NFL FanHouse

Between the Lines: Who Sends the House and Who Plays It Safe?

JJ Cooper — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:41:00 EST

Every week we analyze line play in a new Between The Lines feature.

In watching line play around the league, it's obvious that there's more than one way to pressure the quarterback. The Jets and Eagles generate pressure with confusion. Teams don't know if they're sending three or eight and they don't know where they will be coming from. The Vikings send their front four most of the time, but with Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, they don't need to confuse people as much as just beat them off the line. It generally works and drives Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers insane (14 sacks in two games).

But the stat that jumps out from this chart is the newly aggressive Saints pass rush. Last year New Orleans' secondary was leaky enough that the Saints risked touchdowns whenever they sent an all-out blitz. But with a new defensive coordinator and an improved secondary, New Orleans has generated four sacks with a seven-man rush. The "leave-no QB untouched" Jets have only two seven-man sacks (although they have the only eight-man rush sack of the season).

The following is the breakdowns of what percentage of sacks for each team have come on three through seven-men rushes. Admittedly it would be useful to also know how man rushers each team sends on each pass rush, but that will have to wait for Football Outsiders' team of game charters to put together after the season.

Team	3-man Rush	4-man Rush	5-man Rush	6-man Rush	7-man Rush
49ers	0.0%	43.8%	56.3%	0.0%	0.0%
Bears	0.0%	46.7%	26.7%	26.7%	0.0%
Bengals	0.0%	52.9%	23.5%	23.5%	0.0%
Bills	0.0%	61.1%	22.2%	11.1%	5.6%
Broncos	4.3%	56.5%	26.1%	13.0%	0.0%
Browns	0.0%	31.3%	50.0%	12.5%	6.3%
Buccaneers	0.0%	81.8%	0.0%	18.2%	0.0%
Cardinals	0.0%	23.5%	41.2%	23.5%	11.8%
Chargers	0.0%	37.5%	56.3%	6.3%	0.0%
Chiefs	11.1%	55.6%	33.3%	0.0%	0.0%
Colts	5.0%	80.0%	15.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Cowboys	0.0%	50.0%	12.5%	31.3%	6.3%
Dolphins	10.5%	52.6%	26.3%	10.5%	0.0%
Eagles	4.3%	52.2%	8.7%	30.4%	4.3%
Falcons	14.3%	50.0%	21.4%	7.1%	7.1%
Giants	0.0%	36.8%	36.8%	21.1%	5.3%
Jaguars	0.0%	40.0%	40.0%	20.0%	0.0%
Jets	7.1%	35.7%	21.4%	14.3%	14.3%
Lions	0.0%	53.3%	20.0%	6.7%	20.0%
Packers	8.3%	25.0%	50.0%	8.3%	8.3%
Panthers	11.8%	52.9%	11.8%	23.5%	0.0%
Patriots	0.0%	53.8%	46.2%	0.0%	0.0%
Raiders	5.9%	70.6%	11.8%	5.9%	5.9%
Rams	0.0%	64.3%	14.3%	21.4%	0.0%
Ravens	6.3%	43.8%	25.0%	25.0%	0.0%
Redskins	0.0%	64.7%	11.8%	17.6%	5.9%
Saints	6.3%	43.8%	18.8%	6.3%	25.0%
Seahawks	11.1%	33.3%	38.9%	16.7%	0.0%
Steelers	0.0%	45.0%	55.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Texans	0.0%	40.0%	30.0%	30.0%	0.0%
Titans	0.0%	66.7%	20.0%	0.0%	13.3%
Vikings	0.0%	80.0%	10.0%	10.0%	0.0%

And here are the raw numbers:

Sacking Team	3	4	5	6	7	8
49ers		7	9
Bears		7	4	4
Bengals		9	4	4
Bills		11	4	2	1
Broncos	1	13	6	3
Browns		5	8	2	1
Buccaneers		9		2
Cardinals		4	7	4	2
Chargers		6	9	1
Chiefs	1	5	3
Colts	1	16	3
Cowboys		8	2	5	1
Dolphins	2	10	5	2
Eagles	1	12	2	7	1
Falcons	2	7	3	1	1
Giants		7	7	4	1
Jaguars		2	2	1
Jets	1	5	3	2	2	1
Lions		8	3	1	3
Packers	1	3	6	1	1
Panthers	2	9	2	4
Patriots		7	6
Raiders	1	12	2	1	1
Rams		9	2	3
Ravens	1	7	4	4
Redskins		11	2	3	1
Saints	1	7	3	1	4
Seahawks	2	6	7	3
Steelers		9	11
Texans		4	3	3
Titans		10	3		2
Vikings		24	3	3
Totals	17	269	138	71	22	1
Percentage	3.3%	51.9%	26.6%	13.7%	4.2%	0.2%

Here are some other notes from around the league this week:

o. Chris Long did finally get his first sack of the season, but he should thank defensive tackle Clifton Ryan. Ryan is the man who got free to hit Matt Stafford, but when he failed to wrap up the rookie quarterback, Long was able to pick up the trash for the sack. Long, who recorded four sacks last year, isn't exactly producing like you would expect a top five pick to produce, but that's been par for the course for the Rams this year.

o. Seattle's Matt Hasselback is taking plenty of sacks, and watching the Seahawks injury-ravaged line its hard not to feel sorry for him. The Cowboys' three sacks against Hasselback all took two seconds or less--Bobby Carpenter managed to tackle Hasselback in his drop back, just 1.1 seconds after the snap which is the fastest sack recorded all season.

o. The 49ers defense deserves a lot of credit for doing what few teams ever do--get Peyton Manning off his game. Manning came into the game having been sacked twice in six games, but the 49ers sacked him three times. All three sacks came up the middle--guard Mike Pollack was beaten for two of the sacks and center Jeff Saturday was beaten for the other. But the 49ers secondary deserves some credit too. Manning usually gets rid of the ball as quick as any quarterback in the league, but he held the ball for more than 3.2 seconds on two of the three sacks last Sunday.

Between the Lines: Who Sends the House and Who Plays It Safe? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coach Killers, Week 8: Jets' Kickoff Unit

Tom Mantzouranis — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Jets

Every week, NFL FanHouse hits the lowlights from Sunday's action, looking at those players who did the most to move their head coaches that much closer to returning to the Bed and Breakfast business.

The Jets entered Week 8 allowing 20.4 yards per return. The Dolphins entered Week 8 gaining a hair over 22 yards per return. It seemed we were set for an unremarkable day of kickoffs.

And then Ted Ginn, Jr. happened.

Ginn, the beleaguered receiver (so much so, in fact, that he was the featured subject in this space a few weeks ago), was on the right side of the highlights for almost the first time this season after touchdown kickoff returns of 100 and 101 yards. As they say on the NFL Network, if they're showing kickoff highlights somebody either did something really good or something really bad. Ginn did good.

Or did the Jets do bad?

The vocal team and its vocal coach can talk all they want, as they did before the rematch against the Dolphins (and pretty much the entire season). Good teams win games that they've got in the bag. In outgaining the Dolphins 378 yards to 104, sacking Chad Henne six times, holding an advantage in time of possession of over eight minutes, and keeping the vaunted rushing attack to just 52 yards, the Jets should have had this one in the bag.

It made me think of something that was discussed during the Jets game against the Saints earlier this season -- Rex Ryan's words about how if you win two of the three phases of the game, you should win the game. Offense and defense? Advantage, Jets. Special teams? Advantage, Dolphins.

Scoreboard? Advantage, Dolphins.

