NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

November 4, 2014

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Vick on track to start again for Jets (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................................................ 2

Rex, Jets struggle for answers in 1-8 start (Dennis Waszak) ..................................................................................... 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Rex Ryan says he's not worried about his coaching future (Kimberley Martin) ....................................................... 4

Rex Ryan asks fans not to give up on reeling Jets (Kimberley Martin) ...................................................................... 5

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Jets report card (J.P. Pelzman) .................................................................................................................................. 6

Rex, Jets say eight is enough (J.P. Pelzman) .............................................................................................................. 7

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 9

Wide receiver Percy Harvin shows why Jets traded for him in loss to Kansas City Chiefs (Brendan Kuty) ............... 9

5 reasons why Geno Smith will get another chance to start for Jets (Darryl Slater) ................................................. 9

Fire John Idzik website raises $10K for billboard calling for ouster of Jets general manager (Charles Curtis) ....... 11

Michael Vick says 'true fans' of Jets will show up for home game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Darryl Slater) .............. 11

What does linebacker Jason Babin, who recently lost 20 straight games, think of Jets' 8-game skid? (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Rex Ryan on his job security, with Jets at 1-8: 'Judge by when the season is over' (Darryl Slater) ......................... 12

Jets' Rex Ryan 'proud of' Mark Sanchez, as he gets second chance, with Eagles' Nick Foles sidelined (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Michael Vick (foot) should be OK for Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers; Geno Smith's status unclear (shoulder) (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Is there any way Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown don't carve up Jets? (Darryl Slater) .... 15

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 16

A reason to keep watching the Jets: Percy Harvin (Mike Vaccaro) ......................................................................... 16

Look what Mark Sanchez can do with a little bit of help (Steve Serby) .................................................................. 17

Jets rewind: Don’t let Rex Ryan off the hook (Brian Costello) ................................................................................ 18

Rex Ryan knows Jets’ final 7 games are bid to save his job (Brian Costello) ........................................................... 19

Vick says ‘true fans’ will continue to support the Jets (Brian Costello) ................................................................... 20

Sanchez is getting the last laugh (Mark Cannizzaro) ............................................................................................... 21

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 22

Former Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe supports Mark Sanchez, says playing for NY Jets like being sacrificial virgin (Seth Walder) .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

NY Jets coach Rex Ryan says he's happy Mark Sanchez playing well with Eagles (Seth Walder) ............................ 23

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Steelers fans will invade NY Jets home, could embarrass Woody Johnson as Terrible Towels play terrible team (Manish Mehta) ....................................................................................................................................................... 24

Rex Ryan holds out hope for NY Jets against all odds (Seth Walder) ...................................................................... 26

NY Giants and Jets haven't combined to stink this bad since 1980 (Joe Belock) .................................................... 26

NY Giants loss to Colts coupled with putrid Jets signifies end of football season in New York (Gary Myers) ........ 27

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 29

Since the Jets Last Won ........................................................................................................................................... 29

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 30

Jets Shift to Emergency Win-Anything Strategy (Stu Woo) ..................................................................................... 30

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 31

Jets fans urging owner to fire GM ........................................................................................................................... 31

Michael Vick: 'True fans' will stick with Jets (Danny Knobler) ................................................................................. 31

Jason Babin on Jets: 'Life is difficult' (Jane McManus) ............................................................................................ 32

Rex: CB battle continues as Big Ben looms (Danny Knobler) .................................................................................. 33

Michael Vick passed additional concussion tests (Jane McManus) ........................................................................ 34

Rex Ryan anxious to see how Geno Smith responds to demotion (Danny Knobler) ............................................... 35

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 36

Former Jets QB Mark Sanchez takes reins for Eagles (Mark Osborne) ................................................................... 36

Michael Vick: 'I believe in what I can do' (Kristian Dyer) ......................................................................................... 37

MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................... 38

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vick on track to start again for Jets (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press November 3 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/vick-track-start-again-jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Michael Vick expects to be ready for his second start with the New York Jets.

The veteran quarterback insisted Monday he is fine after banging the back of his head and briefly leaving the Jets' game at Kansas City on Sunday.

"I feel good," he said. "After playing my first full game in a year and a half, I feel good."

Vick was shaken up early in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 24-10 loss when he was popped by Chiefs linebacker Josh Mauga after throwing an incomplete pass.

Vick's head slammed into the turf and he was slow to get up. The 34-year-old quarterback was replaced by Matt Simms, but passed the NFL's concussion protocol before returning a few minutes later.

"No headaches, no nothing," Vick said.

He and coach Rex Ryan said a lingering foot injury was more of an issue — but it shouldn't keep him from playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

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"He passed all those (concussion) tests to get back cleared," Ryan said. "If anything, he's got a foot that keeps getting stepped on. I think that's the biggest concern right now."

Vick, starting in place of Geno Smith, was 21 of 28 for 196 yards and a touchdown and committed no turnovers. It was his first regular-season start since last Oct. 27 against the Giants while he was with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"You really don't need confirmation when you believe in yourself and you trust your abilities, and you trust your preparation," he said.

"To be able to go out there and play efficiently is great for me. I still didn't play up to my standards because we didn't score as much as I knew we could have scored. We didn't put as many points on the board.

"But I believe in myself and I believe in what I can do, and I have been telling you that from Day 1."

Smith, inactive with a sore right shoulder, is uncertain for Sunday against the Steelers. He threw before the game, but wasn't completely comfortable so the Jets sat him in favor of Simms.

"I hope he's fine, but we'll see as the week progresses," Ryan said. "He was able to throw, all that type of stuff, for the most part. I know he feels better right now, so hopefully that's a good sign."

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Rex, Jets struggle for answers in 1-8 start (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press November 3 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/rex-jets-struggle-answers-1-8-start

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — These are dark days for Rex Ryan and the New York Jets.

Ryan is a coach with an uncertain future, and that means beyond even Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets will go on their bye-week break at this time next week and speculation has started that they could say bye-bye to their coach.

After all, the Jets (1-8) are searching for answers and, more importantly, victories in a season marked by eight straight losses that has a disappointed fanbase already thinking about the NFL draft and next year.

"Our fans, I recognize their frustrations," Ryan said Monday, "and it's probably not easy to be a Jets fan right now."

After a 24-10 loss at Kansas City on Sunday, this group of Jets became the third in franchise history to lose eight consecutive games. The last time was in 1996, when New York finished 1-15 under Rich Kotite, a season widely recognized as the worst — and most embarrassing — in team history.

Before that, the 1975 Jets dropped eight straight on their way to a 3-11 season.

Yep, those were tough times, too.

But nine straight losses? It has never been done in the history of the franchise.

"It's just a stat, man," defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said. "We didn't want to lose eight straight, so we most definitely don't want to go nine."

But talk about bad timing.

Up next for the Jets, dealing with a shaky secondary situation all season, are the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger, who is coming off becoming the first player in NFL history to throw 12 touchdown passes in a two-game stretch, with six in each.

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"Nah, no concerns," Ryan said, almost rolling his eyes. "I mean, when you look at it realistically, obviously, it is a huge concern. They're on fire right now."

And, quite frankly, the Jets are the complete opposite.

Picked by many before the season to hover between seven and nine wins and be in the playoff hunt, the Jets will be hard-pressed to win three or four games.

"We didn't expect to be in this position," said quarterback Michael Vick, who'll start against the Steelers. "Obviously, coming into the year, you set high expectations and we had a lot of goals and to be one of the best teams in the league. To be in this position is very shocking."

Some disgruntled season ticketholders set up a website last week called FireJohnIdzik.com, dedicated to urging owner Woody Johnson to part ways with the team's general manager. The site has raised $10,000 to buy space on a billboard near MetLife Stadium to further their cause.

Idzik is feeling the heat, maybe even more than anyone else in the organization, because of the perception that he did little to provide Ryan with a roster that could be successful.

Angry fans point to the lack of depth at cornerback, failed draft picks — only five of the 12 from last May are on the active roster — and the failure of Geno Smith to prove himself as a franchise-type quarterback.

Ryan is not without blame, though, with in-game decisions and his once mighty defense failing to be dominant key strikes against him. Some fans and media believe it's not a question of if, but when Johnson will cut ties with Ryan — and very possibly Idzik.

If the Jets owner comes to that conclusion, it probably would be after the regular-season finale in Miami in December, but Ryan insists he's not thinking of that.

"I don't look past Pittsburgh," Ryan said defiantly. "I know my opportunity is to be a head coach right now and I'm going to do the best job I possibly can do for this football team, and to give us a chance to be successful."

When Ryan was hired in 2009, he was a breath of fresh air to a stale franchise. He was a brash, bold media darling who commanded attention because no one knew what he might say or do.

He restored the Jets to relevance on a national level, leading the franchise to consecutive trips to the AFC title game in his first two years.

But, Ryan has toned things down a bit, and it's understandable, considering the Jets are looking at their fourth straight season out of the postseason. That's hardly a stretch that guarantees he'll be back next season, and Ryan knows it.

"Well, 1-8, we all get it," Ryan said. "I understand it, but the season is not over. You judge by when the season is over and you make up your own mind. But I know one thing: It isn't going to be by lack of effort, lack of passion, lack of anything.

"The results aren't there yet, certainly they aren't there yet, and that's not acceptable to anybody's standard, certainly not mine. So again, we have a lot of season left and I think our football team is going to play a lot better."

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NEWSDAY

Rex Ryan says he's not worried about his coaching future (Kimberley Martin) Newsday

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November 3 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-not-worried-about-his-coaching-future-1.9581177

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Time appears to be running out on the Rex Ryan Era, but the Jets coach insisted he's not worried about his future, even after his team's eighth straight loss.

"At 1-8, we all get it," Ryan said Monday when asked why he should stay. "But the season's not over. Judge by when the season's over and you make up your own mind. But I know one thing, it won't be by lack of effort, lack of passion, lack of anything.

"The results aren't there yet. Certainly, they're not there yet and that's not acceptable to anybody's standard. Certainly not mine. We have a lot of season left and I think our football team is going to play a lot better."

The Jets have gone from surprise Super Bowl hopefuls to laughingstocks in Ryan's six-year tenure. With Sunday's 24-10 road loss to the Chiefs, he is under .500 (47-48) as a head coach.

When asked about the front office making a coaching change during the bye next week, Ryan said: "I don't look at it that way. I don't look past Pittsburgh. I know my opportunity is to be a head coach right now and I'm going to do the best job I can possibly do for this football team, to give us an opportunity to be successful. That's what you do as a coach. And that's certainly what I'm going to do."

Ryan on Mark Sanchez's winning substitute performance Sunday for the Eagles: "That's great. I'm proud of Mark and happy for him."

Does Ryan wish he still had Sanchez? "Mark was great. There's no question about it and I wish him the best," Ryan said. "But every decision we made is what we think is in the best interest of our team. But I'm happy for him and I hope it works out well for him."

Owusu re-signed

The Jets signed wide receiver Chris Owusu to the practice squad. He was released from the active roster Saturday to make room for Matt Simms.

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Rex Ryan asks fans not to give up on reeling Jets (Kimberley Martin) Newsday November 3 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-asks-fans-not-to-give-up-on-reeling-jets-1.9581415

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rex Ryan knows this hasn't been easy for you, Jets fans.

But just stay the course and stick with the franchise and your commitment will be rewarded by season's end.

At least, that's Ryan's plan.

"Obviously, these are some really tough times," he said Monday, a day after the team's eighth straight loss. "Our fans, I recognize their frustrations. It's probably not easy to be a Jets fan right now.

"But one thing they can count on is our guys are going to keep working. It's a tough, tough group of guys and we're going to find a way. And I believe we will. I know we're going to work at it and I believe we're going to find a way to gain their respect and appreciation."

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It's a nice sentiment, but one that holds little weight after the Jets fell to 1-8 Sunday in Kansas City with a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs. And Rex & Co. could be headed to a ninth straight loss -- which would be a franchise record for one season -- if they can't corral Ben Roethlisberger, who in his last two games has passed for 12 touchdowns, a record, and 862 yards for the Steelers (6-3).

There's a chance MetLife Stadium could be a ghost town -- or worse, inundated with the Steelers' signature black and gold colors.

