Todd Bowles says he is not taking Jets play-calling from defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers
Jets coach Todd Bowles watches during the first half of a game against the Browns on Thursday in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Ron Schwane
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Todd Bowles vehemently denied a report that he was taking some of the play-calling away from defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers.
The normally even-keeled Bowles was fired up when he shot down the report that said he would take over the defense in two-minute/hurry-up situations.
“One-hundred percent false,” Bowles said. “Completely a lie. If somebody said it, it didn’t come out of my mouth. I have no idea where it came from. So I got nothing else to speak on it. I haven’t done any of it. I don’t know where it came from. It didn’t happen. It hasn’t happened. I’m pretty much a straight shooter. If I got something to say, I would probably say it. It would come out of my mouth. It never came out of my mouth. And It never happened. End of discussion.”
But Bowles wasn’t done.
“It never happened. It’s not going to happen. If I want to take the play calling or call something on the offense, I have that prerogative to do as the head coach. I never did any of that.”
This came on the heels of the Jets letting rookie Baker Mayfield score on them late in the first half and then late in the game of last Thursday’s 21-17 loss in Cleveland. But Bowles said Rodgers is still in charge of the defense.
“He’s doing what he’s been doing,” Bowles said.
MAYE'S DAY
Second-year safety Marcus Maye is optimistic he will make his season debut Sunday in Jacksonville.
Maye (ankle/foot) was in a helmet and pads and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. He hadn’t practiced in several weeks.
“I feel pretty good,” Maye said. “Ran around for a little bit. Just waiting on coach Bowles and the training staff.”
Maye, who had offseason ankle surgery, hasn’t played since the Jets’ third preseason game against the Giants. He called that “a test run to see where we were.”
Linebacker Josh Martin also is getting closer to returning as he was limited in practice as well. He suffered a concussion in the Giants game, and hasn’t been cleared from the protocol.
JETS STREAMS
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, did some running at practice Wednesday. But Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone said Fournette was limited. “It’s one of those injuries you just never know,” Marrone said. “I’ve been optimistic for two weeks and it hasn’t come to fruition. It’s day to day and we just got to be ready to play without him.” . . . Defensive back Buster Skrine (knee), tight end Neal Sterling (concussion), safety Doug Middleton (knee/finger) and receiver Charone Peake (hamstring) did not practice for the Jets.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
