NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 17, 2015

1 | P a g e

Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Cromartie doesn't want to rush back, possibly hurt Jets (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................... 2

AP source: Jets to work out Terrelle Pryor as wide receiver (Dennis Waszak) ......................................................... 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Source: Terrelle Pryor to work out for Jets (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................................ 4

Geno Smith tries not to let his anger boil over (Kimberley Martin) .......................................................................... 4

Antonio Cromartie thankful knee injury wasn't more seriouslesson (Laura Albanese) ............................................ 6

Jeremy Kerley deals with being forgotten man (Laura Albanese) ............................................................................. 7

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Jets: Antonio Cromartie being cautious (J.P. Pelzman) ............................................................................................. 7

NEW YORK TIMES .................................................................................................................................................. 9

Jets’ Antonio Cromartie Hopeful He Can Play Against Colts (Ben Shpigel) ............................................................... 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Another rookie for Jets C Nick Mangold to dominate (Rich Cimini) .......................................................................... 9

Demoted Jets WR Jeremy Kerley: 'I see myself as a starter' (Rich Cimini) .............................................................. 10

Muhammad Wilkerson focused on playing 'as best I can,' not on contract (Rich Cimini) ...................................... 11

Jets' Antonio Cromartie will be cautious with knee injury (Rich Cimini) ................................................................. 12

Former Browns WR Terrelle Pryor will work out for Jets next week (Rich Cimini) ................................................. 12

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Why the Jets, Darrelle Revis are so wary of Andrew Luck (Brian Costello) ............................................................. 13

Geno Smith: ‘Mental gymnastics’ to keep pace with Fitzpatrick (Brian Costello) ................................................... 14

Why Antonio Cromartie won’t play ‘until he’s 100 percent’ (George Willis) .......................................................... 15

Jets to work out Terrelle Pryor, who’s now a receiver (Brian Costello) .................................................................. 16

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 17

Jets' Jeremy Kerley, after 1 snap in Week 1: 'I feel like I should be somewhere on the field' (Darryl Slater) ......... 17

Antonio Cromartie admits he may have hurt Jets by playing through 2013 hip injury (Dom Consentino) ............ 18

Andrew Luck of Indianapolis Colts 'easily one of the best in the league,' Jets' Todd Bowles says (Dom Consentino) ............................................................................................................................................................. 19

Jets' Darrelle Revis raves about Marcus Williams, Antonio Cromartie's potential replacement (Darryl Slater)..... 20

Jets release defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson with injury settlement (Dom Costentino) ................................... 21

Antonio Cromartie (knee), Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) sidelined at Jets practice (Darryl Slater) ...................... 22

Terrelle Pryor to work out for Jets as receiver, sources confirm (Darryl Slater) ..................................................... 22

Daily Clips Cont.

2 | P a g e

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 23

Jets' Antonio Cromartie will learn from his past knee issues (Seth Walder) ........................................................... 23

Chris Ivory brings toughness to Jets offense (Manish Mehta) ................................................................................ 24

Terrelle Pryor will work out for the Jets next week as a wide receiver (Seth Walder and Manish Mehta) ............ 26

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 26

Jets actually run the ball more with Chan Gailey at the helm (Kristian Dyer) ......................................................... 26

Jets fan Louie Gonzalez gets royal treatment by team in magical NFL weekend (Kristian Dyer) ............................ 27

Jets cut Aboushi, next stop surely Buffalo (Kristian Dyer) ....................................................................................... 28

WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................................... 29

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cromartie doesn't want to rush back, possibly hurt Jets (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 16, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/cromartie-doesnt-want-rush-back-possibly-hurt-jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Antonio Cromartie heard a pop in his knee, a sickening sound he thought signaled the end of his season.

That's why the New York Jets cornerback was stunned to learn from an MRI on Monday that he had "just" a sprained left knee and no ligament damage.

"You think of the worst," Cromartie said Wednesday, "and you get a better outcome."

Cromartie was injured — "something freaky that happened," he said — midway through the second quarter Sunday in New York's season-opening 31-10 win over Cleveland. His knee buckled on a non-contact play, and Cromartie clutched his knee as trainers came out to check on him. He needed help to the sideline and didn't put any weight on his left leg. He was later carted to the locker room, a towel draped over his head and wondering if he'd be able to play again.

"It felt the same way it did when I tore my ACL the first time," he said, referring to an injury at Florida State 10 years ago. "I'm blessed that it wasn't."

Now, Cromartie is focused on getting back on the field — and he's not going to rush things.

While he hasn't been ruled out of the Jets' next game at Indianapolis on Monday night, Cromartie wants to make sure he's completely healthy before he lines up again opposite Darrelle Revis in New York's secondary.

"I think at the end of the day, you end up hurting the team rather than going out and trying to help the team," Cromartie said. "If I don't feel that I'm healthy enough to play, I'm not going to play."

Cromartie said his knee was still feeling a bit sore, but was walking around the locker room with very little sign of the injury.

Coach Todd Bowles said Cromartie was "week-to-week" and the team would know more as this week goes on as to whether he might be able to play Monday night.

"That will be my determination, not his," Bowles said.

Daily Clips Cont.

3 | P a g e

Cromartie has never missed a game because of injury in his nine-plus seasons in the NFL, but that streak is now in jeopardy. That was also the case two years ago because of an ailing hip that bothered him during training camp, but he kept playing through it and had a rough season — despite making the Pro Bowl.

"I'm learning my lesson from 2013, when I probably should've sat out a couple of weeks with my hip injury," Cromartie said. "You take a lot of pride in (the streak), and you want to go out and start and continue to play and not miss a game. But, me being a 10-year corner, you have to think a little smarter about what you're doing."

If Cromartie sits against Andrew Luck and the Colts, Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams would likely be used to fill in, as they did against the Browns.

Skrine, signed in the offseason as a free agent, played on the outside in Cromartie's spot Sunday in the Jets' base defense. When New York went to its sub packages, Skrine went to the nickel spot — his normal position — and Williams played on the outside. Both played well against the Browns, including Williams intercepting Johnny Manziel in the third quarter.

"He does all the right things and he's a young player and he's getting better," Bowles said of Williams. "So, we have complete confidence in him."

NOTES: Rookie LB Lorenzo Mauldin, recovering from a concussion, was not at practice and is going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries. Bowles had no timetable on when Mauldin might return to the practice field. ... WR Jeremy Kerley, the team's leading receiver in 2012 and 2013, played just one offensive snap Sunday after not working with the starters for much of training camp. He said he doesn't regret signing a four-year, $15.4 million contract last season — under a regime that has since been fired and might have had bigger plans for him in the offense. "At the time, that's how I felt," Kerley said. "Not to say there's not a lot of love now for the coaching staff and for the GM, (but) the guys who were here last year, I didn't know they were going to be gone. ... I wanted to be here. I still want to be here, so that would've had little to nothing to do with my decision."

Back_to_Top

AP source: Jets to work out Terrelle Pryor as wide receiver (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 16, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/ap-source-jets-work-out-terrelle-pryor-wide-receiver

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets want to see Terrelle Pryor's progress as a wide receiver for themselves.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Jets will work out the former quarterback as a receiver next week.

Pryor was waived by Cleveland last week after making the Browns' roster as a wide receiver despite not catching a pass in the preseason. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team does not announce the names of players it brings in for workouts.

ESPN first reported the Jets' interest in Pryor, who quarterbacked the Buckeyes to the 2010 Rose Bowl championship over Oregon.

Pryor also worked out for New England on Monday, but left without a contract, according to the person.

While the Jets have only two healthy quarterbacks on the roster — Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Bryce Petty — while Geno Smith recovers from a broken jaw, Pryor's athleticism and potential as a receiver interests them.

Daily Clips Cont.

4 | P a g e

He was a third-round pick of Oakland in 2011 and had 1,953 yards passing with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games, including 10 starts.

The Raiders traded Pryor to Seattle for a seventh-round draft pick in 2014, but the Seahawks released him before the regular season and he sat out the rest of the year.

Pryor signed with Kansas City in January and was released in May before being signed a few days later by Cincinnati. He was waived by the Bengals in June, and agent Drew Rosenhaus announced that Pryor would be open to switching to wide receiver.

Cleveland claimed him off waivers a few days later and worked with him on the position switch in training camp. Pryor didn't play for most of the preseason because of a hamstring injury, and was waived on Sept. 10 when the Browns claimed running back Robert Turbin off waivers.

Back_to_Top

NEWSDAY

Source: Terrelle Pryor to work out for Jets (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 16, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/terrelle-pryor-to-work-out-for-jets-source-says-1.10851308

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Terrelle Pryor's tour of the AFC East will continue.

The quarterback-turned-wide receiver will work out with the Jets next week, a source told Newsday.

Pryor, who was released last week from the Browns, worked out for the Patriots on Monday, NFL.com reported.

Despite having physical and athletic gifts, the 6-5, 232-pound Pryor has yet to stick on an NFL roster. Selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2011 supplemental draft, he started nine games at quarterback in 2013. Since then, Pryor has spent time with the Seahawks, Chiefs, Bengals and Browns.

But as of now, he appears to be focused on playing wide receiver, not quarterback.

Back_to_Top

Geno Smith tries not to let his anger boil over (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 16, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-tries-not-to-let-his-anger-boil-over-1.10852780

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith couldn't hide it this time.

His entire world has changed. And he's angry about it.

In a matter of minutes he went from being the starting quarterback of a revamped Jets roster with playoff potential to a hospital operating table. And there's nothing he can do to make up for those lost hours on the practice field -- and, more importantly, the loss of his starting job.

