SB Nation - J.R. Reed

2009 Schedule Preview: Week 4 vs. N.Y. Jets

Saintsational — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:30 -0000

The Saints return home, after two trips to the Northeast, to play the second of three straight New York-based teams and second consecutive AFC East team. This time it's the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS. The biggest change for New York this off-season was made on the sidelines when they parted ways with head coach Eric Mangini and brought in defensive minded Rex Ryan to take over. Ryan is sure to turn around the Jets mediocre defense but the offense may still suffer some growing pains. It's time to take a look at what the Saints will be up against this year for the second game at home.

Jets Offense

This may be hard to believe but the Jets actually had fewer picks, three, in this years draft than the Saints. Shocking, I know. All three of those choices were used to improve the offensive side of the ball, including first round draft pick and dreamy babe magnet, quarterback Mark Sanchez. Following the "retirement" of Brett Favre, Sanchez is likely to be next years starter. He won't have too much to work with in the receiver department, however, as the Jets have not really addressed that position this off-season and are now without Laveranues Coles.

On the ground the Jets are a bit more solid. Thomas Jones will continue his duties as the primary running back though age - Jones turns 31 in August - should start playing a factor. If contract talks go well, Leon Washington should get his wish to stay in NY and maintain his backup role while third round draft pick Shonn Greene learns the ropes.

In the recent past, the Saints have typically done better shutting down run-heavy teams than ones geared more toward the pass. Even if the Saints defense hasn't improved much they should still be up to the task. Unless, of course, Sanchez is some sort of Matt Ryan/Joe Flacco-esque stud, in which case the Saints could be in trouble. Still, I think the black and gold have the advantage in this one.

Jets Defense

New head coach Rex Ryan comes from Baltimore where he led the Raven defense to prominence. As such, he's made quite a few changes and done a bit of house cleaning in his first year with the Jets. Probably the biggest upgrade to the defense this off-season was the acquisition of inside linebacker Bart Scott from, where else, Baltimore. Scott should fit into Ryan's sure-to-be-complex 3-4 defensive scheme that also includes linebackers Calvin Pace and David Harris. Second year linebacker Vernon Gholston still needs to prove himself. Also brought in from Ryan's old team to help get pressure on the quarterback was defensive end Marques Douglas.

The other big-name upgrade for the Jets this off-season was the signing of Lito Sheppard. Yes, that Lito Shepphard. He will replace Ty Law and play alongside talented CB Darrelle Revis. The two should drastically improve on the teams 29th ranked pass defense. At the safety position, Kerry Rhodes remains a bright spot on the roster following the loss of four other players at the position this off-season. He is joined by safety Jim Leonhard, who is new to the team after coming from, yes that's right, the Baltimore Ravens.

This is an intriguing matchup for the Saints and will definitely pose a challenge. We know Rex Ryan is going to bring it on defense and the Jets' talented cornerbacks should match up well against New Orleans' receivers. Saints fans, beware.

Jets 2008 Season

9-7 Record

Last Meeting

November 27th, 2005

Week 12	1	2	3	4	OT	F
Saints	0	14	0	7	--	21
Jets	3	6	7	3	--	19

Why the Saints Can Win

The Jets might not be set in the quarterback department.

Why the Saints Can Lose

The Saints offense could stall against the Jets defense.

Prediction

Saints 17 - Jets 15

Newly Acquired

DE Marques Douglas

DT Howard Green

CB Donald Strickland

ILB Bart Scott

CB Lito Sheppard

S Jim Leonhard

LB Larry Izzo

2009 Draft Class

QB Mark Sanchez

RB Shonn Greene

G Matt Slauson

Key Losses

QB Brett Favre

RB Jesse Chatman

RB Musa Smith

WR Laveranues Coles

TE Chris Baker

DE Kenyon Coleman

DE C.J. Mosley

ILB Eric Barton

ILB Cody Spencer

ILB Brad Kassell

ILB David Bowens

CB Ty Law

S Abram Elam

S David Barrett

S Hank Poteat

S J.R. Reed

K Mike Nugent

Linkage

Gang Green Nation

SB Nation Jets Coverage

Jets @ Saints Coverage

NY Jets Roster

Poll

Do you think the Jets pose a threat to the Saints?

Not one bit.

97 votes

I'm a bit nervous.

94 votes

Very much so.

54 votes

245 votes | Poll has closed

The Linc - J.R. Reed update, the Andy Reid era, & Stewart Bradley

JasonB — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:30:09 -0000

via www.philadelphiaeagles.com

View full size photo »

NFL safety J.R. Reed to join Leavitt's staff
Former Eagle J.R. Reed has joined the coaching staff of the USF Bulls.

The700Level.com - Philly Sports & Minutiae: The Andy Reid Era: 1999-20??
The700level asks the burning question...

