NY Newsday Jets

We've moved

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:52 GMT

If you are seeing this page, you have to get with the times!

Newsday has redesigned its Web site and the address of our blog has changed. So please update your bookmarks and favorites with the following address below:

http://newsday.com/jetsblog

Check out this first post for help with how to comment.

You can also get to Bob Glauber's blog, which has been renamed "Glauber's NFL Hot Reads" with this link right here.

Leon: "This is where I want to be"

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:08 GMT

As we move one day closer to the start of training camp, the situation revolving around Leon Washington and his mission for a new contract will continue to be a hot topic and one that obviously bears monitoring.

Just for a refresher, we detailed Washington's situation here a while ago in order to try to clarify where both sides are coming from. Washington, who's earning $535,000 in the final year of his initial four-year deal, hasn't totally ruled out the possibility of holding out from training camp, although the stiff $17,000 fine for every day missed makes a lengthy boycott probably unlikely.

In an interview that's posted on playersvoice.com (Tip of the cap to JayM for pointing this out to us, which comes courtesy of our friends at holyjoemath.com.), Washington speaks about his search for a new contract and whether he's going to report to camp on time next week.

"It's steady going," he said in regards to contract talks between the Jets and his agent Alvin Keels and whether he'll be at camp. "Contact situations are a process where it takes a lot ot time. You have to trust your management. I have to trust Alvin Keels. I believe he will go out and do a good job for me. But I have to be patient. It's an ongoing process. The good thing about it is the New York Jets want to get something done, and I'm honored to be in that situation. So I look forward to it."

Washington didn't waver when asked if he wants to continue to be a Jet.

"This is where I want to be," he said. "I'm young in my career. I believe I did all the things I need to do on and off the field to deserve the right to have this contract extension. So hopefully I can be rewarded for all the things I've done on and off the field."

In a Tweet less than 40 minutes ago, Keels indicated he's still trying to get something done soon for a few of his clients and that no doubt includes Washington.

"Im hoping to make some progress on a couple of deals this week, training camp is right around the corner," Keels said on his Twitter account.

As for the interview with Washington, a few other topics were discussed, such as a look back at how crazy things were with the person who's name has been banned from this blog around. But I thought one of the more candid responses Washington gave was when he discussed how badly things unraveled the last five games.

That talk of a Giants-Jets Super Bowl -- which by the way at the time I thought was just plain ridiculous hype -- was a bit premature, wasn't it?

"We get gassed up and took the gasoline and didn't finish the way we wanted to finish," Washington said. "So I think it's learning process and it's a learning curve, especially for the younger guys, that you have to finish. The football season is 16 games. You have to finish. So hopefully we can take that to heart and come out better this year."

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Buried in the announcement of Marc Anthony's new minority ownership of the Dolphins, was this little nugget: he will also perform the national anthem during the Jets' Oct. 12 MNF clash with the Fins in Miami. What a game that should be.

Between Channing Crowder-Rex Ryan storylines to the fact that game marks the return of Calvin Pace from his four-game suspension to seeing the Fins' new partial owner belting notes in the pregame, it all makes for an intriguing night in South Florida.

Train service to Meadowlands gets test run

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:12 GMT

It was a third of a century late, but better that than never, right?

The countdown is on

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:40 GMT

Although we're 11 days from the Jets officially taking the field for the start of training camp up in lovely Cortland, the rookies are scheduled to report exactly a week from today. Can you feel the buildup?

That means summer vacation is almost over for the likes of Shonn Green and coverboy quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's been hitting the workouts hard with trainer Todd Norman of The Cutting Edge to help prepare for his first season in the NFL. Sanchez is about to embark on his journey to prove the Jets did the right thing in moving up to select him in April's draft and giving him the richest contract in the franchise's history.