"I'm extremely [angry]," Smith told Newsday in the Jets locker room Wednesday. "But I have to keep my temper down. I can't exhibit that in the locker room, I can't exhibit that on a daily basis. I just feel for my family more because they enjoy seeing me out there."

Daily Clips Cont.

5 | P a g e

The highly publicized "sucker punch" -- delivered by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali on Aug. 11 over an unpaid $600 debt -- derailed Smith's third and most critical season. But despite his frustration, he remains surprisingly upbeat.

His face shows no signs of the violent altercation and he smiles with ease even as he discusses his tumultuous training camp. Smith left the hospital thinking, "Man, I'll never look the same again," yet four weeks later he's eager to get back.

But Smith can't even say for sure if this is still his team.

"You know what? I'm on the team. The guys look at me as a leader. Whether it's my team or not, it's Woody's team. It's coach Bowles' team. And it's a trickle-down effect," said Smith, who weighs 215 pounds, down from 223. "You want to say, OK, it's Fitz's team? But that's kind of pinning me and him against each other. We're all in this thing together. It's a collective bond, and it was that way when I was projected the starter and when I got hurt it was that way. And right now it's the same way."

Reminded that in the past he's expressed nothing but confidence in his role as the team's starter, Smith said: "Yeah, I do feel that way. But I'm in a different position now, so you've got to be realistic about things. I'm not trying to sit here and say, I'm demanding certain things. I'm just working to get healthy. And then, you've got to see the rest."

As of now, the Jets appear to have found a suitable replacement, Smith's former backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. Last week, the veteran threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets' 31-10 win over the Browns. Fourth-round pick Bryce Petty served as the No. 2.

On Wednesday Todd Bowles said Smith won't be the No. 2 QB in Monday night's game in Indianapolis.

"If I was playing bad and got benched, that's on me. But for something like that to happen, it's like . . . " Smith said. "What can you do? You've just got to, kind of, weather the storm and move on from there."

His toughest test remains the emotional uncertainty.

"Physically, I'm good," Smith said, adding that he has one more hurdle to clear: his final X-ray, which will be in "the next week or so . . . Emotionally, it's tough. But I've been getting good support in the locker room with the guys. Brandon [Marshall] has been one of the guys who's always been in my corner and he's been picking me up every day, if he sees me down. Cause it's natural to kind of get down. You want to play, you want to be out there. But he's keeping my spirits high and coach Bowles and Chan [Gailey], they put things in perspective for me. The key thing is, I've got to get healthy."

His mother also sends him text messages with Bible verses and spiritual passages every morning, he said.

For now, all Smith can do is focus on working out and taking mental reps during games. He noted there's a "big difference" in his muscle mass now and the Jets trainers have him on a steady diet of "weight-gaining shakes."

"Sometimes when I walk past a mirror, I'm like, 'Wow, I look skinny today!' " Smith said, laughing, as he raised his right shirt sleeve to show a thinner bicep. "But back then I used to walk by and say, 'OK!' So I've got to get back to that point where I feel good when I'm standing in front of the mirror."

His role against the Colts will likely be what it was against the Browns -- a sideline spectator. But there is one thing Smith is eager to find out as the Jets prepare to head to Indy: whether he'll set off airport security alarms.

"I'll have to see," he said, laughing. "When they wand me, we'll see if it goes off when they go near my neck."

Daily Clips Cont.

6 | P a g e

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie thankful knee injury wasn't more seriouslesson (Laura Albanese) Newsday September 16, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/antonio-cromartie-thankful-knee-injury-wasn-t-more-serious-1.10852317

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Antonio Cromartie strode easily into the Jets locker room and engaged in a verbal parry with Nick Mangold.

Why did so many people want to talk to him, asked Mangold, indicating the growing throng of reporters.

"I got hurt Sunday, remember?" answered the cornerback, grinning.

"I don't recall this," Mangold said. "Did they bring out a cart?"

Yes, they brought out a cart. And the image of Cromartie, towel over his head, being driven off the field at MetLife Stadium, had Cromartie and Jets Nation fearing the worst -- a season-ending ACL injury, a big contract gone bust, and a halted reunion with Darrelle Revis in the Jets' secondary.

But if anything can be taken from Cromartie's bemused reaction Wednesday, it's this: Considering what could have been, a simple knee sprain is a relief and "a blessing," he said. So much so that there's even a slim chance the 31-year-old could play Monday night in Indianapolis against the Colts.

"It feels good," Cromartie said after practice, when he stretched with the team but did nothing else. "I feel strong. It's still a little sore, just from the impact of it, but that's about it . . . I'm thankful. I thank God for this opportunity, to not even have anything torn and to not have any ligament damage, nothing like that. I felt something pop, but, you know, God willing, nothing did pop, so I'm grateful and honored for that."

Cromartie said he doesn't know when he'll be ready but did not rule out Monday's game.

"We've got to see if I get a chance to practice," he said. "If I don't feel I'm 100 percent at full speed, then it wouldn't make sense to . . . If you guys see me at practice, then you know something is going well."

Coach Todd Bowles was more cautious -- especially considering Cromartie, who's missed only one game in his career, played through a hip injury in 2013. Cromartie is still week to week, he said.

"I told him, unless I see him running," he can't play, Bowles said. "And then it'll be my determination and not his. He may feel well in his mind and I may not see it, or he may feel well, he may look well, he may play, so we'll say later this week . . . The film doesn't lie. Practice doesn't lie. You see what you see. If he's limping, he's not playing."

Cromartie injured his left knee in the second quarter of the 31-10 win over the Browns and said Wednesday that initially it "felt the same way as when I tore my ACL the first time." But an MRI Monday revealed only a sprain.

"You think of the worst and you get a better outcome," he said. "That's a blessing."

Despite his optimism, Cromartie said maturity -- and his confidence in defensive backs Marcus Williams and Buster Skrine, both of whom replaced him Sunday -- won't make him force the issue. In 2013, Cromartie reinjured the hip he hurt in 2008 but was determined to grit it out. In retrospect, he said, he should have sat out a few weeks.

Daily Clips Cont.

7 | P a g e

"You take a lot of pride in" not missing a game, he said. "But at the end of the day, you want to be smart, too. I think I'm learning my lesson from 2013 . . . You've got to think a little smarter [about] what you're doing and let other guys go out and perform, go out and do what they're supposed to do."

Back_to_Top

Jeremy Kerley deals with being forgotten man (Laura Albanese) Newsday September 16, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jeremy-kerley-deals-with-being-forgotten-man-1.10853210

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jeremy Kerley has gone from a backbone to a bygone in Chan Gailey's new-look offense, but the wide receiver said Wednesday he didn't regret signing a four-year contract extension last October, even if he didn't know then that he'd be spending it with a different coaching staff.

"At the time, that's how I felt,'' Kerley said of his decision to stay with the Jets. "Not to say there's not a lot of love now, but for the coaching staff and for the GM, the guys that were here last year, I didn't know they were going to be gone. I didn't know what the situation was going to be like. I wanted to be here. I still want to be here. I feel like that wouldn't have had [anything] to do with my decision.''

Kerley, who saw his receiving numbers go down last year (38 catches, 409 yards), has been limited to special teams this season. He said he had a sense of his role after the team went over the game plan and in practice. He said no one on the coaching staff has spoken to him about it.

"[I'm] rolling with it,'' he said after practice. "I've kind of been taking it for what it is. I don't have any problem with coach or GM or anybody thinking that somebody is better than me . . . But do I think I can be on the field, putting in work, producing? Of course. I'm always thinking [that]. I'm a ballplayer, so I never think that I should be limited to the sidelines. I don't feel like that. That's not who I am.''

Mauldin return unknown

Rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin did not practice Wednesday after suffering a concussion Sunday. Because he must pass the NFL's post-concussion protocol, it's uncertain when he'll return.

"It could be a week, could be two, could be Monday,'' Todd Bowles said. He added that the team doesn't need another linebacker to replace him, "but if there's one out there, we'll look at him."

Jet streams

Terrelle Pryor, the quarterback turned wide receiver, will work out with the Jets next week, a source told Newsday. Pryor, who was cut by the Browns last week, worked out Monday for the Patriots and also is slated to visit the Seahawks next week, according to NFL.com . . . The Texans claimed offensive lineman Oday Aboushi, whom the Jets waived Tuesday . . . The team released DL Kevin Vickerson from the injured reserve list.

Back_to_Top

THE RECORD

Jets: Antonio Cromartie being cautious (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 17, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/cromartie-cautious-1.1411975

Daily Clips Cont.

8 | P a g e

FLORHAM PARK – The lasting image of Antonio Cromartie from opening day was of the 10th-year cornerback sitting forlornly in a motorized cart, a towel draped over his head as he waited to be transported to the locker room to be examined.

But it was a much different Cromartie who appeared before the cameras Wednesday, two days after finding out what he thought was a season-ending knee injury was only a sprain.

The veteran cornerback spoke to reporters for the first time since leaving the Jets' win over Cleveland after suffering a non-contact injury in the second quarter.

Cromartie felt a pop in his left knee, he said. He was unable to put any weight on the leg when he exited the field.

"It felt the same way it did when I tore my ACL the first time," he said, referring to an injury when he was a collegian at Florida State. "I'm blessed that it wasn't."

Instead, an MRI exam Monday showed Cromartie had a sprained left knee and no ligament damage.

"You think of the worst," Cromartie said, "and [then] you get a better outcome."

