Archives for November 23, 2014

‘The Lions announced Saturday that all available free tickets had been distributed. The capacity of the stadium is 65,000, but more tickets than that will be given out in anticipation of no-shows.’

‘Don’t let the many distractions from the devastating snowstorm that forced the game’s date and location to be changed to linger. This is a whole lot easier said than done.’

‘Just because the importance of special teams isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, the Bills were still wise to upgrade in that area, and they are being rewarded. Players like Anthony Dixon and Corey Graham have lent experience and leadership, and they have helped to bring along other core special teamers like Williams, Ron Brooks, Chris Hogan, Ty Powell and Larry Dean. And against Miami the Bills had Marcus Easley – the NFL’s 2013 leader in special teams tackles with 23 – back after he missed the previous six games with a knee injury.’

‘”We all know the situation,” Marrone said. “I think it is what it is. No one is going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to go out there and play, and when we play we’ve got to go out there and compete and win. That’s what our job is. We understand that. As a coach, like I said before, I can’t stand up here and say, ‘Hey, this is a disadvantage, this is this, this is that. It is what it is, and we’ve gotta go play.”‘

‘Tickets to the game on Monday night are free, and one radio station in Detroit is calling for people in the area to head to Ford Field in green to support the Jets. Or, more accurately, root against Schwartz.’

‘The tickets were available to season ticket holders of both the Lions and Bills on Friday and became available online to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Shortly after noon, the Lions announced that they had distributed all of the free tickets and that a small number of free tickets would be available at the Ford Field box office beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday.’

‘”We’re working with the Lions and there’s going to be preferred seating between the 20s for any Bills fans that come over from Buffalo that have a ticket to the game,” Brandon said. “The way the bar codes are set, those individuals have the opportunity to sit behind our bench in that area and root us on.”‘

‘Meanwhile, running back Fred Jackson and cornerback Ron Brooks are listed as questionable for the game with groin injuries. Jackson said the extra time off was good and bad for the groin injury that has caused him to miss three of the last four games.’

‘Speaking of shipwrecks, the lake’s second modern legend involves the three NFL teams spaced about its perimeter in triangular fashion: the Detroit Lions (situated 40 km, or 25 miles, upstream on the lake’s feeder tributary, the Detroit River); the Cleveland Browns (situated on the south-central shore); and the Buffalo Bills (situated where Erie empties into the Niagara River). Fans of these teams are haunted by nightmares of sunken playoff dreams past…’

Monday’s Matchup: Jets (2-8) at Bills (5-5) (New York Times)

Rex Ryan only able to do so much with weak group of NY Jets cornerbacks (New York Daily News)

NY Jets WR Eric Decker: Breaking up with Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos was hard to do (New York Daily News)

Tickets for NY Jets vs. Bills game sells out after relocation to Detroit (New York Daily News)

Why the Jets are so happy with the progress of Percy Harvin (New York Post)

Michael Vick relishes second chance at starting against Bills (Newsday)

Free tickets for Jets-Bills in Detroit almost gone, so it looks like Ford Field won’t be empty after all (Newark Star Ledger)

Q&A with Jets safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, on his big game and favorite spots in Brooklyn, still his home (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets’ defense looking up at the corners (Bergen Record)

Offense Back To Full Speed (WFAN-AM)

Quigley’s in Favor of Ford Field (NewYorkJets.com)

Jim Schwartz won’t talk, get carried off Lions’ field again (Detroit Free Press)

Avedisian making impromptu homecoming with Bills (Livingston Daily)

‘Originally scheduled to play Sunday in Buffalo, the Bills were forced to relocate after a rare November storm dumped more than five feet of snow in the Buffalo area this week. Buffalo practiced at the Lions’ headquarters for the first time Friday night, just hours after landing in Detroit.’

‘”I did yell because I did get held on that play,” Hughes said. “I made sure I yelled, ‘Holding.’ Whatever else came after that, I really don’t know. I don’t know. … I’ve never really seen a holding call missed at the point of attack like that. So I really don’t know. I’m at a loss for words right now.”‘

‘The capacity of Ford Field is 65,000, but Brandon does not expect fans to be turned away. “With free tickets, your no-show rate has a tendency to be higher,” Brandon said.’

‘”That’s what we’re anticipating,” Brandon said. “It’s incredible to think that that many tickets have been distributed in that short period of time. We’re looking forward to a robust house that night and hopefully we’ll have a lot of Bills fans in there as well.”‘