NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

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1 NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS December 9, 2014 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 2 At 2-11, dismal Jets in mix for No. 1 draft pick (Dennis Waszak)... 2 Richardson: Jets still play for 'almighty dollar' (Dennis Waszak)... 4 NEWSDAY... 5 Jets' Percy Harvin has ankle sprain, but at least it's the better kind of ankle sprain (Mark Herrmann)... 5 Jets' Sheldon Richardson refuses to believe season is hopeless (Mark Herrmann)... 6 What do you root for, Jets fans... three wins or three losses? (Bob Glauber)... 7 THE RECORD... 8 Jets report card: Week 14 vs. Minnesota (J.P. Pelzman)... 8 Sheldon Richardson always on the run for Jets... 9 NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Jets special teams coach Thomas McGaughey already openly campaigning for his next job (Darryl Slater) Tennessee Titans' Zach Mettenberger 'doubtful' against Jets, reportedly out for season (Dom Cosentino) Rex Ryan: Jets won't tank against Tennessee Titans (Dom Cosentino) Sheldon Richardson on Jets fans giving up on Geno Smith: 'They're quitters' (Dom Cosentino) Jets injury updates: Will receiver Percy Harvin (ankle) be able to play at Tennessee Titans? (Darryl Slater) Jets' Rex Ryan, good soldier to the end, says fans shouldn't rip owner Woody Johnson for 2-11 season (Darryl Slater) Geno Smith gives Pro Bowl-caliber effort to spin Jets' season as a positive (Dom Cosentino) Jets' Sheldon Richardson says 'the almighty dollar' still gives guys on a 2-11 team something to play for (Darryl Slater) Jets report card: Plenty of mixed grades in overtime loss to Minnesota Vikings (Dom Cosentino) Jets-Minnesota Vikings studs and duds: Percy Harvin, Sheldon Richardson, Jeff Cumberland (Darryl Slater) How encouraged should Jets feel by Geno Smith's performance in loss at Minnesota Vikings? (Darryl Slater) NEW YORK POST Don t tell Rex Ryan he s getting fired: I m not going anywhere (Howie Kussoy) Jets and Titans actually playing for Mariota hope (Brian Costello) Jets Richardson on almighty dollar, anti-geno quitters (Howie Kussoy) Jets rewind: Rex s scouting report of Woody Johnson says it all (Brian Costello) This team has an edge in the Marcus Mariota Sweepstakes (Steve Serby) NEW YORK DAILY NEWS If Rex Ryan is fired as NY Jets coach, he might become the next John Madden (Gary Myers) P a g e

2 Rex Ryan supports Woody Johnson, says NY Jets owner wants to win: 'You could do a heck of a lot worse' (Seth Walder) NEW YORK TIMES No Playoffs for Jets, but Season Still Has Meaning (Ben Shpigel) WALL STREET JOURNAL Jets Harvin May Not Play Following Ankle Sprain (Stu Woo) ESPN NEW YORK Report: Jets special teams coach wants to pursue job at alma mater (Rich Cimini) You play to win the game -- unless... (Rich Cimini) Rex Ryan refuses to wave white flag (Rich Cimini) Geno Smith: Exciting to think of Jets potential (Jane McManus) X-rays negative for WR Percy Harvin (Rich Cimini) Sheldon Richardson chasing 'almighty dollar' (Jane McManus) Things we learned about the Jets (Rich Cimini) Drive of the Game: A walk-off loss (Rich Cimini) Stock watch: Risers and fallers (Rich Cimini) METRO NEW YORK Chris Owusu making most of opportunity with Jets (Kristian Dyer) MONDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED PRESS At 2-11, dismal Jets in mix for No. 1 draft pick (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets have a good chance of being No. 1 in the NFL draft. At 2-11, they're in the mix with Tennessee, Oakland, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville for the dubious distinction of having the NFL's worst record. So, with three games left, the race is on. Next Sunday could play a big part in deciding things with the Jets playing the Titans in Tennessee. And for some fans, they might prefer the Jets continue to lose to secure the best draft spot. "I know where our fans are coming from," coach Rex Ryan said Monday. "Absolutely, I get that. That doesn't mean that we're going to approach this game any different because we're going to try to win the game." So fans hoping to see perhaps Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston in green and white next season might have to temper those wishes for the time being. "If there was a Peyton Manning out there or whoever out there, a Walter Payton, then I'd say you throw it," Ryan joked. "No, I'm just kidding. We're not (tanking). We're trying to win the game." 2 P a g e