In fact, Cromartie hasn't been ruled out of the Jets' game at Indianapolis on Monday night. He has missed only one game in his NFL career, and it wasn't because of injury. He was rested in the Jets' final regular-season game of the 2010 campaign to make sure he was healthy for the playoffs.

Still, the durable Cromartie wants to be cautious after what happened to him during the 2013 season.

Cromartie suffered a hip injury during training camp that year, but played through it. He then had a sub-par season, although he made the Pro Bowl (which Cromartie said at the time he didn't deserve). The Jets cut him after the season and he signed with Arizona for the 2014 season before re-signing with the Jets in March.

"I'm learning my lesson from 2013, when I probably should've sat out a couple of weeks with my hip injury," Cromartie said. "You take a lot of pride in [the streak], and you want to go out and start and continue to play and not miss a game. But me being a 10-year corner, you have to [be] a little smarter about what you're doing.

"I think at the end of the day you end up hurting the team rather than going out and trying to help the team," Cromartie said. "If I don't feel that I'm healthy enough to play, I'm not going to play."

Cromartie didn't practice Wednesday, and coach Todd Bowles indicated that he won't be inclined to have Cromartie play Monday unless he sees in practice that he isn't hampered by the injury.

"The film doesn't lie. Practice doesn't lie," Bowles said. "You see what you see. If he's limping, he's not playing."

BRIEFS: Rookie LB Lorenzo Mauldin, who suffered a concussion Sunday, wasn't at practice. Bowles said Mauldin is still going through the NFL's protocol for concussions and had no timetable for his return. … The Jets plan to bring in QB-turned-WR Terrelle Pryor for a workout next week, a source said. Pryor spent all of preseason with Cleveland, but was waived three days before the season opener. Pryor reportedly worked out for New England on Monday and reportedly will work out for Seattle next week.

Fifth-year WR-PR Jeremy Kerley, who signed a four-year, $15.4 million contract last October under the previous front-office regime, played only one offensive snap Sunday. He said he doesn't regret re-signing with the Jets. "At the time, that's how I felt," Kerley said. "Not to say there's not a lot of love now for the coaching staff and for the GM, [but] the guys who were here last year, I didn't know they were going to

Daily Clips Cont.

9 | P a g e

be gone. … I wanted to be here. I still want to be here, so that would've had little to nothing to do with my decision."

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK TIMES

Jets’ Antonio Cromartie Hopeful He Can Play Against Colts (Ben Shpigel) New York Times September 16, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/sports/football/jets-antonio-cromartie-hopeful-he-can-play-against-colts.html?ref=football

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Cornerback Antonio Cromartie felt a pop in his left knee.

“You think of the worst,” Cromartie said, and so as he lay on a cart Sunday, a towel draped over his face, that is what he did. He feared that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament, just as he did 10 years ago at Florida State. He said he was surprised to learn Monday that he had only sprained his knee, an injury that jeopardizes his availability for Monday night’s game in Indianapolis but hardly the entire season.

“I’m so grateful,” Cromartie said.

It was a freak accident — without incurring contact, his knee appeared to buckle as he covered a Cleveland receiver. He fell to the turf and needed two trainers to assist him to the sideline. Three days later, his knee felt sore, he said, but he was not ready to rule himself out yet against the Colts.

Cromartie did not practice Wednesday, and if he does not feel strong enough to run and cut over the next few days, Coach Todd Bowles said, he is unlikely to play. Bowles characterized Cromartie’s status as “still week to week.”

“The film doesn’t lie, practice doesn’t lie,” Bowles said. “You see what you see. If you see him limping, he’s not playing.”

If Cromartie cannot play, Buster Skrine, the nickel corner, is likely to replace him, as he did Sunday. When the Jets added extra defensive backs, though, Skrine stayed in the slot and Marcus Williams worked outside.

In his 10th season, Cromartie has never missed a game because of injury, which he considers a point of pride. But he also said that he regrets not sitting out a few weeks in 2013, when a hip injury limited his effectiveness.

Bowles said that it is too early to tell whether receiver Devin Smith, who has resumed practicing in full after sustaining broken ribs and a punctured lung July 31, will be available in Indianapolis.

Back_to_Top

ESPN NEW YORK

Another rookie for Jets C Nick Mangold to dominate (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 17, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54219/another-rookie-for-jets-c-nick-mangold-to-dominate

Daily Clips Cont.

10 | P a g e

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Highlighting two players who figure to play integral roles for the New York Jets Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts:

Nick Mangold, center: For the second straight week, Mangold will be matched against a rookie nose tackle. This time, it's David Parry, a fifth-round pick from Stanford. It shouldn't be a fair fight, matching Mangold -- one of the smartest, craftiest pivot men in the business -- against a neophyte. Mangold finished with the fourth-highest run blocking grade for centers in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus. He controlled Cleveland Browns rookie Danny Shelton, and he'll need to do the same against Parry because success on the ground is vital to the Jets. They rushed for 154 yards last week; they should be able to duplicate that against the Colts.

Marcus Gilchrist, safety: The Jets signed Gilchrist as a free agent, in large part, because they wanted to upgrade their ability to cover tight ends. Quick refresher: They allowed a league-high 13 touchdowns passes last season to tight ends, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Colts have two receiving threats, Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. Neither one made too much noise in the opener, as they combined for four receptions and a touchdown. Look for Andrew Luck to change that, especially if his favorite target, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (knee), can't play. The Colts like to use two-tight end sets. This will be Gilchrist's first chance to prove he can be part of the solution.

Back_to_Top

Demoted Jets WR Jeremy Kerley: 'I see myself as a starter' (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 16, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54213/demoted-jets-wr-jeremy-kerley-i-see-myself-as-a-starter

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Eleven months after signing a four-year, $16 million contract extension, Jeremy Kerley wonders about his future with the New York Jets. And with good reason, considering he played only one offensive snap in Week 1.

This much he knows: He's doesn't think he's a backup.

"I always see myself as a starter," Kerley told ESPN.com on Wednesday. "Whether it's here as my future or wherever my future is, I see myself as a starter."

Kerley said he hasn't considered asking for a trade. He also hasn't asked the coaches for an explanation. That, he believes, would be pointless.

"At this point, I don't really see what a conversation can do as far as changing people's minds," he said. "If they're set on their guy, I understand that. It is what it is."

For years, Kerley was the Jets' No. 3 receiver, even a starter at times. From 2012 to 2014, he played in 664, 567 and 734 offensive snaps, respectively. At the start of the offseason, new general manager Mike Maccagnan suggested Kerley could see an increased role.

Uh, not exactly. He has been passed on the depth chart by Chris Owusu and Quincy Enunwa. When they used the three-receiver package against the Cleveland Browns, it primarily was Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Owusu, with Decker in the slot.

"I can't say I was too surprised, but getting only one snap on offense, I was a little shocked," Kerley said.

The receiving corps could get crowded this week if rookie Devin Smith (ribs) returns. On Wednesday, he practiced at full speed, so there's a chance the second-round pick could make his debut Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Todd Bowles was non-committal, saying it's too early to tell.

Daily Clips Cont.

11 | P a g e

For now, Kerley's greatest value is punt returning. He's the only proven punt returner on the roster, which "makes me root for the defense that much harder," he said. "In college, my moments came from punt returning. That's what I was known for in college. It's no different now."

Back_to_Top

Muhammad Wilkerson focused on playing 'as best I can,' not on contract (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 16, 2015

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/13672460/new-york-jets-muhammad-wilkerson-focusing-play-not-new-deal

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Muhammad Wilkerson considers himself one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, and he doesn't believe he has anything to prove to the New York Jets' front office -- not even as he enters the final year of his contract.

"I'm a competitor, but I'm not going to compete with those people upstairs," Wilkerson told ESPN.com on Wednesday. "If they feel I'm worthy or not worthy, whatever the case may be, that's on them. I know what I'm capable of doing."

Contract talks broke off last week after several months of discussions, a source said. Wilkerson said at the start of training camp that he doesn't want to negotiate during the regular season, and his stance hasn't changed.

Wilkerson wants to concentrate on football, insisting he's not fueled by a pay-me motivation.

"I'm not here to make a point about anything," he said. "If they think ... I don't know, I really can't say how they feel about me. You have to talk to them. I just do my job and dominate as best I can."

"If they feel I'm worthy or not worthy, whatever the case may be, that's on them," Muhammad Wilkerson said of the Jets' stalled contract talks with him. "I know what I'm capable of doing." Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports

Wilkerson is due to make $6.97 million this year, the amount of his fifth-year option.

The Jets have expressed a desire to sign Wilkerson to a long-term contract, but there doesn't appear to be a sense of urgency. They can retain him for 2016 by exercising the franchise tag, which could cost about $16 million.

The Jets have some tough financial decisions to make. Their defensive line consists of two former first-round picks, Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, and a current first-rounder, Leonard Williams. Richardson is signed through 2016, but highly regarded nose tackle Damon Harrison will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Wilkerson isn't a self-promoter -- "I'm a quiet assassin," he said -- but he has confidence about where he stacks up.

"I think I'm one of the best defensive ends, 3-4 ends, whatever anybody wants to say," he said. "I'm one of the best in the league, but it's not my job to grade myself. That's just me feeling the way I feel. My play shows it."

Wilkerson got off to a strong start this season, recording five tackles, one sack and one quarterback hit in the Jets' Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He got a game ball from coach Todd Bowles, whose one-gap scheme could bring out the best in Wilkerson.

Daily Clips Cont.

