It wasn't pretty, but the Jets finished August at 3-1.
In a battle of backups, Mike Nugent drilled a 35-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Jets over the Eagles, 13-11 in Philadelphia. I taped the game, but missed Marques Tuiasosopo's game-winning drive (I didn't set the set the DVR to record over three hours. Hey, it's preseason for me, too). I did see that it was really helped by a bonehead play by Eagle corner Rashad Barksdale (who didn't make the final roster for the Iggles). His unnecessary roughness call against WR Chasi Stuckey turned a fourth and long into a first down for the Jets.
Some quick notes from Thursday night's finale.
C.J. Mosely had a monster game. He finished with three sacks and two forced fumbles. Nice job, C.J.
Jacob Bender played much better against the Eagles even though he was going against second- and third-stringers.
Seventh-round pick WR Chansi Stuckey has "stuck" with the team (ha!) and finished up an impressive preseason with another solid game. He finished Thursday with four catches for 47 yards, had a nifty 38-yard punt return and averaged 27 yards on three kickoff returns.
Sam Ryan is a sexy woman.
Second-round pick LB David Harris continued to impress. He looks like he's going to be a sure tackler for the Jets this upcoming season.
In any event, the final score doesn't really matter. What matters is if the Jets are ready for the regular season.
My heart cries out, "YES! Yes, they are! Bring on the Patriots!"
And I'm going to let my emotions rule my better judgment. For now.
The Jets also made their final cuts and there were some surprises.
The Green and White have decided to keep four tight ends -- Chris Baker, Sean Ryan, Joe Kowalewski and Jason Pociask. Actually, it's five if you count TE/LS James Dearth. I guess the Jets are going to implement a ton of "big" sets during the season. I'm surprised by the move and it will most likely mean less playing time for starter Chris Baker. Too bad. I really think Baker hasn't been utilized enough.
Running back Danny Ware didn't make the squad. I'm really shocked by this move. Ware had a tremendous preseason and I thought he was a lock to make the team. Instead, the Jets will go with Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Darian Barnes and Stacy Tutt with Tutt most likely splitting time at tailback and fullback. On the bright side, the move obviously means that the injury to Jones' calf isn't serious and won't keep him out of the opener against the Pats. Right?
The Jets trimmed some age from their roster on the defensive side. Defensive ends Bobby Hamilton (36-years-old), Michael Haynes (who was trying to make a comeback after missing the '06 season), Kimo von Oelhoffen (who has since signed with Philadelphia) and LB/DE Andre Wadsworth (who hadn't played a down of football since 2000) were released. No surprises here, but the fact that Wadsworth made it all the way through the preseason despite having over 12 surgeries since 1998 is a bit surprising. He should at least feel good about that.
Anthony Schlegel, drafted in the third-round in 2006, was also cut. Schlegel played in only four games last year (primarily on special teams) and never lived up to the expectations the Jets had for him coming out of Ohio State.
The Jets have decided to go with three quarterbacks so off-season acquisition Marques Tuiasosopo will suit up for Gang Green this season. The Jets toyed with the idea of going with two QBs this season and having WR/KR Brad Smith as the emergency quarterback. I guess the Jets were pleased with Tui's play in camp.
But, this is all prologue. The Jets will have their work cut out for them when they kick it off for real against the Patriots next week. The Pats have a great team on paper, but they've been hit with two big blows on the defensive line and in the secondary.
And the Jets will be looking to make they pay.
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