NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

November 30, 2014

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 1

Dolphins' playoff push starts on MNF vs. Jets (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................................... 1

Jets' Wilkerson, Amaro ruled out vs. Dolphins .......................................................................................................... 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Jets' Jeremy Kerley mourns loss of his 'little brother' (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................ 3

Jets' Quinton Coples will fill in at his old position, defensive end (Kimberley Martin) ............................................. 5

If Giants and Jets hire new coaches, who are top candidates? (Bob Glauber) ......................................................... 6

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Garfield's Wayne Chrebet fought hard to make Jets' Ring of Honor (Jeff Roberts) .................................................. 8

Injury forces Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson to bench. (J.P. Pelzman)........................................................................ 13

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 14

Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe), Jace Amaro (concussion) ruled out for Jets-Miami Dolphins (Darryl Slater) .... 14

Q&A with Jets tackle Breno Giacomini, on teaching his daughter Portuguese and going to Turkey (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Keyshawn, Chrebet discuss tumultuous time with Jets (Brian Costello) ................................................................. 16

No Mo for Jets Monday (Brian Costello) ................................................................................................................. 18

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

It's showtime! For these NY Jets it's a 5-game audition for 2015 (Seth Walder) .................................................... 18

Sunday Morning QB: With no support from NY Jets GM, it's sad to see Rex Ryan era end like this (Gary Myers) 20

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 22

Muhammad Wilkerson officially out for Jets, will miss first game of his career (Rich Cimini) ................................ 22

Sunday notes: Jets' QB change a 'whodunnit' mystery (Rich Cimini) ...................................................................... 23

SATURDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 25

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dolphins' playoff push starts on MNF vs. Jets (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press November 29, 2014

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=fuX8CLFI

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The Miami Dolphins are right smack in the middle of the AFC playoff picture, and Joe Philbin knows that now is the time for his team to make a push.

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Coming off a 39-36 loss to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins (6-5) are eager to bounce back when they take on the rival New York Jets (2-9) on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

"I like the way this team has competed, really since we've started this whole thing," Philbin said. "I told them we have a great opportunity, it's December 1 by the time we kick the ball off in New York. Really good football teams play their best football in December and I'm confident that we are going to play an excellent game up in New York."

The Dolphins are in a mix of seven non-division leaders in the AFC who are either 6-5 and 7-4 heading into this weekend's games. They need to keep pace to avoid missing the playoffs for a sixth straight year.

"It's a division game and we need to win this," cornerback Brent Grimes said. "This game is a big one because it's double-weighted. We need it if we want to go to the playoffs."

A major reason for optimism is the elevated play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill the last two months. In each of his last four games, he has completed over 70 percent of his passes.

"He knows where to go with the ball and he's just, 'Boom!'" Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "He's kind of in rhythm."

Meanwhile, Ryan's quarterback situation is in flux, with the Jets turning back to Geno Smith after he was benched the last three games in favor of Michael Vick. The team is out of the playoff picture, so Ryan wants to see what the Jets' young players - Smith especially - do as New York plays out the stretch.

"Let's see how far he's come," Ryan said of Smith. "We've given him a few weeks off. Let's see how it handles it."

Here are a few other things to look for when the Dolphins and Jets square off Monday night:

HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE?: Being the road team in this rivalry hasn't been a bad thing lately.

The team playing away from home has won seven of the last 10 games in the series, dating to the start of the 2009 season, with the road team winning the last four. The Dolphins have won the last two against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, and are 4-1 overall there against teams coached by Ryan.

"I would certainly love to duplicate what we've been doing up there and change what's been happening down here," Philbin said.

REX'S WRECK: After consecutive trips to the AFC title games in his first two seasons, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season under Ryan.

That's not sitting well with fans, many of whom have taken aim at Ryan and general manager John Idzik and calling for both to be gone after the season.

"I assume and I expect to coach here for five weeks," Ryan said. "After the season, as everybody says, that's when we'll be evaluated and we'll go from there."

DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS: After giving up 22 points in the fourth quarter last week against Manning and the Broncos, the Dolphins' defense is looking to bounce back in a big way.

Miami is ranked fifth overall and fourth against the pass, but the Dolphins allowed 39 points after giving up a total of 29 combined in the three previous games against Buffalo, Detroit and San Diego.

"Every game is not going to be a goose egg on defense," defensive end Cameron Wake said. "We're going to have games where it comes down to the last drive, whether it's the offense driving to score or the defense going to get a stop."

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SHAKY SMITH: The Jets' quarterback carousel has stopped on Smith again, and he's eager to prove he can be a franchise-type quarterback.

Time, however, is running out. Smith has been turnover prone - 31 interceptions, six lost fumbles - in his two seasons, and Vick had just one interception in his three starts in his place. If Smith is shaky the rest of the way, the Jets will undoubtedly be in the market for a new quarterback next season via the draft or free agency.

INJURIES: New York is likely to be without defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson because of a toe injury that sidelined him all week in practice.

Jace Amaro, who leads rookie tight ends in catches and yards, also hadn't practiced while going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries.

Dolphins tight end Charles Clay returned to practice this week after missing Miami's game against Denver with hamstring and knee issues.

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Jets' Wilkerson, Amaro ruled out vs. Dolphins Associated Press November 29, 2014

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jets-wilkerson-amaro-ruled-vs-dolphins-195239331--nfl.html

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro will not play against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night because of injuries.

Wilkerson (turf toe) and Amaro (concussion) were both injured in the Jets' 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Detroit last Monday night. Neither practiced during the week, and the team ruled out both on Saturday.

Wilkerson still needs a walking boot and his left big toe was heavily taped Friday. Amaro, who leads rookie tight ends in catches and yards receiving, is going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries.

Backup quarterback Michael Vick was a full participant Saturday after missing practice Friday with an illness. Sheldon Richardson (back) and fullback John Conner (groin) were also full after being limited during the week.

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NEWSDAY

Jets' Jeremy Kerley mourns loss of his 'little brother' (Kimberley Martin) Newsday November 29, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-jeremy-kerley-mourns-loss-of-his-little-brother-1.9665680

Jeremy Kerley sends text message after text message, knowing he'll never receive a reply.

But he doesn't care.

The process is painful but therapeutic, a necessary step to quiet the hurt. With each message he types, Kerley is reminded of how tight the bond he had once was. But as soon as he hits "send'' on his iPhone, he remembers just how cruel life can be.

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The Jets receiver and his "little brother,'' Josh Wilson, used to talk about everything -- life, relationships and especially football. Their bond was tighter than anyone could imagine, their connection deeper than anyone could comprehend.

Even now, Kerley can't go a day without talking to Wilson -- or at least trying.

Wilson was just 25 when his body was found on Oct. 29 after a single-car accident near Kerley's hometown of Hutto, Texas. And after more than a month, Wilson's absence still feels surreal.

"I send him texts as if nothing happened. That's my way of kind of getting over it,'' said Kerley, who celebrated his 26th birthday just 10 days later.

In the midst of another lost season for the Jets (2-9), Kerley is trying to come to terms with the unexplained death of one of his closest confidants. He struggles to stay focused on football at all times.

"It's hard. It's real hard,'' said Kerley, a married father of three. "I think about my little bro all the time.''

"Living through me"

Oddly enough, there was a time when the two were strangers. They were related through marriage, not by blood. "But close enough,'' Kerley said quickly before explaining that his aunt is married to Wilson's uncle.

It wasn't until the sixth grade -- when Wilson relocated about eight miles from Pflugerville, Texas, to Hutto -- that the two realized they were family.

"It was crazy because we were eyeing each other up, like new territory stuff,'' Kerley said, smiling. "So he came over and I was like, 'Who are you?' And then we got to rapping and he was like, 'I've got family in Hutto.' ''

Their bond was cemented that day.

Both were gifted athletes at Hutto High. But there was something special about the future Jet.

