NY JETS articles 11/7/08

[Kentucky Jet]

TOUGH TURN-AROUND A BIG TEST FOR JETS

By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

Brett Favre and the first-place Jets face a heavy workload in the coming days - hosting the Rams on Sunday, then heading to New England for a Thursday night showdown with the Patriots.

Posted: 4:03 am

November 7, 2008

This could be a turning-point week for the JetsNew York Jets .

It certainly be a busy one.

By next Friday, Gang Green - now in a three-way tie for first place - could either be on top of the AFC East by itself, or alone in the cellar.

"The Jets have seemed to find that mix,'' Fox analyst and former Cowboy fullback Daryl Johnston said.

"The big catch phrase now is complementary football, with all three phases working together. ... Now it sounds like the Jets have found that mystique that you have to find to get all three phases working together."

Sunday, Brett Favre & Co. host the banged-up Rams. But the level of competition the Jets will face takes a huge step up just four days later, with a Thursday night date with the Patriots in Foxborough.

That game will be the second of two crucial home matchups for the Patriots, who host the Bills on Sunday.

"Everyone talks about the NFC East, [but] I am not so sure the AFC East isn't going to be more exciting as they go down the stretch with the way these teams are playing," said Bill Cowher, analyst on CBS' NFL Today.

" I think the whole division is getting overlooked, but when people start realizing how good it is, it's going to come to the forefront and it's going to be a great race going down the stretch. I do think two teams will come out of this division for the playoffs."

Before the Jets upset the Bills, they were coming off two awful performances - a loss to the hopeless Raiders, followed by sneaking out a win at home against the hapless Chiefs.

Cowher said he believes the Jets' upcoming stretch will determine their playoff fate. And it starts with defense.

"When you look at the defense and a guy like Kris Jenkins, who I think is playing as well as any lineman in the NFL, he anchors that defensive line," Cowher said.

"I think it's a football team that if you look at them right now at 5-3 with that defense, I think if they win two of their next three games (Rams, Patriots, Titans) they have a chance to have an 11-win season and a good chance for the playoffs."

justin.terranova@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

By Jim Thomas

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

11/07/2008

More often than not, Chris Long looked almost lost on the practice fields of Concordia University Wisconsin and on into preseason play.

From the Internet message boards to talk radio, some fans and observers wondered if Long could cut it as an NFL defensive end.

"Some people were freaking out a little bit during training camp," Long said. "Early on, I think people thought the sky was falling when I didn't immediately look like an All-Pro around here.

"But I just kind of kept at it, and I've used some of the tips and help from the older guys. I've been blessed to have guys like Leonard Little and James Hall at end, and La'Roi (Glover) inside. I just kept working hard and a couple plays came my way."

A lot of athletes studiously try to avoid the sports page or talk radio. They don't want to know what's being said about them or their team.

Not Long.

"I read everything and I pay attention to everything," he said. "Sometimes for motivation, just 'cause I want to know."

So did that early criticism motivate him? "Yeah," Long said. "I'm motivated anyways. I was the No. 2 pick in the draft. I find a reason to be (upset) every day."

These days, no one around Rams Park is freaking out over Long's play. Eight games certainly doesn't make a career. Long is far from a finished product. But he has improved steadily with each game and is showing up more and more on the stat sheet

[Kentucky Jet]

By MARK CANNIZZARO

Posted: 4:03 am

November 7, 2008

It appears Mike Nugent is creeping ever so close to returning to his duties as the New York Jets kicker.

Nugent, who injured his right thigh in the season opener in Miami and has been out since, began practicing with the team this week for the first time.

Eric Mangini would not rule one way or another who will kick Sunday, but figure it'll be Jay Feely, who's filled in admirably for Nugent. Feely has made 12 of 16 field goals and been solid on kickoffs.

Asked if he believes it's about time he returns, Nugent said yesterday, "I think I felt it was about time two days after (the injury) happened. I wanted (the missed time) to be as quick as possible."

Nugent said no one has rushed him, that he's found teammates saying to him things like "be smart" and "make sure you're ready to go."

It looks as if next Thursday's New England game might be Nugent's next game.

"He did significantly more than he has done," Mangini said. "It [Wednesday] was the first time that he's really been involved with the full group. It was encouraging."

*

David Bowens will start again in place of LB David Harris, who appears to be out about three weeks after he underwent groin surgery Wednesday.

