NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

August 17, 2016

1 | P a g e

Table of Contents

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

Jets place RB Bernard Pierce on IR, sign RB Antone Smith (Staff) ............................................................................. 1

Jets' Matt Forte says he'll 'definitely' be ready for Week 1 (Dennis Waszak) ........................................................... 2

THE DAILY RECORD ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Jets in no rush to get QB Hackenberg into action (Andy Vasquez) ........................................................................... 3

Jets' Forte says he will be ready for Week 1 (Andy Vasquez).................................................................................... 4

Inside Jets Camp: Mo Wilkerson practices fully (Andy Vasquez) .............................................................................. 5

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Muhammad Wilkerson participates in 11-on-11 drills (Kimberly A. Martin) ............................................................ 6

Jets RB Matt Forte: I’ll play in season opener (Kimberly A. Martin) ......................................................................... 7

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................... 8

Matt Forte says he'll be ready for Jets' opener vs. Bengals (Kiernan Darcy)............................................................. 8

Jets DE Leo Williams most impressive player in camp, ready to dominate (Rich Cimini) ......................................... 8

Jets QBs look to bounce back with the pressure on (Kieran Darcy) ........................................................................ 10

Jets WRs Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker among top fantasy tandems (Rich Cimini) .............................................. 10

THE NEW YORK POST ........................................................................................................................................... 11

Following Yanks’ playbook, Jets pin hopes on these young guns (Steve Serby) ..................................................... 11

Jets have to protect a frustrated Matt Forte from himself (Zach Braziller) ............................................................ 13

Geno Smith is losing it at Jets camp (Zach Braziller) ............................................................................................... 14

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 15

Jets' Kenbrell Thompkins on entering contract year: 'I like it that way' (Darryl Slater) .......................................... 15

How Jets' Khiry Robinson plans to overcome mental hurdle of gruesome leg injury (Connor Hughes) ................. 16

Jets' Steve McLendon on Steelers' James Harrison PED investigation: 'He's all natural' (Connor Hughes) ............ 17

Has rookie Darron Lee moved up the Jets' depth chart? (Connor Hughes) ............................................................ 18

Jets' Matt Forte (hamstring) vows to be ready for Week 1, unsure about preseason games (Darryl Slater) ......... 19

THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ............................................................................................................................... 20

Jets RB Matt Forte not worried about hamstring injury, says he’ll ‘definitely’ be ready for Week 1 (Justin Tasch) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Muhammad Wilkerson participates in team drills for first time at Jets camp (Justin Tasch) ................................. 21

TUESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................... 22

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets place RB Bernard Pierce on IR, sign RB Antone Smith (Staff)

Daily Clips Cont.

2 | P a g e

Associated Press August 16, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-place-rb-bernard-pierce-ir-sign-rb-antone-smith

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets have placed running back Bernard Pierce on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and signed veteran running back Antone Smith.

Pierce was signed by the Jets when training camp started last month to replace Zac Stacy, who was waived after failing his physical while coming off a broken ankle last season. Pierce spent last season with Jacksonville after three years with Baltimore. He had been hampered by the hamstring injury the past few weeks.

Smith spent last season with Chicago, where he had one carry for 11 yards. He was with Atlanta for six years and has rushed for 297 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 15 passes for 232 yards and three scores in his career.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Matt Forte says he'll 'definitely' be ready for Week 1 (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 16, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-matt-forte-says-hell-definitely-be-ready-week-1

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Matt Forte has his sights set on the regular season.

The New York Jets running back just needs his hamstring to be ready, too.

Despite growing concerns over the health of one of the Jets' key players on offense, Forte is confident he'll be able to play in the season opener against Cincinnati on Sept. 11.

"I'll be available," Forte said Tuesday. "Definitely."

Forte tweaked a hamstring while running on his own before camp opened nearly three weeks ago and hasn't fully participated in a practice during training camp. He did individual drills Tuesday, though, as he did Sunday. The Jets were off Monday, but it marked consecutive practices that the 30-year-old running back was on the field.

Forte had not done positional drills since Aug. 2 before working in the past two practices.

"It's taken longer than I expected just because we're being super, super cautious about it," he said. "At this point, there's no reason to rush back out there. I got a lot of reps in the offseason. I know the offense. By watching in camp, I know it a lot more. It doesn't take that long to get back into it. So, I'm looking forward to being on the practice field soon."

Forte, signed as a free agent in March after eight seasons in Chicago, is uncertain whether he will be able to play in any preseason games. He would like to see a few snaps against the Giants on Aug. 27, the last game most of the team's starters will play.

"In the last five, six years, I've never played a ton in the preseason," Forte said. "As long as I'm out at practice, I think I'll be fine."

But, if he misses the game against the Giants, too, he's not overly concerned that he won't be ready when the games start to count.

Daily Clips Cont.

3 | P a g e

Forte has run for 8,602 yards and 45 touchdowns in his career, and caught 487 passes for 4,116 yards and 19 scores during his career. He is coming off a career-low 898 yards rushing in 13 games, but is only two years removed from setting an NFL record for running backs with 102 receptions.

"This is the most anxious I've (been) and the most patience I've had to have with an injury," he said. "I've always looked forward to, obviously, getting out there as soon as possible, but at this point in time, it's been a process throughout camp."

Forte acknowledged that the training staff has had to hold him back from rushing onto the field too quickly — and possibly aggravating the hamstring injury.

"If it was up to me, I'd be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms," he said. "A lot of times, they have to protect me from myself, so I (don't want to) overwork and have a setback."

NOTES: WR Brandon Marshall has been excused "for a day or two," coach Todd Bowles said, but will be ready to play against Washington on Friday night. ... C Nick Mangold got most of practice off so Bowles and the coaching staff could see others at the position. ... DE Muhammad Wilkerson fully participated in practice for the first time in training camp. The team had been easing him back after he broke his right leg against Buffalo in the last season's finale. "He ran around fine," Bowles said. "But he's still got some ways to go before he gets in shape." ... OLB Trevor Reilly (leg) and NT Steve McLendon (toe) both returned to practice after missing the past several.

Back_to_Top

THE DAILY RECORD

Jets in no rush to get QB Hackenberg into action (Andy Vasquez) The Daily Record August 16, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-in-no-rush-to-get-qb-hackenberg-into-action-1.1646011

The Jets are taking things slowly with quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

The second-round pick out of Penn State didn’t play in the first preseason game. And over the weekend, coach Todd Bowles didn’t make it sound as if Hackenberg would be in the team’s plans for Friday’s second preseason game at Washington.

“The biggest thing is we want to make sure he learns mentally,” Bowles said on Sunday. “It’s not even about playing right now. When I decide that he’s going to play two quarters or one quarter or a series, he’ll get more reps in practice and he’ll go, but he’s watching the other guys right now and he’s in study 101. He’s learning a lot of things. He’s grasping it.”

But don’t expect Hackenberg to get increased reps when the Jets — who took Monday off — return to practice this afternoon.

Hackenberg’s spot on the 53 man roster is secure; the Jets aren’t going to dump a 21-year-old less than four months after drafting him in the second round.

The tough decision for Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan is how many quarterbacks to keep on the roster for the regular season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the unquestioned No. 1 starter, but he’s 33 and there’s no guarantee he’ll be here after this year. Geno Smith’s contract ends after this year, when it’s hard to imagine him still with the Jets. And Bryce Petty, a fourth round pick in 2015, is fighting for his job.

