Gameday vs Dolphins 12/2 ( NY DAILY NEWS)

[Kentucky Jet]

MIAMI - Twenty-five years ago, the Jets came to Miami with a chance to make the Super Bowl. They returned home after a controversial defeat that still haunts them. It was - and still is - known as the Mud Bowl.

Now, on the silver anniversary of that franchise-altering loss in the AFC Championship Game, the Jets are back in Miami under dramatically different circumstances. There is no title at stake Sunday at Dolphin Stadium, only potential embarrassment for the Jets.

They're 2-9, the Dolphins are 0-11. Welcome to the Dud Bowl.

Unlike Jan. 23, 1983, the conditions won't be an issue - no need to cover the field under sunny skies - but spectators and TV viewers might be advised to cover their eyes. These proud rivals have sunk to the bottom of the league. Things are so bad that scoring touchdowns have become small miracles.

"I hate to see what they're going through now," former Jets wide receiver Wesley Walker, a Mud Bowl participant, said of his old team. "I know they had high hopes after last year, and I feel for the players. It's very disheartening. I've been there."

The Jets' decline has been remarkably swift. In their previous trip to Miami, last Christmas night, they all but wrapped up a wild-card berth with a smart and gritty win in the rain, 13-10. Now they're looking at one of the biggest dropoffs in league history coming off a playoff season, raising questions about Eric Mangini.

"It seems like he's doing good things, but the verdict is still out," said former all-purpose back Bruce Harper, who still has nightmares of A.J. Duhe's three interceptions in the swampy Orange Bowl. "(Mangini) inherited a pretty good nucleus, so I don't think you can say for sure whether he's a good coach or not. It'll take another year."

The scary thing is, the Jets aren't much different from the Dolphins. Check out the points scored and points allowed totals: it's 181 and 278 for the Jets, 183 and 277 for the Dolphins.

More similarities? Both teams are breaking in young quarterbacks, Kellen Clemens and John Beck, and both teams are showing gradual improvement on defense.

"I definitely understand the things they're going through," Mangini said.

If the Jets and Dolphins are mirror images, the mirrors are cracked. You're talking about two teams that combined for only one offensive touchdown in the previous two weeks.

"What an opportunity we have," said Dolphins defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday, basically indicating this is their best chance to avoid the indignity of becoming the first non-expansion team to go winless.

couple of breaks here and there, and the situations easily could be reversed. That probably explains why the Jets have kept their mouths shut, refusing to gloat. It's too bad it has come to this, because the Jets and Dolphins have played so many memorable games over the years, a rivalry born in the mud.

To this day, former coach Walt Michaels still believes Don Shula ordered the field to remain uncovered during heavy rains in the days leading up to the '82 title game. The sloppy field neutralized the Jets' superior team speed, and they couldn't muster any offense in the 14-0 loss, a debacle that will be remembered for Richard Todd's five interceptions.

"There were some things that went on," Michaels recalled, referring to the alleged shenanigans by Shula. "The league rule is to cover the field, and it wasn't. What else has to be said?

"I laugh at it now," he continued. "It's a good thing (Roger) Goodell wasn't the commissioner then or he would've fined Shula."

This was Spygate, a quarter-century earlier.

Michaels is amazed that people still talk about the Mud Bowl, one of the highpoint/lowpoint moments in team history. Two years earlier, the Jets suffered one of the absolute lows, falling to the 0-14 Saints on an ominously dark day at Shea Stadium. Since then, no team has come that close to the unthinkable, 0-16.

"I cried after that game," said Walker, who still remembers seeing Saints fans in the stands with paper bags over their heads.

Michaels, recalling the horror of that embarrassing loss, said, "As Paul Brown used to say, 'Today, you couldn't lick your lips.'"

Mangini hopes he doesn't have to deliver that kind of post-game message to his team late Sunday afternoon.

[Kentucky Jet]

PLAYBOOK

BY HANK GOLA

Jets at Dolpins at Dolphin Stadium, 1 p.m.

The Line: Pick 'em.

TV: Ch. 2 (Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker)

Radio: ESPN 1050-AM, (Bob Wischusen, Marty Lyons), in Spanish on 1280-WADO-AM (C.L. Smith Muniz, Gerardo Quirama)

Forecast: Mostly sunny with a high of 81.

