Pro Bowl rosters

AFC Offense

Wide Receivers — s-Wes Welker, New England; s-Mike Wallace, Steelers; A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Brandon Marshall, Miami.

Tackles — s-Joe Thomas, Cleveland; s-Jake Long, Miami; D’Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets.

Guards — s-Logan Mankins, New England; s-Brian Waters, New England; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore.

Centers — s-Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers; Nick Mangold, New York Jets.

Tight Ends — s-Rob Gronkowski, New England; Antonio Gates, San Diego.

Quarterbacks — s-Tom Brady, New England; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers; Philip Rivers, San Diego.

Running Backs — s-Ray Rice, Baltimore; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville; Arian Foster, Houston.

Fullback — s-Vonta Leach, Baltimore.

Defense

Ends — s-Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; s-Andre Carter, New England; Elvis Dumervil, Denver.

Interior Linemen — s-Haloti Ngata, Baltimore; s-Vince Wilfork, New England; Richard Seymour, Oakland.

Outside Linebackers — s-Terrell Suggs, Baltimore; s-Von Miller, Denver; Tamba Hali, Kansas City.

Inside/Middle Linebackers — s-Ray Lewis, Baltimore; Derrick Johnson, Kansas City.

Cornerbacks — s-Darrelle Revis, New York Jets; s-Champ Bailey, Denver; Johnathan Joseph, Houston.

Safeties — s-Ed Reed, Baltimore; Eric Weddle, San Diego; s-Troy Polamalu, Steelers.

Specialists

Punter — Shane Lechler, Oakland; Placekicker — Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland; Kick Returner — Antonio Brown, Steelers; Special Teamer — Matthew Slater, New England; Long Snapper — TBA.

NFC Offense

Wide Receiver — s-Calvin Johnson, Detroit; s-Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona; Steve Smith, Carolina; Greg Jennings, Green Bay.

Tackles — s-Jason Peters, Philadelphia; s-Joe Staley, San Francisco; Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans.

Guards — s-Jahri Evans, New Orleans; s-Carl Nicks, New Orleans; Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay.

Centers — s-Ryan Kalil, Carolina; Scott Wells, Green Bay.

Tight Ends — s-Jimmy Graham, New Orleans; Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta.

Quarterbacks — s-Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay; Drew Brees, New Orleans; Eli Manning, New York Giants.

Running Backs — s-LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Matt Forte, Chicago; Frank Gore, San Francisco.

Fullback — s-John Kuhn, Green Bay.

Defense

Ends — s-Jared Allen, Minnesota; s-Jason Babin, Philadelphia; Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants.

Interior Lineman — s-Justin Smith, San Francisco; s-Jay Ratliff, Dallas; B.J. Raji, Green Bay.

Outside Linebackers — s-DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; s-Clay Matthews, Green Bay; Lance Briggs, Chicago.

Inside/Middle Linebackers — s-Patrick Willis, San Francisco; Brian Urlacher, Chicago.

Cornerbacks — s-Charles Woodson, Green Bay; s-Carlos Rogers, San Francisco; Charles Tillman, Chicago.

Safeties — s-Earl Thomas, Seattle; Dashon Goldson, San Francisco; Strong Safety — s-Adrian Wilson, Arizona.

Specialists

Punter — Andy Lee, San Francisco; Placekicker — David Akers, San Francisco; Kick Returner — Patrick Peterson, Arizona; Special Teamer — Corey Graham, Chicago; Long Snapper — TBA.

Game is Jan. 29 in Honolulu

First published on December 28, 2011 at 12:21 am

NFL

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have watched as much film as they can gather on Tim Tebow and still aren’t quite sure what to expect.

They know Denver’s quarterback will run a whole lot Thursday night in the Broncos’ unconventional option-style offense. But will he throw some, too? And, how much?

“You’re looking at formations or personnel groupings that tell you it’s going to be a pass, and it’s not with this group,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday. “That’s a little different, but you better be sound and obviously assume he’s running with it.”

