Brett Favre, Belichick and Ty Law, oh my
Lots going on today and, for once, the major topic on a day Brett Favre talked wasn’t Favre. It was the Jets signing of Ty Law Monday afternoon.
Law wore No. 22 on the practice field today and Eric Mangini said “there’s definitely a chance,” Law will play against the Patriots. Mangini said the fact Law hasn’t played a game in 11 months isn’t a concern.
“Physically, in terms of his overall appearance, we rate those things,” Mangini said. “Felt very comfortable about it.”
Law has been a starter his entire career but, likely, isn’t going to be starting for the Jets. He sounded OK with that, but…
“As a competitor you always want to go out there and be one of the main guys and that’s the goal as well because I’m going to compete,” he said.
Law, who said Patriots players used to refer to Mangini as “Little Bill” [you know Mangini will love to hear that now], said his conditioning from an in-shape standpoint won’t be an issue.
“I can work out on my worst day, the problem is going out there on the field,” Law said. “The conditioning is not a problem; it’s going out there covering people, hitting people and just getting that physical contact.”
* Kerry Rhodes on Law: “For my rookie year (2005) he was here. People didn’t really give him a chance to do anything good and he had 10 picks and made the Pro Bowl. He’s that type of guy. He’s like a magnet to the ball.”
* Mangini on releasing Justin Miller to free up a roster spot for Law: “Well, Justin has primarily worked as the outside corner. Didn’t see him having an opportunity to be up here this week. With the DBs that we currently bring to the game, the roles they play on special teams, got some depth there at the outside corner spot. So this was really more about creating some versatility inside, outside and the back end.”
A precipitous fall, to say the least, for a guy who was in the Pro Bowl two seasons ago and was starting opposite Revis most of training camp until injuring his toe.
* Mangini described the Jets rivalry with the Patriots this way: “Friendly, warm, good-natured.”
Yes, he was smiling.
* The Jets were loose and frisky on the practice field, with Kris Jenkins interrupting a drill to sneak up behind a TV anchor (no, not Steve Overmyer) and attempt to scare him. It worked. As I said before, this group seemed ready to play yesterday. No one has downplayed this game and, similar to the vibe you got before the Buffalo game, there’s a desire to prove something. Then it was winning on the road against a team with a winning record; Thursday it’s about beating a longtime nemesis.
* TE Bubba Franks again didn’t practice and neither did S Eric Smith.
* I asked Belichick on conference call if the Patriots might take a look at Miller, seeing how these teams seem to have an affinity for signing the other’s “ex-es.” Miller first has to clear waivers but if he does, don’t be shocked if he ends up with the Patriots.
“That’s news to me,” Belichick said. “I didn’t know that. Thank you for the breaking news.”
There’s a plausible deniability issue, of course, with Belichick’s claim that he didn’t know Miller had been released and if you believe he didn’t know, you’ll believe that I was all-state in three sports in high school.
* Speaking of the non-athletically disposed, Jets PR person Dave Tratner used some impressive quicks in chasing down a football that had taken a big bounce off the practice field this morning. At the behest of Kerry Rhodes, Tratner wound up and threw the ball back in play, delivering a ghastly wobbler. I think I heard the Benny Hill theme on the loudspeakers during the 15-second sequence, but I can’t be sure. I immediately offered my support to Tratner, noting the stiff breeze blowing, but that support was drowned out by the clamorous cackling (yes, cackling) of the Record’s J.P. Pelzman and the Associated Press’ Dennis Waszak Jr., two exceptionally cold people.
* Speaking of cold, but not really, Live Chat XI Gameday Edition, will be Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Live Chat goes on the road as it moves from the World’s Most Famous Futon (trademark) to the World’s Most Famous Hotel Room (I wish) in Providence, R.I., a short distance from Foxboro.
But first, we’re back tomorrow morning from The Fort, where the players will practice, then travel to their hotel.
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Comments (17)
Erik, there has to be more to the Miller story - off the field or behavioral issues, etc. Any buzz among the other reporters about this?
continued from previous stream...