Injury Impact

The Dolphins' backfield is totally depleted with Ricky Williams' comeback aborted and Jesse Chatman iffy with an ankle injury. Rookie Lorenzo Booker, second-year man Patrick Cobbs and the re-signed Samkon Gado are waiting. DT/DE Vonnie Holliday, a key run defender, re-injured the ankle he broke earlier this year and is doubtful. The Jets should get WR Laveranues Coles back and he's had some big games against Miami, but they will lose WR Jerricho Cotchery who hurt his index finger Monday.

Feature Matchup

WR Ted Ginn Jr. vs. CBs Hank Poteat and Darrelle Revis: With Miami's running game hurting and QB John Beck so inexperienced, the Dolphins are unlikely to sustain drives. But Beck has also made some impressive throws and it makes sense to take a few deep shots to the speedy Ginn. Ordinarily, Ginn lines up on Poteat's side but they will bring him in motion. Reevis gave the Jets a small measure of Thanksgiving Day satisfaction with his play against Terrell Owens. QB Kellen Clemens vs. CB Will Allen and the Dolphins blitz: If Eli Manning has been "skittish," Clemens has been petrified. Attempting to prove he's the Jets' QB of the future, his passer rating of 56.9 is barely better than his completion percentage of 49.1. Last week, he struggled as the Cowboys came after him. The Dolphins have only 12 sacks on the year but they brought Allen off the blind side with good results against Donovan McNabb and Ben Roethlisberger. When you're 0-for-the-season, you're going to take chances.

Scout Says

"The Dolphins are still playing hard and they might be better in the trenches, where they'll try to win this game. Their offensive line has been opening holes and regardless of who plays running back, they should be able to move the Jets' front. Miami's run defense is also a mess but they will likely steal a tactic from the Cowboys by timing run blitzes against Thomas Jones. The most exciting part of the game may be on kick returns, where both Leon Washington and Ted Ginn can break one."

Intangibles

It's the winless Dolphins' best and maybe last chance to avoid infamy. This is a game they know they can win. The problem is, last week in Pittsburgh turned into a sloppy but winnable game and a demoralizing loss. The Jets have had the long preparation after Thanksgiving and the last time they had extra time, they shocked the Steelers. The Dolphins are on a short week after playing Monday night. The Jets will be in their throwback uniforms for the second time, perhaps to be incognito if they lose.

NUMBERS GAIN: 13

Percent of red zone visits that result in a Jet TD in the last six games - 16 trips inside the 20, only two touchdowns, both 1-yard passes.

Prediction

DOLPHINS, 20-13. Hey, they're due.

[Kentucky Jet]

November 30, 2007

Dud Bowl could be epic disaster for Gang Green

The Jets and Dolphins are frighteningly similar on paper. Actually, you could make the argument that Miami is a better team. Here

[Kentucky Jet]

A bad rap: Dolphins are awful, but not historically

Posted on Sun, Dec. 02, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email

By DAN LE BATARD

dlebatard@MiamiHerald.com

JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD

Despite an embarrassing 0-11 start as coach of the Dolphins, Cam Cameron never seems to be afraid of backlash.

Dolphins hope to erase stigma today

On the bright side, an 0-11 team has probably never felt quite as good as the Miami Dolphins do today.

Miami is favored to beat a wounded and terrible Jets team Sunday afternoon. Let that marinate. The Dolphins have a real chance of being remembered as the worst team in the sport's history. They are the only team in pro sports this year, in fact, with a chance of being remembered in such a historic and dreadful way.

And yet the betting public expects them to win today. In the godforsaken history of the woeful Jets, there might never have been as great an indictment as that one. Congrats, annoying Jets fans, you are supposed to lose today to a team that has not won once in 11 tries. You must be so proud.

Truth is, though, Miami isn't historically bad. Oh, the Dolphins are awful. Just not historically awful, even as they inch toward the kind of stain that lasts forever. The 0-14 Tampa Bay Bucs of 1976 were outscored 412-125. That's a point differential of 287, and it is historically awful. Those Bucs lost every time, and by an average of more than 20 points a game. Miami, on average, doesn't lose by half that much. How is that as consolation for the proud franchise of Don Shula and Dan Marino?