Say what you will about Ginn, but the guy's got athletic talent that stands out even in this league of the best of the best. And the return game is where athleticism shines -- it gives stellar athletes a chance to let their skill lift them above the pack. Given enough opportunities this season, Ginn was going to make a couple of big plays in the return game. It was inevitable.

But in the same game? Of 100 and 101 yards? On top of four more returns at a 24.5 average (Ginn totaled six for 299 yards)? That's inexcusable. And when you consider that two of the four other returns were saved by Jay Feely tackles ... well, geez.

The first return looks to be much about play design: the Jets' coverage overloads to Ginn's left, but the Dolphins counter by sealing off that side pretty well, allowing Ginn to hit the right sideline. The Dolphins were prepared for the play and blocked it well, though Danny Woodhead has a chance to tackle Ginn at the 22-yard line and just whiffs. Though a couple of other Jets get close to Ginn, it's unrealistic to expect them to make the tackle once he evades Woodhead -- Ginn's a fast guy who hit the sideline at top speed, after all.

The second return is inexcusable. NFL Network caught Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff instructing the unit on covering the kickoff, and clearly is motioning the team to force Ginn to take the middle of the field. And it works, initially. Ginn tries breaking left, like in the first return, then cuts back up the gut when he sees both sides are covered. But when you force him to the middle, the second part of the equation is, you know, finishing a tackle. Larry Izzo misses one at the 18. Ryan Fowler follows by coming up empty, as well. Then four Jets converge on Ginn, but none of them are strong enough to get off their blocks (none of which are really strong blocks, mind you) and tackle him. After Ginn emerges from that little huddle, he's back to the right sideline and, just like in the first return, there's no catching him after that.

So for as much bluster as we've heard from the Meadowlands this season, the Jets clearly still have work to do. While the yapping is entertaining during the week, it looks silly in hindsight when you lose a game because of one chronically plagued facet of the game.

Meanwhile, here's to Ted Ginn. You made this space yet again. This time, though, for all the right reasons.

Coach Killers, Week 8: Jets' Kickoff Unit originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ted Ginn Responds to Benching

Chris Burke — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Jets

The Dolphins pulled receiver Ted Ginn from their starting lineup Sunday, just a couple days after telling him to "get better." Ginn responded by taking back-to-back kickoffs to the house in Miami's key 30-25 win over the Jets in New York -- busting loose for a 100-yard score early in the third quarter, then topping the feat with a 101-yard score just moments later.

Ginn, who was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Brian Hartline, had no catches (though, to be fair, neither did Hartline), but Ginn rediscovering his big-play ability on special teams was a welcome sign for Miami.

Prior to Ginn's first breakthrough, the Dolphins and Jets were locked in an intense defensive battle. Feely's 55-yard field goal gave New York a 6-3 lead, but Ginn quickly turned the momentum.

More: Check Box Score | Bears Rout Browns | Ravens End Broncos' Run

On the Jets' ensuing possession, Ginn's teammate Jason Taylor scooped up a Shonn Greene fumble and took it 48 yards to the house for a 17-6 Miami lead. The Jets responded four minutes later when Mark Sanchez scored from one yard out, bringing New York back within four, but then Ginn struck again.

Ginn finished with six kick returns for 294 yards -- 201 coming on the two touchdowns -- as the Dolphins held off a late Jets' charge.

Miami's receiving corps didn't exactly excel in Ginn's absence, though. Davone Bess led the Dolphins' receivers with four catches for a measly 18 yards, Greg Camarillo hauled in one catch for 15 yards, and quarterback Chad Henne's seven other completions went either to tight ends or running backs.

Still, if this is what the Dolphins get when Ginn's allowed to focus exclusively on special teams, they might just keep him as a kick returner.

Ted Ginn Responds to Benching originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Braylon Edwards Charged With Misdemeanor Assault

Chris Burke — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Jets, NFL Police Blotter

Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault after an investigation into an incident outside a Cleveland nightclub, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

Early on the morning of Oct. 5, Edwards was allegedly involved in a disagreement with Edward Givens, a Cleveland-area promoter. According to Givens, Edwards punched him in the face because "Braylon has a problem with LeBron [James]" and Givens is James' friend.

The Plain Dealer also reported that the Browns contacted the FBI following the incident because of alleged threats being made to Edwards.

Two days after the initial incident occurred, Cleveland traded Edwards to the Jets. He has nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown -- but just four grabs in the two games since a great effort in his New York debut -- as the Jets have gone 1-2 since his arrival.

If he's convicted, Edwards could face a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, though the jail time is especially unlikely.

Report: Braylon Edwards Charged With Misdemeanor Assault originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leon Washington Out After Gruesome Right Leg Injury

Chris Burke — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Jets, NFL Injuries

The Jets will be without running back Leon Washington for an extended period of time after he suffered a brutal right leg injury at Oakland.

Washington was injured on a six-yard carry -- his only rush of the game -- when an Oakland player rolled onto his ankle, causing his lower leg to bend in awkward fashion.

Washington appeared to be in tremendous pain after the play and was eventually carted off. According to the Associated Press, Washington suffered a broken fibula and underwent surgery immediately after the Jets' 38-0 win. Teammates said the bone broke right through the skin.

"That's unfortunate," coach Rex Ryan said. "It's obviously a severe injury, but hopefully he'll be joining us sooner than later."

Thomas Jones will stay New York's No. 1 back, and rookie Shonn Greene's responsibilities will increase from here out. Greene rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's absence.

"Anytime we have a game like that, you want to cherish and enjoy it, but it's kind of hard to do that with Leon's injury," Jones said. "I think a lot of the team is devastated. He's one of my best friends. He's a great teammate and a great person. From the time he left the game, every couple plays I kept thinking about him. I haven't stopped thinking about it, and my prayers are going out to his family."

Unfortunately for Washington, he's a free agent at the end of this year. If he misses the remainder of the season, it will make it difficult for him to land a nice deal for 2010 -- a reality that would be doubly painful for Washington since he spent the offseason trying to convince the Jets to give him a new deal.

Washington has been an important part of the Jets' offense for the past four seasons, especially as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Through six games, Washington had carried the ball 71 times for 325 yards and caught 15 passes for 131 yards.

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New York Jets Photos

The New York Jets' Shonn Greene (23) breaks to the outside against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter. The Jets defeated the Raiders, 38-0, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Sunday, October 25, 2009. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)

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New York Jets Photos

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable calls a play during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets. The Jets defeated the Raiders, 38-0, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Sunday, October 25, 2009. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)

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The Oakland Raiders' Jonathan Holland (23) is tackled by New York Jets' Marquice Cole during first-quarter action. The Jets defeated the Raiders, 38-0, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Sunday, October 25, 2009. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)

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Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas (25) finds a hole in the New York Jets' defense for a gain in the first quarter. The Jets defeated the Raiders, 38-0, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Sunday, October 25, 2009. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)

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New York Jets' Leon Washington is helped off the field after an injury against the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Oakland Raiders' Richard Seymour, right, tackles New York Jets running back Thomas Jones in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Oakland Raiders' Cooper Carlisle sits on the bench in the final minutes of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Oakland, Calif. The Jets won 38-0. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones runs past Oakland Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell sits on the bench in the closing minutes of Oakland's 38-0 loss to the New York Jets in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Leon Washington Out After Gruesome Right Leg Injury originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kris Jenkins Done for Season

Josh Alper — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Jets, AFC East, NFL Injuries

The suddenly reeling New York Jets are going to have to try and get back on track without their immense nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Jenkins tore the ACL in his left knee during the Jets' dispiriting 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills on Sunday and he was placed on injured reserve Monday afternoon which ends his 2009 season.

"It comes with the game," Jenkins said. "My feelings are hurt that I won't be able to be out there fighting with my teammates."

