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		<description>RUWT? News for New York Jets</description>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Revis up to task of shutting down Moss again]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Darrelle Revis has heard enough about
his last matchup with Randy Moss. The New York Jets cornerback
just wants to move on to the next one.

"No more Randy Moss and Bill Belichick questions," Revis said
Friday, shaking his head. "This game is bigger than egos here.
It's bigger than me, it's bigger than Randy Moss and it's bigger
than Belichick. Our goal is we want to get this win Sunday."

The struggling Jets (4-5) sorely need it after losing five of
six, and their chances at New England on Sunday might depend
whether Revis can blanket Moss as he did in their Week 2
meeting. Moss had just four catches for 24 yards in New York's
16-9 victory.

"It's always great to compete against the best," Revis said. "It
brings out the best in me and it brings out the best in those
guys. I still give respect to all of the receivers that I go up
against."

Even if it isn't always reciprocated. After the loss, Moss
refused to give Revis total credit for keeping him quiet on the
field.

"All week, he was talking about being a shutdown corner," he
said, "but there are no shutdown corners in the league because
they have help most of the game."

That's simply not the case, according to Revis and coach Rex
Ryan.

"I'll just put it this way: Having Revis allows us to do things
that most people don't do or have the courage to play against
him," Ryan said. "That's man coverage, to man up and say, 'All
right, here we are."'

And, just for good measure, Ryan heaped the ultimate praise on
Revis.

"All I can say is we've got the best corner in the league," he
said, "and I don't think there's any dispute about that."

Moss has been quiet this week, and Revis has maintained his
composure at the Jets' facility when constantly asked about the
Patriots receiver. He did get a little testy during a conference
call Wednesday with New England reporters, who kept pressing on
the man-to-man coverage question.

"In this league, there's mixed opinions," Revis said Friday.
"People have different opinions and if that's how he feels,
that's how he feels. I still have to play and we've still got to
play on Sunday. I just like to leave my talk on the field and go
from there. Whatever he says, he says. That's it."

Bill Belichick acknowledged Revis' talent, but also said he
benefited at times by having safety Kerry Rhodes backing him up
against Moss.

"They played over the top of him quite a bit, not always, but
quite a bit," the Patriots coach said. "Revis is a good player.
He matches up against basically every team's best receiver. ...
He's a good, solid all-around player. He doesn't have any
weaknesses."

Ryan said one thing's for sure: Revis was in man coverage when
he intercepted Tom Brady in the first matchup.

"We call it Cover One and some teams call it Cover Zero," Ryan
said. "It's just man to man and you've got a center fielder.
Kerry had great range on that play. If they think it's Cover
Two, then hopefully they think it's Cover Two this week, too."

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine couldn't put a number on the
plays in which Revis was entirely man to man with Moss.

"What I do know is this, there were a lot of times where he
covered him where it wouldn't have mattered if he had help or
not," he said. "He was all over the route. He did a great job
and our plan will be similar again. We'll mix what we do and
have him matched up on him and know that will be a focal point.
I'm sure it will be fun to watch."

It's easy to forget that Revis is in only his third season after
being a first-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2007. He has
already made a Pro Bowl and has made for some long afternoons
for some of the game's top receivers besides Moss, including
Houston's Andre Johnson, New Orleans' Marques Colston and
Buffalo's Terrell Owens.

And that's just this season.

"Honestly, I think he's the best corner in the league," said
Patriots tight end Chris Baker, a former Jets teammate. "Each
year, he's taken a big step forward and this year, he's
obviously gone out and taken another big step."

Whether he gets credit from Moss or not.

"I've seen Moss, this will be my sixth game, so there's not
anything new here," Revis said. "It's just competition. It's a
big game for us to try to go up there and get this win."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135740-Jets-Revis-up-to-task-of-shutting-down-Moss-again</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135740-Jets-Revis-up-to-task-of-shutting-down-Moss-again</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:45:02 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Leonhard questionable, Gholston out vs. Pats]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard is
questionable for the team's game at New England after being
limited in practice Friday with a broken right thumb.

Leonhard, injured in last Sunday's loss to Jacksonville,
returned to practice and participated in individual drills as
well as some team activities while wearing a cast on his hand.

"It was better than I thought it would be," Leonhard said of
practicing with the cast. "If I wasn't able to do that today, it
would have been very hard to play on Sunday."

Coach Rex Ryan said he'd consult with Leonhard and the team's
trainers to see how he feels leading up to the game Sunday.

"If it was up to me, I'd like to be out there," Leonhard said.

Eric Smith would get the start opposite Kerry Rhodes if Leonhard
can't play.

"He'll definitely want to be out there," Ryan said of Leonhard.
"There's no doubt about that, but he also knows how important
this game is. If he doesn't think that he can play and isn't up
to it, then he knows what we need and he'll be honest. Again, I
would not be shocked to see him out there."

Even if he plays, Leonhard will be replaced on punt returns by
Jerricho Cotchery. The sure-handed wide receiver last returned
punts in 2005 and averaged 7.8 yards a return.

Ryan also ruled out linebacker Vernon Gholston for the second
straight week with a hamstring injury. Gholston was injured in
practice last Monday in the team's first workout off the
bye-week break.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135697-Jets-Leonhard-questionable-Gholston-out-vs-Pats</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135697-Jets-Leonhard-questionable-Gholston-out-vs-Pats</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:22:49 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets-Patriots Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE LIPKA
STATS Writer

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been the talk of
the NFL this week following his controversial fourth-down call
that led to a gut-wrenching loss.

His critics around Foxborough may be willing to forgive him
quickly if his Patriots achieve a different kind of redemption
Sunday.

After their offense sputtered in a loss to the rival New York
Jets two months ago, the Patriots will have a chance to all but
bury the struggling Jets in the AFC East if they can improve to
6-0 at home.

Belichick took plenty of heat following last Sunday night's wild
35-34 loss to Indianapolis, stemming from his decision to go for
it on fourth-and-2 from the Patriots' own 28-yard line with just
over 2 minutes to go and his team leading 34-28.

Tom Brady's pass to Kevin Faulk came up short and the Colts
cruised in for the winning touchdown.

"I thought it was our best chance to win," Belichick said. "I
thought we needed to make that one play and then we could
basically run out the clock. We weren't able to make it."

The move also prompted questions about the coach's confidence
level in his young defense. New England opponents are averaging
16.7 points - third-lowest in the NFL - but the team has been
using an inexperienced group as it tries to replace several
departed veterans.

"We would play well for a series, play real well, and then the
next series (with) similar calls and we just maybe didn't play
them quite as well," defensive coordinator Dean Pees said.
"We're a little bit inconsistent at this point in time, and
that's across the board basically with the young guys, and no
particular guy."

The defeat ended New England's three-game winning streak and put
a dent in its chances of gaining a first-round playoff bye, but
the Patriots (6-3) still hold a two-game lead on New York in the
East as they try to reclaim the division they won five straight
times from 2003-07.

Miami moved into sole possession of second place in the division
with a 24-17 win over Carolina on Thursday night.

A victory over the Jets (4-5) would give New England a
three-game advantage and the tiebreaker over New York. The
Patriots will be especially hungry after a 16-9 loss at Giants
Stadium on Sept. 20, when they were held below 10 points for the
first time since 2006.

That was Brady's second regular-season game following his return
from major knee surgery, and the 2007 NFL MVP seems to have
regained his swagger. He's passed for more than 300 yards in
four straight games, throwing 13 touchdowns and four
interceptions.

Randy Moss has been the biggest beneficiary lately, racking up
524 receiving yards and six touchdowns in the four contests.

Moss was held to four catches for 24 yards by the Jets and
standout cornerback Darrelle Revis earlier this season, and New
York consistently applied pressure to Brady.

