Archives for September 2016

'It was the worst of his 15 career starts as he threw for just 111 yards, and he didn’t look anything like a franchise QB. Now, he’s confronted with a tremendous Jets defense that last week, in a loss to Cincinnati, sacked Bengals QB Andy Dalton seven times. Now, the good news is that while Dalton was getting beaten up, he also managed to throw for 366 yards, so if the line can protect Taylor and give him a chance, he could make some things happen in the passing game. He needs to.'

'“We are a very prideful group and we know what we’re capable of and we didn’t play up to our potential,” said Incognito. “When you have a poor showing like that early in the season it leaves a poor taste in your mouth. So we’re coming out extra motivated. We’re fired up.”'

'“I wanted to honor him and all the people he works with, who sacrifice and run into danger," Alexander said of his gesture. “Just knowing who I am, I could never see running toward danger, I’d be grabbing my kids and saying, ‘Let’s go.’ These folks and the same with our military, they run toward danger not knowing if they’ll be here tomorrow or not.’’'

'That's the way it's always been for Fitzpatrick against Ryan. Just look at the results from the 11 times Fitzpatrick has faced Ryan.'

'Bills 20, Jets 19.'

'The app is free and you don't need a Twitter account or a pay-TV subscripting to watch.'

'"Obviously Dozier with 40, I picked him up by the way in fantasy in a trade," Ryan said Tuesday. "He had five (home runs) and was hitting .208 at the time. Hello! Great move. When I get out of coaching I think I'll be a fantasy baseball owner and general manager. I guarantee a championship, so there you have it. Hopefully I'm getting at fantasy baseball guarantees than I have been in the real deal."'

'Rucker is a noted Miami Dolphins fan, so don't expect the Charleston, S.C. native to walk onto New Era Field in Buffalo Bills gear. Still, Rucker singing the anthem will be a hell of a way for the Bills to kick off the regular season at their newly named stadium.'

'The Pegulas seem to value continuity, so Ryan coming back for a third year seems like a good possibility at this point. However, anything can happen in the NFL, and Ryan will be judged at the end of the year based on the amount of wins the team picks up and how hard the players are performing on the field for their coach.'

'I think the Jets are definitely contenders for the wild card. Unfortunately, New England is still in the driver's seat even without Tom Brady. If the team can stay healthy and the offensive line keeps playing well, Fitzpatrick has the weapons. If the secondary can fix their communication issues, the defense can be dominant. The special teams unit as a whole is well improved from last year, despite Folk's misses in the first game.'

'"We do line up against some really good defenses," Ryan said. "There's no question about it. And some good quarterbacks, whatever it is, but I think we'll bounce back, albeit against arguably one of the most talented defenses in the league."'

'And that's what all of this is — a money grab. Heck, why is the NFL even playing on Thursday nights to begin with? It's TV money and lots of it. The TV networks are throwing millions of dollars at the NFL to air Thursday Night Football. I'm trying to remember how it works: NBC airs the season-opening game, then CBS airs a bunch until about Halloween, which are simulcast on the NFL Network, then the NFL Network airs a few, then NBC airs the Thanksgiving night game, then the NFL Network airs the rest, just so you can pay more to the cable company.'

'“Exact same,” safety Corey Graham said. “They’re both characters. They’re funny. You never know what you’re going to get from either one of them.”'

'Ryan’s pair of wins against his former team stained Fitzpatrick’s career year with the Jets. The veteran quarterback completed just 44% of his passes with four touchdowns and five interceptions, including three fourth-quarter picks in Week 17. His quarterback rating in those two losses: 49.9.'

'“They’re built on defense; that’s how they’re going to win football games,’’ Incognito told The Post. “It’s a good defensive front. … They’ve got some studs in there. Number 92 [Leonard Williams] had a good rookie year and is building off that. [Steve] McLendon is good, solid vet. Muhammad Wilkerson is obviously a great playmaker for them and [Sheldon] Richardson is coming back off suspension.'