NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS
October 31, 2014
Table of Contents
ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Rex picks Jets' QB: 'that Bumgarner guy' (Dennis Waszak) .......................................................................................2
Jets-Chiefs Capsule ....................................................................................................................................................3
Vick as starting QB familiar for Jets' Mornhinweg (Dennis Waszak) .........................................................................4
NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Jets expect Geno Smith to play again this season (Kimberley Martin) .....................................................................4
FireJohnIdzik.com website puts the heat on Jets GM (Kimberley Martin) ...............................................................5
Eric Decker's country-pop star wife takes shots at husband's critics (Kimberley Martin) ........................................5
THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Numbers don’t add up for Jets (Matt Ehalt) .............................................................................................................6
Jets notes: Geno Smith watch (Matt Ehalt) ...............................................................................................................7
NJ ADVANCE MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Jets' Geno Smith throws Thursday, should be ready to play at Kansas City Chiefs if needed, says Rex Ryan (Darryl
Slater) ........................................................................................................................................................................8
Why Dennis Thurman would 'get the hell out of here' if he could explain Jets' turnover woes (Darryl Slater) .......9
Calvin Pace says he's 'had fun' during Jets' 1-7 start ... really (Darryl Slater) ..........................................................10
Jets special teams midseason report card: Nick Folk steady, but return game, Ryan Quigley inconsistent (Darryl
Slater) ......................................................................................................................................................................11
Fire John Idzik website urges ouster of Jets' general manager. Should Woody Johnson heed the advice? (Darryl
Slater) ......................................................................................................................................................................12
Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman says he doesn't know the names of his reserve cornerbacks (Matt
Lombardo) ...............................................................................................................................................................13
Jets' Eric Decker: 'This isn't the season I expected' (Matt Lombardo) ....................................................................13
What will Jets' Michael Vick be like at 50? Andy Reid makes a prediction (Matt Lombardo).................................14
Rex Ryan: Jets running more anti-turnover drills with Michael Vick ahead of first start vs. Kansas City Chiefs
(Matt Lombardo) .....................................................................................................................................................15
NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Jets fans ‘fired’ up over Idzik’s boners (Brian Costello) ...........................................................................................16
In trying times, laughter may be best medicine for Jets (George Willis) ................................................................17
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Eric Decker’s wife, Jessie James Decker, rips NY Jets fans on Twitter (Seth Walder) .............................................18
NY Jets' John Idzik in need of lessons from Yankees' Brian Cashman (Bob Raissman) ...........................................19
NY Jets fans create website with mission to fire GM John Idzik (Seth Walder & John Healy)) ...............................21
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Daily Clips Cont.
NY Jets need to find answer at quarterback in 2015 NFL draft (Manish Mehta) ....................................................22
WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 24
New York Jets Trade Geno Smith’s Interceptions for Michael Vick’s Fumbles (Stu Woo) ......................................24
ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 25
Chris Johnson: 'It's been frustrating' (Rich Cimini) ..................................................................................................25
Eric Decker's tweet goes awry (Rich Cimini) ...........................................................................................................26
METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 27
FireJohnIdzik.com sprouts up, aiming to ax Jets GM (Kristian Dyer) ......................................................................27
Jesse James Decker, Eric's wife, calls out Jets 'haters' (Kristian Dyer) ....................................................................28
THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 29
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rex picks Jets' QB: 'that Bumgarner guy' (Dennis Waszak)
Associated Press
October 30, 2014
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rex-picks-jets-qb-bumgarner-003813302--nfl.html
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - Rex Ryan is calling an audible and going to the bullpen.
Michael Vick as the New York Jets' quarterback? Nope.
Geno Smith? Uh, no.
"All right, we're gonna go with that Bumgarner guy, I think," Ryan joked to open his news conference after
practice Thursday.
That "Bumgarner guy," of course, would be San Francisco Giants ace and World Series MVP, left-hander
Madison Bumgarner, who earned a five-inning save in the clinching game against the Kansas City Royals
on Wednesday night to go along with two wins as a starter in the Series.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ryan said. "Five innings after all that work? But, anyways, a machine."
Then, Ryan - a die-hard Yankees fan - put on his baseball analyst cap.
"With that being said, I think the Royals should've leaned in on the pitches," Ryan said. "Crowded the plate
and leaned in a little bit."
Bumgarner pitched a record 52 2-3 innings during the postseason, and improved to 4-0 in his career with
a save and a 0.25 ERA in the World Series, along with three championship rings in five years.
Despite his Jets' 1-7 start, including seven straight losses, Ryan has at least been able to maintain his sense
of humor. In all seriousness, though, Ryan will be sticking with his own lefty, Vick, to start Sunday at Kansas
City against the Chiefs.
Smith, who started the first 24 games of his NFL career, appears likely to be available after practicing fully
Thursday. He had been limited Wednesday and didn't throw after injuring his right shoulder in the Jets'
43-23 loss to Buffalo last Sunday.
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Daily Clips Cont.
"He threw about 50 balls today," Ryan said. "So, that's really what you expect your backup quarterback to
throw. So, yeah, I would expect, unless there's some kind of setback, that he would be the backup
quarterback."
Unless, maybe, that Bumgarner guy is available after the Giants' championship parade Friday.
NOTES: CB Darrin Walls (calf, knee) was the only player to not fully practice. ... WR Eric Decker drew
several negative responses to a contest Wednesday on Twitter in which he asked followers to tell him why
they love being Jets fans. Jessie James Decker came to her husband's defense Thursday as the country
star ripped the team's "haters" in a series of tweets, including saying, "People are so overly dramatic,"
before apparently deleting her account.
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Jets-Chiefs Capsule
Associated Press
October 30, 2014
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jets-chiefs-capsule-175356352--nfl.html
NEW YORK JETS (1-7) at CHIEFS (4-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE - Chiefs by 9 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD - New York 2-6, Kansas City 6-1
SERIES RECORD - Jets lead 18-17-1
LAST MEETING - Jets beat Chiefs 37-10, Dec. 11, 2011
LAST WEEK - Jets lost to Bills 43-23; Chiefs beat Rams 34-7
AP PRO32 RANKING - Jets No. 30, Chiefs No. 15
JETS OFFENSE - OVERALL (28), RUSH (4), PASS (32)
JETS DEFENSE - OVERALL (6), RUSH (5), PASS (14)
CHIEFS OFFENSE - OVERALL (20), RUSH (3), PASS (29)
CHIEFS DEFENSE - OVERALL (3), RUSH (18), PASS (1)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Teams meet at Arrowhead Stadium for first time since 2005. ... Jets have
won last three matchups against Kansas City. ... Chiefs are third in NFL in rushing. Jets are fourth. ... Both
teams have 24 sacks, tied for fourth most in league. ... QB Mike Vick will start for first time with Jets. He
threw for 153 yards and ran for 69 yards last week vs. Buffalo. ... Jets WR Percy Harvin had three catches
for 22 yards and four carries for 28 yards vs. Bills. ... Jets RB Chris Ivory is coming off fifth 100-yard rushing
performance. ... Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton was Jets assistant for 13 seasons, most in team
history. ... Kansas City converts 50.5 percent of third downs, third best in NFL. ... Chiefs OLB Justin Houston
leads NFL with 10 sacks. He has 4 1-2 in his career against Vick, most of any QB. ... Kansas City is only NFL
team that has not allowed a TD rushing this season. ... Chiefs allow league-low 195.7 yards passing per
game. Patriots are second at 210.9 yards. ... Chiefs had seven sacks last week against St. Louis. ... Kansas
City RB Jamaal Charles has 25 TDs dating to start of last season, most in NFL. ... Chiefs RB Knile Davis had
second career kick return TD vs Rams. ... Kansas City is fourth in NFL in red-zone scoring at 69.6 percent.
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3|Page
Daily Clips Cont.
Vick as starting QB familiar for Jets' Mornhinweg (Dennis Waszak)
Associated Press
October 30, 2014
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/vick-starting-qb-familiar-jets-004846028--nfl.html
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - Marty Mornhinweg has seen it all before from Michael Vick.
The flicks of the wrist that rocket footballs downfield 50-plus yards with ease.
The pretty spirals.
The video game-like elusiveness.
The New York Jets offensive coordinator hopes to see it all again. At least for one more game: Sunday at
Kansas City.
With Geno Smith benched after struggling through a dismal first half of the season, Vick is getting his first
start as the Jets' quarterback against the Chiefs.
It will be the 34-year-old Vick's first regular-season start in just over a year, when he was still with
Philadelphia. It's also the first time Mornhinweg is drawing up a game plan with Vick as his starting
quarterback since the end of the 2012 season - when they were both with the Eagles.
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NEWSDAY
Jets expect Geno Smith to play again this season (Kimberley Martin)
Newsday
October 30, 2014
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-expect-geno-smith-to-play-again-this-season1.9566765
Jets fans haven't seen the last of Geno Smith, whether they like it or not.
Michael Vick may be starting Sunday's game in Kansas City, but offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg
said Thursday that he's "certain that Geno will have opportunities'' to play again this season. When
pressed about the likelihood of that happening, Mornhinweg said "we'll see,'' adding that his goal as a
coach is to "continue development for Geno and get Mike ready for this ballgame here.''
Smith, who was limited Wednesday because of a sore right shoulder, was able to resume throwing in
practice Thursday. He threw 50 passes and should be available Sunday, Rex Ryan said.
How can the coaching staff be certain that Smith is progressing if he's not playing? "You don't know until
you get them in games,'' Mornhinweg said of young quarterbacks. "Sometimes you don't know until that
opportunity arises for that young man.''
