New York Jets News: Pro Sports Daily

February 4

New York Post

"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"

Rex: Sanchez, Holmes to work on rebuilding chemistry

February 4

New York Post

"The rebuilding of the relationship between Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes may begin with a weekend retreat. Jets coach Rex Ryan told The Post last night he has spoken with both players and Holmes told him he'd like to get away for a weekend with Sanchez as the two try to fix their chemistry. "It seemed like that was what Santonio was talking about," said Ryan, who is at the Super Bowl to make some promotional appearances. "I don't know if he's reached out to Mark yet and done anything but that is what I believe to be true." A month after the 8-8 season ended in disaster in Miami for the Jets, Ryan said he feels like everything will be better in 2012. The"

Plaxico Burress: Eli Manning in HOF with win

February 4

ESPN.com

"Win and he's in. That is Plaxico Burress' take on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. "He's one win away, I think, from being a Hall of Famer. I really believe that," Burress said Friday on "The Scott Van Pelt Show" on ESPN Radio. Burress caught the winning touchdown pass from Manning in Super Bowl XLII. Manning will play for his second ring on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI. "If he goes out and wins this game," Buress said of his former teammate, "I really believe he's gonna be a Hall of Famer." The Giants' current five-game winning streak started with a victory over Burress' Jets on Christmas Eve. "He's just been lights out for the last month and a half," Burress said of Manning. "His"

Dustin Keller comes to aid of embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez

February 3

New York Daily News

"A few weeks after several key Jets players and members of the organization made critical comments about Mark Sanchez in a Daily News report, one the quarterback's closest friends disputed some of the claims. Tight end Dustin Keller told The News on Thursday that he firmly believes Sanchez is the team's long-term solution at quarterback. He also took exception to one player's claim that Sanchez was "lazy and content" on the practice field because he knew that Rex Ryan would never bench him. "The truth: 100% . . . He is the hardest worker I know," said Keller, who believes that Sanchez unfairly shouldered the bulk of the blame this season even though there were plenty of other elements in"

Shaun Ellis now says he'd consider Jets return

February 3

New York Post

"Rex Ryan admitted to losing the Jets locker room after the team missed the playoffs with a disappointing 8-8 season. "I don't know if it surprised me when things go wrong it tends to shift a little bit, but I don't have anything bad to say about those guys," said defensive end Shaun Ellis, who played for the Jets from 2000-10 before signing with the Patriots this offseason. At Media Day on Tuesday, Ellis told ESPN.com the Jets showed no loyalty by offering him the veteran's minimum contract in the offseason. That offer made Ellis' decision to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with New England easy."

Jets owner says season will make Ryan 'much better coach'

February 3

New York Post

"Jets owner Woody Johnson arrived here Thursday for an NFL meeting. He is also in town to do some Super Bowl scouting in preparation for 2014 when the Jets and Giants will be hosts for the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. Johnson took some time to talk about the Jets with two reporters. He said he plans on having dinner with quarterback Mark Sanchez next week. He also will dine with head coach Rex Ryan as the Jets prepare for 2012. One person he can't reach? Running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Two weeks ago, Johnson said he would reach out to Tomlinson after the veteran had some harsh things to say about the Jets."

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

Burress refuses to defend besieged Jets QB Sanchez

February 2

New York Post

"If there was any doubt about Plaxico Burress' future with the Jets, it vanished last night. Burress said a lot by saying a little when asked about his season with the Jets after an autograph show here. The wide receiver made it sound as if he wanted to forget his time in green and white. The most telling short answer came when he was asked what he thought of Mark Sanchez as a quarterback. "Mark Sanchez is Mark Sanchez," Burress said. When he was asked what he thought of the criticism heaped on Sanchez since the Jets' season ended, Burress did not stick up for the third-year quarterback."