"We always kind of knew that I was going to be the one to make it out for everybody,'' said Kerley, whose hometown of almost 20,000 is about 28 miles northeast of Austin. "So he was cool with it.''

Even as a freshman, Kerley was Hutto's best player, according to Mickey Bushong, his high school offensive coordinator. As a sophomore, he was the district defensive player of the year. The following year, he was named the district MVP after quarterbacking Hutto to the state final. As a receiver and return specialist at TCU, he twice was named the Mountain West Conference's special teams player of the year. And in 2010, he was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in major college football.

"Me playing football was good enough for him,'' said Kerley, a fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2011. "My little bro was good just living through me.''

Stifling the pain

According to local news reports that cited the Texas Department of Public Safety, Wilson was driving his 2003 Buick LeSabre east of Hutto, along Farm Road 1660, when he drove off the roadway. His car went through a barbed-wire fence and drove into a 25-foot-deep creek bed before hitting boulders on the side of a culvert.

Though Kerley said it's assumed that it was an accident, family and friends still aren't sure. They say Wilson said he was jumped by several people the previous day, so some still question whether foul play was involved.

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But regardless of the circumstances, Wilson is gone. And that reality sometimes is too much for the soft-spoken Kerley to bear. He prefers to keep to himself and bottle up his emotions. It's the only way he knows how to be.

"It's been difficult learning how to battle with the emotions of trying to get ready for a football game when that's on my mind 24/7,'' said Kerley, who is second on the Jets in receptions (31) and receiving yards (303). "Prior to that, I felt I had been doing pretty good. I felt like I had a pretty solid season.''

His teammates haven't noticed a change in Kerley's demeanor or a drop-off in his focus. His best friend, running back Bilal Powell, said Kerley does his job every day, as he always had.

"If he's feeling any type of emotion, he does a great job of hiding it,'' said Powell, who was drafted one round ahead of Kerley.

Powell said they talk all the time, "but only what he wants to talk about.'' The running back knows not to push.

"Death is one of the saddest parts about reality,'' Powell said. "That's tough on anybody. You've got to let that person come around. It's not going to get better. It's just one of those things you just have to learn to live with.''

Each day, Kerley stifles the pain as best he can. Just for a little while, just long enough to get through a practice, or a meeting, or a game. Then the dull ache in his heart returns.

"I try, but it's almost impossible,'' he said. "There isn't 10 seconds that go by that I don't think about my little brother.''

On Tuesday night, Wilson came to Kerley in a dream. It was so vivid and natural -- the two of them sitting and talking, just like old times.

Kerley said Wilson speaks to him "all the time.'' But on this occasion, Wilson felt compelled to dole out advice.

In the dream, he could sense there were things weighing on Kerley's mind. So he spoke to him. Like a brother.

Said Kerley: "We had a good talk.''

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Jets' Quinton Coples will fill in at his old position, defensive end (Kimberley Martin) Newsday November 29, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-quinton-coples-will-fill-in-at-his-old-position-defensive-end-1.9665562

Watch out, Ryan Tannehill.

This is the moment Quinton Coples has been waiting for -- a chance to go after quarterbacks as a down lineman. And he's determined not to disappoint.

With Muhammad Wilkerson out against the Dolphins because of turf toe, coach Rex Ryan said this past week that Coples, who was converted to outside linebacker last year, will play in Wilkerson's place.

"So you already know what to expect on Monday Night Football, baby," Coples said with a smile. "I get to rush -- like 40, 50 times? That's Thanksgiving in itself. I am thankful."

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As the 16th overall pick in 2012, Coples registered 5 1/2 sacks as a defensive end in his rookie season. But it wasn't until the following season, when he arrived for training camp, that he learned his new role would be as a rushing outside linebacker.

In August, Coples told Newsday that he was put "in a tough position" by the team because of the sudden position change. And this past week, he said he's often wished he could go back to being a down lineman.

"But I've just got to do what I've got to do for the team," said Coples, who has three sacks this season.

Monday night will be the first game that Wilkerson has missed since the Jets drafted him. He has played in 59 straight since becoming a first-round pick in 2011.

While the situation is "not ideal," Ryan said, he stressed that he has flexibility at various positions. If Coples goes back to his original down lineman position, Jason Babin could take Coples' outside linebacker spot. Or Ryan could move Sheldon Richardson (instead of Coples) to defensive end and use either Kenrick Ellis or T.J. Barnes at tackle.

Wilkerson said he suffered the toe injury against Buffalo last week when the Jets stuffed the Bills on fourth-and-1 with 9:35 left in the second quarter.

"My foot just got stuck in the ground trying to get off the ball," said Wilkerson, who added that he had never missed a game in high school or college, either.

Though he returned on the next series, Wilkerson immediately pulled himself out.

"I just couldn't push off my foot," said the Temple product, who remains in a walking boot. "Rather than keep playing and making the injury worse, I just had to call it, had to sit down."

The good news: The Jets' medical staff told him he doesn't need to undergo surgery. The obvious question: How long will the injury sideline him? A combination of rest, ice, compression and elevation is often used to treat turf toe, but it could take weeks for the pain to subside.

"It's just an injury that's going to take some time," said Wilkerson, who has 41/2 sacks. " . . . I'll try to come back whenever I feel comfortable that it's good that I can get off the ball and I feel comfortable running."

Coples, meanwhile, is more than happy to help out in Wilkerson's absence.

"Now I'm not thankful that Mo's hurt," he said. "But I'm thankful that I have an opportunity. I wish my bro was back. But it's just a great opportunity for me."

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If Giants and Jets hire new coaches, who are top candidates? (Bob Glauber) Newsday November 29, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/if-giants-and-jets-hire-new-coaches-who-are-top-candidates-1.9665558

With the Jets and Giants careening toward the end of the season with losing records and a month's worth of games with no playoff implications, the talk will increasingly turn toward what comes next. And if both teams keep losing, there could be two new head coaches in New York in 2015, something that hasn't happened since Bill Parcells took over the Giants and Joe Walton became the Jets' sideline boss in 1983.

It's hard to see the Jets not moving on from Rex Ryan after a 2-9 record punctuated by a pathetic effort in last Monday's 38-3 loss to the Bills in Detroit. And while the Giants may be reluctant to part ways with

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two-time Super Bowl winning coach Tom Coughlin, who may one day wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a continued meltdown with a much softer schedule to end the season could prompt a change.

Now on to the more important question if changes are made: Who's next?

Here's a look at the coaches who will be in play for head coaching gigs in 2015:

Jim Harbaugh, 49ers head coach: He has one year left on his contract, but continued friction between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke is expected to wind up with Harbaugh leaving the team. Draft-choice compensation would be involved because Harbaugh is still under contract, but any team interested in his services will gladly part ways with a pick or two to get one of the league's top coaches. The Jets ought to be very interested, although they may get competition from the Raiders. Harbaugh has coached in the Bay Area since his days at Stanford, so a move to the Raiders wouldn't uproot his family.

Bill Cowher, CBS analyst: The former Steelers head coach resigned after the 2006 season, citing some coaching burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family. Cowher, 57, has not shown any serious interest in returning to the sidelines, although his name has surfaced as a potential successor to Coughlin. Even so, it's not certain that the Giants would be willing to risk hiring someone who hasn't coached in nearly a decade.

Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst: Gruden, 51, won a Super Bowl title in his first season with the Bucs in 2002 after essentially being traded from the Raiders for a package of draft picks. Gruden was fired after the 2008 season and has gone on to the lead analyst job at ESPN, where he covers Monday Night Football games. Gruden has been approached for coaching vacancies in recent years, choosing each time to remain in television. It's uncertain if Gruden will take a job this year, but people close to him say he is willing to return to the NFL if the right opportunity comes along.

David Shaw, Stanford head coach: Shaw took over the Stanford program in 2010 after serving as the team's offensive coordinator under Harbaugh. The former Stanford receiver has continued the program's excellence and is widely regarded as a future NFL head-coaching candidate.

Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator: Peyton Manning has been a big supporter of Gase, who has called plays the last two seasons in Denver. At 36, he's still a very young candidate, but he's expected to be in play for a head coaching job in 2015. The Browns and Vikings had expressed interest last year, but Gase turned down all head-coaching interviews to get one more year of experience in Denver.

Todd Bowles, Cardinals defensive coordinator: Bowles, a former NFL defensive back, has interviewed for seven NFL head-coaching positions and is now widely believed to be in line for a top job in 2015. He has done a terrific job with a Cardinals' defense that has overcome injuries and a roster transition.

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach: One of the top college coaches since his days at the University of Cincinnati, Kelly has been mentioned in connection with the Giants' job. He may be more comfortable in the college ranks, but has drawn interest from other NFL teams, including the Eagles and Browns.

Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator: Has done terrific work in taking over last year for Gus Bradley, as the Seahawks went on to win the first Super Bowl in franchise history with the renowned "Legion of Boom" defense. Quinn was a serious candidate in Cleveland before the Browns settled on Mike Pettine.

Kyle Shanahan, Browns offensive coordinator: Son of former Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, Kyle has emerged from his father's shadow after taking over the Browns' offense this year. Has done yeoman's work with journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer, who beat out rookie Johnny Manziel in training camp.

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Hue Jackson, Bengals offensive coordinator: Jackson did an impressive job in 2010 as the Raiders' interim head coach and was tabbed as head coach in 2011. But his tenure lasted just one season. He's a highly respected coach who has done a good job so far with Andy Dalton in Cincinnati.

Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator: Credited with developing third-round quarterback Russell Wilson, who has blossomed into one of the league's top players.

Pep Hamilton, Colts offensive coordinator: Was Andrew Luck's offensive coordinator at Stanford and then jumped to the Colts in 2013 to take the same position. Has been a major contributor in Luck's development.

Greg Roman, 49ers offensive coordinator: Will be considered for the 49ers' head coaching job if the team parts ways with Harbaugh.

Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator: Has done an excellent job with the 49ers' defense under Harbaugh. Also a consideration for replacing Harbaugh if the 49ers stay in-house.

Others to watch: Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the former Jaguars' head coach; Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the former Chiefs head coach; Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo; Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, the former Texans head coach; Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

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THE RECORD

Garfield's Wayne Chrebet fought hard to make Jets' Ring of Honor (Jeff Roberts) The Record November 29, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/garfield-s-wayne-chrebet-fought-hard-to-make-jets-ring-of-honor-1.1143645?page=all

The confession spilled out of him, not in a halting admission but a teenager’s casual utterance.

Wayne Chrebet knew his secret was not going to hold for much longer anyway. And it already was too late to stop him.

So the high school sophomore and future Jets wide receiver nonchalantly informed his father that Garfield’s first varsity high school football game was that Saturday. And did he mention that he would be playing, having forged Wayne Sr.’s signature on the permission slip because his parents forbade it?

“Back then he was just an accident waiting to happen,” Wayne Sr. said from the Clifton office of his debt collection company. “We didn’t want him to get hurt. But I said to his mom, ‘Don’t worry about it. He’s not even going to see the field.’”

It was the beginning of a storybook, 11-year NFL career no one saw coming.

By any measure, it never should have happened. Chrebet was an undersized, unheralded and undrafted receiver from Garfield and Division I-AA Hofstra who never played a down of tackle football until he was 15 years old.

But Monday night under the brilliant lights of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, his rise from unknown underdog to New York Jets legend will culminate with his induction into the franchise’s Ring of Honor.

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“They didn’t want me playing for nothing,” Chrebet said of his parents. He was clad in a dark blue, pinstriped suit in the MetLife Building in Manhattan. He is a Barclays assistant vice president in the wealth and investment management division, working with sports and entertainment industry clients.

“I was very accident-prone. So I lied about them saying I could play.”

From 1995-2005, the fearless Chrebet would not allow long odds, an unimposing 5-foot-10, 188-pound physique, or an incalculable number of bone-rattling hits to stop him.

He ranks second in Jets’ history in receptions (580), third in receiving yards (7,365) and third in touchdown catches (41). Sixty-five percent of his receptions (379) earned first downs, his trademark.

He also set an NFL record for most catches in a receiver’s first two seasons (150).

Only a sixth and final documented concussion — in reality he suffered at least twice as many — could pull him off the field and into premature retirement.

“His legacy should be as the original slot receiver that changed the game of football,” said Ray Lucas, a former Jets quarterback and Harrison native who himself had an unlikely rise to the league.

“Chrebet put a value to the role.

“You’re talking about a guy who wasn’t supposed to play one day in the NFL.”

The Wes Welkers, Victor Cruzes, Julian Edelmans and Randall Cobbs of today owe him a debt.

“Wayne created the role,” said Art Weiss, Chrebet’s longtime, Franklin Lakes-based agent. “He invented the slot position for the real quick, small slot guy.”

Wayne John Chrebet Jr., 41, forged a career proving doubters wrong: the scouts who passed him over, the defenses that underestimated him, and even Keyshawn Johnson, the teammate who famously derided him as the “team mascot.”

Sports Illustrated called Chrebet “one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in the history of professional sports.”

It made him a fan favorite. The Jets have not issued his No. 80 — still ubiquitous at games today — since he retired.

Chrebet’s three sons count the No. 80 jerseys they see every time they drive through the MetLife Stadium parking lot, making a game of it.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform for [the fans],” he said. “I threw out the window any potential damage just trying to play hard and give something to fans and get on their feet and make my family and friends proud. It was a good ride.”

But the narrative that Chrebet was merely an overhyped overachiever is flawed.

He was more than the kid stopped by a security guard on his first day of training camp in 1995 because the guard didn’t believe he was actually a member of the team.

And he was more than a Rudy-esque, blue-collar overachiever “who just did the dirty work.”

“I was an athletic person. They kind of took that away from me,” Chrebet said of his detractors. “I had no problem taking the torch as the blue-collar, overachiever everyman who represents the normal guy. But it used to bother me when people called me a third-down receiver.

“Then I decided if that’s what they’re going to call me, I’m going to be the best there ever was.”

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Poster boy

The towering smokestacks still loom over the neighborhood.

A trio of them rise over Garfield High School from across the street, a tangible link to the past. The factories they once served have been long-since shuttered or converted into retail space.

But they are a reminder of the foundation the blue-collar town was built on. And they are a reminder of the community that produced Chrebet.

He was a football, baseball and basketball star in high school. Susan Scudillo, his psychology teacher, remembered a bright kid who “the girls liked a lot.”

He was a second-team All-County receiver despite playing in an offense that barely threw the ball.

“He’s the epitome of what this town has been built on, which is a blue-collar, hard-working individual,” said Steve Mucha, the former Garfield head coach who was an assistant when Chrebet played.

“He’s the poster boy for it: An undersized kid, a receiver coming out of an offense that was a slot-I that ran the ball.

“He was a hard-nosed kid. He had an edge. It wasn’t nastiness. It was perseverance.”

At Hofstra, Chrebet tied Jerry Rice’s I-AA record for touchdown receptions in a game (five) and shattered school marks for touchdowns in a season (16 in 1994) and career (31).

“Any time you threw the ball near him, he made something happen,” said Carlos Garay, his Hofstra quarterback. “Nobody could stop Wayne.”

Then it was over.

Hofstra finished 8-1-1 his senior season. His final game was maybe his best day on a football field — 14 receptions, 245 yards and those record-tying five scores.

But it ended in a 41-41 tie with Delaware.

Chrebet thought that’s how his career would end.

“I was so high that day with adrenaline and it being my last game, that when I saw my sister [Jennifer] first I just completely broke down,” he said. “It hit me. It’s completely over.

“I had to be realistic and say, ‘Who’s going to give me a shot?’”

But soon the calls began.

The NFL was intrigued.

‘Green Lantern’

Chrebet had had enough.

