article: JETS fueled for run at Pats- Chicago tribune

Jets fueled for run at Pats
Adding Brett Favre caused a huge stir, but New York made other key moves in pursuit of a division title
Dan Pompei | On the NFL
8:56 PM CDT, September 5, 2008
The team many believe could surprise in the AFC East is the New York Packers ? make that the Green Bay Jets ? no, it's Brett Favre's New York Jets.

There still is something very uncomfortable about that phrase: Brett Favre's New York Jets.

No matter if we squirm a bit, the addition of Favre and several others has given the Jets hope in a division the Patriots have won the last five years.

On paper, the Jets are one of the most improved teams in the league. They added linebackers Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston and tackle Kris Jenkins to the defense. They added Favre, tight end Bubba Franks, fullback Tony Richardson, guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody to the offense.



Much of what they did offensively was aimed at trying to get the running game going. Last season, when daylight was no more plentiful than it is at midnight, halfback Thomas Jones had his least effective season since he was in Arizona in 2002. But it wasn't because of lack of effort.

"Last year was one of my proudest years because it was such a tough year and I was still able to hang in there and rush for more than 1,000 yards," said Jones, who had 1,119 rushing yards and a 3.6-yard average. "Anytime you go through a situation like that, you learn and grow as a person and player."

The Jets learned too?that they needed better blocking. Enter seven-time Pro Bowler Faneca, Woody, Richardson and Franks. The theory is Jones can be a much more effective runner, like he was in Chicago, if the players around him do their jobs better.

"They have had success in this league, so I think they will be assets to this team," Jones said.

The Jets had been content to allow Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens battle for the starting quarterback job. But that was before Favre became available. They acquired him two weeks into training camp.

Now all Favre has to do is forget everything he learned the last 16 years in the West Coast system and try to figure out a new offense on the fly. Toward that end, the Jets' coaching staff has tried some innovative techniques, including giving Favre information in crossword puzzles.

Asked about the adjustment Favre will have in learning to speak a new offensive language with the Jets, Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who helped coach Favre for six years in Green Bay, said:

"It's not going to be easy. He's going to have an adjustment because words meant one thing for [16] years, and they mean something else now. It would be like if you grew up and your mom and dad always told you, 'That's a cow.' Then all of a sudden you get to college and somebody says, 'I don't know why your parents told you that. That's a horse.' You'd be completely messed up."

Jones, who went through a similar transition last year but with the benefit of an off-season, likes to think it won't be that big a problem.

"It's always difficult when you go to a new team, adjusting to the team, the offense," he said. "But it still comes down to football. You have to be able to run the ball, throw the ball. I think we've done a great job as far as making sure Brett understands what he needs to do. When you've played as long as he has, there really isn't any offense he doesn't understand, and there isn't any defensive scheme he hasn't seen. He comes in here with a lot of experience, and I think that has helped him learn the offense."

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer may have to dumb down the game plans early in the season while Favre figures things out. But eventually, as Favre becomes more comfortable, many anticipate he'll be used in ways he rarely was in Green Bay.

CBS announcer Phil Simms is excited about seeing Favre in a new offense.

"I want to see him drop back, hold the ball and throw it down the field more," Sims said in a conference call. "As a fan I was always a little frustrated knowing that he is one of the best throwers of the football in the history of the NFL and he threw more short passes than just about any quarterback in the league. ? The one thing that I noticed, the Jets were letting him hold it and he was looking for receivers 20 yards and farther downfield. That is going to be fun for the fans to see."

And it could make for a more competitive AFC East.



IMPRESSIONS
Look for Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan to take some of Laurence Maroney's carries in New England. The Patriots are looking for more from their running game.

The Jason Taylor trade might have diminished the Dolphins' defense and Taylor at the same time. The Dolphins will miss his playmaking ability, leadership and presence in the community.

1 2 Laveranues Coles didn't like to see his buddy Chad Pennington get launched, but nobody stands to benefit more from the Jets' addition of Brett Favre than Coles.

Most appropriate name in the NFL? Buffalo's Reggie Corner. Guess what position he plays.

Junior Seau and John Lynch will be Patriots before the season ends.

The Dolphins might not look great, but they sure do look like a Bill Parcells team. His stamp is everywhere on the Dolphins, and that's a good place for them to start.



Don't be surprised if the emphasis of the Patriots' offense shifts away from all the multiple-receiver sets. The team lost Dont? Stallworth in the off-season, and Chad Jackson was released because he failed to step up. That leaves them with more good options to play two tight ends on passing downs and fewer good options to play three or four wide receivers.



SCOUT?S TAKE
An NFL scout gives his views on the division.

"New England still is the team to beat. It is well-coached, and it takes advantage of weaknesses as well as any team. Randy Moss still can beat you deep. Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork are really impressive up front.

"The Jets will surprise some people and finish second. Part of that has to do with the quarterback ( Brett Favre). They have a pretty good line around him and a good running back in Thomas Jones. The Bears have to be slapping themselves for letting him go. Kris Jenkins, Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston will help the defense.

"The Bills are more solid with Trent Edwards at quarterback and more sporadic with J.P. Losman at quarterback. Marshawn Lynch can pound it or break away. He's good. Defensively, they are sounder inside with Marcus Stroud.

"The Dolphins may sneak up on some teams, but they aren't quite there. If Ricky Williams plays like he can and Ronnie Brown is there, they'll have a good 1-2 punch at running back. They are weak at wide receiver."


BREAKOUT PLAYER
PAUL POSLUSZNY, BILLS

Paul Posluszny has some making up to do. Last year the Bills' second-round pick won the starting middle linebacker job in camp. But he didn't keep it long because he broke his arm in Week 3, ending his season.

Posluszny didn't stop working when his season ended, however. He came to practice every day and sat in meetings. He worked hard physically once his broken bone was healed. He even came back in the evenings for extra work.

The Bills believe he has the attributes of a Pro Bowl player. He should have more opportunities to make plays this season now that newly acquired defensive tackle Marcus Stroud is occupying blockers and allowing linebackers to run free.

dpompei@tribune.com