NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 28, 2015

1 | P a g e

Table of Contents ___________________

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

Jets have 4 turnovers in 1st loss of season, 24-17 to Eagles (Dennis Waszak) ......................................................... 2

Sproles, defense help Eagles beat Jets for 1st win, 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................. 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Jets' comeback too little, too late in loss to Eagles (Kimberley Martin) .................................................................... 5

One bad game shouldn't cost Ryan Fitzpatrick his starting job with Jets (Bob Glauber) .......................................... 6

Jets Q&A: Chris Ivory: I could've played (Kimberley A. Martin) ................................................................................ 8

Brandon Marshall calls his own lateral 'a bonehead play' (Greg Logan) ................................................................... 9

THE RECORD ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

Sproles, defense help Eagles beat Jets for first win, 24-17 (J.P. Pelzman) .............................................................. 10

Jets’ Brandon Marshall rues failed attempt to lateral (Jeff Roberts) ...................................................................... 11

Sullivan: Not the time for Jets to change quarterbacks (Tara Sullivan)................................................................... 12

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Eagles Expose the Jets’ Deficiencies (Ben Shpigel) .................................................................................................. 14

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 15

Brandon Marshall: Failed lateral was 'probably worst play in NFL history' (Ohm Youngmisuk) ............................. 15

Jets' Willie Colon could be lost to knee injury (Rich Cimini) .................................................................................... 17

Jets' Chris Ivory says he felt 'really good' and could've played (Rich Cimini) .......................................................... 17

Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick struggles in loss to Eagles; feel-good story over (Rich Cimini) .............................................. 18

Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell to be inducted into Jets' Ring of Honor (Ohm Youngmisick) ............................... 19

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 20

Jets’ pitiful 1st half dooms them in dreadful loss to Eagles (Brian Costello) ........................................................... 20

Jets report card: Offense was even worse than the numbers (Brian Costello) ....................................................... 21

Jets’ Darrelle Revis shrugs off new hamstring bother (Brian Costello) ................................................................... 22

Todd Bowles downplays QB drama after Fitzpatrick’s disaster (Brian Lewis) ......................................................... 23

With chance to be noticed, Jets receivers nearly disappear (Brian Lewis) ............................................................. 24

With Ivory on call, Jets’ ground game grinds to screeching halt (Bart Hubbuch) ................................................... 24

How Jets’ crucial letdown mistake could burn them next week (Mark Cannizzaro) .............................................. 25

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 27

Why didn't Jets' Chris Ivory play in loss to Eagles, despite being active? (Darryl Slater) ........................................ 27

Jets' Geno Smith on potential outcry to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick: 'I've been on the other side of it' (Darryl Slater) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 28

Daily Clips Cont.

2 | P a g e

Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled, but the Jets shouldn't push the panic button ... yet (Steve Politi) ............................... 29

Jets' Brandon Marshall: 'I played like crap today' (Dom Cosentino) ....................................................................... 31

Darrelle Revis hurts hamstring in Jets' loss to Eagles, says he'll 'be fine' (Darryl Slater) ........................................ 32

Eagles 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad, and the ugly from an unsightly offensive performance (Darryl Slater) ...... 33

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 34

Brandon Marshall desperate lateral shows Jets offense not the same without Chris Ivory and Eric Decker (Manish Mehta) ....................................................................................................................................................... 34

Jets’ Ryan Fitzpatrick throws three interceptions, Eagles roll past Jets 24-17 (Seth Walder) ................................. 35

Jets' Darrelle Revis says hamstring will be 'fine' (Kevin Armstrong) ....................................................................... 37

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 38

Statement game for Jets' Jeremy Kerley? (Kristian Dyer) ....................................................................................... 38

Brandon Marshall's bad lateral another blemish in Jets' loss (Kristian Dyer) ......................................................... 38

Jets resemble team from Rex Ryan regime in first Todd Bowles loss (Kristian Dyer) ............................................. 39

3 reasons why the Jets fell to the Eagles, failed to win third straight (Kristian Dyer) ............................................. 40

SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 42

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets have 4 turnovers in 1st loss of season, 24-17 to Eagles (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 27, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-have-4-turnovers-1st-loss-season-24-17-eagles

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Brandon Marshall made a big catch and was determined to do something more.

After all, the New York Jets' offense was struggling and in dire need of a spark. So, Marshall carelessly tossed the ball behind him for a teammate — and flipped the momentum right back to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Wrong time to gamble," Marshall said after the Jets' 24-17 loss Sunday. "I was pressing, trying to make a play. Probably the worst play in NFL history."

It was that kind of day for Marshall and the Jets (2-1).

Darren Sproles sparked the Eagles (1-2) with an 89-yard punt return for a score and added a 1-yard touchdown run, the defense caused four turnovers and Philadelphia got its first win of the season.

"Now we know we're not going to go undefeated this year," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was intercepted three times.

Sam Bradford threw a TD pass to Ryan Mathews, who also rushed for 108 yards on 25 carries while starting in place of the injured DeMarco Murray. The Eagles improved to 10-0 all-time against the Jets, who were coming off a victory at Indianapolis last Monday night.

"They beat us at our own game," said Jets coach Todd Bowles, whose team had 10 takeaways in the first two games and only one in this one.

Daily Clips Cont.

3 | P a g e

With the Jets trailing 17-0, Marshall caught a 15-yard pass — and then tried to get off a backward pass to Jeff Cumberland. But the ball hit an Eagles defender and was recovered by Jordan Hicks. A video review confirmed the call, and the Eagles made the Jets pay.

Sproles scored moments later, running straight ahead for a 1-yard TD that gave Philadelphia a 24-0 lead with 2:11 remaining in the half.

"You can't do that," Marshall said of his play. "The damage outweighs the reward so much."

Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes to Marshall and Jeremy Kerley, but the last of his three INTs, by Walter Thurmond with 3:28 left, helped seal the Jets' loss after they held the Eagles scoreless after halftime.

Nick Folk kicked a 53-yard field goal with 2:34 remaining, but Seyi Ajirotutu recovered the onside kick and the Eagles ran out the clock.

"I feel like the first couple of weeks, there was a lot of pressure on us," Bradford said. "I feel like we were all pressing a little bit. It's just nice to get that first one. Now that pressure's gone."

Kerley, who had been dropped on the depth chart and played just two total snaps on offense entering the game, caught a 7-yard pass from Fitzpatrick to get the Jets within 24-14 with 9:37 remaining.

The Jets appeared ready to turn the momentum in their favor when David Harris popped the ball out of Mathews' hands and Demario Davis recovered. But three plays later, Philadelphia took it right back when Brandon Bair deflected Fitzpatrick's pass intended for Marshall and Hicks grabbed the easy interception.

Marshall finished with 10 catches for 109 yards and reached 10,000 yards receiving for his career.

Bradford was 14 of 28 for 118 yards, while Fitzpatrick was 35 of 58 for 283 yards.

Sproles put the Eagles up 10-0 with his spectacular punt return early in the second quarter, dodging at least four would-be Jets tacklers.

"We just didn't make any plays," Bowles said. "They made plays and we didn't. We didn't make many in the second half, either."

NOTES: Murray was out with a hamstring injury, while the Jets played without running back Chris Ivory (quadriceps), who was active but didn't play, and wide receiver Eric Decker (sprained knee). ... Jets QB Geno Smith was active as Fitzpatrick's backup for the first time this season after having his jaw broken by a punch from then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali on Aug. 11. ... Jets CB Darrelle Revis, who was questionable with a groin injury, tweaked a hamstring. Bowles had no immediate word on him or RG Willie Colon, who left after halftime with a knee injury. ... Jets rookie Devin Smith had three catches for 39 yards in his NFL debut.

Back_to_Top

Sproles, defense help Eagles beat Jets for 1st win, 24-17 (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 27, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/sproles-defense-help-eagles-beat-jets-1st-win-24-17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Relax, Eagles fans. All that panicking is over — for this week, at least — after a sluggish, winless start.

Daily Clips Cont.

4 | P a g e

Darren Sproles sparked the Eagles with an 89-yard punt return for a score and added a 1-yard touchdown run, the defense caused four turnovers and Philadelphia got its first win of the season by holding on to beat the New York Jets 24-17 on Sunday.

"I feel like the first couple of weeks, there was a lot of pressure on us," quarterback Sam Bradford said. "I feel like we were all pressing a little bit. It's just nice to get that first one. Now that pressure's gone."

Bradford threw a TD pass to Ryan Mathews, who also rushed for 108 yards on 25 carries while starting in place of the injured DeMarco Murray. The Eagles (1-2) improved to 10-0 all-time against the Jets (2-1), who were coming off a victory at Indianapolis last Monday night.

"I thought it was gritty," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "We knew going in this was going to be one of those kinds of games. To use a boxing analogy, two guys were going to stand in the middle of the ring and start throwing at each other."

The Eagles were the ones left standing.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley, but was intercepted three times. The last one, by Walter Thurmond with 3:28 left, helped seal the victory over the Jets, who held the Eagles scoreless after halftime.

Nick Folk kicked a 53-yard field goal with 2:34 remaining, but Seyi Ajirotutu recovered the onside kick and the Eagles ran out the clock to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1999, when they lost their first four games and finished 5-11.

Murray was out with a hamstring injury, while the Jets played without running back Chris Ivory (quadriceps), who was active but didn't play, and wide receiver Eric Decker (sprained knee). In Murray's absence, Mathews and Sproles got the Eagles' heavily criticized offense going as Philadelphia scored 24 straight points to open the game.

Bradford was 14 of 28 for 118 yards, while Fitzpatrick was 35 of 58 for 283 yards. Marshall had 10 catches for 109 yards.

"Now we know we're not going to go undefeated this year," Fitzpatrick said.

Kerley caught a 7-yard pass from Fitzpatrick to get the Jets within 24-14 with 9:37 remaining.

The Jets appeared ready to turn the momentum in their favor with 7:23 left when David Harris popped the ball out of Mathews' hands and Demario Davis recovered. But three plays later, Philadelphia took it right back when Brandon Bair deflected Fitzpatrick's pass intended for Marshall and Jordan Hicks grabbed the easy interception.

"They beat us at our own game," said Jets coach Todd Bowles, whose team had 10 takeaways in the first two games and only one in this one.

Sproles put the Eagles up by 10 with his spectacular punt return early in the second quarter, dodging at least four would-be Jets tacklers.

"I was surprised," Sproles said. "When you see a low kick like that, your thoughts are to catch it and get going."

It was the second-longest punt return score in Eagles history, behind only Demaris Johnson's 98-yarder against Dallas in 2012. It was also the longest punt return for a TD — and sixth overall — of Sproles' career. He's the only player in NFL history with 15-plus rushing TDs (18), 25-plus receiving TDs (27) and 5-plus punt return TDs (six).

Daily Clips Cont.

5 | P a g e

Bradford made it 17-0 with 4:57 left before halftime when he found Mathews streaking down the right sideline — with linebacker Davis in single coverage — and connected with the running back for a 23-yard TD.

With the Jets in desperate need of a lift on offense on the ensuing possession, Marshall tried to do too much as he caught a 15-yard pass — and then tried to get off a backward pass to Jeff Cumberland. But the ball hit an Eagles defender and was recovered by Hicks. A video review confirmed the call, and the Eagles made the Jets pay.

"Wrong time to gamble," Marshall said. "I was pressing, trying to make a play. Probably the worst play in NFL history."

NOTES: Jets CB Darrelle Revis, who was questionable with a groin injury, tweaked a hamstring late. Bowles had no immediate word on him or RG Willie Colon, who left after halftime with a knee injury. ... Eagles RG Andrew Gardner (right foot) and S Chris Maragos (bruised left knee) left and didn't return. ... Marshall reached 10,000 yards receiving for his career, but wasn't in the mood to celebrate. "I played like crap today, to be honest with you."

Back_to_Top

NEWSDAY

Jets' comeback too little, too late in loss to Eagles (Kimberley Martin) Newsday September 27, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-comeback-too-little-too-late-in-loss-to-eagles-1.10896481

The irritation in Darrelle Revis' voice was evident. He spoke in clipped sentences as he tried to explain how everything managed to fall apart for the Jets in one afternoon.

A struggling Eagles team entered MetLife Stadium on Sunday with zero wins and their star running back, DeMarco Murray, unable to play because of injury. But instead of being opportunistic on defense and efficient on offense again, the Jets committed costly turnovers and doomed their own attempts at a comeback in a 24-17 loss.

The first victory for the Eagles (1-2) signaled the first defeat of the Todd Bowles era for the Jets (2-1). But he and his players seemed far more perturbed by the manner in which they lost: Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions, Brandon Marshall attempted a lateral that resulted in a fumble that set up a touchdown -- the receiver later called it "the worst play in NFL history" -- and their special-teams unit missed five tackles during Darren Sproles' 89-yard touchdown on a punt return.

The 24-point first-half deficit proved to be insurmountable for the Jets, who are 0-10 all-time against the Eagles.

"It's hard to come back from [that],'' Revis said. " . . . No matter what your record is, no matter who you play. It's tough.

"We put ourselves in the hole early on. We tried to claw back as much as we could," added the cornerback, who, after nursing a groin injury last week, was forced to sit out the final defensive drive after tweaking a hamstring. (Asked about that, Revis replied tersely: "I'll be fine.'')

The Jets pulled within 24-17 on Jeremy Kerley's 7-yard touchdown catch with 9:37 left and Nick Folk's 53-yard field goal with 2:34 to play. But quarterback turnovers, a recurring theme for the Jets in recent years,

Daily Clips Cont.

6 | P a g e

proved costly. Two of Fitzpatrick's three picks came in the fourth quarter. Worse, each came immediately after the defense did its job.

After David Harris caused Eagles running back Ryan Mathews to fumble on the Philly 44, Demario Davis scooped it up and the offense went back to work. But three plays later, Fitzpatrick gave the momentum right back to Philly as Brandon Bair deflected a pass into the hands of Jordan Hicks.

Bowles called the play "a momentum-changer. We thought we had a shot then, but then to turn it right back over, it just kind of dashes hope a little bit."

Fitzpatrick again was picked off on the Jets' next drive, this time by Walter Thurmond at the Eagles' 18. "Yeah, the two interceptions hurt us," he said.

