NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 20, 2015

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 1

Jets' Cromartie, Ivory questionable vs. Colts on MNF (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................... 1

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Jets: Does Willie Colon have a career in the booth? (J.P. Pelzman) .......................................................................... 2

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................... 3

Why the Jets should sit Antonio Cromartie; what's going on with Jeremy Kerley?(Rich Cimini) .............................. 3

Jets' Chris Ivory, Antonio Cromartie questionable for Monday night (Rich Cimini) .................................................. 5

Colts QB Andrew Luck 'a nightmare,' according to Jets coach Todd Bowles (Rich Cimini) ....................................... 5

How soon before Jets' Geno Smith becomes a threat to Ryan Fitzpatrick? (Rich Cimini) ........................................ 6

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................... 8

Out of unspeakable tragedy, Jets’ Stephen Bowen found special gift (Brian Costello) ............................................ 8

Can 2015 Giants-Jets clash match the September Subway Series? (Mike Vaccaro) ............................................... 10

Why the Jets are more optimistic Antonio Cromartie will play vs. Colts (Brian Costello) ....................................... 12

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 12

Jets-Indianapolis Colts injury report: T.Y. Hilton, Chris Ivory, Antonio Cromartie, Darius Butlers (Dom Consentino) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Mailbag: Did Jeremy Kerley have a falling out with Jets' coaches? (Dom Consentino) .......................................... 15

How often will Jets' Darrelle Revis and Indianapolis Colts' Andre Johnson match up Monday? (Darryl Slater) ..... 18

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 19

Jets Injury Report: CB Antonio Cromartie officially questionable for Monday’s game vs. Colts (Seth Walder) ..... 19

SATURDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 20

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets' Cromartie, Ivory questionable vs. Colts on MNF (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 19, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-cromartie-ivory-questionable-vs-colts-mnf

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie and running back Chris Ivory are questionable for the team's game against the Colts at Indianapolis on Monday night.

Cromartie (sprained left knee) and Ivory (groin) were both limited Saturday in New York's final full practice before heading to Indianapolis.

Backup cornerback Darrin Walls is doubtful for the game with a tweaked hamstring, while linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) and quarterback Geno Smith (broken jaw) are out.

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Cromartie was injured last Sunday in the Jets' season-opening win against Cleveland. Ivory, who ran for 91 yards and two TDs against the Browns, tweaked his groin during practice earlier in the week.

Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith (ribs) was a full participant and will be a game-time decision to make his NFL debut.

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THE RECORD

Jets: Does Willie Colon have a career in the booth? (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 20, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/a-career-in-the-booth-1.1414069

Willie Colon wants you to know he enjoys delivering his opinions on television.

Even if it doesn’t always appear that he’s having fun.

Right guard Willie Colon participated in the NFL’s ninth annual broadcast boot camp.

Colon, the Jets’ right guard, has made numerous TV appearances, and again will be doing commentary for SNY on a regular basis. But one problem gnaws at Colon, who is as much a perfectionist sitting at a desk as he is at the line of scrimmage.

"When I first started to get into it," Colon said recently, "I could be clear and direct about what I was saying, but at the end of it I’d still have kind of a blank face and a bit of a [furrowed] brow."

That’s because Colon’s face tends to relax into a frown, which is why he always reminds himself on air to put on a happy face.

"It’s weird," he said. "I have to sometimes be like, all right, now smile."

Colon must have heeded his advice when he participated in the ninth annual NFL broadcast boot camp at NFL Films headquarters in Mount Laurel in June.

"[One] thing [Colon] does that people take for granted is he smiles on camera and warms it up," said Glenn Adamo, the vice president of media operations of NFL Films and NFL Network.

Adamo, a former coordinating producer at NBC Sports, helped put together the concept of the four-day boot camp, which tries to prepare current NFL players and recently retired ones for a career in broadcasting. Participants do a variety of broadcasting tasks, including remote stand-ups, writing and reading their own scripts, interviewing other players, and taking part in mock studio shows.

Adamo liked what he saw from Colon, and also noted he was impressed with cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who participated this year.

As for Colon, Adamo said, "I think his welcoming personality is going to be his biggest asset. … He’s really articulate. He showed a lot of passion and I think he has a future in this business.

"He’s insightful," Adamo added. "He has a sense of what sells in terms of how to tell the story. He’s a good storyteller. He just needs to practice."

Colon appreciated the compliments, but said, "I’m my hardest critic. … I have to be conscious to smile and be energetic. Energy is so huge.

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"You have to catch the attention," Colon added, "of somebody who’s making food for the kids [or] washing clothes. You have to be able to catch that person and get their attention, and if your energy is bad they’re going pass right by you."

There was a chance early in training camp that the 32-year-old veteran could have someone pass him by on the field. Colon began camp on the physically unable to perform list because of a nagging knee problem, and youngsters such as Brent Qvale and Dakota Dozier were taking snaps with the first team.

But Colon soon was activated from PUP and quickly reestablished himself as the starter, a position he’s held with the Jets since the start of the 2013 season.

