E-Boland & Gang Green

By Tom Rock

Here's an item I wrote for the Friday paper, but I thought it might interest some of you now:

Tom Brady’s ankle may be the issue of the week, but the issue of the year for the Patriots has been Spygate. LB Mike Vrabel spoke yesterday about his initial reactions when he first heard about the incident in which a Pats employee was caught videotaping Jets defensive signals.

"I think you're a little shocked, a little stunned,” he said. “We were answering a lot of questions about our commitment and what we try to do as a player and how we prepare. People were asking a lot of questions that made you have to answer to your commitment level to the team and to the game. Guys put a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of hard work into the game and people would say: How does it feel to be labeled a cheater? You wanted to stand up and knock the crap out of them, but we had to deal with it. We fought through it as a team, we got through it together, and we haven’t looked back.”

By Tom Rock

The Pats' play-making cornerback Asante Samuel will be one of the biggest free agents on the market this offseason. Any chance he could wind up with the Jets? They were one of the teams reportedly interested in luring him last year before the Pats slapped Samuel with the franchise tag.

Samuel said he and Eric Mangini have a close relationship. Mangini was his position coach when he first came into the league and then because the defensive coordinator before taking the job with the Jets.

"We spent a lot of time together, so we built a good relationship," Samuel said. "We all knew he had the ability to be a head coach."

By Tom Rock

Pats receiver Donte Stallworth was asked about -- what else? Tom Brady's ankle. He gave a novel response, saying that Bill Belichick had called him into the office this morning and asked if he could play quarterback. Stallworth ellaborated the gag, saying they were bringing in Tom Osborne of Nebraska to team the option, and that he had Brady's blessing.

It was funny stuff.

And then it dawned on some of us that it's pretty much what the Jets did. When Kellen Clemens was hurt in the game against the Patriots, they took a receiver (Brad Smith) and put him at quarterback. And ran the option.

I guess it's true -- humor is only funny when it happens to someone else.

By Tom Rock

Only problem is they're playing for other teams.

Caught up with Ray Ventrone and Rashad Moore in the Pats' locker room today. "I thought you looked familiar," Moore said to me when I re-introduced myself. You spend 45 minutes a day hovering around a guy for four months, I guess you make an impression.

Anyway, the Giants also have a former Jet in Danny Ware. I asked Ventrone, who was cut by the Jets and signed to the practice squad early in the season before he was axed from that list too, if he and Danny were training camp and practice squad buddies. He didn't really answer me. Neon Ray said they knew each other and he's focused on this game and the opportunity and not looking anywhere else. No wonder the Pats keep bringing this guy back -- he's pre-lobotomized.

It was a few weeks ago when I caught up with Ware in the Giants locker room. He lingered on the Jets practice squad for a few months before he bolted for the Giants and an active roster spot. As you can imagine, he was all smiles and laughs when we spoke. Come to think of it, so was I. I guess this is what it's like when two guys get out of prison and meet up with each other on the outside.

I think I had both Ventrone and Ware on my roster pool coming out of training camp. Do I get extra points if they both play in the Super Bowl?

By Tom Rock

For those of you concerned about the fate of Tony Wise: fear not. The former Jets offensive line coach has landed on his feet at the University of Pittsburgh.

I know that's a Carolina straw hat in the image. But a Panther's a Panther, right?

By Tom Rock

Here's a service for those of you sitting at home saying "Hmm, I wonder who the inactives in today's AFC title game will be. Maybe I'll check Newsday's Jets blog to find out."

Well, you're in luck.

First the Chargers, since they had the most mystery this week. Rivers, LT and Gates are all active. Those not playing are: QB Charlie Whitehurst, K Dave Rayner, CB Cletis Gordon, CB Paul Oliver, LB Anthony Waters, WR Malcolm Floyd, TE Scott Chandler and DT Brandon McKinney.

Inactives for the Pats: QB Matt Gutierrez, WR Chad Jackson, S Mel Mitchell, CB Antwain Spann, T Wesley Britt, G Billy Yates, WR Troy Brown and DL LeKevin Smith.

Temperatures are in the balmy 20s in Foxborough. Much warmer than Green Bay. Hey, I wonder which of our guys out covering the Giants game drew the short straw and had to go outside in the auxiliary press box.