Plaxico Burress predicts a Big Blue win Sunday

February 2

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"Plaxico Burress once again is picking the Giants to win the Super Bowl. And sounds very much like he misses his old quarterback and old team. "I think they're gonna go out and play Giant football," Burress told The Post. "One thing about it, they're gonna be well-coached, they're gonna be ready for whatever the Patriots throw at them, and I think Coach Belichick is gonna be ready also. "It's gonna be a chess match, it's gonna be a great game. I wouldn't expect anything less than for it to come down in the last couple of minutes with both quarterbacks to have the ball in their hand to go down and win it.""

Keller: Jets had 'bad situation'

February 2

New York Post

"The last time Jets fans saw Dustin Keller, he was trying to calm Santonio Holmes down in the huddle in Miami as the Jets' season went down the tubes. Keller could not believe it was a month ago when the Jets lost 19-17 to the Dolphins and Holmes watched the final two minutes from the bench after fighting with teammates. "It was just a bad situation," Keller said. "Things just fell the wrong way. It's the worst-case scenario. We have a lot of competitors on the team. When things just started falling apart there were cameras in the ... well I guess for the media it was the right place."

Jacobs: Plaxico won't be Jet in '12

February 1

New York Post

"Four years ago Plaxico Burress made the game-winning catch in the Giants' Super Bowl defeat of the Patriots. This time when the teams meet, he will be watching from the stands. Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, who is close with Burress, said his former teammate will be at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, according to ESPN.com. Jacobs also said he does not expect Burress to return to the Jets after a disappointing 2011 with the team. "I don't see him back with the Jets next year at all," Jacobs said, according to the website. "I don't know what he's thinking, but I don't see that. They've got a lot of things going on over there, and I don't know if he wants to be part of that.""

Brandon Jacobs talks Plaxico Burress

January 31

ESPN.com

"Plaxico Burress is coming to Super Bowl XLVI to visit his old team -- the team he never wanted to leave, according to former teammate and close friend Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs, speaking Tuesday at media day, said Burress wanted to sign with the New York Giants -- not the New York Jets -- when he became a free agent last summer. Jacobs also raised the possibility of a Burress reunion in 2012. Asked if Burress had his heart set on returning to the Giants, Jacobs said, "Oh, no question, I know he did. I know he wanted to come to the Giants. We just didn't think it was going to be able to be done financially. But he may be (back) next year, who knows?" Burress signed a one-year, $3 million"

Clinkscales, Paton interview for Rams GM job

January 31

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"After a two-week "intermission" following the hiring of new head coach Jeff Fisher, the St. Louis Rams are re-starting their search for a new general manager. On Monday, the Rams interviewed Joey Clinkscales, vice president of college scouting for the New York Jets, and George Paton, director of player personnel for the Minnesota Vikings. Clinkscales was among nine original general manager candidates that the Rams had received permission to interview in early January, or shortly after Billy Devaney was fired from the GM job."

Die-hard Jets fans' 'Patriot-ic' move

January 30

New York Post

"It's a Super Bowl nightmare for green-with-envy Jets fans. But if forced to pick a winner in Sunday's big game, many prefer it be New England, as they'll reluctantly back the hated Patriots over the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. "This is a Jets fan's worst nightmare," said Ken "Endzone Kenny" Pikowski, a Freehold, NJ, landscaper. "I hate to say it, but I guess I have to pick New England. If the Giants win, it'll be like the Jets are back at the old Giants Stadium and paying rent as second-class citizens. "To keep any dignity, we can't have the slogan for our new home stadium saying, 'Welcome to MetLife Stadium, home of the Super Bowl Champion Giants,' '' said Pikowski."

Eli: I feel Mark's pain

January 30

New York Post

"Giants quarterback Eli Manning stuck up for Mark Sanchez, his Jets counterpart, in an interview with ESPN. Manning said he believes Sanchez has unfairly taken the brunt of the criticism for the Jets' failed season. "I don't think a lot of it's fair sometimes, and I've dealt with it myself over the years," Manning said. "As soon as you make mistakes, or you have an off year, even if it's not your fault as a quarterback. ... I've always said the quarterback and the head coach always get too much blame when you lose and too much credit when you win.""

