NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS. December 5, 2015 Table of Contents

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1 NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS December 5, 2015 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 1 Jets' Revis sidelined for Giants game with concussion (Dennis Waszak)... 1 Jets honor 18 military families with holiday party (Dennis Waszak)... 3 More than rivalry on the line for Jets and Giants: playoffs! (Tom Canavan)... 4 NEWSDAY... 5 Jets coach Bowles: Revis is out for Giants showdown (Brian Heyman)... 5 THE RECORD... 6 Jets have secondary problems as Odell Beckham Jr. looms (Jeff Roberts)... 6 ESPN NEW YORK... 8 It's official: Jets CB Darrelle Revis ruled out, backup Marcus Williams doubtful (Rich Cimini)... 8 Jets WR Brandon Marshall wants Super Bowl ring, not just playoff fling (Rich Cimini)... 8 NEW YORK POST Darrelle Revis is definitely out, and that s not the worst news (Howie Kussoy) Jets urgently need season-saving game-changer who ll it be? (Mark Cannizzaro) Breaking down how Jets can stop Beckham if it s possible (Dan Martin) Jets ground game could get offense to finally strike right balance (Howie Kussoy) NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Darrelle Revis officially out for Jets-Giants game; Marcus Williams doubtful (Dom Cosentino) Jets have NFL's top-ranked red-zone offense. How'd that happen? (Dom Cosentino) Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul 'as dangerous as he's always been,' per Jets' Todd Bowles (Dom Cosentino) Giants' Odell Beckham Jr.: Calvin Pace says Jets want to 'make it a tough day for him' (Darryl Slater) Amid playoff push, Chris Ivory says Jets' 'vibe is different,' and they 'know what's in front of us' (Darryl Slater). 18 NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Jets' Darrelle Revis ruled out for Giants game Sunday (Justin Tasch) FRIDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED PRESS Jets' Revis sidelined for Giants game with concussion (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets are taking on Odell Beckham Jr. without Darrelle Revis. 1 P a g e

2 Coach Todd Bowles announced Friday that the star cornerback is officially listed as out for the game Sunday because of a concussion. Revis attended meetings Friday for the first time since being injured at Houston on Nov. 22 before being sent home for the day. He has not practiced or played since suffering the concussion and has continued the NFL's protocol for head injuries. "He sat in on meetings," Bowles said. "It's a step forward. I don't know how much, but it is a step forward." Marcus Williams, Revis' backup, is doubtful with a sprained left knee that he said is getting better by the day. Bowles had said Thursday that Williams would likely be a game-time decision, and the cornerback said he's still approaching his status as such. But Bowles was "skeptical" Friday that the cornerback will be able to play. The Jets could use a combination of Buster Skrine, Darrin Walls, Dexter McDougle and Dee Milliner in Revis' spot. Antonio Cromartie could draw the assignment of covering Beckham, although Bowles wouldn't give away the team's game plan. "If Marcus can't go, they're interchangeable," Bowles said of the other defensive backs. "We practice everybody there, anyway." Revis' availability for next week's game against Tennessee also remains uncertain. "It all depends on how he's coming along," Bowles said. "Hopefully, he feels better next week, but it's too early to tell." Williams was injured last Sunday against Miami on an interception return in the first quarter after starting in Revis' place. He has a team-leading five INTs as a versatile backup who has started at both safety and cornerback this season. The challenge for Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers will be drawing up a game plan to defend the playmaking Beckham, who has 72 catches for 1,005 yards and nine touchdowns this season. "He's a challenge even if we had them," Bowles said of not having Revis and likely not Williams. "Great players like that always challenge you game plan-wise. Luckily for our guys that back up, we're fortunate that all those guys have played in games." Skrine, the Jets' primary nickel corner, has started 42 games during his five-year career and has 44 total tackles this season. Walls has had limited action on defense this year while working mainly on special teams, but started 12 games last season for the Jets. McDougle missed his rookie season last year with a knee injury, but has played in every game this season except the opener. Milliner, the team's top pick in 2013, is still working his way back into the lineup after starting the season on short-term injured reserve because of a wrist injury. "They're not coming in raw," Bowles said of the group. "They have some experience. We're just asking them to not do too much, just do their job." From what linebacker Calvin Pace has seen on film, the Giants move Beckham around the field throughout the game. "You can't really key on him," Pace said. "It's going to take a full effort, different guys on him, getting hands on him, just make it a tough day for him." 2 P a g e