His teammates might be finding it a lot harder to win their future fights without Jenkins occupying the middle of the line. They'll have to figure something out, though, because there's not much chance of swinging a deal before Tuesday's trade deadline.

More: Seahawks LB Tatupu's Year Finished, Too

The Jets are already pushed right up against the cap and surrendered a pair of 2010 draft choices to bring Braylon Edwards over from Cleveland. To make a trade for Shaun Rogers of the Browns they'd have to pare serious salary from their roster, which hurts them in the short-term, and deal away even more picks that will leave them shorthanded for years to come. What's more, it suddenly doesn't seem like there's much reason to go all out for the 2009 season.

Sunday's loss did more than just remind everyone that Mark Sanchez is a rookie quarterback who is going to have the same struggles as most rookie quarterbacks, it also featured a defense that looks nothing like the one that held the Saints and Patriots in check earlier this season. There was no aggressiveness, poor tackling and haphazard pass coverage throughout the loss to the Bills and they won't see many more offenses with less power than that one.

Given the problems on both sides of the ball, the Jets shouldn't be committing any more future resources to this season. Instead, it's time to fix what's broken now so they can resume a battle for a playoff spot that's getting more difficult by the week.

Kris Jenkins Done for Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jets' Trust in Mark Sanchez Backfires

Thomas George — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:53:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Jets, NFL Analysis

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In a game the Jets were so sure throughout that they had won, they lost. In a game where the Bills refused to fold, they won.

In a comical, error-filled, misguided dance with futility, both teams often looked a mess.

But the beauty was in the fight.

An eyeball-to-eyeball brand of football surfaced -- as it often does when divisional rivals who long ago grew sick of each other jostle for four quarters, and just for good measure, decide to tangle for an extra one.

Buffalo grabbed the final cookie from the jar, claiming a 16-13 victory that took nearly 12 minutes of the overtime.

For Buffalo (2-4), a three-game losing streak was snapped. For the Jets (3-3), a three-game losing streak was created.

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Bills coach Dick Jauron finally gained a reprieve, a chance to live another week without the sniffing, the digging, the drivel over whether and when he will be fired. Jets coach Rex Ryan, meanwhile, looked bamboozled, much like he did after his team's losses at New Orleans and Miami. His prized defense was pushed around, and his rookie quarterback crashed with a bumbling five interceptions.

It was enough to make a grown man moan.

"This was a rough one,'' Ryan mumbled, adding that he thought about pulling Mark Sanchez.

Actually, what Ryan should have done is tugged the tails of his offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, and reminded him, "Uh, Brian, Thomas Jones is rushing for more yards than any running back in the history of the Jets EVER has. Can we have more of Jones and less of Sanchez?''

The Jets, infatuated with their snappy new quarterback, tried to win this game by dancing into the night with Sanchez, even though his feet kept getting tangled.

It was a horrible decision. Sanchez threw the ball 29 times in the game. Jones rushed 22 times.

Sanchez completed just 10 of those passes for 119 yards, tossed the five picks, was sacked twice and finished with a quarterback rating of 8.3 -- that's right, 8.3. A perfect quarterback rating, folks, is 158.3. And Sanchez played every snap.

Jones rushed for 210 yards. He averaged 9.5 yards a pop. He broke his previous career-best run of 61 yards with a 64-yarder in the second quarter, and then followed that with a 71-yard touchdown run moments later.

There is simply no way that Sanchez should have thrown the ball more times than Jones ran it. But that was what the Jets went with, and it played right into the Bills' hands. Actually, into five different Bills' hands -- five different Bills made interceptions and rookie cornerback Jarius Byrd had two. There was a sixth Jets pick, an extra one thrown by holder Steve Weatherford on a failed field-goal attempt in overtime.

Bills safety George Wilson was one of those that picked Sanchez.

"We decided we would boil this game down to a backyard brawl, the kind you have in your backyard growing up,'' Wilson said. "When you play it like that, there is no quit. We really got after them more and more as the game continued.''

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Latest NFL Photos

New York Jets Thomas Jones runs past Buffalo Bills' Jairus Byrd (31) and Donte Whitner (20) for a touchdown in the second quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, October 18, 2009. The Bills defeated the Jets 16-13. (Kathy Kmonicek/Newsday/MCT)

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Chicago Bears Johnny Knox celebrates his touchdown with Devin Hester in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Sunday, October 16, 2009. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

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New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss hands the ball to a fan after catching a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter of a NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 18: Running back Jerious Norwood #32 of the Atlanta Falcons tries to out run center back Zack Bowman #35 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter of the game at the Georgia Dome on October 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Bowman;Jerious Norwood

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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez looks to throw in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, October 18, 2009. The Bills defeated the Jets 16-13 in overtime. (Kathy Kmonicek/Newsday/MCT)

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The New York Jets defense tackles Buffalo Bills Fred Jackson during second quarter action at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, October 18, 2009. The Bills defeated the Jets 16-13 in overtime. (Kathy Kmonicek/Newsday/MCT)

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Buffalo Bills Brian Moorman (8) celebrates with teammate Rian Lindell (9) after he hit the game winning field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills won the game 16-13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Buffalo Bills Brian Moorman (8) celebrates with teammate Rian Lindell (9) after Lindell kicked the game winning field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills won the game 16-13. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) leaps over teammate Corey McIntyre (38) during overtime of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills won the game 16-13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons watches the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at the Georgia Dome on October 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ) *** Local Caption *** Mike Smith

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at the Georgia Dome on October 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Ryan

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He is right. The longer the game went, the better the Bills played -- and the more the Jets outsmarted themselves and began to be outslugged.

Bills kicker Rian Lindell ended it with a 47-yard field goal after both teams had two overtime possessions. Lindell had missed a 46-yarder as regulation expired that would have won it for the Bills.

"I've had some experience playing on the other side with that team and being in that locker room,'' Jets safety Jim Leonhard said. "That was definitely a crazy game. Those guys have lost their share but they are proud. They are sick of it. They were going to claw back. And we let them.''

The Jets led 13-3 midway through the third quarter, but a Lindell field goal and 37-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to Lee Evans tied the game at 13 entering the fourth quarter.

And though the Jets knocked out Bills starting quarterback Trent Edwards early in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick managed to throw for just 3 fewer yards -- and four fewer interceptions -- than Sanchez the rest of the way.

"I've got some serious work to do,'' Sanchez said as he dressed in the Jets locker room, discouraged and disgusted. Despite a side-by-side, seated chat with new Jets receiver Braylon Edwards in the locker room, Sanchez looked demoralized.

"That's about the worst I've played,'' Sanchez said. "I really messed up.''

Embarrassing, he called it.

His coaches did him no favors. The more he struggled, the more they asked him to do.

"He's young, I'm new,'' Edwards said. He added something about the Jets needing to take advantage of what teams give them and not put so much pressure on themselves.

I think I know what he was thinking.

"I know you need balance, and they couldn't just run me all the time; I think they we were trying to be balanced,'' Jones said in one of the most gracious postgame interviews you will ever find. "It was a big day for the rushing yards and all, but in the end, it means nothing because we lost.''

The Jets lost both on the field and in the headsets. They toyed with the Bills, letting them hang around after going up 13-3, then made it worse by throwing it around with a rookie quarterback while their beast of a running back wound up tamed by his own team.

And the Jets are also fretting over a possibly serious knee injury to nose tackle Kris Jenkins. New York, wobbly, seeks a cure at Oakland next Sunday.

The Bills, hoping to build something that lasts, travel to Carolina.

"That sure was a great win for our football team'' Jauron said. "There are no ways around that one and we certainly needed it.''

