NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS. August 22, 2016 Table of Contents

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1 NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS August 22, 2016 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 1 Bowles declines to say Geno still No. 2 on Jets' QB chart (Dennis Waszak)... 1 NEWSDAY... 3 Bowles mum on possible changes in QB depth chart (Kimberley A. Martin)... 3 THE RECORD... 4 Jets' Bowles not sure of QB order behind Fitzpatrick (Tara Sullivan)... 4 Jets' Darrelle Revis is a bit slower, but wiser (Tara Sullivan)... 5 ESPN NEW YORK... 7 Todd Bowles declines to say Geno Smith still No. 2 on depth chart (Rich Cimini)... 7 The Jets' answer for a sluggish offense? More plays in practice (Rich Cimini)... 8 NEW YORK POST... 8 Why are Jets fueling the mystery around Christian Hackenberg? (Bart Hubbuch)... 8 Jets may start season without this familiar face on O-line (Zach Braziller) Why Jets CB revelation refuses to admit he s made it (Zach Braziller) NJ.COM Todd Bowles declines to say if Geno Smith remains Jets' No. 2 QB (Darryl Slater) Jets' Darrelle Revis believes Mark Sanchez is right man for Broncos (Connor Hughes) How is Jets' Christian Hackenberg staying patient while not playing? (Darryl Slater) How does Jets LB Jordan Jenkins get ready for a game? He slams his head into things (Connor Hughes) NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Bryce Petty has earned Jets roster spot and now deserves chance to compete with Geno Smith for No. 2 QB job (Manish Mehta) Marcus Williams fighting for job with Jets (Daniel Popper) WALL STREET JOURNAL On Planet Pokémon, the Pros Are Amateurs (Alex Raskin) The Curse of the Jets Second Round (Michael Salfino) SUNDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED PRESS Bowles declines to say Geno still No. 2 on Jets' QB chart (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 21, P a g e

2 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets might have a budding backup quarterback controversy. Todd Bowles declined to say Sunday whether Geno Smith remained the team's No. 2 QB behind Ryan Fitzpatrick or if Bryce Petty has surpassed him on the depth chart. The Jets coach said earlier in training camp that there was no change in the pecking order, but Petty had a strong showing in New York's loss at Washington on Friday night. Meanwhile, Smith struggled in the game and appeared to perhaps lose his stranglehold on the backup job. "I was clear about every position: 1, 2, 3, 4 going in," Bowles said Sunday. "Until we make a change, there won't be (a change). That's any position. When we make a decision at the end of camp, if it changes, it changes. And if it doesn't, it doesn't." When asked specifically if the order of the depth chart remains Fitzpatrick, Smith, Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg, Bowles was evasive. "Right now, they're all playing," he said, "and we're trying to see who sorts out what." Against Redskins backups and playing with the second-team offense, Smith was 6 of 13 for 47 yards and an interception. With mostly third-stringers in, Petty was 16 of 26 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Bowles acknowledged that he has a plan for the quarterback rotation for the Jets' third preseason game against the Giants on Saturday night, but would not say what it is. Fitzpatrick and the starters will play a bit more in the game, the normal routine for the third preseason game. But beyond that, it's uncertain. "All of them have to be up to play," Bowles said. "We have a plan for the quarterbacks that we're not revealing. On Saturday, we'll play the guys that we have scheduled to play. But we do have a plan to play certain people." Bowles was then asked if Geno Smith will be the second quarterback into the game. "To be clear, we have a plan on who we're going to play that we're not going to reveal," Bowles said. Smith is entering his fourth NFL season and had a mostly solid offseason and camp. But his performance, compared to that of Petty might have narrowed the gap between the two a bit. "Off and on, missed a few throws here and there," Smith said after the game. "But, you know, I think I fit the preseason form: get the chance to go out there, get a few series in and try to develop some chemistry with the guys. But overall, not to my standards. I think I could've played a lot better." While he likely isn't in jeopardy to lose his roster spot since he's the only one of the three backups with any NFL regular-season playing experience, a good performance against the Giants whenever he gets in would go a long way into re-establishing his position on the depth chart. Petty had been up and down throughout the offseason and the beginning of camp, but senses a great deal of improvement from this time last year, when he was adjusting to the NFL after being a fourth-round pick out of Baylor. "It's hard not to laugh," he said. "It's great, though, because that's kind of what I've wanted to do since I got here, was just progress each and every day I get out here." He said he could tell the difference in himself even in the organized team activities this year. That has carried over into training camp, and now into the preseason games. "Just a lot more comfortable," Petty said. "I'm not as antsy in the pocket, not as rushed in my thought process, which is all good." 2 P a g e

