Rex Ryan: Tebow As Starting QB 'Not Going to Happen'

When the New York Jets take the field the field Saturday for their second preseason game against the New York Giants, quarterback Mark Sanchez will take snaps with the first-string offense, not Tim Tebow. And for anyone questioning whether the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan will change their minds during the season, well ...

"I’m going to say this: I think your ‘the fix is in’ comment is going to come back around just like my Super Bowl guarantee came around. Just like my thing never happened with the Super Bowl, this thing’s not going to happen, either.

That was Ryan himself answering a question from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco on Thursday. The trio was discussing New York's quarterback situation, which has been a hot-button topic (mainly for ESPN chatter) during the preseason.

"I will say this, Tim is really doing a tremendous job for us. He is going to be a big part of what we do offensively. He’s an outstanding football player and I’ve said it from Day One. Nothing he has done has told me otherwise. … The guy that I’ve probably been most impressed with is Mark Sanchez."

As for ESPN's coverage of the Jets and Tebow?

"I know we did 'Hard Knocks' before, and this is like the ESPN version of it or something. It is surprising. There’s no doubt. We’re just a team that’s 8-8. … We do have some personalities here. Obviously people want to see Tim Tebow, they want to see Mark Sanchez and Darrelle Revis or whoever. That comes with the territory. Certainly I think in some ways the more success you have, the better this thing is for you. … The cameras are around, we’ve had different things, and sometimes it gets you ready."

For the latest news and updates on the Jets, check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Santonio Holmes Talks About His Absence From Practice

New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes didn't practice on Thursday due to what he calls "general soreness".

The star playmaker for Gang Green talked to the media however, and expounded on his injury when asked what specifically is the problem.

"It's just a lot of running, a lot of soreness in the body. It takes a few days to get adjusted to getting back into camp and wearing shoulder pads and getting back into football shape."

Holmes also made it clear he's ready to return once the training staff clears him for practice.

The receiver also likes the way practices have been run thus far. The tempo has been ratcheted up, and Holmes loves it.

"I think the tempo is wonderful. It gives us an insight to how the game is going to be played from the start. (Coach Sparano) didn't want us to come in and work on getting into shape. That's what we have the offseason for - to get into shape and he wants us full go 100 miles per hour every day and that's what we have to prove for him."

For more on the Jets, please be sure to check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Rex Ryan Concerned About Conditioning

The New York Jets have plenty to prove this year after being one of the disappointments in 2011.

With training camp well underway in Cortland, head coach Rex Ryan has been generally happy with the team, except for one specific group.

After getting on Jeremy Kerley a few days ago for a lack of conditioning, Ryan talked more about the issues plaguing that group on Thursday.

"Unfortunately we had four healthy receivers at the end of practice. We have 12 (on the roster) and we were down to four. Part of that is the tempo but part of that is the responsibility of the guys. You have to be in shape, we have to take care of our bodies. That's frustrating."

Also addressed were the Antonio Cromartie comments, in which he stated he's the second-best receiver on the team.

"I'm going to say this right now. Listen to me when I tell you this- I'm aware of what was said. I'm on top of it. I'm telling you that right now. I'm on top of it and it will not be a problem. And that's all I'm going to say about the whole thing."

Ryan seems to be much more buckled down this campaign, after being the brashest coach in the league over the past three years. Whether the team follows his lead is to be seen.

For more on the Jets, please be sure to check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Revis Ready For 2012

New York Jets CB Darrelle Revis reported to training camp on time after there were rumors Revis would holdout due to a contract dispute. Nevertheless, Revis arrived in Cortland, NY, as expected and spoke with the media shortly after arriving.

The media first asked when Revis decided to come to camp instead of holding out,

Probably a couple of days ago. I had a team sit with my representatives, and we talked. We had numerous meetings through OTA's but we talked and hashed it out and the best thing is for me to be here.

Revis was then asked how the team responded to his arrival to camp, and the All-Pro cornerback spoke about his brief meeting with head coach Rex Ryan,

I talked to Rex (Ryan). I caught him in the hallway and he just said he is glad for me to be here. We talked for a little bit. I just told him I am excited for the season and I'm ready to go and play football.

