NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

Transcription

1 NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS December 24, 2014 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 2 Jets' Ryan believes 'one day' he'll win Super Bowl (Dennis Waszak)... 2 NEWSDAY... 3 Rex Ryan still believes he will win a Super Bowl as a head coach (Kimberley Martin)... 3 Nick Mangold only Jet picked for Pro Bowl (Kimberley Martin)... 4 Sheldon Richardson named Curtis Martin Team MVP (Kimberley Martin)... 5 Jets to face NFC East and AFC South in 2015 (Kimberley Martin)... 5 THE RECORD... 6 Jets notes: Richardson team MVP (Matt Ehalt)... 6 Jets look ahead: Jets at Dolphins (J.P. Pelzman)... 7 Jets: Rex Ryan not giving up on belief (Matt Ehalt)... 7 NJ ADVANCE MEDIA... 8 Jets' Nick Mangold makes Pro Bowl, but Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson are left out (Darryl Slater). 9 Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson says he will be surprised if he doesn't make Pro Bowl (Darryl Slater)... 9 Jets 'prepare for the worst,' as potential firing of Rex Ryan, John Idzik nears, says Sheldon Richardson (Darryl Slater) What odds does Jets' Rex Ryan put on Nick Mangold, Percy Harvin playing at Miami Dolphins? (Darryl Slater).. 11 Jets' Rex Ryan says he still believes he will win a Super Bowl as a head coach (Darryl Slater) Michael Vick still thinks he can be an NFL starting quarterback (Dom Cosentino) Where did Jets' Jeff Cumberland get that silly sword-fighting touchdown celebration? (Dom Cosentino) NEW YORK POST Vick on desire of being a Jet in 2015: I couldn t say right now (Brian Costello) Mangold selected to Pro Bowl; Richardon, Wilkerson alternates (Dan Martin) Ex-Packers GM Ron Wolf may be Woody Johnson s 2nd consultant (Brian Costello & Dan Martin) The biggest decision facing mystery GM (Brian Costello) Rex Ryan: I ll win Super Bowl as a coach, I m that good (Dan Martin) NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Charley Casserly talks to Ron Wolf about joining NY Jets, source says, as Black Monday looms over Rex Ryan (Seth Walder & Manish Mehta) NY Jets' Nick Mangold alone in Pro Bowl (Seth Walder) Rex Ryan still talking Super Bowl even with Jets future in doubt: 'One day I'm going to win that thing' (Seth Walder) P a g e

2 ESPN NEW YORK Highly regarded ex-gm Ron Wolf could join Jets as consultant (Rich Cimini) Ryan: I'll win Super Bowl one day (Rich Cimini) Pro Bowl: Nick Mangold the Jets' lone selection (Rich Cimini) METRO NEW YORK Jets' Dalton Freeman ready to step in for Nick Mangold (Kristian Dyer) Fullback John Connor comfortable with Jets (Kristian Dyer) TUESDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED PRESS Jets' Ryan believes 'one day' he'll win Super Bowl (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - Rex Ryan still pictures himself raising the Lombardi Trophy as a Super Bowlwinning head coach. Whether he gets another opportunity to try to deliver that title with the New York Jets remains to be seen. While owner Woody Johnson hasn't made his intentions public, there's a strong chance Ryan and perhaps general manager John Idzik could be fired after the season finale against the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. That possibility has done nothing to chip away at Ryan's confidence. "I was given some gifts and obviously a lot less in other areas, but I can coach football and I know that," Ryan said Tuesday. "But, it's more based on the people that I'm around and the people that I know. I think that gives me the belief that one day, I'm going to win that thing. That's how I feel." Ryan said that from the moment he was hired as the Jets' coach in 2009, and he nearly lived up to that bold declaration right away by taking his team to consecutive AFC title games in his first two seasons. It has been downhill since, though, as the Jets have missed the playoffs for four straight years with a 3-12 season that has some speculating that Johnson could clean house. "I don't look at myself as a three-win coach," Ryan said. "I know I'm better than that, yet this is where we're at right now." Ryan's news conference was vintage Rex, with the coach reflective at times, funny and emotional at others. And, it included a touch of those brash statements that have made for good headlines throughout his six seasons with the Jets. He was voted the winner of the media good guy award, an honor usually limited to players. But an exception was made this year for Ryan, who has always provided good fodder for reporters' notebooks. Such as this gem, when asked if he thinks that Super Bowl victory will come for him in New York. "Hey, I can't look past Sunday," Ryan said. "I think I'll win Sunday. That's how I think. But eventually, when it is, I just see myself winning it as a head coach. I definitely see it. If that happens, I guess we'll find out down the road." 2 P a g e