Daily Clips Cont.

4 | P a g e

Bowles sees no reason to rush Hackenberg into action — which he made clear after last week’s preseason opener.

“He’s still learning,” Bowles said of Hackenberg after Thursday’s win over Jacksonville. “He has time. It’s not like we’re forced to play him right now.”

Instead, the Jets will take a close look at Smith — who’s trying to show he’s made big leaps after losing his starting job last season — and Petty — who’s trying to prove he belongs on an NFL roster.

And so Hackenberg will have to wait, seemingly until the final game of the preseason — or perhaps beyond.

“He has a great attitude and he’s working on fundamentals and getting better,” Bowles said of Hackenberg. “When we decide that we’ve seen enough of the other three guys, then he’ll play.”

Brief: The Jets placed RB Bernard Pierce on IR and signed RB Antone Smith before today’s practice. Pierce had been slowed by a hamstring injury. Smith played five games for the Bears last season.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Forte says he will be ready for Week 1 (Andy Vasquez) The Daily Record August 16, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-forte-says-he-will-be-ready-for-week-1-1.1646151

FLORHAM PARK — Jets running back Matt Forte has yet to go through a full training camp practice as he recovers from an off-season hamstring injury.

But the 30-year-old said, emphatically, he’s not worried about missing the season-opener Sept. 11 against the Bengals.

“No, I’ll be available,” Forte said. “Definitely.”

Forte, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Jets in March, has done individual drills in only three practices this training camp. He has yet to participate in team drills. But Tuesday, Forte went through individual drills for the second consecutive practice. It’s a sure sign of progress. But coach Todd Bowles said Forte’s unrestricted return is not imminent.

“When he’s back, he’s back,” Bowles said. “I don’t have a timetable for him. We understand the process we’re taking with him, and we’re fine with it.”

The process has been deliberate, with few tangible milestones. And even Forte, who has missed only eight career regular-season games because of injury, admits that it’s tested his patience.

“This is the most anxious I’ve [been], and the most patience I’ve had to have with an injury because I’ve always looked forward to getting out there as soon as possible,” Forte said. “They’ve had to hold me back personally, because if it was up to me I’d be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms.”

But while it’s been frustrating, Forte also sees the big picture.

“A lot of times they have to protect me from myself, so I don’t overwork or do something where I have a setback,” Forte said. “It’s taken longer than I’ve expected, just because we’ve been super, super cautious about it, [but] at this point there’s no reason to really rush back out there.”

And Forte’s preseason history proves that he doesn’t need work to be ready for the regular season.

Daily Clips Cont.

5 | P a g e

In his final four years with the Bears, Forte’s preseason action was limited. In 2015, he played only two games with a total of 15 touches. In 2014, he played three games with 13 touches. In 2013 he had 18 preseason touches in three games. And in 2012, Forte played two preseason games with 14 touches. Forte said his hope is to return for the third preseason game Aug. 27 against the Giants. But if he’s not ready then, and can’t play in any preseason game, he’s still confident he can be ready for Week 1.

“As long as I’m out at practice I think I’ll be fine,” Forte said. “They’re still giving the movement of the defensive line, and [I’m] running through tackles, and stuff like that. It’s not tackling to the ground, so to speak, but I’ve had enough of that.”

The one concern is that Forte is missing a chance to develop chemistry with his teammates. Yes, Forte was healthy for organized team activities and mini-camp, and he participated in both. But, of course, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn’t on the field for those because of his contract dispute. But with a veteran like Forte, that’s less of a concern.

“It’s not like he’s not here, he’s just unfortunately not out the field full-time,” center Nick Mangold said. “But you see it with the way he asks questions, with the way he helps other running backs, he’s going to be a nice piece for us.”

Back_to_Top

Inside Jets Camp: Mo Wilkerson practices fully (Andy Vasquez) The Daily Record August 17, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets/inside-jets-camp-mo-wilkerson-practices-fully-1.1646265

Defensive end Mo Wilkerson returned to team drills on Tuesday, the latest milestone in his recovery from a broken leg suffered in January’s season finale.

"He ran around fine," coach Todd Bowles said of Wilkerson, "but he’s still got some ways to go before he gets in shape."

Bowles said the Jets "might try to steal a few reps" for Wilkerson in Friday’s preseason game at Washington. But there’s a chance Wilkerson won’t play at all. The decision will be made in the coming days.

Wilkerson, who was activated off the physically unable to perform list last week, didn’t participate in Thursday’s preseason win over Jacksonville at MetLife Stadium.

Not practicing

Brandon Marshall was not with the team. Bowles said the star wide receiver had been "excused for a day or two." Bowles said the excused absence was not disciplinary, and that Marshall is expected to play Friday night.

Nick Mangold watched team drills from the sideline, giving him the opportunity to rest and Bowles the opportunity to "look at some guys" at center.

Meanwhile, cornerback Dexter McDougle grabbed the back of his leg during team drills. He remained on the sideline, but did not return to practice. McDougle had been dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in camp, but Bowles said he didn’t know if McDougle had suffered a setback.

Lee starting?

Daily Clips Cont.

6 | P a g e

Rookie linebacker Darron Lee had a strong preseason debut Thursday, totaling four tackles, two for a loss and a sack.

In all three practices since, Lee has worked with the first-team defense. But Bowles was noncommittal when asked if a player getting first-team reps had moved up on the depth chart.

"A lot of guys have been put first, second and third team," Bowles said. "That doesn’t mean anything. We’re just trying different combinations. … We’re moving guys around in case of injury, things happen, to see how they relate."

Quote of the day

"Year Two always helps. The mental side is a big change, you’re more comfortable in what you’re doing, it’s more habit, and I think that shows through with the speed on both sides of the ball." — Mangold on playing a second straight year under Bowles.

Back_to_Top

NEWSDAY

Muhammad Wilkerson participates in 11-on-11 drills (Kimberly A. Martin) Newsday August 16, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-add-antone-smith-to-replace-injured-bernard-pierce-1.12184394

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Muhammad Wilkerson participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since returning from a broken leg.

“He ran around fine, but he’s still got some ways to go before he gets in shape,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday.

Wilkerson has already said he expects to be ready for Week 1, but it’s unclear when he’ll see preseason action. The defensive end didn’t play in last week’s preseason opener against Jacksonville and Bowles said the coaching staff will decide “in the next day or so” whether Wilkerson and other players will suit up for Friday night’s game in Washington.

Receiver Brandon Marshall has been “excused for a day or two” of practice, according to Bowles, but he will play in Friday’s game. The coach also said it was not disciplinary.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana native Deon Simon had feared the worst when he couldn’t reach his mother. “The A T&T service was down, so I was panicking,” the first-year defensive lineman told Newsday of the deadly flooding back home.

“They kept saying the water was rising overnight, so I didn’t want her to get stuck in that and not have a way out.”

It turns out, Simon’s mother was fine and the rising waters never made it to her home in the Glen Oaks area. But many were not as fortunate.

As of Tuesday evening, 11 people had been pronounced dead because of the historic flooding. Said Simon: “A lot of my friends lost a lot. Basically just lost everything.”

Nick Mangold was given a rest day so coaches could check out other backup centers . . . RB Romar Morris (shoulder), S Doug Middleton and TE Wes Saxton (legs) did not practice, in addition to RT Breno Giacomini (back) and WR Devin Smith (ACL), who are still on the PUP list . . . RBs Khiry Robinson (leg) and Dominique

Daily Clips Cont.