He was tired of the tryouts. He was tired of proving his worth. Maybe he wasn’t going to get that shot after all.

But Weiss wanted him to go through one last workout for the Jets. It took some convincing.

“Wayne didn’t want to come because they’d seen him 1,000 times,” Weiss said.

Chrebet again ran every pattern. He again impressed.

But again, no deal was waiting when he was done.

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So Weiss did a little forging of his own.

The New Orleans Saints had shown tepid interest in Chrebet earlier that day. But after the workout, Weiss told the Jets that New Orleans had offered a contract.

The Jets bit.

Chrebet signed for the league-minimum salary of $119,000, with a $1,500 signing bonus.

He entered camp as the 11th receiver on the team’s depth chart.

“On cut day, I was told there were 10 guys in the room. Nine wanted to cut him,” Weiss said. “Only [head coach Rich] Kotite wanted to keep him.”

Chrebet had his opportunity. And he cashed in.

He was quick. He could “get open in a phone booth,” his Jets teammates joked. And he possessed maybe the best pair of hands in the NFL.

He caught 84 passes for 909 yards in 1996, and 75 receptions for 1,083 yards and eight touchdowns in 1998 — not including eight catches for 121 yards in the AFC Championship game loss in Denver.

And Chrebet memorably caught the game-winning touchdown in a 2000 game with 52 seconds remaining to beat Johnson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson famously had proclaimed that comparing his former teammate to him was “comparing a flashlight to a star.” Chrebet’s response earned him the nickname, “The Green Lantern.” (Chrebet insists the rivalry was overblown and “there’s no animosity there.”)

“He wasn’t going to be denied,” Lucas said. “No one was going to tell him he couldn’t do something. It’s just gasoline to the fire.

“People say you measure people’s size in the NFL. I say you measure their heart. Being from Jersey, I know how big his heart is because I have the same one beating in my chest.”

Chrebet also carved a legacy in Garfield, where Miles Austin and Luis Castillo followed him to NFL. Now the pro and college jerseys of all three hang together in the high school’s halls.

“Knowing that he made it out of Hofstra and was able to play for the Jets as long as he did and as well as he did gave me a sense of what to do,” said Austin, a Cleveland Brown and former Dallas Cowboy, who like Chrebet, was an unheralded receiver at a Division I-AA program (Monmouth).

Mementos

The pages have yellowed.

The edges have grown brittle, even in the protection of a large Tupperware container.

Weiss pawed through them — newspapers, magazines, yearbooks — a pile of memories he has saved over the years.

Here’s a shirtless, chiseled Chrebet featured in Sports Illustrated. There’s Chrebet beaming from the cover of TV Guide. And here he’s captured on both the front and back pages of the New York Post — pictured in fading black and white photos in the days before the tabloid used a color press — after the 2000 game-winning touchdown against Tampa Bay.

Weiss smiled at the mementos from his law office. He’s surrounded by them. Autographed photos of Chrebet, Dave Fiore and other clients hang on the walls. A Chrebet Beanie Baby and other memorabilia

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sit on a glass shelf in his office. There’s even a box of “Chrebet Crunch” cereal, which was sold in 1999 to raise money for charity.

And one cabinet is covered with autographed photos and Chrebet’s autobiography, “Every Down, Every Distance: My Journey to the NFL.”

Weiss holds on to every one. He remembers a time when only he and Chrebet believed.

“I have so many [items], I don’t know what to do with them all,” he said. “If you told me, coming from where he came from, that this guy from Garfield would have made it to the Ring of Honor, I would have said ‘That’s a stretch.’”

They endured those tryouts together. They waited out each round of cuts in 1995 to see if Chrebet would stick.

And they enjoyed proving everyone wrong.

About a week ago, Chrebet plunged into mementos of his own, watching game film from his Hofstra and Jets days with his sons.

He described it with a smile on his face.

“He’s probably the toughest player I ever had,” Weiss said. “There were games he played at barely 172 pounds. But he wasn’t afraid of anybody. He’d fight anybody.”

‘At what cost?’

Chrebet has paid a steep price for that toughness.

His fearlessness was his blessing — and his curse.

He suffers from post-concussion syndrome. It affects his life daily.

The final concussion came on the last play of his career, a six-yard reception on Nov. 6, 2005. He was knocked out against the San Diego Chargers when he banged his head on the Giants Stadium turf.

Even unconscious, the sure-handed Chrebet held on to the football. He earned one final first down.

The doctors and his wife, Amy, made the decision for him. He was done.

“At what cost, that’s the question?” Wayne Chrebet Sr. said. “At what cost? As a dad, that’s my boy, and I worry about him.”

Chrebet suffers from debilitating migraines that once kept him up nearly every night. Medication has eased them somewhat. But his head “hurts most days.”

He has bad days. He has a “spotty” memory.

“But that’s what navigational systems are for, right?” Chrebet said with a grin. “Cognitively, motor skills, everything changed. The balance thing is not as easy as it used to be.”

But he copes.

He chose not to participate in the former players’ concussion lawsuit filed against the NFL.

He knows the damning statistics. He’s heard the tragic stories involving dementia and mood swings and depression. He knows what may lay ahead.

But he tries not to think about that.

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He has a rewarding career. He has his family, raising sons, Luke, 12, Cade, 10, and Griffin, 3, in Monmouth County. The boys will walk onto the field with him for his induction.

Maybe one day they will play tackle, but Chrebet “never wants them to go through” how he feels. But he expects to relent as long as they have the right coach — most likely himself.

He contends he “wouldn’t change” a thing.

“Whatever I feel now, I feel it’s worth it,” Chrebet said. “Let’s just say this: Even if I wanted to play today, I could not really make myself go out of bounds without turning it up and trying get an extra foot.

“I wouldn’t be talking to you about the Ring of Honor if I didn’t have that courage-slash-stupidity of going across the middle.”

Chrebet told his mother, Paulette, recently that he’s at peace with how his career ended.

He’s convinced that it’s better to have been helped off the field that last play than brought into an office and told he was no longer needed.

“I’m not sure I know how I would have handled not being wanted anymore,” Chrebet said staring off.

Then he smiled.

“It was a happy ending. It’s a happy story.”

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Injury forces Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson to bench. (J.P. Pelzman) The Record November 30, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-wilkerson-forced-to-sit-1.1143723

The Jets made official Saturday what they had hinted at strongly throughout the week. Star defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will miss a game for the first time in his career.

Both Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro were declared out in the injury report for Monday night's game against visiting Miami. Wilkerson suffered a severe turf toe injury in the 38-3 loss to Buffalo and Amaro, who leads all NFL rookie tight ends in receptions, suffered a concussion in that same game. Amaro is in the NFL's concussion protocol and has yet to be cleared to return to practice.

Wilkerson, the Jets' first-round draft choice in 2011, has been in a walking boot because of the injury to his left big toe. It's unclear how long he will be out, but he isn't expected to need surgery.

Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman was asked Friday about the impact of not having Wilkerson in the lineup. Wilkerson leads the Jets with 4.5 sacks and has helped anchor a run defense that has limited opponents to 3.4 yards per carry. Wilkerson hadn't been declared out when Thurman spoke to reporters, but the coach acknowledged the team already had been preparing to play without him.

"He's one of the best players in the league," Thurman said of Wilkerson, "so anytime you lose a guy of that caliber, it's going to hurt. You don't get emotional about it. You replace him and you move on and you prepare the individuals because you know we have a couple options [and] different ways we can go. You prepare those guys to get ready and go do battle."

Thurman mentioned outside linebacker Quinton Coples, defensive lineman Leger Douzable and nose tackle T.J. Barnes as players who will help fill in for Wilkerson. Coples was drafted in the first round in 2012 as a defensive end but was moved to linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 scheme in the spring of 2013.

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"Well, if you ask Q [Coples], he'll tell you he can play all 11 positions and then kick," Thurman said with a laugh when asked if he believes Coples can handle the transition back to his old position. "He's a talented individual and he's one of the guys that we anticipate may have to play there some."