3 One of the biggest challenges for Petty was coming from a spread-type offense in college to learning how to play in Chan Gailey's pro-style system. "It's still English," he said of the transition. "It might be cursive, where spread was print, but it's still English.... There's definitely a transition there, but it's definitely doable. It's not like it's too foreign." After watching the film of the game, Petty gave himself mixed reviews. There were good things, such as seeing blitzes from the defense. He acknowledged he was also slow at times at reading coverages. One much-discussed topic among fans and media this summer has been whether the Jets will actually keep four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. If he continues to show progression over the final two preseason games, Petty could certainly push the issue. And while he insists he doesn't approach things that way, he acknowledges that he feels as though he's on an audition for the Jets and other teams who might be watching. "I think we all are," he said. "But, for right now, I'm right here, and this is where I want to be. So, yeah, it's an audition for anybody watching that tape, but that is first and foremost for the Jets because I want to be here. Each day I come out here, it's to put on a show for them." NEWSDAY Bowles mum on possible changes in QB depth chart (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday August 21, FLORHAM PARK, N.J. Todd Bowles had an opportunity to quash the quarterback conversation. But his vague replies only gave way to more uncertainty and more questions. I was clear about every position: [No.] 1, 2, 3, 4 going in, the Jets coach said Sunday after practice. Until we make a change there won t be. That s any position. When we make a decision at the end of camp, if it changes it changes and if it doesn t it doesn t. Asked directly if Geno Smith will remain the No. 2, followed by Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg, Bowles refused to give a definitive answer. Right now they re all playing and we re trying to see who sorts out what, he said. Smith entered training camp as the clear backup behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. But after Petty s twotouchdown performance in Friday s loss to the Redskins, many wondered whether the No. 3 quarterback had closed the gap on Smith. Bowles refusal to provide clarity only raised eyebrows. He said Fitzpatrick and the first-team offense will play a pretty good amount Saturday against the Giants, but he wouldn t say anything definitive about the other signal-callers. All of them have to be up to play, Bowles said. We have a plan for the quarterbacks that we re not revealing. When pressed on whether Smith will be the second quarterback in, Bowles repeated: To be clear, we have a plan on who we re going to play that we re not going to reveal. Smith s experience as an NFL starter gives him a leg up on Petty, who saw no game action as a fourthround rookie last season. But Smith, in his fourth season, has 42 turnovers in 31 games with the Jets. On Friday night, he threw a second-quarter interception that helped set up a Redskins score. 3 P a g e

4 Asked how much he ll weigh Smith s preseason game action vs. his past performances, Bowles said: It s a combination. It s a progression of all the quarterbacks and all the positions. How much you ve done in the past, what you ve done in camp, as well as the preseason games. The strides Petty has made are evident both on the field and in his demeanor. There s a noticeable air of confidence in his tone, a self-assuredness that s rooted in on-field results. And that s why he couldn t help but be bothered by the insinuation that his growth was due in large part to video games. The comments he made this spring about his night-and-day progress since his rookie year and the fact it s evident even while playing Madden inadvertently made him a punchline. And he hasn t forgotten it. It just gave a perception that if you played Madden, you can play in the NFL, he said. It was degrading to me and my preparation and what I ve done the last year... That s what s so upsetting about that comment. I ve worked really hard the right way to do it. Petty said the video game comment was totally taken out of context, adding with a smile: I played Madden twice. And so the fact that he took that as I m learning offense through Madden was wrong. But he refuses to worry about the assumptions made by fans or the media. Instead, he s focused on proving that he can be a franchise quarterback in due time. The people that I worry about are upstairs, he said. I want them to understand the progress and what I ve done and how I ve done it. So, those are the people I care about. A short time earlier, Petty told reporters it s hard not to laugh at how far he s come in such a short time. And while it s still unclear if he ll supplant Smith for the No. 2 job or make the Jets final 53-man roster, he understands he s auditioning for his NFL livelihood. I think we all are, he said. But, for right now, I m right here, and this is where I want to be. So, yeah, it s an audition for anybody watching that tape, but that is first and foremost for the Jets because I want to be here. Each day I come out here, it s to put on a show for them. Notes & quotes: Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is a little better but still in the concussion protocol, Bowles said... Offensive lineman Breno Giacomini (back) won t practice again this week... Linebacker Erin Henderson (stinger) will probably be probable for the Giants game, Bowles said... The coach would like to get running back Matt Forte (hamstring) a few snaps if I could, but that depends on if he gets better during the week. The same goes for defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (leg). Said Bowles: You ve got to see how the practice goes and how they feel on that day.... defensive end Lawrence Thomas (shoulder) is expected to return to practice next week. THE RECORD Jets' Bowles not sure of QB order behind Fitzpatrick (Tara Sullivan) The Record August 21, FLORHAM PARK Ryan Fitzpatrick was just being honest when asked how much he is invested in the depth chart behind him, his not at all comment after the Jets practiced Sunday speaking to Fitzpatrick s security as the Jets No. 1 quarterback. 4 P a g e

