Ryan: Leonhard questionable, Gohlston out for Sunday

Friday November 20, 2009 2:15 PM By Jim Baumbach

How big is this Sunday's game? Well, answer this question: can the Jets' playoff hopes - as dim as they might be - afford any more losses this season? Obviously no. And maybe that's why Jim Leonhard has rushed back from surgery to put himself in position to play Sunday.

Leonhard, who as the Jets' strong safety essentially is their quarterback on defense, injured his right thumb during last week's game and had surgery on Monday. Clearly, that put his status for this week's game in New England in severe jeopardy.

But after spending all week watching practice from the exercise bike, Leonhard was back in jersey this morning, on the field going through drills with his teammates. We don't speak to Rex Ryan for about an hour or so, but know this: they're not putting a guy who had surgery on Monday through practice on Friday if they don't plan to play him on Sunday.

Also, it appeared he had a soft cast of some sort underneath his glove, protecting his thumb. I'll see if he will expand on that when we go inside the locker room after practice.
 

UPDATE: Rex Ryan just spoke. Said Leonhard is questionable, went through "limited" practice. Rex wants to talk to Leonhard about how he felt going through drills while wearing a soft cast. Wants to make sure Leonhard feels comfortable making tackles and possibly catching a football with the cast on. But, he added: "I would not be surprised to see him out there."

BTW, fwiw, Vernon Gohlston is officially out for Sunday's game.

Transcript: Jets chat with Rod Boone

Thursday November 19, 2009 11:50 AM By Mike Rose

Rod Boone talks Jets and answers your questions today in a live chat at 1 p.m.

Comedy Central Presents

Wednesday November 18, 2009 5:58 PM By Roderick Boone

It's been a while since we've had an installment of the Rex Ryan Comedy Hour. There's not many yucks you can have when your team is in the midst of a serious swoon and its season is on the brink.

But the rookie head coach was at it again today, opening up his press conference with a few props and everything. It was a vintage Rex and drew hearty laughs from just about everyone in the room.

He went to the podium as he always does and just before he was about to give his opening remarks, he turned to PR man Bruce Speight like he did back in training camp Cortland, and asked Speight for something he was holding.

"Before we start," he said, "Bruce, you got that?"

Turns out it was a box of Kleenex.

"I've got a new sponsor," he quipped. "The Jets have Toyota. I get the Kleenex for obvious reasons. So that's our new sponsor."

Hold on because Ryan wasn't done with his zingers yet. He pulled out a piece of paper and offered up another great one-liner, basically poking fun at the mass hysteria rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez created when he read some things off a prepared statement at the outset of his press conference following Sunday's loss.

"So now, let me go ahead and get this out and read my statement that I have," he said. "It says here that New England's pretty good. Any questions?"

Freakin' hilarious. The guy is a laugh riot and said despite all that's gone on with this story about him crying in front of the players during a team meeting Monday, he's just being himself and he's cried plenty of times before.

Said Ryan: "It's more passion than anything else."

It also sounded like Ryan is becoming more aware that he can't keep putting things on his defense just because he's so sure the opposition isn't going to get the job done against his unit.

"I've always felt in my life that I'm going to stop you," he said. "And sometimes that's not in the best interest of a football team."

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S Jim Leonhard had three screws inserted into his broken right thumb and he's looking really iffy for Sunday. He didn't practice today and his arm was in a sling. Ryan wasn't ready to count him out yet, but it's hard to think he'll be able to go.

Said Ryan: "If there's any way possible of him playing, I wouldn't be shocked."

"He is a tough kid, I'm just telling you," Ryan later added. "The average guy, there is no way he plays. But Jim Leonhard's not an average guy. He may look average, but he's not an average guy."

If Leonhard is sidelined, LB David Harris would be the one with the radio in his helmet on defense, making all the calls. That's normally Leonhard's responsibility, as we saw Sunday.

S Eric Smith will replace Leonhard if he can't play. Since he's been a part of some of the 'Spartan packages' and has been on the field as an extra defensive back at times -- plus, he did step in for Leonhard on Sunday while he was in the locker room getting looked at -- Smith is confident he'll be able to slide in and get the job done.

"It's not like I've sat on the sideline and haven't played at all these nine weeks or whatever it's been," Smith said. "I've been in there getting some reps and I get some reps in practice, so it's not like I'm cold coming in off the bench."

LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring) also didn't participate in practice and who knows when -- or if -- we'll see him again.

For the Pats, WR Randy Moss didn't participate in practice today, but it wasn't injury related.

