Ny Jets News Articles; 9/28- Fri

[Kentucky Jet]

JETS' 'D' FEELS IT'S CAPA-BILL NY POST

By MARK CANNIZZARO

SCREEN TEST: The Dolphins had success against the Jets on Sunday with screen passes, something the Bills are expected to try this week in Buffalo.September 28, 2007 -- Four teams in the NFL have allowed more yards per game than the Jets, who are yielding 386 per contest.

It is a significant source of embarrassment and aggravation, but the Jets insist it's not a concern.

"It's just a matter of consistency," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said yesterday. "You'll see flashes of good plays, good drives, good quarters, and then you'll see other flashes of, what are we doing? We're working on putting four good quarters together on defense."

Safety Kerry Rhodes said the defense "should be playing better, knowing what we have inside this locker room."

The defense should be licking its chops to get onto the field Sunday in Buffalo, considering the utter ineptitude the Bills have shown on offense, averaging an NFL-low eight points per game, ranked last in the league in yards, and the fact rookie QB Trent Edwards will be making his first career start.

The Bills have scored six points in the past two games. The Jets scored 31 points Sunday against the Dolphins, yet their defense showed quite a few cracks in the second half, allowing a comeback that caused much undue stress in the 31-28 victory.

The Dolphins exposed the Jets' defense, which was unable to stop running back Ronnie Brown or a litany of screen passes.

Because of the success the Dolphins had on the ground and via screens, the Jets figure they're going to get a heavy dose of both from the Bills.

"We know it's a problem and we know we're going to get attacked like that again if we don't fix it," linebacker Eric Barton said. "The history of this league is, if you have a problem, other teams attack it. Why wouldn't you?"

Linebacker Victor Hobson said of the screens, "We definitely have to fix it and get it straightened out. Everyone is aware in this league if there's something you have a problem with, you're going to see it over and over again. You don't want to get teams feeling comfortable running screens against you."

Asked if he welcomes the Bills trying some screens against the Jets' defense so they can show they've fixed the problems, Hobson said, "I wouldn't say we welcome it, but we definitely expect it. We know that we have to stop it."

The Jets definitely are going to have to stop rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, who has 228 rushing yards and a 4.0-yard-per-carry average.

"I'm sure they're going to try run the ball; they've got a rookie quarterback in there and they've got a good running back," Rhodes said. "Marshawn Lynch is a good back who's tough to tackle. He doesn't go down on first contact. This is going to be a knuckle-up game. We know we've got to come up and make some plays against the run."

Rhodes warned, however, that falling asleep on the Bills' passing attack could be costly.

"I wish we could say they're going to just do that one thing (run the ball), but we can't," Rhodes said. "The weapons they have at receiver, even though they haven't clicked yet, they can. We've seen it first-hand last year. You can't relax in the passing game."

Indeed, wide receiver Lee Evans, who's struggled with five catches for 29 yards this season, had two big games against the Jets last season, catching eight passes for 107 yards in the first meeting then two for 91 yards in the second, including a 77-yard touchdown.

Linebacker David Bowens said he sees progress with the Jets' defense.

"We're definitely close," he said. "We definitely have the leadership and we have the athletes, and I think our chemistry is starting to come along."

Hobson said, "This is definitely a group of guys with a lot of talent and a lot of pride. We've shown in past we are capable of being successful on defense, very successful. When we look at the yards we've given up, it's definitely something we want to fix."

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

PORTER'S CHATTER AGITATES BARNES

By MARK CANNIZZARO

September 28, 2007 -- Further illustrating the hatred that exists between the Jets and Dolphins was an incident that occurred prior to last Sunday's game.

Fullback Darian Barnes, who signed with the Jets in the offseason after playing the previous two seasons in Miami, saw Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter around midfield and the two began jawing at each other.

"You going to try to make a name for yourself?" Porter chirped to Barnes, who scoffed at him.

"Joey Porter is a [bleep]," Barnes recounted yesterday. "He's been trash talking for years. What was he trying to prove coming up to me at the 50 yard line (before the game) like it was some sort of showdown? I'm not worried about Joey Porter. He hasn't hit anybody in eight years."

When a photographer approached Barnes to tell him he had a good shot of he and Porter talking before the game, Barnes asked if he could have a print so he could send it to Porter and write the words "[bleep] you" on it.

"I'm as serious as a heart attack," Barnes said to the photographer.

