Jets news articles- Tues., 9/18 GO Jets!

[Kentucky Jet]

Bergen Record

Jets game report card

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Running game: D

Thomas Jones looks fully recovered from his strained right calf. The problem is there are precious few holes for him to run through. At least he had three carries of 10 or more yards on opening day; he had none Sunday.

Passing game: C-plus

Kellen Clemens was sacked four times in the first three quarters, but threw for 176 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter when the Jets went to their hurry-up offense. Justin McCareins' drop of a potential touchdown was costly.

Run defense: B-minus

The Jets held Willis McGahee to fewer than 100 yards for the first time in the last six games he's played against them, but the Ravens averaged 4.2 yards on the ground in the first half when they built a 14-point lead. NT Dewayne Robertson tackled McGahee for a 2-yard loss.

Pass defense: C

The Jets again didn't record a sack or an interception and have no sacks or forced turnovers through the first two games. Kyle Boller was 17-for-24 for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Ravens used short routes to move the ball.

Special teams: C

Yamon Figurs' 61-yard second-quarter kickoff return led to a Baltimore field goal. The Jets' own returns went nowhere. Ben Graham had a net average of 35.4 yards on five punts. Mike Nugent's miss from 52 yards ended his consecutive field goal streak at 19, but he had connected from 50 yards earlier.

Coaching: B-minus

Eric Mangini's decision to not go for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 3 with a little more than 10 minutes left proved to be correct, as the Jets later were in position to force overtime. The offensive game plan was a bit conservative until the Jets were in desperation mode in the fourth quarter.

-- J.P. Pelzman

7196714

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets notebook

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

'Special' player

Coach Eric Mangini used inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma on the kickoff coverage unit Sunday against Baltimore. It wasn't a demotion for Vilma, who had 10 tackles on defense Sunday and hadn't played on special teams since his rookie season of 2004. Instead, it was more of a commentary on the sad state of the Jets' coverage unit, which allowed a 108-yard touchdown to New England's Ellis Hobbs on opening day and a 61-yard return to Yamon Figurs, setting up a Ravens' field goal.

"We're going to get 11 guys that are going to cover kickoffs," Mangini said after the game. "It doesn't matter who it is. If you're on our team, you've got a shot to be on kickoffs."

Vilma took it in stride, saying, "Special teams [are] very important. You've got to do whatever it takes to win, especially when you're 0-2."

Briefs

Brad Smith nearly caught a fourth-quarter onside kick in mid-air but couldn't hold on. "You can simulate it," he said Monday, "but it's different when you're in a game. It was a very well-executed play. You've just got to finish it." ... Center Nick Mangold had his first-ever reception Sunday, a deflected ball that resulted in a 3-yard loss.

-- J.P. Pelzman

Billick accuses Jets

Another Jets' game, another accusation. But unlike New England being caught red-handed with the video evidence, the Jets stand accused of something decidedly non-high tech.

Baltimore coach Brian Billick said Monday that Jets' defenders called out fake signals to bait the Ravens into illegal procedure penalties. Three such infractions were called against Baltimore.

"They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets. Their defensive line and linebackers did a very, very effective job of illegally simulating the snap count," Billick said. "They did it the whole game long. It needs to be caught."

The Jets had no immediate comment on the allegations.

-- The Associated Press

7196727

[Kentucky Jet]

Vic Ziegel

Kellen Clemens was QB, but Jets suffered same woes

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 4:00 AM

Kellen Clemens, the No.2 quarterback, the healthy one, jogged out on the field after the Jets' first defensive series in Baltimore on Sunday because "nobody told me not to," he said. There was no pat on the back. No, "Go get 'em, Tiger." And, for too long, no points.

Nothing but the sound of the Ravens' all-star defense licking its chops. But you can say this for Clemens: He kept getting up. And when he started to figure the game out, it was just a little too late. He produced a nice fourth-quarter rally, and might have been a hero if a couple of the Jets' receivers had remembered to hold onto the ball. Isn't there an official glue-stick of the NFL?

"No game comes down to one play. No game comes down to one catch," Eric Mangini said yesterday. So you have to wonder where he was when Joe Montana threw the back-of-the-end-zone-pass to Dwight Clark that put the 49ers in Super Bowl XVI? That's right, the fifth grade.

What the Jets found out about their No.2 quarterback is that he can make it interesting. How interesting? We may not have the answer to that one until Chad Pennington finds another part of his body to louse up.

When the coach was asked if Chad will be back on the job, calling signals Sunday against Miami, Mangini came surprisingly close to a straight answer. "If he can, he will," the coach said.

The No.2 quarterback wasn't arguing. "I know he'll be back as soon as possible," Clemens understands. "Chad's the starter, I'm the backup. That's been communicated to us."

It was three-quarters of the way to being genuinely awful in Baltimore on Sunday. Maybe not as bad as the first-week embarrassment against Cheatin' Bill and his gang, but there must have been a lot of Jet fans turning off their TV sets when the second play of the final quarter was a Ravens field goal, pushing the score to 20-3.