"It was by no means an easy thing," Colon said of retaining his starting job. "I had to come out there and be on my game and battle and fight and scrap. I couldn’t take a day [off] because I wasn’t feeling well. There were a lot of days when I didn’t feel well from a physical standpoint.

"But when you’re 32 years old and you’ve got young hungry guys behind you, you’ve got to suck that up and that’s what I was able to do."

Colon doesn’t know how much longer he wants to keep playing, indicating he’ll know it’s time to quit when his body and his emotions tell him so.

"It’s all about how I feel physically and where my heart is at," he said.

If broadcasting eventually becomes a full-time thing for him, the New York native believes there’s something else he must work on.

"Definitely my enunciation," Colon said. "When you’re excited and you’re pumped up, your words kind of just fall out of your mouth instead of being clear and direct."

That’s an interesting admission from someone whose actions continue to speak loud and clear when he’s on the field.

BRIEFS: CB Darrin Walls (hamstring) is listed as doubtful and isn’t expected to play. Two Indianapolis CBs, Greg Toler (neck) and Darius Butler (hip), won’t play. Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (knee) is questionable.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Why the Jets should sit Antonio Cromartie; what's going on with Jeremy Kerley?(Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 20, 2015 http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54275/keyshawn-johnson-diva-receiver-a-bad-rap-for-brandon-marshall

A look at what's going on around the New York Jets:

1. Counting on Cro a mistake: Todd Bowles faces his first play-him/sit-him decision as a head coach. It involves cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who is listed as questionable for Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. The smart call here: Sit him. It's not worth the risk. The Jets have ample depth at cornerback, and they need Cromartie for the long haul. Medical experts say even a first-degree knee sprain requires at least two to three weeks for recovery time. This should be a no-brainer. Let the man heal properly.

2. A $3.5 million-a-year punt returner: Yep, that's Jeremy Kerley. His role on offense has all but disappeared, creating questions about his future. I asked Kerley if he wants to be traded, and he replied

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with the standard line: It hasn't crossed his mind. I believe it has. Who can blame him? He used to be a big part of the offense, and now he's at the bottom of the depth chart.

The Jets should call the Dallas Cowboys to see if they'd be interested. They're hurting at receiver without the injured Dez Bryant, and it would be a homecoming for Kerley, who grew up in Texas and played at TCU. The problem is Kerley's contract. His $2 million base salary is guaranteed. Beyond 2015, he has three years, $9 million remaining on the deal he signed last fall.

3. The new slot receiver is ...: In essence, Kerley has been replaced as the slot receiver by Eric Decker. Yes, Decker. Consider the snap breakdown from the season opener (based on the number of pass routes): Decker 16 in the slot, Quincy Enunwa seven, Chris Owusu four and Marshall two. At 6-foot-3, Decker isn't your typical slot receiver, but it kind of makes sense because he's a crafty route runner with the smarts to find soft spots in underneath coverage.

4. The forgotten men: Will this be the year of the tight end? Maybe, but not for the Jets, that's for sure. Across the league, there were 22 touchdowns by tight ends in Week 1, the most in a week since the merger in 1970. In fact, tight ends scored more than wide receivers (21 touchdowns). Crazy, right? Suffice is to say the stunning trend didn't include the Jets, as they had only one target in the opener. Obviously, their passing attack is built around the receivers, but coordinator Chan Gailey issued a not-so-subtle warning to opponents: Don't sleep on Jeff Cumberland and Kellen Davis.

"Just when you think that we’re not going to throw to them," he said, "that will be the week that we do."

5. Tracking Pryor: There was a lot of talk in the offseason about Calvin Pryor's role in the new defense, how he'd become an impact player in Todd Bowles' system because he'd get the chance to play his natural position, strong safety. Pryor fueled the conversation by expressing his trademark confidence, predicting big things. Well, he got off to a terrific start, recording a team-high nine tackles and forcing a fumble that saved a touchdown. Looks like all that chatter was justified, right? Well, know this:

In Week 1, Pryor played more often outside the box than in the box, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The numbers: 34 snaps at free safety, 20 snaps at strong safety/linebacker. The ratio is more balanced than his rookie year, but it's not like he's been transformed into an every-down "box" safety.

6. Let's play (for) two: Because of the longer PATs, Gailey has placed a greater emphasis on two-point plays in terms of practice and preparation. He said he has more two-point plays in his arsenal than ever before -- two or three different plays in the weekly game plan. It's been quite a long time since the Jets were successful on a two-point play -- 2010, to be exact. Since then, they've gone 0-for-6. The Jets and Kansas City Chiefs are the only teams with an oh-fer since 2011.

7. Quarterback teasers: My former New York Daily News teammate, Gary Myers, has new book on Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, entitled, "Brady vs. Manning: The Untold Story of the Rivalry that Transformed the NFL." It has a lot behind-the-scenes stuff, including instances in which they almost became Jets. Well, kind of.

During the 2000 draft, a Jets' scout named Jesse Kaye implored Bill Parcells to select Brady in the sixth round, according to the book. They already had picked Chad Pennington in the first, so Parcells didn't listen to Kaye and chose a defensive back, Tony Scott. I'd say it worked out rather well for Brady.

