NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

August 14, 2015

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Table of Contents

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

Jets QB Geno Smith has surgery on broken jaw (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................................ 2

Abdullah impresses in Lions' 23-3 preseason win over Jets (Noah Trister) .............................................................. 2

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

Geno Smith has surgery to repair broken jaw (Kimberley A. Martin) ....................................................................... 4

Jets unimpressive in loss to Lions in preseason opener (Kimberley A. Martin) ........................................................ 4

Jets aren't surprised that Ikemefuna Enemkpali was picked up by Bills (Kimberley A. Martin) ............................... 5

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

Jets fall, 23-3, to Lions in preseason opener (J.P. Pelzman) ...................................................................................... 6

Clifton's training campers (Tony Gicas) ..................................................................................................................... 7

NEW YORK TIMES .................................................................................................................................................. 9

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s First Start for Jets Is Brief, but He’s Happy (Joanne Gerstner) ..................................................... 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 10

No. 1 pick Leonard Williams has the drive to dominate in opener (Rich Cimini) .................................................... 10

Jets protect their new QB, limit Ryan Fitzpatrick in sloppy preseason opener (Rich Cimini) .................................. 11

Todd Bowles: Ryan Fitzpatrick 'really commanded the offense' in limited play (Rich Cimini) ................................ 12

Jets ready to move on from Geno Smith -- and that's no punch line (Rich Cimini)................................................. 13

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

Geno Smith keeps looking worse in locker room fight (Brian Costello) .................................................................. 15

Predicting all 53 players on the Jets’ final roster (Brian Costello) ........................................................................... 15

Jets’ QB fiasco on hold as ‘D’ gets shredded in preseason opener (Brian Costello)................................................ 16

Ryan Fitzpatrick is exactly what the Jets — and Bryce Petty — need (Steve Serby) ............................................... 18

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 19

Geno Smith did not travel with Jets for Detroit Lions game (Dom Consentino) ..................................................... 19

Want to throw a touchdown pass to Jets' Brandon Marshall? Here's how you can do it (Darryl Slater) ............... 20

Jets' Geno Smith had surgery on broken jaw, will be hospitalized overnight (Dom Cosentino) ............................. 20

Jets at Detroit Lions preseason opener: Analyzing Ryan Fitzpatrick's performance (Dom Cosentino) ................... 21

Jets' Willie Colon on Rex Ryan's Buffalo Bills signing Geno Smith puncher IK Enemkpali: 'Rex is Rex' (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Jets' Jeremy Kerley on working with backups through training camp: 'It feels a little weird' (Darryl Slater) ......... 22

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 23

Jets QB Geno Smith undergoes surgery for broken jaw (Seth Walder and Manish Mehta) ................................... 23

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Jets starters unimpressive on both sides of the ball in first preseason game vs. Lions (Seth Walder) ................... 24

Pundits seem to forget Jets QB Geno Smith is a victim (Bob Raissman) ................................................................. 25

Despite shaky preseason opener, Todd Bowles' Jets deserve some patience (Manish Mehta) ............................. 26

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 28

Jets get gut-punched in preseason opener (Kristian Dyer) ..................................................................................... 28

THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 29

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets QB Geno Smith has surgery on broken jaw (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 13, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-qb-geno-smith-has-surgery-broken-jaw

NEW YORK (AP) — Geno Smith's broken jaw is on the mend.

The New York Jets quarterback had plates and screws inserted Thursday into his jaw, which was broken when he was punched by former teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room Tuesday.

Smith, whose jaw will not be wired shut, will remain in a New Jersey-area hospital overnight after electing for the surgery after getting a second medical opinion on the injury.

Coach Todd Bowles initially said Smith was expected to be sidelined 6-10 weeks, and that timetable was expected to remain in place.

Meanwhile, the Jets were in Detroit for their preseason opener against the Lions. Ryan Fitzpatrick started at quarterback in Smith's place, and is expected to be the Week 1 starter.

Enemkpali was released shortly after the incident Tuesday and claimed off waivers by Buffalo, now coached by Rex Ryan, who drafted him last year in the sixth round with the Jets.

The linebacker apologized for the incident Thursday while speaking for 45 seconds at Bills camp.

"It should've never happened. I should've walked away from the situation," Enemkpali said. "It was never my intention to hurt anybody."

Enemkpali could be disciplined by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. He could also face legal charges if Smith pursues them.

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Abdullah impresses in Lions' 23-3 preseason win over Jets (Noah Trister) Associated Press August 14, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/abdullah-impresses-lions-23-3-preseason-win-over-jets

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, and rookie running back Ameer Abdullah ran for 67 yards — 45 on one play — to lift the Detroit Lions to a 23-3 preseason victory over the punchless New York Jets on Thursday night.

Stafford played only one possession. He threw for 57 yards, completing his only two pass attempts — both to Tate. The touchdown came on a throw over the middle, and Tate slipped between three defenders after the catch and ran to the end zone.

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"It was a good start," Stafford said. "I thought the tempo was good. We were able to run the ball pretty well tonight, which was good to see."

Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets' new starting quarterback, played one drive, going 2 of 3 for 16 yards and guiding New York to a field goal in coach Todd Bowles' debut. New York's offense sputtered in new coordinator Chan Gailey's system, gaining just 123 yards — 67 rushing, 56 passing — and six first downs, compared to 428 yards and 26 first downs for Detroit.

It's been a tumultuous week for the Jets, who lost Geno Smith to a broken jaw when he was punched by teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room Tuesday. Enemkpali was cut shortly after. He was picked up on waivers by Buffalo, which is coached by Rex Ryan, who drafted the linebacker in the sixth round last year while with the Jets.

"Rex is Rex. You all know him," Jets guard Willie Colon said with a laugh. "Of course we're not surprised that he picked up I.K."

Smith, who was having a solid camp, had surgery on his jaw Thursday and is expected to miss 6-10 weeks.

HIGH PRAISE

Although Stafford's appearance was brief, Abdullah played a bit longer and impressed the Ford Field crowd with his seven carries. The highlight was his 45-yard run up the middle in the first quarter.

"He's just what he was in college," Bowles said. "He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry Sanders, but he's got that kind of quickness."

Abdullah, a second-round draft pick from Nebraska, could be a real asset to the Lions, who cut Reggie Bush in the offseason and were without injured RB Joique Bell on Thursday. Abdullah got a nice cheer on his first carry of the game, and Lions fans had to like what they saw from him.

"He's got some talent," coach Jim Caldwell said. "He can make you miss and he can run around you. We'll see how much he does with power, but that's probably not his forte, necessarily."

STATS BREAKDOWN

Jets: Brandon Marshall, acquired by New York this offseason in a trade, caught one pass for 12 yards in his debut. Bilal Powell had 35 yards on eight carries, and Chris Ivory had 25 yards on six attempts. CBs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, signed as free agents this offseason, made their returns for the Jets.

Lions: Dan Orlovsky threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Greg Salas early in the second half after the Jets fumbled. Salas, who played with the Jets the last two seasons, finished with five catches for 92 yards against his former team.

BACKUP QUARTERBACKS

Jets: Bryce Petty spent most of the game at quarterback for the Jets and went 10 of 18 for only 50 yards. He did not complete a pass for more than 8 yards.

Lions: Kellen Moore went 9 of 17 for 67 yards and threw an interception in the end zone near the end of the first half. Orlovsky was 5 of 11 for 96 yards.

INJURIES

Jets: DE Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) did not play. TE Jace Amaro injured his shoulder and LB Erin Henderson hurt a knee.

Lions: C Darren Keyton hurt a knee in the second quarter, and Caldwell said that injury looked significant. DT Haloti Ngata (hamstring) did not play.

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REPLACEMENTS

Detroit lost star DT Ndamukong Suh in the offseason, and although his jerseys were still being sold at the stadium, the Lions did their best to move on without him. DT Caraun Reid and DE Devin Taylor combined for a sack in the second quarter, and the Jets didn't score again after Fitzpatrick's opening drive.

"That looked like a first preseason game looks," Bowles said. "If we get killed like that in the third preseason game, I will be concerned, but I'm not right now. We know we have a lot of things to work on, and we'll keep working on them."

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NEWSDAY

Geno Smith has surgery to repair broken jaw (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday August 13, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-has-surgery-to-repair-broken-jaw-1.10737807

DETROIT -- Geno Smith had surgery Thursday in New Jersey to repair the broken jaw he suffered at the hands of a former teammate.

According to the Jets, Smith's jaw wasn't wired shut; instead, plates and screws were used. The third-year quarterback was to remain in the hospital overnight.

Smith was punched by linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali on Tuesday after the two exchanged words in the locker room over an unpaid debt.

At the heart of the issue was Smith's procrastination in paying back the $600 he owed the linebacker. The longer it took him to pay up, the more frustrated Enemkpali became, and things reached a boiling point Tuesday after Smith put his finger in Enemkpali's face, a source said.

Enemkpali immediately was released by the Jets, and Rex Ryan's Bills claimed him off waivers Wednesday. Smith, will be sidelined 6-10 weeks.

While Smith was undergoing surgery, the Jets were in Detroit preparing for their preseason opener against the Lions. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who went into training camp as the team's No. 2 quarterback, was tabbed as the starter for last night's game and for the regular season.

When Smith returns, the organization will have to determine whether to stick with Fitzpatrick or go back to Smith.

