I know this is a little late and it was only a preseason contest, but I need to get my reps in.
Brett Ratliff tossed two long touchdown passes to David Clowney and 4th round pick Dwight Lowery returned a punt 62 yards for a score as the
Jets downed the Browns 24-20 in Cleveland. Yes, Brett Favre was there and no he didn't see any action. I'm already sick to death of the media frenzy surrounding No. 4 and I'm a Jets fan. I have to assume it's 100 times worse for an unbiased observer. Anyway, it's always good to get a win even if it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
I set my DVR to record this (yes, I have no life), but there was some ... unpleasantness. I tuned to the game on the radio after work and heard that it was in a "weather delay." I'm not sure I've ever heard that before. Anyway, I thought the game never started so I erased what I had recorded. Turns out they did start the game so I didn't see the first 10 minutes of the first quarter. And I also messed up the recording when the action resumed. The game cut out on me with 8:27 remaining in the fourth. Looks like I'm also trying to make adjustments during this preseason. Still, I'll make my observations nonetheless.
The other Brett. The second-year QB from Utah looked great. Ratliff spent last season on the Jets practice squad and has been turning heads in training camp. Well, he went out and really impressed Thursday night against the Brownies. Ratliff's greatest weapon is his strong arm and he used it to flip two 70-yard strikes to Clowney. Ratliff finished the night 14 of 20 for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Third wide receiver. I failed to mention the battle going on for the third wideout position in an earlier post. Brad Smith may have the inside track, but David Clowney made a claim with his performance in Cleveland. Clowney got behind the defense twice and hauled in two 70+ bombs for scores. Clowney isn't a big guy (6'0, 188), but he's a speedster and the Jets could definitely use that. No. 17 was another practice squad guy last season. The Jets claimed him off waivers in the middle of the year from the Green Bay Packers. Clowney caught 4 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Front runner? The Jets have many options for their other corner slot and the rookie from San Jose State got off to a good start. Lowery led the team with 8 tackles (not a great sign since he's in the secondary) and made his first pro interception on a 3rd and 13 at the Jets 14 late in the fourth quarter. But his biggest play came on special teams as he took a punt back 62 yards to put the Gotham Green up 24-20 in the fourth. Nice job, rook.
Joe Willie -- silenced. The broadcasting team of Ian Eagle and Greg Buttle had a phone interview with Joe Namath during the game to get his take on the addition of Favre. Great idea. Broadway Joe could provide some insight since he finished his career with the Los Angeles Rams after becoming an icon during his 12 seasons with the Jets. But the CBS crew had some technical difficulties and didn't even seem to notice. The questions were asked, but the viewing audience at home couldn't hear Joe Willie's responses. Very disappointing.
There was also a scary injury during the game. Tight end A.J. Schable was taken off the field on a stretcher after colliding with Cliff Louis during a kickoff return. Schable gave a thumbs-up sign as he was carted off the field, but it's never good to see a player immobilized when he's carried off. But the good news is that both an MRI and CAT scan came back negative and
Schable was released from a Cleveland hospital on Friday.
And it may be old news now, but the Jets waived goodbye to
Chad Pennington before the game. I thought that No. 10's days in Green were numbered after the 2007 season, but I didn't think the end would come like this. Pennington was beloved in the beginning (that seems to have been forgotten) and then the tide turned on him. I don't think the fans and media ever gave him the respect he deserved. Yes, he doesn't have the strongest arm and yeah, he suffered through many injuries during his time in New York, but he was an accurate passer, a solid leader, a hard worker and led the Jets to the playoffs three times. How that doesn't count for anything is beyond me. Still, Pennington never complained while he was here and didn't lash out after his exit:
"I think the most difficult part of the last 24 hours is coming to the
realization that you're no longer wanted by the organization,'' Pennington said.
"You've been there eight years and in a blink of the eye, you're not wanted. But
I have an inner peace about it. I feel good about how I was playing and
conducting myself.
"I don't have any hard feelings. The great part about being a fan is you can
have an opinion. As many negative opinion(s) that were out there, I've received
double or triple the positive. I don't have any hard feelings towards
anyone."
I was maybe one of only a handful of guys who believed Pennington could lead the Jets. Now it looks like he'll get a chance to lead the
Miami Dolphins (the Fins aren't confirming or denying at this point, but it seems like a done deal). And I'm sure you already know this, but the Jets and Dolphins will meet Opening Day in Miami.
Up next for the Jets will be a home date against the Washington Redskins Saturday, Aug. 16. Yes,
Favre will make his first start as a Jet.
I wonder if there will be any media interest in that one.
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