Most of the press box occupants had their stories pretty well written by then, punishing the Jets, once again, as embarrassed no-goodnicks. That's when the green alarm clock finally went off and the Jets - who were alternating between huddle-no-huddle-huddle for much of the game - finally decided no-huddle was their best chance. They almost made it work.

The No.2 quarterback's best sequence was a 91-yard drive that made the score 20-13. And included a pair of passes to Jerrico Cotchery that covered 44 and 23 yards.

The first play of their next drive, just before the two-minute mark, was a 50-yarder to Cotchery that put the Jets at the Baltimore 30. With a little bit of luck - the "My Fair Lady" excuse - they might have tied the score, sent it into overtime ... and now we can stop dreaming.

Too many of the Game One headaches were back for this game. The Jets had zero sacks, zero turnovers, the same empty numbers they put up against New England. "All of those things are things we're working on," Mangini said yesterday. "We work on ball disruption each week." Gee, that's great, but all that work hasn't been paying off and there's so much more improvement needed.

The other guys have gotten to the Jets' quarterbacks nine times, including the one that squashed Pennington's ankle. Nobody ran back a kickoff 109 yards but the Ravens did pull one off for 61 yards.

The Jets running game was another too-low number - 60 yards the first week, 69 this time. Without ground support, it isn't going to matter who's flinging the ball, Chad or little Chad. The No. 2 quarterback was connecting in the third quarter, crossing into enemy territory, when the Ravens ruined all that progress with two straight sacks. There were plenty of other loud hits. The No. 2 quarterback spent enough time being driven into the turf he could have been auditioning for "A Bug's Life."

Mangini said he was "very pleased with the way we responded" in the second half. "I was extremely pleased with that." The next step, he hopes, is "being able to string four quarters together."

That's what Pennington does best. That's why the Jets need him. It may be early, 0-2 isn't the end of the world, but here's a suggestion: it better not get any worse.

vziegel@nydailynews.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Brian Billick accuses Jets of verbal cheating

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 4:00 AM

Ravens' coach Brian Billick says the Jets on Sunday tried to illegally simulate his team's the snap count.

A week after ratting out the Patriots for illegal spying tactics, the Jets were accused yesterday of cheating by Ravens coach Brian Billick.

Billick, speaking to reporters in Owings Mills, Md., said the Jets' defense yelled out signals in an effort to throw off the Ravens' cadence. Billick believes it led to three illegal-procedure penalties on the Ravens, who won, 20-13.

"They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets," Billick said sarcastically. "Their defensive line and linebackers did a very, very effective job of illegally simulating the snap count. It needs to be caught.

"It's not an excuse by any stretch of the imagination, but it is illegal," Billick added. "I don't know how to help my linemen with that because you're in the heat of battle and you're calling the snap count, and the guy across from you is also calling the snap count - which is illegal."

Eric Mangini wasn't available for comment. Billick made his comment after Mangini met the media.

In other cheating-related news, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he'd comply with the NFL's request to provide notes and tapes made from video recordings. The Patriots are being investigated because they were caught illegally taping from the sideline in their Week 1 win over the Jets.

[Kentucky Jet]

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

Knee injury could shelf Justin Miller for season

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 4:00 AM

Dynamic kickoff returner Justin Miller, the Jets' only Pro Bowl player last season, will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of a severe knee injury, the Daily News has learned.

Miller, who hurt his right knee in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Ravens, had an MRI exam and "it doesn't look good," said a personal with knowledge of the situation. The full extent of the injury will be known today, the person said.

Miller led the NFL last season with a 28.3-yard average on kickoffs, including two touchdowns.

He got off to a slow start this season after missing the preseason with a pulled hamstring.

Backup RB Leon Washington probably will replace Miller as the primary returner.

Miller didn't play on defense against the Ravens - he was replaced in the dime package by Andre Dyson - but his absence hurts the depth in the secondary. Former Patriots S Artrell Hawkins, who auditioned for the Jets recently, is available.

DROP IT: Eric Mangini refused to point the finger at WR Justin McCareins, who dropped two potential touchdown passes on the final drive.

"No game comes down to one catch," Mangini said.

In speaking to the team, Mangini told the players to be "brutally honest" with themselves about their performance. He tried to paint a positive picture, saying he was impressed with the second-half effort.

NO PANIC: At 0-2 for the first time since 2003, the Jets insist they're not in panic mode.

"Look at the two teams we've played: New England and Baltimore," WR Laveranues Coles said. "We've played two of the best teams in the NFL. There's no need to panic."

PASSING TIME: QB Kellen Clemens claimed he never was told that he'd be starting.

After taking first-team reps last week in practice, he simply ran on the field for the first series, assuming he was the guy. ... The Jets auditioned former Pats punter Josh Miller last week. Ben Graham is off to a slow start. His gross average (40.7) is nearly four yards below his career average. ... The defense has no sacks, the offense has allowed nine.

[Kentucky Jet]

Eric Mangini ends chatter, declares Chad Pennington starter

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 4:00 AM

Even if he does play this week, Kellen Clemens, according to Mangini, will not be the starter.

