Read More: Nick Folk (K – NYJ), Mark Sanchez (QB – NYJ), Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins at New York Jets, Oct 17, 2011 8:30 PM EDT

Tick-tick-tick…

The play clock is slowly ticking away on Miami, who is staring down the barrel of an almost insurmountable 0-5 start to the 2011 season.

In fact, with all the dropped passes and up-for-grabs bombs from Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore, it’s almost surprising to learn the fish have been able to keep it a two-score game.

At the end of the third quarter, New York leads 17-6.

The Jets, who seemed to be picking up steam at the end of the first half, went 79 yards across 13 plays to get within field goal range, where Nick Folk would launch one from 28 yards out for the only score of the quarter.

In reality, with the amount of time Mark Sanchez has been afforded to throw the ball, this should be a blowout.

Unless New York runs away with it in the fourth quarter, some of the lingering questions that fans had heading into this game may still remain.

---

---

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Darrelle Revis ran an interception 100 yards for a touchdown Monday night, helping the New York Jets lead the Miami Dolphins 17-6 after three quarters.

Revis made the longest interception runback in the league this season.

New York‘s anemic offense finally woke up late in the second quarter, leading to Mark Sanchez‘s 5-yard TD run on a quarterback draw with 1:14 to go in the second period to set the halftime score.

Then the Jets marched 79 yards in 13 plays in the third period to Nick Folk’s 28-yard field goal for a 17-6 lead. They took up nearly half the quarter on that drive, with Sanchez completing consecutive 24-yard passes to Dustin Keller and Joe McKnight.

That was in stark contrast to the early going. It took the Jets until 6:17 remained in the half to get their initial first down. They were outgained 203 yards to 34 at that point. But they were in front thanks to Revis, and added to the lead with an 81-yard drive.

Sanchez hit Keller for 27 yards and Santonio Holmes for 20 on that series, which he capped himself with a third-down surge into the end zone.

In the first quarter, Matt Moore, playing quarterback with Chad Henne gone for the season after shoulder surgery, threw outside to Brandon Marshall. But the receiver had cut inside, and Revis easily caught the errant pass, then took off the length of the field.

Reggie Bush, who left in the third quarter with his right arm hanging at his side — it was announced as a neck injury — gave Miami a quick start by sprinting around the right side for 36 yards on the Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, but the drive stalled when Moore threw incomplete on third-and-1. Rather than go for it, Miami chose to punt and Brandon Fields’ kick was downed at the 2.

When the Jets sputtered on offense for most of the opening half — they had 11 three-and-outs in 15 series over two games before the long drive the Dolphins took over at the New York 47. A 20-yard completion to Marshall, who had yet to make good on his promise to get ejected from the game, got the ball to the 10, where the Jets held.

Dan Carpenter’s 23-yard field goal put Miami on top 3-0, and the Dolphins had the ball back seconds later when a bouncing kickoff ricocheted off blocker Garrett McIntyre to Miami’s Austin Spitler at the Jets 18.

That’s when the All-Pro Revis picked off Moore’s pass and weaved through the Dolphins without being touched to tie the longest interception runback in Jets history. Aaron Glenn went 100 yards against Miami in 1996.

Miami responded with a 46-yard completion to Marshall as cornerback Antonio Cromartie lost coverage, and was at the New York 4 when the quarter ended.

Again, the Dolphins stalled and Carpenter kicked a 23-yard field goal, making it 7-6.

Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith limped off dragging his right leg late in the third quarter. The Dolphins said he had cramps.

Read More: Reggie Bush (RB – MIA), Dan Carpenter (K – MIA), Mark Sanchez (QB – NYJ), Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins at New York Jets, Oct 17, 2011 8:30 PM EDT

It took 24 minutes, but New York was finally able to secure a first down, giving Mark Sanchez a chance to take matters into his own hands.

Did he ever.

The Jets quarterback drove his offense-deprived team 76 yards into the red zone across 10 plays. From there, the USC standout ran it five yards for a touchdown with an emphatic dive into the end zone.