(Hey, I'm trying, OK? It isn't easy finding the positives around here. I feel like I'm walking around a burned-down house and, as I sift through all the charred ashes and decimation, I've stumbled upon a single salvageable pair of torn underwear!)

Compared to the 1976 Bucs and their 287, Miami has been outscored by ''just'' 94 points. That's not even worst in the division this season, never mind worst ever. The Jets have been outscored by more (97 points). Heck, the Bills have been outscored by three fewer points than Miami (91) and are 5-6 and within two time-expiring field goals of being a 7-4 wild card. The 3-8 49ers and 2-8 Rams have been less competitive than Miami everywhere but the, um, standings.

LOOK OUT FOR PATS

I know. I know. Miami still has to play the Patriots again and Bill Belichick is going to be upset at Don Shula's asterisk comment. And the last time he was here, assassin Tom Brady met a little kid during warmups on the field, nodded over to the Dolphins and whispered, ''We're going to kill those guys'' before the Pats were up 42-7 at the half. So there's the chance that the Pats win in New England by a margin in December that makes that 1976 Bucs point differential of 287 look microscopic.

But, regardless, Miami is no worse than two-win Atlanta or San Francisco, or any of the other stinkiest teams in the league this season. Given the shape of the ball, and the funny way it bounces, you are supposed to win at least one of those six three-point losses Miami has had. Still, there aren't a lot of coaches in the history of professional sports who have started a career with more losing than Cam Cameron has.

And he's getting painted as Dave Wannstache, which isn't exactly fair to either of them. Wannstedt went 11-5, 11-5, 9-7 and 10-6 his first four years here, for one. And he was Coach of the Year in Chicago, believe it or not.

THE GOOD SIGNS

But nobody can look smart at 0-11. Cameron has done good things, mind you. Never seems afraid of backlash. Fixed the offensive line in one year. Made Ronnie Brown look better than he actually is. And is uncommonly aggressive on fourth down.

But Miami's angry and betrayed fan base has to blame someone for this mess, and he will do.

[Kentucky Jet]

SCORE: Dolphins 16, Jets 13

December 2, 2007

DOLPHINS RUNNING GAME VS. JETS RUN DEFENSE

Ronnie Brown is lost for the year. Ricky Williams came and went after about half a game, and Jesse Chatman is still limping. If Chatman can't spark the running game

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets' biggest moments took place in Orange Bowl

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

December 2, 2007

MIAMI - The Jets haven't played in the Orange Bowl since 1986, and when they face the Dolphins today, they'll play in a building that hosted the most recent Super Bowl and has all the accoutrements of modern stadium life.

The Jets won't even have to drive past the Orange Bowl, forgotten son of the sunshine, first built to attract tourists who would watch annual New Year's Day games from their chilly Northeast and Midwest homes.

Yet few buildings hold as many memories for the team - cherished and cursed - as the old stadium that now sits in a residential area of Miami called Little Havana.

Much pomp was given to the final University of Miami home game played there last month, but there still are a few more clumps of pulp to be squeezed from the Orange Bowl, with its dilapidated letters still hanging from the aqua-green shell. The final college game was played last night as Florida International hosted North Texas, and a high school all-star game on Jan. 4 will be the last scheduled event.

Officials aren't sure how the stadium will go to the great beyond. They still are accepting demolition bids that run from wrecking balls to piece-by-piece deconstruction to a spectacular Vegas Strip-type implosion.

They aren't even sure what will take its place. The Marlins are pushing for a new stadium of their own but haven't come up with the money for such a project. Additional housing seems to be the most likely, if boring, result.

For now, though, the Orange Bowl still stands. But by the time the Jets return to South Florida next season, the stadium likely will be leveled, along with some of the franchise's most iconic moments.

The most celebrated, of course, is the lone Super Bowl win over the Baltimore Colts. It was at the Orange Bowl that the Jets - and the NFL itself - made their mark. You still can see the players' entrance in the corner where Joe Namath jogged off the field after that Jan. 12, 1969 game, the soil of a 16-7 victory still clinging to his white uniform, his index finger raised to proclaim the Jets as No. 1.

