Jets news articles; Thurs.,9/27

[Kentucky Jet]

NY POST

EVERETT'S LOCKER GIVEN AWAY

By MARK CANNIZZARO

September 27, 2007 -- The Bills have become so decimated with injuries that they were forced to do the unthinkable: Clear out the locker of their fallen tight end, Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in the season opener and is at home in Houston recovering.

A week ago, Bills head coach Dick Jauron said he felt it was important for the team that Everett's locker remain intact. But with so many players injured (seven on injured reserve) and new ones coming in, the team needed the space and removed Everett's belongings.

"We've got a lot of people coming in and out . . . it doesn't have anything to do with not remembering Kevin," Jauron said yesterday.

Last week, Jauron said, "Kevin knows that he's a part of this team and everybody else on the team knows it, too. It's the way it is and the way it'll be. It definitely serves a purpose to keep him right in front of us in that locker room. And we'll keep it that way."

Everett's locker had been kept intact since he was hurt against Denver. His helmet hung from one hook, his practice jersey from another, and a staff member made sure to place the team's weekly schedule on Everett's stool every Monday, including two days ago.

That changed yesterday, with offensive lineman Brad Butler taking over what had been Everett's stall.

"At some point, with the amount of players, we had to do something because of the numbers, but we'll never forget about Kevin," TE Robert Royal said.

Jets LB Jonathan Vilma, who played with Everett for two years at the University of Miami, said yesterday he's called Everett to offer words of encouragement.

"We were kind of close," Vilma said. "I gave him a call to wish him luck. I just hope he keeps getting better and better. I'm not even worried about whether he can play football again. I just want him to be able to do normal, everyday things and be able to come back, rehab and be OK."

Chad Pennington said, "Those guys (the Bills) have experienced the roller coaster of emotions, and that's tough to deal with as a team. From their standpoint, they haven't quit and given up and asked why. They just keep playing hard."

*

Pennington, still rehabbing his sprained right ankle, was limited in practice, as were WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), CB Andre Dyson (foot), G Brandon Moore (shoulder), NT Dewayne Robertson (knee) and S Eric Smith (thigh). None of the injuries is serious. . . . For the Bills, CB Terrence McGee, one of the best kickoff returners in the NFL, is nursing sore ribs, but should play Sunday. "Yeah, he's hurt, but always expect their guys to play," said Jets LB David Bowens, who plays on kick coverage. . . . As the Jets began their preparations for the Bills, the always creative practice DJ spun Bob Marley's reggae hit "Buffalo Soldier."

[Kentucky Jet]

OVERDUE BILLS

JETS FEAR TEAM WITH 0-3 RECORD

By MARK CANNIZZARO

BUFFALO STINGS: The Jets have lost three of their past four visits to Buffalo, where they face the 0-3 Bills on Sunday.September 27, 2007 -- It's very easy to be seduced by the statistics when you look at the decimated and dominated Bills, the Jets' opponent Sunday in Buffalo.

The Jets' message to themselves, however, as they prepare for a key AFC East game that could get them back to .500 after an 0-2 start is this: Don't be seduced by the statistics.

It's difficult to overlook the fact that the Bills, who lost quarterback J.P. Losman to a knee injury last week and will be starting rookie Trent Edwards for the first time Sunday, have scored a total of 24 points in their three losses; have been outgained in offensive yards 1,375-600, have yielded 74 first downs to the 35 they have made; and whose opponents have a gaping time of possession lead of 34:19 to 25:40.

Add the fact the Bills' defense has been ravaged by injuries, and what you have is a highly vulnerable opponent in front of a Jets team that appeared to make significant strides in its 31-28 win over Miami last Sunday.

When Eric Mangini stepped to the podium for his daily press conference yesterday, he rattled off a 530-word opening statement describing how dangerous and formidable this 0-3 Buffalo team is. Listening to Mangini, it almost sounded as if he was talking about the Jim Kelly-Bruce Smith-Thurman Thomas-Andre Reed Bills who went to four consecutive Super Bowls.

Alas, Mangini was not.

These are the 2007 Bills, who are wondering when and if they'll score another touchdown.

"I'd say the best way to guard against (taking the Bills lightly) is to put on tape and watch the things that they've done against teams that are combined 8-1," Mangini said, referring to Buffalo's losses to Denver (2-1), Pittsburgh (3-0) and New England (3-0).