Porter, who has made nine tackles in three games this season, his first with Miami after eight with Pittsburgh, made news yesterday by guaranteeing the Dolphins (0-3) will beat the Raiders on Sunday, saying, "Write it how you want to write it. We will win on Sunday."

Those words surely didn't surprise Barnes.

*

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown, who gained 211 yards from scrimmage (112 rushing) Sunday, has seven career 100-yard rushing games, three against the Jets.

"He's trying to become what Willis McGahee was to us," LB Victor Hobson said of the former Bills and current Ravens running back who always has big games against the Jets.

The Jets are now worried about McGahee's replacement with the Bills, rookie Marshawn Lynch, who has 228 yards, a 4.0-yards-per-carry average, and two TDs this season.

"He's a guy that is more and more involved each week, gets better and better each week as he works with the offensive line," Eric Mangini said of Lynch. "He's a very good player that's going to get more dangerous as time goes on and as he learns more."

*

Jets who were limited in yesterday's practice included WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), CB Andre Dyson (foot), G Brandon Moore (shoulder), QB Chad Pennington (ankle), DT Dewayne Robertson (knee), and S Eric Smith (thigh). LB Cody Spencer (illness) didn't practice.

[Kentucky Jet]

Beefed-up Bills could be trouble with ground game

Friday, September 28, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- It didn't take a gridiron genius to figure out what type of team the Buffalo Bills were trying to build in the off-season when they signed left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker -- both unrestricted free agents -- for a combined $74 million.

And if bigger is better, the Bills got some bang for a considerable amount of bucks.

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The 6-6, 335-pound Dockery left the Redskins for a seven-year, $49-million deal with the Bills. The 6-8, 355-pound Walker parted ways with the Raiders for a five-year, $25-million pact. They are joined up front by left tackle Jason Peters (6-4, 328 pounds), right guard Brad Butler (6-7, 325 pounds) and center Melvin Fowler, a mere lightweight at 6-3, 310.

In Buffalo, when you ask: "Where's the beef?" you need look no further than Sunday afternoons at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"They're not doing that to be a trick team or a passing team," Jets linebacker Eric Barton said yesterday. "They're just going to try to beat you up."

That's exactly what the injury-decimated Bills (0-3) will have in mind on Sunday when the Jets (1-2) come to town to face rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who will make his first career start in place of the injured J.P. Losman (knee). The plan is to establish the running game behind explosive rookie tailback Marshawn Lynch to take the heat off Edwards.

In recent years, the Bills have found nothing but yards of real estate when running the ball against the Jets. Former Bill Willis McGahee rushed for 705 yards in six career games against the Jets, including five straight 100-yard games, before being traded to Baltimore during the off-season.

"It (running the ball) is important every game," Peters told The Buffalo News this week. "But when you have a rookie quarterback, we have to take some pressure off him and one way to do that is by running the ball more."

Added Dockery: "I never saw a defense that likes to be pounded on. The Jets have a good defense. Their front seven is quick and athletic. But if we execute, there's no reason why we can't control the line of scrimmage, move the ball and control the clock."

The Bills, who have faced stout defenses in Denver, Pittsburgh and New England, have nonetheless rushed for more than 100 yards in each of their first three games. Problem is, they've scored just 24 points and haven't been able to get the lead and run the ball.

Meanwhile, the Jets have yet to hold an opponent to under 100 yards, allowing 121.3 yards rushing per game. The Jets' 3-4 scheme, in its second season, is still a work in progress and coach Eric Mangini has chosen to anchor his defensive line with 310-pound nose tackle Dewayne Robertson rather than a 350-pounder. The Jets' starting defensive line averages just 296 pounds.

On paper, it's a recipe for a career day by Lynch, who has rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 57 carries this season.

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"Those are some big boys and if they get you going, you're going to be going for a long time," Jets defensive end Eric Hicks said. "We have to play really good technique and stay low on them. Football is always going to be football. It's always going to be that the low man who has leverage and can get his hands inside you is going to win."

Added backup nose tackle C.J. Mosley: "We have to definitely have our heads on right in the run game."

The Jets have been talking technique for two seasons now and have yet to show an ability to consistently stop the run. Lynch, selected 12th overall out of Cal, could add to their woes. Strong safety Erik Coleman (28) and cornerback David Barrett (27) are the Jets' leading tacklers, which isn't a good sign.

