March 2011 - New York Jets Wiretap
Tannenbaum Thought Hard Knocks Helped Jets
A number of teams have turned down the chance to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this fall.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, whose team was featured last season, believes the attention helped his club.
He was following advice from Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.
"I was probably the last person on board to do it and I called Ozzie Newsome, the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, who I respect immensely, and he said just from a football standpoint he felt like they got better practices because the cameras were around," Tannenbaum said.
"Everybody was giving their 'A Game,' everyday and our decision was we thought we had a great story to tell."
Wilkerson's Versatility Suits Ryan's Creativity
Jets head coach Rex Ryan is expected to get creative defensively with rookie defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson.
Wilkerson was the 30th overall pick in April's NFL Draft by New York.
"A good look at Wilkerson's tape illustrates why so many teams were interested in the 6-foot-4, 315-pound player with tackle size and end agility. Wilkerson fits Ryan's defensive schemes in several different ways – not only does he provide a lot of punch in the run defense from a three-tech or five-tech alignment, but also he can crash off the edge with the surprising speed that allowed him to amass eight sacks in 2010," Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports writes.
Jets D-Linemen Plan Drills, Workouts
Jets defensive linemen have been lifting weights and running while the NFL's labor dispute lingers, but they have plans to take their workouts one step further.
Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito said Saturday that they plan to gather in New Jersey sometime next week with the team's other defensive linemen, including Ropati Pitoitua and possibly first-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson and third-rounder Kenrick Ellis.
"We were talking and it was like, 'Dude, we've got to put something together,'" Pouha said. "All of us have been lifting and running and working out. That's one thing. Doing actual drills, making blocking reads and punching sled bags, well, that's another thing."
Moss-To-Jets Becoming More Than Talk
Rumors that the Jets could eventually sign free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss have become more than just talk.
Free agency in the NFL has been delayed by the lockout.
"There's no question that Randy Moss has the capability, has the God-given talent to be a superstar, and he has been a superstar, particularly with the Patriots," Jets owner Woody Johnson said. "That's about all I can say about him, other than I admire his skill and what he's accomplished during those years."
Johnson said that the Jets have worked on "scenario development" the last few weeks, preparing for a potentially frantic free-agent period.
Ryan Takes Tips From Gibbs On Surviving Lockout
Jets coach Rex Ryan has taken tips from Joe Gibbs on how to navigate an NFL work stoppage.
"I called Joe Gibbs," Ryan told a small group of prospective Jets business partners. "When they went through some work stoppages, the last two times the Washington Redskins won two Super Bowls. So I figured that would be a good guy to call."
Gibbs led the Redskins to the Super Bowl title following a strike-shortened 1982 season, beating the Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII.
Five years later, the Redskins won Super Bowl XXII, routing the Broncos 42-10 after a 24-day players' strike trimmed the regular season to 15 games, three of them with replacement players.
Ryan says he plans to meet in the next few days with Gibbs.
"He said take this time to get better," Ryan said. "Take time to gain an advantage on your opponents and whatever you think that is. He gave me some ideas, and I followed them to a T."
Jets Have Legitimate Interest In Moss
The Jets have real interest in pending free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss, according to sources.
New York receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith could be free agents this offseason.
"I would love to have Randy Moss on Jets," cornerback Antonio Cromartie tweeted Monday morning. "Much respect. Great vertical guy who has a lot left in the tank."
Edwards Still Open About Desire To Remain With Jets
Braylon Edwards isn't under contract for the 2011 season, but that didn't stop him from participating in Mark Sanchez's recent "Jets West" camp in California.
Why Edwards practiced with players who might not be his teammates next season came down to an issue of respect for the quarterback and the receiver's wish that he remain associated with the Jets.
"We kind of established that we really actually care for each other," Edwards said. "I was talking to Mark, trying to get some insight. 'You're the golden goose, have you talked to anybody? What's your feeling? What's your gut instinct?'
"He gave me what he could, saying he really wanted me back; he wanted me to keep working with him, because even if I didn't come back, he wanted to see me be the best. Mark's younger (24) than I am, so for him to say that just really showed the person that he is, and the relationship that I believe we're beginning, or that we have."
HBO's 'Hard Knocks' Won't Feature Jets Again
Despite growing support from fans in recent weeks that the Jets would be an ideal choice to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series again, it's not going to happen.
The Buccaneers, Broncos and Lions have declined invitations to be on the show.
Although HBO hasn't reached out to the team to appear on the show again, The New York Daily News has learned that the Jets aren't interested in having HBO cameras chronicle training camp again and wouldn't accept an invitation if asked.
Scott Wants Sanchez To 'Take That Next Step'
Jets linebacker Bart Scott wants to see quarterback Mark Sanchez continue to progress heading into the 2011 season.
"I think it's time for him to take that next step ... to the upper echelon of quarterbacks in this league. ... He's had his ups, he's had his downs, but he's stayed positive through it," Scott said of Sanchez.
"He's one of the hardest-working -- not quarterbacks, but hardest-working people I've ever seen. It's time for him to take the next step and really take control of this team and not so much have to hold onto the steering wheel but actually guide the car."
Darrelle Revis: Lockout Isn't 'Scary'
Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis isn't sweating the 67-day work stoppage, not even with $25 million in salary and bonus money due in 2011.
"I don't think that's scary," he said. "I'm financially stable. I'm good. When the lockout is over, it's over."
Revis said he's not frustrated at all by the labor mess, expressing optimism because "guys feel this lockout is going to be done soon."
Scott: It's Super Bowl-Or-Bust For Jets
Bart Scott believes the Jets will be considered a "joke" if they don't break through a win the Super Bowl.
Braylon Edwards Misses Court; DWI Trial Date Set
Braylon Edwards was arrested on Sept. 21 and breath tests measured his blood alcohol level at .16 -- double the legal limit.
Jets Haven't Ruled Out Moss?
The Jets may need a wide receiver if either Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes aren't re-signed.
Cromartie Becoming Priority For Jets
The Jets want to have as many good pass-coverage defenders as possible.
Edwards May Offer Discount To Jets
Braylon Edwards is willing to re-sign with the Jets for a discount of as much as $1 million.
Tomlinson Ready To Step Aside For Greene
LaDainian Tomlinson wants to be the best third-down running back in the league.
Edwards Wants To Stay With Jets
After missing the first two days, Braylon Edwards joined several members of the Jets for workouts in California.
Sanchez Hosts Teammates At 'Jets West' Camp
The third-year quarterback is holding his "Jets West" camp at Mission Viejo High School for the second straight offseason.
Rodgers, Ryan Gets Awards From Writers
Aaron Rodgers and Rex Ryan were honored for helping the media during the 2010 season.
Jets Draft Sanchez's Childhood Friend
Mark Sanchez and Scotty McKnight have been friends since the wide receiver was eight years old.