Jets News 8-31

[flgreen]

Frustrating career path has Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens wondering what's next

Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 5:00 AM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

Follow Share this story

Story tools

William Perlman/The Star-Ledger'I try to put on a good front sometimes when I’m in (the locker room),' Kellen Clemens says.

3

0

0

Share The start of Kellen Clemens’ Jets career is defined: April 2006, when the team drafted him in the second round, and eyed him and his strong arm as the successor to Chad Pennington.

The end? It will either come by Saturday, or he will accept — graciously, no doubt — his role as their third quarterback.

With his future, quite literally, day to day, Clemens’ honesty and sense of humor have grown.

“Score,” Clemens said, when informed coach Rex Ryan estimated he has a “pretty strong chance” of making the team. “That’s a heck of a lot better than what it could have been.”

At 27, this is perspective learned from a professional career that has, at times, seemed like the colorful path of a board game, where a move forward can be followed by two steps back.

During his 4 1/2 year career, Clemens has started, in nine games, and lost a competition to start, in three training camps. Punctuating his tenure have been bold moves at his position: Pennington cut, Brett Favre wooed, Mark Sanchez drafted.

What’s next? Episode three of “Hard Knocks” showed an ‘X’ next to his name on the team’s internal depth chart, indicating he could be cut, though Ryan’s comments indicate otherwise. He could be traded. He could stay, and take a pay cut from his $1.176 million tender.

Through the see-saw ride, offensive coordinator — and friend — Brian Schottenheimer says he has been the ultimate pro, reliable, trustworthy and team-first. But Clemens is too honest now to admit that he hasn’t been frustrated with the trajectory, or that he and his wife, Nicole, haven’t shared a glass of wine and a “good venting session.”

“I try to put on a good front sometimes when I’m in here,” Clemens said during an interview in the locker room. “There have been a lot of ‘character-building opportunities.’ ”

The most recent came earlier this month, when Clemens arrived to camp believing he’d have the chance to compete for the No. 2 quarterback job. Ryan said it was “predetermined” to go to Mark Brunell, and that he met with Clemens before the 18-year veteran was signed in July.

The two cleared it up behind closed doors, Clemens said, and it took him four or five days to get over the decision.

Clemens admitted it showed in his play, but he rallied back, and said he has graded out this preseason better than any of his four others. His numbers haven’t been overwhelming — 11-of-16 for 116 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions — but he has also played behind shaky protection and two drives were cut short by teammates’ fumbles.

Asked if he felt he has had a fair shot, Clemens was politely blunt.

“To be the No. 3, yes,” he said. “There wasn’t much of a competition for the No. 2 spot.”

Clemens was given the chance to compete for a starting role in other camps. As a rookie in 2006, then-coach Eric Mangini proclaimed it a four-way open competition, though Pennington and Patrick Ramsey took the reins early. He competed with Pennington in 2008, before Favre restarted his career, and with Sanchez in 2009, until the USC grad became the face of the franchise.

The day they named Sanchez the starter over him was the lowest of his career, Clemens said, and he told position coach Matt Cavanaugh, “I don’t want to waste this year, but I’m disappointed in the results.”

Cavanaugh’s response: “Keep pushing.” So he did.

If that was the low point, the high one was when the struggling team turned to him midway through the 2007 season. He started eight games, winning three, and he hopes he can have that chance — wherever it may be — again.

For now, he shows up to practice each day, unsure of what’s next, even this close to Thursday’s preseason game.

“It certainly isn’t over ’til it’s over,” Clemens said. “There’s always a surprise or two that can happen.”

Jenny Vrentas: jvrentas@starledger.com

[flgreen]

Seattle Still Searching for Running Game SolutionBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: August 31, 2010

Sign In to E-Mail

Print

. Filed at 4:33 a.m. ET

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- One week left in the preseason and Pete Carroll still doesn't have an answer for Seattle's stumbling run game.

Carroll doesn't need one back to emerge from his group of three competing for playing time. He just wants to see something more than a couple of yards at a time.

''I don't think we've had enough success running the football to allow the guys to distinguish themselves,'' Carroll said on Monday. ''They've all run hard and I've looked at all of their runs in groups to make sure I can see them and styles of runs to see if there's anything going there and right now all these guys are battling.''

The Seahawks' coach said all three of his running backs -- Justin Forsett, Julius Jones and Leon Washington -- will get playing time on Thursday night when Seattle closes out the preseason at Oakland.

So far, none of the three have shown enough in the preseason to claim the job outright. Carroll said the job won't revolve around just one back when the season starts, but he wants to see improvement from the paltry statistics posted so far.

In three games, the Seahawks are averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Only Washington is averaging more than 3 yards, but he has just 10 carries.

Forsett, the 5-foot-8 speedster, has received the most work of all three, getting 18 carries. Carroll said the dimension Forsett brings as a pass catcher, especially in third down situations, perhaps gives him a nudge ahead of the other two.