3 Pace compared Beckham to Houston star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is third in the NFL with 81 catches five of them coming against the Jets two weeks ago. "A guy who can make a lot of acrobatic catches, fast," Pace said of Beckham. "It's just a situation where we have to do a good job up front of getting to Eli. The back-end guys have got to keep (Beckham) in front of them, and don't allow him to get any big plays." The Jets acknowledge that defending Beckham is a tough task, but insisted that the Giants' offense is much more than just him and quarterback Eli Manning. Rueben Randle has 40 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns, Dwayne Harris has 27 receptions for 332 yards and four TDs and running back Shane Vereen has 40 catches for 342 yards and three scores. "I think they have a great receiving corps in general," Walls said. "All their guys are capable guys. We have a challenge at hand with not just (Beckham), but all their guys. It'll be a good matchup." NOTES: Pace was limited at practice and is questionable with a strained abdomen, while S Dion Bailey is doubtful with a sprained ankle. Bailey has missed the last three games.... Bowles on Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who's looking for his first sack after missing the first eight games while recovering from a July 4 accident that seriously damaged his right hand: "Just looking at him on film, he's getting off the ball, like he always has," the Jets coach said. "I'm sure he himself would like to tweak some things, but he's just as dangerous to us as he's always been." Jets honor 18 military families with holiday party (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets saluted 18 military families with a holiday-themed party, complete with good, ol' St. Nick Mangold. The Atlantic Health Jets Women's Organization hosted the families, as identified by the United Service Organizations, for a celebration Friday at the team's training facility. Jets center Nick Mangold played the role of Santa Claus, his bushy beard making him a natural pick, as children of military members hopped on his lap to make their holiday wishes and pose for pictures. General manager Mike Maccagnan escorted the families around the team's facility, including the Jets' field house and weight room. The families watched the Jets prepare for their game against the Giants on Sunday at practice in the morning, which was followed by the children decorating gingerbread houses and cookies and also creating care packages for their parents currently serving. Spouses of military personnel were also treated to manicures and massages, and all the families ended the day with dinner in the player cafeteria. "During a time of the year where we are reminded to be thankful, our goal was to extend our sincerest gratitude for the sacrifices that our military families continuously make for our country," said Betty Maccagnan, wife of the Jets GM and a member of the Atlantic Health Jets Women's Organization. "We hope we accomplished that today." Along with Betty Maccagnan, Taneka Bowles wife of Jets coach Todd Bowles and Dana Glat wife of team president Neil Glat help the team's community relations department oversee the AHJWO, 3 P a g e

4 which includes wives, fiancees and significant others of Jets players, coaches and football support employees as well as other female members of the team's staff. The AHJWO teams up with select charities in the community to hold events. "It is with great pleasure that the AHJWO was able to host this event during the holiday season in honor of the United Service Organizations," Betty Maccagnan said. More than rivalry on the line for Jets and Giants: playoffs! (Tom Canavan) Associated Press December 5, EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) In recent years, a game between the Jets and Giants would be for the braggin' rights in the New York metropolitan area. Little else was at stake for two bad teams. Not this year. Not even close. Sunday's game at co-owned and co-shared MetLife Stadium is about the prize that has eluded these teams for years. It's about making the playoffs. The Jets (6-5) and Giants (5-6) enter December with legitimate chances to make the postseason. The Giants haven't been there since winning the Super Bowl after the 2011 season. The Jets last made it in 2010, going to the conference title game for the second straight year. Tom Coughlin and the Giants are tied for the NFC East lead with Washington with five games left. Rookie coach Todd Bowles and the Jets are among five teams in the second flight of the AFC behind New England, Denver and Cincinnati. "I think, yeah, it's a big game for both teams, and I think that's how we look at it," Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. "It's probably not as big of a rivalry as you think, we only play every four years. A lot of these guys have never played them. You see each other in preseason. So I think we're just worried about it's a game that's important for our season and the possible outcome..." Bowles doesn't remember the teams being big rivals when he was growing up in nearby Elizabeth, and he has a hard time seeing a rivalry now. "I don't think it's a rivalry because you don't play them as much," he said. "They're not in the same division. You only play them once every (four) years. The fact that we're in the same city, same stadium makes it very interesting for the fan base, but other than that, no." Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul insisted he didn't remember anything from 2011, the last time the teams met in the regular season. "Honestly, it doesn't matter," Pierre-Paul said. "At this point, we're just trying to win the game, and go on to the next game, and win that one as well." Neither team has been making much of a playoff run. The Giants have lost two in a row; while coming off a win over Miami, the Jets have dropped four of six. Some things to watch for during Sunday's game: MANNING-BECKHAM AIRWAYS: The Giants have turned to the pass with the running game struggling. Manning has thrown 176 times in the last four games 64 percent of the offense and targeted Odell 4 P a g e