"We're going to see how well we prepare and how much better we
understand what they're doing," Brady said. "It's a good scheme,
and it's been proven for a lot of years that it's a good scheme,
and the players of the Jets have really seemed to adapt to it."

New York's defense hasn't been as dominant since an impressive
3-0 start under new coach Rex Ryan, the longtime Baltimore
Ravens defensive coordinator. While the Jets still rank second
in the NFL in total defense, they struggled to slow down
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew in a 24-22 loss last Sunday.

The Jets' last six opponents have averaged 126.0 yards on the
ground, with the team going 1-5.

"We're humbled, of course," linebacker Bart Scott said. "Nobody
expects anything out of us. We've just got to go about our
business."

The unit hasn't been getting much help from the NFL's
27th-ranked pass offense, and even New York's top-ranked rushing
attack has been held under 4.0 yards per carry the last two
weeks.

Rookie Mark Sanchez ranks 27th in the NFL with a 66.5 passer
rating, but Ryan continues to loudly profess his confidence in
his team.

"At the end of the day, I always say somebody is going to have
egg on their face," Ryan said Monday. "So far, it looks like me.
But, I'm betting on me. I'm betting on our football team.

"Trust me, I'm going to work to the best of my ability to find
answers. Whatever it is, I believe we'll find them. I know our
task is hard, but it's not impossible."

No visiting team has been able to win at Gillette Stadium this
season, but the Jets have won two of their last three in
Foxborough. They beat a Brady-less team 34-31 last Nov. 13.

New York is trying to win three straight overall against the
Patriots for the first time since a four-game run from
1999-2001.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135089-Jets-Patriots-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135089-Jets-Patriots-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:51:17 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Pats-Jets rematch has different look than 1st game]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By HOWARD ULMAN
AP Sports Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.(AP) -- The New England Patriots are determined
to bounce back from their big loss.

No, not that one.

While Sunday night's 35-34 shocker against the Indianapolis
Colts held the spotlight for days because of coach Bill
Belichick's ill-fated fourth-down decision, the Patriots want to
even the score with another major rival, the New York Jets, on
Sunday.

In the second game of the season, New York ended New England's
streak of 36 games with at least one offensive touchdown and
forced Tom Brady into his worst game of the season.

"We can't play much worse than we played," Brady said.

A lot has changed since that 16-9 loss at the Meadowlands in a
division game that left the Jets at 2-0 and the Patriots facing
questions whether Brady was back to his old self after his
season-ending knee injury in last year's opener.

Jets coach Rex Ryan has gone from talking boldly to shedding
tears - "I'm an emotional guy," he said after crying in front of
his players Monday. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins and running
back-kick returner Leon Washington are sidelined for the season,
quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled, and New York (4-5) has
lost five of its last six games.

The perception of Patriots coach Bill Belichick as a mastermind
who makes the right calls has been blurred after he went for it
on fourth-and-2 at his 28-yard line with a six-point lead and
just over two minutes left.

But Brady has thrown for more than 300 yards in his last four
games; Randy Moss has more than 100 yards receiving in four of
the seven games since being shut down by the Jets; Wes Welker is
back after missing the first meeting with a knee injury; and the
AFC East-leading Patriots (6-3) have won five of their last
seven.

"We're definitely better than we were in Week 2, but so is
everybody else," Belichick said. "It's not about improvement,
it's about the rate of improvement."

For the Jets, that rate may not be as low as their record
indicates. They lost last Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars
24-22 on a field goal on the final play, their fourth loss by
five points or fewer. A loss to New England would be their
fourth in the division, a huge blow to their chances of winning
the AFC East.

"We've found (different) ways to lose," Ryan said. "We've
basically been beat on the last play of the game in four games.
So, if people think we're going to be pushovers, they have
another think coming."

The Jets blitzed the Patriots often on Sept. 20 and allowed just
83 yards rushing with Jenkins clogging the middle. His absence
should open up things, but the Jets still have cornerback
Darrelle Revis, the main reason Moss had only four catches for
24 yards in that game.

Moss attributed that to double coverage, a notion Revis
disputed.

"I was in man-to-man coverage," he said. "One thing I know is
I'm giving him respect. He's one of their best and it's great
competition between me and him. I love it, and I'm sure he loves
it, too."

Patriots tight end Chris Baker, who played for the Jets the past
seven years, called Revis "the best corner in the league." Ryan
called Moss "the best vertical receiver in football."

Now the Jets also must contend with Welker. Despite missing two
games, he's second in the NFL with 64 receptions. Rookie Julian
Edelman, similar in size to Welker, made eight catches in the
first meeting.

"Whenever he's not playing, you have to make up for it in other
ways," said Brady, who completed a season-low 48.9 percent of
his passes in that game, "but there's only one Wes Welker."

Having Welker didn't help last Sunday night when Belichick went
for the first down instead of punting. Brady threw to Kevin
Faulk, who bobbled the ball before catching it and missing the
first down.

Tedy Bruschi, an ESPN analyst after spending the last 14 seasons
as a Patriots linebacker, said Belichick's decision "would be
enough to make my blood boil for weeks" and showed a lack of
confidence in the defense.

"I have the ultimate respect for Tedy," Patriots inside
linebacker Jerod Mayo said, "but he's not in this locker room at
this point in time so he doesn't know the feeling that's in this
defense or that this team has. We still have our confidence. We
still have our swagger."

The Jets also have their critics,

"There are not a lot (of people) that believe in us outside of
this locker room, but that really doesn't matter," said wide
receiver Braylon Edwards, who was with the Cleveland Browns when
the Jets and Patriots first met. "As long as we continue to
believe in ourselves I think we can put something together and
come out of it this week."

Maybe then Ryan will be smiling instead of crying.

"We had the better team in Week 2," he said. "Obviously, over
the last month and a half, they've played much better than we
have. But we're going to find out who has the better team on
Sunday."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135480-Pats-Jets-rematch-has-different-look-than-1st-game</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135480-Pats-Jets-rematch-has-different-look-than-1st-game</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:34:52 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Washington expects full recovery from injury]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Leon Washington stepped into the shower
and stood there a while as the water washed over him.

It had been three weeks since the New York Jets running back had
been able to take one, and it qualified as major progress in his
recovery from a broken right leg.

"I'm telling you, it's the little things in life," the New York
Jets running back said with a big smile Thursday. "I've been
taking bird baths. That felt really good. I think I stayed in
there for 30 minutes."

Washington went from zipping around the field to not being able
to do the simplest of tasks when he sustained a compound
fracture of the tibia and fibula last month in a game at
Oakland.

His right leg, which had a rod inserted into the tibia, is in a
sleeve and a bulky boot. Washington walks with crutches, and
also has a scooter to get around.

"It makes you put a lot of things in perspective," said
Washington, speaking at the team's facility for the first time
since the injury.

Washington, an All-Pro last season as a kick returner, expects
to fully recover and is "very optimistic" about working out with
the team when it begins offseason programs in March.

"Infection is the major setback," Washington said. "Thank God
I'm 98 or 99 percent past that point. My wounds are healed."

Doctors told him the injury takes anywhere from six to 12 months
to heal. The Jets' training staff has talked to a number of
players who have suffered similar injuries, including Oakland's
Michael Bush and former NFL running back Musa Smith.

"Since I beat the infection part, it's up to me whether it will
be on the six-month side or the 12-month side," he said.
"They're expecting me to have a full recovery and they're really
surprised by my mobility now."

Washington, 27, was injured on his first carry on Oct. 25 when
Oakland's Tommy Kelly rolled up on his leg after a 6-yard run in
the first quarter of the Jets' 38-0 win.

"I heard it pop, an automatic pop like I broke my leg,"
Washington said. "At that point, I was kind of in shock. I
didn't really feel a lot of pain."