"We understand that," quarterback Michael Vick said of the potential for a road-game atmosphere. "I mean, who cares? We still have to play. As professionals, we still gotta show up. Hopefully, the fans will come out and support. If not, we understand. But I think when they do, it characterizes them as true fans.

"Are you a true fan if you're only going to be a part of it when things are going good and not so good? So the true fans will come out and support, we appreciate that. But at the same time, we understand why they could be upset."

It's not hard to see why the Jets are struggling. They are last in turnover differential (minus-13) and passing yards per game (184.4) and have been outscored 235-114 since taking a 21-3 lead in Green Bay in Week 2.

"I think I speak for pretty much every guy in this locker room: We didn't expect to be in this position," Vick said. "Obviously, coming into the year, you set high expectations and we had a lot of goals -- to be one of the best teams in the league. To be in this position is very shocking, but we've got to find a way to work ourselves out of it and find some positives."

Eight consecutive losses is uncharted territory for Ryan. His postgame speeches have varied each week, but it's getting more difficult to figure out what to say.

"This one was kind of hard for him because he's never dealt with this before," defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said of Ryan's message after their loss to the Chiefs. "He didn't want to lie to us, he said we're not going to sit here listening to these speeches, we've got to get it corrected. He wasn't getting choked up or anything. But you felt his pain, though."

The Jets still expect their fans to bleed green, but the organization might start hemorrhaging a different kind of green if the team doesn't get back on track and the fans start losing interest. But Ryan is confident that Jets fans will make their presence felt against the Steelers.

"Pittsburgh probably travels as well as anybody in the league. So as much as I'd like to not see any Steelers colors out there, I'm sure there's going to be some," he said. "But I think our Jets fans will outnumber them."

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THE RECORD

Jets report card (J.P. Pelzman) The Record November 3 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-report-card-1.1125938

Rushing offense: A-minus

After having only three carries against Buffalo, Chris Johnson was a bigger part of the game plan, and he responded with 69 yards on 11 rushes, including a 21-yard burst. The Jets totaled 139 yards on the ground. QB Michael Vick twice scrambled for first downs, and Matt Simms contributed a 2-yard sneak for a first

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down in the fourth quarter. But RB Bilal Powell was stuffed for no gain on a Wildcat play on first-and-goal at the 3, and the Jets didn’t score on that drive.

Passing offense: B

Vick went 21-for-28 for 196 yards and one TD with no turnovers, directing mostly a short passing game. Newcomer Percy Harvin had 11 catches for 129 yards, four yards fewer than he had in five games with Seattle earlier this season. Eric Decker had nine receptions for 63 yards and a TD. Simms went 3-for-8 for 39 yards in one series of relief after Vick took a blow to the head.

Rushing defense: C-minus

Top Kansas City RB Jamaal Charles had a workmanlike day with 78 yards on 20 carries, including a 1-yard TD plunge in the first quarter. The Jets were caught off guard by WR De’Anthony Thomas’ 26-yard end-around on the drive that led to Charles’ TD. S Jaiquawn Jarrett whiffed badly on Thomas on that play.

Passing defense: C

Alex Smith was 21-for-31 for 199 yards and two TDs and likely could have passed for more yards had the Chiefs not been so conservative protecting a double-digit lead in the second half. He passed for only 68 yards after halftime. His 2-yard score to TE Anthony Fasano off a Calvin Pace deflection was a result of bad luck for the Jets, but Smith’s 12-yarder to TE Travis Kelce simply was good execution as he beat S/CB Antonio Allen, who was later benched. Smith was sacked only once.

Special teams: B-minus

Harvin had a 65-yard return to set up a 39-yard field goal by Nick Folk, and TE Jace Amaro contributed a 21-yard return to the Jets’ 37 when Kansas City kicked short to avoid Harvin. However, the Jets gave up a 78-yard kickoff return to Thomas, leading to the Chiefs’ third TD. P Ryan Quigley had a rough day with a 31-yard net average on three boots, but wasn’t helped when speedster T.J. Graham failed to down one punt before it bounced into the end zone.

Coaching: B-minus

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg stuck with the hot hands, something he doesn’t always do, and kept dialing up plays for Johnson, Harvin and Decker. Coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman made the curious decision to start rookie free agent CB Marcus Williams over veteran Phillip Adams, but Williams played adequately. The fact that the Chiefs bolted to a 14-0 lead may be a sign that Ryan’s motivational speeches no longer are working.

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Rex, Jets say eight is enough (J.P. Pelzman) The Record November 3 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/rex-jets-say-eight-is-enough-1.1125992

FLORHAM PARK – Rex Ryan became known for his hyperbole and braggadocio when he and the Jets were riding high on their way to back-to-back appearances in the AFC title game in his first two years as head coach.

But more recently, as a lost season grows more and more depressing, Ryan instead has become a master of understatement.

"Our fans, I recognize their frustrations," Ryan said Monday, "and it’s probably not easy to be a Jets fan right now."

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Uh, Rex, you can remove the word "probably" from that sentence. Consider that despite many terrible seasons in the Jets’ past, this squad is on the brink of something negative that hasn’t been done in the franchise’s 55-year history.

The Jets (1-8) will try to avoid their ninth consecutive loss when they host revitalized Pittsburgh (6-3) on Sunday. That would be a team record. Both the 1975 and 1996 Jets lost eight straight contests.

"I certainly don’t want to have that record," Ryan said. "But is that any more pressure? Not really. We just want to win."

"It’s just a stat, man," defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said. "We didn’t want to lose eight straight, so we most definitely don’t want to go nine."

At least the Jets got some good news Monday. Ryan indicated after the 24-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday that quarterback Michael Vick would start against Pittsburgh, health permitting. Vick, who made his first start as a Jet against the Chiefs, said Monday he feels good and has had no headaches since taking a blow to the head.

The back of Vick’s head hit the ground hard after he was tackled hard by former Jet Josh Mauga. Vick left the game and was replaced by Matt Simms for one series, but passed the concussion protocol and returned to the game.

In fact, both Vick and Ryan indicated they are more concerned about Vick’s sore foot, which recently has been stepped on twice. He was limping when he entered and exited the postgame interview room in Kansas City.

"I’m just going to continue to get treatment all week and just keep doing the same things I did last week and just try not to get it stepped on," Vick said.

As for the chance to avoid making negative history, Vick said, "You don’t want to be on the wrong end of one of those types of [streaks]. The most important thing for us to do is to try to focus on this week [and] don’t worry about anything outside of what’s going on here in this building."

Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for six touchdowns in each of the Steelers’ last two games, and their rabid fan base likely will show up in droves at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Vick admitted the visitors could have more fans at the game.

"We understand that," he said. "Hopefully, the fans will come out and support [us], and if not, we understand. But I think when they do, it characterizes them as true fans. Are you a true fan if you only go and be a part of it when things are going good, and not so good? So true fans will come out and support, [and] we appreciate that, but at the same time we understand why they could be upset."

REX ON SIMMS: Ryan praised former Don Bosco standout Simms for his preparation last week. Simms was signed from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday because demoted starter Geno Smith is bothered by a shoulder injury, and he was active as Vick’s backup when Smith didn’t suit up Sunday.

Simms was pressed into action when Vick was injured. Simms went 3-for-8 for 39 yards in one series before Vick came back.

"The results might not have been great," Ryan said of Simms’ performance, "but I thought he was prepared and I thought he was confident when he entered the field."

Ryan was noncommittal about whether Smith will be healthy enough to serve as the No. 2 QB against the Steelers.

"I hope he’s fine," Ryan said, "but we’ll see as the week progresses."

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Wide receiver Percy Harvin shows why Jets traded for him in loss to Kansas City Chiefs (Brendan Kuty) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/percy_harvin_shows_why_jets_traded_for_him.html

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There wasn’t much upside for the Jets in their 24-10 loss to the Chiefs Sunday. The defense stunk. Quarterback Michael Vick was effective, but team didn’t make big plays. The same problems were there, like scars that won’t fade.

But wide receiver Percy Harvin’s impressive showing was something the Jets could look toward as a success.

Harvin had 11 catches for 129 yards and returned a kick 65 yards. It was the first time a Jets player had 100 receiving yards since Santonio Homes (154 yards) and Stephen Hill (108 yards) recorded at least that many in Week 3 of 2013 vs. Buffalo. And it was Harvin’s first 100-yard catching day since 2012.

Harvin’s performance came after the 26-year-old had just a catch for three yards last week, his first with the Jets, who acquired him days earlier from Seattle for a conditional draft pick. Harvin had reportedly feuded with Seahawks players, forcing the team to deal him.

Head coach Rex Ryan said Harvin’s afternoon — which also included catches of 21 and 42 yards — showed why the Jets added him.

“You see an explosive return and he is an explosive receiver,” Ryan said. “You can put him not just as a slot but (he) was a Z receiver, and you have all sorts of things you can do with him. Let’s face it, the guy is an outstanding talent and that is why we are excited to see him.”

Michael Vick, making his first start of the season, was excited about his chemistry with Harvin.

“Percy had a great game,” Vick said. “Having a week to work with him and all the guys, generating an understanding of the game plan — exactly what we were looking for against a defense.”

Harvin, who also had an eight-yard rush, nearly kept the Jets within striking distance with his second-quarter kick return.

Harvin made it all the way to Kansas City territory before kicker Cairo Santos stuck out his leg and tripped him. Harvin would have likely zipped past Santos and scored. Instead, the team stayed down, 21-7, until a late field goal make it 21-10 going into halftime.

Harvin said the play wasn’t dirty.

“I guess he was doing the best he could,” the wide out said. “But he clearly stuck his foot out. Like I said, it was a good block. It was too bad we couldn’t capitalize on it.”

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5 reasons why Geno Smith will get another chance to start for Jets (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/5_reasons_geno_smith_will_get_another_chance_to_start_for_jets.html

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jets quarterback Geno Smith is guaranteed to miss his second straight start next week, against the Steelers, when the Jets will go with Michael Vick as they try to avoid losing nine straight games in a single season for the first time in franchise history.

Vick played well for the most part in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. He absolutely deserves to get the start against the Steelers. Plus, Smith said he is not even sure if he will be healthy enough to play in the Steelers game. He was inactive Sunday because of a right (throwing) shoulder injury. It seems likely that Smith will be OK for Pittsburgh, but that's not a lock yet.

Still, here are five reasons why you have not seen the last of Smith as the Jets' starting quarterback:

1. Vick's inability to stay on the field. He barely made it through the Chiefs game. He got knocked down and his head bounced off the turf. Vick's head injury was deemed to not be a concussion, and he returned to the game after missing one series. But he also has a foot injury that resulted in him limping around after the game. Once Smith has recovered from his own shoulder injury, and is healthy enough to replace Vick, there seems to be a reasonable chance Smith will have to do just that.

2. Vick is not the long-term answer for the Jets. He is not going to be the Jets' starter next year. He is 34 years old and on a one-year contract. Yes, he played well against the Chiefs, evoking some memories of his younger self. But the Jets have just one quarterback on their roster who stands a legitimate chance of starting any games for them next season, and that quarterback is Smith. If the Jets had a younger quarterback as Smith's understudy (and no, Matt Simms does not count as a realistic option), then maybe this factor would swing in a different direction. But the Jets don't have that.

3. Picking a quarterback is serious business. The Jets have invested a lot in Smith. Notice that we haven't mentioned yet that he deserves another chance to start this season, based on his achievements alone. Quite frankly, he doesn't have many of them. In 24 career games, Smith has turned the ball over 37 times, while throwing for 19 touchdowns and running for seven. That's a bad ratio. The Jets picked Smith in the second round in 2013, and put a lot of time in with him. If they're going to start over at quarterback in the offseason, be it in free agency or the draft, then they better be darn sure that Smith is not their guy going forward. What's the harm in the Jets trotting Smith out there a couple more times, just to make sure that he is indeed not going to pan out for them?

4. The season is a lost cause. The Jets are 1-8. Yes, they need to start Vick next week against the Steelers, because of several reasons. One, he earned the right. Two, Smith's status is unclear due to his shoulder injury. Three, the Jets need to take their best shot at avoiding their first-ever nine-game losing streak in a single season. But really, the win-loss results of this season no longer matter. What's the difference in the Jets finishing 2-14, compared to 4-12? Well, draft positioning, obviously. But the time has come for the Jets to focus on the future, and planning for their quarterback situation going forward. Vick is almost certainly not going to be a factor in their plans. So after the bye week that follows the Steelers game, why not take a longer look at Smith? What does it really matter if the Jets go 2-4 after the bye, compared to 3-3?