3 According to the sports analytics site numberfire.com, the Jets have an percent of securing the top pick, ranking them fifth behind the Titans (17.02), Buccaneers (17.58), Raiders (18.72) and Jaguars (33.84). "Using our internal efficiency metrics, we calculate each team's chances of winning every remaining game on its schedule," said Zach Kempner, the site's communications director. "Then we simulate the NFL season thousands of times to determine the probability that each team will have the worst record in the NFL." The projections also include the usual tiebreakers such as strength of schedule, strength of victory and conference winning percentage. After the game against Tennessee, the Jets finish with New England (10-3) and Miami (7-6). Since the modern draft era began in 1970, the Jets have picked among the top five just 10 times. They have had the No. 1 overall pick only once: in 1996, when they took wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. New York has had the second selection twice (Johnny Lam Jones, 1980; and Blair Thomas, 1990) and the No. 3 pick once: Freeman McNeil (1981). The Jets have had five No. 4 overall picks, including Marvin Powell (1977), Chris Ward (1978), Marvin Jones (1993), Dewayne Robertson (2003) and D'Brickashaw Ferguson (2006). They traded up in the 2009 draft to take Mark Sanchez with the No. 5 selection. The big question, though, is who will be doing the picking when the next draft begins in April with the futures of Ryan and general manager John Idzik uncertain beyond Week 17. Owner Woody Johnson has some big decisions to make with the Jets missing out on the postseason for the fourth straight season the longest drought since he took over the team in Many fans and media already assume Ryan will be gone after the regular-season finale at Miami on Dec. 28. Ryan took full blame for New York's overtime loss at Minnesota on Sunday, and praised Johnson for his commitment to putting together a winning team. In some ways, it sounded like a concession speech from a coach who knows he's on his way out after six seasons. "I'm not conceding anything," Ryan said Monday. "I'm not going anywhere. I know I've got three weeks and here we come. That hadn't been told to me at least I know I think I have three weeks here, and here we go." Idzik is in his second season as GM, but has been widely criticized for his personnel decisions since he has been with the Jets, whether it has been failed free-agent signings, subpar draft selections or not being aggressive enough in free agency to provide adequate quality roster depth. Fans have started billboard and website campaigns urging Johnson to fire Idzik, despite a short stint on the job. Some have also aimed their blame at Johnson, something Ryan wholeheartedly disagrees with. "I just really wanted the fans to know that, hey guys, this is your owner," Ryan said. "You should be happy that this is your owner. You can do a heck of a lot worse than having Woody Johnson as your owner, I promise you. You've got a guy that's 100 percent committed in this organization. He wants to win." NOTES: WR Percy Harvin has a low ankle sprain and is in a boot, putting his availability vs. the Titans in doubt. "It probably doesn't look that great," Ryan said, "but we'll see as it progresses."... S Antonio Allen has a broken hand, but isn't expected to be sidelined.... Ryan is encouraged about the chances of DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) and TE Jace Amaro (concussion) for Sunday's game. The coach said "the arrow seems to be pointing up" on Amaro, who is going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries. Wilkerson is being fitted for a special shoe that could allow him to practice this week. 3 P a g e

4 Richardson: Jets still play for 'almighty dollar' (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Sheldon Richardson remains motivated despite the New York Jets' 2-11 record. The defensive tackle is never shy to offer his opinions, usually responding to questions with a refreshingly blunt approach. So, when Richardson was asked how he keeps playing at such a high level while his team is struggling, the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year delivered, as usual. "This is a team-oriented game, but this is a business in the end," he said Monday, "and we've still got something to play for." Such as? "The almighty dollar," Richardson said. "It's what drives this league. It is what it is. I don't want to sound selfish or anything, but in the end, you've got to get yours." It was a comment that might raise some eyebrows, but Richardson is also driven by pride and a desire to win. He has been one of the team's few bright spots in his second season. "I know there's a comment where he said it's just about the money or something right now," coach Rex Ryan said. "That's not this kid. This kid's anything but that. I think he thinks it sounds good, but he's much more than that. He gives it for himself, his teammates, this is the way he plays." That was evident on the last play of New York's overtime loss Sunday when Richardson chugged all the way down the field in pursuit of Vikings wide receiver Jarius Wright, whose 87-yard TD catch-and-run won it for Minnesota. "That's just me," Richardson said. "It was overtime. I don't see the need to give up on the play. He could've done anything. He could've celebrated early, anything like that. You never know." Ryan said he thought Richardson might have had a chance at somehow catching Wright along the sideline. Richardson did, too, saying he had an angle on him at one point, but just couldn't get to him. The big defensive tackle sat in the end zone, catching his breath and shaking his head while the Vikings celebrated. It was a lousy ending to a big game for Richardson, who had a career-best three sacks and a safety. "He walks around here and he's not afraid to strut his stuff," quarterback Geno Smith said. "We enjoy that about him because he backs it up on the field." Richardson isn't scheduled to become a free agent until possibly after the 2016 season, so a big payday is a few years off. But he's hoping for a shot at his first Pro Bowl, something he thinks he deserves but knows the team's dismal record might work against him. Left guard Oday Aboushi shouted "Get that man to the Pro Bowl!" as Richardson spoke to reporters. "A few more sacks, and a couple more big plays, and I should," said Richardson, who leads the Jets with 6 1/2 sacks. "When I came into this league, I said I wanted to be a dominant force and I meant that," he said. "That doesn't change for me no matter the outcome of our record is." 4 P a g e

