McKnight fumbles again, may have hurt chances

PHILADELPHIA - Joe McKnight took a deep breath, trying to explain his latest maddening effort.

The rookie running back had another tough day, something that's become a trend since the Jets selected him in the fourth round of April's draft. McKnight's fumble was returned for a touchdown in the Jets' 21-17 preseason win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Thursday night, marking the third consecutive game he's coughed the ball up and lost it.

McKnight's struggles have gotten to Rex Ryan, so much so that he's already indicating McKnight won't be suiting up on game days anytime soon.

"I was disappointed," said Ryan, who will cut the roster to 53 Saturday. "Here's a guy who was on the bubble of making the active roster and right now I don't have confidence in him. So I don't see how he can make the active roster. I'm disappointed in him. Obviously, he's got to work hard."

Holding on to the ball would be a start for McKnight, who rushed nine times for 34 yards.

He fumbled on first-and-10 at the Eagles' 35 on the final play from scrimmage of the first quarter. McKnight ran into the back of offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse, losing the ball in the process and creating a scrum. Kurt Coleman scooped up the ball and returned 64 yards for a touchdown, putting the Jets in a 10-0 hole after the first quarter.

"Just wanting to go out and make plays, that's what my mind-set was," McKnight said, "because that's what I thought I had to do to get on the team. But the little things count more than the big things now, because the little things show that you are dependable."

McKnight continues to dance and zig-zag behind the line. He's still not hitting the hole quickly enough and his work between the tackles is spotty, leaving him somewhat concerned that he could be left in the cold when the Jets put together their active game-day rosters.

"Of course I'm worried," McKnight said. "But I'm not going to let that get in the way of what my goals are. I'm going to come back tomorrow and work out hard. And if I get the call to come back Monday, I'm just going to go out and work hard."

McKnight's rookie backfield mate also had a rough outing, looking nothing like "The Terminator."

John Conner, whose blocking has been impressive, hasn't carried the ball much in the preseason, but the Jets gave him a bone with 48 seconds left in the first half in the shadows of their own goal line. Conner tripped over Wayne Hunter's foot and the ball popped out when he hit the ground after an 8-yard run up the middle. Coleman collected it and ran 8 yards for the touchdown and a 17-7 cushion.

"That's something that has to be addressed," Ryan said. "I told the team at halftime that we are going to have the quarterback follow the running back every snap. It's just ridiculous."

Danny Woodhead likely solidified his spot, though. He rushed 12 times for 45 yards and had a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The diminutive, versatile back also grabbed a pass for 10 yards - and a spot on the 53-man roster.

Who showed enough to make the squad? "I think Danny Woodhead did," Ryan said. "I'll say that right now."