When asked about the possibility of proceeding with contract talks during the year, Revis said he doesn't expect it to happen as it would possibly cause a distraction with the team,

I don't think any player would deny it if the GM came to talk to you about a contract but I don't think Mike would do that during the season because it is a distraction. I think you probably want to handle that matter in the offseason.

Finally, the media asked Revis what the biggest factor was for reporting to camp this year.

Just because I want to be around the team and I haven't been to a lot of training camps in the past.(laughter). I just want to be here and get ready for this year. My focus right now is to try to dominate again and do what I do best to help this team win.

For more coverage of the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on 2012 New York Jets offseason news.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Rex Ryan Happy To Get Going

Head coach Rex Ryan is happy to be back at practice as the New York Jets prepare for the 2012 season in Cortland, NY. In his opening press conference at Jets training camp, Ryan went through a wide range of topics from the utilization of Tim Tebow to Darrelle Revis arriving at camp on time.

Ryan was first asked how he felt about being back in Cortland after speding last year at the team complex in Florham Park, N.J.. Here is what he said:

"It does. It's funny, when you turn into Cortland it felt great and then you get into town and you see all of the Cortland people out there, it's great. We did miss it last year. The thing about this is you are far enough away and, nothing against families or anything else, but you have each other and (you) have got football and I think that's a good thing."

When asked how he will utilize Tebow this year, Ryan didn't stray too far from his stance when they acquired the quarterback from Denver:

"Well, I know Westy (Special Teams Coordinator Mike Westhoff) has him as a personal protector, that and quarterback so at least two ways. We will see. Obviously, Tony has him doing some wildcat things, obviously learning our base offense as well."

When asked if he was happy to see Darrelle Revis, Ryan expected the All-Pro corner to arrive on time to camp:

I mentioned the entire time that I expected Darrelle to be here. Obviously, he is great. There is no question how I feel about Darrelle, but I am here to coach this team.

Finally, Ryan was asked if there was going to be a quarterback competiton, and Ryan reitiereated his stance since acquiring Tebow, saying:

"I think you always sit back and say that we clearly have a starting quarterback. Mark Sanchez is clearly our starting quarterback."

For more coverage of the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on 2012 New York Jets offseason news.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Darrelle Revis Reports To Camp, Still Wants New Contract

The New York Jets welcomed cornerback Darrelle Revis to training camp on Thursday which meant there would be no holdout after months of speculation.

However, Revis nearly decided not to show up for the camp because he wants a new contract from the team, according to a report (via Jane McManus). Revis has two seasons and $13.5 remaining on his current deal. Why did he decide to make the trip to Cortland, N.Y. this preseason? Revis said that he wanted to be there and said jokingly, "I haven't been to been to a lot of training camps in the past." (via Jane McManus)

Revis, 27, could become a free agent after the 2013 season if no contract is hammered out with the Jets. He has made four consecutive Pro Bowls (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) despite holding out for 35 days in 2010. Revis has defended 95 passes and made 18 interceptions for the Jets during his career. He also has 283 tackles and three touchdowns for New York.

For more coverage of the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on 2012 New York Jets offseason news.

New York Jets Thursday Notebook: Tim Tebow (Of Course), Santonio Holmes (Of Course)

Here are some of the stories making news as the New York Jets began reporting to SUNY Corrtland on Thursday. The team holds its first training camp practice on Saturday beginning at the un-football like hour of 8 p.m. ET.

Rex Ryan offers no hints about Tebow role | ProFootballTalk
“It’s whatever you want it to be. That’s the beauty of it,” Ryan said. “We brought this young man in, I know how difficult it is to have to prepare for the Wildcat, for those type of things. There’s no question, I know how difficult it is. And the fact that we can trot out Tim to run 25 Wildcat snaps, or zero, or 50, or one, or whatever it is, is gonna make you have to prepare for him. So why would I ever give that up? And I’m not going to. Everybody will find out what his role is against Buffalo that particular day.”