3 Under Ryan, the Jets haven't had a record above.500 since they were 11-5 during the 2010 season, when they fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance with a loss at Pittsburgh. Those days seem like ages ago, when Mark Sanchez, Darrelle Revis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes helped turn the Jets into the one of the best - and most-talked about - teams in the NFL. "These last couple seasons have been pretty tough, there's no doubt," Ryan said. "So, I'd say this one's probably a 'dog-year' season. We've only got three wins. At the same time, it feels like yesterday. So it's like, man, I'm still here with my guys and I enjoy coming to work. Like, every day I'm excited about presenting a game plan and doing different things and watching players grow. So, that part of it has been great." The players, nearly to a man, have publicly shown their support for Ryan during the past few weeks, with some such as D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Sheldon Richardson insisting that wholesale changes aren't necessary. Ryan says hearing that from his players "feels great," even if they might not have any say in the final outcome. "Just got to prepare," Richardson said. "Prepare for the worst." For many of the players, that means seeing Ryan leave, along with his coaching staff. Richardson credits defensive line coach Karl Dunbar for helping him develop in the player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, and was selected as the team's MVP this season by his teammates. "It would just be starting over again," Richardson said. "That's what it is, a fresh start for everybody. But who wants that? It's a weird situation, man. These are people's jobs and livelihoods we're talking about. We're talking about just removing them. It's tough. This is a sticky situation." Ryan is also uncertain as to whether he'll get the opportunity after Sunday's game to sit with Johnson and convey his desire to stay and try to bring that coveted Super Bowl to the Jets. "We'll see what happens," Ryan said. "I know it's a broken record, but it's really just about the job that I have right in front of me. I want to be great, I want our team to be great. I want our team to be focused and myself to be focused on the job at hand, and that's what I plan on doing. "Whatever happens after that will happen after that." NOTES: C Nick Mangold was selected for his sixth Pro Bowl, tying him with former center Kevin Mawae for the second-most in franchise history. OT Winston Hill was selected eight times as an AFL or NFL allstar from Four Jets were selected as alternates: Richardson (second alternate), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (third), Ferguson (fifth) and RB Chris Ivory (eighth). NEWSDAY Rex Ryan still believes he will win a Super Bowl as a head coach (Kimberley Martin) Newsday Rex Ryan may soon be out of a job, but he still believes that he can win a Super Bowl as a head coach. 3 P a g e

4 "One day, I'm going to win that thing," he said Tuesday. "That's how I feel. That's it. That's just the way I'm wired. I don't look at myself as a three-win coach. I know I'm better than that, yet this is where we're at right now." Ryan burst onto the scene as a first-year coach in 2009 determined not to "kiss" Bill Belichick's rings. But when asked if he still thinks he can win a Lombardi Trophy with the Jets, Ryan shifted the focus to his immediate future. "I can't look past Sunday," he said, smiling. "I think I'll win Sunday, that's how I think. But eventually, I just see myself winning it as a head coach. I definitely see it. If that happens, I guess we'll find out down the road." That road likely won't lead Ryan back to Florham Park, though. League sources confirmed to Newsday on Monday that owner Woody Johnson plans to hire former NFL general manager Charley Casserly as a consultant in the event that he fires his head coach and / or GM John Idzik after the season. Casserly, 66, won't be the only adviser Johnson will lean on if there's an overhaul, but the owner will be the one who decides their fate. Ryan, who was presented Tuesday with the Eskenazi "Good Guy" media award -- said he doesn't expect Sunday's game in Miami to be emotional for him. He also said he hasn't given any thought to it likely being his last game as the Jets' head coach. "Guys, I won't let it," he said. "I think the best thing for me is, I know I have a job to do and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Again, I'm not worried about it." Not too long ago, the Jets were the toast of the town. Long overshadowed by the Giants, Johnson's team garnered headlines because of Ryan's brash but lovable personality and their back-to-back playoff runs in 2009 and 2010 that ended a game shy of the Super Bowl. "I miss the days when you'd walk onto the practice field or inside [the fieldhouse] and you'd see that whole [balcony] lined up with people and all the reporters," Ryan said. "Yeah, I miss those days. I miss 'em. When we were in the playoffs and we kept rolling, and each time, there would be more and more [reporters]. Yeah, I definitely miss those days." The Jets have missed the playoffs four straight years since then, and now they can only hope to finish 2014 with a 4-12 record. "These last couple seasons have been pretty tough, there's no doubt," Ryan said. "This one is probably a dog-year season cause we only have three wins. But at the same time, it feels like yesterday [since the Jets were in the playoffs]." But don't think for a second that all this losing has tempered Ryan's self-confidence. "Nah, I haven't changed one bit," he said, flashing another smile. "People are going to be like: 'You've won three games, that's crazy.' Yeah, that's right. I won three games, and that's one year... I always am a confident person, not just because of my ability. I was given some gifts and, obviously, a lot less in other areas. But I can coach football and I know that. But it's more based on the people that I'm around and people that I know. And I think that's what gives me the belief that one day, I'm going to win that thing." Notes & quotes: Sheldon Richardson was voted the Curtis Martin Team MVP by the players. "[Rex] called my name and I had to look around and make sure it wasn't a typo," Richardson said. "I had to give a speech... wasn't ready for that at all. It was just a nice overwhelming feeling for me. I told the guys the season's not at all what we wanted or where we thought we would be, but I appreciate it a lot, I'm grateful for you guys and I love you."... C Nick Mangold (high ankle sprain) and WR/KR Percy Harvin (ribs) did not practice. Nick Mangold only Jet picked for Pro Bowl (Kimberley Martin) Newsday 4 P a g e