A day after his almost-fantastic comeback in his starting debut, Kellen Clemens showed up to practice wearing a T-shirt featuring an outdoor scene from his home state of Oregon. Beneath the picture, there's a message: "Getting the Job Done."

A statement, perhaps?

Clemens got the job done - kind of - in the Jets' 20-13 loss to the Ravens, but it may not be his for much longer. As soon as Chad Pennington is healthy enough to start - and there's a good chance he will be this week - he will return to his old position. Eric Mangini has made it clear that Pennington still is the No. 1 quarterback.

"If he can, he will," Mangini said yesterday, refusing to say if Pennington can or will.

Pennington, nine days removed from his high-ankle sprain, hopes to start in Sunday's virtual must-win home game against the Dolphins. He wanted to start in Baltimore, saying after the game that he was "ready to go," but was designated the No. 2 quarterback. That he dressed for the game, which seemed a near impossibility at mid-week, means he convinced Mangini he was well enough to play in a pinch. Pennington should be ready to move up the depth chart, barring a setback in practice. The feeling in the locker room is that he will start. This is a huge decision for Mangini, one of the biggest of his young coaching tenure. The Jets (0-2) can't afford a loss, especially not against another winless team.

Pennington was deeply disappointed that he didn't play. If he gets a no-go this week, he might explode. Mangini said he took no offense to Pennington's proclamation that he was ready. "Chad always says he's ready to go," Mangini said. "That's what you like about him."

Pennington, wearing an ankle brace under his sock, limped slightly in the warmups. If there's no improvement with his ankle, it will be a tough call for Mangini. Is Pennington at 90% better than a healthy Clemens?

"He's been working hard and improving every day," tight end Chris Baker said of Pennington. "I guess he could've obviously played on Sunday. Hopefully, we'll get him back on the field."

Clemens said he understands his role as the backup, but when it was suggested by a reporter that he might not get another chance to play this season, he grimaced.

"Highly possible," he finally conceded.

If it turns out that way, Clemens showed he's a capable backup, perhaps a worthy challenger to Pennington in the future. Clemens orchestrated a 10-point rally in the fourth quarter, throwing for 176 yards and a touchdown. He drove to the Ravens' 31, but five of his last six passes were incomplete, including two drops by Justin McCareins. The latter ball was deflected off McCareins' hands and was intercepted in the end zone by Ray Lewis.

Clemens threw a first-quarter interception, took two delay-of-game penalties, locked on to one receiver at times and showed inexperience in reading the blitz. He was sacked four times, all on safety blitzes. The coaches seemed to scale back the offense for him, using the no-huddle on only five of 22 plays in the first half. Out of necessity, they used more no-huddle in the second half (22 out of 46 plays), and he seemed more comfortable.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Chad is a definite maybe

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN, Bergen Record

STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Eric Mangini's bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University is in political science.

It's obviously not in logic, especially if the events of the last two days are to be taken at face value.

The Jets' coach said emphatically after Sunday's 20-13 loss to Baltimore that Chad Pennington, who didn't play because of an ankle injury, "is still the starter."

Yet Pennington was healthy enough to be active for the game as the No. 2 quarterback, one play from coming in the game if Kellen Clemens had gotten hurt. And after the game, Pennington said he was "ready to go" before the game. While he made all the politically correct statements, the competitive Pennington obviously was upset that he didn't get the call after a week of arduous rehab on his sprained right ankle.

Put that all together, and Pennington figures to start against the Dolphins.

But when Mangini was asked Monday if Pennington would start Sunday against Miami, Mangini wasn't definitive.

"If he can, he will," the coach said. "We'll just assess it throughout the week. But if he's able to, he will."

When pressed, Mangini was characteristically vague.

"We've just got to look at it," he said. "With any of these things, it's always the same. Just see how the week of practice goes [and] where he is in the rehab process. Are there setbacks or are there not setbacks?"

He also declined to say whether Pennington or Clemens would get more snaps in practice.

Still, considering the physical progress Pennington made last week, count on him to be in there for this must-win divisional game between a pair of 0-2 teams. Mangini is obsessed with not giving opponents any advantage, which is why he tried to keep his choice of Clemens for the Baltimore game a secret right up until the kickoff.

A more important issue might be how long Mangini will stick with Pennington if he should struggle. Clemens threw for 176 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Ravens.

"I thought he showed poise at practice and in the game," Mangini said of Clemens, adding that the situation he faced in Baltimore was "about as difficult as you can get -- a very loud stadium, excellent defense, a lot of schemes. ... To keep fighting and take the hits that he took [and] get back up and continue drives, those are all positive things."

There were negatives, too. Clemens threw two interceptions, including one on which Laveranues Coles apparently was pulled down by Baltimore cornerback Corey Ivy, yet there was no call. Mangini indicated that Clemens partially was responsible for the first of two delay of game penalties in the final quarter.

"It was a learning process through 60 minutes," Clemens said. "I started out making some simple errors early on, whether that was jitters or the lack of experience. As the game progressed, I was able to calm down and see things more clearly and the game slowed down."

Clemens obviously wants to build on that quarter, but he said Monday, "The one thing that's clear, and coach Mangini said it in his press conference after the game, is that Chad is the starter. If Chad is able to go, Chad is the starter. That puts me as the backup. What I'll do is prepare the best that I can."