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Jets unimpressive in loss to Lions in preseason opener (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday August 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-unimpressive-in-loss-to-lions-in-preseason-opener-1.10738405

DETROIT - The Jets traveled to the Motor City with a new coach, new weapons and a new attitude. But their performance was reminiscent of Jets games past -- plenty of missed tackles, ill-timed drops and holes for opposing receivers and running backs to run through.

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All they could muster was one field goal in a 23-3 Lions win in last night's preseason opener. It's only the preseason, but still, the Jets' play -- on both sides of the ball -- raised eyebrows.

After one quarter, the Lions had the edge in rushing yards (85-26), passing yards (89-17), total yards (174-43), yards per play (10.9-3.6) and time of possession (8:06-6:54).

"I thought our tackling was extremely sloppy,'' Todd Bowles said, noting that despite a solid performance from his starting offensive line, the Jets couldn't run the ball after the first-team offense exited. "I thought their backups played better than ours. They got ran over.''

The Jets' much-hyped defense couldn't stop Golden Tate (two catches, 57 yards) or former Jet Greg Salas (five catches, 92 yards).

To be fair, the unit was without lineman Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) and cornerback Dee Milliner (wrist). Sheldon Richardson didn't play until the second half. Rookie Leonard Williams started in place of Wilkerson and Ronald Talley started for Richardson, who is suspended for the first four regular-season games.

Matthew Stafford took advantage, hitting Tate for a 35-yard score on new Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist. There were three missed tackles on that opening drive, resulting in a 7-0 Detroit lead. Running back Ameer Abdullah nearly juked linebacker Demario Davis out of his shoes as he sprinted downfield for 45 yards.

After Matt Prater's field goal made it 10-3 in the first quarter, the Lions scored off a Jets miscue in the third. Running back Darryl Richardson fumbled at the Jets' 20 and the Lions' Manny Ramirez recovered. On the next play, Dan Orlovsky hit Salas for a 20-yard touchdown.

"Two big plays can't happen,'' Bowles said. "In the second half, I saw people ducking their heads and people not wrapping up. But we'll take care of that this week and we'll be better at it next week [against the Falcons].''

There were some defensive highlights, however. Cornerback Marcus Williams intercepted a pass to Salas in the end zone to end the half. But those bright spots were few and far between.

As for the offense, Ryan Fitzpatrick was methodical and on target when allowed to throw the football. Already down one quarterback with Geno Smith undergoing jaw surgery yesterday, Bowles chose to keep Fitzpatrick in for only one series. So Jets fans got to see a lot of Bryce Petty (10-for-18, 50 yards).

"He looked like a rookie,'' a smiling Willie Colon said of the fourth-round pick. "He gave it his best.''

Petty said he didn't realize he'd be going into the game so quickly. "It was a learning process,'' he said. "I made mistakes, but for me, what's productive is being able to learn from it and not make those mistakes again.''

Fitzpatrick completed 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards, 12 on a short pass to Brandon Marshall. "Nothing to brag about,'' Bowles said, "but he did his job.''

Marshall made one catch, as did Eric Decker, Shaq Evans and Tommy Bohanon. Surprisingly, Quincy Enunwa started ahead of slot receiver Jeremy Kerley.

"We definitely wanted to do better,'' Marshall said. "We've got to finish. Whether it's preseason or the regular season, we want to win, and we didn't do that today.''

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Jets aren't surprised that Ikemefuna Enemkpali was picked up by Bills (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday August 14, 2015

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-aren-t-surprised-that-ikemefuna-enemkpali-was-picked-up-by-bills-1.10738525

DETROIT - The news that former teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali had been picked up by Rex Ryan and the Bills had little effect on the Jets.

Most likely because they saw the move coming.

Right guard Willie Colon simply flashed a mischievous smile in the visitor's locker room after Thursday night's 23-3 loss to the Lions.

"You guys know, man," Colon said, grinning ear to ear. "You know what it is, man. Rex is Rex, so we weren't surprised he went to Buffalo."

Enemkpali, 24, was released by the Jets on Tuesday after he punched quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room. The assault stemmed from a lingering issue between the two over a $600 debt Smith had yet to repay.

A day later, Ryan and the Bills claimed Enemkpali off waivers.

Smith, who suffered a fractured jaw, underwent surgery Thursday. The team originally gave a timetable of six to 10 weeks for his recovery, but there's a chance that Smith could be back sooner.

Not surprisingly, the even-keeled, business-first Todd Bowles didn't seem the least bit concerned by the Bills' acquisition of Enemkpali. Asked for his reaction to the news, Bowles said only: "I didn't have one."

And neither did his players, apparently.

"He drafted him, so it wasn't really a reaction," defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. "I kind of figured that, actually. I'm pretty sure the whole locker room knew that was going to happen."

Richardson said he wasn't surprised that the Bills put in a claim so quickly.

"Not at all,' he said. " . . . IK's an excellent pass rusher off the edge, he does his thing in the special-teams area too, so he's an asset to a team. For real."

Unlike most people, Richardson doesn't think his former coach was simply tweaking the Jets with his addition of Enemkpali.

"Not at all," he said. "He knows what [IK] brings to the table . . . And either he's going to make the team or he's not."

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THE RECORD

Jets fall, 23-3, to Lions in preseason opener (J.P. Pelzman) The Record August 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-fall-23-3-to-lions-in-preseason-opener-1.1392213

DETROIT – Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first appearance as a Jet was much like a punch you didn’t see coming — blink and you missed it.

Fitzpatrick, who became the starting quarterback Tuesday after incumbent Geno Smith suffered a fractured jaw from the fist of IK Enemkpali, played only one series in the Jets’ 23-3 loss to Detroit in the preseason opener for both teams at Ford Field.

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He completed two of three passes for 16 yards while leading the Jets to Nick Folk’s 34-yard field goal.

Meanwhile, Smith underwent surgery Thursday to repair his fractured jaw, a team spokesman said. Smith was scheduled to remain in the hospital overnight. Plates and screws were utilized in the procedure, and thus Smith’s jaw was not wired shut.

Coach Todd Bowles said after the game he had no update on Smith’s timetable for recovery. The Jets have said he will miss six to 10 weeks.

There were no reminders of Smith’s absence here other than the revised quarterback depth chart, although it’s possible the Lions made a subtle commentary with one of their pregame music choices on the public address system. One of the selections was “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd. To be fair, the song is very popular at the moment and might have been on the playlist even had the Enemkpali-Smith incident not happened.

Defensive end Sheldon Richardson said he wasn’t surprised Buffalo, now coached by Rex Ryan, claimed Enemkpali off waivers a day later. “I’m pretty sure the entire locker room knew that was going to happen,” he said.

Fitzpatrick drove the Jets 41 yards on 10 plays on his lone series, although the key play occurred when Chris Ivory went up the middle for 5 yards on fourth-and-1 from the Detroit 30. Ivory had 25 yards on six carries on the drive.

Fitzpatrick’s first pass was a 12-yarder to Brandon Marshall on a slant. He later passed to Eric Decker for 4 yards on a bubble screen. His last pass was an incompletion intended for tight end Jeff Cumberland. Fitzpatrick delivered the ball slightly late, allowing cornerback Darius Slay to deflect it slightly.

Bowles said Fitzpatrick’s performance was “nothing to brag about, but he did his job.”

He said he didn’t play Fitzpatrick longer because he hasn’t had much of a chance to get his timing down with the starting receivers, and that he would play more in the next game. The Jets host Atlanta next Friday.

Fourth-round pick Bryce Petty, who relieved Fitzpatrick and played the rest of the way, went 10-for-18 for 50 yards and messed up a handoff with Daryl Richardson in the third quarter. The Lions recovered the fumble, which set up their second touchdown.

Meanwhile, the first-team defense appeared to have a glass jaw, as Lions starting quarterback Matt Stafford made short work of the Jets with a five-play, 71-yard drive that he concluded with a 35-yard scoring pass to Golden Tate. Bowles blamed the problems on poor tackling and missed assignments.

BRIEFS: DE Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) made the trip, but didn’t dress. Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett (shoulder) also was held out. … Richardson’s fumble led to Dan Orlovsky’s 20-yard scoring pass to former Jet Greg Salas. Salas beat CB Dexter McDougle on the play. McDougle was seeing his first game action after sitting out last season with a knee injury. … TE Jace Amaro (shoulder) and LB Erin Henderson (knee) left the game with injuries. Henderson said he sprained his MCL and will have an MRI today. … Veteran slot receiver Jeremy Kerley saw a lot of action with the backups while first-year pro Quincy Enunwa got some work with the starters. Bowles indicated it was because the bigger Enunwa is a better blocker and the Jets were featuring the running game. However, Kerley indicated he believes the coaching staff is somewhat dissatisfied with his play.

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Clifton's training campers (Tony Gicas) The Record

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August 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/clifton-s-training-campers-1.1392419

CLIFTON – On a balmy, sunny, summer day last week, about 70 Clifton youngsters traveled to the New York Jets practice facility for a special after-school camp day filled with educational activities, food, rides, autograph sessions and live football.

The Aug. 5 event held at the Florham Park complex drew about 1,500 summer campers ranging in age from 5-15 years old who attend programs in the surrounding area. Throughout the day, kids were offered a steady diet of cold water, a live DJ and plenty of star power.

Among the players which received the most attention from the youth groups were Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Eric Decker. In between coaches' whistles, scores of campers called out the names of their favorite players.

"I've got to practice now guys!" Brandon Marshall shouted through a big grin in response to hundreds of campers chanting his name.