5 Center Nick Mangold was the only Jet selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl team. Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Chris Ivory were all selected as alternates. "It's a great honor to be selected," Mangold, now a six-time Pro Bowler, told the team's website. "My teammates, especially those in the trenches with me, were the ones that made this possible. Thank you to the great Jets fans that voted for me. "I am very proud to be representing the Jets in Arizona and I look forward to getting out there and wearing the green and white with pride." Richardson had said he would have been surprised if he didn't hear his name called during the Tuesday night selection show. "But if not, I won't miss it again," said the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, who is a second alternate. Richardson, the team's sack leader with seven, also was voted the Jets' MVP by his teammates. Wilkerson is a third alternate; Ferguson, a three-time Pro Bowl participant, is fifth alternate; and Ivory is eighth alternate. Sheldon Richardson named Curtis Martin Team MVP (Kimberley Martin) Newsday FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Second-year defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was named the Curtis Martin Team MVP, the Jets announced Tuesday. The award is voted on by the players. Richardson, the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year, leads the team with seven sacks and also has 63 tackles. Other Jets' award recipients included: Dennis Byrd Award (for the most inspirational player) -- outside linebacker Calvin Pace Kyle Clifton Award (for the locker room "Good Guy") -- tight end Zach Sudfeld Bill Hampton (for the rookie who acts most like a professional) -- offensive lineman Dakota Dozier Marty Lyons Award (for community service) -- cornerback Kyle Wilson Ed Block Courage Award -- safety Rontez Miles Jets to face NFC East and AFC South in 2015 (Kimberley Martin) Newsday 5 P a g e

6 The Jets' 2015 schedule is starting to take shape. The dates and times of next year's games have yet to be determined, but the Jets' opponents have been finalized. The team will face the NFC East and the AFC South next year. Naturally, the Jets will face their AFC East divisional opponents -- the Patriots, Bills and Dolphins -- once at home and on the road. But they'll also play the following non-divisional opponents at MetLife Stadium: the Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Redskins and Browns. The Jets will face the following non-divisional teams on the road: the Texans, Colts, Cowboys and Raiders. The Jets will also play the Giants at MetLife Stadium, though they're designated as the "road" team for that game. THE RECORD Jets notes: Richardson team MVP (Matt Ehalt) The Record December 24, Team MVP Second-year defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson took home the Curtis Martin Team MVP award, as voted on by his teammates. Richardson, a 2013 first-round pick, leads the team with seven sacks, and his 63 tackles are fourth-most on the team. "It meant a lot. I appreciate it, grateful, it s a blessing, there s a lot of guys who I voted for who didn t get it," Richardson said, adding he was very surprised. "They called my name I had to look around to make sure it wasn t a typo. I was happy though." The other five awards went to: Calvin Pace (Dennis Byrd award, most inspirational); Kyle Wilson (Marty Lyons award, community service); Rontez Miles (Ed Block award, courage); Zach Sudfeld (Kyle Clifton award, good guy); Dakota Dozier (Bill Hampton award, rookie who acts like a professional). Still got it Backup quarterback Michael Vick is a free agent at the end of the season, and would not say whether he would welcome a return to the Jets. "I couldn t say right now, I have to talk to my agent and see what s the best situation for me," Vick said. "Obviously this organization has to do what s best for them. I really can t say right now but hopefully I have a chance to play somewhere and give good effort." Vick, who has thrown three touchdown passes, believes he can still be a starter. "Absolutely, I think I can start, play at a high level, like I said," Vick said. "Talent around me, good structure, I feel I can win some games and still feel I got a lot left in the tank." Brief 6 P a g e

7 Nick Mangold (ankle) and Percy Harvin (ribs) did not practice and coach Rex Ryan does not expect to have either available against Miami. Jets look ahead: Jets at Dolphins (J.P. Pelzman) The Record December 43, Jets (3-12) at Dolphins (8-7) At Sun Life Stadium Sunday, 1 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: ESPN-FM 98.7 Early line: Dolphins by 5 1/2 The Dolphins have been eliminated from postseason contention, but are seeking their first winning season since 2008, when they won the AFC East title with former Jet Chad Pennington at QB. At least Miami has more certainty going into this season finale after owner Stephen Ross said that Joe Philbin will return as head coach next season. Rex Ryan has gotten no such support from Woody Johnson in recent weeks, and this could be the last game of his six-year tenure as Jets coach. In the spotlight Jets coach Rex Ryan. Ryan has been through many highs and lows during his tenure in green and white, and some of his recent comments have implied that he expects to be coaching again very soon if Johnson fires him after the season ends. Ryan showed in the Jets narrow loss to New England that he still can draw up a terrific defensive game plan, and he could be a good fit for a veteran-laden team that already has a solid quarterback in place. Game plan The Jets rushed for 277 yards and 5.7 per carry in a loss to Miami earlier this month, and likely will try to run the ball again to stay away from the Dolphins excellent crew of pass rushers. Smith is from nearby Miramar, Fla., so this game should have special meaning for him. He also might be playing to impress other NFL teams, if the Jets decide to move on from him next year. Miami QB Ryan Tannehill passed for 397 yards and four TDs in a comeback win over Minnesota three days ago. Jets: Rex Ryan not giving up on belief (Matt Ehalt) The Record FLORHAM PARK Rex Ryan entered town talking about Super Bowls and ending the Jets' drought, which now stands at 45 years. In what could be his last season in New York, Ryan once again was not shy in expressing his belief that one day he'll win it all. 7 P a g e

