NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

October 10, 2013

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Table of Contents

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

Geno Smith unflappable so far as Jets' starting QB (Dennis Waszak) ....................................................................... 2

Jets place LB Barnes on injured reserve (Dennis Waszak)......................................................................................... 3

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

Rex Ryan confident Mark Sanchez will play again (Anthony Rieber) ........................................................................ 4

Jets lose pass rusher Antwan Barnes for the season with right knee injury (Anthony Rieber) ................................. 5

Bill Cowher calls Rex Ryan's coaching this season 'awesome' (Neil Best) ................................................................. 6

Geno Smith named AFC's Offensive Player of the Week (Kimberley Martin) ........................................................... 7

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Jets look ahead to Steelers (J.P. Pelzman) ................................................................................................................. 8

Jets' Geno Smith takes honor in stride (J.P. Pelzman) ............................................................................................... 9

STAR-LEDGER ....................................................................................................................................................... 10

Despite Steelers being 0-4, their defense still poses challenges for Geno Smith (Darryl Slater) ............................ 10

Jets linebacker Calvin Pace 'sad' to see quarterback Mark Sanchez's season end with surgery (Darryl Slater) ..... 11

Jets teammates admire Geno Smith's poker face as rookie quarterback (Darryl Slater) ........................................ 12

Antwan Barnes, Jets' linebacker, lost for season with knee injury (Michael J. Fensom) ........................................ 13

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 14

Jets pass rusher Barnes done for season (Brian Costello) ....................................................................................... 14

Jets’ handling of Mark Sanchez was shameful (Brian Costello) ............................................................................... 15

Geno Smith no different after Falcons upset (Brian Costello) ................................................................................ 16

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 18

NY Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg key reason for Geno Smith's development (Manish Mehta) .. 18

Rex Ryan insists Mark Sanchez's career is not over (Seth Walder) ......................................................................... 19

Jets lose Antwan Barnes for season with knee injury (Seth Walder) ...................................................................... 20

NY Jets rookie QB Geno Smith named AFC offensive player of the week (Seth Walder) ....................................... 21

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 21

Jets put Antwan Barnes on IR (Rich Cimini)............................................................................................................. 21

Willie Colon: Jets no longer 'circus' (Rich Cimini) .................................................................................................... 22

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 23

Jets Lose Barnes for Season; Sapp Re-Signs (Stu Woo) ........................................................................................... 23

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 24

Mark Sanchez’s future with Jets in doubt following surgery (Kristian Dyer) .......................................................... 24

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Source: Linebacker Ricky Sapp re-signs with Jets (Kristian Dyer) ............................................................................ 26

WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................................... 26

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geno Smith unflappable so far as Jets' starting QB (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press October 9, 2013

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/geno-smith-unflappable-far-jets-221743780--nfl.html

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Geno Smith was never like most kids. On the football field or celebrating holidays.

Even-keeled. Unflappable. Cool, calm and collected. That's how the New York Jets rookie quarterback has approached pretty much everything his entire life - whether it has been touchdowns or presents.

''I mean, that's just how I am,'' Smith said Wednesday. ''My Mom thought it was weird. I never really got big on Christmas when I was a kid. That's just how I was all the time.''

So, when he took the field with the Jets trailing the Falcons by a point in Atlanta on Monday night with less than 2 minutes left, his stomach wasn't churning. His palms weren't sweaty, either.

Smith, in fact, can't remember the last time he felt nervous on a football field. Not in the pros, college, high school or even on the sandlot.

''I mean,'' Smith said with a smile, ''it's a football game.''

But isn't there anything that gets him excited, a little fired up?

''Life,'' he said, still grinning. ''I'm big on life. Waking up every morning excites me.''

The second-round pick out of West Virginia has been up and down during his first five NFL starts, but his performance Monday night was the stuff franchise quarterbacks are made of.

And, with Mark Sanchez out for the season after opting for shoulder surgery, Smith is the Jets' clear starter - and, maybe for good. Even if neither he nor coach Rex Ryan acknowledge that that's the case.

''I'm the starting quarterback on a day-to-day basis,'' Smith said. ''My job goes one day at a time. It's still early in my career and I'm just trying to improve every single day.''

Against the Falcons, Smith was 16 of 20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns - and no turnovers. It was a performance that earned him AFC offensive player of the week honors, and people are starting to take notice.

In front of a national television audience, Smith coolly drove the Jets downfield and put them in position for Nick Folk's winning field goal as time expired.

That came just moments after Matt Ryan, nicknamed ''Matty Ice'' for his knack for fourth-quarter comebacks, put the Falcons in front.

''It's not too big for him,'' said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who'll face Smith and the Jets on Sunday. ''I was able to follow him quite a bit prior to the draft with the close proximity to Morgantown and so forth. I was down there on his pro day. He struck me as a guy who was very even-keeled emotionally, somewhat of a flat-liner.

''I think it lends itself to that position because of the roller-coaster ride that people can have, teams can have. I just think his personality is geared toward delivering in those moments.''

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Just like earlier this week, when Smith became only the second rookie quarterback to win on the road on ''Monday Night Football'', and he leads the league with three go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter of games this season.

''I can't do anything but just praise him,'' Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson said. ''I'm over here at a loss for words talking about the guy, but he's doing a great job.''

The numbers aren't jaw-dropping, but they are improving, especially after a four-turnover performance in a 38-13 loss at Tennessee two weeks ago. He has seven touchdown passes and eight interceptions, with a so-so 80.3 quarterback rating.

But it's the moments such as those late against the Falcons and Buccaneers, and his winning drive against Buffalo last month that have many believing that Smith can become a game-changing field leader.

And those mistake-filled performances against New England and Tennessee, the Jets hope will be looked back on someday as mere bumps in the road.

''If he learned anything, it's that he has to stay right here and he can't get caught up in the roller-coaster of emotions,'' left guard Willie Colon said. ''I think he has done a great job of that, and all he has to do is his job.

''He doesn't have to be Superman.''

Preparation is the key, Smith said, to feeling confident whenever he takes the field and never worrying about whether he can get the job done.

And that's whether it's the first snap or the game's on the line. No nerves. No wild excitement.

Just like Christmas morning.

''I've played football my entire life,'' Smith said. ''The one thing I've learned is never let the game change who you are, good or bad. So, I'm never going to change. I'm never going to get beside myself.

''I love the grind of it. I love every single day of practice, so that's what I'm here for and that's what I love about it.''

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Jets place LB Barnes on injured reserve (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press October 9, 2013

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jets-place-lb-barnes-injured-173421846--nfl.html

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Jets placed outside linebacker Antwan Barnes on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday because of a knee injury.

Barnes, one of the team's top pass rushers, was hurt in the fourth quarter of New York's 30-28 victory at Atlanta on Monday night. He was trying to get to quarterback Matt Ryan when his right knee went out on him, and he went down on the turf.

''That's a tough loss,'' coach Rex Ryan said. ''Talk about an underrated player. It wasn't just the production that he had, but the production he caused. ... We're certainly going to miss him.''

Barnes, signed in the offseason after spending the last three years with San Diego, had two sacks this season.

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''Hope he has a speedy recovery and he's a Jet next year,'' Ryan said.

Barnes said on his Twitter page that his spirits are still high, and thanked everyone for their support before adding: ''I will be back.''

The Jets re-signed linebacker Ricky Sapp to help offset the loss of Barnes. New York also signed defensive tackle T.J. Barnes to the practice squad, and released defensive tackle Junior Aumavae from the practice squad.

Antwan Barnes was the second Jets player to go on IR in two days, after the Jets announced that quarterback Mark Sanchez had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday.

Sanchez was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jets' third preseason game against the Giants, playing with mostly backups in the game. Ryan took a lot of criticism for putting Sanchez in the game in the situation.

''We're thinking that he has a good opportunity to have a full recovery from this,'' Ryan said, ''and certainly he'll have the support of this entire organization from anything rehab-wise or anything else. He'll have this organization's complete support that way to getting him back until he's 100 percent.''

Ryan wouldn't commit to Sanchez being a member of the team beyond this season, despite him having three more years left on his contract. Sanchez could be an offseason salary dump, especially since he would have a $13.1 million salary cap number for 2014.

''I don't want to get into that,'' Ryan said, before later adding: ''Whether he's here or whatever, our thing is doing what's best for Mark, which would be to get him healthy.''

