NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS December 12, 2014 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 2 Decker: Jets 'very close' to playoff-caliber team (Dennis Waszak)... 2 Jets' Amaro fully practices, Harvin sits out again (Dennis Waszak)... 3 NEWSDAY... 4 Jace Amaro says he will play Sunday; Ryan says Wilkerson 50-50, less optimistic on Harvin (Kimberley martin)... 4 Rex Ryan, players understand Woody Johnson's frustration (Kimberley Martin)... 5 Jets' season tough on broadcaster Marty Lyons, too (Neil Best)... 6 THE RECORD... 7 Rex Ryan just as frustrated as Jets owner Woody Johnson (J.P. Pelzman)... 7 NJ ADVANCE MEDIA... 8 Eric Decker doesn't think Jets are far from being a playoff team (Dom Cosentino)... 8 Marty Mornhinweg, coordinator of NFL's worst red-zone offense, says Jets' issues 'easy to diagnose' (Darryl Slater)... 9 Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Jets will draft Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston (Dom Cosentino)... 10 Jets special teams coach Thomas McGaughey regrets timing of his public campaign for new job (Darryl Slater). 11 Rex Ryan on Woody Johnson suggesting he might fire him: 'He can do whatever he wants' (Dom Cosentino)... 12 What odds does Jets' Rex Ryan put on Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) playing at Tennessee Titans? (Darryl Slater)... 13 Calvin Pace talks sense into Jets fans who think Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston would be a cure-all (Darryl Slater)... 14 Percy Harvin (ankle) sits out again at Jets practice; Jace Amaro (concussion) cleared for contact (Darryl Slater). 15 Rex Ryan has 'no problem' with Jets coaches lobbying for other jobs (Dom Cosentino)... 16 Jets owner Woody Johnson sounds like he's ready to fire Rex Ryan and John Idzik, per report (Dom Cosentino) 16 NEW YORK POST... 17 Percy Harvin, Antonio Allen iffy to face Titans (Fred Kerber)... 17 Rex Ryan: Damning Woody Johnson words not surprising (Fred Kerber)... 18 Geno Smith s and the Jets horrific Tennessee nightmares (Fred Kerber)... 19 Give John Idzik credit for choir boy Percy Harvin (George Willis)... 20 How Rex Ryan would benefit from a year on TV (Justin Terranova)... 21 NEW YORK DAILY NEWS... 22 NY Jets' Calvin Pace doesn't think Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota is answer for Gang Green (Seth Walder). 22 NY Jets coach Rex Ryan says owner Woody Johnson's disappointment is justified (Seth Walder)... 23 Hey, Woody Johnson... here are 5 things the NY Jets need to do to turn around this mess (Manish Mehta)... 24 1 P a g e

ESPN NEW YORK... 25 Two years is enough; time for new Jets GM (Rich Cimini)... 25 Marty Mornhinweg on Geno Smith: 'This isn't about flashing' talent (Rich Cimini)... 26 Sheldon Richardson: Woody Johnson has right to be 'flabbergasted' (Rich Cimini)... 27 Rex Ryan not optimistic about Percy Harvin (ankle) (Rich Cimini)... 28 Kiper: Mariota and Winston aren't elite but should be on Jets' radar (Rich Cimini)... 29 Woody Johnson discusses 'the hardest year,' hints at big changes (Rich Cimini)... 29 Under the spotlight: Chris Johnson and Sheldon Richardson (Rich Cimini)... 30 METRO NEW YORK... 31 Jets notebook: Status of Muhammad Wilkerson still up in the air (Kristian Dyer)... 31 THURSDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS... 32 ASSOCIATED PRESS Decker: Jets 'very close' to playoff-caliber team (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press http://pro32.ap.org/article/decker-jets-very-close-playoff-caliber-team FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Eric Decker went from playing in the Super Bowl a year ago to simply playing for pride during the final weeks of this season. Through it all, the New York Jets wide receiver has no regrets. Decker refuses to look back at what might have been if the Denver Broncos wanted to re-sign him. The fact is, they didn't, and he came to New York with big hopes for the Big Apple. Instead, he has endured a 2-11 season with the futures of his coach, general manager and many of his teammates uncertain. "I mean, honestly, going from a good team or an average team or the record we're at now, it's very small," Decker said Thursday. "The details, honestly, separate the great from the good, and the great from the average. It's about your preparation, details of how you practice, details of how you watch film, the details of doing things the right way. "We're very close." It might sound perhaps delusional to some, but several players other than Decker have insisted over the past few weeks that the Jets aren't as bad as the record indicates. They see signs of hope, that things can be turned around with some major offseason tweaks. Many fans and media believe wholesale changes are in store for the Jets, who will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season under Rex Ryan. Owner Woody Johnson will have major decisions to make as far as Ryan and GM John Idzik, and he told the New York Daily News at the NFL meetings in Dallas that this has been "the hardest year I've had in terms of losses." 2 P a g e