5 But as training camp continues hurtling toward Saturday night s all-important third preseason game, at home against the Giants, and eventually toward the season opener Sept. 11 against Cincinnati, the conversation surrounding who will be No. 2 behind Fitzpatrick grows ever more complicated. And secretive. Jets coach Todd Bowles declined to say Sunday if Geno Smith remains the primary backup to Fitzpatrick, or if his established pecking order of Smith-Bryce Petty-Christian Hackenberg had changed. Hackenberg, the rookie who has yet to take a snap in the preseason, remains fourth. But the question over two and three arose from Friday night s preseason game in Washington, when Smith struggled (again, this time throwing an interception into triple coverage) and Petty shined (again, including a long touchdown pass to Robby Anderson). So not only do the Jets have a decision to make about whether to keep four quarterbacks on their final roster, it appears they also have one to make about what order they would be in. I was clear about every position going in, until we make a change there won t be, Bowles said. That s any position. When we make a decision at the end of camp if it changes it changes, if it doesn t it doesn t. Right now they re all playing and we re trying to see who sorts out what. Smith s primary advantage lies in his experience; he was the Jets starter for 29 games between Petty has never taken an NFL snap, and used his rookie season a year ago just to begin the adjustment from running a spread offense in college to learning how to run and NFL huddle. So far this preseason, he is proving his ability to learn. In the game I m a lot more confident, not as antsy in the pocket, he said Sunday. I m not as rushed in my thought process. I ve got to keep building on that. Smith appeared to get more snaps in practice Sunday, and Bowles was asked if he might get a longer look in place of Fitzpatrick Saturday, which could leave Petty getting no action. All of them have got to be up to play, Bowles said. We ve got a plan for the quarterbacks that we re not revealing and Saturday we ll play the guys we have scheduled to play. We do have a plan to play certain people. He remained evasive when asked if it was clear Smith would be No. 2. To be clear we have a plan on who we we re going to play that we re not going to reveal, he said. Jets' Darrelle Revis is a bit slower, but wiser (Tara Sullivan) The Record August 22, FLORHAM PARK The older he gets, the more inclined he is to notice the look, that sideways glance that morphs into a wide-eyed recognition, as if the person looking at him is thinking, Is that him? It s not that Darrelle Revis isn t accustomed to being recognized 10 years in the NFL, seven Pro Bowl selections and one Super Bowl championship have made him one of the league s most recognizable faces. A recent visit to Yankee Stadium for Alex Rodriguez s final game saw his face cheered on the stadium scoreboard. But when heads are swiveling inside his own locker room, well, that takes a little getting used to. 5 P a g e

6 That s kind of interesting, Revis said Sunday, another Jets training camp practice in the books, another post-practice rehab and stretching routine on his 31-year-old body completed as well. That look when you re in the locker room, that double-take like, is that him? I ll be like Hey, what s up, and they see, Hey, he s actually cool, he s actually human. Revis skills on the football field have suggested otherwise shutdown abilities so transcendent the cornerback was given the deed to Revis Island, a football outpost to which no receiver, no matter how good, could seemingly gain entry. He was the undisputed king of his position, from first-round draft pick in 2007 to three time first-team All Pro by 2011, twice helping the Jets to the cusp of a Super Bowl appearance. But if time and the business of football have put that lofty status into question Revis was traded to Tampa Bay in 2013, won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2014 and returned to the Jets as a free agent last season Revis has finally come to accept what was probably always true. Recognition doesn t matter. The chip that seemed perpetually perched on his shoulder might not be completely gone, but it is no doubt smaller, a concession to maturity and experience. Make no mistake, Revis still expects to be among the game s best at his position. But by his standard, not that of others. It depends on what we really discuss in terms of if I m elite or if I m not elite. If people say am I still elite, then they re still giving me credit that I was an elite player at one point, Revis said in a quiet moment after practice Sunday, an empty fieldhouse just another reminder how so many of his younger teammates are showered, dressed and gone before Revis has had time to cool down. I felt last year I had a great year, even if it was not one of my best. I can t say it was the top, the No. 1, he said. The [2009 season] was probably the No. 1. I think people want to see the 09 season every year, year in and year out, and I do respect that, how people want to see that play-by-play, week-by-week thing. It s a fun thing, the whole Revis Island thing, taking people off their fantasy football teams [because they were going to face me]. It s all fun. What keeps the fire burning is I can still play. I can still play at a high level and I think it s because I m very strong willed. Coach [Todd] Bowles believes that I can still play at a high level, still compete against some of these great receivers in the league today. Recognition doesn t matter; playing the game does. And that, Revis believes, he can do even better this year than last, his surgically repaired right wrist recently declared at full strength, his mature, experienced football brain ready to take on all challengers. Let s clear the smoke. You do get older, he said. I am 31. Have I slowed down? Yes. I don t run a 4.3 anymore. And then including a major knee injury, yes, I slowed down a little bit. But I m very technique sound. I lean on that and lean on the longevity I have. Experience is indeed a wonderful teacher, and not just in breaking down game film or learning a playbook. For Revis, there are lessons in slowing down just a bit, in remembering that rookie kid who ran around like a chicken with its head cut off and taking time to savor this role as an elder statesman. With a ready smile, he will sit at his locker for hours, taking questions from teammates young and old. As I ve gotten older, I d say probably the last couple of years, I ve reflected a lot, because my journey of my career has been an adventure, he said. I always say to people, too, you got to look outside in, we re looking inside out sometimes. Revis football heart tells him he has more than a few years left to play as he likes to put it, until the wheels fall off and as long as he can still play at a high level. That doesn t necessarily mean keeping Revis Island open forever more than ever, Revis understands he could make a move to safety or nickel 6 P a g e