NOTES: Several players didn't practice Wednesday: LB Quinton Coples (ankle), WR Clyde Gates (knee), DT Kenrick Ellis (non-medical), RB Mike Goodson (illness), WR Santonio Holmes (foot/hamstring), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee), CB Dee Milliner (hamstring) and TE Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee). T Oday Aboushi was limited, but returned to practice after dislocating his right knee a few weeks ago. RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) and CB Darrin Walls (shoulder) were also limited. ... Ryan insisted the team has moved on from its 30-28 win at Atlanta on Monday night, so there will be no excuses this Sunday against Pittsburgh. ''There will be no letdown,'' Ryan said. ''If the Pittsburgh Steelers beat us, it's because they beat us. There's no other factor because our focus is strictly on them.''

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NEWSDAY

Rex Ryan confident Mark Sanchez will play again (Anthony Rieber) Newsday October 9, 2013

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-confident-mark-sanchez-will-play-again-1.6230107

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rex Ryan on Wednesday expressed confidence that Mark Sanchez will one day resume his football career.

He expressed no such confidence it will be with the Jets.

Sanchez, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday, is still under contract with the Jets for three more years. But it would be the upset of the century if the former No. 5 overall pick is not a former Jet before a $2 million roster bonus is due next March.

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Ryan has been heavily criticized -- though not by Sanchez, at least not publicly -- for his decision to insert him into the fourth quarter of the Jets' third preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 24. Playing behind a less-than-NFL quality offensive line, Sanchez suffered a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder after getting hit by Giants lineman Marvin Austin.

Sanchez, like the Mets' Matt Harvey, tried to rehab the injury with the hopes of avoiding surgery. Both eventually decided to have the procedure.

Harvey, though, will be in a Mets uniform the next time he throws a pitch after elbow surgery costs him the 2014 season. Sanchez's next NFL pass most likely will not come in green and white.

"I don't want to get into that,'' Ryan said when asked if Sanchez's Jets career was over. "Like I said, I think he's going to come back 100 percent . . . Whether he's here or whatever, our thing is on doing what's best for Mark, which would be to get him healthy.''

Sanchez and Ryan will forever be linked for their first four seasons together. Back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances in the first two years were the high moments; the Butt Fumble and the shoulder injury that didn't have to happen were the low moments.

"We're acting like he's dead. Mark Sanchez is not dead,'' Ryan said. "Sanchez is going to be 100 percent healthy. It's not like his career's over. He's going to play again.''

Ryan did admit the team may have made a mistake with Sanchez. Not the decision to put him in the preseason game; Ryan has defended that since the night it happened.

No, Ryan said it was fair to say the Jets may have erred by using their one injured reserve/designated to return spot on Sanchez, because he is clearly not returning this year.

"We thought he could come back,'' Ryan said. "We were hoping that he could come back. Certainly knew that this surgery might be a possibility . . . Unfortunately, our doctors said it's probably best if he has the surgery, so that's what we did. But he was doing everything he could to get back out there.''

Sanchez was not available for comment Wednesday. While he rehabbed, Sanchez became a mentor to rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who Wednesday was named the AFC offensive player of the week for leading the Jets to Monday's 30-28 win in Atlanta.

"Mark's been a great guy to me,'' Smith said. "He's also been a great mentor. When he was out there on the practice field, he was a guy who pushed me every single day and pushed himself as well. When he went down, he kept in high spirits and stayed active and stayed in my corner. That's the sign of a great teammate.''

And, at some point early next year, a great former teammate.

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Jets lose pass rusher Antwan Barnes for the season with right knee injury (Anthony Rieber) Newsday October 9, 2013

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-lose-pass-rusher-antwan-barnes-for-the-season-with-right-knee-injury-1.6229891

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Pass-rushing specialist Antwan Barnes thought he had just tweaked his right knee when he injured it late in Monday night's game at Atlanta.

It turned out Barnes did much more than that. The linebacker learned on Tuesday that he suffered a season-ending injury. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

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The Jets will miss him "tremendously, man," according to linebacker Calvin Pace.

"He was playing well," Pace said. "It happened on a fluke play. It's like any other injury. Somebody else is going to have to step up. Who that guy is, I don't know. But it was sad to hear. When it happened he said it was fine. Come in Tuesday and it was bad news, the worst news you can get. He's in our prayers and hopefully he can come back from it."

The Jets signed Barnes to a three-year, $4-million free-agent deal in the offseason. He had two sacks and led the team with 12 quarterback hits.

"That's a tough loss," coach Rex Ryan said. "Talk about an underrated player . . . We're certainly going to miss him."

Barnes, on his verified Twitter feed, wrote: "Just want to take the time to thank everyone who is supporting me through this time . . . my spirits is still high and I will be back . . . #Jetpride"

The Jets re-signed linebacker Ricky Sapp.

Jet streams

WR Santonio Holmes (hamstring), DB Dee Milliner (hamstring) and S Jaiquawn Jarrett did not practice. RB Mike Goodson sat out with an illness and DT Kenrick Ellis was excused for a noninjury related reason . . . TE Kellen Winslow (knee) also did not practice. Winslow, who reportedly was frustrated with a lack of playing time on Monday night, declined to speak with reporters for the second time in three days.

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Bill Cowher calls Rex Ryan's coaching this season 'awesome' (Neil Best) Newsday October 9, 2013

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/bill-cowher-calls-rex-ryan-s-coaching-this-season-awesome-1.6229942

A week ago, Bill Cowher was being discussed as a potential successor to Rex Ryan. On Wednesday, he found himself being asked about Ryan's suddenly resurgent coaching career.

First, the CBS analyst and former Steelers coach told WFAN that Ryan's work with the Jets so far in 2013 has been "awesome.'' Later, in an interview with Newsday, he said he believes Ryan "has grown as a coach.''

"To me, it takes all kinds, and you have to be yourself,'' Cowher said when I asked about Ryan's image within the coaching fraternity, given a persona a tad less conventional than that of, say, Tom Coughlin. Or Bill Cowher.

"But the one thing I'll say about Rex: The longer you stay in this profession, the more you grow as a professional . . . He loves the game, coaches with a passion, and I respect that. I feel like that's how I used to coach. And at the same time, players love to play for him.''

The trick for Ryan has been walking the fine line between the public brashness that marked his early seasons and pulling back to the point he is not being true to himself.

"As opposed to making predictions about where they're going, he's talking about where they are,'' said Cowher, who will join Jim Nantz and Phil Simms as an analyst for Sunday's Steelers-Jets game.

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Let's stop for a moment and keep it real here. Everyone understood during Ryan's first two seasons that his act would grow stale when the Jets started missing the playoffs, and sure enough, that's what happened.

Then he toned himself down, and that also didn't go over well as the losses piled up. Now, with the Jets officially overachieving, Ryan is smiling again and people like me are writing columns like this celebrating the occasion.

Further helping Ryan's image is that Coughlin and the lordly Giants are 0-5, causing folks to notice that Ryan now is 37-32 in the regular season and Coughlin is 36-33 in the same span. Both have four playoff wins in that time, but Coughlin had the foresight to secure all of his in the same season.

Anyway, the Monday night victory over the Falcons jazzed up everyone in Jets Nation, especially those who work here. But players were careful to balance feeling good about themselves and not getting carried away.

Ryan was on his best behavior with reporters, especially on the delicate, complex subject of Mark Sanchez. He finally showed a flash of the old Rex after someone asked him to sum up Sanchez's legacy now that he is on IR and likely finished as a Jet. "We're acting like he's dead,'' Ryan said, exasperated.

Behind the scenes, Ryan seemingly has been energized by his return to a more hands-on approach to the defense, a unit that has been more reliable than an offense enduring the downs and ups of a rookie quarterback.

Linebacker Calvin Pace, an 11-year veteran, said he has watched Ryan go into teaching mode with young players.

"I think Rex coming back in our room has helped him out,'' Pace said. "That's his roots. He's a defensive guy, so it's been good for everybody. He just comes in and installs a defense like we've never seen it before, and it's helping everybody.''

Along those lines, Cowher said one of the Jets' best moves of the offseason was bringing in Marty Mornhinweg to run the offense, which "allowed Rex to go back to what he does best.''

There is plenty of time for it all to go horribly wrong, but so far, not bad for a guy for whom nothing was expected to go right, and who seven weeks ago was so out of sorts he was holding a news conference standing sideways.

"He looks very relaxed,'' Cowher said. "A little of that swagger is back.''

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Geno Smith named AFC's Offensive Player of the Week (Kimberley Martin) Newsday October 9, 2013

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/nothing-but-jets-1.1279166/geno-smith-named-afc-s-offensive-player-of-the-week-1.6226056

Geno Smith’s performance Monday night paced the Jets to a stunning 30-28 upset over the Atlanta Falcons on the road. But it also earned the Jets quarterback the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award for Week 5.