Before the '97 draft, Archie Manning called Parcells to gauge his feelings about Peyton. The Jets owned the top pick, and Peyton was deciding whether to enter the draft or stay in school. This was well-documented at the time, but Myers adds a new layer, writing that "the feeling around the league at the time was that Manning would turn pro" if Parcells guaranteed the Mannings he'd pick Peyton. Archie practically begged Parcells for an answer, the book reveals.

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"I'm telling you, he's pretty torn," Archie told Parcells. "He'd like to be the first pick in the draft; he's got no problem with New York or the Jets. At the same time, he wants to play his senior year."

We all know how it turned out.

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Jets' Chris Ivory, Antonio Cromartie questionable for Monday night (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 19, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54301/jets-chris-ivory-antonio-cromartie-questionable-for-monday-night

The New York Jets are dealing with two notable injury concerns as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.

Running back Chris Ivory (groin) and cornerback Antonio Cromartie (knee) are listed as questionable on the injury report, released Saturday.

Ivory, coming off a two-touchdown performance in the opener, got hurt in practice early in the week and was limited each day.

On Friday, Todd Bowles expressed confidence that Ivory would face the Colts. It would be an upset if he sits out. The question becomes effectiveness and durability. For insurance, they will consider activating Zac Stacy, who didn't dress last week. The Jets went with only Ivory and Bilal Powell at running back, but it would be risky to go that route again.

Cromartie's status is a major question. He practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day, but it would be a surprise if he plays. Initially, his sprained knee was termed a week-to-week injury. Cromartie himself said he wouldn't play unless he's 100 percent.

If Cromartie doesn't play, Buster Skrine or Marcus Williams would start at right cornerback. In the nickel, it would be Skrine, Williams and Darrelle Revis.

Bowles wasn't made available to the media on Saturday.

Other injury notes: Cornerback Darrin Walls (hamstring) missed practice for the third straight day and is doubtful. It looks like Dexter McDougle will be active for the first time in his career.

As expected, rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) was ruled out. Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith (ribs) is probable for the second straight week. He was a healthy scratch last week, but there's a good chance he will make his debut.

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Colts QB Andrew Luck 'a nightmare,' according to Jets coach Todd Bowles (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 19, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54291/colts-qb-andrew-luck-a-nightmare-according-jets-coach-todd-bowles

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- In the season opener, the New York Jets faced a journeyman starting quarterback (Josh McCown) and an unproven backup (Johnny Manziel) who missed a chunk of training camp because of elbow soreness.

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This week, they get Andrew Luck, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You might say the Jets' preparation has a different feel than last week.

"It's a nightmare," coach Todd Bowles said, commenting on what it's like to get ready for Luck.

The Jets, who play the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, haven't faced Luck since 2012, his rookie year. It wasn't much of a fight, as they intercepted him twice and held him to a 50 percent completion rate. The Jets won a rare laugher, 35-9.

Bowles had similar success against Luck as the defensive coordinator for Arizona, a 40-11 win for the Cardinals in 2013. Bowles' defense frustrated Luck with an array of blitzes, limiting him to 163 passing yards.

Ah, but the young quarterback has matured a lot over the past couple of years, and his supporting cast has improved. The Colts signed wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore, and they still have the explosive T.Y. Hilton (knee), whose status this week is uncertain.

"You're talking about, in our opinion, a top-five quarterback in the NFL, and he poses a lot of problems," Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. "One, he's deadly accurate with his arm and he's dangerous from the pressure standpoint, because he can get out of trouble. He's strong, and when you get there, he's hard to tackle. He just poses a lot of problems from the standpoint of you take a chance if you try to blitz him. You take a chance if you try drop eight into coverage and then you can't rush him. He's an elite NFL quarterback."

The Buffalo Bills roughed up Luck in the opener, blitzing on 49 percent of his dropbacks. He didn't have time to find his third and fourth reads, causing major issues for the Colts. Bowles and Rodgers like to blitz, too, so you have to figure they will try to put heat on Luck.

"Every game is different," Bowles said. "You try to get a feel for what they're trying to do to you first, then you try to adjust accordingly. The first two or three series will tell a lot, and that can either ramp you up or that can scale you back, depending on how the game's going. It's kind of a chess match in the beginning."

A lot will depend on Hilton. If he doesn't play, the Jets can crank up the pressure, knowing the Colts' most explosive player isn't on the field. The Jets might not have Antonio Cromartie (knee), but they should have enough at cornerback to cover Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief.

Then again, a great quarterback makes those around him better. And that is the Jets' fear with Luck.