After spending last week preparing for New England’s Tom Brady, a quarterback they’ve had plenty of experience playing against, the Jets have only a few days to get ready for a player who’s a completely different type of opponent.

“You think of running quarterbacks, and most guys are a little more shifty and kind of got that make-you-miss (style),” safety Jim Leonhard said. “He’d rather run you over than run around you. It’s just different, a different mentality. He’s more like a fullback than a true tailback when he runs the football.”

Which is often. Tebow was just 2-of-8 passing for 69 yards in a 17-10 win at Kansas City last Sunday, but he ran for 43 yards on nine carries. The second-year quarterback has been criticized for not being an NFL-caliber passer, but he has won three of his four starts this season — mostly with his legs.

Tebow is 47-of-105 for 605 yards and seven TDs and just one interception, and is Denver’s second-leading rusher with 320 yards and two scores on only 48 carries.

Other Developments

Leinart takes Texans reins: Matt Leinart had a quick chat with Andre Johnson before leaving the Texans’ locker room on Tuesday to catch a flight home to Southern California.

When he returns next week, Leinart will have a first-place team to lead and Johnson should be healthy enough to help him.

Leinart will be the Texans’ starting QB in the first game after their bye, at Jacksonville on Nov. 27, because Matt Schaub is out indefinitely with what coach Gary Kubiak called a “significant” right foot injury.

“I’ve just got a job to do, be efficient and get the guys and this team in the right situation,” Leinart said. “I’m extremely bummed for Matt, just because of what he’s put into this organization and to get us to this point.”

Chiefs’ backup QB to start: Tyler Palko knows full well that the most popular guy in town is the backup quarterback. He’s the one every fan wants to see at the first sign of trouble, whose name floats across the airwaves whenever the starter is struggling.

Well, Palko has a chance to earn some of that popularity.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ backup has been thrust into the spotlight with Matt Cassel sidelined with a likely season-ending injury to his throwing hand. A journeyman once cut by a UFL team will make the first start of his career Monday night at New England.

“I don’t think you can play quarterback and really worry about stuff like that,” said Palko, who etched his name alongside Dan Marino’s in the record books during a standout college career at Pittsburgh.

Big Ben has fractured thumb: Ben Roethlisberger has an unexpected homework assignment during the Steelers’ bye week: protecting a fractured right thumb.

Roethlisberger injured the thumb on his throwing hand sometime during Pittsburgh’s 24-17 win over Cincinnati on Sunday. He’s not sure when it happened, only that he noticed it while coming out for the second half.

“It was hard to determine it on the sideline, but we did all the tests (Monday), and it’s fractured in there,” Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger didn’t miss a snap as the Steelers improved to 7-3.

Six weeks ago it looked like the New York Jets were on the verge of tumbling out of contention for any shot at another run to the AFC Championship game.

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Their arch enemy, the New England Patriots, had just handed them a 30-21 loss to send them to their third straight defeat. The Jets allowed 30 or more points in each of them. At 2-3, no one was listening to any of the bluster and bravado from head coach Rex Ryan.

The season looked lost. And the Patriots, well, they loved it.

But entering Sundays rematch at MetLife Stadium, the roles are reversed. The Jets have rebounded in a big way, winning each of their past three games to charge back into the playoff picture.

New England, meanwhile, has lost two in a row and is in danger of their first three-game losing streak in nine seasons. And how fitting would it be if the Jets return the favor?

The Patriots have stood in the Jets’ way for years, having won the AFC East eight of the past 10 seasons. Ryan knows his Jets have a golden opportunity to take control of the division with a win, although the surprising Buffalo Bills are still very much a threat.

“They beat us already, so we know what this game represents,” Ryan said in a news conference. “We’re not afraid to talk about it. It’s not one of these, ‘Well, if we don’t win there’s still a lot of season left.’