8 "One day I'm going to win that thing, that's how I feel. That's it," Ryan said in an honest moment Tuesday. "That's just the way I'm wired. I don't look at myself as a three-win coach. I know I'm better than that, yet this is where we're at right now." The question remains, though, whether Ryan will have that shot with the Jets. As the Jets prepare for Sunday's season finale against Miami, all signs point to it being Ryan's final game as coach. Jets players publicly have supported Ryan the past two days, but four straight years without a trip to the playoffs may doom him. "I can't look past Sunday. I think I will Sunday. That's how I think" Ryan said. "I see myself winning [the Super Bowl] as a head coach, I definitely see it. If that happens [with the Jets], I guess we'll find out down the road." As the Jets have stumbled to a 3-12 record, it appears Ryan is on his way out. And those perceptions became even stronger after it was revealed Jets owner Woody Johnson plans to consult former general manager Charley Casserly in the event he parts ways with Ryan, as well as GM John Idzik, who also is on the hot seat. Ryan, who has won just 25 games in the last four seasons after winning 20 in his first two, is not letting himself think about the possibility this could be his final game as the Jets coach. Ryan enters this divisional matchup with a career regular-season record of 45-50, and hasn't posted a winning record in any of the last four seasons. "I won't let it [be a focus]," Ryan said. "I think the best thing for me is I have a job to do and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm not going to worry about it." While Ryan isn't broaching the topic of this being his potential last game with the Jets, his players have acknowledged it, and continue to offer support for him, through their plays and their words. Despite being eliminated from the playoffs, the Jets have played hard at the end of the year, including a narrow defeat to the AFC's top team, New England, on Sunday. Offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson said Tuesday the Jets "love" their coach. Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said the Jets' record lends itself to changes being made, but believes the team has shown Johnson where it stands regarding Ryan's future. "I'm pretty sure he sees these interviews that all the guys are preaching out to him," Richardson said. "But it's still his team, whatever he decides is what we have to go with." Ryan, who prides himself on being a player's coach, is touched by the overwhelming support his players have shown for him in recent days. "That feels great. I think they know that I'll give them an honest effort each time out. We do our best as coaches. It's not just me, it's everybody," Ryan said. "We try to put our players in the best position to be successful and unfortunately it hasn't worked out this year in the way of the record. They know we're going to give our best, and I think they appreciate that. They know we respect them and we care about them. "I think that's the biggest thing, and it sounds so easy, yet I don't know. They know it's genuine." NJ ADVANCE MEDIA 8 P a g e

9 Jets' Nick Mangold makes Pro Bowl, but Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson are left out (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media on_muhammad_wilkerson_are_left_out.html On Tuesday afternoon, Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said he would be surprised and disappointed if he didn't make the Pro Bowl. Sure enough, he didn't make it. Center Nick Mangold is the Jets' only Pro Bowler this year. The game's participants were revealed Tuesday night. It is the sixth Pro Bowl of Mangold's nine-year career. Richardson, a second-year pro, and fellow defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson, a fourth-year pro, are still awaiting their first appearance in the game. Richardson and Wilkerson will be Pro Bowl alternates, as will left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and running back Chris Ivory. The six defensive tackles who made the game ahead of Richardson and Wilkerson were Buffalo's Marcell Dareus, St. Louis' Aaron Donald, Tampa Bay's Gerald McCoy, Kansas City's Dontari Poe, Buffalo's Kyle Williams and Detroit's Ndamukong Suh. Pro Bowl voting was divided into thirds, between the fans, the players and the coaches. Each segment counted one-third toward the final result. Coming out of fan voting, Wilkerson was fourth among defensive tackles, Richardson fifth. Mangold emerged from fan voting fifth among centers. The other centers to make the Pro Bowl were Dallas' Travis Frederick, Philadelphia's Jason Kelce and Pittsburgh's Maurkice Pouncey. Mangold wasn't initially voted into the Pro Bowl last year. He was an alternate, but appeared in the game because Seattle center Max Unger had Super Bowl obligations. So there is a chance Wilkerson and/or Richardson could land in the Pro Bowl as an alternate, if another player has to pull out. But at least for Tuesday night, both players were left presumably disappointed by their exclusion from the NFL's all-star game. Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson says he will be surprised if he doesn't make Pro Bowl (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media _surprised_if_he_doesnt_make_pro_bowl.html FLORHAM PARK -- Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson won the team's most valuable player award Tuesday. Later in the day, he will find out if he made his first Pro Bowl, in his second season. 9 P a g e