5. Who else is out there? There won't be a quarterback available after this season who the Jets can go after and feel 100 percent certain that he can help them immediately. The top two players likely available in the draft, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, are not can't-miss Andrew Luck types. Free agency could present retread options like Brian Hoyer and Jake Locker. Don't bet on the Jets seriously considering a trade for Johnny Manziel, if the opportunity presents itself. With no sure-thing options soon to be available at quarterback, the Jets can't just lock in on one player and decide they are going to ditch Smith in favor of him. This could mean they'll give Smith one last shot, before completely moving on from him.

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Fire John Idzik website raises $10K for billboard calling for ouster of Jets general manager (Charles Curtis) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/fire_john_idzik_website_raises_10k_needed_to_buy_billboard_near_metlife_stadium.html

Coming to an undisclosed billboard near MetLife Stadium: A message from FireJohnIdzik.com calling for the Jets general manager to be fired.

The creators of the site announced over the weekend that they hit their $10,000 goal to buy a billboard near the Jets' home pleading with owner Woody Johnson to fire Idzik:

"We realize that this billboard will not - in itself - get John Idzik fired," the site said in a press release, via The Daily News. "However, it is a symbol that fed up Jets fans are now organized and our collective voices will be heard. ... We thought that it would take until the end of the season to raise the necessary fund. It took 5 days. This is only the beginning. FireJohnIdzik.com and our supporters will not go quiet until our mission of removing John Idzik from this organization is complete. The longer he is employed, the louder we will get. The fans have spoken. Are you listening, Woody?"

But what will the billboard say, exactly? And which location do they have picked out? One thing we know: It will be up by the end of November.

"The location of the billboard will be announced in the coming days on our social media pages," the site's co-founder Jason Koeppel told Metro's Kristian Dyer. "We cannot disclose the location yet but we will say that we give our Joe Namath guarantee that it will be very visible."

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Michael Vick says 'true fans' of Jets will show up for home game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/michael_vick_says_true_fans_of_jets_will_show_up_for_pittsbugh_steelers_game.html

FLORHAM PARK – Sunday’s Steelers-Jets game at MetLife Stadium is basically going to be Heinz Field East.

The Steelers (6-3) are rolling, having won three straight games and four of their past five. The Jets (1-8) are reeling. On Sunday, they will try to avoid losing nine straight games in a single season for the first time in franchise history.

Steelers fans travel well. At least some Jets fans are so frustrated with their team’s losing they raised money for a billboard urging owner Woody Johnson to fire general manager John Idzik. So it likely will be a Steelers-heavy crowd Sunday at MetLife Stadium – a virtual road game for the Jets in their own building.

“We understand that,” said Jets quarterback Michael Vick, who will make his second straight start in place of Geno Smith. “I mean, who cares? Who cares? We’ve still got to play. As professionals, we’ve still got to show up. Hopefully, the fans will come out and support. If not, we understand.

“But I think when they do, it characterizes them as true fans. Are you a true fan if you’re only going to be a part of it when things are going good? The true fans will come out and support. We appreciate that. But at the same time, we understand why they could be upset.”

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Jets fans certainly have plenty of reasons to feel that way. Since playing in their second of two straight AFC title games after the 2010 season, the Jets are now 23-34. They will have a non-winning record this season for the fourth straight year. That hasn’t happened since a 1989-96 drought of winning records that actually included one playoff trip.

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What does linebacker Jason Babin, who recently lost 20 straight games, think of Jets' 8-game skid? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/what_does_linebacker_jason_babin_who_recently_lost_20_straight_games_think_of_jets_8-game_skid.html

FLORHAM PARK – The Jets haven’t even hit their bye week, and their season is long since finished. They are 1-8, sliding on an eight-game losing streak. If they lose at home this week to the Steelers, it will mark their ninth straight defeat – the longest single-season losing streak in the franchise’s history.

Only then will the Jets get their bye to think about just what has unfolded since their only win, Sept. 7 against the Raiders.

Rush outside linebacker Jason Babin considers the impact of this losing streak a bit differently, though that might be because of his perspective on losing streaks. He was recently a part of 20 straight losses, with the Eagles and Jaguars.

Babin, 34, is in his 11th NFL season. He is clearly in the twilight of his career, nearing retirement, though he has had a pretty decent first season with the Jets.

“I think for us, it’s really an opportunity to test yourself as a man,” Babin said of the Jets’ eight-game skid. “Because things are difficult. Life’s difficult. This experience and this time we have in the NFL is short-lived. So I think it’s a good opportunity to take the situation and to grow as men, because this isn’t what we’re going to do forever. We’re all going to have to have jobs eventually. So how you answer each and every day from here on out I think is going to speak volumes for your character.

“For me personally, I’ve always believed in everything happens for a reason. We might not know what that reason is right now. We might not know what that reason is a year from now. But everything happens for a reason. I think it’s important to respond in the professional way.”

Fair enough, though frustrated Jets fans would just settle for a win at this point, in a game against Pittsburgh that likely will be heavily attended by Steelers fans.

Pro Football Focus rates Babin the 15th-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, including 24th as a pass rusher and fourth against the run. The Jets brought him in mostly to be a situational pass rusher, and to back up Quinton Coples.

Last season, Babin played for the 4-12 Jaguars. In 2012, Babin played 11 games for the Eagles, and then five for the Jaguars. His teams went 3-13 in those games. So his teams are 8-33 since the start of 2012.

Babin’s two teams in 2012 combined to lose their final 12 games. The Jaguars lost eight straight to start 2013. So for a guy who has experienced 20 consecutive losses recently, maybe eight straight pales in comparison.

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Rex Ryan on his job security, with Jets at 1-8: 'Judge by when the season is over' (Darryl Slater)

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NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/jets_rex_ryan_on_his_job_security_at_1-8_judge_by_when_the_season_is_over.html

FLORHAM PARK – On Oct. 7, Jets coach Rex Ryan went on ESPN New York radio and said in an interview that he knew he would be fired if his team’s losing continued.

And it has continued. Back then, the Jets were 1-4. Now, they are 1-8, and trying to avoid their first-ever, nine-game losing streak in a single season, in Sunday’s home game against the Steelers.

Ryan is well on his way to being canned after the season. (And by all indications, the Jets will wait until after the season to do this.)

But when questioned about his job security Monday, Ryan asked people to wait until the Jets’ season is officially over before assessing him. Good luck with that, by the way, considering the season has essentially been over for a couple weeks now.

“At 1-8, we all get it,” Ryan said. “I understand it. But the season is not over. Judge by when the season is over, and you make up your own mind. But I know one thing: It ain’t gonna be by lack of effort, lack of passion, lack of anything. The results aren’t there yet. Certainly, they’re not there yet. And that’s not acceptable to anybody’s standard. Certainly not mine. Again, we have a lot of season left. I think our football team is going to play a lot better.”

During his Oct. 7 radio interview, Ryan said the Jets would “be far from an embarrassment when the season is over.” But he also acknowledged that he would lose his job if the Jets didn’t start winning.

"Obviously, I get it,” Ryan said then. “We’re 1-4. If the season would’ve ended today, then you’re probably dead-on (that Ryan would be fired). There’s no probably about it. But this season is far from over. I think we have time to get this thing going. I’ve been around this league a long time. I know what happens if you don’t win. I see that. But again, I’m not afraid of it. I think this team is going to win."

Since Ryan said that, two days after a 31-0 defeat at San Diego, the Jets have lost four straight games – by two, 14, 14 and 20 points.

All told, they have been out-scored by 98 points this season, the NFL’s second-worst point differential, behind minus-110 for the 1-8 Jaguars. Other than the 0-8 Raiders, no other NFL team has currently lost more than five straight games.

The Jets are 25th in the NFL in yards per game, last in yards per play, last in passing yards per game, 27th in red-zone offense, 30th in points scored per game, 26th in third-down defense, 31st in red-zone defense, 31st in points allowed per game, last in turnovers gained, 30th in turnovers lost, and last in turnover margin – by five, at minus-15.

In short, this is a terrible team. The Jets’ season, realistically, is indeed finished. It seems only a matter of time before Ryan’s employment by them is, too.

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Jets' Rex Ryan 'proud of' Mark Sanchez, as he gets second chance, with Eagles' Nick Foles sidelined (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/jets_rex_ryan_proud_of_mark_sanchez_as_he_gets_second_chance_with_eagles_nick_foles_sidelined.html

FLORHAM PARK – While the Jets dropped to 1-8 on Sunday at Kansas City, the Eagles beat the Texans, improved to 6-2, and did it with former Jet Mark Sanchez at quarterback.

The two games happened simultaneously, so Jets coach Rex Ryan didn’t get a chance to see Sanchez complete 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, after Nick Foles broke his collarbone. But Ryan was pleased to learn about Sanchez’s performance after the fact.

“I heard that, and that’s great,” said Ryan, who took over the Jets in 2009, the year they drafted Sanchez fifth overall. “I’m proud of Mark and happy for him, obviously. With Foles, that’s an unfortunate situation. Yeah, definitely happy for Mark.”

The Jets cut Sanchez after last season, as they went all-in with second-year quarterback Geno Smith, who was benched before the Chiefs game in favor of Michael Vick. If Ryan has any regrets about cutting Sanchez, he didn’t say so Monday, when asked about it.

“You know what, Mark was great,” Ryan said, dodging the question. “There’s no question about it. And I wish him the best. Our decisions, every decision we made was what we think is in the best interest of our team. But I’m happy for him and I hope it works out well for him.”

Sanchez wasn’t really all that great in his final two seasons with the Jets, 2011 and 2012, when he committed 52 total turnovers, following back-to-back AFC title game trips in his first two NFL seasons. His 2013 season ended before it began, because of a shoulder injury. The Jets saved $8.3 million against their 2014 salary cap by cutting Sanchez. They signed Vick, most recently of the Eagles, to replace him.

Through 24 career starts, Smith has 37 turnovers. The Jets now must consider if they want to start over again at quarterback in 2015, likely with a new head coach.

Vick will start again this week versus the Steelers. Meanwhile, Sanchez is the guy for the foreseeable future in Philadelphia, as Foles is reportedly out for six to eight weeks. Sanchez, eight days shy of his 28th birthday, is getting his second chance to start, as Smith continues to wait for the Jets to play him again. Back_to_Top

Michael Vick (foot) should be OK for Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers; Geno Smith's status unclear (shoulder) (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/jets_michael_vick_foot_should_be_ok_to_face_pittsburgh_steelers_geno_smiths_status_unclear_shoulder.html

FLORHAM PARK – The Jets’ top two quarterbacks, Michael Vick and Geno Smith, are both dealing with aches, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see third-stringer Matt Simms in Sunday’s home game against the Steelers.

Vick will start the game, and should be good to go, barring any setbacks this week to his lingering foot injury that had him limping after Sunday’s loss at the Chiefs – his first start with the Jets. Vick left the game for a series after banging his head on the turf, but he returned once he was cleared by the NFL’s concussion examination procedures.

“He had a foot injury that I think we’re more concerned with than the other (head injury),” Ryan said. “He passed the concussion protocol and all that. If anything, he’s got a foot that keeps getting stepped on. I think that’s the biggest concern right now.”

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Ryan clarified that he is “really not concerned” about Vick’s foot injury sidelining him for the Steelers game, adding, “I think he’s going to be fine.”

Vick echoed that sentiment Monday.

“I’m just going to continue to get treatment all week and just keep doing the same things I did last week and just try not to get it stepped on,” Vick said. “Yeah, I’ll be good (to play against the Steelers).”

Smith was inactive for the Chiefs game because of a right (throwing) shoulder sprain sustained a week earlier against the Bills. So the Jets had to insert Simms when Vick left for a series. Ryan was optimistic all last week that Smith could play against the Chiefs, in a backup role if needed, since the Jets were locked in with Vick as the starter. But Ryan said Smith just did not feel comfortable while throwing during pregame warm-ups.