Miami, who saw Dan Carpenter boot one between the uprights from 21 yards out, trail the Jets14-6 at halftime.

While Sanchez and Co. may have finally found their groove, Matt Moore and the winless fish continue to have problems finding the end zone, settling for field goals despite several opportunities to penetrate the New York defense.

The bottom line? Reggie Bush, who continues to rack up significant yardage, can’t be the only Dolphin contributing with just 30 minutes left to play.

Miami needs a big second half — or a Jets meltdown.

---

---

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Darrelle Revis ran an interception 100 yards for a touchdown Monday night, helping the New York Jets lead the Miami Dolphins 14-6 at halftime.

New York‘s anemic offense finally woke up late in the second quarter, leading to Mark Sanchez‘s 5-yard TD run on a quarterback draw with 1:14 to go in the second period to set the halftime score.

It took the Jets until 6:17 remained in the half to get their initial first down. They were outgained 203 yards to 34 at that point. But they were in front thanks to Revis, and added to the lead with an 81-yard drive.

Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for 27 yards and Santonio Holmes for 20 on that series, which he capped himself with a third-down surge into the end zone.

Earlier, Revis made the longest interception runback in the league this season. Matt Moore, playing quarterback with Chad Henne gone for the season after shoulder surgery, threw outside to Brandon Marshall. But the receiver had cut inside, and Revis easily caught the errant pass, then took off the length of the field.

Reggie Bush gave Miami a quick start by sprinting around the right side for 36 yards on the Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, but the drive stalled when Moore threw incomplete on third-and-1. Rather than go for it, Miami chose to punt and Brandon Fields’ kick was downed at the 2.

When the Jets sputtered on offense for most of the opening half — they had 11 three-and-outs in 15 series over two games before the long drive the Dolphins took over at the New York 47. A 20-yard completion to Marshall, who had yet to make good on his promise to get ejected from the game, got the ball to the 10, where the Jets held.

Dan Carpenter’s 23-yard field goal put Miami on top 3-0, and the Dolphins had the ball back seconds later when a bouncing kickoff ricocheted off blocker Garrett McIntyre to Miami’s Austin Spitler at the Jets 18.

That’s when the All-Pro Revis picked off Moore’s pass and weaved through the Dolphins without being touched to tie the longest interception runback in Jets history. Aaron Glenn went 100 yards against Miami in 1996.

Miami responded with a 46-yard completion to Marshall as cornerback Antonio Cromartie lost coverage, and was at the New York 4 when the quarter ended.

