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Big Brother is watching
In trying to curtail Mark Sanchez's killer turnover total, Rex Ryan has decided to take on more of an active role with the rookie quarterback. Sanchez's 16 interceptions are second most in the league and he's lost three of his nine fumbles. He's had two interceptions returned for touchdowns and one fumble converted into a TD. "I'm going to make sure the quarterback understands what we need from him," Ryan said. "That's what I'm going to do to manage the game."
In need of a morale booster
The last time the Jets tasted victory was the week before Halloween. A win this week against the Panthers at home would give them a good feeling. Losing six of their last seven after a 3-0 start is taking its toll. "It is testing your character," WR Jerricho Cotchery said. "The ones that can work through adversity and persevere are going to be the ones that end up winning in the end. That is what we're trying to do right now. We are trying to work through all of the things that we are going through."
Secondary concerns
With Dwight Lowery nursing a hamstring injury and fellow CB Donald Strickland's status unclear after a concussion Sunday when he got drilled by Patriots lineman Mark LeVoir, the secondary could be on the thin side. Lito Sheppard will likely start at right cornerback, and Drew Coleman and Marquice Cole could see more time. But Strickland isn't ready to say he'll be unavailable. "It's a little too early to tell," he said. "We'll see how I feel in the next couple of days going into it. But I should be OK."