7 | P a g e

Williams (concussion) were limited . . . RB Bernard Pierce (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve and RB Antone Smith was signed. Before playing in Chicago last season, Smith spent six seasons in Atlanta.

Back_to_Top

Jets RB Matt Forte: I’ll play in season opener (Kimberly A. Martin) Newsday August 16, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-rb-matt-forte-i-ll-play-in-season-opener-1.12185950

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Matt Forte has no intentions of missing the start of the regular season. Though sidelined by a hamstring injury for much of training camp, the running back guaranteed Tuesday that he’ll play in the Jets’ season opener.

“I’ll be available. Definitely,” he said of facing the Bengals on Sept. 11 at MetLife Stadium.

It’s been a slow recovery process for Forte, one of the Jets’ marquee offseason acquisitions. If it were up to him, he’d “be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms,” he said. But the Jets medical staff has a different plan in place.

Forte, 30, only recently stepped onto the practice field for the first time this summer. He made his camp debut Sunday, participating in position drills, and his regimented rehab continued Tuesday. He’s practiced only three times and has done only positional work, no team drills.

He said he’s “feeling good” and that everything’s going according to the training staff’s schedule. But he’s not sure when he’ll be able to practice full go.

“The plan is always to be on the field,” Forte said. “I’m just progressing week by week. I’ll be out there soon. I do individual drills, and then I do a lot of conditioning stuff to get back into football shape.”

There have been no setbacks, he said. Just a lot of patience on his end.

“It’s taken longer than expected,” Forte said. “Just because we’re being super, super cautious about it. At this point, there’s no reason to really rush back out there. I got a lot of reps in the offseason. I know the offense. By watching in camp, I know it a lot more. It doesn’t take that long to get back into it.”

Although he has no doubts about being ready for Week 1, he isn’t sure whether he’ll play in the preseason. The Jets face the Redskins on Friday night before their annual exhibition against the Giants on Aug. 27.

“In the last five, six years, I’ve never really played a ton in preseason,” said Forte, who missed last week’s preseason opener against Jacksonville.

And if he doesn’t make an appearance in the preseason?

“As long as I’m out at practice, I think I’ll be fine,” said Forte, who ran for 8,602 yards and 45 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Bears, amassing more than 1,000 rushing yards in five of them. He also had 44 catches last year after grabbing 102 passes in 2014.

“You’re still getting movement of the defensive line and running through tackles. It’s not tackling to the ground, so to speak. But I’ve had enough of that.”

Jets fans are eager to see what Forte has left in the tank this season. But rest assured, no one’s more anxious about getting back to work than he is.

“This is the most patience I’ve had to have with an injury because I’ve always looked forward to getting out there as soon as possible,” he said. “But at this point in time, it’s been a process throughout camp.

Daily Clips Cont.

8 | P a g e

They’ve had to hold me back, personally because if it was up to me, I’d be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms. A lot of times, they have to protect me from myself.”

Back_to_Top

ESPN NEW YORK

Matt Forte says he'll be ready for Jets' opener vs. Bengals (Kiernan Darcy) ESPN New York August 16, 2016

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17322373/new-york-jets-rb-matt-forte-says-ready-season-opener

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Matt Forte still isn't practicing for the New York Jets, but he gave fans a reason to be excited nonetheless.

When asked Tuesday if he thinks he could miss the team's regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 11, Forte said, "Nah, I'll be available. Definitely."

Forte, whom the Jets signed as a free agent back in March, has missed the team's training camp practices thus far due to a hamstring injury. But he did participate in individual drills Tuesday, taking handoffs and catching short throws from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"When he's back, he's back," Jets coach Todd Bowles said of Forte. "I don't have a timetable for him. We understand the process we're taking with him, and we're fine with it."

Forte said he has had no setbacks with the hamstring injury.

"It's taken longer than I expected, just because we're being super, super cautious about it," he said. "At this point there's no reason to really rush back out there. I got a lot of reps in the offseason, I know the offense, and by watching in camp and stuff I know a lot more. It won't take that long to get back into it."

The Jets almost certainly won't play Forte in their second preseason game, against the Washington Redskins, on Friday night. The bigger question is whether he'll play in the team's third preseason game, when starters typically see the most action.

Forte sounded anxious to get back on the field.

"This is the most patience I've had to have with an injury," he said. "They've had to hold me back personally because if not, if it were up to me, I'd be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms."

Matt Forte said the Jets are being "super, super cautious" with his hamstring injury and plans on being ready to go for the regular-season opener against the Bengals. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Bowles is taking a wait-and-see approach.

"If we can have him back in time enough to get some reps in before the first game, then we'll work from there," he said.

The Jets have high hopes for the two-time Pro Bowler, who played eight seasons with the Chicago Bears and leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (12,718) since entering the league in 2008.

Further down the depth chart, the Jets placed running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday, and signed running back Antone Smith.

Back_to_Top

Jets DE Leo Williams most impressive player in camp, ready to dominate (Rich Cimini)

Daily Clips Cont.

9 | P a g e

ESPN New York August 16, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/62205/jets-de-leo-williams-most-impressive-player-in-camp-ready-to-dominate

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Buster Skrine was watching practice tape on Saturday morning with the rest of his defensive teammates when he noticed the big dude in the middle of the defensive line, tossing bodies around.

"Leo was manhandling people up front the whole practice," said Skrine, who wasn't the only person in the meeting room who noticed.

Leo is Leonard Williams, who might be the most impressive player so far in the New York Jets' training camp. After a solid rookie season, he's ready to graduate to a new level. In the preseason opener, he wrecked a potential touchdown drive with a third-down sack deep in Jets territory, welcoming Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles to New Jersey.

"Second year in the defense, second year in the conference, I think he's going to dominate this year," Skrine said. "I think he can be a Pro Bowl guy. People know about him now, but with the weapons we've got on the D-line, if you're going to block him as a single ... "

Skrine shook his head.

"I don't see it," he said, finishing the thought.

The Jets should have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. It might take some time, with Muhammad Wilkerson coming off a broken leg and Sheldon Richardson bracing for a one-game suspension to start the season, but this line will be scary good.

The 6-foot-5, 302-pound Williams is growing up before their eyes, becoming more assertive and showing more vocal leadership on the field than his rookie year. He's still learning how to read blocking schemes and use his hands to defeat blockers, but he has improved in those areas.

The talent is there. General manager Mike Maccagnan and his scouts almost broke out the hats and noisemakers when Williams fell to them with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft.

"When you have a guy that big and that fast and that flexible, you see the raw talent," said veteran Jarvis Jenkins, who joined the defensive-line fraternity as a free agent. "To see him match the intensity of Mo and Sheldon ... man, he's going to be special."

As a rookie, Williams was "pretty steady," defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. "Now we kind of need him to make big plays."

Williams acknowledged he "didn't have huge numbers that pop out on the stat sheet" -- three sacks, no forced fumbles during his rookie season -- but he was happy with the way he defended the run and took on blockers to help free up teammates. In other words, he did the blue-collar work, knowing that true football insiders appreciated it.

In the offseason, he trained with his former line coach at USC, hoping to improve his explosiveness. Does he have the ability to improve on three sacks? Let's put it this way: Does Michael Phelps know how to swim?