7 corner to better help his team. And more importantly, he is okay with it. But it s not going to happen yet. Friday night in Washington, when the Jets played their second preseason game and Revis made an appearance in his first, he ended Colt McCoy s surprisingly effective first drive by picking him off in the end zone. That felt good because I didn t practice all of OTAs with the wrist situation, this is only probably my seventh practice and the cornerback position is all about rhythm, repetition, he said. So the more I m out there, the more comfortable I feel. I do have the experience, but I love to practice. ESPN NEW YORK Todd Bowles declines to say Geno Smith still No. 2 on depth chart (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 21, FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets resolved their starting-quarterback issue when they re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick on the eve of training camp, but now there's an emerging question about the No. 2 position. Coach Todd Bowles sent mixed signals on Sunday, fueling speculation that Geno Smith could lose the position to upstart Bryce Petty, who threw two touchdowns Friday night against the Washington Redskins. Smith went into the second preseason game as the No. 2 quarterback, per Bowles, who outlined his depth chart last week. This time, he declined to get into specifics. He wouldn't say who will relieve Fitzpatrick when they face the New York Giants on Saturday night. "We've got a plan for the quarterbacks that we're not revealing," he said. Asked if there are any changes to the depth chart, Bowles replied, "Until we make a change, there won't be. That's any position. When we make a decision at the end of camp, if it changes, it changes. If it doesn't, it doesn't." Bowles also said, "Right now, they're all playing and we're trying to see who sorts out what." This is a compelling story because the Jets are toying with the idea of keeping four quarterbacks on their opening-day roster, something that hasn't been since the 2013 Washington Redskins. Fitzpatrick and rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-round pick, are locks to make the 53-man roster. The question is whether they keep Smith, a former starter, and/or Petty, who has no regular-season experience. Chances are, the Jets will wind up keeping Smith, but Bowles apparently doesn't want to tip his hand. Petty, a fourth-round pick in 2015, has improved considerably since his rookie year. In two preseason games, he has completed 23 of 40 passes for 335 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions -- a passer rating. But he has played against mostly third-string defenses. "It's an audition for anybody watching that tape, but first and foremost it's for the Jets because I want to be here," Petty said. "Each time I come out here, it's to put on a show for them." 7 P a g e

8 Smith is 14 of 27, with 126 yards, one touchdown and one interception -- a 61.7 passer rating. On Sunday, he led a few long drives in practices and ended up with 27 reps to Petty's 12. Bowles said the extra workload for Smith wasn't by design. On Friday night, Smith threw into triple coverage and was intercepted, while Petty passed for 242 yards in the second half after replacing Smith. Still, Bowles was measured with his praise. "He'd like to have some throws back," Bowles said. "He made some mistakes. He made some good throws, he made some bad throws, too. I think all of them did. We've got to get better in that category all the way around." The Jets' answer for a sluggish offense? More plays in practice (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 22, 2016 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Monday's wake-up call, Day 27 of New York Jets training camp: What's happening: As usual, practice begins at 1:50 p.m. (closed to the public). What's hot: To be good at football, you need to practice football plays. That essentially was the message on Sunday from coach Todd Bowles, who tweaked the practice schedule in an attempt to jump-start his team. In a two-hour session, the Jets ran 77 plays, unofficially -- a lot more than usual. Instead of doing positional work, they expanded the team period by allowing the offense to run complete drives. They "freelanced a little more," Ryan Fitzpatrick said. In fact, the Geno Smith-led offense reeled off 10- and 11- play possessions. Ordinarily, they work off a four- of five-play script. Bowles said Fitzpatrick -- the entire offense, for that matter -- "just needs to play more. We ran a lot of plays today. They need to run more football plays, as opposed to drill work." Fitzpatrick finished with 23 reps, Smith 27. Fitzpatrick has played only 22 snaps in the first two preseason games, so look for him to play into the second half against the New York Giants. This week is all about shifting into regular-season mode. The No. 4 cornerback position bears watching. Despite allowing two touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins, rookie Juston Burris is pushing Dee Milliner. The Jets really like Burris. Perhaps feeling the competition, Milliner responded Sunday with three pass breakups.... The biggest positional concern is right tackle. Bowles said Breno Giacomini (back), who still hasn't practiced, won't practice or play this week. Bowles wouldn't go so far as to say Giacomini is out for the season opener, but time is running out. They have only two practices next week before the preseason finale -- a.k.a. The Backup Bowl. Even if he's healthy, Giacomini probably wouldn't play in that game, meaning he'd have to face the Cincinnati Bengals in the opener without any preseason work. It's starting to look as if the Week 1 starter will be Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale, who continue to rotate in practice. If the Jets keep Giacomini on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, he'd have to miss the first six games. NEW YORK POST Why are Jets fueling the mystery around Christian Hackenberg? (Bart Hubbuch) New York Post August 21, P a g e