He now joins RGIII as the only NFL rookie quarterbacks in 20 years to win POW honors in the first five weeks of the season.

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Smith went 16-of-20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns. But, more impressively, he drove the Jets 55 yards downfield in 1:54 to set up Nick Folk’s 43-yard game-winning field goal.

Raiders safety Charles Woodson won the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award and Browns punt returner Travis Benjamin won the AFC’s special teams honors. The NFC POW awards went to 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson and Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby.

***

And for those of you wondering: Yes, Mark Sanchez was once named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week.

In 2010, his second year in the NFL, Sanchez led the Jets to a dramatic 30-27 upset win over the Houston Texans. Sanchez, then a second-year QB, engineered a 72-yard game-winning drive in 45 seconds – capped by a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes. Sanchez finished the game 22-of-38 for 315 yards and the win improved the Jets to 8-2. That year, they advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight season.

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THE RECORD

Jets look ahead to Steelers (J.P. Pelzman) The Record October 10, 2013

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/227179231_Jets_look_ahead_to_Steelers.html

Steelers (0-4) at Jets (3-2)

At MetLife Stadium

Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: CBS; Radio: ESPN-FM 98.7

Early line: Jets by 2

It’s a matchup of teams that have been surprising for different reasons. The Jets must avoid a letdown after their upset at Atlanta and deal with a short week of preparation. Pittsburgh is reeling from its first 0-4 start since 1968, a year before the legendary Chuck Noll took over as head coach. But the Steelers had an extra week to prepare after a 34-27 loss to Minnesota in London on Sept. 29. Former Jet Jerricho Cotchery has 15 receptions for 248 yards and two TDs.

In the spotlight

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson: The third-year pro is having a magnificent season with a team-high four sacks, and his strip sack of Atlanta’s Matt Ryan on Monday led to a field goal. With pass-rushing specialist Antwan Barnes out for the season with a knee injury, the Jets will need contributions from Wilkerson and the rest of the front seven as they try to contain Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, who often makes plays with his arm and his legs when he’s flushed out of the pocket.

Game plan

The Jets are minus-9 in turnover ratio through five games, but QB Geno Smith is coming off the first turnover-free game of his NFL career. They may go to the air early against a Pittsburgh team that has only four sacks in its first four games. Pittsburgh’s ground game is averaging only 3.2 yards per attempt,

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so the Jets’ second-ranked rush defense should handle the Steelers’ RBs and put pressure on Roethlisberger. But the Jets have struggled against the pass, allowing nine TDs while recording only one interception.

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Jets' Geno Smith takes honor in stride (J.P. Pelzman) The Record October 9, 2013

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Jets_Geno_Smith_takes_honor_in_stride.html?page=all

FLORHAM PARK – Hey, Geno Smith, you’ve been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. How do you feel about that?

“I feel about the same,” Smith said. “I don’t feel any different at all. Hopefully you guys [reporters] understand me when I say, no disrespect or anything, I’m definitely happy with the way we played, and for the recognition, but it doesn’t make me feel any type of way.”

In what has been a roller-coaster season for him, the Jets’ rookie quarterback maintained his trademark calm Wednesday, two days after he threw three touchdown passes and led the Jets 55 yards in the final 1:54 to set up the game-winning field goal in the upset of Atlanta. It was his first turnover-free game after 11 giveaways in the first four weeks.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, whose winless team will visit the Jets on Sunday, was at Smith’s Pro Day at West Virginia during the spring. And he noticed Smith’s calm demeanor.

“He struck me as a guy who was very even-keeled emotionally,” Tomlin said, “somewhat of a flatliner. I think it lends itself to that position because of the roller-coaster ride that people can have [and] teams can have. I just think his personality is geared toward delivering in those [crucial] moments.”

“I mean, that’s just how I am,” Smith said, not raising his voice, naturally. “My mom thought it was weird. I never really got [excited] on Christmas when I was a kid. That’s just how I was all the time.”

So what does excite you, Geno?

“Life. I’m big on life,” he said. “Waking up every morning excites me.”

Smith and his teammates could wake up tied for first in the AFC East on Monday if they knock off the Steelers and New England loses to unbeaten New Orleans. But Smith likely wouldn’t find that very exciting, either.

“It’s just who I am,” he said. “Some guys are different, but I’m always going to be the same guy, win, lose or draw.

“I’ve played football my entire life,” he said. “The one thing I’ve learned is never let the game change who you are, good or bad. So, I’m never going to change. … I love the grind of it. I love every single day of practice, so that’s what I’m here for and that’s what I love about it.”

“I think Geno has done a tremendous job this entire season,” backup quarterback Matt Simms said, “of going with the punches and not being too high or too low.”

And that, apparently, is why Smith said he wasn’t nervous when he took the field for the final time Monday night with his team trailing by one. In fact, he doesn’t recall ever being nervous on the field.

“No,” he said. “I mean, it’s a football game.”

But if he keeps playing like this, he’ll continue to excite many others.

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BARNES OUT FOR SEASON: The Jets placed pass-rushing specialist Antwan Barnes on injured reserve, two days after the outside linebacker hurt his right knee in the fourth quarter of the win over the Falcons. Barnes, a free-agent import from San Diego, had two sacks and 12 quarterback hits this season. Linebacker Ricky Sapp was re-signed to take Barnes’ roster spot.

“It’s hard to replace Antwan,” coach Rex Ryan said. “He’s a special guy, a special player. Obviously, he’s a great teammate here and he’ll continue to be that. [I] hope he has a speedy recovery and he’s a Jet next year.”

Ryan didn’t quite say the same about quarterback Mark Sanchez, who had season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday. When asked if Sanchez will be back next season, Ryan said, “I don’t want to get into that. … Again, will he come back? He’s under contract, so you guys [reporters] know more about it than I do.”

Sanchez, who has a cap figure of $13.1 million in 2014, is expected to be released.

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STAR-LEDGER

Despite Steelers being 0-4, their defense still poses challenges for Geno Smith (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger October 9, 2013

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/10/despite_steelers_being_0-4_their_defense_still_poses_challenges_for_geno_smith.html

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-4 for the first time since 1968, as they prepare to play at the Jets on Sunday. But the Jets don’t see a winless team or even a squad that went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs. They see a franchise that won the Super Bowl after the 2008 season and reached it after the 2010 season.

Here’s what Jets right guard Willie Colon sees: “I see a desperate team and I see a team coming off a bye week (and) they’re kind of like, ‘All right, we’ve laid an egg. Let’s start our season again.’ Knowing how those guys think, they’re going to be ready to go.”

While the Jets had to play on Monday night, when they won in Atlanta, the Steelers got extra time to prepare for rookie quarterback Geno Smith. Colon knows how ferocious the Steelers’ defense can be, because he played in Pittsburgh from 2006-12. The Steelers drafted him in the fourth round.

The Steelers are No. 19 in the NFL in yards per game (341.3) and No. 29 with 17.3 points per game, but they still have a defense that ranks No. 10 in the league with 321.8 yards allowed per game, though they are No. 23 with 27.5 points allowed per game.

Dick LeBeau was Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator from 1995-96 and is in his second stint in that role, since 2004.

“About as tough as it gets in this league to prepare for,” Jets coach Rex Ryan, himself a wise defensive mind, said of LeBeau’s multitude of looks. “That’s a huge challenge for us offensively. … We know what the record is, but we’re certainly not buying into that by any stretch of the imagination. It’s a proud organization. We know what we’re going to get.”

Smith said the biggest challenges of preparing for the Steelers’ defense on a short week will be “just seeing all the fronts, all the looks that they can throw at you. Dick LeBeau, everyone knows about that d-coordinator. I knew about him before I even got here. He’s going to have some things. They’re coming

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off a bye week. I know there are going to be some things out there that I haven’t seen before. I’ve just got to be able to handle it. Just being a football fan, everyone knows about (LeBeau). Christmas stories and all that. He’s one of the best d-coordinators out there. Guy is 73 years old and he still gets it done.”

LeBeau, a Hall of Famer who is actually 76, has a tradition of reciting ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to his players every year around the holiday. And he popularized the zone blitz when he was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 1984-91.

Jets linebacker Calvin Pace is also wary of the Steelers, despite their historically dreadful start.

“The record says they’re 0-4, but to me, they don’t look like an 0-4 team,” Pace said. “They’ve just had some bad luck. I don’t think anybody is buying into the 0-4 too much.”

Though quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has as many touchdowns as interceptions (five), Pace knows that the 6-5, 240-pound Roethlisberger, who entered the league in 2004, still has plenty of strengths.