Sparano won’t say whether Holmes will be a problem | ProFootballTalk
Asked directly by [Sal] Paolantonio whether the man whose opinion regarding the two-quarterback system has caused some problems will himself be a problem in 2012, Sparano clammed up.

“I’m not gonna get into that, I’m not gonna comment that way, but I would say that everything I know right now with Santonio, he and I have gotten off to a really great start here and respect one another that way and I think the relationship will be a good one,” Sparano said.

Rex Ryan wants Santonio catching passes, not calling plays | ProFootballTalk
“Well, I understand what Holmes is saying, you know Tone’s talking about a guy . . . [the starting quarterback] has to get a feel and all that kind of stuff,” Ryan said. “But I brought Santonio in here to be a receiver, not to be the offensive coordinator. And that’s the way it is.

“I love Santonio, but if I wanted to hire him as our offensive coordinator, we would’ve.”

New York Jets 2012 Training Camp: Previewing The Linebackers

One of the big reasons the New York Jets' defense wasn't as dominant last year as it had been in 2009 and 2010 under Rex Ryan was an off year from its linebacker corps. The Jets had a very solid unit in Ryan's first two seasons as head coach, but in 2011 the unit took a step back because of a few factors; one being injuries, as reliable starter Bryan Thomas missed most of the year. And reason two, age.

It seemed as though middle linebacker Bart Scott aged about 15 years from 2010 into 2011. Interestingly, since Scott's now-famous "Can't Wait" rant after the Jets beat the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional Round, he hasn't been the same player. We'll see if last year was an aberration or, which is far more likely, that Scott is on the absolute downside of his career and is what he is at this point. If so, the Jets will need some of their depth players at the position to step up and make an impact.

Jets 2012 Expected Linebackers: David Harris, Bart Scott, Bryan Thomas, Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, Aaron Maybin, Josh Mauga, Ricky Sapp, DeMario Davis

In David Harris the Jets have one of the best under the radar players in the National Football League. He's rock solid and is in the prime of his career. He's really the lone elite player in this unit. The Jets had high hopes for Calvin Pace when they brought him over as a free agent from the Arizona Cardinals, but Jets fans have yet to see what warranted all the attention. While he was never a sack force with the Cardinals, the Jets definitely envisioned him being a double digit sack guy. He's had eight, seven, 4.5 and 5.5. sacks in his four years as a Jet. For a team that needs to put more pressure on the quarterback (and seemingly forever has), Pace has been a big time underachiever. Additionally, he - like most of the Jets linebackers - is not very good in coverage.

Thomas missed 12 games last year due to injury, and at 33 years old is a question mark heading into this season. He enters his tenth year as a Jet, which is an accomplishment in and of itself, but he's never been a real force at pressuring the quarterback. He's averaged about three sacks a season, and that's probably the ball park you expect him to land in if he plays regularly. He's always been incredibly reliable and consistent against the run.

Aaron Maybin was one of the lone Jets in 2011 that actually had a good year. After the Jets picked him up off the scrap heap from the rival Buffalo Bills, Maybin turned into the Jets' most legitimate pass rusher. He led the team with six sacks in just 13 games. He doesn't do much else, but Ryan obviously found a formula that worked last year, and the Jets hope Maybin hasn't been figured out. He's certainly a bit one dimensional.

Third round pick DeMario Davis will have a chance during training camp to make his stamp on a Jets linebacking corps that needs some youth. Rex Ryan has already made a Ray Lewis comparison to Davis. That ain't happening, but I'm sure the Jets hope Davis can become a starter by next year. Josh Mauga and Ricky Sapp add depth.

New York Jets' Jeff Otah Fails Physical, Lands On PUP List

Well, maybe not so fast on the end of the Wayne Hunter era as the New York Jets starting right tackle. Jeff Otah, acquired from the Carolina Panthers in a trade on Monday, has failed his physical. Otah is being placed on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list.

Otah missed all but four games last season after going on the injured reserve with knee and back problems. An MRI this June showed no serious damage to Otah's knee and he was projected to be a starter for the Panthers this season. The former first-round pick for the Panthers has missed 31 of the last 35 games with injuries. Otah has only played 29 games in his NFL career, 25 of them were in 2008-2009. He only allowed 10 sacks during that period of time.