5 Beckham Jr. 56 times, or roughly 32 percent. Beckham has 30 catches for 481 yards and five touchdowns. The other receivers don't get the ball much, with Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris each being targeted 24 times, and tight end Will Tye 23. Combined they have five touchdown catches. The running game has 90 carries in that span for 314 yards a 3.4 yard average and no touchdowns. STUFFED UP: The Jets held Miami to 12 yards rushing on nine attempts to set a franchise record for fewest yards allowed on the ground. They lead the NFL with 84.4 yards allowed per game, and opponents have been held under 100 yards six times this season. That's all bad news for the Giants' banged-up offensive line. Right guard Geoff Schwartz is out for the season with a broken left leg. Center Weston Richburg (ankle) and left guard Justin Pugh (concussion) are close to returning. Right tackle Marshall Newhouse missed practice this week with a back ailment. REVIS ISLAND CLOSED AGAIN?: Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis appears likely to sit out his second straight game with a concussion, meaning his showdown with Odell Beckham Jr. would have to wait until next preseason. Revis was hurt at Houston on Nov. 22 and hadn't been practicing or even attending meetings. His backup, Marcus Williams, is dealing with a sprained knee ligament and might also miss the game. That means coach Todd Bowles might have to mix and match at Revis' spot by using Buster Skrine, Darrin Walls, Dee Milliner and/or Dexter McDougle. HURTING LINEBACKERS: Second-year linebacker Devon Kennard has been the Giants' best player on defense and he comes into the game battling a hamstring injury. If he can't go, the team will have a tough time stopping Chris Ivory, who leads the AFC with 766 yards rushing. Mark Herzlich would be the best choice against the run, while Jonathan Casillas is more mobile. DOUBLE TROUBLE: The Jets' Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have caught touchdown passes in the same game six times this season. The duo has combined for 17 TDs nine for Marshall and eight for Decker the most by a pair of Jets receivers since Keyshawn Johnson (10) and Wayne Chrebet (eight) in Marshall's nine TDs are the most by a Jets receiver since Santana Moss had 10 in Marshall also needs just 69 yards receiving to reach 1,000 in a season for the eighth time in 10 years. "Brandon is our go-to guy," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. "He's a great playmaker. He seems to step up every time we need a play. His football IQ is so high, it's really helpful for a quarterback." NEWSDAY Jets coach Bowles: Revis is out for Giants showdown (Brian Heyman) Newsday FLORHAM PARK, N.J. Todd Bowles stood behind the lectern Friday and delivered the news flash that seemed inevitable about Darrelle Revis and the state of Revis Island for the Jets game against the Giants Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Revis is out, the coach said. 5 P a g e

6 This will make two straight games missed for the 30-year-old shutdown corner because of the concussion he suffered Nov. 22 at Houston. And it s looking as if his understudy will be shut down for this game, too. Marcus Williams suffered a sprained left MCL while he was playing the part of Revis in the first quarter of last Sunday s win over Miami. It happened on the play in which he made his team-leading fifth interception. The second-year pro said he missed one game with this injury at North Dakota State. He also said the knee is getting better and his availability would be a game-time decision. But he hasn t practiced this week. Bowles said Williams is doubtful and added, I m skeptical about him playing. Even Williams said, An extra week would definitely help for sure. This isn t the best week to be shorthanded with Odell Beckham Jr. s sure hands in the picture. He s a challenge even if we had them, Bowles said. Nickel corner Buster Skrine and Darrin Walls could be in line again for work at the spot opposite Antonio Cromartie, just like after Williams got hurt. Dime back Dexter McDougle and 2013 first-rounder Dee Milliner, who has yet to play on defense since returning three games ago from short-term IR, are available as well. Walls mostly has served as a special-teamer this season, but the fifth-year pro started 12 games last season. Bowles said he played well against the Dolphins. He s calm, Bowles said. He gives us some experience back there, and he understands what s going on with the game and he s a competitor. Walls believes he s a better player in I think with Revis and Cro coming back, I m learning from those guys, Walls said. If you watch the way they practice, it only makes you work harder and practice better. Revis was finally able to attend meetings Friday, then was sent home. So how about Dec. 13 against visiting Tennessee? Hopefully, he feels better next week, Bowles said. Right now, it s too early to tell. Notes & quotes: Safety Dion Bailey (sprained ankle) was declared out. He will miss his fourth straight game... Linebacker Calvin Pace (abdominal strain) practiced on a limited basis and is questionable. I ll test it and we ll see what happens, Pace said. If you see me out there at the national anthem, it s a go... If not, Trevor Reilly will do a good job. THE RECORD Jets have secondary problems as Odell Beckham Jr. looms (Jeff Roberts) The Record December 5, FLORHAM PARK The locker was left undisturbed. Darrelle Revis' helmet sat on a high shelf. His shoulder pads lay untouched next to it. His familiar No. 24 practice jersey hung clean and unused. 6 P a g e