"When I was in college and high school, I always got lot of sacks," said Williams, who made 21 sacks in three years at USC. "I'm not comparing that to the NFL, but I have high expectations every year and I'm looking forward to improving those numbers."

Daily Clips Cont.

10 | P a g e

Back_to_Top

Jets QBs look to bounce back with the pressure on (Kieran Darcy) ESPN New York August 17, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/62229/jets-qbs-look-to-bounce-back-with-the-pressure-on

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Wednesday's wake-up call, Day 21 of New York Jets training camp:

What’s happening: Practice beginning at 1:50 p.m. ET, the final one before the Jets' second preseason game against the Washington Redskins on Friday night.

What's hot: Geno Smith -- well, he was a little hot under the collar Tuesday, anyway. After a bad sequence of plays at practice which included a couple of bad shotgun snaps he had trouble handling, Smith took off his helmet and fired it to the ground. His frustration was understandable, but you'd like to see more composure from your quarterback -- even if he is your backup.

Speaking of quarterbacks, it remains to be seen how head coach Todd Bowles will utilize his four QBs on Friday against the Redskins. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, Smith and second-year man Bryce Petty played in the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, while rookie second-round draft pick Christian Hackenberg did not. But all four continue to get reps in practice. "All of them gotta be ready to play," Bowles said. "Whether we play 'em all or not, we'll just see how the game goes."

Tuesday wasn't a great day for any of the four QBs -- including Fitzpatrick, whose last throw of practice was intercepted by linebacker Erin Henderson. But he's the only one whose job is 100 percent secure. There's pressure on the others -- in practice and the preseason games.

Back_to_Top

Jets WRs Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker among top fantasy tandems (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 17, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/62161/jets-wrs-brandon-marshall-eric-decker-among-top-fantasy-tandems

The ESPN Fantasy Football marathon continues with an analysis of the New York Jets' wide receivers:

Brandon Marshall

ESPN Fantasy Projection: 96 receptions, 1,256 yards, 8.6 receiving TDs

Over or under: The birth certificate says he's 32 years old, but don't believe it. Marshall reported to training camp at a svelte 225 pounds, arguably the best shape of his career. He shows no signs of slowing down, and I suspect the ESPN Fantasy Projection will be spot on. He won't duplicate last season's terrific numbers (109 catches, 1,502 yards, 14 touchdowns), but that's because there are more options in the passing attack. He won't average 11 targets per game, as he did last season, but he still will be a dominant receiver, especially in the red zone.

Eric Decker

ESPN Fantasy Projection: 85 receptions, 1,123 yards, 8.3 receiving TDs

Over or under: The catch and yardage totals look right, but I think he'll surpass the touchdown projection. Some people might be surprised by this, but Decker -- not Marshall -- was the Jets' leading red-zone

Daily Clips Cont.

11 | P a g e

receiver last season. Decker is hoping for more big-play opportunities this year. In 2015, he spent a lot of time in the slot, where he was an effective possession receiver. He'd like to expand his role by returning to one of the outside spots. He has displayed deep speed in camp, so maybe it's a possibility.

Quincy Enunwa

ESPN Fantasy Projection: 17 receptions, 207 yards, 1.6 receiving TDs

Over or under: These are modest projections, to be sure. Don't be surprised if he doubles the number in each category. The Jets have big plans for Enunwa, who will be deployed as the No. 3 receiver and

occasionally as a tight end. He's a hybrid player whose versatility makes him a tough cover. The passing game still runs through Marshall and Decker, but Enunwa could feast on the scraps.

Devin Smith

ESPN Fantasy Projection: 14 receptions, 226 yards, 1.6 receiving TDs

Over or under: I see this as a transition year for the former second-round pick, who probably will begin the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He'll return around midseason, but he'll be far behind and will be hard-pressed to make an impact. He's coming off knee surgery and still has no much to learn about the game. I can't see him reaching the Fantasy projections.

Who else could see time: Kenbrell Thompkins is a player to watch. He's a possession receiver who could be in the No. 3/No.4 role, meaning he could be worth 15 or 20 receptions. Jalin Marshall, an undrafted rookie, has been one of the stories in training camp. He's a smooth receiver, yet his main contribution likely will be as a kick returner.

Back_to_Top

THE NEW YORK POST

Following Yanks’ playbook, Jets pin hopes on these young guns (Steve Serby) The New York Post August 16, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/16/following-yanks-playbook-jets-pin-hopes-on-these-young-guns/

There are Baby Bombers in The Bronx, and Baby Jets in Florham Park as Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles infuse much-needed new blood and try to win while they’re doing it.

“You don’t only infuse a lot of youth, you want to infuse the right guys combined with the veterans that … still play very well,” Bowles told The Post.

Most of the Baby Jets can be found on defense, where tackle Leonard Williams and linebacker Darron Lee are first-round draft picks and linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin and Jordan Jenkins are third-rounders. Wide receiver Charone Peake, a seventh-rounder, looks like a steal. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg, the 2016 second-round pick, is a project. Wide receiver Devin Smith, the 2015 No. 2 pick, hasn’t returned from an ACL tear.

“You have to train them — they can’t be babies for long,” Bowles said. “Some of them got to start running as soon as they come out, and then some of them, you have time to let them crawl if they’re behind good players. I’m not worried about playing young guys, I’ve played young guys before, so it’s normal to me. Football is football.”

Daily Clips Cont.

12 | P a g e

The affable Mauldin crawled before he walked last year and is ready along with Williams to start running. He has packed on 11 pounds of muscle on his 6-foot-4 frame and is 263 pounds of confidence and optimism.

Ask Mauldin what he would tell Jets fans about his sophomore season, he smiles and says: “Just come out and get ready for a show. I would just say, ‘Keep your eye on five-five [he wears No. 55], because it’s going to be a lot of me in the backfield this year.”

Mauldin recorded four sacks in a reserve role as a rookie and is hungry for a much bigger impact. “I should be able to get up to two digits,” Mauldin said.

Mauldin studies J.J. Watt, Elvis Dumervil, Cameron Wake and, of course, Von Miller. The Jets have been searching for an elite pass rusher off the edge for a long time.

“Just being able to get to that quarterback, that shows that defense wins games,” Mauldin said.

And which quarterback did he want to sack?

“I wanted to get after Tom Brady, so like right now, I’m just trying to get after everybody now,” Mauldin said.

Mauldin said he is hardly disappointed that Deflategate Tom won’t have to sit out either game against the Jets.

“I would have been so upset if they would have played us and he was suspended,” Mauldin said, and smiled.

Opponents may hear Mauldin before they see and feel him.

“I probably just make a lot of noise and try to get into a tackle or whoever I’m going against’s head,” Mauldin said. “Or, quarterback, just yell, scream, yell at them.”

Like what?

“Like, ‘Here I go’ or ‘Uh-oh, I’m coming,’ just a lot of stuff, just getting in their head,” Mauldin said.

Jenkins, 6-3, 265 pounds, is an ideal complement to Mauldin.

“I’ve always been a power guy, I’ve never been some of the flashier-type guys that get a lot of notice or whatever,” Jenkins said. “It may not be pretty, but I get it done. I just take an old-school pose like that when it comes to football. If I can get physical with somebody, I will, prefer it over doing a little bit of finesse.”

His military father [Ronald Jenkins], who coached him and showed him clips of Lawrence Taylor, had an NFL dream shattered by a neck injury.