Presumably, another week of healing should help Smith’s shoulder. Smith continues to insist it is just a minor injury. But he said after the Chiefs game that he could not forecast with certainty if he will be ready to face the Steelers, if the Jets have to play him. Ryan on Monday also offered no definitive prognosis.

“I hope he’s fine, but we’ll see as the week progresses and things,” Ryan said. “He was able to throw, all that type of stuff, for the most part. I know he feels better right now, so hopefully that’s a good sign.” Back_to_Top

Is there any way Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown don't carve up Jets? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 3 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/is_there_any_way_jets_secondary_doesnt_get_carved_up_by_pittsburgh_steelers_ben_roethlisberger_anton.html

FLORHAM PARK – There seems to be no conceivable way the Jets’ secondary can handle Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown in Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium. Especially not if that duo keeps playing the way it has lately.

“No concerns,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said sarcastically, with his classic Rodney Dangerfield “oh, it looks good on you, though” eye roll.

Then Ryan returned to reality, sort of. He understands this matchup of Roethlisberger/Brown with the Jets' secondary could be a disaster for the Jets, who have allowed an NFL-high 24 touchdown passes and have a league-low one interception.

“Realistically, obviously it is a huge concern,” Ryan said. “They’re on fire right now. Clearly, yeah, there is a major concern there. To say that we have our work cut out for us is an understatement. Right now, they’re carving people up. It is a big task. There is no doubt. Will our corners be up to it? Yeah, we’ll be up to it.”

Win-loss results no longer really matter all that much for the 1-8 Jets. But this is a must-win game, because if they Jets lose it, they will have dropped nine straight games in a single season for the first time in franchise history.

Here is what they are facing:

• In Roethlisberger’s past three games, all wins, he has completed 74 percent of his passes for 1,127 yards, 14 touchdowns and no interceptions. In the past two games alone, he has 862 yards and 12 touchdowns, on a 75.6-percent completion rate.

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• Brown, over that three-game span, has 30 catches (on 42 targets) for 367 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scores came in the past two games, during which he accumulated 133 and 144 receiving yards. Brown leads the NFL with 996 receiving yards – 102 more than anybody else. He has eight touchdown grabs, fourth in the league. Last year, the Steelers beat the Jets in MetLife Stadium, as Brown had nine catches (on 11 targets) for 86 yards.

That sound you hear is Ryan gulping. Even if cornerback Darrin Walls is able to return from a calf injury that sidelined him for Sunday’s loss at the Chiefs, the Jets still have problems. Their other cornerbacks are converted safety Antonio Allen, Marcus Williams, Josh Thomas and Phillip Adams. There are no shutdown corners in that foursome.

Allen and Williams started the Chiefs game. Then Ryan benched Allen in favor of Thomas at halftime, after Allen struggled. Adams did not play in the game.

For the second straight week, Ryan said he would essentially conduct tryouts in practice to determine his starting corners. Nine games into a season, this is not a good thing.

“Let them all compete again, and we feel like we will play them all,” Ryan said.

Bringing down Roethlisberger, who is 6-5 and 241 pounds, will also be a major challenge for the Jets’ pass rushers.

“This is a Hall of Fame quarterback, so that is always a challenge,” Ryan said. “He goes about his business differently than maybe some of the other quarterbacks. He’ll hold it. He’s hard to bring down. He can extend plays with the best of them.”

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NEW YORK POST

A reason to keep watching the Jets: Percy Harvin (Mike Vaccaro) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/a-reason-to-keep-watching-the-jets-percy-harvin/

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Percy Harvin was terrific Sunday, which is a good thing for the Jets and, probably, a better thing for him.

Because with the Jets careening toward one of the worst records in team history, there’s going to be a lot of attention paid to the player who, essentially, was the team’s first acquisition with an eye toward 2015 and beyond.

“He is a heck of a receiver out there, explosive,” said center Nick Mangold, after the Jets fell to the Chiefs 24-10. “You saw it on special teams, too. It’s a good weapon for us.”

Harvin was all over the Jets’ gameplan. He was targeted 13 times and caught 11 balls for 129 yards, his highest totals since 2012. He lined up once in the backfield, took a handoff, picked up eight yards.

Most impressively, he returned two kickoffs for 88 yards, including a 65-yarder with under a minute to play in the first half that might well have gone the distance had he not been tripped up by Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos; Santos was called for a penalty on the play, so the Jets had to settle for a Nick Folk field goal at the gun.

“I was OK,” Harvin said of his big afternoon. “But I’m more focused on winning games.”

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Everyone else’s attention, whether he likes it or not, will be on Harvin, which is what happens when a team is in free-fall and has to start evaluating itself beyond rare wins and abundant losses.

In a perfect world, all of that attention would be put on a young quarterback and his development, but a combination of Geno Smith’s ineffectiveness and, now, some shoulder woes will keep him on the bench for the foreseeable future — if not for the rest of the year. Absent that, there are a lot of eyeballs zeroed in on Harvin.

“Having a week to work with him, generating an understanding of the game was so important,” quarterback Michael Vick said. “Next week we have to do a little more.”

“He is an explosive receiver,” Rex Ryan said. “I think you saw that today.”

And you saw it on the kickoff return.

“It was a left return up the gut,” he said. “The blockers did a heck of a job. There was a wide hole and as I got through it the kicker slowed me up a little bit. I wouldn’t say it was dirty. I guess he did the best he could.”

If not, would he have taken it to the house?

“Absolutely,” he said with a smile.

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Look what Mark Sanchez can do with a little bit of help (Steve Serby) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/look-what-mark-sanchez-can-do-with-a-little-bit-of-help/

They might be calling him Señor Savior in Philadelphia.

Mark Sanchez doesn’t have to worry about Tony Sparano sending Tim Tebow in to run the wildcat. He doesn’t have to worry about playing garbage time in the Snoopy Bowl. He doesn’t have to worry about throwing the ball to Stephen Hill. He doesn’t have to hear “Buttfumble” taunts from the stands.

There is, after all, a division title to win.

And he might have to win it for the Eagles.

Nick Foles went out with a broken collarbone Sunday and Señor Savior — the artist formerly known as Sanchize — saved the 6-2 Eagles in Houston.

Sanchez came off the bench in the second quarter to throw a pair of TD passes — one of the two interceptions was not his fault — and engineered a clutch 15-play, 80-yard, fourth-quarter TD drive that consumed more than eight minutes.

Sanchez sealed his own fate in New York with his 52 turnovers in his last two seasons as a Jet. But he will have a chance to state his case now. He didn’t get to throw the ball to Jeremy Maclin in New York. He didn’t get to hand off to LeSean McCoy. He didn’t play for a brilliant offensive head coach like Chip Kelly.

Rex Ryan might want to keep that tattoo. Sanchez will be in hot demand on the free-agent market after the season. Good for him.

All the rookie WRs the Jets don’t have

Yes, Jets GM John Idzik recently added a talented playmaker in Percy Harvin — too late for Rex Ryan, too late for Geno Smith, too late to save the season.

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There was an abundance of wide receivers in the draft who could have helped the Jets, but Idzik drafted Jalen Saunders (already an ex-Jet) and Shaq Evans (on IR) in the fourth round and Quincy Enunwa (practice squad) in the sixth round.

Now read this and weep, Jets fans — a list of rookie wide receivers making an impact this season:

Sammy Watkins (Bills): 38 catches, 590 yards, five TDs

Mike Evans (Bucs): 32 catches, 460 yards, four TDs

Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants): 10 catches, 106 yards, three TDs

Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers): 40 catches, 589 yards, five TDs

Brandin Cooks (Saints): 43 catches, 470 yards, two TDs

Jordan Matthews (Eagles): 32 catches, 313 yards, three TDs

Donte Moncrief (Colts): 16 catches, 216 yards, one TD

John Brown (Cardinals): 24 catches, 326 yards, four TDs

Allen Robinson (Jaguars): 43 catches, 488 yards, two TDs

Jarvis Landry (Dolphins): 30 catches, 301 yards, three TDs

Martavis Bryant (Steelers): 10 catches, 107 yards, five TDs

Davante Adams (Packers): 24 catches, 263 yards, two TDs

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Jets rewind: Don’t let Rex Ryan off the hook (Brian Costello) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/jets-rewind-dont-let-rex-ryan-off-the-hook/

The Jets lost 24-10 to the Chiefs on Sunday, their eighth straight loss. The losing streak is the longest since they lost 12 in a row between 1995 and 1996.

Here are a few thoughts on Sunday’s loss:

1. There is the idea taking shape that Rex Ryan should somehow get a pass for this season. Huh? Sure, John Idzik has done a terrible job assembling this roster. Sure, there is a lack of talent. But a one-win lack of talent? Not really. Show me where someone predicted this kind of record in the preseason. Nearly everyone had the Jets around 8-8 or 9-7. Sports Illustrated had about as pessimistic a pick as I can remember, and that was 5-11.

Guess what? That means the Jets are underachieving, and that falls on Ryan. As much credit as he got for getting eight wins out of last year’s team, he deserves just as much criticism for not getting more wins out of this year’s.

Here’s one stat to look at: The Jets have been outscored 72-36 in the first quarter. I would argue the beginning of each half is when you see coaching show itself the most. Ryan’s teams consistently look bad at these times. This is just a criticism of Ryan as a head coach. We won’t even get into the defensive wizard having a defense that is 31st in scoring defense, but we will hit …

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2. How is it possible this team has only one interception? The lone pick came back in Week 5 in San Diego by Phillip Adams. Since then? Nada. They really haven’t even come close either. Early in the year, the defensive backs had a few dropped interceptions. They haven’t even gotten those lately.

3. The Jets special teams really failed them on Sunday when the kickoff team allowed a 78-yard return by De’Anthony Thomas in the second quarter. The Jets had finally found their legs and cut the score to 14-7. It felt as if the Jets might be able to make it a game, but the return set up the Chiefs on the Jets’ 29-yard line. A few plays later, the Chiefs were in the end zone and the Jets were never truly in the game again.

The Jets have not been good on special teams again this year. Percy Harvin has given the group a boost with some big returns (and nearly broke one for a score Sunday), but they have no big impact plays. There have been no touchdown returns, no blocks, nothing. They have gotten steady play from kicker Nick Folk, but other than him, it has been bleak.

4. The tight ends vanished from the receiving game. Neither Jeff Cumberland nor Jace Amaro had a catch. Part of the reason was the Jets kept the tight ends in to block Chiefs linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Cumberland was targeted twice and Amaro not at all. I understand the Jets wanting to give their tackles help against the pass rushers, but for the tight ends to completely vanish from the passing game seems like a poor decision.

Of the Jets’ 36 passes, 25 of them went to either Harvin or Eric Decker.

Revealing number: The Jets actually had more plays than the Chiefs in the game, 69-56. The Jets’ offense showed some promise in this game, moving the ball for 364 yards. Still, they only scored 10 points. They went 1-for-2 in red-zone trips and were 4-of-12 on third down and 2-of-5 on fourth down. Those are big reasons why the production did not show up on the scoreboard.

Game ball: Harvin had a nice game in his second outing as a Jet. He finished with 11 catches for 129 yards and had a 65-yard kickoff return that set up a field goal just before halftime.

Surprising snap count: Chris Johnson was in for 26 of the 69 offensive snaps, which led all running backs. This came after Johnson expressed frustration over his diminished role last week. Johnson’s uptick in playing time meant less for Chris Ivory, who had 17 snaps. Bilal Powell was in between them with 22.

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Rex Ryan knows Jets’ final 7 games are bid to save his job (Brian Costello) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/ryan-losing-season-is-far-from-over/

With the Jets spiraling toward one of their worst seasons in team history — and that’s saying a lot — coach Rex Ryan knows his future with the team is now extremely uncertain and will be something to focus on as this season plays out.

“At 1-8, we all get it,” Ryan said Monday. “I understand it, but the season’s not over. You’re judged by when the season’s over and you can make up your own mind.

“I know one thing, it’s not going to be by lack of effort, lack of passion, lack of anything. The results aren’t there yet. Certainly, they’re not there yet, and that’s not acceptable to anybody’s standard and certainly not mine. We have a lot of season left. I think our football team is going to play a lot better.”