Executive director Robert Foster said the 20 Clifton Boys & Girls Club members who attended the event were bombarded with inflatable rides, player autographs, interactive sponsor activities and various games.

"The day was awesome," said Noah, a 10-year-old club member. "We played games and I saw my favorite Jets player, Darrelle Revis, #24 out on Revis Island."

Nine-year-old Nijyia O. called it "a great day" for the campers in attendance, although she could not wrap her mind around how players brave the summer heat in full pads.

"It was a beautiful day and the Jets were a class act with the way they treated all the kids," said Foster, a dedicated fan of Gang Green himself.

Maria Parham-Talley, principal of School 12, said the 50 Minds in Motion students who attended the day were "awed" by the training camp experience. One of the classes that members enjoyed during the school year was called Fantasy Football, which contained a math component as well as highlighting the game's players and their functions.

"The students learned about the many careers that are involved in sports, most importantly health, safety and sportsmanship," she said.

Following practice, quarterback Geno Smith, Decker and other Jets players interacted with campers and signed autographs.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, 32-year-old veteran offensive lineman Willie Colon is a hardnosed, hulking warrior who serves as an example to at-risk youth that a person can overcame his neighborhood's challenges and achieve success.

A tough guy who grew up in the South Bronx, Colon is a good-natured, generous, well-spoken individual who is easygoing and quick with a laugh off the field. After school all of his time was dedicated to basketball or football, helping him avoid the drug culture or criminal path that many of his peers followed.

However, he stated that he would not have made it anywhere, much less to a Super Bowl championship as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting right tackle, had it not been for his parents Jean Davis and the late Willie Colon, Sr.

"Your name is everything so I was taught that no matter who you are or what you do, your name is gold," Colon said. "If somebody says your name the first thing that comes to mind has to be positive. That goes

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with just common respect, having manners and being a good person all the way around. Because when people say Willie Colon I've always wanted the first thing that pops into peoples' heads to be 'oh, great guy and a tough kid' as opposed to 'he's a jerk.'"

The 10-year veteran attended nearby Hofstra University due to his mother's health issues related to lupus, a chronic, autoimmune disease. Seeing her battle the condition for years and relearn to walk, remains a major influence on Colon's life.

"The one thing I promised myself a long time ago was that I'm never going to call my mom to pick me up from jail," Colon recalled.

And, although Colon is now a millionaire, it wasn't until last year when a neighbor was murdered on the same floor of the East 156th Street apartment complex Davis had lived for a half-century that she finally moved out of her beloved neighborhood.

To this day, Colon returns to his hometown every chance he gets, remaining a fixture in the community which shaped him.

"Never lose sight of what's still going on where you're from," was Colon's advice to young pro athletes. "You're still having drug issues or the dropout rates still high, so, if you can impact it in any way: do it. Yeah, I'm blessed because I can go to my apartment and leave the doors unlocked. But, you can't do that in the South Bronx so I try to keep in touch.

"It's hardest for people to succeed if there's no examples. That's why I do the turkey drives or sit down and talk with the folks," he continued. "Because if I'm motivation in any way that you can get out of it, and you see me still coming back as living proof, hopefully that light bulb will switch on. You can't keep doing the same thing, whether it be drugs, alcohol, violence. You've got to take school seriously, you've got to be respectful, you've got to work hard."

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NEW YORK TIMES

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s First Start for Jets Is Brief, but He’s Happy (Joanne Gerstner) New York Times August 13, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/sports/football/ryan-fitzpatricks-first-test-as-the-jets-starter-is-a-brief-one.html?ref=football&_r=0

DETROIT — The Jets did something normal on Thursday: They played a football game without incident or swirling drama. Alas, they opened the preseason in underwhelming fashion, losing by 23-3 to the Lions at Ford Field.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, the new starting quarterback, played one series, completing 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards in leading the Jets on a 41-yard drive that culminated in a 34-yard field goal by Nick Folk. Bryce Petty, a rookie out of Baylor, took over at quarterback and played the rest of the game.

Despite the quick stint, Fitzpatrick assessed his start as a success. Coach Todd Bowles said he had not considered playing Fitzpatrick longer because he wanted to give Petty experience. Petty finished 10 of 18 for 50 yards and looked a bit overwhelmed at times by the Lions’ rush schemes.

“Right now our quarterback is sitting at home with a broken jaw and we have an outside linebacker that’s not with us no more,” the offensive lineman Willie Colon said. “It’s a loss.”

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“It’s always tough in the preseason to weigh repetitions versus health,” Fitzpatrick said. “Any time I get will be welcome. It was good just to be out there, throw the ball around to those guys, get into situations.”

Fitzpatrick added: “I felt comfortable. It was nice, just the procedure of it, to get to run some silent counts, get the plays and motions communicated, not get any pre-snap penalties. In that regard, I thought we did a good job.”

Bowles purposely kept things simple for Fitzpatrick, recognizing that he had gone through only one day of practice with the starting team. Geno Smith had been groomed as the top quarterback until Tuesday, when he was sucker-punched by the reserve linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room before the team’s morning practice.

Smith, who sustained a broken jaw, is expected to miss six to 10 weeks. He had surgery Thursday.

Enemkpali, who was immediately cut, was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the Buffalo Bills and rejoined his former coach Rex Ryan.

“I thought he did well,” Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. “I thought he commanded the offense. He was cool, calm and collected. Nothing big to brag about, but he did his job.”

Bowles conceded that the Jets were a work in progress, but he said he viewed their mistakes as issues to be corrected during the preseason. The biggest problem was poor tackling. The Lions carved up the Jets for 236 yards passing and 193 receiving. The Jets missed tackles throughout the game, resulting in big gains.

“I not concerned — I mean, it’s the first preseason game,” Bowles said. “We’ve got a lot of tackling to do. If the first group had played the whole game on both sides of the ball, and we got killed like that, I’d be a little bit more concerned. Third preseason game — I’d be a little bit more concerned. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I never said we’d be sharp right off the bat. We’ve got some stuff to look at, but it was good to get playing.”

Brandon Marshall, who said he was impressed with Fitzpatrick’s poise, did not seem concerned about an offense that generated 3 points and 67 yards rushing and 66 passing. Bilal Powell led the Jets with 35 yards on eight carries.

“It’s just football — we’ve been doing it since we were little,” Marshall said. “Just execute the plays that are called: He throws the ball; I catch the ball. He hands off; I block. Just got to keep building off our start today.”

“I am just moving forward,” Marshall added. “I think the whole team is moving forward. You will hear that echoed throughout this locker room.”

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ESPN NEW YORK

No. 1 pick Leonard Williams has the drive to dominate in opener (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/52916/no-1-pick-leonard-williams-has-high-expectations-for-jets-opener

It was an eventful summer vacation for Leonard Williams. During the six-week break before training camp, the New York Jets' No. 1 pick turned 21 and obtained his driver's license.

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He might be a few years behind on the driving thing -- he still doesn't own a car -- but fortunately for the Jets, he doesn't have the same relaxed attitude when it comes to his job. Williams wants to make an impact now, starting Thursday night with the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions.

"I want to make plays," he said during a break at training camp. "I want to show people and show my teammates they made a good choice with the first pick. I just want to be accountable to my team. Whenever the ball is run to my gap, just know I've got it."

Williams, picked sixth overall out of USC, is expected to start the first game, replacing the demoted and soon-to-be-suspended Sheldon Richardson. Williams has been taking first-team reps throughout camp, impressing with his strength and quickness in positional drills. Teammates say he's a tough guy to block when he knows where he's going -- i.e. a basic pass-rushing drill -- but that he slows down a bit when he's forced to read blocking schemes in team periods.

There's nothing unusual about that. He's a rookie and there will be growing pains. That's why the preseason games are important for Williams. He needs as many reps as possible because when the regular season starts and Richardson begins a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, it will be on Williams to uphold a high standard. The defensive line is a talented and prideful group, and it won't appreciate a weak link.

Williams has high expectations for himself.

"I just want to be a playmaker," he said. "That's the reason they decided to pick me even though they had a bunch of D-linemen here. They knew I was going to be able to come in and make plays and help the team win. That's what I want to prove to everybody."

Williams is a pleasant person to be around. He has a personality and, according to teammates, he's not afraid to ask questions in meetings.

"Everything is on the upside for that young man," defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. "He works hard, he’s trying to pick up the system, he’s taken to the older guys well. He’s been a joy to coach so far."

Williams expects to have a blast at Ford Field, even if it's only a preseason game.

"It's not the real thing, but to me it's definitely the real thing," he said. "That's how I'm going to take it. It'll be my first time in an NFL uniform, game action against another team. It'll be a great atmosphere. I'm going to have a lot of emotion."

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Jets protect their new QB, limit Ryan Fitzpatrick in sloppy preseason opener (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/53028/jets-protect-their-new-qb-limit-ryan-fitzpatrick-in-sloppy-preseason-opener

DETROIT -- Ryan Fitzpatrick is no kid, but he was handled with kid gloves in the New York Jets' preseason opener. The new starting quarterback, replacing the injured Geno Smith, played only one series (10 plays) in the Jets' 23-3 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday night at Ford Field. Obviously, they wanted to minimize the injury risk, especially in the aftermath of the Smith fiasco.