Bowens did a nice job against the Bills, except for being burned on a long screen play to Marshawn Lynch on Buffalo's opening drive.

"Quite a mulligan," coach Eric Mangini joked of Bowens' early gaffe.

*

In other injury news, S Eric Smith (post-concussion symptoms) and TE Bubba Franks (hip) also missed yesterday's practice. Abram Elam will again start for Smith.

WRs Laveranues Coles (thigh) and Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) and LB Cody Spencer (shoulder) were limited in practice as was Nugent. TE Chris Baker (hip) practiced

[Kentucky Jet]

By MARK CANNIZZARO

The Jets, including Calvin (left) and David Harris (right) swarm Patriots RB LaMont Jordan earlier this season.

Posted: 4:03 am

November 7, 2008

Kris Jenkins can't truly appreciate the remarkable resurrection of the New York Jets ' run defense this season after they had been so pathetic in the most basic tenet of defense for the last several years.

Jenkins is in his first season with the Jets and his huge frame (360 pounds) at nose tackle, energetic presence, athleticism and infectious personality have been as much a reason for the turnaround as anything - though you'll never hear that from him.

Calvin Pace, who brings the athleticism of a linebacker in the body of a defensive end, also is in his first year, so this is all he knows as a Jet. To get the real story, you need to visit the lockers of the Jets' veteran defensive players, who have been ridiculed for as long as they can remember for their failure to stop the run - akin to someone questioning their manhood.

"It's very demoralizing knowing a team is lining up against you and out-physicalling you - just running the ball whether it's 5 yards or 15 yards," veteran defensive end Shaun Ellis said. "Teams just kept pounding and pounding away."

Safety Kerry Rhodes knows the feeling well.

"It makes it tough for you to do anything on defense when you can't stop the run," Rhodes said.

Last season, the Jets decided enough was enough. No more trying to convince themselves and anyone who'd listen that Dewayne Robertson was big enough to play nose.

With Jenkins, the Jets got a lot bigger and more experienced on the nose and bigger at linebacker.

The result has made them nearly impossible to run against this season.

Sunday's scenario might turn into a perfect storm for the Jets considering that, as of yesterday, running back Stephen Jackson, the Rams' best player, had not practiced and is unlikely to play because of a thigh injury. His backup, Antonio Pittman (hamstring), hasn't practiced at all this week, either.

Both Jackson and Pittman will try to practice today, but it looks like the Rams will have to go with a running back committee of Kenneth Darby or Sam Gado (neither has a carry this year).

The Jets enter the home game against the Rams ranked fourth in the NFL in run defense, having given up 76 yards per game on the ground and an average of 3.1 yards per carry.

By comparison, the Jets ranked 29th against the run last season, allowing 134.8 yards per game and a 4.2-yard average. The year before, coach Eric Mangini's first with the Jets, they ranked 24th against the run, giving up 130.3 yards per game and a gaudy 4.6-yards per carry.

For Mangini, who came here as a defensive-minded head coach, those numbers were becoming difficult to swallow.

He inherited a team that, in 2005, was ranked 29th against the run, giving up a 136.6-yard average on a league-high 554 rushing attempts.

And it got no better in his first two years here until the mistake of relying on Robertson was finally conceded and Jenkins and Pace arrived.

"This year has put things into perspective, because just last year we were one of the worst in the league," Rhodes said. "And to come back and be one of the top ones now is rewarding."

Linebacker Eric Barton is another of those Jets veterans who has been through the embarrassment and is reveling in this revival.

"We've been at the bottom of the league rankings - it's awful," Barton said. "The clock keeps running and you feel kind of helpless."

The Jets are not a ****y team; they're rather humble. That comes from Mangini. They're not arrogant enough to say no one's going to run on their defense, but . . .

No one really has. The Bills managed just 30 yards and a 1.8-yard average last week.

"We definitely have the personnel to man up against anybody in the run," Ellis said.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

[Kentucky Jet]

... - Football - NFL - St. Louis Rams

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Jackson remains a question mark

If he doesn't practice today, Haslett says he won't take field against Jets

BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat

ST. LOUIS -- Running back Steven Jackson said it'll take "something miraculous" for him to meet St. Louis Rams coach Jim Haslett's mandate that he practice full speed by today or he won't play this Sunday against the New York Jets.

Asked if it was realistic for him to practice today, Jackson said on Thursday, "Probably not. A full practice, probably not to be honest with you. I'm surely hoping that I come in tomorrow, and something miraculous happens tonight, and I feel like I can give a full practice like he's wanting."

