NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 15, 2015

1 | P a g e

Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Jets rookie Williams says he needs to improve conditioning (Dennis Waszak) ........................................................ 2

Jets' Cromartie has sprained knee, Mauldin out of hospital (Dennis Waszak) ......................................................... 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Giants, Jets among top six on Forbes' most valuable NFL franchises (Mike Rose) ................................................... 4

Antonio Cromartie's knee injury much less serious than feared (Kimberley A. Martin) ........................................... 5

After debut, Leonard Williams thinks he needs to work on conditioning (Kimberley A. Martin) ............................. 6

Chan Gailey keeping Jets offense simple -- and it's working (Kimberley A. Martin) ................................................. 7

Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin released from hospital (Kimberley A. Martin)............................................................. 8

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Jets report card: How they fared vs. Browns (J.P. Pelzman) ..................................................................................... 8

Jets receive positive injury news on Cromartie, Mauldin (J.P. Pelzman) .................................................................. 9

Sullivan: Unlike Rex Ryan, Jets coach Todd Bowles has quiet swagger (Tara Sullivan) ............................................. 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Can less-is-more approach lead to more points for Jets? (Rich Cimini) .................................................................. 11

How the Jets handle clock-management situations (Rich Cimini) .......................................................................... 12

Todd Bowles on Leonard Williams' NFL debut: Spit happens (Rich Cimini) ............................................................ 12

Examining mysterious disappearance of Jets WR Jeremy Kerley (Rich Cimini)....................................................... 13

Jets' Antonio Cromartie diagnosed with sprained knee (Rich Cimini) .................................................................... 14

'Monster' Chris Ivory shows he can be Jets' featured back (Rich Cimini) ............................................................... 16

Calm and fiery Todd Bowles gives Jets plenty of reasons for hope (Rich Cimini) ................................................... 17

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 18

Leonard Williams realizes he’s out of shape after Jets debut (Brian Costello) ....................................................... 18

Jets rewind: What Todd Bowles’ perfect formula looks like (Brian Costello) ......................................................... 19

Jets move from punching bag to angry, powerful juggernaut (Mark Cannizzaro) .................................................. 20

Antonio Cromartie injury not nearly as bad as it looked (Brian Costello) ............................................................... 21

Muhammad Wilkerson makes good on contract threat (Brian Costello) ............................................................... 23

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 23

Lorenzo Mauldin injury: What is Jets' plan for his absence? How might Trevor Reilly's role change? (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 23

6 Todd Bowles Jets takeaways: Lorenzo Mauldin, Antonio Cromartie, and ... Gladys Knight? (Dom Consentino) 24

Jets' Todd Bowles has a plan to avoid Giants-style clock management fiasco (Darryl Slater) ................................ 25

Daily Clips Cont.

2 | P a g e

Jets' Leonard Williams says he wasn't in good enough shape to thrive vs. Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) ....... 26

Dallas Cowboys top Forbes franchise value list ... How much are Eagles, Giants, Jets worth? (Matt Lombardo) .. 27

Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin out of hospital, tweets he 'will be perfectly fine' (Dom Costentino) .................................. 29

Antonio Cromartie injury update: Jets corner week-to-week with sprained knee (Dom Cosentino) ..................... 29

Jets officially won't negotiate new contract with Mo Wilkerson during 2015 season, source confirms (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 30

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Cleveland Browns | Jets quarterback report card (Dom Cosentino) ....................................... 30

Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell a two-headed monster? | Jets snap counts vs. Cleveland Browns (Dom Cosentino) ....... 31

The latest on Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin's condition after scary injury vs. Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) ............... 33

Why didn't Jets use Jeremy Kerley against Cleveland Browns? (Dom Cosentino) .................................................. 34

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 35

Antonio Cromartie diagnosed with sprained knee, Jets cornerback is listed as week-to-week (Seth Walder) ...... 35

Jets rookie Leonard Williams admits conditioning needs work after NFL debut(Seth Walder) .............................. 36

Jets earn first win of Todd Bowles era with 31-10 romp over Browns, but key injuries put damper on the victory (Seth Walder) .......................................................................................................................................................... 37

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 39

Ryan Fitzpatrick looks legit as Jets' starting quarterback (Kristian Dyer) ................................................................ 39

Injury updates on Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin, Antonio Cromartie (Kristian Dyer) ......................................................... 40

MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................... 40

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets rookie Williams says he needs to improve conditioning (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 14, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-rookie-williams-says-he-needs-improve-conditioning-0

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Leonard Williams wants to shape up for the rest of the New York Jets' season.

The rookie defensive end acknowledged he felt tired at points during his NFL debut, a 31-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in which he had five total tackles.

"They had a few long drives and I just noticed I was getting pretty tired on those drives," Williams said Monday. "I was coming out of my stance slow, kind of raising up and not staying low. It was just from being tired."

Williams was the No. 6 overall pick this year, and many believed he was the best player available in this year's draft. The Jets jumped at the chance to take Williams, who was a dominant force at Southern California.

He had a solid training camp before dealing with a knee injury in the third preseason game against the Giants. Williams recovered in time to fully practice last week and get on the field for his first NFL regular-season game, but felt the injury might have hampered his ability to be in even better condition. He watched film of his performance and was far from satisfied.

Daily Clips Cont.

3 | P a g e

"I don't feel like I played to my best ability, to be honest," Williams said. "I think part of it is just conditioning. I feel like in college, we did a lot of conditioning. It's kind of up to myself now to take care of that on my own, like after practice or something like that."

Williams, who started in place of the suspended Sheldon Richardson, played on 49 of the Jets' 71 defensive snaps against the Browns. He said the coaches didn't point the conditioning issues out to him, but rather it was something he noticed during the game.

Coach Todd Bowles thought Williams was being a bit too hard on himself after just one game.

"I think he got winded because I thought emotionally he was too high," Bowles said. "When you have spit on the side of your mouth and you're slobbering and you're in warmup and pregame and everything like that, it's typical to happen to a rookie their first game out. They want to do well and they come out hyperventilating."

Bowles clarified that that might not have been completely the case with Williams, but added that he thought the rookie's conditioning was good enough.

"We run over 100-something plays a day in practice, from a physical standpoint," Bowles said. "I just think he needs to calm down going into the game."

Williams planned to discuss extra work with Justus Galac, the team's strength and conditioning coach. The rookie figures he can do extra laps after practice to help build his endurance without wearing himself out over the course of a long season.

"There were still some times, besides the fact that I felt unconditioned, that I wasn't really getting up field as much as I wanted to," Williams said. "It was little things technique-wise that I can just improve on every week."

NOTES: Bowles announced that game balls went to K Nick Folk, DE Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Marcus Williams, WR Brandon Marshall and RB Chris Ivory. ... QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on recovering a botched snap in the second quarter during which he flipped on his head as several Browns players pounced: "There was a big game of Yankee-doodle going on under the pile and I was the one that had it." ... Bowles said he received lots of congratulatory texts for his first win as Jets coach. When asked if one came from Gladys Knight, his favorite Motown artist, Bowles laughed. "Nothing from Gladys," he said, "or I wouldn't be here today." When it was suggested that the Jets could try to get Knight to sing the national anthem before a home game, a smiling Bowles shook his head. "Can't do that," he said. "Then I'll be no good for the game."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Cromartie has sprained knee, Mauldin out of hospital (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 14, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-cromartie-has-sprained-knee-mauldin-out-hospital

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets and Antonio Cromartie can exhale after a close call.

The cornerback has a sprained left knee after it was initially feared he potentially suffered a season-ending ligament tear. The Jets announced Monday that an MRI on Cromartie's knee was negative, and he has not been ruled out for the team's next game at Indianapolis next Monday night.

"Very relieved," coach Todd Bowles said.

Daily Clips Cont.

4 | P a g e

Cromartie left midway through the second quarter of the Jets' season-opening 31-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. His knee buckled on a non-contact play — Cleveland's Johnny Manziel scrambled for 6 yards on the other side of the field.

Cromartie, back with New York after playing in Arizona last season, clutched his left knee as trainers came out to check on him. He needed help to the sideline and didn't put any weight on his left leg. He was later carted to the locker room with a towel draped over his head and Jets fans fearing he could be lost for the season.

Bowles was uncertain when Cromartie might return to the practice field or if he would be ready to play the Colts. But the Jets were able to avoid the worst-case scenario.

"I don't know how he's going to feel from day to day," Bowles said. "The doctors told me week-to-week. I haven't seen him run. Up until now, I'd say no (for the Colts game). If he starts running later in the week and is feeling better, there's a chance he'll play."

The Jets also announced that rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was released from the hospital after staying overnight for observation with a concussion after being carted off the field with his body strapped to a board.

Mauldin took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to thank Jets fans and his family and friends for their prayers, as well as Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan "for their awesome TLC." The third-round pick out of Louisville also offered an encouraging prognosis: "I will be perfectly fine," he wrote.

It was a scary scene at MetLife Stadium when Mauldin was injured in the fourth quarter on a play in which Manziel was sacked and Mauldin caused a fumble that Darrelle Revis recovered deep in Browns territory. Manziel rolled onto Mauldin, who stayed down for several moments right after the play.

The linebacker eventually stood and tried to take a step or two, but then immediately dropped to the turf, where he stayed face-down as trainers and medical staff rushed over to him. Mauldin's facemask was removed and he was strapped to a spinal board before being lifted onto a cart as the stadium fell completely silent.

The team announced a few hours later that tests confirmed that Mauldin had a concussion but no neck or spinal injuries.

"It was good to hear it wasn't as bad as everything was," Bowles said. "When you cart somebody off the field like that and they're not moving, immediately you think the worst. So to get that was good."

Bowles spoke to Mauldin about 10 minutes before the coach addressed the media Monday. Mauldin will go through the NFL's concussion protocol when he's ready to return to the team's facility.

"He's feeling a little better," Bowles said. "He's going to go home and rest. Has to wear glasses, have some shades on for a while and take it day by day."

Back_to_Top

NEWSDAY

Giants, Jets among top six on Forbes' most valuable NFL franchises (Mike Rose) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants-jets-among-top-six-on-forbes-most-valuable-nfl-franchises-1.10842617

Daily Clips Cont.

5 | P a g e

The Giants-Cowboys game Sunday night in Dallas wasn't just a prime-time battle of NFC East foes. It also was a battle of two of the most valuable franchises in the NFL.

Forbes Monday released its list of the most valuable NFL franchises and the Cowboys are No. 1 with a value of $4 billion. The Giants are fourth at $2.8 billion.

All of the recent controversy surrounding the New England Patriots hasn't hurt their value as Forbes has the franchise ranked second at $3.2 billion.

Washington is third at $2.85 billion, giving the NFC East three of the four most valuable franchises in the league. The 49ers are fifth at $2.7 billion.

The Jets -- fresh off a 31-10 win over the Browns in Todd Bowles' head-coaching debut -- are sixth on the list with a value of $2.6 billion.

The rest of the top 10: the Texans are No. 7 ($2.5 billion), the Bears are No. 8 ($2.45 billion), the Eagles are No. 9 ($2.4 billion) and the Packers are No. 10 ($1.95 billion).

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie's knee injury much less serious than feared (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-say-antonio-cromartie-suffered-a-knee-sprain-1.10842985

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The towel draped over Antonio Cromartie's face seemed to say it all.

As the Jets cornerback was driven off the field Sunday at MetLife Stadium, his injured left leg outstretched on the back of a cart, his coach feared the worst. But on Monday, coach Todd Bowles expressed relief after an MRI revealed no ACL tear in Cromartie's left knee.

"Considering the way he went down, I was very relieved,'' he said. "It looked like it was an ACL and he was sitting over there with a towel on his head, I didn't know what happened. So I'm glad it wasn't [his ACL].''

Fortunately for the Jets, Cromartie only sprained his left knee and is "week to week." As of now, he hasn't been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

"I don't know what that means, whether it's this week or next week," Bowles said. "Until I see him running, I don't have a timetable on him."

Cromartie made an appearance at the facility Monday, speaking to Jets rookies about how to be a professional during one of their player development sessions. The veteran defensive back also had a Twitter message for Jet Nation: "I want to say Thank You to everyone for their prayers. Much love and respect. God is Good. God Bless you all."

Cromartie's MRI results certainly were good news, but there's a chance he could miss a game, or even more. He hasn't given up hope that he'll suit up soon. "He was saying that he can't miss any practices and he's going to try to be out there as soon as possible," rookie Leonard Williams said.