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Going back to the franchise QB for a second, today was the first day he chatted with us since Statement Gate, and he addressed that whole scenario.

"I answer the questions and you guys ask the questions," Sanchez said. "That's the rule. I'm not here to do your job just like you're not here to do mine. That wasn't the most respectful thing to do to you guys and ladies. So as much as I want to anticipate the questions and have an idea of what's coming my way, it's not my job to say, 'All right, press conference is over.' It's your job to ask as many questions as we have time for."

As for actual on the field stuff, Sanchez said he feels like he's getting into more a groove over these last three or four games, but isn't happy with not converting on third downs as much as he would like (remember, he was lights out to start the season). He also thinks his eyes are getting better, meaning he's becoming more adept at scanning the field and not locking on to his receivers as much.That, he said, is a credit to the scout team at practice.

But he knows he's been a slow starter and understands that can't continue. He even used a little baseball terminology to describe why he needs to get off to faster starts, which in turn will help his 53.3 completion percentage.

"You want to start out 8-for-10," he said. "It's just like a pitcher and a pitch count. You don't want to start off with three balls, then you've really got to press and you've really got to hone in on throwing strikes. But when you get a batter down 0-2, you can do whatever you want. You just feel more comfortable. So that's the situation I need to find myself in, especially in a week like this just to get some early completions and get my confidence going."

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We spoke with former Jets TE Chris Baker on a conference call today and he, of course, was asked about the rivalry. He said he there isn't as much animosity or hatred toward the Jets from the Patriots' players perspective as he originally believed.

"I thought there was when I came up here, but it’s really not," he said. "It has everything to do with one game at a time. Obviously, it’s a rivalry. They know us. We know them. It was nothing that I thought it was being on that side of the rivalry. I always thought that they didn’t respect us. It couldn’t be further than what is in here.  We have more of a healthy respect for what they do."

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We'll have a Live Chat at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Drop on by so we can talk all things Jets as they prepare for what might be their final big game of the season.

Britt Davis is back

Tuesday November 17, 2009 4:32 PM By Roderick Boone

The Jets filled their vacant spot on the practice squad today after LB Kenwin Cummings' elevation to the 53-man roster yesterday by bringing back an old face.

WR Britt Davis, who was originally inked by the Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 1 and was released in the final round of cuts Sept. 5, has re-signed with the team.

Davis, a 6-3, 205-pounder, caught five passes for 54 yards in the preseason. He had a solid career at Northern Illinois, finishing fifth on NIU's all-time list in career catches with 146, and also had 1,676 receiving yards, 2,063 all-purpose yards and nine career touchdowns. 

As the World Turns at The Hangar

Monday November 16, 2009 6:14 PM By Roderick Boone

Just when you think things can't get any crazier.

The Jets and defensive line coach Kerry Locklin have parted ways today in what Rex Ryan called a "mutual decision." Locklin, who was on the same coaching staff with Ryan at Morehead State, was in his first season with the Jets.

Jeff Weeks, who's the assistant line coach, will take over Locklin's responsibilities but his title won't technically change. Chuck Smith, the former standout defensive end with the Falcons who's been helping out the Jets in a pass rushing instructor role of sorts, will assist Weeks. 

"This is a mutual decision that Kerry is no longer going to be with us," Ryan said. "We thought that was the best thing for both of us moving forward. This is a real sensitive issue. It’s unfortunate, the timing of it. But I think it was in both our best interests that we mutually agreed upon this."

Asked if the defensive line issues yesterday -- Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 55 yards and a touchdown mostly up the middle on the Jaguars' first drive -- had anything to do with the mutual parting Ryan said, "I think it’s never just one thing. There were some disagreements and it’s really more of there’s some issues, some personal issues that have been behind us."

Then there's reserve DB Ahmad Carroll. He was released by the team earlier today and the Jets signed LB Kenwin Cummings from the practice squad. Carroll's release comes as a real surprise because he was considered one of the team's top core special teamers.

However, he's been inactive for these last two weeks and it's been hard to figure out why. Carroll was around in the press box yesterday with the other inactives during the game and headed down to the locker room afterward.

Ryan refused to give a specific reason for sending "Batman" packing.

"I'd rather not go into the specifics of it," Ryan said. "I think [Marquice] Cole has really taken his role. I think he's done an outstanding job. That's not a slight to Batman. It's just that I think this guy won the job. It's a chance for us to get Kenwin Cummings up. Thing is, he's looked really good on the scout teams, been physical, been a real physical presence for us."