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How soon before Jets' Geno Smith becomes a threat to Ryan Fitzpatrick? (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 19, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54263/how-soon-before-jets-geno-smith-becomes-a-threat-to-ryan-fitzpatrick

Reaching into the New York Jets' mailbag, Week 2:

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@RichCimini: That's a huge if, my friend. For those not familiar with the schedule, they face the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. On paper, they appear to be three solid teams, but they're winnable games for the Jets. Only one of these opponents -- the Dolphins -- has a formidable defense, so you'd have to assume the Jets would be struggling on offense if they can't generate enough points to win one of these games. So does that mean Ryan Fitzpatrick would be benched coming out of the bye week? I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

First of all, the organization is firmly behind Fitzpatrick, who has galvanized the offense with his understated leadership. Secondly, I don't think Smith would be ready in Week 6 to start and play an entire game. He's still not practicing; all he's doing is throwing in 7-on-7 drills. Todd Bowles has said Smith, coming off the broken jaw, will miss four games. As Bowles said Friday, "It's going to take a while." I don't think it would be prudent to toss Smith into the starting lineup in his first game in uniform. Plus, that Week 6 game happens to be at home (against the Washington Redskins), and we all know Smith isn't Mr. Popularity at MetLife Stadium.

@RichCimini: I'm not sure how they will arrange the pecking order at wide receiver, but it does appear that Devin Smith is ready to make his NFL debut. It'll be a game-day decision, according to Bowles. Smith has been practicing for two weeks without any restrictions, so if not now, when? They could use a deep threat on the field. Yes, the Jets played well on offense last week, but they didn't have anyone to stretch the defense. Sooner or later, especially against aggressive defenses, you need that guy. Otherwise, you end up playing on a 20-yard field, and that can be problematic.

In the opener, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 1-for-5 on passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The lone completion was a 43-yarder to Chris Owusu. I'm not knocking Owusu, who did a solid job as the No. 3 receiver, but the Jets have a lot invested in Smith, a high second-

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round pick. He was working at the No. 3 receiver early in training camp, when he busted his ribs, and I suspect he'll be deployed in that role on Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts, if he plays.

In three-receiver packages, they'd have Smith and Brandon Marshall on the outside, with Eric Decker in the slot. Obviously, Smith hasn't done anything on the NFL level, but people know his college track record. At Ohio State, he averaged 28.2 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns last season. All it takes is one successful deep shot to change the dynamic, forcing the opposition to adjust its approach.

I could see the Jets activating six receivers on Monday night. Remember, Owusu is the kickoff returner and Jeremy Kerley, despite having no role on offense, is the punt returner. Smith has been returning some kickoffs in practice, but he's never done it in a game. Nevertheless, he'd have a role on special teams as the gunner on punt coverage. Bottom line: I say activate the kid. Let's see what he can do.

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NEW YORK POST

Out of unspeakable tragedy, Jets’ Stephen Bowen found special gift (Brian Costello) New York Post September 20, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/19/out-of-unspeakable-tragedy-jets-stephen-bowen-found-special-gift/

Stephen Bowen sits on a bench in a quiet end of the Jets’ indoor practice facility and turns his left arm over to reveal a tattoo on the inside of his forearm of two babies.

“I talk to him everyday,” the Jets defensive lineman says. “I let him know that I never will forget about him, and I will never let anybody else forget about him. He’s always going to have his legacy.”

The tattoo is of Bowen’s twin sons, Skyler and Stephen III, who were both born prematurely in 2011. Skyler lived for just 10 days, passing away in his parents’ arms and forever changing Stephen and Tiffany Bowen’s life.

Stephen III is now 4, and his father points to the tattoo and shows that Skyler is above his brother in it.

“It’s like Skyler’s watching over him,” Bowen says.

The Bowens have turned their personal tragedy into a way to help others. In 2012, they formed Skyler’s Gift Foundation, which assists families who can’t afford funeral costs for their baby. To date, they have helped 120 families.

“It helps our healing as well because we are able to use our son’s name to help other people,” Tiffany Bowen said. “Unless you’ve been through this, you don’t really know what it feels like. You can’t say, ‘I can relate,’ because you can’t. I’m able to.”

Early arrival

The Bowens were thrilled to find out Tiffany was pregnant with twins. They already had a daughter, Trinity, who was 1. They imagined their family now with two new babies added to it.

Stephen was home that spring because of an NFL lockout. An undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, Bowen had spent five seasons with the Cowboys and now was hoping to land a contract as a free agent.

The Bowens were both from New York, he from Long Island and she from The Bronx. So they scheduled a baby shower for late June there. When Tiffany was put on bed rest before the shower, she told Stephen to go with Trinity while she stayed behind in Dallas.

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On June 28, Tiffany called Stephen in New York and told him, “I’m going into labor.”

She was just 24 weeks pregnant. Stephen found the first flight he could and left Trinity with their family.

“By the time I got back to Dallas, my boys are born,” Stephen said. “They’re both 1 pound, 5 ounces apiece. Very small, fighting for their lives. My son Stephen was actually was doing worse than Skyler. Skyler was actually doing very well the first couple of days.”

Both babies went to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where their parents watched over them and prayed. On July 7, Stephen noticed Skyler’s stomach was enlarged. The doctors later told them Skyler had an intestinal infection. Around midnight, the doctors called the Bowens and told them to get to the hospital. Skyler’s organs were failing.

Stephen and Tiffany held him until his heart stopped beating.

“I just broke down,” Stephen said. “To hold your son and to see him slowly passing away, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, man. I was broken. I was broken for a long time.”