5 He also took issue with the opinions of some outside the organization who have been critical of Smith and already "given him the boot" as he struggles in his second season. "They're quitters," Richardson said of those who have given up on Smith. "That's how I feel." Smith, making his second straight start after being benched for three games, rebounded Sunday after his first pass Sunday was intercepted and returned 27 yards for a touchdown by the Vikings' Gerald Hodges. Smith finished 18 of 29 for 254 yards and a touchdown. "When you go all in with a guy, why not give him his chance, you know?" Richardson said. "He's been in the league two years and guys want him to play like he's Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or something like that. I just told him to stop turning the ball over, like everybody else probably has mentioned before, but he's done that." NEWSDAY Jets' Percy Harvin has ankle sprain, but at least it's the better kind of ankle sprain (Mark Herrmann) Newsday Percy Harvin has a low ankle sprain, Rex Ryan said. The receiver / kick returner, one of the standout Jets on Sunday, left the stadium on crutches and is in a boot. "What that means for Sunday's game, I'm not real sure,'' Ryan said. "It probably doesn't look that great, but we'll see as the week progresses." The glass-half-full approach to the injury, according to Ryan, is that it was not a high ankle sprain. "Those seem like they never heal. You might as well break it,'' he said. "But that is not the case. We're hopeful." No tanking for Jets Any self-respecting Jets fan would have to at least consider that it would not be a calamity if their 2-11 team lost to the 2-11 Titans on Sunday, increasing their chances for a better -- even the top -- draft pick. But on that score, the team will disappoint them yet again. The Jets may lose the game, but they won't be tanking. Ryan said he understands the fans' thinking on that issue and added, "That doesn't mean we're going to approach this game any different, because we're going to try to win the game.'' Support for Woody Ryan asserted that his postgame words in support of Jets owner Woody Johnson were not a valedictory or a farewell speech. "I'm not conceding anything. I'm not going anywhere. I know I've got three weeks left, and here we come," he said. To laughter from reporters, he added, "That hasn't been told to me. I'm going to approach it as business is business." On his comments about Johnson, he added, "I just really wanted the fans to know, 'Hey guys, you should be happy that this is your owner. You could do a heck of a lot worse than having Woody Johnson as your owner. I promise you.' " 5 P a g e

6 Jets' Sheldon Richardson refuses to believe season is hopeless (Mark Herrmann) Newsday FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Admittedly, it was a hopeless situation, seeing Sheldon Richardson, the Jets' 6-3, 294-pound defensive lineman, trying to catch Jarius Wright, the Vikings' 5-10, 180-pound wide receiver, who had a head of steam. The thing is, Richardson does not believe there is such a thing as a hopeless situation. "That's just me," Richardson said Monday, recalling the 87-yard touchdown play that ended the Jets' overtime loss in Minnesota Sunday. "I don't see the need to give up on the play. He could have done anything, he could have celebrated early, anything like that. You never know. "I had an angle. I could have dove, I just couldn't get to him. My legs were kind of shot to the end. He just got past me," said the second-year player, who had another outstanding game that featured three sacks, one for a safety. Richardson has not given up on making the Pro Bowl, despite his team's 2-11 record. He hasn't given up, period, in a season that has "hopeless" written all over it. "This is a team-oriented game, but this is a business in the end. I've still got something to play for," he said. And what might that be? "The almighty dollar. That's what drives this league. It is what it is. I don't want to sound selfish or anything, but in the end, you've got to get yours," Richardson said in the locker room at the Jets' training facility. So he earns points for candor, acknowledging that he sees a golden lining in a bleak year. Except that his coach doesn't believe a word of it. Rex Ryan said that the only green that touches Richardson's heart while he is on the field is the color of the Jets' jerseys. "I know there's a comment where he said it's just about the money or something right now. That's not this kid," Ryan said. "He's anything but that. I think he thinks it sounds good, but he's much more than that. He gives for himself, he gives for his teammates. This is the way he plays." Geno Smith, whom Richardson befriended during pre-draft workouts last year, said, "He's not afraid to strut his stuff and we enjoy that about him because he backs it up on the field." The lineman verbally stood up for the quarterback Monday, noting that fans are "giving him the boot." Richardson had his own way to describe those people: "They're quitters. You go all in with a guy, why not give him his chance?" Ryan grinned when he heard about that, too. "He will take the bullet himself. There may be a few more bullets coming at him than he thinks, but I hope not. I hope they know his heart is in the right spot and he just believes in his teammates." The coach believes Richardson would have more gaudy statistics if only the Jets didn't ask him to do so many different -- and unselfish -- chores in their defensive schemes. Plus he hopes that the coaching fraternity does not hold the Jets' record against Richardson in Pro Bowl voting. As for chasing Wright on Sunday, Ryan said, "At one point, I thought he was actually going to make that tackle. On a receiver." 6 P a g e