He stayed down for a few minutes, and his teammates didn't
immediately realize the severity of the injury.

"We were changing personnel and I was about to go over there
because he was still down, and (Oakland's) Richard Seymour
grabbed me and he was like, 'Don't go over there. It's out. It's
bad,"' fullback Tony Richardson said. "He pulled me away and I
was so glad I didn't see that."

Coach Rex Ryan thought Washington had just sprained an ankle.

"Then, when they took him across directly, through the Raiders'
sideline, I was like, 'Man, this must be worse than I think,"'
Ryan said.

Washington said thoughts raced through his mind, such as
wondering what exactly was broken and how long he might be
sidelined.

"Then I got off to the sideline and I saw blood coming through
the sock," he said. "When I saw that, it's kind of like, 'OK,
that's a little serious."'

It was a massive loss for the Jets, who relied on Washington as
a game-changing playmaker on offense and special teams.

"Obviously, injuries are a part of the business, but to me,
Leon's like a little brother," Richardson said. "You can't find
a man in this locker room who doesn't love Leon Washington."

Washington returned to the facility recently to rehabilitate the
leg. He has also renewed his faith in God, which has helped him
deal with the ramifications of the injury, including his
uncertain contract status.

He opted to play out the final year of his rookie deal - worth
$535,000 - rather than hold out or accept the Jets' proposed
contract extension. Washington, who would be a restricted free
agent under the current collective bargaining agreement, was
looking for about $6 million a year. He said general manager
Mike Tannenbaum told him the team would revisit his contract
situation after the season.

Despite all that, Washington has no regrets about how things
played out.

"Not at all," he said. "If I would do it all over again and
could flash back, it would be the same thing."

Washington said his current rehab consists of strengthening
everything around the injury - the quadriceps, hamstrings, knee
- until he can walk on his own. He's also thankful there was no
damage to his knee or ankle.

"It's all bone, so it's basically just letting that bone heal
up," he said. "I'm able to move my knee and my ankle, which is
the most important thing. I'm glad to be at that point, so I
think I'll be back on track."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135380-Jets-Washington-expects-full-recovery-from-injury</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135380-Jets-Washington-expects-full-recovery-from-injury</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:41:43 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Ryan on crying: 'I'm man enough to be me']]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Rex Ryan stepped to the podium and
motioned for a staffer to hand him something.

It was a blue box of tissues, and the Jets coach set it down in
front of him.

"I've got a new sponsor," Ryan said Wednesday, fighting a grin.
"The Jets have Toyota and I've got Kleenex, for obvious
reasons."

Never afraid to show his emotions, Ryan cried in front of his
players during a team meeting Monday morning following New
York's 24-22 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. The story, first
reported by the New York Post, has since generated both
criticism and praise by fans and members of the media.

"Everything's out and sometimes you say things to your team and
you don't realize that everybody will find out," Ryan said.
"That's fine and dandy. One thing I'll say is I'll be true to
myself."

And that means being the guy who boldly declared he would
someday lead the Jets to the Super Bowl - something he
reiterated Wednesday by saying "I believe I will be a champion
here" - and would have a team that the entire NFL would fear. He
says what's on his mind, throwing caution to the wind. Even if
it includes shedding some tears.

"I'm man enough to be me," Ryan said.

That means poking fun at himself - and his players. After
putting his tissue box down, Ryan took out a piece of paper and
took a playful shot at Mark Sanchez, who took some heat for
awkwardly reading from a statement he wrote before his postgame
press conference Sunday.

"Let me go ahead and get this out and read my statement I had,"
Ryan said, smiling. "It says here New England's pretty good. Any
questions? OK."

It's not the first time Ryan has gotten emotional in front of
his team. He teared up after the Week 1 victory over Houston,
and has had several rah-rah moments with his team before games.

"If I don't fit the stereotype of coach speak or anything else,
so be it," Ryan said. "I'm going to always be myself."

The Jets have lost five of six after a 3-0 start, and take on
AFC East-leading New England at Foxborough on Sunday. Ryan
acknowledged that the team might not have the swagger it did
earlier in the season, but the players appreciated Ryan showing
his feelings.

"It's an emotional game and that just showed his passion,"
linebacker Calvin Pace said. "If I was in that situation, I
would've cried, too, man. I guess when you play a sport like
this, sometimes it's shocking to see a grown man express
emotion."

Left guard Alan Faneca said the moment built up quickly and
surprised the players, but left them feeling good about their
coach, not embarrassed for him.

"No offense, but this isn't high school football anymore,"
Faneca said. "It's a fun game, but it's a serious game. It's a
yearlong process and there are a lot of things that get built up
and pent up. I've cried the year we won the AFC championship
with Pittsburgh and went to the Super Bowl. I was bawling after
the game because it was my third chance after missing it a few
times. Those things build up."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick wouldn't offer a reaction, but was
asked if he has ever cried.

"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most all the
bases," he said, pausing amid laughter. "I think I swore once,
too."

Added New England quarterback Tom Brady: "I can't ever imagine
coach Belichick doing that in front of us."

While some have argued that the tears showed that Ryan cares
deeply, others say it's a sign of insecurity and weakness - that
there's no crying in football.

"My response is that a couple of four-letter words come to mind
first," Faneca said.

Right tackle Damien Woody said it really is much ado about
nothing, and the players don't care what others outside the
facility think.

"You want to win for a coach like that," Woody said. "Whatever
the perception is outside is irrelevant. It means nothing. We
know how Rex feels about this team and what he was saying.
That's the bottom line. If people outside of here have a
misconception of what happened, then, hey, that's on them."

Many of the players were also disappointed that the scene got
out to the public.

"To be honest with you, that should never have left the
meeting," Pace said. "What happens in-house needs to stay
in-house. That being said, I've seen head coaches cry after wins
and after losses. I think they want so much for us and there's
only so much they can do."

When asked if he was surprised at how big a deal the story had
become, Ryan said he needed to grab a tissue and smiled.

"It's more passion than it is anything else," he said. "It's
driven that way. I have a strong belief in myself and this
football team. If that comes out, it comes out."

---=

AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman in Foxborough, Mass., contributed
to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135333-Jets-Ryan-on-crying-Im-man-enough-to-be-me</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135333-Jets-Ryan-on-crying-Im-man-enough-to-be-me</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:53:55 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Sanchez says he goofed by reading statement]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Mark Sanchez might keep his notes to
himself from now on.

The New York Jets rookie quarterback was criticized by some
members of the media after opening his postgame news conference
Sunday by reading from a statement he prepared after losing to
the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I just changed things up a little bit," Sanchez said Wednesday.
"I thought I had everything figured out, of course, as a
23-year-old rookie would, but probably not the best way to go
about it. It didn't go over very well, so, trial and error and
hopefully a one-time mistake."

Sanchez said he sat at his locker after the 24-22 loss and wrote
out his thoughts in anticipation of what he might be asked. He
then went to the podium and quickly read from the sheet,
rattling off specific key plays and offering a summary of what
happened in the loss before taking questions.

"Once I got up there, I kind of got rolling with it and kept
going," he said. "I won't do that again."

The awkward moment rubbed some in the media the wrong way as
Sanchez was criticized for appearing immature, disrespectful and
unprofessional. After thinking about it, Sanchez said he was
wrong to have a prepared statement.

"I answer the questions and you guys ask the questions," he
said. "That's the rule. I'm not here to do your job, just like
you're not here to do mine. That wasn't the most respectful
thing to you guys and ladies. As much as I anticipate the
questions and want to have an idea of what's coming my way, it's
not my job to say, 'All right, the press conference is over."'

Jets coach Rex Ryan said he hadn't seen Sanchez's news
conference, but poked fun at it during his own Wednesday by
taking out a sheet of paper and saying, "It says here New
England's pretty good. Any questions? OK."