Pace: I'm having fun
The Jets may be 1-7, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy themselves. Asked how he's handling the
season, linebacker Calvin Pace said, "I've had fun. You can never predict your record . . . I'm still confident
that we can make something of the season. Hopefully everybody else is too . . . We are 1-7 for a reason,
and a lot of it is because of us. With that being said, we're still working as if we are 7-1. That is why it is
fun for me.''
Jet streams
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Daily Clips Cont.
The cornerback situation is so bad, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman doesn't even know the names
of their recent pickups. "I know a couple of their numbers: 41 and 22,'' he said, referring to Josh Thomas
and Marcus Williams . . . CB Darrin Walls (calf/knee) did not practice . . . According to Ryan, left tackle
D'Brickashaw Ferguson is having "a phenomenal year.''
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FireJohnIdzik.com website puts the heat on Jets GM (Kimberley Martin)
Newsday
October 30, 2014
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/firejohnidzik-com-website-puts-the-heat-on-jets-gm1.9566445
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - John Idzik better not Google his name any time soon.
There's now a fan website dedicated to ousting the Jets general manager: "FireJohnIdzik.com."
The home page features scrolling images of some of Idzik's questionable signings such as cornerback
Dimitri Patterson and running back Mike Goodson, and underwhelming draft picks such as quarterback
Geno Smith.
The site implores fans to show owner Woody Johnson that enough is enough: "We paid our PSL's. We put
up with the massive rip-off that is MetLife Stadium and the absurd price of tickets & concessions. But we
will no longer put up with John Idzik running the show."
The Jets GM was highly criticized on Monday for his long-winded midseason news conference that
included a 19-minute opening monologue. It provided little clarity on their quarterback situation, Rex
Ryan's future and how the organization plans to resurrect the franchise.
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Eric Decker's country-pop star wife takes shots at husband's critics (Kimberley Martin)
Newsday
October 30, 2014
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jessie-james-decker-eric-decker-s-wife-takes-shots-athusband-s-critics-1.9567029
Eric Decker knew what was coming.
The Jets receiver had sent out a seemingly innocuous tweet on Wednesday, asking followers to explain
on Twitter why they are diehard Jets fans. The person with the best response would receive an
autographed prize.
As expected, with the Jets 1-7, the replies weren't kind. But here's something no one saw coming: The
receiver's wife, country-pop star Jessie James Decker, deactivated her Twitter account after firing back at
her husband's detractors.
"You think he really cares what y'all think haters?'' Decker's wife vented. "He's laughing his [butt] alllll [sic]
the way home . . . Life is pretty good here. Can't complain.''
Jessie James Decker later clarified the difference between the "haters'' and real Jets fans. "We embrace
the jets fans and couldn't be happier to be here!'' she tweeted before going dark. "Things will look up!!
The haters are another story . . . Get it straight.''
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Daily Clips Cont.
Decker, interviewed hours before his wife shut down her Twitter feed, said he wasn't at all surprised by
the negative reactions to his tweet.
"You've got to expect that, obviously,'' he said, adding that the post was his own idea and not a suggestion
by the team. "Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I don't think it's against the law to try to unite or reach
out to fans. When you're in the position you are, people obviously enjoy winning a lot more than losing. I
get that. But they still love the team aspect.''
Decker said his goal is to make fans feel important "because they are. Wish things would be different. I
didn't expect everything to be all happy and gung-ho [on Twitter], I knew I was going to get some sarcastic
remarks. Because you're always going to get it, no matter the situation. There's always someone out there
wanting attention and being Mr. Negative.''
Frustration levels have reached a tipping point for fans who have watched the Jets' season spiral out of
control. And Rex Ryan understands that.
"Hey, I know our fan base, they are disappointed, to say the least,'' he said when asked about the feedback
Decker received. "So are we, as a football team and an organization from top to bottom. So I think it's
pretty much expected that that would have been the response when our record is what it is.''
Decker, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury, has caught 31 passes for 363 yards and three
touchdowns. "Not what I expected from myself,'' he said. "Been fighting to get back as healthy as I can
and I feel like I'm turning the corner and getting there.''
A 1-7 record is the last thing the former Bronco expected when he signed a five-year, $36.25-million freeagent deal with the Jets in March.
"To be honest with you, I did not see us at this point,'' Decker said. "In the offseason, we had the pieces.
We're just not, obviously, performing on the field. Execution is the name of the game in this league . . .
We've made too many mistakes. It is what it is. We are 1-7. We know why we're here. We've got a lot to
play for yet.''
Decker stressed that he and the rest of the receiving corps have to be more productive on the field, and
that begins Sunday in Kansas City. But despite his nagging injury, the coaching staff has praised Decker's
effort.
Said Ryan: "I know he has given us what he has, and he is trying to step up and play to the best of his
ability.''
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Decker is doing "a fine job,'' though he added: "I would like
to get his yards per catch up just a little bit. But Eric has done a fine job, there is no question about that.''
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THE RECORD
Numbers don’t add up for Jets (Matt Ehalt)
The Record
October 31, 2014
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/numbers-don-t-add-up-for-jets-1.1123646
FLORHAM PARK — Rex Ryan’s defense is on its way to making history.
Unfortunately for the Jets coach, it’s for the fewest takeaways in one season.
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Daily Clips Cont.
"I have been a part of a lot of record-setting defenses, but I never thought I would set one in futility," Ryan
said. "Thank goodness the year isn’t over. I bet we won’t be there, I bet we won’t break that record before
the year is over, but we can’t buy one."
With a league-low three takeaways this season, the Jets’ defense is well on its way to smashing the
previous NFL low for a 16-game season of 11 set by Houston in 2013. The Jets have recovered two fumbles
and have one interception in eight games.
"Even when the ball hits us in the hands, it doesn’t seem like [we catch it]. We could have given up 10
turnovers last week and yet we can’t get one on defense," Ryan said earlier this week. "So, again, you just
go out, you talk about it, you emphasize it, but it has to get done better than it’s been getting done, for
sure."
Since there’s no concrete way to force an opponent into a turnover, Jets players and staff can’t explain
why the unit has only been able to produce three thus far. They’ve acknowledged there have been
opportunities, but they haven’t made the necessary plays.
The Jets recovered fumbles against Green Bay and Chicago in back-to-back weeks in September, and
recorded their lone interception against San Diego on Oct. 5. In the past three games, the Jets have failed
to create a turnover as they have fallen to 1-7.
With just those three takeaways and the offense being tied for the league-high with 18 turnovers, the Jets
have the worst turnover-to-takeaway difference in the NFL — a reason for the team’s poor record.
Coaches across the league stress winning the weekly turnover battle.
This is the second straight season the Jets have fared poorly at forcing turnovers, as they were 31st in the
NFL last season with 15.
"Try to be opportunistic," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "Nobody is throwing you the ball; very few teams
are going to do that. When running backs are coming through the hole, try to strip it from them — those
type of things, but turnovers are not always there.
"Sometimes you got to create them and sometimes you got to get lucky."
Ryan previously said there isn’t much that can be done schematically to create turnovers, but he said
having a lead can help. During this seven-game losing streak, particularly recently, the Jets have not led
for long stretches, which prevents situations where opposing teams are more likely to pass and be more
susceptible to turnovers.
Safety Dawan Landry warned against being more aggressive just for the sake of trying to create turnovers.
The Jets have been burned often on deep passing plays this season, with their lack of quality defensive
backs catching up to them.
"You can’t play out of your game. If you take your chances, you might leave the defense vulnerable for
something else," Landry said. "You have to play the scheme and just can’t risk anything just gambling."
As the Jets look to get some of those elusive takeaways, it won’t be easy Sunday at Kansas City, as the
Chiefs are among the best in protecting the ball with just seven turnovers on the year. Defensive
coordinator Dennis Thurman recognizes the challenge for his defense, but he believes once a turnover
comes, more will follow.
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Jets notes: Geno Smith watch (Matt Ehalt)
The Record
October 31, 2014
7|Page
Daily Clips Cont.
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-notes-geno-smith-watch-1.1123601
Geno watch
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg believes quarterback Geno Smith will benefit from serving as
the backup to Michael Vick.
"This is a pretty good time, I think, to step him back, [and have him] get some big-picture look at this thing
from a different point of view," Mornhinweg said. "That has helped other quarterbacks in the past
immensely. We’ll see what happens here."
Mornhinweg added he expects Smith will have opportunities later this season, and hopes to see a
continuation in Smith’s development. The coordinator said it may be tough to judge whether Smith is
picking up on things unless he gets chances in games.
"This is a minute-to-minute deal," Mornhinweg said. "We’ve got some very important things: to continue
development with Geno and get Mike ready for this ballgame."
Smith (shoulder) had a full practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday, and threw about 50 balls,
according to coach Rex Ryan.
Pace is OK
As a veteran nearing the end of his career, a season like this one could be tough for Calvin Pace to handle.
The linebacker, however, said he’s having "fun." He said his teammates are still giving effort and practicing
hard even as the losses have piled up.
"Nobody came into this season planning to be 1-7 at this point in time," Pace said. "We understand that
a lot of what we’re going through is because of us. Keep working and things will eventually fall in our favor.
Keep having fun."
Briefs
Cornerback Darrin Walls (calf, knee) did not practice for the second straight day. … Special teams
coordinator Thomas McGaughey said Jeremy Kerley served as the punt returner against Buffalo instead
of Percy Harvin because he’s done it before in an NFL game. Harvin had taken reps as a punt returner
during practice.