“He messed up his neck in college [Colorado State] and went into the Army, and played overseas a little bit, but he didn’t end up being able to live his dream, and I just took that in my life so I could let him live through me,” Jenkins said.

Both Baby Jets are excited about the prospect of playing behind one of the elite defensive lines.

“With those guys giving me the push in the middle that I need, and having David Harris back there behind me facilitating everything, and having the big guys in the middle pushing the quarterback out to me, it makes my job much easier, I’ll make their job easier as well if I’m getting around the edge and pushing the quarterback up the pocket,” Mauldin said.

Daily Clips Cont.

13 | P a g e

Maccagnan and Bowles didn’t have the albatross Alex Rodriguez contract that general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi endured. You still have to find the right prospects. The Baby Jets give the Jets a future just as the Baby Bombers give the Yankees one. All the better if you can negotiate yourself a present while you refurbish on the fly rather than rebuild.

Back_to_Top

Jets have to protect a frustrated Matt Forte from himself (Zach Braziller) The New York Post August 16, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/16/jets-have-to-protect-a-frustrated-matt-forte-from-himself/

Matt Forte is the Christmas present you open but can’t play with. He’s the new car that just sits in the garage because you can’t drive it yet.

The Jets signed the two-time Pro Bowler to a three-year, $12 million deal in March, believing the former Bears star could take their offense to the next level. But in training camp, all they have seen is how nice he looks in green and white practice gear, and they aren’t the only ones frustrated by his nagging hamstring injury suffered before camp.

“This is the most anxious I’ve had [to be] and the most patience I’ve had to have with an injury,” the 30-year-old Forte said after practice Tuesday, another workout in which he did a lot of watching.

But once the games matter, Forte doesn’t plan on being a bystander.

“I’ll be available,” he promised. “Definitely.”

Forte is trending in the right direction. He did take part in positional drills for the second straight practice, and just the third time in training camp, taking handoffs and running routes. If it was up to him, he would have joined his teammates during 11-on-11 team drills, too.

“They’ve had to hold me back personally,” Forte said of the Jets training staff. “If it was up to me, I’d be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms. A lot of times, they have to protect me from myself.

“It’s taken longer than expected. Just because we’re being super, super cautious about it.”

While admittedly antsy, wanting to impress his new teammates and coaches, Forte gets it. He doesn’t want to risk aggravating the hamstring or hurting something else because he is overcompensating. After all, he’s rarely done much in the preseason over the last six years, often skipping the first preseason game, playing sparingly in the second and up to a half in the third.

“At this point, I feel like as long as I get some work in the third game, I’ll be fine,” Forte said.

That’s obviously the hope for the Jets, that Forte can practice fully a few times and suit up against the Giants on Aug. 27. If not, however, that doesn’t mean he won’t be ready for Week 1 on Sept. 11 against the Bengals, either.

“It all depends,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “Too early to tell.”

The Jets opted not to re-sign Chris Ivory because of injury woes. Forte is older — he’s 30; Ivory is 28 — but more durable, having missed just eight regular-season games since breaking into the league in 2008. He did miss three games last year, because of a knee injury, and ran for 898 yards, a career low, while catching 44 passes, which tied for his lowest total in his eight seasons.

Daily Clips Cont.

14 | P a g e

Perhaps that’s why the Jets are taking it so slow, to make sure he is absolutely ready by September. They don’t seem worried that missing all this practice time could lead to a slow start for Forte. He practiced all spring, and they feel he is such a steady veteran, he shouldn’t need much time to get acclimated to his new surroundings.

“I know after watching him, he has great feel for how to hit the hole and where to hit the hole,” center Nick Mangold said. “The only chemistry part would be pass protection, but we spend so much time in the spring and even the classroom and walkthroughs going over pass protection stuff. I don’t think it will be a big drop-off.

“It’s not like he’s not here. It’s unfortunate he’s not out on the field full time. You see it with the way he asks questions, with the way he helps other running backs. [He’s] going to be a nice piece for us.”

Back_to_Top

Geno Smith is losing it at Jets camp (Zach Braziller) The New York Post August 16, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/16/geno-smith-is-losing-it-at-jets-camp/

Geno Smith’s uneven summer continued Tuesday, with the backup quarterback struggling so mightily during practice that he slammed his helmet to the ground. Smith was almost intercepted multiple times, was inaccurate and fumbled a few snaps.

Smith again declined to speak to reporters following several stories early last week, including one in The Post, about the one-year anniversary of his jaw getting broken by IK Enemkpali. Smith was booed in the preseason opener Thursday against the Jaguars, and declined to be interviewed afterward, a violation of NFL policy.

On Sunday, he tweeted: “If they don’t have a story these days, they’ll make one.”

Smith received less reps than fellow quarterback Bryce Petty, but coach Todd Bowles said that was more to get a better look at Petty. On Saturday, Bowles said there is no competition for the backup job behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“We like to mix and match people to see how they match up and play,” Bowles said, referring to Petty getting more reps than Smith. “A lot of guys are put first, second and third team. That doesn’t mean anything.”

Bowles said all four quarterbacks “have to be ready to play” in Friday’s second preseason game against the Redskins, but he wouldn’t reveal his plans for the game as of yet.

Muhammad Wilkerson, returning from a broken leg, had his first full practice of training camp after coming off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list last Tuesday, taking part in 11-on-11 team drills with both the first and second team. Bowles, however, said he isn’t sure if Wilkerson will play Friday.

“He ran around fine, but he’s still got some ways to go before he gets in shape,” Bowles said.

Nick Mangold has a new partner at left tackle in veteran Ryan Clady, and has liked what he has seen so far.

“It’s been for me, the first time in 11 years I’ve had to learn a new perspective [from someone] at left tackle,” said Mangold, who was given a rest day Tuesday. “It’s rare you find new things in year 11. That’s been pretty fun. You can tell the way he works, the way he carried himself, he’s a solid professional and should do a great job for us,”

Daily Clips Cont.

15 | P a g e

Brandon Marshall missed practice for what Bowles called “an excused absence,” and could be away Wednesday also. He is still expected to play Friday. … The Jets signed former Bears running back Antone Smith and placed running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) on injured reserve. Smith practiced with his new teammates immediately.

Young defensive tackle Leonard Williams continued his impressive training camp with another strong practice. The second-year pro was a fixture in the backfield, blowing up several running plays and drove backup offensive guard Mike Liedtke back several yards on one occasion.

The Jets have so little depth and injury issues in their backfield, fullback Tommy Bohanon got some first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills as the lone running back in the backfield.

Nick Folk doesn’t seem ready to lose his job. The veteran made all six of his kicks, including a 61 yarder, while rookie Ross Martin, who is attempting to unseat Folk, made 5-of-6, hitting from 61 but missing from 43.

Running back Matt Forte (hamstring) took part in positional drills for the second straight practice, but was held out of team drills. Practicing fully for the first time were outside linebackers Trevor Reilly (leg) and Mike Catapano (unknown), and defensive tackle Steve McLendon (toe). Cornerback Dexter McDougle came up lame late in practice with what looked like a hamstring injury, while safety Doug Middleton (leg) and tight end Wes Saxton (leg) didn’t practice.

Back_to_Top

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Jets' Kenbrell Thompkins on entering contract year: 'I like it that way' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 17, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/jets_kenbrell_thompkins_on_entering_contract_year.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — Throughout last season, the Jets were never able to find a consistently reliable No. 3 wide receiver, behind Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.