NY Jets make offer to make ex-Vikings assistant Karl Dunbar their new defensive line coach

January 29

New York Daily News

"THE JETS have offered Karl Dunbar their defensive line coach position, the Daily News first reported on-line Saturday. Barring an 11th-hour change of heart, it is believed that Dunbar, who spent six seasons as the defensive line coach for the Vikings before he was fired earlier this month, will join Rex Ryan's staff. The Jets targeted Dunbar shortly after he and the Vikings parted ways, bringing him to the team facility in Florham Park for an interview two weeks ago. The Jets have made radical changes to their offensive staff by hiring offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo and wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal."

Jets watch rivals playing in Super Bowl

January 29

New York Post

"So there are the Pro Bowl Jets in Hawaii, doing the hula, these Lei Hey Kids — and there isn't any other place they would rather be than Indianapolis, where there are no coconut trees, no glistening blue waters, no mai tais under a warm, golden sunshine ... just the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl Rex Ryan guaranteed the Jets would be playing in. The Super Bowl Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and the hated Patriots will be playing in instead. The Super Bowl the Giants will be playing in. The Super Bowl all of the Jets will be watching a week from tomorrow, though not at Santonio Holmes' house, that much we know."

Lewis hit ushered in Brady era, saved Belichick's job

January 29

New York Post

"Blame it on Mo. Mo Lewis did it. He started all this. Where would the Patriots be if not for that Mo Lewis hit on Drew Bledsoe in 2001? Would Tom Brady have ever gotten the opportunity to show his greatness? Would the Patriots be playing for their fourth Lombardi Trophy in the last 11 years when they play the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5? Would Bill Belichick still be the Patriots head coach? Belichick, according to a coach who was on the Jets staff back then and who requested anonymity, was telling Jets coaches on the sideline before that game that he expected to be fired. "He and [then offensive coordinator] Charlie Weis were saying, 'We're going to get fired,' '' the coach"

Corey Webster thinks he deserves type of praise NY Jets' Darrelle Revis gets in New York

January 28

New York Daily News

"Darrelle Revis rightly garners much of the ink and the accolades at his position in New York, but according to several Giants, Corey Webster also should be listed among the top cover cornerbacks in the NFL. The seventh-year defensive back clearly is appreciative of that praise and equally confident in his body of work as he guns for his second Super Bowl ring next Sunday against Tom Brady and the Patriots. "I realize it. That's all that counts, is me. And as long as my teammates (think that), that's all that matters," Webster said after practice Friday at the Meadowlands. "I think I'm great. I think I'm the best thing out there. I don't think I'm second to nobody." Webster was quick to add"

Rex and his Pro Bowlers must watch Pats, Giants duke it out for real crown

January 28

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"So there are the Pro Bowl Jets in Hawaii, doing the hula, these Lei Hey Kids — and there isn't any other place they would rather be than Indianapolis, where there are no coconut trees, no glistening blue waters, no mai tais under a warm, golden sunshine ... just the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl Rex Ryan guaranteed the Jets would be playing in. The Super Bowl Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and the hated Patriots will be playing in instead. The Super Bowl the Giants will be playing in. The Super Bowl all of the Jets will be watching a week from tomorrow, though not at Santonio Holmes' house, that much we know."

Darrelle Revis: Rex had no clue about Jets' squabbles surrounding Mark Sanchez

January 27

New York Daily News

"A few weeks after Rex Ryan admitted that he didn't have the pulse of the Jets' locker room this season, All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis made it clear that there was plenty of discord that helped derail their playoff hopes. "After the season, we talked," Revis told the NFL Network on Thursday after the AFC Pro Bowl practice in Hawaii. "Basically, he didn't know a lot of things that were going on behind the scenes. It was just so much stuff. I'm really not going to get into it because some of the stuff is real deep. But he didn't know a lot of the things. He wanted people to say things to him. But obviously it didn't come out. It came out on the field (late in the season).""