-- For more on this story, and complete discussion and analysis of the Jets, see Gang Green Nation

Jets' August 21 Practice At Hofstra Moved

The New York Jets have cancelled the Aug. 21st practice the team had scheduled at Hofstra University. The 'Family Night' event had to removed from the Jets' preseason itinerary due primarily to the school's hosting of a presidential debate. The Jets will instead practice at MetLife Stadium that day.

The Jets released a statement announcing the switch:

"We have had a great relationship with Hofstra University for many years and we understand the circumstances. Based on the timing, the team has decided to move the August 21 practice to MetLife Stadium. Although we're sorry that the location of this year's practice needed to be change, we are committed to remaining connected to our Long Island fans."

The Jets will have played two preseason games by that point and will have broken training camp at SUNY Cortland. Following the MetLife practice the team will condicut the rest of its preseason workouts at its training facility in Florham Park.

New York Jets Training Camp 2012: Defensive Line Preview

When you start talking about the New York Jets, you should really start with their defense. It’s the strength of their team heading into the 2012 season, and just like after winning a coin toss, that’s how Rex Ryan likes it; defense first. We’ll start our position-by-position previews of the 2012 Jets in the trenches with the defensive line, a unit the Jets are hoping can take a leap from last season.

Jets 2012 Expected Defensive Linemen: Quinton Coples, Mike DeVito, Marcus Dixon, Kenrick Ellis, Sione Pouha, Jay Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Martin Tevaseu

The Jets’ best player on the line is nose tackle Sione Pouha, who enters his seventh season with Gang Green. Since Rex Ryan came to town in 2009, Pouha has become an elite-level nose tackle, specifically in the run stopping game. Even if he doesn’t record a ton of tackles, he warrants a double team from opponent’s offensive lines and clogs up lanes.

Since Rex Ryan has bee with the Jets, they’ve always been a steady if not totally-dominant defense, and a lot of that has come from the consistency of their front line and its ability to keep running games at bay. However, the Jets have always lacked true pass rushing from their defensive line, and they hope to have addressed that need in this past year’s draft when they took Quinton Coples out of North Carolina. The knock on Coples is his questionable work ethic and attitude. The Jets are banking on the fact that they won’t have to worry about his motivation and he’ll show his unquestionable physical skills. He had 20 sacks as a junior in 2010, and the Jets desperately need to generate a better pass rush from their front line without having to blitz. Receivers can get open on even Darelle Revis is a quarterback has all day to throw.

Muhammad Wilkerson enters his second season after a pretty impressive rookie season. Wilkerson started all 16 games a year removed from playing in the MAC for Temple and handled himself well, registering three sacks, 35 tackles and a safety (thanks to Luke McCown). You can only expect Wilkerson to improve; although he doesn’t project as a dominant pass rusher, the Jets will be damn tough to run against with Wilkerson and Pouha up front.

When the Jets line up in a 3-4, you hope the three starters on the defensive line are Coples, Wilkerson and Pouha. If Coples isn’t starting, that means he’s had a bad camp, and you get the sense that Coples needs to get off to a good start or he could end up in the doghouse quickly. Either way, Rex always likes to use his depth on the line, and the Jets have solid depth guys in Marcus Dixon and Mike DeVito, who had maybe become the NFL’s most unlikely good player the past two seasons. Kenrick Ellis remains a guy with a lot of potential that the Jets hope to see more from as he enters his second pro season.

The Verdict: The Jets’ defensive line has a chance to be better than last year’s, and that probably hinges on what Coples gives them. If the kid has his head straight and works hard, he could be a stud and give the Jets a sorely needed pass rusher from their line. If Coples is average or ends up on the bench and replaced by DeVito, the Jets will still have a solid if unspectacular unit.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Tim Tebow Could Be Seen On Kickoffs

When a NFL franchise like the New York Jets acquires a high-profile player who's expected to spend most of a game sitting on the bench it will try just about anything to get him on the field. That's what it seems the Jets are doing with Tim Tebow, who could now be asked to be a part of the Jets kickoff team, reports New York Daily News' Manish Mehta.