“We’re approaching it like we have to have this game. We want to win our division. We think it goes through New England. Obviously it’s a three-way tie for first right now. But there’s an old saying, ‘To be the champ, you have to beat them champ.’ “

The Patriots haven’t looked like champions lately. In back-to-back losses to the Steelers and Giants, their offense has sputtered. The defense, meanwhile, has been bad all year and last week the team released defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

New England is allowing an NFL-high average of 416.2 yards per game. The pass defense specifically has been atrocious. The Patriots are the only team allowing an average of 300 or more passing yards a game (314).

“I think everybody can do a better job,” head coach Bill Belichick told reporters. “That includes everybody – it includes me, it includes all the coaches, it includes all the players. There’s room for improvement for all of us.”

Yeah, even Tom Brady. His passing yards (337.9 per game) and touchdowns (20) are up there with the leaders, but he’s already been intercepted 10 times after throwing just four picks all of last year.

But Brady is dealing with an elbow issue in his passing arm, which seems to have affected his touch. Brady isn’t using it as any kind of excuse, however.

“I’ve just got to make better decisions,” he told reporters.

Ryan is banking on the Jets’ faithful being deliriously loud, which could help disrupt Brady.

“I love the fact that we’re playing at home,” Ryan said. “Our fans could be the difference. When two good teams go at it, there’s a reason why there’s home-field advantage and all that.

“That’s a challenge I’m taking to our fans. We’re here, we’re undefeated at home (4-0) and let’s make it miserable.”

The Jets’ running game used to be miserable, averaging just 72 yards per game through the season’s first five weeks. During the winning streak, that average has shot up to 130 yards per game thanks to a rejuvenated Shonn Greene.

“I think it’s been great,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said of the running game. “Shonn’s been running very hard. He’s had some great lanes to run through.”

The lane to the AFC East title may run through New England, but a Jets’ victory tonight could change that.

“It has a lot to do with it,” Sanchez agreed. “I don’t think this is the end all, be all. It’s not the end of the world. But we don’t want to think about losing the game. We’re thinking about winning.

“We’ll just react after the game, but this is a big divisional game. It could set us up nice.”

On a swinging Sunday, no team saw their fortunes swing as much as the New York Jets in the span of 6 hours. Leading into the week, I looked at an AFC playoff picture that had the Jets just on the outside, with New York needing to win key games against the Bills and Patriots to reverse the outlook. The Jets dominated the game in Buffalo, 27-11, pulling away in the third quarter. New York’s pass defense limited Fitzpatrick to less than 50% completions and he threw two interceptions, and Fred Jackson’s costly fumble set up the Jets’ touchdown that made it 13-0 in the third quarter.

New York left Buffalo with an identical 5-3 record, a road win in hand, and then got more good results in New England. The Patriots offense did not score in the first half, the result of consistently poor field position, coming up just short on third down to sustain drives, and costly turnovers. Brady threw an interception on the first drive of the second half, leading to a field goal, and fumbled on a sack on the next one, resulting immediately in a Brandon Jacobs’ touchdown run. Through the first three quarters, the Patriots defense played better and kept them in the game while the offense struggled. As the offense finally came on late, the defense fell apart, though. New England twice had leads in the fourth quarter, and surrendered two touchdown drives to the Giants, both coming in the last 3:07.

So, we are left with this. The Patriots have now scored less than 21 points in three straight games, losing the last two, after going 13 straight regular season games with at least 30 points. The defense continues to give up yards and could not make a stop at the end of a close game. The Jets and Patriots are now tied at 5-3, leading into the game this Sunday in New York. The winner is the favorite to win the AFC East.

Other AFC teams had big days as well. The Ravens won with a late touchdown drive last night, sweeping Pittsburgh. The Bengals won a key swing game at Tennessee, and as a result, now need to play the Steelers and Ravens evenly to have a shot at the postseason. The Texans are lurking at 6-3 after another dominant win over a weak opponent, and with the day’s results in New England and Pittsburgh, are just one-half game off the conference lead, with the easiest schedule over the second half. The Broncos are somehow just one game back in the AFC West, after the rest of the division plays hot potato with the football.