Jauron certainly needed it -- he bolted away from the heat.

And suddenly, it is feeling awfully warm for the big-talking Jets.

Jets' Trust in Mark Sanchez Backfires originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns Contacted FBI Over Threats to Braylon Edwards

Chris Burke — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Jets, NFL Police Blotter

Braylon Edwards' stay in Cleveland came to an unceremonious end -- he was accused of assaulting someone outside a local night club, then traded to the Jets two days later.

The alleged assault incident's been somewhat brushed aside to this point, but it may have been more serious than it sounded initially. According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, the team contacted the FBI because of fears about Edwards' safety.

"They were concerned regarding that incident," FBI Special Agent Scott Wilson said. "We had some conversations with the Browns about possible threats."

Wilson added that there has been no investigation into the threats.

The Plain-Dealer was the first to report on Edwards' alleged run-in, quoting Edward Givens, who works as a promoter, as saying that Edwards punched him in the face. Givens said that it was because Edwards "has a problem with LeBron [James]" and Givens is a friend of James'.

Edwards did not comment on the report and no charges have been filed.

In his first game with the Jets last Monday, Edwards made five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown -- his second-best statistical game of the year, behind a six-catch, 92-yard effort at Denver in Week 2.

Browns Contacted FBI Over Threats to Braylon Edwards originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Between the Lines: Keeping the Line Together Pays Off

JJ Cooper — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Chicago Bears, Bills, Buccaneers, Jets, Giants, NFL Analysis

As we have done since the FanHouse began, I'll be taking a look every week at some aspect of line play. You can read more features in the series here. Check back every Thursday for a new Between The Lines.

It probably wouldn't surprise you to know that offensive line continuity is a good thing , but you may not realize just how important it is.

After looking at the first month of the season, it seems pretty clear that if you can keep your offensive line together, there's a pretty good chance you'll be a winner.

Five weeks into the NFL season, only 10 teams have started the same five offensive linemen every week. Of those 10 teams, seven have winning records including the surprising Bears. 49ers and Jets and the undefeated Giants. Combined those 10 teams are 28-18 this year.Of the six teams who have had five or more games missed or played out of position by members of their original starting five, none have a winning record--including the disappointing Packers, Chargers and Seahawks. Together those six teams are 10-18.

Admittedly offensive line shakeups can partly be explained by a team's failure--teams with trouble are much more likely to bench an offensive lineman than a team that keeps on winning. But it's fair to say that the Packers' problems really began the minute that starting left tackle Chad Clifton went down with an ankle injury. What had been an adequate line quickly turned into a disaster when guard Daryn Colledge was moved to tackle, center Jake Spitz was moved to guard and backup Sean Wells came in at center.

Five of the 10 teams who have started the same offensive line all year have allowed less than 10 sacks, including the Falcons (two sacks allowed) and Giants (three sacks allowed). None of the six teams with the most offensive line shakeups have allowed less than 10 sacks, including the league's worst Packers (20 sacks), Lions (17) and Raiders (15).

If you want one more example when a team with its original starting five has faced a team with a shakeup on the offensive line, the team with the original starting five is 16-9 this season.

Here's some other notes from looking at line play around the league.

o. He has some work to do which you would expect for a second-year quarterback but Bucs quarterback Josh Johnson is already one of the best scramblers in the league. Tampa Bay even ran the option with him on Sunday. With 4.4 speed, Johnson also has the ability to dance around in the pocket dodging pass rushers, just like Fran Tarkenton did in the 1960s and early 1970s. It also means that he sometimes holds onto the ball way longer than any quarterback should. Johnson held the ball for 12 seconds on a sack last week (the average sack happens only 2.7 seconds after the snap) and this week he had a sack where he ran around for nine seconds, although this one was nullified by an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Eagles.

o. There have been a lot of questions about Julius Peppers' effort this season, as we noted in a Between The Lines breakdown two weeks ago. But before this week's Redskins game, Panthers linebacker Jon Beason called out Peppers' lack of effort. Peppers seemed to listen as he picked up two sacks and a safety. In rewatching that game Peppers still isn't playing with the all-out fire of a Jared Allen, but he did show significantly better effort against the Redskins than he did against the Panthers.

o. The Bills have to rank as one of the most disappointing teams in the league this year, and if you're looking for a reason you need to look no further than the offensive line. Buffalo traded away Jason Peters and drafted three rookies who were immediately inserted into the offensive line.

The three rookies have been OK, but the Bills have been a complete disaster at offensive tackle. Left tackle Demetrius Bell has allowed four sacks. Right tackle (and fill-in left tackle) Jonathan Scott has allowed 3.5 sacks while fill-in right tackle Kirk Chambers allowed 2.5. Those 10 sacks allowed are as many as half the league have allowed as teams.

Between the Lines: Keeping the Line Together Pays Off originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Braylon Edwards Brilliant in Jets Debut

Chris Burke — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:30:00 EST

Filed under: Jets

Five weeks into the NFL season, Braylon Edwards still hasn't been able to celebrate a victory.

He struggled in Cleveland as the Browns started 0-4, and on Monday night, in his first game after being traded to the Jets, New York lost a 31-27 heartbreaker to Miami. But, at least in the case of that Jets' defeat, it's hard to pin the blame on Edwards.

The 26-year-old wide receiver had a sensational New York debut, catching five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and setting the table for two more Jets scores.

More Coverage: Henne Leads 'Fins to Late Win

Edwards scored his first touchdown of the season on his first catch as a Jet. On third-and-goal from the Miami 3 with four minutes left in the first quarter, New York quarterback Mark Sanchez dumped one to Edwards in the back of the end zone, and Edwards made a toe-tapping grab to pull the Jets into a 7-7 tie.

He nearly scored again early in the fourth with his team trailing again. Shortly after the Dolphins grabbed a 17-13 advantage, Sanchez pump faked and delivered a strike to Edwards along the left sideline. Edwards went up over a Miami defender, snared the ball, came down inbounds and lunged into the end zone (Video below). An official review, though, overturned the touchdown, instead placing the ball at the Miami 1 -- Jets running back Thomas Jones scored on the next play.

Edwards laid the groundwork for a third New York touchdown just moments later. With Miami once again enjoying a slim lead, Sanchez lofted a deep ball to Edwards, who just missed hauling it in for a TD -- but a pass interference flag against the Dolphins' Will Allen gave New York possession on the Miami 3, and Jones punched it in again from there.

"Everyone saw it -- he's a big-time receiver," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "That's one thing we did right last week was make that trade for him."

Much to the chagrin of Cleveland fans everywhere, Edwards made multiple acrobatic catches and had no issues with drops as he often did with the Browns. An even better sign for Jets fans was that, just five days after Edwards was acquired in a trade, Sanchez showed no hesitation in looking his way.

Monday night provided a very small sample size, of course, but for at least one night, Edwards looked more like his 2007 Pro Bowl self than the oft-frustrating player that Cleveland was eager to unload.

Braylon Edwards Brilliant in Jets Debut originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday Night Football Live Chat: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Adam Gretz — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Jets, AFC East, NFL Live Blogging

Monday Night Football returns to Miami for the second time in four weeks, as the Dolphins host the New York Jets in an AFC East throw down.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez looks to rebound from the worst start of his young career, the Dolphins look to build off their first win of the season, and Jon Gruden is already drooling at the thought of Miami running the wildcat all night. We'll be chatting about all of this, and more, in our weekly Monday night live chat, so please join us at 8:30 PM ET for all of the fun.

&amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=d43ae4293c&amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;gt;Monday Night Football Live Chat&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Monday Night Football Live Chat: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Preview: Jets at Dolphins

Chris Burke — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Jets, FanHouse Previews

This year's Jets are just built for media coverage -- between superstar rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, bold and brash head coach Rex Ryan, and now, wide receiver/model/actor Braylon Edwards, there are plenty of storylines to keep New York in the headlines.

But heading into tonight's game between the Jets and Dolphins, here's what you might not be reading: This game is more important for Miami.

Even with a loss, the Jets would still sit in first in the AFC East with a very favorable schedule coming up (Buffalo, at Oakland, Miami, Jacksonville in their next four). The Dolphins, on the other hand, are in make-or-break mode. After a Week 6 bye, the Dolphins host New Orleans, then have to play the Jets and Patriots on the road back-to-back. With three losses already, Miami's on the verge of falling out of the postseason picture -- even in a division that looks to be there for the taking.

Suffice it to say, Monday night is a must-win for Miami. If the Dolphins pull the minor upset off, they improve to 2-3, shove the Jets to 3-2 -- and a tie with New England -- and jumble the AFC East picture.

Three Key Questions:

1. How well will Edwards mesh with Sanchez, just days after being traded from Cleveland to New York?

2. Can Miami QB Chad Henne repeat his strong Week 4 performance?

3. Will the Dolphins be able to run the ball at all against the Jets defense?

Player in the Spotlight: Edwards. He wanted to get out of Cleveland and go to a big market, and he got his wish. Now he has to make the Jets' investment in him worthwhile. Jerricho Cotchery, New York's current leading receiver with 25 catches for 356 yards, is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury, which might increase even further the pressure on Edwards to produce immediately. If his head's on straight, he could give Sanchez the big-play and red-zone threat that he needs -- but if he brings his Cleveland struggles east, he'll just make Sanchez's job more difficult.

New York's Path to Victory: There's no need to change anything -- the Jets are 3-1 and played well enough to win last week in New Orleans, save for two terrible Sanchez turnovers that led to two Saints' TDs. The defense put the clamps on Drew Brees' aerial show like few defenses can, and the unit is still a top-five group in both points and yards allowed. The Jets are able to stop the run without doing anything special, but they'll likely pay extra attention to the Ronnie Brown-Ricky Williams duo in Miami's backfield, and force Henne to play well in his second NFL start. Sanchez has to play better than he did in Week 4, too -- four turnovers won't get it done against many opponents.

Miami's Path to Victory: In Week 2's Monday night game, host Miami absolutely took it to Indianapolis for much of the game -- but struggled to punch the ball in the end zone, couldn't come up with a big defensive stop, and let one get away. If the Dolphins play with the same intensity they displayed in that game, they'll make life hard on the Jets. Last week, in Henne's first start, the Dolphins got it done on the ground, rushing for 250 yards in a 38-10 win over Buffalo -- Henne threw for 115 yards and a TD, but didn't have to do much. He'll probably find himself in less of a comfort zone this week. That said, if he avoids turning the ball over and stretches the Jets defense by throwing the deep ball, as he's more than capable of doing, Brown and Williams could find room.
Miami also had six sacks against Buffalo (though it seems like everyone does) -- keeping the pressure on Sanchez might be the key.

Prediction: It's not easy to consider picking against the Jets given how the matchup of their dominating defense against the inexperienced Henne. But Sanchez showed a little chink in his armor last week, and he has to deal with a pretty potent Miami rush. Oh, and let's not forget the topic we started with: that this game is a monster for the Dolphins. At home, with their season on the brink, they have to find a way. Miami 27, New York 21

FanHouse Preview: Jets at Dolphins originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freed From Cleveland, Braylon Edwards Must Prove His Worth in New York

Thomas George — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Jets, NFL Analysis

Before the draft last April, the Giants were willing to trade their Plaxico Burress problem for a Braylon Edwards problem.

The Giants offered the Browns their second- and fifth-round picks for Edwards -- who they saw as having the height and skill-set combination that they desired in a No. 1 receiver. They believed they could get Edwards to return to his 2007 Pro Bowl form. And Edwards longed for the New York stage.

The Cleveland Browns mulled it over, decided it was a no-go, and hung on to Edwards through an 0-4 start in 2009.

But now Edwards' career has boomeranged around back to the Big Apple.

More Coverage: Browns Receive WR, Two Picks | Fantasy Impact

Cleveland dealt Edwards on the Jets on Wednesday morning, freeing him from a place where he never really felt like he fit in -- and sending him into New York, which has the bling he craves.

Here is the good news for the Browns: as part of the deal, they received receiver Chansi Stuckey, whom I believe will be a prime player in the NFL. He has the quickness, skill and heart to be a difference-making contributor for the Browns, and will instantly make them a better offensive team.

Edwards, however, is supposed to make the Jets offense superior.

He can do that, too.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he has the size to take the ball away from defenders and the speed to gain separation. He will make safeties play him honestly in fear of the deep ball and that increased attention will help positively impact the Jets' running game. Remember, Edwards, while at the University of Michigan, became the only Big Ten receiver to gain 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. He was the third-overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft.

In 2007, Edwards gained 1,289 receiving yards and caught 16 touchdown passes. In 2008, though, he dropped an NFL-most 16 passes.

The Jets want the higher-end version.

And whether they receive it or not largely depends on Edwards. He can be high-strung, unfocused and a look-at-me player that can cause more frustration than elation. The best of him, however, is quite good.

Edwards wants an additional career in modeling and acting. He can achieve that more readily in New York than in Cleveland. But he has to remember that his toast must come before his butter -- that his real focus is football and excelling at that job will make his other dreams possible.

From the time I have spent around Edwards, I think he will accept that and do that in New York.

He was unhappy in Cleveland. He is thrilled now.

His former coach, Eric Mangini, said in Cleveland on Wednesday morning: "This was a real good thing for us and a real good thing for Braylon.''

No love lost there.

Jets coach Rex Ryan will be a perfect fit for Edwards. Ryan will ride him, challenge him, and Edwards will respond to that direct yet supportive vibe. Edwards is currently under investigation for allegedly punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub early Monday. This incident, according to league sources, should not dramatically affect his remaining Jets season.

The Browns dealt with the Jets on draft day and paved the way for them to select quarterback Mark Sanchez. Now Cleveland is the team that provides Sanchez a No. 1 target.

The Jets were certain during training camp and through their 3-0 start that their receiving group was better than average and good enough to make their Sanchez-led offense shine. But that Saints' defensive smackdown on Sanchez and the Jets offense Sunday opened their eyes.

Sanchez needs a No. 1 receiver -- a true No. 1. He now has it.

The burden to produce falls squarely on Sanchez, one NFL general manager said.

"Really, [Edwards] is a quality receiver that you can do with him whatever you want to do with him,'' the GM said. "The physical makeup, the tools, they are there. The mental makeup is a question but it's not a huge question. The bigger one is if Braylon Edwards is going to struggle there because he has a very young quarterback. Pro defenses figure out young quarterbacks pretty quickly. For three weeks, Sanchez put out a body of NFL work after not having a whole lot from college. I think defenses have a bead now on what he can do and what he can't do.

"It's Sanchez who now has to adjust to the league. I'm sure the Jets are hoping that Braylon Edwards can help him do that in a big way.''

Freed From Cleveland, Braylon Edwards Must Prove His Worth in New York originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns Trade Braylon Edwards to Jets

Michael David Smith — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:14:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Jets

In a blockbuster trade, the Cleveland Browns have traded wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets, signaling that the Browns are in serious rebuilding mode -- and that the Jets are serious about winning right now.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the trade. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports later reported that the Jets sent two draft picks, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and linebacker Jason Trusnik to Cleveland.