That was the pinnacle of the relationship between the Jets and Namath. The beginning occurred several years earlier and, coincidentally, in the very same place.

Namath, a senior at Alabama, had injured his knee in practice as the top-ranked Crimson Tide prepared to face Texas in the annual Orange Bowl on the first day of 1965. Texas won, but Namath came off the bench, played hurt and was voted the game's MVP. Legend has it that Jets owner Sonny Werblin, enamored by Namath's play as well as his burgeoning star power, signed the quarterback right on the field after the game.

The memories aren't all rosy for the Jets, though. One of the team's most spectacular flame-outs occurred at the Orange Bowl when Dolphins linebacker A.J. Duhe intercepted Richard Todd three times in the 1982 AFC Championship Game, giving Miami a 14-0 win and a ticket to the Super Bowl.

It had rained for several days and throughout the night and morning before the kickoff, and there was no tarpaulin to cover the field. The muddy conditions played a part in the result; Freeman McNeil, who had run for more than 300 yards in the two previous playoff games, was held to 46 yards on 17 carries, and speedy wide receiver Wesley Walker was slowed down. Todd threw five interceptions in the game, which was scoreless at the half. Duhe returned one of his picks 35 yards for a touchdown that made it 14-0.

The Jets held Miami to 198 total yards and forced six turnovers - three interceptions and three fumbles - but the hopes of playing for a second Lombardi Trophy were buried in the soaking sod and dirt.

The Orange Bowl isn't the only setting of Jets history that will feel the sting of a wrecking ball. Soon, too, Shea Stadium will be rubble. And Giants Stadium, the team's home since 1984, will give way to a new structure.

But as the Jets play Miami today, perhaps someone from the franchise will stop by the Orange Bowl, place a wreath at the tunnel where Namath went finger-wagging, and pay respects to a site of so much history: the good, the bad and the muddy.

WAITING FOR THE WRECKER

He got squeezed! Could you imagine the look on the face of George Silveira, 50, when he heard the bad news, that the Orange Bowl would be, well, bowled over. The Miami alumnus, seen cheering on the Hurricanes in their last game at the stadium on Nov. 10, has had the same seat for 26 years.

FUN FACT:

Where are they now?

None of Miami's key offensive statistical leaders from the meeting with the Jets in September - Trent Green in passing, Chris Chambers in receiving, Ronnie Brown in rushing - will be on the field for this game. Green and Brown are on IR and Chambers was traded to the Chargers.

Jets at Miami, 1 p.m. TV: Ch. 2Radio: WEPN (1050),

WABC (770), WRCN (103.9)

MEET THE ENEMY

John Beck, QB

The Dolphins stunned many observers when they passed on Notre Dame's Brady Quinn in the first round of April's draft and instead selected Beck in the second round. He started the season as a project, someone who could learn behind veteran Trent Green. But when Green went down and Cleo Lemon wasn't impressive, Beck, a 26-year-old rookie from BYU, became the starter.

In two games in that role, the Dolphins have not scored an offensive touchdown, but Beck hasn't thrown an interception. "You see growth," Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said, "and that's the most important thing, from my perspective." This will be Beck's first start in Miami, so Dolphins fans will get their first up-close look at him along with the Jets.

LOOKING BACK

Jets 51, Dolphins 45 (OT)

Sept. 21, 1986

Don't expect this kind of day when Kellen Clemens and Beck hook up, but at the pinnacle of the Jets-Dolphins rivalry, the teams put on an offensive show for the ages. Quarterbacks Ken O'Brien and Dan Marino totaled 884 net passing yards, still an NFL record.

O'Brien hit Wesley Walker with a 21-yard TD pass as time expired to send the game into overtime; three plays after the Jets won the toss, O'Brien again hit Walker, this time on a 43-yard game-winner. Walker had four TD catches, still a Jets record, to go with his 194 receiving yards. Al Toon added 111 yards on seven catches. Marino threw six TD passes.