Cromartie has missed only one game in his 10-year career -- the final regular-season game of 2010, when Rex Ryan rested his starters against the Bills with a playoff berth already clinched.

Bowles said he won't "rush him back anyway" because of the Jets' defensive depth, and cornerback Buster Skrine agreed. "Our whole secondary is full of starters," he said.

Daily Clips Cont.

6 | P a g e

With Cromartie sidelined, Skrine and Marcus Williams would have to shoulder more responsibility, but Bowles said both cornerbacks are versatile enough to play outside or in the slot. And though Williams isn't well-known, he has proved he can make plays.

"We had a board in our room of passes defended, interceptions during camp, and he was one of the guys at the top," Skrine said of Williams, who picked off Johnny Manziel in the Jets' 31-10 win over the Browns on Sunday. "So we expected him to do it. Maybe not outsiders because they haven't seen him play that much, but we expected him to go out there and ball out."

The Jets also received encouraging news about third-round pick Lorenzo Mauldin. The outside linebacker was released from Mount Sinai Hospital on Monday after suffering a concussion in the fourth quarter.

"Thanks to fans, family, friends prayers and Mount Sinai Hospital for their awesome TLC. I will be perfectly fine. The lord was with me. TY," Mauldin wrote on Twitter.

Bowles said he talked to Mauldin on Monday afternoon and the rookie was feeling "a little bit better."

"He's going to go home and rest," Bowles said. "Obviously, he's got to wear glasses and have some shades on for a while. We'll take it day by day, and if he's feeling good enough, he can go through [concussion] protocol and go from there."

That's encouraging, considering how devastating Mauldin's injury first appeared. After getting caught at the bottom of a pile during a Jets fumble return, he was slow to get up, and as he made it to his feet, he immediately fell forward. He remained motionless on the turf for several minutes and later was immobilized on a backboard and carted off -- a dramatic scene that cast a pall over the entire stadium.

The Jets initially announced that Mauldin had suffered head and neck injuries. But late Sunday night, they said he had a concussion and had feeling in his extremities. "It was good to hear that he wasn't as bad as everything appeared," Bowles said. "When you cart somebody off the field like that and they're not moving, immediately you think the worst."

Back_to_Top

After debut, Leonard Williams thinks he needs to work on conditioning (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/after-debut-leonard-williams-thinks-he-needs-to-work-on-conditioning-1.10844895

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Leonard Williams has to step up his game -- in the weight room.

After his first NFL regular-season game, the Jets rookie admitted that he needs to improve his conditioning.

"I don't feel like I played to my best ability, to be honest," the sixth overall pick said of his performance (five tackles, one solo) in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. "They had a few long drives, and I just noticed I was getting pretty tired on those drives. I was coming out of my stance slow, kind of raising up and not staying low. It was just from being tired."

Unlike at USC, Williams noted that he now must take it upon himself to remain in peak physical condition. The rookie, who played 49 of 71 defensive snaps in the game, also thinks the muscle strain he suffered behind his right knee during the preseason win over the Giants on Aug. 30 could be a factor.

Coach Todd Bowles thinks Williams got winded because he was "too high" emotionally. "You come out and you've got spit on the side of your mouth, and you're slobbering, and you're in warm-up in pregame,

Daily Clips Cont.

7 | P a g e

it's typical to happen to a rookie the first game out. They want to do well, and they come out hyperventilating," he said.

"Not saying he did all that, but you could see he's an inner-outer type of guy, as far as showing his emotions . . . From a physical standpoint, I just think he needs to calm down going into the game."

Jet streams

Now that backup offensive lineman Oday Aboushi has served his one-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, the Jets must place him on the active 53-man roster by Tuesday or release him . . . Marcus Williams, Brandon Marshall, Muhammad Wilkerson, Nick Folk and Chris Ivory received game balls, according to Bowles.

Back_to_Top

Chan Gailey keeping Jets offense simple -- and it's working (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/chan-gailey-keeping-jets-offense-simple-and-it-s-working-1.10845109

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Simple actually is better, especially if you're the Jets' offense.

Gone are the days of abundant play calls. For the players, that means no more overthinking.

"We're not going into a game with 100 plays," right tackle Breno Giacomini said Monday, acknowledging that compared with last year, their game plans are pared down under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

The benefits to doing it this way are easy to see. "You play fast," Giacomini said a day after the Jets put up 31 points, 333 total yards and 154 rushing yards in their 31-10 Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. "You kind of get the thinking out of it . . . and that's what you want."

Rather than try to fit players into his own offensive vision, Gailey is tailoring his play-calling to better suit his players. Sunday's performance was a glimpse of how balanced the Jets' offense can be with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker stretching the field and running back Chris Ivory bulling his way through defenders.

"I think Chan's plan [of] using the guys that he has available to him and kind of developing it that way has given us a good edge with the preparation," center Nick Mangold said. "With the way that Chris is running the ball, the way BP [Bilal Powell] runs the ball and the way our guys outside can make plays, I think Chan's in a good spot. He's got plenty of options. We just need to keep blocking up front so they can make the plays."

Added Giacomini: "I think they're taking what we're good at and we just keep running it over and over and over. That's who we are. So it feels a little bit different, but it feels good."

Gailey's influence also can be seen in Fitzpatrick's throwing motion -- or better yet, the speed of it. "With Chan's offense in general, the ball's coming out. I think everybody knows that," said Fitzpatrick, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 179 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

After one win, the unit is feeling good about where it's headed in 2015.

"I think we can be a really good offense," Fitzpatrick said. "I don't know what that really means at this point, but I think we've got not only a lot of talent but a lot of smart guys in that huddle, and that's really important in this league and we're real competitive. It's fun to be in that huddle."

Daily Clips Cont.

8 | P a g e

Back_to_Top

Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin released from hospital (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/lorenzo-mauldin-jets-rookie-linebacker-released-from-hospital-1.10843853

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Jets announced that rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was released from the hospital on Monday after suffering a concussion in a 31-10 win over the Browns on Sunday at Metlife Stadium.

Initially, the team announced that Mauldin had suffered head and neck injuries. But late Sunday night, the organization said the Mauldin had a concussion and that he had feeling in his extremities.

After the game, Jets coach Todd Bowles said he saw "little movement" from Mauldin after he ended up at the bottom of a pile during a Jets fumble return. He eventually made it to his feet but immediately fell forward and was motionless on the turf for several minutes.

Back_to_Top

THE RECORD

Jets report card: How they fared vs. Browns (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 15, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-report-card-how-they-fared-vs-browns-1.1409839

Run offense: A

The Jets averaged only 3.5 yards in the first half, but finished at 4.3 for the game. Credit the offensive line for wearing down Cleveland’s front seven as the game wore on after not being able to move the Browns D-line on a fourth-and-one from the Cleveland 45 in the second quarter, when FB Tommy Bohanon was stuffed for no gain. Featured back Chris Ivory averaged 4.6 yards and showed a burst to the outside to complement his always-tough inside running.

Pass offense: B

For the most part, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gave the Jets exactly what they were expecting Sunday. He managed the game well and made good decisions, except for a second-quarter interception. However, it didn’t matter, because WR Brandon Marshall stripped the ball from interceptor Tashaun Gipson, setting the Jets up with first-and-goal. Marshall also showed how valuable he can and will be in the red zone, catching a 1-yard fade for a TD over Joe Haden later in the game. Fitzpatrick wasn’t sacked and was hit only once. Third WR Chris Owusu had four catches, including a 43-yarder, and Eric Decker had a TD reception.

Run defense: A

Yes, Cleveland squeezed out 3.7 yards per carry, but that number was helped mightily by scrambles by both starter Josh McCown and reliever Johnny Manziel. They totaled 58 yards on eight carries. Of course, McCown was knocked out of the game on one of those scrambles, and lost a fumble at the Jets’ 1-yard line. Cleveland RBs averaged only 2.3 yards per carry as the Jets’ D-line dominated in the running game, despite not having suspended DE Sheldon Richardson.

Daily Clips Cont.

9 | P a g e

Pass defense: B-

CB Antonio Cromartie bit on a slight move by unheralded Travis Benjamin, which turned into a 54-yard TD catch. Cromartie later left with a knee injury. Other than that, the Jets didn’t allow any big plays, and had three sacks of Manziel. One was by promising second-year OLB Trevor Reilly. Second-year CB Marcus Williams had a momentum-changing interception off Manziel in the third quarter.

Special teams: B-

K Nick Folk converted his only field-goal attempt, a 34-yarder, and was 4-for-4 on the NFL’s new and longer PATs. Ryan Quigley had only a 33.7-yard net on three punts. Jeremy Kerley, whose role on offense has been downsized, averaged 6.5 yards on two punt returns. He played only one offensive snap Sunday.

Coaching: A-

Todd Bowles’ quiet but stern approach paid dividends on this day as the more disciplined Jets avoided dumb penalties. They were flagged only four times. Not surprisingly, OC Chan Gailey drew up a good plan for Fitzpatrick, whom he worked with previously in Buffalo. DC Kacy Rodgers did a nice job of adjusting the game plan when the more unpredictable Manziel took over for McCown.

Back_to_Top

Jets receive positive injury news on Cromartie, Mauldin (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-receive-positive-injury-news-on-cromartie-mauldin-1.1409743

The Jets breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who suffered what appeared to be a significant knee injury Sunday against the Browns, underwent an MRI and the result was negative. He was determined to have a sprained left knee and is listed as week-to-week.

Cromartie has not been ruled out of the Jets’ next game, at Indianapolis on Monday night.

He crumpled to the turf in the first half of the Jets’ win over Cleveland without even being hit, and was in a lot of pain. He had to be helped off the field and was carted to the locker room. But the injury apparently is not a season-ender.

There was more good news Monday. Outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game, was released from the hospital after staying overnight for observation.

The Jets feared the injury could have been worse. Coach Todd Bowles indicated after the game he didn’t see much movement in Mauldin’s extremities when he was being carted off the field, but he had full use of his extremities later Sunday night.

Back_to_Top

Sullivan: Unlike Rex Ryan, Jets coach Todd Bowles has quiet swagger (Tara Sullivan) The Record September 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/sullivan-unlike-rex-ryan-jets-coach-todd-bowles-has-quiet-swagger-1.1409238

Daily Clips Cont.

10 | P a g e

EAST RUTHERFORD – Todd Bowles was preparing for his debut as Jets head coach, readying himself to take the MetLife Stadium field, looking forward to the day his professional coaching dream would be realized. Surely it was a morning for excitement, for anticipation, for sleeplessness, for nerves?

Pardon us, but have you met Todd Bowles?

“For me, sleeping in is good,” a straight-faced Bowles said after his Jets won their Bowles debut, 31-10, over the Browns. “I drove to the game peacefully. It was nice and quiet. I was trying to keep everything under wraps and, for the most part, I did that.

“Just keeping my emotions under wraps and understand it’s about the team. Go ahead and coach the game and don’t make it about me.”

Pardon us, but is this really the Jets head coach?

Maybe it isn’t fair to play the comparison game so soon, but after six years of living in Rex Ryan’s self-obsessed world, it’s become quite obvious how far, and perhaps how deliberately, the Jets have swung their pendulum the opposite way. Bowles is as deliberate as Ryan was impulsive, as even-keeled as Ryan was audacious. In the words of veteran linebacker Calvin Pace, “I wouldn’t say it’s refreshing, but it’s different.”

The most important difference has little to do with personality, however, and more to do with coaching technique. What Bowles already is starting to prove is that he’s the head coach of the entire team, not just the head coach of the defense. Where Ryan basked in his mad scientist persona, delighting in dialing up defensive schemes and earning a reputation as one of the toughest defensive minds to attack, he never managed to make his offenses feel as if he cared as deeply about their side of the ball.

He played fast and loose with his quarterbacks (Mark Sanchez injured on a meaningless preseason play anyone?), a flippant approach that prevented a long-term coalescence on his team. Bowles, a former NFL safety who built his coaching résumé on the strength of his Arizona defense, has quickly made it clear he’s in charge of this entire Jets team. He was just as quick to credit the offense’s balanced attack as he was to applaud his defense’s five takeaways.

“I would say you reflect who your leader is, and Todd has a very calm, quiet demeanor,” receiver Eric Decker said. “And you can just see that the confidence in the locker room is that quiet swagger. We’ve got playmakers on both sides. When we make a play, we rally around one another. But we expect that. Obviously, I think the biggest thing that he’s brought — it showed especially in the first game — is creating turnovers and not getting a lot of penalties.”