Green T,
That was abba-solutely terrific. Great stuff. Another golden song appropriate to Thursday's showdown is "The Winner Takes It All."
I would really like to see us kick ass.
Erik... just wonderin', do you have a sense of why they'd release Miller, over Drew Coleman? Coleman really is in over his head, and at least Miller can return kicks, and has the athletic ability.
It's a very curious move to me.
Miller was first team in training camp, then came up with a mysterious injury, then fell off the radar.
Pure speculation, but something musta happened off the field.
Remember when him and Revis got in that scuffle right after the draft? Something like that I suppose.
Miller must make more money than Coleman, but could it be so much more that finance was a factor?
I see the Miller topic is popular. I think it comes down to this and I wrote this for the paper tomorrow: Mangini just didn't think Miller had it upstairs. I looked up some of Mangini's comments since Miller was listed as being a "full" practice participant and the most interesting thing he said was on Oct. 16. He was asked if Miller didn't play in the upcoming game in Oakland (Oct. 19) if that meant there were still some physical issues. Mangini's answer: "At this point it will come down to more of a coaching decision,” he said. I just don't think Mangini trusted Miller. We don't get to see the parts of practice that matter but my guess is there were repetitive mental mistakes - that's what that "coaching decision" quote tells me. Not saying I agree, just evaluating. I would have liked to have seen Miller get a shot out there.
I like Miller's tackling and return skills, but he didn't seem to adjust very well in coverages. Right now, I think the Jets needed a better cover guy option than Miller provided. I hope Law can still play at a high level.
Erik - Check it out. You made the Boston papers, and they bought Belichik's comment that he didn't know about Miller's release until you clued him in. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/11/law_was_this_cl.html
The link was cut off above.
www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/11/law_was_this_cl.html
Unbelievable. Here it is in two pieces:
www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/
reiss_pieces/2008/11/law_was_this_cl.html
Hey, I was against the Favre move too, but in the end came around to the logic. And I could not have been more wrong with my prediction last week, so what the hell do I know?
Hope Ty is in shape and improves the coverage in the slot, certainly can use the upgrade at the weakest position on the team.
I'm rooting for him, perhaps he's the final piece to the puzzle.
One bad note is the forecast, for the first time in ages we have the superior QB and it may be impossible to throw the damn ball, nor'easter brewing.
Hope Hodges is a mudder, most important game in years may turn out to be a battle of the punters.
Erik, I love your blog.
Sammy Morris was listed as a limited participant in practice on Tuesday...any chance he'll suit up and play Thursday night?
Aspiring blogger,
Mike
Dear Erik,
Justin Miller has not adjusted to the NFL. Maybe he can't, or maybe it will just take this guy more time than there is available.
With his physical talents, the issue will be can Justin catch on as a run-back and special teams tackling specialist.
I think the guy in New Orleans was a beer truck driver turned run-back maniac -- Michael Lewis, I think his name was. Never really did anything else, but he did stick there for a while.
it won't be long before we see Miller, like tomorrow night on the other sideline. It'll probably be for one game, but so be it. These are the games these two teams play with each other. Plain and simple.
Here's how I see it. QB = Jets, RB = Jets, WR = Pats, TE = Pats, OL = even, DB = Jets, LB = Pats, DL = Jets, PK = Pats, ST = even.
Going to be a good one to watch. Anyone know what the weather is suppose to be like? Let's go JETS!!!
I hate that it was Miller over Coleman or Barrett. Barrett has one of the highest base salaries on this team, that's the biggest joke in sports.
More importantly, even though we have Leon, Justin Miller was the best kick returner i've ever seen in my life. He had a style that was/is different from every other return man, he runs people over and breaks a ton of tackles. Other top return men usually just find a nice hole and use their blazing speed to break free.
RC, your reference to the theme song from "Over the Top" inspired me to write. That was pure genius.
Could the Law signing be an attempt to get more out of Lowery? At this point, Ty is my age and might be more of a player-coach for the young guys.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
FIRST PLACE