“He can extend plays,” Pace said. “He’s never down until you see him actually see him actually laying on the ground with the ball in his hand. He’s a big guy. It’s like tackling myself. I’m not going to say he’s careless with the ball, but he’s going to do whatever he can to keep the play alive and move around and get the ball to his outside guys, which is challenging for a defense because guys can’t cover forever. We have to do a good job up front of getting him down and try to force him into some mistakes. He’s going to try his hardest to try to make a play instead of taking sacks.”

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Jets linebacker Calvin Pace 'sad' to see quarterback Mark Sanchez's season end with surgery (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger October 9, 2013

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/10/jets_linebacker_calvin_pace_sad_to_see_quarterback_mark_sanchezs_season_end_with_surgery.html

Jets coach Rex Ryan had to answer a lot of questions Wednesday about Mark Sanchez’s future with the team. Once the Jets’ franchise quarterback, Sanchez never got a chance this season to prove he was worthy of continuing to start in the NFL.

In the Jets’ third preseason game, Aug. 24 against the Giants, Ryan followed through on the organization’s plan for the evening, to get a thorough look at Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith, and he inserted Sanchez behind an offensive line of backups. Sanchez got crushed by defensive tackle Marvin Austin and tore the labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder. Sanchez had season-ending surgery Tuesday.

First-year general manager John Idzik, who has said Ryan was carrying out the Jets’ evaluation plan for that game by playing Sanchez in that situation, has refused to second guess the decision or say it was a mistake.

Whether Sanchez would have started in Week 1 against Tampa Bay remains unclear. He certainly looked like the better option when he was injured. And maybe Sanchez would have lost the job to Smith at some point this season. But because of his injury, Sanchez never had a full chance to earn the job in the first place.

Ryan said Wednesday that, in hindsight, he understands why people might also question the Jets’ decision to use their only “injured reserve with designation to return” spot on Sanchez.

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“We were trying to give Mark every opportunity to come back and play,” Ryan said. “That was our thinking. We were hopeful that he could come back. Certainly knew that this surgery might be a possibility.”

Ryan dodged questions about Sanchez’s future with the Jets. He seems unlikely to be on the team next season because of the remaining high value of his contract, which is set to deliver a $13.1 salary cap hit in 2014. Sanchez has three years left on the deal.

“Whether he’s here or whatever, our thing is on doing what’s best for Mark, which would be to get him healthy,” Ryan said. “This is the National Football League, and injuries are the unfortunate part of this game and they do happen. But you feel bad for any player that gets hurt.”

Outside linebacker Calvin Pace joined the Jets in 2008, a year before they drafted Sanchez. Pace said it was “sad” to see Sanchez’s season end with surgery.

“I guess it was going to happen at some point in time,” Pace said. “You’ve got a labrum tear in your throwing shoulder, I guess it’s kind of inevitable. Sad to see, because I’ve been with him since he came. I don’t know what the future holds for him. You never want to see anybody get hurt, especially how he got hurt, in a preseason game.”

But, like all Jets since Sanchez got hurt, Pace would not second guess the decision to play him in that preseason game.

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Jets teammates admire Geno Smith's poker face as rookie quarterback (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger October 9, 2013

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/10/jets_teammates_admire_geno_smiths_poker_face_as_rookie_quarterback.html

Brady Quinn gets to see a lot of Geno Smith’s face.

Every week, the Jets quarterbacks spend hours together on the practice field and in meeting rooms. With Mark Sanchez out for the season after having shoulder surgery, Quinn, a seventh-year pro, is the Jets’ most experienced backup to Smith, a rookie.

Quinn knows what a mercurially emotional quarterback looks like – the dramatic hand gestures, the yanking off of a chin strap after a bad play, the ever-changing facial expressions. Not that these traits, in and of themselves, equate to unsuccessful quarterback play. But excitability has never been a prominent part of Smith’s personality.

“My mom thought it was weird that I never really got big on Christmas when I was a kid,” Smith said.

After Smith experienced a protracted quarterback competition that twisted with Smith’s ankle sprain in the preseason opener and turned on Sanchez’s shoulder injury 15 days later, Smith’s first five games as the Jets’ starter brought nary a dull moment.

The past three weeks alone saw Smith throw the decisive, 69-yard touchdown pass in a win over Buffalo; turn the ball over four times in a loss at Tennessee; and then make his Monday Night Football debut with a three-touchdown, zero-turnover gem that he polished off by leading a drive to the game-winning, buzzer-beating field goal.

Through it all, the Jets’ other quarterbacks see only Smith’s poker face, every day.

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“I think some people might think he’s maybe quiet or upset about something,” Quinn said. “Naturally, he’s just very calm, very straight-faced. He’s done a tremendous job of handling things, not so much as a rookie. I think he’s matured where he’s past that. He wants to be a starter in this league and be recognized as that, not a rookie.”

Outwardly showing emotions has worked for plenty of great quarterbacks, like Brett Favre. But for a rookie who’s had to navigate a dramatic situation – and perhaps that is understating what’s unfolded for the Jets since they drafted Smith – the calmness Smith shows has been “critical,” Quinn said.

Wednesday brought the latest act in this team’s sporting theater. Jets coach Rex Ryan found himself answering and dodging questions about Sanchez’s future with the team. Sanchez probably has none, because he is due to count $13.1 million against the salary cap next season. Ryan said he would love to keep all hard-working players, “but I also understand there’s (a) business side of every decision.”

Of course, Sanchez’s injury stems from the Jets playing Sanchez in the fourth quarter of a preseason game behind backup offensive linemen – one of the most absurd moments in Sanchez’s sometimes-glorious, sometimes-bumbling four seasons with the team.

Ryan and Sanchez are forever connected, as they both joined the Jets in 2009. Ryan has a tattoo on his upper right arm of his wife wearing a No. 6 Sanchez jersey. As Ryan reflected on Sanchez’s four seasons, he said, “Certainly there’s things that jump out. But we’re acting like he’s dead. Mark Sanchez is not dead. It’s not like his career is over.”

Sanchez has helped Smith with things like passing reads, but the two men have not talked about the perspective required to handle the highs and lows of playing quarterback in the NFL – both of which Sanchez knows to extremes.

“I don’t think that conversation is really necessary at this point,” Smith said. “I’ve played football my entire life. One thing I’ve learned is never let the game change who you are, good or bad. So I’m not ever going to change. I’m never going to get beside myself.”

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, an eighth-year pro, said Smith’s poise is “something that we noticed from the beginning.” Outside linebacker Calvin Pace, in his 11th year, said even when Smith is “doing well, it’s kind of like you’re looking at him and expecting some more emotion. But he’s just smooth.”

Quarterbacks can’t force this calmness. Smith’s understudy, rookie Matt Simms, admires the quality in Smith. As the son of former Giants legendary quarterback Phil Simms, and someone who knows what it’s like to play in New York, he sees value in it.

“I kind of have a little bit more Jersey in me,” said Simms, who played at Don Bosco Prep. “Some days I come in a little grumpy and other days I come in happy. People said the same thing about Eli (Manning), that he was so (even-keeled). It seems to be working out pretty well for him – two Super Bowl rings. I think that actually works for this area, too, just because this is a tough market. Sometimes, to be a little bit more balanced probably works out better for everybody.”

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Antwan Barnes, Jets' linebacker, lost for season with knee injury (Michael J. Fensom) Star-Ledger October 9, 2013

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/10/antwan_barnes_jets_linebacker_lost_for_season_with_knee_injury.html

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As the Jets began their first practice this week in preparation to face the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, the team announced that a key member of its improved pass rush will not return this season due to a knee injury.

Antwan Barnes, whose right knee buckled as he cut toward Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan with just over 10 minutes remaining in Monday night's game, has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Ricky Sapp, a pass-rushing linebacker cut last Saturday, has been re-signed to fill Barnes' role.

Rex Ryan called the injury a “tough loss,” pointing to Barnes as an underrated reason for the success of the Jets defense. Barnes, the Jets coach said, hassles offensive linemen with his speed and therefore opens up pass rush opportunities for defensive teammates. Calling the Jets’ defensive signals this season, Ryan deployed Barnes to great effect.

Signed from the San Diego Chargers this offseason, Barnes provided an energetic push from the edge during passing situations. In five games this season, he had two sacks and hit the quarterback 12 times, the most of any Jets player. Barnes participated in 41 percent of the Jets' defensive plays this season, according to ESPN.

“We’re certainly going to miss him,” Ryan lamented.