And despite what you think, the defense did show up for both teams. Marino had two interceptions and O'Brien threw one pick.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets host the Browns next Sunday in their next-to-last home game of the season.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets, Dolphins in same boat as season starts to wind down

By BRIAN HEYMAN

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: December 2, 2007)

When the Jets look across the scrimmage line at the Dolphins today, they will be able to see a reflection of themselves because there really isn't a whole lot of difference between their 2-9 and Miami's 0-11 or how the teams arrived at their bottom lines.

These two sinking ships will be playing a virtual playoff game at Dolphin Stadium in what has become a five-week race between them and a few others for worst of the worst and the accompanying prize - the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. If the Jets win, the Dolphins should be in real good shape.

"We are in the same boat," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "They can easily have a different record, but they are what they are and we are what we are. We are both not that good right now. We are both struggling and trying to get a victory on Sunday."

Because the players aren't worrying about the draft, just about trying to finish strong. But neither side has provided much evidence to think about a fantastic finish.

Both sides have regularly proved they aren't good enough to win the close ones, except the Jets when they were playing Pittsburgh or Miami.

The Jets hung on to beat the Dolphins 31-28, but that was practically in another life back on Sept. 23 when Chad Pennington and Jonathan Vilma were in play for the Jets and Trent Green, Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers were in play for the Fish.

Otherwise, the Jets have dropped five games by a total of 27 points and the Dolphins have dropped six three-point games, including last Monday night's 3-0 setback in the marsh that was Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"When you look at their games, their stories have gone like ours have," wide receiver Laveranues Coles said. "... Most of their games have been losses by seven points or less. You have to attribute that to the great defense that they have."

The Jets are going to have to take on that defense without their leading receiver. Jerricho Cotchery reportedly underwent finger surgery this week and could be out for the year after getting hurt in practice on Monday. And Coles, who sat out the 34-3 Dallas debacle on Thanksgiving with a high ankle sprain, is listed as questionable.

If he can't play, that would leave Justin McCareins, Brad Smith and Wallace Wright as the top three receivers for Kellen Clemens, along with tight end Chris Baker.

"We try and build that same chemistry, Brad and I with Kellen, as (Coles) has with Chad," said Wright, who has one catch to show for his two seasons. "They played for years together. We are trying to build that same kind of chemistry."

That won't make it any easier for Clemens. The strong-armed 2006 second-round pick has been generally unimpressive in his 1-2 run since taking the keys from Pennington, outside of some two-minute work. But Clemens has been trying to learn on the job, and he has had an inconsistent line, running game and defense to support him, not to mention the fact that Coles has missed two of the three games.

Clemens still needs to give coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum more reasons to believe he is indeed their quarterback for future seasons. The reasons weren't there in the Dallas game when he completed just 12 of 27 for 142 yards and telegraphed an interception that got run back for a touchdown.

"There were a couple throws where I just missed," Clemens said. "If you look at my completion percentage, it was obviously lower than you hope for as a quarterback, but there were a lot of balls where I was flushed out of the pocket and just threw the ball away to try to avoid a sack. Some of those balls that maybe looked like they were missing and go out of bounds actually go there on purpose."

The Dolphins have had their own problems on offense, especially with injuries at running back and quarterback. They are now on their third guy taking snaps, rookie John Beck. But this game may be their best chance to avoid becoming the first 0-16 team.

"I understand the things that they're going through," Mangini said. "It usually comes down to that same situation where there are a few plays here or there that if they were different, the outcome would be dramatically different."

The mantra of losing teams.

Reach Brian Heyman at bheyman@lohud.com.

Key names

Kellen Clemens: Chad Pennington's replacement has so far shown only flashes that he's a worthy successor. In his defense, the second-year pro is learning as he goes under less than optimum circumstances with this team. But all eyes will be on him these final five games since the Jets need to evaluate if they're truly going in the right direction at their most important position. Clemens' 49.1 completion percentage and six interceptions as opposed to three touchdown passes over six games isn't going to do.

Justin McCareins: The receiver dropped in standing after he dropped two big passes with the Jets trying to rally in what turned out to be a 20-13 loss in Week 2. But Jerricho Cotchery is out after reported finger surgery this past week, and Laveranues Coles is questionable due to a sprained ankle. So the Jets could use McCareins to not only keep a grip on the ball, but to catch it deep and stretch the field for Clemens as well as the running game.

