NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 20, 2014

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Bears, Jets meet after opposite fates last weekend (Dennis Waszak) ...................................................................... 2

Quiet and consistent, Jets' Harris still tackling (Dennis Waszak) .............................................................................. 3

Jets' Milliner dealing with quad, ankle issues (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................................ 5

Jets' Wilkerson fined $20K by NFL for ejection ......................................................................................................... 5

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Chris Johnson looks fresh as Jets emphasize run (Greg Logan)................................................................................. 6

Dee Milliner injures quad, might miss Monday Night Football against Bears (Greg Logan) ..................................... 7

It's Jets vs. Bears, not Santonio Holmes (Greg Logan)............................................................................................... 7

Antonio Allen says Bears' Alshon Jeffery is 'lazy sometimes' (Greg Logan) .............................................................. 8

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Family ties helped mold Jets' rookie Calvin Pryor (Jeff Roberts) ............................................................................... 9

STAR-LEDGER ....................................................................................................................................................... 10

Eric Decker (hamstring) remains sidelined at Friday practice, as Jets-Bears nears (Darryl Slater) ......................... 10

If Eric Decker (hamstring) can't play vs. Bears, says Chris Johnson, 'It's going to have a big impact' (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Jets-Bears injury report: Brandon Marshall (ankle) misses second straight day of practice (Darryl Slater) ........... 12

Jets worry meter: Can running game rebound vs. Bears? (Darryl Slater) ............................................................... 12

Jets-Bears injury report: Dee Milliner suffers setback, misses practice with quadriceps tightness (Darryl Slater) 13

Santonio Holmes says he won't shake hands with former Jets teammates before Monday's game (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 15

How Jets’ Demario Davis has turned into a defensive stud (Brian Lewis) ............................................................... 15

Jets can’t overlook Bears running back Matt Forte (Mark Cannizzaro) .................................................................. 16

Santonio Holmes looks to get ‘Jetribution’ against former team (Brian Lewis) ...................................................... 18

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 18

NY Jets to have their hands full with Bears' receivers (Justin Tasch) ...................................................................... 19

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 19

If no Decker, Gang to lean on ground game (Mike Mazzeo) ................................................................................... 19

Bears vs. Jets preview (Rich Cimini and Michael C. Wright) .................................................................................... 20

NJ.COM ................................................................................................................................................................ 22

Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Andrew Quarless fined for roles in Jets-Packers scuffle (Dom Cosentino) ............................................................................................................................................................... 22

Daily Clips Cont.

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Marty Mornhinweg whips out his best cliche to describe Santonio Holmes (Dom Cosentino) .............................. 23

New NFL drug policy is more fair to players, Jets player rep D'Brickashaw Ferguson says (Dom Cosentino) ........ 24

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 25

Oday Aboushi ready for increased role, and to talk trash (Kristian Dyer) ............................................................... 25

Bears happy to have former Jets receiver Santonio Holmes (Kristian Dyer) ........................................................... 26

FRIDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 27

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bears, Jets meet after opposite fates last weekend (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 20, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/bears-jets-meet-after-opposite-fates-last-weekend

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Chicago Bears and New York Jets were on opposite ends of impressive comebacks last weekend.

A 17-point deficit at San Francisco was no big deal for Jay Cutler and the Bears. An 18-point lead at Green Bay wasn't enough for Geno Smith and the Jets.

"For the most part, we played a clean game," Smith said, "but just didn't come away with enough big plays to win the game."

The Jets (1-1) were up 21-3 in the second quarter last Sunday, but they missed opportunities to put Green Bay away. Jordy Nelson's 80-yard touchdown catch put the Packers ahead to stay 31-24 — but not before the Jets had a chance to pull off a comeback of their own.

With the game on the line and New York facing a fourth down late in the fourth quarter, Smith connected with a leaping Jeremy Kerley for a tying 36-yard touchdown. Or, so it seemed.

It was wiped out by an ill-timed timeout called by the Jets from the sideline just before the play.

"It didn't count," said Smith, who needed two days to get over the loss. "That's all I can say about it."

Meanwhile, the Bears (1-1) were looking at a dismal 0-2 start as they fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter in the San Francisco 49ers' brand-new Levi's Stadium.

The more than 70,000 fans were thrilled — until, of course, Cutler led the Bears back by outscoring the 49ers 28-3 the rest of the way for a 28-20 victory.

"We've got to utilize those moments of adversity to say that we've been through this and it helps build some backbone for our football team, some confidence," Bears coach Marc Trestman said. "It doesn't guarantee that, but it certainly is a good sign that we can work toward that direction."

Here are a few things to watch as the Bears and Jets meet on Monday night:

ON THE RUN: New York enters as the first team since Minnesota at the end of the 2007 season to lead the NFL in both rushing offense and rushing defense at the end of any week.

The Jets lead the league with 179 yards per game to start the season, with the handoffs spread out in the backfield. Chris Ivory has 145 yards and two TDs on 23 carries, Chris Johnson has 89 yards on 25 runs and Bilal Powell has carried five times for 20 yards. Smith has been more mobile this season, already running 17 times for 64 yards and a score.

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PEANUT FREE: Chicago's secondary took a big hit when it lost veteran cornerback Charles Tillman to a torn right triceps for the second straight year.

Without the man the Bears call "Peanut," rookie Kyle Fuller will see a lot more action. The 14th overall draft pick in May was impressive last week, getting interceptions on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter.

COVER THREE: With the Jets still working through issues in their secondary, the Bears will provide a huge challenge with their two big wide receivers.

The 6-foot-4 Brandon Marshall has 13 catches for 119 yards with four touchdowns, including three at San Francisco. The 6-foot-3 Alshon Jeffery has eight catches for 118 yards. Both were productive against the 49ers despite being question marks because of injuries: Marshall with an ankle injury; Jeffery with an ailing hamstring.

The Jets will also have to be aware of 6-6 playmaking tight end Martellus Bennett, who leads the Bears with 15 catches and has two TDs.

HOLMES-COMING: The game marks the return of wide receiver Santonio Holmes to MetLife Stadium against his former team.

Holmes played the last four seasons with the Jets, a span that was marked by injuries and questions about his attitude. Jets coach Rex Ryan disagreed with the notion that Holmes was a divisive presence in the locker room at times.

"You know what? He's not perfect, OK? But nobody is," Ryan said. "I appreciated Tone for being who he is. He means well and he plays his butt off. I appreciated it."

Holmes signed with the Bears in the offseason, and has four catches for 41 yards in a limited role so far.

MARSHALL CASE: With off-field issues dominating the news around the league, a case involving Marshall a few years ago resurfaced during the week.

The father of a woman who once dated Marshall recounted abuse allegations in a news conference, and claimed he wrote the NFL about his daughter's case but never got a response. Marshall, playing for Denver at the time, served a one-game suspension in the case in 2008.

"Brandon has the full support of the Chicago Bears," general manager Phil Emery said in a statement.

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Quiet and consistent, Jets' Harris still tackling (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 19, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/quiet-and-consistent-jets-harris-still-tackling

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — David Harris was happy to spare a few minutes to chat before he headed home — and then he heard the topic of conversation.

"This story," the reporter informed him, "is about you."

The New York Jets' playmaking linebacker shrugged his shoulders, scrunched up his face and sighed.

"Me? Why?" he asked, acting as if he were stunned that anyone would want to speak to the guy known to teammates as "The Hitman," the defense's quarterback who has led the Jets in tackles during six of his seven seasons.

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That's Harris in a nutshell: one of the most reluctant and least flashy star players this area has seen in recent years.

"He's a simple dude," fellow linebacker Demario Davis said. "What you see is what you get. He's just going to do what he needs to do. Every day, all the time. He's just always in the right place doing the right thing."

Harris has been a consistent contributor from the moment he was drafted in the second round out of Michigan in 2007.

But for all the noise he has made on the field — his 887 tackles, according to team totals, rank fifth in franchise history — Harris is a bit of an enigma because he shuns the spotlight.

No big-time TV endorsements. No headline-making quotes.

"Today in society, it seems like everybody likes that spotlight on them," he said. "I try, in a way I guess, to show these guys that there's a different way to do things rather than being a guy who's starving for attention. You go out there and do your job, do it at a high level, be respectable and carry yourself without needing the spotlight on you.

"Everything else is extra to me. I need that energy for other stuff."

It might sound bland and boring to some, especially when you consider the type of money a good, consistent pro athlete such as Harris could make off the field. But Harris, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has never wanted any of that.

He's a humble guy who is polite, but not overly forthcoming when it comes to speaking with the media.

