NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

December 11, 2014

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Table of Contents

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

Jets' Smith focused on strong finish, not doubters (Dennis Waszak) ........................................................................ 2

Jets' Harvin (ankle) uncertain vs. Titans (Dennis Waszak)......................................................................................... 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Geno Smith: 'I feel like I have all the tools' (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................................ 4

Rex Ryan: It'll be 'a stretch' for Percy Harvin to play this week; Harvin thinks he'll play (Kimberley Martin) .......... 5

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Jets: Geno Smith is proud of himself (J.P. Pelzman) .................................................................................................. 6

Jets honor Vito Campanile ........................................................................................................................................ 7

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Jets' Chris Johnson wants to make Tennessee Titans 'regret' releasing him (Dom Cosentino) ................................ 7

Geno Smith takes 'a little' offense to fans who want Jets to lose at Tennessee Titans for draft position (Darryl Slater) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Jets' Geno Smith thinks he's had 'flashes' of being 'a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback' (Dom Cosentino) .................. 9

Jets' Sheldon Richardson skeptical about NFL's new discipline policy, Roger Goodell's power (Darryl Slater) ...... 10

Will Jets' Percy Harvin (ankle) play at Tennessee Titans? Depends on if you ask Harvin or Rex Ryan (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Nick Mangold in mix for Pro Bowl (Dom Cosentino) .............. 13

2015 NFL mock draft: How about a pass rusher in first round for Jets? (Dom Cosentino) ..................................... 14

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 14

‘Pro Bowl-caliber’ Geno Smith bristles at Mariota, Winston talk (George Willis) ................................................... 14

Will Percy Harvin play against the Titans? Depends who you ask (Brian Costello) ................................................. 15

Why Jets RB Johnson wants to ‘tear it up’ against the Titans (Brian Costello) ....................................................... 16

Geno Smith talks Pro Bowl in new height of delusion (Brian Costello) ................................................................... 17

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

NY Jets owner Woody Johnson insists mind not made up on firing Rex Ryan, John Idzik (Gary Myers) ................ 18

NY Jets running back Chris Johnson is psyched for Titans (Kevin Armstrong) ........................................................ 20

NY Jets Geno Smith can't be serious with 'Pro Bowl-caliber' QB comment (Manish Mehta) ................................. 21

Geno Smith says he’s shown ‘flashes’ of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback (Kevin Armstrong) ...................... 22

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 22

Geno Smith Controls the Jets’ QB Carousel (Alex Raskin) ....................................................................................... 22

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 24

Chris Johnson wants to 'tear it up' against former team (Rich Cimini) ................................................................... 24

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Percy Harvin wants to play; Rex Ryan says it's 'a stretch' (Rich Cimini) .................................................................. 24

Geno Smith not at loss for confidence (Rich Cimini) ............................................................................................... 25

Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson returns to practice field (Rich Cimini) ................................................................... 26

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 27

NFL agents with differing opinions on job John Idzik has done as Jets GM (Kristian Dyer) .................................... 27

WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................................... 29

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets' Smith focused on strong finish, not doubters (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press December 10, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-smith-focused-strong-finish-not-doubters

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Geno Smith knows many fans have already moved on from him.

With the New York Jets sitting at a dreadful 2-11, the race is on for the No. 1 draft pick — and possibly Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston coming to town as the team's new quarterback.

To some fans, the Jets' game at Tennessee on Sunday offers the franchise a chance to lose and have a better shot at that top selection — a notion that offends Smith.

"Yeah, a little bit, but I can't worry about it," Smith said Wednesday. "I'm just going out there and do what I have to do to win the game. I can't make any decisions on anything other than that. So yeah, I just focus on doing my job."

At a charity event in Manhattan on Tuesday, Smith told Newsday that he has "shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback" during his mostly shaky two NFL seasons.

The statement likely made many fans roll their eyes, especially considering Smith has thrown 33 interceptions — including eight returned for TDs — and is 9-17 as a starter.

"When I was talking about it, I was speaking on consistency," Smith clarified Wednesday. "That was my main key, is that I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that, but obviously, it takes consistency and I've been very inconsistent in my two years here."

It remains to be seen whether that lack of consistency will cost Smith his job as the team's starting quarterback — or even a spot on the roster. With the futures of coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik uncertain, a new regime could have its own plans.

Ryan smiled when he was asked about Smith's declaration that he has shown flashes of Pro Bowl-type play.

"Yeah," Ryan said with a pause. "And then, he hasn't."

Ryan went on to praise Smith's confidence and work ethic, saying he wants his players to strive to be among the league's best. He also insisted that Smith is working toward being a consistent performer.

Still, the Pro Bowl seems a long way off for a player who has a 68.0 quarterback rating with eight touchdown passes and 12 interceptions during a season many believed Smith would be better.

Ryan said it's "really unfair" to say whether Smith can be a top quarterback in the league because the sample size is still too small to make a definitive judgment.

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"He does have a lot of God-given ability," Ryan said. "He can move and he has a good arm. He has the arm talent to play in this league, without question, and now he is working on those other things."

Wide receiver Percy Harvin came to the Jets in October from Seattle, where he played with Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson and won a Super Bowl. Harvin has seen enough from Smith in two months to make a positive evaluation.

"I definitely think Geno's going to be a starter — a great starter — in this league," Harvin said. "I think he definitely has all the tools, the work ethic, so if (the Pro Bowl) is his goal, I don't see why he can't reach it."

It wasn't long ago — about 17 months — that Jets fans were clamoring for Smith to start as a rookie over Mark Sanchez. Smith, a second-round pick, was the new guy in town and Sanchez was old news. Smith saw what Sanchez went through as far as the critics before being lost for the year in the preseason with a shoulder injury.

"It was tough on Mark, it was tough on all of us," Smith said. "It was tough on me. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm immune to it. But my demeanor is to always work harder and stand firm and believe in myself, so I'm not going to ever waver in no way."

Smith has suddenly found himself in the same situation Sanchez was in. He has no idea what his football future holds, but he has three more games to end the season on a good note — as he did last season.

"The only thing that I can try to do," Smith said, "is those that don't believe in me, try to win them over by playing well."

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Jets' Harvin (ankle) uncertain vs. Titans (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press December 10, 2014

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-harvin-ankle-uncertain-vs-titans

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Percy Harvin is planning to play.

The New York Jets wide receiver is dealing with a sprained left ankle that had him in a walking boot earlier in the week, but he was optimistic about his chances of suiting up against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

"I feel pretty good," Harvin said Wednesday. "I definitely think I will be playing this week. Rehab has been going fairly well. It shouldn't be a problem."

Harvin did not practice Wednesday, and coach Rex Ryan wasn't so sure he'd have the wide receiver available at Tennessee.

"Well, he didn't practice today, so it's kind of going to be a stretch for this week," Ryan said, "but we'll see."

The swelling in Harvin's ankle has decreased considerably since he was hurt late in the fourth quarter of New York's 30-24 overtime loss last Sunday at Minnesota. He was having a good game up to that point, catching six passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, his first since being acquired from Seattle in October.

"Once I knew it wasn't a high ankle sprain, I was able to start putting weight on it," Harvin said. "So I knew the turnaround would be pretty quick."

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Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) and safety Antonio Allen (hand) also didn't practice. Wilkerson was fitted with a special shoe to help him try to practice after he missed the past two games. Ryan said the pain in Allen's hand was so bad that he couldn't run during practice.

Kicker Nick Folk (right hip) was limited, but should be fine. Tight end Jace Amaro and linebacker Trevor Reilly were also limited with concussions. Amaro has missed the past two games while going through the NFL's protocol on head injuries.

"I think (Amaro) was running around pretty good, as was Reilly," Ryan said. "Hopefully both those guys will be cleared to play."

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NEWSDAY

Geno Smith: 'I feel like I have all the tools' (Kimberley Martin) Newsday December 10, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-i-feel-like-i-have-all-the-tools-1.9702600

Despite statistical evidence to the contrary, Geno Smith stood by his assertion that he's shown "flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback'' with the Jets.

"Yeah, in certain games,'' Smith said Wednesday, echoing comments he made to Newsday the night before. "I feel like I have the tools, I have what it takes to be that. Those are always my goals. I always set the bar high for myself, but I do realize that I've been inconsistent and I've had my struggles at times as well.

" . . . I believe in myself [and] that I'll be more of the guy that you see doing well rather than the guy who struggles at times.''

During an interview at a Manhattan charity event Tuesday night, Smith told Newsday he believes he can be the face of the Jets franchise.

"If anyone wants to know if I'm the future or the franchise [quarterback],'' he said, "you can just look at the way I've handled myself in the face of adversity.''

But his stat sheet says otherwise.

Smith, who was benched for three games in favor of Michael Vick this season, has thrown eight pick-6s and committed 39 turnovers in 26 career starts. Since the Jets drafted him 39th overall in 2013, he's thrown more interceptions (33) than touchdown passes (20) and has the worst passer rating in the NFL the past two seasons.

Although Rex Ryan tried not to slight Smith, the Jets coach couldn't help but smile when asked about Smith's claim of showing "flashes'' of Pro Bowl talent.