"We know they're going to want to run the ball," Barrett said, "so we have to be ready for that."

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at

dhutchinson@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets Focus on Bills Instead of Numbers

By NATHANIEL VINTON

Published: September 28, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 26

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets notebook

Friday, September 28, 2007

Touting Tutt

The first player Jets coach Eric Mangini mentioned in his Thursday news conference was Stacy Tutt, a backup fullback who has made his biggest contributions on special teams.

Mangini said players such as Tutt have benefited from more one-on-one instruction with coaches after practice and are becoming people the Jets will count on as the season progresses.

"It's guys like that that we can develop," Mangini said. "Stacy last year played about 14 plays, was on our practice squad, got bumped around a bit, and this year, he's already at 53 plays."

Tutt was a college quarterback at Richmond who amassed 6,872 yards of total offense. He doesn't mind putting in the extra work.

"Every day I catch balls after practice whether it's from the machine or from the quarterback," Tutt said. "It's important to keep doing stuff like that."

The Jets aren't sure what to expect from the Bills and rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who will be making his first career start, so they are preparing for a steady dose of rookie running back Marshawn Lynch.

"He is tough," Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said. "He doesn't really go down on first contact. All good backs don't go down on first contact. He is a quick and tough runner. He's going to be tough for us."

Hey, big spender

Roy Williams' recent comments about tipping, or the fact that the Detroit Lions' wide receiver never tips servers, was brought to Mangini's attention.

Mangini smiled while saying he trusts his players to know the right thing to do.

"I personally do a good job of tipping," the coach said. "My wife definitely does."

-- Darren Cooper

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' Washington stepping up

Friday, September 28, 2007

By DARREN COOPER

STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Leon Washington couldn't have drawn it up any better -- not even on a video game.

"Yeah, that's the way you like to draw it up on Madden for all you Madden fans out there," said the Jets' speedy kick returner/running back, referencing the popular football video game. "A lot of times it doesn't come that easy."

Washington's first-half 98-yard touchdown on a kickoff return down the left sideline gave the Jets the boost they needed in their 31-28 victory over the Dolphins. The question now facing the Jets (1-2) is can Washington and the Jets recapture that magic Sunday against Buffalo?

Well, the Bills certainly look like easy marks. They are winless. They are starting a rookie quarterback, Trent Edwards, for the first time and they rank last in the NFL in both total offense and defense. Yet the Jets swear they aren't taking them for granted.

"I remember losing to those guys at the end of the year at home and then we had to make a push to get into the playoffs," said Washington, adding that he's not worried about the Bills or any other team kicking away from him.

"They are a feisty group. They have some veteran guys. We have to match their intensity and be ready to go when the game kicks off."

With the loss of Justin Miller for the season to a knee injury, Washington is now the primary return man and vital part of the Jets' running attack with Thomas Jones. It's a role he has grown into.

"When we drafted Leon, we did a lot of the work on him and we knew how resilient he was and his level of determination," coach Eric Mangini said.

"He just needed to make that transition, which he's done. His approach, the way that he tries to absorb information from the coaching staff, from Thomas [Jones], Curtis [Martin], whoever it is, you're bound to get better with that type of approach."

Aside from kickoff returns, Washington has touched the ball 14 times on offense, averaging three yards a rush and 10 per pass.

"I am just trying to do what I need to do to help this team win," Washington said when asked about his role in the offense. "Just going out there and making plays for the team, getting a chance to do that is all I can really ask for."

"The way that Leon works and the way that he improves, he can do a lot of positive things," Mangini said. "It's going to take that consistent level of work. Leon's done some really good things on first and second down, too. He's not exclusively a third-down back or a special teams back. He's carved out roles on all four downs."

Since the game was televised back to Florida, Washington said he heard from a lot of family and friends after the Dolphins game who saw his jet for six. It was his first NFL return for a touchdown and he hopes there are more to come.

"They were excited to see me go out there and make a play. They expect the best out of me," Washington said. "A lot of people overlook special teams. They don't realize how critical it is for us."

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets try to get handle on dropped passes

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, September 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

Let's sneak into the Jets' offensive film room. It's Monday, the day after their 31-28 victory over the Dolphins. The room is dark and the DVR is rolling.

Chris Baker appears on the big screen, making a one-handed, juggling catch in the back of the end zone to put the Jets ahead by eight at halftime. The room speaks.