John Beck: The rookie second-rounder is another guy trying to prove he's a quarterback of the future. So far, he has been underwhelming for the Dolphins, completing 51.1 percent of his throws for 241 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in his two games since taking over for Cleo Lemon.

Key injuries

Jets: WR Jerricho Cotchery (finger) is out. WR Laveranues Coles (ankle), NT Dewayne Robertson (knee), CB David Barrett (hip) and LS James Dearth (foot) are questionable. WR Brad Smith (back), TE Chris Baker (back) and DT C.J. Mosley (shoulder) are probable.

Dolphins: LB Zach Thomas (migraines) is out. DT Vonnie Holliday (ankle) and DE Matt Roth (groin) are questionable. RB Jesse Chatman (ankle) and DT Keith Traylor (ankle) are probable.

Brian Heyman

[Kentucky Jet]

Dolphins look to get off the schneid today against 2-9 Jets

Miami's best chance for a win this season?

BY CARL KOTALA

FLORIDA TODAY ADVERTISEMENT

The question would have seemed ludicrous in Week 3, maybe even Week 7 or 8 of the NFL season.

But as the 0-11 Miami Dolphins approached today's Week 13 matchup with the New York Jets, it seemed more appropriate than offensive.

Actually, it was more sad than anything else. But this is no time to get picky.

During one of his weekly press conferences, Dolphins coach Cam Cameron was asked just how close he believes his team is to winning its first game.

"With the way we played the last few weeks, we're close every week," Cameron told reporters. "We go into every game feeling like we can win. I think that's the important thing. I know to some people that seems impossible. How do you go into a game feeling like you can win when you haven't won?

"You watch guys prepare. You can tell if people are preparing to win, or whether they're just getting by. Are they getting better or are they just getting by? This team is trying to get better. Teams that I've seen, the teams that get better, continue to believe."

While the Dolphins themselves wouldn't dare admit it, their 1 p.m. game against the visiting Jets (2-9) might represent their best chance to avoid finishing the season 0-16.

The Las Vegas odds makers must think so. They've installed the Dolphins -- who were 16-point underdogs last week in Pittsburgh -- as a 1-point favorite.

"We're favored to win this game? Wow," Dolphins safety Jason Allen said. "I guess you can look at it how you want to look at it. But we're going out and we're giving it our all."

There is no denying that, even though the losses continue to mount, the Dolphins have gotten better in certain areas this season -- particularly on the offensive line.

Miami hasn't exactly been getting blown out of games this season. Six of the Dolphins 11 losses have been by three points.

But while they've been able to stay in games, they simply haven't been able to finish them.

Three weeks against Buffalo, for example, Miami had an edge on the Bills in virtually every category. But when it came to crunch time, it was Buffalo that was able to make the plays it had to. The Bills did not convert a third down play all day . . . until the final drive, when they converted two of them on their way to kicking the game-winning field goal.

Today, they're not only going to have to make those plays. They're going to have to do it with a rookie quarterback who is still learning.

John Beck played better in his second start last week than his first, but the fact is Miami has not scored an offensive touchdown since the last play of the third quarter against Buffalo. They have not scored an offensive touchdown in either of Beck's two starts.

"I would say definitely from my first start to my second start I felt even more comfortable," the rookie said. "Certain plays I was definitely feeling like I was able to move around and stay with all of my reads like I'm supposed to. As a quarterback, you want to move quick and think quick but not move too quick and think too quick, if that makes sense.

"I felt like I was able to do the things that we worked on in practice, but still knowing there are things to improve. There were plays that had we made, it would have definitely helped."

So would improving their own third-down conversion rate.

Miami has been good on only five of its past 32 third-down opportunities (22 percent). That's far below their regular season average of 37.1 percent, which isn't that impressive to begin with.

As bad as the Dolphins have been, the Jets (2-9) haven't been much better, though they did defeat the Steelers two weeks ago. Like Miami, however, the Jets have been beset by injuries this season. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is lost for the season and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is out for today's game following surgery on his finger. Another wide receiver, Laveranues Coles, is questionable with an ankle injury.