9 Don t bother asking coach Todd Bowles about the Jets plan for rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg, because it s the equivalent of a state secret. Two days after the second-round pick from Penn State didn t play at all for the second preseason game in a row, Bowles was still tight-lipped Sunday about the reasons and Hackenberg s immediate future. We ve got a plan for the quarterbacks that we re not revealing, and Saturday [against the Giants], we ll play the guys that we have scheduled to play, Bowles said. At least with Hackenberg, it doesn t need to be this way. The Jets have four quarterbacks in camp, including a starter in Ryan Fitzpatrick who missed their entire offseason program and a pair of backups in Geno Smith and Bryce Petty who could very well be duking it out for one roster spot. It would be perfectly understandable for the Jets to have Hackenberg take the NFL equivalent of the redshirt year he never got in the Happy Valley pressure cooker. Even with his second-round status, there are no outsized expectations for Hackenberg like there were at Penn State, where he was one of the most celebrated recruits in the country and pegged as the program s post-scandal savior. In fact, there are no expectations at all this season. While it might sound odd to say the perennially quarterback-needy Jets have a logjam at the position, it s true. And that logjam could allow Hackenberg to sit back and quietly reboot at the foot of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey one of the NFL s top quarterback whisperers after two underachieving seasons that sapped Hackenberg s confidence and made him undraftable in the eyes of a lot of scouts. Hackenberg himself sounded as if he welcomes the spotlight being on every Jets quarterback but himself. It s been a dream come true for me, Hackenberg said Sunday after a two-hour practice. To be able to come in and just put my head down and go to work each day has been awesome. If you re hoping to see Hackenberg in an actual game, it seems increasingly likely it won t be this season. Most teams usually play their starters into the third quarter in the third preseason game, which all but rules out Saturday for Hackenberg. The second half of the Sept. 1 exhibition finale against the Eagles is a possibility unless the Jets coaches haven t made a decision between Smith and Petty. That would be OK, too. There is no rush whatsoever with Hackenberg, who as a second-rounder and pet project of general manager Mike Maccagnan is in no danger of being cut anytime soon. So why all the secrecy from Bowles & Co.? The Jets seemingly won t even be upfront with Hackenberg himself. That was obvious from Friday s loss to the Redskins in Landover, Md., when Hackenberg felt confident enough about playing to invite his father and several close friends to the game only for them to watch him ride the pine the entire game. Outsiders are already drawing conclusions from the Jets refusal to use Hackenberg in either of the first two preseason games, hinting the coaching staff or front office is afraid to put Hackenberg s mental and mechanical shortcomings on public display. The Jets are finding out Hackenberg can t play, former Bears college scouting director Greg Gabriel tweeted Saturday. Hardly a surprise. #wasted pick. 9 P a g e

10 Hackenberg hasn t exactly been lighting it up in practice, either. In one team drill Sunday, he threw five consecutive incomplete passes. In short, Hackenberg has a huge arm but poor mechanics, and he looks lost in a pro-style offense. But the same was being said about Petty this time last season, and now he is pushing Smith for the Jets No. 2 job. A quiet redshirt year could have the same effect on Hackenberg. Why Bowles and the Jets won t admit as much remains the head-scratcher. Jets may start season without this familiar face on O-line (Zach Braziller) New York Post August 22, Breno Giacomini made a cameo appearance at Jets practice Sunday. But it was without shoulder pads and a helmet. The veteran offensive right tackle, still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a bad back, was there only to watch. And he won t be coming off that list soon, either, Jets coach Todd Bowles said. He s getting better, but not this week, Bowles said, when asked of the 30-year-old s status. Giacomini is coming off a subpar season in which Pro Football Focus graded him as the 64th tackle in the NFL out of 77. He has been a mainstay on the right side of the Jets offensive line since signing as a free agent in March 2014, starting all 32 games for Gang Green. That streak may be in jeopardy, however, with a back injury that has cost him all of training camp. Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale have seen first-team reps in his place. Giacomini won t play Saturday against the Giants, and could very well miss the final exhibition game Sept. 1 against the Eagles, too. However, that wouldn t mean he couldn t be active for the regular-season opener against the Bengals on Sept. 11. It doesn t preclude him, Bowles said. Defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson (leg) and running back Matt Forte (hamstring) continued to practice fully Sunday, and the hope is they will be able to play in their first preseason game Saturday against the Giants. We have to see how practice goes and how they feel on that day, Bowles said. They re just coming off injuries. They practiced last week pretty good. We don t want to [hurt their] progress and force them into one game. Bowles said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will play a pretty good amount against the Giants on Saturday. While noting staying injury-free is the most important part of the upcoming preseason contest, Fitzpatrick would also like to see some improvement from the Jets first team offense, which has produced just seven points in five drives in two games. It s a bit more of a dress rehearsal in terms of what we want to do and be during the regular season, Fitzpatrick said. We know we re going to have more time out there, so we d like to get into a better rhythm, get some first downs, get some drives going, put some points on the board. Second-year outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin declined to speak to reporters Sunday. Perhaps, he wasn t thrilled about the notion he s having a down camp. He took to Twitter to vent. 10 P a g e