''He's a good player for us there and maybe he has a little bit more to offer there at this point from what we've seen. He has an edge on that aspect,'' Carroll said. ''But that doesn't mean he's the third down back and the other two guys are the first and second down guys. I don't see it that way.''

Last season, Forsett was Seattle's second-leading rusher with 545 yards. While the total wasn't very significant, it was his 5.2 yards per carry that grabbed attention.

Washington showed his speed in Seattle's second preseason game, bursting through the line for an 11-yard touchdown run that for the moment ended questions that lingered following his gruesome broken leg last year with the New York Jets.

Julius Jones, the Seahawks' leading rusher the past two seasons, might be the odd man out, based on opportunity so far. Jones has received just 12 carries this preseason and his longest run is 6 yards.

In Seattle's second preseason game against Green Bay, Jones didn't play until the second half. Against Minnesota on Saturday, Jones carried just twice, while Forsett and Washington both got a half-dozen attempts.

Even running back-fullback Quinton Ganther has gotten more carries than Jones.

''We're going to go with the guys who are giving us the most juice and making it happen and doing well,'' Carroll said. ''It gets frustrating sometimes for those guys, I've been through that before, but I don't really worry about that. I want them hungry to get out there and fighting for their snaps.''

Carroll said he's still hopeful injured left tackle Russell Okung will be back to help the run game for the season opener. Okung, the No. 6 pick in April's draft and the heir to Walter Jones at left tackle for the Seahawks, suffered a high right ankle sprain on the first play of Seattle's second preseason game.

Okung watched practice on Monday, but Carroll said it would be a ''pretty special recovery'' if he's ready to go against San Francisco on Sept. 12.

[flgreen]

New York Jets hope Jason Taylor can fill hole left by Calvin Pace injury

BY Kevin Armstrong

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 4:00 AM

Franklin II/APJason Taylor (99) leads Gang in devouring Clinton Portis, which Jets need with Calvin Pace out. Related NewsArticles

Chansi Stuckey scores points with Jets coach Rex RyanRex excited about Gholston's showingRex instructs Sanchez to wear knee braceRex wants better offensive outputJets LB Pace out with foot injuryAdalius Thomas on Jets' radar with Pace out

Jason Taylor kept to himself when he joined the Jets.

At 36, the outside linebacker, a 14-year pro and likely a future Hall of Famer, eased into his new locker room, and familiarized himself with a defense that would see him drop back into coverage more than in his seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

"He's proved it each day of practice," Jets linebacker David Harris said of Taylor's belonging. "He's a professional who knows how to approach a team."

Rex Ryan's praise was stronger: "He looks great. We can say what we want, but some of the pickups we had, we struck gold on a few of them."

Whether or not Ryan's glowing reviews are preseason gloss will be revealed quickly. Taylor, brought in to be a situational player and take 75% of the snaps, will be looked upon to fill starting outside linebacker Calvin Pace's position while Pace is out several weeks with a foot fracture. Pace was scheduled to have surgery Monday night.

"In my opinion, he's one of the best outside linebackers in the league," Harris said. "Jason and Vernon Gholston will step up. Vernon's already done tremendously of getting into the backfields and making tackles."

Taylor, the league's active leader with 127-1/2 career sacks, downplayed an increase in playing time as being detrimental to his durability.

"Does it take a toll on you? Sure, it takes a little bit of a toll," Taylor said when informed of Pace's injury. "It's a very physical game. But you can take care of yourself throughout the week and have plenty of gas in the tank come Sunday."

Gholston's growth may also be affected. Last season, the former first-round pick struggled to leave his mark as an outside linebacker, so Ryan shifted him to defensive end, the role in which he excelled during his Ohio State career. When Pace went down, though, Gholston, a selfless reserve who voluntarily took a pay cut in the offseason, accepted the reality that he will be pulled into more outside linebacker activities.

"My role has always been whatever gets us to the Super Bowl," Gholston said.

There is an interchangeable nature to the two outside linebackers.

Bryan Thomas, often Pace's mirror on the opposite end of the line, said he and Pace change sides to give different looks. To Thomas, having Taylor step in will be no shakeup for the defense.

"Calvin going down is a big void in the defense," Thomas said, "but still you know you have someone who can step up and fill that role."

[slats]

What’s next? Episode three of “Hard Knocks” showed an ‘X’ next to his name on the team’s internal depth chart, indicating he could be cut, though Ryan’s comments indicate otherwise. He could be traded. He could stay, and take a pay cut from his $1.176 million tender.

Wow. I really hope they don't ask the guy to take a paycut. And if they do, I hope he tells them to go **** themselves and go into the season Brunell and O'Connell if that's how they feel about it.

The Jets have a crappy QB situation. Next year, the only guy coming back is probably Sanchez. Ainge might come back purely out of desperation. They need some depth at the position. I don't know what veterans are going to be available next year, but there will have to be an option better than Brunell. I'd like to see a draft pick make the team, too. Ideally, you want to become a QB farm. Draft low rounders, show them off in preseason, and trade them away for higher picks.