"Yeah . . . and then he hasn't,'' Ryan joked.

"But really, I believe that his point is, obviously, that is what you strive to do. You never want to take away somebody's belief in themselves and that kind of confidence, because at times he has played really well. But what you're trying to get at is that consistency.''

On Wednesday, Smith maintained his confidence is high, but he stressed that "consistency is the main goal.

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"With that statement that I made [Tuesday], I felt like I've played good at times, but not as much as I need to, not every game,'' Smith said. "And in this league, the quarterback's got to be the guy who comes out and is always consistent in order for the team to do well.''

Ryan did say Smith has had "some phenomenal games'' and that he has the "arm talent to play in this league.''

"I truly believe that Geno Smith is going to be a good quarterback in this league,'' Ryan said.

But it's unclear if Smith will be the Jets starter in 2015.

The 24-year-old admitted NFL players "always worry'' about job security, but he said playing well is "the only way that I can prove anything to anyone.''

But even as he prepares for his next opponent, the Titans (2-11), Smith knows there are Jets fans clamoring for his replacement -- namely Marcus Mariota of Oregon or Florida State's Jameis Winston.

Smith said he takes "a little bit'' of offense to fans hoping the Jets (2-11) tank their remaining three games in order to snag a top-tier quarterback in the draft.

"I'm not going to sit here and say I'm immune to it,'' Smith said. "But my demeanor is always work hard and stand firm and believe in myself. So I'm not going to ever waver in no way. I'm not going to let that sidetrack me from what my focus is, which is to continue to get better and to lead this team.''

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Rex Ryan: It'll be 'a stretch' for Percy Harvin to play this week; Harvin thinks he'll play (Kimberley Martin) Newsday December 10, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/rex-ryan-it-ll-be-a-stretch-for-percy-harvin-to-play-this-week-harvin-thinks-he-ll-play-1.9702481

What's Percy Harvin's status for Sunday's game in Tennessee? Well, it depends on whom you ask.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said it would be "a stretch" for the multifaceted receiver to play this weekend after Harvin suffered an ankle sprain against the Vikings. Though Ryan said the swelling in Harvin's ankle has gone down "quite a bit," he didn't practice Wednesday.

Harvin, however, said, "I feel pretty good. I definitely think I'll be playing this week."

Harvin, who had six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown against his former team, said he hasn't tried to run on his injured ankle.

Johnson eager to play

Chris Johnson is trying to approach Sunday as if it’s another game, but it really isn’t. “Of course I want to go in there and tear it up and show them what they missed out on and make them regret that,” Johnson said of facing his former team. “But I’m not going to make it me vs. them.”

Johnson spent six seasons in Tennessee before signing with the Jets. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2009.

Ryan wants go-getters

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Ryan said he had no issue with special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey campaigning for the vacant coaching position at his alma mater, Houston. "I have no problem with that at all," Ryan said. "You want guys that aren't just happy being where they are at, but they want to strive for other things."

Jet streams

Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) was back on the practice field but did not participate. Neither did Antonio Allen (broken hand) . . . Jace Amaro and Trevor Reilly (concussions) wore red noncontact jerseys but were limited. So was Nick Folk (hip flexor) . . . Wilkerson is fourth in Pro Bowl voting among defensive tackles and Sheldon Richardson is sixth.

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THE RECORD

Jets: Geno Smith is proud of himself (J.P. Pelzman) The Record December 10, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/geno-is-proud-of-himself-1.1150772

FLORHAM PARK — Say this much about Geno Smith: He still can talk the talk.

Whether he'll ever be able to walk the walk still is up for debate, however.

The Jets' erratic second-year quarterback told Newsday at a charity event in Manhattan on Tuesday that he has "shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, but what we're looking for here is consistency."

Smith didn't back down from that rather lofty assessment of himself when he spoke to the media Wednesday.

"I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that," he said, referring to a Pro Bowl quarterback, "but obviously it takes some consistency, and I've been very inconsistent in my two years here. That's the thing I've been working on, is trying to be that consistent [and] productive quarterback on the field every Sunday.

"I believe," he added, "that I'll be more of the guy you see doing well than the guy who struggles at times."

The numbers show that Smith has a long way to go before he can think about making Pro Bowl travel plans.In 27 games, 26 as a starter, he has thrown 20 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions. He also has lost six fumbles.

Smith threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first pass Sunday at Minnesota.

It was the eighth pick-six he has thrown in his career, the most by any NFL player during that span. To be fair, he recovered and had a decent game, which included his first touchdown pass since Oct. 16.

When asked if he thinks Smith has shown flashes of being a Pro Bowler, coach Rex Ryan said with a smile, "Yeah, and then he hasn't."

Ryan added, "I believe that his point is that is what you strive to [be]. You never want to take away somebody's belief in themselves and that kind of confidence, because at times he has played really well, no doubt. But what you're trying to get is that consistency."

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"I really don't think it's fair to judge him right now," said Ryan, who benched Smith after he threw three interceptions in the first quarter of a loss to Buffalo on Oct. 26. "Give him some time and we'll see how he develops."

But in this win-now league, how much longer can the Jets wait for Smith to realize his potential? His window to be their long-term starter already may have closed.

It appears Smith's latest audition will last until the end of this season, but it's quite possible the Jets will be looking for a quarterback in the first round of the 2015 draft. With that in mind, many fans would prefer the Jets lose out to better their chances of securing the top pick and a chance to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Jets visit the Titans on Sunday in a matchup of 2-11 teams.

"I hate to talk about the fans or say anything negative about the fans," Smith said, "but I don't think that should be their attitude. The fans should want to see the team win no matter what. … I can't really focus on that."

BRIEFS: WR-KR Percy Harvin didn't practice, but said his sprained left ankle is feeling better. "I definitely think I will be playing" Sunday, Harvin said. Not so fast, Ryan said, noting that Harvin being available "is kind of going to be a stretch for [Sunday's game], but we'll see." … DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) and S Antonio Allen (fractured hand) also didn't practice. TE Jace Amaro and Trevor Reilly practiced on a limited basis without contact. Both are in the NFL's concussion protocol.

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Jets honor Vito Campanile The Record December 11, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-honor-campanile-1.1150769

The Jets named Westwood High School's Vito Campanile their high school coach of the year.

Campanile has led the Cardinals to back-to-back North 1, Group 2 titles. The Jets and Chase will donate $4,000 to the Westwood football program in honor of Campanile and his team's achievements.

Campanile, in his sixth season as Cardinals coach, also has been invited to watch the Jets' final home game of the season in Chase's private suite at MetLife Stadium. The Jets host New England on Dec. 21.

Westwood beat Waldwick/Midland Park, 21-7, in the North 1, Group 2 final Saturday at MetLife. The Cardinals made a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter, then drove 99 yards for the clinching touchdown, completing a perfect 12-0 season.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Jets' Chris Johnson wants to make Tennessee Titans 'regret' releasing him (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_chris_johnson_wants_to_make_tennessee_titans_regret_releasing_him.html

FLORHAM PARK — Chris Johnson returns to Nashville this weekend, and even though he keeps saying he doesn't want to reduce Sunday's Jets-Titans game to a battle between him and them, he also couldn't help himself from doing just that.

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Last summer, Johnson, the Jets' running back. said he thought the Titans were "nasty" for having released him in April instead of in March, which is when free agency began.

Wednesday, Johnson was asked several times about his first opportunity to play against his former team.

"Of course I want to go out there and tear it up, and show them what they missed out on, make them regret it," he said. "But I'm not going to go into the game and try to make it me versus them."

(Psst. Chris. You just did. But it's totally cool. Jets-Titans could use a little trash talk to liven things up.)

Johnson played six seasons with the Titans. The Jets signed him two weeks after his release to a two-year deal that calls for him to earn $3.5 million next year, per overthecap.com, though that salary is not guaranteed. Johnson has never rushed for fewer than 1,000 yards in a season, but it's all but assured he will fail to hit that mark this year. With three games remaining, he has 558 rushing yards, though he is averaging 4.5 yards per carry while splitting the load with Chris Ivory (162 carries, 714 yards) and Bilal Powell (26 carries, 112 yards).

He also only has 22 catches out of the backfield, or roughly half of what he had last season. When he was with the Titans, Johnson averaged 290 carries per season—and he played most of last season on a torn meniscus that was surgically repaired back in January.

At the same time, the Jets made it clear as early as last summmer's minicamp that Johnson wouldn't be their workhorse back.

"We think we have two starting running backs," Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday. "It just happens that they are kind of splitting carries."

The Titans, like the Jets, are 2-11 this season, two of five teams with the NFL's worst record.

Johnson recently told NJ.com's Darryl Slater he's frustrated by all the losing, in addition to how infrequently he feels he's been getting the ball, though he has since carried it 33 times in the last games.

"It's a tough situation, but there's really nothing I can do about it right now," Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson said it still bothers him how things ended with the Titans, for whom he was once the "CJ2K" face of the franchise. But he also said he's trying not to think about that anymore.

Does Johnson think he has something to prove this week against the Titans?

"I wouldn't just say something to prove; if there was something to prove, it's not [to] them," Johnson said. "They know the type of player I am."