By Tom Rock

Jonathan Vilma is not the answer to the Jets’ quarterback problems.

He spent part of yesterday morning playing with a group of sixth-graders at Polk Street School in Franklin Square, part of the NFL’s Take a Player to School program. Because of his surgically-repaired knee (Vilma isn’t running yet), he was the automatic quarterback. And he was pretty bad, coughing up interceptions and missing receivers with his left-handed tosses in the gym.

“That one kid over there was like Ed Reed so I had to go back and throw it over here,” he said, trying to explain his poor passer rating afterwards. To his defense, it was hard to tell who was on offense and who was on defense with 24 or so kids he's never met before running around the small gym.

Of course it was all in fun. And the kids loved horsing around with Vilma. He seemed to be having fun too. It was the first time he’s played football since his surgery in early November. And it was funny to watch the gym teacher screech in horror when one of the students tried to blitz Vilma. I’m sure he had visions of Kimo von Oelhoffen and Carson Palmer.

Most of the kids and teachers wore their No. 51 jerseys. And Toriann Monaco, the student whom Vilma officially accompanied, seemed to have the most fun of all. She said she is a Jets fan and entered the contest last year. She found out she had won in October – she was told as a birthday present – and had a limo with JV inside it pick her up at her house this morning. Cool deal. It’ll probably be hard for her to top this day for quite a while.

As part of the program, Vilma spoke to the kids about staying in school, the importance of academics no matter what they want to do with their lives, and the significance of physical exercise. Then there was the questions from the students. Most were routine – What was your favorite game? – but one future sportswriter (or blogger) asked Vilma if he would rather play for the Jets or be traded to another team.

Interesting, since I asked him the same question a little later on. His answer to the kid was a little more for show. “Definitely here,” he said to applause and cheers. When I asked him, he said that it’s something that is out of his control and that he is focused on his knee right now.

As for the knee, he was able to walk without crutches but still had a limp. He’s still rehabbing in Miami and flew up just for this commitment. He landed in NY on Thursday night and was up in the air for Florida again at 1 o’clock Friday. That he didn’t spend much or any time hanging around Weeb Ewbank Hall or visiting with any lingering teammates is probably a sign. I’ll let you read into that, along with the fact that he and I were probably the only two people in the building not wearing some article of clothing with JETS written on it.

By Tom Rock

Well, at least the bodies for minicamp are being assembled. That's a start.

The Jets announced that 11 guys have been signed to future/reserve contracts. Basically that means they're Jets until they ain't no more.

The list includes eight practice squad players -- RB Alvin Banks, WR David Clowney, CB Manny Collins, OL Wayne Hunter, LB Jerry Mackey, QB Brett Ratliff, WR Shaine Smith and WR Marco Thomas -- along with three new additions: S Darnell Bing, OL Stanley Daniels and DT Thomas Johnson.

Bing played at Southern Cal and was an All-America as a senior. He was drafted in thr fourth round by the Raiders in 2006, spent the year on injured reserve, and spent 2007 on the 49ers' practice squad. Daniels spent a few days in Jets camp last summer. And Johnson has seen NFL action with both the Cowboys and the Texans.

By Tom Rock

Mike Tannenbaum gave his season-ending press conference this afternoon, swiftyly pushing Roger Clemens, Eli Manning, OSU-LSU and the Tony Romo-Jessica Simpson courtship off the back page of every sports section in America. It was kind of A-Rod-ish to make such a big splash like that, Mike!

Just kidding. Actually, it would be hard to find a day in which the Jets could have been further below the radar. But there was some news coming from the press conference -- that Tannenbaum expects Chad Pennington to remain with the Jets and compete for the starting job in training camp. You'll be able to read about that in the paper tomorrow. Here on the blog I'll cover a few of the other soundbites and situations that won't grab a headline.

On the potential for the Jets to be major players in free agency: “We’re comfortably under the cap, so if and when opportunities present themselves, we'll look into those opportunities,” he said.

On Laveranues Coles’ request for a new contract with more long-term security: “Our goal is for Laveranues to be here for a long time.“

On the future of Jonathan Vilma based on the emergence of David Harris at inside linebacker: “I expect him to be back,” Tannenbaum said. “Where and how he is used is going to be up to the coaches.”