That could make it a favorable matchup for the Dolphins. But what it will really come down to is whether or not they've learned how to finish a game.

"What we've got to do is we've got to execute, we've got to take advantage of our opportunities, and we've got to make the plays, especially at the end of the games when they're there to be made," Cameron said. "When we do that, we all know what's going to happen. We're going to win."

Contact Kotala at 242-3692 or ckotala@floridatoday.com

[Kentucky Jet]

QBs taking baby steps

Beck, Clemens growing slowly

By Harvey Fialkov | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

December 2, 2007

DAVIE -

It took two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green five years to earn his first start in the NFL.

Colts superstar quarterback Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions his rookie season in leading Indianapolis to a 3-13 mark.

If not for Drew Bledsoe's failings, Patriots two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady and undrafted Cowboys rising star Tony Romo might never have gotten on the field.

So judging Dolphins rookie quarterback John Beck or second-year Jets QB Kellen Clemens on a combined six starts would be like comparing the walking progress of two toddlers.

"Nothing could replace experience," Green said. "Obviously, the more they're going to play the more they're going to grow."

Beck and Clemens, both drafted in the second round, have been praised for their decision-making, a key element to any quarterback's success.

But in his first two NFL starts

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets line thrown off-guard

Ugly trade of Kendall left unit in shambles

Sunday, December 02, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

MIAMI -- The name Pete Kendall is practically taboo among the Jets offensive linemen. Mention it and you get a not-so-subtle suggestion that it would be a good idea to change the subject if you want the interview to go anywhere. He has been all but expunged from the Jets' record books.

Kendall, a three-year starter with the Jets, was traded by the club in August to the Redskins after a messy contract squabble. He was a popular locker room figure and the sparkplug of the offensive line. With his departure, it seems, went the chemistry of the unit.

Last season, the Jets offensive line was solid, if unspectacular, buoyed by the surprising play of a pair of rookies, center Nick Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Kendall played between the two at left guard and took the young players under his wing.

This season, without Kendall, the line is a glaring weakness, although four of the five starters are back -- right guard Brandon Moore, right tackle Anthony Clement, Ferguson and Mangold. Third-year pro Adrien Clarke has replaced Kendall.

The Jets haven't been able to consistently run the ball or protect their quarterback. The offense is ranked 30th in the NFL.

Last week, the offensive line had its biggest meltdown of the season in a 34-3 drubbing by the Cowboys. Quarterback Kellen Clemens spent the afternoon being chased all over Texas Stadium and running back Thomas Jones couldn't find a sliver of daylight. The game was a microcosm of the season.

"I'm not going to get into the Pete Kendall thing," said Moore, who along with his linemates hope to get back on track today against the winless Dolphins (0-11) at Dolphin Stadium. "We've moved on from that. We have to block (Dolphins defensive linemen) Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holiday and all those guys. So you have to ask somebody else about that."

How about it, Nick Mangold?

"Those things happen and you have to be able to move forward," he said of the trade of Kendall. "That's one of the things we have to do."

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has been heavily criticized for his decision to play hardball with Kendall over $1 million and trade him for a fourth-round pick in 2009. He appears to have both underestimated Kendall's value and overestimated Clarke, who has struggled all season. At 34, Kendall wasn't worth the trouble, the organization apparently felt.

"We're going to see over time whether or not that was a good trade or not," said Tannenbaum. "But for the value we got, we wouldn't have made that trade. The fourth round has been pretty good here from Kerry Rhodes, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith and Leon Washington."

The offensive line has been maddeningly inconsistent. Jones has just three 100-yard rushing games and has yet to score a touchdown. The unit's poor play led directly to the benching of quarterback Chad Pennington and Clemens hasn't fared much better in his four starts (1-3), throwing just three touchdowns and six interceptions with a league-worst 56.9 passer rating. The 29 sacks allowed by the Jets are the 11th-most in the league. The Jets had a season-low 180 yards of total offense against the Cowboys.

"We have little mental errors on different plays," Mangold said. "We have technique errors. You correct one and then you have a different one. That's the problem we're having."

Tannenbaum agreed.

"Every week is a little bit different," he said. "One week, one player will not play as well as another and the next week it may be somebody else. We've seen some good things but it hasn't been at a high level."