11 Say what you want! I ll prove you wrong! I ve been doubted before, I ve taken advantage of it. I m an over comer. #StrongWilled, Mauldin, the Jets third-round pick in the 2015 draft, tweeted shortly after practice. Cornerback Dee Milliner, bedeviled by injuries throughout his brief career, shook off the latest suffered Friday against the Redskins, a sore bicep. He rebounded with a very strong practice that included three pass breakups. Rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg had a rough practice. He was nearly intercepted on multiple occasions, was shaky in the pocket and bounced a few throws. The most glaring mistake was an off-target pass to tight end Jace Amaro in the flat, a throw he should be able to hit in his sleep. Rookie wide receiver Jalin Marshall nearly made the catch of camp, a one-handed grab against his helmet in the end zone amidst a steady rain in 11-on-11 team drills, but it was ruled he didn t have both feet inbounds. Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (concussion), defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas (shoulder), cornerback Dexter McDougle (hamstring), safety Dion Bailey (unknown) and running back Romar Morris (shoulder) didn t practice. Linebacker Erin Henderson (stinger) and running back Khiry Robinson (leg) were limited, taking part only in positional drills. Why Jets CB revelation refuses to admit he s made it (Zach Braziller) New York Post August 22, Less than two years ago, Marcus Williams was without a job. He s now battling to be a starter for the Jets. He s gone from the outhouse to the penthouse in a hurry. So much has changed for the undrafted defensive back from North Dakota State. To ensure his career continues on an upward arc, he still has the same mindset he had when all 32 teams passed on him in the 2014 draft. I just keep that chip on my shoulder, Williams said Sunday after practice. I know how far I came, know how hard I worked, to get to where I am. That just motivates me every single day. Williams is insistent he s fighting for a roster spot, while the biggest question is when he will play, not if he will make the team. Currently, he s the third cornerback on the depth chart, though he sees plenty of first-team reps, often playing the outside while Buster Skrine is in the slot. Williams, 25, is coming off a breakthrough season, one in which he came up with six interceptions despite receiving just 27 percent of the defensive snaps. He forced his way onto the field, after starting the year as the fourth corner, behind Darrelle Revis, Skrine and Antonio Cromartie. But Williams views last season as having nothing to do with this one. He has to prove himself all over again. Last season won t make you play good this season. It s a fresh start, he said. They re bringing guys in from draft picks to free agents. You re fighting for a job again. That s how I look at it, that s how I approach it. Never feel comfortable. You don t want to be in that position that you feel comfortable you have a spot, because you can lose it just like that. He hasn t changed, but his fortune certainly has. The Jets signed Williams to their practice squad in September 2014, after the Texans cut him in August, and he was on the active roster by the end of 11 P a g e

12 October. He still returns home to Minnesota in the offseason, as he has every year, and still works with the same trainer. He still believes he s fighting to get through the final cut. To stay motivated, that s my thing, Williams said. I know where I came from. I remember when I was down and nobody knew who I was. I came up the charts. If you want to stay at a high level, you have to make sure you re doing your job. Now comes the hard part. With expectations comes pressure. He has never been through this before, not at the NFL level. With his spot on the roster basically assured and the chance to be the No. 2 corner behind Revis, Williams isn t going to surprise anybody anymore. His answer is the same as it was in 2014: Outwork everybody. For me, it s about getting better every single day, he said. Controlling what I can control. Williams and Jets coach Todd Bowles both admitted this hasn t necessarily been his finest camp. A ballhawk, he is still looking for his first interception. That was the case in Friday s preseason loss to the Redskins, when Williams gave up a touchdown to wide receiver Rashad Ross. Williams conceded there are some plays he would like back, and Bowles believes he still thinks too much, instead of relying on natural ability and instincts. Williams wants to become a more complete corner this year, to be known as much for his tackling as his coverage skills. But his only goal is to make the playoffs. And, of course, earn a spot on the roster. You always want to be out on the field, he said. I want to do whatever I can to make sure I m out there. NJ.COM Todd Bowles declines to say if Geno Smith remains Jets' No. 2 QB (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 21, #incart_river_index FLORHAM PARK After Sunday's training camp practice, Jets coach Todd Bowles declined to say if Geno Smith remains his backup quarterback. Going into camp, the quarterback pecking order was clear Ryan Fitzpatrick, Smith, second-year pro Bryce Petty, and rookie Christian Hackenberg. Fitzpatrick and Hackenberg remain in their positions. But could Petty, who is trying to force the Jets to keep four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, play well enough to overtake Smith for the No. 2 job? Bowles was directly asked Sunday if there is any change to his Nos. 1-4 quarterback pecking order. "Right now, they're all playing and we're trying to see who sorts out what," Bowles said. Petty played well in Friday's second preseason game, at Washington, while Smith struggled. Remember, though, it was just one preseason game. And Bowles said Sunday that, for returning players like Smith, he weighs previous performances along with how a guy plays in this preseason's games. For all his flaws, Smith would give the Jets a game-tested backup. Petty has never appeared in an NFL regular season game, but he has shown signs of progress from the raw spread-offense quarterback whom the Jets drafted last year. 12 P a g e

