Jets won't break up successful safety combination
Photo credit: AP | New York Jets safety Eric Smith blocks a punt by New England Patriots punter Chris Hanson in the second quarter. (Nov. 22, 2009)
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Week 12: Jets 17, Panthers 6
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Why mess with success?
That's Rex Ryan's thinking when it comes to rearranging his new starting safety tandem of Eric Smith and Jim Leonhard. Ryan made the bold move last week of inserting Smith into Kerry Rhodes' normal starting spot in the base 3-4 scheme. Smith had a solid game in Sunday's win over the Panthers with eight tackles. Two came behind the line of scrimmage.
Rhodes, who did not speak to the media for the second straight day Monday, recorded his first two interceptions of the season and finally made some of the plays Ryan had been looking for. Rhodes mostly lined up in dime packages, but Ryan said he expects Rhodes to see time in nickel formations against the Bills Thursday and thinks Rhodes will be on the field a lot.
"Kerry's going to start in more packages," Ryan said. "You might not notice how much. He's going to play a ton. I probably will start Eric in the base package. We feel good about our safety situation."
Quick turnaround
With their second game in 10 days rapidly approaching, the Jets got right down to work Monday. They had a brief practice that was more like a walk-through, and know they have to maximize every minute during a short week.
"Your preparation time is almost cut in half," right tackle Damien Woody said. "You think about it, we have today and tomorrow and next thing you know, Wednesday we are flying to Canada. So that's one thing about these short weeks. On the flip side, both teams are going through a short week, so there's really not much you can install.
"It's almost like who's the better team."
Extra points
CBs Dwight Lowery (ankle) and Donald Strickland didn't participate in Monday's practice. Ryan didn't sound confident either would be ready to play since they haven't practiced in more than a week.