Tannenbaum is quick to point out that the Jets' average per rush is slightly better this season compared to last season (3.7 yards to 3.5 yards) and that the Jets have yielded only 20 sacks in the past nine games after allowing nine in the first two.

"One thing I've learned is that things aren't always as good as they seem when it's going good and they aren't as bad as they appear when things are going bad," Tannenbaum said. "It's somewhere in the middle."

Even so, the Jets are expected to revamp the offensive line next season. Clement and Clarke aren't expected to return. Moore has been solid. The Jets are building their line around Mangold and Ferguson, both of whom Tannenbaum said he's pleased with. He likes Mangold's leadership and Ferguson's athleticism.

The Jets will likely address the offensive line at some point in the draft, with backup left guard Will Montgomery and rookie guard/tackle Jacob Bender expected to be in the mix next season.

As the offensive line "moves on," as it likes to say, Moore insists the blame can't be laid solely at the locker stall of Clarke. He says the entire team has issues, not just the offensive line.

"You guys are trying to get caught up in the whole Adrien Clarke/Pete Kendall situation, but past performance has no bearing on this year," Moore said. "Look at our team in terms of this year to last year. It's the same guys. Last year doesn't do anything for this year."

Note: WR Jerricho Cotchery underwent surgery on his right index finger and is out against the Dolphins. He is officially listed as out for today's game and there's a chance he could miss the rest of the season. Justin McCareins will likely start in his place.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached

at dhutchinson@starledger.com

[Kentucky Jet]

Harris pleasant surprise for Jets

Saturday, December 1, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- After the Jets' practice on Thursdays, it's up to the team's leading tackler and defensive signal caller to carry in shoulder pads and helmets for his teammates.

As David Harris said Friday, "I still feel like a rookie."

That's understandable, given those duties. But he certainly hasn't played like one since taking over as one of the Jets' starting inside linebackers after Jonathan Vilma was placed on injured reserve Oct. 27. Harris is tops on the Jets with 74 tackles, two more than fellow inside linebacker Eric Barton, and Harris had 34 of those tackles in his first two starts.

He's leveled off since then, with eight apiece in each of his past two games, but defensive coordinator Bob Sutton still is impressed.

"I think he's gotten better each week," Sutton said.

It's obvious that the second-round draft choice from Michigan can do a lot more than carry equipment and buy the doughnuts on Saturdays, another of his rookie duties.

Much like Kellen Clemens on the other side of the ball, Harris and his continued development will be a focal point during the last month of this lost season.

"I feel I'm coming along real good," Harris said. "The coaches have done a good job of helping me along and preparing me. I'm doing OK. ... The more I get on the field, the more comfortable I get being out there, I guess."

"He's done a nice job in the running game with his fits," coach Eric Mangini said of Harris. "What I've liked with David is that in the passing game, he's got a pretty good feel for a young guy of how routes develop.

"There's a lot of work to be done there, but he's got a good feel. Oftentimes you're either really good in one area or really good in the other, and he's got the potential to continue to grow in both areas."

Both Mangini and Sutton also like the cerebral aspect of Harris' game, an especially important aspect for an inside linebacker.

"He's done a good job," Sutton said, "limiting the [mental] mistakes."

Mangini said, "I like the way that he continues to improve with huddle procedure, huddle maintenance, that whole aspect of being an inside linebacker and a signal caller."

Harris isn't thinking about the 2008 season.

"You can't afford to do that in this league," but he does know something else is looming as the season comes to an end.

"Sooner or later," he said, "I'm going to have to take all the linebackers out for dinner. It's coming soon, but I don't know which day it is."

As for the venue, he said with a smile, "It's probably their choice, but I hope they don't take it too far."

BRIEFS: Jerricho Cotchery (finger), who didn't practice all week, was listed as out by the Jets for Sunday's game at Miami. Fellow wideout Laveranues Coles (ankle) was limited in practice again Friday and is questionable. For Miami, linebacker Zach Thomas (migraine headaches) will miss his fifth straight game and running Jesse Chatman (ankle) is probable.

[JetCane]

LOL@ The Dud Bowl