Entering 2016, second-year pro Devin Smith is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in December, so Quincy Enunwa and Kenbrell Thompkins are the Jets' top complementary receivers, though tight end Jace Amaro could factor in.

While the Jets drafted Enunwa and Amaro, they acquired Thompkins under more modest circumstances last season. But he could prove to be an important, underrated weapon for their offense.

"I'm looking forward to making a lot of plays for this team this year," Thompkins told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

This offseason, the Jets gave Thompkins a restricted free agent tender — a one-year, $1.671 million contract. So Thompkins is entering a contract year, with a chance to make even more cash next offseason.

"I like it that way," he said. "It allows me to play my best ball. I'm self-motivated, but to actually be in a situation like this, it just makes you lock in. You get what I'm saying? And I'm more focused in that regard now."

Thompkins entered the NFL after going undrafted in 2013. His career cash earnings before 2016, according to spotrac.com — $1.409 million. So the Jets tendering him was a big deal.

Daily Clips Cont.

16 | P a g e

Thompkins began his career with the Patriots, was with the Raiders from October of 2014 until early last September, and then quickly rejoined the Patriots as a practice squad player. He lasted less than a month in his second stint with New England. The Jets added him to their practice squad after the Patriots cut him.

In late October, the Jets promoted Thompkins to their active roster. He played in seven games last season and had 17 catches for 165 yards. He has 70 career catches for 893 yards and four touchdowns, including 38 catches for 519 yards and four touchdowns during his time with New England.

Though Thompkins hasn't caught a touchdown since 2013, he made a 43-yard catch that set up the winning field goal in last year's 19-16 victory at Dallas. It gave the Jets — and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick — a reason to trust him.

"I think [that] pretty much allowed Fitz to know that: 'K.T., he actually sees what I see, and K.T. has got a good eye for what we're wanting to do,'" Thompkins said. "I think that actually helped him with communicating with more, and understanding that: 'K.T., he sees the field well, and he'll make a play when we need it.'"

Thompkins feels more comfortable with Fitzpatrick in this training camp.

"Just spending more time with Fitz, having more communication, I think we know each other a lot better now," Thompkins said. "We've kind of got a feel for each other, and we're still trying to build that.

"I've got a better feel just for everybody inside the building, my teammates. It feels pretty good, man, to come in each and every day feeling like this is my home. All last year, I still was getting familiar with everybody."

Now, unlike last year's training camp with the Raiders, Thompkins' roster spot is secure. He can focus entirely on finding a role in the Jets' offense — and proving he deserves bigger money next offseason. Concerns about being cut — like he was by the Raiders last summer — are gone.

"That's not even something that's on my mind," Thompkins said. "I don't think about that. I don't lose sleep about that."

Back_to_Top

How Jets' Khiry Robinson plans to overcome mental hurdle of gruesome leg injury (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 17, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/how_jets_khiry_robinson_plans_to_overcome_mental_h.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — It's going to be on Khiry Robinson's mind the next time he takes a handoff. He knows that. He's not trying to hide from it.

The last time Robinson played in an NFL game, he fractured his tibia. Now seven months later, he's close to a return. Once Robinson gets full medical clearance, he says the injury won't be a crutch.

"Say you walk across the street and get hit by a car," Robinson said at camp last week. "The next time you walk across the street, what are you going to do? You're going to look left and right, right?

"It's the same thing. Of course it will be on my mind, but I'm not worrying about it."

Robinson, 26, has quite the recollection of what happened on Nov. 1, 2015. Combine the fact he lived it, with the countless times he's watched the play back on replay, and it's easy to see why. Robinson, then a

Daily Clips Cont.

17 | P a g e

member of the Saints, lined up behind quarterback Drew Brees in a game against the Giants. Brees handed the ball to Robinson, and Robinson took it around the left side of the offensive line.

As he planted his foot to cut up the field, Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins rolled onto Robinson's lower leg. Just like that, his season was over.

"It was a freak accident," Robinson said. "It was something with me and how I run. When I run, my feet are flat. I planted, and he fell on my leg. He pulled me in while I was falling. I was already planted. It was just the perfect angle. Perfect hit."

Robinson's injury really couldn't have come at a worse time. He was playing on the final year of his rookie contract, beginning to see additional reps and had already run for a career-high four touchdowns. He still had six games to prove his worth. But instead of going into free agency a hot commodity, Robinson entered as an injured afterthought.

Well, not a total afterthought. The Jets signed Robinson to a one-year contract one day into the new league year.

"I just wanted another job opportunity," Robinson said. "To be honest, [the Jets] were interested in me. They were more interested in me. I didn't know where I was going to end up. I just was looking for somewhere to play football.

"I don't know many teams that will pick someone up with a broken leg. I give them the most respect for that. I'm ready to go out there for them."

Robinson did not participate in the Jets' organized team activities or minicamp. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The Jets activated Robinson on Aug. 8. Since then, he has done individual drills in practice, but no team work.

Robinson estimates that he's still a "couple weeks" away from returning. When he does, he should fill a much-needed role on offense.

The Jets have their starting running back in Matt Forte. They have their third-down specialist in Bilal Powell. What they don't have is a bruising, powerful back. That's where Robinson comes in. Throughout his career, he has been know as a physical runner.

"I'm going to give them everything that I've got," Robinson said. "If they tell me to run 100 yards, I'm going to run 100 yards. I'm just going to do what I need to do to contribute and help this team win.

"I try to score every time I touch the ball. That can be a downfall sometimes, but I just feel like I'm a football player. I'm a running back."

Back_to_Top

Jets' Steve McLendon on Steelers' James Harrison PED investigation: 'He's all natural' (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 17, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/jets_steve_mclendon_on_james_harrison_ped_investig.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — Steve McLendon knows James Harrison quite well. During their overlapping five years together in Pittsburgh, it was hard to find one without the other.

McLendon would get to the Steelers' facility early to workout with Harrison. He'd spend time after practice with him, too. It was Harrison who told McLendon if he wanted to make it in the NFL, he had to outwork everyone else.

Daily Clips Cont.

18 | P a g e

And that's why McLendon has no doubt in his mind performance-enhancing drugs never entered Harrison's system. No matter what the Al-Jazeera America report says.

"James Harrison is all hard work," McLendon, who signed with the Jets this offseason, told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. "He's all hard work. And he's all natural."

Back in December, several current and former NFL players were named in a report linking them to performance-enhancing drug use. Al Jazeera produced a documentary, 'The Dark Side,' about sports doping. The documentary accused Clay Matthews (Packers), Julius Peppers (Packers), Mike Neal (free agent), Peyton Manning (retired) and Harrison — including other athletes in other sports — of injecting Delta 2.

Last month, the NFL stated it had found "no credible evidence" to support the report, but still wanted to conduct interviews with the players named. When Matthews, Peppers, Neal and Harrison declined, the NFL said it would suspend the four if they did not interview by Aug. 26, according to the USA TODAY.

The NFL Players Association has not yet responded to the league's threat.

McLendon doesn't have any experience playing with the other players named. But he's shocked Harrison is linked to the accusation.

"I don't know where they are coming up with it," McLendon said. "I know first-hand he is all work. Sun up to sun down. He's the first one in, last one to leave. He trains like he plays. He works like he plays. His work shows, man. I take my hat off to a guy that, at his age [Harrison turned 38 in May], continues to play, not just at a high level, but an extremely high level.