"To some people, that's just not who they are, and I respect that," linebacker Quinton Coples said. "He wants to be known as David Harris, a great middle linebacker who plays for the New York Jets. It isn't about, oh, see that Dave Harris commercial? Or, see Dave Harris with all the praise and the big contract? That's just not his style."

On the field, Harris can be a runaway freight train that plows into opposing offensive players. He has had more than 100 tackles in every season except 2008, when he missed five games because of an ankle injury. Harris already leads the team with 18 tackles this season.

"He might seem quiet to the media and most people," linebacker Nick Bellore said. "His play, though, speaks for itself."

Harris calls the defensive signals as an extension of Rex Ryan, and his responsibilities as the "Mike" linebacker include getting his teammates in the right position on every snap and zeroing in on ballcarriers.

"David Harris, he's an average football player, right? Yeah," Ryan said sarcastically. "He's way better than average. This guy's a heck of a football player and he is underrated, but he's a heck of Mike backer, too."

Harris has the full respect from his teammates and coaches, yet he has never made a Pro Bowl. He was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2009. But other than that, Harris makes a ton of tackles in relative obscurity.

Just the way he likes it.

"That's not my decision to make," Harris said of off-field accolades. "As long as I do my job and the coaches have faith in me to do my job, I'm good. Everything else, I'm not going to spend time worrying about what other people think about me."

Harris' contract is up after this season, and his future with the franchise is uncertain. He'll be 31 in January, an age when players start to decline, but said he'd like to play another eight seasons. Only center Nick

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Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson have been with the Jets longer, by a year, and the faces around the locker room have come and gone.

But Harris has — quietly — been a constant for the Jets.

"There's nothing like game day and you're with these guys you go through hell all week with and you come out on Sunday, that's what you play for," Harris said. "Tackles? Everybody can make a tackle. That's nothing special. But being out there playing and that camaraderie, that's the best thing about what I do."

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Jets' Milliner dealing with quad, ankle issues (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 19, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-milliner-dealing-quad-ankle-issues

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner is now dealing with tightness in his quadriceps in addition to a nagging high ankle sprain, leaving his status uncertain for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears.

Milliner did not practice Friday after being limited Thursday. Coach Rex Ryan is "hopeful" his top cornerback will be able to play, but acknowledged his absence at practice "is not a great sign."

Wide receiver Eric Decker sat out practice for the third straight day as he recovers from right hamstring tightness. He could be a game-time decision.

Backup linebackers Nick Bellore (hip) and A.J. Edds (hamstring) were limited after not practicing Thursday. Running back Chris Johnson (ankle), center Nick Mangold (shoulder) and right guard Willie Colon (calf) were also limited, but are expected to play.

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Jets' Wilkerson fined $20K by NFL for ejection Associated Press September 19, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-wilkerson-fined-20k-nfl-ejection

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson was fined $20,000 by the NFL on Friday for unnecessary roughness — throwing punches — in a fight that resulted in him being ejected against the Green Bay Packers.

Wilkerson was tossed when he got into it with Packers players in the third quarter of Green Bay's 31-24 victory last Sunday. Wilkerson was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct, as was teammate Sheldon Richardson.

The penalty on Richardson was declined, but the defensive lineman was fined $8,268 on Friday for unnecessary roughness: grabbing an opponent's facemask after the play.

Packers tight end Andrew Quarless was also docked $8,268 for unnecessary roughness after he ripped off Richardson's helmet during the shoving match.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined $11,025 for using "inappropriate language" after a play against Chicago last Sunday night.

Kaepernick, who has said he will appeal the fine, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after he threw an interception in the fourth quarter of the 49ers' 28-20 loss to the Bears. He and Chicago defensive end

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Lamarr Houston went at it, but Houston acknowledged that Kaepernick didn't say anything offensive or out of line.

St. Louis linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was fined $16,537 for a hit on Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown. Giants linebacker Jameel McClain was docked $8,268 for a late hit on Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton.

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NEWSDAY

Chris Johnson looks fresh as Jets emphasize run (Greg Logan) Newsday September 19, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/chris-johnson-looks-fresh-as-jets-emphasize-run-1.9359497

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- In his first game as a Jet, Chris Johnson topped the 8,000-yard rushing mark. But as exciting as it might have been for the Jets to sign the sixth player in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, he also comes with a warning label about the diminished tread on his tires.

From the moment the Jets signed Johnson in April, the plan always was to use him as part of a rotation with running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell because of concerns that Johnson no longer can be the workhorse who averaged 18.6 carries per game for Tennessee, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Friday.

Describing the rotation as a way to get the most of what Johnson has left, Mornhinweg said, "It certainly could work if we do it the right way. [That] has been my thought for quite some time . . . I think highly of Chris. There's no question he still has it. I think he'll have it several more years. He's a fantastic player."

Two games into the new season, the Jets lead the NFL in rushing with 179.0 yards per game. It makes sense for them to emphasize the run Monday night against a Chicago defense ranked 27th in rushing defense (161.0) as a means of controlling the ball and keeping Bears quarterback Jay Cutler off the field.

But coach Rex Ryan suggested the Bears will put eight men in the box, as Green Bay did in holding the Jets to 146 rushing yards this past Sunday. More importantly, the Packers limited Johnson to 21 yards on 12 carries after he had 68 yards on 13 carries in the opening win over the Raiders.

"All defenses are going to crowd the box," Johnson said Friday. "We ran a couple of plays [at Green Bay] trying to get on the perimeter. We weren't too successful, but it's a work in progress."

If the Jets create running room for Johnson, he still has major-league speed. He expressed no problem sharing carries, but he still is adapting to Mornhinweg's West Coast offense after six seasons in a traditional pro set lining up behind the quarterback.

"Here, most of the offense is from the shotgun," Johnson said. "It's different because you're four or five yards away from the line when you get the ball. In a regular offense, you're seven or eight yards back. You have to adjust."

Notes & quotes: Dee Milliner (ankle, quadriceps) and Eric Decker (hamstring) did not practice . . . The NFL fined Muhammad Wilkerson $20,000 for an unnecessary- roughness penalty and Sheldon Richardson $8,268 for a facemask penalty.

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Dee Milliner injures quad, might miss Monday Night Football against Bears (Greg Logan) Newsday September 19, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/dee-milliner-injures-quad-might-miss-monday-night-football-against-bears-1.9358113

Another injury to Jets cornerback Dee Milliner puts his playing status for Monday night's game against the Bears at MetLife Stadium in doubt. Milliner took part in positional drills during the portion of practice viewed by the media Friday, but coach Rex Ryan said a tight quadriceps muscle prevented Milliner from practicing.

Milliner was sidelined during training camp with a high ankle sprain but saw his first action last week at Green Bay when he came off the bench. The quadriceps is a new injury that Ryan said cropped up after Wednesday's practice.

Asked if he still believes Milliner will be able to play against the Bears, who feature the passing of Jay Cutler to big wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, Ryan said, "I'm hopeful, but the fact he didn't practice today is not a great sign. But I'm hopeful he'll play."

Green Bay overcame a 21-3 first-half deficit to score a 31-24 victory over the Jets, and Milliner struggled at times during the Packers' comeback. Ultimately, Milliner took himself off the field in favor of starting cornerback Antonio Allen.

But Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said Milliner's problems in Green Bay were not injury related.

"I don't think his physical condition was a hindrance," Thurman said Friday. "When a guy's on the football field, he's 100 percent. It's about playing your technique and fundamentals properly and doing what you're coached to do. That's where lack of gametime prep, when you haven't gotten the reps in, can hurt you.

"We're not down on Dee. He's got to come out and do the things being asked of him within the framework of the system, and playing your techniques properly is a big part of playing corner for the New York Jets."

Wide receiver Eric Decker [hamstring] is the only other Jet who was unable to participate in Friday's practice. He ran on the side and worked catching short passes from the trainers. Ryan said the lack of practice won't prevent Decker from playing if he physically is able.

"You'd like for your guys to practice, but if a guy can't, I'm not going to say he absolutely can't play," Ryan said. "If a guy doesn't practice and he's low man on the depth chart, then, he's not playing. But if he's a really good player, we're not going to back yourself into that corner."

The rest of the Jets' injuries included LB Nick Bellore, limited, hip; DB Josh Bush, full, quad; OL Willie Colon, limited, calf; LB Quinton Coples, full, elbow; LB AJ Edds, limited, hamstring; RB Chris Johnson, limited, ankle, and C Nick Mangold, limited, shoulder.

