Jets know they can't afford loss to Jaguars
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Their margin for error is about as thin as a piece of construction paper, and as frail as a dry, crunched maple leaf.
Although there are still eight games remaining, the Jets (4-4) know the importance of Sunday's matchup with the Jaguars (4-4).
"This is a must-win," linebacker Calvin Pace said Wednesday. "We need this win, bottom line. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. We have to go out there and all phases - offense, defense, special teams - have to perform like they did the first three weeks.''
Especially at home. Since impressive wins over the Patriots and Titans at the Meadowlands, the Jets have lost two heartbreakers there.
"It's like somebody burglarizing your home while you're there," tackle Damien Woody said. "You never want that to happen. This is our house. In front of our fans, we want nothing but the best. You've always got to defend your home turf.''
Gholston pulls hammy
Linebacker Vernon Gholston, who has yet to show enough to warrant being drafted sixth overall last year, pulled a hamstring in Monday's light practice and expects to be out a couple days.
"It was one of the situations where you've kind of been relaxing a little, should have stretched a little bit more and you get out there moving around and just like that, it happens," he said. "Usually, I'm pretty good with stuff like that. So it kind of just happened, and there really isn't too much you can do about it."
Tough talker
Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew joked he has a problem with something that outspoken Jets linebacker Bart Scott said recently.
"Well, I'm a little upset that he said I'm the third-best trash talker in the league," Jones-Drew said, drawing laughs. "That's a little upsetting. I thought I was the best."