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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA
Jets' Geno Smith throws Thursday, should be ready to play at Kansas City Chiefs if needed, says Rex
Ryan (Darryl Slater)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/geno_smith_throws_thursday_at_jets_practices_appears_r
eady_to_play_at_kansas_city_chiefs_if_needed.html
FLORHAM PARK – The Jets’ newly minted backup quarterback, Geno Smith, threw a mix of deep and short
passes in Thursday’s practice. He looked fairly sharp in the process, with good zip on his throws.
In a week of disappointment for Smith, it was something of a positive development. Smith injured his right
(throwing) shoulder in Sunday’s loss to the Bills, during which he threw three interceptions and was
benched in favor of Michael Vick.
8|Page
Daily Clips Cont.
While Vick will start this week at Kansas City, Smith will be available.
His shoulder injury had cast doubt on his availability. Smith did not throw at Wednesday’s practice. Still,
coach Rex Ryan said after Wednesday’s practice that he believed Smith would be available for the Chiefs
game, if he has to play. Ryan echoed those sentiments after Thursday's practice.
"That’s what it looks like," Ryan said. "He threw about 50 balls today. So that’s really what you expect
your backup quarterback to throw. So, yeah, I would expect, unless there is some kind of setback, that he
would be the backup quarterback (for the Chiefs game)."
If Smith was not able to play in Kansas City, because of his shoulder, Ryan would've had to promote Matt
Simms from the practice squad. But it looks like Smith is good to go, if the Jets need to play him.
Ryan has said the injury to Smith’s shoulder is not serious. Smith has termed it a minor sprain. Smith on
Wednesday said his shoulder felt “sore.”
This is the first time in Smith’s career that he won’t start. But if something happens to Vick, Smith will be
able to get on the field in relief.
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Why Dennis Thurman would 'get the hell out of here' if he could explain Jets' turnover woes (Darryl
Slater)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/why_defensive_coordinator_dennis_thurman_would_get_t
he_hell_out_of_here_if_he_could_figure_out_jets.html
FLORHAM PARK – The Jets’ defense has gained three turnovers in the season’s first eight games. Three.
That’s the fewest in the NFL, of course.
The Jets need nine in the final eight games to avoid tying the league record for fewest turnovers gained
in a non-strike-shortened, 16-game season – 11, set last year by Houston.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman is completely baffled about why the Jets haven’t been able to
force/gain more turnovers. If he knew, he said, he would not be spending his Thursday afternoon talking
about this matter with reporters.
“If I could explain some of this stuff, I’d go buy me a lottery ticket, have the right numbers and get the hell
out of here, OK?” he said. “But I can’t. That’s just the truth.”
“There’s a lot of reasons (for the Jets’ turnover problems on defense). You place your emphasis on taking
the ball away. You have opportunities to catch interceptions, you’ve got to catch the football. When the
football is on the ground, we’ve had opportunities to get to the football. We haven’t gotten it. Why that
is, I can’t explain it. I wish I could. I keep telling you guys. It’s not a lack of effort. Every football team in
America, starting from Pop Warner all the way up, on defense, they emphasize taking the ball away.”
The Jets have dropped two easy interceptions – one by safety Calvin Pryor, the other by cornerback
Antonio Allen. Cornerback Kyle Wilson missed a chance at another. The Jets’ opponents have fumbled the
ball eight times, and the Jets have recovered twice.
This week, the Jets visit the Chiefs. Their quarterback, Alex Smith, threw three interceptions in the opener.
He has just one in the six games since.
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Daily Clips Cont.
Kansas City has turned the ball over seven times this season. Just six teams in the NFL have turned the ball
over fewer times: Denver (four), New England (five), Arizona (five), Cleveland (five), San Diego (five) and
Seattle (six). Green Bay and San Francisco also have lost seven turnovers.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Jets have played four of those teams: Denver, New England, San
Diego and Green Bay, though the Jets got a pick against San Diego and recovered a fumble against Green
Bay.
If you can figure any of this out, feel free to tell Dennis Thurman your lucky numbers. Head coach Rex
Ryan also might want to know them, too. Ryan said he would "bet" the Jets don't break the Texans' 11turnover record. Will he be right?
Back_to_Top
Calvin Pace says he's 'had fun' during Jets' 1-7 start ... really (Darryl Slater)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/why_calvin_pace_says_hes_had_fun_during_jets_17_start.html
FLORHAM PARK – Nobody in the Jets’ locker room has played more NFL seasons than strong-side
linebacker Calvin Pace, a 34-year-old who is in his 12th year, just like quarterback Michael Vick is.
Pace is running out of time to chase an elusive Super Bowl appearance. He has played in just six career
playoff games, in 2009 and 2010 with the Jets, when they made back-to-back AFC Championship Game
appearances in coach Rex Ryan’s first two seasons.
The Jets won’t sniff the Super Bowl this year. They are 1-7, and sliding on a seven-game losing streak
entering Sunday’s trip to Kansas City. But Pace sounds like he has come to terms with this mess of a
season.
“I’ve had fun,” he said of this year. “You can never predict your record. If you would’ve told me that we’d
be 1-7 at this point in the season, you’d be a rich man from me. It happens. I’m sure the Giants didn’t
expect this type of thing to happen to them last year. Pittsburgh went through it. It happens. I’m having
fun. The record is not in our favor, but it’s fun to come to work every day with these guys. We’re still
confident that we can make something of this season, and hopefully everybody else is, too.”
It’s odd to hear Pace say he is having fun during a 1-7 season, especially this late in his career, when his
chances of playing in a Super Bowl are getting slimmer and slimmer. So what about this season has been
fun?
“Guys are still giving effort,” Pace said. “Nobody is quitting. Nobody is coming in and (just) putting in a
day. We’re 1-7 for a reason, and a lot of it is because of us. But with that being said, we’re still working as
if we’re 7-1. So that’s why it’s fun for me. The fact that we can do something, we can make something out
of this season, keeps optimism with me. Again, it’s fun for me.
“It’s a game. We’re meant to have fun. Sometimes things don’t work out in your favor. Nobody came into
the season planning to be 1-7 at this point in time. But we understand that a lot of what we’re going
through is because of us. If we just keep working, things will eventually fall in our favor, and we’ll keep
having fun.”
Pace is one of the quieter veteran leaders in the Jets’ locker room. He does not speak up all that often. He
dismissed the notion that he would need to police his teammates, to make sure everyone continues to
work hard as the season circles the drain.
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Daily Clips Cont.
“I don’t know, man,” Pace said. “I feel like the leader thing is overrated. I think if you get to this point in
your career and you can’t be motivated to go out and do your job, then maybe you shouldn’t be here. I
don’t know how to tell a grown man how to do his job. I think you know what you’ve got to do, and you’re
paid very well to do a job. No matter what situation you’re in, you’ve just got to go out and run your
business.”
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Jets special teams midseason report card: Nick Folk steady, but return game, Ryan Quigley inconsistent
(Darryl Slater)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/jets_special_teams_midseason_report_card_nick_folk_stea
dy_but_return_game_too_inconsistent.html
The Jets are an unmitigated disaster at the midpoint of their season – 1-7, with a seven-game losing streak
entering Sunday’s game at Kansas City.
They haven’t lost eight straight since starting 0-8 in 1996. They have never lost nine straight in a single
season – in their entire, star-crossed franchise history.
So what went wrong for a team that finished 8-8 last season, won its last two games to save coach Rex
Ryan’s job, and had playoff aspirations in 2014?
This week, we are dissecting four areas of the Jets – defense, offense, special teams and coaching – and
breaking down what happened to each in the first half of this season.
These are our midseason report cards. The Jets won’t want to hang them on their refrigerator.
First up was the defense. Then came the offense.
Next up are special teams.
Pros: Kicker Nick Folk is having another strong year. After going 33 of 36 on field goals last season,
including 15 of 17 from 40 yards and out, he is 14 of 15 this year, including 8 of 9 from 40 and out, and 2
of 3 from 50 and out. Since the beginning of 2012, he is 8 of 10 on field goals of 50 yards or longer.
Yes, he missed the last-second, desperate kick at New England this year, a 58-yarder that was blocked. It
would have eclipsed his career long by 2 yards. So that was a very tough kick, and it is Folk's only miss of
the season. Last week against the Bills, Folk nailed a 55-yarder. It stands alone as the second-longest
successful kick of his career. He connected on a 54-yarder last year, something he also did in 2012.
Since the beginning of last season, Folk is 47 of 51 (92.2 percent) on all of his field goal attempts. He is a
big part of the Jets' offense. The Jets have just 15 touchdowns this season, all scored on offense. And then
they have Folk's 14 field goals.
Cons: Ryan Quigley ranks seventh in the NFL with 47.2 yards per punt, but his dreadful, 30-yard punt at
New England in the fourth quarter gave the Patriots a short field, which they turned into a touchdown
that stretched their lead to eight points. This was a winnable game for the Jets, and Quigley's punt was
one reason why they didn't come away with a victory.
In the return and coverage games, the Jets have had no game-changing special teams plays. For what it's
worth, the Jets rank sixth in the NFL in kickoff coverage, but are 19th in punt coverage. In punt returns,
the Jets are 31st in the league. In kickoff returns, they are 17th.
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Daily Clips Cont.
The Jets are now on their third punt returner. They cut rookie Jalen Saunders, who is no longer on an NFL
roster, after he muffed two punts and lost one. General manager John Idzik clearly missed on this fourthround draft pick. The Jets replaced Saunders with Walter Powell, who was inactive last week as Jeremy
Kerley resumed punt return duties.
On kickoff returns, Saalim Hakim had trouble hanging onto the ball. Powell was the next man in. Then
Percy Harvin took over those duties last week, which makes sense, given his successful history. He showed
some glimpses on a 35-yard return, but the Jets also ran that ill-conceived "laying down in the end zone"
kickoff return trick play that failed.