Sanchez has mostly shown some media savvy, impressive for a
rookie who started only 16 games in college at Southern
California. He has remained unfazed throughout the season
despite questions about a pre-draft magazine photo spread,
eating a hot dog on the sideline during a game at Oakland and
his up-and-down debut as the Jets' starting quarterback.

"I'll look back at it probably at the end of the year," Sanchez
said, "but you learn a lot of this stuff on the fly."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135153-Jets-Sanchez-says-he-goofed-by-reading-statement</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135153-Jets-Sanchez-says-he-goofed-by-reading-statement</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:59:49 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Ryan on crying: 'I'm man enough to be me']]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Rex Ryan stepped to the podium and
motioned for a staffer to hand him something.

It was a blue box of tissues, and the Jets coach set it down in
front of him.

"I've got a new sponsor," Ryan said Wednesday, fighting a grin.
"The Jets have Toyota and I've got Kleenex, for obvious
reasons."

Never afraid to show his emotions, Ryan cried in front of his
players during a team meeting Monday morning following New
York's 24-22 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. The story, first
reported by the New York Post, has since generated both
criticism and praise by fans and members of the media.

"Everything's out and sometimes you say things to your team and
you don't realize that everybody will find out," Ryan said.
"That's fine and dandy. One thing I'll say is I'll be true to
myself."

And that means being the guy who boldly declared he would
someday lead the Jets to the Super Bowl - something he
reiterated Wednesday by saying "I believe I will be a champion
here" - and would have a team that the entire NFL would fear. He
says what's on his mind, throwing caution to the wind. Even if
it includes shedding some tears.

"I'm man enough to be me," Ryan said.

That means poking fun at himself - and his players. After
putting his tissue box down, Ryan took out a piece of paper and
took a playful shot at Mark Sanchez, who took some heat for
awkwardly reading from a statement he wrote before his postgame
press conference Sunday.

"Let me go ahead and get this out and read my statement I had,"
Ryan said, smiling. "It says here New England's pretty good. Any
questions? OK."

It's not the first time Ryan has gotten emotional in front of
his team. He teared up after the Week 1 victory over Houston,
and has had several rah-rah moments with his team before games.

"If I don't fit the stereotype of coach speak or anything else,
so be it," Ryan said. "I'm going to always be myself."

The Jets have lost five of six after a 3-0 start, and take on
AFC East-leading New England at Foxborough on Sunday. Ryan
acknowledged that the team might not have the swagger it did
earlier in the season, but the players appreciated Ryan showing
his feelings.

"It's an emotional game and that just showed his passion,"
linebacker Calvin Pace said. "If I was in that situation, I
would've cried, too, man. I guess when you play a sport like
this, sometimes it's shocking to see a grown man express
emotion."

Left guard Alan Faneca said the moment built up quickly and
surprised the players, but left them feeling good about their
coach, not embarrassed for him.

"No offense, but this isn't high school football anymore,"
Faneca said. "It's a fun game, but it's a serious game. It's a
yearlong process and there are a lot of things that get built up
and pent up. I've cried the year we won the AFC championship
with Pittsburgh and went to the Super Bowl. I was bawling after
the game because it was my third chance after missing it a few
times. Those things build up."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick wouldn't offer a reaction, but was
asked if he has ever cried.

"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most all the
bases," he said, pausing amid laughter. "I think I swore once,
too."

Added New England quarterback Tom Brady: "I can't ever imagine
coach Belichick doing that in front of us."

While some have argued that the tears showed that Ryan cares
deeply, others say it's a sign of insecurity and weakness - that
there's no crying in football.

"My response is that a couple of four-letter words come to mind
first," Faneca said.

Right tackle Damien Woody said it really is much ado about
nothing, and the players don't care what others outside the
facility think.

"You want to win for a coach like that," Woody said. "Whatever
the perception is outside is irrelevant. It means nothing. We
know how Rex feels about this team and what he was saying.
That's the bottom line. If people outside of here have a
misconception of what happened, then, hey, that's on them."

Many of the players were also disappointed that the scene got
out to the public.

"To be honest with you, that should never have left the
meeting," Pace said. "What happens in-house needs to stay
in-house. That being said, I've seen head coaches cry after wins
and after losses. I think they want so much for us and there's
only so much they can do."

When asked if he was surprised at how big a deal the story had
become, Ryan said he needed to grab a tissue and smiled.

"It's more passion than it is anything else," he said. "It's
driven that way. I have a strong belief in myself and this
football team. If that comes out, it comes out."

---=

AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman in Foxborough, Mass., contributed
to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135084-Jets-Ryan-on-crying-Im-man-enough-to-be-me</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135084-Jets-Ryan-on-crying-Im-man-enough-to-be-me</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:38:45 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Jets S Leonhard's status uncertain for New England]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Jets safety Jim Leonhard had three pins
inserted into his broken right thumb and his arm is in a sling,
leaving his status for New York's game against New England
uncertain.

Coach Rex Ryan said Leonhard had surgery Monday night and didn't
practice Wednesday, but wouldn't rule him out.

"He's got three screws, I believe, so if they can tighten them
up for this game, we'll see," Ryan said. "He's a tough kid, I'm
just telling you. The average guy, there's no way he plays. But
Jim Leonhard's not an average guy."

If Leonhard can't play Sunday, Eric Smith would start in his
place opposite Kerry Rhodes. Smith, who leads the team with 13
special teams tackles, has started 10 games and has four
interceptions in three-plus seasons with the Jets.

"It's a good opportunity to get out and play and get some more
reps on the field," Smith said. "Hopefully we get Jim back, but
if not, I'm going to be ready to play."

Leonhard was injured during Maurice Jones-Drew's 33-yard
touchdown run early in the first quarter of New York's 24-22
loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. He left briefly before returning
with a cast on the hand, but was unable to handle his usual punt
return duties.

Leonhard is third on the team with 58 tackles, and has one
interception and 1 1/2 sacks. He also makes the defensive calls,
a duty that would fall to linebacker David Harris in Leonhard's
absence.

"If there's any way possible of him playing, I wouldn't be
shocked," Ryan said. "But right now with him in a sling or a
cast or three screws in his thumb, it wouldn't look good for the
common person."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135088-Jets-S-Leonhards-status-uncertain-for-New-England</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135088-Jets-S-Leonhards-status-uncertain-for-New-England</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:28:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[After another loss, Jets' Ryan says, 'It's on me']]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Rex Ryan's big talk and bold
declarations set him up for the heavy criticism he's taking as
the New York Jets' season continues to spiral.

The ever-confident coach still isn't backing down.

"At the end of the day, I always say somebody is going to have
egg on their face," Ryan said Monday. "So far, it looks like me.
But, I'm betting on me. I'm betting on our football team."

While angry fans were calling into sports radio shows a day
after a 24-22 loss to Jacksonville, Ryan was busy trying to
figure out how to get his team out of the 1-5 slide that washed
away a 3-0 start.

"It's on me to find that answer," Ryan said. "Trust me, I'm
going to work to the best of my ability to find answers.
Whatever it is, I believe we'll find them. I know our task is
hard, but it's not impossible."

Penalties, timeout mismanagement and mistakes on the field have
plagued the Jets in the last several games.

"It's like a comedy of errors, but it's not funny," Ryan
quipped.

New York's defense, which came in ranked No. 2 overall, failed
to live up to its lofty status in the first half against
Jacksonville by allowing 250 yards and 21 points.

"The most disappointing thing is you know your ability,"
defensive lineman Sione Pouha said. "There is that poisonous
word: potential. Not living up to it is probably the most
hurtful thing."

The Jets tightened up in the second half and didn't give up a
first down - until the Jaguars marched down the field for the
winning field goal as time expired.