"Good catch, Bake," says one player, starting a game of verbal dominos. One by one, others offer the same response, as if on cue. But it's done in an understated, matter-of-fact way, with "no jumping up and down," Jerricho Cotchery said yesterday.

After all, acrobatic catches aren't unusual for the Jets.

If degree of difficulty counted in receiving statistics, the Jets would be among the league leaders. They've already made a handful of highlight-film plays, a montage of diving catches and one-handed grabs.

But this season has been an anomaly for the Jets' receivers. For every wow, there's been an ow. The Jets already have six drops, according to STATS, LLC, well ahead of last season's pace. (A year ago, they had only 17, the fifth-fewest in the league.) Mostly, it has been all or nothing, and the biggest case of nothing came two weeks ago in Baltimore, where Justin McCareins dropped two potential game-tying touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

If McCareins had made one of those plays, the Jets could be 2-1, heading to Buffalo over the weekend with an entirely different feel to their season. Naturally, they prefer to think of those drops as an aberration.

For the most part, the Jets are regarded as a sure-handed team, and they got back to their familiar ways last week, with Baker and Cotchery delivering spectacular catches at critical moments. Cotchery made a one-handed grab at the Miami 4 - his other arm was being held down by a defender - and, on the next play, Baker did his juggling thing in the end zone. A week earlier, Baker made a sprawling catch on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Clemens.

"Even when you throw a safe ball, keeping it away from the defender, these guys still have the ability to make those great catches," Chad Pennington said. "When they've got great coverage, and they're still able to make those one-handed and diving catches, it destroys the defense's confidence."

It's probably safe to assume the Bills (0-3) already have sustained serious damage to their confidence. After all, they rank last in total defense (458 yards per game) and last in passing defense (281 yards). With coverage that loose, Cotchery & Co. might not have to make too many difficult catches. But there's always pressure to perform. "We have a lot of weapons on offense," said Cotchery, who leads the Jets with 18 receptions for 276 yards. "Anytime you have a chance to make a play, you do everything in your power to make that play because you never know when you'll see the ball again."

Look what happened to McCareins. After his nightmare in Baltimore, he had only one ball thrown to him last week. Brad Smith appears on the verge of passing him for the No.3 spot in the pecking order, behind Laveranues Coles (three touchdowns) and Cotchery. "In practice, Brad Smith makes catches that are ridiculous," safety Kerry Rhodes said.

The quarterbacks and receivers spend an inordinate amount of time together on the practice field, throwing and catching. That helps. Pennington throws an easy-to-catch ball, according to the receivers. That helps, too. Cotchery said he actually practices catching one-handed before each game. "It's like warming up your hands and warming up your eyes at the same time," he said.

What happens if you drop a pass? Like the great catches, the drops are recognized in the film room, by Eric Mangini.

"He'll put you out on Front Street and tell everybody you should've had it," Coles said. "It's all there, in HDTV."

WHAT ABOUT BOB? Mangini said he has no plans to get involved in the defensive play-calling, currently handled by coordinator Bob Sutton. "I have total confidence in Bob," Mangini said. The Jets are ranked 28th in total defense, but "we've done a lot of good things defensively," Mangini said.

[Kentucky Jet]

First and Ten by JIM RICH

The 10 best games to bet:

JETS AT BILLS

1 p.m. Ch. 2. Jets by 3 1/2, 37

JIM DANDIES: How bad are things for the Bills (0-3)? Not only have they scored a league-worst 24 points and are playing this week without injured QB J.P. Losman - rookie Trent Edwards will start - but they have cleaned out injured TE Kevin Everett's locker because they don't have enough room for all of their players. Last week, while Everett was making his making remarkable recovery from paralysis, this is what Bills coach Dick 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." Here's what Jauron said on Wednesday: "We've got a lot of people coming in and out, so they might have needed the locker. But it doesn't have anything to do with not remembering Kevin." With unflappable leadership such as that, is it any wonder Buffalo has been outscored 64-10 since Everett's traumatic injury in Week 1? This will be like getting credit for a win during a bye week for the Jets (1-2).

IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jets and the under.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets have 10 return TDs vs. Bills in last 10 years

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 28, 2007

The Jets have proven they don't need to rely on their offense to score against the Bills. In the last 10 seasons, the Jets have 10 returns of various kinds for touchdowns against Buffalo. The last one was linebacker Victor Hobson's 32-yard fumble recovery after a Kerry Rhodes sack in Orchard Park last September.