[flgreen]

Jets wait to sign Thomas due to contract rule

Jets BlogBy BART HUBBUCH

Last Updated: 7:57 AM, August 31, 2010

Posted: 3:32 AM, August 31, 2010

Comments: 0 More Print Jets fans hoping to see Adalius Thomas in green and white Week 1 against the Ravens shouldn’t hold their breath.

That was the message yesterday from Jets coach Rex Ryan, who admitted that the NFL rule requiring vested veterans to have their entire salary guaranteed if they are on the Week 1 roster is keeping Thomas from signing with Gang Green.

THOMAS: I CAN HELP JETS

It’s the same rule that prompted the Jets to cut wide receiver Laveranues Coles last weekend, and it is hindering Ryan’s continuing desire to replace outside linebacker Calvin Pace with the 33-year-old Thomas, a 10-year veteran.

Pace — the Jets’ sack leader last year — was scheduled to undergo surgery yesterday afternoon on his broken foot and is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks.

Thomas theoretically could sign now, get released before Week 1, then rejoin the Jets starting with Week 2. Ryan, however, doubted the former Raven and Patriots would do so.

"I don’t think any player would want that scenario," Ryan said. "Most people are going to want that security [of a fully guaranteed salary]."

Although Ryan still wants to sign Thomas, the contract holdup means Vernon Gholston in particular will get a long look at Pace’s spot in Thursday’s preseason finale at Philadelphia.

Pace is injured and All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis’ holdout shows no sign of ending anytime soon, but Ryan is still predicting the Jets will have a "great" defense this season.

"History is part of it," he said. "We can get it done. We’ve proved it all through the years. That’s all I know is great defense. It’s not about one guy or one or two guys. Every team is going to lose one or two guys.

"We’ll get it done. This is what we do. We’re a team defense. That’s why I know our defense will play great. There’s not even a question in my mind we’ll play great."

Ryan said the Jets intend to dress just 36 players against the Eagles, including kickers, punters and the long snapper.

Aside from Gholston, the only starting-caliber players who will play are guard Matt Slauson, offensive lineman Wayne Hunter and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who is set to begin a four-game NFL drug suspension immediately after this week’s exhibition.

Ryan surprised observers by predicting the Jets would be a true NFL exception by keeping four tight ends on the regular-season roster: Dustin Keller, Ben Hartsock, Matthew Mulligan and rookie free agent Jeff Cumberland.

Prominent offseason addition Brodney Pool missed practice with an ankle injury and won’t play Thursday.

That’s a significant red flag only because of Pool’s history of chronic injuries with the Browns that forced the safety to miss six games combined the past two seasons

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/nfl_rule_keeps_thomas_from_joining_0D0IcAkBGEZzk0mIKvoadO?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=#ixzz0yBbdi3BY

[flgreen]

Clemens believes he was cheated by Jets

By Dennis Waszak Jr. • The Associated Press • August 31, 2010

Previous Page

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Kellen Clemens entered training camp thinking he had a shot at being the Jets' backup quarterback.

It turned out Mark Brunell won the spot before the competition even began, something that took Clemens a little while to get over.

"Four or five days, and it showed in my play," Clemens said Monday. "I went to the coach and I said, 'Look, I'm frustrated. What do I do?' (He said), 'Well, you can't do anything. Go out there and play like you can,' and that's what I did."

Clemens appears at least to have beaten out Kevin O'Connell for the No. 3 job behind both Brunell and starter Mark Sanchez.

Related

Serena's injury hurts women's draw

"I would say he's got a pretty strong chance of making this team," coach Rex Ryan said.

"Score!" Clemens said, tongue in cheek. "That's a heck of a lot better than it could have been."

Clemens has gone from the future of the franchise to trade bait — or being cut by Saturday's 53-man roster deadline — in just a few seasons. The second-round pick out of Oregon in 2006 came to the Jets with high expectations, but appeared on his way out this summer after the team signed Brunell.

He still could be, despite the vote of confidence from Ryan. Clemens is due to make $1.1 million this season, a high price tag for a No. 3 quarterback.

"I don't know all the games they play," Clemens said. "I take Rex's word. He's always said he's a man of his word and he's going to tell you how it is. So, when he says, 'Yeah, I think he has a pretty good chance,' I feel like I have a pretty good chance. He certainly didn't say that I was a lock."

Clemens addressed the media when the team reported for camp on Aug. 1 in Cortland, and said he expected to compete with Brunell for the backup job. A few hours later, Ryan shot that down, saying Brunell was the No. 2 guy.

"That was a situation where Rex and I had to visit behind closed doors," Clemens said, "and just kind of try to get a better understanding because I was under a different impression coming in."

Clemens has since put on a positive front, even amid rumors he could be traded or cut. He's 11 for 16 for 116 yards in two preseason games; he didn't play against Washington last week. Clemens is expected to get lots of time in the preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday night.

(2 of 2)

"Statistically, I haven't blown anything away," he said. "My percentage is good, yards aren't real high (and) I haven't thrown a touchdown, but how I've graded out, it's been my best preseason ever."