7 There was no sign of him. Across the Jets' locker room Friday, the star cornerback's backup, Marcus Williams, stood and discussed his own precarious health. Revis still sidelined by a concussion again was sent home then declared out for Sunday when the Jets face the Giants at MetLife Stadium in the latest edition of their cross-town rivalry. And Williams is listed as doubtful with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Coach Todd Bowles said he was "skeptical" that the second-year cornerback would play. This is hardly the situation the Jets (6-5) wanted to find themselves in with superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr. looming. "He's a challenge even if we had them," Bowles said of covering Beckham without Revis and Williams. "Great players like that always challenge you game plan-wise." Although Williams held out hope he could play, no player has suited up under Bowles after missing an entire week of practice as he has. Williams was injured Sunday against Miami playing in place of Revis while returning an interception. He has a team-leading five picks. "An extra week would definitely help for sure, but we'll see," he said. With Revis out and Williams unlikely to play, expect to see struggling four-time Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie cover Beckham (72 receptions, 1,005 yards, nine touchdowns) with safety help. But the Giants (5-6) effectively move their precocious star all over, lining him up inside and outside and on both sides of the field. So it's possible $25 million slot corner Buster Skrine also could line up opposite Beckham. If Skrine remains inside, the Jets could use a rotation of Darrin Walls, Dexter McDougle and Dee Milliner to replace Revis. Bowles played coy. "If Marcus can't go, they're interchangeable," he said. "We practice everybody there anyway. I don't want to reveal it today." Revis has been sent home every day since suffering a concussion Nov. 22 against Houston. He has made some progress as he continues to advance through the NFL protocol, attending team meetings Friday for the first time since he was injured. But he has not practiced and will miss his second straight game. Even his status for next week the Jets host Tennessee is cloudy. "It all depends on how he's coming along," Bowles said. "Right now, it's too early to tell." Whether Revis is ready or not, Milliner likely will remain on the bench. The ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft has not played a single defensive snap in the three games since returning from a wrist injury and short-term injured reserve. "He's practicing hard, and he's game ready," Bowles said. "But the guys in front of him are game ready too, so he's just got to wait his turn." 7 P a g e

8 BRIEFS: LB Calvin Pace (abdomen) again was limited in practice and is listed as questionable. "If I can go, I can go. If not, Trevor Reilly will do a good job," Pace said. "I believe in him." S Dion Bailey (ankle) did not practice and is doubtful. Bowles said Giants' defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has "looked the same" this season despite the July fireworks accident that mangled his right hand. "Just looking at him on film, he's getting off the ball like he always has. He's just as dangerous to us as he's always been." ESPN NEW YORK It's official: Jets CB Darrelle Revis ruled out, backup Marcus Williams doubtful (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ailing cornerback Darrelle Revis (concussion) was officially ruled out for Sunday against the New York Giants -- a formality. The real news out of the New York Jets on Friday involved his backup, Marcus Williams. Williams (knee) missed practice for the third straight day and was listed as doubtful for the game. Translation: He's not playing. Even coach Todd Bowles admitted he's "skeptical" of Williams' chances. No player under Bowles has played in a game after missing an entire week of practice. So there's that. Earlier in the week, Bowles indicated it would be a game-time decision for Williams, but that was a hopeful forecast. The second-year cornerback suffered a sprained MCL last Sunday, so the odds of him not missing a game were remote. The starter opposite Antonio Cromartie will likely be Buster Skrine or Darrin Walls, not an ideal situation with Odell Beckham Jr. looming. Skrine is more comfortable in the slot, but he could play outside in the base defense to cover Beckham (presumably with safety help) because of his quickness. Skrine probably has more short-area quickness than any of the other corners. As for Revis, he missed practice once again. On a positive note, he attended morning meetings for the first time since the concussion, which occurred 12 days ago. After the meeting, he was sent home, per usual. Bowles declined to speculate on whether Revis will play next week. That Revis was able to sit through a meeting was "a step foward," Bowles said. "I don't know how much, but it's a step forward." In other injury news, linebacker Calvin Pace (abdominal strain) practiced on a limited basis and was listed as questionable. He's expected to play. Jets WR Brandon Marshall wants Super Bowl ring, not just playoff fling (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Brandon Marshall is having one of the best wide-receiver seasons in New York Jets history. He's on pace for 103 catches, which would shatter Al Toon's 27-year-old team record (93). 8 P a g e

9 With a hot finish, he could threaten Don Maynard's mark for receiving yards in a season (1,434), which has stood for nearly a half-century. "Marshall has been great for us," coach Todd Bowles said. In a sitdown with ESPN.com, the always-candid Marshall touched on a number of subjects, including his career-long quest for the playoffs, his relationship with Ryan Fitzpatrick, how his job at Showtime's "Inside the NFL" led to his divorce from the Chicago Bears, and how he needed to clear the air with his position coach before signing off on the trade that brought him to the Jets. This is your 10th season and you've never been to the playoffs. What would it mean to play January football? Marshall: I'm not going to celebrate if we get to the playoffs. You get to the Wild-Card game and you lose, you're still in the same position as all of the other teams that lost. For me, it's about being part of something great and being a champion one day. Is that possible? Marshall: Oh, of course. This year? Marshall: Every year is possible. It's just who is hot at the right time. You were traded for a fifth-round draft pick. Was it insulting to be dealt for such modest compensation? Marshall: I looked at that as people thinking that my value has gone down. You do look at it as a shot, because you hear other things, like Adrian Peterson may go for a 1 to Dallas. I was like, 'Man, I've fallen that low?' But I helped out Mike (Maccagnan) by doing Showtime every Tuesday and having a disagreement with a person or two in the organization in Chicago. I made it easy for him. You're on the verge of 1,000 yards, which no Jets receiver has reached since Marshall: You have 16 games to get a 1,000. It's not that hard. Did you expect to have this kind of year? Marshall: I think I have this year every year. You have a guy like Fitz. I wish we had the perfect story where we came in together and we played our whole career together, so you have that chemistry and that type of relationship. But I'm used to adjusting to different quarterbacks. I've played with a ton of quarterbacks. It makes it harder, but somehow I figured out how, through my 10 years, to still be productive with so much change, which can be hard at times. Do you think it's destiny, you and Fitzpatrick finding each other at this stage of your careers? Marshall: I was telling someone the other day, 'Everything happens for a reason.' It's not just us physically moving from team to team and landing here. It's where we're at mentally, like, 'Man, it's all about winning,' just ready to do something significant where you can call a place home and feel wanted. You played under receivers coach Karl Dorrell in Miami. Has the familiarity contributed to your success? Marshall: To be totally honest, we didn't really understand each other in Miami. Throughout the process of getting traded here, we had a lot of conversations. Through the years, he saw my maturation. I was able to sit back and reflect on what he was trying to accomplish and the person he was. It really helped because it's awesome how we work together. I'm a high-emotion guy. I'm all over the place -- rowdy, love competing. I've never been around someone so levelheaded. No matter if we're winning or losing, 9 P a g e