It better or Ryan is going to be on the street looking for a new job, whether that be as a defensive coordinator or a TV talking head. The Jets fell 24-10 on Sunday to the Chiefs, their eighth straight loss. The Jets have never lost nine in a row in one season.

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Think about that for a second. Rich Kotite did not lose nine in a row in one year (he did lose 12 straight over the 1995-96 seasons). Bruce Coslet did not lose nine in a row. Joe Walton, Lou Holtz, Walt Michaels, not even in the team’s darkest days did the Jets lose nine straight in one season. There is a good chance that will happen Sunday when the red-hot Steelers visit MetLife Stadium.

“I definitely don’t want to have that record,” Ryan said of the indignity of losing nine in a row. “There’s plenty of records I’d like to have and that’s certainly not one of them. Does it add any more pressure? Not really. We just want to win.”

The Jets have their bye week after they play the Steelers. Teams sometimes make a coaching change during their bye week, but all indications are the Jets will let Ryan finish this season.

This is a rough year for Ryan, whose record fell below .500 (including playoffs) with the Chiefs loss. He is now 47-48 as Jets coach, dipping below .500 for the first time since 2009.

It is the fourth straight non-winning season for the Jets, the longest stretch since they went eight straight years without a winning season from 1989-96. Ryan fought hard against the “Same Old Jets” reputation when he took over in 2009. Back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Game made you believe that he had perhaps put the saying to rest. But these are the “Same Old Jets,” losing and losing, and becoming the butt of jokes again.

“Obviously, these are some really tough times for us,” Ryan said. “Our fans, I recognize their frustrations. It’s probably not easy to be a Jets fan right now, but one thing they can count on is that our guys, we’re going to keep working. This is a tough group of guys and we’re going to find a way. I know we’re going to work at it and I believe we’ll find a way to gain their respect and appreciation.”

Ryan maintains the Jets are not that far away from finding a win. On Monday, he bemoaned the team’s play in critical moments. He showed his players clips of the team making errors on third downs and in the red zone, the most crucial times in the game.

“We showed our guys some plays and really just how we’re off a little bit,” Ryan said.

He also said the Jets will start practicing “got to have it” situations in practice. Ryan said they did that in training camp, but not in the season.

“We need to get back to doing that,” Ryan said. “At that time of the game, it’s got to be the mentality of ‘I want the ball thrown to me. I want the ball thrown at me.’ Or the old baseball thing, you want the ball hit at you. That’s the kind of mentality you have to have. You get that through preparation.”

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Vick says ‘true fans’ will continue to support the Jets (Brian Costello) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/vick-says-true-fans-will-continue-to-support-the-jets/

When the Steelers come to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, there is a good chance it is going to feel like a home game for them.

Pittsburgh always has thousands of fans in the stands when it is on the road. Now, add to that the fact the Jets are 1-8 and it is reasonable to expect Jets fans to unload their tickets to eager Steelers fans.

But Jets quarterback Michael Vick said the true Jets fans will show up on Sunday.

“Hopefully, the fans will come out and support, and if not we understand,” Vick said. “But, I think when they do, it characterizes them as true fans. Are you a true fan if you only go and be a part of it when things

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are going good, and not so good? So true fans will come out and support, [and] we appreciate that, but at the same time we understand why they could be upset.”

The Steelers fans took over MetLife Stadium last year when they faced the Jets and in 2007 when the Jets were also 1-8. Still, Jets coach Rex Ryan said he expects the green and white to outnumber the black and gold.

“As much as I would not like to see any Steeler colors out there, I’m sure there is going to be some,” Ryan said. “I think our Jet fans will outnumber them. That team does travel extremely well. I’m pretty sure our fans will be out there in good numbers.”

Vick said his head was fine after taking that big hit in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. He left the game after his head hit the ground hard, and was checked for a concussion. He is also nursing a minor foot injury, after getting it stepped on in the last two games, but Ryan said he believes Vick will be fine.

Ryan also said they will monitor how Geno Smith’s shoulder feels through the week to determine whether he will be active Sunday.

Ryan said the team will have a competition again this week to see who the starting cornerbacks will be. The team started Antonio Allen and rookie Marcus Williams on Sunday, but Allen was replaced by Josh Thomas at halftime.

The Jets are the first team since 1996 to only have one interception through nine games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Saints and Falcons, who both finished 3-13 that year, did it then. … Ryan noticed a small crowd of reporters for his press conference and only one TV camera and deadpanned, “It’s good that the Giants are playing, obviously. Golly.” … The Jets signed wide receiver Chris Owusu to their practice squad.

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Sanchez is getting the last laugh (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post November 3 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/03/sanchez-is-getting-the-last-laugh/

Call it piling on. Call it whatever you’d like.

But for exasperated Jets fans, the irony and indignity of Mark Sanchez succeeding in Philadelphia is staring every one of you in the face with the power of halogen high-beam headlights from on oncoming car on a dark night.

This is what it has come to for the Jets: Not only is their season officially in the toilet at 1-8 after Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, but their former quarterback — who was run out of town as if he’d stolen lunch money from the children of every season-ticket holder — looks poised to possibly lead his new team to an NFC East title.

There is a catch phrase for that: Insult added to injury.

Sure, it was only one game — Sanchez coming in for injured Eagles’ starter Nick Foles Sunday in Houston and completing 15-of-22 passes for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Philadelphia’s sixth win in eight games this season.

But with Foles likely out for at least four to six weeks with what has been reported as fractured collarbone, the first-place Eagles are Sanchez’s team now.

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And every good thing Sanchez does from here on will be a cold slap in the face of the Jets, who screwed him up in the first place on a number of levels — the worst of which was putting him into the game behind a band of backup offensive linemen late in that 2013 preseason game against the Giants.

The gushing about Sanchez coming out of Philadelphia in the aftermath of the Eagles 31-21 win over the Texans must gall Jets fans, most of whom were more certain he couldn’t play at all than they are that current general manager John Idzik is a poor talent evaluator.

By the time Sanchez was let go after last season, all Jets fans seemed to want to associate him with was the infamous “butt-fumble,’’ which wasn’t even his fault in the first place.

“He’s a hell of a quarterback and we’re excited that we got him,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday. “He obviously has a big-time arm, he’s got an NFL arm, he’s got NFL feet. He’s really, really smart, he’s sharp, great work ethic, very athletic. He had all the things we’re looking for in a quarterback.”

They’re so high on Sanchez in Philly they’re even exonerating him for his interceptions. One of Sanchez’s two picks Sunday deflected off the hands of Josh Huff and, according to one written account out of Philadelphia, “should have been a completion.’’

When was the last time you recall anyone cutting Sanchez some slack for one of the many picks he threw as a Jet?

“I didn’t even know Foles was out,” Eagles tackle Jason Peters said about the first pass Sanchez threw after replacing Foles — a 52-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin. “[I saw] the bomb to Maclin and I turned to congratulate him and it was Sanchez.”

The word coming out of the Eagles’ locker room has been about how the offense doesn’t “miss a beat’’ with Sanchez at quarterback in place of Foles, who threw 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions with a 119.2 rating in 2013.

So there were the Eagles on Sunday, having fun in the face of adversity, while the Jets were matching their franchise-high losing streak at eight and wondering what to do about their woeful quarterback situation.

“I’m proud of Mark and happy for him,’’ coach Rex Ryan said Monday.

Then, the obvious question that Ryan could not answer truthfully in pubic even if he wanted to: “Is there any part of you that wishes you kept him?’’

“Mark was great, there’s no question about it and I wish him the best, but our decision, every decision we made, was what we think is in the best interest of our team,’’ Ryan said, dancing a verbal jig. “But I’m happy for him and I hope it works out well for him.’’

It’s already working out better for Sanchez than it is for the Jets, a trend that will likely continue considering that Sanchez is actually surrounded with skill position talent for the first time since he helped lead the Jets to those consecutive AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010.

Sanchez supporters and haters can argue until they’re green with illness or envy about whether the Jets would be better off now with Sanchez, whether he was better than Geno Smith ever will be and whether Michael Vick, whom the Jets signed to replace him in the offseason, is better or worse.

But it doesn’t matter now. Sanchez gets the last laugh.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

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Former Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe supports Mark Sanchez, says playing for NY Jets like being sacrificial virgin (Seth Walder) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/drew-bledsoe-rips-jets-compares-playing-sacrificial-virgin-article-1.1997953

Drew Bledsoe hasn’t played for the Jets’ greatest rival since 2001, but that didn’t stop him from taking a shot at Gang Green on Monday. Bledsoe said he was pleased to see Mark Sanchez get another opportunity... away from the Jets.

“Going to play quarterback for the Jets...it’s kind of like, you know when they used to take the pretty young virgin up to the edge of the volcano and then just throw them in?” Bledsoe said on ESPN Radio. “That’s kind of what it is when you play quarterback for the Jets. It just feels bad.”

Burn.

“Mark had to live with that for a long time,” Bledsoe added. “And people threw him under the bus like he was the whole reason for the demise of the Jets. To see him be able to come on to the field in a good system, with good talent and perform well, I’m just really happy for him.”

It’s hard to argue with the former Patriots QB: the Jets are in the midst of another lost season at the quarterback position now that Geno Smith has been benched for Mike Vick. Yet again, they have no long-term hope at quarterback on their roster.

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NY Jets coach Rex Ryan says he's happy Mark Sanchez playing well with Eagles (Seth Walder) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-rex-ryan-happy-old-qb-mark-sanchez-article-1.1998080

Count Rex Ryan among the fans of Eagles starting quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The Jets cut Sanchez in March, but seven and a half months later he is playing meaningful football while his old team is not. Sanchez took over at quarterback on Sunday after Nick Foles cracked his collarbone, and the former Jets QB led the Eagles to a win in Houston.

“I heard that and that is great,” Ryan said Monday. “I am proud of Mark and happy for him. Obviously for Foles, that is an unfortunate situation, but I’m definitely happy for Mark.”

Considering the poor play the Jets have gotten from the quarterback position this season — Geno Smith put up a QB rating of 65.6 in eight games — some fans are wondering if the team would have been better off hanging on to the former first-round pick. But not Ryan.

“Mark was great,” Ryan said. “There is no question about it and I wish him the best. Every decision we made is what we think is in the best interest of our team.”

VICK CALLS ON ‘TRUE’ FANS

Considering the Jets’ dismal record and how well Steelers fans travel, MetLife Stadium might feel more like Heinz Field East on Sunday

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When asked if that concerned him, QB Mike Vick initially said, “Who cares?” before adding that he hoped fans still support the team.

“Hopefully fans will come out and support (us). If not, we understand,” Vick said. “But I think, when they do, it characterizes them as true fans. Are you a true fan if you only want to be a part of it when things are going good and not (when it’s) not so good.”

Ryan expressed some dismay at all the Steeler fans expected at the stadium, but said he’s confident in Gang Green Nation. “I think our Jet fans will outnumber them,” Ryan said.

MARTAVIS MADNESS

One player the Jets will have to contend with on Sunday is Steelers rookie wideout Martavis Bryant, who has five touchdowns in three games this season. Bryant was drafted in the fourth round with the 118th pick, which was later than two receivers the Jets selected, Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans. Saunders was released and Evans is on IR... The Jets signed WR Chris Owusu to the practice squad. Owusu was cut from the team’s 53-man roster last week.

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Steelers fans will invade NY Jets home, could embarrass Woody Johnson as Terrible Towels play terrible team (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-steelers-jets-shaping-terrible-towels-terrible-team-article-1.1998094

The Jets are about to punctuate an already putrid season with an insult for the ages sure to embarrass Woody Johnson.

The front office ineptitude, sloppy play and losses won’t matter nearly as much as the invasion by a Black & Gold army that will make Johnson’s team feel like strangers in their own home this weekend.

MetLife Stadium is poised to be overrun by a fiercely loyal Steelers fan base on Sunday. Disaster looms for a wayward organization with disgruntled paying customers more likely to slash prices to sell off tickets than witness the impending carnage in person. This has the makings of an ugly moment for Johnson’s star-crossed franchise that has hit rock bottom with a 1-8 start.

“There’s going to be 40,000 Terrible Towels in his building,” said WFAN host and lifelong Jets fan Joe Benigno. “The Jets are going to be like the road team. That should embarrass Woody Johnson… If anything’s going to embarrass him, you would think that would be it.”