"Chad is one of our leaders and one of our main leaders on offense," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "To have [all] our guys healthy and ready to go for next week would be a big plus."

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

[Kentucky Jet]

0-2 Jets frustrated but far from panicky

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 18, 2007

Jonathan Vilma had never been on a football team that was 0-2. Never. How does it feel now that the Jets are in such an early bind?

"You can see my face," he said, flashing an icy stare that mixed pent-up rage with frustration and disappointment.

Although there were not a lot of smiles among the Jets yesterday, neither were there any tears. It's true that the Jets have lost the first two games of the season, but they did so against AFC powers. And as of early yesterday evening, prior to the Redskins-Eagles game, the Jets had the same number of victories as their next four opponents combined.

There's a difference between 0-2 and uh-oh-and-2. The Jets firmly see themselves as the former.

"I wouldn't even say it's discouraging, but it's disappointing," Vilma said after allowing his face to comment. "It's disappointing when you know you can play with the teams ... and we didn't come away with any victories."

Unlike Vilma, some Jets have experience with early losses. Center Nick Mangold said as a sophomore in high school his team started 0-6. "It's a challenge, but it gives us something to fight through," he said. Others either care not to remember their stumbles out of the gate, or prove that they matter little. Tight end Chris Baker had to be reminded that he was on the last Jets team to start 0-2, back in 2003.

"We're fine," receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "I think everyone feels confident that we can work through this."

If anyone knows that 0-2 is not a death sentence, it's Eric Mangini. He's been part of two 0-2 teams that made the playoffs: the 1998 Jets and the 2003 Patriots. New England even won a Super Bowl after being 0-2. But Mangini wasn't relying much on history lessons when he spoke with the team. Instead, the focus remained on the immediate future.

"The only thing we can do is focus on the Miami game," Baker said, "and make sure we don't go to 0-3."

The last time the Jets started with two losses, in 2003, they were 0-4 and finished 6-10. Ominously, that was the season quarterback Chad Pennington injured his hand late in preseason and missed the first month. Once again Pennington finds himself on the sideline with an injury.

Mangini said it'll be another week of wait-and-see with the starting quarterback job after backup Kellen Clemens was so impressive in the fourth quarter against the Ravens. With Pennington cleared to be the backup this past weekend, though, only a setback in his ankle rehab should keep him off the field against the Dolphins.

David Bowens, a former Dolphin who came to the Jets as a free agent, said it wasn't hard for him to picture the mood in South Florida, where they're 0-2 for the third time in four years.

"I know J.T. [Jason Taylor] as well as anyone," Bowens said. "I expect him to be in that team meeting today telling those guys to get ready. Everybody hates to lose, but him especially. He's probably pulling his hair out."

Is there anyone on the Jets who can stand up and cause that kind of stir in the meetings? The Jets seem to strive for more of an even-keel approach, but that doesn't mean they have to be happy.

"These guys haven't been in this situation a lot," Bowens said of his new teammates. "But talking to Vilma, he's pretty --. And rightfully so."

Sunday

Dolphins at Jets

1 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WEPN (1050)

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[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Clemens wants to start but knows his place

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 18, 2007

Kellen Clemens was still basking in the glow of his terrific fourth quarter that nearly sent Sunday's game into overtime, but he was also dealing with other residual effects yesterday.

"There's some soreness, but it's a good soreness," he said after being sacked four times and knocked around by the Ravens in his first NFL start. "It's a lot better to be sore because you were playing than because you were standing around on the sideline the whole time."

Eric Mangini made it clear that if Chad Pennington is able to start Sunday against Miami, he will. But "able to start" seems to be in the eye of the beholder. Pennington, whose recovery from an ankle injury last week was remarkable, said he was ready to play against the Ravens and was relegated to backup.

"Chad always says he's ready to go, that's what you like about him," Mangini said. "But you've got to assess it and make the best decision you can based on all the information."

Clemens said he will approach this week just as he did last week. Now that he has had a taste of serious NFL action, though, it was easy to tell he's hungry for more. He bristled at the idea he might not get any more snaps this season and talked about how much he loves playing. But he's not stepping over any boundaries.

"Chad's the starter and I'm the backup," he said. "That's been clearly communicated."

Nothing special

Not since his rookie year had Jonathan Vilma run under kickoffs. But there he was Sunday, chipping in on the special-teams unit that has been very disappointing this season. The Jets allowed a 61-yard return a week after giving up a record 108-yarder.

"Special teams at this level is very important," Vilma said. "Games are won and lost on special teams. And we have to get that done."

Jet streams

Clemens said he retains confidence in Justin McCareins, who dropped a sure TD and had another pass to the end zone graze off his fingertips for an interception in the final two minutes ... CB/KR Justin Miller, who had to be helped off the field Sunday, was not available in the locker room yesterday. His unspecified injury could possibly be season-ending.

[Kentucky Jet]

0-2 Jets, Giants appear to be going nowhere

Bob Glauber

September 18, 2007

The last time it was this bad around here was 1996, when Rich Kotite's Jets were in their death spiral and lame-duck Giants coach Dan Reeves was trying to win games with Dave Brown as his quarterback.