Again, the Dolphins stalled and Carpenter kicked a 23-yard field goal, making it 7-6.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rex Ryan and the New York Jets want a win in the worst way. Three straight losses and rumblings about possible locker room disharmony have many fans and media speculating that the Jets could be on the verge of falling apart. It’s just Week 6, but New York’s game against the winless Miami Dolphins is being considered by many as a must-win — and Ryan remains confident his team can turn things around. “We haven’t performed to our expectations, our fans’ expectations and all that,” Ryan said. “We certainly understand that, but this season’s not over. And people want to throw some dirt on us, well, we can affect how this season ends.” On the surface, a 2-3 record is far from a near-crisis situation. But, the fact the jokes haven’t been flying as frequently from the usually brash Ryan and his bunch of chatterboxes fuels the feelings that this Jets team isn’t as loose as past groups. Getting back home after a brutal three-game stretch on the road could be exactly what New York needs. “I think Monday night is the time to definitely turn it around,” wide receiver Santonio Holmes said. “The spotlight’s on us, everybody’s watching. It’s time to really play some football and turn this organization around.” Except for the fact the Dolphins (0-4) are coming off a bye-week break and hungry for a win, too. “Quite honestly, you’re talking about a caged animal, so to speak, in the Miami Dolphins and they’re looking at one when they see us,” Ryan said. “Both teams have not performed to expectations and can’t wait to play this game, so it should be a physical game.” Just as most of the other matchups between these two AFC East rivals have been over the years. That includes “The Monday Night Miracle” in 2000 at the old Meadowlands, when the Jets stormed back from a 30-7 fourth-quarter deficit and beat the Dolphins 40-37 in overtime. Miami has also won both road games between the teams in Ryan’s first two seasons as New York’s coach. “When the Jets and Dolphins are playing, you can kind of throw out the record books sometimes,” said newly signed Dolphins quarterback Sage Rosenfels. “I know we’ve had a lot of success going up there and playing these last few years, it’s been some great rivalries. There’s a reason they put this game on Monday night because the entire Eastern seaboard is interested in this game.” It also might mean a little more than usual. For the Jets, it’s a chance to prove that the last three weeks — losses at Oakland, Baltimore and New England — were nothing more than a bump in their Super Bowl road and not the start of an ugly spiral. “Nobody feels desperate,” tight end Dustin Keller said. “We just have to stick to our game plan and stick to what we do individually, and that’s worked for us in the past.” For the Dolphins, it’s an opportunity for coach Tony Sparano to turn his team around after a miserable start. He’s already working without his starting quarterback after Chad Henne was lost for the season with a separated left shoulder. Matt Moore replaces Henne — for this week, at least. “There’s no pressure on him,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “We’re under, under, under, under, under, under, under, underdogs. so there ain’t no pressure on anybody.” Moore will also become the 16th quarterback to start for the Dolphins since the Dan Marino era ended at the beginning of the 2000 season, the most among NFL teams in that span. “Obviously, Marino was a great one,” said Moore, who was 10-13 as a starter with Carolina. “It doesn’t matter who’s back there, the guy who’s going to make the plays and win ballgames ultimately is going to be the guy. Whether that’s 15 guys in 15 games, or one guy, they’re going to find the right guy.” Sparano’s job might depend on it. Miami is in danger of starting 0-5 for first time since losing its first 13 in 2007, en route to 1-15 season. There has also already been speculation about Sparano’s job security. “That’s a hard place to be, 0-5,” he said. Sparano says he has been through this before, including as an assistant for Marty Schottenheimer’s Washington Redskins in 2001. That team won eight of its last 11 to finish at .500, giving Sparano some hope for this Dolphins team. “It just takes a win to get yourself going and right now that’s all we’re worried about,” he said. “We’re worried about making our football team better, using this time to develop some of our players here and figure out how to win a game.” While the Dolphins’ offense is trying to regroup after the loss of their starting quarterback, the defense has perhaps been an even bigger disappointment. Miami is ranked 28th in overall defense, and 31st in passing defense — despite having two of the best young cornerbacks in the league in Vontae Davis, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and Sean Smith. New York has had its share of problems on defense, too, giving up an unexpectedly large number of big runs and being anything but dominant. But the offense has been the consistent trouble spot, with Sanchez taking lots of hits behind an inconsistent offensive line, a running game that is slow to get going and a group of wide receivers still trying to jell with the quarterback. Sanchez has one less receiver this week after the Jets traded veteran Derrick Mason to the Houston Texans after not making as big an impact as expected. “We thought we had a pretty good group of guys here, and it’s unfortunate that the organization felt another way,” Holmes said. “We have to deal with the punches that are thrown at us and continue rolling.” Otherwise, the Jets could suddenly find themselves just a half-game ahead of the Dolphins in the standings. Not that Ryan is even entertaining any of those thoughts. In his mind, his team still has its sights set on the Super Bowl. “I can guarantee that we’re going to chase it, that’s for sure,” Ryan said. “Do I think we’ll win it? Yeah, absolutely.”

