Archives for November 2011

‘”I mean, it’s something I was very comfortable with,” Smith said of the Jets, where he spent his first five seasons. “The organization, the people, I was very comfortable there and I liked it. Being here in Buffalo has definitely been a growing experience personally, as a football player just learning, a chance to be around these new guys that have an unbelievable drive to win.”‘

‘”We didn’t get an off-season to implement him,” Gailey said, “and to implement the things that I think he’ll be able to do long-term for us. If we would have had that time to get to know him better and see what he can do and can’t do, I think we would have had a better idea on how to use the tools he has. But he’s been a big asset. He’s done a lot of good things that don’t come out in statistics.”‘

‘”He’s making a lot of people miss, he’s breaking a lot of tackles,” Jets linebacker David Harris said. “They do a good job of making him effective in their offense; they do a lot of three, four receiver sets, spread the field out and he finds the holes.”‘

‘He worked extremely hard in the offseason. He got the guys together and they were throwing, working out and getting on the same page and I think that that has really paid dividends for us early in the season. They didn’t just go out and go through the motions. I think they went out and worked. I think that’s the difference.’

Jets Again Relying on Greene and Running Game (New York Times)

NY Jets’ Santonio Holmes downplays low number of catches (New York Daily News)

NY Jets Rex Ryan, Bart Scott need to return to trash-talking big boasting Gang Green (New York Daily News)

Former NY Jet Brad Smith not fitting in to Buffalo Bills plans (New York Daily News)

Jets WR concerned with wins, not stats (New York Post)

Gang must ‘Ground & Pound’ way to victory (New York Post)

‘Real’ practice for Jets (New York Post)

Smith set to face ex-mates (New York Post)

Holmes says winning is all that matters (New York Newsday)

Mark Sanchez feels better with Nick Mangold there (New York Newsday)

Brad Smith chomping at the bit to face Jets (New York Newsday)

Jets’ Santonio Holmes brushes off questions about his role on offense (Newark Star Ledger)

Bills’ Brad Smith getting used to life away from Jets (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets coach Rex Ryan says Joe McKnight will have ‘more opportunities’ vs. Bills (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets LB Bart Scott said Bills’ spread out offense could be defended differently than Patriots’ (Newark Star Ledger)

Smith could be the ex factor when Jets battle Bills (Bergen Record)

Holmes ‘never heard about’ report (Bergen Record)

Jets prepare to stop Fred Jackson (ESPN)

Jets set to run roughshod over Bills (ESPN)

Jets face a critical stretch after the bye (ESPN)

Jets’ Sanchez learning to brush criticisms aside (AP)

Injured Jets DLs DeVito, Ellis sit out practice (AP)

Holmes on his role: We’re winning (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy And Personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Ex-Jet Smith adjusting to Buffalo (The Sports Xchange)

Rex’s Wednesday News Conference (NewYorkJets.com)

Sanchez’s Wednesday News Conference (NewYorkJets.com)

Bills’ Wednesday Conference Calls (NewYorkJets.com)

‘Though not provided a timetable, Jackson expressed faith a new deal will be worked out. On Wednesday, he said he got the assurance three weeks ago in meeting with general manager Buddy Nix.’

‘Williams says doctors intend to run tests on his foot on Monday, when the protective boot he’s been wearing for the past two weeks will be removed. Williams says he’ll also attempt to run on the foot to see if it’s feeling better.’

‘The change was made on first quarter play when John Beck scrambled, then recovered his own fumble. It was originally ruled a rushing play but is now a sack shared by Nick Barnett and Danny Batten.’

‘Buffalo is 20th in the league allowing an average of 120.0 yards rushing, but it has countered that with a strong ground game of its own. The Bills rank fifth with 140.6 rushing yards per game led by Fred Jackson, who ran for 120 last week.’

‘”They’re always a tough team to play,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s somebody that we’re familiar with. They’ve been giving us plenty of problems the past few years. They’re going to be in your face. They’re going to think that their guys are better than yours and they’re going to play man-to-man on the outside a lot and come after you and make you beat them. That’s kind of been their M.O. They’re really good at what they do.”‘

‘In losing twice to the Jets last year, Buffalo was manhandled in the trenches, losing the rushing battle 549 yards to 151. The Bills are much better equipped to handle a black-and-blue contest this season, led by Fred Jackson and a much improved line on offense and a defense featuring rookie DT Marcell Dareus and MLB Nick Barnett, who are enjoying terrific seasons. The Bills will have to test New York’s No. 8 pass defense at some point and protecting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick against a confusing, shifting defense that has collected 18 sacks will be paramount. Defensively, Buffalo is coming off a 10-sack explosion against Washington and will look to rattle Mark Sanchez (12 TDs, 6 picks, 16 sacks), using the home crowd to its advantage.’

‘After signing QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a contract extension, the Bills’ front office would like to tie up running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Stevie Johnson. On Wednesday, Jackson confirmed he has spoken with general manager Buddy Nix. “I had the opportunity to sit down with him and he told me what he felt like and I expressed to him what I felt like,” he said. “I’ll just put my faith in him and see what happens. We got a good understanding of each other and as far as that I’ll just put faith in him and see what happens.” Jackson, 30, is at that age where ball carriers slow down but he’s only been a starter less than three seasons. He currently has 1,074 yards from scrimmage, the second-most in team history through seven games.’

‘”It was probably around three weeks ago,” said Jackson. “I just went in, just to talk to him. He let me know that he was thinking about me, but they just had some other stuff that they had to take care of first. I’ve got a lot of faith in him and that’s what I’ll continue to do. Just put my faith in him and see what happens.”‘

‘Wide receiver Donald Jones, offensive tackle Chris Hairston and cornerback Aaron Williams all made their return to practice from their respective injuries.’

‘”Rex is definitely a little more outspoken,” he said. “He’ll tell you how he feels. Chan has his own way, kind of soft spoken, stays in the background.”‘