10 he's here (holds his hand up, steady). I wasn't familiar with that. I never knew what he was thinking or what was going on in his mind. It's amazing how freaking steady he is. You said before the season the Jets will be your last stop, that you'd retire before playing anywhere else. Are you happy here? Marshall: Yes, I am happy, but I was happy in Chicago. Last year was rough. But that's how it is in a losing locker room. It's one of the nastiest environments you can be in. That's what it was. Here, it's been an up and down season, but everyone is fighting and the locker room is still together. That's the most important thing. What happened in Chicago? Marshall: Basically, I wanted to win. I saw the end coming and there were some people I think didn't have the same desire and passion. I can't be in that type of environment. I don't play for the money. That's great, if something comes with it. I need to be in an environment like this, where coaches, players, everybody is on the same page. I think, for the most part, we were there in Chicago, but some things changed after Lovie (Smith) was fired. It's really hard for me to work in that type of place where guys didn't want to win. NEW YORK POST Darrelle Revis is definitely out, and that s not the worst news (Howie Kussoy) New York Post The expected became official Friday, when star cornerback Darrelle Revis was ruled out for Sunday s game against the Giants, but the Jets appear as if they also will be without last week s Revis replacement, Marcus Williams. Williams, who leads the team with five interceptions and started against the Dolphins while Revis was out with a concussion, did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful after suffering a sprained left knee in the win over Miami. Coach Todd Bowles said he was skeptical Williams could play after missing the entire week of practice, though the second-year cornerback held out hope the mild improvement he experienced over the past few days speeds up over the weekend. Williams, who has done some light running this week, said he had a similar MCL injury in college and missed only one game, adding he will not need surgery. It s still day-to-day, just trying to get it better, Williams said. It s gonna be a game-time decision. Hopefully, see how I feel from there. Though Williams could return the following Sunday against the Titans, Bowles isn t sure Revis will be back by then. Revis, who hasn t practiced since suffering the concussion Nov. 22 against the Texans, joined team meetings Friday for the first time since the injury occurred, but was sent home afterwards. It s a step forward, Bowles said. I don t know how much, but it s a step forward. Hopefully he feels better next week. Right now, it s too early to tell. Bowles wouldn t divulge his plans for filling the void in the secondary, but former first-round selection Dee Milliner appears unlikely to see much, or any, action. The team s top pick two years ago, Milliner hasn t played a defensive snap since returning from a wrist injury three weeks ago. 10 P a g e

11 He s game-ready, but the guys in front of him are game-ready, too, Bowles said. He s just got to wait his turn. Linebacker Calvin Pace (abdomen) was limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable, while safety Dion Bailey has been ruled doubtful. Though Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hasn t registered a sack in his three games since returning from an offseason fireworks accident, which resulted in the amputation of his right index finger, Bowles said he doesn t believe Pierre-Paul s pass-rushing skills have been affected by the injury. I think he s looked the same, Bowles said. Obviously, he hadn t played or went to camp and everything, but just looking at him on film, he s getting off the ball like he always has. I m sure he himself would like to tweak some things, but he s just as dangerous to us as he s always been. Jets urgently need season-saving game-changer who ll it be? (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post Who is it going to be? Which Jets player is going to make his mark against the Giants on Sunday, be the difference-making player to forever etch his name into the annals of this contentious local rivalry? Which Jets player will be the Victor Cruz of this 13th meeting between the two MetLife stadium cotenants? Which Jets player will we all remember when the two teams meet again four years from now the same way we remember Cruz for propelling the Giants to the Super Bowl and breaking the Jets will in 2011 with that 99-yard catch-and-run touchdown? It could be anybody, receiver Jeremy Kerley said Friday. Hopefully, it s one of our guys and not one of theirs. Will one of the high-profile Jets receivers Brandon Marshall or Eric Decker, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, or defensive linemen Mo Wilkerson or Sheldon Richardson be that guy? Could it be safety Calvin Pryor, who has been developing a habit of making his presence felt on Sundays (ask Miami receiver Rishard Matthews), blowing this game up with a jarring hit on Odell Beckham Jr.? Or might it be one of the under-the-radar Jets who suddenly is thrust into the spotlight as the talk of New York football come Sunday night? I think about being that guy every game, backup linebacker and special teamer Trevor Reilly said Friday. Even being a limited defensive player and a special teamer, I can have a say in the outcome. There was a quiet moment at the Jets facility earlier in the day Friday when Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist and Reilly were chatting and Gilchrist asked him: What have you got for me this week? What are you going to do for us this week? I m going to go out there and try to force a fumble on the kickoff team, Reilly told him. Who will be Sunday s Victor Cruz? 11 P a g e

