Two Bills Drive

‘Edwards has provided the Jets with stability and continuity, a rare commodity in a league that offers no job security. But he is not in a position of power, not with the Jets in the midst of an underachieving 5-7 season. With two years remaining on his contract, he’s in no position to be asking for extension.’

‘This is hard to believe, but Pennington never has thrown an interception inside the opponents’ 20. That’s zero interceptions and 29 touchdown passes. Crazy, huh?’

‘Edwards is signed through 2005 and is free of the slightest indication that the owner, Woody Johnson, is unhappy with him. Nonetheless, he’s concerned about how the NFL coaching carousel sabotages teams’ ability to sustain success. A person familiar with Edwards’ situation believes that Johnson, aware that many new coaches will get four- and five-year contracts, might feel pressured to give Edwards a two-year extension after this season, ensuring that Edwards would be the coach beyond 2005.’

‘”I think after the Indianapolis game everybody really just took it to heart,” Ferguson said. “We didn’t show up at all. We felt we could never have a game like that again. That game stands out to me all the time. The offense played too well for us to lose. Special teams played well, too. I think that game turned us around and let us know that we have to play.”‘

‘The newspaper, citing a league official who requested anonymity, reported Edwards would consider exercising the escape clause if the Jets didn’t give him a two-year extension and more say in personnel matters.’

‘”Change isn’t always good,” Edwards said. “A lot of times change is good. But a lot of times when you talk about changing the coaches, changing the system, most of the times it doesn’t work out.”‘

‘With Pro Bowler John Abraham expected to miss Sunday’s game in Buffalo, his fifth in the last six weeks, Thomas will continue to start on the right side. Starting the last five games, Thomas had made 34 tackles and is coming off his best performance in Monday night’s win over Tennessee.’

‘He said he’s need to practice sometime this week in order to play on Sunday. It appears Bledsoe will be back under center this Sunday’s home game against the Jets. He is still listed as probable.’

‘Last week, a blow to the head by New York’s Keith Hamilton left Bledsoe lying on the field for a few minutes with his eyes closed. He got up and finished the series, which ended in a touchdown run by Travis Henry.’

‘The Jets have won two straight trips to Buffalo, including a thrilling 37-31 overtime victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium last season. Edwards is 4-1 against the Bills, while Williams 1-4 versus the Jets.’

‘Bledsoe apparently told Gregg Williams that he wanted to do more, but practice was scripted for the quarterback to alternate and Williams said no. Bills spokesperson Scott Berchtold said he did not ask Bledsoe if he was still dizzy or fuzzy.’

”’All I knew was being a hard-worker and hands-on,” Gray said. ”And you can do that. But the thing you have to do is not be so hands-on that you step on your position coaches’ toes, especially when those guys know what they’re doing.”’

‘Team spokesman Scott Berchtold said Bledsoe took part in alternating practice periods, and added the quarterback told him he was prepared to participate more.’

‘Bledsoe, who has been experiencing light-headedness and fatigue, threw passes, handed the ball off and did some light jogging during the five-minute session the media is allowed to watch at the beginning of practice. A team spokesman said Bledsoe took part in alternating sessions.’