QB depth chart: The news of the day was made in New Jersey, where Smith underwent surgery to repair his broken jaw. The Jets provided a couple of details -- plates and screws were inserted, meaning his jaw won't have to be wired shut -- but there was no revised timetable for his return. Initially, they said six to 10 weeks. Doesn't matter; this is Fitzpatrick's team. He completed two of three passes for 16 yards -- a

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12-yard slant to Brandon Marshall and a 4-yard hitch to Eric Decker. His incompletion came on a third-an-1, a quick out to Jeff Cumberland that lacked velocity and was tipped by the defender. That's what you lose when you go from Smith to Fitzpatrick -- arm strength. Rookie Bryce Petty (10-for-18, 50 yards) botched a handoff and failed to put any points on the board. The kid struggled. The Jets have to decide whether to pursue a veteran backup or to ride it out with Petty a little bit longer.

Maybe that dude could start: Bilal Powell won't overtake Chris Ivory as the No. 1 running back, but the often-overlooked Powell (eight rushes for 35 yards) delivered a typically workmanlike performance. His 19-yard run was the longest play of the night on an otherwise brutal debut for Chan Gailey's offense. Can't complain about the backfield depth.

Who got hurt? Tight end Jace Amaro, who didn't see any action with the starters, suffered a shoulder injury and didn't return. Backup linebacker Erin Henderson went out with a knee injury. Henderson, out of football last season as he battled a drinking problem, played well and had been making a strong bid to make the team. A major injury would ruin an inspiring comeback story.

Surprise performer who looks amazing: "Amazing" is a bit strong, but Walter Powell sparked the Jets' opening possession with a 48-yard kickoff return. That'll help his chances of making the team, especially with Chris Owusu and T.J. Graham both injured.

Rookie watch: As expected, Leonard Williams started at defensive end. It was a rather quiet night for the Jets' No. 1 pick, who struggled to shed blocks at times. Third-round linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin displayed burst on the edge and lived up to his reputation as a high-motor player but made a couple of big mistakes -- he whiffed on a would-be sack and was penalized for roughing the passer.

When it was starters vs. starters, Jets looked: Lousy -- especially on defense. Yeah, the Jets' ballyhooed defense stunk it up in two series, allowing 10 points. That included a five-play, 71-yard touchdown drive to open the game -- and the Lions did it without a resting Calvin Johnson. It was a mix of bad pass coverage and bad tackling, with Antonio Cromartie, Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist missing tackles. Gilchrist was later flagged for a penalty on a 41-yard run by rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, who made the Jets look silly. The Jets didn't have Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring), but this wasn't about one player's absence. Coach Todd Bowles has a lot of work to do.

One reason to freak out: There's no reason to freak out about anything in the first game, barring a major injury, but this was a disappointing debut for the Jets' rebuilt secondary. No doubt it's significantly better than last season, but even talented units needs time to build cohesion. The starters looked out of sync, especially on Golden Tate's 35-yard touchdown reception -- a crossing route into zone coverage.

The disappearance of Special K: Longtime slot receiver Jeremy Kerley was replaced by Quincy Enunwa (one drop) in the three-wide package. Kerley was relegated to backup duty and punt returning. It's not a total surprise, considering Kerley has lost reps in practice, but it makes you wonder about his role. He signed a four-year, $14 million contract last fall, including a $2 million guarantee this year, so he's probably not going anywhere.

Life as a backup: Sheldon Richardson came off the bench for probably the first time in his life. Hey, that's what happens when you flunk a few drug tests and receive a four-game drug suspension. Replaced by Ronald Talley, Richardson's playing time came mostly in the second quarter.

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Todd Bowles: Ryan Fitzpatrick 'really commanded the offense' in limited play (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 14, 2015

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http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/13434946/new-york-jets-embrace-ryan-fitzpatrick-preseason-opener-qb-earns-praise-head-coach-todd-bowles

DETROIT -- With former starting quarterback Geno Smith recovering from jaw surgery in a New Jersey hospital, the New York Jets opened the preseason Thursday night, hoping to move past the locker room fight that made them a national punch line.

They embraced their new quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played efficiently in only one series of the Jets' 23-3 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

Afterward, they didn't want to talk about the Smith-IK Enemkpali altercation, although players managed to smile when asked if they were surprised Enemkpali was claimed on waivers by their former coach, Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills.

"I'm pretty sure the whole locker room knew that was going to happen," Sheldon Richardson said.

"Rex is Rex," Willie Colon said. "We weren't surprised at all."

On Tuesday morning, Enemkpali was released by the Jets after punching Smith in the face. Coach Todd Bowles called it "a sucker punch," but sources confirmed Smith may have provoked Enemkpali by pointing a finger in the linebacker's face. They were arguing over $600 that Smith owed to Enemkpali.

Before the game, the Jets announced that Smith's surgery included the insertion of metal plates and screws into his jaw, which was fractured in two places. His jaw won't have to be wired shut during his recovery.

Initially, they said he'd be out for six to 10 weeks. Bowles declined to give a revised timetable, adding, "Hopefully, he heals quicker."

There was nary a mention of Smith's name in the locker room. The players threw their support to the well-traveled Fitzpatrick, 32, who started the game despite only one day of practice with the first-team offense.

Fitzpatrick completed two of three passes for 16 yards, orchestrating a 10-play, 41-yard drive that ended with a field goal. Bowles said he limited Fitzpatrick because he hadn't had much time to work with the starters. Rookie Bryce Petty finished the game.

"I thought he did well," Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. "He really commanded the offense. He's cool, calm and collected. There was nothing big to brag about, but he did his job."

After two years of Smith's uneven play, the Jets are looking for stability at the position.

"He believes in us and we believe in him," Colon said. "It's kind of a smooth groove, if you will."

Fitzpatrick, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans, missed a good chunk of the offseason as he recovered from a broken leg. He's not as sharp or as strong as he'll need to be for the regular season, but he felt "comfortable" in his Jets debut.

"Whether it's me or a lot of the other guys that have some mileage on their bodies, health is the No. 1 important thing in the preseason," Fitzpatrick said.

The Jets made it through a day without losing a quarterback. That's progress.

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Jets ready to move on from Geno Smith -- and that's no punch line (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 14, 2015

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/53048/jets-ready-to-move-on-from-geno-smith-and-thats-no-punch-line

DETROIT -- Geno who?

After 48 hours of intense controversy, the New York Jets got back to work Thursday night and played a preseason football game. They didn't play particularly well, losing to the Detroit Lions 23-3, but the score didn't matter. It was their first chance to play with Ryan Fitzpatrick, their new quarterback, and you got the distinct impression in the locker room that the Jets moved on from Geno Smith. And there were no tears.

Smith's credibility among his teammates took a big hit (no pun intended) Tuesday, when he got slugged in the jaw by now-former teammate IK Enemkpali. Failing to recognize his role as the team leader, he put himself in a bad spot by getting into a petty spat with Enemkpali over $600. No one deserves a broken jaw, but his involvement in a "very childish" altercation (Todd Bowles' description) reflects poorly on Smith.

Smith, recovering from surgery, could be done with the Jets as a starter. It's Fitzpatrick's team.

"He believes in us and we believe in him," guard Willie Colon said. "It's kind of a smooth groove, if you will."

There was no outpouring of emotion for Smith. Part of that could be attributed to the "next-man-up" mentality of the NFL. It's also because they wanted to move on from Smith. Nothing personal, mind you. Just business.

Take Brandon Marshall, for instance. For months, he told everybody the reason he wanted to be traded to the Jets was because he liked the idea of playing with Smith, whom he described as a young, ascending quarterback. This was Marshall after the game:

"I'm just moving forward. I think the whole team is moving forward. I think you'll hear that echoed throughout this locker room. It's time for us to move forward and play ball."

Fitzpatrick, 32, starting for his sixth team, never was anybody's Next Big Thing. He's certainly not that at this stage of his career, but he was "cool, calm and collected," according to Todd Bowles, who made his Jets coaching debut. The players talked about Fitzpatrick's poise. They talked about the way he spoke clearly in the huddle. He didn't get rattled despite having only one day of practice with the first-team offense. He's a pro. He was a grown up in the huddle.

"I think everyone around the league knows he's a really smart guy and we all saw that," Marshall said.

Fitzpatrick attempted only three passes in one series (10 plays), completing two. He lacked zip on a third-and-1 pass, allowing the defender to break it up. He doesn't have a rifle, but some of that could be stamina. He missed a lot of the offseason, recovering from a broken leg, so his lower body isn't at full strength and that could affect his mechanics.

It was a quick hook by Bowles, but the rookie coach was thinking of the big picture. This was a small first step toward getting him ready for the regular season. No doubt, they protected him better than Smith protected himself in the locker room.

The Jets weren't going to let any angry linebackers get to their new quarterback.

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NEW YORK POST

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Geno Smith keeps looking worse in locker room fight (Brian Costello) New York Post August 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/08/13/geno-smith-said-to-need-wake-up-call-after-instigating-jaw-punch/

The story coming out of the Jets locker room after Tuesday’s incident between Geno Smith and IK Enemkpali is not flattering for Smith.

Two sources who have spoken to Jets players who were in the locker room corroborated stories that Smith instigated the altercation with Enemkpali.

The players said Smith and Enemkapli were having words over the $600 debt Smith owed the linebacker, but they were on separate sides of the locker room. One source described Smith as “taunting” Enemkpali over it. Enemkpali challenged Smith to say it to his face. Smith did and pointed his finger in Enemkpali’s face, which then led to Enemkpali punching Smith and breaking his jaw.

Smith is out for six to 10 weeks and the incident has called into question his future with the team.

“Hopefully, this is a wake-up call for him,” one source said.