Revis: In-fighting led to Jets' crash

January 27

New York Post

"Darrelle Revis says the Jets' toughest opponent is the Jets. After enduring a season ultimately destroyed by locker room turmoil, the cornerback said yesterday the team needs to start over with its animosity focused outward. "Let's get to not destroying ourselves, let's try to destroy other teams by game planning and doing what we need to do," Revis told ESPN at the Pro Bowl. Speaking after AFC practice in Hawaii, Revis said the Jets and coach Rex Ryan didn't react quickly enough to the us-against-us mentality. "There was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes, that I think if we had addressed it [at] the time being, then everything would have been cool, we could have moved on," Revis"

Mangold calls Manning joining Jets 'big crazy idea'

January 27

New York Post

"Jets center Nick Mangold doesn't believe he'll be snapping the ball to Peyton Manning next season. "It's all one big crazy idea," Mangold told ESPN on Thursday. "You can say that about, what if Tom Brady came out? What if Dan Marino in his prime came out? I think anybody would want him." Manning could become available if the Colts decide to let him go, either to save money or create a clear path for likely No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck. Mangold, as he has all offseason, continued to support current Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez."

With NY Giants in Super Bowl, it's not easy being Rex, Sanchez or a NY Jets fan for the next two weeks

January 26

New York Daily News

columnist Filip Bondy

"Rex Ryan already was saying last week how much it bothered him to see Met Life Stadium bathed in blue light for a Giants playoff game. Now, and for the next 10 days, there will be nothing but that celestial primary color haunting Ryan, the Jets and their fans. Eli this, Eli that. Coughlin the Great. Tuck the Mighty. These days will not be easy, but recovery is possible, and a reversal of fortune might arrive much faster than any Jet supporter now envisions. Football fate is fickle. The Giants were 7-7 a month ago. A Manning may arrive at anyone's doorstep, at any time."

Schottenheimer says he would have left Jets even without late-season collapse

January 26

New York Post

"Brian Schottenheimer said he believes he would have departed the Jets even if the team did not go down in flames at the end of the season. The former Jets offensive coordinator spoke to St. Louis reporters on a conference call Tuesday that officially introduced him as the Rams new offensive coordinator. Schottenheimer was not asked much about his six years with the Jets. But one question was whether he believes he would still be with the Jets had the team not lost its final three games. "I don't think so," Schottenheimer said."

Giants punter Steve Weatherford says he's happy Super Bowl appearance is in Blue

January 25

New York Daily News

"One of the lasting images from the Giants' overtime victory Sunday in the NFC Championship Game, as captured by Fox's cameras, will be punter Steve Weatherford's profanity-laden celebration after getting down the hold on Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal against the 49ers. But you didn't have to be a lip reader to interpret Weatherford's remarks Tuesday about longtime Jets special-teams coach Mike Westhoff as he began preparing for the first Super Bowl trip of his career. "I'm glad it's with this franchise and I'm glad it's now," said Weatherford, whose season ended in the AFC Championship Game the previous two seasons with the Jets. "This is definitely my best season, for sure. I"

Jets eye Fish aide for O-line

January 24

New York Post

"The Jets, working on completing their revamped coaching staff, asked for permission from the Dolphins to interview offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo to fill their offensive-line coach opening, according to a source. DeGuglielmo worked for new Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano with the Dolphins from 2009-11. The Dolphins just hired Joe Philbin as their new head coach, and he has not decided whom he will retain on his staff."

Tuck credits Rex's Jets for 'Big' turnaround

January 24

New York Post

"Justin Tuck isn't ready to vote the Jets a playoff share if the Giants win the Super Bowl, but he still gives Gang Green credit for its role in turning around the season. Basking in the 20-17 overtime victory against the 49ers in the NFC title game late Sunday night, Tuck pointed to the Giants' Dec. 24 win over the Jets and the week leading up to it for sparking his team's remarkable transformation. "You can say that, since we haven't lost since then," the veteran defensive end said, recalling the Giants' hard-fought 29-14 "road" win over the Jets at MetLife Stadium. "That week was an emotional week for everyone. We started to click that week.""