"This is four games, I guess, that we've lost basically on the
last play of the game," Ryan said. "They always say that you
stay in the league long enough, it will even out. I certainly
hope so, because it's tough. But, I think it's my responsibility
to find a way for this football team to do the things to win the
game at the end, that we're celebrating."

The changes have begun as Ryan waived special teams standout
Ahmad Carroll and parted ways with defensive line coach Kerry
Locklin. That could be just the beginning unless the team gets
back to winning.

"We're just hurting ourselves," wide receiver Braylon Edwards
said. "I hate to take credit away from these guys, but we're
losing games. We're beating ourselves. We're not losing to
better teams or we're not just getting beat. We're beating
ourselves."

Things have gone so awry that Ryan made the right call near the
end of the game, and it still didn't go the Jets' way. With
Jacksonville at the Jets 14 and 2 minutes left, Ryan told his
defense to let the Jaguars score because New York had no
timeouts remaining - another big mistake after calling two
unnecessarily.

Instead, Pouha and Marques Douglas took down Maurice Jones-Drew
at the 10 while trying to knock the ball out of his hands. The
Jets cleared the middle again on the next play, but Jones-Drew
smartly took a knee at the 1 and set up Josh Scobee's winning
kick.

"We're humbled, of course," linebacker Bart Scott said. "Nobody
expects anything out of us. We've just got to go about our
business."

After a hot start that had some dreaming of a deep postseason
run, the Jets might now be alone in thinking of themselves of a
playoff-caliber team.

"People outside the room don't have to believe it, and that's
fine," right tackle Damien Woody said. "Have we given them a
reason to believe it? No. The only people that believe it are
the guys in this locker room. There is one thing about believing
and another thing to do it. That is what we have to do."

The Jets also caught a break several hours after their game when
New England blew a late lead and lost to Indianapolis. So,
instead of being three games behind the AFC East-leading
Patriots, they're just two back with a matchup Sunday at
Foxborough.

"I just kept thinking it's a gift," Woody said. "As far as
things we're trying to accomplish, there is a pulse. We've just
got to collectively decide if we want to take advantage of this
opportunity because it's there. It's not something's that's
impossible. It's tangible."

Added Scott: "We're on life support, and it ain't over until
it's over."

And that's why Ryan still believes this season is not lost -
yet.

"Again, it's on me," Ryan said. "I'm not pointing it at anybody
else. I know where to look and it's in the mirror. It starts
with me, and I've got to get it fixed."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134566-After-another-loss-Jets-Ryan-says-Its-on-me</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134566-After-another-loss-Jets-Ryan-says-Its-on-me</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:15:49 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets, D-line coach part ways in 'mutual decision']]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Rex Ryan decided he needed to start
making changes.

With the New York Jets spiraling in a 1-5 stretch, Ryan parted
ways with defensive line coach Kerry Locklin on Monday in a move
the coach called a "mutual decision."

Locklin was hired by Ryan, a longtime friend, after nine seasons
as the defensive line coach at Fresno State. The two coached
together at Morehead State from 1990-93, and Ryan wouldn't go so
far as to say Locklin was fired.

"This is a real sensitive issue," Ryan said. "It's unfortunate,
the timing of it. I think it was in both our best interests that
we mutually agreed upon this."

The Jets' defensive line has struggled at times, particularly
without injured nose tackle Kris Jenkins, and poor tackling
contributed to a 24-22 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. The Jets
(4-5) were also forced to burn a crucial timeout in the second
half - something Ryan called "totally unacceptable" - when they
had 12 players on the field.

"It's never just one thing," Ryan said. "There were some
disagreements. Let's just put it that way. It was really more
of, there's some issues, some personal issues that have been
behind us."

Defensive assistant Jeff Weeks and pass rushing instructor Chuck
Smith will handle the defensive line, with Ryan and defensive
coordinator Mike Pettine overseeing it.

Locklin, a former tight end, was a sixth-round pick of the Los
Angeles Rams out of New Mexico State in 1982. He also played
with the Denver Broncos and Arizona of the USFL before going
into coaching.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134552-Jets-D-line-coach-part-ways-in-mutual-decision</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134552-Jets-D-line-coach-part-ways-in-mutual-decision</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:35:02 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets S Leonhard having surgery on broken thumb]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard was
scheduled to have surgery on his broken right thumb Monday
night.

Coach Rex Ryan was uncertain of the nature of the procedure, or
whether Leonhard might be sidelined this weekend or longer.

"They said when they go in, they'll have a much better idea,"
Ryan said of the doctors. "They don't even know if they're going
to put screws in it, what they're going to do.

"When I heard it, surgery, that doesn't sound good to me."

Leonhard was injured early in the first quarter on Maurice
Jones-Drew's 33-yard touchdown run in the Jets' 24-22 loss to
Jacksonville on Sunday.

Leonhard left the field after the score and went into the locker
room to have the thumb placed in a cast. He came back into the
game on defense, but wasn't able to field punts as he normally
does and was replaced by Darrelle Revis.

"It doesn't feel good, I'll tell you that much," Leonhard said
after the game. "It was on the touchdown. Missed tackle and a
touchdown - it doesn't get much worse than that - and hurt your
hand.

Ryan said he wasn't sure if Leonhard would be able to play in a
cast, as he did for much of the game Sunday.

"I hope so, but we'll see," Ryan said. "You know, when they say
surgery, though, I mean, I don't think that sounds very good."

Leonhard, who played for Ryan's defense in Baltimore last
season, had seven tackles, a sack and a pass defensed against
the Jaguars. He's third on the team with 58 total tackles and
makes the defensive calls on the field.

Losing Leonhard would be another tough blow to a team that has
already had nose tackle Kris Jenkins and running back-kick
returner Leon Washington go down to season-ending injuries.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134527-Jets-S-Leonhard-having-surgery-on-broken-thumb</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134527-Jets-S-Leonhard-having-surgery-on-broken-thumb</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:59:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets waive CB Carroll, sign LB Cummings]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- The New York Jets waived cornerback
Ahmad Carroll, one of their special teams standouts, and signed
linebacker Kenwin Cummings from the practice squad Monday.

The moves came a day after New York lost to Jacksonville 24-22
on Josh Scobee's 21-yard field goal as time expired. Coach Rex
Ryan said Carroll became expendable because undrafted free agent
Marquice Cole had earned the spot on special teams.

Carroll, nicknamed "Batman," was inactive for New York's last
two games. He tied for the team lead last year with 26 special
teams tackles. Carroll has had trouble off the field in the
past, but this move had nothing to do with any legal matters.

"I think Cole has really taken his role," Ryan said. "I think
he's done an outstanding job. That's not a slight to Batman.
It's just that I think this guy won the job and it's a chance
for us to get Kenwin Cummings up."

Carroll was drafted in the first round by Green Bay in 2004. He
signed with the Jets in July 2008 and had 30 special teams
tackles in 22 games. Carroll also played for Jacksonville.

Cummings, an undrafted free agent out of Wingate, has spent most
of the last two seasons on the Jets' practice squad. He was
inactive for the season opener at Miami last year.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134453-Jets-waive-CB-Carroll-sign-LB-Cummings</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134453-Jets-waive-CB-Carroll-sign-LB-Cummings</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:48:39 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Scobee's FG as time expires lifts Jags over Jets]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Maurice Jones-Drew saw a clear path
to the end zone and somehow fought the urge to walk across the
goal line.

The Jacksonville running back stopped at the 1 and took a knee,
keeping the clock ticking and setting up Josh Scobee's 21-yard
field goal that gave the Jaguars a 24-22 victory over the New
York Jets as time expired Sunday.

"Sorry to my fantasy owners," Jones-Drew deadpanned. "I
apologize. I had myself today. It was a tough call, but whatever
it takes to get the victory, that's what counts."