Those were the pregame directives Bowles delivered, and after the players complied, they showed their appreciation by giving Bowles the game ball. Presented by an offensive player – left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson – Bowles managed a small smile, impossible to suppress in the round of applause that engulfed the locker room.

“It’s his first win as an NFL [head] coach. He deserved it. He was excited,” Pace said. “But he’s still even-keeled. He smiled a little when he took the game ball. It’s a good thing about the coach that’s he’s never too up and never too down.”

Late in the game, with the Jets pulling away from the mistake-prone Browns, Pace was amazed by his new coach’s words. Almost to a play, Bowles predicted what was going to happen from there.

“He’s not a man of many words, but he’s a guy who’s a no-nonsense type of coach. Once we got up he kind of told us how the game was going to go,” Pace said. “He described the situation: The defense is

Daily Clips Cont.

11 | P a g e

going to take some lumps, we’re going to try to run the ball, the defense will get a couple of turnovers, and we’ll win the game. I looked at him like, man, and that’s actually how it happened.”

Bowles didn’t need any bluster, didn’t feel any compunction to share his own prediction after the game. Other than the concession to “the butterflies” at the start, he insisted, “I just went about my business.” He swore he had fun, but called it “a normal game day.”

That’s quite a difference from the past few years.

“He’s a calming presence,” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “He also has a lot of fire. You look at him on the sideline and kind of feel at ease. He’s very comfortable in who he is and in his role. We certainly all feed off that.”

Back_to_Top

ESPN NEW YORK

Can less-is-more approach lead to more points for Jets? (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 15, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54175/can-less-is-more-approach-lead-to-more-points-for-jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The major criticism of Marty Mornhinweg's offense, from people inside and outside the New York Jets' organization, was that it involved too many bells and whistles.

Too many plays. Too many formations. Too many personnel groupings. Too many substitutions. Too much verbiage.

Diversity can be a good thing, depending on the players running the system. For the Jets, it didn't work. They were one of the worst offenses in the league.

But that was 2013 and 2014. This is 2015, and the new offensive coordinator is Chan Gailey, who has a different approach, according to players: Less is more.

"They're taking what we're good at and they keep running it over and over," right tackle Breno Giacomini said Monday. "That's who we are. It feels a little bit different, but that's who we are."

Giacomini said, "We're not going into a game with 100 plays," adding that a pared-down game plan allows them to play faster. "You get the thinking out of it. Advantage, us."

Obviously, Gailey's offense requires thinking, but you get the idea. In the salary-cap era of the NFL, in which players are constantly changing teams, it makes sense to have a system that can be absorbed quickly.

Gailey's philosophy came through in the first game. For much of the game, he employed "11" personnel -- one back, one tight end and three wide receivers. He mixed it up a little, occasionally replacing the tight end with another wideout, but it wasn't a revolving door on the sideline. There were times when they ran a few consecutive plays with the same personnel, which didn't happen too often under Mornhinweg.

The Jets ended up playing a clean game in their 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns -- only one turnover, no sacks, one quarterback hit and only one penalty. It was only one game, and the competition was hardly the best, but it was a positive start.

Daily Clips Cont.

12 | P a g e

"I think we can be a really good offense," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "I don't know what that means at this point, but we've got not only a lot of talent, but a lot of smart guys in that huddle. That's really important in this league and we're real competitive."

Intelligent players usually are experienced players, and the Jets are long on experience. The average age of each starter is 29.0, which gives the Jets the oldest starting offense in the AFC East. It's a seasoned group. Fitzpatrick said it allows them to make adjustments on the sideline and to react quickly to different looks by the defense. Having a quarterback with a Harvard education probably helps.

Again, it was only one game. The first week of the NFL season can be deceiving, so beware of fool's gold. But, hey, they scored 31 points, and that happened only twice in 32 games under Mornhinweg.

Back_to_Top

How the Jets handle clock-management situations (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54172/how-the-jets-handle-clock-management-situations

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Giants are getting hammered because of their clock-management meltdown against the Dallas Cowboys -- and deservedly so. That it happened to a grizzled coach (Tom Coughlin) and an experienced quarterback (Eli Manning) is stunning.

Todd Bowles said he didn't watch the game Sunday night. Even if he did, he wouldn't criticize a fellow coach or an opposing player. Speaking in general terms, the New York Jets' first-year coach said he has a plan in place to handle clock-management situations.

Bowles prepares by quizzing himself on hypothetical situations, but he also relies on someone upstairs in the coaches' box -- Mark Collins, the outside linebackers coach.

"Mark is calm," Bowles said. "He's level-headed. He can see replays (on the TV monitors). He understands rules and everything like that. He's very special that way."

Clock management isn't easy. At times, complex decisions have to be made instantaneously in the heat of battle, which is why many coaches rely on a staff member.

Going back a few years, circa 2001, former Jets coach Herm Edwards was criticized for his clock management, so he announced he was assigning the job to his quarterbacks coach, Dick Curl. At the time, Curl was in his early 60s, bespectacled and white-haired.

The clever writers who covered the team came up with two fantastic nicknames for Curl:

"Father Time"

"Grandfather Clock"

Funny, yes?

Back_to_Top

Todd Bowles on Leonard Williams' NFL debut: Spit happens (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54169/todd-bowles-on-leonard-williams-nfl-debut-spit-happens

Daily Clips Cont.

13 | P a g e

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets top pick Leonard Williams is enjoying life as a wealthy NFL rookie, but there's one aspect of college he misses.

The parties? Campus spirit? Higher learning?

No, the wind sprints.

Williams was disappointed with his pro debut, saying he's not in great shape because he's still adjusting to NFL-style conditioning. He sounded like he misses the structured environment of college.

"I don't feel like I played to my best ability, to be honest," the former USC star said Monday. "Part of it is just conditioning. I felt like, in college, we did a lot of conditioning. It's kind of up to myself now to carry that on my own."

Williams played 49 of 71 snaps on Sunday, second among the Jets' defensive linemen. Thrust into the starting lineup because of Sheldon Richardson's four-game suspension, he was credited with only one solo tackle and four assists in the 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.

He said he was "pretty tired" during long drives, but he wasn't blaming the Jets' conditioning program. He was simply saying that it's … well, different.

"In college, they had everything set for you," said Williams, who was drafted sixth overall and signed an $18 million guaranteed contract. "You just had to follow what they had for you. Here, they rely on you to be a man."

Williams acknowledged his conditioning may have slipped after missing a week of practice with the minor knee injury at the end of the preseason. Nevertheless, he intends to speak the team's strength-and-conditioning coach, saying he'd like to do more running after practice.

Coach Todd Bowles didn't buy Williams' reasoning. He doesn't believe fatigue was a factor; it was excitement.

"I thought he got winded, because emotionally, he was too high," Bowles said. "You come out and you've got spit on the side of your mouth, and you're slobbering, and you're in warmup in pregame. It's typical to happen to a rookie the first game out. They want to do well, and they come out hyperventilating."

Bowles described Williams as "an inner-outer type of guy" in terms of showing his emotions. That, he said, was the cause of his problem.

"I just think he needs to calm down going into the game," Bowles said.

Back_to_Top

Examining mysterious disappearance of Jets WR Jeremy Kerley (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/13538211/nick-mangold-new-york-jets-makes-911-call-helps-end-burglary-spree-new-jersey

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jeremy Kerley is going ... going ...

He's not gone (yet), but he was virtually invisible Sunday in the New York Jets' 31-10 win against the Cleveland Browns. Kerley was on the field for only three plays -- one on offense, two on special teams (both punt returns). Basically, he was the 44th player on the 46-man active roster, ahead of only offensive lineman Dakota Dozier (one snap) and backup quarterback Bryce Petty (did not play). It has been a stunning downfall for Kerley, an integral part of the offense in past years.

Daily Clips Cont.

14 | P a g e

We knew going into the game Kerley was no longer the No. 3 receiver, but what we learned Sunday is that he has slipped all the way to No. 5. Chris Owusu was No. 3, Quincy Enunwa No. 4. Rookie Devin Smith (broken ribs) is close to returning, which could create a dilemma. It makes little sense to activate a receiver on game day if he's limited to only a handful of plays -- that's poor roster management -- but Kerley is the only proven punt returner on the roster.

Coach Todd Bowles didn't offer much of an explanation when asked about Kerley's tiny role.

"He was in there," Bowles said. "We had Owusu in the game plan this week. That could be a different guy each week, according to what we think we can do."

That may be true, but Kerley's role has been shrinking since the start of training camp, so there's no reason to think he'll return to a prominent position on offense. Don't be surprised if they try to trade Kerley. Problem is, his $2 million salary is guaranteed.

A quick look at the Jets' snap counts on offense (total: 61).

Wide receiver: Brandon Marshall 60, Eric Decker 55, Owusu 40, Enunwa 27, Kerley 1. Tight end: Jeff Cumberland 28, Kellen Davis 19. Running back: Chris Ivory 32, Bilal Powell 29, Tommy Bohanon 12. Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick 61. Line: D'Brickashaw Ferguson 61, James Carpenter 58, Nick Mangold 60, Willie Colon 58, Breno Giacomini 61, Brent Qvale 5.

Analysis: Qvale made his NFL debut because they made Ferguson an eligible receiver on five plays in goal-line situations. ... As you can see, tight end doesn't have a huge role in Chan Gailey's offense. He used a bunch of four-receiver, one-back packages.

A look at the defensive snaps (total: 71).

Line: Muhammad Wilkerson 52, Leonard Williams 49, Damon Harrison 32, Leger Douzable 26, T.J. Barnes 8, Stephen Bowen 8. Linebacker: Demario Davis 71, David Harris 70, Quinton Coples 54, Calvin Pace 52, Trevor Reilly 19, Lorenzo Mauldin 11, Erin Henderson 7. Secondary: Darrelle Revis 71, Marcus Gilchrist 71, Calvin Pryor 64, Buster Skrine 55, Marcus Williams 30, Antonio Cromartie 27, Jaiquawn Jarrett 4.

Analysis: Marcus Williams got most of the work at right corner in the base after Cromartie's injury. ... Wilkerson's total is lower than in the past because he wasn't in the nickel package in the first half. ... Henderson played for the first time since 2013, returning to football after sitting out a year due to personal reasons.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Antonio Cromartie diagnosed with sprained knee (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/13655633/antonio-cromartie-new-york-jets-diagnosed-sprained-left-knee

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets received encouraging medical news Monday about cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who avoided a season-ending knee injury.

An MRI of Cromartie's left knee revealed a sprain, not a torn ACL, according to the team. He's listed as week-to-week and hasn't been ruled out of next Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jets also announced that rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who suffered a concussion Sunday after a frightening pileup, has been released from the hospital. There was no immediate word on when Mauldin will be able to play again.

Daily Clips Cont.

15 | P a g e

Mauldin, wearing sunglasses, stopped by the Jets' facility and spoke with coach Todd Bowles, who received word late Sunday that there was no neck injury and no permanent damage.

"It was good to hear it wasn't as bad as [it looked]," Bowles said. "When you cart somebody off the field like that and they're not moving, immediately you think the worst. So to get that [news] was good."

Mauldin said in a tweet Monday afternoon that he would be fine.

In the aftermath of New York's season-opening 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Jets feared that Cromartie had suffered ligament damage after a noncontact injury in the second quarter. He was in such pain that he needed two trainers to help him off the field. After a brief examination on the sideline, he was carted to the locker room.

Cromartie was injured on a Johnny Manziel scramble but was about 20 yards away from the quarterback. Manziel ran to the right; Cromartie was covering a receiver on the left side of the field. His knee apparently buckled or twisted, and he crumpled to the turf.

Bowles said he was "very relieved" upon hearing the MRI results, acknowledging he thought it may have been a major injury. The coach was hesitant to put a timetable on Cromartie's return.

"I don't have an answer for that," Bowles said. "I don't know how he's going to feel from day to day. The doctors told me week-to-week. I haven't seen him run. Up until now, I'd say no [for the next game]. If he starts running later in the week and is feeling better, there's a chance he'll play."

Losing Cromartie for the season would have been a major setback for a team that devoted significant resources to upgrading its secondary. The Jets doled out $150 million in contracts last offseason, with Cromartie and Darrelle Revis -- reunited after a two-year separation -- the centerpieces of the rebuilding project.

Cromartie, 31, is one of the most durable players in the league; he has never missed a game due to an injury. He missed his final year at Florida State (2005) due to a torn ACL in the same knee.

On Sunday, the Jets replaced Cromartie by using slot corner Buster Skrine on the outside. In the nickel, Marcus Williams played outside, with Skrine sliding inside to his customary spot.