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It's Jets vs. Bears, not Santonio Holmes (Greg Logan) Newsday September 19, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/it-s-jets-vs-bears-not-santonio-holmes-1.9358260

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After spending four sometimes-controversial seasons with the Jets, wide receiver Santonio Holmes has resurfaced with the Chicago Bears as a free agent this season. He's backing up starters Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, but you can bet Holmes is primed to have a good game against the Jets Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

The mere mention of Holmes' name brought a smile to the face of Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on Friday afternoon. "Santonio is one of my favorites," Mornhinweg said. "I know. Look, I know. Heart of gold, really, heart of gold. I enjoyed him.

"He made a little place for himself [in Chicago]. I don't particularly root for the other team, but I root for the individual. And Santonio, I root for Santonio."

Holmes missed all but four games of the 2012 season with injuries and struggled to play 11 games last season because of health issues. But he's caught four passes for 41 yards in the Bears' first two games.

"He looks healthier," defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said of Holmes. "He looks like he's moving better than the last year he was here. He's a pro. He comes out and competes. He'll probably have a little bit of revenge on his mind. We can't get caught up in the one-on-one part of it. We have to go out and do our job."

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Antonio Allen says Bears' Alshon Jeffery is 'lazy sometimes' (Greg Logan) Newsday September 19, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/antonio-allen-says-bears-alshon-jeffery-is-lazy-sometimes-1.9358058

Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery became one of the NFL's breakout stars last season when he caught 89 passes for 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns, but Jets cornerback Antonio Allen hardly will be intimidated when they face each other Monday night at MetLife Stadium. Allen often faced Jeffery in practice at South Carolina before both entered the NFL in the 2012 draft.

"I played with him a lot at South Carolina," Allen said. "I do respect him as a receiver and as an athlete. He's a ball hawk. If the ball is in the area, he's going to get it.

"Then again, he's lazy sometimes. He lacks footspeed. But he's still a baller, and he still can make plays at the end of the day."

Despite that criticism, Allen said he remains good friends with Jeffery to this day. In college, Allen mostly played linebacker, but he still took reps covering Jeffery at times in practice.

Now, that he's moved from safety to corner, Allen is bound to be matched up against his college teammate at times Monday night. "No doubt, I can cover him," Allen said. "It's just playing my technique, reading my keys playing with good eyes to be in the right position and being physical."

The 6-3, 216-pound Jeffery teams with 6-4, 230-pound Brandon Marshall to form one of the biggest and most physical wide receiver combinations in the NFL. Jets head coach Rex Ryan said there are times when Bears quarterback Jay Cutler simply relies on the athleticism of his receivers to make a play work.

"Sometimes, they just throw it up there," Ryan said. "A lot of times, it's, 'Hey, run behind the Buick, and I'll throw it to you.' They've got two monsters, and they don't mind feeding it to them."

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THE RECORD

Family ties helped mold Jets' rookie Calvin Pryor (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 20, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/family-ties-helped-mold-jets-pryor-1.1092486?page=all

FLORHAM PARK — The little prayer runs through his head every time he sprints out of the tunnel.

Calvin Pryor then kneels in the end zone, as he has before every football game since high school. And there the Jets’ rookie talks to God and his grandmother.

"It’s a simple thing, just making sure she’s watching over me, protecting me," Pryor said.

It was a long road to the NFL from tiny Port St. Joe, Fla., a blue-collar, Florida panhandle town of only 3,445 nestled on the Gulf of Mexico.

There were drugs. There were gangs. There are "only two or three stoplights."

But Pryor made it out as the 18th overall pick in the draft out of Louisville. He’s learning to adjust to life in the NFL. And come Monday night, the young safety will face another test when the Chicago Bears and their "monster" receiving tandem of 6-foot-4 Brandon Marshall and 6-3 Alshon Jeffery visit MetLife Stadium.

Pryor will be ready — thanks to his late grandmother Mary Sims and the support of the rest of his family back in Port St. Joe.

"It’s extremely tough because all eyes are on you," Pryor said after Friday’s practice, referring to his status as a first-round pick. "You have to make sure you’re doing the right things."

Pryor, 22, has done that thus far. The 5-11, 207-pound safety has nine tackles and two passes defended in his first two games.

He’s made mistakes. He dropped a gift-wrapped interception in Week 1. And in last week’s loss to Green Bay, he struggled at times playing deep instead of in his usual place near the line of scrimmage.

He arrived late on Jordy Nelson’s 80-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. He then took a bad angle and missed the tackle.

Pryor’s mission will not get any easier: stopping Marshall, a five-time Pro Bowler who already has four touchdowns, and Jeffery, who caught 89 passes for 1,421 yards last season.

"They have two monsters, and they don’t mind feeding it to them," coach Rex Ryan said.

But the Jets (1-1) have faith in the man "who will knock your face in," as Ryan explained last week.

However that was not the persona Pryor displayed when talking about Sims — his No. 1 fan and "the backbone" of the Pryor clan.

He grew up surrounded by family, including his mother, Monique Turrell; his father, Calvin Pryor Jr. But he spent most of his time with his grandmother.

Her death in 2008 from lung cancer shook him while he was in high school. Along with his father, Sims had shielded him from the rough side of his "very small, country town." .

"Coming up you had to fight," Pryor said. "I saw a lot of different things."

Now he has someone else to keep him in line: his 2-year-old daughter, Jayle.

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She lives in Louisville with her mother, but he FaceTimes her each day.

"She always says, ‘Dada, come get me!’ " Pryor said. "It’s tough. But at the same time I know what I’m doing will pay off later on."

For now, he focuses on football. But Pryor plans to return to Louisville and complete his degree. He was the first member of his family to go to college. He also wants to be the first to graduate.

"I think about my grandmother, my family, how far I’ve gotten," Pryor said. "I just put it all on the line because you never know when it could be your last opportunity."

HOMECOMING? Bears WR Santonio Holmes told the Chicago Sun-Times he doesn’t plan on shaking hands with his former teammates prior to Monday night’s game. The ex-Jet added that he has not received any text messages from them this week.

"My focus is on the Chicago Bears, making plays and win ballgames, not on any other team," Holmes said.

INJURY REPORT: WR Eric Decker (hamstring) again did not practice. Neither did CB Dee Milliner, who now has a tight quad as well as a high-ankle sprain. … The NFL fined Muhammad Wilkerson $20,000 and Sheldon Richardson $8,268 for unnecessary roughness last week.

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STAR-LEDGER

Eric Decker (hamstring) remains sidelined at Friday practice, as Jets-Bears nears (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/eric_decker_hamstring_remains_sidelined_at_friday_practice_as_jets-bears_nears.html

FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets’ top wide receiver, Eric Decker, remained on the sideline Friday at practice, as the team prepares for Monday night’s home game against the Bears.

Decker tweaked his right hamstring, which bothered him during training camp, in Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Because of the Monday night game, Friday’s practice was like the normal Thursday practice. The Jets will release their final injury report Saturday.

During the 30-minute portion of Friday’s practice that was open to reporters, Decker remained in the rehab area of the practice field. He ran sprints, at less than full speed, and did some cutting exercises under the supervision of trainers. He was the only Jets player to stay in the rehab area when position drills began.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that the team’s trainers seemed “pretty confident” that Decker would be able to face the Bears. Is that still the case?

Ryan indicated Thursday that he could play Decker in the game even if he does not practice at all this week. But ideally, Ryan would like to see Decker get some practice work in.

“He’s a veteran player, but obviously, you’d like to have him test it a little bit,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to just say he has to be out on Saturday (participating in practice), but that’s what you’d like, to see him do some things. Really, for his own mentality, his own mindset, that: Yeah, I can do this, and I feel fine.”

Saturday’s practice is closed to reporters. The Jets will release their final injury report for the Bears game after that practice.

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Cornerback Dee Milliner, who is rehabbing a high left ankle sprain that he tweaked a bit at Green Bay, did some exercises in the rehab area Friday. But he left when position drills began, to join the defensive backs for them. Milliner was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and got some work in team periods on those days.

Ryan said Milliner will play Monday, barring a setback, though his participation probably will again be limited, as it was at Green Bay.

The Jets’ two other injuries of note involve backup linebackers A.J. Edds (hamstring) and Nick Bellore (hip). Neither practiced Thursday. But both left the rehab area Friday when position drills began, just like Milliner did. So it seems their status will be upgraded at least to limited on Friday.

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If Eric Decker (hamstring) can't play vs. Bears, says Chris Johnson, 'It's going to have a big impact' (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/if_eric_decker_cant_play_vs_bears_says_chris_johnson_its_going_to_have_a_big_impact.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Eric Decker, the Jets’ top receiver, did not practice again Friday – the third straight practice he has missed since tweaking his right hamstring in Sunday’s loss at Green Bay.

The Jets must now deal with the very real possibility that he might not play in Monday night’s home game against the Bears, even though coach Rex Ryan had said Wednesday that the team’s trainers were “pretty confident” Decker would be able to play.