Andy Reid and Tom Heckert of the Philadelphia Eagles are the top coach-GM combination in the NFL - ESPN
The Eagles' pairing of Andy Reid and Tom Heckert is the top coach-GM combination in the league, writes John Clayton.

NFL - CBSSports.com Football
Stewart Bradley didn't make Pete Prisco's list of the top 10 MLBs in the NFL, but he did make some other guys...

More after the jump, including the Ben Roethlisberger story...

ESPN continues it own wonderful brand of selective "journalism": No mention of Ben Roethlisberger harassment case - Stampede Blue
A Colts blogger asks why ESPN has not covered the Ben Roethislberger case.

BTSC Take on Ben Roethlisberger's Civil Suit is that There is No Take. - Behind the Steel Curtain
Speaking of... Our own Steelers blogger offers his take, or lack thereof on the story.

Eagles sign FB Kyle Eckel, cut S JR Reed

JasonB — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:17:54 -0000

The Eagles signed a fullback. Another fullback... Hometown Philly guy and former Pats fullback Kyle Eckel joins Jason Davis, Jed Collins, Tony Hunt, Luke Lawton, & Dan Klecko as the latest to try to lock down the job as Eagles fullback.

When Kyle Eckel got word of what would be his newest NFL stop, he didn't exactly need to factor in the consequences of relocating immediately.

The former Navy fullback was inked to a two-year contract Tuesday to help solidify a revolving-door position in Philadelphia, his hometown and where most of his close family still resides. To make room for Eckel, the Eagles released safety J.R. Reed.

"I definitely know what this team means to the city of Philadelphia. I definitely know what it means to me," Eckel said. "I grew up watching Randall Cunningham and loving those guys. A lot of good memories about it."

For now Dan Klecko will remain as the teams' starting fullback until Eckel learns the offense.

So they cut Hunt last week, promote Klecko, and leave Jed Collins on the practice squad... And the end result is Kyle Eckel. Hopefully this time they've got it right.

And JR Reed gets released. Again...

49ers-Eagles: Thursday Injury Report

Fooch — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:36:05 -0000

Two days of practice down and we've got some more injury updates:

49ers
Did not Participate in Practice
LB Roderick Green - Stomach Virus
OT Jonas Jennings - Shoulder
LB Manny Lawson - Hamstring

Limited Participation in Practice
SS Michael Lewis - Elbow

Eagles
Did not Participate in Practice
G Shawn Andrews - Back
DE Juqua Parker - Knee
S J.R. Reed - Hamstring/Ankle
RB Brian Westbrook - Rib/Ankle
WR Reggie Brown - Groin

Full Participation in Practice
DE Victor Abiamiri - Wrist
WR Kevin Curtis - Hernia
S Quintin Demps - Knee
DE Darren Howard - Abdomen
RB Dan Klecko - Hand
QB Donovan McNabb - Chest
TE L.J. Smith - Back

The only significant changes are in Michael Lewis and Reggie Brown. Lewis managed some practice today, which is a good sign that he'll play on Sunday. Given the struggles of the secondary I'd prefer to not lose any extra bodies. Keith Lewis is a great special teams player, but he doesn't quite bring what Michael Lewis does.

As for Reggie Brown, he's been a solid receiving option the last two weeks. On the one hand, a groin injury is always a tough one to bounce back from. On the other hand, the Eagles offensive coordinator (our very own Marty Mornhinweg) said Brown was "better than he was," whatever that means. If Mornhingweg is right I'd imagine Brown will show up as questionable tomorrow. Otherwise, Brown will probably be down as doubtful.

49ers-Eagles: Wednesday Injury Report

Fooch — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:15:47 -0000

Practice is done for the day for both the 49ers and Eagles and we've got the list of DNPs and limited participation folks:

49ers
Did not Participate in Practice
RB Frank Gore - Coach's decision
LB Roderick Green - Stomach Virus
CB Walt Harris - Coach's decision
OT Jonas Jennings - Shoulder
LB Manny Lawson - Hamstring
SS Michael Lewis - Elbow

Eagles
Did not Participate in Practice
G Shawn Andrews - Back
DE Juqua Parker - Knee
S J.R. Reed - Hamstring/Ankle
RB Brian Westbrook - Rib/Ankle

Limited Participation in Practice
WR Reggie Brown - Groin

While Rotoworld isn't my bible (see the Houshmanzadeh rumors), on general injury info they're usually pretty reliable. Kevin Curtis has been out all year and is not really expected back full time until after their Week 7 bye. However, Rotoworld did mention he might play in a limited role this weekend. The 49ers will have plenty else to worry about aside from Curtis.

Frank Gore and Walt Harris continue their weekly tradition of no practice on Wednesdays. Michael Lewis is expected to be available on Sunday and this is more precautionary. Other than that, nothing too surprising.