12 | P a g e

"I think Mo is good in any scheme," Bowles said. "He's just one of those players. He can play two-gap, 3-4, 4-3. His ceiling is as high as he wants it to be. He's a heck of a player."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Antonio Cromartie will be cautious with knee injury (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 16, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54207/jets-cb-antonio-cromartie-will-be-cautious-with-knee-injury

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- An older, wiser Antonio Cromartie, battling a sprained left knee, said Wednesday he won't compromise his long-term health by pushing himself to play Monday night if he's not ready. He played through a painful hip condition two years ago, and his performance suffered. In retrospect, he admitted it was a mistake.

"I'm learning my lesson from 2013, when I probably should've sat out a couple of weeks with my hip injury," said the New York Jets cornerback, who never has missed a game due to injury in nine-plus seasons. "You take a lot of pride in [the streak], and you want to go out and start and not miss a game. But, me being a 10-year corner, you have to think a little smarter about what you're doing."

Cromartie's knee injury will be one of the storylines as the Jets prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) on the road. He didn't tear his ACL, according to the team, but even a sprain can take a few weeks, depending on the severity. Cromartie is week-to-week, according to Jets head coach Todd Bowles.

Cromartie made an appearance on the practice field and participated in stretching with the team, but he didn't take part in team drills. During the media window, he didn't do anything, not even agility work in the rehab area, where injured players congregate and train under the supervision of trainers.

"I don't know, we'll see," Cromartie said about his prospects for Monday. "We'll see if I get a chance to practice. If I don't feel like I'm 100 percent and full speed, it wouldn't make sense. It's a long season and we have guys who can come in and play."

The Jets have experienced backups. He could be replaced in the base defense by nickel back Buster Skrine or Marcus Williams, both of whom have starting experience. When they're in nickel, Skrine probably would be in the slot, with Williams on the outside.

Bowles said he won't consider using Cromartie until he sees him running and cutting.

"It will be my determination, not his," Bowles said. "He may feel well in his mind, but I may not see it. ... The film doesn't lie. Practice doesn't lie. If you see him limping, he's not playing."

Cromartie considers himself fortunate it wasn't a season-ending injury. In the second quarter of the Jets' win over the Cleveland Browns, he went down away from the ball, a non-contact injury. As he said, "My ankle went and my knee went. ... Just something freaky that happened."

It reminded him of 2005, when he missed his final year at Florida State because of an ACL tear.

"It felt the same way it did when I tore my ACL the first time," he said. "I'm blessed that it's not."

Back_to_Top

Former Browns WR Terrelle Pryor will work out for Jets next week (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 16, 2015

Daily Clips Cont.

13 | P a g e

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54203/former-browns-wr-terrelle-pryor-will-work-out-for-jets-next-week

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- This is interesting: The New York Jets are scheduled to work out former Ohio State star Terrelle Pryor, a source confirmed. The audition is scheduled for next week. The Jets see the multi-talented Pryor as a wide receiver.

Pryor was waived by the Cleveland Browns last Friday to make room for running back Robert Turbin, whom they acquired on waivers. Previously, Pryor, 26, played for the Oakland Raiders from 2011 to 2013. He started out as a quarterback (he threw 271 passes in 2011, but had only 69.1 passer rating), but he was switched to receiver.

On Monday, Pryor worked out for the Patriots.

The Jets have a crowded receiving corps, especially with rookie Devin Smith close to returning from a summer-long rib injury. They have six receivers on the 53-man roster. Pryor (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) is a versatile athlete and could fill a variety of roles.

Did someone say Wildcat?

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK POST

Why the Jets, Darrelle Revis are so wary of Andrew Luck (Brian Costello) New York Post September 17, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/17/why-the-jets-darrelle-revis-are-so-wary-of-andrew-luck/

The question brought a big smile to Darrelle Revis’ face.

What challenges does Colts quarterback Andrew Luck present the Jets’ defense this week?

“Every challenge in the book,” the Jets cornerback said with a chuckle.

A week after facing the underwhelming Browns quarterback duo of Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel, the Jets get Luck on Monday night in Indianapolis. It’s like going from grade-school arithmetic to advanced calculus in one week.

“He’s a star,” Revis told The Post. “He’s the total package. He can make every throw, very smart. I think a lot of people don’t give him credit for his scrambling ability. He can scramble and run.”

Luck has been prolific in his first three seasons in Indianapolis. He has thrown for 12,957 yards, the most in NFL history for a quarterback’s first three years. His 86 touchdowns over that time are second in NFL history to only Dan Marino. He also has run for 12 touchdowns, second to Cam Newton over that time.

“I look at him as a complete quarterback,” Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist said. “He’s a smart guy, can make all of the throws, knows how to read defenses well, can take off and run when he needs to, can put the ball where it needs to be, put the offense in the right play they need to be in. He’s just a solid, all-around quarterback.”

Luck has played against the Jets only once, during his rookie season, and the Jets won the game with Luck throwing two interceptions, but that was long ago. Jets coach Todd Bowles faced Luck in 2013 when Bowles was the Cardinals defensive coordinator.

Daily Clips Cont.

14 | P a g e

Arizona won 40-11 with Bowles’ defense getting the best of Luck, who threw for just 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Bowles was talking Luck up Wednesday, though.

“I think he does everything,” Bowles said. “He’s one of those quarterbacks — he’s big, he’s got size, he can run, he can beat you with his brain, he can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his feet. He’s just a hell of a quarterback. He’s probably one of the best in the league. He’s easily one of the best in the league. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

The Jets’ defense forced four takeaways against the Browns last week, three from Manziel and one from McCown. For all of his positive attributes, Luck does throw a lot of interceptions. He has 45 in his career. The Jets revamped secondary would love to get their hands on some of his passes.

If they do, Revis says, they better be alert.

“You can see he’s very passionate about the game. He doesn’t like to make mistakes,” Revis said. “If he throws interceptions, he’s going to hunt the ball carrier. He’s trying to take their head off. You can tell he’s very passionate and wants to play damn near perfect. That shows you much he’s dedicated to the game and how smart he is and how he wants to be a dominant player in this game.”

The Colts started off 0-1 with their 27-14 loss to the Bills last week. Revis said he looked at the scoreboard at one point on Sunday and saw the Bills were up 24-0 and said “whoa.” Rex Ryan’s Bills blitzed Luck a ton, and the pressure bothered him. Could the Jets follow the same formula?

“I don’t know. I think Buffalo played well. Indy made some mistakes,” Bowles said. “That’s every week. Going into Week 1, you don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ve got them at their house on Monday night. They will be a totally different team. We’ve just got to be ready for their best.”

Back_to_Top

Geno Smith: ‘Mental gymnastics’ to keep pace with Fitzpatrick (Brian Costello) New York Post September 16, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/16/geno-smith-using-mental-gymnastics-to-keep-pace-with-fitzpatrick/

Geno Smith stood on the sideline Sunday, going through everything in his mind that he would do on the field.

“I was going through the mental gymnastics,” the Jets quarterback said. “I would hear the play and then say it back as if I was saying it in the huddle and all the line mechanics, just trying to get mental reps and make it as real as possible. There’s nothing like playing the game, but just try to make it as real as possible.”

This is life for Smith right now as he recovers from a broken jaw suffered when a teammate punched him last month in the locker room. Smith held a clipboard on Sunday instead of the football and charted the plays run by Ryan Fitzpatrick, his replacement.

Smith is in an odd spot right now. He is rooting for his team to win, but the more the team wins and Fitzpatrick plays well, the less likely it is Smith will regain his job as the starter.

“That’s up to coach. I’m not going to sit here and put my mind on that,” Smith said. “I want Fitz to do well and I want the team to win, and that’s that. Coach will make the decision on whatever happens when I’m healthy enough to get back out there and play.”

Smith took a step toward that return this week. He has been able to participate in team drills this week for the first time. Smith remains unsure when he can return and said he does not have a target date. Jets

Daily Clips Cont.

15 | P a g e

coach Todd Bowles said the timeframe on Smith has not changed. The team has said they expect him to be out for the first four games.

“That’s all up to the doctors,” Smith said. “Every week I have to do X-rays and get a progress report. They make the final decision on everything. I just follow directions right now.”

Back_to_Top

Why Antonio Cromartie won’t play ‘until he’s 100 percent’ (George Willis) New York Post September 16, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/16/why-antonio-cromartie-wont-play-until-hes-100-percent/

We can’t help but think the worst. A player falls awkwardly to the turf, clutches his left knee, and screams out in pain. It’s normally the last we see of him until after surgery to repair a torn ACL, MCL or both.

That’s what flashed through all of our minds when cornerback Antonio Cromartie went down in the second quarter of the Jets’ 31-10 victory over the Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. It flashed through Cromartie’s mind, too — as he was carted off the field with a towel draped over his sunken head.

“You think of the worst,” he said on Wednesday, relieved that an MRI exam revealed a sprained ligament but no tears. Cromartie is listed “week-to-week,” but has not been ruled out of Monday night’s game in Indianapolis. “I thank God to not have anything torn and not having any ligament damage or anything like that. I felt something pop. But God-willing, nothing did pop. I’m grateful for that.”

The Jets are grateful, too. Losing Cromartie after one half would have been a blow to the gut. Much has been made of his reunion with Darrelle Revis as anchors to the Jets’ secondary. For the defense to be dominant, the secondary needs to complement one of the best front sevens in the NFL by blanketing receivers and gathering interceptions.

With 31 career interceptions, Cromartie might not be the shutdown corner he once was. But he still has enough athletic skills and savvy to make big plays.