13 The Jets' Week 3 preseason game is Saturday against the Giants. Starters typically play a lot in that game. And Bowles said he will play Fitzpatrick "a pretty good amount" against the Giants. Does Bowles expect Petty to get any reps on Saturday? Bowles declined to specifically answer. "All of them have got to be up to play," Bowles said. "We've got a plan for the quarterbacks that we're not revealing. Saturday, we'll play the guys that we have scheduled to play. But we do have a plan to play certain people." To be clear, though, will Smith be the second quarterback who plays in Saturday's game? Bowles was evasive about that, too. "To be clear, we have a plan on who we're going to play that we're not going to reveal," he said. Bowles had previously offered a murky answer, during his Sunday press conference, about whether there was a change to his quarterback depth chart. "I was clear about every position one, two, three, four going in," he said. "Until we make a change, there won't be. That's any position. When we make a decision at the end of camp, if it changes, it changes. And if it doesn't, it doesn't." Hackenberg almost certainly won't play against the Giants, because there won't be enough time for him. That means his unofficial NFL debut probably will come in the preseason finale against the Eagles, since only backups play in that game. But Bowles on Sunday when asked if Hackenberg would play at all in the preseason said the coaching staff hasn't thought that far ahead yet. "As a staff, we'll discuss that, and that we're not going to reveal," he said. "We'll play the guys that we've got scheduled to play. Right now, I really don't know, as far as Geno or Hack or Bryce. We haven't talked about it. We're just practicing right now. We've got days off to go into that. And we'll get into that as we go during the week." The Jets practice again Monday. They're off Tuesday. They practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and then have their usual day-before-game walk-through Friday. Jets' Darrelle Revis believes Mark Sanchez is right man for Broncos (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 22, cart_river_index FLORHAM PARK Things aren't going well for ex-jets and Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez in Denver. After being acquired by the Broncos via trade in March, Sanchez said Saturday he believes he "squandered" away an opportunity to start for the defending Super Bowl champions. Through training camp and two preseason games, Sanchez's play has been up and down. There has been good, and there has been bad. Many critics are beginning to count out the former first-round pick for rookie Paxton Lynch or second-year pro Trevor Siemian. But one of Sanchez's former teammates with the Jets hasn't given up on him yet. "I'm confident in Mark Sanchez and what he can do for that team," cornerback Darrelle Revis told NJ Advance Media earlier in camp. "I like what he has done in this league." 13 P a g e

14 Sanchez and Revis played together for four years in New York. The two experienced the highest of highs, and lowest of lows. In Sanchez's first two years, he got the Jets to the AFC Championship game twice. In the two years after, the Jets didn't qualify for the playoffs. In 2012, the final year Sanchez and Revis played together, Sanchez threw for just 2,883 yards with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Revis tore his ACL in the third game of the season. The Jets traded Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason he returned to the team as a free agent in After the 2013 season, the Jets cut Sanchez. "He helped us get to where we wanted to those two years in a row," Revis said. "He has stayed afloat, man. He's a veteran quarterback, a smart guy. I like what he has done in this league." Sanchez has completed 66.7 percent of his passes and thrown for 219 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Denver's two preseason games. He has been sacked three times and fumbled twice. Denver head coach Gary Kubiak hasn't made up his mind yet on who his starting quarterback will be. He told reporters he is taking things "day by day." How is Jets' Christian Hackenberg staying patient while not playing? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 22, #incart_river_index FLORHAM PARK Jets rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg knew there was a good chance he might not play in Friday's second preseason game, at Washington. But this was still an important moment for him and his family, as he suited up in an NFL uniform, 130 miles from where he grew up, in Palmyra, Va. So his father, Erick, drove to Landover, Md., to watch the game. And so did a couple of Hackenberg's buddies. Sure enough, Hackenberg did not play, but he got a chance to catch up with his dad after the game. "For a dad, and his son is playing in the NFL, I think that's still pretty cool, no matter how you cut the cake," Hackenberg said after Sunday's practice. Hackenberg, the Jets' second-round draft pick, has unsurprisingly received a small slice of the reps in this training camp, though he has gotten more practice action lately. He didn't play in either of the first two preseason games, and almost certainly won't play in Saturday's Week 3 game against the Giants, because starters play a lot in that game and there won't be time for Hackenberg. Hackenberg's unofficial NFL debut probably will come in the preseason finale/all-backups game against the Eagles. Until then, he must continue to practice patience something he'll need to do throughout his developmental rookie season, when he likely will not play. "Everyone wants to play," he said. "But there are some things that are out of your control. At the end of the day, you just need to sit there, lock in, and be as ready as you can. Come in and compete every day, try and get everything out of the experience that I can and when it is my chance, step in to play." Hackenberg didn't redshirt as a freshman at Penn State. And he looks back on that as a valuable experience. 14 P a g e