Enemkpali was immediately waived by the Jets on Tuesday. The Bills and former Jets coach Rex Ryan claimed Enemkpali off waivers on Wednesday.

Sports Illustrated said a member of the Bills staff contacted a Jets player to find out the details of the fight before the team claimed him. The player described Smith as being the aggressor in the argument.

The root of the issue was a football camp hosted by Enemkpali on July 11 in Texas where Smith was scheduled to appear. Smith canceled after the death of a friend. Enemkpali and Smith had words when training camp opened on July 29, with Smith telling Enemkpali he would reimburse him the $600 Enemkpali had spent on travel expenses for Smith. As of Tuesday, Smith had not repaid Enemkpali, and things escalated.

ESPN reported Thursday that Smith has elected to have surgery on his jaw after getting a second opinion.

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Predicting all 53 players on the Jets’ final roster (Brian Costello) New York Post August 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/08/13/predicting-all-53-players-on-the-jets-final-roster/

It is time for the annual exercise in futility of trying to predict what the Jets’ 53-man roster will be heading into the season … before a preseason snap is played.

But here goes nothing:

Quarterbacks (3): Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Bryce Petty

This one is tricky because I believe the Jets will add another arm before the season, but it is impossible to predict who at the moment. These three guys will be on the roster, and then the Jets might add a castoff from another team’s final cuts. Could Matt Simms return from Buffalo?

Running backs (4): Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley, Bilal Powell, Tommy Bohanon

The question here is whether Ridley will be ready for the start of the season or if he opens on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. I say he’s ready, and that costs Zac Stacy a roster spot.

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Wide receivers (6): Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, Devin Smith, Chris Owusu, T.J. Graham

There is a group of receivers fighting for the final two spots here, and maybe the Jets keep seven instead of six. Shaq Evans and Quincy Enunwa have had good training camps, but I think Owusu and Graham get the edge because of their special teams work.

Tight ends (3): Jeff Cumberland, Jace Amaro, Kellen Davis

This one is pretty clear.

Offensive line (8): Nick Mangold, James Carpenter, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Willie Colon, Breno Giacomini, Dakota Dozier, Brian Winters, Ben Ijalana

The Jets have some tough decisions with this group. I think Colon wins the starting right guard spot. Dozier can back up at center and guard. Winters has shown enough promise to stick around. Ijalana backs up at both tackles.

Defensive line (6): Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, Damon Harrison, Leger Douzable, T.J. Barnes, Ronald Talley

Sheldon Richardson is suspended and does not count against the 53-man roster. Douzable is a reliable backup. Talley has gotten a lot of playing time in camp, an indication the coaching staff likes him.

Linebackers (9): David Harris, Demario Davis, Quinton Coples, Calvin Pace, Jamari Lattimore, Erin Henderson, Jason Babin, Lorenzo Mauldin, Trevor Reilly

These backups are the core special teamers. Lattimore and Reilly will play a bunch on special teams. I give Henderson the edge over Joe Mays as the backup inside linebacker.

Cornerbacks (7): Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine, Dexter McDougle, Marcus Williams, Darrin Walls, DeShaun Phillips

I think Dee Milliner starts the year on injured reserve with the designation to return. This gives him enough time to fully heal from his wrist injury. Phillips is the 53rd man, though maybe I’m just being influenced by special teams coach Bobby April talking him up this week.

Safeties (4): Calvin Pryor, Marcus Gilchrist, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Rontez Miles

The injury to Antonio Allen opens up a spot for Miles, who was knocking on the door to make the roster last year. This time he gets in.

Specialists (3): Nick Folk, Tanner Purdum, Ryan Quigley

No storylines here.

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Jets’ QB fiasco on hold as ‘D’ gets shredded in preseason opener (Brian Costello) New York Post August 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/08/13/jets-qb-fiasco-put-on-backburner-as-defense-gets-trampled/

DETROIT — Entering the Jets’ preseason opener against the Lions, the focus was on how the offense would look. It was the much ballyhooed defense, though, that looked like an area for concern.

The first preseason game of the season should not cause panic, but new Jets coach Todd Bowles has to be a little bothered with how his starting defense looked in Thursday’s 23-3 loss to the Lions. The Jets’

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first unit missed five tackles, gave up 143 yards, 10 points and did not look ready to play in its two series of action.

“I thought our tackling was extremely sloppy,” Bowles said.

It sounds as if the Jets are in for a rough week of tackling practice.

“We’ve practiced it,” Bowles said. “We’re going to practice it a lot more.”

The first-team offense put together a nice drive on its only series of the night. Two days after Geno Smith was sidelined by IK Enemkpali’s fist, Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the starting quarterback. It was tough to draw many conclusions from their 10-play drive, however, as he went 2-for-3 for 16 yards.

“I thought he did well,” Bowles said. “I thought he commanded the offense. He was cool, calm and collected. Nothing big to brag about, but he did his job.”

Running back Chris Ivory looked ready for the season to start, rushing for 25 yards on six carries. He gained 5 yards on a 4th-and-1 and was one of the few bright spots of the night for the Jets.

The Jets started off on defense, trotting out their made-over secondary, led by cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams started the game as the team prepares for Sheldon Richardson’s suspension to start the season. The unit was missing defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Cromartie missed a tackle on a short pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate that resulted in a 22-yard gain. Demario Davis missed two tackles, one on an absolute ankle-breaking move by Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah.

“He’s about as quick as Barry Sanders,” Bowles said.

Davis was impressed by the rookie from Nebraska.

“He got me on a pretty good move and not too many running backs in the league can say that,” Davis said. “He’s shifty. I think he’ll do good for them.”

It was not a good start for the Jets’ safeties either. Calvin Pryor whiffed on a tackle of Abdullah and Marcus Gilchrist, another free-agent acquisition of the Jets, took a terrible angle on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Tate that gave Detroit a 7-0 lead.

The offense then took the field with the veteran Fitzpatrick under center. Ivory ran on six of the first seven plays. Fitzpatrick completed passes to Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker before tight end Jeff Cumberland dropped a pass on third-and-1 to end the drive. Nick Folk made a 34-yard field goal to make it 7-3.

The first-team defense played one more set of downs. The unit gave up a 45-yard run to Abdullah with a Gilchrist illegal use of the hands penalty tacked on for 5 more yards. Backup quarterback Kellen Moore missed a shotgun snap that ended the drive and the Lions settled for a 28-yard Matt Prater field goal to go up 10-3.

Rookie Bryce Petty took over at quarterback after the first drive and played the rest of the game. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 50 yards. The backup offense was awful. The Jets finished the game with 123 total yards, 56 passing and just six first downs.

Thumbs up, thumbs down

How the Jets fared in some key areas Thursday night:

Tackle trouble

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The Jets’ first-team defense missed five tackles and looked overmatched against the Lions starters. Linebacker Demario Davis suffered the worst whiff of the night, getting totally juked out by rookie running back Ameer Abdullah. Thumbs down

Pounding the ground

The Jets running-back tandem of Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell looked ready for the season to start. Ivory had 25 yards on six carries while Powell had 35 yards on eight carries. Thumbs up

Petty party

Rookie quarterback Bryce Petty got the bulk of the playing time, replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick after one series. Petty looks like he has a long way to go. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 50 yards, misfiring badly on some. He’s not ready. Thumbs down

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Ryan Fitzpatrick is exactly what the Jets — and Bryce Petty — need (Steve Serby) New York Post August 14, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/08/14/ryan-fitzpatrick-is-exactly-what-the-jets-and-bryce-petty-need/

DETROIT — The Kid was taking his lumps. This wasn’t TCU on the other side of the ball. But he was never alone with his self-doubt. The Journeyman was there for him every step of the way.

If there is one Journeyman you would want to steady your teetering ship, it is Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“The thing about Ryan is that the guy has seen so many looks that he can help you as far as accelerate, for me, my learning curve,” Bryce Petty told The Post after Lions 23, Jets 3, “because he’s been there, he’s done that, he knows what works, and he knows this offense. And then, especially the way that he’s opened up to me has been huge. Any question that I ever gave — for him it might be really dumb, and I know that — so I really appreciate him taking the time to really just take notice of me, and wanting to help me out. That means a lot.”

What the Jets need now, in the jaw-breaking aftermath of Geno Smith vs. IK Enemkpali, is an adult under center, on the sidelines, in the locker room.

Fitzgerald (2-for-3, 16 yards) played one series before watching Petty, the fourth-round draft pick out of Baylor, receive too many Welcome-to-the-NFL moments. “Bumps and bruises,” Petty said.

Fitzpatrick treated the wounds. “He’s always doing a good job keeping my head up,” Petty said.

Asked what Fitzpatrick told him, Petty said: “You should have seen my first preseason game.”

That was 11 seasons ago. After Petty (10-for-18, 50 yards, one fumbled handoff) had finished, Fitzpatrick was there for him with more words of reassurance.

“Things will get better, things will slow down, and then we’ll be able to rock and roll,” Petty said of the veteran’s message.

Fitzpatrick: “Every poor decision or bad throw that he made today, I’ve done 10 times over in my career.”

If Petty is the Quarterback of the Future, he will be that much better off learning at Fitzpatrick’s 32-year-old feet.

“It just seems like it’s another day, another week for me,” Fitzpatrick said.

He represents the calm after the storm.

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Texans veteran center Chris Myers played with Fitzpatrick last season. He expects the Jets to Rally ’Round Ryan.