Pressed on Carroll's release, Ryan said: "I'd rather not get into the specifics of it, OK."

Just another day in what's becoming a weird season in Jets Land.

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Safety Jim Leonhard had surgery on his right thumb today and his status is unclear. Ryan said he wasn't sure how long Leonhard would be out, but he didn't sound too convinced the injury isn't serious enough to keep him sidelined for a period of time.

The Morning After (Season is over edition)

Monday November 16, 2009 12:04 PM By Roderick Boone

Well, that didn't take long.

Just when fans throw their all into this team, soaking up every single trash talking quote and the new swaggerlicious attitude that's engulfed this franchise since January when Rex Ryan came on board, they rip your heart out. There's no other way, really, to put it.

It's almost like purchasing a spanking new 1080p capable high-definition flat screen television and having it installed on the wall of your living room. Then, once you press the power button for the first time to see that supposed brilliant picture, the television all of the sudden short circuits and smoke begins to billow from the back of the set.

Least you can still exchange it and get another TV, though. The Jets don't afford you that luxury.

As I wrote in my game story in today's paper, it was clearly obvious before yesterday's excruciating 24-22 loss to the Jaguars that the Jets definitely have the gift for gab, but apparently aren't good enough to get the job done. It made for fun days during OTAs, minicamp, training camp and even early in the season when things were going well.

Now? Well, they're like the boy who cried wolf. Until they actually back up their talk with consecutive wins, why should anyone take them seriously? Can you hear the laughter all the way from South Florida, where the Dolphins are likely yucking it up after seeing the Jets' supposed vaunted defense choke when it counts most again?

"You can play 99 plays in the game, but one play will kill you," LB Calvin Pace said. "It’s a lapse of concentration. So collectively, everybody on this defense has to go back to the drawing board, man. You’ve got to. Because if we keep playing like this, we’re going to get embarrassed."

Too late.

The joke's indeed on them because the Jets did it to themselves. There's no one to blame. Just look directly in the mirror and there's the culprit.

"We’re not getting blown off the ball. Guys are not beating us physically," DE Shaun Ellis said. "We just have to play smarter. It sucks, it just sucks."

Kind of like seeing a once promising season at 3-0 crash and burn in spectacular fashion, prompting someone who's a Jets fan to say something to me on the phone last night as I was packing up my stuff at the Meadowlands and getting ready to battle that Sunday George Washington Bridge traffic while making my way home.

"Wait 'til next year."

Again.

Gameday Live 9: Jaguars at Jets

Sunday November 15, 2009 11:49 AM By Stephen Haynes

Hey, hey. Stephen Haynes back with you for Episode 9 of GDL. I’ll be here throughout the game to provide stats, updates, conversation and plenty of randomness in the chat. And, of course, there’s the useless pre-game babble/analysis.

Hmm. Anything of note happen during bye week? Think, think, thi… Ah, yeah, the Jets pushed the must-win button for third time this season. This time it was Darrelle Revis who uttered the words.

“This is a must win for us and we've got to come out ready to go,” the cornerback said of today’s matchup with the Jaguars. “Everybody knows what's at stake.”

If you’ve kept track, the Jets have not won either of their two previous MWGs. But they’re right. This, in fact, is a winning-is-more-imperative-than-in-most-other-weeks game. The Jets, at 4-4, have been the picture of mediocrity. And it wasn’t Photoshopped, either, as they’ve found different ways to lose with each of the three units costing them at least a game. Last episode, the 30-25 loss to Miami, they got the garrote from the special teams (refer to Ginn, Ted).

What’s worse is that in losing four of their last five, they blew an opportunity to fatten their first-half record against teams that, on paper and in the standings, are inferior. That’s 0-3 against the Dolphins and Bills. After starting 3-0, the Jets could certainly be sitting at 6-2 or even 7-1 now. But what they’ve done, pretty much, is get half right on the simple part of the test – the multiple choice gimmes that should’ve gotten them an easy 60% – and now they’ll need to ace the written part with the passage analysis and essay.

The cushion, if there is one, is worn and torn. A gander at the remaining schedule and it’s got the Patriots up next. New England (6-2) isn’t the same team it was in Week 2 and they’ll be out for payback. Then down the stretch for the New York will be the Falcons, the still-lossless Colts, and the upstart Bengals. Unfortunately for the Jets, they don’t play in the NFC West and it’ll probably take at least 10 wins to be in the mix for a playoff berth. Unless you expect the Jets to walk over the hot coals unscathed or think the other wild card contenders will fold – and not even Oliver Optimism would put the house on that.