"He's invested a lot of stuff into this organization and this team, and our job as players is performance," said Decker, who leads the Jets with 55 catches. "He can't control performance. He can control what he provides us and what he does to help us as far as athletes. "It's one of the best organizations in the NFL, so for us, we've got to find a way to get some more wins. It's frustrating the locker room and we're the ones grinding on the field every day, and it's got to be frustrated for him as well because this is really his organization and he wants to see success." But that could mean a new GM, a new coach and several new players, a massive amount of turnover for a team that has lost by 20 or more points three times but by 14 or fewer eight times this season. "Obviously, there's certain pieces throughout a team or certain bounces throughout a year that help you along the way," Decker said, "but for us, we've got to find our identity, do the little things right and just keep chipping away because it will turn. "I don't think it's far off at all from being a playoff kind of team." Decker is also realist, though, and he knows changes are coming to some extent. "There's pieces, obviously, that we'll need to help us be a better football team," Decker said. "That's a question for the personnel department, for management, to make. As far as the core of this team, the guys that we have in this locker room, there's a reason why we're all here. We're not performing well enough to get victories and there's questions and answers behind that, but I feel that the core of this team is definitely championship-minded and championship athletes." Moving forward, though, that core could be led by someone other than Ryan on the field. The coach understands and shares Johnson's disappointment over how this season has unfolded. Ryan insisted he is focused only on the team's next game at Tennessee on Sunday, and Johnson is "justified" in whatever he decides at the end of the season. That includes the fate of the coach. "I mean, I love Rex," Decker said. "That's one of the reasons why I came here.... He's been a great players' coach as far as taking care of you, doing things and providing you with things, and being real with you when you ask questions. I have the utmost respect for him. That's out of my control as far as what's going to happen next year, but I definitely appreciate and respect him." Jets' Amaro fully practices, Harvin sits out again (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-amaro-fully-practices-harvin-sits-out-again FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets will likely have Jace Amaro back in the lineup at Tennessee. The rookie tight end fully practiced Thursday for the first time since suffering a concussion against the Buffalo Bills in Detroit nearly three weeks ago. "I felt back to normal today," Amaro said. "I'll be playing Sunday." Amaro, who was cleared for physical activity after going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries, was hurt during a kickoff return against the Bills on Nov. 24. Amaro is tied with Jeremy Kerley for second on the team with 34 receptions. 3 P a g e

"I kind of felt like I could play last week, but things just didn't work out that way," Amaro said. "I feel really good for this week." Wide receiver Percy Harvin sat out for a second straight day with a sprained left ankle after saying he "definitely" thinks he'll play. "I know he's optimistic and I hope he's right," coach Rex Ryan said, "But I'm a lot less optimistic." Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson made progress from his turf toe injury by returning to the practice field on a limited basis for the first time since being hurt in Detroit. His status for the game against the Titans remained uncertain. "I would say it's a good 50 percent, 50-50," Ryan said. "Right on the fence." Wilkerson participated in about two snaps of team drills Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. He said the toe still hurts "a little bit," but he has been working in a specially made cleat to help him get back on the field. "It's helping out," Wilkerson said. "I've never worn this shoe before, so it feels a little different, obviously. That's just something I've got to get used to." Safety Antonio Allen sat out for the second straight day with a broken hand that could sideline him at Tennessee. Kicker Nick Folk was a full participant after being limited on Wednesday. NEWSDAY Jace Amaro says he will play Sunday; Ryan says Wilkerson 50-50, less optimistic on Harvin (Kimberley Martin) Newsday http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jace-amaro-says-he-will-play-sunday-ryan-sayswilkerson-50-50-less-optimistic-on-harvin-1.9706616 Jets rookie tight end Jace Amaro expects to play against the Titans on Sunday. Amaro was cleared for contact and practiced fully for the first time since suffering a concussion nearly three weeks ago against the Buffalo Bills in Detroit. "I felt back to normal today,'' said Amaro, who has 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns. "I'll be playing Sunday.'' Meanwhile, Rex Ryan said there's a "50-50'' chance that Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) will suit up. Wilkerson, who missed the past two games, is wearing a specialized cleat. Ryan said he was limited and did "did very little'' at practice. Though Percy Harvin said Wednesday he's "definitely'' playing, the receiver did not practice and Ryan said he's "a lot less optimistic'' about Harvin's status for Sunday. "I think we'll see Percy again before the season is over,'' Ryan said. "Will we see him this week? I'm not sure.'' McGaughey focusing Asked about openly campaigning for the vacant head-coaching job at the University of Houston, Jets special- teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey admitted his timing "was probably bad.'' But he also made 4 P a g e