His poor play elicited boos from a frustrated crowd that waved white towels as a show of support for the home team. But his performance also raised questions about the Jets' quarterback situation.

Asked if former starter Geno Smith -- who not only was active for the first time since his jaw was broken in training camp but was the No. 2 quarterback -- could move up the depth chart, Bowles matter-of-factly replied: "Ryan's our starter."

Fitzpatrick, who threw for two touchdowns, was 35-for-58 for 283 yards. His career-high 58 attempts was a byproduct of running back Chris Ivory's absence and their early deficit.

The Jets were without Ivory (quadriceps) and receiver Eric Decker (knee) and might have lost another starter. Right guard Willie Colon left the game with a knee injury and was replaced by Brian Winters.

Bowles had no injury update immediately after the game, so it's unclear how long Colon will be sidelined.

Despite scoring 17 unanswered points, the Jets lamented the missed opportunities.

"Four turnovers are hard to overcome, man. Last week it was just the opposite," Kerley said, referring to the fact that the Jets had a plus-8 turnover margin in the first two games but were minus-3 on Sunday.

"It's tough," he said of coming back from a 24-point deficit. "I don't know a lot of people that can. This was a game we wish we could have back . . . If we would have started off a little faster, ain't no telling what it would have been."

The Jets appeared dead in the water for much of the game, and Sproles was a big reason why. His punt return TD was the longest ever by an opponent in a Jets home game and gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead with 12:21 left in the first half. "To tell you the truth, I don't know what I did [to make the defenders miss]," Sproles said.

And the Jets made things even worse as the game went on. Not only was their offense nonexistent in the first half, going three-and-out on five of their first six drives, but mental miscues helped to doom them. After catching a 15-yard pass from Fitzpatrick, Marshall inexplicably tried to lateral the football to tight end Jeff Cumberland as he was being tackled at the Jets' 35-yard line. The ball, however, ricocheted off the helmet of Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and was scooped up and returned 11 yards by Hicks.

Said Marshall: "That was probably the worst play in NFL history."

Aided by Marshall's miscue and an unnecessary-roughness penalty on Davis, Sproles scored again, this time from 1 yard to make it 24-0 late in the second quarter.

Back_to_Top

One bad game shouldn't cost Ryan Fitzpatrick his starting job with Jets (Bob Glauber) Newsday

Daily Clips Cont.

7 | P a g e

September 27, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/one-bad-game-shouldn-t-cost-ryan-fitzpatrick-his-starting-job-with-jets-1.10896954

The answer -- at least for the time being -- is no. As it should be.

Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn't come close to playing himself out of the Jets' starting quarterback job, and there is not even the hint of a thought on coach Todd Bowles' part to make a change now that Geno Smith has fully recovered from a broken jaw.

"Ryan's our starter," Bowles said after Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions in a 24-17 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

No further explanation needed. Nor a follow-up question for clarification. Bowles' thinking is perfectly logical.

The first-year head coach is a calm, patient man who is mindful of the bigger picture, even if some early-season alarm bells went off about Fitzpatrick's poor showing in the Jets' first loss of the season. He wasn't sharp after two impressive performances, but he was far from the only guilty party in a mostly sloppy loss.

The running game was a non-factor without Chris Ivory (quadriceps), there was no Eric Decker (knee) and the defense produced only one turnover after creating 10 the first two weeks.

Once the Jets went down 24-0, Fitzpatrick had no choice but to put the ball in the air more than he wanted to. The result was a career-high 58 passes, and more often than not, bad things will happen when your quarterback throws that often. It wasn't surprising that he threw three interceptions.

"The formula for us is not turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times," said Fitzpatrick, whose previous high in attempts was 51 when he played for the Bills in 2010. "I think we know that. We've got to play a better game, a smarter game, and everybody on offense will contribute."

Bowles is correctly taking the long view in all this. Thus, his immediate reaction was to close the door on any speculation about Fitzpatrick remaining the starting quarterback. No need to go back on that decision after one bad game.

And if a change eventually is needed, it will be clear to everyone -- starting with Bowles -- that there is good reason to make a switch. That means it will take a series of bad games for him to make a move.

No Ivory meant no power running game and no Decker meant Brandon Marshall was the go-to receiver. Not that Marshall can't handle that role, but any team is much better when its top two receivers are in the mix.

Marshall responded with an uneven effort. He led the Jets with 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, but he also made a foolish decision to attempt a lateral as he was being tackled, which resulted in a fumble the Eagles converted into a touchdown to make it 24-0. Marshall also short-armed a pass in the fourth quarter, and the ball deflected off his hands for an interception.

No excuses from Fitzpatrick, though.

"We had the two interceptions that hurt us," he said. "We had plenty of chances in the fourth quarter maybe to continue the momentum, and who knows what happens there."

It was particularly disappointing for Fitzpatrick to disappoint a crowd buzzing with anticipation after the Jets' unlikely 2-0 start.

Daily Clips Cont.

8 | P a g e

"You felt the buzz and excitement pregame, the 'whiteout' and all that stuff," said Fitzpatrick, referencing the white towels fans were given at the game. "To come out and disappoint them, it's tough. But now we know we're not going to be undefeated this year."

He knows he still has his coach's confidence, even if that won't change his approach.

"I'm going to be the same guy every day," he said. "Coming off a loss like this and just feeling the disappointment, turning the ball over and not putting up enough points. I thought our defense played well enough for us to win. All that's just motivation to climb that hill, continue to try and get better as an offense, make some plays."

Fitzpatrick will get more chances to do just that. As it should be.

It's not time to make a change.

Not until there's demonstrable proof that there ought to be one. And if that day ever comes, it will be obvious to all.

Especially the coach. And even the quarterback.

Back_to_Top

Jets Q&A: Chris Ivory: I could've played (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 27, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-chris-ivory-i-could-ve-played-vs-eagles-1.10897091

Why did Chris Ivory not play if he was active for the game?

The Jets running back, in full uniform, stood on the sideline but never made an appearance in the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Eagles Sunday. And his absence was felt, as the Jets were outrushed 123-47.

"He warmed up and said he could play," coach Todd Bowles said of Ivory, who was questionable for the game because of a quadriceps injury. "He missed a lot of practice time during the week. We thought it would be better to go with the other two guys to make sure he was full speed next week."

Ivory, though, told reporters after the game that he felt he could play.

"I'm not sure how the decision was made. I felt comfortable enough to play [after warm-ups], but I just didn't want it to be nothing that would linger around," he said.

Bilal Powell was the Jets' leading rusher with 31 yards, followed by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (13) and Zac Stacy (3).

What was Jeremy Kerley's reaction to actually playing on offense?

With Ivory out, plus key injuries to the Jets' receiving corps, the veteran slot guy finally got a chance to show what he can do on offense.

"I feel like I'm a quarterback's best friend," said Kerley, whose six catches for 33 yards and 7-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter were among the few bright spots for the Jets.

"I just feel like I move different than everybody else out there,'' he said. "Everybody's different, everybody brings different talents to this game. I think my intangible is my ability to create separation, and that's at the line of scrimmage. I don't try to play outside myself . . . So I use what I have to my advantage."

Daily Clips Cont.

9 | P a g e

With Eric Decker (knee sprain) and Chris Owusu (knee scope) unable to play, Kerley and Brandon Marshall (10 catches, 109 yards, one touchdown) were the focal points of the passing game. But after weeks of being the forgotten man in Chan Gailey's offense, Kerley wasn't sure if he had impressed his coaches.

"Probably so. Who knows? I just wanted to get the win," Kerley said. "That would have been better than opening up eyes today."

Kerley, who played only one offensive snap in each of the previous two games, said he wondered how much he'd be used. But he added: "I didn't lose no sleep over it. It's not my first rodeo. It's definitely not my first game and it won't be my last."

Despite Fitzpatrick's three interceptions, Kerley praised his quarterback. "He's a general out there," he said. "Hopefully, I can be out there a little bit more with him."

How did Devin Smith feel after playing in his first NFL game?

"I've never been out this long. It's a great feeling to be back," said the rookie receiver, who was active for the first time after breaking several ribs early in training camp. Smith, who caught three passes for 39 yards, including a 16-yarder, said he wasn't at all worried about getting hit. "This is football," he said. "You can ask anybody in this room if they're worried about getting hit and they'll probably tell you no."

Back_to_Top

Brandon Marshall calls his own lateral 'a bonehead play' (Greg Logan) Newsday September 27, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/brandon-marshall-calls-his-own-lateral-a-bonehead-play-1.10896972

As smart a play as Brandon Marshall made in the Jets' opener when he stripped the ball from a Cleveland defensive back after an interception, his lateral-turned-fumble in the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Eagles Sunday at MetLife Stadium was at the other end of the intelligence spectrum.

Marshall knew it, and he owned it along with a tipped-ball interception that also was part of a four-turnover day for a Jets offense playing shorthanded without starting running back Chris Ivory and starting wide receiver Eric Decker.

Marshall's numbers -- 10 catches for 109 yards and one touchdown and reaching the 10,000-yard career receiving plateau -- were great, but he focused on the scoreboard.

"I played like crap today, to be honest with you," Marshall said.

Marshall's most glaring error came in the second quarter with the Jets trailing 17-0, with only one first down on offense. He caught a 15-yard pass at the Jets' 43, and, while being tackled, tried to flip the ball to tight end Jeff Cumberland. Instead, it hit the Eagles' Connor Barwin in the helmet before linebacker Jordan Hicks scooped it and ran to the Jets' 36. The Eagles quickly tacked on a 1-yard TD run by Darren Sproles for a 24-0 advantage.

"Oh my gosh, I was waiting for that one," Marshall said when the subject was raised after the game. "Wrong time to gamble. I was pressing, trying to make a play, but you can't do that. I mean, that was probably the worst play in NFL history.

"I saw Cumberland just sitting there, and I waited too late to do it if I was going to do it. But you can't do that. I mean, that's backyard football. It's a bonehead play . . . The damage outweighs the reward so much."

Daily Clips Cont.

10 | P a g e

Describing the final turnover in the fourth quarter, an interception thrown by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick that bounced off Marshall's hands to Eagles safety Walter Thurmond at the Philadelphia 18-yard line, he said: "I thought the safety was right there, so I tried to catch it really quick and bring it in and short-armed it and gave up a pick. So that's on me."

During an interview last week on SiriusXM Radio, Marshall suggested he doesn't receive as much attention as he deserves for his accomplishments. When he brought the wrong kind of attention to himself, he did all he could to atone.

It was Marshall on the receiving end of a 16-yard pass from Fitzpatrick just before halftime. And Marshall also became the first Jets wideout with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Laveranues Coles in 2006.

On a day when Ivory did not have a carry and Decker was out with an injury, Marshall was the heart of the offense the Jets mustered. Explaining the slow start, he said: "I look at myself. I wasn't getting open. I wasn't making a play, and that puts our offense in a bind because I think everyone knows I'm a guy where a lot of offense is going to go through.

"So if I'm not getting open and making my play, that's going to hurt us, and that's what happened."

Had the Jets won, Marshall would have been pleased to celebrate his 10,000-yard milestone, but he knew that wasn't the story on this day. With a smile, he said: "I did some good stuff, but then it's like 'pitch the ball back? What is that?' "

Back_to_Top

THE RECORD

Sproles, defense help Eagles beat Jets for first win, 24-17 (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 27, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/news/sproles-defense-help-eagles-beat-jets-for-first-win-24-17-1.1419886

EAST RUTHERFORD – The Jets got a reality check Sunday.

After two straight victories to open the season, they spotted Philadelphia a 24-point lead and couldn’t make a successful comeback, losing 24-17 at MetLife Stadium.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions and the Jets’ offense sorely missed running back Chris Ivory, who didn’t play because of a quadriceps injury. Oddly enough, Ivory was active, but he didn’t play, essentially wasting a roster spot for the day.

“It was a decision [the team] made,” Ivory said afterward. “I felt comfortable enough to play, but I just didn’t want [the injury] to be something that would linger around. The decision was on them.”

Nick Folk nailed a 53-yard field goal with 2:34 left, cutting the Jets’ deficit to 24-17. But his ensuing onsides kick was recovered by Philadelphia’s Seyi Ajirotutu two seconds later.

The Jets likely would have gotten the ball with less than a minute left, needing a touchdown and PAT to tie, but linebacker Quinton Coples committed an illegal hands to the face penalty on third-and-16. That gave the Eagles (1-2) a clinching first down.

Philadelphia’s up-tempo offense drove 59 yards in 11 plays to the game’s first score, a 30-yard field goal by Cody Parkey. The big play was Ryan Mathews’ 27-yard run down the left sideline to the Jets’ 34.

Daily Clips Cont.

11 | P a g e

In the second quarter, Darren Sproles had an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 10-0 lead with 12:21 left in the half. Sproles evaded attempted tackles by Bilal Powell, Tanner Purdum and Kellen Davis on his long jaunt.

Later in the period, the Eagles drove 75 yards in eight plays and scored on Mathews’ 23-yard reception from Sam Bradford. Mathews ran a wheel route down the right sideline and easily beat linebacker Demario Davis for a 17-0 lead with 4:57 left in the second quarter.

On the next play from scrimmage, Fitzpatrick completed a 15-yard pass to Brandon Marshall. As he was being tackled at the Jets’ 43, he attempted to lateral to teammate Jeff Cumberland. The ball caromed off the helmet of linebacker Connor Barwin and linebacker Jordan Hicks recovered. He returned the ball 11 yards to the Jets’ 36.

It took Philadelphia seven plays to cash in the turnover, with Sproles burrowing 1 yard for the touchdown and a 24-0 lead. Davis had a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty to help the drive.

The Eagles scored with 2:11 left in the half, giving the Jets just enough time to answer with a touchdown. Marshall atoned for his mistake with a 16-yard scoring reception, capping a nine-play, 79-yard march. The Jets thus cut the lead to 24-7 with six seconds left in the half.

With 2:48 to go in the third quarter, the Jets embarked on an 81-yard, 16-play drive that ended on Fitzpatrick’s 7-yard pass to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, who got more playing time in the absence of Eric Decker (knee). The Jets trailed 24-14 with 9:37 left.