So that’s two losses. They can only afford maybe two more defeats and still make something of the season. And seeing as how it ain’t no easy road ahead on this journey, they’ll have to ration those L’s like a loaf of bread and a canteen of water.

Meaning this game against the inconsistent and mediocre 4-4 Jaguars definitely qualifies as a gotta have it. The urgency level is at Orange.

Working in the Jets’ favor is the Jaguars’ difficulty away from home. They’re 1-3 on the road and have averaged just 12.2 points. David Garrard hasn’t thrown a touchdown outside of Jacksonville and his completion percentage drops from 65.3 to 55.2 percent on the road. The quarterback rating plummets from a strong 95.0 to a sub-starter-esque 64.7. Who can explain that? You usually only see such stark contrasts in the splits from rookies.

(If you’re wondering, Mark Sanchez has a 71.4 rating on the road and 64.5 at home. Six of his 10 interceptions have come at home; five in that game against the Bills.)

And - big “and” - New York will be as close to full strength as possible with Lito Sheppard (quad), Shaun Ellis (knee), Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring), Brad Smith (quad) and Donald Strickland (ankle) all probable. Vernon Gholston, who suffered a hamstring injury in practice, will be inactive… That one’s sitting on a tee so you can insert the punchline yourself.

The last time the teams played each other was in 2006, with the Jets losing, 41-0. Chad Pennington was picked off three times, Byron Leftwich threw two touchdowns and Fred Taylor ran for 111 yards and a score. So you can tell from just the names that things have changed in three years. But Jacksonville is 5-2 all time against the Jets.

Keys to the Game

Offense

The Jets are the top rushing team in the league, putting up 177.6 yards per game on 4.8 yards per run. Still, they should look to exploit the Jaguars’ weak pass defense, which is allowing quarterbacks to complete 68.6 percent.

They can’t afford to get lulled into an overly-conservative ticktacktoe contest with the Jags because as listless as their offense often is, they’ve got game-breakers who can turn a close score into a deficit on any snap. In particular the Hyphen Boys: Maurice Jones-Drew (737 rushing yards and league-best 11 touchdowns) is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. And Mike Sims-Walker, an emerging start at wideout, has 554 yards and four touchdowns and has gone over 80 yards in every game he’s played but one. The Jets should be able to exploit a defense that’s registered the fewest sacks (8) and allowed quarterbacks to compile a 100.2 rating.

Jacksonville’s run defense has been decent overall, allowing 119.8 yards per game. And they’re tough to turn the corner on outside, but they’ve been getting gashed between the tackles, giving up 5.88 yards per carry, which is last in the NFL. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton is no Marcus Stroud and the 6-7, 335-pound John Henderson (ankle; probable) isn’t what he used to be.

Defense

The secondary will have to contain Sims-Walker. He’s a physical, 6-2, 214-pounds, but he’s also got open-field speed. Not a burner by any stretch, but if he’s got room he can tear off YAC in chunks. He’s like a middle-class man’s Anquan Boldin. Revis will again have his work cut out for him and after ringing the alarm, he’ll have to stand and deliver.

Dwight Lowery will get the start at right cornerback, which means he’ll probably see a lot of Torry Holt. It’s a nice matchup between the veteran (possibly a future Hall of Famer) and a second-year defensive back. Holt doesn’t have the breakaway speed anymore and isn’t nearly the threat he once was on 20-yard digs and deep corners, but he’s a slick route-runner with good hands and savvy. Lowery will have to be careful with him.

Today's inactives

Sunday November 15, 2009 12:04 PM By Roderick Boone

So much for Justin Miller being the answer at kick returner.

The Jets are inactives are in and Miller is on the list. CB Dwight Lowery, who will start in place of Lito Sheppard at right cornerback (yes, Sheppard is active), is going to handle the kick return duties this afternoon.

Besides Miller, special teamer Ahmad Carroll, LB Vernon Gholston, OL Matt Slauson, WR/RB Danny Woodhead, QB Kevin O'Connell, and LB Ryan Fowler are also inactive. Erik Ainge serves as the third QB.

For the Jaguars, WR Tiquan Underwood, S Courtney Greene, S Gerald Alexander, LB Adam Seward, DT Derek Kandri, OT Maurice Williams, TE Ernest Wilford and DT Greg Peterson are inactive.

We'll have Stephen Haynes live blogging the game as always so join him for a little fun during the game, won't ya?