What would it mean for the Jets if he can’t play?

“It’s going to have a big impact,” said running back Chris Johnson. “Any time you’ve got a guy of his caliber, with the type of catches that he makes and the type of plays that he makes, that’s going to be a blow. It just gives opportunities to other guys to step up and make big plays. I feel like we’ve got guys on this team who can step up and do those things.”

If Decker is sidelined, that would take away a downfield threat from the Jets’ offense, perhaps allowing the Bears’ defense to stack the box more, to stop the run.

“I think they’re going to do that regardless,” Johnson said. “They know we’re trying to run the ball. They’re going to stack the box.”

The Jets’ running game struggled against Green Bay, which led Johnson to say earlier this week, “We know, in the running back room, that we can’t have a game like we had last game.”

Ryan said Friday that doesn’t know how quickly Decker is recovering. Decker on Friday did half-speed sprints and cutting exercises under the supervision of trainers, in the rehab area of the practice field. But he still has not yet practiced since Sunday.

“I know he’s working at it, so I’m sure he’s getting a little better,” Ryan said. “How much better, I’m not sure.”

The Jets have one more practice, on Saturday, before Monday night’s game. Because Decker is a veteran, it is not a must that he practices in order to be cleared for the Bears game, Ryan said. The Jets will release their final injury report Saturday.

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“You’d like for your guys to practice,” Ryan said. “There’s no doubt you’d like them to. If a guy can’t, I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, he absolutely can’t play.’ If a guy doesn’t practice and he’s like a low man on the depth chart, yeah, then (I’ll say), ‘He’s not playing.’ But if he’s a really good player, I’m not going to back myself in that corner.”

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Jets-Bears injury report: Brandon Marshall (ankle) misses second straight day of practice (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/jets-bears_injury_report_brandon_marshall_ankle_misses_second_straight_day_of_practice.html

FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets are dealing with their own injury concerns, as wide receiver Eric Decker (hamstring) and cornerback Dee Milliner (ankle, quadriceps) did not practice Friday.

In Chicago, the Bears -- who visit the Jets on Monday night -- were without their best receiver, Brandon Marshall (ankle), for the second straight day. Also for the second straight day, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery -- the team's other top target -- was limited with a hamstring injury.

Here is a recap of Thursday's Bears injury report. And here is what Friday's looks like:

DID NOT PRACTICE

*WR Brandon Marshall (ankle)

*C Roberto Garza (ankle)

CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps)

*DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion)

DE Trevor Scott (foot)

*LG Matt Slauson (ankle)

*LB Shea McClellin (hand)

LIMITED

*S Chris Conte (shoulder)

*WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring)

*Starter

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Jets worry meter: Can running game rebound vs. Bears? (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/jets_worry_meter_can_running_game_rebound_vs_bears.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Last week, we brought you the first edition of our weekly Jets worry meter. Naturally, it focused on the cornerbacks.

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We could focus on the cornerbacks again this week, since Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson torched the Jets' secondary in Green Bay's win last week.

But we'll turn our attention to another area of the Jets that underperformed in Green Bay: the running game.

Running back Chris Johnson said the Jets "took a step backwards" with running the ball against the Packers.

This week, the Jets face a Bears defense that struggled against the run in a season-opening loss to the Bills.

So, should you be worried?

Worry meter: It's in the bag

Yes, the Jets ran for 146 yards on 37 carries against the Packers -- not terrible numbers, but not great. Johnson and Chris Ivory combined to carry 25 times. Johnson gained 1.8 yards per carry, Ivory 3.3. But it's still early in the season. The Jets have a full complement of healthy players in the backfield, so it's not like they're dealing with the personnel and injury problems that their secondary has encountered. In the opener against the Raiders, the Jets ran the ball very well -- 212 yards on 34 carries. The problems in Green Bay were not the continuation of a trend.

Why should you be nervous?

Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said the Bears have been loading up the box to stop the run a lot lately. Mornhinweg expects they will continue to do that on Monday night. If the Jets don't have wide receiver Eric Decker (hamstring), they will lack a down-field threat who could keep a defense honest, and prevent defenders from being able to pile into the box to stop the run first and foremost. Decker's absence late in the second half at Green Bay certainly didn't help the Jets' ability to run the ball. Nor did the ineffectiveness of left guard Brian Winters, a second-year pro who has yet to prove he can be a consistently successful starter in this league.

Reasons for optimism?

Johnson and Ivory both looked sharp against the Raiders. Granted, Oakland is one of the worst teams the Jets will play this year. But once the Jets get Decker back and healthy -- whether that's this week or next week against the Lions -- they will be able to prevent teams from stacking the box. There has been nothing in Johnson's performance so far to indicate that he can't still be a productive back. He now has 1,767 career carries on his body. But the Jets won't overwork him this year, provided Ivory and Bilal Powell stay healthy, and remain in a rotation with Johnson. The Jets are dedicated to running the ball. They ran it the fifth-most times in the NFL last year, and finished 10th in yards per carry (4.4). They have a strong recent history of being productive in the running game -- and a collection of backs, led by Johnson and Ivory, to indicate that will continue.

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Jets-Bears injury report: Dee Milliner suffers setback, misses practice with quadriceps tightness (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/dee_milliner_suffers_setback_misses_jets_practice_with_quadriceps_tightness.html

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FLORHAM PARK – It seemed that the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback, Dee Milliner, was making strides in his recovery from a high left ankle sprain – an injury he sustained Aug. 10 in training camp.

After missing about a month, Milliner made his 2014 debut in Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. Though his playing time was limited and he felt his ankle tighten, he said upon returning to practice Wednesday that he felt no tightness in the ankle. Milliner practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday.

But he was back on the sideline at Friday’s practice, because of quadriceps tightness. Jets coach Rex Ryan said he believes Milliner’s quad issues emerged Thursday, but indicated this is probably nothing serious.

“It’s just quad tightness,” Ryan said.

Ryan said Thursday that Milliner would play in Monday night’s game against the Bears – probably on a limited basis again – unless he suffered a setback in his rehab of his ankle injury. Ryan said Friday he remains “hopeful” that Milliner can play Monday, but “the fact that he didn’t practice today is not a great sign.”

Milliner has dealt with his share of injuries since the Jets drafted him ninth overall last year. He was hampered in last year’s training camp by an Achilles injury. Then, during the regular season, he missed three games with a hamstring injury.

In June, during the Jets’ organized team activities, Milliner missed some more time with hamstring tightness.

“He has to understand, too, that he’s got to be in extraordinary shape,” Ryan said during OTAs. “His challenge will be: Be in world-class shape because we have to have you out there. He needs to be out there and he needs to get work, because that’s how he’s going to get better.”

Ryan said he hopes Milliner’s quad tightness is not the beginning of another nagging injury, like the hamstring problems he dealt with last year.

“I hope that this is just a thing that he’ll get better from,” Ryan said.

Though wide receiver Eric Decker (hamstring) did not practice Friday, the Jets got some encouraging developments on the injury front, with less-prominent players. Backup linebackers A.J. Edds (hamstring) and Nick Bellore (hip) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing Thursday’s session.

Also limited Friday, with non-serious injuries that aren’t expected to sideline them Monday, were right guard Willie Colon (calf), running back Chris Johnson (ankle) and center Nick Mangold (shoulder).

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Santonio Holmes says he won't shake hands with former Jets teammates before Monday's game (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/santonio_holmes_says_he_wont_shake_hands_with_former_jets_teammates_before_mondays_game.html

Santonio Holmes, the former Jets wide receiver, will return to MetLife Stadium on Monday, for the Jets' game against the Bears.

Holmes is now the Bears' No. 3 receiver, having signed a one-year, non-guaranteed veteran minimum contract in mid-August -- a low-risk move for Chicago.

So what will Monday's game be like for Holmes?

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Well, here is what the Chicago Sun-Times reported about Holmes's week so far, and his plans for Monday night's game:

Santonio Holmes hasn’t gotten a single text message from his former Jets teammates this week, and doesn’t plan on shaking hands when them before the Bears’ game in New York on Monday night.

“My focus is on the Chicago Bears, making plays and win ballgames,” he said. “Not on any other team.”

It will be interesting to see if Jets coach Rex Ryan makes a point to chat with Holmes before the game. Ryan insisted this week -- on multiple occasions -- that he has always liked Holmes, even though Ryan acknowledged that Holmes wasn't always the perfect teammate. Like the time he squabbled with teammates in the huddle during a season-ending loss at Miami. Afterward, they accused him of quitting on the team.