Grade: CWe can't go any lower than that, because Folk has been so effective, and the field goal kicker is a much
bigger part of the special teams unit than the kickoff return man. But the Jets haven't gotten consistent
showings from any other area of their special teams. Quigley shows flashes, but then lays an egg. The Jets
can't seem to find a suitable punt returner, which is also a more significant job than kickoff returner. The
Jets' special teams aren't as bad off as their offense, but things are far from rosy in this corner of the
franchise.
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Fire John Idzik website urges ouster of Jets' general manager. Should Woody Johnson heed the advice?
(Darryl Slater)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/fire_john_idzik_website_urges_ouster_of_jets_general_ma
nager.html
FLORHAM PARK – John Idzik is just 24 games into his tenure as the Jets' general manager. And already,
fans are calling for his firing.
In fact, there is now even a website dedicated to that cause, such as it is: FireJohnIdzik.com. Can't imagine
Jets owner Woody Johnson has this bookmarked on his laptop.
Still, it looks like quite a bit of effort went into the website, which states, as its mission:
Join other long suffering Jets fans in our quest to rid the organization of our CLOWN GM. Our goal is to
raise enough money to purchase a billboard in the vicinity of MetLife Stadium and let the Jets know that
their most loyal fans are demanding change.
Show Woody that we paid our PSL's. We put up with the massive rip-off that is MetLife Stadium and the
absurd price of tickets & concessions. But we will no longer put up with John Idzik running the show.
So there you have it. The site even has Fire John Idzik T-shirts. How festive.
After the Jets went 8-8 last year, they are 1-7 to start this year, sliding on a seven-game losing streak
entering Sunday's game at the Chiefs.
Yes, Idzik drafted defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. But
he also drafted quarterback Geno Smith in the second round, and Smith has not panned out so far.
Strangely enough, Idzik did not address the existence of this website during the 19-minute opening
statement of his press conference Monday.
Should Johnson heed the advice of FireJohnIdzik.com and turf Idzik after the season? Or does Idzik deserve
a third year to continue his rebuilding plan?
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Daily Clips Cont.
As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section down below.
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Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman says he doesn't know the names of his reserve cornerbacks
(Matt Lombardo)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/jets_defensive_coordinator_dennis_thurman_says_he_does
nt_know_names_of_his_cornerbacks_hint_theyre_m.html
FLORHAM PARK – Someone may want to purchase a game program for Jets defensive coordinator Dennis
Thurman when the team lands in Kansas City for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Thurman on Thursday insisted during his weekly media availability that he doesn't know the names of the
latest cornerbacks to suit up, after that unit has been besieged by injuries this season.
Already without Dee Milliner, who was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, and rookie Dexter
McDougle, with a torn ACL, the Jets could be without Darrin Walls Sunday, because of a calf injury.
That's put Thurman and the secondary in a pretty dire situation.
"It's like, I know their numbers," Thurman said, when asked to give a scouting report on the newest
cornerbacks to be signed/promoted to the 53-man roster (Marcus Williams and Josh Thomas). "One of
them wears number 22. We're trying to put the best combination we can out there.
"I don't even know who's going to start this Sunday."
Milliner and McDougle's injuries led the Jets to bringing in Thomas, but the coaching staff is apparently
still trying to get a feel for him.
"All I know about Josh [Thomas] is he played at Carolina and started a couple games in this league,"
Thurman said. "That's what I know about him. Marcus Williams, I know his number. It's 22."
Thomas played three games for the Seahawks earlier this season and started 10 times for the Panthers,
who cut him in August, over the last two seasons.
Williams was recently promoted from the practice squad.
When asked what stood out about the North Dakota State product, Thurman got right to the point.
"We're searching."
So it goes, for a team that is 1-7 just across the midway point of the regular season.
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Jets' Eric Decker: 'This isn't the season I expected' (Matt Lombardo)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/jets_eric_decker_this_isnt_the_season_i_expected.html
FLORHAM PARK – Coming off a Super Bowl appearance with the Denver Broncos last year, it isn't
surprising to hear that Jets wide receiver Eric Decker didn't expect his first season in New York to play out
the way it has.
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Daily Clips Cont.
Addressing the media Thursday ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Decker admitted
that he didn't see a 1-7 start happening when he signed with the Jets over the off-season.
"I've got to be honest with you," Decker said. "I did not see us at this point, in the off-season. We have
the pieces. We just aren't obviously performing on the field. Execution is the name of the game in this
league. The talent level is so even throughout this league that you can't make mistakes. We've made too
many mistakes.
"It is what it is. We are 1-7. We still have a lot to play for. We have a lot of division games left. We come
to work every day and show up on Sunday hoping to get better."
Decker has caught 31 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns after missing Week 5 with a hamstring
injury. The 27-year-old says he had higher hopes heading into the year.
"It's just more disappointing than anything and struggling with an injury," Decker said. "It's not what I
expected from myself. I've been fighting to get back to being as healthy as I can. I feel like I'm turning the
corner to get there.
"Statistics, you can look at it and say that it hasn't been as great. Statistics can be blown up as well. The
statistic I look at is the wins-loss column, and personally I don't think we've done enough in the locker
room to accomplish that feat and get more W's.
"Again, we have eight games left and a lot to build on."
Decker is coming off a season-high seven receptions for 40 yards in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills.
The five-year veteran says that Sunday's game presents a unique set of challenges.
"They're a solid defense," Decker said. "They have some good pass rushers. They're solid in the back-end.
They're playing good football.
"I've played against them a lot over the last four years. They struggled last year against the pass and this
year they're a lot better. We have to make sure we get yards on first down, second and manageable and
make sure that we're not hurting ourselves with penalties or turnovers."
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What will Jets' Michael Vick be like at 50? Andy Reid makes a prediction (Matt Lombardo)
NJ Advance Media
October 30, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/what_will_michael_vick_be_like_at_50_andy_reid_makes_a
_prediction.html
FLORHAM PARK – It's almost fitting that Jets quarterback Michael Vick's first start of the season comes
Sunday in Kansas City against Andy Reid's Chiefs.
Reid of course coached Vick for four seasons when the pair were together in Philadelphia with the Eagles
and the quarterback's former head coach doesn't see the 34-year-old slowing down anytime soon.
"I joked to our media here that he’s going to be 50 years old and still be the fastest guy on the field and
the best arm on the field," Reid said on a conference call. "He’s an amazing guy that way. You never slight
Michael Vick."
It was Reid who helped welcome Vick back to the NFL in 2009 following his stint at Leavenworth prison.
He says that he couldn't be prouder of the transition Vick was able to make in his life both on and off the
football field.
14 | P a g e
Daily Clips Cont.
"You guys know how proud I am of him for the man that he is and the things that he’s done to change
things around and kind of bounce back. And then as a football player, I think you probably know that too.
"I knew Michael a little bit before all the things that happened there. Michael is a good person and people
can question that with all the things that went on, but Michael’s got a big heart. And he learned some
things during that time and that was the important part. People get in trouble, you want them to figure it
out and come out on the better side of it. I think we all do, I think we all want that.
"Thank goodness we're in America where people are relatively forgiving and so, he worked to better
himself and then he also did the same thing on the football field. So, he did it as a person and then, he
had a lot of time to think about what he could do to be a better football player and so he went back and
that’s the way he attacked things on the football field. It was a tribute to him as a person. That wasn’t an
easy thing for him. He worked through it."
Vick threw for 8,769 yards, 52 touchdowns and 30 interceptions as an Eagle. The 14-year veteran says
he's looking forward to seeing his former coach Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
"If there's anybody who knows me, it's him,'' Vick said. "There have been times he's sitting there and he
told me what he'd do to me if he was playing me. He told me what the other teams were going to do, and
they did exactly that. I played against Kansas City last year and it wasn't easy by any stretch, but that's
part of the challenge. I've just got to stay disciplined and keep it tight and keep playing my game.''
"It's always going to be good to see him, the relationship is a friendship that I will value for the rest of my
life.''
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Rex Ryan: Jets running more anti-turnover drills with Michael Vick ahead of first start vs. Kansas City
Chiefs (Matt Lombardo)
NJ Advance Media
October 31, 2014
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/rex_ryan_jets_running_more_antiturnover_drills_with_michael_vick_ahead_of_first_start_vs_kansas_cit_1.html
FLORHAM PARK – Jets quarterback Michael Vick's career have been plagued by turnovers and many
coaches have tried to eradicate them over the years.
Throughout this 14-year career, Vick has turned the ball over 180 times in 134 games.
That's an average of 1.34 giveaways per game.
Jim Mora Jr. in Atlanta, Andy Reid and Chip Kelly in Philadelphia and now Jets head coach Rex Ryan have
all used different methods to try and drill into the now 34-year-old quarterback's mind the value of
protecting the football.
Ryan believes he has a secret weapon up his sleeve that has been ramped up since the team named Vick
the starter on Monday: Anti-turnover drills.
"Oh, we've got a couple of gauntlet things that we've put him through," Ryan said after Thursday's
practice. "Where you basically have a line of guys on both sides of him and you're trying to rip the ball
out.
"We have about three or four of these drills that we use. We normally do them once a week. We're doing
it twice a week now."
Ryan says that he went right to these drills before even beginning to gameplan for the Chiefs.
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Daily Clips Cont.
"We even did these things on Monday," Ryan said. "We came back and had ball-security drill day. During
that walk-through practice after you watch the tape and go out to make your corrections. We also had a
ball security drill for our offense."
Vick gets the nod for the 1-7 Jets Sunday in relief of Geno Smith, who has had his share of struggles this
season, and is relegated to a backup role against the Chiefs while battling through a shoulder injury.