The Jets have had five kickoff returns for touchdowns, four fumble returns and one interception return during that span. Chad Morton had two kickoff returns in an overtime game in 2002. A year before, John Abraham and Mo Lewis returned fumbles for TDs. The Jets are 6-1 in such games.

The 10 happy returns ties for most return TDs by a team against another in the last decade. The Packers have 10 against the Bears in that span.

Get 'D' fixed now

Last year the Jets' defense struggled in the first half of the season but improved greatly in the second half and was a large part of the playoff push. Rhodes said he hopes to avoid such disparity this year.

"We don't want to follow the same path," he said. "We want to get off to a fast start this year. We can still rectify that right now. It's only the fourth game and we have a chance to get better. That is what we will do."

Jet streams

WR Jerricho Cotchery may be gaining stature throughout the league, but it isn't changing the way he's being covered. "I thought that teams would be more aware of everything that I did last year, but it isn't the case," he said. "I'm still seeing some of the same looks I saw last year." ... Coach Eric Mangini said he has no inclination to become more involved in calling the defense, which is ranked 28th.

[Kentucky Jet]

Communication crucial on Jets' offensive line

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

September 28, 2007

There are times when Chad Pennington can tell if a play will work by using his ears rather than his eyes.

"When you get really good in the offensive line, you should hear a conversation going on just like we're talking," Pennington said of the chatter that ideally accompanies his arrival at the line of scrimmage.

"When you hear that, you know these guys are on the same page and good things are going to happen. When you don't hear communication on the line, sometimes good things don't happen."

After opening the season with two unimpressive games in which they allowed nine sacks and couldn't create a strong running game, the Jets' offensive line rebounded against the Dolphins in Sunday's 31-28 win and will look to keep that momentum going against the Bills. The key was improved communication.

"I don't know if it has increased or decreased, but I think we're getting better at saying what we want to say as quickly as possible," said center Nick Mangold, through whom most of the calls either originate or are passed along. "Communication is a two-way street. Guys also have to be able to listen and hear and I think we're doing a better job of that, too."

Left guard Adrien Clarke pointed out what can happen when the line is not pulling in the same direction. On the game's second play, Miami blitzed and Clarke and Mangold blocked the same linebacker, leaving lineman Vonnie Holliday free to splatter Pennington on an incomplete pass.

Although the Jets had four starting offensive linemen returning this season, it still took time for the unit to come together. The missing 20 percent was Pete Kendall, traded to the Redskins in training camp. His influence on the line came into sharp focus in his absence early this season.

Kendall's departure has forced others to become the vocal leaders of the line. Right guard Brandon Moore, the longest-tenured starter, said he was hesitant to make calls last year. "I hadn't been playing offensive line that long, I wasn't as comfortable in the system and we had Pete," Moore said. "Pete handled a lot of the conversation."

But after another year in the system, Moore said he is more confident in his ability to recognize defenses and call out adjustments. Mangold and Moore no longer are mere followers.

"As we go along, you get more comfortable and you communicate a little more or you may not even have to verbally communicate," Moore said. "There's a certain chemistry that comes along. Everything is getting better as we get more reps at it."

So just what are the players saying to each other in these conversations?

"I don't think we trade pleasantries or anything," Mangold said. "Usually it's more to the point, very distinct to what we're trying to get across."

And it doesn't all come in the form of jargony football terms. More often than not it's a simple "Watch this guy!" or "Here he comes!" Naturally, those remarks increase or decrease in accordance with the level of shifting a defensive front provides. Against the Patriots and Ravens, for example, where there was a lot of movement along the line of scrimmage, the offensive calls almost constantly were being updated.

Eric Mangini is such a believer in communication that it's one of the Core Jet Values. He tells the team: "It's better that you're all wrong together than half right or half wrong."

Clarke said he's seen improper calls work this season just because everyone did the same thing.

"The center makes the call, and regardless of what it is, you just ride with it," Clarke said. "Nick does a great job directing us where to go. If he makes the point or he makes the call, just go with it. And a lot of times things work out for the best."