There are plenty of good seats available for Sunday in the wake of the Jets’ eighth consecutive loss. According to analyst Chris Matcovich of TiqIQ.com, a company that monitors aggregate ticket listings for major sellers like StubHub, there were nearly 10,000 available tickets on the secondary market for as low as $70 as of Monday afternoon.

Twenty-one percent of the visitors to the Jets-Steelers game page on the site were from Pennsylvania — two-and-a-half times more than the average Jets home game — which gives a strong indication that Steelers fans will be coming in droves. The 1-8 record is reflected in the reduced average ticket price this Sunday. The average sale price for the Steelers game is $172.39, a 28.25% price cut from the beginning of the season ($240.26).

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Steelers fans travel like few others. “There’s a lot of camaraderie and good fellowship,” said Steelers season ticket holder Ron Cypher, who has attended nearly every road game for the past decade. “People buy food for each other.”

Pittsburgh’s recent hot play — Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 12 touchdowns in the past two games — coupled with the Jets’ nightmarish season could be a perfect storm for a national embarrassment for the “home” team.

“Obviously these are really tough times for us,” Rex Ryan said Monday. “It’s probably not easy to be a Jet fan right now.”

The mistakes in football operations (see: GM John Idzik) have negatively impacted the organization’s business wing. The Jets have made earnest efforts to enhance the game-day experience for fans, but there’s only so much that can be done. The product on the field ultimately matters most. Right now, the product stinks to high heaven.

The result could be embarrassing Sunday afternoon thanks to a migration from Western Pennsylvania. Steelers fans will kill you with kindness, respectfully rabid with vocal cords that will create a potentially eerie vibe at the Meadowlands. Mike Vick would be wise to practice a silent count this week in anticipation of fighting crowd noise in his own stadium. (How sad is that?)

Woody Johnson's team has put him in position to be embarrassed if it is a pro-Steelers crowd.

“When you got 20,000 or 30,000 or 40,000 Steeler fans screaming,” said Cypher, “it definitely can have an impact on the other team.”

Johnson, by and large, has been patient during the team’s downturn in recent years, but a partisan Steelers crowd in his house would probably be too much to take.

Who could blame him if he wiped the whole slate clean after the season?

Idzik’s rambling, oblivious press conference turned the Jets into a laughingstock around the NFL last week. A black-and-gold transformation at MetLife Stadium would crystallize the problem for the owner.

“You would think that this would be eye-opening for Woody Johnson when he sees how bad it’s going to be Sunday,” Benigno said. “Because it’s going to be bad. Real bad.… I think it’s going to be 2-to-1 Steeler fans on Sunday. I would be surprised if it was anything different. If the owner hasn’t woken up already, that should be enough to wake him up. As a Jet fan, I’m ticked off that that’s going to be the case. As the owner, he should be upset.”

Here's a lone Steelers fan in a mostly Jets crowd.

Rex Ryan has made public pleas in the past to fans. He once left a 70-second pre-recorded voicemail to all season-ticket holders. Those tactics aren’t likely to work in the middle of this dumpster fire of a season.

Johnson is an enigma wrapped in a Jets baseball cap and jacket, but he can’t be pleased with the past two months. He has promised to reevaluate the state of his franchise by the end of the season, but a stadium filled with Big Ben jerseys and adoring chants for Heath Miller whenever he catches a pass won’t sit well with the boss.

“We’re proud to be Steeler fans,” Cypher said. “We love our team. We love our ownership. We love our coaches. And we love our players.”

The people in black and gold are coming.

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Rex Ryan holds out hope for NY Jets against all odds (Seth Walder) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/odds-rex-ryan-holds-hope-jets-article-1.1998096

Rex Ryan is the head coach of the biggest laughingstock in New York sports — the butt-touchdown-allowing 1-8 Jets — and it’s assumed he’ll be kicked out the door as soon as the final whistle blows in Week 17.

But Ryan seems to believe there’s a sliver of hope that he can still save himself between now and the team’s final game in Miami.

“Well, 1-8, we all get it, but the season’s not over,” Ryan said. “Judge by when the season’s over and then you make up your own mind.”

Earlier this year Ryan acknowledged that if he didn’t get the team on the right track he knew he wouldn’t be here next season. That was four losses ago.

No one knows for sure what’s going on inside the mind of owner Woody Johnson, but you’d have to imagine his blood is boiling with his team on an eight-game losing streak and the possibility of an embarrassing billboard near MetLife Stadium from the folks at FireJohnIdzik.com.

Ryan wants to be judged at the end of the year, but the question is will he even make it that far.

The bye follows Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, which could be the window for Johnson to make a change.

“I don’t look at it that way,” Ryan said. “I don’t look past Pittsburgh. I know my opportunity is to be a head coach right now.”

The fact there are no great candidates to replace him could help Ryan make it to the end of the season.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, he of a 5-27 career head coaching record, would be the most likely interim hire.

But the Jets are historically bad, their eight-game skid tying a team record for longest losing streak within a single season. Not even Rich Kotite’s 1-15 team in 1996 lost more than eight in a row, which the Jets can do against the Steelers on Sunday.

“I definitely don’t want to have that record,” Ryan said. “Hell, I don’t want to lose two games in a row, never mind nine games in a row.”

Just Ryan’s luck, Ben Roethlisberger has never been hotter, having thrown 12 touchdown passes in his last two games. And the Jets’ secondary looks woeful. The coach doesn’t even know who will start at cornerback, saying he’ll hold a competition in practice for the starting jobs.

“No concerns,” Ryan said sarcastically about the Pittsburgh aerial attack. “I mean, when you look at it, realistically, obviously it is a huge concern. They’re on fire right now.”

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NY Giants and Jets haven't combined to stink this bad since 1980 (Joe Belock) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/rotten-apple-giants-jets-haven-combined-stink-bad-1980-article-1.1998243

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The Jets and Giants have rendered this football season meaningless by Election Day, combining for just four wins. The last time the two locals combined for fewer victories (3) after Week 9 was 34 years ago as both finished a dreadful 4-12 in 1980.

Some lowlights from that year:

The Jets fell to 2-7 and the Giants to 1-8 on Nov. 2, two days before Ronald Reagan was elected President.

Both teams lost to the Steve DeBerg-led 49ers, with second-year QB Joe Montana coming off the bench to finish off both victories.

The Jets suffered the indignity of being the only team to lose to the infamous 'Ain'ts' on Dec. 14 at Shea, setting up New Orleans to pass on Lawrence Taylor with the top pick in the next draft.

In his first season as the full-time starter, Richard Todd threw 30 interceptions to go with 17 TDs. Todd did complete a then-record 42 garbage-time passes in the blowout loss to the Niners.

Then President-elect Ronald Reagan (l.) and Vice President-elect George Bush share a laugh in November of 1980, perhaps thinking about the Jets and Giants of that year.

Phil Simms threw 5 TD passes in a season-opening win over the St. Louis Cardinals, but threw just 10 more the rest of the season to go with 19 picks.

Big Blue did feature a second-year special teams coach named Bill Belichick.

The Giants closed out their season with a 33-17 home loss eventual Super Bowl champ Raiders, who had just started two-year battle with NFL to move to L.A.

Both teams rebounded to make the playoffs the next year.

The future does not look that bright for this year's editions.

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NY Giants loss to Colts coupled with putrid Jets signifies end of football season in New York (Gary Myers) New York Daily News November 3 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/myers-giants-loss-colts-signifies-football-season-new-york-article-1.1998287

The 2014 New York football season is over after only two months, ending Monday night when the Giants joined the Jets in football hell.

Really, can it get any worse for Giants and Jets fans?

The Giants are 3-5. The Jets are 1-8. The possibility this season reaches January for the Giants or Jets is zero.

The compelling stuff begins when the season ends.

Rex Ryan is halfway out the door and GM John Idzik deserves to go with him.

What about Tom Coughlin? This will be the third straight year the Giants miss the playoffs following the second Super Bowl victory of the Coughlin-Eli Manning era. In Coughlin’s 10 years with the Giants, the only two years they have even won a playoff game was in the Super Bowl years.

Of course, any owner would sign off on two Super Bowl titles with any coach. Even so, if things continue to deteriorate, especially with games against the Seahawks, 49ers and Cowboys coming up, I would not

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be shocked if Giants ownership strongly suggests to Coughlin that they would like to put him in their Ring of Honor next year, but in order to be eligible, he can no longer be coaching.

That would be the classy and tactful way of telling him it’s time for a change, not that he is the problem. He did offer a convoluted explanation of his failed attempt to slow down the Colts’ fast-break offense just before Andrew Luck’s second-quarter TD pass by throwing the challenge flag too late – he had trouble getting it out of his sock — on a play he knew would not be reversed. He should have just called a timeout.

The real issue for the Giants is a lack of talent and that’s the responsibility of GM Jerry Reese, who inherited a franchise quarterback in Manning, had one great draft in 2007 – his first one – and has a bad batting average ever since.

He has wasted the prime years of Manning’s career by not putting enough talent around him. It’s much easier to find offensive linemen and skill position players than it is to find a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback, but Reese has failed Manning with his personnel decisions. He has also failed Coughlin.

The Giants are fading from contention after their humiliating and non-competitive 40-24 loss to the Colts, who last week gave up 51 points and six touchdown passes to Ben Roethlisberger. But Indy kept the Giants out of the end zone until it had built up a 20-point lead in the third quarter. Imagine how out of control this game would have been if the Giants were not well rested and had two weeks to prepare coming off their bye or they had not scored two garbage time touchdowns after they were down by 30 in the fourth quarter.

Of course, anything the Giants can do, the Jets can do worse.

After opening the season with a victory over the Raiders — the only winless team in the NFL at the halfway point – the Jets have lost eight in a row. This is going to make Jets fans a little queasy, but Ryan’s team is now running even with Rich Kotite’s vintage 1996 squad for the worst in team history.

Eli Manning and the Giants can only hang their heads after a 3-5 start to this season.

Kotite’s guys went 1-15. They lost their first eight games and then beat the Cardinals in Week 9. As bad as things have been for Ryan and the Jets this year, at least they were ahead of the pace of the ’96 team the first half of the season with their one victory.

Not anymore.

They are tied at 1-8, but this year’s team will have to finish the season with a 15-game losing streak to get to 1-15. Can it be done? Just go ahead and look at the last seven games and find just one where the Jets will be expected to win. The Jets have been in business since 1960 and the one victory in 1996 was the only time they have won fewer than three games.

The Jets get Big Ben on Sunday at MetLife. Roethlisberger just set an NFL record with back-to-back games with six TD passes. He will be facing the Jets’ pathetic secondary. I would say he not only has a chance to tie the record of seven TD passes in a game, but he could shatter it.

The Giants have played eight games. The Jets have played nine. The last time they had played this many games and combined for fewer than four victories was back in 1980 when the Jets had won twice and the Giants only once.

The Giants and Jets opened their $1.8 billion stadium in 2010. There’s been only one playoff game here – in 2011 when the Giants beat the Falcons in the first round. The Jets will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. This will be the first time the Giants miss the postseason three straight years under Coughlin.

Giants and Jets fans pay a lot of money for their PSLs and season tickets and the two teams have been emptying out the stadium early in the fourth quarter. The fans deserve better, but this season is over.

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NEW YORK TIMES

Since the Jets Last Won New York Times November 3 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/04/sports/football/since-the-jets-last-won.html

It is with the benefit of hindsight that Sept. 7 now stands out as a rare and amazing day. For that was the Sunday when the Jets, in their season opener, actually won a game. They have not won since — not in eight games, played in five stadiums and in two time zones. Their misery is in its third month, with no relief in sight.

During this long, pathetic stretch, in which, among other things, the Jets have allowed 22 touchdown receptions and intercepted one pass in return, some crazy things have happened in the N.F.L. The Cleveland Browns rallied from a 25-point deficit against the Titans in Tennessee, and quarterback Mark Sanchez, the famous Jets reject, got back on the field again and led the Philadelphia Eagles to, you guessed it, a victory.

Then there was Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who on Sunday threw six touchdown passes for the second consecutive game. Guess whom the Jets play next?

Michael Vick threw for 196 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets even lost him for a series, when he hit his head hard on the ground.

