Edwards: We have to execute that much better

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Braylon Edwards believes the Patriots were doing virtually everything they could to pour it on late and embarrass the Jets in that 45-3 drubbing Monday night.

"I don't want to say they ran it up, but at the end of the day, they ran it up," the wide receiver said Wednesday. "If you look at what happened, yeah they ran it up. But I mean, that's football. It's a rivalry and it's two guys that probably don't like each other through the rivalry, at least. So we probably would've done the same thing."

But Edwards said the unflattering outcome is something they'll use as motivation.

"Pretty much," Edwards said. "We were humbled in the sense that we got beat in all phases. So knowing that happened to us, knowing that's a possibility, knowing that we have to be that much more focused going into games . . . we have to execute that much better so we don't end up on that side of the coin all over again."

Rex admires Fitzhugh

Free agent safety Keith Fitzhugh's decision to turn down the Jets Tuesday became clearer. The Jets wanted to add him to their practice squad, not the 53-man active roster as originally thought.

Fitzhugh, who said he wanted to remain a conductor with Norfolk Southern Railroad and help support his parents in Atlanta, would've made just $5,000 a week as a practice squad player as opposed to $19,000 on the actual roster. Still, Ryan was impressed with Fitzhugh's maturity.

"He's just a really outstanding young man," he said. "The decision he made was a tough one for him, but I admire his decision."

Extra points

S Emanuel Cook was signed to the roster, and LB Brashton Satele and CB Isaiah Trufant were added to the practice squad . . . Ryan said no structural damage was found on S James Ihedigbo's MRI, but he's likely out for Sunday . . . Miami QB Chad Pennington, scheduled for shoulder surgery tomorrow, said he's 50-50 on whether he'll retire.