Mauldin gave the Jets a scare, going down in the fourth quarter when his head got pinned beneath a pile of bodies. He rose to his feet but wobbled and collapsed to the turf. Players said he was unconscious. The training staff and emergency medical personnel moved him carefully to a spinal board, and an ambulance transported him to a local hospital.

Daily Clips Cont.

16 | P a g e

About two hours after the game, the Jets announced that Mauldin had a concussion and that he was awake and had feeling in his extremities.

Back_to_Top

'Monster' Chris Ivory shows he can be Jets' featured back (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54152/monster-chris-ivory-shows-he-can-be-jets-featured-back

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Three top performances in the New York Jets' 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns -- and three from the bottom:

THREE STARS

Chris Ivory, running back -- This was a vintage Ivory game in that most of his yardage came after contact. In fact, 68 of his 91 yards were of the YAC variety, the second-highest total in his career. He also scored two of the Jets' four touchdowns. As teammate Brandon Marshall said, "He's a monster." If this game is an indication of the Jets' plan for Ivory, he won't be stuck in a time-share, as was the case last season. Not that he seems to mind. Asked if he believes he'll have a chance to be a true No. 1 back, Ivory said, "I feel like I've already been doing that with the Jets."

Calvin Pryor, safety -- The defense made several big plays, but Pryor delivered the biggest. He triggered Josh McCown's helicopter at the goal line, hitting him low and jarring the ball loose as the Browns' quarterback was about to score. Demario Davis finished him off with a follow-up hit, causing McCown to spin in the air. It was a pivotal moment in the game. It saved a touchdown, and it sent McCown to the locker room with a concussion. His replacement, some guy named Johnny Manziel, was overwhelmed by the moment and the Jets' defense. Pryor finished with a team-high 10 combined tackles.

Brandon Marshall, wide receiver -- It was some week for the outspoken player. It began with headline-making comments on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" and it ended with headline-making plays in his Jets' debut. He scored a touchdown and set up another with one of the headiest plays you'll ever see, stripping the ball from Tashaun Gipson on an interception return. Ryan Fitzpatrick said of Marshall, "That play, in a nutshell, shows his competitiveness."

THREE DUDS

Antonio Cromartie, cornerback -- You hate to pick on a guy who suffered a potentially serious knee injury, but he was directly involved in one of the few bad plays for the Jets -- Travis Benjamin's 54-yard touchdown pass from Manziel. Cromartie bit on a slight hesitation move to the inside, allowing Benjamin to break into the clear. Cromartie may have expected over-the-top help from safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, who arrived late.

Ryan Quigley, punter -- He didn't have a particularly strong day (33.7 net average), and he came up short while punting from the end zone after the Fitzpatrick/Nick Mangold botched shotgun snap in the second quarter. With a chance to punt the Jets out of trouble, he managed only a 42-yarder, which was returned 10 yards. It set up a Cleveland field goal.

Quinton Coples, linebacker -- The Jets expect big things out of Coples. The other day, Calvin Pace said he thinks Coples will register double-digits sacks or close to it. He got off to a slow start, managing only one tackle (an assist) in 54 defensive snaps, according to the press-box stats. He did have a fumble recovery, but it wasn't a high-impact game.

Daily Clips Cont.

17 | P a g e

Back_to_Top

Calm and fiery Todd Bowles gives Jets plenty of reasons for hope (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 14, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54121/calm-and-fiery-todd-bowles-gives-plenty-of-reasons-for-hope

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- This is Todd Ball.

The New York Jets were aggressive and opportunistic. They got better as the game progressed. They didn't hurt themselves with dumb plays. They didn't waste timeouts. They didn't get called for too many men on the field. In the end, they showed killer instinct, giving Johnny Manziel their definition of A&M -- attacking and menacing.

The Jets scored 24 unanswered points Sunday to beat the Cleveland Browns, 31-10, making Todd Bowles a 1-0 coach. His last two predecessors, Rex Ryan and Eric Mangini, also won their debuts in impressive fashion, but we'll save the big-picture analysis for another day. For now, on the morning after the start of a new era, Bowles gets a gold star from us. After the game, he got a game ball from his players.

"He's a calming presence, but he also has a lot of fire," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "You look at him on the sideline and kind of feel at ease. He's very comfortable in who he is and in his role. We certainly feed off that."

Opening day probably felt like a breeze after a tumultuous summer that included the Geno Smith punch-out, the Sheldon Richardson arrest bombshell and a handful of other mini-calamities that might have caused some coaches to lose their cool. Bowles never did. Perhaps not coincidentally, his players showed the same poise in the crucible of the season opener.

Make no mistake, the Jets had the better roster on Sunday, but they also were the better-coached team. They committed only four penalties, finished plus-four in turnovers and made defensive adjustments on the fly, limiting the Browns to only 136 yards after Manziel's 54-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. And the Jets did it without cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who left in the second quarter with a potentially serious knee injury.

"I feel like that was the only play they had all day," cornerback Buster Skrine said. "We just kept coming."

Offensively, the Jets kept it simple. They didn't try to hypnotize the opponent with ever-changing personnel packages and funky motions and shifts, as former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg tried to do on a weekly basis. (In the end, he confused his own players more than the opponent.) His successor, Chan Gailey, employed mostly a one-back, three-receiver set, using Chris Ivory on power runs out of the spread and operating a conservative passing attack with Fitzpatrick.

It worked. You could tell by the smile on Calvin Pace's face. After years of trying to come up with alibis for a malfunctioning and turnover-prone offense, the graybeard linebacker was able to enjoy a rare day in which the guys on the other side of the ball actually showed up.

"So happy, man, so happy," he said. "It's good to know we don't have to do it all by ourselves."

Bowles was overshadowed by some terrific individual performances, but don't under-estimate the coach on a day like this. He followed the advice of his Hall-of-Fame mentor, Bill Parcells, who called Bowles last week and told him to coach the game the way you want to coach it. He did, and you didn't see some of the game-management glitches so common in the Ryan era. The coach was poised; the team was poised. That's no accident.

Daily Clips Cont.

18 | P a g e

In typical fashion, Bowles downplayed everything. Technically, it wasn't his first game as a head coach. He was the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins at the end of the 2011 season, going 2-1. That scenario, he said, made for "a different kind of butterflies. ... Taking over in Miami, you just hoped they respond because they don't have to. They know there's going to be a new coach next year."

And now?

"There are hopeful butterflies," he said.

His team and its fan base feel the same way.

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK POST

Leonard Williams realizes he’s out of shape after Jets debut (Brian Costello) New York Post September 15, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/leonard-williams-realizes-hes-out-of-shape-after-jets-debut/

Jets rookie defensive end Leonard Williams found his first NFL game to be exhausting.

Williams said his biggest issue against the Browns on Sunday was his conditioning.

“I don’t feel like I played to my best abilities to be honest,” Williams said. “I think part of it is just conditioning. I feel like in college we did a lot of conditioning. It’s kind of like up to myself now to take care of that on my own like after practice.”

Jets coach Todd Bowles said Williams likely felt tired because he was too amped up for his debut.

“I thought he got winded because I thought emotionally he was too high,” Bowles said. “You come out and you’ve got spit on the side of your mouth and you’re slobbering and you’re in warm-up in pregame. That is typical to happen to a rookie the first time out. They come out hyperventilating.”

Williams said that may have played a role in it, as well as not playing a full game in the preseason.

“They had a few long drives,” Williams said. “I just noticed I was getting pretty tired on those drives. I was coming out of my stance slow and kind of raising up and not staying low. It was just from being tired.”

Jets tackle Breno Giacomini made a telling comment about offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s approach that sounded like a criticism of Marty Mornhinweg, Gailey’s predecessor.

“I think they’re taking what we’re good at and we keep running it over and over and over,” Giacomini said. “That’s who we are.

“We’re not going into a game with a hundred plays. We’ve just got the things we’re going to run each week and that’s who we are.”

Giacomini did not really answer when asked if that was a problem last season. But he said the game plan is pared down this year and that helps.

“You play fast,” he said. “You kind of get the thinking out of it. You play fast, and that’s what you want. It’s an advantage to us.”

Bowles showed his honesty Monday when asked about Johnny Manziel’s 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin. A reporter said it looked like cornerback Antonio Cromartie was looking for safety help on the play.

Daily Clips Cont.

19 | P a g e

“He wasn’t expecting any help,” Bowles said.

So he got beat?

“Yeah, he got beat.”

The game balls went to: K Nick Folk, DE Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Marcus Williams, WR Brandon Marshall and RB Chris Ivory. … Bowles said he wants to see how rookie WR Devin Smith (ribs) practices this week before deciding if he can play against the Colts.

Guard Oday Aboushi came off the suspended list after sitting out one game for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The Jets were granted a one-day roster exemption and must decide Tuesday whether to put him on the 53-man roster or waive him.

Back_to_Top

Jets rewind: What Todd Bowles’ perfect formula looks like (Brian Costello) New York Post September 14, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/jets-rewind-what-todd-bowles-perfect-formula-looks-like/

The Jets registered their first victory of the Todd Bowles era on Sunday with a 31-10 dismantling of the Browns. Here are some of my thoughts after the win:

1. The Jets showed the formula they need to have to be successful this season – run the ball and limit mistakes on offense, stop the run on defense, win the turnover battle and limit the penalties.

Simple enough, right? After all, this is the basic formula football teams have been using since Pop Warner, but it has been a struggle for the Jets in recent years.

Sunday, while not perfect, the Jets had to be happy with how they executed the plan.

They ran for 154 yards, 112 of those came in the second half when the Jets took control of the game and just wore out the Browns defense. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw one interception, but Brandon Marshall then bailed him out with the play of the day by stripping safety Tashaun Gipson of the ball. The only other glaring mistake on offense was a miscommunication on a shotgun snap from Nick Mangold to Fitzpatrick that resulted in a fumble, which Fitzpatrick recovered somehow.

On defense, the Browns could do nothing on the ground. Their two leading rushers were quarterbacks Johnny Manziel (35 yards) and Josh McCown (23).

The turnover battle was a huge win for the Jets, who last year finished -11, which was 29th in the NFL. On Sunday, they were +4, which is the best margin of the teams that already played this week.

In recent years, the Jets became very undisciplined with penalties, too. It was not even the total number each week, but the type of penalties. They often had pre-snap penalties, and seemed to get flagged for 12 men on the field at least once a game. On Sunday, the Jets had only four penalties, a sign of a disciplined team.

The Jets executed their perfect formula Sunday – call it Bowles Ball. Now, can they keep repeating it?

2. There were plenty of players who deserved credit for the win on Sunday, but one group that was largely overlooked was the offensive line. The group dominated the second half of the game, blowing the Browns off the ball and wearing the defense out. The Jets did not allow a sack in the game. The Browns barely got any pressure on Fitzpatrick. Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell had a field day running through the gaping holes opened up by this group.

Daily Clips Cont.

20 | P a g e

3. We learned some things about Chan Gailey’s offense on Sunday. The most startling thing to me was him almost completely ignoring the tight ends. I had heard Gailey did not feature tight ends too much in his offense, but this was remarkable. There was only one pass thrown to a tight end – an incompletion to Kellen Davis. Jeff Cumberland played just 28 snaps (46 percent) and Davis played 19 (31 percent).

It will be interesting to watch if this continues.

4. Second-year safety Calvin Pryor was very active in the game. He had a team-high 10 tackles and forced the crucial McCown fumble at the goal line. Pryor has talked about how much more comfortable he is this year, moving back into the strong safety spot he played in college. Pryor showed his hitting ability when he drilled McCown and seemed to be around the ball quite a bit Sunday with several nice tackles. That is a very good sign for the Jets, who used a first-round pick on him last year.

Revealing number: The Jets scored 21 points off of turnovers on Sunday. That is quite a turnaround from 2014 when they only scored 20 points off turnovers in the ENTIRE SEASON. That’s right, the Jets eclipsed the total from last year in one game. Part of the problem last year was failing to get turnovers. It took them five weeks in 2014 to force five turnovers, the number they had against the Browns. The Jets finished with a franchise-record-low 13 takeaways last year.

Game ball: There are some very worthy candidates, but how can you not go with Brandon Marshall? You knew he would impact the passing game, and he did with a team-high six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. But who knew he would come up with a takeaway? His heads-up strip of Gipson was a remarkable play that swung the momentum in the Jets’ direction. Marshall looked as advertised on Sunday.

