From a Jets correspondent.
Prepare for an early dose of Paul ball. Operating with an underworked quarterback who completed only six passes in the preseason, Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett hinted that he may dust off some of his game plans from 2001. Hackett was criticized that year for using a conservative, run-oriented attack. At times it was hard to watch, but it might be the smart way to go in Thursday night's season opener against the Redskins, whose defensive line is in shambles. "Are we going to be what we were at the end of last year? No, we're going to be different than that," Hackett said after the Jets' 17-9 victory over the Eagles Thursday night in the preseason finale. "It's a new year, a new season, but I feel good about where we are as an offensive team." Translation: You will see a lot of Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan. At the end of last season, the Jets had a balanced, multidimensional offense that was hard to stop. It's unfair to expect Vinny Testaverde, who took only 21 snaps in the preseason, to start out the way Chad Pennington finished off. Hackett, who said it may take two or three weeks before the offense finds a groove with Testaverde, seems to be lowering the early expectations. Some players disagreed, saying there shouldn't be a transition period, but that might be too optimistic. Testaverde, thrust into the starting role when Pennington broke his wrist a week ago, attempted only 14 passes in the preseason. He completed only one (5 yards), to newcomer Curtis Conway. Chemistry is a legitimate question. "The offense will be a lot better after four games than at the start of season, but that's only natural when you change your quarterback a week before the regular season starts," coach Herman Edwards said yesterday. Edwards opened himself up to second-guessing by resting Testaverde and the starters in the final preseason game. Edwards maintained Testaverde will be fresh for the opener. Former Giants star Phil Simms believes Testaverde still is capable of doing the job at 39, but the quarterback-turned-analyst wondered about Testaverde's limited preseason. "You can be 39 and have all those passing yards, but there is something to game rhythm and game experience," Simms said. "That's what the preseason does for a quarterback. There are no exceptions. "The lack of snaps would concern me. Late in my career, I wanted snaps, even if it was just handing off." The Jets won't put too much on Testaverde's shoulders. They figure to attack the Redskins on the ground. Maybe that's why Edwards sounded so concerned about his running game, which averaged only 2.8 yards in the preseason. "We didn't run the ball as well as I anticipated," he said. They need to crank it up soon.
Ray Mickens CB Knee day-to-day
Derek Pagel FS Ankle day-to-day
Kelvin Moses LB Ankle day-to-day
Chris Smith OT Knee day-to-day
Chad Pennington QB Wrist Early Dec
Marvin Jones LB Hamstring out for preseason
Josh Evans DT Suspended Out indefinitely
Dennis O'Sullivan C Biceps LaVar Arrington LB Knee day-to-day
Brandon Noble DT Knee I-R
Larry Moore C Knee Early Sept
Prepare for an early dose of Paul ball. Operating with an underworked quarterback who completed only six passes in the preseason, Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett hinted that he may dust off some of his game plans from 2001. Hackett was criticized that year for using a conservative, run-oriented attack. At times it was hard to watch, but it might be the smart way to go in Thursday night's season opener against the Redskins, whose defensive line is in shambles. "Are we going to be what we were at the end of last year? No, we're going to be different than that," Hackett said after the Jets' 17-9 victory over the Eagles Thursday night in the preseason finale. "It's a new year, a new season, but I feel good about where we are as an offensive team." Translation: You will see a lot of Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan. At the end of last season, the Jets had a balanced, multidimensional offense that was hard to stop. It's unfair to expect Vinny Testaverde, who took only 21 snaps in the preseason, to start out the way Chad Pennington finished off. Hackett, who said it may take two or three weeks before the offense finds a groove with Testaverde, seems to be lowering the early expectations. Some players disagreed, saying there shouldn't be a transition period, but that might be too optimistic. Testaverde, thrust into the starting role when Pennington broke his wrist a week ago, attempted only 14 passes in the preseason. He completed only one (5 yards), to newcomer Curtis Conway. Chemistry is a legitimate question. "The offense will be a lot better after four games than at the start of season, but that's only natural when you change your quarterback a week before the regular season starts," coach Herman Edwards said yesterday. Edwards opened himself up to second-guessing by resting Testaverde and the starters in the final preseason game. Edwards maintained Testaverde will be fresh for the opener. Former Giants star Phil Simms believes Testaverde still is capable of doing the job at 39, but the quarterback-turned-analyst wondered about Testaverde's limited preseason. "You can be 39 and have all those passing yards, but there is something to game rhythm and game experience," Simms said. "That's what the preseason does for a quarterback. There are no exceptions. "The lack of snaps would concern me. Late in my career, I wanted snaps, even if it was just handing off." The Jets won't put too much on Testaverde's shoulders. They figure to attack the Redskins on the ground. Maybe that's why Edwards sounded so concerned about his running game, which averaged only 2.8 yards in the preseason. "We didn't run the ball as well as I anticipated," he said. They need to crank it up soon.
Ray Mickens CB Knee day-to-day
Derek Pagel FS Ankle day-to-day
Kelvin Moses LB Ankle day-to-day
Chris Smith OT Knee day-to-day
Chad Pennington QB Wrist Early Dec
Marvin Jones LB Hamstring out for preseason
Josh Evans DT Suspended Out indefinitely
Dennis O'Sullivan C Biceps LaVar Arrington LB Knee day-to-day
Brandon Noble DT Knee I-R
Larry Moore C Knee Early Sept