it clear he's very much open to the opportunity at his alma mater. "I bleed Cougar Red,'' he said. "I played there. I met my wife there. We had my son there. I got married there. That place is special to me.'' But McGaughey insisted his focus is on this season and said he has not set up an interview. Jet streams Antonio Allen (broken hand) also did not practice. Nick Folk (hip) and Trevor Reilly (concussion) practiced fully... Eric Decker's wife, country singer Jessie James Decker, will perform at halftime of Jets-Pats on Dec. 21. Rex Ryan, players understand Woody Johnson's frustration (Kimberley Martin) Newsday http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-players-understand-woody-johnson-sfrustration-1.9706578 Woody Johnson is frustrated -- and everyone in the organization knows it. A day after the Jets' owner publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with his 2-11 team, Rex Ryan and his players acknowledged that their owner's disappointment is well justified. "That's not surprising. I assume that that's how Woody's feeling,'' Ryan said Thursday. Speaking at the NFL meetings in Irving, Texas, on Wednesday, Johnson told the New York Daily News that this is "the hardest year I've had in terms of losses'' and "it's been extremely painful.'' He also said he's evaluating all scenarios "to right the ship, whether it's the current way, the way we are doing it now with the people we have now, or going down a different pathway.'' Many assume Ryan will be shown the door at the end of the season, his sixth as the Jets' coach. General manager John Idzik, who was spotted at the team's facility Thursday after making an appearance at the NFL meetings, might face a similar fate after only two years on the job. But with no playoffs for a fourth straight season, capped by the worst of the four years record-wise, no one could fault Johnson for making wholesale changes. Not even Ryan. "Obviously, the man's the owner of the team,'' he said. "He has the right to do anything he wants and be justified in anything he chooses to do.'' In October, Johnson expressed confidence in the group despite its 1-3 record. But he also made it clear that the coaching staff had "fallen short.'' But the Jets wound up losing eight straight games at one point and have dropped three of their past four. Ryan admitted he was "embarrassed'' after the Jets' Monday night loss to Miami on Dec. 1 dropped them to 2-10, and said he felt he had let Johnson and the fan base down. The Jets followed up that loss with another exasperating performance this past Sunday in Minnesota. The game ended on the Vikings' 87- yard catch-and-run touchdown in overtime. "It's expected,'' Calvin Pace said of Johnson's frustrations. "You're not seeing the results on what you're paying for. I don't think anybody would be happy. We're not. Players aren't, coaches aren't, fans aren't. It's unfortunate. It really is.'' Receiver Eric Decker agreed. "He's invested a lot of stuff into this organization, into this team. Our job as players is performance. He can't control performance,'' said Decker, who signed a five-year, $36.25-million free-agent deal in the offseason. "For us, we've got to find a way to get more wins. It's frustrating in the 5 P a g e

locker room because we're the ones on the field every day, grinding. And it's got to be frustrating for him as well because, really, this is his organization and he wants to see success.'' Despite the mounting losses, Decker believes the Jets aren't "far off'' from being a playoff contender. "Going from a good team to an average team -- or the record we're at now -- it's very small,'' the former Bronco said. "The details are, honestly, what separate the great from the good and the great from the average.'' But even though he believes the Jets are close to being a playoff-caliber team, Decker won't be surprised by major offseason moves. "There's always changes,'' he said. "There's pieces that, obviously, we'll need to be a better football team and that's a question for the personnel department, for management. "Obviously, we're not performing well enough to get victories... But I feel like the core of this team is definitely championship-minded and championship athletes.'' Jets' season tough on broadcaster Marty Lyons, too (Neil Best) Newsday http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/jets-season-tough-on-broadcaster-marty-lyonstoo-1.9705024 Sure, this is a difficult time to be with the Jets, even for a guy holding a microphone rather than an offensive guard's jersey. But it could always be worse, and was. You think asking Rex Ryan the first question of every postgame news conference is tough for Marty Lyons at 2-11? Child's play compared to this: "Well, I did the TV show with Richie Kotite when he was 1-11 [in 1996], 3-13 [in 1995], and it was a challenge to try to find something positive every week," Lyons said, allowing himself a laugh after two decades of healing. That was back on MSG's old "Jets Journal'' show, Lyons' media gig between playing for the Jets from 1979-89 and serving as their radio analyst since 2002 alongside Bob Wischusen. It has been quite a 35-year association with the team, during which he became a New York Sack Exchange pillar, businessman, philanthropist, Ring of Honor inductee and Long Islander (he lives in Smithtown). Now this. Entering Sunday's game against the Titans, many Jets fans are rooting for a loss to remain in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. "It's been tough on us," he said Tuesday at an event to promote Steiner Sports' new line of handwritten essays by athletes over pictures from their past. (Lyons' is from his days at Alabama, not as a Jet.) "I think it's tough on the players, tough on the coaches, management. Everybody wants to win. But you want to be honest as a broadcaster, so you have to really paint the picture of what you see. Sometimes it's not pretty." Lyons does not have the same reputation for blunt criticism as did his predecessor, the late Dave Jennings, or even his Giants counterpart, Carl Banks. He said his goal is to critique while at the same time being "respectful." 6 P a g e

"I know how hard it is," he said. "I know what these players are going through... I know they're saying, 'Hey, let's keep fighting,' and in the back of their mind they are also hoping, 'Let's keep fighting, let's try to win, but I don't want to get hurt.' " Ryan is the Jets' 10th coach since Lyons arrived as the 14th pick in the 1979 draft, so he has seen them come and go. But even with a quote machine such as Ryan at the podium, Lyons is starting to wonder what is left to ask. "You get repetitious with your questions in the press room," he said. "Well, Rex, what did you do this week? What happened this week? I think Rex did his best coaching job last year going 8-8 because it wasn't really an 8-8 team." Lyons, 57, also finds himself asking players young enough to be his sons what went wrong, week after week. "You go in the locker room and you're the first ones in there and you're asking the players to talk to you, they have to have a clear understanding that what you're saying is truthful," he said, "that what you're saying is not meaning any disrespect. But that's my job." Lyons was one of the few players to live on Long Island during offseasons in the 1980s, in part because by leaving town "you don't get a chance to meet the crowd, meet the fans, the people who are frustrated." Along the way, he started the Marty Lyons Foundation in 1982. So far it has helped more than 7,000 children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses fulfill wishes. He also worked for Paine Webber in the late 1990s, and since 2000 has been an executive with Amityvillebased LandTek Group, which builds and designs athletic facilities and other projects. The oldest of his four children, Rocky, is a doctor in Alabama and two others currently are students at his alma mater. Lyons said there is no place like home, and for him that remains Tuscaloosa. Still, after all these years, "I feel like a Long Islander. I feel like a New York Jet." Some seasons that is easier than others. THE RECORD Rex Ryan just as frustrated as Jets owner Woody Johnson (J.P. Pelzman) The Record December 12, 2014 http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/rex-feels-the-same-as-woody-1.1152230 FLORHAM PARK Rex Ryan reacted matter-of-factly Thursday to published comments by owner Woody Johnson, who indicated changes could be coming after the Jets' terrible season finally and mercifully ends later this month. "The man is the owner of the team," the Jets' coach said, "and has the right to do anything he wants and be justified in anything he chooses to do." Johnson, who is in Texas for the NFL meetings, told the Daily News on Wednesday that he hasn't decided whether or not to retain Ryan or general manager John Idzik. The Jets visit Tennessee on Sunday in a matchup of 2-11 teams. There has been rampant speculation in recent weeks that both Ryan and Idzik will be fired after the season ends. The Jets' season finale is at Miami on Dec. 28. 7 P a g e