15 "I think my college experience was awesome," he said. "I think having to do the things that I had to do at a young age, I think I learned a lot and grew in a lot of ways that I might not have if I had taken the [redshirt] year." But he knows he probably will have to "redshirt" this year in the NFL. He's not used to not playing. He was a four-year starter at Penn State. "It's obviously different," he said. "That hasn't happened [to me] in a really long time. It's different, but you still have to approach it [as] I'm three snaps away [from playing]. Crazier stuff has happened." He is intent on not changing his mindset of being prepared. "But also understand that there are some things that I'm not going to be able to take advantage of, like I had when I was the starter," he said. "Just take advantage of reps when you get them. "I'm just on my toes and ready whenever my number is called. I really think that the coaches, they have a plan. I trust in their plan. My job is to do the things that I have control over. "I just came in with no expectations. You get more and more comfortable in the environment. I'm just trying to get comfortable each and every day." How does Jets LB Jordan Jenkins get ready for a game? He slams his head into things (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 22, l#incart_river_index FLORHAM PARK Spend five minutes talking to Jordan Jenkins, and you'd have no idea he's a ferocious linebacker in the NFL. A player whose job it is to inflict physical pain on another human. See, off the field, Jenkins is a bubbly, jovial, southern boy who got yelled at by a waitress for being too polite and calling her "ma'am" Yes, that happened. So how the heck does he make the transition to brutal backer on game days? By slamming into things, of course! "I get pretty geeked out and start headbutting stuff," Jenkins told NJ Advance Media. "Sometimes with my helmet on, other times with it off. When I was at Georgia, my teammates would stay away from me." Jenkins' pre-game ritual has been the same as long as he can remember. He sits by his locker, puts on his headphones and listens to heavy metal. A little Disturbed and a bit of Korn will put him in the right mindset. He will then start hitting, punching and headbutting anything in sight within reason. He won't slam his head into the wall or anything that will result in an injury. By the end, Jenkins says he becomes an "a-hole." "I'm honestly a really nice guy who is quiet and likes to keep to himself," Jenkins said. "When I'm not playing, I like to relax. But once I get on that field, I change. I'm trying to take your damn head off. I need to get gassed up to get into that mindset." Jenkins, a rookie from Georgia, has impressed the Jets' coaches enough he has been named the starting outside linebacker. For a first- or second-round pick, that's not uncommon. But for a player taken in the third round, it is a nice accomplishment. Most players in Jenkins' position are viewed as projects who need two or three years to develop. 15 P a g e

16 Jenkins' willingness to do the dirty work (eat up blocks, clog running lanes) have put him on the fast track to a starting position. In two preseason games, Jenkins looks like he belongs. He has four tackles and several bone-crushing hits. Against the Jaguars a week ago, he rocked running back Chris Ivory. Against Washington on Friday, he slammed into quarterback Colt McCoy twice. "When I first lined up, I was a little nervous," Jenkins said. "But after a few plays, I was just like, 'OK. I can go to battle with these cats.' I just had to get a feel for it and feel my way into everything. "I wasn't too surprised with anything because the people I go against each day in practice. I never felt out of place. I just need to get more accustomed to it and play balls to the wall." And as for the head-smashing? Well, all inanimate objects in the Jets' locker room should be worried. "I'm scouting potential targets," Jenkins said, laughing. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Bryce Petty has earned Jets roster spot and now deserves chance to compete with Geno Smith for No. 2 QB job (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News August 21, Bryce Petty has sucked the suspense out of this whole deal, stripping armchair quarterbacks of two more weeks of speculation: He s making this football team. These Jets are no dummies. They are blessed with the gift of sight. They fully realize that the second-year quarterback has earned a roster spot even if none of them will make the public declaration just yet. Petty is the best kind of project. He s actually provided tangible evidence of improvement. It s the Summer of Bryce, where good things will happen so long as the young signal caller doesn t slip on party invitations before the end of the preseason. Petty s spirited play Friday night in Washington was the latest evidence that he ll be on the roster this season, prompting the new most important question: Should he have a chance to replace Geno Smith as the Jets No. 2 quarterback? Smith looked like the project in the second preseason game with physical and mental gaffes befitting a lost rookie. He stared down a receiver before a telegraphed pass was picked off by a safety. He had a brain freeze on an intentional grounding penalty. He inspired nobody. This just in: The Jets don t owe Smith a damn thing. He used to be an erratic, below-average starter with tantalizing highs and maddening lows. Why should he be handed the backup gig now? Sure, Smith has more experience than Petty, but what good is it if he s regressing in a new system? Petty played with energy and urgency. Smith played like he had just rolled out of bed. Petty sparked. Smith sputtered. I didn t say there wasn t a competition, Todd Bowles said after his defense squandered a lead that Petty gave him in a loss in Washington. Right now, Geno is two and Bryce is three. Anybody can push anybody for any job Every position is open. 16 P a g e