BRIEFS: Amaro's absence leaves the Jets (2-9) with only starter Jeff Cumberland and reserve Zach Sudfeld at tight end. It is possible they could sign former Wayne Valley standout Chris Pantale from the practice squad. They would have to do that today and cut a player, or put one on injured reserve, to make room on the active roster. … Miami (6-5) has injury woes at cornerback. Veteran Cortland Finnegan (ankle) is doubtful and expected to miss his third consecutive game. Jamar Taylor, who started in Finnegan's place at Denver last week, suffered a shoulder injury in that game and has been ruled out for this one. Tight end Charles Clay (hamstring, knee) is also doubtful.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe), Jace Amaro (concussion) ruled out for Jets-Miami Dolphins (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 29, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/muhammad_wilkerson_toe_jace_amaro_concussion_ruled_out_for_jets-miami_dolphins.html

In an expected move, the Jets on Saturday announced defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro will miss Monday night's home game against Miami.

Coach Rex Ryan said earlier in the week that he did not expect either to play. Wilkerson has a turf toe injury. Amaro has a concussion.

Wilkerson is the Jets' best player. He has not missed a game since the Jets drafted him in the first round in 2011 -- a streak of 59 consecutive games that will end Monday.

Amaro is a promising rookie whom the Jets drafted in the second round. He ranks second on the Jets with 34 catches and third with 291 receiving yards.

Wilkerson and Amaro both got hurt in last Monday night's loss to the Bills in Detroit.

It is unclear when Wilkerson will be available to play again, but his injury will not require surgery, according to Ryan.

All of the other players on the Jets' final injury report for the Dolphins game are listed as probable. Backup quarterback Michael Vick fully participated in Saturday's practice. He missed Friday's practice with an illness.

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Q&A with Jets tackle Breno Giacomini, on teaching his daughter Portuguese and going to Turkey (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 29, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/11/qa_with_jets_right_tackle_breno_giacomini_on_teaching_his_daughter_portuguese_and_going_to_turkey.html

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FLORHAM PARK -- Right tackle Breno Giacomini acknowledged the obvious after the Jets lost 38-3 on Monday night in Detroit to the Bills: This season has been quite different for him than last year.

Giacomini won a Super Bowl last year with Seattle. This season, he is mired in a 2-9 year with the Jets. This surely has not been an easy adjustment for Giacomini.

Still, he has one of the more interesting backgrounds in the Jets' locker room. He was raised in Malden, Mass., just outside of Boston, by Brazilian immigrant parents. Now, Giacomini is a father, too, and he tries to pass along his family traditions.

This week, Giacomini, 29, took some time to talk about spending quality time with his daughter, and the next step for his foundation, American Football Without Barriers.

Q: How did your Thanksgiving go? Make anything special? Do anything fun?

A: Yeah, I made some rice and beans. That's what I normally do. And I took my daughter to a movie, to go see "Big Hero 6." She lives in Louisville, Ky., with her mother (Giacomini's former girlfriend). We're just friends now. But she's doing a really good job of raising my daughter. [Giacomini's daughter, Alayna, is 6.]

Q: What was Thanksgiving like for your growing up?

A: We didn't really get into it until I was in (elementary) school and everybody celebrated Thanksgiving. So we kind of got into the tradition. Every once in a while, we had turkey, but for the most part, a lot of Brazilian dishes. It was just like another festival for us, celebrating the fact that we were here, and celebrating as a family.

Q: Do you maintain any Brazilian food traditions that your parents passed down?

A: The rice and beans, man. Every time. That's the go to. And then you put some chicken with it or some steak or some sausage. The main course there is definitely rice and beans. I go with white rice and black beans.

Q: What makes your rice and beans so much better than regular rice and beans?

A: It's my little secret. Actually, I just add a little bit of garlic and salt and a little mixture in there. My mom sends me that garlic and salt mix that I add to the rice. Not one bad review yet. So it's been pretty good.

Q: Since you don't get to see your daughter much, do you spoilt her when she's around?

A: There's no question. We're going to Frozen on Ice tonight (last Friday). She's a really smart little girl. She's in kindergarten, loves school. She can sound words out better than I can. It's unbelievable, seeing the growth of your own child.

Q: Was the area of Malden where you grew up mostly Brazilian folks?

A: It was heavily Brazilian. All my friends were Brazilian growing up, really until I got to high school. English was my second language. I got into sports in high school and I got more American friends. Growing up, definitely a Brazilian culture for sure. I speak Portuguese. It's kind of like broken Portuguese now because I don't talk to my mom every single day now. I'm trying to teach it to my daughter, but it's hard. She's not around as much.

Q: So how did you get into football growing up?

A: I played soccer all the way until the eighth grade. I tried out football. I was like the youngest kid on the heaviest squad (for football). So the next year, I couldn't make the weight. So I couldn't play anymore. So I just stuck to soccer and basketball. In high school, obviously, there's no weight limit. So I picked (football) up (again) in high school, and that's where it really started.

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Q: You've gone to China (in 2013) and Brazil (last year) with your foundation, American Football Without Barriers. What's the plan for this year?

A: We're going to go to Turkey (Istanbul). I know there's still some conflict over there. We're about 90 percent going there. It's the end of February, but we don't have it locked in yet (for dates). I'm waiting to lock in some details, so I can get some of these (Jets) guys to go.

Q: That'll be different, since you won't be able to speak the language like you did last year in Brazil.

A: It's actually kind of a relief, so I don't have to be the translator the whole time (like in Brazil).

Q: Hopefully, things stay safe enough over there in Turkey for you guys to pull it off.

A: If not, we have a backup plan and we'll go to Morocco. It might be a last-minute thing, but it's going to be fun. We're expecting a lot more growth this year. We had 400 kids last year. This year, we're expecting more.

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NEW YORK POST

Keyshawn, Chrebet discuss tumultuous time with Jets (Brian Costello) New York Post November 29, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/29/keyshawn-chrebet-discuss-tumultuous-time-with-jets/

Keyshawn Johnson laughed when told by a reporter that his former Jets teammate Wayne Chrebet had been asked about their relationship last week.

“Why wouldn’t you want to start trouble?” Johnson said. “What else would expect from the New York media?”

Chrebet will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during halftime of Monday night’s Jets-Dolphins game at MetLife Stadium. Chrebet and Johnson forever are linked because of their on-field production together and their icy relationship off it. But Johnson said it was never all that icy.

“I’ve never said I didn’t like Wayne Chrebet,” said Johnson, now an analyst for ESPN. “That was always the media saying that. I just never said anything about it. I never said I disliked him one bit. People run with what they want to run with. I’ve never ever been quoted saying I don’t like Wayne Chrebet.

“We got along fantastic. We didn’t fight.”

Chrebet did not go quite as far as to say they had a great relationship, but he said he has no animosity toward Johnson today.

“As far as now, if I saw him, I’d say hello and I’d reminisce, whatever,” Chrebet said. “I have no ill feelings toward the guy.”

The duo began playing together in 1996, Chrebet’s second year and Johnson’s first. They were opposites in nearly every way, which led to some of the interest. Then Johnson called Chrebet the “team mascot” in his 1997 book “Just Give Me The Damn Ball.”

Johnson said the media twisted his meaning. He said he meant that people never would get upset with Chrebet, but would with Johnson.

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“That wasn’t putting him down. That was saying how much they liked him,” Johnson said. “That’s what I was saying. Maybe they read it the way they wanted to read it. The team mascot is beloved no matter what. Am I right or wrong? That’s what I said. Then, from there it escalated into more him versus me.

“It became, undrafted free agent white kid from Hofstra shows up big, highly touted black guy from the big city. That’s what it turns into, and they kept running with it, running with it. Me and him never had any problems, though. Did we go to dinner? We went to maybe a couple of dinners together. We went to Atlantic City together. Nobody knew that or they failed to report on it even if they did know.”