Jackson said he was hoping that Rams coach Jim Haslett would cut him some slack in the decree that he had to able to practice full speed by today.

"I'm hoping that maybe even Saturday if I can during the walk-through have my own personal practice and see if I am able to burst," Jackson said. "Maybe he'll let that slide. I just wasn't able to today and yesterday to give him a full day's work."

Jackson told Haslett that he was ready to play after testing his strained thigh muscle in pregame warmups Sunday, but then pulled himself out on the first play from scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals because he didn't feel comfortable running the play that had been called.

Haslett repeated his demand that Jackson practice today if he wants to suit up on Sunday.

"We'll find out tomorrow," Haslett said Thursday. "If he doesn't go tomorrow, then he won't play in the game on Sunday."

Jackson said he underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed some imflammation in his quadriceps muscle.

"It was actually worse than the first MRI," Jackson said. "Our thoughts were that maybe it was just a hard cut day, and it wasn't ready, and that's why it kind of swelled up on me."

Jackson said his strained hamstring muscle was getting better.

"It is getting better, but with a hamstring, a quad, a groin -- those kind of injuries -- one day you feel great and the next day the slightest movement or tweak can set you back," Jackson said. "That's what I am dealing with right now. One day I feel great, I feel like I can. And then when it's time for me to show on the field that I am ready, it's not responding the way we want it to."

Jackson said his thigh felt fine when running straight ahead. It's when he tried to cut or make a burst that he was experiencing problems.

"My change of direction and bursting in and out of the hole is just not there yet," Jackson said.

Running backs Kenneth Darby and Samkon Gado shared the carries with the starting offense.

Darby was signed off the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad on Oct. 14, while Gado was signed as a free agent earlier this week.

Jackson said that he and his teammates must help Darby and Gado get ready to carry the load in the running game.

"We're definitely going to help those guys out," Jackson said. "The offense is really complicated, and it's going take the other 10 guys in the huddle helping the young guys, and on the sideline, I'm going to try to help those guys comprehend what is going on.

"One thing about a running back is once he knows where he is going, it's pretty much his own ability that takes him there."

Antonio Pittman, who has a hamstring injury, ran on the sideline for the second straight day.

Haslett said Pittman might attempt to practice today, but he wasn't sure what role he'd have in the offense if he was indeed healthy enough to play against the Jets.

Haslett said running back Travis Minor, who sustained a concussion last Sunday against Arizona, will take a neuropsych test again today. Minor failed his neuropsych test earlier this week.

Defensive tackle Adam Carriker (ankle) was able to participate in practice on a limited basis Thursday, while wide receiver Derek Stanley (ankle) and safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (thigh) were able to handle a full work load.

Linebacker David Harris, the Jets' leading tackler this season, has yet to participate in practice this week.

Wide receivers Laveranues Coles (thigh) and Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), kicker Mike Nugent (right thigh) and linebacker Cody Spencer (shoulder) all practiced on a limited basis for the Jets on Thursday.

Contact Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets WR Clowney waiting for his chanceBY ERIK BOLAND | erik.boland@newsday.com

November 7, 2008

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Calling David Clowney disgruntled would be inaccurate.

But "frustrated" works.

"It would be frustrating for anybody, especially being what I did in training camp and preseason," the second-year receiver from Virginia Tech said. "I know I have the ability to help this team, and that's all I want to do."

But to this point, despite being healthy for several weeks after returning from a shoulder injury, Clowney has not contributed.

Clowney was on track to be one of the season's surprises, catching two long TD passes in the preseason opener on Aug. 7 in Cleveland, though that game is better remembered for who wasn't in the lineup - Brett Favre - than who was. The next week against the Redskins, Clowney had a team-best four catches for 59 yards before getting slammed to the turf after the fourth catch and suffering a broken collarbone.

Clowney is now physically ready to return but hasn't been activated. He's the victim of a numbers game, coach Eric Mangini said.

"It's tough to bring six wideouts to a game and have roles for all of them," Mangini said. "Usually the [fourth and fifth wide receiver] play certain roles on special teams because of their body type. When you add six in there, there's only so many of those spots, those body-type spots. Then you have to make a decision of, is his anticipated contribution on offense great enough to offset the uncertainty with his performance on special teams?"

The fourth and fifth receivers have been Brad Smith, who fills a utility role of sorts, and Wallace Wright, who is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season on special teams.