"He outworks everybody. Every young guy should look up to him like I do. I looked up to him in Pittsburgh. I used to get up early and get into the facility just to watch him. That's all I can say about the man."

This isn't Harrison's first disagreement with the NFL. The league has fined Harrison multiple times throughout his 13-year career, but never for PED or off-the-field issues. Harrison got himself in trouble with illegal hits on the field. In 2010 alone, the NFL fined Harrison $120,000.

And those fines have left Harrison with disdain towards NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. In 2011, Harrison called Goodell a "crook" and the "devil." It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that now, five years later, Harrison isn't willing to give into Goodell's interview demands. According to CBS Sports, Harrison is "definitely" considering missing the 2016 season in protest.

Whether or not Harrison sits out is up in the air. But one thing's for certain: His former teammate has no doubt Harrison's innocent.

"I know he's 100 percent," McLendon said. "He is 100 percent all natural."

Back_to_Top

Has rookie Darron Lee moved up the Jets' depth chart? (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 16, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/has_rookie_darron_lee_moved_up_the_jets_depth_char.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — Darron Lee had an awfully good first game in a Jets uniform.

In Thursday night's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Lee had four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack. He flashed, earned praise from teammates and coaches, and has since... moved up the depth chart?

Daily Clips Cont.

19 | P a g e

"A ton of guys are getting reps," head coach Todd Bowles said on Tuesday. "We like to mix and match people and see how they look in pads. Guys have been put first, second, third team. We're just trying different combinations."

In every practice since the Jacksonville game, Lee has seen extended action with the Jets' starters. On Saturday, with David Harris out of practice for an excused reason, Lee played strong inside linebacker. On Sunday, with Harris back, Lee rotated in-and-out with weak inside linebacker Erin Henderson. On Monday, Lee took most reps with the first-team defense in their nickel package.

Coach speak aside, it appears as if Lee has worked himself into the starting rotation.

"We said we would switch them up," Bowles said. "We're moving guys around in case of injury. Things can happen, and we want to see how they relate."

Bowles being non-committal about whether or not a player is starting isn't new. Rookie Jordan Jenkins took every first-team rep with the Jets' defense at outside linebacker in organized team activities, minicamp and the first two weeks of training camp. The Jets didn't officially label him a starter until they released their unofficial depth chart, and Jenkins' name was at the top.

From a purely observational standpoint, Lee has been doing more work these last three practices than he had been in the previous 11. Before the Jaguars game, Lee didn't get one rep with the starting defense. Even when Harris was given a rest day on Aug. 4, Bruce Carter filled in.

Does that mean Lee's impressing? It certainly looks like it.

The Jets have one more practice scheduled (Wednesday) before an off day Thursday. The team will travel to Washington to take on the Redskins Friday night.

Back_to_Top

Jets' Matt Forte (hamstring) vows to be ready for Week 1, unsure about preseason games (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 16, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/jets_matt_forte_hamstring_vows_to_be_ready_for_wee.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — Jets running back Matt Forte continued to progress in his return from a hamstring injury during Tuesday's practice.

Forte participated in practice for just the third time in training camp. He participated in one practice early in camp, and also on Sunday. The Jets were off Monday. All three times, Forte has done only position drills, and no 11-on-11 team periods.

Forte, who was injured while working out before camp, said after Tuesday's practice that he "definitely" will be available for the Jets' Sept. 11 regular season opener against the Bengals. But he isn't sure if he will play in any preseason games. He said he hasn't spoken to the Jets' training staff about that yet.

"I'm feeling good," Forte said. "I'm just progressing week by week. I'll be out there soon. I do individual drills, and then I do a lot of conditioning stuff, to get back into football shape."

Forte said the Jets' trainers haven't told him exactly when he could fully return to practice. Forte said he doesn't want to push himself too quickly, lest he aggravate his hamstring. But he said he hasn't had any setbacks in his rehab.

"This is the most patience I've had to have with an injury," he said. "They've had to hold me back. A lot of times, they have to protect me from myself."

Daily Clips Cont.

20 | P a g e

The Jets are playing it safe with Forte, who is 30 years old and has 2,035 career regular season carries on his body. He signed with the Jets this offseason.

"It's taken longer than expected," he said of his rehab. "Just because we're being super, super cautious about it. At this point, there's no reason to really rush back out there. I got a lot of reps in the offseason [during spring practices] and I know the offense. By watching in camp, I know it a lot more. It doesn't take that long to get back into it."

Forte almost certainly won't play in the Jets' second preseason game, Friday in Washington. The Jets have just one full practice, on Wednesday, before then.

Starters don't play in the fourth preseason game, so the only preseason playing opportunity for Forte likely would be Aug. 27 against the Giants.

Forte said it's not a huge deal if he doesn't play in any preseason games, though he would prefer to participate against the Giants.

"In the last five, six years, I never really played a ton in preseason," he said. "At this point, I feel like as long as I get some work in the third game, I'll be fine."

But if he doesn't play in any preseason games, Forte said he'll be OK, "as long as I'm out at practice. You're still getting movement of the defensive line and running through tackles. It's not tackling to the ground. But I've had enough of that."

Back_to_Top

THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets RB Matt Forte not worried about hamstring injury, says he’ll ‘definitely’ be ready for Week 1 (Justin Tasch) The New York Daily News August 16, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-rb-matt-forte-ll-ready-week-1-article-1.2753952

Matt Forte is anxiously playing the waiting game. The Jets’ new running back still isn’t sure when exactly the nagging hamstring woe that has sidelined him for the majority of training camp will allow him to fully participate in all activities, but he quelled any concerns about him missing regular-season time, declaring he will be suiting up in Week 1 against the Bengals at MetLife Stadium.

“I’ll be available,” Forte said Tuesday. “Definitely.”

It’s positive news from the 30-year-old running back, who injured his hamstring before camp began and on Tuesday only took part in individual drills for the third time this summer. It marked the first time he participated in consecutive practices, although the Jets didn’t practice Monday.

There remains no timetable for Forte’s full return, according to Todd Bowles, but Forte sounded like a guy who would’ve already been full-go if the team wasn’t, in his words, being “super, super cautious” with his hamstring. The process has taken longer than he expected.

“This is the most patience I’ve had to have with an injury because I’ve always looked forward to obviously getting out there as soon as possible,” he said. “But at this time it’s been a process. They’ve had to hold me back, personally, because if it were up to me I’d be going at it every day to try to be out there on my own terms. But you don’t want to do something where — a lot of times they have to protect me from myself, so I don’t overwork or do something where I have a setback.”

Daily Clips Cont.

21 | P a g e

Forte, who signed with the Jets after eight seasons with the Bears, during which he was named to two Pro Bowls, hasn’t seen much preseason action over the last half-decade. He said sometimes he wouldn’t play at all in the first game, get a couple of series in the second and play about a half in the third

He doesn’t yet know if he’ll be ready by the third preseason game on Aug. 27 against the Giants. If Forte was forced to miss the whole preseason, however, he still feels he’d be ready come Sept. 11.

“As long as I’m out at practice I think I’ll be fine,” Forte said.

Bowles, though, said “it’s too early to tell” if Forte can play in Week 1 without playing in any preseason games. The coach took note of what Forte was doing in individual drills, but didn’t have much to offer on his work.