So, does he think he has been given a fair shake this summer?

"To be the No. 3?" Clemens asked with a smile. "Yes."

Clemens has developed a good relationship with Brunell — "I can't stand him. No, he's a great guy." — and the two talk about hunting more than football. He believes he can still be an NFL starter, but also wants to remain with the Jets, wherever that might be on the depth chart.

Related

"The Jets have an awesome chance to win the Super Bowl this year, and I'm excited about the opportunity to be a part of it," he said. "I hope that I'm here and we'll just move forward with whatever the results are come cut day."

Jets high on defense even without Revis, Pace: The Jets insist they're still a defense to be feared despite being without two of their top playmakers two weeks before the season opener.

Outside linebacker Calvin Pace is sidelined for a few weeks with a broken right foot, and he will miss at least the first game against Baltimore on Sept. 13. Meanwhile, cornerback Darrelle Revis' holdout reached its 30th day Monday, with no end in sight.

Still, coach Ryan says there's no question in his mind that the defense will "play great" because it's not reliant on just one or two players.

"We'll get it done," Ryan said. "This is what we do. We're a team defense. That's why I know our defense will play great. There's not a question in my mind that we'll play great. We play great team defense."

Jason Taylor, Bryan Thomas and Vernon Gholston will help fill the void and try to provide the pass-rushing presence Pace had in his first two seasons with the Jets.

But the Jets might also be without Revis, locked in a bitter contract dispute that has no end in sight. Revis, recognized by many as the league's top player at his position, wants to be paid as such.

His holdout reached its 30th day Monday, and it's a real possibility Antonio Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson will be the starting cornerbacks against the Ravens. Unless, of course, the sides reach an agreement soon.

[flgreen]

Santonio Holmes seeks more snaps

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

BY J.P. PELZMAN

The Record

STAFF WRITER

FLORHAM PARK — There are many people who want to do away with the fourth NFL preseason game. But don't count Santonio Holmes among them.

At least not this year, anyway.

Despite having been a Super Bowl MVP less than two years ago, and finishing seventh in the NFL in receiving yards last season, Holmes expects to be playing into the second half of the Jets' preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday night. He'll be sharing the stage with numerous players who, 48 hours later, might not have NFL jobs after teams trim their rosters to 53.

Holmes will be playing that long because this will be his last chance to play a game until Oct. 11, when the Jets host Minnesota. By then, Holmes will have served a four-game suspension imposed by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy.

So unlike most accomplished veterans, Holmes is looking forward to the last preseason game.

"It's going to be fun," he said Monday. "I hope I can get about 20 catches out there [and] just have some fun, knowing I'm about to exit and be gone for four games.

"I've just got to take it for what it is," the fifth-year pro said of the enforced layoff. "I can't think about it. It's only going to probably set me back if I continue to worry about it. [i have to] go home, do what I'm supposed to do and come back with the right focus. And the team will understand where I was, what I was doing, how I approached it [and] how I'm ready to take on this role" in October.

"We'll put him in there and let him go," said coach Rex Ryan, who estimated that Holmes will play almost three full quarters, much the way linebacker Calvin Pace did in last year's preseason finale when facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on steroids and related substances.

Ryan added, "I was talking with [Philadelphia] coach [Andy] Reid and I said, 'Well, you're going to have to roll your coverage to him.' " This was the plan for Holmes throughout camp, and Ryan even joked earlier this month, "I would bet on the Jets in that [Philadelphia] game" because of the former Steeler's presence.

Holmes has five catches for 78 yards in three preseason games, but only one reception from starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, whom he won't get a chance to work with Thursday. Holmes, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh in April, didn't get much time on the field with the starting offense in the preseason.

"I think it would've helped" to have more time, he admitted.

But he believes he can overcome that "because of my knowledge, my learning ability," although he added, "from a receiver's perspective, learning a new offense is very difficult."

FLORHAM PARK — There are many people who want to do away with the fourth NFL preseason game. But don't count Santonio Holmes among them.

At least not this year, anyway.

Despite having been a Super Bowl MVP less than two years ago, and finishing seventh in the NFL in receiving yards last season, Holmes expects to be playing into the second half of the Jets' preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday night. He'll be sharing the stage with numerous players who, 48 hours later, might not have NFL jobs after teams trim their rosters to 53.

Holmes will be playing that long because this will be his last chance to play a game until Oct. 11, when the Jets host Minnesota. By then, Holmes will have served a four-game suspension imposed by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy.

So unlike most accomplished veterans, Holmes is looking forward to the last preseason game.

"It's going to be fun," he said Monday. "I hope I can get about 20 catches out there [and] just have some fun, knowing I'm about to exit and be gone for four games.

"I've just got to take it for what it is," the fifth-year pro said of the enforced layoff. "I can't think about it. It's only going to probably set me back if I continue to worry about it. [i have to] go home, do what I'm supposed to do and come back with the right focus. And the team will understand where I was, what I was doing, how I approached it [and] how I'm ready to take on this role" in October.