“I think you’re gonna see a very cerebral quarterback, in terms of being able to get plays into the right plays that need to be made,” Myers told The Post by phone. “With Fitz, there’s no kind of hidden secrets that are gonna probably pop out at you in Year 11 that haven’t popped out in the first 10. But I think that Jets fans are gonna be very satisfied with the quarterback that they have running their team. There’s a lot of issues and turmoil going on there right now, but I think you have a great guy being able to kind of take the reins and run this organization.”

A leader. A professional.

“A quarterback you’re gonna listen to,” Myers said. “But he didn’t just earn that by his play on the field. That’s the main thing that he earns it from, but he earns it in the locker room. He’s a big-time locker-room guy. He’s friends with a lot of guys on the team.

“I think that him being able to kind of relate to rookies that are 10 years younger than him, and being able to kind of sit down and talk with them and joke around … he’s a very, very, very comedic guy, and a witty guy at that. And there’s obviously the whole Harvard connection and education thing.”

Myers recalls Fitzpatrick teaching the offensive linemen binary code over pizza before a game against the Giants. He isn’t only smart enough to solve a Rubik’s Cube, he’s tough.

“He’s gonna get a lot of respect, I think, with the New York fan base, because I just think that they’re looking for a tough person that’s gonna be able to lead the team and play well, but to not be able to take a lot of junk from a lot of people,” Myers said. “He’ll get up and he’ll talk a little smack too. And I think that when you have a quarterback like that, especially offensive linemen, you want to take care of him a bunch, and make sure he’s taken care of on the field.”

Fitzpatrick completed his first attempt, a slant to Brandon Marshall, for 12 yards. Jeff Cumberland dropped a third-and-1 pass that wasn’t exactly a Noah Syndergaard fastball and led to a field goal.

“I felt comfortable,” Fitzpatrick said. “The beauty of Chan [Gailey]’s system is you can see different things in different ways to attack a defense each week.”

The Jets are lucky to have The Journeyman. No one more than The Kid.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Geno Smith did not travel with Jets for Detroit Lions game (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media August 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/geno_smith_did_not_travel_with_jets_for_detroit_li.html

ROMULUS, Mich. — It was already a given that Geno Smith would not play in the Jets' preseason opener Thursday night at the Lions in Detroit, what with the broken jaw Smith suffered because of a punch from then-teammate IK Enemkpali.

But don't look for Smith on the sidelines or upstairs somewhere in a coach's booth, either: He did not make the trip with the rest of the team as he braces for surgery.

The Jets said Smith would be sidelined for six to 10 weeks, and head coach Todd Bowles has said Smith was going to have surgery "very soon." ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Thursday morning that Smith

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would indeed have surgery after seeking a second opinion. When and where that surgery will take place is not yet known.

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Want to throw a touchdown pass to Jets' Brandon Marshall? Here's how you can do it (Darryl Slater) NJ Advanced Media August 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/want_to_throw_a_pass_to_jets_brandon_marshall_here.html

DETROIT — Ever wanted to throw a touchdown pass to an NFL wide receiver?

Now you have a chance to do it, and the receiver is none other than the Jets' Brandon Marshall.

Here's how it works:

Marshall, who has been a vocal supporter of mental illness causes, is teaming with Omaze.com for an raffle whose proceeds benefit Project 375. Marshall and his wife, Michi, founded the organization to eliminate stigmas of mental illness, and to help people who have such conditions.

To get the chance to throw Marshall a touchdown pass, just go to Omaze.com/Jets and enter the raffle. You can do so for as little as $10. The money goes to Project 375.

If you win, you and a guest will be flown to the New York area, put up in a 4-star hotel, and receive tickets to the Jets-Eagles preseason game on Sept. 3 at MetLife Stadium.

The winner and guest will join Marshall at the stadium, tour the locker room, have lunch, play some football with Marshall, and throw him his ceremonial "first" touchdown pass in MetLife Stadium.

In a video promoting the raffle, Marshall offers this wise crack: "You may not know what team I play for now. I've been traded four times!"

(It's actually three.)

Marshall also says, "I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and I got the help I needed, and it saved my life." That, he says, is why he and his wife founded Project 375.

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Jets' Geno Smith had surgery on broken jaw, will be hospitalized overnight (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media August 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/jets_geno_smith_had_surgery_on_broken_jaw_will_be.html

DETROIT — Jets quarterback Geno surgery had surgery on his broken jaw on Thursday back in New Jersey, and he is expected to be hospitalized overnight, according to a team spokesman.

Smith's jaw was reportedly broken in two places. His surgery involved plates and screws. He did not have his jaw wired shut.

Smith had his jaw broken Tuesday morning after being punched by then-teammate IK Enemkpali in a dispute over a $600 plane ticket to Enemkpali's charity football camp in Texas last month. The Jets released Enemkpali right after the incident, and the Bills—who are coached by former Jets head coach Rex Ryan—signed Enemkpali on Wednesday.

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Smith is expected to be sidelined for six to 10 weeks. Ryan Fitzpatrick is now the team's starting quarterback, and even though Fitzpatrick has only practiced with the first-team offense once all summer, he is slated to start Thursday night's preseason opener at Lions here. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

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Jets at Detroit Lions preseason opener: Analyzing Ryan Fitzpatrick's performance (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media August 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/jets_at_detroit_lions_preseason_opener_analyzing_r.html

DETROIT — If you thought the Jets were going to give their new starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, an extended look in Thursday night's preseason opener at the Lions, well, things didn't unfold quite like that.

Fitzpatrick played just one drive before yielding to rookie Bryce Petty. Fitzpatrick completed 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards. The Jets ran the ball six times on that drive, all on hand-offs to Chris Ivory.

Fitzpatrick is now the Jets' starter because Geno Smith had his jaw broken Tuesday when linebacker IK Enemkpali punched him in the locker room.

Smith is expected to miss six to 10 weeks (two to five regular season games). He is not guaranteed to get his starting job back when he returns, said coach Todd Bowles. Smith underwent surgery Thursday.

So how did Fitzpatrick look on his one drive Thursday?

It was a small sample size, but he performed all right. Not that it is going to define his season one way or the other, but he acquitted himself OK. Considering how little he played, though, there's no sense in drawing any major conclusions from Thursday night.

Fitzpatrick's two completed passes were a 12-yarder to Brandon Marshall on the drive's second play, and a 4-yard screen throw to Eric Decker on the drive's second-to-last play. On the next play, third-and-1 from the Lions' 16-yard line, Fitzpatrick threw a pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland.

Fitzpatrick didn't put a lot of zip on the ball, which let cornerback Darius Slay (apparently) get a hand on the ball before it reached Cumberland. Since the pass bounced off Cumberland's hands and fell incomplete, you can consider it a drop. But Fitzpatrick could have thrown it harder to help Cumberland.

After that incomplete pass/drop, the Jets had to settle for 34-yard field goal by Nick Folk. And that was it for Fitzpatrick's unofficial debut as the Jets' starter.

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Jets' Willie Colon on Rex Ryan's Buffalo Bills signing Geno Smith puncher IK Enemkpali: 'Rex is Rex' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/jets_bills_rex_ryan_geno_smith_ik_enemkpali.html

DETROIT — A lot of people were stunned when former Jets linebacker IK Enemkpali quickly got another chance in the NFL.

But his old teammates weren't.

The Jets cut Enemkpali on Tuesday after he punched quarterback Geno Smith and broke his jaw, knocking Smith out for six to 10 weeks.

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A day later, the Bills claimed Enemkpali off waivers. They are coached, of course, by Rex Ryan, who led the Jets from 2009-14. The Jets drafted Enemkpali in the sixth round last year.

After Thursday's 23-3 preseason-opening loss at the Lions, Jets players said they weren't shocked about the Bills picking up Enemkpali.

And why not?

"You guys know," right guard Willie Colon told reporters, laughing. "You know what it is, man. Rex is Rex. So we weren't surprised that he went to Buffalo."

Does Colon hope Enemkpali makes the Bills' 53-man roster, so the Jets can perhaps face him on the field this season?

"That's Buffalo Bills business, man," Colon said. "I've got no comment about IK. I just wish him the best of luck."

Defensive end Sheldon Richardson also said he was "not at all" surprised about Enemkpali's landing spot.

"[Ryan] drafted him," Richardson said. "I kind of figured that [the Bills would claim Enemkpali], actually. I'm pretty sure the whole locker room knew that was going to happen. IK is an excellent pass rusher off the edge. He does his thing on special teams. He's an asset to a team, for real."

Some people perceived Ryan signing Enemkpali as the always brash Ryan trying to stick it to the Jets, who fired him after last season. Richardson disagrees — for one big reason.

"He drafted him," Richardson said. "He knows what he brings to the table. He's trying to test him out and put him on the Bills' defense and see how he does, and he's either going to make the team or he's not."

Enemkpali wasn't a lock to make the Jets even before he slugged Smith. And he will also have to compete for a roster spot in Buffalo. But if he does make the Bills' 53-man roster, the two Jets-Bills regular season matchups this year will have even more juice.

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Jets' Jeremy Kerley on working with backups through training camp: 'It feels a little weird' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/jets_jeremy_kerley_second_team_detroit_lions.html

DETROIT — The Jets opened their 2015 preseason schedule here Thursday night with a 23-3 loss to the Lions. There were a lot of changes surrounding the Jets team that took the field. It had a new coach, Todd Bowles, and a brand-new starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Yet one thing didn't change for slot wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. He continued to work with the backups, as he has throughout training camp.