One issue that has bedeviled Vick time and time again is the way that he holds the football away from his
body when scrambling that has led to turnovers in the past by defenses taking swipes at the ball.
Ryan acknowledged that concern and hopes that he can be the coach the rids Vick of that practice.
"That's a concern," Ryan admitted. "We're trying to make sure he keeps that tip [of the football] high.
You're not going to change him. When he's escaping, he just has to sense it. Put two hands on the football.
Secure it. That's the kind of thing we teach but when he's avoiding, but it's easy to understand when
you're getting ready to get hit that thing's gotta be tucked.
"I think you emphasize it. But some of it is a natural thing for him. He has to be conscious of 'I've gotta get
that thing tucked away,' I think the focus really needs to be on it."
Beyond just attempting to fix the turnovers, switching quarterbacks this late in the season will always
present a certain amount of challenges for the rest of the offense; be it the offensive line, wide receivers
or other skill positions getting familiarized with a new signal caller.
"The biggest thing is just getting timing with him," Jets wide receiver Eric Decker said. "Getting as many
reps as we can in our game plan. Obviously we got work in with him in training camp and at times during
the season. Now we have a full week with Mike just to kind of build that comfort with him."
Part of Vick's propensity for turnovers in the past is his seemingly instinctual inability to 'give up' on a play
and try to make even the smallest of losses or modest of gains into a highlight reel play.
Jets linebacker Calvin Pace isn't concerned that the offense will have an issue with Vick trying to play
'super human'.
"I don't have to tell that to Mike. Mike's been doing this long enough. He'll be fine." Pace said. "Whoever's
there just has to go out and just do what they can, take what the defense gives them, lean on everybody
else. We've got a great line, great running backs. They don't have to do it by themselves, is my point. You
don't have to try to go out and be some super human player. Take the plays that are given. If that can be
done, some good things could be done."
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NEW YORK POST
Jets fans ‘fired’ up over Idzik’s boners (Brian Costello)
New York Post
October 30, 2014
http://nypost.com/2014/10/30/jets-fans-fired-up-over-idziks-boners/
Jets fans tired of general manager John Idzik have created a website titled: “firejohnidzik.com”
Four friends decided to create the site after listening to Idzik’s rambling news conference on Monday.
“We were so disgusted after the game on Sunday, that the last thing we wanted to hear was that ridiculous
press conference,” said Jason Koeppel, one of the site’s creators.
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Daily Clips Cont.
Koeppel, along with his brother Jared and friends Matthew Wolferman and Greg Kohler called each other
after Idzik’s rambling comments Monday and decided to put this site together.
The site is soliciting donations so they can put up a “Fire John Idzik” billboard near MetLife Stadium. Fans
who donate a certain amount get a T-shirt with a logo. Koeppel, a 35-year-old season-ticket holder from
Hackensack, N.J., said it will cost around $10,000 to buy the billboard. The site had raised around $500 in
the first 24 hours.
Koeppel said he hopes to get donations from many different Jets fans and send the list to team owner
Woody Johnson.
The site has a slideshow highlighting Idzik’s biggest mistakes as general manager, from Mike Goodson to
Dimitri Patterson and everything in between. It even has a photo of T.J. Graham lying down in the end
zone last week on an ill-conceived trick kickoff return against the Bills. It is labeled the “Idzik Hall of
Shame.”
Left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson has a tough task this week against Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali. Some
people are down on Ferguson this year (he is rated as the 43rd best tackle by Pro Football Focus), but
coach Rex Ryan likes what he has seen.
“I think he is having a phenomenal year,” Ryan said. “There are a couple of things, we have a couple of
young guards in there, we are trying to hold off helping out. Brick, I think if this isn’t his best year, I think
it’s right there. Maybe, my first year here, or one of them, I thought he was the best tackle in football. I
think he is pretty close to that right now.”
According to PFF, Ferguson has given up a sack, five quarterback hits and 15 hurries.
Cornerback Darrin Walls (calf) did not practice Thursday and may miss Sunday’s game. So who would the
Jets start?
“We’re searching,” defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said.
The most likely options are Marcus Williams, who was signed off the practice squad this week, J osh
Thomas, who has been on the team for two weeks, and Phillip Adams, who has started two games this
season.
Quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder) threw 50 passes in practice, Ryan said, after not being able to throw
Wednesday. Ryan expects Smith to be available to back up Michael Vick on Sunday.
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In trying times, laughter may be best medicine for Jets (George Willis)
New York Post
October 30, 2014
http://nypost.com/2014/10/30/in-trying-times-laughter-may-be-best-medicine-for-jets/
Rex Ryan opened his press conference Thursday with a bit of levity taken from the seventh game of the
World Series. “We’re going to go with that Bumgarner guy,” Ryan said as if announcing his latest change
at quarterback.
If only it were true. Certainly, Madison Bumgarner, the San Francisco Giants pitching ace, couldn’t be
much of a drop-off from Geno Smith. If Smith were half as good at his job as Bumgarner is at his, the Jets
wouldn’t still be searching for a franchise quarterback.
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Daily Clips Cont.
That’s the sad part, which is why Ryan’s attempt at humor was sprinkled with a tinge of envy as the Jets
could use a competitive and dominating performer like Bumgarner on their team. “He’s a machine,” Ryan
said.
Ryan cracking one-liners is nothing new, but the Jets seem to be working hard these days to maintain their
humor in the midst of humiliation. They have lost seven straight games and face a daunting challenge
Sunday when they travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs (4-3) in rowdy Arrowhead Stadium.
At 1-7, the Jets are searching for reasons to laugh. Veteran center Nick Mangold played keep-away with a
PR assistant’s cell phone on Thursday, while linebacker Calvin Pace had his interview session photobombed by teammates calling his name and sticking water bottles in his face as if they were microphones.
With half the season still to play, this isn’t the time for the Jets to start brooding.
“I think when you go through difficult situations you still have to remember that it’s a kid’s game that
we’re very fortunate to play,” Mangold said. “You have to get back to that mentality and remember it’s
supposed to be fun. If you get too tight, it’s only going to make things worse. There’s obviously a time and
place for work to be done. But you can find the right time and place to get a good one-liner in also.”
Pace offered a similar message. A 12-year veteran still chasing his first Super Bowl ring, Pace could be
openly bummed about having to play through another wasted season. Yet, he insisted he was still “having
fun” coming to work despite the losing streak.
“The record is not in our favor,” he said. “But it’s fun to come to work every day with these guys. Guys are
still giving effort. Nobody has quit. We’re 1-7 for a reason and a lot is because of us. But we’re still working
as if we’re 7-1. That’s why it’s fun for me.”
Keeping things light in the locker room might be the Jets’ best approach at this juncture. There’s plenty of
frustration over the way things have gone, and there remains uncertainty at quarterback where Michael
Vick will make his first start of the season against the Chiefs. It would be easy to start finger-pointing and
passing blame. The Jets haven’t done that yet. Neither has anyone offered any lectures.
“If you get to this point in your career and you can’t be motivated to do your job, maybe you shouldn’t be
here,” Pace said. “I don’t know how to tell a grown man to do his job.”
The Jets know there won’t be any smiling on Sunday at Arrowhead, one of the most intimidating venues
in the NFL.
“We know what we are getting into,” Ryan said. “At least we think we do with the noise and all that type
of stuff.”
Still, there’s no reason not to embrace the challenge. Fans often want players to feel their pain. But that
can be counterproductive and lead to internal strife.
“It’s a game,” Pace reiterated. “It’s meant to be fun. Sometimes things don’t work out. Nobody thought
we’d be 1-7. We just have to keep having fun and keep working and things will eventually fall in our favor.”
Maybe the Jets can prove laughter is indeed the best medicine.
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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Eric Decker’s wife, Jessie James Decker, rips NY Jets fans on Twitter (Seth Walder)
New York Daily News
October 30, 2014
18 | P a g e
Daily Clips Cont.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/eric-decker-wife-jessie-james-decker-rips-jets-fanstwitter-article-1.1993177
On Sunday it was Geno Smith. Jon Idzik took his turn on Monday, and on Thursday another member of
the Jets family was public enemy No. 1 as far as Jets fans were concerned — Eric Decker’s wife.
Jesse James Decker, a country music star who claims on her Twitter page “I pee in the shower,” became
the latest target of an angry Gang Green nation after she tried — unsuccesfully — to defend her husband
on social media.
“You think he really cares what y’all think haters? He’s laughing his ass alllll the way home.... Life is pretty
good here. Can’t complain,” Jessie James Decker wrote on Twitter to her 382,000 followers Thursday.
It all started on Wednesday, when Jets fans, still steaming over Idzik’s baffling, confusing and depressing
press conference on Monday, ripped the Gang Green receiver on Twitter after he asked them why they
love Gang Green. He was even willing to give a signed prize to the best response.
What he got instead was mostly snippy responses about the team’s dysfunctional state and 1-7 record.
Some brought up Mark Sanchez’s infamous butt fumble, and one response said, “because they are
consistent — they let me down week after week.”
And while they may have thought they were getting a free shot at Decker, his wife wouldn’t let it go and
fired back. Guess what? So did Jets fans, starting a new Decker/Jets fan feud.
“Just stay out of it and go back to the kitchen,” @ScottCantor1 wrote before apparently erasing the tweet.
“Who do you play for?” she responded a few hours before her account was deactivated.
Decker was a good sport about the remarks he got back, saying “you’ve got to expect that.” The receiver
said the giveaway wasn’t something the team asked him to do, he just felt like doing something for the
fans on his own.