Surprising snap count: It has been clear in the preseason that WR Jeremy Kerley was being marginalized, but this much? Kerley played just one offensive snap on Sunday. This was a guy who was the leading receiver on the team a few years ago. No one is suggesting he should be playing as much as Marshall or Eric Decker, but he is now behind Quincy Enunwa and Chris Owusu? Strange.

Back_to_Top

Jets move from punching bag to angry, powerful juggernaut (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post September 14, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/jets-move-from-punching-bag-to-angry-powerful-juggernaut/

One of the best things to come out of the Jets’ season-opening victory over the Browns on Sunday was something did not come out of it: a sense of euphoria and satisfaction.

The players were level-headed, understanding they’ve accomplished little through one week of the season, which is encouraging.

In the immediate aftermath of their 31-10 domination of the Browns, the Jets acted as if they’d been there before, knowing they can be much better than they were Sunday and that there is much more work to be done.

And they’re right: The Jets can be much better and they’ll have to be much better Monday night against the Colts in Indianapolis than they were against the offensively challenged Browns.

“You can’t hold onto it. That was yesterday, so we’re moving on today,’’ Jets coach Todd Bowles said Monday.

Daily Clips Cont.

21 | P a g e

“It’s one game,’’ Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “For us, it’s not about one game, it’s the long haul and getting better each and every game. Personal satisfaction will not be there until the end of the year if we accomplish all our goals.

“Right now, it’s nice to come in with a win, but we’ve got a lot of work to do — a road game on Monday night against a great Indy team. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.’’

The Jets are 1-0, but so is everyone else in the AFC East after Week 1. The Colts were ambushed by the Bills on Sunday in Buffalo, which was of little help to the Jets, because the Colts, one of the favorites to win the AFC, figure to be angry and amped for their home opener.

So the Jets step up in competition, and it’s a big step up. For starters, the Colts have a real, live franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck. The Browns have had 23 starting quarterbacks since 1999.

In Luck’s three NFL seasons, the Colts have made the playoffs in all three and are 21-5 at home.

Bowles called the victory over Cleveland “a great win,’’ but was quick to add: “We looked at the film and corrected the mistakes and we’ve got to move on to Indianapolis. We had a lot of mistakes. Emotions are high in the first game, but we’ve got to calm down and play better fundamental football.’’

The Jets have shown progress in each of their games from the first preseason game to Sunday, and that is a very positive sign.

“We made major strides,’’ Jets nickel back Buster Skrine said Monday. “I mean, from the preseason first game to the first real game, two different defenses. Coach Bowles has been pushing us this whole time. We played good [Sunday], but we didn’t play great.’’

So now the Jets go from facing the schoolyard, scattershot Browns backup Johnny Manziel to Luck, perhaps the most technically sound quarterback in the game — who also happens to be surrounded by big-time skill-position weapons.

“Andrew Luck is good,’’ Skrine said. “He can throw any ball on the field, he can get out of the pocket and run around. He’s just a good, smart quarterback.’’

Veteran right guard Willie Colon, one of the sages in the Jets locker room, acknowledged Sunday “wasn’t picture-perfect’’ and likely will emphasize that point to his younger teammates this week.

“It’s going to be our first road game and [the Colts] had a tough time in Buffalo, so they’re going to be fired up for their home opener,’’ Colon said. “We’ve got to stay in our lane and focus on us. We’ve just got to stack the wins and go.’’

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie injury not nearly as bad as it looked (Brian Costello) New York Post September 14, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/jets-catch-a-surprising-break-with-antonio-cromartie/

Everything is coming up Jets.

A day after opening the season with a 31-10 victory over the Browns, the team received positive injury news about cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in the game. An MRI exam Monday morning revealed a sprain and no ligament damage. The Jets said Cromartie is “week-to-week,” and he has not even been ruled out of Monday night’s game against the Colts.

Daily Clips Cont.

22 | P a g e

“Considering the way he went down, I was very relieved,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “It looked like it was an ACL and he was sitting over there with the towel on his head, I didn’t know what happened. I’m glad it wasn’t.”

It looked scary when Cromartie fell to the MetLife Stadium turf in the second quarter Sunday without having been touched, as his knee hyperextended and then buckled. Cromartie was in obvious pain, pounding the turf as the doctors examined him. It looked as if it could be a season-ending knee injury. Instead, he will miss a few weeks at the most.

It would not be shocking to see Cromartie on the field this week. He is an athletic freak of nature who has shown remarkable durability in his 10-year career. He has missed just one game, the final regular-season game of 2010 when coach Rex Ryan rested his starters after the team already had clinched a playoff spot.

“They told me week-to-week,” Bowles said of his conversation with the doctors. “I don’t know what that means, whether it’s this week or next week. I’m going to wait and see how he heals. Until I see him running, I don’t have a timetable on him.”

Cromartie participated in a player development day for rookies on Monday and first-round pick Leonard Williams said Cromartie told him he would not miss a practice this week, never mind a game.

Jets rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who suffered concussion in the fourth quarter Sunday, also was released from the hospital. Mauldin had very little movement on the field and was carted off, strapped down to a backboard in a frightening scene. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where tests Sunday night showed he did not have a spinal or neck injury. He was kept in the hospital overnight for observation.

Mauldin even stopped by the Jets’ training center Monday afternoon, and met with Bowles.

“He’s feeling a little better,” Bowles said. “Obviously, he got a concussion and wasn’t feeling well at the time. He’s going to go home and rest. Obviously, he’s got to wear glasses and have some shades on for a while. We’ll take it day-by-day.”

Jets safety Calvin Pryor, who played with Mauldin in college, said he was surprised it was only a concussion after the scene at MetLife.

“I thought it was like a tragedy and he had a serious neck injury,” Pryor said. “Things happen. It’s a physical game out there. I pray that he’s OK and he’s doing OK. That’s all I’m worried about.”

The Jets may need to add another outside linebacker if Mauldin is going to be out for any length of time.

Daily Clips Cont.

23 | P a g e

The Jets are deep enough at cornerback to survive if Cromartie is sidelined for a few weeks. Marcus Williams played well in Cromartie’s place on Sunday. Either he or nickelback Buster Skrine can fill in on the outside. Both can also play the inside corner spot in the nickel.

“Our whole secondary is full of starters,” Skrine said. “You’ve got guys who started last year that are second string now. You got me, I started last year and I’m the nickel. So you’ve got a secondary full of starters.’’

Back_to_Top

Muhammad Wilkerson makes good on contract threat (Brian Costello) New York Post September 14, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/muhammad-wilkerson-makes-good-on-contract-threat/

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has broken off contract negotiations with the team after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal by the opening of the regular season. A source said Wilkerson plans to play out the 2015 season under his current contract, which will pay him $6.97 million, and then see what happens this winter. Wilkerson is in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. He is scheduled to become a free agent in March, but the Jets likely would apply the franchise tag to him if it reaches that point.

Using the franchise tag on Wilkerson could cost the Jets around $15 million to $16 million, a blow to their salary cap for 2016.

Wilkerson has been seeking a new deal since last year, but he and the Jets were never close to an agreement. General manager Mike Maccagnan has said he wanted to get a deal done with Wilkerson since taking over in January, but failed to do so. Wilkerson set a deadline of the opening of the regular season to get a contract done.

Wilkerson has been one of the Jets’ most consistent players since the team drafted him in the first round of the 2011 draft. In 2013, he was named second-team All-Pro. Last year, he was having a monster season before a toe injury in November derailed it.

Back_to_Top

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Lorenzo Mauldin injury: What is Jets' plan for his absence? How might Trevor Reilly's role change? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 15, 2015

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

FLORHAM PARK — We now know that Lorenzo Mauldin, the Jets' rookie outside linebacker, emerged from Sunday's season opener with a less serious injury than it initially appeared he might've sustained.

Mauldin, who was carted off the field on a backboard in the fourth quarter, ended up not having a neck injury. He did, however, sustain a concussion. He remained hospitalized overnight Sunday for further observation, after undergoing tests Sunday evening. He was released from the hospital Monday.

Later Monday, Mauldin was at the Jets' facility, up and walking around. He spoke to coach Todd Bowles for a bit. But that doesn't mean Mauldin is going to be ready for Monday night's game at the Colts.

Daily Clips Cont.

24 | P a g e

It seems unlikely that he will play. Mauldin's concussion will require him to wear sunglasses, due to light sensitivity, for the immediate future. Mauldin is in the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. He must pass a series of tests and gradually return to practice activities before he is cleared to play again.

Bowles anticipates Mauldin will be sidelined for Jets-Colts. That's a safe assumption at this point.

So what does that mean for the Jets' backup outside linebacker situation? How would Mauldin's absence impact Trevor Reilly, a second-year pro who is the other backup outside linebacker?

After the Jets cut veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin, they moved Mauldin to the rush linebacker spot, where Quinton Coples starts. Mauldin got a lot of work in training camp at the strong-side outside linebacker spot, where Calvin Pace starts. But Reilly is now Pace's backup, as Mauldin works behind Coples.

Still, both Mauldin and Reilly can play both sides. Unless the Jets make a roster move between now and Monday, Reilly almost certainly will be the second-stringer at both outside linebacker positions against the Colts.

"Probably, yeah," Reilly said. "At least I'm — what's the word? — deducing. Deducting of logic, I guess."

Normally, when Reilly plays in the Jets' base defense, he is at strong-side linebacker. But he got work at both outside linebacker spots in Sunday's win over the Browns. Reilly said that in the Jets' nickel package, he and Mauldin bookend the Jets' four-man defensive line, as edge rushers, playing the same role.

So why did the coaches decide to put Mauldin at rush linebacker (a defensive end/linebacker hybrid) once they cut Babin, and stick Reilly at strong-side linebacker (a more traditional linebacker position), behind Pace?

"In college, [Mauldin] was more of a defensive lineman," Reilly said. "When I played in college, I was a true 'sam' [strong-side] linebacker. I played what Calvin plays now. So I'm used to that.

"It's harder for guys to transition from d-lineman to linebacker. A lot of guys, it takes a couple years, usually. I'm not saying that he hasn't done a good job. It's just easier for him [to be Coples' backup at rush linebacker]."

Reilly played 19 of 71 snaps against the Browns, while Mauldin played 11 before getting hurt. Reilly's biggest play was a strip sack of Johnny Manziel in the fourth quarter, on the Browns' drive after Mauldin was carted off.

Reilly is confident he can play both outside linebacker spots. He obviously did it as recently as Sunday, when he received a plus-0.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, which credited him with a quarterback hurry, in addition to his strip sack.

On Monday, Reilly will face a tougher task against the Colts and their elite quarterback, Andrew Luck. Back_to_Top

6 Todd Bowles Jets takeaways: Lorenzo Mauldin, Antonio Cromartie, and ... Gladys Knight? (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/6_todd_bowles_jets_takeaways_lorenzo_mauldin_anton.html#incart_river_mobileshort

FLORHAM PARK — Todd Bowles addressed the media on Monday, one day after his first game as an NFL head coach—a 31-10 Jets victory against the Browns.

Daily Clips Cont.

25 | P a g e

1. On Antonio Cromartie's timetable. An MRI revealed that Cromartie, the Jets cornerback, somehow did not have any structural damage in his injured left knee. Bowles said it was too soon to know whether Cromartie could play next Monday night at the Colts. "Up until now, I would say no," Bowles said. "But if he starts running later in the week and starts feeling better, there's a chance he'll play." The Jets did not practice on Monday. Bowles was pretty relieved Cromartie's injury wasn't more serious. "Considering the way he went down, I was very relieved," Bowles said. "It looked like it was an ACL, and he's sitting over there with the towel on his head. I didn't know what happened. So I'm glad it wasn't [an ACL]."

2. On the good news surrounding Lorenzo Mauldin. Mauldin, a rookie outside linebacker, has a concussion, and he was released from Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City after staying overnight Sunday into Monday. Bowles said Mauldin would have to wear sunglasses for a while as his brain heals, and that he'll just "go home and rest" for the time being. Mauldin is now subject to the league's concussion protocol. "It was good to hear that it wasn't as bad as everything [looked]," Bowles said. "You cart somebody off the field like that, and they're not moving, you immediately think the worst."

3. The game balls. Bowles said kicker Nick Folk (34-yard field goal, five touchbacks), defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (five tackles, one sack), cornerback Marcus Williams (interception, three passes defensed), and Brandon Marshall (six catches, 62 yards, one TD, one game-changing forced fumble) got the game balls.