None though, had as big a day as the J-E-T-S, who now find themselves in position to shoot past the Patriots and Bills after a wild Sunday.

[photo via Getty]

NEW YORK (AP)—It’s officially “Tone Time” again for the New York Jets.

Santonio Holmes(notes) signed his big contract Saturday to stay with the Jets and
be the big playmaker he was for Mark Sanchez(notes) last season.

Holmes agreed to a five-year deal worth about $50 million on Wednesday after
New York made him its top priority once the free agency period began earlier
this week.

New York also officially signed safety Eric Smith(notes), kicker Nick Folk(notes),
offensive linemen Wayne Hunter(notes) and Robert Turner(notes), as well as defensive lineman
Muhammad Wilkerson(notes), the team’s first-round pick, and wide receiver Jeremy
Kerley(notes), the team’s fifth-rounder.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, New York’s first-round draft pick from
Temple, has agreed to a four-year deal. He said on Twitter he was headed to the
team’s facility in Florham Park, N.J., to sign his contract.

Holmes, 27, was acquired last offseason from Pittsburgh and had 52 catches
for 746 yards and six touchdowns for the Jets after returning from a four-game
suspension to start the season. He quickly developed a rapport with Sanchez and
played key roles in three straight wins with big catches late in games last
season.

“Good morning NY/NJ Jets fans. On the way to putting it in writing,”
Holmes tweeted Saturday. “Tone Time!”

After agreeing with Holmes, the Jets turned their attention to trying to
land free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha(notes)—who ended up going to Philadelphia.
New York is expected to be looking at other free agents at the position,
including Antonio Cromartie(notes), who was solid a year ago in his first season with
the Jets.

Finding a wide receiver to complement Holmes will also be on the agenda for
New York. It appears the Jets will move on from free agent Braylon Edwards(notes), and
could be interested in Plaxico Burress(notes), Randy Moss(notes) and Malcom Floyd(notes), among
others.

The Jets thought about bringing in Burress a few years ago, before the
former Giants and Steelers star served 20 months in prison on a gun charge.
Burress has visited with the Giants as well as the Steelers, his original team,
during the past few days and could meet with the Jets at some point—but
nothing was scheduled for Sunday.

Smith, a key backup in the secondary and a hard-hitting special teams
player, signed a three-year deal. He has been with the Jets since they drafted
him in the third round out of Michigan State in 2006.

“Excited to officially be a Jet again,” Smith said on Twitter. “Great
players, great coaches and the BEST fans. Now on to the Super Bowl.”

Folk signed a one-year deal after going 30 of 39 on field-goal attempts last
season, his first with the Jets after three years kicking for the Dallas
Cowboys. He was also 2 for 3 on field goals in the postseason. He will compete
with veteran kicker Nick Novak(notes) for the job.

Hunter, who filled in at right tackle when starter Damien Woody(notes) was injured
late last season, signed a four-year deal. Agent Kenny Zuckerman told The
Associated Press that “there was some other sincere interest from a few
teams,” but Hunter chose to remain with the Jets because “Wayne and his family
love the Jets organization.”

Turner, a versatile backup who can play all along the Jets’ line, was a
restricted free agent who signed a one-year deal.

Wilkerson, the 30th overall pick in April, had 9 1/2 sacks last year for Temple
and should immediately help the Jets as a defensive tackle or end. The 6-foot-4,
315-pound Wilkerson grew up in nearby Linden, N.J.

“It’s official,” Wilkerson said on his Twitter page, “now im a Jet and
happy to be apart of this great organization!!!!”