12 Maybe Devin Smith, man, Reilly said, referring to the rookie receiver. No one is really expecting that much out of him. It could be him a guy that just shows up out of nowhere and becomes that guy that catches the 99-yarder. The best stories always are the ones that involve the player you did not expect to make the biggest impact somewhat like Cruz, who had not yet reached stardom four years ago when he took that Manning pass 99 yards and then took his team to the Super Bowl. So maybe Smith who had endured a forgettable rookie season until he caught two important passes in last week s win over the Dolphins, including his first career touchdown will torch the Giants 32ndranked pass defense and reel in one of those home-run balls he made a name for himself catching at Ohio State to win the game. Perhaps it will be one of the Jets reserve defensive backs who rises up and wins this game for them with star cornerback Darrelle Revis out with a concussion and his ball-hawking backup Marcus Williams highly unlikely to play because of a knee injury. Revis (three) and Williams (five) have accounted for eight of the Jets 11 interceptions this season. Think about the name for himself either backup corner Darrin Walls or Dexter McDougle, who plays in the dime package, could make if one of them picks off Eli Manning to seal the game for the Jets. Maybe, instead of the more obvious from the defensive front like Wilkerson, Richardson or first-roundpick Leonard Williams making the big hit on Manning it will be one of the Jets edge rushers like Lorenzo Mauldin or recently promoted Mike Catapano, the Long Island kid who played his college ball at Princeton. Every day that I practice I m thinking in finite details about exactly how I m getting to the quarterback and how I m ripping the ball out, Catapano said Friday. I m definitely visualizing a sack or a strip sack or even multiple sacks on No. 10 [Manning]. I think the most important matchup is going to be our D-line getting to Eli before he can throw the ball to No. 13 [Beckham Jr.]. That s what the game is really going to come down to. We ve got to be able to take advantage of that offensive line and put the pressure on No. 10. So, who s going to be the guy to do it, to take advantage of the Giants injury-depleted offensive line, get to Manning and be the game s difference-maker for the Jets? It could be No. 53, Catapano said, referring to his jersey number. We ll see. I can t wait. Neither can we. Breaking down how Jets can stop Beckham if it s possible (Dan Martin) New York Post The bios Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants second-year wide receiver began building his chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning back when Beckham was still in high school and attended Manning s passing camp at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, which they both attended. Beckham was the Giants first-round pick in 2014, and after struggling with hamstring injuries early on as a rookie, he burst on the scene with 91 catches for 1, P a g e

13 yards and a dozen touchdowns none more famous than the wild, one-handed grab he made against the Cowboys in his third game. He has shown no signs of slowing down this year. Antonio Cromartie Cromartie began his career with the Chargers, who made him a first-round pick out of Florida State despite the torn ACL he suffered while with the Seminoles. In 2007, he ran back a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings, the longest score in NFL history. He was traded to the Jets in 2010 and re-signed with them after the 2011 season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2013 before leaving as a free agent for the Cardinals. He returned to the Jets this season on a four-year deal. The numbers Beckham: 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, 23 years old, second season Cromartie: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, 31 years old, 10th season 2015 stats Beckham: 11 games, 72 catches, 1,005 yards, nine TDs Cromartie: 11 games, 23 tackles, no interceptions The history While they haven t met on the field during the regular season, the two do share some history thanks to Cromartie s comments about Beckham to ESPN in October, when the corner said: Right now he s a oneyear wonder, adding that part of his reputation had been built on him getting penalties or suckerpunching somebody. Cromartie has since softened his stance, calling Beckham a No. 1 guy this week. Cromartie s last showing in the rivalry was a nightmare, when he missed a tackle on Victor Cruz s 99- yard touchdown reception that saved the Giants season on Christmas Eve in The breakdown Cromartie likely will be part of a scheme to contain Beckham, because Darrelle Revis is out with a concussion and Marcus Williams also is injured. Others, such as Buster Skrine, Darrin Walls and Dee Milliner, could see action against the receiver. You can t have Cromartie on him one-on-one the whole game, said former Jets coach Herm Edwards, now an analyst with ESPN. But if he can get his hands on him at the line of scrimmage, he can do some things against Odell. But it s not a good matchup for any Jet. What this guy can do, you can t defend against, said Edwards, who played defensive back for the Eagles. The fact he can catch the ball with one hand, you can have him played perfectly, and he ll still beat you. Since there s no way to eliminate Beckham s production, Edwards believes there are times when the Jets may try to force him into the middle of the field. It s not fun to get hit in the mouth, Edwards said. I don t care who you are. And while Cromartie s long legs and reach can make him effective, they will be a detriment if Beckham gets him turned around: He won t be able to adjust back fast enough. 13 P a g e