Still, a true burner seems to be one element missing from the Jets' receiving corps. Clowney, if nothing else, is fast.

"He's definitely a blazer," safety Kerry Rhodes said yesterday.

"He's fast, very fast, possibly our fastest guy on the team," Favre said.

Favre had seen Clowney - who ran one of the fastest 40 times at the 2007 NFL Combine with a 4.36 - in action before. The Packers selected Clowney in the fifth round of the 2007 draft and he spent training camp with the Packers that year.

But "I didn't think he'd make it three weeks in Green Bay last year and he didn't," Favre said this week. "Maybe he made it four."

The Packers waived Clowney on Sept. 1, 2007, and though they re-signed him to their practice squad, the Jets grabbed him in October 2007.

"His development from that point to now is totally different," Favre said. "I've told him that."

Mangini acknowledged Clowney's speed, though he said that isn't unique to Clowney among Jets receivers.

"I think he does have very good speed," Mangini said. "I think that our other receivers have the ability to stretch the field as well. I don't think he's the only one that has that ability. I do appreciate his speed. It is a real strength."

And it's one that Clowney is eager to display, especially with Favre.

Clowney remembered when he was drafted by the Packers and how much he wanted to catch a TD pass from the league's all-time leader in that category. He was as excited as anyone when the Jets traded for Favre last summer, and both players had an almost identical recollection of a recent conversation between the two when they walked to their cars after practice.

Said Clowney: "I was like, 'Listen, we've been on two different teams together. Can I get a touchdown pass before you retire, man, please?'"

"You better hurry up," Favre responded. "You got a lot of time left; I don't."

Clowney said Favre encouraged him.

"He just said, you're doing a heck of a job, everybody notices it, everybody sees it, your time will come," Clowney said. "I was like, 'Cool.' So when that time comes, I'm going to make sure I'm ready for it."

[Kentucky Jet]

Jenkins makes an impact on Jets' defensive line

By Jane McManus

The Journal News • November 7, 2008

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Kris Jenkins has one of the more intricate tattoos to stretch over the brawny frame of an NFL lineman, which is saying a lot. The Jets' beefy nose tackle already had several pieces of body art when he decided on something for his left arm, but he took a long time to figure out what he wanted to put on such valuable real estate.

In the end, he chose an Egyptian pharaoh, as regally detailed as a drawing in an old encyclopedia. The decision was as methodical as the way he has been plowing through offensive lines for the Jets this season.

And like the pharaohs of old, Jenkins has been rewarded with modern-day gold and monuments. When he was acquired from Carolina, the Jets negotiated a five-year, $35 million deal. After his 1 1/2 sacks and suffocating pressure in a win over the Bills last week, he was named AFC defensive player of the week.

The 349-pound, 6-foot-4 Jenkins has taken the Jets to new heights. Last season the Jets were near the bottom of the NFL in run defense. This week, after allowing the Bills to gain just 30 yards on the ground, the Jets are ranked fourth in the category, giving up an average of 76 yards per game.

"I totally understood that this was a grunt position and I just need to do what I have to do to be the best that I can to help the team out," Jenkins said. "But that is not something that you think you are going to get from a nose-tackle position, so I appreciate it, but still it's like a part of me is in the back of my mind like, 'OK, you got to shake that off real quick because you might not see this ever again, so enjoy it for a second, breathe.' This is the stuff that you talk about when you retire."

Things didn't end well for the 29-year-old at Carolina. He missed some offseason workouts, and his already-sizable frame expanded. Jenkins made a decision to change his eating habits, and cooks healthier foods - not just for football, but to be there for his three young sons.

When Jenkins is home, he rolls on the floor with Jesse, who will celebrate his first birthday in just a few days.

"When I leave I'm not doing anything that's Hollywood," Jenkins said. "I go home and take care of my family."

The only possible cloud is a recurring back injury that took him out of a game against San Diego early. In his absence, the Jets lost 48-29 and gave up 107 yards rushing and 250 passing.

He admits that he hasn't always been diplomatic in the past. His candor has gotten him in trouble before, but now he tries to choose his words more carefully. Jenkins said in the past, criticizing management and words about his teammates taken out of context had haunted him.

"When I talk to ya'll, I don't try to be a robot," Jenkins said. "But I try to make sure I do it the right way."

