Green Machine

Changing blog addresses

As I still try to wrap myself around what happened in the final quarter at Miami last night, when the lead changed hands five times, it's time to move this blog to a new site.

Here is the new URL: http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/greenmachine/. You should automatically be re-directed to the new blog, but please put the new address on your bookmarks and favorites, just in case.

Cotchery is playing

So much for WR Jerricho Cotchery [hamstring] perhaps sitting out tonight. He will be in the starting lineup. But once again, CB Lito Sheppard [quad] will not. That makes three straight games Sheppard has sat out.

Other inactives for the Jets--third QB Erik Ainge, QB Kevin O'Connell, CBs Donald Strickland [ankle] and Ahmad Carroll [first one for him this season], former Rutgers LB Jamaal Westerman [second healthy scratch], G Matt Slauson and DE Ropati Pitoitua.

Miami's inactives don't include any big names--third QB Tyler Thigpen, S Chris Clemons, G Shawn Murphy, T Andrew Gardner, DE Lionel Dotson, WR Patrick Turner, TE John Nalbone and LB Quentin Moses. 

Cotchery misses practice, listed as questionable

WR Jerricho Cotchery didn't practice today because of a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Monday's game at Miami. RT Damien Woody [foot] also didn't practice today and also is questionable. CB Donald Strickland [ankle] didn't practice and is out. CB Lito Sheppard [quad] was limited and is listed as doubtful.

K Jay Feely also didn't practice because of personal reasons, but is expected to play. For Miami, LB Joey Porter [hamstring] was limited and is questionable.

Rex: 'Possibility' Cotchery won't play

We're still waiting for the official injury report, but Rex Ryan said in his presser today there's a 'possibility' WR Jerricho Cotchery won't play. Cotchery, who was limited in practice Thursday with a hamstring problem, sat out today. When asked if Cotchery might miss the game, Ryan said, 'I'm expecting him to play, but that's a definite possibility' that he won't.

That would be a blow to the Jets considering that they are hoping to team Cotchery and newly-acquired Braylon Edwards as the starting wideouts. I would expect Brad Smith to start if Cotchery can't go.

Nickel back Donald Strickland [ankle] also didn't practice, and it appears he will miss his third consecutive game. CB Lito Sheppard [quad] and RT Damien Woody [foot] were limited in practice, but are expected to play.

Braylon Edwards' greatest hits

How much of a handful has Braylon Edwards been during his career? Here's a list of some of his escapades from Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.

This one actually troubles me the most:

Went berserk on the sidelines of the Bengals game, grabbing Charlie Frye's jersey and screaming at teammates. Later, he accused teammates of quitting and "flat-out not playing."

The last thing the Jets need is him pointing the finger at Mark Sanchez if he feels he isn't getting the ball enough.

It's quite a litany, no question. But with his contract expiring at the end of this season, Edwards has several million reasons to clean up his act. And the Jets believe he will, especially because several good friends of his--David Harris, Kerry Rhodes, Bart Scott, Jay Feely--will be around to help keep him grounded.

   

Sanchez and Vilma

Here is some of the fallout from Mark Sanchez's low hit on LB Jonathan Vilma:

Sanchez was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his hit on Vilma on Sunday, while Vilma was blocking on Darren Sharper's 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.

 

"I actually called [Vilma on Tuesday] and got him on the phone," Sanchez said. "I told him I was running down the field, upset about the pick and said I didn't know what I was doing. I was just trying to create a pile, push somebody into a boundary. I don't want to be the guy on film that's quitting on a play. At the same time, I don't want to take that guy on head-up and get in trouble putting myself in danger. I just told him that I have to be smarter about that. He said, 'No problem at all. Good luck.' He was a great guy about it, real class guy."

Here's what Vilma had to say, via PlayMaker Mobile:

'The Sanchez hit was a perfect example of me putting the team before myself. I could have easily gotten up and gone over there and pushed him, or did something to react, and then, I’d get in trouble, get a penalty that would hurt the team. I had no idea he was gonna do it. When he did it, I was ready to get up and sock him one, but I restrained myself. I saw the flags come out and I know it’s a long game so I said let’s just take the points and get the victory. He did call me and apologize today. I'm not mad. He’s a rookie who didn’t know any better. He said himself he saw six guys coming at him and he didn’t know what to do. He sees Sharper running down the sideline and six guys running at him, and I guess that’s just one of those rookie mental errors for him.'

Sanchez had made a similar hit on Houston's Zac Diles in Week One.