"We'll put him in there and let him go," said coach Rex Ryan, who estimated that Holmes will play almost three full quarters, much the way linebacker Calvin Pace did in last year's preseason finale when facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on steroids and related substances.

Ryan added, "I was talking with [Philadelphia] coach [Andy] Reid and I said, 'Well, you're going to have to roll your coverage to him.' " This was the plan for Holmes throughout camp, and Ryan even joked earlier this month, "I would bet on the Jets in that [Philadelphia] game" because of the former Steeler's presence.

Holmes has five catches for 78 yards in three preseason games, but only one reception from starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, whom he won't get a chance to work with Thursday. Holmes, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh in April, didn't get much time on the field with the starting offense in the preseason.

"I think it would've helped" to have more time, he admitted.

But he believes he can overcome that "because of my knowledge, my learning ability," although he added, "from a receiver's perspective, learning a new offense is very difficult."

[RutgersJetFan]

Anyone else find it odd that Slauson's playing and Turner isn't?

[SoFlaJets]

Clemens' whining is pretty funny-maybe if he suck so bad we could kind of feel for him a little-and if Brunnell hasn't been sucking so bad so far he would already have been cut

[lamont_jordan_rules]

... forsett much be very good as a receiving rb ... as leon was solid there & he's not even in the discussion regarding rb pass catching skills (according to the article) ...

... i wouldn't even consider rotating the ghost bac at olb ... the kid's biggest problem has been trying to think what to do & then reacting ... don't do anything at this point to make him have to think more! ...

l_j_r

[slats]

Clemens' whining is pretty funny-maybe if he suck so bad we could kind of feel for him a little

As much as he might suck, he's better than Brunell. He'll have the opportunity to put on a showcase throwing to Santonio against the Eagles second string on Thursday night. I hope he does.

[SoFlaJets]

As much as he might suck, he's better than Brunell. He'll have the opportunity to put on a showcase throwing to Santonio against the Eagles second string on Thursday night. I hope he does.

agreed-I'm telling you slats Eric Ainge screwing up disappointed me-I liked what he brought to the table-I wonder if Brett Ratliff is available

[slats]

agreed-I'm telling you slats Eric Ainge screwing up disappointed me-I liked what he brought to the table-I wonder if Brett Ratliff is available

Ainge is a disappointment, because looking at the QB's today, I think he would've had a real shot to make it as at least the #3 guy. And yeah, I think Ratliff might become available sometime soon. How crazy would it be if the Jets cut/traded Clemens and picked Ratliff back up? I imagine that would guarantee Clowney's roster spot! Lol!

[flgreen]

agreed-I'm telling you slats Eric Ainge screwing up disappointed me-I liked what he brought to the table-I wonder if Brett Ratliff is available

I don’t know if you meant that as a joke or not, but I would rather see him then Brunnell.

I just don’t understand this whole thing.

What are they going to do if Cllemens plays very well again Thurs, and Brunnell stinks again?

[flgreen]

Transcript: Rex Ryan, 8.30

By Bassett on 31. Aug, 2010

Opening comments…

Guys that did not practice today (were) Kenwin Cummings who had a shoulder. He doesn’t have great strength in his shoulder right now. Of course Calvin Pace, he will have that surgery I believe around 5:00 tonight. Brodney Pool (was) out with an ankle (injury). Charlie Tanner, the kid from Texas (was out) with the knee. Then, (Donovan) Warren with the head and Damien Woody had a lower back today. I never saw D. Wood, but he was on his way to the chiropractor. Limited was Shaun Ellis and then Josh Mauga made it through practice today again, so that was encouraging.

On if Brodney Pool will play this Thursday against Philadelphia…

None of the starters are playing anyway.

On the seriousness of Pool’s injury…

I don’t know. He was kind of limping around yesterday when I saw him and I haven’t seen him today.

On if any other starters will be playing Thursday besides Matt Slauson…

No. We’re going to go with Slauson and then Wayne Hunter. I always consider him a starter because he plays in all those other things. Vernon Gholston will play. We’re only going to have 36 players playing in this game and that includes the three specialists, the long snapper and the kickers. That number is not very big. We’re going to run the ball a bunch (laughter). I’m just telling you.

On if Jason Taylor is going to play Thursday against Philadelphia…

(He is) not playing.

On if Santonio Holmes is playing Thursday against Philadelphia…

He will play.

On how long Holmes will play…

We’ll put him in there and let him go. He’s going to miss four weeks, so we’ll (treat) him like we did Calvin (Pace) last year. I think we did almost three quarters with Calvin last year, so we’ll do the same thing with (Holmes). I was talking with Coach (Andy) Reid and I said, ‘Well. You’re going to have to roll your coverage to him.’ So I gave him some advice already, so expect some Cover Two over there when (Holmes) is in the game.

On who will play at quarterback…

Mark (Sanchez) will be the only one that doesn’t play. I anticipate us playing the other three, (Mark) Brunell, (Kellen) Clemens and (Kevin) O’Connell.