Kerley, the 153rd pick in the draft, signed a multiyear deal after catching
56 passes from Andy Dalton(notes) at TCU for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
He won the Mountain West Conference’s special teams player of the year award his
last two seasons, and will likely help fill the void left when versatile wide
receiver Brad Smith(notes) signed with Buffalo.

Their signings leave only one of the Jets’ six drafts picks—third-rounder
Kenrick Ellis(notes)—not under contract.

The Jets report for training camp Sunday, with their first practice at their
training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday.

Holmes agreed to a five-year deal worth about $50 million on Wednesday after New York made him its top priority once the free agency period began earlier this week.

New York also officially signed safety Eric Smith, kicker Nick Folk, offensive linemen Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner, as well as defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, the team’s first-round pick, and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, the team’s fifth-rounder.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, New York’s first-round draft pick from Temple, has agreed to a four-year deal. He said on Twitter he was headed to the team’s facility in Florham Park, N.J., to sign his contract.

Holmes, 27, was acquired last offseason from Pittsburgh and had 52 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns for the Jets after returning from a four-game suspension to start the season. He quickly developed a rapport with Sanchez and played key roles in three straight wins with big catches late in games last season.

“Good morning NY/NJ Jets fans. On the way to putting it in writing,” Holmes tweeted Saturday. “Tone Time!”

After agreeing with Holmes, the Jets turned their attention to trying to land free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha — who ended up going to Philadelphia. New York is expected to be looking at other free agents at the position, including Antonio Cromartie, who was solid a year ago in his first season with the Jets.

Finding a wide receiver to complement Holmes will also be on the agenda for New York. It appears the Jets will move on from free agent Braylon Edwards, and could be interested in Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss and Malcom Floyd, among others.

The Jets thought about bringing in Burress a few years ago, before the former Giants and Steelers star served 20 months in prison on a gun charge. Burress has visited with the Giants as well as the Steelers, his original team, during the past few days and could meet with the Jets at some point — but nothing was scheduled for Sunday.

Smith, a key backup in the secondary and a hard-hitting special teams player, signed a three-year deal. He has been with the Jets since they drafted him in the third round out of Michigan State in 2006.

“Excited to officially be a Jet again,” Smith said on Twitter. “Great players, great coaches and the BEST fans. Now on to the Super Bowl.”

Folk signed a one-year deal after going 30 of 39 on field-goal attempts last season, his first with the Jets after three years kicking for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also 2 for 3 on field goals in the postseason. He will compete with veteran kicker Nick Novak for the job.

Hunter, who filled in at right tackle when starter Damien Woody was injured late last season, signed a four-year deal. Agent Kenny Zuckerman told The Associated Press that “there was some other sincere interest from a few teams,” but Hunter chose to remain with the Jets because “Wayne and his family love the Jets organization.”

Turner, a versatile backup who can play all along the Jets’ line, was a restricted free agent who signed a one-year deal.

Wilkerson, the 30th overall pick in April, had 9½ sacks last year for Temple and should immediately help the Jets as a defensive tackle or end. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wilkerson grew up in nearby Linden, N.J.

“It’s official,” Wilkerson said on his Twitter page, “now im a Jet and happy to be apart of this great organization!!!!”

Kerley, the 153rd pick in the draft, signed a multiyear deal after catching 56 passes from Andy Dalton at TCU for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He won the Mountain West Conference’s special teams player of the year award his last two seasons, and will likely help fill the void left when versatile wide receiver Brad Smith signed with Buffalo.

Their signings leave only one of the Jets’ six drafts picks — third-rounder Kenrick Ellis — not under contract.

The Jets report for training camp Sunday, with their first practice at their training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jason Taylor used to despise the New York Jets and their fans. Now he doesn’t want to say goodbye.

The former star pass rusher, released Tuesday after one season with the Jets, told reporters at a golf event Wednesday in South Florida that he wants to play at least one more season — but only for the Jets. Taylor, 36, shared that sentiment in a conversation Tuesday with coach Rex Ryan.