7 He wasn't the only one. Wright, the swift receiver, said after the game, "I saw that 91 was the only one that really had a chance. I just tried to speed up a little bit. That big guy can run." What do you root for, Jets fans... three wins or three losses? (Bob Glauber) Newsday It is anathema for a football coach or player to think about anything other than beating the next opponent, a mentality that courses through every NFL locker room no matter the record or the next foe. To think otherwise is unacceptable, even if you're 2-11 and going nowhere. "We've got three games left and every game's precious," Jets coach Rex Ryan said after Sunday's overtime loss to the Vikings. "But our guys are competitive and we want to win and our guys will do whatever it takes to do that." But in a very tangible way, it actually is in the Jets' long-term interest to lose their final three games and hope to finish with the NFL's worst record. With no hope of finishing any better than 5-11, the more palatable alternative is to lose out and assure themselves of the first overall draft pick in With Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the presumptive Heisman Trophy winner, considered a lock to be the top quarterback taken in the draft, the Jets finally could land a franchise quarterback to lead them out of their current mess, which Geno Smith doesn't seem capable of doing. Just as the 2011 Colts collapsed without injured quarterback Peyton Manning and wound up with Andrew Luck to lead them into another generation of potential Super Bowl greatness, the Jets are in the race for that coveted No. 1 slot. But the only way to guarantee getting it is if they finish with fewer wins than everyone else. If there's a tie for the worst record, the first pick goes to the team with the weakest strength of schedule. Four other teams -- the Bucs, Titans, Jaguars and Raiders -- also are 2-11, and if the draft were held today, the Jets would have the fourth pick. In order, it would be the Bucs, Titans, Jaguars, Jets and Raiders. Of course, this could change after the final three games. And in a sort of twisted way, the Jets hold some of their fate in their own hands with Sunday's game at Tennessee. The winner might be the loser, at least when it comes to the draft order. A win by the Jets would get them that much further away from the first pick and keep the Titans in prime position. Of the five 2-11 teams, three are in the market for a franchise quarterback: Tampa Bay, Tennessee and the Jets. The Jaguars spent the third overall pick on Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles last year and appear committed to him for the long haul. The Raiders used a second-round pick on Derek Carr, and his improvement throughout the season likely means they are committed to him. The one asterisk is that there will be a new head coach in Oakland, and that could lead to a change in thinking if they're in position to draft Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston, the other blue-chip quarterback expected to be available in April. The Bucs, Titans and Jets are in the market for a player of Mariota's caliber. And although Winston's offfield issues make him more of a risk, there's no denying the 2013 Heisman winner's talent, or that he has 7 P a g e

8 never lost a college football game. Considering the desperation NFL teams have shown in securing a franchise quarterback in recent years, there's a good chance he will be a top five pick. The remaining schedules of the teams in line for the No. 1 pick vary in degree of difficulty. After the Titans, the Jets are home against the Patriots and finish the season at Miami. The Bucs are at Carolina and home against the Packers and Saints. After the Jets, the Titans are at Jacksonville and home against the Colts. The Jaguars are at Baltimore, home against the Titans, and at Houston. The Raiders are at Kansas City, home against the Bills, and at Denver. The Redskins are 3-10 going into Sunday against the Giants, but in all likelihood, it will be one of the 2-11 teams that winds up with the top pick. So Jets fans will be understandably torn about their allegiances down the stretch. Do you root for your team to win and salvage some measure of pride from a lost season? Or do you want the Jets to lose out and have a shot at a potential savior on draft day? "I know where our fans are coming from. If there was a Peyton Manning out there, a Walter Payton, I'm not saying you'd throw it,'' Ryan said with a smattering of sarcasm. "No, I'm just kidding. We're trying to win the game.'' Ryan is all in for the next three weeks, but many fans are sure to have mixed feelings, considering the potential benefits of three straight losses and a shot at Mariota. Tough choices for an even tougher season. THE RECORD Jets report card: Week 14 vs. Minnesota (J.P. Pelzman) The Record Rushing offense: B-minus The Jets were effective for the most part, averaging 4 yards per carry, but couldn t run well near Minnesota s goal line. RB Chris Ivory, who had a team-high 73 yards on the ground, lost a fumble at the Minnesota 2 in the second quarter and was stopped for a 2-yard loss on another first-and-goal play in the third period. Passing offense: C QB Geno Smith threw a pick-six to LB Gerald Hodges on the Jets first play from scrimmage, but played decently after that while throwing for 254 yards and one touchdown. Still, Hodges interception came about because Smith once again eyed his primary target exclusively on the play. WRs Percy Harvin (six receptions, 124 yards) and Eric Decker (six for 89) were productive. Rushing defense: B The Jets were gashed for a 23-yard burst by WR Jarius Wright on an end-around, but limited the Vikings to 3.4 yards per carry on their other 27 rushing plays. DL Sheldon Richardson and ILB David Harris stuffed RB Matt Asiata for no gain on third-and-1 from the Minnesota 26 in the second quarter. Passing defense: D 8 P a g e