4. What happened on Johnny Manziel's 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin? Bowles said Cromartie was not supposed to have help up top from safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. So he just got beat, Bowles was asked? "Yeah."

5. Defensive play-calling. Bowles said he and coordinator Kacy Rodgers both had a hand in calling the defense against the Browns.

6. What's all this about Gladys Knight? Bowles, a huge doo-wop and soul music fan, has now referenced singer Gladys Knight three times in the past week. The first two times, the even-keeled Bowles said something to the effect that if people wanted to see him excited, they should bring Knight in to sing for him. Monday, in response to a question about who had reached out to congratulate him, Bowles was asked (jokingly) if Knight had been among his well-wishers. "Nothing from Gladys," Bowles said, "or I wouldn't be here today." Maybe the Jets could have Knight sing the anthem at a home game, a reporter suggested. "Can't do that," Bowles responded. "Then I'll be no good for the game."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Todd Bowles has a plan to avoid Giants-style clock management fiasco (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

FLORHAM PARK — You might've heard that the Giants had some clock management issues Sunday night, at the end of their loss in Dallas.

It's sort of become a big deal.

Jets coach Todd Bowles didn't see Giants-Cowboys, but the rookie head coach said he has a plan in place to avoid screwing up clock management.

None of this is to say Bowles, 1-0 as a head coach after Sunday's win over the Browns, will wind up matching the success of Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who has won two Super Bowls.

Daily Clips Cont.

26 | P a g e

Plus, it's worth noting that every NFL team (presumably) has some sort of clock management plan or preparation routine in place, to avoid problems.

Whether those plans work out during hectic game situations is not guaranteed. Bowles knows that. But it's important for him to have a plan.

"For me, I always have somebody in the booth [upstairs], and I always quiz myself" during game preparation, about what to do in hypothetical clock management situations, Bowles said.

Bowles added an important caveat: "You've got to be in the moment at the game for that stuff to happen. I take it when it comes."

Of course, Bowles has never had to deal with clock management decisions before, since this is his first head coaching job.

Bowles said outside linebackers coach Mark Collins serves as his clock management advisor in the booth — Bowles' eyes in the sky.

Why did Bowles pick Collins for that job?

"Mark is calm," Bowles said. "He's level-headed. He can see replays [on the TV monitor in the booth]. He understands rules and everything like that. He's very special that way."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Leonard Williams says he wasn't in good enough shape to thrive vs. Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

FLORHAM PARK — Jets rookie defensive end Leonard Williams was hard on himself Monday, a day after his NFL regular season debut.

Williams, whom the Jets drafted sixth overall, said he must get in better shape. Starting in place of the suspended Sheldon Richardson, Williams played 49 of 71 defensive snaps in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Browns.

"I don't feel like I played to my best ability, to be honest," Williams said. "I think part of it is just conditioning. I feel like in college [at USC] we did a lot of [organized, team-controlled] conditioning. It's kind of up to myself now to take care of that on my own, after practice or something like that."

Williams watched film of the game Monday and said he could tell when conditioning became an issue for him.

"They had a few long drives, and I just noticed I was getting pretty tired on those drives," Williams said. "I was coming out of my stance slow, kind of raising up and not staying low. It was just from being tired."

Williams finished the game with five tackles (one solo), but no other stats. Pro Football Focus didn't grade Williams all that poorly — plus-1.0 overall, plus-1.3 against the run, and minus-0.5 in pass rushing. He was credited with three quarterback hurries by PFF.

Jets coach Todd Bowles wasn't as down on Williams' conditioning as Williams was. Bowles said Monday that he doesn't consider it an issue. Bowles thinks Williams was just overly excited — way too early in the afternoon — for his debut.

Daily Clips Cont.

27 | P a g e

"I thought he got winded, because I thought emotionally, he was too high," Bowles said. "You come out and you've got spit on the side of your mouth, and you're slobbering, and you're in warmup in pregame, it's typical to happen to a rookie the first game out. They want to do well, and they come out hyperventilating.

"Not saying he did all that, but you could see he's an inner-outer type of guy, as far as showing his emotions. I thought he got tired that way. I think he's fine [with conditioning]. We run over a 100-something plays a day in practice, from a physical standpoint. I just think he needs to calm down going into the game."

Starters don't play full games in the preseason, so this was Williams' first attempt at lasting for a full NFL game. He thinks that might've been a factor, too. Williams said he noticed his conditioning issues on his own, and that the coaches didn't need to point them out.

"I was even saying it in the game, too," Williams said. "Some of the other guys were having to go in for me. I was just saying that I have to take care of it on my own, just get some extra running in after practice.

"In college, they kind of had everything set for you [with conditioning], and you just had to follow it. Here, they rely on you more to be a man [and handle it on your own]."

Williams knows there is a fine line between post-practice conditioning work and wearing himself out. The NFL season is a long haul.

"I can't do full sprints every day," he said. "But try to get some laps in on one of the days."

Williams said he plans to speak with strength and conditioning coach Justus Galac about extra stuff he can do "without wearing myself out."

Late in training camp, Williams' participation in practice was limited by a muscle strain in his knee. Missing that practice action could've negatively impacted Williams' conditioning.

"I've definitely thought about that," Williams said. "Especially practicing last week [after returning], those first two days, I was even feeling a little bit unconditioned. I think it was from sitting out a little bit. But I'm getting back into it."

Even besides his conditioning issues, Williams wasn't entirely pleased with the other things he did (or didn't do) on Sunday. Next week, he gets to chase after star quarterback Andrew Luck in an Indianapolis Monday night showdown.

"There were still some times, besides the fact that I felt unconditioned, that I wasn't really getting upfield as much as I wanted to," Williams said of the opener. "It was little things, technique-wise, that I can just improve on every week."

Back_to_Top

Dallas Cowboys top Forbes franchise value list ... How much are Eagles, Giants, Jets worth? (Matt Lombardo) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/09/dallas_cowboys_top_forbes_franchise_value_list_how.html#incart_river_mobileshort

For the ninth consecutive year, the Dallas Cowboys sit atop Forbes' annual NFL franchise valuation rankings worth an estimated $4 billion.

Daily Clips Cont.

28 | P a g e

According to ESPN, the Cowboys not only are the top ranked NFL franchise but also the most valuable franchise in sports for the first time since 2007.

The Giants come in forth in Forbes' rankings with an estimated valuation of $2.8 billion in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Giants' MetLife Stadium neighbors; the Jets are the sixth most valuable franchise in the NFL and carry a $2.6 billion valuation, a hefty return on Woody Johnson's original $635 million investment to purchase the team.

Finally, the Eagles crack the top 10 with the league's ninth-highest valuation with an estimated value of $2.4 billion. Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Eagles for a paltry $185 million in 1994.

Here's a look at the complete list:

1. Dallas Cowboys - $4 billion

2. New England Patriots - $3.2 billion

3. Washington Redskins - $2.85 billion

4. New York Giants - $2.8 billion

5. San Francisco 49ers - $2.7 billion

6. New York Jets - $2.6 billion

7. Houston Texans - $2.5 billion

8. Chicago Bears - $2.45 billion

9. Philadelphia Eagles - $2.4 billion

10. Green Bay Packers - $1.95 billion

11. Denver Broncos - $1.94 billion

12. Baltimore Ravens - $1.93 billion

13. Pittsburgh Steelers - $1.9 billion

14. Indianapolis Colts - $1.88 billion

15. Seattle Seahawks - $1.87 billion

16. Miami Dolphins - $1.85 billion

17. Atlanta Falcons - $1.67 billion

18. Minnesota Vikings - $1.59 billion

19. Carolina Panthers - $1.56 billion

20. Arizona Cardinals - $1.54 billion

21. Kansas City Chiefs - $1.53 billion

22. San Diego Chargers - $1.53 billion

23. New Orleans Saints - $1.52 billion

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $1.51 billion

25. Cleveland Browns - $1.5 billion

Daily Clips Cont.

29 | P a g e

26. Tennessee Titans - $1.49 billion

27. Jacksonville Jaguars - $1.48 billion

28. St. Louis Rams - $1.45 billion

29. Cincinnati Bengals - $1.45 billion

30. Detroit Lions - $1.44 billion

31. Oakland Raiders - $1.43 billion

32. Buffalo Bills - $1.4 billion

Back_to_Top

Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin out of hospital, tweets he 'will be perfectly fine' (Dom Costentino) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

Moments after it was revealed that cornerback Antonio Cromartie's left knee was only sprained, the Jets announced that rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin had been released from the hospital. Mauldin had been diagnosed with a concussion, but the injury was initially described as a neck issue. It also looked pretty scary at the time.

After he was discharged, Mauldin tweeted some thanks to fans for their support and also said he'd be "perfectly fine."

Back_to_Top

Antonio Cromartie injury update: Jets corner week-to-week with sprained knee (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

Cromartie, who was injured Sunday against the Browns, also has not yet been ruled out for next Monday night's game at the Colts.

Daily Clips Cont.

30 | P a g e

The injury obviously could have been much worse, and it looked like it could be. But the MRI revealed no structural damage.

Cromartie had torn a ligament in his left knee in 2005, when he was still at Florida State.

Back_to_Top

Jets officially won't negotiate new contract with Mo Wilkerson during 2015 season, source confirms (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets' star defensive end, stuck to his word.

Way back at the start of training camp, in late July, Wilkerson said he didn't want to negotiate a new, long-term contract with the Jets during the 2015 season.

Now that the Jets' opener, a win over the Browns, has come and gone, Wilkerson's contract talks with the Jets have indeed been tabled until after the season.

A league source confirmed that on Monday morning. The information was first reported by NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

This is not exactly a stunning revelation, considering what Wilkerson had already said about his Week 1 deadline. But now, at least, it's official.

So Wilkerson will play 2015 for the fifth-year option figure in his rookie contract — $6.9 million. That is well under market value for a player of his caliber.

This is the final year of Wilkerson's deal (sort of). He wants to remain with the Jets, and wants to be paid for his valuable services. He won't come cheap.

Wilkerson has seen several other successful young defensive linemen get big contracts recently. How much will those contracts impact what Wilkerson wants? And how much (if at all) will they impact the amount of money Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is willing to pay Wilkerson?

It's not necessarily a bad thing for the Jets and Wilkerson to delay contract talks (presuming they resume) until after the season — for several reasons that could work in both the Jets' and Wilkerson's favor.

The Jets can still retain Wilkerson's rights for 2016 by applying the franchise tag to him this offseason. Wilkerson's tag figure next year could be about $16 million.

The Jets tagging Wilkerson would then set a bar for negotiations, and provide a summer deadline (because that's part of the tagging process) for an agreement on a lucrative, long-term contract.

Waiting until after 2015 makes a lot of sense for both Wilkerson and the Jets.

From Maccagnan's perspective, it lets him further evaluate his other star defensive end, Sheldon Richardson, as well as rookie Leonard Williams, a first-round draft pick. Richardson is suspended for at least the first four games of 2015, and Williams is playing in his place.

Back_to_Top

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Cleveland Browns | Jets quarterback report card (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media

Daily Clips Cont.

31 | P a g e

September 14, 2015

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

EAST RUTHERFORD — You want a glimpse at how the Jets' passing game is going to look under new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick? Consider the nine-play, 72-yard drive in just 2:20 at the end of the first half of Sunday's 31-10 win over the Browns.

Fitzpatrick threw eight passes. Seven were completions. Not one of those completions went for more than 15 yards. Four different receivers had catches—and one of them was running back Bilal Powell.

The only downfield shot Fitzpatrick took was on second-and-5 from the 22, when he tried to hit wideout Chris Owusu in the end zone, only to have the throw fall incomplete. On the next play, a draw to Powell picked up seven yards and a first down. And on the play after that, Fitzpatrick zipped a 15-yard touchdown pass to wideout Eric Decker. The Jets had a 14-10 lead to take into halftime. They never looked back.

Short. Quick. Spread the field. Move the ball around. Mix in the run. The Gailey formula, in a nutshell.

Fitzpatrick, the neon, blinking question mark heading into this Jets' season, executed the offense quite well, even if his numbers won't excite fantasy owners: 15-for-24, 179 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. His Total QBR was a solid 66.6. Four teams still have to play Monday night, only nine other NFL quarterbacks posted better QBRs this weekend. A pretty solid debut, no?