Apparently, Sean Payton's thinks the Jets have a solid franchise QB in Sanchez. Payton, no stranger to how things work in this city since he's a former Giants' offensive coordinator, likes what he's seeing from first-year coach Rex Ryan and the New Orleans Saints coach believes the Jets are playoff bound.

Wonder if Payton penned that column before Calvin Pace's suspension was announced. If not, then there's more reason for optimism Jets fans.

-* Speaking of Pace, I was channel surfing recently one day and stumbled upon Keyshawn Johnson filling in as a guest host on ESPN's "Jim Rome is Burning." Johnson, author of "Just Give Me the Damn" and never one to hold off on giving his opinion, took a small dig at the Jets' outside linebacker and others who've claimed they took an over-the-counter supplement and weren't aware it contained a banned substance.

Johnson did this, of course, while also pumping himself up.

"I don't get it," Johnson said July 3, the day after Pace's suspension was announced. "After all these years and all the media scrutiny, guys are still not paying attention. I have no idea why players would use this to get an edge. It's simple: lift weights, run, work out and eat right. Why would you put your body at risk. I was too afraid something would go wrong to take this type of a chance. Being the best at my position or even the best in the league isn't worth the risk. It does nothing for you but make you look like a big strong fool. But I guess you would say you didn't know what you were taking or you didn't read the box. Oh well."

-* The title of this post also refers to our new blog look. It was supposed to go down today, but has been pushed back until Wednesday so I'm told. There will be plenty of new bells and whistles to implement once we get more familiar with some of the new toys we'll have at our disposal.

Start spreading the news

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:40 GMT

Before I tend to the yard duties and work up a serious lather on the steamiest day we've had around here seemingly all summer, I figured this is something many of you have been waiting for.

Hot off the presses, we finally have the Jets' training camp schedule and you fans can truly begin making plans on which practices you want to attend.

By the way, you'll notice the one-day return to Hofstra comes Aug. 12. That's when the Jets will host their "Family Night" at Shuart Stadium.

Here's the release from the Jets and the schedule follows:

The New York Jets officially open their 2009 training camp with two practices on July 31 at SUNY Cortland and announced details of a training camp schedule that feature practices open to the public in three different locations - Central New York, Long Island and New Jersey.

On Aug. 12, the team will hold a special Family Night Practice brought to you by Verizon FiOS on Long Island at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium. Hofstra University was the home of the Jets training facility and training camp from 1968 until the team moved into its new facility in September 2008. At the conclusion of this special practice, the entire team will head to the sidelines to sign autographs for fans.

Three more practices will be open to the public on Aug. 22, 26 and 27 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J.

At each location, fans attending can enjoy Generation Jets Fest and the Jets Shop Merchandise Tent. There will be opportunities for autographs from players and the 2009 New York Jets Flight Crew. For the most up-to-date practice and event schedule, visit www.newyorkjets.com/camp.

The Jets open the 2009 preseason at home against the St. Louis Rams on Aug. 14 and kick off the regular season at the Houston Texans on Sept. 13. The Jets make their first 2009 regular season appearance at the Meadowlands on Sept. 20 against the New England Patriots.

Practice Schedule
July 31-Aug. 29

7/31 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/1 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/2 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/3 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.(ST)
8/4 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/5 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/6 Green and White Scrimmage: 7:00 p.m.
8/8 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/9 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/10 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/11 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/12 Family Night Practice brought to you by Verizon FiOS at Hofstra University: 6:00 p.m.
8/14 Preseason Game against St. Louis Rams: 7:00 p.m.
8/16 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/17 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/18 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/19 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/20 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/21 8:15 a.m.
8/22 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/24 Preseason Game at Baltimore Ravens: 8:00 p.m.
8/26 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/27 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/29 Preseason Game at New York Giants: 8:00 p.m.
9/3 Preseason Game against Philadelphia Eagles: 7:00 p.m.
(ST) Indicates a special teams practice.

Jets add Richard Owens

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:06 GMT

Sorry gang, a bit scrambled around here with Hot Rod Boone on vacation before camp begins.