“My ankle went and then my knee went,” said Cromartie, who tore his left ACL as a junior in 2005 at Florida State. “It was something freaky. That’s basically what happened. It was a freak accident. It felt the same way when I tore my ACL the first time. You don’t want to go through a season saying the first game of year you get hurt.”

Losing the four-time Pro Bowler the week the Jets play Luck is bad timing. The Colts are coming off a 27-14 loss in Rex Ryan’s debut as the Bills head coach. Ryan unnerved Luck with his blitz packages, as the Colts offensive line struggled against an aggressive Bills rush. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton left the game with a knee injury and did not return.

Head coach Todd Bowles knows he will be facing a desperate Colts team Monday night.

“We’re at their house on Monday night and they’ll be a totally different team,” Bowles said. “We just have to be ready for their best.”

Cromartie, 31, has missed just one game in his nine-year career, but said he won’t play again until he’s “100 percent” healthy. He remembers trying to play through a hip injury in 2013 when he shouldn’t have.

“I take a lot of pride in continuing to play,” he said. “But as you get into your career, you have to think smarter about what you’re doing and let other guys perform. If I don’t feel like I’m 100 percent or full speed, it doesn’t make sense. We’ve got a long season. We’ve got guys that can come in and play. I’ve got confidence in those guys.”

Daily Clips Cont.

16 | P a g e

If Cromartie can’t play — which is the more probable scenario — Marcus Williams likely will start at cornerback after playing the bulk of the second half against the Browns. Williams, an undrafted free agent by way of Houston, picked off a Johnny Manziel pass last week for his second career interception.

“He’s good under pressure and he’s fundamentally sound,” Bowles said of Williams. “He does all the right things. He’s a young player and he’s getting better. We have complete confidence in him.”

Cromartie has confidence in Williams, too.

“We feel like we have a whole bunch of starters,” he said. “If somebody goes down, we don’t feel like the [level of] play is going to go down.”

The Jets are glad Cromartie’s not down for the season.

Back_to_Top

Jets to work out Terrelle Pryor, who’s now a receiver (Brian Costello) New York Post September 16, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/16/jets-to-work-out-terrelle-pryor-whos-now-a-receiver/

The Jets will work out free-agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor next week, a source confirmed to The Post.

Pryor, a college star at Ohio State, switched positions from quarterback to receiver this spring after failing to hook on as a quarterback with the Bengals. He spent training camp with the Browns, who released him last week just before they played the Jets.

Pryor also worked out for Patriots on Monday, but left without a contract, a source told the Associated Press.

Pryor spent his first three NFL seasons with the Raiders. He started 10 games at quarterback for Oakland, throwing nine touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

Jeremy Kerley said he is not angry or upset with the Jets for reducing his playing time to almost zero.

The wide receiver played just one snap in the team’s opener against the Browns, but said he saw it coming after a training camp at which he was reduced to an afterthought.

“If you would have asked me during camp if I was shocked, yeah I was very shocked,” said Kerley, who led the team in receptions in 2012 and 2013. “But now I’m not shocked. To have one snap in the game doesn’t make me upset. It’s something I kind of knew coming into the game — maybe not one snap, but I knew I wasn’t a big part of the game plan. Yeah, I want to be on the field. Yeah, I want to be making plays. But it kind of is what it is at this point.”

The Jets have gone with Quincy Enunwa and Chris Owusu over Kerley. Coach Todd Bowles has said it was a game-plan decision and Kerley could have a bigger role in other games, but that seems unlikely.

Clearly, the coaching staff prefers bigger receivers who can block.

“I respect what it is,” Kerley said. “If those guys [who] are on the field are who they want to go with, I respect that. But do I feel like I can be on the field balling as well? Of course I do. I’m always going to feel like that. But I have to control what I can control and that’s every time I go out on the field is being the best Jeremy I can be.”

Bowles said rookie WR Devin Smith practiced fully Wednesday, but it is too soon to tell if he will play Monday. … The Texans claimed guard Oday Aboushi, who was waived by the Jets on Tuesday.

Daily Clips Cont.

17 | P a g e

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Jets' Jeremy Kerley, after 1 snap in Week 1: 'I feel like I should be somewhere on the field' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jeremy_kerley_jets.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — Jeremy Kerley entered this season as the Jets' established slot wide receiver. But after he saw his participation with the starters significantly decrease in training camp, Kerley played just one offensive snap in Sunday's season-opening win over the Browns.

Kerley said Wednesday he thinks he should be playing more.

One reason why Quincy Enunwa has seen more action in the slot, according to coach Todd Bowles, is that Enunwa is a big player than Kerley, and a better blocker. Plus, the Jets are down a tight end, since Jace Amaro (shoulder) is out for the season. Enunwa can fill some of those duties.

Kerley agreed that Enunwa is a better blocker than him.

"But I've never seen a team run the ball 100 percent of the game," Kerley told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. "There's got to be a pass somewhere in between. I think he's a superior blocker. I think he's real good at running routes. I think I'm good at running routes, as well. I think I'm good at what I do.

"I'm not going to say that I feel like I should be the starter or a starter. I say all the time that I feel like I am a starter. I feel like I should be somewhere on the field, because I'm a ball player and I'm a play maker. The coaches, they have what they like. They have certain image in their head that they want to see. And maybe I just don't fit that image. I'm cool with that, because I can't control it.

"It's tough, because you want to play. I see myself being on the field making plays. But at the same time, we won. I think the players that were in did a good job. I like Chris Owusu. I like the way he balls. There would never be a situation where I would be like, 'I think I can do better than them [the Jets' other receivers].' But as far as me being on the field with them balling, yeah, I think I can play with anybody."

When the Jets used three-receiver sets against the Browns, the most common look was Eric Decker in the slot, with Owusu and Brandon Marshall on the outside. In four-receiver sets, Enunwa joined that trio, as an additional slot receiver. Owusu played 40 snaps against the Browns, Enunwa 27.

Kerley said the coaches haven't talked to him much — and he hasn't asked them questions — about his reduced role. Perhaps he could ask the coaches what he must do to play more.

"I don't really think that type of discussion would help the situation," Kerley said. "I think they're kind of set on what they want. They have things that they like, and I respect that. If Quincy is what they want to go with, if Chris is what they want to go with, I respect it. I'm not too surprised by what happened Sunday."

Kerley said he expects more of the same in Monday night's game at the Colts.

"Definitely," he said of Owusu and Enunwa getting more snaps than him. "That's kind of what I expect it to be."

Because of how little action Kerley saw with the starters during camp, he said he also expected a limited offensive role Sunday against the Browns. But he "was a little surprised" about getting just that one snap.

"I don't think it was really frustrating," Kerley said. "I want to be in the game, not just holding my helmet on the sideline. Coming into it, I knew kind of what it was. I didn't have high expectations."

Kerley thinks he "definitely" can help the Jets' offense.

Daily Clips Cont.

18 | P a g e

"I'm a ball player, man," he said. "I can play football, whether it be on the inside [in the slot], outside, back side, left side. I don't care where it's at. I can play football. I always feel like I can be on the field helping somewhere. I don't decide whether I'm out there."

Last season, Kerley signed a new four-year, $15.4 million contract with the Jets that included $4.8 million in guaranteed pay. But that was when the Jets had a different coaching staff and front office.

Kerley has three more years on his deal after 2015. If the Jets cut him after this season, he would count $1.8 million toward their 2016 salary cap, compared to $3.1 million if he's on the team.

If Kerley's limited offensive role continues (and he seems to think it will), it is difficult to imagine the Jets retaining him in 2016 with that cap figure. Kerley said he wants to stay with the Jets. He isn't concerned about perhaps barely playing, besides being the punt return man, in the final 15 regular season games.

"Man, I'm not even worried about [the next] 15 games in the season," he said. "I'm just worried about today, tomorrow, and what I can control. Fifteen games from now, I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if I'm going to be here. I don't know where I'm going to be at."

"It's definitely a different feeling. Everything happens at one point in time in somebody's career, where you're facing some type of adversity. So this is just my time. This is my opportunity to run from it or face it head-on. So I'm facing it head-on. I can't control whether I'm here or not. But while I'm here, I'm doing my job. And I'm doing my job how I do it."

Kerley is trying to keep his playing time issues in perspective, too.

"I'm a football player, but I don't consume 100 percent of my life on football," he said. "This is my job, but I have other jobs that are more important than football. So I don't let myself get flustered or caught up in what's going on with not starting. That's not something that I can control. What I can control is what happens to my kids in their future. I try to keep that on my mind while I'm out here."

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie admits he may have hurt Jets by playing through 2013 hip injury (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/antonio_cromartie_admits_he_may_have_hurt_jets_by.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — Antonio Cromartie learned his lesson the hard way.

Cromartie, now in his 10th NFL season, hasn't missed a game in his career. But in 2013, he played through a preseason hip injury—aggravating a chronic problem that dates back to 2008, when he was with the Chargers—and wound up having one of the worst seasons of his career.

In hindsight, Cromartie admitted Wednesday, that was a mistake. Which is why he does not intend to play on his sprained left knee until he's absolutely ready.

"I'm learning my lesson from 2013, when I probably should have sat out a couple weeks, with a hip injury," Cromartie said.

"You try to take a lot of pride and want to go out and start, and continue to play and not miss a game, but me being [able to] continue [my] career, you've got to be a little smart in what you're doing."

The Jets went 8-8 in '13, but cut Cromartie after the season in a salary dump. They re-signed him this offseason after he played fairly well last year with the Cardinals, whose defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles, is now the Jets' head coach.