Johnson said he is thrilled the Jets are honoring Chrebet and wishes he could attend the ceremony. He will be in Bristol, Conn., working on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” show. Johnson said he may try to make it, but doubts he could get there in time.

On ESPN, Johnson analyzes Sunday’s game and said he believes Chrebet does not get the credit he deserves.

“I tell people all the time: Don’t tell me nothing about no [bleeping] Julian Edelman, no [bleeping] Wes Welker. Don’t tell me nothing about no 5-10, 5-9 slow-ass white kid if you’re not mentioning Wayne Chrebet,” he said. “Don’t try to glorify them dudes, because he was 10 times better than them, in my opinion.”

In 1998, Johnson and Chrebet teamed up for 158 combined catches on the Bill Parcells coached team that went to the AFC Championship game.

“You have to understand the systems we were in,” Johnson said. “We weren’t in pass-happy systems. We were in run-oriented systems. We didn’t have four or five wide and throw the ball. We didn’t have two tight ends like [Aaron] Hernandez and [Rob] Gronkowski. We had Kyle Brady, for crying out loud.”

Chrebet said the two complemented each other perfectly.

“When me and him played together, you’d have a great argument that we we’re one of the best tandems in the league, especially in ’98,” Chrebet said. “We blocked for each other. A lot of people said that we blocked for each other, but what people don’t realize is I run some routes where I’m going out [and] if he doesn’t do his job and make that guy run with him, he’s going to see me and light me up. Things like that. We took care of each other, we practiced. We weren’t going to go out and break bread together, but I respect the guy.”

Their relationship took center stage in 2000 after Johnson was traded to the Buccaneers and the Jets and Bucs met in Tampa, Fla. Johnson said comparing Chrebet to him was like comparing “a flashlight to a star.” That week Chrebet caught the game-winning touchdown on a halfback pass from Curtis Martin. Johnson had one catch.

Johnson said he was talking about their personalities, not playing ability.

“The media turned it into whatever they wanted to turn it into,” he said. “It wasn’t about him being a star. They were trying to compare him to me. In my estimation, there is no comparison. We’re two different people. They ran with it.“

Chrebet said he signed a picture of that game this week for a member of the Jets equipment staff.

“I guess it was poetic justice,” Chrebet said. “[Martin] threw a hell of a duck, but I caught it and it is one of the best memories given the circumstances of how important the game was and what the history was between me and Key.”

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No Mo for Jets Monday (Brian Costello) New York Post November 29, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/11/29/no-mo-for-jets-monday/

The Jets will be without their best player for Monday’s game with the Dolphins.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was ruled out officially Saturday with turf toe. Wilkerson suffered the injury on his left foot last week against the Bills. This will be the first game he has missed in his career.

Rookie tight end Jace Amaro also was ruled out with a concussion. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson is listed as probable and practiced fully Saturday after missing practice earlier in the week with a back injury. Fullback John Conner (groin) also practiced fully Saturday and is probable. Quarterback Michael Vick returned to practice after missing Friday’s due to an illness.

For the Dolphins, cornerback Cortland Finnegan (ankle) and TE Charles Clay (hamstring/knee) are doubtful after missing practice Saturday.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

It's showtime! For these NY Jets it's a 5-game audition for 2015 (Seth Walder) New York Daily News November 29, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/showtime-jets-5-game-audition-2015-article-1.2027716

Playing for pride.

It’s the calling-card line for any down-and-out organization, a motive players use, or say they use, to keep playing hard. But what it really means is that the season is over. And the Jets have been playing for pride for weeks. They’re not doing a particularly good job of it, since they’re still getting blown out by teams like the Bills, but there’s not much else to fight for.

Playoffs? Nope.

Saving Rex Ryan’s job? (Almost definitely) nope.

Saving John Idzik’s job? Maybe, if they care.

They’re playing out the string because they are paid to, but it’s easy to see how they could lose focus dreaming of the offseason, when they can finally get away from this miserable season. Even Wayne Chrebet said looking ahead can be a temptation in a season like this, reflecting on his own rough years of 1995 and 1996.

But for a few players, there is lot on the line. Here are some Jets players that have high personal stakes riding on the final five games, either in hopes of carving out a bigger role for next season or perhaps grabbing some more money in the offseason.

GENO SMITH, QB

The Jets’ last five games should be relatively dull in the grand scheme of the NFL, but for Smith they mean just about everything. The second-year QB needs to revive his career, and he’s fortunate that he’s getting another chance this season.

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Considering what he showed in his first eight starts, its hard to imagine Smith actually playing well, but he has to if he wants to demonstrate that he deserves to be in the conversation at starting quarterback next season, along with whomever the team adds. The alternative looks bleak for Smith. If he falls flat on his face again, he might not get another serious shot at starting in the league again.

JACE AMARO, TE

Amaro has easily put together the best season of the Jets’ 2014 draft picks, the infamous 12 selections that have yielded very little results. Amaro has grabbed 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games this season.

Granted, that’s nothing special, but that’s the low bar to clear for this year’s rookies. The good news about Amaro is that he’s been more productive when one considers that he’s actually only been on the field for 42% of the Jets’ offensive snaps, according to ProFootballFocus.com.

Amaro has the receiving ability to be on the field much more than that, but it appears that at this point his blocking is holding him back. Better blocking down the stretch would show the Jets that he could be a greater part of the offense in 2015.

Obviously, Amaro will have to recover from his concussion first, which has him missing Monday’s game against the Dolphins.

CALVIN PRYOR, S

Oh how far the Louisville Slugger has fallen. The physical safety has disappointed so much that he has played just 13 defensive snaps over the team’s last two games. He’s been passed over by Jaiquawn Jarrett and it’s no secret that he has been a disappointment.

Despite that, with Ryan hinting this week that some younger players will get more of an opportunity going forward, it stands to reason that Pryor should be among that group. After all, even with his early struggles, he is clearly the team’s future at safety.

ODAY ABOUSHI, G

Drafted as a tackle, Aboushi converted to guard this season and took over at LG after Brian Winters tore his ACL. He’s been mediocre at best so far, but Winters simply wasn’t good in either 2013 or 2014, so a guard job could easily be wrestled away from him next season.

IK ENEMKPALI, DE & TREVOR REILLY, OLB

Ryan mentioned these two late-round draft picks (6th and 7th rounds, respectively) as young players that could work their way into the rotation soon. Reilly in particular makes sense now that Muhammad Wilkerson won’t play against the Dolphins and Quinton Coples may play more defensive end (instead of outside linebacker) in his stead, opening space at linebacker. Reilly had been playing on a very limited basis before, spelling Calvin Pace.

Enemkpali has played briefly in two games this year.

CHRIS JOHNSON, RB & PERCY HARVIN, WR

These are two big names, and two players who have money to win or lose with their performances these last 5 weeks.

The Jets hold a team option on Johnson that seems unlikely to be picked up. He hasn’t been the home run threat the Jets hoped for when they signed him in the offseason (4.3 yards per carry, one touchdown). As he is likely to hit the free-agent market again, he’d stand to make more if he can flash some of the ability he once showed in Tennessee.

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Harvin is under contract next season, but with a cap hit of $10.5 million, he, too, could end up as a free agent, especially if Idzik is fired and a new GM doesn’t want to risk the off-the-field problems with the talented wide receiver. Whether he’s negotiating a restructure with the Jets or a new contract with another team, he’d stand to make much more money if he can prove he can be successful as a traditional wide receiver in addition to playing well on the gadget plays designed for him.

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Sunday Morning QB: With no support from NY Jets GM, it's sad to see Rex Ryan era end like this (Gary Myers) New York Daily News November 29, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/sunday-morning-qb-sad-rex-ryan-era-article-1.2027890

It’s ending ugly for Rex Ryan and that’s a shame.

He’s always been extremely entertaining and proved he could win before his general manager decided to start playing fantasy football (Mike Tannenbaum) or sabotage him by giving him no cornerbacks even though he opened this season with $22 million in cap room (John Idzik).