“I want to play in New York, oh, for sure,” Taylor said in an interview aired on 760 ESPN Radio. “I told Rex this yesterday: If I’m going to play, I want to play with the Jets.”

Taylor had one year remaining on his contract, but he was due to make $2.25 million and was cut loose in a move that surprised no one, not even Taylor.

The NFL’s active career sack leader didn’t put up eye-popping numbers last season, producing only five sacks as a pass-rushing specialist. When the season ended with the loss to the Steelers in the AFC championship, Taylor was emotional, sounding as if he had played his last game.

Some in the Jets’ organization suspect he will retire and pursue a career in show business, but Taylor said “he’s looking to play another year or two maybe.”

The chances of returning to the Jets appear slim. They’re trying to get younger in the front seven, targeting defensive end and outside linebacker in the draft. Nevertheless, Taylor is hoping for another shot.

“I had a fantastic time up there,” said Taylor, a longtime nemesis of the Jets during his heyday with the Dolphins. “[It's] a great team, a good, young team with a good, young quarterback continuing to grow up and becoming more and more of a pro quarterback. That’s great to see.

“I had a great time, but came up a little short. It’s not easy to repeat three years in a row in the AFC championship, but if they’ll have me, I’d enjoy doing it again.”

Taylor dismissed any notion of a return to the Dolphins, who made no effort to re-sign him last year when he was a free agent.

“I don’t think there’s a chance in the world that they’re going to call,” he said. “We didn’t communicate very well when I played there. That ship may have sailed, and that’s OK.”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com.

Follow Rich Cimini on Twitter: @RichCimini

NewsCore – The New York Jets will not be doing another version if their HBO series “Hard Knocks” in 2011, but the network would welcome an encore at some point, the New York Post reported late Saturday.

“We will give [coach Rex Ryan] and the Jets the year off from ‘Hard Knocks.’ But you never know what the future holds,” HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said.

“It took many years before there was a ‘Star Wars’ sequel. Hopefully someday Rex and the New York Jets will be back on HBO.”

Ryan on Thursday told NFL Network he did not think the team would be picked again for the behind-the-scenes, training camp reality show.

“I think we’re done with it,” Ryan said from the league’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

The Jets made headlines weekly during their five-episode run last summer, which started with a memorable, profanity-filled speech about the Jets reaching the Super Bowl. They fell one game short again, losing in the AFC Championship to the Steelers.

Read more: NY POST
 

NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Jets are raising ticket prices.

The team announced a 2.3 percent across-the-board ticket increase Tuesday, with most PSLs going up $5. Prices for the PSLs range from $2,500 to $25,000. Upper level seat prices will remain unchanged.

Also, the payment schedule has been modified because of the NFL labor situation. Fifty percent payment is due April 1, with the rest when training camp dates are announced.

The team also said business-side employees are being asked to take a one-week per month unpaid furlough if the NFL and its players’ union fail to reach a new labor agreement by the March 3 deadline.

The Jets have played in the past two AFC championship games, losing most recently to the Steelers 24-19 on Jan. 23.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Mark Sanchez ended several weeks of speculation about his injured throwing shoulder, delivering a final verdict Thursday night — no surgery.

The New York Jets quarterback, who underwent an MRI exam the day after the AFC Championship Game, said he received the news this week from Jets doctor Ken Montgomery, who consulted with shoulder specialists.

Sanchez said he was “absolutely” relieved to hear the news; the last thing he wanted was another offseason of rehabilitation. A year ago, he spent most of the offseason rehabbing from knee surgery.

“They were just really pleased with the way things have healed,” Sanchez told five reporters before a promotional appearance at a resort hotel. “The swelling and bruising type stuff is gone, so they’re really happy about that. … That’s good news.”

Sanchez is planning to have one more shoulder exam with the team doctor before March 3, the day before a possible lockout would begin. In the meantime, he said the doctors prescribed “active rest,” meaning a regimen of rehab exercises and stretching. He threw lightly earlier this week.