On how he and the Jets handled the Pete Kendall Situation last summer: “I've personally learned from that experience and tried not to let small things become big things and try to be more proactive than reactive,” he said. “With that said, I don't know if we had done anything differently if that situation would have worked itself out any differently than it did. Maybe it could have, but maybe it wouldn't have. Obviously, it's unfortunate how public it became. I don't think that's good for him or the team.”

And on how the Jets might use their sixth pick in April’s draft: “Over time in the salary cap era, people do draft a little bit more for need (than the best available player),” he said. “That's a little bit of an over-simplification, but by the time we get to April, we'll have a better idea of where we are. Our track record shows that we've gone up and down (with trades), so I wouldn't rule anything out.”

As for the Jets’ needs, Tannenbaum said they are being formalized.

By Tom Rock

For the first time in about two and a half months, I'm covering a game of significance. It is, however, the first time in a while that I will need both sides of the flip card. If you want the inactives, check them out a few doors down the blog block.

Down in Tampa pitching in on our Giants-Bucs coverage. The weather is great. Wish you were here. Oh, wait, as I look around at all the blue jerseys, it seems you are here.

Not sure what I'll be writing about. Just following orders from Commander Staple today. A few sidebars, I figure. Then tomorrow Mike Tannenbaum will give his season-ending address. My guess is that the words "With the sixth pick in the draft the Jets select ..." will not appear on that transcript.

I'll tell B.J. Askew "Hi" from all of his fans when I see him in the locker room after the game.

By Tom Rock

Well, at least the Jets had their eye on a guy who wasn't so bad that he had to be fired by the Raiders.

"Turns out that Rob Ryan won't be available to the Jets or to anyone else. He'll remain with the Raiders despite reports that he would get the axe.

"The recent conjecture regarding the removal of Rob Ryan is incorrect and the constant barrage of rumors is irresponsible," Raiders PR guy Mike Taylor said (you talkin' to me?). "The Raiders organization stated that the speculation that Rob Ryan will be relieved of his duties should stop."

Anyway, this doesn't exactly leave Bob Sutton sitting pretty. He's still on the hot seat. It just means that Mangini won't be able to bring Rob Ryan in.

Hmmm. Dom Capers is suddenly available. And Sutton does have some Parcells DNA. Maybe an unofficial D.C. swap with the Dolphins?

By Tom Rock

Here's a story updating the future plans and opportunities of Rex Ryan in Baltimore. Although, really, there isn't much to update -- sounds like he's just sitting around waiting like the rest of us. But it does appear that Rex will get the head coach feelers. So if the Jets want him to be their D.C., they'll have to wait for all that smoke to clear out.

As for Rob Ryan, I just heard from a Raiders source that, officially, there is no update on his status with the team. Meaning he is still their defensive coordinator despite reports that he had been told that Sunday was his final game with the organization and other reports that he would be canned today. While no one is refuting the idea that Ryan is probably on the way out -- and thusly on the way here -- it doesn't appear to be happening today.

By Tom Rock

Here's a link to the Q & A with Rob Ryan from Dec. 27 when he spoke with reporters in Oakland.

My personal favorite line: "I've coached my --- off!"

It is nice to see a guy with that kind of don't-give-a-hoot fire. I think the Jets will respond to that. Not that anything is officially official just yet. Right now we're just waiting.

By Tom Rock

He's not here yet, but we already have a look-a-like waiting for him.

By Tom Rock

That's how long Rob Ryan said it would take him to find another job if the Raiders fired him at the end of the season.

Well, there hasn't been any official announcement, but from what I'm reading it'll probably come today or at least by the end of the week. And two minutes after that, expect to hear that the Jets have a new defensive coordinator.

Now, Ryan and Mangini go back to their days at New England where, as Mangini once called it, the assistants work so long and in such close proximity it's like being in a submarine. After the final game of the 2006 season, there were two people from the Raiders hanging out in the tunnel of Giants Stadium waiting to see their favorite Jets. One was Randy Moss, waiting on college teammate Chad Pennington. The other was Ryan, waiting for Mangini.

As I recall, he had to wait a little longer than two minutes on that day.