More In Sports

‘);
$(‘#ody-nextstoryslider’).append(‘Read More’);
return;
}
var _art,_right,wpElem;
var _beenzagged=(function(){
var _u = GEL.env.user;
return(_u.state || _u.yob || _u.zip )?true:false;
})();
var _laststate=(function(){
var _t = new GEL.util.Cookie(‘GCIONSN’);
var _closed = _t.getValue(‘lastNextStoryState’);
return _closed;
})();
if(!_beenzagged){
getContent();
var _slidestate=_laststate==’false’?'handle’:”;
_art=$(‘.ody-skin .content-container .ody-article’);
_right=$(‘.ody-skin .ody-aside’);
wpElem=_art.height()>_right.height()?_art:_right;
var slider=GEL.widget.slider(wpElem,’ody-nextstoryslider’,{
close: ‘‘,
closeCallback: function(){
var _t = new GEL.util.Cookie(‘GCIONSN’)
_t.setValue(‘lastNextStoryState’,'false’)
},
direction: ‘right’,
handle: ‘‘,
openCallback: function(){
var _t = new GEL.util.Cookie(‘GCIONSN’)
_t.setValue(‘lastNextStoryState’,'true’)
},
offset: function(){
var offSet=$.waypoints(‘viewportHeight’)-($(‘.ody-skin .content-container .ody-article .ody-article-bodytext’).height()-$(‘.ody-skin .content-container .ody-article .ody-ob-taboola-wrapper’).height());
if(($(‘.ody-skin .content-container .ody-article .ody-article-bodytext’).height()-$(‘.ody-skin .content-container .ody-article .ody-ob-taboola-wrapper’).height())

Welcome to Week 6: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets.

You know what’s at stake. The Dolphins are seeking their first victory. The Jets are seeking the end of a three-game losing streak. And, oh yes: These two teams don’t like one another too much. Well, at least the two fan bases don’t.

If the Dolphins win this one on Monday night, hope stays alive that maybe – just maybe – they can rebound from their 0-4 start. A loss and they sink further into the abyss. If the Jets win, they’re back in the hunt – at least somewhat – in the AFC East.

Before we get to the things to watch, some quick historical tidbits:

-This will be the Dolphins’ 78th game on Monday Night Football. No team has appeared on Monday Night Football more often. The Dallas Cowboys are second with 73 Monday night appearances. The Dolphins record in Monday night games: 40-37.

-This will be 91st regular season meeting between these teams. The Jets lead the all-time series, 47-42-1. The teams have met once in the playoffs – a 14-0 Dolphins victory in the 1983 AFC Championship game. As for recent history, the Dolphins have won four of the past five – including three consecutive on the road in this series. Since 2000, the Jets lead the series 14-8.

All right … now what to watch, Dolphins-Jets edition:

1. Will the Dolphins be plagued by the same mistakes and problem points?
The same issues have cost the Dolphins in each of their four defeats. You know what they are by now: failure to score touchdowns in the red zone and third-down inefficiency on offense, and allowing too many big plays and forcing few too turnovers on defense. The Dolphins spent the bye week working on these issues and there’ll be no excuses if they don’t show improvement in at least a couple of these areas.

2. How does Matt Moore lead the offense?
Ever since Moore took over for the injured Chad Henne early in the Dolphins’ eventual loss against the San Diego Chargers, we’ve heard a lot about Moore’s moxie and make-up. About his confidence and about his leadership qualities. If the Dolphins are to have any shot of turning around their season, Moore has to play well – and that has to start on Monday night. He and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have spent a lot of time together during the past two weeks. Daboll said last week that the Dolphins did adjust their offense – if only slightly – to fit Moore’s skill set and preferences. The Jets are allowing an average of 203 passing yards per game and Moore will up against the formidable cornerback duo of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

3. The return of Daniel Thomas.
Thomas, the rookie running back, is listed as “questionable” on the Dolphins’ injury report but he expects to play. He has been somewhat limited in practice this week but still received a lot of work – which is more than could be said before the San Diego game, when he didn’t travel because of a hamstring injury. The Jets are tough against the pass – see Revis and Co. – but they were susceptible against the run. They’re allowing 134.8 yards per game, which ranks 26th in the NFL. Establishing the ground game will key for the Dolphins and to do that they need Thomas, who has run for 202 yards in the two games that he has played.