An MRI Tuesday revealed Barnes’ knee injury was worse than expected the night before and would cancel his season.

“It just happened on a fluke play,” Calvin Pace, the Jets linebacker, said. “It was sad to hear, because when it happened, he said he was fine. And we come in Tuesday and it's bad news, the worst news you can get.”

Sapp’s stall sits next to Barnes’ along the far wall of the Jets locker room. The third-year player said he is excited for another opportunity with the Jets, but disappointed it arrived because of an injury to a player he considered a mentor.

“I really do look up to him,” said Sapp, who has been active for two games this season. “He’s a proven vet. To be able to learn from him like I was learning, and see him go down, it sucks.”

The friends have spoken since the injury, and Barnes offered another bit of advice.

“He told me, ‘You’ve got to step up. Go out there and play,’” Sapp said. “So that’s what he told me do and it’s what I’m going to do.”

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NEW YORK POST

Jets pass rusher Barnes done for season (Brian Costello) New York Post October 9, 2013

http://nypost.com/2013/10/09/jets-pass-rusher-barnes-done-for-season/

The Jets defense was dealt a tough blow Wednesday when outside linebacker Antwan Barnes was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a right knee injury.

Barnes injured his knee in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game against the Falcons while rushing quarterback Matt Ryan. It looked as if the knee just buckled on him as he was being blocked. Initially, the Jets believed it was not a serious injury, but an MRI exam showed damage that required him to end his season.

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Barnes, who signed as a free agent in March, had two sacks and also created several other sacks with his pressure.

“That’s a tough loss,” coach Rex Ryan said. “Antwan, you talk about an underrated player, it wasn’t just the production that he had but it’s the production he caused. A guy that can run a 4.4, has some physical gifts, but I love his mentality, too. We’re certainly going to miss him. It’s hard to replace Antwan. He’s a special guy, special player. … I hope he has a speedy recovery and he’s a Jet next year.”

It will be hard for the Jets to replace Barnes, who was a speedy rusher on the edge. They don’t have anyone on their roster that plays like Barnes. The team re-signed Ricky Sapp after releasing him Saturday and Sapp, Garrett McIntyre and Quinton Coples all could see some time in Barnes’ role as a third-down pass rusher.

***

Tight end Kellen Winslow appears to be staging a media boycott. Winslow refused to speak to reporters after the game Monday and again in the locker room Wednesday. Winslow played just 19 snaps against the Falcons and had one catch, a touchdown. He told ESPN after the game it was not a good idea for him to talk, leading to speculation he is frustrated with his reduced role or his knee injury.

Coincidentally, Winslow now uses the locker that was occupied by Bart Scott, who staged his own media boycott last season.

***

Jets guard Willie Colon on facing Pittsburgh, where he played for seven seasons: “I’m not going into this game snot bubbling and tears running down my face. That’s not going to happen.” … The Jets signed DT Terence Barnes to the practice squad and released DT Junior Aumavae. … Coples (ankle), NT Kenrick Ellis (personal reason), WR Clyde Gates (knee), RB Mike Goodson (illness), WR Santonio Holmes (foot), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee), CB Dee Milliner (hamstring) and Winslow (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

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Jets’ handling of Mark Sanchez was shameful (Brian Costello) New York Post October 9, 2013

http://nypost.com/2013/10/09/jets-handling-of-mark-sanchez-was-shameful/

At one point during his news conference Wednesday after fielding numerous questions about Mark Sanchez and his future with the Jets, coach Rex Ryan stopped to make a joke.

“We’re acting like he’s dead. Mark Sanchez is dead,” Ryan said. “Sanchez is going to be 100 percent healthy, guys. It’s not like his career is over.”

But his career with the Jets is dead after Sanchez underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday, and Ryan and general manager John Idzik have blood on their hands.

The team’s handling of Sanchez and his injury has been shameful. They tried to minimize the injury from the start to keep the heat off Ryan, who inexplicably put Sanchez into the fourth quarter of a preseason game behind an offensive line that featured two rookies and two players who the team would cut days later.

Sanchez deserved better. Despite being irate privately, Sanchez never said a bad word about the organization. Through Tim Tebow, a rotating door of wide receivers and the team throwing him to the wolves in a preseason game, he has been a good company man.

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The Jets continued to spin Wednesday with Ryan pretending there is a chance Sanchez could be back with the Jets in 2014 when there is no shot. Moments after saying he hoped Antwan Barnes would be back next season, he would not say the same about Sanchez.

“I don’t want to get into that,” Ryan said about Sanchez’s future.

When pressed that he had just said he hoped Barnes would be back, Ryan said he wants to keep every player. Really, Rex? You didn’t seem so broken up when the team kicked Tebow to the curb.

The truth is Sanchez’s Jets career has been on life support since December when he committed five turnovers against the Titans. That night sources said owner Woody Johnson made it clear he was through with Sanchez. The team had to bring him back this season because he had a guaranteed $8.25 million coming to him. Johnson told people in January this was Sanchez’s final year with the team and the front office was searching for alternatives to Sanchez from the start of the offseason.

When they drafted Geno Smith, they found one. The focus from May was to get Smith to a point where he could be named the starter over Sanchez. They kept the competition going after Smith injured his ankle, giving the rookie every chance to win the job.

Then Ryan’s decision to put Sanchez in behind an offensive line of Caleb Schlauderaff, Stephen Peterman, Brian Winters, Oday Aboushi and J.B. Shugarts sealed the deal. The second half of preseason games are always tough to watch because quarterbacks get killed by young defensive linemen trying to make a name for themselves. Marvin Austin made one for himself that night with his hit on Sanchez.

The Jets defend the decision by pointing out he had played behind a similar line the week before. It was dumb then, too.

They also point out Ryan said before the game Sanchez would play. But he should have altered the plan when he saw Smith throw three interceptions in the first half. If he was worried about rust, put Sanchez in for a series in the third quarter with the starting offensive line.

In the aftermath, the Jets downplayed the severity of the injury. They called it “day-to-day” and kept the idea alive he could play in the season opener for a week and a half. They didn’t want Ryan to look worse than he already did, so they acted as if Sanchez could be back any day when he won’t throw another pass until next season. Then Johnson actually said Sanchez should have protected himself.

The Jets compounded the problem by then using their only short-term injury reserve designation on Sanchez three weeks before he needed surgery. Now if anyone on the Jets suffers a significant, but not season-ending, injury he will have to be kept on the active roster.

There is also the issue of a backup quarterback. Instead of having Sanchez ready to take over if Smith gets hurt, they have an inexperienced Matt Simms and career underachiever Brady Quinn.

Ryan said Sanchez “will have the support of the entire organization” during his recovery.

Why start now?

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Geno Smith no different after Falcons upset (Brian Costello) New York Post October 9, 2013

http://nypost.com/2013/10/09/geno-smith-no-different-after-falcons-upset/

After torching Atlanta on his first Monday night stage and becoming the first Jet rookie to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Geno Smith was unmoved and unflappable. It’s the same even-

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keeled nature that let him rebound from a wretched Week 4, and keeps him grounded going into Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

“I feel about the same,’’ Smith said Wednesday. “It actually doesn’t [change my confidence]. I don’t feel any different at all. Hopefully you guys understand me when I say no disrespect or anything, I’m definitely happy with the way that we played. [But] for the recognition it doesn’t make me feel any type of way.’’

Smith was stellar in guiding the Jets to a 30-28, last-second win over the Falcons, leading them down the field for Nick Folk’s game-winning field goal. He went 16-of-20 for 199 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, his 147.7 quarterback rating the best in the NFL this year.

“I think it just shows his mental toughness. He understands that if he does his job and he does his job accordingly, we’re not going to have too many problems,’’ guard Willie Colon said of Smith being unwilling to accept plaudits or rest on laurels. In other words, to paraphrase Bill Parcells, don’t take the cheese.

“I’m the starting quarterback on a day-to-day basis. My job goes one day at a time. I’m still early in my career and I’m trying to improve every day,’’ said Smith, deflecting the praise to a team-wide confidence he claims comes from Rex Ryan. “I think we’ve always carried a swagger. We’ve always believed in ourselves, and it trickles down from our head coach.’’

Smith was thrust into the starting job when incumbent Mark Sanchez — who may well have played his last game as a Jet — got hurt in the preseason. Sanchez opted to have Dr. James Andrews operate on his shoulder Tuesday, ending the quarterback’s season. Smith said Sanchez never personally told him or handed him the proverbial reins, but added that wasn’t a conversation needed or expected.