Ryan obviously doesn't want to add any more fuel to this situation, which should already have Holmes plenty motivated to play well against the team that fired him after last season. And it sounds as though Holmes, 30, is approaching this game very much like a business trip, as he tries to show the Bears that he still has plenty left to contribute.

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NEW YORK POST

How Jets’ Demario Davis has turned into a defensive stud (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 19, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/19/how-jets-demario-davis-has-turned-into-a-defensive-stud/

Demario Davis is coming off the best game of his young career, a breakout performance in Green Bay. And it’s starting to understand the scheme — not just the words and the calls, but the concepts — that has allowed the third-year linebacker to go from reacting to acting, and attacking.

“Yeah, I’m very comfortable in the system. The more time you’re in a system, the more comfortable you are in it,’’ Davis, 25, told The Post. “[Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman] told me going into my second year if you’re able to learn the defense in a concept form, it makes it a lot easier for you. Instead of learning each play, learn the concepts of the defense.

“Since I’ve been able to do that and understand concepts of offenses, it makes it very easy. It’s a very simple game if you’re able to take what your coaches are asking you to do and put it on the field. It’s just constantly evolving that, learning one concept on top of another concept on top of another concept. Pretty much it just comes out to building on top of a foundation.’’

Davis made it look very easy last weekend in Green Bay, one of the few defensive bright spots in the Jets’ 31-24 loss to the Packers. He had a team-high five solo tackles, three hits on Aaron Rodgers and a career-high two sacks, after coming in with just one despite having played every game in his first two seasons.

“As a pass rusher, he’s pretty good. He’s worked awful hard at it,” said coach Rex Ryan, who added Davis’ second sack of Rodgers wasn’t a delayed blitz, but a case of him diagnosing the play thanks to his improved awareness. “He’s getting much better as a blitzer, too. As a blitzer, he’s timing things better; he’s using his hands and he’s finishing rushes, so I think that’s been impressive to me.”

“He was reading it and then he closed. Again, that’s an instinctive play, and that’s what you get. Most of the real good linebackers, you can sit back and they know when to go. It’s just one of those innate things

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that guys do. He’s starting to feel it a little bit. To do that, you’ve got to know your defense and then you have to prepare so well that you know when you can take that risk or not.’’

Thurman said: “If you’re conscientious and you want to do something well, you’ll work at it. He’s put his time in, he understands this defense better than he has in the past. He understands what we’re asking of him. And when you begin to put it all together, and you’re not thinking as much, you’ll play better. Then your natural God-given instincts and talent will begin to take over.

“To me those are the things that are happening to Demario. And he’s making plays because he has a gift to make plays, but he also understands the defensive concepts and the teachings and the inner workings of what we’re trying to get done out on the field, so yeah, he’s playing better.’’

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Davis started every game last year in his second season, but has been more dangerous and disruptive this season — and points to extra study in the film room, and extra technique work in the offseason.

“Those pass rushes, a lot of those came from extra film study, working not just with my coaches but working with my technique coaches off the field, being able to see different rush angles and stuff like that,’’ said Davis, citing extra film work with veteran players and training with technique guru Jay E. Caldwell of New Jersey-based TBR Training, who has worked with Justin Tuck and B.J. Raji.

“He works with a lot of guys before the combine and in the offseason. He’s not a strength-and-conditioning guy, but a technique coach. Doing what your coaches ask you to do, he helps you master those techniques. Coaches teach a lot of Xs and Os. They don’t have time to teach technique.’’

But the devil is in those details, and in Davis’ case, so is a breakthrough.

CB Dee Milliner’s high ankle sprain was improving, but after being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, he was held out Friday with quad tightness.

Ryan said he was hopeful Milliner could play a role in Monday’s game against Chicago, but “the fact that he didn’t practice today is not a great sign.”

DE Muhammad Wilkerson was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness for throwing punches and being ejected during the third quarter against the Packers. DE Sheldon Richardson was fined $8,268 for unnecessary roughness. He grabbed an opponent’s face mask after the play.

WR Eric Decker (hamstring) didn’t practice, although backup LBs Nick Bellore and A.J. Edds (hamstring) were limited, as were OL Willie Colon (calf), RB Chris Johnson (ankle) and C Nick Mangold (shoulder). On the possibility of not having Decker, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said: “We’ll see. Eric certainly has been a fantastic addition. … However, the next man steps up.’’

For the Bears, WR Brandon Marshall (ankle) was out and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) limited for the second straight day.

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Jets can’t overlook Bears running back Matt Forte (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post September 19, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/19/jets-cant-overlook-bears-running-back-matt-forte/

The Jets must beware of a particular Bear on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

Overlook Bears running back Matt Forte and the Jets will pay.

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There has been such an inordinate amount of attention on the Bears’ gunslinger quarterback, Jay Cutler, and his twin-tower receivers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, that there is a danger Forte, Chicago’s durable, do-everything running back might gash a Jets defense that prides itself on stopping the run.

The attention to the Chicago passing attack is well-warranted.

Cutler enters the game having completed 68.7 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Marshall has 13 catches and four touchdown receptions in two games. Jeffery has eight catches and a 14.8-yard average.

Marshall and Jeffery, by the way, have done this despite being hobbled with injuries.

Add former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett and his team-leading 15 receptions with two touchdowns and what you have is a passing attack good enough to have erased a deficit in San Francisco on Sunday night in a 28-20 victory.

Forte?

All he does for the Bears is everything — except the dishes and laundry.

Since 2008, only Darren Sproles and Ray Rice have more receptions and receiving yards for a running back than Forte’s 354 catches for 3,021 yards.

Jets coach Rex Ryan on Friday marveled that Forte has sat out only four offensive snaps in the Bears’ two games.

“Forte is kind of the lost man over there,’’ Ryan said. “The focus hasn’t been on him because you’re talking about Brandon Marshall, who had three touchdown catches [last week in San Francisco], Alshon Jeffery and Cutler. But Forte is a great back. He’s a good receiver out of the backfield. He’s an all-around threat, just a complete back.

“He’s explosive when he’s got the ball in his hands. He’s a bounce runner who can run between the tackles. He has good vision, balance, has got size, strength and he can catch the football. So there’s not a whole lot he can’t do.’’

Forte has rushed for 103 yards and caught 13 passes for 102 yards in two games. And he’s capable of numbers much bigger than those should the Jets defense focus too much on Cutler and his receivers.

“We have to pay attention to him,’’ defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said. “When he’s going their offense is going. So far he hasn’t had the explosive game, but he’s more than capable.’’

The danger for the Jets will come when the Bears spread their defense out to cover their three- and four-receiver sets. That could leave some gaps in the Jets’ run defense for Forte to slip through.

“Sometimes your calls are more seven-man spacing calls than maybe you’d like to be,’’ Ryan said. “Maybe your scheme may lead you a little more vulnerable or susceptible to the run than to the pass. It puts pressure on everybody. Somebody has to get off a block because you don’t have the numbers in your favor.’’

Since Ryan arrived on the Jets, he has tried to instill a mentality in his defense that no one runs on them. It hasn’t always worked out that way, but more often than not, the Jets are one of the better run-stopping teams in the league.

The Jets rank third in overall defense and No. 1 against the run through two games this season, with opposing teams having rushed for only 105 yards and a 2.8-yard average on them. Those numbers are a bit misleading, though, considering they played an offensively challenged Raiders team in Week 1 and last

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week, after taking a 21-3 lead in Green Bay, the Packers passed a lot more than they ran while catching up and eventually winning.

“We take it personal up front; we don’t want anyone to be successful running the ball on us. That’s the mind-set we go into each and every game with,’’ linebacker Quinton Coples said Friday.

“Stop the run you give yourself a chance,’’ linebacker Calvin Pace said. “It’s demoralizing for a defense when teams run the ball up and down the field.’’

Forte has that ability — if given the chance.

“He’s got good eyes,’’ Coples said. “He’s definitely slippery with the screens that they run. We got to stay focused, play our assignments and take care of business. He’s a big part of their offense and we respect him, respect his game and what he does. But if we go out and play our style of football we should be successful against him.’’

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Santonio Holmes looks to get ‘Jetribution’ against former team (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 19, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/09/19/how-santonio-holmes-plans-to-snub-jets-on-monday-night/

It sure sounds like ex-Jet Santonio Holmes is out to get some payback against his former team on Monday night.

The tempestuous wideout doesn’t intend to shake hands with his former Gang Green teammates when his Bears come to MetLife Stadium, and he told the Chicago Sun-Times none of his former Jets teammates sent him a single text message this week.

“My focus is on the Chicago Bears, making plays and win ballgames, not on any other team,’’ Holmes said.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said it’s obvious how much beating the Jets would mean to Holmes.