The NFL is investigating whether Edwards violated the league's personal conduct policy after he was accused of punching a friend of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James. It's not clear whether the incident hastened Edwards' departure from Cleveland.

Edwards is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, and in 2007 he had what was widely regarded as his breakout year, with 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. But his numbers plummeted in 2008, and he's done next to nothing in 2009, with just 10 catches for 139 yards this season.

For updates, follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Browns Trade Braylon Edwards to Jets originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coach Killer, Week 4: Kris Jenkins

Tom Mantzouranis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Jets

Every week, NFL FanHouse hits the lowlights from Sunday's action, looking at those players who did the most to move their head coaches that much closer to returning to the Bed and Breakfast business.

Sometimes, picking one player for the week's Coach Killer is tough. When you've got Tony Romo's decision-making, JaMarcus Russell's ineptitude, Mark Clayton's stone hands and the entire St. Louis Rams' existence to choose from, you wish the bounty of bad could be spread across multiple weeks so you can hit them all. Alas, we can't.

There has been no shortage of criticism lobbed at those people thus far this week (including at FanHouse). It seemed easy to pick on them more. While there's been some heat in the general direction of this week's subject of Coach Killers, tucked away in the trenches you're obscured a bit more from the national media. Until now, that is.

You're billed as perhaps the most dominant force on what is considered the best defense in the league. In less than two years you've completely reformed your image, from never-healthy has-been to elite hellraiser.

Yet in the biggest game of the Jets' season, and maybe the NFL season thus far, Kris Jenkins pretty much laid an egg.

Sure, he flashed signs of his stout self on a critical 4th-and-1 in the third quarter, getting a push on his blockers while the defense swarmed to Pierre Thomas in the backfield. But he blew it on a later 4th-and-inches in the fourth quarter, falling for a savvy hard count by Drew Brees and jumping offside, a penalty which prolonged a Saints drive that eventually ended in a Thomas touchdown that made the game 24-10 with six minutes left. The Saints might have converted that 4th-and-inches anyway, but given that the Jets had stopped them twice previously on short fourth downs, it was far from a sure thing.

"It hurts to have to talk about, because you don't ever want to feel like something that you did helps contribute to your team losing, but right now that's how I feel," Jenkins said after the game.

Beyond that, though, Jenkins was simply a non-factor. While the Jets defense as a whole did a great job bottling up the Saints offense, the defensive line didn't have its best game, and Jenkins was the worst of the bunch. He was effectively nullified up by the Saints' strong interior offensive line, led by what some consider the best duo of young guards in the league, Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks.

Cue the football insiders who will claim that a nose tackle is equally effective when he's occupying blocks as when he's bursting through to the backfield. And they're right. But the Saints didn't double-team Jenkins a ton -- certainly not enough to explain his absence for most of the contest.

And it was imperative that he in particular make noise in this contest, because pressure up the middle is the only kind of pressure that bothers Brees. While the Jets did get some heat on Brees, they didn't sack him once, didn't force an interception, and only really seriously hurried him on a handful of throws. That's because Brees is an expert at feeling pressure on the outside and stepping into the pocket. The Saints will let defenses attack their tackles as long as Brees has a yard or two in front of him to work with. Jenkins ensured that space would be there.

Entering this year, Jenkins vowed not to repeat the second-half tumble his play took last season. We've yet to see if he holds up that end of the bargain, but his dramatic drop in impact against the Saints made it a lot more difficult for the Jets to win a game they by all accounts could have won, Mark Sanchez's turnovers aside.

Coach Killer, Week 4: Kris Jenkins originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't Put 'Em in Canton Yet

Dave Goldberg — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:40:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, Jets, NFL Quarterbacks

It's the line Bill Parcells always uses when a rookie or some other youngster has a big day: "Don't put 'em in Canton yet.''

On Sunday, the two non-Hall of Famers in question were Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo, who came up small in losses by the Jets and Cowboys. Sanchez gave the Saints 14 of their 24 points in a 24-10 loss by the Jets; Romo's turnovers gave seven points to the Broncos and took away at least three from Dallas in a 17-10 defeat.

This isn't to knock either guy.

It's a knock on the fans and the media -- you and me to be specific -- who see a young player do something good, even spectacular, and assume we're watching a budding superstar.

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I first heard the line from Parcells in August 1990, when Rodney Hampton, the Giants' first-round pick that year, ran 80-something yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball. The excited media in the Giants locker room immediately posed the "how great can he be'' question to the Tuna, who to be fair, was biased because he had instead wanted a linebacker named Darion Conner but had been out-voted in the draft room.

"Did you notice that the guys he made the run against will all be cut next week?'' Parcells said, a probability in an era where teams regularly brought as many as 120 players to camp. As it turned out, Hampton had a nice career. Despite an upright running style that made him injury-prone, he rushed for 6,897 yards in eight seasons and held New York's career rushing record until Tiki Barber sailed by him.

But this is about the two quarterbacks.

Sanchez first. Anyone who lives anywhere near New York or listens to the self-described "Worldwide Leader'' already thinks he's the rookie of the year. And he clearly has plenty of potential.

But he's a ROOKIE and rookie QBs rarely win -- Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are both better this season than they were last. All that stuff about being the first quarterback since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to go 3-0? The result of a silly stat -- maybe 15 years old -- that treats QBs as pitchers, awarding wins and losses.

Maybe saves are next. In that case, the saves this season for the Jets go to the defense. It is the reason they were unbeaten going to New Orleans and it is the reason they might have been unbeaten leaving New Orleans if Sanchez had played his part -- he gave the Saints 14 points; the defense allowed three to a team that had been averaging 40 until a late drive that put the game away.

First, Sanchez threw the ball near Darren Sharper, who is so old, he played at Wililam and Mary on the same college team with Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' coach. Or rather Sharper baited Sanchez, lurking in centerfield where Sanchez didn't see him. He timed his grab perfectly and went 99 yards with his 10th career touchdown return. He loves to do that. Now in his 13th season, he has 58 interceptions and especially loves to harass young QBs who play in New York.

In 2005, Sharper had three picks of Eli Manning in a game at the Meadowlands, returning one for a TD in a game the Giants totally dominated on offense but lost to the Vikings because of Sharper. In 2007, he did it to Eli again, returning an INT for a touchdown. Those games are part of Eli's negative lore -- the kind of Manning-bashing one ESPN anchor repeated during the Giants' Super Bowl run after that 2007 season by saying after he had played a good playoff game: "I really think he played well, but I have to find something to bash him about because Eli-bashing is what I do.''

Eli figures in the Romo saga, too.

In Dallas' other loss this season, two weeks ago, Manning calmly drove the Giants down the field late to set up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal as time expired -- Eli is far more reliable than Tynes. Romo isn't even close to being able to do that regularly.

He was the main reason for the 17-10 loss in Denver Sunday, holding the ball too long and taking a sack on the 9-yard line in the second quarter with his team holding a 10-0 lead. The ball came out, the Broncos recovered, and scored on the next play. In the third quarter, with the Cowboys at the Denver 17, within easy shot of at least a field goal in a low-scoring game, he tried to force a ball to Myles Austin and Champ Bailey picked it off. So give him minus-10 points.

Then, after Brandon Marshall's brilliant catch and run had given Denver a 17-10 lead on the first play after the two-minute warning, Romo had a chance to redeem himself.

He almost did, hooking up with Sam Hurd on a 53-yard fourth-down play in which he twisted right as he was moving left and found his receiver. It was the kind of athletic ability that led folks to put him in Canton about two weeks after he got the starting job in 2006 -- from Parcells, incidentally, after the Tuna had groomed him for three years.

