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While Mark Sanchez hit the practice field yesterday, Matt Ryan sat out for Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith just announced on a conference call with Jets beat reporters that quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner will not practice today. Their status is day-to-day.

Ryan has missed the past two games -- both Falcons losses -- with a turf toe injury on his right foot suffered in Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This certainly makes it less likely Ryan sees action Sunday. Remember, he's rusty. He needs to get on the field to get his timing back. If he still can't practice, it could be a sign we're going to see Chris Redman.

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NJ.com's Manish Mehta profiles Shonn Greene's fumble problem.

Greene’s resume at Iowa wasn’t littered with fumbles – he coughed it up just twice in 307 carries last season – but he’s been shaky at the next level. The 5-11, 226-pound running back has lost three fumbles in just 71 carries this season. Greene’s latest fumble wasted a 25-yard gain last week against the Buccaneers.

"He takes it harder than anybody," right tackle Damien Woody said. "You don’t want to be known as a fumbler."

To that end, Greene kept the ball high and tight to his chest in practice on Wednesday. Rex Ryan dispelled the notion that the team signed running back Chauncey Washington this week from the Cowboys practice squad to send a message to Greene, who has gained 353 yards (4.0 ypc) for the league’s top-ranked rush offense.

They won't say it in public, but there's no question to me the Washington signing had to do with Greene. Washington's strengths are too similar to Greene's. I don't think Washington takes over for Shonn right off the bat, but the team can't have a back who keeps putting it on the ground. It was for insurance. Thomas Jones has to sit sometime, and there needs to be a back capable of spelling him.

The good news for Greene is his condition is curable. A lot of running backs have overcome fumble struggles, most notably Tiki Barber.

How many more fumbles would it take for you to want to see Greene benched?

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Rex seems to think Mark Sanchez looked good enough in practice to play on Sunday.

Sanchez and Clemens split reps with the first team today in practice. The plan is, if Sanchez’ knee feels good tomorrow, for Sanchez to take all the snaps with the first team tomorrow.

"I’m not ready to say absolutely on that until we see how he is tomorrow and we check with our medical staff,’’ Ryan said. "You want to make sure there’s no swelling or anything and that he feels good, that he got through the night.

"I’m not even saying that we’ll know for sure a definite answer tomorrow,’’ Ryan went on. "We’ll just have to see. This is a big decision. He’s got to show that he’s able to protect himself before we’re going to be 100-percent committed in him playing Sunday.’’

Ryan said he was very encouraged with what he saw from Sanchez yesterday, though, saying, "Last week he wasn’t able to do anything on the field, so he’s much further along than he was last week. If you were just watching him, you wouldn’t know if he had (an injury) issue or not. He’s not favoring his leg or anything.’’

This sounds very good. I think all of us have seen enough of Kellen Clemens.

via the team website:

The New York Jets have waived tackle Ryan McKee. The announcement was made by general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

McKee (6'6", 291) was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Dec. 12 after being signed to the practice squad on Sept. 7. He originally signed with the Jets on May 1 as an undrafted free agent and was waived on Sept. 5. McKee was inactive for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. He was a three-year starter at right tackle at Southern Mississippi.

I think the biggest thing to take away is that Nick Mangold is fine. We could pretty much surmise that considering Nick returned to the game after his second half injury on Sunday. This provides more proof. If there was any reason for concern, I can't see the Jets dropping depth on the line.

Is there anybody you'd like to see the Jets replace him with on the roster? Any position stick out as in need of depth?

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Mark Sanchez will hit the practice field Wednesday. How he performs will help determine whether he will start.

Sanchez will return to practice Wednesday, Rex Ryan said late today in a conference call with reporters. Ryan, perhaps engaging in a little gamesmanship, wouldn't say if Sanchez will start Sunday against the Falcons. He said he wants to see Sanchez in practice before making a decision. Ryan hopes to have Sanchez and Kellen Clemens split the reps on Wednesday.

I tend to think the only way Sanchez isn't on the field is if there's a real risk of him injuring himself worse. After what we saw out of Kellen Clemens the past two games, an unhealthy Sanchez gives the Jets a better shot of winning.

What do you think the criteria should be to decide the starter?

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

JETS CENTER NICK MANGOLD AND "VOICE OF THE YANKEES" MICHAEL KAY TO VISIT KIDS AT MONTEFIORE THANKS TO EMBLEMHEALTH AND 1050 ESPN

 

New York Jets Center Nick Mangold and "Voice of the Yankees" Michael Kay, host of  1050 ESPN Radio’s afternoon drive "The Michael Kay Show" to spread cheer at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Tuesday, December 15^th, 10:00 a.m., 3415 Bainbridge Avenue, between East Gun Hill Road and East 210^th Street, Bronx, NY, thanks to EmblemHealth. 