Plaxico court slap for 125G

January 23

New York Post

"Wide receiver Plaxico Burress can't catch a break. After his dysfunctional New York Jets blew a shot at making the playoffs, Burress suffered another loss — in court. According to TMZ.com, Burress was sacked by a Florida woman who filed a lawsuit claiming he rear-ended her car with his Mercedes-Benz in 2008, leaving her with neck and back injuries."

Rams hire Brian Schottenheimer

January 21

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The St. Louis Rams have hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator. According to league sources, it was a close call between Schottenheimer and Hue Jackson. Those sources said Rams head coach Jeff Fisher was impressed with Jackson following their interview earlier this week."

Rex Ryan predicts Giants-Ravens Super Bowl rematch

January 21

Newark Star-Ledger

"Rex Ryan isn't exactly batting 1.000 in his predictions for New York-area sports teams. But the Jets coach — for what it's worth — believes the Giants and Baltimore Ravens will advance to the Super Bowl this year, a rematch of Super Bowl XXXV. "I can tell you this: There isn't one Giants fan that wants me to say the Giants are going to win this game," Ryan, who has annually guaranteed Super Bowls for his Jets team but has not yet delivered, said on WFAN radio today. Ryan favors the Giants over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, particularly because of how the Giants defense is playing. Despite being ranked 27th in the regular season, the Giants defense has found a"

Rex Ryan may scale back his brash guarantees during Gang Green game week

January 21

New York Daily News

"Rex Ryan may scale back his brash guarantees after the Jets missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. "I certainly don't want to fuel the fire," Ryan told WFAN radio on Friday. "I want to take pressure off our players. In actuality, maybe I was putting more pressure on our guys." A humbled Ryan gave a blunt assessment of what went wrong this season after his team had previously reached two consecutive AFC Championship Games. "What else is there to go for?" Ryan said. "It's Super Bowl or bust. Well, we busted." Missing the postseason even prompted Ryan to drive by MetLife Stadium a couple weeks ago when the Giants faced the Falcons in the wild-card round. "I just wanted to"

Rex Ryan: I'll tone down act next season

January 21

New York Post

"Get ready for Rex Ryan Light? The Jets coach said yesterday he will consider toning down his bravado and brash talk next season after hearing what running back LaDainian Tomlinson said this week about Ryan sometimes providing motivation to the opposing team. "I thought it would put pressure on me," Ryan said in an interview with WFAN. "Clearly, when you have a team that went to back-to-back championship games, what else is there to go for? It's Super Bowl or bust. Well, we busted. "When I guaranteed we'd get it done this year, I thought the bull's-eye was going on my back. That's where I wanted to place it. What I didn't anticipate was, I put added pressure on our players when I wanted to"

Jets owner Woody Johnson concerned about Mark Sanchez-Santonio Holmes rift

January 20

New York Daily News

"Three weeks after the Jets missed the playoffs for the first time under Rex Ryan, owner Woody Johnson addressed the locker-room discord that stained their season. He also discussed the organization's handling of Mark Sanchez, the young quarterback's rift with Santonio Holmes and the possibility of pursuing Peyton Manning in the offseason. After anonymous players told the Daily News that Holmes was a "cancer" and acted like "a 10-year-old" after he exchanged verbal barbs with teammates on the field in the regular season-ending loss to the Dolphins, Johnson made it clear that the mercurial wide receiver will definitely be back in 2012."

Jets owner: Holmes will be back next season

January 20

New York Post

"Woody Johnson must have flunked chemistry. The Jets owner said yesterday that wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be welcomed back to the team, and he believes Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez can repair their issues. "[Holmes] may be one of the best players we've ever had here," Johnson said. "You could look at his talent level and he's extraordinarily talented." Holmes may be talented, but he's also a headache. Holmes' teammates were livid at his behavior in the final game of the season in Miami when he moped around the field and former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer benched him with two minutes left."