14 Jets ground game could get offense to finally strike right balance (Howie Kussoy) New York Post December 5, As much as the build-up grows in the days leading to a crucial game between the Jets and Giants, little changes in the locker room. The teams share a city, but virtually no vitriol. The teams share a stadium, but little familiarity with each other. In so many ways, the Jets see Sunday as just another important game, but linebacker Calvin Pace said the Giants still stand out from so many other teams. I don t know if it s a rivalry [because] we play them once every four years and in the preseason, but I will say this, the Giants bring a certain type of physicality [and] that s been their mindset ever since I ve been here, Pace said. It s always been one of our tougher games, even in the preseason. For Pace, matching that mentality means making it count every time the Jets pass rush gets the slightest opportunity to hit Eli Manning. It means keeping enough hands on Odell Beckham Jr. to keep his hands from creating highlights. But without the ball, there is only so much control. With possession, the Jets physicality and power may be even more important, allowing them to replicate the dominant start to the season, when they averaged nearly 171 rushing yards per game and over 4.6 yards per carry in their first four wins. Having been held to fewer than 88 yards per game and 3.4 yards per attempt over the past six games, Todd Bowles believes a revived ground game is the key to the offensive consistency needed in the final month of the regular season. It s important because [it s] December football, Bowles said. When the weather goes down, you have to be able to establish a run game. You can t just throw the ball 60 times in the air with the weather being so cold at least we can t anyway so it s important for us to have balance. Following Ryan Fitzpatrick s best performance of the season four touchdowns and 277 yards in a win over Miami and a season-high 38 points, balance may be easier to find. Though increased focus is on their aerial attack, going against the 32nd-ranked pass defense, the Giants mediocre run defense already without defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins now is even more vulnerable without injured linebacker Devon Kennard, eliminating a key physical presence against Chris Ivory s power-style running. Ivory carried the Jets offense early, averaging 115 yards and 5.5 yards per carry in his first four games of the season, but amassed a total of 84 yards over the next three games. Following a season-low eight attempts in a loss to Houston, the running back reminded everyone how difficult he remains to bring down, breaking five tackles on a 31-yard touchdown run last week, increasing his rushing average to 4.7 yards over the past three games. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagunolo spent 2012 seeing it with his own eyes, while serving as defensive coordinator of the Saints, Ivory s previous team. He s a real competitive guy that loves football, and you can see that when he plays, Spagnuolo said this week. He s a violent runner and when he gets to the edge, he s scary. We talked a lot about that. But build a wall, set the edge, try to track the hip when he cuts it back, but he s going to be a challenge for us. As long as Ivory gets a little space. 14 P a g e

15 It s been good, [but] we haven t run the ball effectively enough to say more than that at this point, Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said of the offensive line. I think we re good and we have a chance to continue to get better. NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Darrelle Revis officially out for Jets-Giants game; Marcus Williams doubtful (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com As expected, the Jets on Friday officially ruled star cornerback Darrelle Revis out for Sunday's "road" game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. But it also looks like Revis' backup, Marcus Williams, won't play, either. It will thus be interesting to see how the Jets will match their secondary against the Giants, and against star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in particular. Revis has been dealing with a concussion since Nov. 22, and he hasn't practiced since then. According to the NFL's concussion protocol, Revis can't play until he passes daily independent cognitive evaluations in conjunction with a progression of physical activity. Bowles said Revis was able to sit through meetings Friday morning for the first time since he was concussed. He was later sent home. "It's a step forward," Bowles said. "I don't know how much, but it is a step forward." Williams, who has a team-high five interceptions, also has not practiced all week because of a sprained knee he suffered Sunday against the Dolphins. Bowles acknowledged he was "skeptical" that Williams would be able to play against the Giants. Bowles obviously wouldn't reveal the game plan, but the Jets will likely use cornerback Antonio Cromartie on one side, with some combination of nickel corner Buster Skrine and backups Darrin Walls, Dee Milliner, and Dexter McDougle on the other side to replace Revis and Williams. Last week, after Williams went down in the first quarter, the Jets used Skrine on the outside in their base package, with Walls out there in nickel the package they most frequently use and McDougle as their dime corner. Bowles likes to use a man defense, but the Jets also played a lot of zone against the Dolphins, which means they're not averse to doing so again against the Giants, if need be. Also for the Jets, outside linebacker Calvin Pace (abdomen) was limited and is questionable for Sunday, while backup safety Dion Bailey (high ankle sprain) did not practice and is doubtful. Jets have NFL's top-ranked red-zone offense. How'd that happen? (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com incart_river_index 15 P a g e