10 Richardson said he plans to watch the Pro Bowl selection show on the NFL Network at 8 p.m., and that he would be both disappointed and surprised if he doesn't make it. "I would be, actually," he said. "But if not, I won't miss it again." Last season, Richardson won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. At the completion of fan voting, which comprises one-third of the Pro Bowl results, Richardson and two other Jets appeared to have decent shots at making the all-star game: center Nick Mangold and defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson. The top six players at each position make the game. Wilkerson was fourth in the fan voting among defensive tackles, Richardson fifth. Mangold was fifth among centers. The other two-thirds of the voting is made up of players' and coaches' votes. Richardson said defensive linemen voted only for offensive linemen, which is the way the NFL has always run Pro Bowl voting. "It seems fair to me," Richardson said. He said he voted for, among others: Bills center Eric Wood, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Pouncey's identical twin brother, Dolphins right guard Mike Pouncey, whom Richardson will face again Sunday in the season finale. Richardson faced all three of those players this season. He said the Pouncey twins were the toughest matchup for him all year. "They just go hard, man," Richardson said. "Gave me a run for my money a little bit. It was a great battle between all three of us. Got another one again (this weekend)." Jets 'prepare for the worst,' as potential firing of Rex Ryan, John Idzik nears, says Sheldon Richardson (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media n_john_idzik_nears_says_sheldon_richardson.html FLORHAM PARK -- Change is coming to One Jets Drive, and it could sweep across the entire organization. Even a player in his second NFL season can see this, and could understand what it meant when news emerged Monday that Jets owner Woody Johnson plans to hire Charley Casserly, the former longtime NFL general manager, as a consultant, should Johnson decide to fire coach Rex Ryan and/or GM John Idzik. Ryan is almost certainly gone, and Idzik could also follow, even though this is just his second season on the job. The Jets are 3-12 entering Sunday's finale at Miami. If they lose, it will be their worst record since 1996, when they went They finished 3-13 in Just five times in franchise history have they won three games or fewer in a season. Before 1995, they hadn't done it since the 3-11 seasons of So, Richardson said a move like the potential Casserly hire "was expected." "Our record says it, so that was expected," he said. "Just got to prepare, prepare for the worst." 10 P a g e

11 Richardson doesn't want Ryan or Idzik to lose his job. Idzik drafted Richardson 13th overall in one of the GM's few highlights, since Richardson could make this year's Pro Bowl and was last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. "But hey, it's still (Johnson's) team," Richardson said. "Whatever he decides is what we've got to go with. I don't want anyone to lose their job. I love it here. The people I'm working around, the organization itself, the staff, man, it's great." The Jets' prodigious defensive linemen are particularly close to their position coach, Karl Dunbar. If he is not retained by the likely new head coach, "it would hurt a lot," Richardson said. "The reason why I'm (as) productive as I am is because of that man right there and my teammates," Richardson said of Dunbar. "It would just be starting over again. That's what it is. A fresh start for everybody. But who wants that? It's a weird situation, man. These are people's jobs and livelihoods we're talking about. We're talking about just removing them. It's tough. This is a sticky situation." Last year, the Jets also closed the season in Miami. They won the game, to finish 8-8. In the locker room afterward, Johnson told the players that Ryan would be retained. They mobbed a teary-eyed Ryan in a jubilant celebration. A year later, the Jets are 3-12 and have lost 12 of 14 games since the season-opening win over Oakland. "I didn't think we were going to take as big of a step, this far back," Richardson said. "Nah, not at all." Why and how did it happen? Last year, the Jets went 5-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less. Their average margin of victory was 6.6 points. Their average margin of defeat was 18.8 points. This season, the Jets are 3-6 in games decided by a touchdown or less, with another loss by eight points. Their average margin of victory is 5.7 points. Their average margin of defeat is 12.3 points. Yes, they have lost by 20, 31 and 35 in But they had blowout losses last season, too, by 20, 23, 25 and 40. In terms of average point differential per game, the Jets last season finished 26th in the NFL (minus-6.1). This season, they are 29th (minus-8.7). The difference, of course, is that the Jets won most of their close games last year, and they lost most of them this season. Besides the Jets' three big losses this season, their average margin of defeat in their other nine losses is 6.9 points. That's what leaves Richardson feeling encouraged as he looks ahead to 2015, when a new coach (and perhaps a new GM) will try to fix this franchise, since almost winning isn't acceptable at this level. "We're not far, man," Richardson said. "We're not far at all. Every loss we've had, besides three of them, were pretty close losses to me, man. We're not that far off, believe it or not. I know it's hard to believe, but we're not that far off." What odds does Jets' Rex Ryan put on Nick Mangold, Percy Harvin playing at Miami Dolphins? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media le_percy_harvin_ribs_playing_at_miami_dolphins.html 11 P a g e

12 FLORHAM PARK -- It's still early in the week, but it doesn't look like the Jets will have center Nick Mangold (sprained left ankle) or wide receiver Percy Harvin (bruised ribs) for this week's season finale at Miami. Both players were hurt in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. Neither practiced Tuesday. The Jets are usually off on Tuesdays, but they practiced Tuesday this week because coach Rex Ryan is giving them off for Christmas. "I am not going to count them out, certainly," Ryan said of Mangold's and Harvin's statuses for the finale. But, Ryan added, "If I was a betting man, I might look at a different option." Ryan said he believes Mangold has a high ankle sprain. He is still wearing a walking boot. Mangold, who entered the NFL in 2006, has missed just two career games. Both came in 2011, when he was sidelined by a high right ankle sprain. If Mangold can't play in Miami, the Jets would turn to second-year pro Dalton Freeman to replace him. Freeman, an undrafted player, spent all of last season on the Jets' practice squad. Before he replaced Mangold on Sunday against the Patriots, Freeman had played just seven snaps all season. Freeman played 42 of 63 snaps on Sunday. Ryan said Harvin's ribs aren't broken, but "he can't do a whole lot. He can't laugh or anything else. He has some pain there. I know it's a cartilage thing. It's painful." Harvin sustained a serious ankle sprain earlier this month at Minnesota, but didn't miss any games, playing the next two weeks against the Titans and Patriots. This time, though, he might not be able to return as quickly. Jets' Rex Ryan says he still believes he will win a Super Bowl as a head coach (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media _bowl_as_a_head_coach.html FLORHAM PARK -- He swaggered into town almost six years ago now, the new coach of a star-crossed franchise. Rex Ryan talked Super Bowl championships, guaranteed them, and he almost cashed in that promise twice. Ryan made the Jets matter, made people want to watch them -- and him -- for all of his bravado, in good times and bad. At this time next week, Ryan, 52, almost certainly will be unemployed. Owner Woody Johnson is widely expected to fire him after Sunday's season finale at Miami. But while Ryan's professional life will change, his personal belief that he can win a Super Bowl as a head coach won't. He made that clear Wednesday, at one of his final press conferences. Even in a 3-12 season, Ryan said his feelings of self-confidence "haven't changed one bit. People are going to be like, 'That's crazy. You've won three games.' Yeah, that's right. Yep, I've won three games. And that's one year. Sure, it hadn't gone well. I'm sure of myself. I always am a confident person, not just because of my abilities. "I was given some gifts. Obviously, a lot less in other areas, but I can coach football. And I know that. It's more based on the people that I'm around and people that I know. I think that's what gives me the belief that one day, I'm going to win that thing. That's how I feel. That's it. I guess that's just the way I'm wired. I don't look at myself as a three-win coach. I know I'm better than that. Yet this is where we're at right now. 12 P a g e