The lockout ends

Three weeks after losing Skyler and with Stephen III still fighting for his life, Stephen signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Redskins. The lockout had ended. It was time to go to training camp.

Stephen swallowed hard and left for Northern Virginia, leaving his family behind in Dallas.

“It was really scary,” Stephen said. “I’m just going based on what my wife’s telling me on the phone if he had a good day or a bad day. It was such a sensitive time for him. A good day was amazing, but it was up and down like a roller coaster. It was really scary. My son is a fighter.”

Bowen had to find a way to focus on football, trying to get to know new coaches and teammates while worrying about Tiffany and Stephen III in Dallas. On his off days, he visited hospitals to find one Stephen III could transfer to once he was healthy enough.

That day came in September. A medical plane carried Stephen III in an incubator to Virginia where his father saw him for the first time in two months.

Four years later, Stephen III is doing the things 4-year-old boys do — playing with race cars, running around the yard and having fun.

“He’s had an up-and-down roller coaster, but now he’s a healthy boy,” Stephen said.

Finding a way to help

As Tiffany spent time in the NICU and attended support groups for parents who had lost a child, she discovered a problem she never knew existed.

The Bowens had a funeral for Skyler, but Tiffany spoke with other mothers who said they could not afford one. If they could not afford it, the hospital would cremate the baby or it would be considered medical waste, depending on how many weeks old it was.

“This problem, unless you’re in it, you don’t know it exists,” Tiffany said. “I thought: This is how I can help.”

Skyler’s Gift was formed, and the Bowens now help families with the costs associated with a funeral as well as grief counseling.

“We don’t really deal with talking about death well, especially babies,” Tiffany said. “People don’t want to think about it. Even as sucky as it is, for lack of a better word, you can’t sweep it under the rug. It happens, and it happens a lot.”

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For the Bowens, the foundation has given them a purpose.

“It keeps you grounded,” Stephen said. “You always want to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. I couldn’t imagine being in that situation where I could not bury my son financially. If I’m able to help people put their child to rest, that’s the least I can do.”

Tiffany said it also helps to hear Skyler’s name. Many people, she said, whisper his name to her or avoid it altogether, thinking it will upset her.

“My son was very much alive,” Tiffany said. “It helps me to know that people still mention his name. We don’t forget about him and act like he never existed.”

Coming home

In March, Stephen signed a one-year deal with the Jets. The Long Island kid got to come home.

“It’s been a dream come true,” Bowen said. “Everybody as a kid dreams of playing for their hometown team. I never thought it would actually happen. It’s been a dream come true to come home and play.”

The Jets hope he can provide depth on their very formidable defensive line.

Bowen is about more than football, though. Through his foundation, he and his wife are helping others and keeping Skyler’s name alive.

“It’s great, man,” Stephen said. “Just knowing we can lift an hand for anybody and just knowing we’re there for him. A lot of people’s perception is that we’re in the NFL and we don’t go through real life things. I’m just like everybody else. I’m just good at a sport. Everybody goes through life things.”

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Can 2015 Giants-Jets clash match the September Subway Series? (Mike Vaccaro) New York Post September 20, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/20/can-2015-giants-jets-clash-match-the-september-subway-series/

We’ve had this kind of thing before, in football. Twice the Jets and the Giants have faced each other late in the season with impactful stakes on the table. Twice they have delivered the kind of results fans were talking about weeks and months later.

That should have been the benchmark. Unlike hockey and basketball, where our area teams all actually have met in the postseason, the Giants and the Jets have a similar relationship to that which the Mets and the Yankees have — even if there was that one nuclear collision 15 years ago when the stars aligned and a Subway World Series actually happened.

Maybe none of the Knicks-Nets playoff encounters over the years have had the visceral pull that some of the more intense Islanders-Rangers and Devils-Rangers postseason encounters have engendered (and let’s not forget the Devils’ first foray into postseason, which included a win over the post-dynasty Isles in 1988), but as long as it is likely that you can run into one another in the playoffs, there never will be a regular season game that can match it.

That’s one of the reasons this weekend’s Yankees-Mets series is so unique, and so interesting. There was talk a few years ago of radical realignment based on geography, and if that ever happens, it will make what we’ve had at Citi Field this weekend more a norm than an aberration — and we can expend a whole other column on what as many as 19 Subway Series games would mean.

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But for now, this is unique. For now, the notion that the Mets and Yankees both were in serious playoff contention while facing each other makes this even more unique than when the sporting gods conspired to allow that meeting in October 2000. Because in so many ways, a late-season race is so much more interesting, with so many moving parts.

Maybe if we ever got a “Semi-Tough” Super Bowl of Jets versus Giants that would change the dynamic in football, too. But for now there are the two seminal games the Giants and the Jets have played, 23 years apart.

Back in 1988, the Jets limped into their final game of the season at 7-7-1, a disappointing mark given the team’s promising start, and on the afternoon of Dec. 18 who should be waiting for them but the Giants, at 10-5, needing a win to qualify for the playoffs. It was a Jets home game at Giants Stadium, but that didn’t seem to matter; Vegas had pegged the Giants a solid six-point favorite.