Braylon Edwards transcript

Here is the transcript of the first news conference of the newest Jet, former Cleveland WR Braylon Edwards, courtesy of the Jets' media relations department. Edwards was very poised and impressive, I must admit.

opening statement:

First and foremost, how are you all doing?  Second of all, I’d just like to take this time to thank the Cleveland Browns, owner Randy Lerner (and) Romeo Crennel, who was the head coach at the time I was drafted. I just appreciated them for giving me the opportunity to play in Cleveland (and) taking a chance on me third overall in 2005.  It’s a great organization over there and I wish them nothing but the best.  I really appreciate them giving me the opportunity.  Third of all, as it relates to the incident I was allegedly a part of this past Sunday, right now, it is a legal matter.  There is nothing I can talk about.  In terms of questions for that, it’s (a) legal (matter), I’m going to stay away from that.

On how it feels to be in New York City…

It feels great.  I’ve always loved New York since the first time I came here.  It’s a great city (with) a great sports tradition.  It’s a great town and obviously what’s going on here with the Jets and Coach Ryan, they’re doing a great thing so far.  To be a part of that feels good.

On what he’s heard about Coach Ryan…

Well, his brother (Rob Ryan) is the defensive coordinator in Cleveland.  (Rex is) a fun guy, serious when he’s supposed to be, knows his game, comes from Coach Ryan, the original Buddy Ryan, so he knows the game and knows how to win and treats his players accordingly.  I’ve talked to a couple of players here before I even was talked about being traded here.  They like him. They like playing for him.  They like going out there for him and they work hard for him and it’s showing. 

On if knowing some of the Jets players will help ease his transition…

I think so, as it related to players.  Knowing those guys, being able to talk to those guys, ask questions, I feel like there’s already some type of camaraderie as it relates to me and those players.  I think it will be easier to meet and get along with other players and be transitioning as opposed to going somewhere where I don’t know anybody.

On if he needs a change of scenery…

I believe so. I believe that coming here to a team that’s doing well and a new head coach that has them going in the right direction and just freeing myself of the situation and coming to another situation.  I think it’s a fresh start and a clean slate.  I just really appreciate Coach Ryan.  I appreciate those guys taking another chance on me and believing that I can help this team out.

On why he thinks he was given a second chance…

First of all, I work hard.  I come and play every day.  I’m a good teammate. I go out there and do everything I’m supposed to do on the field, sell out and do what I can.  I pick up offenses and study.  At the end of the day, I’m really just trying to be a guy.  I’m trying to help this team out.  They’re going in the direction already without me, before I even got here.  If I can help that direction any, that would be great. I think that them taking a chance on me will pay off in the long run because I know what I’m capable of and what I can do.

Tannenbaum on Edwards

Here's the transcript from GM Mike Tannenbaum earlier today on the blockbuster trade, courtesy of Jets' media relations:

On how the trade for Braylon Edwards transpired…

We’ve been talking to Cleveland for a while, looking at all different combinations. Finally we were able to get a landing spot that was good for them and good for us. We’re excited to add Braylon (Edwards) to our team. It was hard to let two good guys in Jason Trusnik and Chansi Stuckey go, but sometimes you have to give up value to get value.

On the impact the trade will have on the team…

He’s another good football player. Now Rex (Ryan) and (Brian) Schottenheimer can use him with Jerricho Cotchery, Dustin Keller, Leon Washington, Brad Smith and David Clowney. We feel like we’ve added another good player to the team.

On the off-field reputation of Edwards…

We went through a thorough researching (of Edwards). (Vice President of Security) Steve Yarnell does a great job and we are comfortable where we are inadding Braylon to the team.

On how important it is to add a big receiver…

It’s just another piece that we wanted to add. We are excited to get Braylon. We think he is going to help us. It was a position that we liked. It was also a position that we felt if there was an opportunity to improve, then go ahead and try (to) do that.

On if the team is comfortable with Edwards’ off-the-field situation…

We reached out to the League. Steve Yarnell reached out to law enforcement. We are comfortable adding Braylon. We will cooperate with the authorities. We are glad he is here. We did all of our due diligence and we are comfortable adding him to the team.

On if the team is negotiating an extension to Edwards’ contract…

We acquired Braylon and his contract. We’re going to honor his contract. Right now, our intentions are that he is going to be here with the contract that we acquired in the trade. That is our plans.

On Edwards fitting in with the Jets…

One of the things that I am very excited about, working here everyday, is that we have great people in (Director of Player Development) Dave Szott, (Head Athletic Trainer) John Mellody, Steve Yarnell and sometimes a fresh start does a lot of people good. We could look at Wayne Hunter or Kris Jenkins and when they came here, they exceeded our expectations with a fresh start. As I’ve told Braylon this morning, we’re excited that he is a Jet. We are excited that he is going to be here. Let’s learn from what happened in Cleveland, but today is a new day, a new team. We are excited that he is with us and we’re going to go in this with our eyes open. It is a true partnership.