13 "I see myself winning it as a head coach. I definitely see it. If that happens, I guess we'll find out down the road." Ryan clarified that, yes, he was talking about winning the Super Bowl. "Yeah, absolutely," he said. "I don't need to win something else, the Snoopy Trophy (given to the winner of the Jets-Giants preseason game). I've won that a couple times, so I feel confident that I can win it again." This was a vintage Ryan press conference -- emotional, funny, declarative and, above all else, candid. It is all going to end in a few days, as it should, because Ryan did not win enough football games. The Jets have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons. Since reaching their second straight AFC Championship Game in 2010, Ryan's second season, they have collapsed. They went in Ryan's first two years, including 2-1 in the playoffs both years. Since the start of 2011, the Jets are Monday's news that Johnson will hire the former longtime NFL general manager Charley Casserly as a consultant for potential offseason changes further signaled that Johnson might overhaul not only his coaching staff, but also the Jets' front office. While Sunday could be John Idzik's final game as the Jets' general manager, there is hardly a shred of hope left that Ryan will remain with the organization past this trip to Miami. This season's nosedive, coming off an 8-8 season, makes it easy to forget that the Jets were the toast of the town not all that long ago. Ryan relished the attention. "I miss the days when you'd walk out on the practice field or inside, and you'd see that whole thing lined up with people, with all the reporters," he said. "Yeah, I miss those days. I miss them. We were in the playoffs and we kept rolling, and each time, there'd be more and more and more (reporters at practice). I definitely miss those days. These last couple seasons have been pretty tough. There's no doubt. I'd say this one is probably a dog year season. At the same time, it feels like yesterday (that the Jets were winning)." Ryan initially said Wednesday that he didn't expect to get emotional or sentimental on Sunday. He said he "won't let it" cross his mind that this could be his final game as the Jets' head coach. He did acknowledge it "feels great" to have players publicly lobby for his return, though there is pretty much zero chance he comes back. He knows this. Eventually, Ryan couldn't help himself Wednesday. He rarely ever could. The questions about his fond memories and uncertain future continued, and here he was, for one of the last times, offering all the big, honest talk that always made him impossible to ignore. Michael Vick still thinks he can be an NFL starting quarterback (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media erback_somewhere.html FLORHAM PARK When he signed a one-year deal with the Jets back in March, Michael Vick understood his role. He understood the team's plan was to develop Geno Smith, that his own job was to push and mentor Smith, and that the starting quarterback's spot would be Smith's to lose. And with that one season now winding down, with the Jets at 3-12 and likely facing a major overhaul this offseason, and with Vick only having had three chances to start in Smith's place, Vick is at a crossroads. 13 P a g e

14 He'll be 35 in June, and he'll be a free agent. Depending on who's asking the questions, he wants to stay with the Jets, or to play in Washington, which is not far from his native Virginia. He also doesn't know what his future holds. But he does think he can be a starter again, somewhere. "Yeah, absolutely," Vick said Tuesday. "I still think I can start. I still feel like I can play at a high level. With the right talent around me, a good structure, I feel like I can win some games. I still feel like I've got a lot left in the tank." Vick has a Total QBR of just 22.2, though he did twice post a quarterback rating of more than 100 in two of the three starts he made for Smith. He hasn't played at all since Smith replaced him in the second half of a blowout loss to the Bills in Detroit on Nov. 24. The Jets close their season Sunday in Miami. Vick said he doesn't think he can play for another five years, but said "maybe a good, solid two." "So I'm just going to train for that, get ready for that, set my mindset," he said. "And if it don't happen, and if I've got to grind my way back up into a starting position, then that's what it'll be." In a recent interview with NJ.com, Vick said it was "hard as a competitor" to be a backup behind Smith, but that he had accepted it when he signed his contract with that understanding in mind. He's just not sure if he hurt his case to be a starter somewhere next year by accepting that role. "I wouldn't know," Vick told NJ.com. "I think the people who are looking into that will have to just evaluate me from what they've seen this year, from what they've seen in the past, and take a real good look at me in whatever regard. But Im going to continue to compete wherever I end up, if given the opportunity." Where did Jets' Jeff Cumberland get that silly sword-fighting touchdown celebration? (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media _that_silly_sword-fighting_touchdown_celebratio.html FLORHAM PARK One of the more light-hearted moments of the Jets' loss to the Patriots on Sunday was this: That's Jeff Cumberland, the Jets' tight end, celebrating after catching a 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that tied the game at 7. But, like, what was that? Caution: Hard-hitting journalism ahead. "It's something me and the tight ends came up with," Cumberland said. "We said if one of us scored a touchdown, then what could we all do that would kind of look the same doing it." You'll notice that Jace Amaro, one of the Jets' other tight ends, came over and almost began to mimic sword fighting with Cumberland before thinking the better of it. Amaro likely would have drawn a penalty flag had he joined the fun, because the NFL, which is in the entertainment business, tends to frown on any attempts by its players to actually be entertaining. Cumberland, who has caught two touchdown passes this season one in each game against the Patriots said he didn't have any real inspiration for the sword fighting bit. "It was something that just popped up out of nowhere," he said "It wasn't something I saw or anything. Something different or unique." 14 P a g e