Daily Clips Cont.

19 | P a g e

"I think at the end of the day you end up hurting the team rather than going out and trying to help the team," Cromartie said of his Ironman efforts two years ago. (He still ended up with a Pro Bowl bid after the '13 season, which ought to tell you all you need to know about the Pro Bowl.)

When Cromartie injured his knee Sunday against the Browns, it looked like it could have been a torn ACL; Cromartie even acknowledged he initially thought it was torn. He described what happened as "a freak accident"—his lg just gave way as he planted to make a cut—and said he "felt something pop." Cromartie also said the feeling was similar when he tore the same knee back in 2005, when he was still at Florida State.

It wasn't until he got the negative MRI results on Monday that Cromartie felt any relief.

"Coming in the next day, it was still sore, so not knowing what to expect until you got the MRI," he said. "You just look at it, like, all right, well, that's a blessing. Got God watching over me, and just go from there."

The Jets plan to use some combination of Marcus Williams and Buster Skrine if Cromartie can't play Monday night at the Colts. Cromartie said the knee is "still a little sore," but that he hasn't had a chance to run or cut.

Cromartie was at practice Wednesday, but after stretching, he spent the portion that was open to the media in the rehab area. He did not have his helmet with him.

It's still possible Cromartie could play Monday night, but he certainly made it sound like that would be unlikely.

"When you guys see me at practice, then you know that something's going well," he said. "If I don't feel like I'm 100 percent or full speed, it won't make sense. We've got a long season. We've got guys that can come in and play."

Back_to_Top

Andrew Luck of Indianapolis Colts 'easily one of the best in the league,' Jets' Todd Bowles says (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/todd_bowles_andrew_luck_of_indianapolis_colts_easi.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — Todd Bowles isn't exactly breaking new ground here, but the challenge he expects for the Jets from Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on Monday night pretty much runs the gamut.

"He does everything," Bowles, the Jets' head coach, said Wednesday. "He's one of those quarterbacks who's big, he's got size, he can run. He can beat you with his brain, he can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his feet. He's just a hell of a quarterback. He's probably one of the best in the league—he's easily one of the best in the league. We've got our work cut out for us."

Luck is one of the NFL's best young quarterbacks. Bowles has faced him once before, in Week 12 of 2013, when Bowles was the Cardinals' defensive coordinator and Luck was in his second NFL season.

The Cardinals stomped the Colts that day, 40-11. Luck was 20-for-39 for 163 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Luck's Total QBR that day? 21.9. (In short, the Cardinals' basically owned Luck that day: For comparison, Michael Vick's Total QBR as the Jets' quarterback last season was 22.2.)

Daily Clips Cont.

20 | P a g e

Per Pro Football Focus, the Cardinals blitzed Luck on just 14 of his 42 dropbacks in that game, though they managed to pressure him 14 times.

"That was two years ago," Bowles added, which was his way of saying, That game is irrelevant at this point, for too many reasons to articulate.

Is Luck any better now?

"I'm sure he is," Bowles said. "He was young then. He was great then, he's great now. Those guys, you just hope to slow him down. You can never stop him."

Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie said Luck "is in my top five" among NFL quarterbacks. Cromartie, who isn't sure whether he'll play Monday night because of a sprained knee, said Luck's accuracy is what makes him so good.

"If you just look at the film from last year coming into this year, there's plenty of balls that the receiver is tightly covered, but he still got a chance to put a poinpoint pass into it," Cromartie said.

On how Luck can "beat you with his brain," Bowles said: "He's very smart. He can scan the field, he can see coverages, he sees disguises, he sees blitz packages, he sees fronts—he can see everything. He checks them into the right play and gets it going."

The Bills and former Jets head coach Rex Ryan on Sunday blitzed Luck on 25 of 53 dropbacks, per PFF. Luck threw a pair of interceptions, but the Colts also made plenty of other mistakes. The Bills won, 27-14.

Bowles, however, wouldn't get too much into how that happened.

"I don't know," he said. "Buffalo played well, and he made some mistakes."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Darrelle Revis raves about Marcus Williams, Antonio Cromartie's potential replacement (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/darrelle_revis_antonio_cromartie_marcus_williams.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — If Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has to play opposite Marcus Williams on Monday night in Indianapolis, that would be just fine with Revis.

Yes, Revis would love for his pal Antonio Cromartie to be ready for this week's game against the Colts. But Cromartie sprained his knee in Sunday's season-opening win against the Browns, and it's unclear if he will play on Monday.

If Cromartie can't go, and the Jets opt to use Williams (a second-year undrafted player) as their other outside corner, Revis thinks Williams won't be overwhelmed.

"He has a lot of confidence," Revis told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. "A lot of confidence, especially for a young guy who is in his second year. That's why he's here. He's very valuable. Cro went down, and somebody's got to come in and step up and play. Marcus' number was called, and he ended up making a great play."

Revis is referring to Williams' interception — a very cerebral play — against the Browns. (Of course, the Colts' quarterback, Andrew Luck, is a lot better than the guy who threw that pick for the Browns, Johnny Manziel.)

Daily Clips Cont.

21 | P a g e

Since backups like Williams and Darrin Walls had to start last year, when the Jets experienced cornerback attrition, Cromartie said the current secondary feels like "we have a whole group of starters. We feel like we can all pick each other up."

Slot corner Buster Skrine is essentially a starter now, because the Jets use so much nickel defense. He started the past two seasons for the Browns.

On Wednesday, Jets coach Todd Bowles continued to speak highly of Williams. Bowles said he agreed with Revis' point about Williams' high confidence.

"He's good under pressure," Bowles said. "He's fundamentally sound. We have complete confidence in him. He fits right in. You don't look at him as a second-year guy. You look at him as a vet. He does everything the right way. He gives you the utmost confidence to have in him, so it makes you feel comfortable."

After Sunday's game, Bowles said Williams "is not scared of anyone out there," and that he plays "like he's a six- or seven-year player," rather than a guy who started eight games for the Jets last year after going undrafted out of North Dakota State, being cut by the Texans, and landing on the Jets' practice squad. Bowles called Williams "one of my favorite players."

(Bowles, by the way, does not dole out lofty praise like this all the time.)

Against the Colts, the Jets also could put Skrine at Cromartie's outside corner spot in their base defense. That's what they did Sunday after Cromartie got hurt. In nickel situations, the Jets put Skrine at his regular slot corner spot, and played Williams outside at Cromartie's position.

Skrine and Williams know both corner spots — slot and outside — so Revis and Bowles aren't concerned about where Skrine and Williams play against the Colts.

"If guys have got to move around for a certain game plan, depending on what team we're playing, then guys are interchangeable and they can move around," Revis said. "They both have experience playing both inside and outside. We feel very confident with the guys we've got — and it's working for us."

Said Bowles: "They've both done enough in preseason and OTAs, where they're interchangeable that way. So that won't be a problem."

Back_to_Top

Jets release defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson with injury settlement (Dom Costentino) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_release_defensive_lineman_kevin_vickerson_wit.html#incart_river_mobileshort

The Jets on Wednesday announced they released defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson, an 11th-year veteran.

At the end of the preseason, the Jets placed Vickerson on season-long injured reserve with a hamstring injury that he had battled throughout training camp.

The Jets initially signed Vickerson in free agency this past offseason. They gave him a one-year, $950,000 contract that included a $60,000 signing bonus — the only guaranteed money in the deal.

As part of Vickerson's release from the IR list, the Jets gave him an injury settlement of $438,000, according to a league source.

Daily Clips Cont.

22 | P a g e

So Vickerson received that money, plus his signing bonus, plus his $2,535 workout bonus (as mandated by the collective bargaining agreement). That adds up to $500,535 in cash the Jets gave Vickerson.

But for salary cap purposes, Vickerson's cap charge for the Jets in 2015 will be $410,535, according to the league source.

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie (knee), Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) sidelined at Jets practice (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/antonio_cromartie_knee_lorenzo_mauldin_concussion.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — Jets starting cornerback Antonio Cromartie was sidelined Wednesday during the portion of practice that was open to reporters.

Cromartie wore a hat, rather than his helmet, while participating in stretching. During position drills that followed stretching, Cromartie stood on the sideline and observed. He didn't do any work in the rehab area during the open portion of practice. It appears he won't get any actual practice action Wednesday.

Cromartie is week-to-week after spraining his left knee in Sunday's season-opening win over the Browns. The injury looked more serious than it turned out to be. It's not clear if Cromartie will be able to play in Monday night's game at the Colts. Wednesday was the Jets' first practice this week.

Cromartie, a 10th-year pro, has never missed a game in his career due to an injury.

Also absent at Wednesday's practice — and not even on the practice field — was rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion). He got hurt Sunday, in a scary moment. But he ended up not having a neck injury. Still, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to return from his concussion in time for Monday's game.

It came as no surprise that Mauldin wasn't even at Wednesday's practice. As of Monday, coach Todd Bowles said Mauldin had to wear sunglasses, due to extra light sensitivity — a common result of a concussion. Bowles said Monday that he doesn't think Mauldin will play Monday, as he goes through the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. Mauldin is a second-stringer.

Here's a look at how the Jets might replace Cromartie against the Colts, and here's a look at the potential plan to replace Mauldin. The Jets on Tuesday also worked out free agent pass rusher Quanterus Smith.