The Jets stormed to an early 13-0 lead, but when Phil Simms found Lionel Manuel for a 9-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, the Giants led 21-20 and only needed a boost from their defense to survive. Instead, Ken O’Brien hit Al Toon for the game-winning 5-yard TD inside a minute to go. The Jets had crushed the Giants’ spirit, and their season.

Of course, the revenge would come on Christmas Eve 2011, with both the Jets and Giants needing that Week 16 game to boost their playoff odds and … well, Victor Cruz happened, the Giants won that week, beat Dallas in Week 17 and never lost again while the Jets never recovered in the rest of Rex Ryan’s tenure.

The two teams play late in the season again this year, though not too late, a Week 13 matchup Dec. 6, a Giants home game. By that time, perhaps the Giants and Jets will both be in the 7-4 range, and maybe this will have the same ramifications as last time, and maybe it will hint at what we’ve gotten this weekend from the baseball teams.

It’s one way to root, anyway.

Whack Back at Vac

Rocco Lobato: I grew up in Astoria, and to this day nothing can compare to the rivalry between the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers. But this is the first time I can think of when the Mets can be the knockout team to the Yankees not making the playoffs.

Vac: I know neither team especially likes having these games in September, but I hope the next time they play six against each other, the schedule makers do exactly the same thing — three in April and three in September.

Glenn Welch: As a Giants fan watching the end of Broncos-Chiefs, all I can say is it took almost 37 years but I can thankfully no longer say “something like that could

only happen to the Giants.” Silly me, I thought November 1978 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Vac: Somewhere, poor Joe Pisarcik got himself a case of chills Thursday night, and unless he was watching he has no idea why.

@cowbellguy19: I miss Shea Stadium. Even the smell of urine on the walking ramps: That was our urine.

@MikeVacc: Sigh.

Mike Gijanto: What I find most galling about the debacle in Dallas is that for the last dozen years, the Giants have led the world in delay-of-game penalties, game after game after game, and Sunday they spectacularly blew a game by snapping the ball too quickly! Unbelievable!

Vac: No team has ever needed Another Game more than the Football Giants need Another Game.

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Vac’s Whacks

Taking a peek at college football Saturday, I wonder: Does Georgia Tech still holds a grudge against Notre Dame for the run-it-up tack-on TD that set up the Rudy sack?

Every Eagles fan I know watched the closing seconds of that Kansas City-Denver game the other day and immediately began nodding furiously, in sympathy, with every Chiefs fan extant. Call it Andy Reid Syndrome.

There are few things more terrifying — and amazing — than Kurt Sutter’s imagination.

I know it makes me a bad person that the empathy I felt for the Louisville kicker the other night was trumped by the glee at seeing Bobby Petrino miserable.

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Why the Jets are more optimistic Antonio Cromartie will play vs. Colts (Brian Costello) New York Post September 19, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/19/why-the-jets-are-more-optimistic-antonio-cromartie-will-play-vs-colts/

A week ago, it seemed impossible Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie would play Monday night against the Colts. But with each passing day, there seems to be more optimism.

Cromartie was listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report Saturday. He was limited in practice for the second straight day.

Coach Todd Bowles did not have media availability, so it’s hard to gauge what that exactly means. But it feels a long way from when Cromartie was punching the turf last week with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Instead, it was just a sprain and Cromartie was deemed “week-to-week” by the doctors.

Running back Chris Ivory also is listed as questionable with a groin injury he suffered in practice this week, but Bowles said Friday that Ivory would play.

For the Colts, it looks like wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will play. Hilton suffered a knee bruise last week against the Bills. He practiced for the first time Saturday, and reports out of Indianapolis made it sound like he will play, though he is listed as questionable.

“He looked good, moved around well,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said, according to ESPN. “He’s going to get better and better.”

Hilton sounded optimistic.

“Feels good and it depends on how my knee reacts [Sunday],” Hilton said, according to ESPN. “I did some good work [Saturday] and the training staff did a great job on me this week pushing me and making sure I’m on point.”

Colts linebacker Robert Mathis also was listed as questionable. He has not played a game since 2013. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon last year.

Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) was ruled out and cornerback Darrin Walls (hamstring) is doubtful.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

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Jets-Indianapolis Colts injury report: T.Y. Hilton, Chris Ivory, Antonio Cromartie, Darius Butlers (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 19, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets-colts_saturday_injury_report_ty_hilton_chris.html#incart_river_mobileshort

The Jets and Colts, who play Monday night in Indianapolis, just released their Saturday injury report. Let's peek:

Jets

Out

LB Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion)

QB Geno Smith (jaw)

Doubtful

CB Darrin Walls (hamstring)

Questionable

CB Antonio Cromartie (knee)

RB Chris Ivory (groin)

Probable

DE Stephen Bowen (knee)

LG James Carpenter (back)

RG Willie Colon (knee)

RT Breno Giacomini (biceps)

S Jaiquawn Jarrett (shoulder)

T Brent Qvale (finger)

LB Trevor Reilly (finger)

WR Devin Smith (ribs)

