Jets football blog

LB Pace suspended 4 games to start season

Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended for the first four games of the 2009 NFL regular season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.

The NFL, announcing the suspension on Thursday, said Pace will be eligible to return after the Jets' Oct. 4 game against the Saints.

In a statement released by the Jets, Pace said the suspension stemmed from his use of an over-the-counter dietary supplement -- which he did not identify -- that contained a substance he did not know violated the policy.

"I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League's guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans," Pace said. "Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl." Continue

Coach Ryan is dyslexic

Rex Ryan has overcome a lot of hurdles en route to becoming the Jets head coach, but one of them is little known to the public.

Ryan recently revealed to newyorkjets.com that he's had to deal with dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it difficult for people to acquire and process language. That has left Ryan with difficulty reading, spelling and writing. Continue

Coaching in Ryan's blood

Occasionally in the defensive film room, Rex Ryan will grow more animated than usual.

The Jets coach will give a spirited introduction to the next clip.

"This is how we need to play defense," he'll tell the players. "If we play defense the way this guy did, we're going to play ball."

Then he will press play and a clip of a youth league football game will be on the screen. As the players watch a diminutive defensive back make an interception, they will laugh as they realize Coach Ryan just became Proud Papa Ryan. The defensive star on the screen is his teenage son, Seth. Continue

Jets not sure on Plaxico

The Jets aren't going to pull the trigger on Plaxico Burress - at least not anytime soon.

Once regarded as a leading suitor for the talented but troubled receiver, the Jets' interest has waned, according to two NFL sources. The reason wasn't immediately clear, but it likely stems from his muddled legal situation. Burress' felony gun case was adjourned Monday until Sept. 23 and, even though his agent expressed confidence his client will be signed with a team before the start of training camp in late July, many uncertainties remain - and that may have scared off the Jets. Continue

Jets sign RB Greene to 4 yr deal

The Jets yesterday agreed to terms with running back Shonn Greene, their third-round draft pick and 65th overall player chosen in the April draft. Greene signed a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus.

That makes the Jets 3-for-3 on signing their draft picks and training camp doesn't begin until July 30. The Jets last week signed No. 1 pick Mark Sanchez to a blockbuster five-year, $50 million deal. Continue

Jets' receivers think they don't need Plaxico

Jerricho Cotchery realizes what people are saying about him and the rest of the Jets' wide receivers.

* They're not talented enough.

* There's no true No. 1 receiver.

* They need a game-changing presence such as Plaxico Burress.

"We don't take it personal," Cotchery said during minicamp this week. "It's just something that adds to whatever you're doing, your work ethic or whatever. It's extra juice." Continue

QB Sanchez closes camp on a high note

One day after the Jets made a significant statement in making quarterback Mark Sanchez the highest-paid player in franchise history, Sanchez left everyone wanting more.

On the final drive of the final minicamp practice, the last time the full team would be together until training camp at the end of the July, the Jets' No. 1 draft pick wowed everyone yesterday with his finest stretch of play to date.

Sanchez looked commanding while completing consecutive passes to wide receiver David Clowney on that last drive and then connecting with Wallace Wright with an impressive touchdown pass. Continue

QB Sanchez signs 5 year deal, $28 guaranteed

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez signed a five-year deal Wednesday that made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The contract could be worth as much as $60 million, including incentives, with $28 million guaranteed.

"It's one huge thing behind me, a big weight lifted off all our shoulders," Sanchez said after the Jets' afternoon minicamp practice. "They know that I'm all about football now and that's all I have to focus on now. And that's the best part. Secondly, it allows me to get involved in the community here and back home, so that's great, too. A really, really special day." Continue

Washington turning up heat on Jets

Leon Washington, unhappy with his contract situation, in comments yesterday kept waffling between his loyalty to the Jets and doing what he feels he has to do to get a new deal. The running back hinted that he may skip training camp in July if he doesn't get a new contract.

Washington, who skipped three weeks of the Jets' organized team activities (OTAs) to make a statement about his disdain over his expected salary of $535,000 in 2009, the final year of his contract,kept using the words "fair market value." Continue

Ryan out to prove he's the man

For someone who hasn't shied away from making bold statements and needling opponents before his first game as an NFL head coach, Rex Ryan conceded he had his doubts he'd ever become one.

Despite being one of the hottest names in the league after the 2007 season, Ryan, then the Ravens' defensive coordinator, couldn't land a head-coaching job. He interviewed with the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens, but none deemed him the correct fit. The call Ryan was waiting for never came.

"When I never got a head-coaching job last year, I was like, 'This isn't going to happen for whatever reason,' " Ryan said. "I thought I was right for a particular team and was passed over, but it made me focus. I told the GM of that team that I would make the league pay because I'm going to get a chance to coach a group of guys that I believe in, and they believe in me, and we'll see what happens. We're going to be so good that I'm going to get a job. It was kind of like a driving deal. That became a 'me' thing. That drove me as an individual." Continue