On if Mark Brunell, Kellen Clemens and Kevin O’Connell will play in that order…

I haven’t even really thought about it. Probably. You know what? Yes, let’s go ahead and go in that order (laughter). I’ll mention it to them. We’re going to do it in that order since I mentioned it that way. Let’s go ahead and do it that way. The media made that decision (smiling).

On if he’s concerned about Donovan Warren’s injury…

No. It’s just like (Josh) Mauga. Mauga missed (practices). We had that goal-line scrimmage and he had the concussion. He actually finished the practice and then came back and had the concussion. He hasn’t played in a single preseason game. Obviously, if you still have symptoms, then you don’t play. It’s as simple as that. It’s weird. You go back and you think about many years ago, a guy would have a concussion and it was like, ‘No big deal. He’ll be up next week.’ That’s not the case anymore and it shouldn’t be. You’ve got to make sure they’re a 100 percent healthy. That’s really what we’re doing. It’s not like back in the days where he would have played.

On the fine line between trying to evaluate Warren on the field even though he has been injured…

Well, you can’t. A head injury in particular, no way are you going to rush that. So, if you can’t evaluate, you can’t evaluate him. It’s unfortunate for those two young guys, but what’s the likelihood of him making a team? You have no tape, so I would say slim to none, but maybe you put him on a practice squad and you see a little more of him that way.

On how important this game is for David Clowney…

I think it’s important for all those receivers obviously. There are some jobs up for grabs and we’ll see who takes them. We had (Danny) Woodhead working some receiver today, so he’s working as a running back and receiver. To be honest with you, he had a great practice today. So, there is another guy. We’re trying to give guys opportunities. This game is going to be big.

On the degree that helps Danny Woodhead that he can play both running back and wide receiver…

I think that anytime that you can wear a lot of hats, that helps you and the fact that he can go on special teams. That’s definitely a plus.

On waiving Aundrae Allison…

He did (have a decent summer). He’s really an outstanding young man, but I just think that it was a deal where he really can only play receiver. You talk about the different roles where (David) Clowney is ahead of him because he does play special teams.

On if Clowney plays special teams well…

Well, that’s still debatable. That’s a great question. He’s made some plays on teams, but we want to see that consistency. He’s had a couple real nice plays, fumble recoveries this preseason. I want to see him beat single press (coverage). He needs to be able to do that consistently and so far he’s still been a little inconsistent in his special teams play.

On if he needs to see more from Brunell this week…

I think we’d all feel a little better if we moved the ball. I think we’ll definitely feel better about it, but this is the best week so far of practice that he’s had, so I think he’s catching up to the playbook. I think he feels more comfortable. He’s throwing it well this week.

On how important this game is for O’Connell…

I think it’s critical. For a ton of guys (it’s critical). I’ll say this. By now, your roster basically is you know who is going to be on it. Maybe there is one guy, maybe two guys that you play that last preseason game and they jump on your roster. We literally have, I would say, five spots up for grabs. Off the top of my head, I would say there are five spots.

On if any of the open roster positions have been solidified…

I would say that the fullback spot, with T. Rich (Tony Richardson) and the Terminator (John Conner), I think you’ve got those two for sure on this team. I think the tight ends are on this team – all four of them. That’s a strange deal when you’re going to keep four tight ends. I think that we will keep four tight ends, barring an injury. We have four good players. I think when we think about our roster, that’s what you want to do. We want to keep the best players regardless of the position. That’s how we’re looking at this.

On if Kellen Clemens is one of the guys on the bubble…

I would say he’s got a pretty strong chance of making this team.

On if this game is critical for Clemens…

I wouldn’t put it in the critical stage. Some of (the other players) are on life support. We’ve got to see it.

On if there is anything new on pursuing Adalius Thomas…

Well, we haven’t signed (him). I think we need to play this game and find out exactly how we have the roster set up.

On if he thinks Thomas will sign before this week’s game…

I don’t think so. (Before the game, I wanted) to give him a shot and opportunity to see if he was the same kind of player. (That) would have made the decision really easy. We need to give these guys a good, hard look.

On if Thomas doesn’t want to come in for a few weeks and then come back again after the Ravens game…

I don’t think any player would really want that scenario. It happens in the league all the time, but most people are going to want that security of playing that first week and your contract is guaranteed for the season. If you don’t come in until the second week, your contract isn’t guaranteed.

On if any team is willing to give Thomas a guaranteed contract…

It doesn’t look like anybody.

On how Antonio Cromartie played in the game against Washington…

I thought he really played well. I know he had the two penalties. I’m not going to say the officiating was poor, but the one call, maybe I just had some bad angles on it. It’s like, “OK.” I thought he played really well. There was one deep pass early in the game that the guy got free from him and the ball fell incomplete. What happens is when you’re pressuring, that ball better come out at a certain time. Sometimes there will be separation late in the down that he better not be able to throw it. If it’s zero coverage, he better not have that time to throw it. I thought he was playing really well.