9 Rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater burned a full blitz with a screen to Wright, who shook off an attempted tackle by S Jaiquawn Jarrett and went 87 yards for the winning TD in overtime. Bridgewater threw for 309 yards and two TDs, and his one interception came on a desperation pass as the first half ended. Both Wright (123) and Charles Johnson (103) topped 100 yards receiving. Special teams: B-plus Harvin averaged 27.3 yards per kickoff return, and had a 47-yarder that led to the first of Nick Folk s five field goals. Folk went 5-for-5 on three-pointers, atoning for a rare bad game against Miami the week before. Ryan Quigley had a 35-yard punt to put Minnesota at its 8 in OT, but the Jets defense couldn t capitalize. Quigley received better protection than he did in the prior two games. Coaching: C-minus Coach Rex Ryan gambled with an all-out blitz in overtime, and lost, after having used that tactic successfully against Bridgewater earlier. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg drew up a more balanced game plan than the one he used against the Dolphins, but couldn t come up with anything that worked in the red zone. The Jets failed to score a touchdown on five trips inside the 20. But give Ryan some credit for motivating his team to play hard in two straight games after the no-show against Buffalo. Sheldon Richardson always on the run for Jets The Record FLORHAM PARK Jarius Wright ran a yard dash at the NFL Combine in Sheldon Richardson is listed at 294 pounds, and might be over 300. So the outcome of a footrace between the two would seem to be a foregone conclusion, and Minnesota's Wright did indeed quickly pull away from the Jets' Richardson en route to the game-winning 87-yard touchdown Sunday. Still, Richardson gave it everything he had. "That's just me it's overtime," the second-year defensive lineman said Monday. "I don't see the need to give up on the play. He could have done anything: He could have celebrated early, anything like that. You never know. "I had an angle" on Wright at one point, Richardson said. "I could have dove. I just couldn't get to him. [My] legs were kind of shot at the end. He just got past me." "It doesn't surprise me," coach Rex Ryan said. "That's how he plays." Which is why Ryan was taken aback when he heard about something else Richardson said Monday. When asked how he stays motivated despite the Jets' 2-11 record, Richardson replied, "This is a teamoriented game, but this is a business in the end. I've still got something to play for." And that is? "The almighty dollar. That's what drives this league. It is what it is. I don't want to sound selfish or anything, but in the end, you've got to get yours." "I know there's a comment," Ryan said, "where [Richardson] said it's just about the money or something. That's not this kid. This kid's anything but that. I think he thinks it sounds good, but he's much more than 9 P a g e

10 that. He gives it for himself [and] his teammates. This is the way he plays. At one point, I thought he was actually going to make that tackle" on Wright. Certainly Ryan and Richardson are cut from the same cloth. Despite the fact the Jets are going nowhere and speculation continues to swirl that Ryan will be fired after the season ends, the sixth-year coach remains defiant. Ryan passionately defended owner Woody Johnson after Sunday's loss, saying it isn't his fault the Jets are in this position. Ryan was asked Monday if that could have been perceived as a farewell address. "I'm not conceding anything," Ryan said. "I'm not going anywhere. I know I've got three weeks and here we come. At least, I know I think I have three weeks here and here we go. I'm going to approach business as business and focus on this game." The Jets play Tennessee on Sunday. The Titans also are 2-11 and the victor will fall behind in the race for the No. 1 overall draft pick in But Ryan isn't concerned about that. "I know where are our fans are coming from," said Ryan, referring to the idea of finishing as low as possible to get the No. 1 draft pick. "Absolutely, I get that. That doesn't mean that we're going to approach this game any different, because we're going to try to win the game." He then joked that if an all-time great such as Peyton Manning or Walter Payton were available in the next draft, he would consider tanking. But then he added, "No, I'm just kidding. We're not [tanking]. We're trying to win the game." BRIEFS: Ryan said WR-KR Percy Harvin has a low ankle sprain and his left foot is in a boot. His availability for Sunday's game is very much in doubt. S Antonio Allen fractured his left hand Sunday and sported a cast Monday, but Ryan believes he will be able to play against the Titans. Ryan was optimistic about the possibility of DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) and Jace Amaro (concussion) playing Sunday. Each has missed the last two games. Ryan indicated Wilkerson is being fitted for a special shoe to protect his injured big toe. NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Jets special teams coach Thomas McGaughey already openly campaigning for his next job (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media enly_campaigning_for_his_next_job.html The Jets are 2-11 with three games remaining, so of course their coaches are going to spend some time in these next three weeks figuring out what they're going to do next. You expect that. But you don't really expect what happened Monday with Jets special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who is already openly campaigning for his next job. He told Houston's Fox 26 that he wants to become the next head coach at the University of Houston, his alma mater. McGaughey grew up in Houston. He coordinated special teams for the Cougars from He is in his first (and likely only) year with the Jets, who are expected to fire coach Rex Ryan on Dec. 29, the day after the season ends. The head coaching gig at Houston is a position McGaughey would not doubt be interested in even if Ryan and his staff weren't about to get fired. It is unquestionably an upgrade from his current job, especially 10 P a g e

11 given his personal ties to the school and area. As he told Fox 26, "Houston is home for me." This is clearly a destination job for McGaughey. Still, it is odd to see a currently employed coach publicly discussing where he wants to land next. It just shows you how far gone this 2014 Jets season is, as if you needed another reminder. Here's what McGaughey told Fox 26 about the University of Houston gig: "Obviously, I'm very interested in the job. Any time you get a chance to come back and coach at your alma mater, and potentially be the head coach, it's a great opportunity. So I'm really excited about that opportunity if it comes about. "It's not one of those deals where I'd be coming in trying to look for the next job. It would be huge for me and my family just to be able to be involved with the University of Houston program again. "I've kind of seen it all. I've coached on every level. I've seen each level and the process that goes along with it. Coaching in the Super Bowl with the New York Giants. I've seen it all from the bottom to the top. I kind of have the tickets punched that way, but we'll see what happens." McGaughey told Fox 26 that his agent was going to reach out to University of Houston officials, which certainly could have happened without McGaughey talking publicly about wanting the job. But there you have it. Does he have a realistic shot at this job? He has never been a head coach. He coached special teams at LSU from , before he joined the Jets. He was the Giants' assistant special teams coordinator from His job with the Jets marks the first time he has been a head special teams coordinator in the NFL. Plus, the Jets' special teams haven't been all that great this season. They rank 32nd in punt returns and 20th in kickoff returns. In terms of their coverage units, they are 19th on punts and eighth on kickoffs. In the loss to the Bills in Detroit, the Jets had a punt blocked, and the Bills pounced on it for a touchdown. Tennessee Titans' Zach Mettenberger 'doubtful' against Jets, reportedly out for season (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media _injury_wont_play_against_jets.html FLORHAM PARK When the Jets travel to Nashville to play the Titans in Sunday's 2015 First Pick In The Draft Bowl, they likely won't be facing Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger, a rookie from LSU taken in the sixth round of this year's draft, injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Titans' loss to the Giants on Sunday. It's the second time he injured the shoulder in as many weeks, but a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport this one was an AC joint separation. That diagnosis likely means Mettenberger is out for the season, though Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt was optimistic Monday that Mettenberger might be able to return before the year of the year, though Whisenhunt did concede Mettenberger is "doubtful" to play against the Jets: Mettenberger has compiled to Total QBR of just in six starts this season. Jake Locker, who began the season as the Titans' starter, will be under center against the Jets if Mettenberger can't go, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. 11 P a g e