4. Brandon Marshall as “The Monster.”
On the surface, it might appear that Marshall is having a decent enough season. After all, he’s on pace for about 1,200 yards receiving. Even so, Marshall hasn’t been his best through four games – or anywhere close to it, really. Dropped passes have been a problem – especially dropped touchdown passes. Marshall said recently he needs to play with more emotion and he coined a new nickname, too: “The Monster.” (Why “monster?” Because, Marshall said, monsters can be friendly and do good things, too.) Marshall joked that he’d play with so much emotion he’d get ejected from the game in the second quarter – a comment that created a lot of buzz among the South Florida media corps. It’s clear Marshall was having some fun with the press – just as clear that Marshall indeed has been missing something in the early season. If playing with more emotion gets him going, the Dolphins won’t argue.

5. The special teams battle – particularly the Jets’ kickoff returns.
The Jets lead the NFL in kickoff returns and they do so because of Joe McKnight, who’s averaging 45.6 yards on nine kickoff returns. McKnight is, as they like to say, a game-changer. He can change field position. He can change momentum. He can change the score. He did that, in fact, on a 107-yard return for a touchdown against the Ravens on Oct. 2. The Dolphins must limit the effectiveness of McKnight, who can change the game in a hurry.

Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald

Miami’s Brandon Marshall stretches for a touchdown in the Dolphins’ game against the Jets last year in Miami Gardens. The two teams square off again on Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J.

By Greg Stoda

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

DAVIE — If misery really does love company, the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets should have great affection for one another.

They don’t, of course, because, well, they’re the Dolphins and the Jets.

And they won’t Monday night in MetLife Stadium, either, when they meet amidst mutual miseries in East Rutherford, N.J., with the Dolphins seeking their first win of the season and the Jets trying to end a three-game losing streak.

“We don’t like them, and they don’t like us. Under any circumstances,” said Miami safety Yeremiah Bell. “The hitting always seems to be a little harder and the trash-talking gets to be louder faster.”

So what might happen under circumstances as ugly as the Dolphins at 0-4 and the Jets at 2-3 as AFC East lollygaggers behind New England and Buffalo?

“Both of us pushing hard for a win we both need,” Bell said. “We’ve been pretty good up there. We’ll see.”

Miami, in fact, has won its past three road games against the Jets, who nevertheless must be happy to be coming home off consecutive road losses to Oakland, Baltimore and New England.

The truth of the matter, though, is that there’s not much to recommend on either side. The harsh facts are that the Dolphins have scored all of six touchdowns in four games – and just one in each of its past three outings – while New York allowed at least 30 points in each of its losses.

“Something’s gotta give,” Bell said.

One would think.

Many of the Dolphins, coming off a bye week, insisted that Tuesday’s practice was one of their best of the season with quarterback Matt Moore preparing to start in place of injured and out-for-the-season Chad Henne. Several of them commented on how animated and upbeat much-maligned coach Tony Sparano was despite speculation that his job might be on the line from week-to-week until the end of the season.

It’s possible, too, that Miami is catching the Jets at a good time. New York was losing to New England last weekend while the Dolphins rested. And, according to one report, the New Yorkers might be dealing with at least the hint of turmoil. Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was the subject of a New York Daily News report that said some of his receivers have complained to coach Rex Ryan about what they perceive as an offense that’s too often too conservative.

“I said it was untrue, because it was untrue,” Ryan said of the report. “I can guarantee it was untrue, because I was the guy supposedly that had the conversation. Well, I can tell you 100 percent, I did not.”

The Jets do rank 14th in the 16-team AFC in total offense, but the Dolphins have their own problems with and without the ball.

On offense, most glaringly, Miami’s third-down conversion percentage (26.5) is the worst in the league. The offense hasn’t been able to stay on the field long enough to sustain drives, but neither has it demonstrated an ability to break big plays. That’s quite a double sabotage.

