Tuesday, September 26, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Wearing a Ronnie Lott Jets throwback No. 42 jersey with a matching kelly green pinstriped Yankees cap tilted to the side, tight end Chris Baker made his way out of the Jets' locker room yesterday and into the rich mid-afternoon sunlight. It was a spectacular autumn day. But Baker, who caught his second touchdown pass of the young season in the Jets' 28-20 victory on Sunday at Buffalo, wasn't headed to Manhattan to celebrate. He was headed home to study the game tape of the Colts-Jaguars and the early scouting report on the Colts that he had under his arms, along with the football he caught for the touchdown against the Bills. The Jets (2-1), who are tied with the Patriots for first-place in the AFC East, will play host to the undefeated Colts (3-0) on Sunday at Giants Stadium. "It's a little more on the players to be prepared now," Baker said when asked to explain the Jets' surprising start. "I'm going home now to start studying. After we have our (Monday) afternoon meetings and talk to you guys (the media), the last game is history. It's on to the next opponent." Therein lies one of the keys to the Jets' early success under rookie coach Eric Mangini. His mentor, the Patriots' Bill Belichick, is regarded as the best coach in the NFL at preparing for the next opponent and Mangini is proving to be a quick study. Through three games, several players said yesterday that nearly everything Mangini has told them has rung true regarding preparation for the upcoming opponent and they're more willing than ever to follow his lead. Tough practices, attention to detail and sound game plans, they said, are the reasons why the Jets are winning. The Jets have already won two road games after going winless away from home last season. "We practice hard and it's carrying over on Sundays," Jets wide receiver Justin McCareins said. "I'll bet if you ask a lot of guys who have been playing in the league with different coaches, this is one of the most detail-oriented teams in the league. "It's not only on the field, it's in the classroom, too. Guys are working for each other, guys are doing a little extra on the field and in the classroom, guys are executing on Sunday what we work on during the week." Mangini's game plans, the players said, have been right on point. Opponents may have surprised the Jets with a new wrinkle or two, but the players have discovered that if they do what Mangini asks of them, they'll have a chance to win. "Everybody knows the game plan for both the offense and defense," guard Brandon Moore said. "Eric stresses that these are the points that are going to win the game. Like (the Patriots game), it showed up on film that we didn't follow the game plan and that's why we lost. "Guys are buying into that if Eric says this is what it's going to take to win, we have to do it. We saw it against Buffalo and we saw it against Tennessee. We executed the game plan and we won." The players' hard work and execution have been appreciated and applauded by Mangini, even if the Jets still have their share of problems. Against the Bills, the Jets rushed for only 74 yards (but had two rushing short-yardage touchdowns), and they committed eight penalties. On the upside, they were 3-for-3 in the red zone and had no turnovers. Overall, the Jets have a plus-five takeaway/giveaway ratio this season. "I'm really happy with the way these guys have worked," Mangini said. "And I'm happy with the way that in each of the different situations, they've finished (the game). ... Now consistency is important." Suddenly, the Jets appear to have a real shot to compete for the AFC East title. The Patriots (2-1) clearly miss wide receivers Deion Branch and David Givens and are struggling. The Dolphins (1-2) aren't as good as everyone expected. And the Bills (1-2), much like the Jets, are a wild card. Both teams are young, hungry teams. "It's so early," Baker said. "We're not even thinking about (being tied for first place). What we want is to have a share of first place at the end of the year."
