For Jets, it's time to end excuses
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan wants results, not excuses.
The New York Jets coach wasn't happy with his team's effort near the end of practice Thursday and let them know it. Being 4-4 just won't cut it, especially when mistakes have cost them a few games.
"I believe in being honest and telling the truth," Ryan said Friday. "Practice today, I thought was outstanding with the focus, attention to detail. We're close."
Ryan has said the Jets could have been 6-2 if not for some foolish penalties and bad plays, while some of his players think they could be 7-1. None of that matters at the moment to Ryan.
"You can't have a good practice or a good game and then all of the sudden one or two plays, 'But if this doesn't happen or that happen, we'd be 7-1,"' he said. "The fact is, those things have happened."
The Jets have lost four of their last five games and face a crucial matchup against the Jaguars on Sunday that some, including defensive end Shaun Ellis, called a "must-win" game. New York's last three losses have come by a total of 12 points, and the Jets have been called for 26 penalties in that stretch.
"We're tired of making excuses," Ryan said. "We don't need to make excuses. We just need to play better and find ways to win. That's the message to our team."
The sting of the team's 30-25 loss to Miami two weeks ago is still fresh for special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff. The Jets allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return two long kickoffs for touchdowns in the third quarter, turning the game around with what Westhoff called "two atomic bombs."
Westhoff said he returned from the bye-week break and told the players on his unit that he was starting from scratch, making evaluations on everyone beginning Sunday against Jacksonville.
"We can't go back," Westhoff said. "We can't change it. We're a sick 4-4, not a happy 4-4. Now, when we were 3-0, we felt pretty good. That's how I'm going to approach it, with that in mind, and build from there."
Ryan knows he'll get either praised or heavily criticized for giving the players six days off during the bye. He made the decision a few months ago, and wasn't going to punish the players that way.
"We're going to see on Sunday," Ryan said. "Those six days off are going to be judged by how successful we play. That's fine. I think we're going to play well. Our guys are fresh and I think we're focused. It's going to be a great game on Sunday."
Ryan has again called on the fans to be loud at the Meadowlands after taking a similar approach before the Jets' game against New England in Week 2. He believes a raucous crowd can help them on the field, but the team knows it needs to give the fans something to cheer about.
"Watching the first half cutups, just a couple of plays here or there got me excited to come back, I know that," quarterback Mark Sanchez said earlier in the week. "That's the general consensus around the building. We're excited to play again. We know we're in a good spot. Missed some opportunities in the first half of the season, but we're looking to capitalize on them this go-around."
The Jets also need to capitalize on a favorable schedule, at least at the start of the second-half stretch. After playing Jacksonville (4-4), New York is at AFC East-leading New England (6-2), followed by games against Carolina (3-5), at Buffalo (3-5) in Toronto and at Tampa Bay (1-7). Things then get a lot tougher as the Jets finish against Atlanta (5-3), at Indianapolis (8-0) and home against Cincinnati (6-2).
"When you consider how long these guys have been at it, all the minicamps and OTAs and the training camp and half your regular-season games, to get that time off, it is the stretch run," Ryan said. "Albeit at the beginning of the stretch run, but that's what it is. There's got to be that sense of urgency. Don't wait for somebody else to make the breaks for you. We've got to do it ourselves and we understand that."
NOTES: Ryan said it's "a real possibility" that Justin Miller might not return kickoffs against Jacksonville, two weeks after re-signing him. A former Pro Bowl returner who sustained a serious knee injury in 2007, Miller's speed is being evaluated. He could be replaced by Brad Smith or Dwight Lowery. ... The Jets had close to 100 members of the military, representing every branch, as honored guests at practice. ... The team is asking fans to bring nonperishable food donations to the game as part of the Jets' annual food drive to benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network.
BILLS' OWENS READY TO PLAY
Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice Friday and declared himself ready to play in Sunday's game at Tennessee.
Owens said he fell asleep on his couch Monday night after practice, and woke up feeling stiff the next morning. He was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and the team said he had a strained hip.
"Earlier in the week it was painful, but I knew I would be ready," said Owens, who is officially listed as questionable. "My couch is very comfortable, so it's easy to fall asleep on. (But) I don't know if it was the couch."
Meanwhile, the Bills will be without three starters on defense — linebacker Keith Ellison (quad), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee).
Defensive end Aaron Schobel (groin) and safety Donte Whitner (ankle) are both questionable. Rookie safety Jairus Byrd (groin), who is tied for the league-lead with seven interceptions, is probable.