15 Cumberland said he'd heard from people about the move, from some who liked it and some who didn't. Let the record show that those who didn't take life (and football) much too seriously. "It's always like that," Cumberland said. "You're always going to have people that like something, and others that don't." NEW YORK POST Vick on desire of being a Jet in 2015: I couldn t say right now (Brian Costello) New York Post December 24, Michael Vick is unsure of his own future, and Geno Smith s. The Jets backup quarterback said he would like to keep playing in 2015, but he does not sound like he is clamoring for a second season with the Jets. His contract is up at the end of the year. I don t know, Vick said when asked if he d like to stay with Gang Green. I couldn t say right now. I d have to talk to my agent and see what s the best situation for me. Obviously, this organization has to do what s best for them. I really can t say right now, but hopefully I have a chance to play somewhere and continue to give that effort. Vick, 34, started three games for the Jets in the middle of the season before the team switched back to Smith. Vick said he s not ready to just be a backup. I still feel like I can start, he said. I still feel like I can play at a high level, like I said. I think with the right talent around me and good structure I feel like I can win some games. I still feel like I have a lot left in the tank. I can t say it s five years worth, but maybe it s a good solid two. I m just going to train for that, get ready for that and set my mind-set. If it doesn t happen and I have to grind my way back up to a starting position, then that s what it will be. I think at the end of the day my mind-set is to just continue to play football. I love the game. I want to continue to play until it s all out of me. Vick spent this year mentoring Smith, who has struggled. The Jets face a decision on moving forward with Smith or moving on. Vick said he did not know how he would evaluate Smith if asked by management. I wouldn t know. Honestly, I wouldn t know, he said. Hopefully, whoever is doing the evaluations can see what they need to see. There s some room for improvement. There is with all of us in this locker room. After saying that, Vick added: Don t misconstrue that. He then praised Smith. I think Geno has a lot of potential to be a great quarterback in this league, he said. For some guys it takes more time. There s a lot of different moving parts that goes along with a quarterback being successful. Mangold selected to Pro Bowl; Richardon, Wilkerson alternates (Dan Martin) New York Post 15 P a g e

16 December 24, Nick Mangold was selected to his sixth Pro Bowl on Tuesday, but a pair of his Jets teammates on the other side of the ball who were thought to have a good shot at going to Phoenix on Jan. 25 didn t make the cut. Defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson were named alternates and could end up in the game. RB Chris Ivory and LT D Brickashaw Ferguson are also alternates. Before the selections being announced, Richardson said he would be surprised if he didn t hear his name called. I would be, said Richardson, a 2013 first-round pick from Missouri. But if not, I won t miss it again. Richardson was the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and only has gotten better. He has doubled his sack total from a year ago, to seven, but he wasn t helped by the team s dreadful showing this season. Wilkerson, in his fourth season, has five sacks despite missing three games with an injured toe. As for Mangold, the center is now tied with Kevin Mawae for second in franchise history with six Pro Bowls. Tackle Winston Hill was named eight times in the AFL and NFL from It s a great honor to be selected, Mangold told the team s website. My teammates, especially those in the trenches with me, were the ones that made this possible. Thank you to the great Jets fans that voted for me. I am very proud to be representing the Jets in Arizona and I look forward to getting out there and wearing the green and white with pride. Ex-Packers GM Ron Wolf may be Woody Johnson s 2nd consultant (Brian Costello & Dan Martin) New York Post December 24, Jets owner Woody Johnson is not stopping at Charley Casserly in his search for consultants to help him in find replacements for general manager John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan should, as expected, he fire them next week. NFL Network reported former Packers general manager Ron Wolf has been approached about joining Casserly as a consultant for Johnson, but nothing has been agreed to. Wolf would give any GM or coaching search instant credibility. He is credited with turning the Packers franchise around as their GM from Wolf is no stranger to the Jets. He served as personnel director for one year before taking the Packers job. Wolf also was a longtime personnel man with the Raiders. Wolf, 75, serves on the NFL s Career Advisory Panel along with Casserly, which recommends GM and coaching candidates to teams. He assisted the Raiders in their GM search in 2012 and served as a consultant to Chargers ownership in their GM search in The fact that Johnson is lining up consultants is viewed as the biggest sign that Idzik will be fired after just two years with the Jets. In a season filled with disappointment, Sheldon Richardson stood out as one of the few positives for the Jets and he insisted that despite the last-place AFC East finish, the team was close to being competitive. 16 P a g e