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Geno Smith takes 'a little' offense to fans who want Jets to lose at Tennessee Titans for draft position (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/geno_smith_says_he_takes_a_little_offense_to_fans_who_want_jets_to_lose_at_tennessee_titans_for_draf.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Some Jets fans have stopped rooting for the team this season, and started rooting for the possibility that the Jets will continue to lose, so they can get a higher draft pick.

The Jets will probably need to pick high in order to be in contention for Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston, who are regarded as the top two quarterback prospects likely to be available next spring.

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The Jets' current starting quarterback, Geno Smith, understandably feels differently than fans who want the Jets to lose. Smith was asked Wednesday if he takes offense to fans who hope for more losses in this 2-11 season, so the Jets can pick a new quarterback.

"A little bit," he said, and what else did you really expect him to say? "But I can't worry about it. I'm just going out there and doing what I have to do to win the game. I can't make any decisions on anything other than that. So yeah, I just focus on doing my job.

"I hate to talk about the fans or saying anything negative about the fans, but I don't think that should be their attitude. The fans should want to see the team win no matter what. Like I said, I can't really focus on that. I'm only focused on day-by-day getting better in practice and then going out there and performing well on Sundays."

Therein lies the issue: Smith has not performed well on game days. That's why Jets fans want a new quarterback before Smith's second season is three games from complete (and long before this point).

Through 27 career games (26 starts), Smith has 20 touchdown passes, 33 interceptions (eight returned for touchdowns) and six fumbles lost. He has at least one turnover in 21 of his 26 starts. (He did not commit a turnover in his non-start.)

If Smith continues to play poorly -- though he did OK last week in Minnesota -- the Jets could very well lose Sunday at the Titans, who are one of four teams besides the Jets with a 2-11 record. But the idea that the Jets are going to purposefully tank this game is absurd.

In a league with few guarantees, players always need to give maximum effort, as they audition for future roles. (This is especially true for Smith, who is quickly running out of chances to show the Jets that he can be a competent NFL quarterback.)

Ditto for the coaches on the Jets' staff. They are on their way toward getting fired, so why would they care about the Jets' 2015 draft position?

The Jets are currently slotted fourth in the draft order, which could change, especially if they lose at the Titans on Sunday. The Raiders are fifth, the Jaguars third, the Titans second and the Buccaneers first. All five of those teams are 2-11.

Oakland and Jacksonville don't figure to be in the market for a quarterback, since they have promising rookies, Derek Carr and Blake Bortles. The Titans and Buccaneers, though, are definitely in need of new quarterbacks.

Last summer, Jets fans couldn't wait to see their second-round pick, Smith, and to get rid of Mark Sanchez. Now, Smith is in Sanchez's former position. Smith also hasn't done himself any favors in the eyes of fans, by cursing at one of them as he left the field following a home game in September.

Will the anger at him increase if he plays well and leads the Jets to a win at the Titans, and down the ladder in the draft order?

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Jets' Geno Smith thinks he's had 'flashes' of being 'a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_geno_smith_thinks_hes_had_flashes_of_being_a_pro_bowl-caliber_quarterback.html

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FLORHAM PARK — Geno Smith, he of the career Total QBR of 32.7, the eight pick-sixes, the 21 games in 26 starts with at least one turnover, and the 39 turnovers in less than two seasons as the Jets' quarterback, had this to say to Newsday at a charity event on Tuesday:

"I've shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, but what we're looking for here is consistency. The best teams have consistent quarterback play and I realize that and that's truly what I want to show to the fans and everyone outside the building."

You'll excuse the rest of the world for rolling its eyes and laughing uncontrollably at that first clause. Then again, just a day earlier, I had stuffed Smith's name into a headline that also included the word Pro Bowl, albeit to chide him for trying to spit-shine the Jets' 2-11 with some nonsense about all the "room for improvement" it affords. Because, really: If Smith has had any "Pro Bowl-caliber" moments as the Jets' quarterback, they must have happened while the rest of the world blinked.

So, Smith was basically asked Wednesday, what the heck was he talking about?

"What I was talking about, I was speaking on consistency," Smith said. "I feel that I have the tools. I feel that I have what it takes to be [a Pro Bowler]. I've been very inconsistent in my two years here. And that's the thing I've been working on is just trying to be that consistent, productive quarterback."

If anything, Smith was more inconsistent last year as a rookie, when his performances fluctuated wildly. He had that terrific game against the Falcons before closing with three strong starts in his last four games—a finishing kick that had the entire organization gushing about the promise he offered heading into Year Two. But this season, Smith's quarterback rating has broken 80 in just three of his 10 starts.

In response to a question about Smith saying he's shown "Pro Bowl-caliber flashes," Jets head coach Rex Ryan said, "Yeah, then he hasn't." Ryan was joking. But he then went into a defense of Smith that was typical of Ryan, who's always quick to defend his players.

"I believe his point is that obviously that's what you strive to do," Ryan said. "You never want to take away somebody's belief in themselves and that kind of confidence."

Ryan also tried to suggest it might be too soon to write Smith's repeated struggles off. He specifically cited the baptism by fire both Peyton and Eli Manning had as rookies. But the Manning brothers both guided their teams to the playoffs in their second seasons. The Jets right now have fans rooting for them to lose to improve their draft position.

"I truly believe Geno Smith is going to be a good quarterback in this league," Ryan said. "It think if this was Year 4 or 5, I think you'd have a much better gauge on it. I really don't think it's fair to judge him right now. Give him some time and see how he does."

After these final three games, though, Smith will likely be out of time. Ryan too.

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Jets' Sheldon Richardson skeptical about NFL's new discipline policy, Roger Goodell's power (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_sheldon_richardson_skeptical_about_nfls_new_discipline_policy.html

FLORHAM PARK -- The NFL on Wednesday released its new personal conduct policy, and the NFLPA immediately responded by saying it was not consulted or notified before the policy was publicly released. The players association is not happy.

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Some Jets players interviewed Wednesday also are skeptical about a few changes in the new policy, enacted after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell bungled his handling of former Ravens running back Ray Rice's domestic violence case. Goodell meted out inconsistent punishment in other cases, like Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's.

"They're trying to protect the shield, but we've got owners doing stuff like this, too, and they get a little slap on the wrist," Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said, presumably alluding to Colts owner Jim Irsay's DUI and drug possession case. "When it's millionaires versus billionaires, more money is going to win every time. So it doesn't really matter what I think at all. You just stay out of trouble off the field, and you really won't have a problem with this."

These are the most important changes with the new policy:

• The NFL increased its power: When a player is "formally charged with a crime of violence," he will be suspended with pay. "Formally charged" can mean a grand jury indictment, being charged by a prosecutor or being arraigned in criminal court. This means a player can be taken off the field without being found guilty of a crime. The NFL can also put a player on paid leave if Goodell reviews the preliminary investigation and believes a violent crime happened.

• Goodell also surrendered some decisions: The NFL (i.e. Goodell) will hire a discipline czar for matters involving all league employees (from players to coaches to owners, and everybody in between). No longer will Goodell handle the first stage of the disciplinary process. But Goodell will retain final say in the appeals process for disciplinary matters. With the new policy, the league said it will "embrace the use of independent investigations," and won't defer entirely to decisions made by the criminal justice system.

Richardson had not read the new policy Wednesday, because the Jets had just finished practice. But when he was informed about Goodell seemingly decreasing some of his power, in the initial stages of the discipline process, Richardson rolled his eyes.

"We'll see," he said. "I guess that's good, positive that he doesn't have all the power. Believe it when I see it."

Richardson said players believe Goodell had too much power, as judge, jury and punisher in discipline cases.

"You could say that," he said. "You wouldn't want him with all the power, to be the judge, jury and prosecutor, too. So it is a little too much power. If he's just the appeals process, I can see that working out a whole lot better. Guys would be a lot more comfortable with that."

But Richardson remains wary about how independent the NFL's disciplinary investigations and decisions will be.

"Whatever," he said. "It is what it is. I don't really care."

The old discipline policy was part of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, negotiated between the owners and players association. There was no negotiating between the two sides this time around, for the new policy.

The players association is annoyed by this, especially because it wants Goodell's role in discipline decisions decreased or wiped out. But the players association in 2011 collectively bargained away the right to negotiate a new discipline policy.

Like Richardson, Jets rookie safety Calvin Pryor is on the fence about whether the new paid suspension policy, before a guilty conviction, is fair or not.

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"I want to say it's fair, but then again, it's not fair, because most athletes get put in the limelight where they're the bad guy when something happens," Pryor said. "It's not always the case. It's tough, man. My advice is just try your best to stay out of trouble, man, and just don't give them that power to try to discipline you. We're all human at the end of the day. People forget that. We're all going to make mistakes and we're all going to do things that we wish we could take back."

Pryor recognizes the reality of the underlying question in all this: Does Goodell have too much power?

"They put him in that position," he said. "Guys put him in that position, so what can you do about it?"

He's right, considering the players association handed over disciplinary power to the NFL during the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.

Not all Jets players are wary about the new discipline policy.