With the Jaguars (5-4) facing second-and-6 from the 10,
Jones-Drew took a handoff up the middle and went down to give
Jacksonville first-and-goal from the 1 with about 1 1/2 minutes
left.

"They said get a close as you can and take a knee," said
Jones-Drew, who had an earlier 33-yard touchdown run. "I was
looking for someone to tackle me."

New York (4-5) had no timeouts left, and the Jets offense could
only watch from the sideline as the time melted away.

"Smartest play of the game," said Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez,
who read from a prepared statement before taking questions.
"That's an MVP play right there."

David Garrard took a knee on the next two plays, giving Scobee
the opportunity to kick the winner for the Jaguars and make up
for an earlier 49-yard miss. Jones-Drew's play reminded Garrard
of when Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook also took a knee at the 1
to seal a late-season win over Dallas in 2007.

"It was impressive to see him do that for the team," Garrard
said. "There are a lot of questions to be asked about what if
this doesn't go right, or that doesn't go right. Everything went
right, so we can smile on the way back to Jacksonville."

The Jets came out of their bye-week break making the same
mistakes that plagued them in the first eight games. New York
has dropped five of its last six, and is headed to AFC-leading
New England next Sunday.

"Now we're 4-5 and we're not impressive," wide receiver Braylon
Edwards said. "We're not scaring anybody. We're not intimidating
anybody coming onto the field, so that 3-0 start is a wash.
That's over with."

Thomas Jones gave the Jets a 22-21 lead on a 1-yard touchdown
dive with 5:04 remaining. The score capped a 16-play drive that
included three third-down conversions and a fourth-and-1
conversion - a 14-yard run by Shonn Greene that got the Jets
down to the 1.

New York went for the 2-point conversion, but Edwards dropped it
when he was hit hard. Given a lead, the Jets' defense, which
came in ranked No. 2 overall, couldn't hold the Jaguars.

"Maybe we're not one of the best defenses in the league," an
uncharacteristically stifled Bart Scott said.

New York's defense had trouble tackling in the first half,
allowing Jacksonville to gain 250 yards. With the game on the
line in the fourth quarter, the Jets allowed a 15-yard catch by
Mike Thomas and a 33-yard grab by Marcedes Lewis to help set up
Scobee's kick.

"For the defense we think we are, we needed to make that last
stop and get the win," safety Jim Leonhard said.

Jones-Drew had 123 yards on 24 carries, becoming the first
player to rush for 100 or more yards against the Jets this
season. Garrard was 16 of 26 for 221 yards and a touchdown to
Mike Sims-Walker, and also ran for a score.

The Jets didn't get off to the start they were looking for when
Sanchez was intercepted by Rashean Mathis on New York's first
play.

"It might as well have been a pick-6," Sanchez said. "That's the
way you feel as a quarterback and that's the way you look at the
game."

Jacksonville took advantage immediately, giving the ball to
Jones-Drew five straight times with the final carry a 33-yard
scamper up the middle for a touchdown.

Garrard gave Jacksonville a 14-10 lead with an 11-yard touchdown
run early in the second quarter.

Sims-Walker made it 21-10 with 2:44 left in the first half with
a 26-yard catch. New York had a chance to end the drive on
fourth-and-4 from the 34, but Thomas caught a 7-yard pass to
allow Jacksonville to become the first team to convert on fourth
down against the Jets.

"We can't wait for somebody to make a play," Jets coach Rex Ryan
said. "We have to go make it and be in attack mode. Right now,
there's something missing and we have to find it."

Jay Feely kicked three field goals for the Jets, the last a
40-yarder early in the fourth quarter that capped a 14-play
drive and cut the deficit to 21-16.

NOTES: Del Rio said wide receiver Jarrett Dillard suffered a
season-ending broken right ankle on the first play of the second
quarter. Mathis strained a leg midway through the fourth
quarter, and will be re-evaluated Monday. ... Leonhard left
briefly after injuring his right thumb in the first quarter. It
was heavily wrapped, and he wasn't sure of the severity of the
injury.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134242-Scobees-FG-as-time-expires-lifts-Jags-over-Jets</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134242-Scobees-FG-as-time-expires-lifts-Jags-over-Jets</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:58:28 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Jets LB Gholston, KR Miller inactive vs. Jags]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- New York Jets linebacker Vernon
Gholston and kick returner Justin Miller are inactive for the
team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Gholston was doubtful because of a strained hamstring. Miller,
re-signed two weeks ago, was a healthy scratch and replaced on
returns by Dwight Lowery.

Wide receiver Brad Smith and cornerback Lito Sheppard both
returned after missing a few weeks with quadriceps injuries.
Lowery is starting at cornerback, but Sheppard will be in the
rotation.

Wide receiver Danny Woodhead and cornerback Ahmad Carroll also
are among the inactives.

Among the Jaguars' inactives are Gerald Alexander (shoulder),
replaced at strong safety by Sean Considine, and tight end
Ernest Wilford (ankle).]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134194-Jets-LB-Gholston-KR-Miller-inactive-vs-Jags</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134194-Jets-LB-Gholston-KR-Miller-inactive-vs-Jags</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:13:49 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Jags, Jets both 4-4 and facing 'must-win' game]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- This isn't quite where the
Jacksonville Jaguars or New York Jets expected to be at this
point in the season.

They're both a mediocre 4-4 and know their playoff chances will
be largely affected by what happens Sunday at the Meadowlands.

"It's a must win for both of us," Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis
said.

That's because New York has gone 1-4 since a 3-0 start that had
some dreaming of a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, Jacksonville has
been inconsistent all season, but is in the playoff mix despite
being picked to finish at the bottom of the AFC South.

"We'd like to have a few more wins," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio
said. "I'm sure they'd like to have a few more wins. We have an
opportunity to start the second half of this season with two
teams that would like to be in a better situation, two teams
that very much need to win, so it ought to be a heck of a game."

The phrase "must win" gets tossed around in the NFL all the
time, but it might actually apply in this instance.

"There's no getting around this," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "You
might as well admit it, that it is that kind of game. We need to
make sure that we come out on the winning side."

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard said his team has similar
aspirations for this weekend.

"We're going to do our best and execute as well as we can and
let the chips lie where they are," he said. "We're not caught up
in the 'that team wins, this team goes this direction.' You
still never know how it's going to play out, but definitely this
game for both teams does mean a whole lot more."

The Jets are coming off a bye week that capped a disappointing
stretch of games that disturbingly resembled last season's
collapse when they lost four of five and missed the playoffs.

"We just want to win," wide receiver Braylon Edwards said. "We
have goals for each game, but at the end of the day all it
amounts to is winning by any means necessary. We're going to go
out there and get the job done. We feel like we can do that, and
that's what we will do."

The confidence, despite the struggles, stems from the
performance of the league's top-ranked running game and the
NFL's second-ranked overall defense.

"They're starting to pick it up," Jaguars running back Maurice
Jones-Drew said. "They're playing well. Their defense is playing
awesome right now. As an offense, we have a lot of things we
have to take care of with their blitzing, how they stop the run.
Our defense has to control Thomas Jones and try to contain Mark
Sanchez, his receivers and all his toys he has. It's going to be
tough."

Not that it will be any easier for the Jets, who haven't allowed
a 100-yard rusher this season but face a difficult test in
Jones-Drew and the Jaguars' sixth-ranked running game.

"It doesn't mean anything does it?" Jones-Drew said of the
teams' rankings. "That's just how it is sometimes. We have a
top-10 offense and yet we've been shut out. What happens on
paper, that's just paper. It's the team that prepares the best
and executes the best on Sunday that's going to win."

It helps to have an offensive playmaker like Jones-Drew, who's
sixth in the NFL with 737 yards rushing and leads the league
with 11 TDs, including six in the last three games. And that's
despite playing behind two rookies offensive tackles in
first-rounder Eugene Monroe and second-rounder Eben Britton.

