Archives for October 2008

Jets Roll Dice With Favre and Hope to Get Sevens (New York Times)

Eric Mangini tells Brett Favre to cut down interceptions (New York Daily News)

Mangini: Favre must pick his spots (New York Post)

Mangini would like Favre to tone down gambling (New York Newsday)

Jets need to let Favre do his thing now (New York Newsday)

Keller should be able help blocking this week (New York Newsday)

Jets’ Favre insists he’s not a gambler in his most difficult season yet (White Plains Journal News)

New York Jets’ Revis gaining respect of peers (Newark Star Ledger)

M.A. Mehta with the New York Jets (Newark Star Ledger)

‘Man’ to Favre: Know when to hold ’em (Bergen Record)

Ainge placed on IR (Bergen Record)

Favre focused despite issues on and off field (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Favre Wednesday News Conference (NewYorkJets.com)

Coach’s Wednesday News Conference (NewYorkJets.com)

Buffalo Conference Calls (NewYorkJets.com)

Wednesday Player Interviews (NewYorkJets.com)

A QB’s Got to Know When to Hold ‘Em … (NewYorkJets.com)

‘One die-hard fan from Ottawa told me it was cheaper to drive to Buffalo with her husband, spend the night and see a football game, than it was to go to Scotiabank Place and watch the Senators.’

‘”We expect him to come out slinging it and we hope to get our hands on some of the balls as other teams in the league have,” said strong safety Donte Whitner, eluding to Favre’s 11 interceptions vs. 15 scoring tosses.’

‘The Jets own one quality win (56-35 over Arizona) and represent a team Buffalo needs to beat to re-establish itself as a serious playoff contender. A loss would be devastating on the heels of last week’s loss to Miami, courtesy of a fourth-quarter meltdown. Conversely, the Jets feel they can legitimize themselves by knocking Buffalo down another peg. Offensively, moving the ball on the ground won’t be easy against the Jets’ No. 4 run defense but coordinator Turk Schonert needs to give RB Marshawn Lynch more than 13 carries this week. Without a presence on the ground, the Jets’ good pass rush can come after Trent Edwards, who is coming off a three-turnover performance and needs to regain his form. The Jets also operate a 3-4 but tend to blitz more than Miami and get more creative. Buffalo needs to spread the Jets out as much as possible and soften their tough interior. Defensively, the Bills have to gang up on stopping RB Thomas Jones, who is having a very good year, and get after savvy veteran QB Brett Favre, who is prone to throwing interceptions (11 so far).’

‘”I think that it’s going to be kind of a surreal experience. You go through this game, you play long enough, and you’re going to play against guys like that. You have to appreciate the opportunity to do that and that’s something I’ll definitely make sure of, that I’m remembering those moments. I’m probably going to be telling my kids about this someday, that I was able to play against him.” — QB Trent Edwards, on facing legend Brett Favre Sunday.’

‘Meanwhile, Buffalo steadily gained control of the contest. Or so it seemed.’

‘Peters is being held to an elite standard after earning his first Pro Bowl selection last season. And he drew even more attention to himself this year after Peters missed the entire offseason holding out while demanding a significant pay raise to reflect his new status as the team’s top offensive lineman. The holdout has failed strategically on several levels so far.’

‘Buffalo Bills linebackers Marcus Buggs, Blake Costanzo, Keith Ellison, defensive end Ryan Denney, kicker Rian Lindell and safety John Wendling participated in the Red Ribbon Rally October 28th, at Lorraine Elementary School #72 in Buffalo yesterday. After entering the school’s auditorium to an exciting, ear-piercing round of applause, the Bills players took the stage, and flexed their muscles against drugs by encouraging students to “Join the Drug-Free Team!”‘

‘New warm clothing and monetary donations will be collected at the Ralph Wilson Stadium gates before the 1:00 p.m. game. Those not able to donate at the game are encouraged to donate at any M&T Bank branch throughout the Buffalo and Rochester area and Empire Vision locations.’

‘Eric Jantzi, North Tonawanda High School head football coach, has been named the Buffalo Bills High School Football Coach of the Week after the eighth weekend of the 2008 high school football season.’

‘Bills 34, Jets 30.’

‘The Bills are coming off perhaps their most disheartening loss, melting down in the fourth quarter to fall 25-16 at Miami last Sunday.’

‘Reed refused to rule himself out, though he was limping noticeably after practice and wearing a protective boot. He hurt both his ankle and Achilles’ tendon in a 25-16 loss at Miami last weekend. Coach Dick Jauron said it was too early to determine whether Reed would be able to practice this week or play against the Jets.’

‘"Just the weather that’s up here makes you appreciate how important this Gift of Warmth drive is,” Greer said. “Knowing that there are people out here in need of this clothing just to survive the weather that Buffalo brings it really touches my heart.”‘

‘”If you want to lead a healthy life,” Whitner said to the gathered students, “it’s important to get out and do something every day. Our generation and the next generation has to be as healthy as they can be.” The Bills player also fielded questions from the students and spoke about how he got involved in football and why he likes to be involved in his team’s community.’