"I think it's a good thing," said quarterback Michael Vick, who is close to Goodell from Vick's 2009 reinstatement process after his release from a prison stint for running a dog-fighting ring. "It's something that us as players can't fight, and we shouldn't try to fight it."

Vick said Goodell removing himself from the first stage of disciplinary action "takes the burden off of him, and I think it makes it a lot easier. People can't point the finger at Roger for him imposing a penalty on the infraction. I just think that's the best way to do it. The league is going to make the best decisions. It's a lot of smart people up in the league office, and they can get it done."

Vick, a supporter of Goodell's in recent years, said he does not believe Goodell wielded too much power. Another veteran, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, evaded this question about Goodell's power.

But Ferguson, the Jets' players association representative, embraces the new policy's discipline czar as a replacement for Goodell, at least in the early parts of the discipline process.

"I think one of the goals is always to strive for fairness," Ferguson said. "If there's a disciplinarian who is, I guess, neutral, I think it brings in a level of fairness. I just think it's always going to be good when you can have somebody who's neutral, who can see the case and kind of judge it for its own merits. I think the goal is to have something that's most fair for all parties involved. I feel like if this is getting us there, then we've taken a step in the right direction."

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Will Jets' Percy Harvin (ankle) play at Tennessee Titans? Depends on if you ask Harvin or Rex Ryan (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/will_jets_percy_harvin_ankle_play_at_tennessee_titans_that_depends_on_if_you_ask_harvin_or_rex_ryan.html

FLORHAM PARK -- Jets coach Rex Ryan and wide receiver Percy Harvin offered two distinctly different opinions Wednesday about Harvin's status for Sunday's game at Tennessee, a battle of 2-11 teams jockeying for high draft position.

Harvin sustained a low ankle sprain in last week's loss at Minnesota. He did not practice Wednesday and has not even begun running yet. He expects to attempt to run in the next day or two. But for now, he is still just doing rehabilitation exercises.

So Ryan does not feel good about Harvin's chances of playing this week.

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"I would think it would probably be a stretch for this week, but we'll see," Ryan said. "The swelling has actually gone down quite a bit in the ankle. He's real positive. I know with Percy, he's definitely wanting to give it a shot. So we'll see how far he can progress."

Harvin, meanwhile, thinks there's no question he will be on the field in Nashville.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I definitely think I'll be playing this week. It shouldn't be a problem. Once I knew it wasn't a high ankle sprain, (Tuesday), I was able to start putting weight on it, so I knew the turnaround would be pretty quick. Once we got the MRI and knew it wasn't a high ankle, I knew my bounce-back period would be pretty quick."

Even though he acknowledged he has yet to try to run on his injured ankle, he said he already sees signs that he will be OK for Sunday's game.

"I'm able to put pressure on there, and I'm able to do a lot of things that make me feel optimistic that I'll be fine for the game," Harvin said.

The Jets have three games left in this dreadful season. Harvin is coming off his best game of the season, out of five games with Seattle and six with the Jets, who acquired him in a trade. In Minnesota this past week, Harvin made six catches for 124 yards, plus his lone touchdown catch of 2014.

Harvin's contract is due to pay him $10.5 million next season, but none of that money is guaranteed, so he is essentially auditioning for his 2015 paycheck in these final weeks. Will that audition continue Sunday at the Titans? At least for Wednesday, the answer depends on who you ask.

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Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Nick Mangold in mix for Pro Bowl (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/jets_muhammad_wilkerson_sheldon_richardson_nick_mangold_in_mix_for_pro_bowl.html

FLORHAM PARK — With less than a week to go for fans to vote, the Jets have three players—Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Nick Mangold—in the top six at their respective positions in Pro Bowl balloting.

Among defensive tackles, Wilkerson is currently in the fourth place (176,224) and Richardson is in sixth (130,783), while Mangold is fifth among centers (115,102), according to the latest figures provided by the NFL.

Mangold has been to the Pro Bowl five times in his previous eight seasons. Neither Wilkerson nor Richardson has been to the Pro Bowl, though Wilkerson was second-team All-Pro last year and Richardson was the 2013 NFL rookie of the year. Though both are listed as D-tackles, they play defensive end in the Jets' 3-4 system.

Wilkerson had been second in the fan balloting among D-tackles as recently as a month ago.

Fans have until Monday to vote online at NFL.com/probowl/ballot. The fans' votes will then be combined with votes from players and coaches, who will submit their ballots on Dec. 19, to determine this season's Pro Bowlers. The selections for the 2015 Pro Bowl will be announced on Dec. 23.

The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 25 in Glendale, Ariz., which is where Super Bowl XLIX will be held one week later. Like last year, the Pro Bowl will again not involve the traditional AFC-NFC matchup; players selected will get "drafted" to play on the two respective teams during the week of the game.

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2015 NFL mock draft: How about a pass rusher in first round for Jets? (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media December 10, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/2015_nfl_mock_draft_how_about_a_pass_rusher_in_first_round_for_jets.html

With three weeks to go in the 2014 season, most Jets fans are already on to 2015, and in particular to the draft, which is always way more important than actual football anyway. So cue up those mock drafts, everyone. And think about the possibility of an edge rusher for the Jets in next year's first round.

Never mind that the Jets have taken six defensive players in the first round of the last five drafts, or that the defensive-minded Rex Ryan is all but gone as their head coach. Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com has them selecting in Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory. At least for now.

Says Brugler:

Change is coming to the Jets but how much change? We'll soon find out. But regardless of the head coach or general manager, New York needs to add athleticism in their front seven. Gregory has shown terrific development since arriving at Nebraska as a JUCO transfer and his NFL ceiling projects him highly in this class.

Brugler's not necessarily wrong in that assessment of (one of) the Jets' needs, even if they are pretty well set along the defensive line.

As things now stand, with the draft still several months away and with three games remaining in this season, the Jets are pegged to pick fourth. For fans hoping for a quarterback—Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston, say—the Jets might be out of luck because the top (bottom?) two teams at the moment in terms of draft position are the Bucs and the Titans, who both also need a quarterback.

Look, drafting an edge rusher would not be the craziest thing for the Jets. A quarterback—especially a rookie who will require a learning curve as he adjusts to the NFL—is not going to solve all their problems in 2015. They still have needs at linebacker, on the offensive line, at cornerback, and maybe at wide receiver, depending on whether they decide to bring Percy Harvin back and pay him $10 million.

Remember that another draft expert had the Jets grabbing Alabama wideout Amari Cooper a couple of weeks back. One player isn't going to transform the Jets into a winner because there are just too many roster holes to fill. So while Sunday's game against the Titans (who are also 2-11) could do a lot to enhance the Jets' spot in the draft order, they won't necessarily lose by winning.

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NEW YORK POST

‘Pro Bowl-caliber’ Geno Smith bristles at Mariota, Winston talk (George Willis) New York Post December 11, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/12/11/pro-bowl-caliber-geno-smith-bristles-at-mariota-winston-talk/

The giggles and the smirks you hear are responses to Geno Smith’s declaration that he has “shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback,” this season. A laugh out loud would be understandable as well.

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For now we’ll chalk that up to a bad choice of words considering the words “Pro Bowl” and “Geno Smith” shouldn’t be used in the same sentence, based on how mightily the second-year quarterback has struggled this season. His 12 interceptions, two lost fumbles, recent benching and 68.0 quarterback rating has epitomized the Jets’ 2-11 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Titans in Nashville.

Smith has shown flashes of competency, which would be fine if he were a nose tackle or a tight end. But the Jets desperately need a franchise quarterback they can build a franchise around.

Smith really isn’t delusional. He knows he hasn’t done enough to be secure in his role as the Jets starter, which is why he has been harping on being more consistent.

“It’s a process,” he said Wednesday. “But I understand in this league you’ve got to be able to do it and do it right now.”

Sunday’s matchup against the 2-11 Titans, involves two teams in contention for the top pick in the upcoming draft by having the league’s worst record. There is a groundswell of Jets fans hoping their team finishes poorly enough to have a chance at Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who will likely be the top two selections in the draft.

Smith said he takes “a little bit” of offense to those who think that way, adding, “I think the fans should want to see the team win.” Yet, Smith knows he can’t control public opinion. “I can’t worry about it,” he said. “I’m just going out there to do what I have to do to win the game. I can’t make any decisions on anything other than that.”

That’s not necessarily true. Smith has a big say in whether the Jets have a shot at either Mariota or Winston. If Smith plays well enough to lead the Jets to one or two more wins over the final three games, it will drop the Jets in the draft and make it unlikely either quarterback will be available when it comes their turn to select.

Sure, there’s nothing to preclude the Jets from moving up in the draft to claim one of the quarterbacks. The Jaguars and Raiders, both 2-11, appear to have their quarterbacks and might be looking to deal. But the Titans and Buccaneers, also 2-11, could be looking for a quarterback.

In a strange way, Smith does have a big say in his own future. If the Jets can beat the Titans and upset either the Patriots or Dolphins, it might force the Jets brass, whether John Idzik is still general manager or not, to get better value with their top pick at a position other than quarterback.