With his engaging personality, moving into the New York market has been good for Jenkins. It has upped his profile in a relatively unheralded position, and his performance has done the rest. Since the Bills game, he's gotten phone calls from close friends and been recognized even when he isn't wearing No. 77.

"I didn't realize I was a celebrity," Jenkins said with a smile.

Notes: Linebacker David Harris was at the Jets' facility yesterday, although he didn't practice. Head coach Eric Mangini refused to comment on reports that Harris underwent surgery on his injured groin on Wednesday. ... Place-kicker Mike Nugent (limited with a thigh injury) has been kicking in practice. Tight end Bubba Franks (hip) rode the bike. Safety Eric Smith (head) was not practicing.

Reach Jane McManus at jmcmanus@lohud.com and read her Jets blog at jets.lohudblogs.com.

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets to call on Bowens for help Friday, November 7, 2008 BY J.P. PELZMAN-STAFF WRITER

FLORHAM PARK

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets have 'Prime Time' player in Darrelle Revis

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, November 6th 2008, 9:08 PM

Brett Favre was only a rookie, which means this is a very old story, but one thing he remembers from his only season in Atlanta was the everyday competitiveness of cornerback Deion Sanders. Deion was "Prime Time" even during down time, always trying to shut down receivers in practice.

Soon after being traded to the Jets, Favre shared the recollection with Darrelle Revis. Even though Revis was only 6 when Favre and Sanders were teammates in 1992, the message was timeless.

"I was like, 'Wow, that's the same mentality I've got,'" Revis said Thursday, recalling one of his first conversations with Favre.

Revis is the anti-Deion in terms of persona - he doesn't wear much bling and he's not in love with the camera - but he's doing a pretty good impersonation on the field.

At the midpoint of his second season, Revis is tied for the league lead with four interceptions, including victory-sealing, end-zone picks against the Bills and Dolphins. He also has a touchdown (on an interception return) and a strip sack in which he also recovered the fumble.

"I told him from Day 1, he can be as good as he wants to be," Favre said. "He can shut down whoever he wants to. It starts in practice. I've seen that, his development, each week in practice."

At Pitt, Revis was known for his intense practice attitude, always hard on himself when he allowed a completion. Finally, one of his coaches told him to relax, that it wasn't a disaster if he surrendered a 5-yard gain. Revis tried to listen, but it was no use. Even now, he gets aggravated when he gets beat - and that's just in practice.

"He's another one of the young corners that I like," said Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, who will see a lot of Revis Sunday at the Meadowlands. "I watched him a lot when he was coming out of college. He's a hell of an athlete. He's very strong, very skilled and very quick. He's a tremendous competitor on the outside that tackles."

Revis, 23, almost always is assigned to the opposing team's top receiver, which means he has faced receiving standouts such as Randy Moss, Chad Ocho Cinco, Larry Fitzgerald and Lee Evans. In last week's win over the Bills, Revis - with occasional deep help from a safety - held the dangerous Evans to four catches for 41 yards.

This week, the Jets will be tested by a Rams passing attack that has produced eight plays of at least 40 yards. Holt is the big name, but his role is diminishing - he complained about it last week - and the up-and-comer is rookie Donnie Avery. Two weeks ago, against the Patriots, Avery broke free for 69- and 44-yard receptions.

The Jets have surrendered only two 40-plus-yard passes, neither of which came on Revis. According to STATS, LLC, Revis has yielded 24 completions for 315yards, ordinary numbers, but keep in mind that he usually faces the No. 1 wideout.

With rule changes that favor the offense, the true "shutdown" corner is a dinosaur, but the Jets believe Revis already is an elite player. His teammates definitely feel that way about the former first-round pick, who often is compared to former Pro Bowler Ty Law, a close friend and mentor.

"I'm just trying to be the best Darrelle Revis," he said. "To be compared to Deion Sanders or Ty Law, that's really great. That's from a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. I know Brett has seen some of the best, future Hall of Famers and Darrell Green and all of those guys. I appreciate what Brett said."

Revis might be appreciative, but that doesn't mean he's going to let Favre complete any passes on him in practice.

[Kentucky Jet]

Giants, Jets DeAngelo Hall monitors

BY OHM YOUNGMISUK

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, November 6th 2008, 8:38 PM

The Giants might have another shot at acquiring DeAngelo Hall. The Giants reportedly are one of five teams interested in signing Hall, who was released by the Raiders on Wednesday and went unclaimed on waivers. Hall is expected to make a decision in the next day or two, with the Giants, Redskins, Patriots and Steelers all interested, according to NFL.com.