On the deep pass to Santana Moss that was dropped…

That was more on Brodney (Pool). That was where it was, “Come on, Brodney pick this thing. That’s why we (have) you back there.” The funny thing is Brodney played pretty decent in the game, but especially when he’s high like that, the high safety, sometimes it’s like just go ahead and go for it. Take your shot at the ball. I think he just doesn’t pull his trigger sometimes as fast as I’d like to see him do. He’s got to understand that our mentality is probably a little different than other teams where if that ball’s in the air, we’ve got to get after it. That’s our football. Again, he’s still new to this defense, but once he picks this thing up, he’s really a physical kid. We’re excited about it.

On Pool being passive…

He’s definitely not passive that way. He just doesn’t want to make a mistake instead of just attacking the football. Go get the football. (He’s being passive) to where it’s, “I’ll just go secure a tackle.” No, we want to attack the ball. This guy is really physical. He did a great job getting off blocks, making tackles and he comes up there and hits you. He’s definitely not passive when it comes to the physical part of the game. I’d just like to see him be a little more aggressive and be more of a ball hawk in the deep patrol.

On Pool’s ball skills…

He’s got great ball skills. He’s just got to go for the football instead of just making a secure tackle. Just go for the ball. That’s what separates the great ones from the good ones.

On how Jason Taylor has looked in practice…

He looks great. We can say what we want, but some of the pickups we had, we struck gold on a few of them. We get to showcase that when we start the season for real, but I think we’ve all seen it. We’ve all seen what Jason Taylor looks like out there and LaDainian (Tomlinson), of course, and Santonio Holmes and Brodney. We got better in the personnel department. Without question, we got better.

On why he is confident that they can have still have a great defense without Calvin Pace or Darrelle Revis…

I guess history is part of it. We can get it done. We’ve proved it all through the years. That’s all I know is great defenses. That’s what we stand for. It’s not about one guy or one or two guys. Every team is going to go through (not having) one or two guys you are going to miss. That happened last year. When we opened the season, we never had Calvin and we never had Shaun Ellis. We’ll get it done. Last year, we lost (Kris) Jenkins for a lot of it. This is what we do. We’re a team defense. That’s why I know our defense will play great. There’s not a question in my mind that we’ll play great. We play great team defense

[lamont_jordan_rules]

Go get the football. (He’s being passive) to where it’s, “I’ll just go secure a tackle.” No, we want to attack the ball.

.... gotta LOVE rex's mentality!!! ...

l_j_r

[Boozer76]

I guess history is part of it. We can get it done. We’ve proved it all through the years. That’s all I know is great defenses. That’s what we stand for. It’s not about one guy or one or two guys. Every team is going to go through (not having) one or two guys you are going to miss. That happened last year. When we opened the season, we never had Calvin and we never had Shaun Ellis. We’ll get it done. Last year, we lost (Kris) Jenkins for a lot of it. This is what we do. We’re a team defense. That’s why I know our defense will play great. There’s not a question in my mind that we’ll play great. We play great team defense

This is the first Jets coach in my life that I actually believe in when he says this.

[flgreen]

Green & White a Regional Cover Team for SI

Posted by Eric Allen on August 31, 2010 – 12:28 pm

Sports Illustrated has its annual NFL preview issue hitting the stands this week, and the Jets will be featured on their Northeast cover. The shot, which was taken last Friday at New Meadowlands Stadium, features center Nick Mangold set to hike the ball as quarterback Mark Sanchez surveys the Redskins’ defense.

Staff writer Ben Reiter provided the preview for the Jets and the entire AFC East. Reiter says, “The Jets are a brash and entertaining mishmash of highly skilled specialists brought together in the hope that they will collectively achieve that greatest of NFL heists: making off with the Super Bowl trophy, which the franchise hasn’t won in 42 years.”

In all, SI has five regional covers. Sanchez is scheduled to speak with the media today, so we should get his reaction shortly.

[flgreen]

Jets safety Brodney Pool downplays ankle sprain, looks to play 'faster'

Published: Monday, August 30, 2010, 9:45 PM Updated: Monday, August 30, 2010, 10:22 PM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

Follow Share this story

Story tools

William Perlman/The Star-LedgerRex Ryan wants safety Brodney Pool to be more of a "ball hawk" when he's in deep coverage.

0

0

0

Share When Calvin Pace stripped the football loose from Washington quarterback Rex Grossman late in the first half of Friday's preseason game, safety Brodney Pool scrambled for it. He didn't come up with the ball -- at least not officially, despite what it looked like on tape and to Pool -- but he did come up with a sprained ankle.

Asked if it was a high ankle sprain, Pool said the trainers just called it a sprain, which kept him out of today's practice. He said it's "up to the training staff" if he'll be ready for the season opener in two weeks, but he downplayed the injury's severity and didn't sound concerned.

"I've been getting treatment on it, so I should be fine," Pool said. "I'm not worried at all. This is nothing."

Pool, who spent his first five seasons with the Browns and signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, said the communication and transition into the Jets secondary went well in his first three preseason games. But he said he needs to work on playing faster, which can be achieved by making sure he's reading his keys and looking at the correct part of the field.