"Ultimately, I am going to have to look for something that I believe is going to right the ship," Johnson said, "whether it's the current way, the way we are doing it now with the people we have now or going down a different pathway. I'm looking at everything. I'm analyzing what's happened and why it's happened." Johnson also said he and the team's fans are "frustrated." "Certainly I understand it. That's not surprising," Ryan said of Johnson's frustration. "Obviously, I assumed that's how Woody is feeling. For me, I just go about my business and focus on the present and what is right in front of me.... I don't look at my [job] situation. "I feel the same way [Johnson] does," Ryan added. "Again, I'm not focused past what is right in front of me. I know one thing, for me to dwell on my future or anything past [Sunday] is not a good thing. I'm just looking at this game, what I can do right now and I think that's the most important thing. As I've mentioned before, it's never about me, it's about the team. I think the best thing for the team is for me to be focused, just like I expect our guys to be focused on the Titans." Wide receiver Eric Decker also understands where Johnson is coming from. "He's invested a lot of stuff into this organization and this team," said Decker, who signed a five-year, $36.25 million free-agent contract in March, "and our job as players is [based on] performance. He can't control performance. He can control what he provides us, what he does to help us as athletes. I think he's done a great job. This is one of the best organizations in the NFL, so for us, we've got to find a way to get some more wins. "It's a frustrated locker room," Decker added, "and it's got to be frustrating for him as well because this is really his organization and he wants to see success." As for Ryan's status, Decker said, "I love Rex. That's one of the reasons why I came here.... That's out of my control as far as what's going to happen next year, but I definitely appreciate and respect him." BRIEFS: TE Jace Amaro, who suffered a concussion Nov. 24 against Buffalo, was cleared to practice full. "I felt back to normal [Thursday]," Amaro said. "I'll be playing Sunday." OLB Trevor Reilly, who suffered a concussion at Minnesota, also was cleared and practiced full. WR Percy Harvin (sprained left ankle) sat out for a second straight day and Ryan indicated he is not optimistic about Harvin being ready to play Sunday. DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) practiced on a limited basis for the first time since being hurt on Nov. 24 and Ryan believes he has a "50-50" chance to play Sunday. NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Eric Decker doesn't think Jets are far from being a playoff team (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/eric_decker_doesnt_think_jets_are_far_from_being_a_play off_team.html The Jets have great uncertainty at quarterback, fans already turning their attention toward next year's draft, and an owner who sounds ready to fire both the head coach and the general manager. But wide receiver Eric Decker, who played in the Super Bowl after last season as a member of the Broncos, still thinks they're close to being successful. 8 P a g e

"Honestly, going from a good team to... like, an average team, or the record we're at now, [the difference is] very small," Decker told reporters on Thursday. "The details, honestly, is what separates the great from the good, and the great from the average." Head coach Rex Ryan said earlier this week the Jets were better than their record indicates, which may or may not be true. But what Decker is suggesting is altogether different; he's saying there isn't much difference between the league's best and worst teams. The Jets aren't average. They're one of five teams tied for the worst record (2-11) in the NFL. Their offense is ranked 28th in DVOA by Football Outsiders. They're also dead last in red-zone efficiency, and next-tolast in turnover margin. Etc. Decker's rose-colored view isn't quite in the same neighborhood as Geno Smith's flashes-of-pro-bowlcaliber play, but it's in the same zip code. "It's about your preparation, the details of how you practice, the details of how you watch film, of doing things the right way," Decker said. "We're very close. Obviously, there's certain pieces throughout the team or certain bounces you get throughout a year that help you that way." I don't know. With a few bounces here or there, the Jets might have won another game or two. But playoffs? Playoffs? "For us, we've got to find our identity, we've got to do the little things right, and just keep chipping away because it will turn," Decker said. "I don't think it's far off at all from being a playoff team." So was Decker saying the Jets don't need to make major changes? "There's always changes," he said. "There's pieces, obviously, that we'll need to help us be a better football team. But that's a question for the personnel department, for management to make that. Again, the core of this team is definitely championship athletes." Marty Mornhinweg, coordinator of NFL's worst red-zone offense, says Jets' issues 'easy to diagnose' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/marty_mornhinweg_coordinator_of_nfls_worst_redzone_offense_says_jets_red-zone_woes_are_easy_to_diag.html FLORHAM PARK -- Marty Mornhinweg, coordinator of the NFL's most impotent red-zone offense (and it's not even close), said Thursday that the Jets' red-zone problems are "easy to diagnose." OK, sure. Apparently for Mornhinweg and his players, finding a solution is tougher than identifying a diagnosis. Then again, calling plays in the red zone can be difficult, because of the shorter field. "Well, if you're really good, it's not that hard," Mornhinweg said. He was sort of joking. But he might as well have been referring to his players and himself, because the Jets, whose offense is terrible, have been dreadful in the red zone this season. 9 P a g e