What to like: Fitzpatrick completed passes to five different receivers. Per Pro Football Focus, he was 6-for-8 on throws between zero and nine yards. Only five passes were thrown farther than 19 yards, and two were completed. Fitzpatrick also got plenty of time to throw: He wasn't sacked, and the Browns hit him just once. Per PFF, he was pressured on just three of his 24 dropbacks—a credit to the offensive line, yes, but Fitzpatrick also got rid of the ball quickly: PFF calculated his average time to throw at just 2.29 seconds. Not counting the yet-to-come Monday night games, only the Titans' Marcus Mariota (2.27), the Chargers' Philip Rivers (2.07), the Raiders' Matt McGloin (1.97), and the Patriots' Tom Brady (1.97) got rid the ball faster in Week 1. Most important was that Fitzpatrick avoided any big mistakes (there was one interception, and he somehow managed to recover a botched shotgun snap in the shadow of the Jets' goal line). Why does it feel like it's been years since anyone has said that about a Jets quarterback?

What not to like: Fitzpatrick's lone interception—which quickly came back because Brandon Marshall stripped the ball from Tashaun Gipson—was a brutal throw. Another first-half pass was likewise almost a pick-six for Browns linebacker Craig Robertson. Fitzpatrick also wasn't all that accurate: PFF gave him an accuracy percentage of 68.2; for comparison, Geno Smith last year was graded as accurate on 72.4 percent of his throws.

Grade: B

Back_to_Top

Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell a two-headed monster? | Jets snap counts vs. Cleveland Browns (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

Daily Clips Cont.

32 | P a g e

EAST RUTHERFORD — Chris Ivory was his usual hard-charging self in the Jets' 31-10 win against the Browns on Sunday, rushing 20 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Ivory was everything the Jets had hoped he'd be.

A glance at the stat sheet indicates he wasn't alone, either: Veteran Bilal Powell also pounded out 62 yards on 12 carries. And the snap counts ended up being close to even: Ivory played 32 of the Jets' 61 offensive snaps (52 percent), while Powell was out there for 29 snaps (48 percent).

But those totals are a tad misleading.

Powell got plenty of run—and much of his production—in the fourth quarter, after Ivory's second touchdown with 10:38 remaining gave the Jets a three-touchdown lead to account for the final margin. After that, Powell got exactly half of his carries (six) and accounted for most of his yards (36) as the Jets more or less ran out the clock.

Powell was used mainly in the role he's played since the Jets drafted in the 2011 fourth round: as the change-of-pace back, both for third downs and as a receiving option; he was targeted four times and made two catches for 16 yards. He also picked up seven yards on a well-timed draw on a crucial 3-and-5 late in the first half. The Jets scored to take the lead on the next play. They never relinquished it.

• Zac Stacy, the Jets' third running back, was inactive, which made sense because the Jets can only dress 46 of their 53 players on game days. Head coach Todd Bowles explained that in addition to Ivory and Powell, fullback Tommy Bohanon was the "emergency" third back. Bohanon played 12 snaps (20 percent) and had two carries for two yards, but on one of those he was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1.

Wideout Jeremy Kerley played just one snap. More on that here.

Nickel corner Buster Skrine was on the field a lot: 77 percent of the snaps.

Tight ends Jeff Cumberland and Kellen Davis played just 28 and 19 snaps, respectively. Between the two of them, Davis was targeted once by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Here is the complete snap count breakdown:

OFFENSE

LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson 61 (100 percent)

RT Breno Giacomini 61 (100)

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick 61 (100)

C Nick Mangold 60 (98)

WR Brandon Marshall 60 (98)

RG Willie Colon 58 (95)

LG James Carpenter 58 (95)

WR Eric Decker 55 (90)

WR Chris Owusu 40 (66)

RB Chris Ivory 32 (52)

RB Bilal Powell 29 (48)

TE Jeff Cumberland 28 (46)

Daily Clips Cont.

33 | P a g e

WR Quincy Enunwa 27 (44)

TE Kellen Davis 19 (31)

FB Tommy Bohanon 12 (20)

OL Brent Qvale 5 (8)

OL Brian Winters 3 (5)

WR Jeremy Kerley 1 (2)

C Dakota Dozier 1 (2)

DEFENSE

FS Marcus Gilchrist 71 (100)

ILB Demario Davis 71 (100)

CB Darrelle Revis 71 (100)

ILB David Harris 70 (99)

SS Calvin Pryor 64 (90)

CB Buster Skrine 55 (77)

OLB Quinton Coples 54 (76)

DE Muhammad Wilkerson 52 (73)

OLB Calvin Pace 52 (73)

DE Leonard Williams 69 (69)

NT Damon Harrison 32 (45)

CB Marcus Williams 30 (42)

CB Antonio Comartie 27 (38)

DE Leger Douzable 26 (37)

OLB Trevor Reilly 19 (27)

OLB Lorenzo Mauldin 11 (15)

NT T.J. Barnes 8 (11)

DE Stephen Bowen 8 (11)

ILB Erin Henderson 7 (10)

S Jaiquawn Jarrett 4 (6)

Back_to_Top

The latest on Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin's condition after scary injury vs. Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

Daily Clips Cont.

34 | P a g e

Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, their third-round draft pick this year, played in his first NFL regular season game Sunday.

The game had a happy conclusion for the Jets, who hammered the Browns, 31-10. But Mauldin endured a terrifying moment early in the fourth quarter.

Mauldin apparently took a hit in a collision on the ground, after he dove and tried to contribute toward a strip sack of Johnny Manziel. After trying to get up, Mauldin collapsed to the turf and didn't move.

Mauldin was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field. He was taken to a local hospital. The Jets initially said he sustained head and neck injuries.

So Mauldin's coach, Todd Bowles, and teammates were understandably worried.

But the Jets announced later Sunday that Mauldin did not have a neck injury at all. He did sustain a concussion. (Based on what his teammates said, it was a rather serious concussion that rendered him unconscious.)

Mauldin remained hospitalized Sunday night. Medical tests on him had been completed. He was awake and had feeling in all of his extremities. Still, doctors wanted to keep Mauldin in the hospital overnight for further observation.

Though Mauldin could be out for a while as he recovers from this concussion, the Jets are thankful the situation didn't turn out much worse.

From a football standpoint — and football mattered very little as the Jets awaited word of Mauldin's condition — Mauldin's likely absence (for however long he's out) means the Jets will be missing a backup outside linebacker.

Like Mauldin, fellow backup Trevor Reilly can play both the rush and strong-side outside linebacker spots.

The only other reserve outside linebacker in the Jets' organization, besides Reilly and Mauldin, is undrafted rookie Deion Barnes, who is on the practice squad.

Back_to_Top

Why didn't Jets use Jeremy Kerley against Cleveland Browns? (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets used a lot of offensive sets that included three and four wide receivers during Sunday's 31-10 win against the Browns, which is standard for a spread offense like one installed by coordinator Chan Gailey this season.

But there was one noticeable absence: Veteran wideout Jeremy Kerley was rarely on the field. Kerley played just one of the team's 61 offensive snaps. The Jets instead used Chris Owusu (40 snaps) and Quincy Enunwa (27) as their primary extra receivers. As expected, Brandon Marshall (60) and Eric Decker (55) got the bulk of the snaps as the 1 and the 2, respectively.

It was one game, but is Kerley not going to be an integral part of the Jets' offense this season?

Kerley, who was used as the Jets' punt returner Sunday (two returns, 13 yards) had gotten a lot of reps with the backups during training camp, when he had also missed some time with a concussion.

Daily Clips Cont.

35 | P a g e

Throughout camp, head coach Todd Bowles was often non-committal when discussing Kerley—even when it came to Kerley's chances of making the roster.

But now that everything counts, was there was reason he wasn't being used much Sunday?

Bowles said the game plan called for "a different guy each week, according to what we think we can do," and that Sunday's game plan was about Owusu, who had been cut when the Jets reduced their roster to the 53-man maximum on Sept. 5, only to get re-signed back a day later.

Both Gailey and first-year receivers coach Karl Dorrell have stressed since they got to One Jets Drive that all of the Jets' wideouts need to be able to play all spots interchangeably, whether on the outside or in the slot. Throughout his career, Kerley has been used almost exclusively in the slot.

Per Pro Football Focus, here are the percentage of snaps Kerley has been used in the slot each season since the Jets drafted him in the 2011 fifth round:

2011: 76.3 percent

2012: 71.2 percent

2013: 77.2 percent

2014: 78.2 percent

But why so many snaps for Owusu, who had bounced around the league a bit and spent most of last season on the practice squad before being cut and signed back just last week?

"It wasn't so much about the matchup as much as the things we wanted to do on offense," Bowles said. "They have good corners and linebackers. Owusu brought a presence. He can play inside and outside and do a little bit more in the blocking game."

The Jets had signed Kerley to a contract extension last October—he counts for $2.6 million against this year's salary cap—but that was before Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan were hired. Sunday was one game. The Jets next play one week from Monday night at the Colts. If Kerley doesn't play much then, then what?

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Antonio Cromartie diagnosed with sprained knee, Jets cornerback is listed as week-to-week (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/antonio-cromartie-sprained-knee-article-1.2359831

The Jets’ blowout victory over the Browns was much less costly than previously thought.

As Antonio Cromartie was carted off the field on Sunday after a non-contact knee injury, all 78,000 at MetLife Stadium had to think the Jets were about to lose a cornerback for the year. Less than 24 hours later, an MRI revealed good news: Cromartie suffered just a sprained knee and is week-to-week. He hasn’t even been ruled out of Monday night’s contest against the Colts.

In addition, Lorenzo Mauldin, the rookie outside linebacker who suffered a concussion and was carried off on a spinal board, was released from the hospital on Monday. All in all, the Jets were lucky.

Daily Clips Cont.

36 | P a g e

Coach Todd Bowles, fresh off his first victory with the Jets, was pleased that Gang Green got a break with Cromartie’s injury.

“Considering the way he went down, I was very relieved,” Bowles said. “It looked like it was the ACL and he was sitting over there with the towel over his head, I didn’t know what happened, I’m glad it wasn’t.”

“I want to say Thank You to everyone for their prayers,” Cromartie tweeted. “Much love and respect. God is Good. God Bless you all.”

Bowles said he didn’t know what the “week-to-week” timetable he was told actually meant and needed to see Cromartie run before knowing how long he would be out. Bowles did not sound overly optimistic that Cromartie would play this week but didn’t rule it out. Rookie DE Leonard Williams said Cromartie told him he hoped he wouldn’t miss any practice.

The Jets are fortunate they have exceptional depth at cornerback while they wait for Cromartie to return. Buster Skrine would start alongside Darrelle Revis and Marcus Williams, who picked off Johnny Manziel on Sunday, can come in on nickel packages.

“Our whole secondary is full of starters,” Skrine said. “You’ve got the guys that started last year, they’re the second string. Then you’ve got me, I started last year, and I’m the nickel.”

This isn’t the first time Cromartie has had a serious knee injury scare. The 2006 first-rounder of the Chargers was hurt in practice in October 2013, and though there were fears his injury was severe, Cromartie did not miss a game. He did tear the ACL in his left knee in 2005 when playing for Florida State.

Cromartie will be someone to keep an eye on when he returns to the field because after a poor training camp he was burned for a 54-yard touchdown pass by Travis Benjamin in Sunday’s game. Some thought Cromartie expected safety help on the play, which could have explained why Benjamin was able to fly by him, but Bowles said that wasn’t the case and that his cornerback simply got beat.

For Mauldin, even though concussions are serious, the diagnosis was a welcome one considering he was initially feared to have suffered a neck injury in the fourth quarter at the bottom of a pile.

“I got texts late last night,” Bowles said. “It was good to hear that he wasn’t as bad as everything (seemed). When you cart somebody off the field like that, and they’re not moving, immediately you think the worst, so to get that news was good.”

“Thanks to fans, family, friends prayers and Mount Sinai Hospital for their awesome TLC. I will be perfectly fine,” Mauldin tweeted. “The lord was with me.”

Bowles said he was unsure when Mauldin would return to the field but thought it was unlikely he would be able to play this week.

The Jets’ head coach was asked if the game of football was worth the risk of some of the injuries it produces, in light of Mauldin’s scary moment.

“It’s a risk when you start playing this game,” Bowles said. “Obviously, we know the risk and rewards for this game — you can get paid a lot of money but you can also get injured and not be able to play again. So that’s up to every individual.”

Back_to_Top

Jets rookie Leonard Williams admits conditioning needs work after NFL debut(Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

Daily Clips Cont.

37 | P a g e

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-williams-admits-conditioning-work-article-1.2360412

Most players hate running, but apparently not Leonard Williams, who wants to do even more of it after practice.

The sixth pick in this year’s draft said he thought he needed more conditioning after his NFL debut in the Jets’ victory over the Browns on Sunday.