"Just make sure that when I see something, jump," Pool said. "They're telling me, 'Don’t think too much, go out and play.' "

One example of that was Grossman's 40-yard pass to Santana Moss, a few plays before the fumble. Moss appeared to have a few steps on cornerback Antonio Cromartie, and would have made a big catch had he not dropped the pass. But coach Rex Ryan said that play was actually "more on Brodney." Pool explained he was looking at one of the other receivers and "thinking too much" -- so he didn't react quickly enough to the ball in the air.

"When he's high like that, the high safety, sometimes it's like, 'Just go ahead and go for it,' " Ryan said. "Take your shot at the ball. I think he just doesn't pull his trigger sometimes as fast as I'd like to see him do. He's got to understand that our mentality is probably a little different than other teams where if that ball's in the air, we've got to get after it."

Ryan chalked that up to Pool being new in the defense. He said Pool played "pretty decent" overall in the game, and the coaches are excited about him because he is physical and did well getting off blocks and making tackles.

"He's definitely not passive when it comes to the physical part of the game," Ryan said. "I'd just like to see him be a little more aggressive and be more of a ball hawk in the deep patrol."

[SoFlaJets]

Jets’ Holmes to get catches in before 4-game ban

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer

22 minutes ago

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—Santonio Holmes(notes) wants four weeks’ worth of catches in one game.

After all, the New York Jets wide receiver won’t be on the field again until Week 5 while serving a four-game suspension.

“That’s the hard part,” fellow wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery(notes) said Tuesday. “He won’t be with us out there. It’ll be hard on him, and it’s going to be hard on us, as well.”

While the rest of the Jets’ starters watch from the sideline Thursday night, Holmes will get plenty of action against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

“It’s going to be fun,” Holmes said. “I hope I can get about 20 catches out there and just have some fun, knowing that I’m about to exit and be gone for four games. My face won’t even be around. My presence and my leadership won’t be here, but it’ll definitely be here come Week 5.”

That’s the price Holmes is paying for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy while he was still with Pittsburgh. Still, the Jets traded for him in April and were enticed by the prospect of what Holmes could do even in 12 regular-season games.

“He’s already told his teammates, ‘Just hang in there. Hang in there for four weeks, and then help’s on the way,”’ coach Rex Ryan said.

Holmes has quickly established a good rapport with quarterback Mark Sanchez(notes), especially since the two roomed together during training camp in Cortland, N.Y.

“I think the best part is that hopefully we’re sitting at 4-0 and he comes back and he’s here and we get a little boost from that (receivers) room,” Sanchez said. “He’s definitely going to help us when he comes back.”

When Holmes returns, it’ll be in prime time as the Jets play the Minnesota Vikings and former teammate Brett Favre(notes) on Monday Night Football on Oct. 11.

“You’re probably going to have to put me in a cold tub to cool me off a little bit,” Holmes said. “I think I’ll stay down and keep myself calm, but I’ll definitely be excited about the game and playing that Monday night.”

The 2009 Super Bowl MVP came to the Jets with some off-field issues other than the suspension. He was arrested in 2008 for possession of marijuana and involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were later dismissed. None of that was good for his image.

“Some people painted that perception that he’s just a jerk,” Cotchery said. “The way people talk about him, you would think his teammates don’t like him. From guys I know who’ve played with him, they liked him and loved to have him as a teammate. It’s the same way here.”

Cotchery said Holmes fit in immediately with the rest of the receivers.

“He’s just one of the fellas,” Cotchery said. “It feels like he’s been here since he’s been in the league.”

The Jets would be thrilled if he came anywhere close to producing the numbers he put up last season, when he set career highs with 79 catches and 1,248 yards receiving. But with the four-game suspension Holmes is tempering expectations.

“From a receiver’s perspective, learning a new offense, it’s very difficult coming in and having everything changed,” Holmes said. “Routes might be the same, but terminology, coaches, quarterback, the way the words are being presented to you, everything sounds different. If I could be here for the next month to continue picking up on stuff, I think that would be the biggest aspect that I’m going to miss.”

Ryan said the Jets have put a plan in place to help Holmes continue his conditioning while he’s away. He also said Holmes and Sanchez talked about using Skype to go over the offense.

Before all that, though, Holmes will have a chance to run wild against the Eagles’ backup defense.

“This game here, I’m definitely going to take full advantage of it,” he said. “You’re going to see me flying around, having fun. You know, not trying to kill anybody, but show the coaches that this is what I’ve been working on, what I’ve learned. That’s why I’m here and this is the way I’m going to play, and I’m going to bring it to the table.”

Notes: LB Calvin Pace(notes) had surgery on his broken right foot Monday and will miss Week 1. “We’ll see about the second week,” Ryan said. … Ryan said Sanchez, who won’t play at Philadelphia, will call some offensive plays against the Eagles to “give him a different dynamic.” Ryan also did that in preseason finales with Ed Reed(notes) and Ray Lewis(notes) when he was the defensive coordinator at Baltimore.

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