The Jets have the NFL's worst red-zone offense, scoring touchdowns on 37.8 percent of their trips inside their opponents' 20-yard line -- 14 touchdowns in 37 chances. The next-worst red-zone offense, Jacksonville, is at 39.3 percent. Last week in Minnesota, the Jets went 0 of 5 in the red zone. Over their past three games, they are 0 of 7. Since going 3 for 3 against the Bills on Oct. 26, they are 2 of 12 in five games. That level of incompetence is why Mornhinweg almost certainly will get canned after the season, along with coach Rex Ryan and the rest of his staff. Last season, the Jets finished tied for 27th in the NFL in red zone percentage (50 percent). Those aren't exactly glistening items for Mornhinweg's resume, which he should have started polishing weeks ago. His two-year stint as the Jets' offensive coordinator has been an unmitigated failure, because of an odious combination of quarterback play and coaching. Last season, the Jets finished 25th, 29th and 31st in the NFL in total yards, points and passing yards. This season, they are 25th, 30th and 32nd (dead last) in those categories, respectively. The Jets' raw numbers in the red zone under Mornhinweg are remarkably bad: 35 touchdowns in 79 chances (44.3 percent). In the red zone this season, the Jets have more field goals (16) than touchdowns (14). They have three turnovers. Three other times they turned the ball over on downs. They also missed one red-zone field goal. In just three games have the Jets cracked 50 percent in red-zone efficiency. They went 2 for 2 at Green Bay, 2 for 3 against Denver and 3 for 3 against the Bills, the first time around. Those three games account for half of the Jets' red-zone touchdowns this year. They also went 1 for 4 against Oakland, 1 for 6 against Chicago and 0 for 5 in Minnesota. Besides the Green Bay, Denver and Buffalo games, the Jets, in their other 10 games, have scored just seven red-zone touchdowns in 29 chances -- 24.1 percent. While Mornhinweg acknowledged the Jets have had "awful" games in the red zone, he said they've "had some pretty good games as well." If by "some" he meant three out of 13 games, then, sure, the Jets have had some pretty good games in the red zone. At this point, does it really matter anymore what Mornhinweg says? For what it is worth, here is what else he had to say about the red zone: "I've got to do a good job of putting the guys in the right spots. And there's a certain mentality down there as well. The exact plays and the failure there has come in different aspects of a certain concept. We have a philosophy down there and we've broken a bunch of those rules regarding sacks and penalties. Those are very difficult to overcome. And for God's sake, you take care of the ball, which we haven't several times. "There's been years when you're pretty good (in the red zone). Man alive, you go through the cut-up of the whole year in the red zone, there was two or three where: 'Oh, we should have had that one.' Well, heck, we had two or three last week alone." And plenty more during Mornhinweg's tenure as the Jets' offensive coordinator. Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Jets will draft Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media 10 P a g e

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/mel_kiper_jr_thinks_jets_will_draft_marcus_mariota_or_ja meis_winston.html ESPN draft yakker Mel Kiper Jr. is already back on the clock. Kiper may not think Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston are franchise quarterbacks, but he still sees the Jets selecting one of them in the first round of next year's draft anyway. "One of those two is going to be, I would think, a New York Jet," Kiper said Thursday in a conference call. The Jets are one of five teams with an NFL-worst 2-11 record, and they're currently fourth in the draft order, with a game at the Titans, who are also 2-11 but second on the draft board, on tap for Sunday. The Jets, Titans, and Bucs currently in line for the top pick are all in the market for a quarterback. The race to the bottom is so on. The Jets are likely to have a new head coach and possibly a new general manager by the time the 2015 draft rolls around, and whoever's in those two jobs will obviously have their own plans for the team's next quarterback. But the Jets oh, by the way also have big needs at linebacker, cornerback, along the offensive line, and possibly at wide receiver, depending on whether they decide to bring back Percy Harvin at a base salary of $10 million. Just so we're clear: A new quarterback isn't going to suddenly fix everything. Kiper thinks Mariota will go first overall. He has Mariota at No. 1 on his draft board, with Winston at No. 6. But he also has qualms about both. "I know how Mariota plays, and I like what I see, but I'm not saying franchise for him, because he's not in that league, of an Andrew Luck," Kiper said. "But if you need a quarterback, you've got to take him, you've got to roll the dice, look at his talent, look at his character, and say, hey, we can mold this guy and develop him." That need to mold and develop quarterbacks was something Kiper emphasized repeatedly throughout the conference call. He noted that Aaron Rodgers spent three seasons as Brett Favre's understudy with the Packers before getting his chance. But the reality of today's NFL is that franchises frequent demand an immediate fix from a quarterback taken at the top of the draft. The Jets went with Geno Smith right away (in part because Mark Sanchez got hurt at the end of the 2013 preseason), but Smith's time is likely up. "This is what you do," Kiper said. "If you're the Jets, you evaluate Mariota and Winston against Geno Smith. If you think that Geno Smith still has a future, you stick with Geno Smith.... Geno Smith has ability. He's still young. But if you feel you've got to take a quarterback and then let him compete with Geno, which is the way you're going to go you're going to have to you take either Mariota or Winston." Only four more months to continue this discussion, you guys. Jets special teams coach Thomas McGaughey regrets timing of his public campaign for new job (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_special_teams_coach_thomas_mcgaughey_expresses_r egret_about_publicly_campaigning_for_new_job.html 11 P a g e

FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets' special teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey, admitted Thursday that his timing wasn't great when he publicly campaigned for the head coaching job at the University of Houston earlier this week. "The timing was probably bad," said McGaughey, who grew up in Houston and played for the Cougars. "Bruce (Speight, the Jets' public relations director) slapped me upside my head a little bit. It probably wasn't the best timing. But it kind of worked out." On Monday, a day after the Jets lost at Minnesota and dropped to 2-11, a Houston television station published an interview with McGaughey on its website. McGaughey said in the interview that he was "very interested" in the University of Houston job. Obviously, the Jets' coaches are on their way toward getting fired after this season. So you can't blame them for considering what comes next. But you don't often see coaches publicly campaign for jobs like McGaughey did, even though this is a position that would be a step up and destination job for him, regardless of whether Jets coach Rex Ryan and his staff was about to get canned or not. McGaughey told the Houston TV station that his agent would reach out to University of Houston officials about his interest in the vacancy. McGaughey said Thursday that an interview had not yet been set up. He also explained what led to him publicly expressing interest in the position, even while he still technically has a job with the Jets. "Obviously, my focus is here," McGaughey said. "But at your alma mater, you're going to take note when something like that happens. In this industry, as coaches, you always want to move up. You have goals and aspirations. When those things occur, when that happens, obviously you're going to take note of it. I bleed Cougar red. I played there. I met my wife there. We had my son there. I got married there. So that place is special to me. "If we were 12-2 or 2-12 or whatever the record would be, that would always be a goal of mine (to coach the Cougars). Any time you get a chance, as a special teams coordinator, to be a head coach, it doesn't happen very often. There are tons of coaches that go through their careers and don't get chances to become a head coach. Any time if even there's a possibility of it happening, you're going to take note. That's one of my goals in life (to become a head coach). Regardless of the situation, that's not going to change." McGaughey said he felt reassured that Ryan told reporters he had no problem with McGaughey publicly expressing interest in a new job. "Whenever you have your boss that's going to back you," McGaughey said, "and hopefully I've done a good job for him and he respects me enough as a man and as a coach to give me that nod and say, 'Hey, you know what, yeah, absolutely I'll back this guy.' It makes you feel good." Rex Ryan on Woody Johnson suggesting he might fire him: 'He can do whatever he wants' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/rex_ryan_on_woody_johnson_suggesting_he_might_fire_hi m_he_can_do_whatever_he_wants.html 12 P a g e

For the 4,678th time (give or take), Jets head coach Rex Ryan answered a series of questions at his daily press conference about his job status. Only this time, Ryan was asked about owner Woody Johnson, who sounded an awful lot like he was getting ready to fire Ryan and general manager John Idzik in an interview Wednesday with the New York Daily News. "Obviously, the man's the owner of the team he's got the right to do whatever he wants, and be justified in what he chooses to do," Ryan said Thursday. Johnson had also told the Daily News this season was "the hardest" he's had "in terms of losses." With three games remaining, the Jets are 2-11. And for the 4,678th time (give or take), Ryan declined to discuss what the future might hold for him beyond this season, even if he seems to understand it won't be with the Jets. "I don't look at my situation," Ryan said. "I feel the same way he does. But, again, I'm not focused past what's right in front of me. For me to dwell on my future or anything past [the season finale at] Miami's not a good thing. So I'm just looking at this game [Sunday at the Titans], what I can do right now. I think that's the most important thing." What odds does Jets' Rex Ryan put on Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) playing at Tennessee Titans? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_rex_ryan_says_theres_a_5050_chance_muhammad_wi lkerson_turf_toe_plays_at_tennessee_titans.html FLORHAM PARK -- Last week, Jets coach Rex Ryan said he hoped his best player, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, could return from a two-game absence for this Sunday's game at the Titans. On Thursday, Ryan said he is still not sure if that will happen, as Wilkerson recovers from a turf toe injury. "I'd say it's a good 50 percent -- 50/50," Ryan said. "So right on the fence." Wilkerson was limited in Thursday's practice. It marked the first time he had officially practiced since he got hurt Nov. 24 against the Bills in Detroit. Wilkerson didn't do a lot Thursday, which is why he and Ryan still are not sure about his status for Sunday. It could be a game-time decision. "He did a couple of things in there (during team periods)," Ryan said. "That was good to see. I saw him working with one of the offensive linemen, worked a few pass rushes. Hopefully he doesn't have any setbacks and he's able to do more (Friday)." Ryan later said that, overall, Wilkerson "did very little (on Thursday). But the first day (Wednesday), I was like, 'Oh, man, he's not going to be able to do this.' Then today was better. So hopefully he'll gain a little confidence and we'll see where it's at." Wilkerson didn't get any action in team periods Wednesday, while performing other activities. He said his action in team periods Thursday amounted to two reps. He also did individual drills. "I really didn't do much," Wilkerson said of his Thursday practice. "Just the same as (Wednesday). That was the plan, talking to the trainers, to try to get some team reps in. So I got a couple reps in." 13 P a g e