“Individuals don’t impress me,” Bowles said. “If you’re practicing, you’re practicing. If you’re not, you’re not. Whether it’s individuals, inside, outside, I just wait for guys to practice.”

Forte not only has five 1,000-yard rushing seasons on his resume, but he’s also been heavily involved in the passing game his entire career. His versatility, if he’s healthy, could benefit the Jets offense greatly, and his teammates are excited for what’s to come.

“He’s definitely an added bonus and added weapon,” Nick Mangold said. “You never want to say ‘We don’t need another weapon.’ So to have the option to have him come in and be another weapon for us is only gonna help us.”

ABSENT: WR Brandon Marshall was not at practice Tuesday as Bowles said “he’s been excused for a day or two.” Marshall should be ready for Friday’s game in Washington. … DE Muhammad Wilkerson (leg) participated in team drills for the first time. Bowles isn’t sure yet if Wilkerson get reps on Friday. Back_to_Top

Muhammad Wilkerson participates in team drills for first time at Jets camp (Justin Tasch) The New York Daily News August 16, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/muhammad-wilkerson-team-drills-time-jets-camp-article-1.2754068

One week after he was activated from the physically unable to perform list, Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson participated in the team drills for the first time. Wilkerson, who suffered a broken leg in the Jets' 2015 season finale against the Bills, was previously limited to individual work.

"He ran around fine, but he's still got some ways to go before he gets in shape," head coach Todd Bowles said of Wilkerson.

Bowles said he and his staff will decide over the next two days whether Wilkerson will get any reps during the team's second preseason game Friday in Washington.

CLADY FITS IN

Jets RB Matt Forte says he'll 'definitely' be ready for Week 1

Every time Nick Mangold has looked to his left from the center position during the first 10 years of his career, he saw D'Brickashaw Ferguson two men away manning left tackle, as Ferguson did for every snap of his career. The two were both drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, but with Ferguson retiring, Ryan Clady is the new man protecting the blind side for the Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Jets acquired Clady from the Broncos on April 9, the same day Ferguson made his retirement official.

Daily Clips Cont.

22 | P a g e

"He's doing well," Mangold said of Clady. "It's been fun for me; it's the first time in 11 years I've learned a new perspective at left tackle. It's rare you find new things at year 11, so that's been pretty fun. You can tell just by the way he works and the way he carries himself that he's a solid professional and should do a great job for us."

MCDOUGLE DOWN

Cornerback Dexter McDougle pulled up lame during Tuesday's practice and appeared to hold the back of his leg. He didn't return to practice. Bowles said he didn't see McDougle depart and was going to check on his status.

Back_to_Top

TUESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

Major League Baseball

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL — Suspended Kansas City minor-league LHP Miguel Medrano (DSL) and Washington minor-league RHP Yonaiker Oropeza (DSL) 72 games each after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Sent LHP T.J. McFarland to Frederick (Carolina) for a rehab assignment. Signed a two-year player development contract extension with Hagerstown (SAL) through the 2018 season.

BOSTON RED SOX — Sent RHP Brandon Workman to Portland (EL) for a rehab assignment.

DETROIT TIGERS — Released RHP Jeff Ferrell. Acquired INF Erick Aybar from Atlanta for INF Mike Aviles and C Kade Scivicque. Recalled OF Steven Moya from Toledo (IL).

SEATTLE MARINERS — Placed LHP James Paxton on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 8. Assigned OF Daniel Robertson outright to Tacoma (PCL). Recalled RHP Cody Martin from Tacoma (PCL). Sent RHP Steve Cishek to Everett (NWL) for a rehab assignment.

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Optioned RHP Dylan Floro to Durham (IL). Reinstated 1B Logan Morrison from the 15-day DL.

TEXAS RANGERS — Placed OF Shin-Soo Choo on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Ryan Rua from Round Rock (PCL).

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Activated OF Ezequiel Carrera from the 15-day DL. Designated OF Junior Lake for assignment.

National League

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Designated LHP Adam Loewen for assignment. Optioned C Oscar Hernandez to Mobile (SL). Recalled LHP Edwin Escobar from Reno (PCL). Sent C Chris Herrmann to the AZL Diamondbacks for a rehab assignment.

CHICAGO CUBS — Reinstated RHP Trevor Cahill from the 15-day DL.

CINCINNATI REDS — Placed RHP Michael Lorenzen on the bereavement list. Recalled RHP Tim Adleman from Louisville (IL).

Daily Clips Cont.

23 | P a g e

COLORADO ROCKIES — Assigned RHP Gonzalez Germen outright to Albuquerque (PCL). Recalled RHP Christian Bergman from Albuquerque. Placed RHP Tyler Chatwood on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 15.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Released OF Zach Walters. Optioned RHP Brock Stewart to Oklahoma City (PCL). Reinstated RHP Casey Fien from the 15-day DL. Sent LHP Adam Liberatore to Oklahoma City (PCL) for a rehab assignment.

MIAMI MARLINS — Optioned RHP Austin Brice to New Orleans (PCL). Recalled RHP Jose Urena from New Orleans.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Placed RHP Michael Blazek on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 14. Recalled RHPs Damien Magnifico and Tyler Cravy from Colorado Springs (PCL); Cravy as 26th player

NEW YORK METS — Sent OF Justin Ruggiano to Las Vegas (PCL) and OF Yoenis Cespedes and SS Asdrubal Cabrera to St. Lucie (FSL) for rehab assignments.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Placed RHP Seth Maness on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 14. Recalled RHP Sam Tuivailala from Memphis (PCL). Sent RHP Lance Lynn to Palm Beach (FSL) for a rehab assignment.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned RHP Leonel Campos to El Paso (PCL). Recalled RHP Kevin Quackenbush from El Paso.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed QB Christian Ponder. Agreed to terms with RHP Joe Nathan on a minor league contract.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Sent C Jose Lobaton and 1B Ryan Zimmerman to Syracuse for rehab assignments. Signed a two-year player development contract extension with Hagerstown (SAL).

FOOTBALL

National Football League

NFL — Suspended Buffalo DT Marcell Dareus four games for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Named Cathy Lanier senior vice president of security.

ARIZONA CARDINALS — Activated CB Justin Bethel, S Tyrann Mathieu and DT Frostee Rucker from the PUP list.

ATLANTA FALCONS — Waived G Shahbaz Ahmed. Waived/injured NT Chris Mayes. Claimed G Jordan Walsh off waivers from New Orleans.

DETROIT LIONS — Removed LB DeAndre Levy from the active/non-football injury list.

HOUSTON TEXANS — Waived/injured FB Soma Vainuku. Signed DE Alex Carrington.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Waived WRs Josh Boyce and Andre Debose. Signed WR Andrew Opoku.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Removed RB Jamaal Charles from the PUP list.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Released DB Brock Vereen.

NEW YORK JETS — Placed RB Bernard Pierce on injured reserve. Signed RB Antone Smith.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed TE Jake McGee

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Traded OL Dennis Kelly to Tennessee for WR Dorial Green-Beckham.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Placed QB Thad Lewis on injured reserve. Signed QB Christian Ponder to a one-year contract.

Daily Clips Cont.

24 | P a g e

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

ANAHEIM DUCKS — Named Sudarshan Maharaj goaltending coach.

ARIZONA COYOTES — Signed F Radim Vrbata to a one-year contract.

Back_to_Top