Back_to_Top

Jets’ Brandon Marshall rues failed attempt to lateral (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 28, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/wrong-time-to-gamble-1.1420115

EAST RUTHERFORD — The revelation came too late for Brandon Marshall.

The Jets’ Brandon Marshall (15) trying to lateral to Jeff Cumberland (85) after a catch in the second quarter Sunday, but the Eagles wound up with a fumble recovery on the play.

He never should have done it. And if he was going to commit "probably the worst play in NFL history," he should have done it a little sooner.

The Jets wide receiver attempted to lateral the football Sunday as he was being tackled after hauling in a 15-yard pass. He waited too long to pitch it to a trailing Jeff Cumberland, and the ball deflected off the helmet of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Connor Barwin.

The second-quarter fumble — not as humiliating as The Butt Fumble, but certainly another addition to the Jets’ ignoble history — was recovered by Jordan Hicks and returned to the New York 36. Seven plays later, it resulted in an Eagles touchdown and a 24-0 deficit that was insurmountable for the Jets (2-1) without Eric Decker and Chris Ivory.

"Oh, my gosh, I was waiting for that [question]," Marshall said with a heavy sigh when asked about the lateral. "Wrong time to gamble. I was pressing, trying to make a play. But you can’t do that.

"That was probably the worst play in NFL history."

The five-time Pro Bowler made himself accountable for a strange day in which he excelled despite committing two major mistakes — both resulting in turnovers — that helped sink the Jets, 24-17.

Daily Clips Cont.

12 | P a g e

Marshall caught 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. He became the 45th player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards. But he also tossed that lateral. And then the 10-year veteran "short-armed" a fourth-quarter Ryan Fitzpatrick pass at the Eagles’ 18. It deflected off his hands for the quarterback’s third interception with 3:28 remaining.

"I played like crap today, to be honest with you," said Marshall, who was acquired in an off-season trade with the Chicago Bears. "The interception I gave up, I thought the safety [former Giant Walter Thurmond] was right there, so I tried to catch it really quick and bring it in and short-armed it, and gave up a pick. That’s on me."

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Marshall, 31, was taken aside by coach Todd Bowles after the lateral.

"He knows he can’t make that play," Bowles said. "We both know he can’t make that play."

Bowles was asked if Marshall understood following their talk.

"It was a play too late, but he understood," the coach said.

It came just two days after Marshall declared in a radio interview that he was frustrated because he is not viewed among the game’s best receivers.

"You can’t do that," Marshall said of the lateral. "That’s backyard football. … That’s boneheaded, a boneheaded play."

The absence of Decker (sprained knee) and Ivory (quadriceps) changed the dynamic of the Jets offense. With few options, Fitzpatrick targeted Marshall 14 times.

Marshall (23 receptions for 272 yards and three touchdowns this season) did become the first Jets receiver to record consecutive 100-plus-yard games since Laveranues Coles did so in 2006.

But it was not enough.

The last question that came Marshall’s way was a softball: He was asked if the 10,000-yard milestone illustrated his consistency over the years. He wouldn’t bite.

"Did you not see the fumble that I had?" he said with a laugh. "There’s some good stuff, but then there’s like, you pitch the ball back … like what is that?"

Back_to_Top

Sullivan: Not the time for Jets to change quarterbacks (Tara Sullivan) The Record September 27, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/sullivan-not-the-time-for-jets-to-change-quarterbacks-1.1419955

EAST RUTHERFORD – Walter Thurmond had barely toppled over the sideline toward the Jets’ bench, stolen football in his hands, when the aisles of MetLife Stadium suddenly streamed with departing fans. By the time the Eagles’ cornerback righted himself, handing over the ball and putting teammate Sam Bradford on the field where Ryan Fitzpatrick used to be, it was pretty clear the Jets’ second-half comeback was going to fall short.

It did, a 24-17 Eagles victory built largely on Fitzpatrick’s two fourth-quarter interceptions, including the one Thurmond plucked from Brandon Marshall’s short-armed hands. Week 3 in the NFL brought us a predictable version of overcorrection Sunday, dropping the Jets from the ranks of the unbeaten and rescuing the Eagles from the ranks of the winless. But in the new Jets order under coach Todd Bowles, what it doesn’t bring us is an overreaction.

Daily Clips Cont.

13 | P a g e

Quarterback controversy? Move along folks; nothing to see here.

With a simple, declarative sentence, “Ryan’s our starter,” Bowles made it clear he was standing behind his veteran QB, even while erstwhile starter Geno Smith moved one spot closer up the depth chart, his broken jaw healed and ready for him to play. Fitzpatrick had his issues, yes, and three interceptions overall, two in the fourth quarter, will put any quarter back under a microscope.

But after all these Jet years of tumult and tension over who should play quarterback, from the banishment of onetime star Mark Sanchez (now the Eagles backup) to the elevation and subsequent sucker punch of Smith by former teammate IK Enemkpali, this is a time to opt for stability over volatility.

“It’s a long season,” Bowles said. “The same way we won two games and we’re not going to get too high, we’re not going to lose one and get too low. Correct the mistakes, figure it out this week and we’re going to move on.”

Fitzpatrick was not alone in making mistakes that only compounded the hurdles in place before the game. The Jets were without top running back Chris Ivory, who suited up but didn’t play a down with a quad injury, and No. 2 receiver Eric Decker, inactive with a sprained knee.

Their absences were obvious. The Jets rushed for only 47 yards, a stat for which the Philly defense will surely take credit, but one that had more to do with an Eagles offense that staked itself to a 24-0 first-half lead.

That left Fitzpatrick deep in his own pocket, heaving balls all over the field, a staggering total of 58 throws that matched a career high.

“There’s a lot of things today, circumstances made us throw more and all that, but the winning formula for us is not going to be turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think we know that. We’ve got to play a better game, a smarter game, and everybody on offense can contribute to that.”

First in line? Receiver Marshall. As much as Marshall’s 10 receptions for 109 yards helped the Jets, it was his fumble, his self-described “worst play in NFL history,” that was more emblematic of his afternoon. With the Jets down 17-0 but driving, Marshall snared Fitzpatrick’s first big pass of the day, a 15-yard out route that looked to go for a first down. But as he was falling, he inexplicably tried to toss the ball to teammate Jeff Cumberland, who was coming up behind him on the right. The ball bounced off Connor Barwin’s facemask and fell to the turf, with Philadelphia recovering at the Jets’ 36.

Seven plays later, Darren Sproles rumbled 1 yard for a touchdown.

“Wrong time to gamble,” Marshall said, taking a full mea culpa. “I was pressing trying to make a play, but you can’t do that. … It was a bonehead play.”

Marshall wasn’t done beating himself up, not when it was he who was underneath that final, ultimately game-clinching Thurmond interception.

“I thought the safety was right there, so I tried to catch it really quick and bring it in,” he said. “I short-armed it and gave up a pick. That’s on me. There are a few things I did in the passing game where I didn’t get open the way I wanted to. I gave the cornerback too much and put [Fitzpatrick] and our offense in a bad position.”

Still, the Jets are smart to keep Fitzpatrick at the position. The short turnaround from Monday night’s win in Indianapolis was going to make this a tough game, especially against the desperate 0-2 Eagles team. And with a long flight to London booked for Thursday, Sunday’s division game against the already suspect Dolphins doesn’t require any big lineup changes.

Daily Clips Cont.

14 | P a g e

“Now we know we’re not going to go undefeated this year,” the Harvard-educated Fitzpatrick said. “Just got to put our head down and work; don’t let this affect us in a negative way.

“You’ve got to keep your composure, and certainly the turnovers didn’t help. You’ve got to take it one drive at a time and not panic. … There’s still got to be an element of patience … with the confidence in the huddle. I think at times today, whether it was plays by me or other guys, we lacked a little bit of patience.”

But Bowles is ready to show patience with Fitzpatrick, which is good for the Jets.

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK TIMES

Eagles Expose the Jets’ Deficiencies (Ben Shpigel) New York Times September 27, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/sports/football/philadelphia-eagles-new-york-jets.html?ref=football

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The last time the Jets began a season with three consecutive victories, it was six years ago, in Rex Ryan’s first season. That team bragged about its swagger and its defense, about its everything — or, the antithesis of the team under Todd Bowles, who demands excellence from his players but expects humility in return. And also perspective.

When asked last week about playing winless Philadelphia on Sunday, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said, “We’re not good enough to look past anybody.”

His remark was prescient. In their 24-17 victory at MetLife Stadium, the Eagles battered the Jets, who in a miserable first half self-destructed on special teams, sputtered on offense and buckled on defense. Unable to handle prosperity — and falling behind by 24 points — the Jets fell into second place behind New England in the A.F.C. East and dropped to 0-10 all time against Philadelphia.

After a week of absorbing praise for their shutdown of the Colts last Monday night, the Jets revealed how much they must improve. They missed tackles, generated little pressure and missed open receivers. If not for several drops by the Eagles’ running backs, the damage would have been far worse. After forcing turnovers at a record pace, with five in each of their first two games, the Jets produced only one takeaway — and then gave the ball right back.

Trailing by 24-7 at halftime, the Jets narrowed the deficit to 10 on a 7-yard catch by Jeremy Kerley with 9 minutes 37 seconds remaining, then regained possession after Demario Davis recovered a fumble. On the ensuing drive, Brandon Bair deflected Fitzpatrick’s pass at the line, and Jordan Hicks grabbed it for the interception.

Nick Folk’s 53-yarder with 2:34 left made it a one-possession game, but the Eagles recovered the subsequent onside kick and ran out the clock.

It was a valiant comeback from an offense that proved how difficult it is for the Jets to win without two critical players, running back Chris Ivory and receiver Eric Decker. The absence of a running game (47 yards on 16 rushes) forced Fitzpatrick to tie a career-high with 58 pass attempts, completing 35 for 283 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Daily Clips Cont.

15 | P a g e

In planning for the Eagles, the Jets considered their shortcomings last week against Dallas, when Philadelphia rushed for 7 yards, but also their potential. Bowles saw explosiveness and speed and enough talent to corroborate the Eagles’ standing as N.F.C. contender. Quarterback Sam Bradford, maligned in Philadelphia for a miserable game last week against Dallas, connected on only 14 of 28 passes, but he did toss a 23-yarder to Ryan Matthews, who ran out of the backfield and capitalized on the mismatch of being defended by Davis.

Describing the defensive effort it requires to contain Darren Sproles, Darrelle Revis said it “takes all 11.” Sproles juked, bobbed and weaved through all 11 on his 89-yard punt return, the second-longest in franchise history, that put Philadelphia ahead by 10-0 early in the second quarter.

Without Ivory (quadriceps) softening the defensive line with his bruising style, the Jets gained all of 23 rushing yards before halftime. Without Decker (knee) drawing coverage away from Brandon Marshall, the Jets’ passing game fizzled, leading to one first down on their first six possessions.

To begin their seventh, Fitzpatrick found Marshall for what was to that point the Jets’ longest play, a 15-yard catch. But Marshall, while falling, deemed it prudent to attempt a lateral to Jeff Cumberland. The ball caromed off the helmet of Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and bounced to Hicks, who ran it 11 yards to the Jets’ 36. According to the Fox telecast, Marshall told the sideline reporter Pam Oliver at halftime that it was the worst play in N.F.L. history.

Seven plays later, after Davis accrued a 15-yard penalty for suplexing Sproles after tackling him, Sproles slipped into the end zone from a yard out, extending the Eagles’ lead to 24-0.

Through the first 28 minutes, the Jets had already allowed more points than they had across their first two games. That they would not give up any more was of little consolation. The Jets might not have looked past Philadelphia, but when confronted by the Eagles on Sunday, they did not play well enough to win.

EXTRA POINTS

Offensive guard Willie Colon, who was listed as questionable (knee) heading into Sunday, left the game with a knee injury and did not return. ... Geno Smith was active for the first time since absorbing a punch from a teammate that broke his jaw on Aug. 11. Jeff Cumberland left with a head injury.

Back_to_Top

ESPN NEW YORK

Brandon Marshall: Failed lateral was 'probably worst play in NFL history' (Ohm Youngmisuk) ESPN New York September 27, 2015

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/13758070/brandon-marshall-new-york-jets-lateral-attempt-vs-philadelphia-eagles-probably-worst-play-nfl-history

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- On a day when he had 10 receptions and surpassed 10,000 career receiving yards, Brandon Marshall will always remember Sunday instead for making what he called "probably [the] worst play in NFL history."

Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was intercepted three times, struggled with his deep ball and had a few passes tipped at the line in a loss to the Eagles. Fitzpatrick was forced out of his comfort zone and had to play catch-up, attempting 58 passes. He needed help from the running game and the defense, and neither of those areas stepped up.

Daily Clips Cont.

16 | P a g e

Trailing 17-0 and without starters Chris Ivory and Eric Decker, Marshall caught a 15-yard pass in the second quarter. As he was being tackled and brought down by a defender, Marshall attempted to lateral the ball to teammate Jeff Cumberland, only to fumble it away. Philadelphia recovered at the Jets' 36 and scored a touchdown just over two minutes later to go up 24-0 with 2:11 remaining in the first half. The Eagles would hang on for a 24-17 win to hand the Jets their first loss of the season.

"He knows he can't make that play," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said of Marshall, who had 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. "We both know he can't make that play. He can't pitch the ball. He understands that. We can't have those types of plays during the game. Can't do it."

Over the years, the Jets certainly have experienced their share of knucklehead plays, considering this is the franchise that brought us "The Butt Fumble."

But Marshall's gaffe was one that proved to be too much for the Jets to overcome Sunday. With Mark Sanchez watching on the Eagles' sideline as the backup quarterback, Marshall's ill-fated lateral came when the Jets were desperately in need of a spark. They were trying to keep the game within striking distance in hopes of maintaining all the momentum of a 2-0 start under their new head coach.

As he was being tackled and brought down by a defender in the second quarter, Jets receiver Brandon Marshall (15) attempted to lateral the ball to teammate Jeff Cumberland, only to fumble it away. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

When Marshall caught the pass, he saw Cumberland nearby as he was about to go down. He didn't see linebacker Connor Barwin trailing the play, and his pitch glanced off Barwin before being recovered by Jordan Hicks.