Wilkerson said his toe is "feeling a little better," though it still hurts "a little bit." He is wearing a specialized cleat as he attempts to return from this injury. "It's helping out," he said. "It's different. I never wore this shoe before, so it feels a little different, obviously. That's just something I've got to get used to." Here are the other Thursday injury updates: WR Percy Harvin (sprained ankle): He did not practice, and Ryan remains pessimistic about his chances of playing Sunday. Ryan expects Harvin to return at some point in the final two games, though. "I know he's optimistic (about playing Sunday)," Ryan said. "I hope he's right. But I'm a lot less optimistic. I think we'll see Percy again before the season is over. Will we see him this week? I'm not sure. But the way he's trying to get back on the field, I'd say we're going to see him." TE Jace Amaro and LB Trevor Reilly (concussions): The rookies fully participated in Thursday's practice and have been cleared for contact through the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. They should be good to go for Sunday's game. S Antonio Allen (broken hand): He didn't practice Thursday and hasn't practiced since he got hurt Sunday in Minnesota. It doesn't look like he will play in Tennessee. "Antonio was dressed," Ryan said. "He was out there in walk-through, and as soon as we started doing some things, he tried to do a few things, but the pain was too much for him. That obviously doesn't look real good right now." Calvin Pace talks sense into Jets fans who think Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston would be a cure-all (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/linebacker_calvin_pace_talks_some_sense_into_fans_who_ think_marcus_mariota_or_jameis_winston_would_b.html FLORHAM PARK -- Calvin Pace, the Jets' veteran strong-side linebacker, provided a perfectly logical response Thursday to fans who want the Jets to lose out, in order to get a higher draft pick next spring. The Jets are 2-11 entering Sunday's game at the 2-11 Titans. The Jets are currently fourth in the draft order. The Titans and Tampa Bay, currently second and first, both figure to be in the market for a quarterback in the draft, just like the Jets. So what does Pace think about those who want the Jets to keep losing, to put themselves in position to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston? "One draft pick isn't going to change things," Pace said. "If you end up with a high draft pick, that guy has still got to get seasoned and become a pro. Very few times do you see guys that will change a franchise, one guy. If that's your thinking, then that's your thinking, on the outside. But there's a little bit more to it than that." Spoken like a guy who has been around the league. Pace, 34, is in his 12th (and perhaps last) season. He knows that one highly drafted quarterback won't automatically turn a team into a consistent winner. Pace was with the Jets back in 2009, when they drafted Mark Sanchez fifth overall. That didn't exactly work out in the long term, did it? 14 P a g e

Would things turn out any differently with Mariota or Winston? Well, at least one guy who follows the draft closely, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., doesn't think Mariota or Winston is a sure thing, along the lines of Andrew Luck. (Granted, Kiper has been wrong a time or three before.) Kiper also thinks that, despite Mariota's and Winston's flaws, the Jets will select one of them in next year's draft. Of course, that depends on the Jets being in position (or trading their way into position) to do so. While quarterback is unquestionably the NFL's most important position, the Jets have holes in other areas that must be addressed this offseason, in free agency and/or the draft. Among their positions of need: cornerback, offensive line and linebacker. Pace probably will be gone after this season. Middle linebacker David Harris is a free agent who will turn 31 in January. So he is also in the twilight of his career. Pace has been in the NFL long enough to understand that it isn't at all like the NBA. Teams need more than just one or two star players to thrive. Percy Harvin (ankle) sits out again at Jets practice; Jace Amaro (concussion) cleared for contact (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/percy_harvin_again_sits_out_at_jets_practice_a_blow_to_h is_chances_of_playing_at_tennessee_titans.html FLORHAM PARK -- On Wednesday, Jets receiver Percy Harvin sounded certain that he would be able to play Sunday at the Titans, despite spraining his ankle in last week's loss at Minnesota. Coach Rex Ryan, meanwhile, said it would be "a stretch" for Harvin to play this week. Harvin did not practice Thursday, for the second straight day, which seems to be a significant blow to his chances of playing Sunday in Nashville. As of Wednesday, Harvin had not even tested his ankle by running. He did not do any running Thursday during the 30-minute portion of practice that was open to reporters. While the Jets stretched before practice, Harvin caught balls shot out of a Jugs machine by wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal. Harvin was not wearing any wrap or brace on either of his ankles (as you can see in the image at the bottom of this post). Following stretching, the Jets split up into position drills. Harvin, meanwhile, headed over to the rehab area and began pedaling on a stationary bike. The Jets got better news Thursday about linebacker Trevor Reilly and tight end Jace Amaro, two rookies coming off concussions. Reilly got hurt in Minnesota. Amaro got hurt during the Bills game in Detroit, and has missed the past two games. On Thursday, neither Reilly nor Amaro wore a red (non-contact) jersey, which indicates they have been cleared for contact, as part of the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. Ryan has expressed optimism about their chances of playing at the Titans. Ryan on Wednesday sounded less sure about the status of defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. The Jets' best player has missed the past two games with turf toe. He did some things Wednesday at practice, but was technically listed as having not practiced. Wilkerson didn't participate in team periods Wednesday. Ryan hoped Wilkerson could get action in team drills Thursday. Team drills occur after the 30-minute portion of practice that is open to reporters. But at least during those 30 minutes, Wilkerson worked through position drills with the defensive linemen. It remains unclear if Wilkerson will participate in team periods Thursday. 15 P a g e

