Archives for November 2008

‘If you ask me it all stems from the fact that Buffalo’s offensive line, one consisting of a returning All-Pro and a couple high-priced free agents, has been atrocious. Doesn’t matter if Dick Jauron admits it or if Jason Peters wants to keep ducking the issue – this was supposed to be a strength. Instead, guys come untouched to the quarterback. Getting a yard or two in tight situations seems an impossibility. And a rookie quarterback who once seemed impervious to butterflies suddenly looks like he’s always waiting to get knocked out of his cleats.’

‘The ugly final numbers: Marshawn Lynch – nine carries, 16 yards; Jackson – seven carries, 15 yards, quarterback Trent Edwards – one carry, minus-1 yard. That’s 17 carries that managed just 1.8 yards per rush.’

‘Let’s say this again – turnovers equal sure death in the NFL. The Bills got lucky enough to hold the Jets to a field goal after Trent Edwards’ fumble, and escaped danger when Lynch put it on the turf on their next offensive play. They didn’t get as lucky on Abram Elam’s interception.’

‘Bills quarterback Trent Edwards wilted in the reflection of Favre’s spotlight, showing how far he has to go to become the type of leader that can win a game that doesn’t deserve to be won.’

‘”This is a real disappointing loss,” said Jauron, whose team will face the Patriots in Foxborough next week. “We’re 5-3. We’re disappointed but we’re 5-3 and we have to hold onto that and go back to work, work harder, correct our mistakes and move on.”‘

‘”Believe me,” he said in the locker room after the Jets held on for a 26-17 victory, “when I walked off the field at that point, I thought we didn’t have a chance. We still had the lead, but we didn’t have the momentum. … I was nervous as hell. I can tell you that now. I’m not non-human. I was thinking, boy, this ain’t good.”‘

‘The momentum began to roll against the hosts on the last play of the first quarter, when Edwards was driving the team to a presumptive score. The 25-year-old was crushed in the pocket as he released a pass, and was still on the ground when safety Abram Elam intercepted the pass and embarked on a 92-yard touchdown return, and a 13-7 lead for the Jets.’

‘”This second quarter of the season hasn’t gone as planned,” said Buffalo wide receiver Lee Evans. “We’ve been right there, we just haven’t made the plays.”‘

‘”I have a lot of respect for the way he plays the position, and the things I respect most about him is his toughness and how he can get up each week, regardless of injuries, and play through and start each game and have a long streak that he has,” Edwards continued. “You look at Tony Romo, breaking his finger, I think he had 30 straight starts there. You break your finger, and you can’t play. I’m surprised that’s never happened to Brett Favre. He can play through a lot. He’s got a strong arm, he’s obviously very talented and he’s played this game for a long time. It’s a great opportunity. When I heard he was going to the Jets, I was very excited because I get to play against him two times this year and I was a little upset when he retired because I wanted to see him play, much like a lot of people in this league do.”‘

With Help From Bills, Jets Realize Potential (New York Times)

Revis Gives a Lesson in What He Learned (New York Times)

A Cautious Game Plan Pays Off for Favre (New York Times)

Photo gallery (New York Times)

Jets defense shuts down bumbling Bills (New York Daily News)

Jets soar on wings of defense (New York Daily News)

Brett Favre picks his spots against the Bills (New York Daily News)

Leon Washington’s trick a treat on kickoff against Bills (New York Daily News)

Photo gallery (New York Daily News)

Playoffs in sight at halfway mark (New York Post)

Jenkins keeping his nose to the grindstone (New York Post)

Mangini’s guys put it all together – at last (New York Post)

Jets get helpful hints watching film (New York Post)

Jets top Bills, 26-17, to climb in division (New York Newsday)

Favre is a lot less picky (New York Newsday)

Jenkins comes up big (New York Newsday)

Jets’ Favre: From gambler to game manager (New York Newsday)

Jets overtime (New York Newsday)

Grading the Jets (New York Newsday)

Jets beat Bills, become a factor in AFC East (White Plains Journal News)

Revis, Jenkins come up big for defense (White Plains Journal News)

Elam lifts defense with touchdown (White Plains Journal News)

New York Jets beat Buffalo Bills, 26-17, with impressive defense (Newark Star Ledger)

New York Jets’ Jenkins has best game of year in 26-17 victory over Bills (Newark Star Ledger)

New York Jets’ Revis gets revenge in 26-17 victory over Bills (Newark Star Ledger)

Quick Takes on the Jets-Bills game (Newark Star Ledger)

Photo gallery (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets come up aces in Buffalo (Bergen Record)

Big day for secondary (Bergen Record)

Road Warriors (NewYorkJets.com)

Photo gallery (NewYorkJets.com)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

‘”Now, we put the big screen on for him every week,” Roca said. “He brings 20 to 30 people every week. I get calls from people in Piscataway asking for directions. That’s how popular it’s gotten.”‘

‘It started with Elam, who returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown. Barely having time to catch his breath, Elam was back on the field helping the Jets stop the Bills’ on their next drive when Jenkins stuffed Fred Jackson, who was attempting to convert a fourth-and-1 at the Jets 8. It was a pivotal defensive stand that sparked a sudden turn of events in which the Bills went from threatening to build on a 7-6 lead, to finding themselves down 13-7 despite controlling the ball during a 15:08 span, in which they rattled off 27 plays for 114 yards.’

‘The Bills are not getting enough pressure on the quarterback. Opponents are repeatedly having success with a passing formula that calls for short drops and quick throws to receivers who consistently find plenty of running room within the soft underbelly of their Cover Two scheme.’

‘In back-to-back games the Bills have lost to the two teams that were below them in the division standings. Now they’re snugly among them.’

‘The Bills rushed for 30 yards against the stout Jets defense. Lynch carried nine times for 16 yards. Fred Jackson ran seven times for 15 yards.’