“I mean, I don’t feel like I played to my best ability to be honest,” Williams said Monday. “I think part of it is just conditioning.”

“They had a few long drives, and I just noticed I was getting pretty tired on those drives,” he added.

Williams played at USC last year, where he was told specifically what to do to stay in shape. “In college they kind of had everything set,” he said. “Here they rely on you to be more like, the man, you know.”

Todd Bowles, however, wasn’t so concerned, and had a different theory why the defensive end was tired.

“I thought he got winded, because I thought emotionally he was too high. You come out and you’ve got spit on the side of your mouth and you’re slobbering and you’re in warmup and pre-game and everything like that,” Bowles said with a smile.

“It’s typical to happen to a rookie, the first game out,” Bowles said. “They want to do well and they come out hyperventilating.”

Bowles reiterated that, physically, he thought Williams was in shape.

“I just think he needs to calm down going into the game,” he said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

A day after the Giants’ fourth-quarter fiasco cost them a victory in Dallas, Bowles said he has outside linebackers coach Mark Collins in the booth to help him with late-game scenarios and clock management.

“I didn’t see the game, but for me I always have somebody in the booth, and I always quiz myself,” Bowles said. “But you’ve got to be in the moment for that stuff to happen.”

Why Collins?

“Mark is calm, is level-headed, he can see replays, he understands rules and everything like that,” he said. “He’s very special that way.”

HIT OR MISS

Bowles said he needs to see Devin Smith practice and take a few hits before he decides if the wide receiver will be ready to play against the Colts Monday.… Oday Aboushi was reinstated from his one-game suspension Monday. The Jets received a one-day roster exemption and will have to cut either Aboushi or someone else on Tuesday to get back down to 53.

Back_to_Top

Jets earn first win of Todd Bowles era with 31-10 romp over Browns, but key injuries put damper on the victory (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-earn-1st-win-bowles-era-31-10-romp-browns-article-1.2358923

Daily Clips Cont.

38 | P a g e

The Todd Bowles Era started off with a bang, but it came at a price.

The Jets beat up on the visiting Browns for a 31-10 season-opening win, but cornerback Antonio Cromartie suffered what looked like a serious non-contact knee injury and Lorenzo Mauldin went down with a scary head injury that required the rookie to be carted off on a back board and immediately sent to the hospital. He later was diagnosed with a concusssion but had movement in his extremities.

If the Jets lose Cromartie for significant time it would be a blow to the expensive secondary that Mike Maccagnan purchased this offseason.

But beyond the injuries, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the Jets, who trampled their visitors after falling behind early.

“It feels good, you get the butterflies out of the way,” Bowles said. “It wasn’t perfect, by no means, but we did what we had to do to win.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick played well, completing 15 of 24 passes, including some tough throws for a pair of touchdowns, along with one interception. Brandon Marshall carried over his strong preseason showing by making some big receptions, including a touchdown on a fade route over Joe Haden. Chris Ivory pummeled Cleveland’s defense for 91 yards and scored twice.

“Truth be told, man, our offense gave us some serious problems in training camp,” Calvin Pace said. “And that right there showed me they’re for real this year.”

The Jets defense — which received an impressive makeover during the offseason — initially struggled against Josh McCown, and then Johnny Manziel after McCown was knocked out via injury as he fumbled diving for the goal line attempting to score the game’s first touchdown.

But eventually, Bowles saw his defense rise to the occasion, forcing four turnovers against the Browns, who reverted back to their punchless ways.

The best play on defense may have come from Marshall in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick’s biggest mistake of the day resulted in an interception to Tashaun Gipson on a pass intended for Marshall. The receiver immediately sprung into action and, as he tackled Gipson, ripped the ball from the defensive back’s grasp to return possession to Gang Green at the Browns’ 9.

“That was huge,” Bowles said. “Brandon plays, he plays everything, he plays offense, he plays defense, he plays aggressive. That play, to me, was the play of the game.”

“He made a veteran move,” Gipson said. “I can’t tip my hat enough to him. I think that play changed the game.”

Bowles said he had fun and was pleased with the win, but, as usual, did not display all that much emotion — a stark contrast to previous coach Rex Ryan.

“Still even-keeled. He smiled a little bit,” Pace said of his coach. “The good thing about him is he’s never too up, never too down. I’m not going to say it’s refreshing, but it’s different.”

Gang Green’s supposedly impenetrable defense looked pretty vulnerable to start the game as the Browns marched down the field and converted on four third downs on their first drive. But finally the Jets made a play with the Browns going in.

As McCown scrambled toward the end zone, Calvin Pryor delivered a jarring hit. McCown then was helicoptered after a second hit from Demario Davis, while the ball flew into the end zone where it was recovered by Cromartie.

Daily Clips Cont.

39 | P a g e

The result of the play was not only a turnover, but the removal of McCown from the game with a concussion.

But Manziel entered and he too was able to move the ball. Johnny Football’s first drive resulted in his first NFL touchdown pass: a 54-yard deep ball to Travis Benjamin, who toasted Cromartie, on third-and-19. The score put Cleveland ahead 7-0 early in the second quarter.

“I think we just needed to settle down. We talked about that on the sideline,” Revis said about the defense. “And when we did, I think you kind of saw us a little more poised out there.”

After Marshall ripped the ball away from Gipson later that quarter, Ivory scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

Cromartie suffered his injury before the half, pounding on the turf in pain. Carted off with a towel over his head, he is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

Down by three with the minutes ticking down in the half, Fitzpatrick put the Jets back on track with a nine-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with the veteran throwing a perfect pass to Eric Decker for a 15-yard touchdown to put the Jets ahead 14-10 heading into halftime.

When Cromartie went down, Buster Skrine moved into his role and Marcus Williams became the nickel corner. And in the third quarter, Williams stepped up — picking off Manziel to put the Jets in Cleveland territory for their first second-half possession. They took advantage as Fitzpatrick hit Marshall in the end zone to put Gang Green ahead 21-10.

Up 24-10 in the fourth quarter, Mauldin was in on a sack of Manziel and helped force a fumble that was recovered by Revis. Mauldin was to remain in the hospital overnight.

After he was carted off the field, the Jets scored again as Ivory easily ran in for a 3-yard touchdown. Back_to_Top

METRO NEW YORK

Ryan Fitzpatrick looks legit as Jets' starting quarterback (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 14, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/ryan-fitzpatrick-looks-legit-as-jets-starting-quarterback/zsJoio---P7jP4cww7iCT6/

Ryan Fitzpatrick's first start as the New York Jets quarterback looked like someone who wanted to also finish the year as the team's starter. The veteran was efficient in leading the Jets to a 31-10 season opening win over the Cleveland Browns.

After a rough start including a second quarter interception (that was later fumbled by the Browns and then recovered by the Jets), Fitzpatrick would finish 15-for-24 for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 66.6 (last year, Geno Smith had a QBR of 44.3).

His burgeoning partnership with wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, both of whom had solid days, is a bit of potential for the Jets.

"I think we can be a really good offense. I don’t know what that really means at this point, but I think we’ve got, not only a lot of talent, but a lot of smart guys in that huddle and that’s really important in this league and we’re real competitive. It’s fun to be in that huddle. Even yesterday, we relied on the running game a lot, and the receivers were in to it. We want to win, we don’t care about the stats, we don’t care

Daily Clips Cont.

40 | P a g e

about any of that, we want to go out there and win the game. It was good to see that in the huddle yesterday" Fitzpatrick told reporters on Monday.

"I think experience, relying on past playing experience, also just guys that we can make adjustments on the sideline, we can see a look once and make sure the next time we get it, we’re going to beat it. Everybody is on the same page. Those are two of the biggest things I think when we talk about smarts on the football field that I’m talking about."

Fitzpatrick assumed the starting job when Smith was sucker punched by IK Enemkpali in a locker room dispute. In many ways it might be a blessing in disguise for the Jets as Fitzpatrick has had success in this very same offense under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who partnered with Fitzpatrick when he was head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

This background with Gailey coupled with the Jets slow start in the first quarter leads Fitzpatrick to think the Jets offense hasn't reached its potential yet.

"I mean, there’s a lot of stuff we can improve on, just in terms of some missed assignments and some communication stuff. We weren’t perfect on third down and even in the red zone there’s some stuff we could improve on in there," Fitzpatrick said. "Every week is a different challenge and Indianapolis is going to pose a much different challenge than Cleveland did, just by the type of defense that they run. We’ll just have to continue to get better."

Back_to_Top

Injury updates on Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin, Antonio Cromartie (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 14, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/injury-updates-on-jets-lorenzo-mauldin-antonio-cromartie/zsJoin---85BfAxBmuGVHQ/

New York Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin is out of the hospital after he was stretchered off the field on Sunday in a 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. An injury that seemed initially like it might be career threatening turns out to be not as serious as feared.

Mauldin suffered the injury on a play in the fourth quarter where he stripped Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel of the ball. On the play, Mauldin led with his head and staggered as he stood up, only to fall to the ground. He was stretchered and taken to the hospital with what the team termed as head and neck injuries.

He was kept overnight and released on Monday morning.

A third round pick, Mauldin was making his NFL debut in the game after a strong training camp.

Injured in the first quarter, cornerback Antonio Cromartie had an MRI on Monday that came back negative. The veteran has a sprained knee and a team spokesman said he has not been ruled out for the Monday night game at the Indianapolis Colts.

Back_to_Top

MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL National League

Daily Clips Cont.

41 | P a g e

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Recalled LHP Robbie Erlin and RHP Casey Kelly from El Paso (PCL). Selected the contracts of RHP Jay Jackson and INF Cody Decker from El Paso. Placed INF Yonder Alonso on the 60-day DL, retroactive to Sept. 2.

American Association

KANSAS CITY T-BONES — Traded C Alex Marquez to Long Island (Atlantic) for a player to be named.

ST. PAUL SAINTS — Traded LHP Kramer Sneed to Somerset for a player to be named later.

WICHITA WINGNUTS — Exercised the 2016 contract options on RHP Daniel Bennett, RHP Alex Boshers, RHP Tim Brown, RHP Derek Eitel, RHP Jon Link, RHP Eddie Medina, RHP Robert Mosebach, RHP Brad Orosey, RHP Scott Richmond, RHP Paul Smyth, LHP Alex Sogard, RHP Jason Van Skike, C Brent Dean, C John Nester, INF Andy LaRoche, INF TJ Mittlestaedt, INF Taylor Oldham, INF Taylor Smart, INF Leo Vargas, OF Bret Clevlen, OF Harrison Kain, OF Jayce Ray and OF Nick Van Stratten.

Atlantic League

LONG ISLAND DUCKS — Activated RHP Bobby Blevins and C Alex Marquez. Placed RHP John Brownell on the inactive list and C Nelfi Zapata on the suspended list.

SUGAR LAND SKEETERS — Signed RHP Brett Marshall.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association

LOS ANGELES LAKERS — Signed C Robert Upshaw to a multiyear contract.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Signed general manager John Hammond to a contract extension through the 2016-17 season.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES — Named Arnie Kander vice president of sports performance.

HOCKEY National Hockey League

CALGARY FLAMES — Signed D Rasmus Andersson.

FOOTBALL National Football League

NFL — Suspended Washington CB Chris Culliver one game for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.

CHICAGO BEARS — Signed LB Sam Acho. Placed DL Cornelius Washington on injured reserve.

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed DL Kelcy Quarles to the practice squad.

DALLAS COWBOYS — Waived OT Jordan Mills.

DETROIT LIONS — Released WR Greg Salas from reserve/injured.

MIAMI DOLPHINS — Released RB-KR LaMike James. Signed TE Jake Stoneburner from the practice squad. Re-signed C-G Jacques McClendon. Waived C Sam Brenner and RB Jonas Gray.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Released PK Kai Forbath and LB Houston Bates. Signed PK Dustin Hopkins and DE Frank Kearse.

COLLEGE

FORDHAM — Named Jessie Frasier women's assistant director of basketball operations.

NICHOLS — Announced the addition of women's volleyball in 2016 and named Shironda Hollis coach.

SAINT JOSEPH'S — Named John Hampton women's assistant basketball coach, Katie Kuester director of women's basketball operations and Christina Foggie women's basketball video coordinator.

Daily Clips Cont.

42 | P a g e

TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY — Named Danica Markovic graduate assistant volleyball coach.

WAGNER — Promoted men's assistant basketball coach, Mike Babul, to men's associate head basketball coach.

Back_to_Top