On defense, most revealingly, the Dolphins have forced only two turnovers (tied for worst in the league) and have produced only six sacks (close to worst in the league). That’s another double dose of awful.

Now, the task is to avoid a third start of 0-5 or worse in eight years.

“It’s a spotlight for us to show that we’re a good team,” said offensive tackle Jake Long.

Whoa. A win wouldn’t change perceptions of the Dolphins to that significant an extent.

But the timing of an assignment against a rival Miami despises as much as it despises the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets might be as good as it G-E-T-S, gets, gets, gets for the Dolphins right now.

It’s all about misery, and love has nothing to do with it in this company.

Ralph Vacchiano, DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

There may be “no chance” of Plaxico Burress returning to the Giants, as Brandon Jacobs said last week, but there’s at least some chance that the big receiver could continue his NFL career in New York.

See interview with Burress’ agent at NYDailyNews.com >

That’s because the Jets could be in need of a receiver when the 2011 NFL season finally begins and they have not definitively ruled out pursuing the 33-year-old Burress, according to several NFL sources. It’s possible that Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith could all be unrestricted free agents when the NFL lockout is over.

If that happens, the 6-foot-5 Burress — who was released from prison Monday and who hasn’t played in an NFL game since Nov. 23, 2008 — could end up being an ideal replacement.

Of course, Burress would have to want to play there and according to sources close to him that isn’t likely to be the case. Several people who have spoken to him in recent months say Burress knows he needs to get away from New York, where he’s known as much for catching the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII as he is for shooting himself in the leg in a Manhattan night club nearly 10 months later. Jacobs, his best friend on the Giants, even said last week that Burress wants “a new start.”

See how NFL players and other celebs on Twitter reacted at NYDailyNews.com >

Monday, outside the Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, N.Y., Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus wouldn’t rule out Burress ending up with any NFL team — including the Giants. Several sources have said the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins are atop Burress’ wish list. Last Thursday, Jacobs said Burress believes he’ll end up in Philadelphia.

Could that change if the Jets get involved? Maybe. However, the Jets still prefer to keep both Holmes and Edwards as their top receivers, if possible. Also, as previously reported by the Daily News, they would also consider receiver Randy Moss if either Edwards or Holmes aren’t re-signed.

Whoever gets Burress won’t be sorry, according to his former teammate, DE Osi Umenyiora.

“I think he’ll be able to make an impact immediately,” Umenyiora said Monday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “Obviously, a guy with that kind of physical ability and that kind of talent — he’s tall, he’s rangy, he’s long — I think all you have to do is throw up the ball to him and he’ll make the same plays that he was able to make before.”

Meanwhile, many of Burress’ former teammates and colleagues took to Twitter Monday (at right) to express their happiness that Burress was finally a free man. His release from prison, according to Giants co-owner John Mara, was “long overdue.”

“Time well over due,” wrote former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, who was with Burress the night of the shooting. “Great teammate, friend, person and better yet Man. Always a Champ.”

“So happy for him and his family,” added Giants receiver Steve Smith. “(Thank) God for this day”

- With Manish Mehta

As New York Jets coach Rex Ryan endures a lockout that’s infringing on his ability to work toward backing up his “guarantee” of a Super Bowl title next season, he’s turning to the master of work-stoppage success.

“I called Joe Gibbs,” Ryan told a small group of prospective Jets business partners Wednesday night at The Core Club in Manhattan, according to the team’s official website. “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 Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII. Five years later, the Redskins won Super Bowl XXII, routing the Denver Broncos 42-10 after a 24-day players’ strike trimmed the regular season to 15 games, three of them with replacement players.

Gibbs’ Redskins went 3-0 with the replacements en route to an 11-4 finish.

Ryan says he plans to meet in the next few days with Gibbs, who guided the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles and four NFC championships in 16 seasons as the team’s head coach, and that he’s already absorbing some of the Hall of Famer’s advice.