LOCKLEAR BACK FOR SEAHAWKS
Sean Locklear will start at left tackle for the Seahawks in Sunday's key divisional game at Arizona.
Locklear has been out since he sustained a high right ankle sprain midway through the second game of the season, Sept. 20 at San Francisco.
Seattle has gone through five left tackles this season. Six-time All-Pro Walter Jones was supposed to make it back from major knee surgery but didn't and is on injured reserve. Damion McIntosh has started the last two games after signing last month.
Coach Jim Mora also said Friday that Josh Wilson will start at cornerback opposite Marcus Trufant. Wilson has unseated veteran Ken Lucas.
Lucas has been recovering from a neck injury sustained on Nov. 1 at Dallas, but Mora says he is healthy now.
WINFIELD OUT FOR DETROIT GAME
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield will not play against Detroit on Sunday because of an injured right foot.
The Pro Bowler has missed the last two games and was hoping to be ready coming out of the off week. He practiced in full gear all week but said he still feels pain when he plants on the foot.
"I've been out the last couple of days running on it, testing it," Winfield said on Friday. "It's good going forward but I still have a little problem cutting. But I would say next week I should be OK."
The Vikings (7-1) host Seattle next week. Winfield said he doesn't want to rush back and risk further injury that would keep him out longer.
Receiver Bernard Berrian is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Quarterback Brett Favre (groin), linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee), backup linebacker Jasper Brinkley (hamstring) and punt returner Darius Reynaud (hamstring) are all listed as probable.
KOPPEN QUESTIONABLE FOR PATRIOTS
Starting center Dan Koppen is one of 10 New England Patriots listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.
Koppen hurt his knee during last Sunday's win over Miami.
There was some good news for the Patriots on Friday. Tackle Matt Light, running back Sammy Morris and rookie wide receiver Julian Edelman all practiced for the first time in weeks. Light and Morris are recovering from knee injuries and Edelman from a broken arm.
Light is listed as doubtful for the Colts game, while Morris and Edelman are questionable.
Coach Bill Belichick says several players could be game-time decisions.
Listed as out for Sunday are defensive end Jarvis Green, running back Fred Taylor and rookie wide receiver Brandon Tate.
CUTLER, HARRIS FINED FOR CONDUCT
A bad season for the Chicago Bears just got worse.
The NFL said Friday that quarterback Jay Cutler had been fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official during a 41-21 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.
Cutler drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with 6:24 left in the third quarter after an incomplete pass to tight end Greg Olsen on a fourth-down play with the Bears trailing 34-7 at the time. Cutler apparently thought there should have been an interference penalty.
The fine came one day after Cutler threw five interceptions during a 10-6 loss at San Francisco. Cutler has thrown an NFL-worst 17 interceptions this season for the Bears (4-5), who have lost four of five.
The NFL also said defensive lineman Tommie Harris had been fined $7,500 for punching Cardinals offensive lineman Deuce Lutui on the fourth play from scrimmage. Harris was ejected and later apologized.
DOLPHINS' SMILEY DOUBTFUL
Dolphins starting guard Justin Smiley is listed as doubtful for the Dolphins' game against Tampa Bay because of a shoulder injury.
Reserve nose tackle Paul Soliai (ankle) and reserve linebacker Erik Walden (hamstring) were also listed as doubtful for Sunday's game. Smiley and Walden did not practice Friday, while Soliai and starting tight end Anthony Fasano (hip) were limited.
Fasano was listed as questionable. Linebacker Joey Porter (knee) participated in the full practice and was listed as probable.
Nate Garner would likely make his first NFL start in place of Smiley.
OCHOCINCO FINED $20,000 FOR $1 'BRIBE'
Chad Ochocinco's pretend $1 bribe is going to cost him a lot more.
The Cincinnati Bengals receiver was fined $20,000 and reprimanded by the NFL for taking a dollar bill onto the field during an officials' review of one of his catches last Sunday. Ochocinco held the dollar in his right hand at his side but didn't give it to the official, who motioned for him to stay away.
Ochocinco said he was just having fun, but the league didn't like it.
Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations, sent Ochocinco a letter that said: "The very appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Your conduct was unprofessional and unbecoming an NFL player."
During the third quarter of Cincinnati's 17-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens, officials initially ruled that Ochocinco got both feet down at the sideline for a 15-yard catch. The Ravens challenged, and the call was overturned when replays showed the receiver's toe landed on the white sideline.
While the play was under review, Ochocinco walked toward the officials with the dollar bill.