"I think the danger is looking at the stats and thinking that the ball is just going to go all over the place," Chad Pennington said yesterday. "If you look at their defense, they do a great job of bend-but-don't-break. They make the offense work for every yard they get. They've just had some injuries in some key spots that they've had to adjust to, and now some younger players and players that haven't played as much have to step up for them.

"We know that we're playing a defense whose pursuit is unbelievable," said Pennington, sounding more and more like Mangini in his warning mode. "You stop the frame when we're watching film and you see 9, 10, 11 guys in the frame. A lot of times when you're watching that, it can be very intimidating knowing that there are that many guys around the football."

The Bills traditionally have been a tough out for the Jets, even in lean years in Buffalo. The Jets haven't swept the home-and-home series since 2002 and are 4-4 against the Bills since 2003. During that stretch, the Jets have lost three of the past four meetings in Buffalo.

"Look at the record of the teams that they played against if you want to look at it in that (take-the-Bills-lightly) fashion," Laveranues Coles said. "Their combined records are 8-1. You can't just say, 'Look at their record,' you have to look at the teams that they played. They have played against some excellent football teams and they are a good football team. The stats and everything can be misleading about this team. We know we have a ballgame ahead of us."

Jonathan Vilma said the Bills' record is deceiving.

"Pittsburgh, New England and Denver are not slouch teams," he said. "They are playing good competition, so you can't look at their record. You have to look at how they are playing, and they are playing well."

Remember, entering the game against the Dolphins last week, there was talk about the Jets' 0-2 start coming against the Patriots and Ravens, who had a combined record of 4-0 at the time (now 6-0). The Jets went out and beat the Dolphins.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Bills searching for a win

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, September 27th 2007, 4:00 AM

It already has been a long season for the Bills. This is what they've managed in three games: No wins, three touchdowns and a whole lot of MRI exams.

For them, the only good news comes from a hospital room in Houston, where fallen teammate Kevin Everett continues his near-miraculous recovery from a spinal-cord injury initially feared to be life threatening.

On Monday, the Bills, battered and demoralized after a 38-7 loss in New England, woke up to the news that Everett lifted his right arm slightly and sat up for four hours in bed.

Those are the victories that provide comfort and perspective in a season that is getting away from the Bills, who face the Jets (1-2) Sunday in Orchard Park.

"It was devastating, and there's no way to get past that," Bills coach Dick Jauron said yesterday via conference call, referring to Everett's horrific injury on opening day. "We're just so thankful that the progress to this point has been unbelievable. We're just hoping and praying it continues that way."

Everett was hurt when he ducked his head while tackling the Broncos' Domenik Hixon on a kickoff return. His body went limp and he hit the turf, paralyzed from the neck down. The initial prognosis was bleak, as doctors said he probably wouldn't walk again.

That day, Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma received a text message from Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, who broke the bad news. Vilma, Williams and Everett played college ball together at Miami. A few days later, Vilma left a voice message for Everett, telling him to keep fighting.

"I'm not even worried if he plays football again," Vilma said. "I want him to be able to do normal, everyday things and come back to a normal life."

Inspired by the news that Everett's injury probably wasn't going to leave him permanently paralyzed, the Bills went to Pittsburgh in Week 2, wearing special T-shirts to honor their teammate. The shirts featured a picture of him on the front, with his name and number on the back. They wanted so badly to win for Everett, who watched on TV from a Buffalo hospital.

There was no feel-good story in Pittsburgh. The Bills got crushed, 26-3. Afterward, they were almost apologetic.

From there, it was on to Foxborough, where things got worse. They lost quarterback J.P. Losman (sprained knee) on the first series, and promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny (broken arm) became their sixth player (and third defensive starter) to suffer a season-ending injury.

"It hasn't stopped with the injuries since Kevin," defensive end Aaron Schobel said.

The Bills have gone through so many players that Everett's old locker was cleaned out yesterday and given to a new player. That may seem like an insensitive move, but Jauron, who had wanted to keep the locker intact as a way of remembering Everett, said they simply needed the space.

They're the Buffa-woe Bills.

"It sounds daunting for them," safety Kerry Rhodes said.

