Category Archives: Lisa Zimmerman
FLORHAM PARK–Originally just Rex Ryan was scheduled to talk. Generally, the head coach speaks on the final day and GM Mike Tannenbaum speaks to the media later in the week. Today, the schedule was moved so that Tannenbaum could join Ryan.
There was speculation that some sort of big news might be coming. Alas, that was not to be. Both Ryan and Tannenbaum voiced strong support for Brian Schottenheimer. Ryan reinterated that Schottenheimer is under contract and, “We know he’s an outstanding football coach.”
Tannenbaum said, “We do expect Brian Schottenheimer back. I really respect the job he’s done; Three different quarterbacks, two AFC Championships.” Tannenbaum then confirmed that Schottenheimer is being interviewed for the Jacksonville head coaching position. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–If you didn’t think the locker room was fractured before, it was apparent today that it is.
Some of the most glaring statements were non-verbal. Santonio Holmes, Darrelle Revis and Bart Scott all refused to speak to the media. Scott, however, did make an obscene gesture toward a photographer as he walked out.
Rex Ryan was highly emotional in the team meeting, according to players. Matt Slauson said at one point, the coach was in tears. Another player told me his tone was “elevated.” The message was that they let themselves get fractured as a team and that it was unacceptable. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–A lot of players were in the locker room today. Friday is known as get-away-day and it can often be kind of quiet, especially when the stress level is where it is before a game like the one on Sunday. Although players were loose and the mood was upbeat, they were clearly focused on what’s at stake on Sunday. I spoke with Darrelle Revis, Dustin Keller and Brandon Moore about their winning team awards (see below) and all three were pleased and flattered, but not really interested in spending a lot of time thinking about anything other than Miami.
Jim Leonhard made his first appearance since tearing his patellar tendon against the Chiefs. It’s been a busy few weeks for Leonhard. He had surgery on the knee two weeks ago, right around the same time he and his wife welcomed their first child, a son. Right now, he’s on crutches and wearing a brace on his right leg. Although he has not been given a definitive timetable for his recovery, he said he’s been told it’s generally a four-six month process. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–In an unusual move, Rex Ryan addressed the team this morning just following the stretching period, but before any of the practice started. The team was using its indoor field house, which is a cavernous space, and you could have heard a pin drop as everyone listened intently to what the head coach had to say.
Ryan reiterated the opportunity they had in front of them and that having a chance to make the playoffs during one’s career should not be taken for granted. To drive the point home, he referenced Chargers LB Takeo Spikes. Spikes, at 35 years old, is a 14-year veteran, who has been a Pro Bowler and recently played in his 200th career game. He has never been to the playoffs. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–The Jets no longer control their own destiny, something that frustrates them across the board, but they are doing their best to stay the course and just focus on beating the Dolphins. A win is the only way they retain any hope of a playoff berth — plus a whole lot of help.
According to Mark Sanchez, “The No. 1 overall goal is the ball security issues,” he said. “The ball’s got to be of the utmost importance.”
He also said that the team is unified and nobody is looking for anything other than a win, the same way they do every week. “We expect to win. We expect to win every week,” Sanchez said. “We expect to do it right. If you don’t expect that, you don’t belong on this team.”
As for the criticism he’s taking, Sanchez shrugged it off as an occupational hazard. “Win, lose or draw, I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” he said of being able to play quarterback for the Jets. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–Victor Cruz said teams no longer fear Darrelle Revis. Hakeem Nicks said he’s just a “decent” cornerback. Revis’ response? “I don’t even know who this guy is…If I want entertainment, I’ll watch reality shows.”
He then added, “It doesn’t matter what I say. It doesn’t matter what other receivers say. You gotta prove it.” As for whether people are no longer scared of him, Revis laughed and said, “I”m not a monster, so why would anybody be scared?”
Muhammad Wilkerson is from a fairly large family, and one of his brothers was a lifelong Giants fan. “Not anymore,” Wilkerson laughed when I asked him. “No more Giants fans in my family.” Wilkerson, who is from nearby Linden, NJ, said he will have a modest 12 people at the game. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–The first mention of Plaxico Burress today came from Rex Ryan who announced he was limited in practice due to an illness. The immediate reaction was that something gnarly was going around the wide receivers room. (Jeremy Kerley’s got a stomach virus.)