Back_to_Top

Terrelle Pryor to work out for Jets as receiver, sources confirm (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 16, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/terrelle_pryor_to_work_out_for_jets_as_receiver_so.html#incart_river_mobileshort

Terrelle Pryor, the former Raiders quarterback who's trying to stick in the NFL as a wide receiver, has a workout scheduled with the Jets for next week, two individuals with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

Those individuals spoke to NJ Advance Media on condition of anonymity.

The Jets are doing their due diligence, but they also seem to be looking for another speedy receiver to complement Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who are being used in the slot at times in offensive

Daily Clips Cont.

23 | P a g e

coordinator Chan Gailey's spread scheme, which frequently deployed alignments with more than two receivers in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Pryor is also reportedly slated to work out for the Seahawks next week. He had been in camp with the Seahawks last summer, but as a quarterback:

That Pryor would work out for the Jets was first reported by ESPN's Dianna Marie Russini.

The Jets drafted a speedster in Devin Smith in the second round, but Smith was inactive for the Browns game as he works his way back from the broken ribs and punctured lung he suffered toward the end of training camp.

Smith's status for Monday night's game at the Colts is still uncertain. Head coach Todd Bowles said this week he wanted to see if Smith could take a hit during practice before determining whether Smith could play.

Pryor has bounced around the NFL since making 10 starts at quarterback for the Raiders in 2012 and '13. He was traded to the Seahawks last summer, only to get cut at the end of training camp. This offseason, he latched on with the Chiefs, Bengals, and Browns, but didn't stick with any of them. The Browns waived him just last week.

Pryor and his agent made the decision to switch to wide receiver in June, just after the Bengals cut him.

Pryor had worked out for the Patriots this week, according to numerous reports.

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets' Antonio Cromartie will learn from his past knee issues (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 16, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-cromartie-learn-knee-issues-article-1.2363700

Antonio Cromartie wants to learn from his past — and that might mean returning slower from his knee injury.

Cromartie, who appeared lucky to only suffer a knee sprain against the Browns in Week 1, didn’t sound all that confident he would be on the field against the Colts Monday night.

Daily Clips Cont.

24 | P a g e

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” the cornerback said. “I have to see if I’ll get a chance to practice. If I don’t feel like I’m at 100% or full speed, it won’t make sense for me to. We’ve got a long season, we’ve got guys that can come in and come play.”

Cromartie was in the rehab area during the media portion of Wednesday’s practice. If he did miss the game, it would be the first time in Cromartie’s pro career that he didn’t play due to injury.

“You take a lot of pride in it but at the end of the day you’ve got to be smart too,” he said. “I learned my lesson in 2013, when I probably should have sat out a couple weeks with a hip injury.”

When Cromartie was carted off the field after a noncontact injury in Sunday’s victory over the Browns, many people — including Cromartie — figured he could be lost for the year.

“At that point in time, it felt the same as when I tore my ACL,” he said.

NOT RECEIVING A LOOK

Jeremy Kerley’s perplexing lack of involvement — he played just one offensive snap against the Browns — was not all that surprising to him.

“If you would have asked me during camp was I shocked? Yeah, I was very shocked,” the wide receiver said. “But now, I’m not shocked. ... I knew I wasn’t a big part of the game plan.”

Kerley, the team’s leading receiver in 2012 and 2013, appears to have been bumped down the depth chart below Chris Owusu and Quincy Enunwa, though he said no one has explained his role to him.

He signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension last year. Asked if he regretted signing that deal, Kerley said, “Of course not.”

Back_to_Top

Chris Ivory brings toughness to Jets offense (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 16, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-chris-ivory-boasts-body-work-article-1.2363651

The consequences of sidestepping Chris Ivory are predictable: An earful from ticked-off coaches.

The short-term benefits are too: No broken bones and a clear head.

It’s an easy choice if you value your health.

The punishing Jets running back inflicts the kind of pain that’ll make you think twice the next time he rumbles in your direction.

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s brain, Brandon Marshall’s wingspan and Eric Decker’s instincts are pivotal, but Ivory's reckless abandon might be the most valuable intangible for a Jets offense riding high after a season-opening win.

Ivory brings a nastiness that leaves little doubt that he’s not afraid to sacrifice his 6-0, 222-pound body to accomplish the prime directive.

“Guys come in and they really don’t want to tackle him,” running backs coach Marcel Shipp said. “That plays right into his hands.”

He instills fear in grown men without saying a word. He runs angry. He runs with a purpose. He runs through other humans.

Daily Clips Cont.

25 | P a g e

“That’s the type of back that we want,” offensive lineman Breno Giacomini said.

Ivory ran for 64 of his 91 yards against the Browns on Sunday after first contact, according to analytics site ProFootballFocus.com. Pittsburgh’s DeAngelo Williams and San Francisco’s Carlos Hyde were the only two running backs with at least 20 carries who had a higher yards-per-carry average after contact than Ivory’s 3.2.

Ivory was the tone setter in the opener for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who used the run to set up difference-making plays through the air. It was an old-school philosophy at its finest.

Ivory, whose tantalizing talent prompted then-general manager John Idzik to make the smartest move of his otherwise forgettable tenure, a draft-day trade with the Saints two years ago, finally is the undisputed lead man in the Jets backfield. He was part of two backfields-by-committee before Gailey took over.

Bilal Powell played nearly half of the snaps against the Browns in a complementary role (with about a third coming after the Jets had built a three-touchdown lead), but Ivory is expected to be the engine for the ground game.

“The only thing that surprised me about Ivory was how quick his feet were,” coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s got excellent feet. ... You don’t have to be a blazer as a runner, but if you got good feet and good vision, then you can be a good back.”

Ivory’s bruising style paid dividends on Sunday. After gaining 32 yards on eight carries in the first half, he averaged nearly a full yard more after intermission (12 carries, 59 yards). His effect on Cleveland defenders was evident in the film room the day after the game.

“You got to give him the ball,” Shipp said. “He has to get the ball. He’s a workhorse. He runs hard. He breaks defenses down. Come fourth quarter — as it showed (Sunday) — those guys were starting to break down. The physical part of his game that he brings every Sunday is just going to wear guys down.”

In a world of machismo, Ivory makes plenty of defenders scared, even if they’ll never admit it. His goal of a first 1,000-yard season might be too conservative given the increased opportunities that he’ll get with Gailey calling plays.

“It could be higher, but right now I’m just trying to get more than what I had before,” Ivory told the Daily News. “What matters most is just winning and being able to contribute.”

Ivory’s patience has helped him keep his sanity. He was used sparingly in three seasons with the Saints before the trade sent him to a place that he figured he’d be featured. The health issues that trailed him from New Orleans never materialized with the Jets — he missed one game in his first two seasons — but he was never a workhorse in Marty Mornhinweg’s offense.

He also didn’t have a fair chance to prove that he’s not a one dimensional player. Believe it or not, Ivory can actually catch a football, too. He had only 23 career receptions in his first five seasons and became marginalized in the passing game last year after a drop or two.

H e should be used in varied ways under Gailey. Ivory had one reception in the opener, but had a touchdown catch wiped away due to a penalty. (He scored the first of his two touchdowns on the ground on the next play.)

The offensive blueprint begins with Ivory, but don’t expect him to do backflips.

“There’s nothing to really enjoy,” Ivory said. “I just go in and take care of my business when I’m supposed to.”

Daily Clips Cont.

26 | P a g e

He plays with a mean streak that makes for a predictable outcome after four quarters. Win or lose, somebody else is going to be in pain.

Back_to_Top

Terrelle Pryor will work out for the Jets next week as a wide receiver (Seth Walder and Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 16, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/terrelle-pryor-work-wide-receiver-jets-article-1.2362738

Terrelle Pryor was cut by the Browns before they played the Jets, but now the quarterback-turned-receiver will have a chance to show Gang Green what he can do anyway. Pryor will work out for the Jets next week as a receiver, according to a source.

Pryor reportedly worked out for the Patriots on Monday.

The former Raiders quarterback hasn't played in a regular season NFL game since 2013, when he started 13 games at QB for Oakland. He was claimed off waivers by the Browns in June with the intention of using him at wide receiver. He battled a hamstring injury during the preseason but was able to play in the team's fourth preseason game. He did not catch a pass in that game, though he did have two rushes for nine yards.

Pryor initially made the Browns' 53-man roster but was cut when the team claimed Robert Turbin off waivers.

Back_to_Top

METRO NEW YORK

Jets actually run the ball more with Chan Gailey at the helm (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 16, 2015

http://www.metro.us/sports/jets-actually-run-the-ball-more-with-chan-gailey-at-the-helm/zsJoip---WlcvfAeYk1iE2/

Rumors of the demise of the New York Jets ground game have been greatly exaggerated.

This past offseason, the Jets made Chan Gailey the team's fourth offensive coordinator over the past five years. With his hiring came a spread offense that emphasizes stretching the field horizontally with quick reads, all to open up things down the field. The 'Ground & Pound' was declared dead, the offensive emphasis of running the ball that had prevailed for much of the last six seasons under now deposed head coach Rex Ryan.

The air game was set to rule, running the ball was archaic and the Jets talented backfield that included the immensely effective Chris Ivory was going to be neutered. Might as well simply cut them all and save the cap space.

Or not.

On Sunday in a 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Jets ran the ball 36 times for 154 yards. Last year, the team was the third-best rushing offense in the league and yet they averaged just under 32 carries per game. Granted, Week 1 is a small sample size but what it does show is that pass-happy Gailey is fully willing to feed the hot hand and run the ball down an opponent's throat if need be.

Daily Clips Cont.

27 | P a g e

"It was a good mix, we started off trying to pound it. They had a lot of people in the box but once we got to throwing it, that helped it a lot. They had to worry about pass then and not just the run," Ivory told Metro.