The Jets added TE Richard Owens yesterday to replace Bubba Franks on the roster. Franks was cut on Monday.

Owens, 28, spent three seasons with the Vikings and one with the Rams. He was out of the league last season.

He's a blocking tight end primarily, and he has some long-snapping experience. Could be a helpful special teams guy.

Rhodes: I would welcome Plax

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:42 GMT

Kerry Rhodes never shies away from the hot topics, and he didn't a few minutes ago on the horn with ESPN-1050's Brandon Tierney. Rhodes, asked about the brief Jets' flirtation with indicted ex-Giant Plaxico Burress, said Plax would have been a great addition to the Jets.

"He would definitely have been a No. 1 receiver," Rhodes said, "and he would have given Jerricho (Cotchery) and those guys the freedom to do some things."

Rhodes also hinted at his dissatisfaction with the defensive scheme last season, more so since he had become a solid safety by getting the freedom to make plays in his prior two seasons under Eric Mangini.

"Last year, yeah," Rhodes said when asked if he felt constrained by Mangini's system. "Before that, he let me do my thing. There was some stuff going on with the team, but I'm not going to air it out there. We had some limitations with what we could do last year and I'll leave it at that."

As for second-year DE/LB Vernon Gholston, who will be needed to step in for the suspended Calvin Pace (out for the first four games due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy), Rhodes also took a swipe at Mangini's system.

"He was a little hesitant, a little slow, and he had to learn a new position," Rhodes said of Gholston. "And it didn't help that he had all the pressure of being a top-10 pick. He's under some pressure now to perform, and we're not going to put it all on him. He's going to have to step up now and he's making strides."

Bubba Franks released

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:18 GMT

The Jets got a little thinner at TE today. Just got word that they have released Bubba Franks.

The 10-year pro was re-signed by the Jets on May 12. He started in four games last season and played in eight overall, catching six passes for 47 yards.

When I spoke with Franks during the OTAs in May, he told me he expected to be fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him watching from the sideline and unable to participate in any of the team's activities. Back then, Rex Ryan was confident Franks would be around, too.

"We don't think it's serious," Ryan said May 14. "Obviously, we wouldn't have signed him if that was the case. But we think Bubba will be fine when we go to training camp."

If you take away Dustin Keller and LS James Dearth from the equation, the move leaves just Kareem Brown, Jack Simmons and J'Nathan Bullock, all of whom are unproven obviously, at the position for the Jets.

Due diligence continues

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:09 GMT

Seems like the Jets sign a new player every day.

They just announced they've brought T Nevin McCaskill, who was waived by the Packers last Monday, on board.

Listed at 6-4, 300 pounds, the Hampton product by way of Tallahassee, Fla. was originally signed by the Bills as a free agent in 2007 and was a member of their practice squad for parts of the 2007 season before he was waived on Aug. 31. last year.

McCaskill also spent time on the Eagles practice squad last season before the Packers plucked him off the squad and signed him in December.

**********

A quick, last-minute programming note, especially to those Jets fans in the Buffalo area. I'm going to be on WECK 1230 AM at about 8:05 p.m. tonight talking about the Jets offseason with a couple of buddies of mine who host a weekly radio show up there every Monday. So tune on in and check us out.

You can also check out the live streaming audio here. Look on the right side of the screen and click the LISTEN LIVE button.

Calvin Pace suspended

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:47 GMT

Linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the Jets' first four regular-season games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.

Pace, in a statement released through the team, said the suspension is a result of dietary supplement he took, though he declined to cite what the banned substance was.

"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy," Pace said. "I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl."

The suspension for Pace, who will be allowed to practice and play in the preseason, begins Sept. 5. He's eligible to return to the Jets’ active roster Oct. 5, the day after the Jets play the Saints in New Orleans and the beginning of the week leading up to the Oct. 12 Monday night game with the Dolphins in Miami.