Woody not ruling out Peyton

January 20

New York Post

"Woody Johnson gave everyone in favor of the Jets chasing Peyton Manning a little hope yesterday. When asked about the possibility of adding Manning if the Colts release the legendary quarterback, the Jets owner left the door open. "I'm not going to ever tell you guys what we may or may not do," Johnson said. "My job is to — for the fans — take this team to the very top level. … I've said that from the beginning. I have a lot of confidence that we can do it. So we're going to look at everything. We're going to look at every possibility.""

Tickets won't cost more Green

January 20

New York Post

"One good thing to come from the Jets' 8-8 season is owner Woody Johnson announcing yesterday the team will not raise ticket prices in 2012. Johnson made the announcement on an interview with 1050 ESPN Radio. The prices for Jets games have been a hot-button issue with fans since the team moved to MetLife Stadium in 2010 and began charging fans for personal seat licenses on top of the price of tickets."

LaDainian Tomlinson says quarterback Mark Sanchez was pampered due to lack of competition

January 19

New York Daily News

"A week after Jets players and members of the organization painted a polarizing picture of Mark Sanchez in a Daily News report, teammate LaDainian Tomlinson admitted that he believes that Sanchez is "a bit pampered because he has no competition" at quarterback. Tomlinson also said that Sanchez's rift with Santonio Holmes was "as bad as I've ever been around." Several key players and team officials questioned everything from Sanchez's leadership to the organization's coddling of him, as reported in The News' story last week. Although Tomlinson disagreed with one player's characterization that Sanchez was "lazy" on the practice field, the veteran running back firmly believes that the Jets"

Tomlinson: Rex's crew hurt by 'bad' locker room and Sanchez-Holmes rift

January 19

New York Post

"The Jets season has been over for nearly three weeks, yet the fallout from their 8-8 failure continues. The latest comes from respected running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who said the relationship between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes and the Jets locker room as a whole was "as bad as I've ever been around." Tomlinson, appearing on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," described the strain that existed between Sanchez and Holmes."

LT: Jets rift 'as bad as I've been around'

January 18

ESPN.com

"If Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes remain New York Jets teammates in 2012, they might need an intervention to repair their relationship. The Sanchez-Holmes rift was "as bad as I've ever been around," LaDainian Tomlinson revealed in a television interview. Tomlinson, the latest player to characterize the dissension-torn locker room as The Florham Park Zoo, said he's not sure if Sanchez and Holmes can co-exist. The future Hall of Famer claimed the locker-room problems "got out of hand" toward the end of the season, adding that coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum fueled the mentality because they like players that speak their mind."

Eli says Peyton on Jets would be 'interesting'

January 18

New York Post

"There might be room for two Mannings in New Jersey, after all. Giants quarterback Eli Manning said the idea of brother Peyton playing for the Jets is intriguing. "I am not saying it's going to happen, or I'd want it to happen, but having your brother that close to you and playing in New York would be very unique," Eli said in an interview with 1050 ESPN Radio. Peyton's future is in limbo after missing the entire 2011 season following neck surgeries to repair a bulging disc. Peyton's Colts proceeded to go 2-14 without him and earn the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, leading most to believe they will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck."

Jets coach Mike Smith bails

January 18

New York Post

"Mike Smith, who was hired as the Jets outside linebackers coach just two weeks ago, is leaving the team to become the assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at West Virginia University. Smith, 30, had been a coaching intern for two seasons with the Jets. He was widely credited by the coaching staff for the development of outside linebacker Aaron Maybin. When the team let Jeff Weeks go after the season, Rex Ryan promoted Smith to the position."

