Green Machine

Secondary still very banged up

This is not what you want when you team is about to face Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints--three DBs, including two starters, didn't practice. CBs Lito Sheppard [quad] and Donald Strickland [ankle], who didn't practice last week and sat out versus Tennessee, again missed practice. As did SS Jim Leonhard [knee]. And FS Kerry Rhodes [knee] and CB Darrelle Revis [hamstring] both were limited, although both are expected to play. Still, this is a concern considering the Saints have the top-ranked offense in the NFL through three weeks.

As for the guys who didn't practice at all, coach Rex Ryan said, 'I would feel a lot worse if this was Friday. ... I have a feeling we'll have guys ready to play this weekend.' Still, he wouldn't rule out signing someone if need be. CB Corey Ivy, who visited last week, play for Ryan in Baltimore and understands the system well. 'He would be able to contribute right away,' Ryan said. 'He's a smart kid.'

The Jets also looked at former Jet CB-KR Justin Miller last week, but he was re-signed today by Oakland. Also sitting out practice today were special-teamer Larry Izzo [knee] and T and blocking TE Wayne Hunter [personal reasons].

In other news, WR David Clowney, benched by Ryan against Tennessee, said it was a 'misunderstanding' and indicated the two of them are on the same page. Ryan was upset because he felt Clowney wasn't being a team player because he had tweeted on his Twitter page that he was disappointed that he hadn't gotten more playing time against New England. He did add in a later tweet that 'my team always comes first,' and indicated to reporters Wednesday that Ryan didn't have the whole story.

Rex benched Clowney for a reason

Coach Rex Ryan said today he didn't dress WR David Clowney for the game yesterday because 'I was upset with him' and he indicated that it had something to do with a comment Clowney made on Twitter, in which he said after the New England game he was 'disappointed' in his playing time.

'No individual is bigger than the team,' Rex said. 'Nobody is a bigger David Clowney fan than I am. Yet if I sense that with anybody, then that will be the case. It's not head games or anything else. It's just the way I feel.'

Ryan made the decision early last week.

Ryan went on to praise Clowney, saying he gave a 'phenomenal effort' on the scout team last week.

Also today, Rex lauded, among others, S Eric Smith, for doing a good job lining up at multiple positions on defense, including LB. He also has been playing well on special teams. I asked Rex if he thought Smith was a perfect fit for the defense when Ryan took over, and he said no, that after the voluntary minicamp in April, he would have been 'more than happy' to trade him. Since then, however, Smith has impressed Ryan, who said he was the best player in the subsequent minicamp.

Ryan said that both injured CBs, Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland, are 'way better' than they were last week, but wouldn't commit to whether they'll be able to play at New Orleans, although he is 'encouraged' by their progress.

Deja vu all over again?

In the afterglow of the unbeaten Jets' 24-17 win over Tennessee yesterday, DE Shaun Ellis was asked if he ever recalled a time when there was this much excitement surrounding the Jets.

My first thought: Uh, last November. When the Jets had just beaten New England and Tennessee back-to-back, as they have this month. True, that was different, as these wins, plus the Houston one that preceded them, have been built on the attacking defense of Rex Ryan and the cool hand of poised rookie Mark Sanchez, as opposed to a defense that was about to wear down in 2008 and an aging gunslinger who also was about to go south down the stretch.

The Jets' bandwagon is picking up steam again, and it will be up to the players not to get caught in the hype,. especially with a trip to unbeaten New Orleans straight ahead. Forget about flying under the radar right now, as everyone seems to believe the Jets are headed to Miami.

Which they are, to play the Dolphins on Oct. 12. As for the Super Bowl, let's wait a while before we put them there. There are some flaws that need to be addressed, such as an inconsistent running game. And as well as the defense played in the fourth quarter yesterday, some of it was due to the failures of Houston's [I mean Tennessee's, they looked like the old Oilers, y'know] WRs, including Kenny Britt, although Nate Washington was the main culprit.

Time and time again, Kerry Collins, throwing through a very small window, was on target, but his wideouts couldn't make the catch. Yes, there were some throwaways thanks to the Jets' fierce pass rush, but there also were a few drops. Plus, the Titans' receivers made hardly any tough catches, the kind of receptions an NFL receiver has to make.

Still, 3-0 is 3-0. It will be fascinating to see where the Jets go from here.

Jets-Titans inactives

Here are the Jets' inactives for today's game: Erik Ainge [third QB], QB Kevin O'Connell, CBs Lito Sheppard [quad] and Donald Strickland [ankle], LB Jamaal Westerman, OL Matt Slauson, DL Ropati Pitoitua and WR David Clowney. Westerman and Clowney had been active the first two games.

For Tennessee, Vince Young is third QB, and other inactives are P Craig Hentrich, LB Stanford Keglar, T/G Troy Kropog, TE Bo Scaife, WR Lavelle Hawkins, DT Sen'Derrick Marks and DE Dave Ball, a former Jet. 

Jets looking for CBs

According to multiple reports, the Jets had two CBs with NFL experience in for visits today--former Raven Corey Ivy and former Jet Justin Miller. This likely means that Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland, already ruled out for Sunday's game, could be on the shelf longer than that. Ivy nearly signed with the Jets as a free agent last winter, but it didn't work out. He eventually signed with the Cleveland Manginis and then was cut.

Miller was cut by the Jets last year and then hooked on with Oakland, where he returned two kickoffs for TDs. However, the Raiders released him this season. Miller was penciled in with Darrelle Revis to be one of the Jets' two starting CBs in 2007, but that plan ended after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week Two that year. 