The combined 0-4 start of this year's Jets and Giants evokes painful memories of that bitter year, although it's not quite as bad this time as it was then. Neither team could score any points in 1996 and had no hope at quarterback. This year's problems are on the other side of the ball.

Kotite's team was at the beginning of a 1-15 nightmare that concluded with him "stepping aside" for the eventual hiring of Bill Parcells. And Reeves' Giants would never come out of their early-season tailspin, finishing 6-10 to seal his fate and usher in the Jim Fassel era.

Today's Giants bear some resemblance to that team, although the quarterback certainly is better and there is at least a semblance of an offensive nucleus. But Tom Coughlin looks very much like a coach in his final days unless he somehow can turn things around after two of the most pathetic defensive efforts we've seen around here in quite some time. A combined 80 points allowed to Dallas and Green Bay, and who knows if this team will ever recover.

Eric Mangini at least has the benefit of time. He's set for at least the next two years, if not longer, based on the promise he showed in getting the Jets to the playoffs with smoke and mirrors and a slew of gut-wrenching practices last season.

But the Jets also were moribund the first two weeks, and not just because of Chad Pennington's Week 1 ankle injury. They haven't been quite as bad as the Giants defensively, but it's pretty close.

Granted, there's no team out there that seems capable of playing with the Patriots, who smoked the Jets and dominated the Chargers Sunday night in the wake of Belichick-gate. But the Jets made Kyle Boller look like an All-Pro in picking apart the defense Sunday in Baltimore, and they once again were victimized by Willis McGahee's runs. The only difference was he wasn't wearing a Bills uniform this time.

A big problem for both teams has been the pass rush. The Giants have only two sacks and have put minimal pressure on Tony Romo and Brett Favre. With a secondary as bad as the Giants', if you don't get to the quarterback, you don't have a chance. At least with some pressure, the corners, safeties and linebackers have a fighting chance to stay with their receivers; with no pass rush, Romo and Favre just sat back and threw darts to wide-open targets.

The Giants' tackling has been equally abysmal. I mean, awful. Safety James Butler, who beat out Will Demps in training camp, has taken terrible angles, has been late in coverage and has missed innumerable tackles. Gibril Wilson has made a ton of mistakes. Kawika Mitchell is not making plays. And Antonio Pierce has not been the kind of impact linebacker he was in the past. The corners are brutal, although at least first-round pick Aaron Ross has shown a little something.

But the defensive line is where it really starts. Michael Strahan looks every bit like a player who missed all of training camp. Osi Umenyiora has shown some flashes but hasn't gotten enough sustained pressure.

If there's more of the same in Washington on Sunday and against Philly at home the week after, the season essentially will be over after just a month. If it isn't already.

The Jets have been a shell of the team that surprised everyone with last season's 10-6 playoff run. They can't run the ball and the passing game is erratic, in part because of Pennington's injury and Kellen Clemens' inexperience. But the defense has been equally culpable, mostly because it hasn't generated any pass rush.

The stat that says it all: Through two games, the Jets have zero sacks. Zippo. And no takeaways, either. Shaun Ellis, invisible. Jonathan Vilma, non-factor. Dewayne Robertson, nice job with the Slimfast, but how about making a few plays?

The Jets at least will have a chance to look somewhat respectable in the next two weeks; they face the 0-2 Dolphins at home and the 0-2 Bills on the road. Beat Miami and Buffalo, and suddenly things don't look so bad. But another loss or two and their season is over, too.

Who knows? By the time the Giants and Jets meet in Week 5, both might be done.

Horrible history

This is the first time since 1996 that both the Giants and Jets have started 0-2. A look back at that season, one the teams would prefer to forget:

Giants Jets

Dan Reeves Coach Rich Kotite

6-10 (last, NFC East) Final record 1-15 (last, AFC East)

242 Points scored 233

297 Points allowed 454

Dave Brown (61.3) QB (rating) Frank Reich (68.9)

Rodney Hampton (827) Top RB (yds.) Adrian Murrell (1,249)

Chris Calloway (53t) Top WR (rec.) Wayne Chrebet (84)

Thomas Lewis

24-0 loss to Eagles Low point Neil O'Donnell's shoulder injury

Reeves fired Repercussions Kotite stepped aside

after season before last game

more in /sports/football/jets

Copyright

[Kentucky Jet]

Injury ends season for Jets' Miller

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y

.

-- Jets Pro Bowl kick returner Justin Miller suffered ligament damage in his right knee while returning a kickoff in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and is out for the season, according to a person with knowledge of the severity of the injury.

That person spoke on the condition of anonymity because only the team is authorized to release official injury information.

"It's as serious as it can get," the person said last night.

Miller, a third-year pro, was hurt when he was twisted in a pileup after a 22-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. He lay on the ground for several minutes and had to be helped off the field. He was examined on the sideline and taken to the locker room. He didn't return to the game.

The Jets said only that Miller had a knee injury. Coach Eric Mangini is extremely guarded with injury information and didn't give an update during his news conference yesterday.