“[Montgomery] said it’s not going to be a sit-around-and-see-how-you-feel-in-August-type thing,” said Sanchez, relaxed and in good spirits. “I said of course not. I’m committed to the team, number one. I’ll do everything I can mentally and physically to be ready to play, and I know I will.”

Sanchez hurt his shoulder Dec. 19 at Pittsburgh, although he never missed a play. He underwent an MRI exam the following day. For the remainder of the season, the team referred to it as a “sore” shoulder.

Sanchez battled through the injury for the next five games, including three postseason starts. He admitted “it was painful, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He was limited in practice, but he actually played well with the injury. He said he didn’t take any painkilling injections.

With a possible lockout looming, Sanchez said he will look to organize informal workouts with teammates, perhaps a reprisal of the “Jets West” camp he hosted last offseason near his home in Southern California.

Sanchez arrived in the North Texas area for a whirlwind of pre-Super Bowl activities. He admitted it was weird to be so close to the Super Bowl site after falling one game short. He issued a quasi-guarantee for 2011.

“We expect to be right where we were, and one game further,” he said, adding, “It was weird, just seeing the Super Bowl logo everywhere, seeing the Steelers’ logo. It’s like, ‘Man, we were so close.’”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Mark Sanchez ended several weeks of speculation about his injured throwing shoulder, delivering a final verdict Thursday night — no surgery.

The New York Jets quarterback, who underwent an MRI exam the day after the AFC Championship Game, said he received the news this week from Jets doctor Ken Montgomery, who consulted with shoulder specialists.

Sanchez said he was “absolutely” relieved to hear the news; the last thing he wanted was another offseason of rehabilitation. A year ago, he spent most of the offseason rehabbing from knee surgery.

“They were just really pleased with the way things have healed,” Sanchez told five reporters before a promotional appearance at a resort hotel. “The swelling and bruising type stuff is gone, so they’re really happy about that. … That’s good news.”

Sanchez is planning to have one more shoulder exam with the team doctor before March 3, the day before a possible lockout would begin. In the meantime, he said the doctors prescribed “active rest,” meaning a regimen of rehab exercises and stretching. He threw lightly earlier this week.

“[Montgomery] said it’s not going to be a sit-around-and-see-how-you-feel-in-August-type thing,” said Sanchez, relaxed and in good spirits. “I said of course not. I’m committed to the team, number one. I’ll do everything I can mentally and physically to be ready to play, and I know I will.”

Sanchez hurt his shoulder Dec. 19 at Pittsburgh, although he never missed a play. He underwent an MRI exam the following day. For the remainder of the season, the team referred to it as a “sore” shoulder.

Sanchez battled through the injury for the next five games, including three postseason starts. He admitted “it was painful, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He was limited in practice, but he actually played well with the injury. He said he didn’t take any painkilling injections.

With a possible lockout looming, Sanchez said he will look to organize informal workouts with teammates, perhaps a reprisal of the “Jets West” camp he hosted last offseason near his home in Southern California.

Sanchez arrived in the North Texas area for a whirlwind of pre-Super Bowl activities. He admitted it was weird to be so close to the Super Bowl site after falling one game short. He issued a quasi-guarantee for 2011.

“We expect to be right where we were, and one game further,” he said, adding, “It was weird, just seeing the Super Bowl logo everywhere, seeing the Steelers’ logo. It’s like, ‘Man, we were so close.’”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Mark Sanchez ended several weeks of speculation about his injured throwing shoulder, delivering a final verdict Thursday night — no surgery.

The New York Jets quarterback, who underwent an MRI exam the day after the AFC Championship Game, said he received the news this week from Jets doctor Ken Montgomery, who consulted with shoulder specialists.

Sanchez said he was “absolutely” relieved to hear the news; the last thing he wanted was another offseason of rehabilitation. A year ago, he spent most of the offseason rehabbing from knee surgery.