Rex Ryan has 'no problem' with Jets coaches lobbying for other jobs (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/rex_ryan_has_no_problem_with_jets_coaches_lobbying_fo r_other_jobs.html FLORHAM PARK Now that the Jets have reached that hopeless point in which fans are rooting for them to lose to improve their draft position, the team's coaches have their eyes on their futures, too. One of them, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, openly lobbied to a Houston television station the other day for the head coaching job at his alma mater, the University of Houston. And Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who is now doubt polishing up his own resume, took no issue with it. "I have no problem with that at all," Ryan said Wednesday.."You want to have a coaching staff with guys that aren't just happy being where they are at, but they want to strive for other things. If he has a goal, and not just him, but other coaches, if they have a goal of becoming a head coach, especially in his case, at his alma mater, then absolutely, I will never get in somebody's way." Ryan also pointed out that many college jobs, like the one McGaughey seeks, are already in the process of being filled. So it's not like coaches pursuing those gigs can necessarily wait until the end of the NFL regular season, which is still more than two weeks away. Ben Kotwica, McGaughey's predecessor, had interviewed for the head coaching job at Army last year, though he ultimately didn't get it. Kotwica wound up leaving to take the special teams job with Washington's NFL franchise. "Just like with Ben and others who have gone for similar things, we will definitely provide an opportunity," Ryan said. "If that University is interested, then we will provide the opportunity for our coach to interview." Jets owner Woody Johnson sounds like he's ready to fire Rex Ryan and John Idzik, per report (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/owner_woody_johnson_strongly_suggests_changes_could_ be_coming_to_jets_per_report.html Jets owner Woody Johnson wouldn't come right out and say he plans to fire head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik when the season ends in a little more than two weeks, but he did admit he's thinking about it. "I'm in the business I got to win games," Johnson told the New York Daily News at the NFL meetings in Irving, Texas. "I'm a fan, I represent the fans. We're both frustrated by this. Ultimately, I am going to have to look for something that I believe is going to right the ship, whether it's the current way, the way we are doing it now with the people we have now or going down a different pathway. I'm looking at everything. I'm analyzing what's happened and why it's happened." The Jets are 2-11 and have missed the playoffs for four straight years under Ryan, who failed to develop two young quarterbacks with three offensive coordinators. Idzik, who's only been on the job for 23 months and inherited Ryan as part of his job description, has been a target of fans' ire for his inability to 16 P a g e

rebuild the roster through the draft, as per his stated mission. Ryan seems certain to be gone, but many fans don't trust Idzik to find the right replacement or to oversee another offseason of drafting and free agency, especially with a top-five pick likely. On Johnson's watch, the Jets underwent 12-loss seasons under head coaches Herm Edwards (2005) and Eric Mangini in 2007. But, Johnson told the Daily News, "[t]his is the hardest year I've had in terms of losses." He understands the fans' frustration. The Daily News asked Johnson straight-out if he planned to axe Ryan and Idzik: "It's safe to say you got to do things differently that you did to get you to this point. The thing about football is that after every season, everybody is up for grabs. You take a look at everything. You're trying to get to the Super Bowl. It doesn't sound like I should even be saying that at this point. But that's what my goal is. That's what the fans want. They want to have a clear direction in terms of how they get to where they want to go. I have to give them confidence they are going to have a chance to get where they want to go." Of course, Johnson may have already made up his mind but doesn't want to show his hand. Black Monday is in 17 days. NEW YORK POST Percy Harvin, Antonio Allen iffy to face Titans (Fred Kerber) New York Post http://nypost.com/2014/12/11/percy-harvin-antonio-allen-iffy-to-face-titans/ Summing up the Jets injury front for Sunday in Tennessee, it appears it is: no, maybe, possibly, yes although the maybe sounds like a no. Safety Antonio Allen (hand) and receiver Percy Harvin (ankle) did not practice Thursday, while defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) was limited. Tight end Jace Amaro (concussion) did a full practice along with kicker Nick Folk and linebacker Trevor Reilly. All three had been limited Wednesday. Antonio was dressed and was out there. He tried to do a few things but the pain was too much for him. That obviously doesn t look too good right now, coach Rex Ryan said. With Percy s ankle I know he is optimistic and I hope he is right, but I am a lot less optimistic. Ryan said Wilkerson is 50-50 to play. It s all right, feeling a little better, said Wilkerson, who has been fitted with a specially designed shoe to ease the turf toe pain. I really didn t do much, same as [Wednesday]. I got two reps in that was about it and then individual. I want to be out there. I m a competitor. That Miami game was tough. Then watching an away game and I m not even there it was even more rough to watch. Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said that should Wilkerson play after missing two games, It would be a welcomed addition. He s obviously one of the better players in the NFL at his position and one of the better players in the NFL period. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey has made no secret of his desire for the University of Houston head coaching job. He gave a pitch this week for the job on Houston TV. He admitted his timing was the pits, but has Ryan s blessing. 17 P a g e