“The only way I can prove anything to anyone is to go out there and play well,” said Smith, who threw a pick-six on his first pass at Minnesota last week, but otherwise played decently (18-of-29 for 254 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) in a 30-24 loss in overtime. “That’s what I focus on. I can’t make decisions for anyone other than the ones that are on the field. So I just go out there and do my job and let the chips fall where they may.”

Smith saying he has shown flashes of being “a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback,” is getting a similar response to when Eli Manning called himself an “elite” quarterback a few months before winning his second Super Bowl. It’s uncertain if Smith will get the last laugh the way Manning did, but many in the Jets locker room still see a player with potential.

“It’s hard to play quarterback in this league,” Rex Ryan said, “and it’s hard for a rookie or second-year player to come into this league and have all the answers.”

The Jets problem is there are too many questions about their future.

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Will Percy Harvin play against the Titans? Depends who you ask (Brian Costello)

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New York Post December 11, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/12/11/will-percy-harvin-play-against-the-titans-depends-who-you-ask/

Just how likely it is for Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin to play this week depends on who you ask.

Harvin sprained his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. He did not practice Wednesday, but Harvin believes he’ll be ready to go against the Titans.

“I feel pretty good,” Harvin said. “I definitely think I will be playing this week. Rehab has been going fairly well. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Jets coach Rex Ryan did not sound so sure.

“It is kind of going to be a stretch for this week, but we’ll see,” Ryan said. “The swelling has actually gone down quite a bit in the ankle. He is real positive. With Percy, he is definitely wanting to give it a shot, so we’ll see how far he can progress.”

Harvin injured the ankle in the fourth quarter against the Vikings, ending what may have been his best game since becoming a Jet. He had six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown as well as a 47-yard kickoff return.

“I think looking at last week’s tape, just talking with my coaches, it probably was my best week here as far as route running, getting in and out of my breaks, separation,” Harvin said. “So, I actually graded myself, I think it was probably my best week, pretty much this year. I think I am starting to get the concepts down this year. I am starting to see what Geno [Smith] and [Michael] Vick are seeing on the field, what they are seeing down the field. So, I think it is starting to come to me pretty well.”

Jets special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was quoted by a Houston TV station this week campaigning for the vacant head coaching job at the University of Houston, his alma mater. It seemed kind of strange because the Jets still have three games left, but Ryan had no issue with it.

“I have no problem with that at all,” Ryan said. “You want to have a coaching staff with guys that aren’t just happy being where they are at, but they want to strive for other things.”

DE Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) did not practice, but was on the field and did some drills with the trainers. S Antonio Allen (hand) did not practice, but he said he expects to play. TE Jace Amaro (concussion), LB Trevor Reilly (concussion) and K Nick Folk (hip) were limited. Ryan sounded optimistic Amaro could be cleared for contact Thursday.

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Why Jets RB Johnson wants to ‘tear it up’ against the Titans (Brian Costello) New York Post December 10, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/12/10/why-jets-rb-johnson-wants-to-tear-it-up-against-the-titans/

Chris Johnson did his best to avoid showing how personal Sunday’s game is for him.

The Jets running back clearly does not want to feed into the story line of facing the Titans, the team that dumped him in April after six seasons. But Johnson could not hide it totally. After deflecting a few questions about his personal feelings, Johnson spoke the truth.

“Of course, I want to go in there and tear it up and show them what they missed out on and make them regret that,” Johnson said. “I’m not going into the game and try to make it me versus them.”

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This game is a huge story in Tennessee because of Johnson’s return.

Johnson rushed for 7,965 yards there, the third highest total in Titans/Oilers history behind Eddie George and Earl Campbell. A three-time Pro Bowler, he rushed for at least 1,000 yards in every season there and went for 2,006 yards in 2009.

The Titans cut him in April rather than pay him the $8 million he was due to make this season. The Jets signed him to a two-year, $8 million deal shortly after that. In June, Johnson called the Titans “nasty” for waiting so late into the offseason to release him.

On Wednesday, he did not want to revisit the team releasing him.

“Of course, it bothered me,” he said. “That’s something I really haven’t been focused on.”

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt just took over in Tennessee this year and never coached Johnson.

“Well, I think every club goes through decisions like that during the course of the offseason,” Whisenhunt said in a conference call Wednesday. “There were a lot of factors that were involved with that. I certainly don’t want to go through each one of those. I know how much he was liked here, how much he was respected, but it is certainly not uncommon in the NFL now that players end up changing teams. I don’t know Chris personally, but everything that I have heard about him has been positive and I know that the Titans are grateful for his contributions to this club.”

Johnson’s season with the Jets has not gone as he had hoped. His streak of 1,000-yard seasons will end this year. He has just 125 carries for 558 yards and one rushing touchdown. Johnson, who also has a receiving touchdown, has been splitting carries with Chris Ivory all year. After averaging 290 carries a season in Tennessee, Johnson will be lucky if he breaks 150 carries this season.

“It’s a tough situation, but there’s really nothing I can do about it now but just try to take advantage of the opportunities I do get,” Johnson said.

Two weeks ago, Johnson had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season when the Jets went run-heavy against the Dolphins. As tough as his personal situation has been, Johnson has also had to endure being on a 2-11 team going nowhere at 29 years old with an uncertain future.

“I would have never imagined that,” Johnson said of the team’s poor record. “Just knowing the type of team we have here. We’re 2-11 or whatever and we’re way better than that. We’re not showing it. I feel like we play hard and we put drives together, but the ball is just not falling our way.”

Johnson said he would like to stay with the Jets next season. The team must make a decision on whether to pick up his option in February.

Jets coach Rex Ryan, who likely will be gone by then, said he appreciates how Johnson has played this year.

“We have certainly gotten everything out of him from a preparation standpoint and all of that,” Ryan said. “He has been outstanding for us. He is not carrying it 300 times this year, but I think his body is good.

I think he is feeling good right now. As we talk about, we have two starting running backs, it just happens that they are splitting carries. I like having Chris Johnson on this football team.”

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Geno Smith talks Pro Bowl in new height of delusion (Brian Costello) New York Post December 10, 2014

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http://nypost.com/2014/12/10/geno-smith-talks-pro-bowl-in-new-height-of-delusion/

Well, Geno Smith has not lost his confidence at least.

The Jets second-year quarterback has struggled through this season with 12 interceptions and two fumbles to go along with just eight touchdowns. He was benched for three games in the middle of the year and is the lowest-rated passer in football. But he still thinks he’s had some Pro Bowl moments.

“I’ve shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, but what we’re looking for here is consistency. The best teams have consistent quarterback play, and I realize that and that’s truly what I want to show to the fans and everyone outside the building,” Smith told Newsday at a charity event Tuesday.

Um, what?

Smith has had some games where he has played well. He started off strong against Green Bay early in the season, played a good game against the Patriots and even played pretty well this past Sunday after a shaky start against the Vikings. But there have been no Pro Bowl flashes. On Sunday, he threw the eighth pick-six of his 27-game career.

Smith has three games left to show the Jets something. No one knows who will be making the decision on Smith’s future with the Jets, but no matter how well he plays to end this season, it is unlikely anyone will see him as being the answer moving forward.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

NY Jets owner Woody Johnson insists mind not made up on firing Rex Ryan, John Idzik (Gary Myers) New York Daily News December 11, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-woody-chop-jets-owner-talking-ax-fall-article-1.2041386

IRVING, Tex. — Woody Johnson says he is depressed over the Jets’ dismal season and can’t take the losing anymore. He sounds ready to blow up the coaching staff and front office and start over.

Johnson, in his 15th season owning the Jets, offered no guarantee Wednesday that either Rex Ryan, his longtime coach, or John Idzik, his embattled general manager, will be back in 2015. Ryan has been considered a goner since early in his sixth season and the heat has been turned way up the last six weeks on Idzik, even though he’s in just his second year.

“I’m in the business — I got to win games,” Johnson told the Daily News at the NFL meetings. “I’m a fan, I represent the fans. We’re both frustrated by this. Ultimately, I am going to have to look for something that I believe is going to right the ship, whether it’s the current way, the way we are doing it now with the people we have now or going down a different pathway. I’m looking at everything. I’m analyzing what’s happened and why it’s happened.”

Black Monday is just 17 days away, but Johnson insisted Wednesday he has not yet made up his mind what to do about Ryan and Idzik. A source said Johnson has not yet indicated his plans.

Even so, Johnson’s words strongly indicate big changes are coming as a result of the Jets winning just two of their first 13 games. Before Johnson spoke to the Daily News, Idzik, who was also at the meetings, did not want to comment on his or Ryan’s future.

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Johnson has always loved Ryan. He made retaining him a job condition when he was searching for a new general manager after he fired Mike Tannenbaum following the 2012 season. Then, after the Jets won three of their last four games to finish 8-8 last year, Johnson extended Ryan’s contract with one more guaranteed year through 2015. But he has now missed the playoffs four years in a row.

So, will it be tough to fire a coach who he is so fond of?

“It’s not a question of fondness,” Johnson said. “I’ve always thought he’s a very good coach. He’s an excellent coach, excellent teacher. The fans are going to want to see something different. They’re not going to let us get along and I don’t want to do exactly the same thing. So it’s going to be either the way we coach or the way we approach it. It could be with the same people. It might be with different people. That’s the case each and every year.”