Sunday

Jets at Buffalo

1 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WEPN (1050), WABC (770)

[Kentucky Jet]

Coles, Cotchery spell double trouble for Jets' opponents

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: September 28, 2007)

HEMPSTEAD - Laveranues Coles remembers asking the Redskins' coaches what he was doing wrong. It was 2003, the first of his two seasons in Washington, and there was little room for him on his pass routes.

"I didn't understand it. I thought it might have something to do with me," the Jets' wide receiver said yesterday. "The coaches got the film and said, 'They're rolling to you Laveranues. It's a respect thing.' "

The wily veteran still draws frequent double teams, a tactic the Bills (0-3) will likely employ Sunday since Coles scorched them for 10 catches the last time he visited Buffalo.

But double-teaming Coles is problematic for opponents since the Jets (1-2) also have Jerricho Cotchery, who had a breakout season in 2006 with 82 catches for 961 yards and six touchdowns.

"I thought teams would be more aware of everything I did last year, but it isn't the case right now," said Cotchery, who leads the team with 18 catches for 276 yards. "I don't need that respect. I'm just happy with the opportunity to make plays. They pay attention to Laveranues, and I get those one-on-one opportunities."

Cotchery is sixth in the AFC in receiving yards while Coles, who has 16 catches, is 26th with 146 yards. Cotchery is also tied for third in the NFL with seven third-down catches. Coles is tied for 18th with five.

Not that Coles is complaining.

"It's always great when you get that kind of respect when you step on the field," the 29-year-old Coles said. "The only bad thing is when you start looking at the numbers at the end of the year and people don't take that into consideration that people are paying more attention to you. People outside look at the stats and say you're not the same player."

Opponents don't necessarily start out looking to double-team Coles.

For instance, in this past Sunday's 31-28 win over Miami, a team that employs the popular cover-2 scheme, Coles saw some single coverage until he opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter.

"Sometimes teams decide they don't want a certain person to beat them. You're just not going to be the guy that beats them," Coles said. "They're going to roll coverage to you. Take this past week: Miami sat in cover-2 the whole game, and Thomas (Jones) did work and Jerricho did work and wherever I went they had somebody to roll up to my side."

But teams might be forced to pay more attention to Cotchery if he keeps taking advantage of single coverage. He made a spectacular one-handed grab at the Dolphins 4-yard line while fighting off a defender with his left arm.

Cotchery said he warms up before practice by catching balls with his right hand, then his left. Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said plays like that can be traumatic to defenses.

"It's demoralizing," Rhodes said. "It can be one of the worst feelings knowing you did your job and he was just better than you on that play."

Rhodes has long known about Cotchery's athletic skills since the two grew up about 15 minutes apart - Cotchery in Birmingham, Ala., and Rhodes in the suburb of Bessemer.

They competed through high school, playing once a year in football - Cotchery, then a defensive back, intercepted Rhodes - and twice in basketball - Rhodes once stole the ball from Cotchery and dunked over him.

"I think his routes are really good," said Rhodes, who goes against Cotchery in training camp. "He runs with precision and it's hard to get a read on him. He does a lot of shaking."

Which may come in handy if Cotchery starts seeing the double teams that Coles frequently does.

Notes: Jets coach Eric Mangini has been pleased with veteran cornerback David Barrett, who has 27 tackles and three passes defensed while starting all three games. Barrett played in 13 games last season but started just three as he was limited by hip problems. "David has really improved in a lot of different areas," Mangini said. "I think David being able to have some time where he's not working through an injury, not dealing with those things, he can focus on football.'' ... Linebacker Cody Spencer (illness) missed his second straight practice.

Reach Andrew Gross at apgross@lohud.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets, Giants Must Keep Momentum Vs. Division Foes

Football

By SEAN LAHMAN

September 28, 2007

Scott Boehm / Getty

STATE'S RIGHTS. Coming off their first win of the season, the Jets travel north to Buffalo to battle a banged up and winless Bills team.

Now that they've each scored their first wins, the Jets and Giants need to follow up with more solid performances to get their seasons back on track. The return of Chad Pennington last week gave the Jets' offense a boost and helped to restore their running game. For the Giants, an impressive goal line stand has their defense feeling rejuvenated. Both teams face divisional opponents this weekend, and have a chance to re-establish themselves as playoff contenders. But while the Jets face a hapless Buffalo team, the Giants face a more sobering test from the resurgent Eagles.