But unlike Eli -- who has a dozen game-winning drives in his short career, including one in a Super Bowl -- he couldn't finish. With three shots at a tying TD from the 2-yard-line, Romo kept throwing at receivers covered by Bailey, rarely a good idea. Not really his fault, but another little mark against him as a QB who doesn't quite have "IT.''

Unless "IT'' is Jessica Simpson or whoever his latest tabloid celeb girlfriend might be.

No. Don't put him in Canton yet.

Probably never.

Sanchez? We have no idea yet.

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DENVER - OCTOBER 04: Running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos rushes as DeMarcus Ware #94 and Bradie James #56 of the Dallas Cowboys pursue during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on October 4, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Cowboys 17-10. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Knowshon Moreno;DeMarcus Ware;Bradie James

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 4: A Cleveland Browns fan holds up a sign in disappointment in ownership during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

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Don't Put 'Em in Canton Yet originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Live Chat: Week 4 Preview

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, Bengals, Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Jets, Lions, Packers, Redskins, Saints, Steelers, Vikings, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

It's a week headlined by some old guy facing his former team, but there are other storylines in Week 4. The Browns and Buccaneers start new quarterbacks, the Lions try for their second straight win, unbeatens clash in New Orleans, and the defending Super Bowl champions arguably face a must-win Sunday night. We'll talk about all these topics and more in our weekly get-together. Read the recap.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=3c3fc41f2f&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a class="injectedLink" href="http://nfl.fanhouse.com/"&amp;amp;gt;NFL&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt; Week 4 Live Chat&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

FanHouse Live Chat: Week 4 Preview originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Twitter Mailbag: Browns, Jets, T.O.

Michael David Smith — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:10:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Browns, Jets

The big mess that is Cleveland Browns is the first subject of business for our latest NFL Twitter mailbag, where we explore the decision to bench Brady Quinn and what it tells us, in hindsight, about Quinn dropping in the 2007 NFL draft. We also look at Eric Mangini, who looks through three games like one of the worst head-coaching hires in modern NFL history.

We then switch gears to talk about a couple of Twitter issues: Terrell Owens taking to Twitter to rip Rodney Harrison, and David Clowney getting benched for tweeting about his playing time. Your questions and comments, and my responses, are below.

WatchKalibRun Is Miami vindicated for passing on Brady Quinn now? (though I don't think Ted Ginn was a good pick)
I think it's safe to say that, yes, the Dolphins are vindicated for passing on Quinn. I'm not going to say that Quinn will never become a solid NFL starter, but I will say that in his third season, he still has a long way to go, and we're now seeing why all those teams passed on him while he sat there at Radio City Music Hall looking confused. Quinn might end up having a better NFL career than that year's No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell, but I think the Eagles' second-round pick, Kevin Kolb, is better than either Quinn or Russell.

BlackRainNinja: Can us Cleveland fans fine Mangini? Or maybe our dumb owner? *Shakes head* goodness the Browns SUCK!
The Browns' 0-3 start under new coach Eric Mangini has really infuriated the Cleveland fans I'm hearing from. I thought Joe Posnanski's column on whether Mangini is the worst NFL coaching hire ever really did a great job of capturing how Browns fans are feeling right now.

Corpuscavernosa: I love TO's comments. Rodney Harrison was one of the dirtiest players in the NFL. Cheating with HGH as well as his play. It's good fun.
You're definitely right that Harrison was one of the dirtiest players in the league, and you're definitely right that Harrison cheated with HGH. I enjoy Harrison's candor now that he's an analyst, but every player he criticizes will be armed with plenty of ammunition to fight back.

jackswann: Coach Ryan seems to have serious control issues. In what world does "I wish I played more, I'll work harder" break a rule?
I agree with you that Clowney's tweet did not merit a benching. I can understand a coach not wanting his players to comment about playing time on Twitter, but Ryan's decision to keep Clowney on the inactive list the next Sunday strikes me as over the top.

DJLitten: Do the individual teams have a Twitter-checker that monitors player tweets? This is the hard news I need.
I am aware of at least one team that has a member of the PR staff follow every player and other team employee on Twitter and monitor what they're tweeting about. Seems a little paranoid, but then again it's the job of the PR staff to keep tabs on what's being said about the team -- and Twitter is now a huge part of that.

Want to be part of our next NFL Twitter mailbag? Post a question or comment on Twitter.com, and be sure to start it with @MichaelDavSmith.

NFL Twitter Mailbag: Browns, Jets, T.O. originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rex Ryan Benches David Clowney Over Twitter Complaint

Michael David Smith — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Jets

After spending most of the Jets' Week 2 win over the Patriots on the bench, wide receiver David Clowney went straight to Twitter, tweeting just half an hour after the game that he was "disappointed about my playing time." Jets coach Rex Ryan (right) wasn't amused.

So when Ryan saw Clowney's tweet, he called Clowney into his office and informed him that he wouldn't be playing at all in Week 3.

It all started with this tweet written by Clowney at 4:41 PM on September 20:

1 play in the 1st Half, 4 plays in the 2nd half,.... A bit disappointed about my playing time but very happy and satisfied about the win.

That doesn't sound too bad -- it's not like Clowney ripped the coaches for keeping him on the bench. And Clowney's next two tweets both acknowledged that it's his own responsibility to make sure he plays more:

Just time to work harder for next week ... My team always comes first so I'ma just keep grinding,.. And we gonna keep winning

But while Clowney's tweets were far from the most controversial things an athlete has ever written on Twitter, Ryan still considered them a flagrant violation of team rules. So, Ryan benched Clowney for the Week 3 game against the Titans. The New York Post quotes Ryan:

"I'm not a big Twitter guy, but you hear different things. To me, it's about your team. No individual is bigger than the team. So if I feel a guy is not putting the team first, then I'll make the decision to put the guy down.

"I put David down. That was my decision. I wanted to see how David would respond. David had two options: He could have come out and been upset and pouted or he could come out and been a Jet, worked his tail off and showed me that he wants to do it our way.

"He did exactly that. He was phenomenal in preparation. I'll probably give him scout team player of the week."

Ryan said Clowney will be back on the field this week. But even if he spends most of the game on the bench, you can bet he won't tweet about it.

Do you think Ryan overreacted by benching Clowney? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

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New York Jets Photos

New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cothery grabs a long pass as Tennessee Titans Jason McCourty defends in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (Joe Rogate/Newsday/MCT)

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Newsday

New York Jets Photos

Tennessee Titans Tony Brown pressures New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Jets QB quarterback Mark Sanchez fires a pass downfield against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (Joe Rogate/Newsday/MCT)

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Tennessee Titans Kerry Collins looks for an open receiver against the New York Jets in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Jets Shaun Ellis pressures Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Jets Ben Hartsock, right, celebrates with Tony Richardson, left, after his first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez scrambles for a first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez scores a first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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Tennessee Titans Chris Hope deflects the ball away from New York Jets Jerricho Cotchery during an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)

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Rex Ryan Benches David Clowney Over Twitter Complaint originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A 3-0 Start? As Last Season Showed, That Means Very Little

Dave Goldberg — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Colts, Jets, Giants, Ravens, Saints, Vikings, NFL Analysis

The NFL loves parity. There's just not much of it so far this season.

There are currently seven unbeaten teams and seven winless ones -- including Carolina, 0-3 after losing Monday night's game in the Jerry Jones Pleasure Dome. There also were seven and seven in 2002. The most 3-0 teams to start a season? Eight in 1998, when the NFL had 30 franchises.

Still, even for those off to perfect starts, nothing is guaranteed.

Historically, about three-quarters of 3-0 teams make the playoffs. But last season, five teams won their first three games and only two, the Titans and Giants, made it. Dallas finished 9-7, Denver 8-8 and Buffalo 7-9.