While two years is not very long to give a general manager to get his program in place, Johnson said, “I can’t really comment whether it is short or long. I’m a fan, I represent the fans, we’re both frustrated by this.”

When it was suggested that nobody’s job is secure, he said, “This is a results-oriented business. You try to put a package together to help you right the ship.” He added, “We evaluate everybody. Everybody in football is evaluated. It’s going to happen at the end of the year, that’s the way we normally do it. That’s the way most teams do it.”

There’s no way Johnson can sell Jets fans on bringing back Ryan and Idzik in tandem, or perhaps either one of them. It would be hard to keep Ryan and fire Idzik and then expect another GM to inherit the coach. And Jets fans have turned so decisively on Idzik that it might be impossible to bring him back and then trust him to hire his own coach and continue to make personnel decisions.

Johnson said the Jets’ 2-11 season has caught him by surprise.

“Oh my God,” he said. “I would never have imagined. I thought we were going to be actually very good. That’s how much I know.”

As much as this season has disgusted Jets fans, they can at least be comforted knowing Johnson is suffering right along with them and is aware changes need to be made.

“It’s hard to lose. This is the hardest year I’ve had in terms of losses,” he said. “You live and die with it. It’s been extremely painful. For me, I go out and see fans every week. I know they are loyal Jets fans. But it’s hard every week to be disappointed with the thing you love, which is your team, is frustrating. They love their team, but they don’t like seeing it go through this kind of agony.”

So, what’s going to happen the Monday morning after the Jets finish their season in Miami? Is it the end of Ryan and/or Idzik?

“It’s safe to say you got to do things differently that you did to get you to this point,” he said. “The thing about football is that after every season, everybody is up for grabs. You take a look at everything. You’re trying to get to the Super Bowl. It doesn’t sound like I should even be saying that at this point. But that’s what my goal is. That’s what the fans want. They want to have a clear direction in terms of how they get to where they want to go. I have to give them confidence they are going to have a chance to get where they want to go.”

Idzik has been on the job 23 months. Johnson could not have imagined having to consider a change so quickly. “There’s been a lot of pressure on John,” he said. “This is a team sport. There are a lot of people involved.”

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Does he have any regrets hiring somebody who made his reputation in the NFL handling the salary cap and not running a draft or pro personnel?

“No,” Johnson said.

But he could soon be looking for a new coach and general manager.

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NY Jets running back Chris Johnson is psyched for Titans (Kevin Armstrong) New York Daily News December 11, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-chris-johnson-psyched-titans-article-1.2041381

Chris Johnson tried to tell everyone that he was not approaching Sunday’s game against his former team, the Tennessee Titans, as a personal grudge match, but then he let his true thoughts be known.

“I want to tear it up, show ’em what they missed out on and make ’em regret it,” Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson, 29, knows the turf well in Tennessee. The running back accomplished much in his six seasons with the Titans. He carried the ball 1,742 times for 7,965 yards (4.6-yard avg.) and 50 touchdowns. His best season came in 2009 when he rushed for 2,006 yards in the regular season. He has rushed for 558 yards and one score this year.

“Of course it is going to be strange going over there,” Johnson said. “I have been playing over there for a long time.”

TAKE A SEAT

There were plenty of Jets on the injury report to keep track of Wednesday.

DE Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) returned to the practice field, but did not participate in team drills.

“Hopefully he’ll be able to do something by tomorrow,” Ryan said.

DB Antonio Allen (hand) did not practice, and K Nick Folk (right hip) was limited because of a “pitch count,” according to Ryan.

TE Jace Amaro (concussion) and LB Trevor Reilly (head) continued working back toward live action as they undergo tests, per the NFL’s concussion protocol. They were scheduled to check for clearance to partake in contact drills later Wednesday.

NOT SO SURE

Wide receiver Percy Harvin (sprained ankle) did not practice, but said, “I definitely think I’ll be playing this week.” Ryan was less certain of his status.

HONORED

Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was selected for USA Football’s All-Fundamentals team, honoring players who have the best technique.

RYAN HAS NO PROBLEM

Ryan also backed special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey in his open campaign to coach his alma mater, the University of Houston.

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NY Jets Geno Smith can't be serious with 'Pro Bowl-caliber' QB comment (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News December 10, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-geno-laughable-pro-bowl-caliber-comment-article-1.2041106

Geno Smith provided the type of comic relief sometimes necessary to make it through a miserable season, a knee-slapping hilarious moment to inject amusement into your day.

If laughter is indeed the best medicine, then the Jets quarterback was Dr. Feelgood with his latest self-evaluation.

"I've shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback," Smith told a local TV station and Newsday (presumably with a straight face) on Tuesday night.

That kind of delusion comes along once in a decade, if you’re lucky.

Smith has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL by nearly every meaningful statistical measure in the past two years. He is a living, breathing turnover robot that has shown virtually no instincts to play the most important position in team sports. He has regressed by every objective measure after a radically inconsistent rookie season. He’s 9-17 as a starter, including 1-9 this season.

Smith’s poor play will cost many people their jobs in three weeks, including his head coach and perhaps his general manager.

In layman’s terms, he has stunk up the joint.

“I literally put my hands over my eyes and said, ‘Why, Geno? Why are you even talking?’” one front office executive told me upon reading Smith’s assessment of himself. “He’s not a naturally confident guy, so he needs to say stuff like that to keep him going.”

Smith insisted in October that the media “miscommunicated” things about his uneven season, but the reality is that his poor performance and off-field missteps (see: cursing at a fan and missing a team meeting the night before a game) are why he’s fallen out of favor with a fan base hoping to turn the page on this failed two-year experiment.

Smith admitted that he’s taken “a little bit” of offense at fans wanting the Jets to lose down the stretch to be better positioned to draft a franchise quarterback, but it’s obvious at this point that the franchise needs to hitch its wagon to somebody else’s star. A quarterback change is coming soon enough.

Meanwhile, Ryan was left to clarify Smith’s remarks on Wednesday, fighting the good fight without much success.

“I don’t think that Geno (meant) that he could be a Pro Bowl quarterback… ” Ryan spun. “Is it attainable? Who knows?”

SPOILER ALERT: Geno Smith will not be a Pro Bowl quarterback in this millennium.

“At times,” Ryan insisted, “This guy’s had some phenomenal games.”

Oh, really?

Strip away the nonsense and the truth is that Smith has played a grand total of one “phenomenal” game in his career: Oct. 7, 2013.

On that Monday night in Atlanta, Smith was everything that Ryan, John Idzik and Marty Mornhinweg hoped he’d be. His poise and smart decision-making resulted in career highs in touchdown passes (three)

Daily Clips Cont.

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and QB rating (147.7) in a come-from-behind 30-28 win that included a masterful two-minute drive in the waning moments.

The moment turned out to be nothing more than a flicker of false hope.

Smith has had a few other passable performances, but nothing special. He’s the lowest rated passer in the league the past two years. He’s last in passer rating (68.0) this season. Arizona’s Drew Stanton is the only current starter with a lower completion percentage than Smith’s 57.8 in 2014.

Smith has committed a turnover in 81 percent of his career starts (21 of 26). He’s committed multiple turnovers in nearly half of his starts (12 games).

Smith already has eight pick-sixes. He has thrown a touchdown to the opposition once every 91 pass attempts, which is by far the worst ratio for any quarterback since 1940, according to ProFootballReference.com.

Mike Vick had more games with a 100+ QB rating (two) in three starts this season than Smith has in his career (one).

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Geno Smith says he’s shown ‘flashes’ of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback (Kevin Armstrong) New York Daily News December 10, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-showed-pro-bowl-qb-article-1.2040753

Jets quarterback Geno Smith has proven to be far from consistent in his second NFL season, but he sure remains confident in his level of play, insisting that he has shown flashes of play at a Pro Bowl caliber.

"I've shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, but what we're looking for here is consistency. The best teams have consistent quarterback play and I realize that and that's truly what I want to show to the fans and everyone outside the building," Smith told Newsday on Tuesday.

A day later, Smith didn’t back away from those hard-to-imagine heights for the second-year quarterback.

"I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that," Smith said. "But it takes consistency and I've been very consistent in my two years here."

Smith, 24, will lead the Jets against the Titans Sunday in Nashville. He has been benched this season, and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage against the Vikings last Sunday.

Coach Rex Ryan acknowledged that he has seen "flashes" from Smith, "And then he hasn't."

Ryan also maintained that it wasn't "fair to judge (Geno) right now."

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Geno Smith Controls the Jets’ QB Carousel (Alex Raskin) Wall Street Journal December 10, 2014

http://www.wsj.com/articles/geno-smith-controls-the-jets-qb-carousel-1418263678?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-

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wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10619504511798443808104580329700341814976.html?mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—The interests of Jets quarterback Geno Smith and many Jets fans will be at odds during the season’s final three games.

Smith, like embattled coach Rex Ryan , wants to win every game. But unlike Ryan, who remains vehemently supportive of the second-year quarterback, Smith could still save his job by leading the Jets to wins in the next three weeks, beginning with Sunday’s road game against the very beatable Tennessee Titans.