JETS (1-2) at BILLS (0-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

WHEN THE JETS HAVE THE BALL Quarterback Chad Pennington may not be 100% healthy, but that hasn't hampered his ability to run the Jets offense. Last week he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, leading his team to a victory over the Dolphins. Pennington moves the ball down the field with quiet efficiency, proving yet again that you don't need to be a gunslinger to be a good NFL quarterback. His 121.4 passer rating is second only to New England's Tom Brady (141.8).

Perhaps the best development last week was the re-emergence of the running game. The Jets' offensive line pulled together, avoiding the mistakes that plagued them in the first two weeks. They wore the Dolphins' defense down, allowing Thomas Jones to run for 92 of his 110 yards in the second half.

The Bills' defense ranks dead last against both the run and the pass, and they suffered a huge blow with a season-ending injury to middle linebacker Paul Posluszny last week. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has been forced to simplify his defensive plays in an effort to get things back on track, and the injuries certainly don't help.

WHEN THE BILLS HAVE THE BALL The decision to start the season with just two quarterbacks on the roster is coming back to haunt them. When starter J.P. Losman suffered a sprained knee last week, rookie Trent Edwards was forced into action. The Stanford grad has a strong arm and good pocket presence, but the Bills will have to pare down their playbook with Edwards under center.

The Bills' game plan will have to rely heavily on another rookie, running back Marshawn Lynch. He's a tough runner with the quickness to get outside, and Lynch has accounted for the only two Bills touchdowns so far this season.

The Jets' defense still has recorded just one sack in three games and has forced only one turnover. Look for them to boost each of those totals this weekend against an overmatched Bills' offense.

KEY TO THE GAME Injuries have ravaged the Bills, but frankly, they weren't that good even when they were healthy. To win, the Jets need to control the tempo with their run defense, and not self-destruct with a half-dozen turnovers.

Lahman's Pick: Jets 24–10

EAGLES (1-2) at GIANTS (1-2)

Sunday, 8:15 p.m., NBC

WHEN THE GIANTS HAVE THE BALL One of the biggest concerns during the offseason was the Giants offensive line — but it has been perhaps their biggest strength so far. Eli Manning has only been sacked four times in three games, and the run blocking has kept the ground attack potent, despite the lack of proven players in the backfield. The Giants rank sixth in the league with a 4.7 yard rushing average.

Derrick Ward has handled the bulk of the rushing duties, but the Giants had great success with Ruben Droughns in goal line situations last week. Brandon Jacobs returned to practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his knee in the opener. It's likely that all three backs could get carries Sunday.

They'll face a formidable challenge from the Eagles' defense this week. Philadelphia ranks fourth against the run after finishing 26th a year ago. The key has been a rebuilt linebacker corps. The Eagles acquired veteran Takeo Spikes in an offseason trade to play the weak side. Second-year man Omar Gaither supplanted Jeremiah Trotter as the middle linebacker, and Chris Gocong has taken over on the strong side after missing his rookie season with a neck injury.

The strong play of the linebackers has allowed defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to return to the aggressive style of play he prefers. As a result, they've been able to create tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles lead the league with 14 sacks in three games

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL The Giants' defense was reborn last week with an amazing goal line stand at the end of the game. In stopping the Redskins on four straight plays from the oneyard line, they not only earned their first victory, but also showed a confidence and intensity that had been sorely lacking.

That series of plays capped a great day for Big Blue's defense, which held the Redskins to 81 net yards in the second half.

The Eagles offense also rose from the ashes last week, earning their first win with a 56-point performance. Quarterback Donovan McNabb silenced his critics by throwing for 381 yards and four touchdown passes.

Just because McNabb plays for a division opponent doesn't mean that the Giants' defense is familiar with him. Sunday night will mark just the second time the Eagles quarterback has played against the Giants since the 2004 season.

The key to the Philadelphia offense is running back Brian Westbrook, perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL today. His speed and quickness help generate big plays on the ground, and he's also the Eagles' leading receiver.

KEY TO THE GAME The Giants will need to throw the ball, and that means they need to continue providing great protection for the quarterback. Dave Diehl faces his biggest test so far at left tackle. He'll have to contain defensive end Trent Cole, the NFL's leading pass rusher, and not get worn down by the relentless pressure.

Lahman's Pick: Eagles 27–21

[Kentucky Jet]

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/1647-getting-the-ball-in-brad-smith-s-hands

[Kentucky Jet]

Prediction: Jets will win- big!