"Oh my gosh," Marshall said when asked about the lateral. "Wrong time to gamble. I was pressing. Trying to make a play but can't do that. That was probably [the] worst play in NFL history."

"You can't do that," he added. "The damage outweighs the reward so much. ... That's backyard football. Can't do that. Bonehead play."

Marshall tried to atone for his folly by catching a 16-yard touchdown pass with six seconds remaining in the half. But the Jets were down 24-7 and that proved too big a hole without Ivory and Decker.

Marshall would become the seventh active player to reach the 10,000-yard career mark in the game. But he also was part of another play that led to a critical Jets turnover. Down 24-14 with 3:33 left, the Jets were at the Eagles' 37 when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a ball toward the sideline for Marshall.

"You can't do that. The damage outweighs the reward so much. ... That's backyard football. Can't do that. Bonehead play."

"I played like crap today, to be honest with you," Marshall said. "The interception I gave up, thought the safety was right there so I tried to catch it really quick and bring it in and short-armed it. Gave up a pick, so that is on me."

It was a strange day for Marshall, who was productive stats wise and reached a career milestone. And yet the failed lateral will be what he remembers for a long time.

"Did you not see the fumble I had?" Marshall said laughingly when asked about how consistent he has been over his career. "There's some good stuff but then it is like pitch the ball back. Like, what is that? I can't really wrap my head around [the 10,000-yard mark] because I am so disappointed in my performance and the loss."

Back_to_Top

Daily Clips Cont.

17 | P a g e

Jets' Willie Colon could be lost to knee injury (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York January 21, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54550/darrelle-revis-says-hes-ok-but-willie-colon-could-be-lost-to-knee-injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Cornerback Darrelle Revis said he's "fine" after tweaking a hamstring, but there wasn't as much optimism surrounding a knee injury to right guard Willie Colon, who was replaced in the third quarter of the New York Jets' 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Colon wasn't in the locker room during the media period, but he was seen later being driven out of the stadium on a golf cart -- always an ominous sign. Coach Todd Bowles provided no information on Colon's status.

Colon, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in 2014, suffers from a chronic knee issue. In fact, he was limited in practice last week and was listed as questionable on the injury report. It's unclear if he hurt his surgically repaired knee.

A long-term injury would be a blow to the offense. Colon, 32, is the senior member of the line, the vocal leader of the group. He brings an element of toughness to the team, an intangible that would be missed. He was replaced by Brian Winters, who has struggled in pass protection in past years. He allowed a pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick's second interception, getting pushed backward by defensive end Brandon Bair, who deflected the pass at the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Jordan Hicks made the interception on the tip.

Revis, who entered the game with a strained groin, played all but the final series. That's when the hamstring flared up.

"I will be fine," he said.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Chris Ivory says he felt 'really good' and could've played (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 27, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54547/jets-rb-chris-ivory-says-he-felt-really-good-and-couldve-played

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets' running game crashed Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and one of the eyewitnesses was Chris Ivory.

The Jets' leading rusher was active for the 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but he spent the entire afternoon on the sideline, looking spiffy in the team's all-white uniforms. He never got into the game, not a single play, a curious decision by coach Todd Bowles -- one that probably had fantasy football owners screaming at their televisions.

Ivory, who missed two days of practice with a strained quadriceps, said he could've played. After pre-game warmups, he was deemed well enough to dress as the No. 3 running back, but not well enough to play.

"Early on, I didn't feel like I'd be well enough to be productive, but the more I got going and the warmer I got, I felt good," Ivory said. "I felt really good. But the decision was made. I was happy with it. I was happy with it [because] I don't want something lingering around most of the year. I was able to sit back and be the emergency back and get ready for next week."

Daily Clips Cont.

18 | P a g e

The Jets missed him -- badly.

With no power back to operate their power scheme, the Jets' backs -- Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy -- were held to 33 yards on 10 carries. They had to abandon the running game after falling behind, 24-0, but that was no excuse for the lack of efficiency. The offensive line struggled against the Eagles' stout run defense, and there were very few yards after contact, Ivory's specialty.

"He warmed up and he could he could play," Bowles said of Ivory. "He missed a lot of practice time during the week. We thought it would be better to go with the two other guys to make sure he was full speed next week."

The decision was a little unusual. Most coaches live in a one-week-at-a-time world, worrying about next week next week. The Jets think highly of Powell and they traded a seventh-round pick for Stacy -- two veteran backs -- but they provided no juice against the Eagles.

"They loaded the box," Ivory said, "and we didn't have an answer for it."

The answer was on the sideline.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick struggles in loss to Eagles; feel-good story over (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 27, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54525/jets-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick-struggles-in-loss-to-eagles-feel-good-story-over

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets' one-man show, Brandon Marshall, was no match for the Philadelphia Eagles in a classic trap-game loss.

The Jets came out flat and got only one big play from the defense. Without injured Eric Decker (inactive) and Chris Ivory (didn't play/coach's decision), the offense led by Ryan Fitzpatrick simply didn't have enough firepower in a 24-17 loss at MetLife Stadium. The entire passing attack revolved around Marshall, who somehow managed 10 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown despite constant double coverage.

Fitzpatrick's feel-good story came to a hard conclusion, as he was intercepted three times, struggled with his deep ball and had a few passes tipped at the line. Fitzpatrick was forced out of his comfort zone and had to play catch-up, attempting 58 passes. You can't win when Fitzpatrick is throwing 58 times in a game. He needs help from the running game and the defense, and neither of those areas stepped up.

What it means: The Jets are 2-1 before heading to London to face the Miami Dolphins in their first AFC East game. Did anybody really think the Jets would be 3-0? No, they're right where most people expected them to be. The concerning aspect is how they lost to the Eagles. Their offensive line got pushed around, and their defense failed to generate a consistent pass rush. This is Todd Bowles' first taste of in-season adversity, so we'll see how the new coach rallies his team.

What were they thinking? The Jets gave away points because of a reckless decision by Marshall, who tried to toss a lateral to a teammate after making a reception in Jets territory in the second quarter. Obviously he was frustrated -- it was 17-0, and he wasn't getting the ball -- but he has to be smarter than that. Bowles constantly preaches about the mistakes that cause teams to lose games, and this was a classic example. Marshall told Fox's Pam Oliver at halftime that it was "the worst play in NFL history." It set up an Eagles touchdown, putting the Jets in a 24-0 hole. Speaking of Bowles, he, too, made a bad decision -- an ill-advised replay challenge in the second quarter. He needs to brush up on his challenges; he's 0-for-3.

Daily Clips Cont.

19 | P a g e

One reason to get excited: Actually, there's not much. Maybe the Jets can chalk it up to destiny. After all, they always lose to the Eagles -- literally. They fell to 0-10 against the neighbors at the south end of the Jersey Turnpike, the only team they've never beaten. Weird, huh?

One reason to panic: The running game was a no-show, as the Jets managed only 47 yards. Obviously, Ivory's absence hurt. It was curious. Ivory (strained quadriceps) warmed up before the game and was activated, but he stood on the sideline the entire game. Maybe Bowles was erring on the side of caution. Without their power back, the Jets' predictable ground game screeched to a halt, putting Fitzpatrick in bad passing situations. The line has to take some blame; it was dominated by the Eagles' front seven.

Fantasy watch: Obviously, Ivory was a major disappointment. Marshall continued his strong season, scoring for the third straight week. He actually could've had a second touchdown, but he had an end-zone drop.

Ouch: Right guard Willie Colon, listed as questionable with a knee injury, started the game but left in the third quarter with a knee issue. It wasn't immediately clear whether it was his bad knee. He was replaced by Brian Winters, who proceeded to allow a pressure that resulted in a tipped pass and an interception. The Jets can't afford to lose Colon, who brings leadership and a tough-guy mentality to the huddle.

D comes up small: The so-called vaunted defense was humbled by the Eagles' two-man rushing attack, Ryan Mathews (108 yards) and Darren Sproles. DeMarco Murray (hamstring) was inactive, but that didn't matter. The Jets were gashed by stretch running plays that creased their front seven. Clearly the defense still is adjusting to Bowles' one-gap scheme; there were too many technique errors. Sproles made the play of the game, an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Jets feared Sproles' multidimensional ability, then did nothing to stop it.

Back_to_Top

Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell to be inducted into Jets' Ring of Honor (Ohm Youngmisick) ESPN New York September 27, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54527/emerson-boozer-and-matt-snell-to-be-inducted-into-jets-ring-of-honor

The New York Jets announced that former running backs Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell will be inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor for 2015.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for halftime of the Jets' game against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 29.

“It's a great feeling," Boozer said in a team statement. "It's an anticipation, something that I hoped would occur, not so much this year but in my lifetime.”

Snell is not quoted in the release since the team’s former first-round pick in 1964 has kept his distance from the franchise. Snell, who rushed for 4,285 yards (fourth most in franchise history) and 24 touchdowns from 1964-72, has an estranged relationship with the Jets and has maintained a self-imposed exile from the team.

"I don't know whether we were Butch and Sundance, but we were a pretty tough duo," Boozer said about playing with Snell.

The duo combined for 4,235 rushing yards and 149 catches for 1,353 yards and 49 touchdowns from 1966-69.

Daily Clips Cont.

20 | P a g e

Boozer, a sixth-round pick in 1966 out of Maryland–Eastern Shore, rushed for 5,135 yards (third in franchise history) and 52 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the Jets.

Boozer and Snell are the 16th and 17th members to join the Jets Ring of Honor.

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK POST

Jets’ pitiful 1st half dooms them in dreadful loss to Eagles (Brian Costello) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/jets-pitiful-1st-half-dooms-them-in-dreadful-loss-to-eagles/

That sound you heard in North Jersey around 2 p.m. Sunday was the Jets returning to Earth with a thud.

The Eagles handed the Jets their first loss, 24-17 at MetLife Stadium, giving the Jets a dose of reality that they may not be quite as good as everyone thought after starting 2-0.

The Jets spotted the Eagles a 24-0 first-half lead and could never quite recover. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley, but had three interceptions. The final interception, by Walter Thurmond, came with 3:33 left and sealed the game.

“You can’t turn the ball over,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “Whether they get tipped or anything like that. We know we can’t turn the ball over. You’re not going to win the game throwing three interceptions.”

The Jets had five takeaways in each of their first two games, but managed just one against the Eagles. The offense missed running back Chris Ivory and wide receiver Eric Decker, both sidelined with injuries. The Jets failed to move the ball for most of the day, with no running game to speak of (47 rushing yards) and Fitzpatrick mostly throwing short passes.

After flying high Monday in the win over the Colts, the Jets must now deal with the reality of a loss.

“It’s a long season,” Bowles said. “They played better than us. Give Chip [Kelly] and the Eagles credit. They came in here to play. We played hard. We just didn’t play smart at times. We didn’t make enough plays. It’s a long season. The same way when we won two games we didn’t get too high, we’re not going to lose one game and get too low. We’re going to figure out this week and move on.”

During the week, Bowles said Fitzpatrick would be the Jets starting quarterback, even with Geno Smith, who was the No. 2 quarterback Sunday, now healthy. Fitzpatrick struggled Sunday, though. He went 35-for-58 for 283 yards with two touchdowns and the three interceptions. After the game, Bowels reiterated Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback, but Fitzpatrick knows he has to play better.

“The winning formula for us is not going to be turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think we know that. We’ve got to play a better game, a smarter game and everybody on offense will contribute better”

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall had one of the strangest games possible. He caught 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown as the only offensive weapon the Jets seemed to have. On the other hand, he made a boneheaded decision by trying to flip the ball to tight end Jeff Cumberland while being tackled, which resulted in a fumble. He also let a ball go off his hands that was then intercepted.

“I played like crap today, to be honest with you,” Marshall said.

Daily Clips Cont.

21 | P a g e

The Eagles scored a touchdown on the series after Marshall’s fumble to take a 24-0 lead. Marshall inexplicably tried to pitch it to Cumberland, but it bounced off Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and was recovered by Jordan Hicks.

“Wrong time to gamble,” Marshall said. “I was pressing trying to make a play, but you can’t do that. That was probably the worst play in NFL history.”

The Eagles scored three touchdowns in the second quarter — an 89-yard punt return by Darren Sproles, a 23-yard pass from Sam Bradford to Ryan Mathews and a 1-yard plunge by Sproles.

“It’s hard to come back from that,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said. “You’re down 24, it’s just hard. No matter what the record is, no matter who you’re playing. It’s tough. We put ourselves in a hole early on and we just tried to claw back as much as we can. It wasn’t what we wanted. At the same time, when adversity strikes we have to respond.”

The Jets showed life before the half in a nine-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown from Fitzpatrick to Marshall that cut it to 24-7.

The Jets’ defense made some adjustments and stopped the Eagles in the second half, but the offense showed little urgency. A 7-yard touchdown from Fitzpatrick to Kerley made it 24-14 with 9:37 remaining.

Linebacker David Harris then forced a fumble from Mathews with 7:30 left that was recovered by Demario Davis and it looked like the Jets might mount a comeback. Three plays later, though, Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Hicks on a tipped pass.

“It was kind of a momentum changer,” Bowles said. “We thought we had a shot then, but to turn it right back over kind of dashes hope a little bit. We had our chances and we didn’t take advantage of them.”

Nick Folk kicked a 53-yard field goal with 2:38 left to make it a one-touchdown game, but the Eagles recovered the onside kick to clinch the game and their first win of the season.

Back_to_Top

Jets report card: Offense was even worse than the numbers (Brian Costello) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/jets-report-card-offense-was-even-worse-than-the-numbers/

Offense

Don’t be fooled by the 323 yards the Jets put up. The offense was terrible. Outside of a 79-yard drive before halftime, they looked awful. The run game was non-existent without Chris Ivory. Bilal Powell (10 rushes, 31 yards) found no holes. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (35-for-58, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT) spent most of the day throwing 3-yard passes.

Grade: D

Defense

The defense had a couple of poor drives, but played fairly well. They gave up only 231 yards, but had trouble stopping the Eagles’ running game early and were not able to force turnovers like they did in the first two weeks. Ryan Mathews (25 rushes, 108 yards, 2 catches, 20 yards, 1 TD) gave them problems, but they shut the Eagles out in the second half and gave the team a chance to win.