Miller, a second-round pick out of Clemson in 2005, was the Jets' lone Pro Bowler last season. He averaged 28.3 yards per kickoff return, including a club-record 103-yard return for a TD against the Colts and a 99-yard return for a TD against the Browns. His three career kickoff returns for touchdowns are also a franchise record.

Leon Washington, Brad Smith and Wallace Wright are among the candidates to replace Miller as the Jets' primary kickoff returner. In the preseason Washington returned a kickoff 86 yards against the Falcons.

The injury ends what looked like a possible breakout year for Miller at cornerback and another stellar season as a kickoff returner. He had a terrific start to training camp in the absence of first-round pick Darrelle Revis and appeared ready to live up to his vast potential after two disappointing years as a cornerback.

But the 5-10, 196-pounder sustained a severe right hamstring injury on Aug. 5 during an intrasquad scrimmage and was sidelined for three weeks. He didn't play in the preseason.

In the opener against the Patriots, Miller aggravated the hamstring injury. During the game he struggled trying to cover the Patriots' Randy Moss, perhaps because of the injury, and received a stern talking-to by Mangini after one play late in the first half. He didn't play in the second half.

Miller has had problems off the field as well. This spring he was accused of a third-degree assault stemming from an incident involving a woman outside a Manhattan night spot. He allegedly stuck the woman. He was scheduled to go to court last Friday. His lawyer. Aaron Wallenstein, hasn't returned several calls from The Star-Ledger.

[Kentucky Jet]

Pennington to start Sunday, despite kudos for Clemens

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The Jets got a glimpse into the future on Sunday in Baltimore, but the future isn't now.

Barring a setback in practice this week, quarterback Chad Pennington will start on Sunday against the Dolphins despite a promising performance by backup Kellen Clemens in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 20-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Pennington, who sprained his right ankle in the opener against the Patriots, was the backup against the Ravens after making an unexpectedly speedy recovery during the course of the week. That Pennington was well enough to dress meant he was able to play, and with another week of rehab, he'll almost certainly be healthy for the Dolphins.

"If he can, he will," Mangini said yesterday when asked if Pennington would start against Miami. "We'll just assess it throughout the week. But if he's able to, he will."

For his part, Clemens, who made his first NFL start, wasn't interested in starting a quarterback controversy.

"If (Pennington) is able to go, I'm sure he'll go," said Clemens. "Chad is the starter. I'm the backup. That has been clearly communicated."

Players seemed eager to get Pennington back, although they were clearly impressed by the late-game heroics of Clemens. Every team needs a capable backup and the Jets think they have one in Clemens.

Also, players know the type of leader that Pennington is. He has led the Jets to three playoff appearances in the past five seasons and played most of the 2004 season with a torn rotator cuff, leading the Jets to a playoff victory in San Diego.

"Definitely it'll help (to get Pennington back)," said receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who caught seven passes for a career-high 165 yards against the Ravens. "Chad is one of our leaders. He's one of our main leaders, especially on offense."

Said tight end Chris Baker, who had a 3-yard touchdown catch against the Ravens, "Hopefully we'll get (Pennington) back in the fold."

Note: I was unable to post the rest of this article. It would not open for me.

[Kentucky Jet]

http://www.nysun.com/article/62824

[Kentucky Jet]

Pensive Receiver Has 2 Missed Opportunities to Ponder

By KAREN CROUSE

Published: September 18, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 17

[Kentucky Jet]

RHODES: WE NEED TURNOVERS

By MARK CANNIZZARO

September 18, 2007 -- The Jets have gone two games without forcing a single turnover and they have yet to record a quarterback sack. Neither is a statistic a team wants its name attached to.

"We're very aware of it," safety Kerry Rhodes said yesterday. "One of our goals coming into the year was to be a good take-away team, and we're not really doing it right now. The chances have been there; we just haven't capitalized on them.

"It is weird - especially for a team like us," Rhodes said. "We expect to make those plays. We have the players to make those plays. It's in the back of our minds."

Added Jonathan Vilma: "Turnovers decide games."

Kellen Clemens said his fourth-quarter comeback performance Sunday "was a nice boost of confidence against a very good defense in a pretty hostile environment."

He added: "In a game that wasn't going real smoothly, we battled back and made a pretty dang good game of it. That helped my confidence."

Clemens said he tried to keep his preparation the same.

"The one thing was I got a lot more reps with the No. 1 offense," he said. "The major difference in my preparation was trying to really earn their trust throughout the course of the week so when we got out there on Sunday they didn't have as many concerns about having a young quarterback out there."

Asked if he checks with Chad Pennington on the status of his sprained ankle, Clemens said, "When I ask Chad how he's doing there's a kind of a don't-ask, don't-tell policy. What I don't know is fine, because I don't have to worry about it when I come in here and visit with you guys [reporters].

"When I ask how Chad's doing, there's limited parts of his body that I'm not asking about."

*

CB Justin Miller, who injured his right knee Sunday on a kickoff return, was seen moving around on crutches in the facility yesterday.