The Jets will have to get hot to double their victory total and finish 4-12.

Ryan made the AFC title game his first two years, but has missed the playoffs the last four years, and without a Super Bowl as collateral to buy him more time, he is coaching his last five games for the Jets.

Not many coaches get to walk away on their own terms. Ryan deserves better. He’s going to coach somewhere else and win big providing he has a GM who majored in personnel.

Even though coaches such as Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll and Mike Shanahan had to return to coordinator jobs in order to get another opportunity after they were fired from their first head coaching job, I think Ryan has an excellent chance to get another job right away. Ryan’s demise was his inability to develop a quarterback. He was all-in on Mark Sanchez when the Jets traded up to the No. 5 spot in 2009 to get him, went to two AFC title games with him — he played very well, compiling a 4-2 playoff record, all on the road — but then Sanchez went backward with a combined 52 turnovers in his final two seasons with the Jets. Sanchez looks like a completely different player with the Eagles. He is benefitting from great QB coaching from Chip Kelly, an abundance of playmakers and a system that plays to his strengths, none of which happened with the Jets.

Ryan came in talking big, promising a trip to the White House. The brash talk and trash talk endeared him to Jets fans. Now he’s just become a puppet of Idzik, even though he’s accomplished so much more in his football career. Once Idzik was hired and Ryan knew he had to tone down his act to please him, he was no longer himself. He was no longer Rex.

Woody Johnson loves Ryan, but not enough to get him a football guy as a general manger when he fired Tannenbaum instead of another salary-cap guy. He didn’t love Ryan enough to prevent Idzik from giving him a flawed talent-challenged roster.

The Geno Smith-Michael Vick issue over who made the decision that Smith starts Monday night has less to do about football than it does about politics. Does it really matter who starts? The Jets are 2-9 and both QBs have been awful. The Smith decision has Idzik’s fingerprints all over it, backed up by reports that Ryan and his staff wanted to play Vick.

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Idzik has obliterated the essential lines between the GM picking the players and the coach deciding who plays. Johnson made two mistakes with Idzik: The first was hiring him. The second preceded the first when he told his GM candidates they had to keep Ryan and get rid of Darrelle Revis. Ryan and Idzik have never been on the same page, which is predictable when the GM doesn’t hire the coach.

How bad are these Jets? The Bills outscored them by 55 points in their two victories. The Jets and Bills have been playing twice a year for the last 55 years when they both were original AFL teams in 1960. This year was the second worst single season beating the Jets have taken from the Bills. In 1989, they were outscored by 68 points. It’s painful to see Ryan go out this way with the worst of his six teams. There aren’t many storybook endings in the NFL. Even Tom Landry was fired. Even Joe Montana was traded.

TONY, TONY, TONY

What was wrong with Tony Romo against the Eagles on Thanksgiving? He had no zip on the ball, appeared a step slow, was outplayed by Mark Sanchez and didn’t look like the same QB who had beaten the Giants on Dallas’ final drive four nights earlier. Well, for one thing, Philly actually had a pass rush. Or perhaps it’s because Romo has had two back surgeries over the last two years and earlier this season suffered two fractures in his transverse process in his back. That could make playing two games so close together too much of a strain physically. For many weeks this season, the Cowboys have been holding Romo out of practice until Thursday and practice is a lot less stressful than a game.

In any event, if the season ended today, the Cowboys (8-4) would miss the playoffs on a three-team tie-breaker to the Seahawks and Lions for the NFC’s two wild-card spots based on conference record even through Dallas beat Seattle. Their four remaining games: at Chicago (Thursday night), at Philly, Indy at home and at Washington.

FOLES WAR

What happens in Philly if Nick Foles’ broken collarbone is healed in time for him to play in the regular season or playoffs? Kelly did not give Vick his job back last season after his second hamstring injury, clearly not believing that a starter can’t lose his job due to injury. Bill Belichick set the standard in 2001 by continuing to start Tom Brady after Drew Bledsoe was healthy and Brady led the Pats to their first Super Bowl title.

Last year, Foles took over after Vick initially hurt his hamstring against the Giants. He started the next week and beat the Bucs, then suffered a concussion the following week against the Cowboys. Vick returned to start the next week against the Giants, but injured his hamstring again. Foles was back the following week, and when Vick was healthy, Kelly stuck with Foles, who finished the season with 27 TDs and two INTs and led Philly to the NFC East championship. If Sanchez continues to play well, I can see Kelly sticking with him, especially because Foles’ play had dropped off (13 TDs, 10 INTs) before he was injured on Nov. 2.

BATTLE ROYAL

The Patriots vs. the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday may be the first of two meetings over the next two months. The second could be Feb. 1 in Super Bowl XLIX. New England (9-2) is the best team in the NFL, and Green Bay (8-3) has emerged as the best team in the NFC after Aaron Rodgers told everybody to relax when the Packers started slowly. . . . This will be the first Brady-Rodgers matchup. When the Packers and Patriots played in Foxborough in 2010, Rodgers was injured. They are the two leading contenders for MVP. Brady is 37, Rodgers turns 31 on Tuesday. They’re both from Northern California and have great admiration for each other. “He’s always been one of my favorite guys to watch on film,” Rodgers said. “If we have a common opponent I always enjoy putting on film when he played them to see what he did against them.” Brady on Rodgers: “He’s just phenomenal. He’s just a great player. I always love watching

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him play because he does things that a lot of guys in the league can’t do, well, that nobody can really do except him.” When they get together, they talk football, of course. “I’m probably trying to get into his brain a little bit and he’s trying to get into mine,” Brady said.

Rodgers has 30 TDs and only three INTs. Brady has 26 TDs and six INTs.

NO LUCK FOR RG3

Washington plays at Indy on Sunday, but it’s not Robert Griffin III vs. Andrew Luck. For the second year in a row, Griffin has been benched. Last year, Mike Shanahan benched him the last three weeks for Kirk Cousins. Now Jay Gruden has benched him for journeyman Colt McCoy. Griffin hasn’t been the same since he injured his right knee late in his rookie season. He missed one game, returned to beat the Eagles and Cowboys in the final two to win the NFC East, then reinjured his right knee early in the playoff loss to the Seahawks. Shanahan kept him in the game and he tore his ACL in the fourth quarter. He was slowed by a badly injured ankle this season. Washington gave up three No. 1s and a No. 2 to the Rams to move up to get him in the draft. Owner Dan Snyder loves him — not as much as Idzik loves Geno apparently — so it would be surprising if RG3 gets traded. He just needs to get healthy….The Falcons and Saints are tied for the NFC South lead at 4-7. The Rams are in last place in the NFC West at 4-7.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Muhammad Wilkerson officially out for Jets, will miss first game of his career (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York November 29, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/46608/wilkerson-officially-out-for-jets-will-miss-first-game-in-career

It's official: No Mo for the New York Jets.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, battling a painful turf-toe injury, was ruled out for Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins. Saturday's announcement came as no surprise, as the Jets had been indicating throughout the week they didn't expect Wilkerson to play.

For Wilkerson, hurt in last Monday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills, it will mark the first missed game in his four-year career.

The Jets will have Wilkerson's defensive-line partner, Sheldon Richardson, who practiced fully Saturday and is listed as probable with a lower-back ailment.

As expected, tight end Jace Amaro (concussion) was ruled out after not practicing all week. The Jets could sign Chris Pantale from the practice squad for depth.

Backup quarterback Michael Vick, who sat out Friday with an illness, was back to full practice and is listed as probable.

The full injury report:

New York Jets

Out: Amaro (concussion), Wilkerson (toe).

Probable: Vick, John Conner (groin), Richardson (back), T Oday Aboushi (shoulder), LB Antwan Barnes (knee), G Willie Colon (knee), WR Eric Decker (toe), DE Leger Douzable (ankle), LB David Harris (shoulder),

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RB Chris Ivory (shoulder), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (calf), RB Chris Johnson (knee), C Nick Mangold (shoulder), RB Bilal Powell (illness).