Grade: C

Special teams

Daily Clips Cont.

22 | P a g e

Darren Sproles’ 89-yard punt return early in the second quarter was a killer. The Jets missed at least five tackles on the play, led by Kellen Davis. It gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead and the momentum was all Philly after that. Punter Ryan Quigley did have three punts inside the 20, but the one he let Sproles return will haunt him.

Grade: D

Coaching

The Jets were flat. Maybe they bought into the hype after their 2-0 start or underestimated the Eagles. Todd Bowles had another bad challenge. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey had no answers for the Eagles’ defense, and the team played with no urgency in the second half despite trailing by so many points.

Grade: D

Back_to_Top

Jets’ Darrelle Revis shrugs off new hamstring bother (Brian Costello) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/jets-darrelle-revis-shrugs-off-new-hamstring-bother/

Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was not on the field for the team’s final defensive series after tweaking his hamstring during Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Eagles.

“I’ll be fine,” Revis said.

Revis missed practice last week with a groin injury, but this is apparently something different. Revis had a hamstring injury in 2010, too. Revis repeatedly said it would not be an issue and seemed to be moving fine in the postgame locker room. The Jets face the Dolphins on Sunday in London.

Revis did not appear to be affected by any injury during the game, as he shut down Eagles rookie Nelson Agholor. But he took no satisfaction in his own performance after the loss.

“They had a better game plan,” Revis said. “They outplayed us. They were a step faster. You saw it from the jump, that first series coming out. They drove down the field and scored. They were just a step faster today.”

The Jets lost right guard Willie Colon to a right knee injury for the entire second half. Brian Winters played in his place. Colon has been dealing with knee issues for the past few years. It appeared he aggravated the injury late in the first half on a play Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked on.

Jets coach Todd Bowles had no idea how serious the injury was after the game.

Tight end Jeff Cumberland left the game in the second half with a head injury. Cumberland had two catches for 10 yards, his first receptions of the season.

Geno Smith was active for the first time since breaking his jaw last month. He was the backup to Fitzpatrick. Rookie Bryce Petty also was active. … Fitzpatrick’s 58 attempts tied for the eighth most in franchise history and are the most since Mark Sanchez attempted 59 against the Giants on Dec. 24, 2011.

Wide receiver Eric Decker was inactive, and said he hopes to return next week against the Dolphins. … First-round pick Leonard Williams recorded his first sack, a half-sack of Sam Bradford with Muhammad Wilkerson.

Daily Clips Cont.

23 | P a g e

The Jets announced they will induct Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell into their Ring of Honor at halftime of the Nov. 29 game against the Dolphins. Boozer and Snell teamed up to form the backfield that helped the Jets win Super Bowl III.

Back_to_Top

Todd Bowles downplays QB drama after Fitzpatrick’s disaster (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/todd-bowles-downplays-qb-drama-after-fitzpatricks-disaster/

Even after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ill-timed fourth-quarter interceptions killed the Jets’ comeback hopes in a 24-17 loss to Philadelphia, coach Todd Bowles insisted there’s no quarterback controversy and Fitzpatrick is still his starter. But he added Fitzpatrick’s three interceptions Sunday were game-killers.

“Three interceptions. You can’t turn the ball over, that goes without saying,’’ Bowles said. “Whether they get tipped or anything like that, we know we can’t turn the ball over. You’re not going to win a game throwing three interceptions.’’

Some costlier than others. With running back Chris Ivory sidelined, the Jets’ impotent ground game made them one-dimensional. With the passing game that only dimension, Fitzpatrick just wasn’t good enough. He tied a career-high with 58 attempts, rarely went deep but still committed three turnovers.

Playing without Eric Decker, Fitzpatrick finished 35-of-58 for 282 yards, two touchdowns and the three interceptions — two of them in the final 6 ½ minutes of the game to short-circuit a comeback attempt.

“Yeah, it was tough,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “We can’t give them the ball. We had plenty of chances there in the fourth quarter — especially after the turnover created by our defense — to go out there and continue the momentum, and who knows what happens there? But yeah, the two interceptions, that hurt us.

“The winning formula for us is not going to be turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times. I think we know that. We’ve got to play a better game, a smarter game and everybody on offense will contribute better.’’

After Gang Green fell behind 24-0 in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick tossed a 16-yard TD to Brandon Marshall with 6 seconds left in the half. Then he capped an 8:11 drive with a 7-yard, fourth-quarter TD to Jeremy Kerley to make it 14-14.

But on second-and-10 from the Eagles’ 30 with 6:33 left — just three plays after the Jets’ defense had recovered a fumble — Fitzpatrick saw his sideline pass go through Marshall’s hands and get intercepted by Jordan Hicks.

“It was big. It was a momentum-changer. We thought we had a shot then, but then to turn it right back over, it just dashes hope a bit,’’ said Bowles, who reiterated Fitzpatrick will hold onto the job over Geno Smith. “Ryan’s our starter.”

Asked if that proclamation helps his confidence, Fitzpatrick said, “Coming off a loss like this and feeling the disappointment of going out there and turning the ball over and not putting up enough points [when] our defense played well enough for us to win the football game, that’s just motivation to continue to climb that hill and continue to try to get better as an offense, and as a player for me.”

Fitzpatrick’s third interception came with 3:28 left, picked off by Walter Thurmond to essentially seal the loss.

Daily Clips Cont.

24 | P a g e

“You’ve got to keep your composure and certainly the turnovers didn’t help. You’ve got to just take it one drive at a time and not panic,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “At times, whether it was plays by me or other guys, we lacked a little bit of patience.’’

Back_to_Top

With chance to be noticed, Jets receivers nearly disappear (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/with-chance-to-be-noticed-jets-receivers-nearly-disappear/

With the Jets missing two of their top three wideouts — Eric Decker and Chris Owusu both out with knee injuries — persona non grata Jeremy Kerley and rookie Devin Smith essentially saw their first action of the season Sunday. And despite having mostly single coverage and plenty of opportunities, they hardly excelled in the Jets’ 24-17 loss to the Eagles.

With Chris Ivory sidelined as well, Philadelphia didn’t have to worry about the Jets running game or Decker in the slot, so the Eagles double-teamed Brandon Marshall for much of the afternoon. Kerley and Smith were targeted 20 times, catching just nine passes for a modest 72 yards and a touchdown between them.

“I think we came out flat, didn’t come out as fast as we should have,” said Kerley, the more effective of the pair. “They played a good game. We should have converted earlier. There was a third down that I should have converted on.”

The veteran had seen just a single snap in each of the Jets’ first two games after falling to fourth on the depth chart. On Sunday, he got his first extended action and grabbed six passes, including his first touchdown of the season. But he totaled just 33 yards in a passing game that was all about Marshall.

Asked if the Jets’ insistence on short patterns and refusal to test the Eagles deep let Philadelphia play closer to the line, he replied, “You can say that. Every defense plays different. Our game plan was pretty good. We had some drops early. We had some opportunities we should’ve converted on, myself in particular.’’

During the week, a confident Smith — who missed the preseason due to fractured ribs and was a healthy scratch for the first two wins — said as far as he knew he’d never had a teammate faster than him or found a foe he couldn’t run past.

But Sunday the second-round draft pick from Ohio State replaced Decker in the starting lineup and finished with just three catches for 39 yards. And when he tried to run past the defense on a go-route in the third quarter, he didn’t fight for the ball and saw corner Eric Rowe pick it off in the end zone.

“It’s always tough when you have to slow down and come back for the ball,” said Smith, who was a long-ball artist at Ohio State but wouldn’t second-guess the lack of deep tries. “But it’s not his fault, it’s my fault. We just have got to execute better. ’’

Back_to_Top

With Ivory on call, Jets’ ground game grinds to screeching halt (Bart Hubbuch) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/with-ivory-on-call-jets-ground-game-grinds-to-screeching-halt/

The Jets didn’t want to risk Chris Ivory with a groin injury Sunday, and their vaunted running game was DOA as a result.

Daily Clips Cont.

25 | P a g e

Their leading rusher was active and ready to go in, but the Jets never gave him that chance in a 24-17 loss to the Eagles at MetLife Stadium that came about in large part because Ivory’s fellow running backs had nowhere to go.

The duo of Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy mustered just 34 yards on 12 carries with Ivory sidelined, even though Philadelphia came in with the NFL’s 24th-ranked defense (17th against the run) and was missing top linebackers Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks.

Ivory, who had 148 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries in Gang Green’s first two games, said he could have played but signed off on coach Todd Bowles’ decision to sit him despite activating him.

“Early on, I didn’t feel that I would be well enough to be productive,” Ivory said. “But the more I got going and the warmer I got, I felt good. I felt really good. [But] the decision was made. I was happy with it. I was happy with it for the reason that I don’t want something lingering around most of the year.”

Bowles said the Jets were more concerned about the rest of the season for the fragile Ivory instead of just Sunday.

“He warmed up and said he could play,” Bowles said. “He missed a lot of practice time during the week. We thought it would be better to go with the other two guys to make sure he was full speed next week.”

Much of the Jets’ futility rushing the ball stemmed from the scoreboard. After the Eagles jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the second quarter, the Jets were forced to all but abandon the run and rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick’s arm in hopes of rallying.

Fitzpatrick ended up throwing a whopping 58 passes (completing 36, but for just 283 yards with three interceptions), while Powell and Stacy repeatedly hit an unexpected stone wall from the Philly front seven.

Powell finished with 31 yards on 10 carries, while Stacy was held to just 3 yards on two rushes. Fitzpatrick ended up the Jets’ second-leading rusher with 14 yards on four scrambles.

Powell said the Eagles crossed up the Jets with stunts and switches by their defensive linemen that more often than not worked out with a defender ending up in the face of Powell or Stacy.

“They had a lot of young linebackers today because of injuries, so they made up for it with a lot of stunts that caught up to us,” Powell said. “They’d showed that on film, so this was on us.”

Bowles said the Jets’ offensive line didn’t help matters, either, rarely making space for the backs. That was especially the case after guard Willie Colon was lost to a knee injury.

“We weren’t going to come back from a 24-nothing deficit just running the football,” Bowles said. “So, there are going to be times where it swings both ways. … We’ve got to create holes for them as well.”

Back_to_Top

How Jets’ crucial letdown mistake could burn them next week (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post September 27, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/how-jets-crucial-letdown-mistake-could-burn-them-next-week/

It was a short week following the big Monday night road win in Indianapolis.

The opponent, the Eagles, came in the desperate team, winless at 0-2 and with the City of Brotherly Love filled with hate for them.

The Jets also were without their best running back, Chris Ivory, the heartbeat of their offense, and starting receiver Eric Decker, with whom quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has already developed terrific chemistry.

Daily Clips Cont.

26 | P a g e

And, the Jets leave for London in four days to play the Dolphins at Wembley Stadium.

The litany of pregame excuses for a Jets letdown were stacked like a double order of shaved beef, melted cheese, peppers and onions on a Philly cheesesteak.

Except there is no excuse for the product they put on the field in the first half of Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Eagles — a half in which they fell behind 24-0 at home.

It was insulting to the amped crowd at MetLife Stadium, poised to help carry the Jets to a stunning 3-0 start after going 4-12 a year ago.

Instead, here is what Sunday’s loss should represent to the Jets: A cold slap of reality to the face.

Maybe the Jets, 2-0 entering the day, defied the well-worn Bill Parcells line, “You are what your record says you are.’’ Maybe they weren’t — and aren’t — that good. Or maybe Sunday was merely a pothole on the road to their first playoff berth in five years. Whatever the case, it’ll be a couple of months before we know the answer.

Of course, the Jets weren’t going to go 16-0, and they’re not likely to unseat the Patriots and win the AFC East.

But a 24-0 first-half deficit at home?

Inexcusable.

The Jets turned the ball over four times in the game — on three Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions and an inexplicable failed lateral attempt by Brandon Marshall that would have been frowned upon in a schoolyard game.

Their running game was nonexistent, producing only 47 yards with a 2.9-yard average.

Their special teams yielded a Darren Sproles 89-yard punt return for a touchdown — the second-longest in Eagles’ history.

The Eagles entered the game having rushed for an NFL-low 70 yards in two games and were without their top running back, DeMarco Murray, a pregame scratch with a hamstring injury. And yet they gashed the Jets for 139 yards — 108 of which came from Murray’s backup, Ryan Mathews.

“Nobody plans to come out and put that type of game out there,’’ linebacker Calvin Pace said.

“I think we came out a little flat,’’ receiver Jeremy Kerley said.

“It’s on us,’’ defensive end Mo Wilkerson said. “We let them make plays. We’ve got to do a better job tackling. We made some adjustments and did better job in the second half, but we can’t wait a whole half to start playing our style of football.’’

The Eagles were the more desperate team from the start, they played with more urgency than the Jets, and that’s damning — even if it were only the third game of the season and even if it was only the Jets first loss of the season.

This, of course, is always a difficult thing for players to concede to after losses like this.

“We weren’t 0-2 so I don’t know how it feels and what was going through [the Eagles’] minds,’’ Pace said.

The mood in the Jets locker room after the loss was about as passionate as their first-half performance on it, which is to say it was flat.

“It’s not the end of the world; we’d love to be 3-0 right now, but they made more plays than we did,’’ Pace said.

Daily Clips Cont.

27 | P a g e

“It’s a 16-round fight,’’ Jets linebacker Demario Davis said. “We lost round three and we’ll get ready for round four. We’ve got to get it fixed and get ready for next week.’’

Ivory vowed that “it’s going to get better,’’ adding, “This is a learning tool for us.’’

Let’s see whether the Todd Bowles Jets are quick learners.

On paper, it looks like the Jets get a big break with their next opponent across the pond, with the Dolphins fresh off being shellacked by the Bills on Sunday and losing to the lowly Jaguars the week before.

But, if there’s one thing the Jets should have learned from Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, it is this: Beware of the desperate opponent.

Back_to_Top

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Why didn't Jets' Chris Ivory play in loss to Eagles, despite being active? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 28, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/why_didnt_jets_chris_ivory_play_in_loss_to_eagles.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — Jets running back Chris Ivory, a big piece in the team's offense, was officially active for Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Eagles. But he spent the entire game on the sideline and didn't play a single snap.