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NY Jets' John Idzik in need of lessons from Yankees' Brian Cashman (Bob Raissman)
New York Daily News
October 30, 2014
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/raissman-jets-john-idzik-lessons-yankees-briancashman-article-1.1993999
The Jets once brought in Joe Girardi to teach Mark Sanchez how to slide. Now they should bring in Brian
Cashman to teach John Idzik how to deal with the media.
When it comes to maneuvering and manipulating, when it comes to either answering questions candidly,
or controlling his media message, the Yankees GM takes a back seat to no one.
Unlike Idzik, Cashman made it a point to cultivate some friendly relationships with those asking the
questions. You only have to read (or listen to them) to know this: The better Cashman is treated the more
solid information they get.
And when a trade Cashman made has gone south, or he’s getting beaten up over the state of the Bombers’
farm system, the Friends of Brian are more diplomatic (that’s an understatement) in their critiques.
Idzik? Ain’t nobody in the media cutting him any slack.
When Idzik offered a convoluted explanation about his role in leaving the Jets secondary barren, or
explaining why he held on to millions of bucks in salary-cap space, it was hard to figure whether the GM
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Daily Clips Cont.
is confused, delusional or just lying. The distrust Idzik has engendered, along with the uncomfortable vibe
he projects, won’t win him the benefit of the doubt. It also leads to embarrassing backpage headlines like
The Daily News’ “THE VILLAGE IDZIOT”.
Cashman has said he will never lie to the media. If he can’t answer a question straight, he will answer with
a “no comment.” One MLB TV analyst said Cashman never underestimates the New York media and
believes if you lie to the boss scribes they will eventually catch you in that lie.
“I’m not sure Cashman can always stick to his (media) policy,” the analyst said. “But I’m sure he knows
you can’t come off as oblivious as Idzik did (Monday during his rambling 19-minute press conference
soliloquy).”
Get it? Cashman, through years of experience with the Yankees, has earned his doctorate in media
relations.
He could teach Idzik a thing or three, maybe even invite the beleaguered Jets GM to watch him preside
over the up-coming A-Rod Circus Maximus.
Still, there are others who believe even someone as skilled as Cashman cannot provide Idzik with the
redemptive blueprint he desperately needs.
“As much of a baseball catastrophe as their A-Rod situations, and other Yankees controversy over the
years have been, Cashman has never had to deal with the kind of train wreck John is dealing with right
now. No one has ever tried running Cashman out of town,” a network executive involved with the NFL
said. “These are unchartered waters (for Idzik).”
Waters Idzik should have never even dipped his toe in. While Monday’s press conference, a review of the
season at the halfway mark, was scheduled before anyone knew the Jets would lose, 43-23, to Buffalo last
Sunday, Jets brass should have canceled it.
The Bills fiasco was devastating on a number of levels. It opened a gaping hole in an organization already
gushing blood, er, negative publicity. Instead of closing the wound, Idzik was delivered to a pack of media
wolves ready, willing, and able to rip the scab off, allowing the flow to continue.
If the organization had postponed Idzik’s press conference, the GM would have been accused — once
again — of hiding in the bunker. So? It would not have been the first time he took a hit for being
inaccessible. Being accused of ducking the media goes down a lot more easily than columnists and VOS
Gasbags calling for Idzik’s dismissal while portraying him as totally clueless.
By not canceling Monday’s press conference, Idzik, and the PR handlers advising him, went against a
strategy one sage sports consultant once offered for when the walls are closing in: If I don’t say anything,
people can think I’m stupid. But if I open my mouth I remove all doubt.
Idzik’s no dope, far from it. Yet once he deviated from whatever script (or notes) he prepared, and burned
himself with his version of a Fireside Chat, baring his soul and speaking from his heart, he removed all
doubt from those who think otherwise — including a significant portion of Jets fans and many of the
inquiring minds assembled to ask him questions.
Instead of falling on his sword in a concise, cohesive get-in-and-get-out manner (Simply saying: This is my
fault, not anyone else who works for this great organization. Now, any questions?) he talked himself into
oblivion. He wound up tripping all over everything, coming off stilted, gratuitous and definitely not in
command.
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Daily Clips Cont.
Maybe if Idzik had more practice at this, more frequent interaction with the media, he might have been
able to deliver the word in the clutch. Similar to not signing a quality cornerback, getting involved with
the media was not an Idzik priority.
Now we wonder if there is an encore performance left for John Idzik. Will he ever get one more chance
to talk himself into another mess?
Back_to_Top
NY Jets fans create website with mission to fire GM John Idzik (Seth Walder & John Healy))
New York Daily News
October 30, 2014
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-fans-create-website-effort-fire-john-idzik-article1.1993597
John Idzik has been the Jets GM for less than two years and the fans are already fed up.
Coming off the heels of a press conference in which Idzik mostly praised the 1-7 team, disgruntled fans
have started a website called firejohnidzik.com.
The website, managed by season ticket holders Jason Koeppel of Hackensack and his brother Jared,
displays a slideshow of some of the disappointing players who’ve played for the Jets under Idzik’s watch,
and details their goal of purchasing a billboard outside MetLife Stadium.
“Join other long suffering Jets fans in our quest to rid the organization of our CLOWN GM,” a statement
on the site reads. “Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a billboard in the vicinity of MetLife
Stadium and let the Jets know that their most loyal fans are demanding change.”
“Show Woody (Johnson) that we paid our PSL's. We put up with the massive rip-off that is MetLife Stadium
and the absurd price of tickets and concessions. But we will no longer put up with John Idzik running the
show.”
The idea for the website was hatched after Idzik’s Monday press conference. Koeppel called his brother
and two friends and they all agreed they needed to do something greater than complain on the message
boards.
“First of all, Sunday's game was ridiculous. We left the stadium beyond another level of angry,” Koeppel
told the Daily News. “Then Monday was the tipping point. I'm listening going 'are you kidding me?' We
had to do something.”
ANOTHER NEW QB?
Rex Ryan may be just about out of a job, but the coach still brings his comedy routine with him wherever
he goes.
He opened his Thursday press conference by joking about who might be the Jets’ starting quarterback
Sunday.
“We’re gonna go with that Bumgarner guy I think,” Ryan quipped, referring to World Series MVP pitcher
Madison Bumgarner.
Instead, the Jets will start a different lefty.
GENO WILL BE HEALTHY ON BENCH
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Geno Smith (shoulder) resumed throwing on Thursday, and it appears he is on track to be active for
Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. Of course, if all goes according to plan for the Jets, Smith won’t play,
because Rex Ryan benched the second-year signal-caller in favor of Mike Vick.
Ryan said Smith threw about 50 passes Thursday.
ON PACE
Jets fans are plenty miserable (see: responses to Eric Decker on Twitter) about the team's 1-7 record but
apparently linebacker Calvin Pace is doing just fine.
“I've had fun,” Pace said on his season. “You can never predict your record. If you had told me that we
would be 1-7 this season you would be a very rich man from me.”
Pace cited other teams that have gone through struggles in recent seasons like the Giants last year. That
probably won't settle the panicked fan base.
“Again, I am having fun,” Pace said. “The record is not in our favor, but it is fun to come to work every day
with these guys. I'm still confident, I'm still confident that we can make something of the season, hopefully
everybody else is too.”
TO THE WALLS
CB Darrin Walls (calf/knee) was the only player that didn't practice Thursday, but he's also the only player
on the roster to start every game at cornerback. Walls said Thursday he thinks he'll be able to play, but if
he can't, the team could be in trouble. If he can't go, the Jets would likely have to start Antonio Allen
opposite either Phillip Adams, Josh Thomas or Marcus Williams.
Thomas and Williams are so new to the team that defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman joked he only
knew their numbers. Asked who would play cornerback this week, Thurman said, “We're searching.”
Back_to_Top
NY Jets need to find answer at quarterback in 2015 NFL draft (Manish Mehta)
New York Daily News
October 30, 2014
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-find-answer-quarterback-2015-nfl-draftarticle-1.1993890
The Jets’ search for a franchise quarterback must begin now that Geno Smith has been exposed as a
mirage.
Nothing matters more than finding the right player at the game’s most pivotal position this offseason.
The 1-7 Jets are destined for a Top 5 pick in the 2015 draft that could alter the course of the franchise for
the next decade. The fear, of course, is that general manager John Idzik, a neophyte in personnel
evaluation, will screw it up if he somehow survives the wreckage.
The free-agent options are limited.
Brian Hoyer has done an admirable job keeping the Browns competitive through eight weeks, but he
wouldn’t instill hope for Woody Johnson’s star-crossed franchise. Hoyer is an ideal bridge quarterback for
a rookie, but he’ll be looking for a clear-cut starting job in 2015.
Mark Sanchez, yes that Mark Sanchez, has rid himself of the bad vibes trailing him a year ago without
taking a snap for the Eagles in the first seven games. Sanchez’s eye-opening preseason has him positioned
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to compete for a starting gig somewhere next year when he hits free agency. Chances of a Jets reunion
conservatively hover around 0.02%.
Impending free agents Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Colt McCoy, Ryan Mallett, Matt Moore and
greybeard Carson Palmer don’t exactly move the needle, so the Jets’ smartest choice will be to address
the quarterback issue in the upcoming draft.
Rex Ryan’s team probably won’t supplant the hapless Raiders (0-7) for the league’s worst record. Oakland
is destined for the No. 1 overall pick, but isn’t looking for a quarterback after hitching its wobbly wagon
to Derek Carr’s star.
The Jaguars, Falcons, Vikings and Redskins will be in the mix for a Top 5 pick, but none needs a
quarterback. The struggling Buccaneers, Titans and Rams will be looking for a signal caller.