"He's just a tough, competitive, and I say bowling ball," Ryan
said. "He'll probably call me something else. Believe me, that's
a compliment. He keeps those feet going. He's short. He's not
small. That's a big man, a big, powerful man."

After getting gouged for 305 yards rushing at Tennessee two
weeks ago and struggling to pressure quarterbacks all season,
the Jaguars scrapped their 3-4 defensive scheme for a 4-3
alignment and played much better in a 24-21 win over Kansas
City.

"We've got to prepare for both because there's a good chance
we'll see both," Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer
said.

Jacksonville is hoping the shift allows the defense to get to
opposing quarterbacks more because the Jaguars are last in the
league with eight sacks.

"I think it's certainly something we feel we can do either one
based on the opponent and what we think we can do best, much
like what the Jets do," Del Rio said. "They'll get in both
looks. They'll play what looks like a four-man front and others
look like a traditional three-man look. We mix it up as well."

Both Ryan and Del Rio are looking forward to going up against
each other for the first time as head coaches. The two worked
together in Baltimore and helped the Ravens win the 2001 Super
Bowl, with Ryan the defensive line coach and Del Rio the
linebackers coach.

"We're going to try to kill each other," Ryan said. "We'd rather
it this way, that both teams are treating this game how
important it is. We both want to get to the playoffs. We both
think we have good enough teams to get there, and we're going to
find out."

---=

AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Fla., contributed to
this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133718-Jags-Jets-both-4-4-and-facing-must-win-game</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133718-Jags-Jets-both-4-4-and-facing-must-win-game</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:02:39 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' Ryan tired of hearing excuses for 4-4 start]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Rex Ryan wants results, not excuses.

The New York Jets coach wasn't happy with his team's effort near
the end of practice Thursday and let them know it. Being 4-4
just won't cut it, especially when mistakes have cost them a few
games.

"I believe in being honest and telling the truth," Ryan said
Friday. "Practice today, I thought was outstanding with the
focus, attention to detail. We're close."

Ryan has said the Jets could have been 6-2 if not for some
foolish penalties and bad plays, while some of his players think
they could be 7-1. None of that matters at the moment to Ryan.

"You can't have a good practice or a good game and then all of
the sudden one or two plays, 'But if this doesn't happen or that
happen, we'd be 7-1,"' he said. "The fact is, those things have
happened."

The Jets have lost four of their last five games and face a
crucial matchup against the Jaguars on Sunday that some,
including defensive end Shaun Ellis, called a "must-win" game.
New York's last three losses have come by a total of 12 points,
and the Jets have been called for 26 penalties in that stretch.

"We're tired of making excuses," Ryan said. "We don't need to
make excuses. We just need to play better and find ways to win.
That's the message to our team."

The sting of the team's 30-25 loss to Miami two weeks ago is
still fresh for special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff. The
Jets allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return two long kickoffs for
touchdowns in the third quarter, turning the game around with
what Westhoff called "two atomic bombs."

Westhoff said he returned from the bye-week break and told the
players on his unit that he was starting from scratch, making
evaluations on everyone beginning Sunday against Jacksonville.

"We can't go back," Westhoff said. "We can't change it. We're a
sick 4-4, not a happy 4-4. Now, when we were 3-0, we felt pretty
good. That's how I'm going to approach it, with that in mind,
and build from there."

Ryan knows he'll get either praised or heavily criticized for
giving the players six days off during the bye. He made the
decision a few months ago, and wasn't going to punish the
players that way.

"We're going to see on Sunday," Ryan said. "Those six days off
are going to be judged by how successful we play. That's fine. I
think we're going to play well. Our guys are fresh and I think
we're focused. It's going to be a great game on Sunday."

Ryan has again called on the fans to be loud at the Meadowlands
after taking a similar approach before the Jets' game against
New England in Week 2. He believes a raucous crowd can help them
on the field, but the team knows it needs to give the fans
something to cheer about.

"Watching the first half cutups, just a couple of plays here or
there got me excited to come back, I know that," quarterback
Mark Sanchez said earlier in the week. "That's the general
consensus around the building. We're excited to play again. We
know we're in a good spot. Missed some opportunities in the
first half of the season, but we're looking to capitalize on
them this go-around."

The Jets also need to capitalize on a favorable schedule, at
least at the start of the second-half stretch. After playing
Jacksonville (4-4), New York is at AFC East-leading New England
(6-2), followed by games against Carolina (3-5), at Buffalo
(3-5) in Toronto and at Tampa Bay (1-7). Things then get a lot
tougher as the Jets finish against Atlanta (5-3), at
Indianapolis (8-0) and home against Cincinnati (6-2).

"When you consider how long these guys have been at it, all the
minicamps and OTAs and the training camp and half your
regular-season games, to get that time off, it is the stretch
run," Ryan said. "Albeit at the beginning of the stretch run,
but that's what it is. There's got to be that sense of urgency.
Don't wait for somebody else to make the breaks for you. We've
got to do it ourselves and we understand that."

NOTES: Ryan said it's "a real possibility" that Justin Miller
might not return kickoffs against Jacksonville, two weeks after
re-signing him. A former Pro Bowl returner who sustained a
serious knee injury in 2007, Miller's speed is being evaluated.
He could be replaced by Brad Smith or Dwight Lowery. ... The
Jets had close to 100 members of the military, representing
every branch, as honored guests at practice. ... The team is
asking fans to bring nonperishable food donations to the game as
part of the Jets' annual food drive to benefit the Interfaith
Nutrition Network.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133492-Jets-Ryan-tired-of-hearing-excuses-for-4-4-start</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133492-Jets-Ryan-tired-of-hearing-excuses-for-4-4-start</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:19:48 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets LB Gholston doubtful, WR Smith expected back]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- New York Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston
was listed as doubtful Friday for the team's game against the
Jacksonville Jaguars because of a strained hamstring.

Wide receiver Brad Smith and cornerback Lito Sheppard are both
expected to play Sunday after missing a few weeks with
quadriceps injuries.

Gholston, the team's first-round pick last year, didn't practice
all week after tweaking his hamstring Monday in the Jets' first
workouts following the bye-week break.

"He did not participate, so that's going to be very doubtful
that he plays," coach Rex Ryan said.

Despite showing some improvement since his disappointing rookie
season, Gholston is still looking for his first NFL sack.
Gholston said he was feeling "a lot better" Friday, but the team
was being cautious so it didn't turn into a more serious injury.

Smith hasn't played in the team's last three games after being
injured at Miami on Oct 12. He was limited Friday, but listed as
probable. If he plays, it'll be the first time quarterback Mark
Sanchez has Smith, Jerricho Cotchery and David Clowney all
healthy and available this season.

Sheppard has missed five of the last six games with his injury.
Ryan said Sheppard won't start, but will play in a rotation with
Dwight Lowery.

"Even though he's practiced fully, I don't think Lito's all the
way back yet," Ryan said. "We'll evaluate to see how much he'll
play. I think we'll start Dwight Lowery."

Defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee), cornerback Donald Strickland
(ankle), right tackle Damien Woody (back) and wide receiver
Wallace Wright (knee) are all probable.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133482-Jets-LB-Gholston-doubtful-WR-Smith-expected-back</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133482-Jets-LB-Gholston-doubtful-WR-Smith-expected-back</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:28:14 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Jaguars-Jets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

An impressive start made the New York Jets one of the biggest
surprises this season. Losing four of five with a struggling
Mark Sanchez at quarterback has dropped them to .500 and
tempered their brash confidence.

The Jets emerge from their bye week looking to get off to a
strong start to the second half of their season Sunday against
the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, another .500 club trying to
show improvement.