“He doesn’t need to say much,” Cutler said. “We know what happened with him there and how important this game is to him. At the same token, it’s another game for us, and we can’t get wrapped up in that.’’

Cutler said Holmes – who was viewed as a distraction in New York – has been a good teammate … so far.

“He hasn’t said anything to ruffle anybody’s feathers yet,” Cutler said. “He has been in early, he stays late. He has had to catch up with everybody else in learning this offense, and I thought he has done an incredible job. He communicated with me of what he likes, what he doesn’t like. He gets in games and he just does exactly what we want him to do.’’

Rex Ryan called the notion that Holmes was disruptive “a joke,” and stuck by that Thursday, insisting he wasn’t just being politically correct.

“Again, I like Santonio and I said that. Was I being careful not to give him [bulletin board material]? I’ve never done that in my life, so no,’’ Ryan laughed. “I’m just telling the truth.’’

Jets wide receiver Eric Decker stretched with the team Friday but didn’t take part in positioning drills, running on the side and working with trainers as he had on Thursday. Cornerback Dee Milliner was with the defensive backs during positional drills in the part of practice the media was allowed to watch.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

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NY Jets to have their hands full with Bears' receivers (Justin Tasch) New York Daily News September 19, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-gameplan-focused-bears-receivers-article-1.1946317

Things won't get any easier for the Jets’ secondary on Monday. A week after giving up 346 passing yards to Green Bay’s high-octane offense, Gang Green has to deal with another frightening air attack with the Chicago Bears coming to town.

Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb did plenty of damage, but now a towering trio of targets in receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and tight end Martellus Bennett creates a whole new set of challenges.

Despite not practicing all week because of a bum ankle, the 6-foot-4 Marshall hauled in three touchdowns in a comeback victory over San Francisco last week, including an outstanding one-handed, leaping catch in the second quarter. “My hat’s off to him,” Jets safety Calvin Pryor said. “I personally think he’s one of the best receivers we have in the NFL, and there’s a bunch of great receivers out there. I definitely put him at the top. When you’re a superstar and you have passion for the game like that, you’re gonna come out there and do what’s best for your team so you can get the win. Injured or not, he definitely had a tremendous game. We’re gonna prepare like he’s not injured.”

A wrench in the Jets’ preparation is the status of 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner. After sitting out Week 1 while still recovering from a high ankle sprain, Milliner came off the bench against the Packers but left after getting badly beaten on a double-move by Nelson, who had 209 yards in the game, for what turned out to be the winning 80-yard TD late in the third quarter.

Milliner was limited in practice Thursday but sat out Friday as he’s now dealing with quad tightness on top of the ankle issue. Rex Ryan is optimistic Milliner will play Monday night.

“The fact he didn’t practice today is not a great sign, but hopefully he’ll play,” Ryan said.

Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, who says his defensive backs will have to get up and box out Chicago’s receivers to contest balls, doesn’t believe Milliner’s physical condition was a hindrance in Sunday’s loss. “When a guy is out on the football field, he’s 100%. When he’s out there and you look at him, he’s playing like everyone else. . . . We’re not down on Dee,” Thurman said.

HAPPY FOR HOLMES: Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg broke out his favorite phrase for new Bears receiver Santonio Holmes Friday, saying the polarizing ex-Jet has a “heart of gold,” and that he’s rooting for him. Thurman believes Holmes looks healthier than he did last year and is moving better.

EXTRAS: Muhammad Wilkerson was fined $20,000 by the league for his role in Sunday's fight. Wilkerson was ejected after throwing punches. Sheldon Richardson was also fined $8,268 for his role and grabbing a facemask after the play. ... WR Eric Decker (hamstring) didn’t practice Friday. RB Chris Johnson (ankle,) G Willie Colon (calf,) C Nick Mangold (shoulder) and LBs Nick Bellore and AJ Edds were all limited.

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ESPN NEW YORK

If no Decker, Gang to lean on ground game (Mike Mazzeo) ESPN New York September 19, 2014

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/43415/if-no-decker-gang-to-lean-on-ground-game?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- If Eric Decker cannot go Monday night due to a hamstring injury, the New York Jets are probably going to have to turn to their ground game in order to beat the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium.

Granted, that may not be such a bad thing.

The Jets have rushed for the second-most yards (358) in the NFL through the first two weeks of the season, while the Bears possess the league’s sixth-worst run defense (320 yards allowed).

“It’s going to have a big impact,” Jets running back Chris Johnson said when asked how Decker's potential absence could affect the team. “Any time you’ve got a guy of his caliber, with the type of catches that he makes and the type of plays that he makes, out, that’s going to be a blow. But it just gives opportunities to other guys to step up and make big plays. I feel like we’ve got guys on this team who can step up and do those things.”

Johnson is coming off a Week 2 performance in which he rushed for just 21 yards on 12 carries. He feels he’s still getting used to New York's shotgun, zone-blocking offense. Johnson was in a more traditional pro set system his first six seasons with Tennessee. Johnson called the transition “a work in progress.”

The Jets struggled against the Packers after Decker went down.

“We just didn’t execute quite as well,” Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “And I’ve got to do a better job of putting guys in a position [to succeed].”

You also have to wonder whether this could be a breakout game for tight ends Jeff Cumberland and Jace Amaro, who saw just three targets, combined, from quarterback Geno Smith this past Sunday.

As for Smith’s progress, Mornhinweg said, “I think he was playing fantastic for much of the [Green Bay] game. There’s four or five plays there that I told him if we can minimize that to one or two plays, then we’ll be in great shape. And I’ve told him this. I flat out told him, ‘Look, we love the way you’re playing ball.’ Some of it’s experience. Some of it is more reps with that specific play. And I’m talking just a few plays a game. Otherwise, he’s playing at a high level.”

• Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman referred to Chicago’s big and tall receivers -- Brandon Marshall (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and Alshon Jeffery (6-3, 216) -- as NBA small forwards. (OK, so they need a couple more inches, but you get the point.)

That being said, Jets coach Rex Ryan still thinks “press” coverage is the way to go when covering the duo.

“I think press coverage is an ideal way to play because you can get your hands on them, and you’re not giving them free access down the field,” Ryan said. “So that’s probably an ideal way to play it. but again, if [one of them] gets on top of you, you’re in trouble.”

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Bears vs. Jets preview (Rich Cimini and Michael C. Wright) ESPN New York September 19, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/43251/bears-vs-jets-preview?ex_cid=espnapi_public

The Chicago Bears are coming off one of their best wins in recent memory; the New York Jets are trying to rebound from one of their worst losses -- ever.

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Monday night's nonconference matchup at MetLife Stadium will be a fascinating study in how the teams -- both 1-1 -- handle extreme highs and lows. The Bears rallied from a 17-0 deficit to stun the San Francisco 49ers on the road 28-20. The Jets blew a 21-3 lead and fell to the Bears' top rival, the Green Bay Packers, 31-24.

The Jets and Bears are different on so many levels. The Jets like to play the game in the trenches, and they play it well. They lead the NFL in rushing offense and rushing defense, becoming the first team since the 2007 Minnesota Vikings to lead those categories in the same week. The Bears struggle in those areas (30th and 27th, respectively), preferring to play the game on the perimeter with Jay Cutler throwing to a talented group of receivers.

ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini and ESPN Bears reporter Michael C. Wright discuss the matchup:

Cimini: Obviously, there is a lot of interest in receiver Santonio Holmes. How is he fitting in with the offense and, given his diva reputation in New York, is he behaving in the locker room?

Wright: Rich, the first week Holmes was here, I spent about an hour speaking with him one day after practice and we touched on his tumultuous tenure with the Jets. He seems to be genuine, and says that is probably what got him into trouble some in New York. From what I've seen of Holmes, though, he is a fairly quiet guy who seems to prefer to be alone. He understands the current situation is a tremendous opportunity; he wants to prove that he still possesses the skills to be an effective player and that he can be a person his coaches and teammates can depend on. He has been good in the locker room, sharing his knowledge and experiences with younger receivers.

Holmes is still learning the nuances of Chicago's system, which he said is similar to what the Jets ran during his tenure, and he is spending time after practice with receivers coach Mike Groh, learning the ropes. It appears he is becoming more comfortable with the offense, and I anticipate his role growing as the team moves forward.

Turning to the Jets, it seems there has been quite a bit of fallout over the timeout that negated what should have been the game-tying touchdown against the Packers. In a situation like that, a lot of blame can be thrown around. How are the Jets handling that, and have they done anything moving forward to eliminate another miscommunication?

Cimini: Sheldon Richardson and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg have each taken responsibility for the costly, ill-timed timeout, truly one of the biggest gaffes in Jets history. In my opinion, it was a perfect storm, meaning a whole lot of bad stuff happened at the same time. Obviously, they learned a hard lesson. If they didn't know it already, the players on the sideline know they should stay out of the "timeout" business.