16 FLORHAM PARK Fans might have noticed a bit of a difference in the Jets' ability to score touchdowns in the red zone this season. After being last in the league in red zone efficiency a year ago and after ranking no higher than 25th the previous three seasons the Jets are first this year when their offense has the ball inside their opponents' 20-yard line, with a success rate of 73 percent. Several factors account for that big improvement, not the least being that the Jets and first-year head coach Todd Bowles made red zone the offense's priority No. 1 during the offseason program. "Well, I think the biggest thing is, Coach Bowles had us start working on that from almost the third day we got here," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. "We started practicing red zone right off the top, before anything else," Bowles said. Bowles said two of his coaching mentors, Bruce Arians and Bill Parcells, had always emphasized red zone. But the addition of wideout Brandon Marshall has also helped. Marshall, with his combination of size and excellent body control, has perfectly complemented a precise route runner like wideout Eric Decker. And the short field the red zone provides is an ideal fit for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's quick-read skill set. Throw in a hard-charging running back like Chris Ivory, and the Jets have all the right skill pieces to succeed in the red zone. And they've adjusted their scheme to fit that personnel. Ironically, the Jets' losses to the Patriots and Bills this season resulted in part because of red-zone failures. But on the whole, their red-zone numbers really are eye-popping, per Pro Football Reference: Fitzpatrick has 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions, including nine TDs with zero picks inside the 10. Decker has nine catches (on 17 targets), including seven for touchdowns. Marshall has seven receptions (on 15 targets), including six for touchdowns. Ivory has 34 carries for 86 yards and six rushing touchdowns. The Jets had Ivory and Decker last year, when the offense converted on just 36.2 percent of its red-zone chances. They traded for Marshall and Fitzpatrick in the offseason. But their play-calling also relies on sticking with what works by feeding Ivory, Decker, and Marshall the ball inside the 20. Ivory, who missed one game and was slowed in another because of injuries, has gotten the ball on 68 percent of their red-zone rushing attempts, while Decker and Marshall have combined for 62.7 of all red-zone targets, per Pro Football Reference. Contrast that with last year, when former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's play-calling frequently got too cute. Mornhinweg often had the Jets use the Wildcat package in the red zone, at least when he wasn't trying to shoehorn Michael Vick into the scheme or to use some other razzle-dazzle play-call or personnel grouping the Jets typically didn't utilize. Also, according to Pro Football Reference, Ivory got the ball last year on just 47.8 percent of the Jets' red-zone rushing attempts, which is all sorts of amazing. "He understand leverage," Gailey said. "There's not everybody that understands leverage. He knows how to body position versus certain leverages that allow him to make plays in the red zone. "He's just hard to handle, size-wise. He can run; he's not a burner, but he can run well enough that you just can't sit there and play a certain leverage on him and win. He can figure out how to win with enough speed to get that done. You combine the speed and size and ball skills, it's a pretty good combination." 16 P a g e

17 All of that allows Marshall to be a red-zone asset even when he's not being targeted. As has been noted quite a bit this season, Marshall frequently draws double teams, which, in turn, frees up Decker or Ivory to make plays. "I think it goes back," Gailey said, "to the time we spent [on it] from day one." Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul 'as dangerous as he's always been,' per Jets' Todd Bowles (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media Jason Pierre-Paul might not have a sack yet, and he's still adjusting to playing with his damaged right hand in the ground, but Todd Bowles hasn't noticed a whole lot of difference this season in the play of the Giants' star defensive end. Bowles, the Jets' defensive-minded head coach, stopped short of saying Pierre-Paul has looked "the same" because of how much time he missed. But he still thinks Pierre-Paul can bring it. "Just looking at him on film, he's getting off the ball, like he always has," Bowles said Friday. "I'm sure he himself would like to tweak some things, but he's just as dangerous to us as he's always been." The Jets (6-5) and their top-ranked red-zone offense play "at" the Giants on Sunday at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. Per Pro Football Focus, Pierre-Paul has played roughly 87 percent of the Giants' defensive snaps since his Week 9 return following a July 4 fireworks incident that left his right hand permanently disfigured. Pierre-Paul has no sacks, but he's got three quarterback hits and 12 hurries, according to PFF. "I just know he looks like he is getting better each week to me from the first game he played in, until the last game he has played in," Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. "That's a little unnerving." Pierre-Paul plans to continue to wear the special protective glove he has on the hand. He's been playing with his left hand in the ground, but on Wednesday he used his right hand again for the first time since the injury, something he told reporters would help him with leverage. Giants' Odell Beckham Jr.: Calvin Pace says Jets want to 'make it a tough day for him' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media #incart_river_mobileshort_index FLORHAM PARK The biggest challenge for the Jets' defense on Sunday against the Giants is clearly wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. After a week of film study and game planning, how tough does veteran strong-side linebacker Calvin Pace think it is for teams to cover Beckham one-on-one? "It looks pretty hard, man," Pace said Friday. "It's not a job that I have, obviously. He's a great player, man. We all have to do our part. Obviously, they're going to have eyes on him. The Giants do a good job 17 P a g e