“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.”

Ryan says that to improve his and his staff’s knowledge base he’s been “bringing in all kinds of guys to come in here and speak to us and pick their brains,” including former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore, legendary running backs coach Bobby Jackson, and Dan Reeves, the former head coach of the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.

Moore, whose Colts offense had great success inside the 20, is working with the Jets on red-zone efficiency, which Ryan called “the biggest area we have to improve.”

“Over the last six-year period, the Indianapolis Colts have been by far and away the most efficient offense in the red zone,” Ryan said. “And this man has been the coach. It was interesting picking his brain. He’s really helping us.”

Ryan’s boast in February that the Jets will win the Super Bowl next season has the support of his players. And of his owner, too.

“It’s hard to lead people if you don’t tell them where you’re going,” said Woody Johnson, who also appeared at the event. “If you tell people, ‘I’m coming in 15th. Are you with me?’ No, I’m not with you. I’m not going to sign on.”

Tim Graham

Graham joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Miami Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post. He previously spent eight years at the Buffalo News, where he was an award-winning NHL and boxing writer. The Baldwin-Wallace College grad also has worked for the Las Vegas Sun and Boston Herald.

Send questions and comments »

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (Sports Network) — The New York Jets announced on Monday that head strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi has resigned.

“After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time,” said Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum. “We appreciate all of Sal’s contributions during his tenure with the team. He played an invaluable role in our success and established what we feel is one of the better strength and conditioning programs in the NFL.”

Alosi’s troubles began following the Jets’ contest against the Miami Dolphins on December 12.

It was discovered by the team that Alosi told players to stand in a wall along the sidelines, especially during punts, forcing the “gunner” to go around them.

On one of those plays, Alosi, who was initially suspended for the rest of the season and fined $25,000, stuck out his knee and tripped Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll.

Just two days after he was suspended for the rest of the season, the Jets suspended Alosi indefinitely after new developments in the case came to light.

Alosi had just finished his fourth season as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach. He was also an assistant in the department from 2002-05.

“I’m thankful to have been a part of the New York Jets,” Alosi stated. “I am especially grateful to Mr. Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan. After the events that have transpired, I feel it’s best for my family and me to look for a fresh start.”

The Sports Network

The long, strange trip that was Sal Alosi is over.

The New York Jets’ estranged strength and conditioning coach has resigned. The Jets announced Alosi’s decision in a statement Monday night.

Alosi made headlines for jutting his knee to trip Miami Dolphins gunner Nolan Carroll on a punt Dec. 12 at New Meadowlands Stadium.

The incident triggered a sequence of events that led to his indefinite suspension and a $25,000 fine. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff accused the New England Patriots of doing the same thing, a public declaration that played a part in the NFL fining the Jets $100,000 for the whole fiasco.

Alosi’s decision, regardless of whether it came of his own volition, puts to rest an untidy affair. The split was necessary for an organization that has established itself as a winner on the field but clearly needs to improve its unhinged off-field reputation.

Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum must refine the Jets into a more respectable business operation.

I think everybody knew Alosi couldn’t be on the sideline ever again.

“After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time,” Tannenbaum said. “We appreciate all of Sal’s contributions during his tenure with the team. He played an invaluable role in our success and established what we feel is one of the better strength and conditioning programs in the NFL.”

Alosi also released a statement through the Jets. The departure must have been a heartbreaking one for him. Alosi is a native Long Islander who played football at Hofstra, where the Jets used to train. His first NFL job was as a Jets intern in 2002.

“I’m thankful to have been a part of the New York Jets,” Alosi said. “I am especially grateful to Mr. Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan for allowing me the opportunity to be a head strength and conditioning coach in this league. I have many fond memories, including earning my first NFL job in 2002.

“After the events that have transpired, I feel it’s best for my family and me to look for a fresh start. I wish nothing but the best for the entire organization.”