In terms of communication between the coaches, nothing will change, according to Rex Ryan. He feels confident the right system is in place. He and Mornhinweg communicate during the game via the headset and, if Ryan is on the defensive channel and can't hear Mornhinweg (which happened Sunday), he will get the message from someone in the coaches' booth. They feel last Sunday was an aberration.

It overshadowed the biggest concern -- the pass defense. Do you think the Bears will try to have more balance offensively, or will they let Cutler attack the Jets' suspect secondary?

Wright: That depends on whether the Bears can be effective against the Jets' stingy run defense. Chicago has run the ball 35 times and passed 83 times this season. Against a defense like the Jets' -- regardless of the issues in their secondary -- that will get you beat. If Chicago can't show a semblance of a rushing attack, the offense becomes one-dimensional, which would allow the Jets to dial up the pressure on Cutler.

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So the Bears definitely want to keep the Jets guessing. But as you mentioned, they will also want to attack with their huge receivers (Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery) on the outside, and also utilize tight end Martellus Bennett down the seams. The Bears will definitely try to test New York's run defense early. But if they don't achieve any success, my guess is they will go heavy with the aerial attack.

Speaking of offense, New York seemed to be rolling early in the game against the Packers, scoring touchdowns on each of the first three drives. But in the last nine drives, the Jets came up with only a field goal. What is the team’s explanation for what happened?

Cimini: Get a load of this stat, Michael: The Jets scored 14 points in the first quarter for the first time since 2009. That is what you call a rare early explosion. They built the 21-3 lead with a run-heavy approach (18 runs, 10 passes), using a variety of schemes that kept the Packers off balance. The Packers adjusted and the Jets got away from the run, with a run-pass ratio of 16-26 over the final nine drives. I think the Jets got a little caught up in trying to keep pace with Rodgers, and it took them out of their comfort zone.

This week, there will be a renewed emphasis on the running game. Even though they ran for 146 yards, they weren't happy at all. The uncertain status of wide receiver Eric Decker (hamstring) makes the running game even more important. At the same time, they are trying to achieve more balance in the passing game. It has been a two-man show, Decker and Jeremy Kerley, and some of the players have approached Mornhinweg about trying to spread the ball around.

Statistically, the Bears' run defense stinks. How do you think it will fare against the Jets' run-heavy attack?

Wright: In the opener, Chicago gave up 193 yards to the Bills on the ground -- but 85 came on two runs. Most of their issues against the run have been execution, and that is more acceptable than players simply being dominated physically. That is why the Bears weren't overly concerned with their performance in the opener. There were one or two occasions in which a player tried to do more than his own job. That resulted in the player jumping out of his gap, and a big gain followed. The Bears cleaned that up against the 49ers in Week 2, and I anticipate them being a tad better against the Jets. That doesn't mean the Bears will stop them. But I think they will allow fewer than the 4.8 yards per attempt they gave up last week.

There have been lots of Jets penalties so far. How have the flags affected this team's effectiveness, and do you think this speaks to an issue of immaturity or lack of discipline that can ultimately undermine the Jets?

Cimini: The Jets have been called for 22 penalties (four declined), but who's counting? That total includes two roughing-the-passer penalties and two unsportsmanlike conduct calls, one of which resulted in the ejection of Muhammad Wilkerson. Yeah, there is a lack of maturity at times. The Jets are a relatively young team, and those young players tend to lose their poise. Some of it falls on Ryan, who is anything but a no-nonsense disciplinarian. He gives the players their space, and sometimes things get loosey-goosey, but they appreciate his player-friendly approach and they play hard for him. That is the tradeoff.

Obviously, they have to clean it up or they will lose a lot of close games. Teams with middling talent, such as the Jets, don't have a huge margin for error.

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NJ.COM

Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Andrew Quarless fined for roles in Jets-Packers scuffle (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com

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September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/muhammad_wilkerson_sheldon_richardson_andrew_quarless_fined_for_roles_in_jets-packers_scuffle.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Three players—two from the Jets, one from the Packers—were fined by the NFL for taking part in a scuffle during the third quarter of Sunday's game, a league source confirmed.

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was ejected after throwing punches, was hit with a $20,000 fine for what the league called unnecessary roughness. The Jets' other defensive end, Sheldon Richardson, and Packers tight end Andrew Quarless were both docked $8,628, also for unnecessary roughness.

Only Wilkerson and Richardson were penalized at the time, though Richardson's penalty was declined.

Richardson and Quarless were both docked for grabbing each other's facemasks, as you can see in the photo above. That infraction specifically calls for a fine of $8,628, according to the league's review process for rules violations.

But Quarless wasn't fined any further for having ripped Richardson's helmet from his head a moment later.

Richardson told NJ.com on Friday he had already appealed his fine. The NFL's review process mandates that an appeal hearing must be held within 10 days.

"Man, I took the penalty," Richardson said. "But fine? Nah. Not that much of my hard-earned money."

Per spotrac.com, Wilkerson, in the fourth year of his rookie contract, is set to earn $1,212,500 in base salary this season. Richardson, in the second year of his rookie deal, is slated to make $862,000 this year.

No other players on either team received fines for their roles in the scuffle, which began when Jets safety Dawan Landry battled Packers receiver Randall Cobb at the goal line after Cobb successfully converted a two-point conversion. It escalated as other players jumped into the fray.

Landry said he kept battling Cobb because, in the heat of the moment, he didn't think Cobb had crossed the goal line.

Packers guard T.J. Lang stepped in and grabbed Landry by the throat as other players moved in. Soon, Wilkerson began throwing punches. Because Wilkerson had been ejected for throwing punches back in 2011, he could have faced a fine of $55,125. But instead of categorizing his transgression this time as fighting, the league determined it to be unnecessary roughness.

Also, Jets outside linebacker Jason Babin was not fined even though he was flagged for roughing the passer on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers late in the first half. Roughing the passer is identified as a fineable offense according to the review process, but after watching the replay, it appeared that Babin had been pushed into Rodgers by Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari.

Babin had also twisted his body to try to avoid making contact with Rodgers at the point of impact.

"That one was a situation where it was pretty clear," Babin said. "Maybe the ref didn't have the best vantage point during the game. But on tape, you can kind of see I hit him with my back. I was trying to move out of the way."

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Marty Mornhinweg whips out his best cliche to describe Santonio Holmes (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com

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September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/marty_mornhinweg_whips_out_his_best_cliche_to_describe_santonio_holmes.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who is incapable of speaking to reporters without falling back on cliches and bland generalities, whipped out his favorite line Friday when asked about Santonio Holmes, the former Jets receiver who now plays for Monday night's opponent, the Bears.

"Santonio's one of my favorites, man," Mornhinweg said.

He smiled. It was the smile of a man who knows he's about to drop a great big fib on his interlocutors. The Jets have engaged quite a bit of revisionist history about Holmes this week, no doubt because there's no point in burying him in advance of Monday's game.

Holmes, for his part, doesn't plan to reach out to anyone from his former team before the game.

Mornhinweg was just searching for the right way to say what he wanted to say.

"I'm telling you. I know, lookit—I know," he began.

And then it came.

"Heart of gold," Mornhinweg said.

He was still smiling.

"I enjoyed him, and I know—I enjoyed him. He's made a little place for him there [in Chicago], huh? And, lookit, I don't particularly root for the other team or anything. But I root for the individual. And Santonio—I root for Santonio."

Mornhinweg was still smiling.

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New NFL drug policy is more fair to players, Jets player rep D'Brickashaw Ferguson says (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com September 19, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/new_nfl_drug_policy_is_fair_to_players_jets_player_rep_dbrickashaw_ferguson_says.html

FLORHAM PARK -- The NFL and its players' union agreed earlier this week on an updated (and less dumb) drug policy, and Jets player rep D'Brickashaw Ferguson described it as more of a fair shake for the players.

"Whenever there's negotiations, there's things that you absolutely love, and there's things that you accept," Ferguson said. "I think we have something in place that we can feel confident about."

The new policy does grant something NFL Players Association had long sought throughout the negotiations: The right to have appeals of any positive tests heard by neutral arbitrators selected by both the league and the NFLPA. In the past, commissioner Roger Goodell, who also has the authority to discipline players under the NFL's personal conduct policy, would have heard players' appeals, too. Now, there's at least some semblance of checks and balances on the commissioner's authority.

Ferguson, the Jets' left tackle, referred to the implementation of the new appeals panel as "a step in the right direction."