For Kerley, this is a big personal change. He has 23 starts through four seasons with the Jets, including 22 in the past three years. The Jets drafted him in the fifth round in 2011. He has been their primary slot receiver, and figured to retain that role this season. He's not a star, but he is an established player for this team.

On Thursday, though, Bowles gave Quincy Enunwa time with the starters, in the slot. Bowles said he wanted to examine Enunwa in a game setting. Moreover, Bowles said, the Jets ran the ball a lot Thursday, and since Enunwa is bigger than Kerley and "a better blocker," Enunwa fit better for this game.

"We wanted to look at Q and see what the blocking skills looked like," Bowles said.

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Still, this is an odd feeling for Kerley, practicing and playing with backups. He said he is not sure if the coaches still view him as a starter.

"I mean, yeah, it feels a little weird," he said after Thursday's game. "But I've seen weirder stuff happen. Regardless of where I'm at or whatever, I'm going to go out and do me. I'm going to play hard regardless. That's all I can do.

"You kind of do want to have a position. I guess you do want to feel like you're settled in. But I've never really felt that, just kind of based on how I came up anyway, as a fifth-round pick. I never really let myself settle. We'll see how it turns out tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. But all I can do right now is just go out and perfect my craft, and do what I do."

Last fall, the Jets gave Kerley a four-year contract that included $5.4 million guaranteed. He is under contract through 2018. Next season, his salary cap figure is scheduled to be $3.1 million (compared to $2.6 million this year). But his dead money figure for 2016, if the Jets get rid of him, would be just $1.8 million.

Not that the organization has given any significant indication it wants to move on from Kerley. But his work with the backups in camp is curious.

The Jets drafted Devin Smith in the second round this year. Smith is currently sidelined with broken ribs. But do the Jets' coaches perhaps envision Smith as a slot receiver once he returns and settles into his NFL career?

Kerley said he didn't talk to Bowles before Thursday's game about his deployment with the backups. But Kerley figured he wasn't going to play with the starters.

"Basically, this whole camp I've been with the second-team, so I just kind of knew how it was going to play out going into the game," he said. "I always let my play do the talking anyway. It's new coaches, new everything around here. Maybe they've just got to get to know me."

He said he has received "a little" feedback "here and there" in this camp from coaches, about why he isn't with the starters.

"I guess it's just I had an Achilles [tendon] problem going into OTAs [in the spring]," Kerley said, adding that he feels "great" now. "They didn't really get to see a lot of me [in the spring], and I didn't get to see a lot of them. New coaches. They've just got to see me more."

Despite the uncertainty he now faces, Kerley said he isn't frustrated.

"Nah, because it just goes to show that every year, I have to prove myself," he said. "So it's no different. It's just another proving point."

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets QB Geno Smith undergoes surgery for broken jaw (Seth Walder and Manish Mehta) New York Daily News August 13, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/opinion-geno-smith-jaw-surgery-article-1.2325148

DETROIT -- Geno Smith had jaw surgery Thursday, two days after the QB was clocked in the face by IK Enemkpali, the Daily News first reported. The Jets QB was expected to remain in the hospital overnight. Smith had plates and screws inserted and did not have his jaw wired shut.

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The Jets QB is expected to miss 6 to 10 weeks as a result of the broken jaw he suffered at the hand of his former teammate. Todd Bowles announced Tuesday that Smith would have to have surgery for the injury. The Jets QB sought a second opinion, but that was to determine the best timing for the surgery, according to a source.

Bowles shocked the entire football world on Tuesday when he announced that Smith had broken his jaw after being “sucker punched” by Enemkpali. A dispute over $600 prompted the punch from the outside linebacker, who was released and claimed by the Bills on waivers.

Though Bowles said Smith was “cold cocked” by Enemkpali, the coach said he held Smith partially responsible. Players, like Darrelle Revis, said the same. And so as time progressed from Tuesday, it became clearer and clearer that Smith was not devoid of blame.

Smith “was up in (Enemkpali’s) face and pointed/touched his face,” a source told the news.

“Geno deserved it,” another source said.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is now the Jets starter as a result of Smith’s injury. The veteran journeyman started the team’s preseason game on Thursday night in Detroit and played one series.

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Jets starters unimpressive on both sides of the ball in first preseason game vs. Lions (Seth Walder) New York Daily News August 13, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-starters-unimpressive-sides-ball-article-1.2325282

DETROIT - The Jets might need to punch up their defense.

For all the hype surrounding the Jets’ new defense, which once again features the likes of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie and is now coached by Todd Bowles, Gang Green looked like they still had plenty of rust to shake off on that side of the ball.

The Jets lost to the Lions 23-3.

Sure, it’s only preseason. And sure, it could mean nothing. But the defense wasn’t and isn’t supposed to be an issue for this team, and they didn’t look great. The first-team defense allowed 138 yards on two drives by the Lions -- only one of which was quarterbacked by Matthew Stafford. To be fair, the Jets were missing Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson from their first-team on Thursday, though Richardson will miss at least the first four games of the season due to suspension.

But despite the defensive problems on Thursday night, the real issue for the Jets in 2015 is at quarterback. Geno Smith was supposed to be starting for the Jets Thursday night, but instead he was away from the team, recovering jaw surgery. Smith was punched by then-teammate IK Enemkpali on Tuesday, an action that rocked both Smith’s jaw and the Jets as a team. As a result, Ryan Fitzpatrick started Thursday’s contest and will be the team’s starter until further notice.

The Jets, understandably, were particularly cautious with Fitzpatrick with essentially just fourth-round pick Bryce Petty behind him. Fitzpatrick played just one series, resulting in a field goal, before Bowles yanked the veteran and put in the rookie to take over.

The Jets defense opened like they still had no-names in their secondary. After Antonio Cromartie allowed an early catch and then -- as he has been known to do -- missed a tackle, Todd Bowles had to pull a Rex Ryan and call a timeout for what appeared to be a miscommunication. The Lions marched down the field

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before Matthew Stafford eventually hit Golden Tate, who was easily able to elude Marcus Gilchrist and score a 35-yard touchdown.

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first drive as a Jet resulted in points but stalled out when Jeff Cumberland dropped a pass on 3rd and 1. The Jets settled for a 34-yard field goal.

The Jets first-team defense continued to get worked by the Lions, even after Kellen Moore entered at quarterback for Detroit. On the first play of the second drive, Ameer Abdullah juked Demario Davis so hard that the linebacker had to turn himself around, only to see the rookie running back flying downfield for a 45-yard gain. The Lions turned that drive into a field goal to take a 10-7 lead.

Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) did not play in Thursday’s contest. Though Bowles had said that Wilkerson would be a game time decision, it seemed unlikely heading into Thursday’s contest that the defensive end would play. Wilkerson has been hampered by the hamstring since early in training camp.

First-round pick Leonard Williams started in place of Wilkerson and Ronald Talley started ahead of Sheldon Richardson.

T.J. Graham (hamstring), Chris Owusu (concussion), Stevan Ridley (knee), Dee Milliner (wrist), Curtis Brown (hamstring), Steve Maneri (hamstring), Devin Smith (ribs) were all scratches as well.

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Pundits seem to forget Jets QB Geno Smith is a victim (Bob Raissman) New York Daily News August 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/raissman-pundits-forget-geno-smith-victim-article-1.2325423

There are plenty of pundits who aren't exactly sympathetic to Geno Smith's plight.

Only in the cockeyed world of the National Football League can someone like IK Enemkpali, who commits a criminal act and is fired on the spot, get another job in a little more than 24 hours.

And only in the NFL, where the ranks of former players offering their insight and analysis on television and radio are swelling, can a victim like Geno Smith be turned into a villain.

By the time Thursday rolled around, we were convinced Enemkpali was actually the aggrieved party, the sympathetic figure. That Smith got smashed in the face for no good reason, and had his jaw busted up, had almost become a minor detail, an afterthought.

Smith, according to many of these insightful ones, just doesn’t understand his role, or is too immature. All great reasons for someone walking up to you and shattering your jaw with one punch.

Typical was the commentary of ESPN’s Mark Schlereth, one of the best in the business, who prefaced his remarks by calling Enemkpali’s assault on Smith a crime, before questioning the “level of respect” Smith’s teammates have for him.

Listening to other former players basically say the same thing (“This would never happen to a Brady, Manning, Luck . . .”), this respect thing must be a big deal. But should it be such a major issue that it places a cloud of doubt on who really is at fault here?

So, Geno Smith is not a leader. Does the apparent lack of respect, the fact that no one in the Jets locker room was in a hurry to intercede on Smith’s behalf before he was punched, make Enemkpali’s violent attack less egregious?

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Coincidentally, all the mouths who verbally rolled up on Smith offered similar qualifiers. Like ESPN’s Skip Bayless, who said: “I in no way condone punching somebody . . .” Before saying: “It was up to Geno Smith to put out that fire . . .”

The qualifiers, which provided these voices with cover, rang hollow when the next verbal shoe was dropped.

Stuff like: Geno didn’t deserve to get his jaw broken, but the Jets are a better team without him.

Or, Geno should have known better. He should have just walked away from Enemkapali.

Or the incident proves Smith doesn’t have the intangibles to become a franchise quarterback.

Stephen A. Smith also went the qualifier route. There is no excuse for locker-room violence, BUT: “If you’re a human being you should know better. If you owe somebody money, you should pay him the money.”

Get it? Strip away the qualifying condemnations of Enemkpali and what’s left?