It should get back to a more normal percentage this year.

Of the 3-0 teams, only the Jets and Broncos are a surprise -- Denver seemed in turmoil entering the season, and New York's expectations were the limited ones you expect with a rookie quarterback. The Ravens, Giants, Vikings and Colts were all considered at least contenders -- if not favorites -- in their divisions, and the Saints needed only to find a semblance of a defense to have a playoff season. .

One other note: The cliche about defense winning championships seems to be true. Although early stats often mean little because schedules vary, unbeaten teams are 1-2-3-4 in yards allowed: Broncos, Giants, Jets and Vikings in that order. And the Ravens' D may be better than all of them.

A look at the 3-0 teams:

o. BALTIMORE: Always an intimidating defense, even with Rex Ryan having gone to the Jets and taken Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard with him.

But look at the offense, a problem since the Ravens' first season in Baltimore 14 years ago. Joe Flacco might be the best second-year QB since Peyton Manning in 1999, and there are three premier running backs, including fullback Le'Ron McClain. A healthy Ray Rice has 192 yards rushing, and the competition has rejuvenated Willis McGahee, who has 190 yards and is averaging 5.9 per carry, a full two yards more than last season. McGahee also leads the league with six touchdowns, five on the ground.

PROGNOSIS: A game ahead of the Bengals and two over the Steelers, who remain the primary competition in the AFC North. It will be hard for the Ravens to miss the postseason.

o. NEW YORK GIANTS: The defense, without four injured starters, returned Sunday in Tampa, holding the Bucs to one first down and just 35 offensive yards in the first 50 minutes. A few garbage yards late gave Tampa Bay 86 total for the game. Problems running and stopping the run in Dallas? Not against the admittedly awful Bucs -- 226 yards rushing for New York, compared to 28 allowed.

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham (with injured rookie Hakeem Nicks in the wings) are answering the questions at wide receiver. Smith's 23 catches are second in the NFL.

PROGNOSIS: With two division wins already, and Tampa the beginning of the softest part of the schedule -- Kansas City and Oakland are next -- the Giants are in good shape in a division with at least two other tough teams, most notably Philadelphia.

o. MINNESOTA: If we didn't know why the Vikings were so anxious to have Brett Favre, we know now. Game manager? Does anyone think Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels could have executed the last-minute drive that beat the 49ers? That winning 32-yard TD pass to Greg Lewis was drilled almost 50 yards on a line -- 7-8 yards behind the line of scrimmage to the back line of the end zone. And kudos to Lewis for the catch -- given Tom Brady's lack of rapport with Joey Galloway and Sam Aiken, it might have been a rare mistake by Bill Belichick to let him go from New England.

The Favre-Lewis play overshadowed the work of Percy Harvin, whose 101-yard kickoff return was another highlight. Given the strength of the defense, adding another playmaker to Adrian Peterson makes Minnesota scary.

PROGNOSIS: The Vikings are simply better right now than Chicago and Green Bay, the competition in NFC North. But that can change if Favre, who will turn 40 on Oct. 10, goes down -- he's acknowledged that he might be good for only 10-11 games.

o. INDIANAPOLIS: Ho hum. So Manning lost Marvin Harrison and (temporarily) Anthony Gonzalez. Enter Austin Collie, Donald Brown and Pierre Garcon (and please, hold the increasingly trite French jokes -- he was born in Carmel, N.Y.and grew up in Florida.) The defense still gives up a lot of yards, but that Miami game is classic Colts -- a win with 14:53 time of possession

"He knew what plays to call at the right time and we couldn't stop him," Arizona's Darnell Dockett said after Manning torched the Cardinals 34-10 Sunday night.

We've heard that one before.

PROGNOSIS: As always, the Colts will finish 12-4 or better. With a questionable defense (as always), they're on their own in the playoffs.

o. NEW ORLEANS: Drew Brees threw nine TD passes in two games, then none in Buffalo. But the game against the Bills demonstrated more about the Saints' playoff potential than wins over Detroit and a hobbled Philly team. That's because Pierre Thomas' running, 14 carries for 126 yards and two TDs, carried them.

The defense also held up well, although the Bills are hardly the NFL's most potent offense. But it was still the kind of showing the Saints needed -- a nice win in outdoor weather against a physical opponent.

PROGNOSIS: Too many offensive weapons not to win the NFC South, where if Carolina's slide continues, Atlanta is the only other contender. The next two games will tell a lot: the Jets, then the Giants after a bye. Both are at home, which should help a lot.

o. NEW YORK JETS. For all the hype about Mark Sanchez, the first rookie quarterback to start 3-0 since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the Jets are doing it with defense. They pressed a still rusty Tom Brady in Week 2. And on Sunday, they did to Kerry Collins what more teams should do -- pressured him endlessly, even at the end of a 24-17 win, when most teams would play soft on defense. Looking as immobile as ever, Collins missed on his last 13 passes.

If the Jets make the playoffs, Rex Ryan's aggressive defenses will be the reason. Sanchez has been solid so far, but all rookies make mistakes and the receiving corps is just ordinary.

PROGNOSIS: The Jets just might do what they might have done last season before Favre got hurt and faded -- win the AFC East. Their win over New England will help, although the Patriots figure to get better as Brady returns to form. But every win helps -- if there's no division title, there still could be a wild-card spot.

o. DENVER: Clearly the biggest surprise among this group. A 32-year-old coach, Josh McDaniels, arrives in town, gets into a tiff with his franchise QB and finally trades him. Then his franchise receiver plays ultra diva and is suspended for two exhibition games. The defense, one of the NFL's worst last season, is expected to remain vulnerable, and the new QB seems to be basically a placeholder.

So after three games, the defense, under deposed San Francisco coach Mike Nolan, has allowed just one touchdown and three field goals, best in the league and best in team history. It leads with league with only 214 yards allowed and has eight takeaways and a plus-six turnover differential.

PROGNOSIS: The Broncos won with a lucky bounce in Cincinnati and beat Cleveland and Oakland, two of the league's worst. They could be 3-3 after Dallas, New England and San Diego. If they come out of that with even one win -- especially if it's the Chargers -- they might be a legit contender in the AFC West.

COACHING CHANGES?

There will be NONE in the immediate future, although to monitor Twitter, you'd think everyone with a losing record is in danger. And there's a huge media circus going on at Redskins Park.

But nothing is likely to happen there despite an ugly Week 2 win over St. Louis followed by Sunday's 19-14 loss in Detroit that ended the Lions' 19-game winless streak..

Two people who have spoken directly with Daniel Snyder confirm he has no plans to fire Jim Zorn right now, at least in part because there's no replacement available.

Next year? Bill Cowher seems less likely a candidate than Mike Shanahan. But Cowher, Shanahan and everyone else out there know, as Tony Dungy pointed out on NBC Sunday night, that Snyder is running the team like a fantasy franchise. So whoever gets the job will want a new GM to replace Vinny Cerrato, who mostly does Snyder's bidding.

Nor is Randy Lerner going to fire Eric Mangini in Cleveland. Maybe Lerner shouldn't have hired him, but three games is hardly a fair sample.

As for Bucs fans ranting about Raheem Morris ...

Give the guy a chance. He had to tear down to rebuild the aging team he inherited from Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen. Yes, they were pathetic against the Giants on Sunday and they might be better off trying Josh Johnson at QB for Byron Leftwich. But even that's a question -- the mini-drive of about 50 yards that Johnson engineered came with the game way out of hand and New York backups in the game playing a soft defense.

A 3-0 Start? As Last Season Showed, That Means Very Little originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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