Archives for November 23, 2002

‘"He’s running strong and powerful," Jets nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. "We’ve just got to get more than one hat [helmet] on him."’

‘And while he’s still probably at least a week away from being available to play, he’s finally with a team that’s within driving distance away from Jersey and his Morristown home, allowing him to help his wife and relatives care for his 7-year-old son, who can’t walk or speak because of cerebral palsy.’

‘There have been a few other nicks here and there, but defensive back Jamie Henderson is the only guy on injured reserve. The Giants, on the other hand, have nine guys on IR.’

‘"When you win you feel better about everything," Jets coach Herman Edwards said. "The meal tastes a little bit better. Your wife all of a sudden becomes better looking. You pet the dog rather than trying to kick the dog. All those things come with winning, and these guys haven’t tasted that in a while."’

‘”Everybody who plays the game plays with a little sense of denial, and you have to play that way,” quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. “You don’t think about the possibility of getting hurt, but when something like that does happen, everyone gets a feeling that this is a fraternity. We compete against each other but we ultimately care about each other, also.”‘

‘But Williams has not been a brilliant or innovative game-day coach and he too often attempts to deflect criticism of dubious strategic moves.’

‘In the last five seasons, the Jets have produced a 19-11 record over the final six games.’

‘The coaches felt Cowart would be better over the tackle instead of the tight end. It has given him more familiarity during games and it is not a secret he is playing better now.’

‘”I think it is a little bit of both,” Jets coach Herman Edwards said. “I think it is a little bit of conditioning and a little bit of luck, too. I just think you have to be very careful, especially now at the end of the year, of how you run practice, making sure you are getting enough rest.”‘

‘Chris Baker never thought about playing football in New York.’

‘”He knows he’ll get hit, but that doesn’t bother him,” Jets defensive tackle Josh Evans said admiringly Friday. “He’ll sit back and take it. He just wants to get the ball in the receiver’s hands.”‘

‘”He hangs in there (the pocket),” Jets coach Herman Edwards said of Bledsoe. “He gives them another step or so to make a play. He’s able to do that. He’s got a strong arm. He makes the throws that other quarterbacks can’t make, so that helps, too. But the receivers are gifted. They’re good players.”;

‘Gil Bellows, Jon Voight, Richard T. Jones and Teri Polo star in the upcoming Turner Network Television (TNT) Original film SECOND STRING, a comedy-drama about a group of benchwarmers who go all the way to the Super Bowl.’