Archives for October 2003

‘ In five games against Bledsoe, Ellis has 3 1/2 sacks.’

‘”He kicking well,” coach Herman Edwards said. “I think (special teams coach) Mike Westhoff has done a good job with him, getting his confidence up. He feels comfortable here. I think he has been a good fit for us. It’s hard when you’re trying to get a kicker now. Kickers are a different breed of cat.”‘

‘”His ribs hurt so we’re going to test them out,” Ferguson said with a smile, “see how those ribs are.”‘

‘After being inactive for the final 11 regular-season games and two playoff games a year ago and the first four games this year, wide receiver Jonathan Carter is expected to make his Jets debut this week. A former fifth-round pick of the Giants, Carter will be counted on to help Moss spread the field for quarterback Vinny Testaverde.’

‘But the full blitz is to begin this Sunday when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills, with those selling ticket subject to more serious scalping charges.’

‘”We lean on Eric fairly heavily with our offense,” said Drew Bledsoe. “He’s one of the best players in the league and generally when we take the field we feel like he’s the best guy out there. If Eric is not able to go that does hurt us offensively but we have to have guys step up. That’s the name of the game in this league. No team goes through this season with all their guys healthy the entire season and when guys get hurt guys have to step in and make plays.”‘

‘”Clarence had a tremendous camp, a tremendous pre season and because of that he has been able to be on the field for us,” said quarterback Drew Bledsoe. “We haven’t used him a ton but he’s been on the field for us on our four wide receiver sets.”‘

‘”We will work him out Sunday morning,” said Williams. “He’s a remarkable athlete on what he’s been able to do. Would I play him if he could go? Yes.”‘

‘”I just made my mind up I’m going to stop the run,” Williams said of his eight-tackle performance against Cincinnati. “I wanted to go out and dominate first down, second down, third down. I feel I’ve been playing all right this year. I’ve been playing average, but I’ve got to play above average.”‘

‘The Jets rank fourth in the National Football League on kickoff return average. Michael Bates, a five-time Pro Bowler signed as a free agent on Sept. 10, is averaging 29 yards on 10 returns this season. His longest is 42 yards.’

‘Plagued by a terrible case of butterfingers during Buffalo’s 3-2 start, Reed’s confidence has been plummeting faster than a can of Bud from the third deck of the Ralph. He has 11 receptions and half as many drops so far, prompting media and fans to call for his benching.’

‘With the run defense in shambles, Edwards has been lukewarm in his assessment of how the linebackers have played, and the Jets could undertake a complete overhaul at the position after this season. This is the first opportunity to gauge who, other than Hobson, will remain with the team.’

‘Herman Edwards announced last week that Cowart, Jones and Lewis will rotate with their respective backups and, judging by the way practice is unfolding this week, the Jets’ coach intends to stick with the plan when they face the Bills (3-2) at Giants Stadium.’

‘”It was good to see him in the huddle and throwing the football,” said Herman Edwards, confirming that Pennington may participate in full-scale team drills next week.’

‘”It is very ironic,” Wright said. “I’m going to have to calm myself down. It’ll be like the little brother-big brother factor. I’m going to want to beat those guys.”‘