Three more victories wouldn’t just look good on his dismal résumé (9-18 as a starter, 20 career touchdown passes, 33 interceptions). It would effectively kill the Jets’ chances of landing Oregon Heisman hopeful Marucs Mariota with a high pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Jets fans hoping for Mariota, who will be at Saturday’s Heisman ceremony at the Downtown Athletic Club, should be encouraged by the team’s league-worst 2-11 record. The problem is, the Jets are facing stiff competition for that bottom spot. Four other teams are also 2-11, including the Titans, who will be without injured starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger on Sunday. So fans who are more concerned about the draft will be in the awkward position of rooting for Tennessee backup Jake Locker.

On Wednesday, Smith admitted he was “a little bit” offended by Jets fans who would root against him and the team, but considers the criticism out of his control.

But Smith may have opened himself up to more criticism on Tuesday night when he told Newsday that he has “shown dashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback.”

Remember, this is someone who threw two completions, three incompletions, and three interceptions in a Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills before being benched with a 0.0 quarterback rating. Three weeks earlier, in the Jets’ 31-0 loss to San Diego, Smith posted a 7.6 quarterback rating, completing four of 12 passes and throwing one pick.

When asked if Smith has in fact shown such flashes, even Ryan couldn’t help but add, “Yeah...then he hasn’t.”

Smith clarified his remarks on Wednesday. “When I was talking about it, I was speaking on consistency,” he said. “That was my main key, is that I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that.”

Still, he reiterated that he has impressive moments “in certain games,” and that statement isn’t completely laughable.

Outside of his first pass during Sunday’s overtime loss in Minnesota, when Smith’s interception was returned for a touchdown, he played well, completing 18 of 29 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown. Even more impressive, Smith overcame the Jets’ pass-protection issues, scrambling six times for 33 yards.

“Last week, I think he played very well,” said wideout Percy Harvin, who caught a touchdown pass for the first time since 2012 in the game. “He made all the throws, he played the pocket fairly well, and he escaped the pocket when he needed to.”

Ryan said it was unfair to write off Smith, who is still only 24. “Take both the Mannings,” he said, evoking the tumultuous first seasons of both Peyton, who had a 71.2 rating for the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, and Eli, who posted a 55.4 rating for the Giants in 2004. “Very few come in as a rookie or a second-year [quarterback] and have all the answers.”

After being reminded that both Peyton (90.7 rating in 1999) and Eli (75.9 rating in 2005) improved significantly in their second seasons, Ryan had to laugh at his own pleas for patience.

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“But for my point,” he said of the comparison, “it was good initially.”

And this is where Smith finds himself: His coach, who is likely to be fired after the season, is willing to compare him to the Mannings, while much of the fan base has already chosen his replacement.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Chris Johnson wants to 'tear it up' against former team (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York December 10, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/47091/chris-johnson-wants-to-tear-it-up-against-former-team?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Chris Johnson has been waiting for this game for eight months. On Sunday, he finally gets a chance to face his old team, the Tennessee Titans. He tried to downplay the homecoming, but you can bet payback will be on his mind.

"Of course I want to go out there and tear it up and show 'em what they missed out on and make them regret that," he said Wednesday in the New York Jets' locker room. "But I'm not going to go into the game and make it me versus them."

Too late.

Johnson was one of the biggest stars in Titans' history -- six straight 1,000-yard seasons, including an epic 2000-yard campaign in 2009. But he became a salary-cap casualty last April, tossed to the curb after undergoing knee surgery. He was hurt by the timing, saying the Titans were "nasty" and "did me wrong" by waiting until after the initial wave of free agency before releasing him. He has no beef with the coaching staff, which is new, but he'd love to show management and ownership that he still has something in his tank.

This season hasn't worked out the way he had hoped. There's the record -- 2-11, same as the Titans -- and his role. At his current pace, he'll finish with only 154 carries, about half his yearly average with the Titans. Johnson knew he'd be splitting carries with Chris Ivory, but he never imagined it would be like this.

"It's been a tough situation," said Johnson, who has expressed frustration as various times during the season.

Unless he morphs into CJ2K over the final three games, he will fall short of the 1,000 mark for the first time in his career. He got off to a sluggish start, perhaps because of the knee, but he has perked up the last two weeks.

He's always have 2009, when he became the sixth back in history to rush for 2,000 yards. Only seven belong to that elite fraternity, as Adrian Peterson did it in 2012.

"I think I've had time to appreciate how special that was," he said. "I know how hard it is to do that. That's not an easy thing to do. It's a club I'll be in for the rest of my life. I'm very proud of that season. I'm going to continue to work hard and get as close to that season as I can every year that I play."

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Percy Harvin wants to play; Rex Ryan says it's 'a stretch' (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York December 10, 2014

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/47087/percy-harvin-wants-to-play-rex-ryan-says-its-a-stretch?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Percy Harvin expects to play Sunday. Rex Ryan isn't so sure about that.

Harvin, who suffered a low-ankle sprain in the New York Jets' loss to the Minnesota Vikings, didn't practice Wednesday. The veteran wide receiver added that he still hasn't started running on it, but he expressed confidence that he will play against the Tennessee Titans.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I definitely think I'll be playing this week. It shouldn't be a problem. Once I knew it wasn't a high ankle sprain, I was able to start putting weight on it, so I knew the turnaround would be pretty quick. Once we got the MRI and knew it wasn't a high ankle, I knew my bounce-back period would be pretty quick."

Ryan said the swelling has subsided quite a bit, but he still wouldn't go so far as to say he expects Harvin to play. He called it "a stretch."

Harvin is coming off his best game, a six-catch, 124-yard, one-touchdown performance.

In other injury news, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) did some work off to the side, but he didn't participate in any team drills. The hope is that Wilkerson, wearing a specially designed shoe, will be able to do more Thursday. Tight end Jace Amaro and linebacker Trevor Reilly -- both with concussions -- practiced in red (no-contact) jerseys. They could be cleared for contact Thursday. Safety Antonio Allen (broken hand) didn't practice, as expected. His status is in doubt.

New York Jets

Did not practice: Allen, Harvin, Wilkerson.

Limited: Amaro, Reilly, PK Nick Folk (hip).

Full practice: G Willie Colon (shoulder), RB Chris Johnson (knee).

Tennessee Titans

Did not practice: S Michael Griffin (back), QB Zach Mettenberger (right shoulder), T Michael Oher (toe), S Daimion Stafford (concussion), T Byron Stingily (ankle), LB Kamerion Wimbley (hamstring).

Limited: T Taylor Lewan (ankle), WR Kendall Wright (hand).

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Geno Smith not at loss for confidence (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York December 10, 2014

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/12011837/new-york-jets-qb-geno-smith-says-inconsistency-overshadowed-pro-bowl-flashes?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- His career arc is sagging, but New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith still believes he can be a star in the NFL.

Smith didn't back down from an eyebrow-raising quote he made Tuesday night at a charity event in New York, where he told Newsday he has "shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl quarterback."

On Wednesday, he explained.

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"I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that, but, obviously, it takes some consistency and I've been very inconsistent in my two years here," he said, adding: "With that being said, I'll be more of the guy you see doing well than the guy who struggles at times."

At times?

Smith is 9-17 as a starter and the NFL's lowest-rated passer over the past two seasons. He was benched for three games earlier this year, raising doubts about his future with the team. Many believe the Jets (2-11) will look to draft a quarterback with what could be a top-five selection.

So when Smith used the words "Pro Bowl" in a sentence about his own performance, it grabbed the attention of everyone in the organization.

Told that Smith said he has displayed flashes of Pro Bowl form, coach Rex Ryan deadpanned, "Yeah, then he hasn't."

Ryan applauded Smith for his self-confidence, agreeing that consistency is his major issue.

"Clearly, he hasn't gotten that, down after down, but he has done some good things," Ryan said. "That's what he's working on, trying to be that consistent quarterback you see among the top guys in the league. When you think of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, you think of how consistent they are."

Smith has the "arm talent to play in this league," according to Ryan, whose evaluations of Smith have become less effusive as the season has progressed. As recently as October, Smith was deemed by the organization a franchise quarterback. But he was benched after a 1-7 start, sitting for three games behind Michael Vick.

"I really don't think it's fair to judge him right now," said Ryan, who may have waited too long before benching Smith. "Give him some time and we'll see how he develops."

Smith opened last week's game by throwing a pick-6 on the first play, his eighth pick-6 in two seasons -- three more than any other quarterback. In Ryan's six seasons, the Jets have done it 14 times, the first six by Mark Sanchez.

"Those are absolute killers," Ryan said.

To his credit, Smith settled down last Sunday and played one of his better games, but the Jets still lost to the Minnesota Vikings in overtime, 30-24. On Sunday, they face the woeful Tennessee Titans (2-11) in a game that will impact draft position.

Some fans want the Jets to lose so they can be in position to draft Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, the top quarterback prospects. Smith hears the chatter. Asked if he's offended, he said, "A little, a little, but I can't worry about it."