New York (4-4) got off to a surprising 3-0 start to the season
behind strong play from Sanchez and its revamped defense under
new coach Rex Ryan. That surge - which included a 16-9 upset of
New England in Week 2 - appeared to make the Jets a contender in
the AFC East. However, dropping four of their next five has left
them two games back of the division-leading Patriots.

They entered the bye week following a 30-25 loss to Miami on
Nov. 1, getting swept in the season series.

"We're on a great football team," Sanchez said. "Our record
doesn't show the type of players we have, the kind of people we
have in this locker room and the kind of coaching we have."

Sanchez, who turned 23 Wednesday, was solid in the first three
games, accumulating 606 passing yards with four touchdowns and
two interceptions. He wasn't nearly as effective in the next
five, completing 49.6 percent of his passes for 837 yards with
four TDs and eight picks, five coming in an overtime loss to
Buffalo on Oct. 18. He ran for a score in each of the last two
games and went 20 for 35 for 265 yards and two touchdowns
against the Dolphins in Week 8.

In an effort to continue his development, Sanchez spent the bye
week watching video and when he'd see an errant throw, a missed
read or poor footwork, he wanted to run out onto the field and
redo the play.

"Man, I know that read," Sanchez said of watching the game film.
"I know how to take a seven-step drop, reset, look at my first
progression, look at the second progression, and just drill it
down the middle of the field. I can do that."

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, acquired in a trade with
Cleveland on Oct. 7, thinks the difference in the Jets' play is
obvious.

"The only thing that really changed - it looked like they were
having a lot of fun," said Edwards, who has 13 catches for 192
yards and two touchdowns in four games for New York. "Those
first three games, they came out on a mission to prove, 'We are
somebody. Everybody counted the Jets out; we're going to show
you guys.'"

Part of that perceived fun may have stemmed from the defense,
which has developed a boisterous attitude reminiscent of coach
Ryan's intimidating defense in Baltimore, where he spent the
previous 10 seasons. The unit has backed its trash-talk, ranking
second in the league to its Meadowlands co-tenant, the New York
Giants. However, Ryan thinks the defense can do more to help the
team, even score points.

"We need to start scoring on defense," Ryan said of the unit,
which hasn't scored a TD while watching opponents return two
fumbles and an interception for scores. "We need to start
getting the takeaways and start scoring when we get them."

The Jaguars (4-4), losers of three of four road games, are
looking to get after Sanchez, and their defensive changes could
help them accomplish that after they beat Kansas City 24-21 last
week.

Coach Jack Del Rio switched to a 4-3 defense against the Chiefs
after the 3-4 proved to be ineffective. The unit, which was
called "insulting, ugly and embarrassing" by Del Rio after a
30-13 loss at Tennessee on Nov. 1, turned in its best
performance of the season against Kansas City, allowing 301
yards - only 60 on the ground - while recording three sacks.

Jacksonville's eight sacks are the fewest in the NFL.

"We're going to continue to scratch around and settle on things
we think our guys can do best," Del Rio said. "I feel like our
guys were excited about what we did. Obviously, we had a little
success and want to build on that.

"I feel like right now we can do either, but I think our plans
are not to tinker and go back and forth."

While the defense is struggling for an identity, the offense is
centered around running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who has 737
rushing yards with a league-leading 11 touchdowns.

Jones-Drew totaled 97 yards on 29 carries last week, giving him
407 yards with a 5.8 average-per-carry and six TDs.

Jacksonville has won five of seven meetings with the Jets,
including all three at the Meadowlands. The Jaguars took the
last matchup there 26-20 on Sept. 25, 2005, and beat New York
again at home 41-0 on Oct. 8, 2006.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133109-Jaguars-Jets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133109-Jaguars-Jets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:13:37 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Jets' defense looking to get more offensive]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.(AP) -- Darrelle Revis and his teammates in the
New York Jets' secondary got together earlier this week and
discussed what they could do better.

Being ranked second in the NFL in passing defense apparently
isn't good enough.

"We need to make more plays," Revis said Thursday. "That's just
the bottom line. We just need to be more aggressive in the
secondary and make more plays."

That's actually the running theme this week off the bye for the
entire defense, not just the secondary. Rex Ryan wants to get
more offensive on defense by converting turnovers into points.

"Let's not just be happy just getting the takeaway," the coach
said. "That's great, but we need to be aggressive with our
mentality. We have to score when we get them."

The Jets are ranked second in the NFL in overall defense, and
haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher or receiver or a 300-yard
passer this season. Despite the impressive numbers, the Jets
have no touchdowns on defense.

"We always say that when we get the ball in our hands, we want
to score," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "We want to turn from
defense to offense. Even if we don't score, we want to get it
down where the offense has a short field and they can put points
on the board. When we do that and get teams behind, then teams
will have to put the ball down the field and try to make plays."

New York has seven interceptions, led by Revis' two, which puts
them in the middle of the pack in comparison to the rest of the
league.

"For our team, we haven't had a lot of them," Rhodes said.
"That's due to the fact that teams are being safe with the ball
on third-and-long situations. Or there are situations that are
normally passing downs and they're being safe with the ball and
not taking chances down the field. We just have to live with it
and not go out of character because when you do, that's when the
big plays will come for the offense."

When they have gotten interceptions, the Jets haven't gone far
with the ball, gaining only 58 yards on returns.

"We've got the players here, we've got the talent here," Revis
said. "I just think we have to focus on scoring touchdowns on
defense."

That goes for fumble returns, too. The Jets have forced five
fumbles this season, some on strip sacks, and recovered four of
them. They've gotten a total of 8 yards on fumble returns.

"You have to be careful because you don't want to give the ball
back to them, but it's like an offensive play when we get that
ball," said defensive end Mike DeVito, who has two fumble
recoveries. "We need to take off running with it and try to
score. That's such a turn of emotion and momentum and can really
put a team in a hole."

The Jets also are looking to increase their pressure on opposing
quarterbacks, the way they were constantly in the faces of
Houston's Matt Schaub and New England's Tom Brady early in the
season. After getting just eight sacks in the first seven games,
New York had six in its last game against Miami two weeks ago.

"I think it's a sign of our defense working how it's supposed to
work," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "If we can get people to
stop the run, you can make them have to do things that they're
not comfortable doing, and then you have a chance to tee off."

The Jets are hoping for some playmaking success this weekend
against Jacksonville at the Meadowlands. David Garrard has been
sacked 18 times, and has lost four fumbles.

"It may be easier to knock the ball out of this kid's hand than
it is to tackle him," Ryan said. "He's a big quarterback. If
he's around a pile and he wants to run with it so bad, let's see
if we can't knock the ball out of his hand. Then, when we get
the opportunity, scoop and score."

That sort of playmaking potential motivates a defense that is
already considered one of the league's most dangerous.

"The coaches are saying we're doing good, but we're 4-4," Revis
said. "It's a give and take there. Yeah, we might be doing this,
we might be doing that, great, but we've got to get some wins.
We can't keep on losing. That's the stuff we've been focusing on
coming off the bye week, trying to make more plays to set us up
more for wins."

NOTES: Ryan called for the fans to be a greater presence Sunday.
"I'm challenging our fans," he said. "I know they're going to
challenge me, and rightfully so, but it's my job to get this
team ready to go. Be prideful that this is your football team
and we can accomplish everything we set out to do and I think
when we get that energy from our crowd, that might be the
difference this week." ... LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring) didn't
practice and Ryan said, "it doesn't look good" for him to play
Sunday. ... Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said the
team is still evaluating Justin Miller's speed on kickoff
returns, and WR Brad Smith and CB Dwight Lowery might also be
considered.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133323-Jets-defense-looking-to-get-more-offensive</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133323-Jets-defense-looking-to-get-more-offensive</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:30:31 GMT</pubDate>
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