“I found out today [about the surgery]. I don’t really get into Mark’s business. I know that’s a private deal. I found out today and I wish him the best,’’ said Smith, who added he has never talked to Sanchez about handling the ups-and-downs of quarterbacking in the NFL. “ … I don’t think that conversation is really necessary at this point. I’m always going to be the same guy, [I’ll] always remain even keeled.

“That’s just how I am. My mom thought it was weird. I never really got [excited] on Christmas when I was a kid. That’s just how I was all the time. … It’s just the way I have been growing up. I don’t really get nervous, especially in football. It’s just something I love to do. I just look at it as if I was playing in the backyard, playing sandlot. You wouldn’t get nervous then.’’

That even-keeled persona is something obvious even to the Steelers.

“[The moment] is not too big for him,’’ said coach Mike Tomlin, who watched Smith star at West Virginia just 70 miles from Pittsburgh, and even went to his Pro Day. “He struck me as a guy who was very even-keeled emotionally, somewhat of a flatliner.

“It lends itself to that position because of the roller-coaster ride that people can have, that teams can have. His personality is geared towards delivering in those moments.’’

Smith hopes to have some of those moments Sunday against an 0-4 Steelers team.

“Seeing all the fronts and looks they can give you, Dick LeBeau, everybody knows about that D-coordinator,’’ Smith said. “I knew about him even before I got here. He’s going to have some things — coming off a bye with two weeks to prepare — there are going to be things I haven’t seen before. I’ve just got to be able to handle it the best way I can, take care of the ball and not put us in tough situations.’’

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

NY Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg key reason for Geno Smith's development (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News October 9, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-geno-remember-gift-marty-gave-article-1.1481301

Quarterbacks typically show their appreciation to offensive linemen in material ways. Tom Brady once bought Audi SUVs for his professional caretakers. Matt Ryan purchased 42-inch plasma TVs. Peyton Manning went the designer suit route.

When Geno Smith ultimately rewards his guys after the season, he should probably order one extra gift for the MVP in his development: Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

Joe Montana understood. He once doled out Presidential Rolexes to his linemen . . . and offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren.

An everyman such as Mornhinweg probably would prefer an extra set of steak knives over jewelry, but he’ll certainly deserve some postseason swag if Smith continues on his promising path.

Smith became only the second rookie quarterback in the last 20 years to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in the first five weeks after rallying the Jets to a road win on Monday night.

Mornhinweg’s tutelage has been invaluable for the franchise’s young quarterback. It’s also been a welcomed change for Rex Ryan, who’s in full-fledged win-now mode.

“He’s so uplifting . . . and he’s funny,” Smith told the Daily News on Wednesday. “He’ll come in and he’ll be dead serious. He’ll be telling you a story about Steve Young or Jeff Garcia or Donovan (McNabb) . . . or he’ll be telling you, ‘Hey man, you played (crappy).’ But he’ll say it in such a way that it’s not like you’re taking it like he’s coming at you. It lifts you and makes you understand that he has confidence in you. He’s just that type of guy. He’s never going to give up on you.”

Mornhinweg’s handling of Smith has been nearly perfect despite the rookie’s imperfect first month of his career. The coach has never tried to shield his quarterback when it would have been easy to do so. Mornhinweg’s aggressive mind-set has trickled down to his pupil.

Smith has always had a steady demeanor (“I never really got big on Christmas when I was a kid.”) but Mornhinweg’s ability to help his young signal-caller navigate through some early rough stretches hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“He’s done a real good job of making Geno comfortable,” wide receiver Jeremy Kerley said. “Geno has a lot on his plate being a rookie, but Coach Mornhinweg does a good job of trying to slow everything down for him.”

Ryan praised Mornhinweg’s attention to detail and mastery of the West Coast offense in Smith’s overall development. “If there’s a mistake, him and (quarterbacks coach) David Lee, they’re right on top of it,” Ryan said. “Whether it’s footwork, whether it’s ball handling . . . not driving the ball. Whatever it is, he’s on top of it.”

When Smith has struggled (see the Music City Meltdown), Mornhinweg has recalibrated his quarterback’s compass. His candidness has helped Smith grow even if it hasn’t always been a smooth first five weeks.

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Ryan calls it “blunt force trauma.” Mornhinweg just calls it like he sees it with a young player who had 11 turnovers in his first four games before a mistake-free gem in Atlanta.

“It looks like they have that father-son thing going on,” right guard Willie Colon said. “He can come down on Geno. He said, ‘I’m as hard on Geno as anybody. I yell at him like he’s a five-year guy. That’s the expectation I have of him.’ But he also knows the reality of where Geno’s at. As much as he comes down on him, he’s just as nurturing and motivating. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Although Mark Sanchez’s shoulder surgery earlier this week removed any lingering doubt that Smith will be the starter for the rest of the season, the rookie insisted that, “I’m the starting quarterback on a day-to-day basis. It’s still early in my career and I’m just trying to improve every single day.”

Mornhinweg has been intrigued with Smith’s potential for months even though he knew that he’d probably pluck out some hair follicles along the way. Smith will undoubtedly experience more growing pains over the next few months, but Ryan’s blood pressure isn’t likely to spike too many times knowing that he has an experienced teacher working with the rookie.

Mornhinweg has brought an unpredictable element to the offense that had been missing in Ryan’s first four seasons. He’s coached with the same fearless streak that Ryan praised his players for after the Monday night stunner against the Falcons.

Quarterbacks have six best friends: Five offensive linemen and an offensive coordinator.

Hopefully, Geno Smith doesn’t forget about Mornhinweg when he goes shopping after the season.

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Rex Ryan insists Mark Sanchez's career is not over (Seth Walder) New York Daily News October 9, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ryan-mark-alive-insists-qb-career-isn-article-1.1481209

Rex Ryan has found himself in many awkward press conferences when it comes to Mark Sanchez.

But Wednesday, he was navigating treacherous and new waters discussing the end of Sanchez’s season while trying not to admit that the quarterback’s tenure with the Jets is almost certainly done. It proved difficult.

“We’re acting like he’s dead. Mark Sanchez is not dead,” Ryan said. “Sanchez is going to be 100% healthy, guys. It’s not like his career’s over.”

His career, no. His tenure with Jets, most likely, and that is what made Wednesday so hard for Ryan, who arrived in New York the same time Sanchez did.

The 2013 Sanchez saga began with a quarterback competition, took a major turn with a baffling injury in a meaningless preseason game and ended with shoulder surgery for the QB on Tuesday. With a $13.1 million cap charge looming for the 2014 season, Sanchez is ripe for release in the upcoming offseason.

“I don’t want to get into that,” Ryan said when asked if Sanchez would ever play for the Jets again. “Whether he’s here or whatever . . . our thing is doing what’s best for Mark, which would be to get him healthy.”

Ryan stumbled into a thicket when he addressed the loss of Antwan Barnes, whom the Jets placed on IR Wednesday. “Hope he has a speedy recovery and he’s a Jet next year,” Ryan said of Barnes. “Hoping.”

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Whoops. When Ryan discussed Sanchez a few minutes later, there was no talk about next year.

Only when he was asked about the discrepancy between the two statements did Ryan even approach hoping that Sanchez would return.

“Well again, I’ll say it about anybody. Guys, you know how I feel about all of our players. I never want to lose a player ever,” Ryan said. “But I also understand there’s business sides for every decision, for Barnes included and Mark and every player.”

Hardly a plea to management to keep Sanchez around. Not that it would be expected — or warranted. The promise that Geno Smith has shown in the Jets’ first five games, coupled with the regression that

Sanchez displayed toward the latter part of his time as the starter, seem to signal that there is no need for the veteran in New York anymore.

“Again, will he come back? He’s under contract, so you guys know more about it than I do,” Ryan said.

Then again, contracts don’t mean much in the NFL. Players hold out and teams cut players who are still under contract all the time. After all, Woody Johnson said Tim Tebow would play out his three-year contract with the Jets and he’s currently out of the league.

With Sanchez out of the picture, Smith has an iron-clad grip on the starting quarterback job. The rookie QB said he found out Wednesday that Sanchez had the surgery, but his reaction was limited beyond calling Sanchez a “great mentor.” Sanchez, though inactive, has been on the sidelines during Jets games.

Veteran Calvin Pace, who has been Sanchez’s teammate since the quarterback was drafted back in 2009, said it was no surprise to him that Sanchez was out for the year.

“I mean, I guess it wasn’t going to happen at some point in time,” Pace said. “You got a labrum tear in your throwing shoulder, I guess it’s kind of inevitable. It’s sad to see, because I’ve been with him since he came. I don’t know what the future holds for him. You never want to see anybody get hurt. Especially how he got hurt, in a preseason game.”