Ivory was questionable entering the game, due to a quadriceps injury. Coach Todd Bowles had said Ivory, the Jets' clear-cut No. 1 back, would be a game-time decision. And the Jets' medical staff did indeed evaluate him during warmups.

Yet Ivory wound up not playing, even though he was available to the Jets. His injury is not considered serious. The Jets, and Ivory, just don't want it to linger. That could happen if he tries to push through it too quickly.

With Ivory out, Bilal Powell carried 10 times for 31 yards, and Zac Stacy had two runs for 3 yards. The Jets clearly missed Ivory's bruising presence, just as they missed star receiver Eric Decker (sprained knee), who was inactive Sunday.

"I was good to go," Ivory said. "It's just that they'd rather me sit out this game and not come back in and re-injure it, and it'll be something that lingers on the rest of the year. That's just how it played out."

Ivory said he expects to play next Sunday against the Dolphins in London — the Jets' AFC East opener.

"He warmed up and said he could play," Jets coach Todd Bowles said. "He missed a lot of practice time during the week. We thought it would be better to go with the other two guys, to make sure he was full speed next week."

Ivory said he told the Jets' medical staff that he felt comfortable enough to play against the Eagles. They had this conversation during the course of warmups — standard procedure for an injured, game-time decision player.

"But I just wasn't comfortable going in and feeling like myself," Ivory said.

Daily Clips Cont.

28 | P a g e

He clarified that he would've been playing at "a little more than" half speed. So he could've played Sunday if he absolutely had to. But this wasn't a desperate, must-win game for the Jets, so they could afford to consider the bigger picture.

Ivory said that even though the Jets' medical staff made the final call about his status for Eagles-Jets, it was really a mutual decision between him and the trainers, based on what they noticed from him during warmups, and what Ivory told them about his half-speed condition.

Coming out of warmups, the trainers decided that the wisest course of action would be to unofficially make Ivory inactive. He was officially active only for an emergency situation, if something happened to Powell and Stacy.

Ivory was disappointed to see how the Jets' offense and running game struggled without him in Sunday's loss.

"I think those guys loaded the box up a lot tonight," Ivory said of the Eagles' defense. "We've been getting that. I think we're going to get that all year. But we usually deal with that pretty good. It's going to get better, man."

Ivory's return — likely next week against the Dolphins — should help.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Geno Smith on potential outcry to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick: 'I've been on the other side of it' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 27, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_geno_smith_on_calls_for_him_to_replace_ryan_f.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — Geno Smith knows what comes next. He's grown accustomed to this routine, the days of hand-wringing that follow a lackluster quarterback performance in a Jets loss.

And so here Smith was, tying his shoes in the locker room late Sunday afternoon, after the Jets lost 24-17 to the Eagles, and starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick looked, well, lackluster.

Maybe the outcry isn't deafening now. But another game or two like this, and you'll hear it loud and clear — the demands to sit Fitzpatrick and start Smith. Over the past two seasons, when Smith was the Jets' starter, he heard all too often that he should be benched. His ears recognize these outcries.

"That's just the NFL," Smith told NJ Advance Media after Sunday's game. "I've been on the other side of it, so I know what it's like. I'm just going to continue to do my job, and not worry about anything else."

Yes, Fitzpatrick looked bad at times Sunday. But the clear reality is that coach Todd Bowles isn't going to yank him any time soon. The Jets are 2-1, and their offense looked good enough in the first two games.

"Ryan's our starter," Bowles said flatly after Sunday's game, when asked if Smith might ascend the depth chart in the coming weeks.

Officially, Smith was Fitzpatrick's backup Sunday, Bowles said. Smith missed the first two games while recovering from a broken jaw — an injury he sustained Aug. 11 when then-teammate IK Enemkpali punched him in the locker room, because Smith had yet to pay Enemkpali $600, which Enemkpali believed he owed him.

Daily Clips Cont.

29 | P a g e

Smith is completely healthy now, ready if needed to replace Fitzpatrick, who will have to struggle over a much longer haul if he's going to lose his job.

On Sunday, Fitzpatrick completed 35 of 58 passes for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

But one of his picks was deflected at the line of scrimmage. Another pick falls entirely on wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who short-armed his catch attempt, and saw the ball carom off his hands. Those picks came on back-to-back fourth quarter drives, immediately after the Jets cut the Eagles' lead to 24-14. The Jets had reached the Eagles' 30 and 37 before those interceptions.

The Jets gained 323 yards Sunday and engineered touchdown drives of 79 and 81 yards — to end the first half, and then to begin the fourth quarter. They weren't putrid on offense. Not great. Not entirely awful, either.

But they were terrible early in the game. They trailed 24-0 with 2:11 remaining in the first half. At that point, the Jets had run 22 plays, gained 63 yards, attained one first down, and converted 1 of 7 third-down attempts. Fitzpatrick had completed 11 of 16 passes for 48 yards.

By then, six of the Jets' seven possessions had ended in punts, including five three-and-outs. And the seventh possession fizzled out after just one play because of Marshall's dumb lateral that led to a fumble — and a 36-yard Eagles touchdown drive that put them up 24-0. The Jets' star receiver was directly responsible for two of their four turnovers Sunday.

"From my perspective, I think we moved the ball pretty decent," Smith said. "We just had a few unlucky bounces, a few mistakes here and there that I believe cost us the game."

This was all rather frustrating for Smith to watch.

"It's not frustrating because I wasn't playing," Smith said. "It's just frustrating because you want the offense to do well, and you want to win. That's the frustrating part."

There's no telling if he'll ever get a chance to start again for the Jets. His final opportunity, in this critical third season, might have vanished when Enemkpali slugged him. Of course, it is entirely possible Fitzpatrick continues to sputter, and bungles his shot at the starting job. But it'll take more than Sunday's hiccups.

If nothing else, Sunday was a step toward normalcy for Smith. He pulled on his pads and his jersey and his helmet again. At the very least, he was — and now is — an available option for this team.

"It felt great to run out there, just run out of the tunnel with my uniform on, with the guys," Smith said. "It felt great. Obviously, we didn't execute the way that we thought we would today. But it's just one of those things where you've just got to pick yourself up. It's still early in the season, and I think we'll do a better job."

Back_to_Top

Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled, but the Jets shouldn't push the panic button ... yet (Steve Politi) NJ Advanced Media September 27, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/ryan_fitzpatrick_struggled_but_the_jets_shouldnt_p.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — The boos came as early as the second quarter of the second home game, and for a fan base that has waited 45 years (and counting) for a second championship, the impatience is understandable.

Daily Clips Cont.

30 | P a g e

Ryan Fitzpatrick was not good on Sunday. He threw three interceptions. He had at least another three passes batted at the line of scrimmage. He seemed determined to set an NFL record for zero-yard completions — hey, I'm no offensive coordinator, Fitz, but I'm pretty sure to have successful screen pass you really need a screen.

This 24-17 loss to the Eagles gets filed into a familiar folder for the Jets: "Game That A Good Quarterback Probably Wins." Instead of 3-0 and headed to play a flawed Miami team in London, the Jets are 2-1 and looking up in the standings at — who else? — the undefeated Patriots.

Still: If you worried first-year head coach Todd Bowles was the kind of guy to make a knee-jerk reaction based on one game, he settled that with just three words on Sunday afternoon:

"Ryan's our quarterback."

And he absolutely should still be the quarterback. Geno Smith is younger and more naturally talented, and he probably would have been the starter for this game if not for a right hook from IK Enemkpali.

Smith is healthy now, but Bowles shouldn't go there. Not yet, at least, and not for the foreseeable future given the promising signs the Jets offense had shown in the first two weeks, and given that Fitzpatrick had a ton of things going against him at MetLife Stadium in this one.

The veteran quarterback was missing A) his best running back, Chris Ivory, who didn't play a down with a quad injury; B) his second best receiver, Eric Decker, who was inactive with a sprained knee; and C) the brain belonging to his best receiver Brandon Marshall, which must have briefly fallen out of his head during the first half.

The Jets lost by a touchdown and Marshall gave the Eagles a short field for one score after the self-described "worst play in football history." Marshall was falling to the ground when he decided to toss the football to lumbering tight end Jeff Cumberland, but he instead threw the football directly into the helmet of linebacker Connor Barwin.

Say what you what about the Butt Fumble — and, fittingly, Mark Sanchez was in the house to witness this — but at least that was an accident. This was inexplicable, and for a guy who is angry that nobody recognizes him as one of the best receivers in the NFL, hopefully an eye opener for Marshall.

"He knows he can't make that play. We both know he can't make that play," Bowles said, before adding, just in case you missed the point here: "We can't have that kind of play."

So with even Marshall's brief football lobotomy and a running game that produced just 47 yards on 16 carries, the Jets had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter.

That was the frustrating part of this one, because just three plays after the Jets defense gave this offense the ball at the Eagles 41-yard line when linebacker David Harris forced a fumble, Fitzpatrick gave it right back with an interception on an ugly pass into traffic at the line. He had another fourth-quarter pick on a pass Marshall should have caught.

"The winning formula for us is not going to be turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times," Fitzpatrick said. "I think we all know that."

That number is worth repeating: Fitzpatrick threw the ball 58 times against the Eagles. His season high for pass attempts last season was 37, and the Jets coaches would probably see that total as a smidge too much.

But this is what happens when you fall behind 24-0. The Jets offense became Air Fitz while Chip Kelly and Co. were grinding the ball on the ground and trying to click the clock. This is further proof that in the NFL, unless you're in New England, good luck trying to predict what might happen week to week.

Daily Clips Cont.

31 | P a g e

The Jets tumbling to earth is no surprise. They weren't going to get five turnovers a game, as their defense did in the first two weeks, and they weren't going to steamroll the competition. This team is much better than 2014, but it's still a work in progress.

"We know we're not going to go undefeated this year," said Fitzpatrick, and as a Harvard grad we'll trust his math. "We found that out today. The measure of a good team is the way we respond to this. All that I know is I have to prepare the same way and learn from this, and put it behind us."

This will be an unusual week to do that, with the team packing up on Thursday and flying to London to play Miami. The Dolphins are no good on offense, either, so this is a great opportunity to go 3-1 before a bye week.

Fitzpatrick is the best option to get the Jets there, and even if he didn't look the part on Sunday, the Jets are smart to stay the course. Not forever. But certainly for now.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Brandon Marshall: 'I played like crap today' (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 27, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_brandon_marshall_i_played_like_crap_today.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — As Brandon Marshall stood before a throng of reporters and dissected a personal performance that included a stupid attempt at a lateral and an alligator-armed drop that resulted in an interception, someone pointed out that Marshall had a terrific stat line in the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Eagles: 10 catches, 109 yards, one touchdown.

Marshall also become the 45th player in NFL history—and ninth active player—to record 10,000 career receiving yards.

But Marshall, to his credit, knew how hollow those numbers were on a day like Sunday, when the Jets lost for the first time in three games under new head coach Todd Bowles.

"I played like crap today, to be honest with you," Marshall, the Jets receiver, said.

This, just two days after Marshall said in a radio interview he was angry because some people—whoever they might be—don't view him in the same category as some of the game's top receivers.

First, there was the lateral attempt. Oh, the lateral attempt. The Jets were already down, 17-0, with less than five minutes remaining in the first half when Marshall caught a 15-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on first down.

But instead of just, you know, allowing himself to get tackled, Marshall tried to pitch the ball back to tight end Jeff Cumberland, who wasn't anywhere near him. To call it foolish would be kind.

The Eagles, handed a short field, found the end zone seven plays later to extend their lead to 24-0.

"Wrong time to gamble," Marshall said. "I was pressing, trying to make a play. But can't do that. That was probably the worst play in NFL history."

Head coach Todd Bowles pulled Marshall aside after the play.

"We can't have those type of plays during the game; you just can't do it," Bowles said. "He understood. It was a play too late, but he understood."

Even if he was pressing, what, exactly, was Marshall trying to do there?

Daily Clips Cont.

32 | P a g e

"We were down 17-0 at that point, and I made my first real catch," Marshall said. "I saw Cumberland just sitting there, and I waited too late to do it; if I was going to do it, I should have [done] it a little earlier. But can't do that. That's backyard football. Can't do that. It's boneheaded, a boneheaded play."

Then there was the interception that resulted from Marshall short-arming the ball. In the fourth quarter, with the Jets down, 24-14, with a little less than four minutes remaining, Fitzpatrick threw a second-down pass from the Eagles' 37 toward Marshall. Marshall easily could have caught it. But he sensed a defender nearby and short-armed it. The ball bounced right off his hands and into the arms of defensive back Walter Thurmond.

"I thought the safety was right there, so I tried to catch it really quick and bring it in, and short-armed it," Marshall said. "I gave up a pick, so that's on me."

Marshall, who saw some double-teams and was chipped at the line by Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin a few times, also admitted he didn't do enough to get open.

"I gave the cornerbacks too much and put [Fitzpatrick] and our offense in a bad position," Marshall said. "I look at myself, I wasn't getting open, I wasn't making a play, and that puts our offense in a bind."

Back_to_Top

Darrelle Revis hurts hamstring in Jets' loss to Eagles, says he'll 'be fine' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 27, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/darrelle_revis_hurts_hamstring_in_jets_loss_to_eag.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — Darrelle Revis, the Jets' star cornerback, entered Sunday's loss to the Eagles nursing a groin injury. He was listed as questionable for the game, but he played. And he was out there for almost the entire game.

But late in the game, Revis sustained a hamstring injury of some sort. Jets coach Todd Bowles said Revis "tweaked" his hamstring.

Might this impact Revis' availability for next Sunday's game against the Dolphins in London? It's a big game for the 2-1 Jets, their first against an AFC East opponent.

"I felt fine," Revis said, when asked how he felt against the Eagles.

He downplayed his hamstring injury, which is now another issue for him, on top of the groin ailment, though the latter does not seem to be serious.

"I'll be fine," Revis said of his hamstring, offering nothing more.

The Jets lost 24-17 Sunday after falling behind 24-0 with 2:11 left in the first half.

"It's hard to come back from that," Revis said. "We put ourselves in the hole. They were a step faster than us today."

