him an advantage over a lot of guys."

How vicious does Lewis hit?

Well, the 6-1, 250-pound wrecking ball nearly knocked himself out of the Ravens' season-opening loss to the Bengals. The 12th-year pro strained his right triceps after leveling wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the first quarter, but simply wrapped it up, played the rest of the game and led the team with 11 tackles.

Lewis squelched any rumors that he might miss this week's game by proclaiming himself ready to go despite being listed as questionable on yesterday's injury report. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been rejuvenated since suffering shoulder and hamstring injuries in recent years.

Translation: He'll be a huge problem for Eric Mangini's club tomorrow.

The Jets offense -- which struggled mightily (227 yards) against the Patriots -- faces the top-ranked defense from a year ago with second-year QB Kellen Clemens making his first NFL start. Lewis, of course, is still the headliner on a unit sprinkled with Pro Bowlers.

"Ray's versatility, instincts and knowledge of things allows us to do a lot of the things that we do," Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. "Some of the exotic things we do is because Ray covers you up on the inside."

Mangini, a former offensive assistant/quality control coach on the Ravens staff in 1996, has seen Lewis' impact up close.

"He was an impressive guy as a rookie in terms of his command of the huddle, in terms of his presence," Mangini said. "You sensed it. You felt it the second he hit the field. And he continues to be that guy. He's a very effective leader."

Mangini had little to say yesterday about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to punish Bill Belichick and the Patriots for last Sunday's spying incident.

"What I can say is that I respect the commissioner's decision and anything related to the decision, anything associated to the decision, is really a league matter," Mangini said, a statement repeated throughout his news conference. "That's all I can say about it. I hope you can respect that."

Jets players supported Goodell's decision.

"It's good to let the coaches know that they can be punished -- they can be penalized -- for their actions," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "Everybody has to be accountable and take responsibility ... $500,000 hurts 90 percent of the people. ... That's a good chunk of change."

Said safety Kerry Rhodes: "If you do something wrong, then you are going to be punished. This is just another case of that happening and (Goodell) showing that he is being serious. I think it was justified."

Mangini refused to name his starting QB for tomorrow's game, but Kellen Clemens continued to work with the first team in the 30-minute part of practice open to the media.

Pennington (ankle), who practiced on a limited basis and is listed as questionable, showed some progress and did some light throwing.

Thomas Jones (calf), Andre Dyson (foot), Justin Miller (thigh), Moore (shoulder) and Eric Smith (thigh) are listed as questionable on the injury report. ... Ravens QB Steve McNair (groin), S Ed Reed (ankle) and CB Samari Rolle (foot) practiced on a limited basis yesterday and are listed as questionable.

Special teams coach Mike Westhoff will return to the sideline tomorrow after a leg injury forced him to coach from the press box in Week 1.

M.A. Mehta may be reached

at mmehta@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Covering New Ground, Jets

[Kentucky Jet]

Sunday, September 16, 2007

NFL in focus/Ernie Palladino

Wire 'em up.

All of them.

Might as well. Stick radio receivers in all the helmets. Maybe even give them a choice of channels to listen to so when one guy's talking to the coach, the other 10 can hear some cool tunes.

At least then we won't have to endure another week of this nonsense about Bill Belichick or anybody else filming some coach's signals off the sideline.

If you read the reports, you'd think the Patriots' three-time Super Bowl-winning coach had swiped some infrared recording device straight from the hands of the Osama hunters just to get that "move the middle linebacker two steps to the right" signal.

And if you look at commissioner Roger Goodell's punishment - $500,000 for Belichick, $250,000 for the Pats, and next year's first-round pick if they make the playoffs and the second and third if they don't - you'd think it was Belichick and not Michael Vick who spilled all sorts of canine blood.

Of course, Belichick ultimately brought this on himself. You win three rings, you feel you can make your own rules. Do that, and you risk the full wrath of the boss when you get caught red-handed.

But let's not be naive about this, either. Spying has gone on for a long, long time in football. Maybe it doesn't go as far as outfitting a guy with a camcorder, but there's a reason those castoffs from upcoming opponents suddenly land on your favorite team's roster for a week or two before the game against their former squads. And when they're gone two weeks later, why in the world were they there in the first place?

Oh, yeah. Information. That little nugget that could mean the difference between a one-point win and a one-point loss. Not, by the way, a 38-14 browbeating.

Keep in mind, too, that paranoia plays a big part in all this. Bill Parcells used to venture perilously close to psychosis when Redskins week would come up. See, the top floors of the Sheraton Meadowlands overlook the practice field from about a half-mile away. He was all but convinced that Joe Gibbs himself was up there, binoculars and all, watching his practices.

He even went so far as to send security over there, with orders to roust anybody they might recognize as Redskins personnel.

It's an old story, and certainly more funny than heinous in the vast majority of cases, even if the allegations were true.

It's probably a good idea, then, for the league to go ahead and wire up a player on the defensive side as well as the quarterback. As it has on the offense, it will take away the need for those elaborate hand movements.

Even a football purist such as Tom Coughlin would be in favor of that.

"I think it would solve a lot of those issues," Coughlin said. "That was brought up last year (at the owners meetings) when this was all discussed. Initially, I was not in favor of it and I told the commissioner exactly what I thought.

"At the time of the vote, I was in favor of it because of this very issue. Because it does clean all of that up."

If it's as important as Goodell seems to believe, stick a receiver in the middle linebacker's helmet and be done with it. Everybody will feel better.

It'll take away one temptation for people like Belichick, a guy who's smart enough not to have to cheat.

At least Belichick won't be bending that rule anymore. Who can afford to?

[Kentucky Jet]

their gameday articles. If I get a chance later on, I will post them here.

Enjoy the game and Go Jets!