However, when we spoke to Burress he said it was just a cold and he didn’t look too terrible. In his press conference, Ryan spoke of how level-headed and even Burress has been all season and Burress reinforced that when he spoke to the media. While excited to play on Saturday, he pointed out, “It’s an exciting game for the city. Who can win the bragging rights for the next four years.”
Asked if there was anyone in particular he was looking forward to going up against he side-stepped the questions and said instead, “These guys know me very well…It just depends who beats who to the punch. It’s going to be a chess match.” (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–The good news for Jets fans is that QB Mark Sanchez appears to be OK after the beating he took against the Eagles. He went through the early part of practice as he normally does and didn’t appear to be throwing any differently.
Asked about it, Sanchez wouldn’t go into detail, beyond saying that he took a couple of big hits, he’s sore, but he’s fine and he’s ready to go for Saturday. He’s listed on the injury report with a neck injury, but practiced fully on Tuesday.
In addition to his hyper-extended right elbow, Joe McKnight now has a separated right shoulder. He was held out of practice and it is unknown what his status will be for Saturday.
Jeremy Kerley has some sort of illness. According to Rex Ryan, they sent him home. Zicam for everybody… (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–It will be all hands on deck for Sunday’s game against the Eagles, minus Marquice Cole who is out after suffering a knee injury against the Chiefs.
Joe McKnight will be back wearing a brace on his right arm and will be returning kicks as usual. In the event he can’t at some point, his backups are Kyle Wilson and Antonio Cromartie.
Tracy Wilson could see his first significant action at safety as he is now the No. 1 guy behind Eric Smith and Brodney Pool.
Matt Slauson has become a go-to-guy in the locker room, so I thought I’d ask some probing questions of him in this week’s Q & A: (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–Some good news. It looks like both Mike DeVito and Joe McKnight will play on Sunday. DeVito was limited, but McKnight was full go in Wednesday’s practice wearing a brace on his right arm. He said that the only effect the brace was having on him was that he’s holding the ball higher and tighter, not necessarily a bad thing. Otherwise he said it’s not bothering him at all. He wore it for the first time during pregame warmups on Sunday (just to try it out, since he didn’t play), and three days later, he’s gotten used to it.
Brandon Moore (hip) didn’t practice, but that was the plan all along. He’ll play against the Eagles.
Marquice Cole (knee) did not practice at all and right now he’s iffy for Sunday. Eric Smith (knee) was limited, along with Marcus Dixon (hip), but both those guys should play.
Although the Eagles are 5-8, they are three-point favorites for Sunday’s game. Asked about it, Rex Ryan said, “I’m not betting on the game, so it doesn’t bother me.” The Jets have never won in Philadelphia. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK–When Jim Leonhard arrived in training camp back in August, he had almost no physical restrictions. Amazing considering that eight months earlier he had broken his right leg in practice so badly that it required surgery and he used a scooter and crutches to get around for weeks following that.
However, from the moment Leonhard hit the playing field, he showed no signs that he’d ever even been hurt and all questions about it disappeared.
On Sunday, it all came back. After getting tackled awkwardly following his interception, Leonhard didn’t get up and ultimately left the game on a cart. He’s been diagnosed with a torn pateller tendon in his right knee and is done for the season. (more…)
FLORHAM PARK-Brandon Moore was on the practice field today, but that was the only difference between Wednesday and Thursday when he didn’t appear at all. He stood off to the side wearing sweat pants, a sweat shirt and a knit cap.
Moore is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, but according to him, he will play. Rex Ryan also seemed fairly confident that Moore would be on the field. Moore said that there wasn’t a specific setback that kept him out this week, it was more the cumulative effect of the first 12 weeks of the season on him, following his offseason double-hip surgery.
Mike DeVito is listed as doubtful with his knee injury and there is almost no chance he will play.
Joe McKnight is listed as questionable, along with Marcus Dixon (hip), and Ryan said McKnight will most likely be a game-time decision. The swelling in McKnight’s elbow was the biggest issue and that has gone down, but they aren’t quite ready to make a final call.
Everyone else is expected to play. (more…)
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