Tomlinson blames Jets receivers for tension with Sanchez

January 17

New York Post

"LaDainian Tomlinson came to the defense of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez yesterday. The Jets running back was a guest on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" yesterday. He was asked about Sanchez, who came under attack last week from anonymous teammates in a published report, including a quote that said he was "lazy'' on the practice field. "There are a lot of things you can say about Mark Sanchez, but to call him lazy is a bit much," Tomlinson said. "This is a guy that has worked very hard off the field, in the film room. I've seen it, in the weight room, putting in extra time with the coaches early in the morning after practice when everybody is gone. He is putting in time. So, he's not lazy.""

Victor's heroics vs. Jets saved lost season

January 17

New York Post

columnist Mark Cannizzaro

"The Giants season was on the brink. Tom Coughlin's job security was in question and the future of the franchise hung in the balance on Christmas Eve, just four short weeks ago, with the Giants in desperate need of a catalytic moment to save their 2011 season from its maddening inconsistency. Enter Victor Cruz. If not for that electric 99-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Jets on Dec. 24, where would the Giants be today? Home, probably. Whenever sports teams author the kind of special season the Giants are inking right now there are always moments that stand out as pivotal turning points — plays of consequence that enable the team to continue on, to survive and advance."

Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials

January 16

Chicago Tribune

"Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees. Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls. They then would be spread out among the crews at games."

Rex Ryan, who is still way off Mark, comes off as blind to Mark Sanchez's confidence crisis

January 14

New York Daily News

columnist Tim Smith

"Rex Ryan readily admits he never had the pulse of his team this season. "That's the biggest thing we have to fix," he said during a conference call with reporters Friday. "It's the easiest thing to fix." That is not the biggest problem facing the Jets. We know that because of the extensive wreckage that Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum are standing amid at the Jets training facility two weeks after they flamed out in Miami. There is a crisis of confidence with quarterback Mark Sanchez. That is bigger than a mutinous receiver and mouthy fourth-string rookie quarterback. That is bigger than Ryan not sticking his head in the door of a position meeting or walking through the locker room chatting up"

Sparano:'I like playing a physical style of offense'

January 14

New York Daily News

"The Extreme Makeover: Florham Park Edition begins with a return to the past for the Jets' offense. Tony Sparano, whose reputation as a no-nonsense disciplinarian may be exactly what the Jets need these days, conveyed his simple philosophy designed to breathe life into a disjointed offense. Gang Green's new offensive coordinator left little doubt that Rex Ryan's team will have clear offensive identity in 2012. Sparano's offense will put a premium on running the ball, protecting Mark Sanchez and taking timely shots down the field, a departure from Brian Schottenheimer's complex system. "Certainly I come in with a little different system and a little different style than maybe Brian had,""

Overhaul needed after internal combustion

January 14

New York Post

columnist Mark Cannizzaro

"The "to-do'' list Rex Ryan faces after his Jets melted down on the field, then further embarrassed themselves by purporting themselves in an even more unseemly way off of it, is a long one. There are a lot of things that went bad on Ryan's watch in 2011 that need fixing in 2012 — beginning with his own credibility. Listening to Ryan on a conference call yesterday reinforced bold-talk bravado suits him a lot better than run-for-cover spin doctoring. Listening to Ryan, without a trace of his usual bull-in-a-China-shop personality evident, gingerly sticking and moving his way through some pressing questions, was like seeing him driving around town in a Smart Car. It didn't fit. Spin doctoring"

Sparano says 'Ground and Pound' is back

January 14

New York Post

"From the sound of it, new Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano speaks the same language as his new boss, Rex Ryan. In his first remarks since getting the job, Sparano said his offense will be a tough, physical one. Surely, that is what wowed Ryan when he interviewed Sparano for the position. "I like playing a physical style of offense," Sparano said on a conference call with reporters. "Anybody that knows me knows that I want to be physical. Being physical doesn't mean you're going to run the football 55 times a game. Being physical means that you're going to protect the quarterback, it comes in the attitude of the receivers and how they go about what they're doing, and it also comes"