"Those guys have experienced the rollercoaster of emotions, and that's tough to deal with as a team," Chad Pennington said. "(But) they haven't quit and given up and asked, 'Why us?' They just keep playing hard."

On Sunday, the Bills return home for the first time since Everett's injury. They are "irritated and frustrated," according to Schobel. No doubt, they'd love to win it for Everett, proving the third time is the charm. Hey, you never know.

In 1992, the Jets traveled to Buffalo the week after Dennis Byrd broke his neck in a game. Only 3-9, they figured to get blown out by Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas & Co. The Jets, a 17-point underdog, dedicated the game to Byrd and staged an upset. "You can't put a point spread on the human spirit," a tight end named Mark Boyer said after the game.

Words for the Jets to remember.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets: Bills are due for victory

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, September 27th 2007, 4:00 AM

The Bills' quarterback isn't Jim Kelly. The running back isn't Thurman Thomas. The star pass rusher isn't Bruce Smith.

But you wouldn't have known that from listening to the Jets yesterday as they discussed Sunday's road game against the winless Bills. They made them sound like the great Bills of the early 1990s.

Clearly, Eric Mangini's top priority this week is making sure his team doesn't underestimate the opponent.

"The best way to guard against that is to put on the tape and see how they've done against teams with a combined 8-1 record," Mangini said.

The Bills lost to the Broncos, Steelers and Patriots, but they didn't put up much of a battle. They were outscored, 79-24.

"I think the danger is looking at the stats and getting enthralled with the stats, and thinking the ball is just going to go all over the place," Chad Pennington said.

WR Laveranues Coles said he never has mocked an upcoming opponent. And never will. "In all my years in the league, I can honestly say I would never look at a team and say, 'These guys stink,'" he said.

The Bills have a quick defense, a huge offensive line and outstanding special teams, but they've been decimated by injuries. This week, rookie QB Trent Edwards will make his first start, replacing the injured J.P.Losman (sprained knee). Edwards is a third-round pick from Stanford.

RUSH JOB: Bills DE Aaron Schobel downplayed his three-sack game last December against LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson. "Two of the sacks came at the end of the game," Schobel said. "Ferguson is an athletic guy and he's rangy. I think he's getting better. He did a pretty good job against (Miami's Jason) Taylor."

In the team meeting, Mangini offered this nugget about Schobel: Since 2003, he's had 46-1/2 sacks, only 2-1/2 fewer than Taylor, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

FLIGHT PLAN: Counting the preseason, this will be the Jets' fourth road game, but their first plane trip. "Pretty amazing," Mangini said. "I'll have to get the rookies some of those wings the pilot gives out." ... Pennington, two weeks removed from a high ankle sprain, continued to practice on a limited basis, according to the injury report. Don't be alarmed; he will start. ... Coach Dick Jauron said the Bills will downsize the game plan to accommodate Edwards.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets still believe Buffalo will break out

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

8:55 PM EDT, September 26, 2007

The Jets may be more optimistic about the Bills than the Bills.

While the downtrodden Buffalo team is off to an 0-3 start, at the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, and facing so many injuries that guys who were on the street two weeks ago are in the starting lineup, the Jets are convinced that the Bills are a slumbering juggernaut.

That might be part of the mental preparation for an NFL game, a way of avoiding a letdown against an inferior opponent. And there's no sense in riling up the enemy by telling them that they stink. Let them be 0-3 before the game, 0-4 after the game, maybe even 0-6 when the teams meet again in four weeks.

But the way the Jets were carrying on Wednesday, it's as if some of them should have been wearing throwback Jim Kelly jerseys and those big foam No. 1 fingers in red and blue.

In a city where a recent newspaper article asked if this is the worst football season in Buffalo ever -- and there are plenty from which to choose -- the most ardent apologists seem to be the Jets.

"You can't look at their record," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "You have to look at how they are playing, and they are playing well."

That's a level of praise not even the Bills are willing to heap upon themselves.

Said Bills coach Dick Jauron: "It sounds kind of foolish when you're 0-3 to be talking about anybody performing well."

Still, the Jets were trying to convince anyone within earshot about how the Bills defense swarms to the ball, how their offensive weapons can explode at any time, and how their three losses have come to teams with a combined record of 8-1. One player was asked a question about rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who will get his first start on Sunday with J.P. Losman scratched by a knee injury, and wound up answering by citing that 8-1 record of Bills opponents.