12 Both the Titans and the Jets are 2-11 and in the market for a quarterback heading into As things now stand, the Titans would have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the Jets No. 4. The loser gets the inside track on that all-important No. 1 pick, though Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Monday he's "not conceding anything." Rex Ryan: Jets won't tank against Tennessee Titans (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media FLORHAM PARK There's a lot riding on the outcome of Sunday's game between the Jets and Titans in Nashville. The winner gets to improve to 3-11 this season. The loser gains some ground on getting the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, which everyone knows is just as important as winning the Super Bowl. Right now, the Jets would have the fourth overall pick in the draft, and their chances of getting the No. 1 pick rose more than seven percent after Sunday's loss to the Vikings. Should the Jets try to lose? A good number of fans think they should. "I know where our fans our coming from," head coach Rex Ryan said. "Absolutely. I get that. That doesn't mean that we're going to approach this game any different, because we're going to try to win the game. I definitely understand it." Ryan was just setting the stage for his punchline. "If there was a Peyton Manning out there or whoever out there, Walter Payton I'm not saying you throw [the game]. No, I'm just kidding. We're not. We're trying to win the game." Ryan's job is in jeopardy, and he likely won't be around when the Jets get to drafting next spring. But on Monday, he didn't sound like someone who was ready to throw in the towel on anything. As he defended Jets owner Woody Johnson for the second day in a row, Ryan made it clear he wasn't backing down from trying to win out against the Titans, Patriots, and Dolphins, no matter what fate awaits him. "I'm not conceding anything," he said. "I'm not going anywhere. I know that I've got three weeks and here we come." He then caught himself. "That hadn't been told to me," he said, making a joke about whether management informed him he'd get to finish the season. "At least I know I think I have three weeks here, and here we go." Sheldon Richardson on Jets fans giving up on Geno Smith: 'They're quitters' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media h_theyre_quitters.html FLORHAM PARK Geno Smith may be playing out his chance to prove he can be a capable NFL quarterback in these last few weeks of this miserable Jets season, but teammate Sheldon Richardson says it's much too soon to think Smith is done for. 12 P a g e

13 Richardson, the Jets' outstanding defensive end, was asked Monday about Jets fans who have given up on Smith. "They're quitters," he said. "You know how I feel. You go all in with a guy, why not give him his chance? He's been in the league two years, and guys want him to play like he's Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or something like that. I just told him to stop turning the ball over like everybody else probably has mentioned before. But he's done that." (Richardson was on a roll Monday: Asked what he still has to play for with the Jets puttering along at 2-11, he said, "The almighty dollar.") For the record, Smith has 20 touchdown passes, 33 interceptions, and six lost fumbles in 27 career games. It's a bit difficult to overlook those totals, especially since he's turned it over at least once in 21 of his 26 career starts. Smith threw a pick on the first play from scrimmage on Sunday at the Vikings, though he did get it together enough to play one of his better games this season. Richardson and Smith were both taken in the 2013 draft, with Richardson going in the firts round and Smith in the second. Their careers have gone in decidedly different directions since then. Richardson was the NFL's defensive rookie of the year, and he continues to be one of the Jets' best players. Smith, meanwhile, has posted a Total QBR this season of 28.1; and only Blake Bortles of the Jaguars is worse among qualified starters, but Bortles is still a rookie. Richardson even went so far as to say he thought Smith could be a successful NFL quarterback. "Yeah," Richardson said. "The quarterback position is the only position where you're really on your own every play. The eye's always on you; you're under the microscope. It's kind of tough. It just takes some getting used to." Head coach Rex Ryan said Richardson's comments reflected how much Richardson cares for his teammates. "So that comment probably comes from there and he will take the bullet himself," Ryan said. "There may be a few more bullets coming at him than he thinks, but I hope not. I hope they know his heart is in the right spot, and he just believes in his teammate." Jets injury updates: Will receiver Percy Harvin (ankle) be able to play at Tennessee Titans? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media jury.html FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets have received relatively good news regarding wide receiver Percy Harvin's injured ankle. He got hurt late in Sunday's loss at Minnesota and was unavailable for overtime. On Monday, Jets coach Rex Ryan said Harvin just sustained a traditional low ankle sprain, and not a high sprain, which is usually tougher to recover from. "Obviously, the high ankle (sprains), those seem like they never heal," Ryan said. "You might as well break it." 13 P a g e