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Jets lose Antwan Barnes for season with knee injury (Seth Walder) New York Daily News October 9, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-knee-injury-puts-barnes-year-article-1.1481207

Rex Ryan’s stout defense took a hit Wednesday, when the Jets were forced to put OLB Antwan Barnes on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. Barnes, signed as a free agent this past offseason, had been an effective nickel pass rusher through the first four games. Barnes had two sacks, four QB hits and five hurries on the season.

“That’s a tough loss, too. Antwan is, talk about an underrated player,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t just the production that he had but the production that he caused. I love his mentality, too. We’re certainly going to miss him.”

Calvin Pace said the injury hurts the Jets “tremendously.”

“He was playing well,” Pace added. “It’s like any other injury — somebody else is going to have to step up.”

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Even though G Willie Colon will face his old team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for the first time this week at MetLife Stadium, he said there wouldn’t be any extra emotion or motivation for him.

“No more emotions than I had in Atlanta. I’m not going into this game snot-bubbling and tears running down my face,” Colon joked. “That’s not going to happen. I’m going to go out there and be passionate and play my game.”

Muhammad Wilkerson is the NFL's best defensive linesman, according to teammate Calvin Pace.

Colon said he’s given the Jets’ coaching staff tips on his former teammates this week.

“Of course,” Colon said. “We’ve had our fair share of conversations.”

Pace heaped some heavy praise on teammate Muhammad Wilkerson.

“In my opinion, I would say he’s the best (defensive lineman),” Pace said. “He causes a lot of matchup problems because he’s athletic, is good against the run, good against the pass. I don’t think he knows he’s as good as he is. It’s going to be fun to continue to see him grow.”

Asked if he really thought Wilkerson was the best in the league, Pace said, “I’m biased. I think he’s the best. It’s a pleasure playing with him and all the guys.”

TIMEOUTS

Quinton Coples (ankle), Kenrick Ellis (non-medical), Clyde Gates (knee), Mike Goodson (illness), Santonio Holmes (hamstring, foot), Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee), Dee Milliner (hamstring) and Kellen Winslow (knee) all did not practice Wednesday.

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NY Jets rookie QB Geno Smith named AFC offensive player of the week (Seth Walder) New York Daily News October 9, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-geno-smith-named-afc-offensive-player-week-article-1.1480527

As a result of his stellar performance in the Jets 30-28 win over the Falcons on Monday Night, Geno Smith was named the AFC offensive player of the week.

The Jets rookie quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers in the primetime game. He lead the Jets downfield in the final two minutes for his second fourth-quarter comeback of the season.

Geno Smith earns weekly NFL honor for his performance in leading the Jets to big road win.

Smith is just the second rookie quarterback in the past 20 seasons to earn a player of the week award in his first five weeks. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III earned the honor last season.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Jets put Antwan Barnes on IR (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York October 9, 2013

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http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9797094/new-york-jets-place-key-pass-rusher-antwan-barnes-ir?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets lost one of their top pass-rushers for the remainder of the season, placing outside linebacker Antwan Barnes on injured reserve Wednesday with a severe knee injury.

Barnes was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 30-28 win Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Rushing the quarterback against left tackle Lamar Holmes, Barnes tried to change direction with an inside move, but his right knee buckled when he planted on the turf.

Used primarily as a pass-rushing specialist, Barnes has two sacks and a team-leading 12 quarterback hits. He played in 41 percent of the defensive snaps. He's a natural edge rusher, and the Jets have a short supply of those on the roster.

"That's a tough loss," coach Rex Ryan said. "You talk about underrated players. It wasn't just the production he had, it was the production he caused. ... We're going to miss him. It's hard to replace Antwan. He's a special guy, a special player."

To replace Barnes, the Jets re-signed outside linebacker Ricky Sapp, who was waived by the team Saturday.

The Jets signed Barnes, 28, in free agency, giving him a three-year, $4 million contract. They liked him because of his familiarity with Ryan's system, having played under Ryan when he was an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007 and '08.

Barnes had a career year for the San Diego Chargers in 2011, when he recorded 11 sacks.

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Willie Colon: Jets no longer 'circus' (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York October 9, 2013

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9799030/willie-colon-says-new-york-jets-better-tim-tebow-circus?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Without Tim Tebow, it's a lot quieter around the New York Jets than last season. And that's a good thing, according to veteran guard Willie Colon.

Colon arrived in town just as Tebow was leaving, but the native New Yorker -- a former longtime member of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- watched from afar as one of his hometown teams became immersed, and perhaps distracted, by the Tebow phenomenon.

Not anymore.

"They care about winning and they care about being a better franchise, and not being a circus group," Colon told the Pittsburgh media Wednesday on a conference call. "I think having the Tim Tebow circus out of here, and having different things that were kind of holding this team back, are starting to go out the window. I think we're all starting to care about football and only football, which is a good sight to see."

Colon came from the organization known for its understated approach. The Jets were anything but, especially with Tebow for one, ill-fated season.

The Jets finally admitted the Tebow mistake last April, when new general manager John Idzik, trying to change the franchise culture, released the QB after the draft.

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One month earlier, Colon had signed a one-year contract after being released by the Steelers. Pittsburgh (0-4) faces the surprising Jets (3-2) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Colon immediately sensed that intangibles were lacking in the locker room.

"I came here with the attitude that this team was missing a lot," said Colon, who has emerged as a team leader. "They were missing chemistry and they were missing that fight and belief in one another."

The perception of the Jets is starting to change, especially after their upset of the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Many experts predicted the Jets would win only four or five games, but they're in a second-place tie with the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East, only one game behind the New England Patriots.

Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, a former longtime Jet, said he's not surprised by the fast start.

"I've said all along that coach (Rex) Ryan is a very good coach," he told the New York media. "People are getting to see it, that's just it. He can coach his tail off and that's why you see the team play the way it's playing. He knows how to motivate guys. He just know how to tap into whatever a guy has, getting them to respond."

Colon has contributed at right guard, replacing the venerable Brandon Moore, who retired. He has galvanized a line that includes two former Pro Bowlers, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.

"Coming here, Nick and Brick, those guys aren't necessarily maulers," Colon said. "Those guys are technicians that do their job well and do it at a high level. When I came here, I had an opportunity to kind of bring that spark, to not have a back-down mentality, to let them know that, 'Hey, we don't have to take crap from nobody.' Those guys are starting to buy into it and it's working out so far."

Asked to comment on his former team, Colon said, "I see a desperate team." He expects them to be motivated Sunday.

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Jets Lose Barnes for Season; Sapp Re-Signs (Stu Woo) Wall Street Journal October 9, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304500404579125940934387998.html?mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—The Jets wouldn't hold an unexpected 3-2 record without their stout defense: They are one of only two NFL teams that have surrendered fewer than 300 yards per game, and they're tied for fifth in the league with 16 sacks.

Powering this success is the brawn of their pass rushers. They have managed to harass quarterbacks without help from defensive backs, who can focus on covering receivers. Now they'll try to maintain that success without a punishing, and sometimes hilarious, linebacker.

The Jets said Wednesday that Antwan Barnes won't play again this season after he injured his knee in the fourth quarter of Monday night's win in Atlanta. After dashing to his right to try to get around a Falcons lineman, Barnes planted his right foot to try to cut back to his left. His right knee buckled and he fell to the artificial turf.

The 28-year-old linebacker was on the field for 42% of Jets defensive snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus, playing when it was likely that the opposing offense would pass rather than run. Even

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with such limited playing time, he had two sacks, and he either sacked, hit or forced the quarterback to make a hurried throw 11 times. Only defensive end Mo Wilkerson, who plays almost every defensive snap, had superior quarterback-menacing statistics.

"That's a tough loss," said coach Rex Ryan, who pointed out that Barnes could run a 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.4 seconds. "Hope he has a speedy recovery and he's a Jet next year."

On his Twitter account, Barnes said that "my spirits is still high and I will be back."

It is unclear yet how the team will try to replace Barnes's output. The Jets quickly re-signed linebacker Ricky Sapp, whom they had released on Saturday, as a replacement. His teammates say he's nearly as fast as Barnes.

"Ricky can run a little bit, even though he doesn't like it," said defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson.

The 26-year-old Sapp, who at 6-foot-4 is three inches taller than Barnes, has played only nine defensive snaps this season and may be one of a few players who rotate into games to rush quarterbacks.

The good news for the Jets is that they might not need Sapp, or anybody, to play as well as Barnes. Their defensive linemen—Wilkerson, Richardson and Damon Harrison—have emerged as a potent force, and are all under the age of 25.