Bill Parcells used to say: "You are what your record says you are." This week the Jets are venturing far from that philosophy.

"We understand that we're not playing an 0-3 team," quarterback Chad Pennington said. "I think the danger is looking at the stats and getting enthralled with the stats and thinking that the ball is just going to go all over the place."

Jets receiver Laveranues Coles also downplayed statistics, saying he hardly ever looks at numbers when sizing up an opponent.

"To me personally, it has nothing to do with anything," he said. "It's all the little things that you can't see that show up on film."

Does that film ever show anything other than a daunting opponent?

"In the eight years I've been in the league I can honestly say that you can never look at a team [on film] and say: 'These guys stink,'" Coles said.

They say the camera adds 10 pounds. In the NFL, it may add 10 wins. But that doesn't mean they are really there.

Notes & quotes: Although this will be the team's eighth game this year counting preseason, it'll be the first time the team boards a plane. The Jets bused to Philadelphia and took the train to Baltimore. "We'll have to get the rookies some of those little wings the pilot gives out," coach Eric Mangini said ... Vilma said he called former University of Miami teammate Kevin Everett, the Bills TE who suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury in the opener. "I just hope he keeps getting better and better," Vilma said ... Pennington (ankle), Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), Brandon Moore (shoulder) and Dewayne Robertson (knee) were the starters who were limited in practice. Cody Spencer did not practice because of illness.

[Kentucky Jet]

For Martin, Retirement Is a Full-Time Commitment

By KAREN CROUSE

Published: September 27, 2007

Curtis Martin is keeping spotters busy, even in retirement. Since announcing in July that he was through playing football after 11 seasons, Martin, the Jets

[Kentucky Jet]

Struggling Bills to Face Jets With a Rookie at Quarterback

By MATT HIGGINS

Published: September 27, 2007

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Sept. 26

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets are aware of strong points 0-3 Bills have

Thursday, September 27, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- After listening to Jets coach Eric Mangini and his players heap praise on the injury-decimated and winless Buffalo Bills yesterday, insisting this was no gimme game, you came away thinking this 0-3 Bills team is a cross between the 1985 Chicago Bears and Bill Belichick's Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots teams.

"The (offensive) line is one of the biggest that we've faced not just this year but last year as well," Mangini said. "On defense, what I really like is the way they run (to) the football ... there's nine, 10, 11 hats on the ball.

"On special teams, this is really an impressive unit. Kick returner (Terrence McGee) can score on every play. Punt returner (Roscoe Parrish) can score on every play. The field goal-kicker (Rian Lindell) is 5-for-5 from 50-plus (yards) since 2005."

"Their record is deceiving because the teams that they've played against are 8-1 combined," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "Pittsburgh, New England and Denver aren't slouch teams. They're playing good competition."

"We know we're playing a defense (in which) their pursuit is unbelievable," quarterback Chad Pennington said. "A lot of times when you're watching (on film) that can be very intimidating."

"They feed off their fans at home," wide receiver Laveranues Coles said. "The energy in that place (Ralph Wilson Stadium) and the way the players play with passion always makes for a great ballgame when we play Buffalo."

Truth is, the Bills are a mess, and if the Jets (1-2) don't beat them on Sunday in Buffalo it'll be a catastrophic setback for their playoff hopes.

"We're still trying to get our stuff right," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "We can't overlook anybody."

In the case of the Bills, it's tempting. They rank last in the NFL in points per game (eight), total yards per game (200), passing yards per game (92) and first downs per game (11.7). Defensively, they've allowed the most yards in the league (1,375).

One look at their injury report tells you why.

Starting quarterback J.P. Losman suffered a sprained left knee last week in a 38-7 loss to the Patriots and rookie Trent Edwards will make his first NFL start. On defense, they've lost nine key players to injuries, including five starters, three of whom are out for the season -- middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (forearm), cornerback Jason Webster (forearm) and safety Ko Simpson (ankle).

And, this is a team that's still reeling from the near-fatal spinal cord injury suffered by tight end Kevin Everett in the season opener. In fact, the Bills have had so many injuries they've had to give Everett's locker to another player. They had wanted to keep the locker as a shrine.