The Jets' defense held the Eagles' up-tempo, spread offense to 17 points (since the Eagles got a punt return touchdown) and just 231 yards — 75 on which came on one touchdown drive, in the second quarter.

So the Jets' defense actually played decent, for the most part, against the Eagles. It wasn't a perfect showing by Revis' group. But it wasn't awful either. Revis, however, dismissed this notion.

Daily Clips Cont.

33 | P a g e

"When you're down 24-0, it doesn't matter how they score," Revis said. "It's just tough to come back from that. You're chasing after that."

Back_to_Top

Eagles 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad, and the ugly from an unsightly offensive performance (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 27, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_eagles_good_bad_ugly.html#incart_river

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets returned home Sunday afternoon, a surprising 2-0 team trying to prove itself as a legitimate playoff contender. Sunday appeared to set up well for the Jets, against the 0-2 Eagles.

But it all unraveled so quickly for the Jets, during a disastrous first half that proved too much for them to overcome. The Jets lost 24-17, after falling behind 24-0, and trailing 24-7 at halftime.

This does not, of course, doom their season, or dash those budding playoff hopes. Plenty of season still remains.

Yes, the Jets' offense looked terrible from the get-go Sunday. But it didn't have two key players: wide receiver Eric Decker (sprained knee) and running back Chris Ivory (quadriceps), even though Ivory was active. Neither is easily replaceable.

There's one game left before the bye week, next Sunday against the Dolphins in London. For the Jets, 3-1 entering the bye would feel a world apart from 2-2. But can the Jets fix the issues that emerged Sunday against the Eagles?

As you ponder that question, let's examine the good, the bad, and the ugly from Sunday's loss:

The good: The Jets' defense actually performed reasonably well against the Eagles' spread, up-tempo offense for most of the game. One of the Eagles' touchdowns came via an 89-yard punt return. Another was a short-field touchdown drive of 36 yards after a turnover by the Jets' offense. The Eagles did have a 75-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. Through three quarters, the Eagles had 200 total yards — 75 of which came on that one touchdown drive. Still, the Eagles led 24-7 after three quarters. They finished with 231 total yards. The Jets' defense even got the ball back, on a David Harris forced fumble, with 7:23 remaining and the Eagles up 24-14. The Jets regained possession at the Eagles' 41-yard line. But that drive lasted just three plays before a tipped ball led to an interception. That was the icing play the Eagles needed. It also was the game's third turnover for the Jets' offense — and the second pick. The Eagles finished the game with four takeaways, including three picks.

The bad: The Jets trailed 24-0 with 2:11 remaining in the first half. They rebounded with a 79-yard touchdown drive to conclude the half. But when they found themselves down 24-0, their offense had done nothing. At that point, the Jets had run 22 plays for 63 yards. They had one first down. They were 1 of 7 on third downs. Their quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, was 11-of-16 passing for 48 yards. (Fitzpatrick started 10-of-15 passing for 33 yards, and the Jets trailed 17-0 at that point.) The Jets, down 24-0, had possessed the ball seven times. Six of those drives ended in punts, including five three-and-outs. The seventh drive ended after just one play, with a baffling turnover by receiver Brandon Marshall that set up a 36-yard touchdown drive for the Eagles — and the 24-0 Philadelphia lead.

The ugly: So about that Marshall turnover. What the heck was he thinking? With 4:52 remaining in the first half, the Jets were down 17-0, and had first-and-10 at their 28-yard line. On the drive's first play, Fitzpatrick hit Marshall for a 15-yard pass. But as Marshall was being tackled, he attempted a lateral back

Daily Clips Cont.

34 | P a g e

to tight end Jeff Cumberland, who wasn't exactly in position to get the ball. It was a terrible decision by Marshall. There was no reason to make this desperate play at this point in the game. And Marshall's lateral appeared to be blindly thrown, with a couple of defenders around, including Connor Barwin. He was standing between Marshall and Cumberland. Did Marshall even see Barwin? After Marshall lateraled the ball, it hit Barwin in the face mask and bounced away. Jordan Hicks recovered the bizarre fumble, and the Eagles took over at the Jets' 36. Just brutal.

Back_to_Top

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Brandon Marshall desperate lateral shows Jets offense not the same without Chris Ivory and Eric Decker (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 27, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-o-chris-ivory-eric-decker-article-1.2376470

Brandon Marshall’s dumbest decision of his 10-year career was rooted in a strange sort of common sense. Deep down, he knew. His coaches knew. Every paying customer plastered in white knew.

A WTF gasp rippled through MetLife Stadium Sunday when Marshall’s lateral attempt for Jeff Cumberland late in the first half bounced off an Eagles defender’s facemask before it was scooped up by the enemy, but the method behind the Jets wide receiver’s madness wasn’t as stupid as you think.

Chan Gailey’s offense was beyond brutal for the first six drives of a forgettable 24-17 loss that snapped the Jets back to reality after a feel-good start to the season.

Nothing worked without Eric Decker and Chris Ivory, two of the Todd Bowles’ top three offensive difference makers. The Jets had a grand total of one first down with five three-and-outs for the first 25 minutes of a game that they trailed by three scores.

They had been buried under a Philly avalanche. Something needed to change, so Marshall went for it.

It backfired. The Eagles recovered and capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown to put the Jets in an insurmountable 24-0 hole. Marshall wanted to breathe life into an offense that everyone in the building knew was about to flat line. He failed

“Wrong time to gamble,” Marshall said. “That was probably the worst play in NFL history.”

Jim Marshall (no relation) probably disagrees.

Although Brandon Marshall’s choice will forever land him on a Jets blooper reel, it’s understandable given that the current state of the offense. The Jets had no teeth without Ivory, who didn’t play due to a nagging quad injury even though he was active.

For all the bells and whistles in Gailey’s scheme that include spreading the formation, Ivory is the engine that makes all of it possible. He brings a nastiness that Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy, who combined for 34 yards on 12 carries, simply don’t provide. Ivory is the S.O.B. that instills an attitude and identity for a bunch that wants to play smash-mouth football to beat you into submission.

“He makes things go,” Marshall said.

Daily Clips Cont.

35 | P a g e

Decker’s absence (knee sprain) further complicated matters for an offense that needs every game-changing piece it can get to operate at peak efficiency. Decker’s rapport with Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t be overstated. The Marshall-Decker tandem had played off the run game perfectly in the first two games.

Bowles, Marshall and others insisted that the Jets have enough depth to overcome the losses of Decker and Ivory, but that’s simply not true.

“Decker brings something to the table that not a lot of other guys can,” wide receiver Jeremy Kerley said. “We know what Ivory can do... It would have helped us if we had them.”

The offensive blueprint hadn’t been complicated through two games. Fitzpatrick targeted Marshall and Decker on half of his drop backs and turned to Ivory to help open up the passing game.

Sunday’s Understudy Plan was a failure. Receivers Quincy Enunwa, Devin Smith and Kerley were targeted on 30 of Fitzpatrick’s 58 pass attempts. They only combined for 14 catches for 122 yards.

Even though Marshall finished with 10 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown, he was double and triple teamed at times.

It's a tough day for Marshall - who does catch a TD - but also sees an Eagles INT after a pass slips through his hands.

“I played like crap today to be honest,” said Marshall, who saw a pass sail through hands on Fitzpatrick’s third interception in the fourth quarter.

Fitzpatrick wasn’t nearly as efficient without two of his most pivotal pieces. After throwing two interceptions in both Jets’ wins, the veteran committed three of the Jets’ four turnovers, including a backbreaker midway through the fourth quarter.

The Jets trailed 24-14 when David Harris forced Ryan Mathews to cough it up with 7:30 to go at the Eagles’ 41-yard line. Three plays later, Fitzpatrick’s pass was deflected by defensive lineman Brandon Bair and picked off by Walter Thurmond.

“It was kind of a momentum changer,” Bowles said. “I thought we had a shot, but then we turned it right back over. It dashed our hopes a little bit.”

Although the Jets insisted that they didn’t panic down 24-7 at halftime, the frustration in the wake of the loss was palpable. Bowles’ defense pitched a second-half shutout, but three turnovers after intermission sealed their fate.

“They didn’t score another point,” outside linebacker Calvin Pace said. “We just couldn’t score.”

This offense simply can’t function at a high level if Decker and Ivory aren’t a part of it. Ten of the team’s 15 drives resulted in a three-and-out or turnover. It doesn’t work.

Marshall knew it, so he took a risk that he felt he needed to make. The Jets better hope that he won’t have to try something like that again.

Back_to_Top

Jets’ Ryan Fitzpatrick throws three interceptions, Eagles roll past Jets 24-17 (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 27, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-fall-eagles-fitzpatrick-throws-ints-article-1.2376354

They’re still the Jets.

Daily Clips Cont.

36 | P a g e

After two weeks of receiving praise from around the league for a pair of wins to start the season, the Jets came crashing back down to Earth on Sunday with a loss to the Eagles (1-2) at home, 24-17.

The loss was epitomized by a same-old-Jets play by Brandon Marshall, who attempted an ill-advised lateral attempt to Jeff Cumberland that turned into a fumble and a turnover in the first half. And that was only the start of the problems on offense.

Gang Green badly missed WR Eric Decker and RB Chris Ivory, neither of whom played due to injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick had his worst game as a Jet so far -- including three interceptions. The offense struggled so much that, at times, it drew boos from the dissatisfied MetLife Stadium crowd.

The loss re-affirms that while the Jets (2-1) may still turn out to be a good team yet, they still have plenty to prove.

The defense, too, took a step back from their dominant performance against the Colts last week. Though the Eagles were missing DeMarco Murray due to injury, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles more than filled the void for Philadelphia.

With the loss, the Jets drop to 0-10 against the Eagles, ever.

Both offenses sputtered out of the gate, with the Eagles nabbing the only points of the first quarter via a Cody Parkey field goal. But with the Jets holding down the Philadelphia offense early, Darren Sproles took matters into his own hands. Sproles eluded five tacklers en route to an 89-yard punt return early in the second quarter to put the Jets in a 10-0 hole.

Here's Brandon Marshall's bizarre lateral attempt to Jeff Cumberland.

While the Jets’ offensive efforts continued to be completely fruitless, the Eagles put together an eight-play, 75-yard drive that yielded their first offensive touchdown of the game. Sam Bradford hit Ryan Mathews, who easily beat Demario Davis on a wheel route, for a 23-yard score to put the Eagles ahead 17-0 over a stunned Jets team.

And on the next drive, Brandon Marshall became a little anxious to jumpstart a comeback attempt -- and made a bone-headed decision in the process. In the process of getting tackled after a reception, Marshall decided to try and lateral the ball to Jeff Cumberland...only he ended up hitting Connor Barwin’s helmet in the process. Not only was that a brutal decision, but it was incredible costly as the Eagles recovered the football.

Not only that, but Philadelphia capitalized, as Sam Bradford led a 36-yard drive that yet again resulted in a touchdown. This time, it was a one-yard rushing score from Sproles just before the two minute warning that gave the Eagles a commanding 24-0 lead.

Finally, with the half winding down, Gang Green finally managed to get on the board and Marshall started to make up for his previous error. Fitzpatrick led the Jets on a two-minute drill, and with six seconds left in the half, the veteran QB was able to Marshall for a 16-yard score that reduced the deficit to 24-7 heading into the half.

The Jets attempted to keep the comeback alive in the third quarter, but when Ryan Fitzpatrick lofted a ball up toward the end zone looking for rookie Devin Smith, the veteran QB was picked off by Eagles DB Eric Rowe.

The Jets didn’t quit, though. Fitzpatrick led the Jets on a long, 16-play drive that ultimately resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass from the QB to Jeremy Kerley, giving the Eagles just a 10-point advantage at 24-14.

Daily Clips Cont.

37 | P a g e

And for a moment, it looked like the Jets were going to climb back in the game when David Harris forced a fumble by Ryan Mathews that Demario Davis recovered. But that rally didn’t last long, because just three plays later, a tipped pass by Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Jordan Hicks, effectively killing the Jets’ chances at a comeback. The pressure on the interception came after Brian Winters, who replaced Willie Colon after the veteran suffered a knee injury, allowed pressure from Brandon Bair.

Later in the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick was intercepted for the third time, this time on a pass intended for Marshall that ended up in the hands of Walter Thurmond.

Somehow, the Jets still hung on and managed to make it a one-score game when Nick Folk hit a 53-yard field goal with 2:34 left in the game. However, the Eagles were able to recover the ensuing onside kick.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Darrelle Revis says hamstring will be 'fine' (Kevin Armstrong) New York Daily News September 28, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-darrelle-revis-hamstring-fine-article-1.2376623

It didn't take long for Darrelle Revis to recognize his defense’s deficiencies Sunday during a 24-17 loss to the Eagles at the Meadowlands.

“You could see it from the jump, the first series coming out,” Revis said. “They were just a step faster than us.”

Revis, hampered by a hamstring tweak late in the game, declined to blame a short week of preparation or his groin and hamstring issues for the performance. He maintained that his hamstring was “fine,” and that the Jets would learn from the loss. The Eagles flew out to a 24-0 lead and the Jets gave chase, unable to close the gap to within one score until the closing minutes. Philadelphia (1-2) turned the table on the Jets (2-1), collecting four takeaways while the Jets only created one turnover. It was a fall back to earth for a team that had won its first two games. Revis and the defense’s leaders maintained that they would be ready for the Dolphins in London.

“It’s a 16-round fight, we lost Round 3, now we gotta go back and get Round 4,” linebacker Demario Davis said. “We didn’t get enough turnovers.”

The Jets built a reputation as an opportunistic defense through two weeks, but linebacker David Harris was the only one able to knock a ball loose against the Eagles. He put his helmet on a ball carried by Philadelphia tailback Ryan Mathews in the fourth quarter, and Davis recovered the fumble. The Jets took over, but Ryan Fitzpatrick gave the ball right back when his short pass intended for wideout Brandon Marshall was picked off.

“Give Philly the credit,” linebacker Calvin Pace said. “Their backs were against the wall and they made more plays than we did. We just didn’t do enough on either side of the ball and we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times.”

