Jets football blog

Sanchez looks shaky vs Giants D in 17-3 win

Billed as the Plaxioc Burress Bowl, the annual preseason matchup between the Giants and Jets Monday night played out as a battle between two struggling passing games.

Giants QB Eli Manning, who threw 25 interceptions last season, was picked off twice by the Jets, first by S Leonhard and then by LB David Harris. He connected on 15 of 30 passes for 200 yards.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez did not fare much better. Able to sidestep a cornerback blitz by Antrel Rolle, he lost a fumble soon after and failed to connect with his receiving corps for the majority of the night. On one route, he hit top target Santonio Holmes in the back of his helmet. Sanchez finished 8-of-16 for 64 yards and one touchdown, a 17-yard connection with Holmes. (continue)

Jets game move to Monday at 7:00pm

The Giants and the NFL were mulling their options regarding how to handle Saturday's preseason game against the Jets as Hurricane Irene approached.

They've made a decision: The game will be moved back two days.

The team announced kickoff at MetLife Stadium is now scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, a full 48 hours after the originally slated start to the game.

Traffic issues near the stadium and the safety of fans and workers leaving the game were obviously among the chief concerns. (continue)

Rex has Jets #1 in NY,game moved to 2:00pm Saturday

In Rex Ryan's book, released this spring, he referred to the Jets as the "big brother" of the NFL teams representing New York — and said his squad will remain the better team for the next 10 years.

With two days until the Jets-Giants preseason game, the Jets coach reiterated that statement.

"I’m not backing down from one comment," he said. "I believe we are the best team in New York. My goal is to be the best team in the National Football League, not just in New York, and I’m not backing down one bit from that statement. I believe that will be the case."

As Ryan is fond of saying, he added, "We get to find out on Christmas Eve." (continue)

 

WR Holmes looks forward to better execution on offense

Say what you want, Justin Tuck. But Giants Stadium is a thing of the past, according to Santonio Holmes.

Tuck, the Giants defensive end, recently said the newly named MetLife Stadium will forever be known by its old moniker. But Holmes playfully disagreed Wednesday.

“It’s the Meadowlands, the home of the New York Jets. That’s all I have to say about that,” he said with a smile.

Saturday’s game between the Jets and the Giants has garnered little trash talking among the clubs. But, then again, it's only the preseason.

“Once the regular season game come on, we’ll probably feed more into it,” Holmes said, when asked if the Jets are feeding into the rivalry. “But as of right now, it’s the preseason. It doesn’t mean much to us right now. As long as we’re getting our offense and our defense and our special team on the same page, that’s all that matters.” (continue)

 

Burress shines in 27-7 win over Bengals

Plaxico Burress saw the ball coming his way and everything started to move in slow motion.

He stretched his arms out, grabbed the pass over his shoulder and fell into the end zone for a touchdown. After being away from the game for nearly three years, Plax was back.

"Everything feels normal," the wide receiver said. "It feels like football. To be honest, it feels like I never left."

Burress caught three passes for 66 yards, including a terrific 26-yard reception for a touchdown, in his first game since 2008 to help the Jets beat the Bengals 27-7 in a preseason game Sunday night.

"It's the tip of the iceberg," Burress said. "I'm just getting started."

Signed last month after serving 20 months in prison on a gun charge, Burress made his debut with the Jets (1-1) a memorable one. He caught a 20-yard pass from Mark Sanchez on the Jets' first offensive play, prompting huge cheers from the rain-soaked crowd at the New Meadowland Stadium. (continue)

Plaxico Burress starts his shot at redemption tonight

Three weeks ago, the Jets signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress, and the buzz began.

His return to the field has been delayed by a sprained left ankle, but tonight fans finally will get to see him play when the Jets take on the Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Burress last played in a game on Nov. 23, 2008, in Arizona for the Giants. Days later, he accidentally shot himself in the leg and wound up in prison. Burress has spent many nights thinking about returning to the football field.

"As far as me running out, it is going to be one of those days that I have been waiting for a long time," Burress said, "but when we buckle up and drive to the football stadium and Mark's calling those plays in the huddle, I'm going to be so focused on the game and getting my job done that everything on the outside for that time doesn't matter. I am just going to enjoy it and play with a smile on my face and have fun. It's a privilege to play in this business, play in this league. [I'll] just go out and make the best of it." (continue)

Jets lose opener 20-16

 Mark Sanchez had the Jets on the move, driving deep into Texans' territory.

The Jets were banging on the door Monday night, poised to score on their first preseason drive. They were 10 yards from the end zone despite missing center Nick Mangold, guard Brandon Moore and wideout Plaxico Burress -- all key components.

But the drive fizzled out the same way so many did last season, when the Jets struggled in the red zone. Sanchez was sacked for a 5-yard loss on third down, forcing them to settle for Nick Folk's 33-yard field goal.

The first-team offense was fruitless in its only other possession, which ended with a punt.

The Texans won, 20-16, after Jets rookie Greg McElroy led a late drive that fell short. The Jets would have taken the lead if rookie receiver Michael Campell hadn't dropped a sure touchdown pass in the final minute. (continue)

New receivers no problem for Sanchez

 Mark Sanchez dropped back into the pocket, surveying the chaotic scene in front of him.

The Jets' third-year quarterback looked around at his tight end and his trio of wide receivers, quickly scanning to see who was open. Without hesitation, Sanchez looked at his slot receiver darting underneath, firing a strike to one of the new guys for a completion.

Derrick Mason, practicing for the first time with his new team, snared the pass with relative ease, showing there wasn't any need for much of an adjustment period on this day for Sanchez, Mason and the Jets' other two core wideouts --Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress.

With three new wide receivers, including Mason and Burress, one might think Sanchez is concerned that it will take a while to get in sync with everyone. But he's not about to co-sign on that theory. (continue)

 

WR Mason signs with Jets

Receiver Derrick Mason is headed to the Jets, he announced on his Twitter account today.

“Jet fuel is full time to fly!!!!!” Mason wrote.

The Jets courted Mason as a replacement for Jerricho Cotchery, the longtime Jets receiver who was released Thursday after requesting to part ways with the organization. Mason visited the team’s facility that same day.

Rex Ryan said Friday that he thought Mason would have to leave money on the table to come to the Jets. Baltimore wanted to bring him back, and Tennessee was also in the mix, but Mason chose to join Ryan. (continue)

Jets sign Cromartie

The cornerback has agreed to terms, according to a league source. The deal is worth a reported $32 million, and secures a major need the Jets have: a veteran cornerback to play opposite Darrelle Revis.

Cromartie, who was hot and cold at times with the Jets last season, is a consolation prize of sorts, really only signed because the Jets were jilted by Nnamdi Asomugha bolting to the Eagles. Asomugha, the most sought after free agent on the market, inked a five-year, $60 million with $25 million guaranteed. (continue)