Did not practice

LB Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion)

CB Darrin Walls (hamstring)

Limited at practice

LG James Carpenter (back)

RG Willie Colon (knee)

CB Antonio Cromartie (knee)

RB Chris Ivory (groin)

S Jaiquawn Jarrett (shoulder)

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QB Geno Smith (jaw)

Full practice

DE Stephen Bowen (knee)

RT Breno Giacomini (biceps)

T Brent Qvale (finger)

LB Trevor Reilly (finger)

WR Devin Smith (ribs)

Analysis: Try not to read too much into this. Cromartie's and Ivory's statuses are polar opposites. Head coach Todd Bowles had said Friday that Cromartie still hadn't done a lot at practice, and it's hard to think that changed overnight. Besides, they have a plan in place if Cromartie can't go. At the same time, Bowles said Ivory would play; the only potential concern would be if Ivory somehow aggravated the injury during practice on Saturday, which was closed to the media. Rookie Devin Smith, meanwhile, will be a game-time decision, and he was probable last week, too. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said Smith would be limited even if he can play, and special teams coach Bobby April said Smith would likely be the Jets' special teams gunner if he can go. So we'll see.

Colts

Out

CB Darius Butler (hip)

CB Gregory Toler (neck)

Questionable

WR T.Y. Hilton (knee)

LB Robert Mathis (achilles)

LB Jonathan Newsome (hamstring)

Probable

G Todd Herremans (shoulder)

LB D'Qwell Jackson (toe)

LB Bjoern Werner (knee)

Did not practice

CB Darius Butler (hip)

LB Jonathan Newsome (hamstring)

Limited at practice

WR T.Y. Hilton (knee)

LB Robert Mathis (Achilles)

CB Gregory Toler (neck)

Full practice

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G Todd Herremans (shoulder)

LB D'Qwell Jackson (toe)

LB Bjoern Werner (knee)

Analysis: Butler and Toler being ruled out leaves the Colts really thin at corner, where journeyman Jalil Brown may have to play opposite Vontae Davis. This is good news for the Jets, since it's likely to set up some kind of mismatch for wideout Eric Decker. Hilton had not practiced all week, but because he was able to do something Saturday, he may try to give it a go. Guess we'll have to see come Monday night.

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Mailbag: Did Jeremy Kerley have a falling out with Jets' coaches? (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 19, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/mailbag_did_jeremy_kerley_have_a_falling_out_with.html#incart_river_mobileshort

Saturday. Time for our weekly Jets mailbag. On to your questions.

I don't see them making him inactive. Kerley is still their best option at punt returner, so he still has an important role to play there, even if he's been leapfrogged by Quincy Enunwa and Chris Owusu within the offense. Also, Smith is expected to be "very limited," even if he does play Monday night, and Kerley remains the Jets' best option as a punt returner. He still has an important role to play.

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It's mostly about Kerley's limitations as a receiver. During minicamp, receivers coach Karl Dorrell told me he wanted all of the Jets' wideouts to be like interchangeable parts, to be able to play every position. The idea, in Gailey's offense, is to move guys around to create mismatches, especially when the Jets go to three- and four-receiver sets, which they'll do often. That's why we saw a lot of Eric Decker in the slot against the Browns, but that Brandon Marshall will sometimes move inside, too. Kerley is a decent enough player, but he's too narrowly a possession receiver who plays inside; in this story from Monday, I laid out what Pro Football Focus had calculated as Kerley's slot percentage during his first four seasons. The Cliff's Notes version is that he rarely played outside. Head coach Todd Bowles also indicated that Owusu is a better blocker than Kerley, and Enunwa has already proven he can be a better blocker. This is about how Kerley fits what the Jets are doing. Right now, he doesn't.

The Jets ought to entertain trade options, but until Devin Smith is 100 percent and can do more of what they want from him, the Jets ought to keep Kerley on board. Also, as I noted above, he's their best option at punt returner, so he does still have a pretty big job to do.

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If the Jets win, I wouldn't start booking hotel rooms and making dinner reservations in San Francisco for the first week of February. There would still be 14 games to go, and we've seen plenty of other teams start fast, only to flame out as the season wears on. At the same time, I think if the Jets win, and they can win the turnover battle, I do think it would send a bit of a message that they might legitimately be a team on the rise. But they've got a very good Eagles team rolling up the turnpike next week, followed by a game in London against an improved Dolphins team. A 2-0 start could very easily be erased in two more weeks. If I were a Jets fan, I'd certainly be excited by a win in Indy. But I'd also be cautious. Long way to go.

Neither Jeff Cumberland nor Kellen Davis is going to suddenly transform into Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, but with the versatility and depth the Jets have at wideout, neither may need to do so. The tight ends were targeted just once last week, but Gailey said that was both because quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick chose to throw elsewhere, and because Cumberland and Davis were asked to block a lot. For the Jets, it's less about having a "viable pass catcher" with the tight ends than it is the strategic use of

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those tight ends. As Gailey put it: "Just when you think we're not going to throw it to 'em, that'll be the week that we do."