“They were just really pleased with the way things have healed,” Sanchez told five reporters before a promotional appearance at a resort hotel. “The swelling and bruising type stuff is gone, so they’re really happy about that. … That’s good news.”

Sanchez is planning to have one more shoulder exam with the team doctor before March 3, the day before a possible lockout would begin. In the meantime, he said the doctors prescribed “active rest,” meaning a regimen of rehab exercises and stretching. He threw lightly earlier this week.

“[Montgomery] said it’s not going to be a sit-around-and-see-how-you-feel-in-August-type thing,” said Sanchez, relaxed and in good spirits. “I said of course not. I’m committed to the team, number one. I’ll do everything I can mentally and physically to be ready to play, and I know I will.”

Sanchez hurt his shoulder Dec. 19 at Pittsburgh, although he never missed a play. He underwent an MRI exam the following day. For the remainder of the season, the team referred to it as a “sore” shoulder.

Sanchez battled through the injury for the next five games, including three postseason starts. He admitted “it was painful, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He was limited in practice, but he actually played well with the injury. He said he didn’t take any painkilling injections.

With a possible lockout looming, Sanchez said he will look to organize informal workouts with teammates, perhaps a reprisal of the “Jets West” camp he hosted last offseason near his home in Southern California.

Sanchez arrived in the North Texas area for a whirlwind of pre-Super Bowl activities. He admitted it was weird to be so close to the Super Bowl site after falling one game short. He issued a quasi-guarantee for 2011.

“We expect to be right where we were, and one game further,” he said, adding, “It was weird, just seeing the Super Bowl logo everywhere, seeing the Steelers’ logo. It’s like, ‘Man, we were so close.’”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Mark Sanchez ended several weeks of speculation about his injured throwing shoulder, delivering a final verdict Thursday night — no surgery.

The New York Jets quarterback, who underwent an MRI exam the day after the AFC Championship Game, said he received the news this week from Jets doctor Ken Montgomery, who consulted with shoulder specialists.

Sanchez said he was “absolutely” relieved to hear the news; the last thing he wanted was another offseason of rehabilitation. A year ago, he spent most of the offseason rehabbing from knee surgery.

“They were just really pleased with the way things have healed,” Sanchez told five reporters before a promotional appearance at a resort hotel. “The swelling and bruising type stuff is gone, so they’re really happy about that. … That’s good news.”

Sanchez is planning to have one more shoulder exam with the team doctor before March 3, the day before a possible lockout would begin. In the meantime, he said the doctors prescribed “active rest,” meaning a regimen of rehab exercises and stretching. He threw lightly earlier this week.

“[Montgomery] said it’s not going to be a sit-around-and-see-how-you-feel-in-August-type thing,” said Sanchez, relaxed and in good spirits. “I said of course not. I’m committed to the team, number one. I’ll do everything I can mentally and physically to be ready to play, and I know I will.”

Sanchez hurt his shoulder Dec. 19 at Pittsburgh, although he never missed a play. He underwent an MRI exam the following day. For the remainder of the season, the team referred to it as a “sore” shoulder.

Sanchez battled through the injury for the next five games, including three postseason starts. He admitted “it was painful, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He was limited in practice, but he actually played well with the injury. He said he didn’t take any painkilling injections.

With a possible lockout looming, Sanchez said he will look to organize informal workouts with teammates, perhaps a reprisal of the “Jets West” camp he hosted last offseason near his home in Southern California.

Sanchez arrived in the North Texas area for a whirlwind of pre-Super Bowl activities. He admitted it was weird to be so close to the Super Bowl site after falling one game short. He issued a quasi-guarantee for 2011.

“We expect to be right where we were, and one game further,” he said, adding, “It was weird, just seeing the Super Bowl logo everywhere, seeing the Steelers’ logo. It’s like, ‘Man, we were so close.’”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.