14 Ryan clarified that Harvin did not fracture his ankle, and that he is not aware of any ligament damage to Harvin's ankle. Ryan said Harvin is wearing a walking boot. It remains uncertain if Harvin will be able to play Sunday at the Titans, in battle of 2-11 teams. "I'm not real sure," Ryan said. "It probably doesn't look great, but we'll see as it progresses." With three games remaining in this crummy season, Harvin is still auditioning for the non-guaranteed contract money due to come his way in He excelled against the Vikings, the team that drafted him. He caught six passes for 124 yards, including his first touchdown of the season. Some other injury updates from Ryan on Monday: DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe): He has missed the past two games. Ryan said last week that he was hopeful Wilkerson could return against the Titans. On Monday, Ryan said the Jets have ordered a special cleat for Wilkerson to wear. "So hopefully, he will have an opportunity to get on the grass this week (at practice) and we will see how he has progressed," Ryan said. Wilkerson has not practiced since he got hurt, but he did some jogging last week. TE Jace Amaro (concussion): Last week, Ryan also expressed hope that Amaro could return in Tennessee. Amaro has missed the past two games. Ryan said Monday that Amaro has not yet been cleared to resume practicing by the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. But Ryan said he thinks "it looks good" that Amaro could soon be cleared. The Jets practice again Wednesday. "I think Jace is really improving," Ryan said. "I feel good that Jace is coming along. That goes through the concussion protocol, but the arrow seems to be pointing up." As of last week, Amaro had been cleared for light exercise, part of a gradual return to practice that is dictated by the concussion protocol. S Antonio Allen (broken hand): He sustained the injury in Minnesota, but is going to continue practicing and playing. Ryan said Allen "will be all right." LB Trevor Reilly (head): The rookie got hurt in Minnesota and did not return. Ryan said he is not sure if Reilly is in the post-concussion assessment protocol, but did say Reilly "is doing well today, so I think that is a good sign." Jets' Rex Ryan, good soldier to the end, says fans shouldn't rip owner Woody Johnson for 2-11 season (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media nt_rip_owner_woody_johnson_for_2-11_season.html FLORHAM PARK -- After Sunday's loss at the Vikings, which dropped the Jets to 2-11, coach Rex Ryan defended his oft-criticized owner, Woody Johnson. Ryan said Johnson didn't deserve to be ripped for the team's miserable season, and that the Jets "are in good hands with him as the owner." Ryan heaped all the blame on himself. He doubled down on those comments Monday, as he continues to play the role of good soldier in the final weeks of a season that almost certainly will end with him losing his job. John Idzik, the Jets' second-year general manager, could also be on thin ice. 14 P a g e

15 "I get the criticism I get," Ryan said. "I understand that. You're 2-11, so I understand the things that I get. But I don't like it when people criticize the ownership, because that's the furthest thing from the truth. You talk about commitment, this guy is committed. There's no question. All you've got to do is look at our building. I see what he does for our players -- the chiropractors, the masseuses. You name it, they have it here, period. "I want people to understand it. Trust me, you should be really happy that this guy is your owner, because he is committed. I know how much he cares about this franchise and how much he cares about this team. One of his true loves and passions that he has. So I wanted the fans to know it. I just really wanted the fans to know that: Hey, guys, this is your owner. You should be happy that this is your owner. You can do a heck of a lot worse than having Woody Johnson as your owner. I promise you." There is a big difference between an owner throwing resources at a team (which is all well and good) and making decisions that lead to consistent winning. Johnson has unquestionably done the former. But his decision-making looks shaky. It was Johnson who decided to keep Ryan when he fired general manager Mike Tannenbaum after the 2012 season. It was Johnson who hired Idzik (who had limited experience evaluating personnel), and put the Jets' general manager and head coach on different timelines, with Idzik planning for the future and Ryan needing to win now, in order to save his job. And it is Johnson, 67, who oversees a franchise that once again looked like a circus of dysfunction last week, when an SB Nation report quoted an unnamed management source as saying Ryan twice considered firing offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg this season, which Ryan vehemently denied. OK, so Woody Johnson cares about the Jets and wants to win and built a palatial training complex to accomplish that goal. That level of commitment is only part of being a good NFL owner. Bringing in the right people is an even bigger part. You could make a very strong case that Johnson has failed miserably at this. He might get a chance to start fresh later this month, and to make some wiser hiring choices, if he decides to fire Idzik along with Ryan. Bringing in a new coach and general manager at the same time would significantly test Johnson's hiring chops. He better make the right choice (or choices), lest the Jets continue to slip. Next season will be Johnson's 16th as the Jets' owner. Never, during that time, has the organization fallen as low as this season. These Jets are still trying to avoid becoming just the second team in franchise history to win fewer than three games in a single year. Ryan and Johnson are close, since it was Johnson who hired Ryan back in 2009 for his first head coaching job. So Ryan's defense of Johnson comes as no surprise. Really, what else do you expect Ryan to say? Plus, when Ryan attempts to become a head coach again, whenever that might happen, the owner hiring him might admire how Ryan stood up and took the heat late in this lost season. At this point, with his termination nearing, Ryan would do himself no favors for the future by saying anything other than that Johnson is just a fantastic owner, even if pretty much everybody else thinks otherwise. After raving about Johnson, Ryan was pressed Monday about why he thinks an NFL owner does not deserve to be criticized when his team goes 2-11 and misses the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. "Because that's on me," Ryan said, repeating a phrase he used Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, and he is right about that, to a degree. "This thing, the 2-11 is on me. I control what goes on on the field. That's why it should be pointed at me. 15 P a g e