"That was the plan, to come out and run the ball, establish the ground game early. They came in with a loaded box first quarter, second quarter. We had a few good runs here and there but come second half it opened up. "

The irony is that while Gailey is known as a passing offense guru, in 2012 during his last year as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, his team was sixth in rushing offense (ironically, Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets starting quarterback was his starter there as well). 'Ground & Pound' as a philosophy might be dead but running the ball and running it a lot is alive and well.

Given that the Jets have Ivory as well as Bilal Powell in their backfield as well as Stevan Ridley possibly returning from his knee injury sooner rather than later, the Jets have as deep of a backfield as any in the division. Gailey is no fool and his team will run the ball plenty as the season winds on.

"Running the ball isn't going anywhere," tight end Kellen Davis said. "We're going to run the ball because we have some great backs there. [Against the Browns] it took some work early but we got it going and ran a lot because it was effective."

Back_to_Top

Jets fan Louie Gonzalez gets royal treatment by team in magical NFL weekend (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 16, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/jets-fan-louie-gonzalez-gets-royal-treatment-by-team-in-magical-nfl-weekend/zsJoip---fCIyWe0yEZs/

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Check a dream off on Louie Gonzalez's bucket list as the New York Jets fan once pronounced legally dead had a whirlwind weekend, meeting players and celebrities and taking in the Jets' season opener. It was a weekend funded by fellow fans.

The story of Gonzalez is well known to many Jets fans. Born in Brooklyn, he moved to Florida shortly after being diagnosed with hydrocephalus - a rare condition that is life-threatening where fluid gets trapped in the brain. Gonzalez endured multiple surgeries, each time with a grim prognosis. At one point, he was legally declared dead and prior to other surgeries, his family was told that if he survived he would be in a permanent vegetative state and before another surgery, that he would never walk again.

Just a couple years ago, complications arose after he was making significant progress in dealing with hydrocephalus and Gonzalez had several strokes and went into a coma. It was here that his family thought he would never come back but like every previous setback and brush with death, he did.

Now a husband and a father, Gonzalez overcame each obstacle with an unwavering faith in God. He now talks and walks, playing football in the front yard with his sons and he is actively involved in his church's drama ministry.

Despite being a Jets fan for life, Gonzalez never saw his team play at MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010. Fans heard about his story and his personal triumphs over hydrocephalus and started the "Team Louie" movement to raise funds for him.

The result? Seven thousand dollars raised and Gonzalez was able to see the Jets' 31-10 win this past weekend at the Meadowlands. All expenses were paid for solely by the generosity of fans through a

Daily Clips Cont.

28 | P a g e

website that was created and linebacker Demario Davis chipped in for a parking pass and sideline passes for Gonzalez's whole family.

The weekend included everything from his children being able to visit the cockpit and meet the pilot on their flight to New Jersey (their flight attendant turned out to be a Jets fan and now owns a 'Team Louie' bracelet) to a trip to Times Square with his family, and finally the game on Sunday. Upon arrival in New Jersey, Gonzalez was met by Jason Koeppel, who helped create the "Team Louie" website. On Friday they went to the stadium and then the team's practice facility.

It was there that they met general manager Mike Maccagnan, who gave Gonzalez a hug upon arrival as well as team president Neil Glat, who was instrumental in arranging for the tour of the facility as well as a special surprise.

Not only did he make it into the locker room and the team's meeting area, he also received from Glat an official game coin.

"Mr. Glat game me the Jets coin for the coin toss," Gonzalez told Metro. "Only two were made: One for the game and a second one for 'Team Louie'."

Saturday he had a "Team Louie" kickoff event at Redd's Restaurant & Bar in Carlstadt. Showing up was Ed Anzalone, also known as Fireman Ed, someone Gonzalez said "has inspired me since I was a kid."

Anzalone brought with him a fireman's helmet made specially for "Team Louie" and had Gonzalez lead the "J-E-T-S" chant. Many of the fans in attendance that evening had contributed to the cause to bring Gonzalez up for the weekend.

On the sidelines on Sunday before the Jets beat the Browns, Gonzalez met actor Ray Romano as well as former Jets linebacker Shaun Ellis and fullback Tony Richardson.

"Meeting Tony was great ," Gonzalez said. "He is such a great guy and I had a long conversation with him. Since giving him my 'Team Louie' bracelet months ago he has never taken it off."

Gonzalez also ran into Maccagnan on the sidelines and got another hug. The Jets general manager was wearing his 'Team Louie' bracelet at the game.

Back_to_Top

Jets cut Aboushi, next stop surely Buffalo (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 16, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/jets-cut-aboushi-next-stop-surely-buffalo/zsJoip---T82w9L5MrPFk/

Next stop, Buffalo.

Oday Aboushi is no longer a New York Jet, the third-year guard cut by the team one-day after he came off the league's suspended list. The fifth round pick, taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, was suspended by the NFL for one week following a motor vehicle arrest where marijuana was found on his possession.

The decision to cut ties with Aboushi, who had 10 starts last year when Brian Winters went down with a season-ending injury, comes as little surprise since he had fallen down the team's depth chart during training camp. The Brooklyn native made strides last year, especially in re-shaping his body after a rookie season where he didn't see the field. He was known for being strong in the ground game as well as being a notoriously good trash talker in practice.

The Jets did not make a corresponding roster move as Aboushi was on the suspended list and did not count against the 53-man roster.

Daily Clips Cont.

29 | P a g e

It would not be surprising to see Aboushi end up with the Buffalo Bills, who have become a halfway house for a number of Jets players. The Bills are coached by Rex Ryan, who was fired from the Jets after a 4-12 season in 2014.

Ryan drafted Aboushi out of Virginia in 2013.

Back_to_Top

WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL American League

CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Recalled RHP Scott Carroll from Charlotte (IL).

Oakland ATHLETICS — Recalled RHP Cody Martin from Nashville (PCL). Selected LHP Barry Zito from Nashville. Placed RHP Jesse Chavez on the 60-day DL.

Can-Am League

QUEBEC CAPITALES — Exercised the 2016 contracts option on LHP McKenzie Acker, RHP Shaun Ellis, RHP Jon Fitzsimmons, RHP Karl Gelinas, LHP Mark Hardy, RHP Deryl Hooker, LHP Jay Johnson, RHP Ryan Leach, LHP Sheldon McDonald, RHP Luis Pardo, LHP Derrick Penilla, C Jean-Luc Blaquiere, C Justin Marra, C Jose Peley, INF Jonathan Malo, INF Yordan Manduley, INF Cedric Vallieres, INF Tyler Young, OF Alexei Bell, OF Joash Brodin, OF Yunieski Gourriel, OF Kalian Sams and OF Will Walsh.

Atlantic League

LONG ISLAND DUCKS — Activated OF Steve McQuail. Placed RHP Bruce Kern on the inactive list.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association

PHOENIX SUNS — Signed C Henry Sims, Fs Cory Jefferson and Kyle Casey and Gs Deonte Burton and Terrico White.

FOOTBALL National Football League

NFL — Fined Cincinnati CB Adam Jones $35,000 for his personal foul against Oakland WR Amari Cooper during a Sept. 13 game.

CHICAGO BEARS — Signed DE Lavar Edwards.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Re-signed LB Dekoda Watson. Signed LB Eric Martin to the practice squad. Released LB Alex Singleton and DL Jimmy Staten from the practice squad.

NEW YORK JETS — Released DL Kevin Vickerson from injured reserve.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Traded WR Brice Butler to Dallas for a conditional 2016 draft pick. Signed WR DeAndre Carter to the practice squad. Released LB Josh Shirley from the practice squad.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed LB Orie Lemon. Signed CB Isaiah Frey, DT Derrick Lott and LB Julian Stanford to the practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Signed LB Houston Bates to the practice squad.

Canadian Football League

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS — Released WR Jhomo Gordon from the practice roster.

HOCKEY National Hockey League

Daily Clips Cont.

30 | P a g e

NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Assigned F Justin Kirkland to Kelowna (WHL), F Anthony Richard to Val-d'Or (QMJHL), D Alex Carrier to Gatineau (QMJHL) and D Aaron Irving to Edmonton (WHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Agreed to terms with F Jiri Tlusty on a one-year contract. Signed F Tyler Kennedy and F Lee Stempniak to PTO contracts.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Re-signed C Brock Nelson to a three-contract.

American Hockey League

HARTFORD WOLF PACK — Signed F Jack Combs.

ECHL

ATLANTA GLADIATORS — Agreed to terms with F Garry Nunn.

SOCCER Major League Soccer

MLS — Fined San Jose MFs Leandro Barrera and Tommy Thompson undisclosed amounts for violating the League's policy regarding Entering the Field of Play/Leaving Bench & Technical Area during the Sept. 12 match against Seattle. Fined FC Dallas MF Michael Barrios an undisclosed amount for simulation during a Sept. 12 match against New York City FC. Fined Orlando City D David Mateos an undisclosed amount for simulation during a Sept. 13 match against Sporting Kansas City.

COLLEGE

MEMPHIS — Named Francis Sargeant men's volunteer assistant tennis coach.

PRAIRIE VIEW — Named Duane Williams tennis coach.

RUTGERS — Suspended football coach Kyle Flood three games and fined him $50,000 after he inappropriately contacted a faculty member over a player's status.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S — Announced football coach Michael Morand was placed on administrative leave for two weeks.

TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI — Named Jacob Bell assistant director of media relations.

Back_to_Top