Smith said he's not immune to the criticism. Of course, he added to it by cursing out a fan early in the season and by missing a team meeting. Barring injury, he will start the remaining three games, an audition for next season.

"I truly believe that Geno Smith is going to be a good quarterback in this league," Ryan said.

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Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson returns to practice field (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York December 10, 2014

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/47081/muhammad-wilkerson-returns-to-practice-field?ex_cid=espnapi_public

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- After missing two games with turf toe, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson returned to the practice field Wednesday as the New York Jets began preparations for the Tennessee Titans. How much he practiced -- or if he practiced -- wasn't immediately clear, but it was a positive step.

Tight end Jace Amaro, sidelined the last two games with a concussion, also made an appearance, wearing the red, no-contact jersey, as required by the NFL's concussion protocol. On Monday, coach Rex Ryan seemed encouraged about Amaro's chances of playing this week. Wilkerson's status appears less certain.

As expected, wide receiver Percy Harvin (sprained ankle) wasn't seen at practice. He's unlikely to play this week. In other injury-related developments, safety Antonio Allen (broken hand) sat out positional drills. Linebacker Trevor Reilly (head) wore the red jersey.

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METRO NEW YORK

NFL agents with differing opinions on job John Idzik has done as Jets GM (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York December 10, 2014

http://www.metro.us/new-york/nfl-agents-with-differing-opinions-on-job-john-idzik-has-done-as-jets-gm/zsJnlj---JUDI6umm658MU/

Doing business with Jets general manager John Idzik is supposed to be excruciating and described as “glacial” in terms of pace. But for at least one agent who has worked with Idzik for two decades, he has seen nothing but positives from the embattled general manager.

Howard Shatsky has been an agent since 1989 and he now runs his own firm, Professional Football Management. With clients that included Michael Strahan and Brian Westbrook among others, Shatsky has had a business relationship with Idzik for much of his representation career. From 1993 to 2004, Idzik worked his way through the Buccaneers' management side, from a pro personnel assistant up to assistant general manager. It was during this time that Shatsky the agent began to work with Idzik, the rising star in the organization.

This relationship continued over the years even after Idzik made stops in Arizona and then Seattle before taking the Jets job last offseason.

“Over the years I signed many players with John," Shatsky said. “John Idzik is one of the truly nice guys in the NFL. While I realize that may not matter to fans, it does have a huge impact with agents. In my dealings with him, John has always been upfront, honest and straightforward. That type of person can be a huge asset to a team when trying to get a deal done or sign a player in free agency.”

Not everyone agrees with Shatsky.

One prominent NFL agent, who has had several players on the Jets since Idzik's time with the team began and others who the Jets had inquired about during free agency, didn't want to speak on the record, “because that might ruin whatever relationship I have left with the team.” But he sees flaws with the current general manager.

“You want to see some movement from the man you're talking with, and John always seemed to be putting things off and waiting for the situation to dictate things, not the other way around. You have to be proactive in free agency and offering deals, not always hedging,” the agent told Metro. “Sometimes

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you have to have big balls in this business. I'm not sure John has the big balls for this role. He's smart, he doesn't make bad decisions. He's a great guy. But you need those balls. You have to be willing to take a risk and he's too calculated. I want to see him roll up his sleeves and play the hand he's got.”

Of course, those comments are from an agent who might feel slighted after not getting the deal from the Jets he wanted to during free agency.

Earlier this week, Shatsky took to Twitter to defend Idzik. He's upset about the way Jets fans are attacking their general manager, who hasn't even completed two years on the job. Granted the fanbase has every right to be upset at the current state of the team, especially given their 2-11 record. This poor year comes after last season's 8-8 mark which made some hopeful for a return to the postseason.

From his perspective, as someone who has worked with Idzik on getting deals done, Shatsky tells Metro that he doesn't see an issue with the Jets' last offseason. Despite lots of cap space, the Jets went a low-key route, without a big splash. There was a perception that Idzik moved too slowly and low-balled free agents, leading to this year's dearth of talent.

“Perhaps John may have moved a bit too slow for the fans in New York. Having grown up in New Jersey as a Jet fan, I know firsthand how demanding the New York fans can be,” Shatsky said. “Having said that, if I was an NFL owner, I would prefer my GM make well thought-out, rational decisions. There are times when you need to move quickly, but in most cases slow and steady wins the race. The NFL is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Try telling that to a fanbase that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2010, this after getting their appetite whetted for success following last year's surprising run to .500. The thought was that the Jets needed just a couple of pieces, some high-end talent, to be a playoff team again. A good core seemed to be in place.

Instead, Idzik let pieces such as cornerback Antonio Cromartie bolt to the Cardinals and didn't even sniff around when Darrelle Revis, arguably the best cornerback in the game, became available. He didn't land any other prized free agents and even the signings of wide receiver Eric Decker, running back Chris Johnson and right tackle Breno Giacomini did little to excite those who wanted star power. He made some solid additions, but the team still lacked legitimate playmakers. Two underwhelming drafts haven't helped.

And now a 2-11 season that has seen just one win since the season opener is pinned squarely on the back of the general manager, who has seen a FireJohnIdzik.com website pop up, billboards asking for his termination and planes flying overhead demanding his ouster.

“I do not think you can blame or credit any one person in an NFL organization," Shatsky said. "Not being privy to John's contract, I do not know if he even has the final say over who the Jets draft. Not to mention, the draft is a group project - scouts, coaches, the general manager and even the owners of some teams all may have a say in who is selected. Who has the final say differs from team to team.

“Obviously the Jets have not performed well this year, however to blame that all on the general manager is just not fair," Shatsky continued. "When Idzik got to New York, the Jets were not in great shape in terms of the cap. That limits the ability of the general manager to make moves. There are also other people in the organization that have input. It is interesting to me, how on social media I see Idzik getting slammed but yet I have not seen much criticism of [head coach] Rex Ryan. Is that because Rex is better with the media and more engaging in press conferences? I am not really sure what the answer is and I am not putting the blame on Rex. My point is that the success or failure of an NFL team can never be put on one individual ... My feeling is that when things go right, everyone should receive credit and the same goes for when things don't go right. “

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WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press December 10, 2014

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Wednesday-s-Sports-Transactions-5948595.php

BASEBALL

National League

MIAMI MARLINS — Agreed to terms with C Jhonatan Solano on a minor league contract.

Can-Am League

SUSSEX COUNTY MINERS — Named Dave Chase general manager.

Eastern League

READING FIGHTIN PHILS — Promoted Joe Bialek to executive director of sales, Kevin Slkenarik executive director of baseball operations and merchandise, Matt Jackson executive director of graphic arts and game entertainment and Mike Robinson executive director of community and fan relations. Named Mike Becker executive director of tickets.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association

MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Named Matt Pazaras senior vice president of business development.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

NFL — Named Phoenix owner Michael Bidwell, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank, Kansas City owner Clark Hunt, Dee Haslam, Cowboys executive vice president Charlotte Jones Anderson, Chicago owner George McCaskey, Houston owner Robert McNair, Warrick Dunn and John Stallworth to the conduct committee.

NFLPA — Named Ahmad Nassar president of NFL Players Inc., effective Feb. 2.

BALTIMORE RAVENS — Placed DB Danny Gorrer on injured reserve. Released WR LaQuan Williams from the practice squad. Signed CB Antoine Cason. Signed TE Allen Reisner to the practice squda.

BUFFALO BILLS — Placed WR Mike Williams on injured reserve. Released WR Eric Thomas from the practice squad.

CAROLINA PANTHERS — Released QB Matt Blanchard. Signed RB Tauren Poole to the practice squad.

DENVER BRONCOS — Released G Mark Asper from the practice squad. Signe WR Isaiah Burse to the practice squad.

DETROIT LIONS — Released RB Montell Owens from the active roster and LB Jerrell Harris from the practice squad.

HOUSTON TEXANS — Placed Jadeveon Clowney on injured reserve. Signed LB Jason Ankrah from the practice squad and DE Kourtnei Brown to the practice squad.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Placed RB Denard Robinson on injured reserve.

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Signed LB JoJo Dickson to the practice squad.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Placed LB Michael Mauti on injured reserve. Signed OT Carter Bykowski from San Francisco's practice squad.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Released FB Michael Zordich from the practice squad.

NEW YORK GIANTS — Signed DT Dominique Hamilton to the practice squad.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Released DB Roc Carmichael.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Released DB Jordan Dangerfield from the practice squad.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Released TE Taylor Sloat from the practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Signed CB Justin Rogers.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Activated D Cody Goloubef from injured reserve and loaned him to Springfield (AHL) for conditioning. Assigned LW Kerby Rychel to Springfield.

American Hockey League

ALBANY DEVILS — Recalled RWs Myles Bell from Evansville (ECHL) and Alexandre Carrier from Orlando (ECHL).

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

HOUSTON DYNAMO — Named Owen Coyle coach.

L.A. GALAXY — Announced the retirement of F Rob Friend.

COLLEGE

ST. NORBERT — Named B.J. Bryant women's volleyball coach.

TROY — Named Jon Sumrall assistant head football coach/defensive assistant.

VIRGINIA — Announced DE Eli Harold will enter the NFL draft.

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