CBs Sheppard, Strickland out

Just got the official injury report and CBs Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland are both listed as out. Sheppard [quad] and Strickland [ankle] haven't practiced all week, so it isn't shocking. Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman, respectively, will fill in, as they did in the latter stages of the New England contest.

As for Tennessee, P Craig Hentrich [calf] is out, which likely means former Jet Reggie Hodges will do the punting, unless Tennessee decides to promote former Jet [for one day] A.J. Trapasso from its practice squad. Also for the Titans,  LG Eugene Amano [ill], K Rob Bironas [right ankle],  and QB Vince Young [ill] also didn't practice and are listed as questionable. TE Bo Scaife [knee] was limited in practice and is questionable. Reserve LB Stanford Keglar [hamstring] didn't practice and is doubtful.

Fireman Ed gets game ball

Rex Ryan said today he presented a game ball this morning to 'Fireman Ed' Anzalone, on behalf of all the fans who made things so 'miserable' for Tom Brady and the Patriots last Sunday, just as Ryan had hoped. Fireman Ed was chosen because he's the most visible Jets fan, but Rex made it clear it was for all the fans in attendance.

As for the other news today, CBs Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland didn't practice again. Ryan still maintains hope that Sheppard can play, and said they will test him Sunday morning to see if he can go. Still, it seems like a longshot to me, and Strickland is an even longer shot. Their replacements would be Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman, respectively.

As for practice, Ryan said it went much better than yesterday, when there were a lot of mental mistakes. Ryan said there were no mental mistakes today.

  

Sanchez has a bit of tendinitis in right knee

I'm not at camp today [my colleague Tara Sullivan is pinch-hitting for me] but wanted to mention that QB Mark Sanchez is on the injury report, although he practiced full. Coach Rex Ryan says he has a bit of tendinitis in his right knee, but made it clear he wasn't impaired at all in practice and took all his reps.

Of course, after what happened last week with the fine from Eric Mangini's coverup of Brett Favre's injury last year, the Jets wisely weren't about to try to skate on this one. Smart move.

CBs Lito Sheppard [quad] and Donald Strickland [ankle] again didn't practice today. Ryan still is hoping Sheppard will play Sunday against Tennessee, but Strickland's chances of dressing that day don't look too good. Drew Coleman would replace him against the slot receivers in the extra-DB packages.

Oh, and Rex appeared on WFAN with Mike Francesa a half-hour ago, but didn't say anything controversial.

Titans vs. Oilers?

Yes, as part of the NFL's celebration of the 50th season for the eight original AFL franchises that eventually were absorbed into the NFL, the Jets will wear 1960 replica uniforms of the New York Titans, and the Titans will wear replicas of the 1960 Houston Oilers unis.

With that in mind, coach Rex Ryan was decked out in a New York Titans cap and sweatshirt for practice, and he joked that he was hoping 'to get an extra X' on the sweatshirt, but 3XL was all they had.

He also was asked about owner Woody Johnson throwing a few passes at practice and cracked, 'we're always looking for guys out there and we only have four quarterbacks on the roster. He's got a good arm. We've got to work on that movement outside of the pocket, but he has a good arm.'

When someone asked about one not-so-good pass launched by the owner, Rex wisely blamed it on 'his protection.'

Rex's best line of the day came when he was asked to comment on a coach such as Jeff Fisher being in his 15th season as the head coach of one team. He said, 'I think we should sign up for that [here] right now.'

Best of Sanchez today

Here are some of the best quotes from Mark Sanchez in his weekly media session, held today, courtesy of the Jets' media relations staff:

On gaining confidence each week…

I’m just working on that steady climb.  I’m trying not to peak too early and trying to improve every week.  Each week, I feel more and more comfortable with the offense and the game plan.  These receivers are making things a lot easier on me and by receivers, I mean Dustin (Keller) as well.  He can do it all.  He can block.  He can run.  He can catch, so it’s great having him as a weapon.  The running backs and then up front, they give me a ton of time to throw.  I haven’t been knocked down much and they don’t plan on changing that at all.  It’s very reassuring to have such a great group up front.  I just have to keep that steady climb and improve each week.

On avoiding a decline like last year…

They felt last year that they were so worn down and tired and didn’t know how to finish that season.  I don’t think Coach Ryan will let that happen.  I think he’s got us to move on each week.  Each week is its own big game.  He gives us that week’s keys to victory.  We celebrate on Monday.  Mondays have been a great day for us the past two weeks.  We want another Monday like that this week.  That’s our goal.  Coach Ryan keeps up on intensity and keeps our focus strong.  We don’t want a letdown and we can’t afford to have one. 

On working with the offensive coordinator and head coach …

I think they trust me to do whatever the game plan calls for.  Last week we didn’t throw it quite as much.  The first week we put it up 31 times, so whatever it takes each week.  They’re confident in my ability.  They know I can make all the throws in this offense so I don’t feel that there’s a confidence factor that needs to build.  Just (by) me improving each week helps things along and we’re comfortable doing anything.

On whether they will throw more this week…

We’ll go with what the game plan calls for.  We know we have a great running game and we want to keep that up and keep our rush attempts high.  If we need to throw it, we’ll throw it.  We enjoy throwing that ball too.

On if the coaches are installing more plays each week for him…

Everything is in.  They’re not holding anything back.  I’ve asked Kellen (Clemens) too.  I said, ‘Am I doing everything right?  What do you think? Are we holding back on a lot of plays?’  He said, “Dude, this is all we’ve got.  We’re throwing a lot at you.  Man, you’re doing an awesome job with it.  Keep it up.  Keep studying.”  What we’re doing is working.  If we need to hand if off 50 times or put it in the air 50 times, I feel like this offense is prepared to and it all starts up front.  Those guys can do it all.