On how long the team has been negotiating with Cleveland…

It just takes a while when you talk about players and picks. Those are hard (trades) to do. The lines of communication have been open for a while. Finally, last night we were able to get something that makes sense for them and us. I had a gut-wrenching conversation with Jason Trusnik. As a general manager, Darrelle Revis, Mark Sanchez or D’Brickashaw Ferguson, you take those guys in the first round and you expect them to come in and be really good players. I get much more of a feeling of accomplishment when a guy like Jason Trusnik comes in as a free agent, has a significant injury, or Chansi Stuckey comes in as a seventh round pick and because of their character and their work ethic become the players they are. I feel such a sense of fulfillment as a general manager. It tears your guts out to let them go and leave the building because you do everything you can to get those types of guys in the building. To get value, you have to give up value. With Rex and I, when it really boiled down late last night and we were talking with Woody (Johnson), we had to give up value, no question about it. But we were excited with the value we were getting. Those are really tough calls to make. At the end of the day, as a general manager and the head coach, we have to do what is best for the coach. As a human being, it tore me up to say goodbye to those guys this morning.

On if Edwards will play Monday night against the Dolphins…

If everything goes as expected with physicals and paperwork and all that, how much he plays will be up to Coach Schottenheimer and Coach Ryan. Our expectations are that he is going to come in and start. It’s a little bit like Ty Law last year, who came in late and played against the Patriots on Thursday night.

On if the League assured him that there will be no penalty for his off the field issue…

No assurances from the League. All I am saying is that we reached out to the league, we reached out to law enforcement. Steve Yarnell and I did that last night. We feel comfortable adding Braylon where the situation is right now.

On the impact on the passing and running game…

As Rex was saying last night, we think this is going to help both our passing game and our running game, the coverages that we’ll see and I think our running backs will be happy with this trade as well. I think it is going to help balance out our offense. We think he’ll be able to help all aspects of the offense.

On if Edwards will be able to reach what he did in 2007…

Braylon is 26 years old. Young players go through ups and downs. We’re excited to have him. We like the environment he is coming into. He has a lot of good teammates that are going to support him to be successful.  I think he is going to help us be a winning football team. I’m not into numbers of receptions or touchdowns, I’m into winning football. Whatever he can do to help us win. That is blocking the running game, draw coverages to his side of the field, that’s what we’re looking for. There will be a lot of production as well. We’re not going to assess this trade based on X catches or number of touchdowns. It’s more about the total package he brings.

On if he feels this is a playoff team…

Our expectations are always to have a successful season. That is why we do everything we do year-round. The facts that these trades happen in the same year is much more of a coincidence than anything else. It was what we felt was the right price, the right opportunity at the right time. We do that all the time. We signed Vinny Testeverde in June, we (traded for) Brett Favre in August, we just got Braylon Edwards in October. Our job in the front office is to add talent to the team. When those opportunities present themselves, we have to be prepared. We’re excited that we got Mark Sanchez on draft day, we’re excited that we got Braylon. We are always trying to improve the team. Our expectations are high. We owe it to our fans. That is what Woody Johnson expects of us.

On if this trade has any correlation to Michael Crabtree…

There is a league rule that after August 14 no unsigned player in the draft can be traded. As Coach Ryan said, we deny the allegation and it’s with the League.

Edwards speaks

Braylon Edwards is in the house, and just spoke to the media. He immediately said he couldn't answer any questions about the alleged assault incident earlier this week, calling it a legal matter, but otherwise was forthcoming. He admitted this is a 'fresh start' for him and that he's looking to prove his Pro Bowl season of 2007 wasn't a fluke. He believes the fact that he knows several of his new teammates already will help him to get acclimated quickly, as will the fact that former Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski used to work with Brian Schottenheimer when they were both in San Diego.

I'll have more after I transcribe.

Rex: Edwards will start Monday

Rex Ryan just made it official when he spoke with the media--WR Braylon Edwards will start Monday night at Miami. Obviously, it's not a surprise--the Jets didn't make this trade for him to sit on the bench.

Ryan also echoed what Mike Tannenbaum had said earlier, that the Jets were confident in their investigation of the troubled Edwards' background and character. In fact, Rex said he spoke to someone he really, really trusts, and that person had nothing but good things to say about Edwards. Just a hunch that person he spoke to is probably twin brother Rob, Cleveland's defensive coordinator.

Ryan said several times, to several different questions, that he's confident that Edwards will be a productive player and won't be a headache. Remember, Rex is the guy who benched David Clowney because he believed he was putting himself ahead of the team. Would he do the same to Edwards? We'll see.