Pro Football Focus, which grades players on every individual play, ranks all three as well above average for the season. Wilkerson, in his third year, has had a particularly impressive campaign. On Monday night he had a sack and two tackles for a a loss.

"He's right there with top defensive linemen in this league right now that aren't named J.J. Watt," Ryan said.

On Wednesday, Wilkerson turned around, raised both eyebrows and smiled when he saw a bigger-than-usual mob of reporters around his locker. "I feel like Monday was one of my best games," he said. "People say I'm going to make the Pro Bowl…Hopefully. We'll see at the end of the season."

Wilkerson said he and his teammates will use Barnes's injury to motivate themselves to victory. But there is one thing the team will miss about Barnes. "He's funny," Wilkerson said.

Richardson noticed this two minutes into the team's season opener against Tampa Bay, when Barnes recorded the Jets' first sack of the year. He tried to celebrate with Barnes, but then gave up.

"He just ran around in a circle for no reason," Richardson said. "I'm not going to chase him around."

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METRO NEW YORK

Mark Sanchez’s future with Jets in doubt following surgery (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York October 9, 2013

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2013/10/09/mark-sanchezs-future-with-jets-in-doubt-following-surgery/

And just like that, the Sanchise is over.

Mark Sanchez is done for the season, with the Jets announcing Tuesday their fifth-year quarterback has had shoulder surgery for an injury suffered in the third game of preseason. The surgery not only shelves

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Sanchez for the season but could also spell the end for his career in New York for what was always going to be his swan-song season with the Jets.

In mid-September, Sanchez was placed on the injured reserve list with a designation for return but he likely won’t ever be seen in Jets green and white again.

“Obviously Mark, like the rest of us, was wanting to get back and contribute as a player for this team. Unfortunately, the doctors said it was probably best that he had the surgery and that’s what we did,” head coach Rex Ryan said. “He was doing everything he could to get back out. Certainly that was the opportunity this organization wanted to provide for him — to get back out there and playing. As it went on, it became clear, the doctors told us that the surgery was the best option.”

Ryan said the decision to not put Sanchez on the season-ending IR was because the Jets “were trying to give Mark every opportunity to play.”

He has a salary-cap friendly number next year, which would make him an enticing option to be cut, just two years into the contract extension he signed last March. With rookie Geno Smith developing and showing promise, the Jets will likely cut their losses with a quarterback who was drafted to lead the team for the next decade.

The past two years, Sanchez has regressed in his pocket presence and decision-making ability, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns in 2012 in his fourth year in the league.

It is now clearly Smith’s team, especially after an efficient win on Monday night in Atlanta included a two-minute drill at the end of the game to set up the game-winning field goal by Nick Folk. With no possibility of a Sanchez return, there is zero competition for Smith to maintain his starting job.

“I really don’t think Geno approaches it like that. I think he understands that nothing is for granted,” guard Willie Colon said. “The weight of New York on his shoulders, this ball club is on his shoulders. He has to prepare and be competitive like Mark was still on his heels. I’m impressed with how far he’s come. He had a great game on Monday night.”

Jets notes …

» The Jets announced that linebacker Antwan Barnes was designated for injured reserve following an injury suffered on Monday night. A team source tells Metro New York that the injury is an ACL tear.

“That’s a tough loss too. Antwan — talk about an underrated player,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t just the production he had, it was the production he caused.”

» In a practice squad move, defensive tackle T.J. Barnes was signed on Wednesday and nose tackle Junior Aumavae was released.

» After missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, cornerback Dee Milliner stretched but did not practice on Wednesday. In addition, Clyde Gates (knee) did not practice in a move that Ryan called a precaution.

» A 16-of-20 for 199 yards and three touchdown performance in Monday’s win was good enough to garner Smith the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week honors. In a Wednesday conference call with members of the New York media, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was impressed with the Jets’ rookie quarterback and specifically the two-minute drill orchestrated by Smith to set up the game-winning field goal.

“He struck me as a guy who was very even-keeled emotionally, somewhat of a flatliner,” Tomlin said. “I think it lends itself to that position because of the roller coaster ride that people can have, teams can have. I just think his personality is geared towards delivering in those moments.”

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Source: Linebacker Ricky Sapp re-signs with Jets (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York October 9, 2013

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2013/10/09/source-linebacker-ricky-sapp-re-signs-with-jets/

Outside linebacker Ricky Sapp, who was cut by the Jets late last week, will be signed to the 53-man roster on Wednesday morning, a source close to the team tells Metro New York.

A fifth-round pick of the Eagles in 2010, Sapp signed with the Jets in 2011 and slowly has been working himself into the two-deep during that time.

Last week, he was cut by the Jets in a roster move to bring in a wide receiver with star Santonio Holmes sidelined with a hamstring injury. Now, injuries at linebacker expedited his return to the Jets.

On Monday night, linebacker Antwan Barnes left the Jets win over the Falcons with an undisclosed injury and did not return. It appears that Sapp could be cover for Barnes if he’s not able to play this Sunday against the Steelers.

Sapp had a tremendous offseason, including strong showings in workouts and minicamp in June, but his form did not translate to preseason where he struggled with penalties and failed to consistently make big plays.

Sapp has appeared in a total of six games in two seasons with the Jets.

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WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/Wednesday-s-Sports-Transactions-4883405.php

BASEBALL American League NEW YORK YANKEES — Re-signed manager Joe Girardi to a four-year contract through the 2017 season. TEXAS RANGERS — Activated RHP Matt West from the 60-day DL. Designated INF infielder Jeff Baker for assignment. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association LOS ANGELES LAKERS — Waived C Dan Gadzuric and C Eric Boateng. FOOTBALL National Football League BUFFALO BILLS_Signed CB Johnny Adams to the practice squad. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed C Brian Folkerts from the practice squad. Signed WR Marvin McNutt from Miami's practice squad. Signed LB Ben Jacobs and LB Jeff Tarpinian to the practice squad. CHICAGO BEARS — Signed DT Christian Tupou from the practice squad. Placed DT Nate Collins on injured reserve. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed LB Andy Studebaker. Signed RB Dan Herron of Cincinnati's practice squad. Placed RB Ahmad Bradshaw on injured reserve. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed DE Brian Robison to a four-year contract extension. Waived DE George Johnson. Signed DE Justin Trattou.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed DT Andre Neblett. Re-signed LB Ja'Gared Davis and S Kanorris Davis to the practice squad. NEW YORK JETS — Placed LB Antwan Barnes on injured reserve. Re-signed LB Ricky Sapp. Signed DT T.J. Barnes to the practice squad. Released DT Junior Aumavae from the practice squad. OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed DT Daniel Muir. Re-signed OL Jack Cornell to the practice squad. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Signed LB Stevenson Sylvester. Released LB Kion Wilson. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS_Placed T Mike Harris on reserve-injured. Signed T Mike Remmers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. Signed RB Kerwynn Williams to the practice squad. Released RB Miguel Maysonet to the practice squad. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS_Claimed QB McLeod Bethel-Johnson off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. Released QB John Skelton. Arena Football League ORLANDO PREDATORS — Announced the team was assigned OL Theo Goins. HOCKEY National Hockey League NHL — Fined New York Islanders F Frans Nielsen $5,000 for slashing Phoenix F Martin Hanzal in an Oct. 8 game. Suspended San Jose Sharks D Brad Stuart for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers F Rick Nash. FLORIDA PANTHERS — Recalled G Scott Clemmensen from San Antonio (AHL). Loaned C Drew Shore to San Antonio. MINNESOTA WILD — Recalled F Stephane Veilleux from Iowa (AHL). Reassigned F Carson McMillan and F Jason Zucker to Iowa. PHOENIX COYOTES — Recalled F Tim Kennedy and F Brandon Yip from Portland (AHL). Assigned F Chris Brown and F Lucas Lessio to Portland. ECHL READING ROYALS — Announced F Stanislav Galiev and D Patrick Wey were assigned to the team from Hershey (AHL) and D Michal Cajkovsky was loaned to the team by Hershey. COLLEGE LEES-MCRAE — Promoted Craig McPhail to vice president of athletics and club sports. NICHOLLS STATE_Named Darren Kohne and Liam Tribe-Simmons men's assistant basketball coaches. ST. JOSEPH'S (LI) — Named Kim Scalzo women's swimming coach. SYRACUSE — Named Morgan Nandin student softball coach. XAVIER — Announced the resignation of women's basketball coach Amy Waugh. Named Brian Neal women's interim basketball coach. Back_to_Top