The Eagles’ Nick Foles, injured on a sack by Whitney Mercilus on Sunday, broke his clavicle. Mark Sanchez will start Monday.

N.F.L. Roundup: Few Retired N.F.L. Players Opt Out of Proposed Concussion SettlementNOV. 3, 2014

We could go on, and on, but here is a random sample of some of the other things that have happened since the Jets last came out on top:

■ The Mets won 11 games (as did the Yankees, for that matter).

■ The Winnipeg Jets won two games in the New York metropolitan area, against the Islanders and the Rangers.

■ Joan Jett was nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

■ An N.F.L. coach was fired — Dennis Allen, whose Oakland Raiders naturally supplied the Jets with their only victory.

■ The Brooklyn Bolts, of the new Fall Experimental Football League, have won all three of their games.

■ The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba debuted on the stock market and, as of Monday, was worth more than Wal-Mart.

■ Pacific-12 teams completed three Hail Marys.

■ Four new network television shows premiered and were canceled: “Manhattan Love Story” (ABC), “Bad Judge” and “A to Z” (NBC) and “Utopia” (Fox). None had anything to do with the Jets — as far as we know.

■ The University of Florida football team, for which the Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s son, Skyler, is a backup quarterback, won three games.

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■ Geno Smith, the Jets quarterback who has cursed at a fan, missed a team meeting and lost his starting job, turned a year older. His 24th birthday was on Oct. 10, two days before the Jets lost to Denver.

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Jets Shift to Emergency Win-Anything Strategy (Stu Woo) Wall Street Journal November 3 2014

http://online.wsj.com/articles/jets-shift-to-emergency-win-anything-strategy-1415065775?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-wsj&url=

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—Last season, it took the Jets until mid-December to lose eight games. This season, they reached the milestone on Halloween weekend. With the postseason blueprint kaput—and the prospect that things could get even worse with the soaring Pittsburgh Steelers in town on Sunday—the team has a new, scaled-back plan for the rest of the season:

Try to win one game.

This is why Michael Vick , the 34-year-old quarterback set to become a free agent after the season, will continue to start games for the foreseeable future over the mistake-prone Geno Smith —or, at least, for another week.

On Monday, head coach Rex Ryan said that contract concerns didn’t factor into the decision to stay with Vick, only the Jets’ chances of beating Pittsburgh.

“You’re trying to win that game that particular week,” Ryan said. “We’ll see how things progress, but I’m telling you that has zero influence.”

For the moment, the Jets seem unwilling to contemplate, at least in public, the idea of enduring further losses in the service of rebuilding the team from the ground up. Part of it has to do with the structure of the National Football League, which, with its strict salary cap and floor, can see teams transform from losers to Super Bowl contenders in a year, or vice versa.

More important is the precarious situation the team’s leaders find themselves in. Ryan, who, with Sunday’s 24-10 loss in Kansas City, clinched his fourth straight season without a winning record, is fighting for his job. So is his boss, second-year general manager John Idzik. One group of fans has even started a website, FireJohnIdzik.com, and said Sunday that they had raised $10,000 to place a billboard near MetLife Stadium trumpeting their message.

Ryan has maintained that he isn’t concerned about his job security. On Monday, he was asked how he can make the case to remain head coach despite losing eight straight games.

“The season is not over,” he said. “You judge by when the season’s over and you make up your own mind, but I know one thing: It ain’t going to be by lack of effort, lack of passion, lack of anything.”

In essence, Ryan was saying that he has done his best with the players he has. And right now, his best shot is sticking with Vick, whose 105.7 quarterback rating in Sunday’s loss was the best passing performance by a Jet since Smith’s Monday night performance in Atlanta on Oct. 7, 2013.

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“I’m not really looking past this game” against Pittsburgh, Ryan said. “I’m looking at Mike to play against Pittsburgh and that’s as far as I’ve thought about it.”

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ESPN NEW YORK

Jets fans urging owner to fire GM ESPN New York November 3 2014

http://espn.go.com/newyork/nfl/story/_/id/11813884/new-york-jets-fans-raise-10k-fire-john-idzik-billboard

A group of fed-up New York Jets fans hoped to raise $10,000 to put up a billboard near MetLife Stadium to implore owner Woody Johnson to fire general manager John Idzik. It took them less than a week to reach their goal.

Jason Koeppel, his brother Jared and two of his friends started the website FireJohnIdzik.com last week, launching it last Monday after listening to the second-year general manager's rambling state-of-the-team news conference.

They announced Sunday on Twitter that they had raised enough money for the billboard and displayed via another tweet that donations came from angry Jets fans throughout the country.

The billboard is expected to be in place by the end of this month and remain in place until early next year.

"We thought that it would take until the end of the season to raise the necessary fund. It took five days," the website's founders said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News. "This is only the beginning. FireJohnIdzik.com and our supporters will not go quiet until our mission of removing John Idzik from this organization is complete. The longer he is employed, the louder we will get. The fans have spoken. Are you listening, Woody?"

The location of the billboard will be announced later this week.

"We cannot disclose the location yet but we will say that we give our Joe Namath guarantee that it will be very visible," Jason Koeppel told Metro New York.

Idzik has been criticized for his failure to improve the Jets' roster this offseason despite having ample salary-cap space to sign players. The Jets entered the season with over $20 million in cap space. Idzik picked 12 players in the 2014 draft, but just eight remain with the franchise, and two of those players are out for the season with injuries.

The Jets fell to 1-8 with their 24-10 loss on Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the Jets' eighth straight loss, tying the longest single-season losing streak in team history (previously done in 1975 and 1996).

In January 2013, Idzik became the fourth general manager to be hired in Johnson's 13-year tenure as Jets owner. He inherited coach Rex Ryan, who was retained by the Jets after the 2012 season despite the firing of then-general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

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Michael Vick: 'True fans' will stick with Jets (Danny Knobler) ESPN New York November 3 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/45635/michael-vick-true-fans-will-stick-with-jets

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Mets had their "True New Yorkers," and the "loyalty oath" letter.

The Jets have Michael Vick appealing to the "true fans."

"True fans will come out and support," Vick said Monday, when someone suggested MetLife Stadium could look like Heinz Field when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit Sunday.

True fans have probably noticed that the Jets are 1-8, with an eight-game losing streak that matches the worst single-season skid in team history. True fans haven't seen a winning season since 2010.

True fans are so tired of watching the Jets lose that some of them raised $10,000 for a billboard urging the team to fire general manager John Idzik.

Vick says they ought to be coming out to the stadium to cheer on their team.

Yes, it did sound just a little bit like the tone-deaf Mets, who were on the way to their sixth straight losing season when they sent their infamous letter to "True New Yorkers" last April, asking them to sign a petition supporting the team.

Vick started his first game for the Jets on Sunday, and he actually wasn't that bad in a 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. His own assessment was that he should have been better, because the Jets were held to one touchdown and didn't do well in the red zone.

But Vick's assessment of the Jets was far rosier, despite the record.

"Winning is No. 1, the first priority," he said. "Regardless of where we're at, we've still got a winning attitude. That's what I respect about this organization, and my teammates.

"We still believe."

They haven't yet given Jets fans much reason to believe, and there's reason to think many of those fans will stay away from MetLife Stadium on Sunday. With the Steelers carrying a 6-3 record and on a three-game winning streak, it seems likely their loyal fans will find a way to turn the stadium black and gold.

"We understand," Vick said. "Who cares? We've still got to play as professionals. We've still got to show up. Hopefully the fans come out and support. If not, we understand, but when they do, it characterizes them as true fans. Are you a true fan if you're only going to be a part of it when things are going good?"

Things aren't going good with the Jets, that's for certain. But the "true fans" will stick with them.

Michael Vick says so.

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Jason Babin on Jets: 'Life is difficult' (Jane McManus) ESPN New York November 3 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/45661/babin-on-jets-life-is-difficult

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- You can always tell how well a team is doing by what the locker room looks like on Monday. After a win, plenty of players are milling around. During a winning streak, the music is loud and the mood is light.

The Jets locker room right now? No surprise it's a ghost town.

At 1-8, with the high-flying Steelers coming in and more tryouts at cornerback, the Jets showed a mixture of resignation and forced optimism on Monday as the Jets grind through a season that threatens the job

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security of players, their coaching staff and general manager. That is, the few players who actually were around.

"Well, 1-8, we all get it," Rex Ryan said. "I understand it, but the season is not over. You judge me by when the season is over and you make up your own mind.""I think for us it's really an opportunity to test yourself as a man," linebacker Jason Babin said. "Because things are difficult. Life is difficult. This experience and life we have in the NFL is short-lived. So I think it's a good opportunity to take the situation and grow as men. This isn't what we're going to do forever; we're all going to have to have jobs eventually. So how you answer each and every day from here on out I think is going to speak volumes about your character."

Coach Rex Ryan, who seems unlikely to survive this season's slump, keeps trudging along despite a roster that seems ill-equipped to compete against the better teams in the NFL. But he's not ready to lay down just yet.

"Well, 1-8, we all get it," Ryan said. "I understand it, but the season is not over. You judge me by when the season is over and you make up your own mind."

Sheldon Richardson, in his second year with the team, said this was a tough year for everyone but especially Ryan. The brash coach is having a hard time coming up with motivational postgame speeches given up the sustained losing. Even after the loss in Kansas City.

"This one was kind of hard for him because he's never dealt with this before," Richardson said. "So he didn't want to lie to us; he said he wasn't going to sell us any speeches. He said we've got to get it corrected.

"He wasn't getting choked up or anything, you felt his pain, though," Richardson said.

The deck chairs are already being rearranged. Quarterback Michael Vick has been named starter against the Steelers and new backup Geno Smith, who was inactive last week with a shoulder injury, may or may not be available on Sunday. Instead, Matt Simms could be active again.

"Obviously we're having a tough year and usually when things are not going as planned, things start to happen," Simms said.

On Monday, the Jets signed wide receiver Chris Owusu back to the practice squad from the active roster. With Percy Harvin playing well, the Jets have a more solid receiver set with Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley.

But the arrival of Harvin, with Vick as his new starting quarterback, may just be too little too late.

In the meantime, former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez just led the Eagles to a win. He came in as a backup when Nick Foles was injured. He wasn't perfect, but he did keep the Eagles in first place with a 31-21 win over the Texans.

"I am proud of Mark and happy for him," Ryan said.

Yep. It's already been a long, long season.

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Rex: CB battle continues as Big Ben looms (Danny Knobler) ESPN New York November 3 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/45645/rex-cb-battle-continues-as-big-ben-looms

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- So now it's Ben Roethlisberger against the New York Jets' secondary.

This should be fun.

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OK, maybe not so much fun for a New York secondary that has looked overmatched against passing offenses that are much less in sync than the one Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers will bring to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Jets' secondary is still such a mess that coach Rex Ryan announced he'll again be conducting an open competition all week for the chance to start at cornerback against Roethlisberger and the Steelers.

That's assuming any of the Jets' cornerbacks really wants that chance.

Roethlisberger has thrown six touchdown passes in back-to-back games. No one in the NFL is hotter right now -- not even the teams that have already had a chance against the Jets.

"They're on fire right now," Ryan said Monday after watching a couple of Steelers game films. "Clearly, there's a major concern there. The other thing is they're an outstanding rushing football team. To say we have our work cut out for us I think is an understatement.

"Right now, they're carving people up."

The Jets have used five different starting cornerbacks already this season. Ryan started Antonio Allen and Marcus Williams on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, and then benched Allen at halftime and replaced him with Josh Thomas.

He praised the work by Williams, an undrafted rookie out of North Dakota State who was playing in his first NFL game. But Ryan wouldn't commit to anyone for this week, and he said the Jets will likely use all four of their healthy cornerbacks -- Williams, Allen, Thomas and Phillip Adams -- in the game against Pittsburgh.

Stopping Roethlisberger, or even slowing down the Steelers' offense, obviously will fall on more than just the Jets' cornerbacks.

"We all know Ben," Ryan said. "This is a Hall of Fame quarterback. It's always a challenge. He goes about his business differently than some of the other quarterbacks. He'll hold it, he's hard to bring down. We know all those things he brings.

"It's impressive, to say the least."