[Kentucky Jet]

BILLICK: JETS' 'D' CHEATED

Associated Press

September 18, 2007 -- Ravens coach Brian Billick yesterday accused the Jets of using an "illegal" ploy to draw Baltimore offside during Sunday's game.

Billick said the Jets' defense shouted out signals to intentionally throw off the Ravens' offense. He claimed the tactic led to the three illegal-procedure penalties.

"They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets. Their defensive line and linebackers did a very, very effective job of illegally simulating the snap count," Billick said as he discussed his team's 20-13 victory. "They did it the whole game long. It needs to be caught."

For the game, the Jets jad two penalties for 10 yards and the Ravens were penalized 11 times for 100 yards.

BELICHICK TO AID PROBE

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he will comply with the NFL's request to provide any notes or tapes made from video recordings similar to those that drew a stiff penalty against him and the team.

Beyond that, Belichick declined comment when asked about commissioner Roger Goodell's request. "I think that's a fair question, and I'm sure there are other questions out there as well," he said. "I've made my comments on that, and . . . we'll handle it as an internal matter. So I'll just leave it at that."

[Kentucky Jet]

QB CONTROVERSY NOT A BAD THING KELLEN TIME: Chad Pennington (center)is still the starter for now, but Kellen Clemens (right) showed enough in Sunday's 20-13 loss to make it clear he could someday take the Jets to the next level. Reuters September 18, 2007 -- REGARDLESS of what Eric Mangini says, there will be a quarterback controversy surrounding the Jets soon. It may not happen this month or this season, but it's inevitable, it will happen. And that's a good thing.

It means Kellen Clemens is the real deal or at least could be the kind of quarterback who can someday replace Chad Pennington and take the Jets to the next level.

One game does not a career make, but Clemens showed enough in the Jets' 20-13 loss at Baltimore to make two things clear. One, any season-ending or long-term injury to Pennington is less catastrophic than it seemed when he hobbled off the field against the Patriots, and two, the franchise doesn't have to worry about the quarterback position for a long, long time.

Starting 0-2 isn't ideal, especially in the AFC East, where New England's Belicheaters will run away with the division title, leaving the Jets to fight for a wild-card berth. But Sunday's loss wasn't the total downer it might appear. Let's not forget the Jets are a young team with a second-year head coach, an offensive line in transition, a running game featuring a new back and a defense in the second year of a new scheme.

That's why is wasn't just coach-speak when Mangini yesterday focused on the positives of Sunday's game, such as Clemens passing for 217 second-half yards and rallying his team from a 20-3 deficit, such as Jerricho Cotchery displaying his big-play ability with 165 yards receiving, including a 50-yard catch-and-run on the final ill-fated drive; such as the Jets defense holding the Ravens to 98 net yards in the second half; such as not giving up when they were down 20-3 with a quarterback making his first NFL start on the road against the Ravens defense.

"We're a team with a lot of pride," said linebacker Victor Hobson. "We've always had pride and we always will. We're never going to give up. We're going to keep fighting no matter what the score is."

That's to be expected from professionals, but still good to see. You figure the Jets have lost to two potential playoff teams. But they desperately need a win Sunday when the Dolphins come to the Meadowlands.

We know Mangini will give Pennington every chance to prove his sprained ankle is sound enough for him to start this week. But if there's the slightest gimp in his step, Clemens should get the ball.

Clemens with two good legs, a stronger throwing arm and just as much competitive fire gives the Jets a better chance to win than Pennington with one good leg and zero mobility. We've seen injured starters play ahead of healthy backups before. But Clemens isn't Brooks Bollinger.

Mangini's assessment of his second-year quarterback from Oregon was about as glowing as it could be for someone notified just before kickoff he would be starting his first NFL game. Mangini said Clemens "did some really positive things," and "showed great confidence, excellent poise," and perhaps most impressive "took their best shot and kept coming."

Those are qualities in a quarterback you can build your franchise around. Yes, it was just one game, which is why if Pennington isn't 100 percent healthy, Clemens should get a taste of what Jets-Dolphins is all about.

Part of the Jets' building process needs to include Clemens. Pennington, 31-years-old and off two shoulder surgeries, is still the starting quarterback because he's smart, he's experienced and he's a fighter. But Clemens has more raw talent.

There is no quarterback controversy for the Jets right now because at age 24, Clemens could do much worse than learn under Pennington. But the controversy is coming, sooner rather than later.

george.willis@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

I GUESS I'M IN

CLEMENS NEVER TOLD HE WAS STARTING

By MARK CANNIZZARO

SECRET STARTER: Kellen Clemens said he didn't know he would be the starter in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Ravens until "our defense forced that first punt."September 18, 2007 -- Kellen Clemens yesterday revealed a fascinating nugget regarding the timeline leading up to him making his first NFL start Sunday in Baltimore.

The assumption regarding Eric Mangini's decision to start Clemens over the injured Chad Pennington was the decision would be verbalized to both quarterbacks at some point before game time by the head coach.

That wasn't the case.

When Clemens was asked when exactly Mangini told him he'd be starting, he said, "He didn't," unveiling a behind-the-scenes look at Mangini's outside-the-box coaching style.