"Naturally, everybody is a little bit down because of the way things have gone this year," said Bills coach Dick Jauron in a conference call. "It's certainly not what we had planned or hoped for. We'll just keep working and try to find a way out of this."

Edwards, a third-round pick out of Stanford, will have to lead. He replaced Losman following the first series against the Patriots and was respectable (10-of-20 for 97 yards, no TDs, one INT.). He's smart, mobile and has a good arm. Jauron readily admitted that he'll "downsize" the offense a bit.

Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch (57 carries, 228 yards, two TDs), who runs behind a huge offensive line that includes free-agent signees left guard Derrick Dockery (6-6, 335 pounds) and right tackle Langston Walker (6-8, 345 pounds), is expected to have a major role in the Bills' conservative game plan, one that'll likely feature plenty of runs and screen passes.

Asked if he noticed the Jets had trouble with screens last week against the Dolphins, the normally talkative Jauron sidestepped the question saying every team has trouble with screens when they're executed properly.

Well, it's a sure bet that the Bills will work on their execution this week in practice.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Injured Bills TE Everett still making progress

Thursday, September 27, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The news just keeps getting better for Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury while making a special teams tackle in the season opener against the Broncos.

Over the weekend, Everett lifted his right arm slightly for the first time since being injured and sat up in bed for four hours, his longest stint by far. Last week, he was transferred to Memorial Hospital in Houston, near his home.

"It (the injury) was devastating and there's no way to get past that," said Bills coach Dick Jauron yesterday. "We're a pretty close football team. The guys keep in touch with him. We're just so thankful that the progress to this point has been unbelievable. We're hoping and praying that it continues."

Turns out the injury to Everett was a bad omen for the injury-depleted Bills.

"It was a rough week (the Bills lost the game, 15-14, on a last-second FG) and it hasn't stopped with the injuries since Kevin," said Bills DE Aaron Schobel.

Jets LB Jonathan Vilma played with Everett for two seasons at Miami and said yesterday that he called Everett and left him a voicemail message shortly after he was injured.

"We weren't the best of friends, but to practice with him and be around him and then hear what happened to him was tough," Vilma said. "I just hope he keeps getting better and better."

LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson refused to say he's looking for a little payback after yielding three sacks and a forced fumble to Schobel in Buffalo's 31-13 victory at Giants Stadium last December.

"Obviously, you look at your mistakes and the things that went wrong last year in that game and you say, 'Okay, I don't want those things to occur again,' so you make the necessary changes," said Ferguson. "No, (it's not personal). You just want to work hard and do well."

Said Schobel: "Two of the sacks came at the end of the game (when teams are passing). ... I think he's getting better. He did a pretty good job against (Dolphins DE Jason) Taylor. He has a great deal of upside."

Schobel's 46 1/2 sacks since 2003 are second to only Taylor's 49.

Bills KR Terrence McGee (28.2-yard average on 10 returns, including a 63-yarder) and PR Roscoe Parrish (44-yard average on two returns, including a 74-yard TD) are two of the most dangerous returners in the league. Last week, the Patriots repeatedly punted away from Parrish.

"They've always had one of the solid special teams groups around the league," said Jets special teamer Rashad Washington. "We know on Sunday they'll be ready to play and we have to make sure we're ready, too."

Bills RB Marshawn Lynch's downhill running style has been compared to former Bills RB Willis McGahee, which isn't good news for the Jets. As a Bill, McGahee gained 705 yards in six career games vs. the Jets.

"I don't know if he's much different (than McGahee)," said Vilma. of Lynch. "Watching him on film, he looks very explosive just like McGahee is. He runs tough."

McGee, also a starting corner for the Bills, sat out last week with bruised ribs, but practiced yesterday and will play vs. the Jets. ... Jets LB Cody Spencer missed practice because of a family illness. ... Yet another Bills player was placed on injured reserve -- backup offensive lineman Jason Whittle, whose season is over because of a hamstring injury. Whittle became the seventh Bills player placed on IR after he was hurt during a 38-7 loss at New England last weekend. The Bills filled Whittle's roster spot by signing linebacker Kevin Harrison, who was cut by Buffalo before this season. ... Temperatures on Sunday in Buffalo are expected to be in the mid-70s.