That's a bit of an oversimplification that's somewhat unfair to Rex Ryan. During the early Ryan years in Florham Park, the Jets had a ferocious defense. But as the years wore on, there was a talent drain, and by last season, the tub was pretty well dry. Having quality corners allows Bowles to take more chances with his blitz packages than the Jets could last year, when they had to get creative with coverages to give their corners lots of help. Bowles and Ryan are different coaches, to be sure, but I think Ryan could have done plenty with a defense that has this much talent and depth. See also: Look what Ryan's Bills did last week against Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Via email, Ira from Staten Island: "If the Jets run the ball well and control the clock they will have a shot against the Colts. My concerns and the first big test for Bowles is, will they finally be able to handle covering TEs?"

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is going to be a challenge, no doubt. But the Jets played a lot of nickel last week against the Browns, and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers has raved about Buster Skrine's strength and ability to match up against a tight end. But the Colts also play a lot with two tight ends on the field, which could create mismatches. Do you cover Coby Fleener with Calvin Pace? Demario Davis? David Harris? Skrine? One thing I noticed in the defensive film review of the Browns game is how frequently Johnny Manziel missed seeing open pass catchers, including his tight end. Luck likely won't have that problem. The challenge for the Jets will be to play the chess match against Luck by blitzing and disguising their blitzes and rotating the right people into coverage, depending on who's on the field for the Colts. Go to be fascinating to observe.

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How often will Jets' Darrelle Revis and Indianapolis Colts' Andre Johnson match up Monday? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 19, 2015

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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/how_often_will_jets_darrelle_revis_and_indianapoli.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — They are two of this generation's finest football players, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson.

How often will they match up on Monday night, when the Jets visit the Colts?

That depends on whether the Colts' top receiver, T.Y. Hilton, is able to recover from a bruised knee in time to participate in the game.

If Hilton plays, expect Revis to spend most of the game covering him. If not, Revis could spend a lot of time on Johnson.

The Jets' other starting cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, might not be able to play Monday, because of a knee sprain. That could mean Buster Skrine will have to cover Johnson, if Hilton is healthy and the Jets stick Revis on him.

There are obviously a lot of "what-ifs" at play here. But one thing is clear: It would be fun to see Revis and Johnson go at it on Monday night.

"At one point, he was the best receiver in the league, at one point, for a number of years," Revis said. "He's still playing. He's still in the league for a reason."

Johnson, 34, isn't the star he once was, the guy who made seven Pro Bowls from 2004-13 with the Texans and twice was a first-team All-Pro. Johnson spent his first 12 seasons with the Texans — and never had a great quarterback — before signing with the Colts this past offseason. Now, he gets to play with Andrew Luck.

Johnson and Revis have faced each other twice — once in 2009 and once in 2010. In 2009, Johnson was targeted twice when Revis covered him, and had one catch for 7 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2010, Johnson was targeted four times when Revis covered him, and had one catch for 20 yards.

Even at this late stage of Johnson's career, Colts coach Chuck Pagano thinks he can still play with the best.

"I have no worries at all about Andre," said Pagano, who considers Revis "a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

For his part, Johnson is looking forward to the opportunity to face Revis, if indeed that's how things play out.

"Yeah, that's why I play this game," Johnson said. "You always want to go against the best, to see where you're at, where your game is at. I'm pretty sure it's the same for him. He likes to go against the best in the game. If he does [shadow me], I'll be up for the challenge. When I'm not playing against him, I like watching him play. I'd like the chance to get to go against him."

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets Injury Report: CB Antonio Cromartie officially questionable for Monday’s game vs. Colts (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 19, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-injury-report-antonio-cromartie-questionable-colts-article-1.2366866

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A week after being carted into the locker room with what was ultimately just a sprained knee, Antonio Cromartie is officially questionable for the Jets’ Monday night game against the Colts.

The cornerback practiced on a limited basis on Friday and Saturday, but didn’t sound all that optimistic about playing in Indianapolis when he spoke earlier this week.

Chris Ivory (groin) is also listed as questionable but Todd Bowles said Friday he expects his running back to play this week. Devin Smith is probable - as he was last week, even though he didn’t play - but Chan Gailey has indicated that if the rookie does make his debut his role will be limited.

Darrin Walls (hamstring) is doubtful and Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion) and Geno Smith (jaw) are out. For the Colts, both WR T.Y. Hilton (knee) and LB Robert Mathis (achilles) are listed as questionable.

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SATURDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

FOOTBALL

ARIZONA CARDINALS — Released TE Joseph Fauria. Signed RB Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad.

CHICAGO BEARS — Waived DB Demontre Hurst. Signed DL Brandon Dunn from the practice squad.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Released WR Bryan Walters. Signed CB Peyton Thompson from the practice squad.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed S Tevin McDonald.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Waived WR Tyrell Williams. Signed S Adrian Phillips from the practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Terminated the contract of DE Frank Kearse. Signed LB Terrance Plummer from the practice squad.

HOCKEY

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Agreed to terms with D Michal Rozsival on a one-year contract.

COLLEGE

OHIO STATE — Suspended DB Damon Webb.

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