Sources say the Jets are also taking a look at the free-agent cornerback. Hall is looking for a long-term situation, which would make the Jets a longshot. They have two young corners, Darrelle Revis and Dwight Lowery, although Lowery was benched in last week's game.

The Giants were mildly interested in trading for Hall in the offseason, but the price was too high in both draft picks and salary. Hall, 24, was traded by the Falcons to the Raiders for a second-round pick last March. The cornerback signed a seven-year, $70million deal with the Raiders, who paid Hall $8million but did not want to pay another $16 million in injury-guaranteed bonuses.

The Giants are down a cornerback with Kevin Dockery (back) out. - With Rich Cimini

NOT FINE WITH TUCK: Justin Tuck was fined for his controversial roughing-the-passer hit on the Cowboys' Brooks Bollinger and the defensive end plans to appeal.

Tuck hit Bollinger a split second after the backup QB released the ball, but Tuck's momentum drove Bollinger into the ground, drawing the flag in the second half of the Giants' 35-14 win last Sunday.

Tuck revealed the fine when he was asked how much defenders have to worry about playing aggressively with so many NFL rules in place to protect quarterbacks.

"That makes it tough," Tuck said, pointing to a letter he received from the NFL. "That is a fine. I knew it was coming."

When asked how much the fine was, Tuck replied, "Enough."

"Our job description is basically to destroy a quarterback, but you have to pick and choose how you do it," Tuck said of playing aggressively. "You can't hit him in the head, you can't hit him below the knees. Obviously you can't hit him hard, either. It's tough but you've got to go out and fight through it and play your game, but you can't let it affect you. But it is hard."

TOTAL DISLIKE: If there is one advantage of playing their division rival Cowboys and Eagles back to back, it's that the Giants won't have any trouble getting up for their opponent.

"We don't like nobody," Aaron Pierce said when asked if the Giants felt the same way about the Eagles as they do about the 'Boys. "We don't like nobody. Sometimes I don't even know if I like my wife or my mother sometimes. I just like the 53 guys in this room come the 17 weeks of the NFL season, so if it is the Eagles, the Redskins, the Cowboys, the teams we see twice a year ... there is no brotherly love in this matchup."

RECOVERY UNIT: Giants Safety James Butler (knee) and LB Zach DeOssie (back/flu) went through a limited practice Thursday. Eagles safety Brian Dawkins (hamstring), CB Lito Sheppard (groin) and CB Joselio Hanson (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. Both Dawkins and Hanson practiced on Wednesday, however.

[Kentucky Jet]

Are Meadowlands seats worth the squeeze? by Chris Guenther

I'm lucky I get to see as much football as I do. My family owns season tickets for the New York Jets and my father-in-law shares two season tickets to the New York Giants. The only downside to this arrangement until now has been the utter chaos of the Giants Stadium parking lot and the slow ride home from New Jersey after games.

But the pending completion of the Jets' and Giants' new stadium ahead of the 2010 season has caused us more stress than excitement. Both sides of the family suddenly face the prospect of dropping some serious cash in a period of economic uncertainty. The experience has forced me to confront a question that has quietly bugged me for some time: Are these tickets worth it?

I've loved the Jets since kindergarten year in 1979, when my mom bought me a big, ugly Jets winter coat that won me over. This made me an oddball in a family largely comprised of Giants fans, though they tolerated their team's green-clad co-tenants. I've backed teams ranging from very good to tragically awful. (I'm looking at you, Browning Nagle.)

For most of my time as a fan, I enjoyed Jets games on TV. But a few years ago my family secured those season tickets. Suddenly, the rest of my family became Jets fans too. My brother, who lives in New Jersey near the stadium and has two pre-teens, has taken the bulk of the tickets, while I have tried to make a handful of games a season.

It's great to know the tickets are there, but they sometimes feel more like a burden than a benefit. What do you do with those mid-December tickets when the forecast calls for freezing rain and the Jets are terrible, their opponent is terrible and there are so many other things you could be doing on that Sunday afternoon? But if you don't go you will have wasted a serious chunk of change and feel like a fair-weather fan

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets Lineman an Inspiration to Those With Epilepsy

Alan Faneca with the Robledos family, which has a child with epilepsy, during a visit he hosted at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in 2007.

By GREG BISHOP

Published: November 6, 2008

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.