Johnson, smitten with Sanchez in the run-up to the 2009 draft, will fall head over heels for Oregon’s
Marcus Mariota during the evaluation process in a few months.
Mariota, who has completed nearly 70% of his passes with a 24-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio this
season, is a star in the making. At 6-4, 219 pounds with 4.5 40 speed, Mariota has been described as a
freakish blend of Ben Roethlisberger and Colin Kaepernick, a deadly dual-threat quarterback with the
competitiveness, intelligence and mental toughness to excel at the next level.
His success in Oregon’s spread system has some wondering whether he can adjust to a pro-style scheme
with more intricate route concepts. Any good NFL offensive coordinator, however, will be able to exploit
his skill set to thrive at the next level.
Chip Kelly probably lies awake every night in Philly wondering how much it would take to trade up for his
former pupil.
Mariota’s biggest criticism to date? He’s too nice.
Gimme a break.
The Jets would get a “potential coup,” so to speak, if they land Mariota.
Florida State’s Jameis Winston is the ultimate boom-or-bust consideration. The reigning Heisman Trophy
winner (67% completion rate with 40 touchdowns and 10 INTs as a redshirt freshman) has rare physical
gifts and field vision to be a NFL difference maker.
His decision-making on the field, however, doesn’t match his decision-making off it. Winston’s off-field
transgressions include shoplifting at a grocery store and yelling a profane phrase at the school’s student
union that prompted a one-game suspension last month. He faces a disciplinary hearing in December for
an alleged sexual assault incident that took place in 2012.
New York/New Jersey might not be the right fit for such a seemingly immature guy, but his high football
I.Q. will tempt the Jets.
“He can read coverage going through a progression,” said one scout who has studied him closely through
the years. “He has very good leadership qualities and instincts. His most gifted attribute is his ability to
stay focused after bad plays and find a way to win. He’s very tough and competitive.”
Mariota and Winston are the headliners, but there are a few other options that the Jets must consider.
UCLA red-shirt junior Brett Hundley (6-3, 227 pounds) is another dual threat with frightening upside. Like
Geno Smith, he has predominantly played out of the shotgun in a simple offensive college system.
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook’s stock skyrocketed after a standout 2013 season (22 TDs, 6
INTs), but there’s a sentiment in scouting circles that the junior might be better off staying in college for
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one more season to hone his skills (especially footwork). Cook said Wednesday that he’s inclined to stay
in school unless it becomes obvious that he’ll be taken in the first round.
Sean Mannion (6-5, 220 pounds) decided to return to Oregon State after the NFL Draft Advisory Board
gave him a third-round grade following his standout junior season (Pac-12 record 4,662 yards, 37 TDs) in
a pro-style system. He’s a prototypical drop-back passer, who isn’t going to scare people with his legs.
The Jets brain trust can’t afford to fumble this decision. There’s too much at stake for a team going in
reverse.
Smith fooled the Jets with a strong arm and eye-opening numbers at West Virginia. However, his inability
to consistently make smart decisions under duress in 24 starts was his undoing.
“It’s hard because you may not see as much on film,” another scout said of gauging the mental fortitude
of college quarterbacks. “But you have to do your best to get inside his head, learn about his mental
makeup and put him in those pressure situations mentally during the evaluation process. You want to
ultimately learn how he’s wired.”
The Jets have six months to do their homework on the next potential face of the franchise.
They can’t afford to be wrong again.
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WALL STREET JOURNAL
New York Jets Trade Geno Smith’s Interceptions for Michael Vick’s Fumbles (Stu Woo)
Wall Street Journal
October 30, 2014
http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-york-jets-trade-geno-smiths-interceptions-for-michael-vicksfumbles-1414715966?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10415335274427634357204580246890318788322.html?mod
=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories
FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—Earlier this week at practice, new Jets starting quarterback Michael Vick was busy
working on a drill that even high schoolers do. With a football clutched in both hands, he shuffled
backward as if preparing to pass while backups Geno Smith and Matt Simms, as well as two coaches,
slapped at the ball and tried to jar it loose.
The drill, called the gauntlet, teaches passers to shield the ball with their hands and body when facing
pressure. Jets quarterbacks normally do the gauntlet only on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but head coach
Rex Ryan added it to Vick’s workout on Monday in the aftermath of the Jets’ six-turnover performance
against Buffalo.
“I guess we should have had it the week before,” Ryan said.
To the Jets fans who chanted Vick’s name and cheered for him when he replaced Smith on Sunday: Yes,
Vick is almost certainly the better quarterback. Even at age 34, he possesses a pitcher’s arm and a running
back’s speed.
What those fans may forget—as the Jets get ready to travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Sunday—
is that Vick has always been a flawed passer. His mediocre 56% career completion percentage is no better
than Smith’s (55.9%), and he has fumbled the ball 95 times in 134 games.
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In essence, Vick replaces Smith’s interceptions with fumbles. He has lost 43 of them in his career, including
two on Sunday after he replaced Smith during the loss to the Bills.
After the game, Vick acknowledged that he might not have had enough practice time with the team’s
starters.
“It comes down to the fundamentals, two hands on the ball in the pocket,” he said.
That explains the gauntlet drill. When he scrambles, Vick tends to hold the ball away from his body, as if
it were a clutch purse. It’s something quarterbacks often do as they decide whether to run or throw. Ryan
wants him to change that, but the coach conceded that it might be difficult to teach a veteran quarterback
new tricks.
“Some of that you are not going to change right now,” Ryan said. “When he is escaping, he just has to
sense it and make sure you put two hands on it, protect it on your inside shoulder. Those type of things
we teach, but sometimes out in that space, when he is avoiding [defenders], it is hard to change
somebody’s running style. But understand, when you are getting ready to get hit, that thing has to be
tucked.”
Simms, the team’s third-string quarterback, said quarterbacks usually spend 10 minutes on Wednesdays
and Thursdays doing the gauntlet.
“It’s similar to a basketball situation, when it’s one-on-one and you’re using the body to shield the ball,”
Simms said.
He said that Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and San Diego’s Philip Rivers are the best in the league at
avoiding fumbles while in the pocket. They dip their shoulders both to escape pass rushers and to protect
the ball.
Of course, Vick can do something that Roethlisberger, Rivers and even Smith can’t do nearly as well: run.
Smith has averaged 21 rushing yards a game in his career; Vick’s average is 44.4. On Sunday, he had eight
carries for 69 yards, including a dazzling 24-yard scramble that helped set up a touchdown.
Vick’s potential to make that sort of run at any time makes it unlikely the Jets will suffer through five
consecutive three-and-outs, which the Smith-led offense did against Detroit earlier this season, when they
play Kansas City on Sunday.
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ESPN NEW YORK
Chris Johnson: 'It's been frustrating' (Rich Cimini)
ESPN New York
October 30, 2014
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/11792017/chris-johnson-new-york-jets-frustrated-limitedrole
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- During his peak years with the Tennessee Titans, Chris Johnson welcomed the
Monday morning aches and pains. It usually meant a busy and productive Sunday.
He longs for those days now.
"I don't really play, so I'm never sore," the New York Jets running back told ESPN.com on Thursday.
The former 2,000-yard rusher, who carried the ball only three times for 7 yards in last weekend's loss to
the Buffalo Bills, said he's frustrated with his limited role in the Jets' offense.
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Johnson doesn't want to be perceived as a complainer, but he acknowledged this has been a difficult
season. After rushing for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, he might be hard-pressed to
crack 500. He reached the midpoint with 268 yards on 67 carries.
"It's been frustrating," he said. "You have a lot of different levels of frustration. You have frustration when
you're playing and things aren't going well, or you're not making plays.
"That's not this type of frustration, because it's not like I've had the opportunity to really make plays.
That's more of the frustration, not getting the opportunity to be on the field, trying to help the team win.
"This is the first time I've ever felt this type of frustration, but there's nothing I can really do about it right
now."
After he was released by the Titans, Johnson signed a two-year, $8 million contract. He expected to share
carries with incumbent Chris Ivory, but he was so confident in his ability to recapture his old form that he
figured his role would grow throughout the season.
Two weeks ago, Johnson and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg discussed the possibility of more
carries. After a productive game against the New England Patriots (13 carries for 61 yards), he was an
afterthought against the Bills.
Asked if he's "excited" about the second half of the season, a somber Johnson said, "I really don't know.
If it's going like it's been going, there's nothing to be excited about or look forward to. I don't know what's
really going to change."
It doesn't help that the Jets (1-7) have lost seven straight.
When they signed him, the Jets felt Johnson still had plenty of explosiveness left in his 29-year-old legs.
Aside from a 35-yard touchdown run, his trademark speed hasn't been evident on a consistent basis.
Rex Ryan insisted Johnson isn't being phased out of the offense.
"No, I don't believe so," the coach said. "I think he will get plenty of shots at it this week [against the
Kansas City Chiefs]."
Johnson said he didn't make any demands when he spoke with Mornhinweg, and he doesn't foresee a
situation where he'd ever do that. That's not his style.
"I'm trying not to be that guy, the guy that becomes a distraction," he said. "We're 1-7, and everybody is
trying to get a win. I don't want to be that guy who's not really worried about winning, but trying to get
more carries.
"I don't know how to look at it. I don't know how they'd look at it. I've never been in this situation before.
I just want to win. I feel like I can help this team win. I would love to have more opportunities."
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Eric Decker's tweet goes awry (Rich Cimini)
ESPN New York
October 30, 2014
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/11792493/tweets-eric-decker-new-york-jets-leadinadvertent-social-media-spat
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The New York Jets' Eric Decker picked a bad week to try to rally the team's
disgruntled fan base.