[Kentucky Jet]

Mangini won't let Jets look past winless Bills

Thursday, September 27, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The NFL's throwback craze came to the Jets' training facility at Hofstra University on Wednesday, as the year 1976 was recalled. But it wasn't about the uniforms, it was about the message.

Eric Mangini's session with the media recalled those of onetime Jets coach Lou Holtz, whose ability as a college coach to praise the upcoming opponent was legendary, especially when he was at Notre Dame. If you listened to Holtz, who guided the Jets for the first 13 games in 1976, you'd believe that Navy owned a 43-game winning streak over the Fighting Irish, not the other way around.

So it was with Mangini as he began talking about Buffalo, which will host the Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. His opening statement Wednesday in his daily briefing with reporters touched on Buffalo's explosiveness on offense ("the receivers have several guys that can score any time they touch the ball"), incredible pursuit on defense ("multiple times you'll see on tape there's nine, 10 or 11 hats on the ball, which is really a trademark of their defense") and the Bills' game-breaking ability on special teams, of which he said their kickoff and punt returners "can score on every play."

So how the heck are the Bills 0-3 while having been outscored by 55 points?

Well, one major reason is injuries. Five defensive starters have been injured, and three of them are out for the season. Quarterback J.P. Losman will be sidelined at least two games after suffering a sprain of the MCL of his left knee against New England last week, which means rookie Trent Edwards will make his first NFL start against the Jets (1-2).

There also was the severe spinal cord injury suffered by tight end Kevin Everett in the opener against Denver.

"It was devastating and there's no way to get past that," coach Dick Jauron said Wednesday. "It was tough. We're a pretty close football team and this is a guy that's part of our team and will be part of our team. ... We're just so thankful that the progress to this point has been unbelievable."

"Kevin getting better is great," defensive end Aaron Schobel said. "It has been a tough start, but it's a long season. Let's see if we can get rolling."

The Jets would like to postpone that turnaround for at least a week. Mangini's message has gotten through, as most Jets players referenced a point Mangini made about the Bills having played opponents with a combined record of 8-1.

"Look who they played," linebacker David Bowens said of the Bills. "Denver, Pittsburgh and New England. That's a tough group of guys to start off with. ... They can be very dangerous. They've got nothing to lose right now."

The real test of Mangini's message, of course, will come Sunday. The Jets lost last October to a Cleveland team that came in with a 1-5 record, and they were upset at home by these same Bills last December. Buffalo was 5-7 at the time.

"They have a good football team and they feed off their fans at home," wide receiver Laveranues Coles said. "Anytime that you play a team that's as good as they are, especially on defense, you know that you have your work cut out for you. ... We know we have a ballgame ahead of us."

Mangini has made sure of that.

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets notebook

Thursday, September 27, 2007

More work for Smith

After having only one touch on offense in the first two games, Brad Smith had three receptions for 24 yards and two rushes for 14 yards against Miami. His increased workload seemed to come at the expense of Justin McCareins, who had one reception for 11 yards on the only ball thrown to him. But coach Eric Mangini indicated it had nothing to do with the potential 31-yard touchdown pass McCareins dropped against Baltimore the previous week.

"It's a function of the personnel group that we were primarily in," Mangini said, "so there were more opportunities for Brad to get in. Brad's a dynamic player and I think he can do a lot of good things with the ball in his hands. We have a lot of players like that. You're always trying to incorporate them and keep your guys fresh."

Mangini added: "I think [smith] is doing really well. His production last week overall was exactly what we are looking for -- a tackle on special teams, two kickoff returns, he carried the ball and caught passes. That's pretty good."

Best wishes

Jonathan Vilma hasn't talked to former University of Miami teammate Kevin Everett since Everett suffered a severe spinal cord injury, but he left him a message on his voicemail and is thinking about him.

"To practice with him and to be around him and then to hear what happened to him," the Jets' linebacker said, "that was tough. ... I hope he keeps getting better and better. I'm not even worried about if he plays football again. I just want him to be able to do the normal everyday things and be happy, be OK."

The Bills had said there were going to keep Everett's locker intact, but they gave it to another player this week. With all of the injured players they've had, plus the players they've had to sign to replace them, they didn't have any extra available lockers. Everett's belongings are being shipped to his home in Texas.

-- J.P. Pelzman

[Kentucky Jet]

Beat BUFFALO!