 

Mangold and Kay will read The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper to the kids, autograph souvenirs from EmblemHealth and 1050 ESPN, make personal bedside visits and give out gifts.

 

 

DATE:           Tuesday, December 15, 2009

 

TIME:            10:00 a.m.

PLACE:         The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

                        3415 Bainbridge Avenue

Between East Gun Hill Road and East 210^th Street

Bronx, NY

# # #

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Watching the game yesterday, I couldn't help but think of the contrast between the two rookie coaches. One has his team in the Playoff hunt. The other has his team in the hunt for the first pick in the Draft. There's no doubt the talent on the rosters has a lot to do with it, but I think the paths these guys took also plays a role.

One coach studied at the feet of one of the game's greatest innovators who happened to be his father. He spent a decade in the NFL paying his dues, learning his craft, and slowly climbing the coaching ladder. He gradually took on greater responsibility through the years. When opportunity knocked, he had a plan on how to improve his new team, and he executed it.

The other never had responsibility greater than running the defense of a middle of the pack Big XII team in college for one year. He was a position coach for two before taking over. He fired one coordinator before his first season even started. He fired the other during that first season due in part because his philosophy didn't mesh with that of his coordinator.

Does this mean if you put Rex Ryan on the Bucs they would be 7-6 and fighting for a Playoff spot? Probably not. There's little talent on that roster. Would the Jets have more than a single win if Raheem Morris was the head coach? Probably. I don't think they're in contention, though. I also think the Bucs would be showing more progress with Rex.

Watching the Bucs, I was astounded. Rich Gannon discussed during the broadcast how little he thought of their practices. He also took to task their offensive line's technique. One thing that stuck out to me was how Tampa never adjusted its blocking schemes by sliding protection or going max protect even though the Jets kept overloading the same side. I also couldn't figure out why Tampa didn't even attempt to establish the run with a raw rookie quarterback coming off a rough game facing an elite pass rush.

A lot of teams are looking to catch lightning in a bottle going as young as possible. I can understand that. It sure worked for the Steelers with Mike Tomlin. A resume isn't everything. Look at how Romeo Crennel failed as a head coach even with an incredibly distinguished track record as an assistant. You can apply this to any aspect of life. John Quincy Adams was as qualified as any to be President, yet many historians compare him a poor one. Abraham Lincoln was our least qualified President ever, yet many consider him the greatest. I'm just happy the Jets found a guy who was ready to be head coach. We learned how tough it is when you don't with Eric Mangini. Tampa fans are going through that right now.

How important do you think past experience really is for a head coach?

Previous Weeks:

Week 1: 97% Approve; 2% Disapprove

Week 2: 96% Approve; 3% Disapprove

Week 3: 97% Approve; 2% Disapprove

Week 4: 91% Approve; 8% Disapprove

Week 5: 73% Approve; 26% Disapprove

Week 6: 46% Approve; 53% Disapprove

Week 7: 93% Approve; 6% Disapprove

Week 8: 56% Approve; 43% Disapprove

Week 9: 91% Approve; 8% Disapprove

Week 10: 57% Approve; 42% Disapprove

Week 11: 44% Approve; 55% Disapprove

Week 12: 85% Approve; 14% Disapprove

Week 13: 94% Approve; 5% Disapprove

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The Jets are somehow back in the Playoff mix after their 26-3 victory today over the Bucs in Tampa. Gang Green is riding a 3 game winning streak and is back over .500 at 7-6. The last month of this season could get very, very interesting. This performance rivals the Houston and Oakland games in terms of domination.

More after the jump.

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Incredibly the Jets are back over .500 and a real Playoff threat after today's win in Tampa. Another dominant outing by the defense. Another good game for Thomas Jones. Another solid performance by Jay Feely. We can't go too crazy. The Bucs are one of the least talented teams in the league. They have a very raw quarterback and a coach who seems to be in over his head. Still, this is the NFL. They've beaten somebody. Bad teams beat good teams all the time. Give credit to the Jets for taking care of business and dominating even with a poor quarterbacking performance.

This year is starting to shape up as the opposite of last season. In 2008 the Jets had a slow start, a red hot middle, and a terrible finish. This year it's been a red hot start, a brutal middle, and the end has been great so far.

When they were 4-6, the Jets needed to win six games in a row to make the Playoffs. The easiest three were the first three. It gets tougher from here on out. This team still needs some help. It's not going to be easy. A month ago this team's pulse was fading. It's still beating now. Three of six down. As Bon Jovi says, we're halfway there and living on a prayer.