Jets' first-team defense pitches shutout
Carolina Panthers' Kenny Moore (81) misses a catch as he is hit by New York Jets' Brodney Pool (22) in the second quarter. (Aug, 21, 2010) Credit: AP
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - At least the first-team defense showed a pulse.
Unlike their first-team offensive counterparts, the Jets' defensive starters fared pretty well Saturday night, containing the Panthers' offense for the most part. They held Carolina scoreless through their quarter-plus of action and limited the Panthers to 62 total yards, with 27 of those coming on a couple of nifty runs by running back D'Angelo Williams.
"We've got to get a little better, man,'' linebacker Bart Scott said. "We gave up a couple of runs, a couple of miscommunications. We gave up some runs when we didn't set the edge and I was a culprit on one of them. But you know, that's what preseason is for. We'll get better.''
Jim Leonhard was solid in the early going, picking off quarterback Matt Moore near the goal line on second-and-3 from the Panthers' 48 to bring Carolina's first drive to a halt. The safety also sacked Moore for a 9-yard loss on Carolina's second series, helping hold the Panthers to a three-and-out.
Mayor Jenkins
Kris Jenkins was beaming from ear to ear during pre-game warm-ups. The nose tackle was thrilled to be back at Bank of America Stadium after having spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Panthers.
Just before the rest of his teammates jogged back into the locker room after completing their final tuneups before kickoff, Jenkins strolled over to the Carolina sideline. He exchanged several handshakes and hugs, working the sideline like a politician.
"There's a lot of mixed emotions,'' Jenkins said. "Some people told me they missed me, some people told me they wish I was back. Some people told me they hate my guts. Some people got a little bit more verbally agitated, but that's what comes with it.''
Jenkins was a game captain along with WRs Jerricho Cotchery and Aundrae Allison, DE Shaun Ellis and LB Kenwin Cummings.
Extra points
Reserve DL Ropati Pitoitua suffered what's believed to be a torn Achilles tendon, ending his season . . . Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold made his preseason debut. He sat out Monday's opener against the Giants after coming down with a headache after getting hit in the head by DT Sione Pouha.