Geno Smith deserved what he got because the Jets will be better without him. Smith deserved to get his jaw broken because he didn’t show the intangibles to become a franchise quarterback. He deserved what he got because no one respects him. He didn’t pay up the $600 so Enemkpali had every right to break his jaw.

Wait, there was even more. It must have been Smith’s fault because, according to ESPN’s Ryan Clark (the former Steelers safety), the punch Enemkpali threw was not a sucker punch. On Twitter, Clark reported: “Have confirmed with multiple sources that Geno Smith was not, I repeat was not, sucker punched. So let’s stop the narrative.”

Since, according to Clark, Smith saw the punch coming, it must have hurt less, and done less damage, right? Seriously though, if Clark wanted the “narrative” stopped, he might have directly addressed the guy who started it. And that would be Todd Bowles, mostly praised for the way he handled this fiasco, who Tuesday said Smith was “cold-cocked, sucker punched, whatever you want to call it.”

Clark’s “report” was given big play and taken as gospel in a variety of media precincts. Clark’s sources (who apparently were eyewitnesses to Enemkpali’s attack) were contradicting Bowles. Maybe someone will take that “narrative” a step further and blame it on Smith, too.

On the only side that counts for the NFL, the money side, spotlighting this dysfunction is good for business. Or as ESPN-98.7’s Don LaGreca said, the Jets-Lions preseason opener would be “huge.” No doubt there would be more eyeballs than usual on this exhibition to watch Ryan Fitzpatrick in limited action.

Snap judgments will be made, especially in the Valley of the Stupid, where the first-time-long-time crowd takes meaningless games seriously. So it will go into the season when the games count. If the “boat,” as Bowles likes to call it, ain’t going in right direction, the anticipation for Smith’s return will grow.

And when Smith does return, the very same Gasbags characterizing him as a collaborator in his own demise will seize the moment to paint a picture of hope. It might even make for a compelling story.

No qualifiers necessary.

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Despite shaky preseason opener, Todd Bowles' Jets deserve some patience (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News August 14, 2015

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-todd-bowles-jets-team-deserves-patience-article-1.2325503

DETROIT — There’s a clear disclaimer that should come with the Jets’ 23-3 preseason-opening loss to the Lions Thursday night:

It means close to nothing.

Relaxed, panicked souls.

Before you chuck Todd Bowles’ defense to the trash heap because it gave up a pair of 70-plus yard scoring drives in the first quarter or curse a blown timeout two plays into the game or wonder whether Bryce Petty should be quarantined, take a moment and exhale.

The Jets’ lid-lifter emanated a foul odor, but it’s hardly reason to seek blood. Bowles has made it clear that doubling the win total of the team he inherited isn’t acceptable, but his rebuild and rebranding of the team doesn’t come with an easy button.

So, glaring at some of the horrific statistics (128 total yards of offense, three third-down conversions and losing the time of possession battle by 13 minutes) compiled largely by backups and backups’ backups is largely irrelevant. Frankly, it doesn’t matter much at all in the big picture.

“I’m not concerned,” Bowles said. “It’s the first preseason game. ... If the first group had played all game on both sides of the ball and we got killed like that, I’d be more concerned. If this was the third preseason game, you’d be a little bit concerned. But we got a lot of work to do. I never said we were going to be sharp right off the bat.”

Bowles had plenty of “teaching lessons,” which typically don’t matter to folks staring at their televisions looking for instant gratification. Score lots of points. Don’t allow any.

It’s not that simple, especially given the recent issues on and off the field for a franchise looking to put four straight forgettable seasons in the rear-view mirror.

The Jets rolled into Motown on Thursday to the sweet soundtrack of turbulence.

In the span of one month, Bowles has dealt with immaturity, stupidity and idiocy, while trying to prepare professionals for his first season. He’s unofficially aged 30 years in 30 days.

A cloud hovered over his team through no fault of his own.

Bowles claimed that he knew what he was getting into when he took the job seven months ago, but the fine print in his contract surely didn’t include babysitting.

Some airlines would charge an arm and leg for the baggage that Bowles has been saddled with in recent weeks.

The damage isn’t irrevocable, but the pursuit of the only thing that matters in this sport became more difficult due to bone-headed acts and bad luck.

With his star defensive lineman relegated to backup duty due to an impending suspension that will likely be extended due to a second mistake, and his starting quarterback watching from a New Jersey hospital room with a surgically repaired jaw, Bowles exited his first game with plenty of lingering questions.

His new old(er) starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, thrust into the lineup for the foreseeable future after Geno Smith was coldcocked by a fed-up, money-seeking scrub linebacker this week, was boring but solid.

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“I thought he commanded the offense,” Bowles said. “He was cool, calm and collected. Nothing big to brag about, but he did his job.”

That should suffice for a team driven by its defense. Fitzpatrick, an NFL nomad with his sixth team, has been immune to the nuttiness surrounding his newest team in the wake of Smith’s altercation with now ex-Jet IK Enemkpali.

“It just seems like it’s another day, another week for me,” said Fitzpatrick, who went 2-for-3 for 16 yards on his lone drive of the night, which resulted in a field goal. “For the last (few) years for me, there’s never been a day that’s gone by that hasn’t been a little bit crazy.”

Rookie Bryce Petty looked like, well, a rookie still transitioning from a college spread system to the intricacies of playing at the next level. He has the skill set and right mind-set, but it’ll require patience.

“You’re not going to get any better holding a clipboard,” Bowles said of Petty, who had five three-and-outs in eight drives. “So we got to give him some experience.”

Bowles’ first-team defense was without Mo Wilkerson (hamstring) and Sheldon Richardson (self-inflicted demotion due to league suspension), but the missed tackles and miscommunication won’t be tolerated that much longer.

Bowles gave all the defensive play-calling duties to coordinator Kacy Rodgers so that he could survey the entire landscape. He burned a timeout before the third play from scrimmage after a personnel hiccup.

“We had chaos with the personnel,” Bowles said.

“I wanted to call a timeout, not just to get the players straight, but to get the coaches straight. ... It was a teaching lesson.”

So please hold off on flying planes with banners over practice.

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METRO NEW YORK

Jets get gut-punched in preseason opener (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York August 13, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/jets-get-gut-punched-in-preseason-opener/zsJohn---F7jrPF1urkqU/

It was a second punch to the New York Jets this week, this one a gut punch in a 23-3 loss at the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener for both teams.

Sloppiness abounded in the game as the defense took poor angles, were inconsistent in their tackling and looked every bit like a team that went through a roster overhaul this offseason...which they did. While not a lot of stock is put into preseason, what was concerning was the way the Lions ran the ball on the Jets, especially with the first-team defense in the game.

But keep in mind that this defense barely blitzed, a staple of first-year head coach Todd Bowles scheme. The unit kept it bland, surely to keep too much from going on gamefilm for their opponents in the regular season. Without the pass rush the defense surrendered plenty of yardage and looked inept. It wasn't by design but was the outcome of a vanilla defense.

Oh, and it was the first game for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick taking snaps as the team's starter in lieu of Geno Smith, who underwent jaw surgery after the sucker punch heard round the NFL.

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It says something when the two best Jets on the night were special teamers as kicker Nick Folk (34-yard field goal on the game's opening drive) and punter Ryan Quigley (averaged 46 yards per punt) had solid displays.

Three Takeaways from Thursday Night's Preseason Opener:

Fitzmagic – The 'Bearded One' did some very good things for the Jets in his one series on the field. He didn't pass a whole lot, in fact offensive coordinator Chan Gailey went heavy with running back Chris Ivory when the first-team offense was on the field. But he was 2-for-3 for 16 yards and showed some good accuracy. Truthfully, his numbers should have been higher but tight end Jeff Cumberland bobbled a very catchable pass right into his bread basket. Still, there is every reason to believe that Fitzpatrick, in an offense he already knows well, can be efficient with this unit. He showed that in limited reps on Thursday night.

The Stable of Backs is Stable – The aforementioned Ivory was solid and crisp, hitting the hole hard with six carries for 25 yards. Bilal Powell also did some nice things with eight carries for 36 yards, showing some good cutback ability and a mix of speed with power. Once the Jets get Stevan Ridley healthy, they will have some good competition to go along with Zac Stacy.

The Game is Done – Given the hellish week that the Jets had and the negative storylines around the team, it was good for the team to just go out there and play some football. There were injury concerns to linebacker Erin Henderson and tight end Jace Amaro but the Jets, simply by virtue of playing a preseason game, changed the narrative around them. They didn't have to talk about a sucker-punch but rather about an actual preseason game. Granted it was a loss and a rather ugly one but it changed the tone around this team. That right there is a win and surely a relief.

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THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Placed OF Will Venable on the paternity leave list. Recalled OF Alex Dickerson from El Paso (PCL).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled RHP Blake Treinen from Syracuse (IL). Optioned RHP Aaron Barrett to Syracuse.

BASKETBALL

NEW YORK KNICKS — Signed F-C Kevin Seraphin.

FOOTBALL

DENVER BRONCOS — Signed NT Sione Fua. Waived P Karl Schmitz.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed LB Sammuel Lamur.

TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed S Josh Aubrey. Waived-injured S Cody Prewitt.

COLLEGE

BYU — Announced senior RB Jamaal Williams has withdrawn from school and will sit out this season.

DETROIT — Named Shanyn McIntyre assistant softball coach.

SAINT JOSEPH’S — Named Melody O’Reilly women’s track and field and cross country coach.

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WASHINGTON (MO.) — Named Adam Rosen assistant baseball coach.

WENTWORTH — Named Alex Campione softball coach.

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