"As soon as our defense forced that first punt," Clemens said of Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Ravens, "I just kind of jogged out onto the field and nobody told me not to."

Clemens was smiling, perhaps at his own curiosity regarding Mangini's unique approach, but he was serious.

"That's a decision that Coach Mangini made," Clemens said. "He didn't want to give out any information to the Ravens about who was going to start so they could prepare, and if I didn't know for sure then I couldn't tell you guys (reporters) for sure."

One reporter offered up the words "plausible deniability" to describe the situation.

When asked yesterday, prior to Clemens' revelation, when he came to his final decision about who would start, Mangini said, "Pretty late Sunday morning."

Clemens, though, didn't know for sure until he was under center for the Jets' first offensive play.

"The whole week I was approaching it like I was going to be the starter and until somebody told me otherwise I was going to ... start," Clemens said.

Mangini spoke yesterday about Clemens' preparation last week as something that impressed him as much as the 176 yards of passing in the fourth quarter he stamped on the Ravens' defense.

"It was not just the game; it was the whole week," Mangini said. "I thought he handled the whole week of practice extremely well. He showed poise in practice and in the game. His approach didn't change at all. It was consistent."

Now Clemens likely goes back to the anonymity of carrying the clipboard until his next opportunity arises.

"You always want to be on the field trying to help the team, but that's my role," he said. "As (Mangini) said, Chad's the starter. I'm the backup. That's been clearly communicated. If he's able to go, I'm sure he'll go."

Pennington made such significant strides rehabbing his sprained right ankle that he will start for the Jets against the Dolphins Sunday at Giants Stadium in a game the 0-2 Jets absolutely must win if they're to keep realistic playoff hopes alive.

No, Mangini didn't announce that for certain. As a rule, he rarely announces anything for certain - not even that the sky is blue on a crystal-clear sunny day or that the raindrops are wet during a deluge.

Let's present the Jets' quarterback situation this way: If Pennington doesn't start Sunday and there have been no physical setbacks between now and then, the Jets have a sure-fire, double-barrel quarterback controversy in hand.

Because Pennington is on record after Sunday's loss as saying he was "ready to go" before Mangini opted for Clemens, if he's not starting against Miami it's because Mangini wants Clemens in there.

That, of course, would open up a rather large can of QB controversy.

When asked yesterday if Pennington is going to start against Miami, Mangini said, "If he can, he will. We'll just assess it throughout the week. But if he's able to, he will (start)."

Mangini went on to talk about the variables such as how much Pennington, who was unavailable for interviews yesterday, is able to practice this week and where his rehab process is.

Whatever. Barring another twist of his right ankle, Pennington will be well enough to start Sunday, so figure on him starting. If he doesn't, well, let the controversy ooze.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

MUCH TOO INCONSISTENT

September 18, 2007

QUARTERBACKS C+

Kellen Clemens (19-37, 260 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 60.6 rating) showed toughness and an ability to make some clutch throws, but his full body of work in his first NFL start wasn't without mental and physical errors. He looked rat tled early but settled in and engineered a spirited comeback.

RUNNING BACKS D

Thomas Jones (24-67, 2.8-yard average) had a few strong runs, but for the second consecutive week he never really got on track. He was fortunate not to lose a fumble late in the game that was covered by LG Adrien Clarke. Leon Washington had neither a carry nor a catch.

WIDE RECEIVERS C

Jerricho Cotchery (7-165) had a career- high in yards receiving and made clutch catches. Laveranues Coles (6-57) made a few big catches but failed to haul in the biggest one of all. Justin McCareins had a forgettable fourth quarter with two dropped TD passes.

TIGHT ENDSB

As usual, Chris Baker showed he has perhaps the best hands on the team, snar ing a TD pass in the back corner of the end zone. The problem is the Jets never throw him the damn ball.

OFFENSIVE LINE D+

Clemens, sacked four times, was battered for the first three quarters before the hurry- up offense seemed to offset the Ravens' pass rush late in the game.

DEFENSIVE LINE C

NT Dewayne Robertson (six tackles) was aggressive in the running game early. DE Kenyon Coleman had four tackles.

LINEBACKERS C

Jonathan Vilma (10 tackles) had an active game. Bryan Thomas had eight tackles but appeared to be out of position, pinched in, on a Willis McGahee TD reception.

SECONDARY C

Kerry Rhodes (six tackles) allowed a TD catch to TE Todd Heap. CB David Barrett was active with 10 tackles and two passes defensed. CB Darrelle Revis looked good, making six tackles with two passes de fensed.

SPECIAL TEAMS D

The kickoff coverage team, with starter Vilma on it this week, gave up yet another long return, this one a 61-yarder.

KICKING GAME C

K Mike Nugent, who made a 50-yard FG and missed a 52-yarder, ending his consec utive FG streak at 19, also made a 21-yarder late.

COACHING C

Eric Mangini can't seem to get his team to play well for four quarters, a source of frus tration. Offensive coordinator Brian Schot tenheimer, dealing with a first-time starter at QB, needed to get the ball more to Washington, per haps on some screens.

[Kentucky Jet]

Beat Miami!

[rick34125]

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