Ryan said he has already watched tape of the Steelers' Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns held Roethlisberger to 228 yards and just one touchdown and won the game 31-10.

But Ryan doesn't have the same players available that the Browns did. He has what he has, and he has so little certainty that he's not even sure who he wants to start.

With all that, Ryan tried to project some confidence.

"Will our corners be up to it?" Ryan said, repeating a question. "Yeah, they'll be up to it."

Perhaps they will be, but the truth is closer to what Ryan said before:

"Obviously, it's a huge concern."

And, perhaps for Roethlisberger, a huge opportunity for a third straight huge week.

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Michael Vick passed additional concussion tests (Jane McManus) ESPN New York November 3 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/29159/sage-steelers-school-jets-rookie-qb

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Michael Vick said he passed additional tests in the NFL's concussion protocol on Sunday night and hasn't experienced any headaches or symptoms in the wake of collision between his head and the ground during a 24-10 loss at Kansas City.

Of bigger concern to Vick and coach Rex Ryan was a foot injury that had Vick limping after the game, but neither indicated it would keep Vick from starting on Sunday against the Steelers.

"I'm just going to continue to get treatment all week and just keep doing the same things I did last week and just try not to get it stepped on," Vick said.

Vick downplayed the head injury, but replays of the impact showed his head bounced on the turf and he rolled over and grabbed his helmet with both hands. It looked as though it could have been a significant injury.

"You don't want to go in because of someone else's injury, especially someone that you're friends with and care about," said backup quarterback Matt Simms, who played one series in place of Vick before Vick re-entered the game. "I thought for sure just looking at it on the replay on the big screen, I thought for sure there was no way he was coming back in because it was a pretty good smack on the grass, really hard."

Vick passed the concussion protocol in the locker room, and appeared to lobby on the sideline to go back in the game. Vick has reasons to want to play, other than regaining the role as starting quarterback. Even though reports say he has emerged from his 2008 bankruptcy, Vick doesn't have job security with the Jets. He is currently on a one-year deal worth $5 million.

After being named the starter last week, Vick acknowledged that the job is a chance to show the rest of the NFL what he can do -- another audition after losing the starting job in Philadelphia to Nick Foles. And considering that the knock on Vick has always been injuries, it helps to be perceived as healthy when given another opportunity to start.

So it was a little concerning when he said this after the Chiefs game: "We've all been in situations where you ding your head, you're dizzy for a minute and you come right back and you keep going," Vick said.

But the Jets weren't just relying on Vick's description of symptoms. The NFL has a protocol that should keep concussed players out of the game.

"It's a whole protocol that you have to go through and I went through it," Vick said. "I did everything that I had to do yesterday."

Before there was a protocol in place, Ryan said it was much more difficult to ascertain whether or not a player should return to the game after a head injury.

"Without question there used to be," Ryan said. "But now, it's in the hands of professionals, guys that are trained to do this. It's way different than it was when I started coaching, or even 10 years ago. It's much different than that, because there were clearly times when you'd almost play trainer yourself."

Now, Ryan doesn't have to weigh the needs of a team against the concern for a player's future.

"Now, you know they're in capable hands, and professional hands," he said.

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Rex Ryan anxious to see how Geno Smith responds to demotion (Danny Knobler) ESPN New York November 3 2014

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/45670/rex-ryan-anxious-to-see-how-geno-smith-responds-to-demotion

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan doesn't seem overly concerned about Geno Smith's right shoulder.

If anything, the New York Jets coach seemed more interested Monday in how his demoted quarterback's head is. Without committing to giving Smith another chance to play, Ryan said he's anxious to see how Smith handles it when he does get that shot.

"I guess time will tell, once he gets an opportunity to play again," Ryan said. "It is a different perspective [to be the backup]. I don't think any player likes it. They shouldn't like it. I think he approached it the right way. I think he was prepared well."

Prepared or not, Smith wasn't available to play Sunday in Kansas City. The Jets made him inactive for the game, after he felt "decent, not great" in pregame warm-ups. Smith said after the game that it might take weeks before his shoulder is 100 percent.

Smith wasn't available to the media Monday, but Ryan almost brushed off a question about his physical health, saying simply that he hopes Smith will improve over the course of this week.

With Smith inactive, Matt Simms was Michael Vick's backup on Sunday. Simms played one series, when Vick was off the field after hitting his head on the ground. Ryan praised Simms' preparation and confidence, even though he admitted that Simms didn't play well.

Smith started the Jets' first eight games. He was pulled in favor of Vick after throwing three first-quarter interceptions in what became a 43-23 Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Ryan then named Vick the starter, and the coach announced after Sunday's loss to the Chiefs that Vick will start again this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ryan deflected a question about when Smith might play.

"If that happens, then it happens," he said. "I'm just looking at this game, and right now we're going with Mike to play against Pittsburgh."

With the state of the Jets, it's probably better for Ryan not to think any further ahead than that.

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METRO NEW YORK

Former Jets QB Mark Sanchez takes reins for Eagles (Mark Osborne) Metro New York November 3 2014

http://www.metro.us/new-york/former-jets-qb-mark-sanchez-takes-reins-for-eagles/zsJnkc---AlYXuG9hvUqig/

While the Jets scramble to find a competent quarterback — any will do — an old face is taking over as starter just south on I-95.

Mark Sanchez was named starter for the Eagles indefinitely with Nick Foles out with a cracked collarbone.

The Jets traded up to select Sanchez No. 5 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and he led them to consecutive AFC Championship appearances before a year of struggles and an injury in 2013 led to his release.

Now, he’s on a first-place team in the NFC East.

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“I feel great about Mark,” said Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. “We felt great about him all along. ... I always said we needed two quarterbacks and [we] had a chance to get him in here. I thought he’s done a great job in our system.”

The Eagles and Jets are currently engaged in a game of musical chairs at quarterback. Sanchez was dumped in favor of Geno Smith, who has been replaced by Michael Vick. Vick was Foles’ backup last season in Philadelphia.

“We don’t look at it as a backup. We look at it as a starter,” Kelly said. “We’re looking for people to be starters because that better be your mindset going into it, because you are literally a play away from being a starter, and I think that’s how Mark approached it.”

Vick, in his media session with New York reporters Monday, was diplomatic in his discussion of the Foles injury.

"I hope everything gets worked out; I feel bad for Nick," Vick said. "But that’s not my business. I have been through that before, and hopefully everything will work out for them."

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Michael Vick: 'I believe in what I can do' (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York November 3 2014

http://www.metro.us/new-york/michael-vick-i-believe-in-what-i-can-do/zsJnkd---7nk86Jgn7QiCU/

The Michael Vick era didn't start with a win on Sunday, but at the very least it didn't start with a turnover.

The veteran put up efficient numbers in the Jets' loss at the Chiefs, which was a significant improvement from incumbent starter Geno Smith. He finished 21-of-28 for 196 yards and he threw the Jets' lone touchdown in the second quarter on a 3-yard completion to wide receiver Eric Decker. He made plays with his feet as well, with four rushes for 18 yards and a number of scrambles which extended plays.

“You really don’t need confirmation when you believe in yourself and you trust your abilities, and you trust your preparation,” Vick said on Monday. “To be able to go out there and play efficiently is great for me. I still didn’t play up to my standards because we didn’t score as much as I knew we could have scored. We didn’t put as many points on the board. But, I believe in myself and I believe in what I can do, and I have been telling you that from day one. But, right now it’s about getting better and trying to continue to sharpen up my game, and never feeling like I know it all. Just continue to try to learn each and every week and trying to stay positive.”

The only negative other than the scoreline was that Vick got knocked out of the game for part of the fourth quarter. He took a hard hit in which his head hit the ground and he required help from the medical staff to make his way to the sidelines. He was out for a series and came back in after passing the concussion protocol.

There are no side effects from the hit, Vick said, including no headaches. But the hit was the result of an offensive line that was poor, allowing him to be sacked three times. The number could have been higher if Vick wasn't so elusive.

Should the Jets lose Sunday, it would be the longest losing streak in franchise history.

“You don’t want to be on the wrong end of one of those types of goals,” Vick said. “You try [not] to be a team losing nine games straight, but the most important thing for us to do is to try to focus on this week, don’t worry about anything outside of what’s going on here in this building, do everything in our power to try to get a win this week and then go into the bye week feeling good and ready to finish strong.”

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MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press November 3 2014

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Monday-s-Sports-Transactions-5851751.php

BASEBALL

American League

LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Announced Milwaukee claimed 3B Luis Jimenez off outright waivers. Assigned RHP Ryan Brasier and CF Tony Campana outright to Salt Lake (PCL).

OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Named Mike Aldrete bench coach.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to terms with bench coach DeMarlo Hale, pitching coach Pete Walker, first base coach Tim Leiper and third base coach Luis Rivera on one-year contracts. Announced bullpen coach Bob Stanley has accepted a position within the organization.

National League

ATLANTA BRAVES — Named Kevin Seitzer hitting coach and Jose Castro assistant hitting coach. Agreed to terms with president of baseball operations John Hart on a three-year contract.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Named Logan White senior advisor to the general manager/pro scouting director.

Frontier League

NORMAL CORNBELTERS — Signed 1B Aaron Dudley and LHP Stephen Frey to contract extensions. Signed LHP Ryan Demmin.

RIVER CITY RASCALS — Signed OF Brian Hansen to a contract extension. Signed RHP Clint Wright.

ROCKFORD AVIATORS — Signed LHP McKenzie Acker. Released LHP Tony Butler, INF Kyle Dhanani, RHP Cole Green, RHP Brant Masters and C Mason Morioka.

WINDY CITY THUNDERBOLTS — Released LHP Josh Spence.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association

BOSTON CELTICS — Waived Gs Will Bynum, Tim Frazier and Rodney McGruder, Fs Erik Murphy and Christian Watford and G-F Jarell Eddie.

CHICAGO BULLS — Exercised their third-year (2015-16) contract option for G Tony Snell.

DENVER NUGGETS — Waived F Quincy Miller.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Waived F Michael Eric.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES — Announced a buyout agreement with G J.J. Barea.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS — Signed F Malcolm Thomas. Acquired a 2019 second-round draft pick from New York Knicks and F Travis Outlaw in exchange for F Arnett Moultrie. Acquired the right to traded the Los Angeles Clippers' 2018 second-round pick with the Knicks' 2018 second-round draft pick.

FOOTBALL

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National Football League

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Claimed TE Ryan Taylor off waivers from Baltimore. Placed DL John Hughes on injured reserve-return list. Released DT A.J. Pataiali'i from the practice squad.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Signed CB Richard Crawford.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Waived QB Mike Kafka. Released WR Eric Page from the practice squad. Placed CB Derrius Brooks on practice squad injured reserve.

Arena Football League

ORLANDO PREDATORS — Agreed to terms with DE Jeremy Geathers.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

NHL — Suspended San Jose F John Scott two games for his role in a fight with Anaheim's Tim Jackman during an Oct. 26 game

ANAHEIM DUCKS — Recalled D Josh Manson from Norfolk (AHL).

ARIZONA COYOTES — Named Brian Rolston to the team's pro scouting and analytics staff.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Placed LW Matt Calvert on injured reserve, retroactive to Oct. 24. Recalled C Alexander Wennberg from Springfield (AHL). Reassigned G Scott Munroe to Kalamazoo (ECHL).

FLORIDA PANTHERS — Named Eric Joyce general manager of San Antonio (AHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Placed RW Martin Havlat on injured reserve, retroactive to Oct. 21. Recalled F Reid Boucher from Albany (AHL).

SAN JOSE SHARKS — Assigned F Tyler Kennedy to Worcester (AHL) for a long-term injury conditioning assignment.

American Hockey League

HARTFORD WOLF PACK — Reassigned D Samuel Noreau to Greenville (ECHL).

ECHL

ELMIRA JACKALS — Announced D Matt MacKenzie was recalled to Rochester (AHL) and F Brodie Reid was loaned to St. John's (AHL). Signed G Sam Marotta. Released G Tony Capobianco.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

MLS — Announced Chivas USA will cease operations.

ORLANDO CITY SC — Signed D Luke Boden and MF Harrison Heath to multiyear contracts.

COLLEGE

ILLINOIS — Named Brad Wurthman associate director of athletics, marketing and fan development.

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