Archives for December 2006

‘As McGahee said this week, he owns the Jets and his pal, LB Jonathan Vilma. McGahee has rushed for more than 100 yards in the past four games against the Jets (150 yards on 26 carries in Week 3) and is averaging 134.5 yards in those games.’

Jet Is Now Baring Teeth, Not Gnashing Them (New York Times)

The elusive ones (New York Daily News)

December to remember (New York Post)

Serby’s Sunday Q&A with Kerry Rhodes (New York Post)

A run to daylight (New York Post)

No view beyond Buffalo (Newsday)

Bills’ visit has meaning for Jets this year (White Plains Journal News)

Jets must stop McGahee (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets answering the call (Newark Star Ledger)

Jet pack of backs is a hit (Bergen Record)

Neill enjoying the view (Bergen Record)

Mangini won’t be watching the scoreboard (Staten Island Advance)

Jets Sign S Jamie Thompson (NewYorkJets.com)

‘I would say we’ve made too many mistakes too many times throughout the course of a ballgame. And, also, we haven’t finished games as well as we could. I think that could be maybe our youth, to understand the way the National Football League works. It is a four-quarters football game, and sometimes longer. You can start off hot and maybe even play great football for three or three-and-half quarters, and then lose the game in the last half-quarter or quarter. It’s just about maintaining the focus and discipline of the defense that we’re executing for 60 minutes and not having those breakdowns or not making plays at critical junctions in the ballgame. And that’s what’s really hurt us more so than anything else – just not making plays at the right time or making mistakes at the wrong time.’

‘”It’s definitely frustrating because I’ve never been to the playoffs,” said cornerback Nate Clements, now in his sixth season and one of the longest-tenured Bills along with Aaron Schobel and Brian Moorman. “It’s frustrating because as a team we work hard and practice hard and not to get the results with the time and effort you put in is frustrating.”‘

‘Late shifts never are in the fans’ best interest. Clearly, CBS wasn’t clamoring to carry a game between teams that are likely out of the playoffs.’

‘”I knew it when he hit me,” said Reed, who had experienced a bruised a kidney in the past. “I caught it and tried to cut back, which is one of the things the coaches tell us not to do because of where the pursuit was coming from. I tried to shake one defender and the other, he had a straight shot and he used his helmet, not his shoulder pads. You can do that play over and over in your head and if you did just one little thing differently it wouldn’t have happened. He was in the right spot and I was in wrong position.”‘

‘The Jets rank 24th on offense and 27th on defense. They’ve been shut out twice. They’ve been outgained by opponents by 584 yards and have outscored the opposition by 3 points this season. They’ve taken full advantage of a relatively soft fourth-place schedule.’

‘Since then, Losman has developed from a player on the verge of being a bust to one who has become a dangerous weapon. Fortunately for the Jets, who play host to the Bills tomorrow at the Meadowlands, so has their secondary. “We’ve seen what he can do,” safety Kerry Rhodes said. “He’s got a strong arm, he can move around, and he’s shown he can win games. He’s definitely a different player than he used to be. But we think we’re different, too.”‘

‘Eight of the Bills last 12 games have been decided by a touchdown or less.’

Jets’ Backups Tackle Role as Character Actors (New York Times)

Baker no butcher for Jets (New York Daily News)

Dealing with Los (New York Post)

The ‘P’ word gets rookie in hot water (New York Post)

Kicking into high gear (Newsday)

Jets’ Coleman making most of second chance (White Plains Journal News)

Baker on the rise in passing game (Newark Star Ledger)

Baker makes case to be Jets’ go-to guy (Bergen Record)

Jets vs. Bills: The Key Match-ups (NewYorkJets.com)

Mangini: The Better Victor Plays, The Better We Play (NewYorkJets.com)

Dyson: Stats Don’t Tell Everything (NewYorkJets.com)

Jets Look to Stop Willis (NewYorkJets.com)

Playmakers Abound on Special Teams (NewYorkJets.com)

‘Best advantage: Run game – The Jets haven’t been able to stop too many opponents on the ground this season as they’re giving up better than 135 yards per game on the ground. And one person they’ve never been able to stop is Willis McGahee who in his four career starts has eclipsed the 100-yard mark four times. Even with McGahee nicked up, Anthony Thomas has proven he can carry some or the entire load when necessary. Buffalo should be able to run the football effectively.’

‘Bills starting strong safety Donte Whitner missed his second consecutive practice on Friday because of a hamstring injury and remains questionable for Buffalo’s game on Sunday against the Jets (7-5).’

‘"I think McGee is outstanding," said Jets head coach Eric Mangini. "Really the Bills special teams as a group, year in and year out is impressive. It’s good coaching and good players and you see the toughness that permeates the whole team permeates special teams as well."’

‘”We never had season tickets but we usually went to one, maybe two games a year,” the Jets’ tight end said yesterday. “I like the cold. I think that’s good football weather. I had trouble in Dallas the first couple of games, it was always close to 100 degrees, especially on the turf.”’