16 "I think we're a better team than that, but our record doesn't show that. That's all that matters. I understand that Bill Parcells has a legendary thing that comes out ['you are what your record says you are'], and I know he's a great coach, but I think there's more to it than that. Because I see this team as being more than a 2-11 team." Geno Smith gives Pro Bowl-caliber effort to spin Jets' season as a positive (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media FLORHAM PARK Here's Jets quarterback Geno Smith, in response to a question on Monday about what he'd say to fans who wonder whether he ought to be the team's quarterback of the future (emphasis mine): "Well, as of right now, I can only focus on what I'm going through right here and right now. We've got three games left to, obviously, improve, and we've got to go out there and put it all on line and do our jobs. For the fans, I know it's been a hard season for us all. We always have the fans in mind because we do appreciate what they do for us, the support, and just coming out every single Sunday, even though we're not where we want to be right now. Having faith, because we have faith in this locker room. We all have faith in one another and we have faith that what we're going through right now isn't indicative of who we are as players or as people. We believe that we're going to come out of this and be successful. I know that I'm going to be successful and I believe in all my teammates in saying that we'll all be successful. We don't like to talk about the future, because we're living in the right now, but it's almost exciting to think about all the room for improvement that we have. But at the same time, we've got to really hone in on the right now and just focus on what we need to do right now." It's almost exciting to think about all the room for improvement we have. I just love that use of the word "almost." It implies that the only way things could be better is if they were actually worse: The Jets might be 2-11, but what if they were winless? Think of all the room for improvement they'd have then! Now think of how exciting that would be! All credit to Geno Smith for coming up with the perfect slogan to sum up the Jets this season. Jets' Sheldon Richardson says 'the almighty dollar' still gives guys on a 2-11 team something to play for (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media es_guys_on_a_2-11_team_something_to_play_f.html FLORHAM PARK -- The NFL is rolling in billions of dollars of television contract money. While the league's rookies don't make chump change, a lot of them earn far less than their skills would dictate. That is why a player's second contract, outside the restraints of the collective bargaining agreement's rookie wage scale, is so valuable. So when your team is 2-11, like defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson's Jets are this year, it's not like all the stakes are gone. 16 P a g e

17 "This is a team-oriented game, but this is a business in the end, and we've still got something to play for," said Richardson, a second-year pro who is angling for his first Pro Bowl appearance this year. And what is that something? "The almighty dollar," he said without hesitation. "It's what drives this league. It is what it is. I don't want to sound selfish or anything, but you've got to get yours." Richardson, never afraid to speak his mind about any topic, is simply acknowledging the reality of today's NFL. The fact that most players wouldn't say something like this doesn't make it any less true. The NFL's rookie wage scale significantly restricts a player's earning power early in his career -- in a violent league known for short careers, no less. Consider the Jets' best player, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, a first-round draft pick in 2011, 30th overall. This is the final year of his rookie contract, which is worth $6.875 million. The Jets picked up their fifthyear option on the deal, so Wilkerson will make $6.969 million next year -- a nice raise, but still below market value for one of the top players at his position. If the Jets want to, they can apply the franchise tag to Wilkerson for 2016, his sixth season in the league, and continue to pay him less than market value. As players seek long-term financial security, cashing in on their second contract is critical. The Jets selected Richardson 13th overall in His rookie deal is worth $ million. Again, this is a lot of money, but less than what Richardson has shown he is worth, after he won NFL Defensive Rookie of the year last season. He will be a free agent after the 2016 season, but the Jets could also pick up his fifth-year option for Richardson is coming off a three-sack game in Sunday's loss at Minnesota. He now has 6½ for the season, three more than he accumulated last year. Wilkerson has 4½ sacks this year and 23 for his career. He has missed the past two games with a turf toe injury. Pro Football Focus rates Wilkerson and Richardson second and fifth in the league among 3-4 defensive ends. Richardson is fifth as a pass rusher, Wilkerson 10th. Against the run, Wilkerson is first, Richardson third. Neither player has ever made the Pro Bowl. Wilkerson was a top contender in voting before he got hurt. Richardson helped his own cause in Minnesota, but he said he does "not yet" think he is deserving of a spot in the NFL's all-star game. "A few more sacks, and a couple more big plays, and I should," he said. He expects the Jets' terrible record to "probably" play a part in how many votes he gets, and he's OK with that. "It should," he said. "It plays a part in that. If not a Super Bowl, you most definitely want to make the Pro Bowl if you feel like you're a high-caliber player." He believes landing in the Pro Bowl this year "would most definitely help" his chances of landing a big second contract. "I came into this league, and I wanted to be a dominant force," he said. "I meant that. That doesn't change for me no matter what the outcome of our record is. That's just how it goes for me." Jets report card: Plenty of mixed grades in overtime loss to Minnesota Vikings (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media 17 P a g e