Miami Dolphins

Out: LB Jonathan Freeny (hamstring), CB Jamar Taylor (shoulder).

Doubtful: TE Charles Clay (hamstring, knee), CB Cortland Finnegan (ankle), T Nate Garner (illness).

Questionable: T Ja'Wuan James (neck).

Probable: G Daryn Colledge (back), WR Rishard Matthews (groin), RB Lamar Miller (knee), C Samson Satele (foot).

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Sunday notes: Jets' QB change a 'whodunnit' mystery (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York November 30, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/46594/sunday-notes-jets-qb-change-a-whodunnit-mystery?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

A look at what's going on around and inside the New York Jets:

1. Strangest QB controversy ever: Even in the bizzaro world of the Jets, this qualified as a crazy week. Never has such an insignificant quarterback change garnered so much attention, with conflicting "whodunnit" stories emerging from inside the walls of One Jets Drive.

Desperate to squash the perception of organizational dysfunction, the Jets have tried to spin it as a "Jet decision," insisting Rex Ryan was the driving force behind the Geno Smith-for-Michael Vick switch. Ryan stated emphatically his arm wasn't twisted by general manager John Idzik, but not everyone is buying what he's selling. There remains a level of skepticism within the organization as to whether Ryan actually made the decision, according to sources. That is not a healthy environment. It casts Ryan as a puppet.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: On Tuesday, the day after losing to the Buffalo Bills, the belief in the building was that Vick would start against the Dolphins. Ryan found himself in a tough spot: His coaching staff and locker room wanted Vick, enormously popular among the players, but management preferred Smith. Ryan sided with management, trying to keep the peace as he prepares for his exit.

2. Right call: Even though they fumbled the process, the Jets got it right in the end. Smith should be playing, not Vick.

You could argue that Smith doesn't deserve a second chance, based on his performance during the 1-7 start, but it serves no purpose for a 2-9 team to start a 34-year-old backup who probably won't be back next season. At least Smith has upside -- maybe not much, but some. The organization has seen enough of Smith to know he can't go into 2015 as the undisputed starter, but it can determine over the last five games whether he should be part of the future as a backup or, if he plays well, as someone who could compete for the No. 1 job.

Vick gives the Jets the best chance to win Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, but the gap between him and Smith is so negligible that it shouldn't matter for a team already mathematically eliminated. Yes, Vick settled the offense to a certain degree (only one turnover in three starts), but there was no production -- three touchdowns in 28 possessions, an abysmal 11-percent success rate. Smith was slightly better in eight starts (16 percent, 12-for-77), but still far below the level of a competent quarterback.

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3. Idzik's choice: Obviously, Idzik prefers Smith over Vick. Why wouldn't he? Everybody is in self-preservation mode, and his best chance of survival is a strong finish by his hand-picked quarterback. Right now, Idzik has nothing to hang is hat on. If he presents his case to owner Woody Johnson, what could he possibly say? Hey, Woody look at Percy Harvin, he plays almost every down. The trade was a coup, I tell you, a coup.

Harvin is a full-time player, all right, but the coup has yet to score a touchdown. Another feel-good December by Smith is the only positive that can be salvaged from the season.

4. Not a Rexy comment: The ever-optimistic Ryan isn't the kind of coach who plays the "woe-is-me" card, which made it rather surprising Friday to hear him bemoan his quarterback plight. Commenting on the difficulty of having two young starting quarterbacks during his tenure, Ryan said the "two situations we've had haven't been ideal."

Whoa, wait a second. Ryan wasn't complaining when he went to back-to-back AFC Championship Games with Mark Sanchez in 2009 and 2010, and it was his fault they had to rush Smith into the lineup last season as a rookie. (See: Sanchez injury fiasco in the preseason.) Ryan took two rides on the rookie roller-coaster, experiencing the extremes. He's right, it wasn't ideal, but he wasn't an innocent bystander.

5. Oh, Tannenbaum: Maybe Monday night's game should be known as the Tannenbaum Bowl. The Jets' former general manager is a consultant for the Miami Dolphins, helping them in the areas of analytics and sports science. It's only a part-time gig for Tannenbaum, who works as an agent for Priority Sports and Entertainment. He was run out of New York two years ago as if he were a know-nothing, but he was 57-55 with three playoff apperances in seven years as the Jets' GM. How many fans would sign up for that now?

6. Tannenbaum, Part II: Tannenbaum represents Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who will be a hot head-coaching candidate. Wouldn't it be something if Idzik tries to hire Quinn and has to negotiate with Tannenbaum? That would be priceless.

7. (Small) money for nothing: There's an old saying in life: You get what you pay for. That could apply to the current state of the Jets' defense, which has the lowest cap figure in the league -- $38.6 million, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That is surprising, because they have eight former No. 1 picks on defense, but six of the eight still are playing in their rookie contract. The only exceptions are Calvin Pace and Jason Babin, both of whom have modest veteran deals. The Jets are ranked No. 7 in total defense, but that's one of the most deceiving stats ever. The defense has been a huge disappointment, but you can't call it the worst defense money can buy, that's for sure.

8. Chasing history: The most mind-blowing stat of this entire season is the number of takeaways by the defense -- seven. It's a pretty good bet the Jets will set the team mark for futility (15, 2013), and they could break the league record for fewest takeaways in a 16-game season (11, 2013 Houston Texans). Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson (six interceptions) and Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes (five) are nipping at the Jets' heels. It wouldn't a shock if Grimes catches up Monday night.

9. A new old wrinkle on offense: Look for more read-option plays now that Smith is back in the lineup. The Jets are averaging six read-option plays per game, slightly ahead of last season (5.4), but they ran it only four times in Vick's two complete-game starts, according to ESPN Stats. In Smith's two complete-game starts before his benching, they used it 12 times for 111 yards. In the season-opening win against the Oakland Raiders, they ran it 11 times. It's one of the few things they do well; might as well use it.

It's an odd situation. Vick is a more dangerous runner than Smith, but there was always the fear he'd get hurt, so they limited his exposure.

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10. A Beckham watcher: Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey wasn't surprised by Odell Beckham Jr.'s amazing catch last week. McGaughey, the former LSU special teams coach, saw it in practice all the time.

"You know what? People have been talking about this. I watched it for three years," he said. "I've seen catches in practice that make that one look like nothing. So, I mean between Jarvis (Landry) and Odell, those two guys made more plays in practice, and I watched them break a Jugs machine -- literally -- because they spent so much time on it. I mean, they broke the handle on it. Those guys are gym rats."

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SATURDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press November 29, 2014

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/Saturday-s-Sports-Transactions-5924836.php

FOOTBALL National Football League CHICAGO BEARS — Signed S Anthony Walters. Signed DE Jamil Merrell to the practice squad. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed LB Darius Fleming from the practice squad. OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed RB George Atkinson III from the practice squad. Placed CB Carlos Rogers on the reserve/injured list. HOCKEY National Hockey League MHL — Fined Montreal D Alexei Emelin $11,021.51 for an illegal check to the head of Buffalo F Brian Gionta during a Nov. 28 game. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Recalled C Michael Chaput and LW Kerby Rychel from Springfield (AHL). Assigned C Alexander Wennberg to Springfield. DALLAS STARS — Reassigned LW Curtis McKenzie to Texas (AHL). WASHINGTON CAPITALS — Recalled D Steven Oleksy from Hershey (AHL). American Hockey League AHL — Suspended Lehigh Valley RW Brett Hextall one game for his actions in a Nov. 28 game at Albany. HARTFORD WOLF PACK — Signed F Chad Nehring to a professional tryout agreement. SPRINGFIELD FALCONS — Signed LW Corey Cowick to a one-year contract. COLLEGE FORDHAM — Announced men's sophomore basketball G Jon Severe has taken a leave of absence from the team. UNLV — Announced the resignation of football coach Bobby Hauck, effective Dec. 1.

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