17 It hurts being in this situation, but we re not that far off, the defensive end said Tuesday after being voted the team s MVP by his teammates. I know it s hard to believe, but we re not that far off. But the second-year player said change in the organization was likely. It was expected, Richardson said. Our record says it. We ve just got to prepare. Richardson, who stands out as perhaps the best thing to come out of the Idzik era, said he didn t believe the Jets were as bad as the 3-12 record indicates. He pointed to the fact that only three of the dozen losses were lopsided and they had a chance to win the other nine. Richardson couldn t provide any answers for why things had gone so wrong. We re a good team, we just can t get a win, Richardson said. But we ve got a lot of guys here who are proven in the league. Just for some reason, we can t get it finished. And it has been a lot different than what Richardson expected. This season is not what we wanted or where at all we thought we were gonna be, Richardson said. I didn t think we d take a step this far back. Not at all. Coach Rex Ryan stopped short of saying C Nick Mangold (left ankle) and WR Percy Harvin (ribs) would miss Sunday s finale game against the Dolphins, but neither appears likely to play. Both players sat out Tuesday s practice and Ryan said Mangold remained in a boot and the pain in Harvin s ribs prevented the receiver from doing pretty much any activity. I m not going to count them out, certainly, Ryan said. If I was a betting man, I might look at a different option. DE Muhammad Wilkerson returned from a turf toe injury Sunday after missing three games. He played 59-of-64 snaps, a development that surprised his coaches. They thought I would go about plays. I wasn t going to just shut it down. I felt pretty good, said Wilkerson, who had two tackles and a half sack. It was bothering me for a couple of plays and I came out. I wasn t going to limit myself. If I felt like I could go, I was going to go. Ryan was presented the Eskenazi Good Guy Award, as voted by the media. The biggest decision facing mystery GM (Brian Costello) New York Post It appears John Idzik is in his final days as general manager of the Jets. With Woody Johnson out hiring consultants, no one around the league expects Idzik to return. Whoever Johnson and his trusted advisers find to take the job will have plenty of problems to solve. There will be the matter of finding a head coach, figuring out who will play quarterback and patching up a roster that has more holes than Augusta National. One decision the new GM faces is more fascinating than any, though. What do you do with Percy Harvin, who is due to make $10.5 million in 2015? 17 P a g e

18 Harvin was Idzik s going-away present to the Jets, a desperation trade made in mid-october to try to provide some punch to an offense with few weapons. The move was called a potential coup by Idzik. The Jets sent a conditional draft pick to Seattle for Harvin and acquired a potential gamebreaker. But Harvin s time with the Jets has illustrated just why Harvin is such a puzzling player. There is no questioning his talent. He is a dynamic player who stands out on a field filled with professional athletes. Harvin s speed is hard to find and he is willing to do what is asked of him. Somehow, though, that has not translated into production. Harvin has 29 catches for 350 yards and one touchdown in eight games with the Jets. Unquestionably, the struggles the Jets have had at quarterback with Geno Smith and Michael Vick is partly to blame for that. But Harvin has also battled injuries, something that has plagued him in his career. He injured his ribs on Sunday and may not play in the Jets finale against the Dolphins. Since he has been a Jet, Harvin has not been a problem in the locker room, but he had well-documented issues in Seattle and Minnesota that would give anyone pause before committing to him long-term. His Jets teammates swear by him. Percy has brought a lot of energy to this team. He s been a bright spot for us, Vick said. The thing you respect about him the most is Percy s heart is as big as a lion. He just wants to win. He don t care what he has to do. If you want him to block, he ll block. If you want him to throw the ball, he ll throw the ball. Whatever it takes. The endorsements from teammates are nice, but the Jets only have to look back on the Santonio Holmes mess to see how a player can change after he gets a contract. All of this leaves the Jets with a tough decision. It s hard to make a case for Harvin being worth $10.5 million, but the Jets need dynamic players and kicking one out of the building seems to be counterproductive. The team is going to be swimming in salarycap space after this season and will have to use a good chunk of it as required by the collective bargaining agreement. If he stays on the roster, the Seahawks get the Jets fourth-round pick. If not, the pick is a sixth-rounder. The playbook on something like this for NFL GMs is to force the player to take a pay cut. Threaten to release the player unless he agrees to take less. Harvin has let it be known he will not take a pay cut to remain with the Jets. If the Jets cut him, he will pick a team with a better quarterback situation and a brighter short-term future. We re early in the process and all of that may just be posturing. In speaking to several people around the NFL, the consensus was Harvin would get $5 million or $6 million per year on the open market. So the Jets could cut Harvin loose, tell him to get the best offer he can and then come back to them. If it s close to $10 million, say good luck to him. If it s $6 million, offer him $7 million and see if playing somewhere else is worth leaving a million dollars on the table. Whoever the Jets find to replace Idzik will face a number of difficult decisions, none tougher than what to do with Harvin. Rex Ryan: I ll win Super Bowl as a coach, I m that good (Dan Martin) New York Post 18 P a g e