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A well-intentioned tweet by the $36 million wide receiver sparked a Twitter war that ended with his wife,
country music singer Jessie James Decker, firing back at Jets' fans and, ultimately, deactivating her
account.
It started Wednesday, when Decker caught serious flak on the social media site for asking his followers to
explain why they love the Jets so much.
Lousy timing.
After falling to 1-7 with a six-turnover loss to the Buffalo Bills, and after a bizarre midseason news
conference in which general manager John Idzik was pilloried for rambling and painting a rosy picture of
the team's outlook, the fan base was in no mood to explain its love of the team.
Decker was flooded with nasty and sarcastic tweets. That infuriated Mrs. Decker, who tweeted:
"You think he really cares what y'all think haters? He's laughing his ass alllll the way home ... Life is pretty
good here, can't complain."
A few hours later, Decker, who has 382,000 followers, removed herself from Twitter.
Eric Decker meant well with his initial tweet, but it backfired.
Welcome to New York.
"You've got to expect that," he told reporters in the locker room. "Obviously, everyone's entitled to their
opinion. I don't think it's against the law to try to unite or reach out to fans. When you're in the position
you are, people obviously enjoy winning a lot more than losing -- I get that -- but they still love the team
aspect.
"The more you can be ... personal with them, I think the more they feel part of the team," he continued.
"For me, that's the biggest thing, making fans feel like they are important, because they are."
The Jets have dropped seven straight, on their way to what could be one of the worst seasons in franchise
history. Decker, who left the defending AFC Champion Denver Broncos to sign with the Jets, has battled a
hamstring injury, contributing to his disappointing numbers -- 31 catches for 363 yards and three
touchdowns.
"Obviously I wish things could be different," he said. "I didn't expect everything to be all happy and gungho, I knew I was going to get some sarcastic remarks, because you're always going to get it, no matter
what the situation is there's always someone out there wanting attention."
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METRO NEW YORK
FireJohnIdzik.com sprouts up, aiming to ax Jets GM (Kristian Dyer)
Metro New York
October 30, 2014
http://www.metro.us/new-york/firejohnidzik-com-sprouts-up-aiming-to-ax-jets-gm/zsJnjD--0PYP78cUdCog/
It's never more obvious a fanbase is officially angery at you than the creation of a website whose sole
purpose is to see someone collecting unemployment.
The webite FireJohnIdzik.com, whose domain name leaves little to the imagination is calling for owner
Woody Johnson to fire Jets general manager John Idzik. Founded by lifelong Jets fans Matt Wolferman of
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Ridgewood, New Jersey, Jason Koeppel of Hackensack, New Jersey, Jared Koeppel of Fair Lawn, New
Jersey and Greg Kohler from Seattle, Washington, the site blames the woes of the 1-7 Jets squarely on
Idzik.
“The press conference [Monday] obviously was the straw that broke the camel's back but to be honest,
the manner in which he was hired in the first place was ridiculous,” Jason Koeppel told Metro. "Nobody
wanted to take this GM job because it came with the previous GM's head coach attached to it. And Woody
had to hire a consulting firm just to find us a 'qualified candidate.'"
The site documents Idzik's failures over the past two years, including the arrests to free agent signings
Mike Goodson and Kellen Winslow. There's blame for the draft selection of Geno Smith and some fingerwagging at Idzik's less than stellar draft record as a whole.
“You can't ask your fans to invest thousands of dollars in PSLs and then expect them to accept this type
of season. The price of watching it unfold is absurd," Jason Koeppel said. "If you want to be a season ticket
holder, they force you to pay PSLs [personal seat licenses]. They force you to pay full price for the
preseason. And then in a season like this, you have four games worth of tickets that you can barely even
give away. It has gotten so bad that my 15-year-old Jets fan nephew went with his grandmother to the
movies on Sunday instead of sitting with us in the Chase Club because, he said, 'Jets games aren't fun
anymore.'”
The site is still in its opening stages, having been unveiled on Monday, but is already registering impressive
numbers. There are already several thousand unique visits to the site and the founders are claiming over
200 emails of both support and outrage in the first three days.
The group has raised over $200 since Wednesday and they hope to buy billboards near the Meadowlands
with the message of firing Idzik. T-shirts, not surprisingly, are also available.
“In two offseasons, Idzik has managed to ruin the roster and if he stays on, undoubtedly the future roster
of this team. He has set this organization back years upon years with his awful drafting and even worse
free agent signings,” said Kohler, one of the co-founders. “He has no plan or philosophy, and he's proven
this by trading for Percy Harvin, signing zero competent corners and insisting the worst statistical
quarterback in the NFL [should] start. I can't take another year of this, nor can this organization afford it.
Woody needs to fire Idzik now.”
And now there's a website to prove it.
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Jesse James Decker, Eric's wife, calls out Jets 'haters' (Kristian Dyer)
Metro New York
October 30, 2014
http://www.metro.us/sports/jesse-james-decker-eric-s-wife-calls-out-jets-haters/zsJnjE--M97W0ddPDexrU/
Tell us how you really feel, Jessie James Decker.
Jessie James, wife of Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, had a strong response to the "haters" who took to
Twitter Wednesday night to bash husband Eric Decker.
She drew a careful line in the sand not to target all Jets fans. Instead, she singled out only those who she
thought were aggressive and crossed the line in 140 characters or less.
“You think he really cares what y'all think haters? He's laughing his ass alllll the way home.... Life is pretty
good here. Can't complain”
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Daily Clips Cont.
James not only deleted her tweets late Wednesday, but also deleted her Twitter profile as a backlash
against her comments.
It all started so innocently the night before when her husband tweeted to '#jetsnation' asking for the
diehards to share their love for the team.
Not surprisingly, the fanbase of a 1-7 team lashed out with negativity to his tweet. They vented and poked
fun at the free agent wide receiver, who leads the Jets in receptions and receiving yards.
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THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS
Associated Press
October 30, 2014
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/Thursday-s-Sports-Transactions-5859144.php
BASEBALL
American League
KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Activated RHPs Aaron Crow, Aaron Brooks and Casey Coleman; LHPs Scott
Downs, Francisley Bueno and John Lamb; OFs Lane Adams, Raul Ibanez, Carlos Peguero and Moises
Sierra; 2B Johnny Giavotella; C Francisco Pena; SS Christian Colon; and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Exercised 2015 option on RHP Huston Street. Declined 2015 option on LHP
Sean Burnett. Returned LHP Brian Moran to Seattle.
NEW YORK YANKEES — Reinstated 3B Alex Rodriguez from the restricted list.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Declined 2015 option on SS Hiroyuki Nakajima. Promoted Darren Bush to hitting
coach. Named Scott Emerson bullpen coach and Marcus Jensen assistant hitting/catching coach.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Traded C Santiago Nessy to Kansas City for RHP Liam Hendriks.
National League
CHICAGO CUBS — Assigned OF Ryan Kalish outright to Iowa (PCL). Announced RHP James McDonald
declined outright assignment and chose free agency.
CINCINNATI REDS — Exercised 2015 option on RHP Johnny Cueto. Declined 2015 options on 3B Jack
Hannahan and OF Ryan Ludwick.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Announced RHP Dan Haren exercised his 2015 option.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Declined 2015 option on RHP Mike Adams.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Exercised 2015 option on RHP John Lackey.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Activated RHPs Louis Coleman, Juan Gutierrez, Kendry Flores, Erik Cordier,
Brett Bochy, Chris Heston and George Kontos; OFs Gary Brown, Chris Dominguez, Daniel Carbonell,
Angel Pagan and Jarrett Parker; 1B Adam Duvall and Angel Villalona; LHP Mike Kickham; and C Guillermo
Quiroz.
American Association
GRAND PRAIRIE AIR HOGS — Exercised 2015 option on RHP Trevor Harden.
ST. PAUL SAINTS — Exercised 2015 option on RHP Nick Barnese.
Frontier League
TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BUMS — Signed LHP Chris Rice.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball Association
NBA — Named Malcolm Turner NBADL president.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS — Agreed to terms with G Kemba Walker on a contract extension.
FOOTBALL
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National Football League
CLEVELAND BROWNS — Released DB Marcus Cromartie from the practice squad. Signed WR Phil Bates
to the practice squad.
NEW YORK GIANTS — Placed LB Jon Beason on injured reserve. Released G Brandon Washington and
WR Kadron Boone from the practice squad and DB Jemea Thomas.
ST. LOUIS RAMS — Placed WR Brian Quick on injured reserve. Signed TE Justice Cunningham, G Travis
Bond, WR Emory Blake and OT Steven Baker to the practice squad and WR Damian Williams and G
Brandon Washington.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Signed TE Keavon Milton to the practice squad.
Canadian Football League
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS — Released LB Will Smith.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Placed C Mark Letestu and D James Wisniewski on injured reserve.
Recalled Cs Sean Collins and Brian Gibbons from Springfield (AHL).
DALLAS STARS — Activated F Valeri Nichhushkin from injured reserve and assigned him to Texas (AHL)
for conditioning.
DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled C Stephen Weiss from Grand Rapids (AHL).
LOS ANGELES KINGS — Recalled F David Van der Gulik from Manchester (AHL).
MINNESOTA WILD — Reassigned D Stu Bickel to Iowa (AHL). Recalled F Stephane Veilleux from Iowa.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS — Assigned F Caleb Herbert from Hershey (AHL) to South Carolina (ECHL).
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
MLS — Awarded a franchise to Los Angeles to begin with the 2017 season.
North American Soccer League
NEW YORK COSMOS — Signed F Raul to a multi-year contract.
COLLEGE
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE — Named Jason Marshall women's assistant basketball coach.
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