Mathews proved to be a greater part of the Eagles’ plans than in previous weeks. He rushed for 108 yards as starter DeMarco Murray sat out with a hamstring injury. In the opener, Sam Bradford led the team with nine rushing yards and Darren Sproles topped the team’s running chart with 50 yards in Week 2. Sproles also beat the Jets on special teams with an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown. “When you’re down 24-0, it doesn’t matter how they score,” Revis said. “It’s just tough to come back from that. You’re chasing after that.”

Back_to_Top

Daily Clips Cont.

38 | P a g e

METRO NEW YORK

Statement game for Jets' Jeremy Kerley? (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 27, 2015

http://www.metro.us/new-york/statement-game-for-jets-jeremy-kerley/zsJoiB---rcbt27yjhWlQQ/

After barely playing in the offense during the season's first two games, New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley opened his account for the 2015 season as he played a prominent role in his team's tough 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it remains to be seen if he opened the eyes of the Jets coaching staff as well.

Kerley got his first catch of the year on the game's opening drive, sitting in the slot with regular starter Eric Decker out with a knee injury. He finished the game with six catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, not the kind of numbers that will get him instantly into the rotation at receiver but certainly enough to show that he can make some plays. In other words, that nothing has changed to make him less effective than in seasons past.

Arguably the team's biggest playmaker over the past two years, Kerley, who signed a four-year, $16 million extension last year, has fallen out of favor with the new coaching staff. His catch on the game's first drive was the first time all year he's been targeted.

Now with Decker and fellow wide receiver Chris Owusu out for the Eagles game, suddenly Kerley was thrown into the mix.

He has no clue if this was a bit of a statement to the coaching staff of his abilities.

"Who knows? I just wanted to get the win," Kerley said. "That would have been better to open up eyes to me."

It was a rough afternoon overall for the Jets offense, as they fell behind 24-0 late in the second quarter. But it was the little-used Kerley stood out in the eyes of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The injury-depleted Jets, also without bell cow running back Chris Ivory, were forced to utilize Kerley in a more prominent role in the offense this week. He stepped up and nearly had a spectacular catch in the second quarter but his elbow came down out of bounds before his second foot hit the turf.

"I think we felt confident going into the game with the guys we had in the huddle. It was competitive out there and we played hard. I thought JK stepped up and made some nice catches today," Fitzpatrick said. "I like the way he plays. He's competitive out there."

Back_to_Top

Brandon Marshall's bad lateral another blemish in Jets' loss (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 27, 2015

http://www.metro.us/sports/brandon-marshall-s-bad-lateral-another-blemish-in-jets-loss/zsJoiB---2zEZoj4w0gcLo/

It may not stand up against the 'Buttfumble' but Brandon Marshall's gaffe in the second quarter of his New York Jets 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles is likely something he won't want to see on 'Inside the NFL' anytime soon. Cue some wacky NFL bloopers music.

Daily Clips Cont.

39 | P a g e

Already down 17-0, the Jets were looking for a spark in a first half where they were being dominated by the visiting Eagles. With 4:57 left in the second quarter, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a rare piece of good news for the offense when he found Marshall over the middle for 15 yards. Then somehow, inexplicably, Marshall attempted to flip the ball to a teammate.

Hit 'Freeze' on the play. There was plenty of time left in the game and the Jets had just gotten a rare first down with that pass and catch. Marshall was going to be tackled right now midfield, a bit of momentum for the team. There was absolutely no reason to flip the ball, do something ridiculous. But that's what he did.

The teammate he was trying to get the ball to ended up being linebacker Jordan Hicks, who is the teammate of the visiting Eagles. Seven plays later, Darren Sproles went one-yard into the endzone for a 24-0 Eagles lead.

"Wrong time to gamble. I was pressing, trying to make a play but you can't do that. That was probably the worst play in NFL history. You can't do that," Marshall said.

"The damage outweighs the reward so much. I think we were down 17-0 at that point and that might have been the first, real catch. I saw [Jeff] Cumberland sitting there, it was too late to do it. If I was going to do it, I should have done it a little earlier. But you can't do that, that's backyard football.

"It was a bonehead play."

To be fair to Marshall, it wasn't the worst play in NFL history or even franchise history. It may not have been the worst Jets play of this decade. But it was a bad play and in a game where the Jets struggled to find something positive in the first half, it may have been crucial.

To be even more fair, Marshall has been the Jets best player on offense through the season's first three games. Even with this play and an interception in the fourth quarter that he got his hands on, he still had a great game.

He finished with 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown right before halftime.

Coming into the game, the Jets led the league in 10 turnovers created but had only two of their own. On Sunday, Marshall's fumble/lateral/failed flip was one of four Jets turnovers in a loss that felt much, much worse.

"He knows he can't make that play. We both know he can't make that play. He can't pitch the ball," head coach Todd Bowles said. "He understands that. He knows that. We can't have those type of plays during the game. Can't do it."

Back_to_Top

Jets resemble team from Rex Ryan regime in first Todd Bowles loss (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 27, 2015

http://www.metro.us/sports/jets-resemble-team-from-rex-ryan-regime-in-first-todd-bowles-loss/zsJoiB---OfwbqQBn8mbNk/

The chatter all week around the New York Jets was that this team had a chance to be 5-0 heading into a Week 7 game at the New England Patriots, their old nemesis. The wheels of that bandwagon fell off with a 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that felt much worse.

Daily Clips Cont.

40 | P a g e

After all, there was nothing but positives to report outside of some injuries to the Jets that were worrisome. The team was 2-0, the offense was better than advertised and the defense was leading the league in turnovers.

But the rebuilding job isn't quite as far along as might be envisioned, losing on Sunday to an Eagles team that was 0-2 coming into Week 3. It was self-inflicted wounds, an ugly loss in a game where they played down to their opponent's level.

Four turnovers, a touchdown given up on special teams, missed tackles and dropped passes on third down, not to mention a running game stuck in neutral. It wasn't a good afternoon as Jets head coach Todd Bowles got his first loss with the team.

"We turned the ball over and we didn't take advantage of plays. There were a bunch of things that we didn't get our fits right in the first half," Bowles said after the game. "We didn't make enough plays, we gave up a special teams touchdown."

It wasn't that the Eagles were that good – it was that the Jets were that bad. Repeatedly, in particular in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia let the Jets back into the game. And each time it seemed, the Jets found a way to gift it back to them.

After two weeks of near flawless performances, including a +8 turnover differential, more was expected of these Jets. Instead, for at least one week, it was same old, same old.

"I think we just came out a little flat. Didn't come out as fast as we should have," wide receiver Jeremy Kerley said. "Those guys played a good game. We should have converted earlier. There was a third down I should have converted on."

It was the sloppy, undisciplined sort of game that typified former head coach Rex Ryan's teams the past four seasons. Sloppy play, untimely penalties and turnovers killed the Jets in this game.

Perhaps it was the result of too much hype. It seemed as if after two wins to start the year, everyone was talking about the Jets as being the breakout team of the season. There was a lot of talk about this game and with it being at home and a 'WhiteOut' it meant that there was a bit of extra spice to the feel around MetLife Stadium. The Jets were poised to have a great season, everyone was saying.

Two weeks ago, the Jets sent their fans home early in the fourth quarter, celebrating a blowout win in Week 1. Now Jets fans streamed to the exits early as their team looked lethargic, even as they made it close in the game's final quarter.

"Just being at home, having the crowd in it. You could feel the buzz and excitement pregame of the 'WhiteOut' and all that stuff. To come out and disappoint them, it's tough," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "Now we know we're not going to go undefeated this year with the loss and we've just got to continue to put our heads down and work. Not let this affect us in a negative way. Put our heads down and continue to put in the work and hopefully we'll see the results."

Back_to_Top

3 reasons why the Jets fell to the Eagles, failed to win third straight (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 27, 2015

http://www.metro.us/sports/3-reasons-why-the-jets-fell-to-the-eagles-failed-to-win-third-straight/zsJoiA---Xwdglq5wpq2s/

A sporadic (at best) effort from the offense and a defense that looked lost much of the game sent the New York Jets to their first loss of the season, a 24-17 home loss at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Daily Clips Cont.

41 | P a g e

But hey, punter Ryan Quigley didn't look half-bad.

Up 3-0, the Eagles got a major lift early in the second quarter when Darren Sproles returned a Ryan Quigley punt, breaking three tackles for an 89-yard touchdown return. It was the second-longest punt return in Eagles franchise history and was the longest punt return in the NFL so far this season.

Then it became 17-0 with 4:57 to go before halftime, Sam Bradford hitting Ryan Mathews on a wheel route for a 24-yard touchdown. The score ended an eight-play, 75-yard drive that took just 3:19 off the clock.

It got worse shortly thereafter, when on the Jets next possession, Ryan Fitzpatrick connected with wide receiver Brandon Marshall for 15 yards but then he inexplicably tried to flip the ball to a teammate. The result was a fumble and the Eagles took over on the Jets 36-yard line. They would punch one into the end zone for a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Jets rolled off 14 straight points from the end of the first half through the fourth quarter to make it a 24-14 Eagles lead. Then with 7:23 left in the game, Jets linebacker David Harris stripped Ryan Matthews to give the home team some life. But Fitzpatrick was intercepted on that drive, essentially ending any hopes of a comeback.

Three Things Learned from Week 3:

Jets Were Flat

This was a game that was there for the taking, the Jets playing an Eagles team that was bad to start the year and missing their starting running back and their star linebacker. Even at the end of the first quarter, it was only a 3-0 lead for Philadelphia. The Jets were in it.

They had chances to move the ball down the field, they had several good starting positions for several of their offensive drives. Instead, the quarterback play was poor as Fitzpatrick locked-in on his wide receivers. Mistakes on special teams, poor tackling and very little pass rush killed the Jets almost from the onset. Just a poor all-around game, even as they improved in the second half in all three phases of the game.

No Decker, Lots of Problem

With wide receiver Eric Decker out with a knee injury, the Jets lost one-part of their much-improved passing offense. In his place, the Jets gave wide receiver Jeremy Kerley a much larger role as well as wide receiver Devin Smith, making his NFL debut after a ribs injury in training camp.

The result was everything being channeled through Marshall, often double-teamed and unable to find much free space for good chunks of the first half, although he did have a touchdown grab right before halftime. Kerley was solid but not special and Smith...well, he looked very raw and unready to play.

It is becoming apparent that Decker is a big part of this offense, keeping team's from doubling down on Marshall.

The Turnover Game

There was the fumble from Marshall and three interceptions thrown by Fitzpatrick in the second half and truthfully, the Eagles could have intercepted the offense a couple more times. But on the defensive side of the ball, the Jets were almost non-existent.

All that talk during the week of the Jets leading the league with 10 turnovers was not founded on Sunday. They managed to force just one turnover against Philadelphia after starting the season with five turnovers in their first two games.

Daily Clips Cont.

42 | P a g e

Back_to_Top

SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

American League

BOSTON RED SOX — Named Larry Lucchino president/CEO emeritus and Sam Kennedy president, both effective Oct. 16.

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Reinstated LHP Jake McGee from the 15-day DL.

National League

CINCINNATI REDS — Claimed OF Tyler Holt off waivers from Cleveland. Tranferred INF-OF Kristopher Negron to the 60-day DL.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS — Signed Gs J.P. Tokoto, T.J. McConnell, Jordan McRae and F Christian Wood. Waived F Gerald Wallace.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

HOUSTON TEXANS — Placed G Jeff Adams on injured reserve.

MIAMI DOLPHINS — Terminated the contract of G Jacques McClendon. Signed C Sam Brenner from the practice squad.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

ARIZONA COYOTES — Assigned D Dakota Mermis, LWs Craig Cunningham and Lucas Lessio, Cs Tyler Gaudet and Brendan Shinnimin and Gs Marek Langhamer and Niklas Treutle to Springfield (AHL). Assigned C Christian Dvorak to London (OHL) and LW Brendan Perlini to Niagara (OHL). Released D Keith Aulie adn RW Patrick Dwyer from professional tryout agreements.

COLORADO AVALANCHE — Reassigned Cs Colin Smith and Ben Street and G Roman Will to San Antonio (AHL).

DALLAS STARS — Loaned LW Cole Ully; Gs Philippe Desrosiers and Maxime Lagace; RWs Brendan Ranford, Matej Stransky and Branden Troock; and Cs Justin Dowling, Emil Molin, Taylor Peters and Gemel Smith to Texas (AHL). Released G John Muse, LW Derek Hulak, C Cory Kane and D Jesse Blacker, Brennan Evans and Matt Mangene from professional tryout agreements and RW Brandon Magee from an amateur tryout agreement.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned Gs Ken Appleby and Scott Wedgewood; D Brandon Burlon, Raman Hrabarenka, Vojtech Mozik and Reece Scarlett; and Fs Joseph Blandisi, Blake Coleman, Ryan Kujawinski, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Matt Lorito, Jim O’Brien, Blake Pietila, Mike Sislo and Paul Thompson to Albany (AHL). Assigned F John Quenneville to Brandon (WHL).

Daily Clips Cont.

43 | P a g e

NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Loaned Fs Taylor Beck, Justin Florek, Mike Halmo, Ben Holmstrom, Bracken Kearns, Justi Vaive, Joe Whitney and James Wright and D Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech to Bridgeport (AHL). Loaned to Sound Tigers.

NEW YORK RANGERS — Assigned Cs Luke Adam and Brian Gibbons, Fs Mat Bodie and Ryan Bourque, G Magnus Hellberg and D Ryan Graves, Brady Skjei and Chris Summers to Hartford (AHL).

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Assigned Fs David Broll, Cam Darcy, Adam Erne, Yanni Gourde, Brian Hart, Henri Ikonen, Ryan Martindale, Tye McGinn, Philippe Paradis, Matthew Peca, Tanner Richard, Jeff Tambellini and Joel Vermin; D Dyan Blujus, Anthony DeAngelo, Charlie Dodero, Jake Dotchin, Joey Mormina, Matt Taormina and Daniel Walcott; and Gs Adam Wilcox and Allen York to Syracuse (AHL). Claimed G Kevin Poulin off waivers from the N.Y. Islanders. Released G Ray Emery from a professional tryout agreements.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Reassigned G Rob Madore to Toronto (AHL) and C Mitch Marner to London (OHL). Released Fs Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi from their professional tryout contracts.

Back_to_Top