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"I think whenever you can have somebody who's neutral, there's a sense of fairness that's in place versus having somebody that's too closely tied to the situation," Ferguson said.

One other somewhat sane portion of the new drug policy is a higher threshold for a positive marijuana test. Previously, a player tested positive for marijuana if 15 nanograms per milliliter was in his system. That standard will now be 35 ng/ml, though it's still far below the 150 ng/ml threshold established last year by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

In addition, players who test positive for the use of amphetamines during the offseason will no longer have their cases treated as a violation of the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs. Those cases will instead be categorized under the policy for what the league calls substances of abuse. As a result, players suspended for amphetamine use this past offseason had those suspensions overturned.

Also, human growth hormone (HGH) will now be tested for and categorized as a performance enhancing drug, with specific punishments for first, second, and third offenses. It's worth noting that the number of players believed to be be taking HGH is likely overblown, so the addition of HGH testing is a PR maneuver by a league hell-bent on showing it's "doing something" about PEDs. Plus, the efficacy of the science behind the testing for HGH remains in question. But that's what makes the implementation of a third-party appeals arbitrator so important.

"I just think this puts us in a better position," Ferguson said.

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METRO NEW YORK

Oday Aboushi ready for increased role, and to talk trash (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 19, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/09/19/oday-aboushi-ready-increased-role-talk-trash/

Oday Aboushi might feel comfortable enough to engage in some trash talk the next time he is on the field, and that would be a good sign because there’s nothing the Jets guard loves to do more.

Aboushi didn’t engage in any trash talk this past week in his first NFL appearance, but he promises it is coming soon. Talking trash with opponents comes naturally to Aboushi, he says.

The offensive lineman, who went to Xaverian High School in Brooklyn before a college career at Virginia, is finally beginning to make an impact on the football field. And that means his year hiatus from trash talking could end soon.

Offensive line coach Mike Devlin turned to Aboushi without warning against the Packers and told him to go in for left guard Brian Winters, who was struggling at the time and had just suffered a finger injury.

“I never got tipped off about it. It was more of a kind of ‘Be ready, you’re the sixth man. You’re that next guy up.’ No one really told me,” Aboushi told Metro. “No one really tells you because you don’t know when someone is going to get hurt or need to come off. Obviously your emotions are going up, you’re eager to get in, get your first NFL experience, get the ball rolling [and] see what it’s like.

“There wasn’t any talking, I was more focused on trying to get into the rhythm, trying to get into the flow of the game.”

He said the coaching staff was pleased with how he played, but he wasn’t ready to begin talking trash in his first NFL game.

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“He’s a player who plays with a lot of passion. He has some great talent and he’s a fighter,” left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson said. “When he comes in, he definitely represents himself and the team. I think he’s done a good job. I think he definitely has an aggressive nature to him. It definitely helps his game and he uses it in his game.”

Despite being a fifth-round pick last season, Aboushi wasn’t active for any regular season game. He stood on the sideline 16 times last season. The Jets obviously had high hopes for him as they put him on the 53-man roster and not the practice squad, but his inability to get on the field had some fans scratching their heads.

Aboushi, who was a tackle in college, was asked to play guard with the Jets. This meant not just learning a new spot along the offensive line, but the need to get stronger to play along the interior.

Aboushi admits he wasn’t strong enough last year.

He spent the past year learning, practicing and bulking up, losing some fat and packing on muscle. In training camp, he earned first-team reps with starting right guard Willie Colon out with a knee injury and he played well.

Given that Winters recently received a minus-6.1 rating from Pro Football Focus after his rough game against the Packers, the snaps given to Aboushi are more than just cover. He could have the opportunity to stake a claim to a starting job.

“I was gearing up for this moment for a while. It wasn’t a shock for me,” Aboushi said. “It was more about winning. I was staying ready and prepared for when the moment comes.”

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Bears happy to have former Jets receiver Santonio Holmes (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 19, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/09/19/bears-happy-former-jets-receiver-santonio-holmes/

The Bears love Santonio Holmes.

Chicago signed Holmes, the former Jets wide receiver, during training camp when they needed reinforcements to their receiving corps. Head coach Marc Trestman said the Bears were in need of someone with the “skillset” Holmes offered. So far this year, Holmes has four catches for 41 yards and no touchdowns.

“Since his been in here, he’s done nothing but work his tail off to try to learn and assimilate [into] our offense,” Trestman said. “He’s worked very hard at that and not only have the coaches helped, but his teammates have helped him as well. He’s been very even keeled and hard working since the day he got here.”

While with the Jets, Holmes started strong with a series of fourth quarter heroics that earned him the nickname Tone Time. But after that initial 2010 season, things fell apart quickly. Holmes was kicked out of the huddle and benched after he threw a tantrum in the season finale against Miami in 2011.

His performance would never be the same. He suffered injuries and a contentious relationship with the media would follow. He was popularly termed a locker room “cancer.”

The Jets cut Holmes early in the offseason, jettisoning his bloated contract and oft-injured body.

He had 146 receptions for 2,128 yards and 16 touchdowns in four years with the Jets.

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But the Jets teammates he left behind still speak well of Holmes. They aren’t effusive with praise, but there’s a quiet respect for the player.

Jeremy Kerley was one of those whom Holmes would frequently seek out on the field or in the locker room. The veteran would come up to Kerley and offer advice on running routes, getting off the line or finding separation.

“He was always open to speak and to share. Sometimes it was football, sometimes it wasn’t,” Kerley told Metro. “But he was always there, always open to being a teammate.”

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said Holmes isn’t the locker room cancer he’s perceived to be. Instead, it appears the beginning of his relationship in Chicago has been cordial.

“He hasn’t said anything to ruffle anybody’s feathers yet. He has been in early, he stays late,” Cutler said on Thursday. “He has had to catch up with everybody else in learning this offense, and I thought he has done an incredible job. He communicated with me what he likes, what he doesn’t like. He gets in games and he just does exactly what we want him to do.”

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FRIDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press September 19, 2014

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Friday-s-Sports-Transactions-5767698.php

ATHLETICS

U.S. ANTI-DOPING AGENCY — Announced American sprinter Wallace Spearmon Jr. accepted a three-month sanction, retroactive to Aug. 27, after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

BASEBALL

National League

CHICAGO CUBS — Reinstated RHP Edwin Jackson from the 15-day DL. Agreed to a player development contract with Eugene (NWL) through the 2016 season.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Extended their player development contract with Lake Elsinore (Cal) through the 2016 season.

Can-Am League

ROCKLAND BOULDERS — Exercised 2015s option on RHPs Bo Budkvics, Joe Donino, Stephen Harrold, Charlie Law, Fray Martinez, Chad Robinson, Nathaniel Roe and Luis Sanz; LHPs Shawn Gilblair, Richard Salazar, Andrew R. Taylor and Greg Terhune; Cs Mike Fischer and Marcus Nidiffer; INFs Stephen Cardullo, Joe Maloney, Sean O'Hare and Giuseppe Papaccio; and OFs Jerod Edmondson, Carlos Guzman and Ryan Stovall.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

NFL — Reduced the one-year suspension of Cleveland WR Josh Gordon to 10 games.

ARIZONA CARDINALS — Placed LB John Abraham on injured reserve. Re-signed P Dave Drew Butler. Released RB Chris Rainey from the practice squad. Signed RB Kerwynn Williams to the practice squad.

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CHICAGO BEARS — Released WR Greg Herd from the practice squad. Signed LB Terrell Manning, WR Chris Williams, TE Blake Annen and DB Jordan Sullen to the practice squad.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Released DB Pierre Warren from the practice squad. Signed LB Todd Davis to the practice squad.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Released DE Shelby Harris. Placed LB Kaelin Burnett on the waived-injury settlement list.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

FLORIDA PANTHERS — Renewed their affiliation agreement with Cincinnati (ECL) for the 2014-15 season.

American Hockey League

HAMILTON BULLDOGS — Named Aaron Gogishvili senior director of public relations, Justin Dickie manager of communications and Matt Holmes play-by-play announcer/communications coordinator.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

MLS — Suspended Colorado M Nick LaBrocca and fined him an undisclosed amount for serious foul play during a Sept. 13 game.

National Women's Soccer League

SKY BLUE FC — Re-signed D CoCo Goodson. Announced D Kendall Johnson signed a 2014 contract with Western Sydney (W-League, Australia).

North American Soccer League

FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS — Announced the sale of the franchise to Paulo Cesso, Ricardo Geromel and Rafael Bertani.

COLLEGE

DELAWARE — Named Brian Payne men's and women's diving coach.

GUILFORD — Named Justin Tereshko men's golf coach.

MISSISSIPPI — Signed baseball coach Mike Bianco to a contract extension through the 2018 season.

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