"I think there might be some value there on kickoff returns," assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica told me. "It’s something that we’ve talked about. I don’t think there’s any option with Tim that we’ve taken off the table. So, that would be something that would be new to him as well. In what we’ve asked him to do as the personal protector (right now), he’s done an excellent job."

According to Kotwica, Tebow thus far has been impressive on special teams coverage, but there hasn't been a final decision on what Tebow will do on special teams. That decision will come during training camp.

"There’s certain guys that… if you ask them to go be the personal protector, you go ask them to be the fullback, you ask them to be the quarterback, you ask them to be the tight end, they simply get things done," Kotwica said. "I think you’d be hard pressed to say that Tim is not one of those guys that gets things done."

For more coverage of the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on 2012 New York Jets offseason news.

Jeff Otah Trade: New York Jets Trade Conditional Draft Pick To Panthers For Otah

The New York Jets announced a trade for Carolina Panthers right tackle Jeff Otah on Monday. The Jets will send an undisclosed conditional draft pick to Carolina for Otah.

Otah (6-foot-6, 340 pounds) is in his fifth NFL season out of Pittsburgh. Otah missed all but four games last season after going on the injured reserve with knee and back problems. An MRI this June showed no serious damage to Otah's knee and he was projected to be a starter for the Panthers this season. The former first-round pick for the Panthers has missed 31 of the last 35 games with injuries. Otah has only played 29 games in his NFL career, 25 of them were in 2008-2009. He only allowed 10 sacks during that period of games.

Otah is a right tackle and will likely be looked at as competition for Wayne Hunter at that spot. Hunter had a Pro Football Focus rating of -31.1 last season, allowing 54 quarterback sacks or pressures in 646 pass-blocking opportunities. Otah was +8.8 in 2008, +0.3 in 2009 and +1.6 in four games last season before being injured, according to PFF.

For more coverage of the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on 2012 New York Jets offseason news.

New York Jets: Can A Two-Quarterback System Work?

The Jets will try to do this season what NFL teams always try to avoid -- try to win while employing a two-quarterback system

Darrelle Revis Contract Update: Jets Star Not Expected To Hold Out -- Report

New York Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis is not expected to hold out prior to this year's training camp, according to a new report from the AP (via Pro Football Talk).

A person familiar with the decision said the New York Jets' All-Pro cornerback expects to report with the rest of his teammates next Thursday in Cortland, N.Y., rather than hold out in a contract dispute for the second time in three summers.

The source is quoted anonymously because the decision has not been made public. Revis is two years in to a four-year, $46-million contract he signed after a holdout prior to the 2012 season. He is due to receive $13.5 million over the final two seasons and it was widely speculated that he might hold out again to force the Jets to revisit the terms of the deal. Given Revis' history nothing about this will be certain until he shows up for camp, and Jets fans are likely to be extremely displeased with the cornerback if that isn't at the same time as everyone else..

Stick with this StoryStream for news on Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets training camp. For all things Jets, head over to Gang Green Nation.

Darrelle Revis Contract Update: ESPN's Mortensen Expects Holdout

Will cornerback Darrelle Revis be there when the New York Jets open training camp at SUNY Cortland on July 28? ESPN's Chris Mortensen thinks the answer to that is "no."

"I think (the Jets) are going to see what Revis does," Mortensen said. "He's kept everyone guessing. I'm almost going to be surprised if he's there day one."

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Revis still has two years remaining on a four-year, $46-million contract he signed after a lengthy 2010 holdout. After holding out that season Revis spent much of the season battling a hamstring injury. Revis' deal was front-loaded and he has already received $32.5 million.

Now it seems like he doesn't want to accept the lesser terms of the last two years of the deal he held out for in the first place. NFL.com predicts a "huge public backlash" if Revis does hold out, and that is probably on target.

-- See Gang Green Nation for more about the Jets

New York Jets Training Camp: Preview, Schedule, Tebowmania