The heated rivalry  turned into an old fashioned Jets Miami classic shootout. In the end though, a 4th down Sanchez prayer with just under two minutes left, raced high and over the head over of a double covered Dustin Keller in the back of the end zone. The loss left the Jets at 4-4, 1-3 in the AFC East, and heading into their bye week light years away from a team that started out 3-0, struck fear in opposing quarterbacks as they rode the magic of the rookie signal caller.

The rivalry heated up in the third quarter with the Jets leading 6-3. Ginn returned the first of two third quarter TDs. The first return of 100 yards was trumped by the second, for 101 yards. A Shonn Greene fumble was also returned by Jason Taylor for a TD. In all, three MIami TDs came in the third quarter while the offense was on the sidelines. The Jets answered both scores though as the snails pace that embodied the game’s  first half,  began to remind us of those old Ken O BrienDan Marino shootouts from the 80’s, when both clubs would trade scores all day. The first Jet score of the day, a  Mark Sanchez TD scamper answered the Taylor return. The second, a great 20 yard  catch by WR Braylon Edwards covered like glue, answered the second Ginn Jr return. 24-19 MIAMI. The Jets, though tried to go for two and didn’t make it. It would haunt them the rest of the way. Was it too early to go for two in the late third, to cut the deficit to 3? Many including this reporter thought so.

The Dolphins then  went up 30-19 in the start of the fourth on a Chad Nenne rollout toss to Joey Haynos but the Jets answered again. This time a 16 yard Dustin Keller TD. Keller re emerged from a month long slump to the tune of 73 yards and a TD. At 30-25 the Jets, because of the failed first try , were forced to go for two again and failed to convert.

Down 30-25, Gang Green got the ball back with three minutes left and were soon knocking on the door. A brilliant Sanchez to Keller 4th down completion that saw Sanchez first  backpeddle then lob a beautiful strike over the Miami defender, left the Jets on the Miami 12 with 2:00 left. Dreams of a comback against their hated rivals ended there however for Gang Green. A third down Dolphin sack left the Jets on the 20, fourth and goal. Sanchez then tried to work the back line of the end zone but Keller was triple teamed as the ball sailed helplessly through the end zone.

“This stings, going into the bye with a loss like this,” said Sanchez after the game. The Jets QB was 20 for 35 for 265 yards and two touchdowns. “As a competitor and as an offense, we thought we were winning that game, no doubt.”

The loss was hard for many Jet faithful to swallow. Holding the vaunted Wildcat formation down to a pedestrian performance couldn’t prevent the Fish from finding other ways to score.  For Miami, now 3-4 and headed for a clash with first place 5-2 New England, the win was sweet. Bad feelings have clouded these two teams since the offseason when Dolphins Channing Crowder and Jets coach Rex Ryan exchanged verbal attacks. Before the game Sunday, Jets FS Kerry Rhodes got into a shoving match with some Dolphin players during warmups. Sunday, the Fish got the last laugh, sweeping the season series between the two as a result.

“When you have two teams that really hate each other, that’s going to be your best football,” Miami linebacker Joey Porter admitted. “I wish you could hate every team like you hate your rivals. They brought out our best football.”

The 4-4 Jets get two weeks to think about what has happened to their magical 3-0 start befor etaking on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a must win Nov 15.

Follow TJ Rosenthal on twitter @ thejetreport

For the Jets, run stopping killer NG Kris Jenkins and big play threat, 2008 special teams All Pro Leon Washington are gone for the year. However, on the bright side, rookie RB Shonn Greene has since entered the Jet backfield scene. Last week the rookie third rounder rushed to the tune of 119 yards and 2 TDS, and will be asked to keep the NFLs top run game, averaging 185 yards a game, humming (Miami is second actually at 170 yds a game).

Expect more of  a game management type approach from QB Mark Sanchez the rest of the way. His five interception debacle in the loss to Buffalo following the Miami defeat has made offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer rethink his plans for the rookie. The new blueprint was on display out in Oakland featuring Rex Ryan’s oft used term “ground and pound.” This style of running play after play until it is stopped, helped then rookie QB Joe Flacco come along nicely last year in Baltimore. Ryan, the Raven defensive coordinator at the time took notice. The Ravens were one game short of the Super Bowl in 2008. With the Jets atop the NFL on the ground, aiming for less responsibility from another rookie, Sanchez the former USC star,  may just be the right formula at this point.

The defense without Jenkins, will now have to rely on it’s linebackers who, led by perhaps the most talented of the bunch Calvin Pace, led the unit in a 38-0 shutout against Oakland. Former Jet return man Justin Miller, who had some special teams success just a few years back for the Jets, was re signed this week to replace Washington on kickoff returns.

Miami entered their bye week feeling sky high fresh off of the heels of the Jet win. The layoff allowed them to buy some time for new starting QB, the second year man out of Michigan, strong armed Chad Henne. The extra week seemed to be working for Henne and the Fish last Sunday. The Dolphins were in control of the high powered undefeated Saints 24-3 at home with only seconds to go in the first half. A late Drew Brees rushing TD though cut it to 24-10 at the break. Then it all fell apart for Tony Sparano’s crew on the way to a 46-34 defeat. Now at 2-4, the Fish find themselves suddenly in last place in the AFC East and once again, in desperation mode.

The Fish, like the Jets, are also in the midst of some key alterations. Highly touted WR Ted Ginn Jr,  who caught a crucial bomb from Henne for a TD against the Jets, is now apparently in the dog house for having the dropsies. Rookie Brian Hartline, a Wes Welker type WR with hands, speed and simple reliability, will be taking over on the outside. Hartline’s ability to work the short and medium pass routes will pose a different coverage threat for the Jet secondary than Ginn who is most dangerous on long routes outside the numbers.

Vontae Davis will replace the injured Will Allen at cornerback on Sunday. Coupled with rookie starter Sean Smith, Miami will now roll out two rookie corners to start on Sunday. The Jet passing game which has been non existent the past two weeks, may benefit, especially if WR Jerricho Cotchery returns from a hamstring injury that has kept the starting wideout sidelined the past two weeks.

As for  the two headed monster of Williams and Brown, the pair ran well against the eight ranked rushing defense of the Saints, with over 100 yards combined and 4 TDs. Williams had 3 of them, showing off his speed on various occasions. The obvious key to Sunday will be whether or not Rex Ryan has found a way to stop the Wildcat from moving the chains and eating the clock as it did against the Jets weeks ago.

Perhaps Ryan will compensate for the loss of Jenkins by utilizing more secondary and linebacker personnel speed packages up front. Putting the Fish in second and long situations will prevent Miami Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning from relying on the Wildcat in order sustain drives. The Jets, as they hoped to achieve weeks ago, will again try to leave Miami in third and longs, forcing Henne, not Ricky and Ronnie to beat them. Henne was able to consistently handle third downs the last time these two met. However alot of Henne’s success was due to the success of the Wildcat on first and second down.

The ease of the Jets 38-0 laugher in the Black Hole over the Raiders where the Jets typically have troubles, was epitomized  by Sanchez’s eating of a hot dog on the bench late in the game. The win stopped a three game skid, restoring some of the confidence and swagger lost during the losing streak. The win was not however, an accurate depiction of how easily things will come from here on out. Up 21-0 early in the first half, Sanchez had little need to make too many tough plays with his arm and legs. The ground game, despite the loss of Washington in the 1st quarter with a broken leg for the season, ate the Raider defense alive all day.

Should Sanchez be put to the test on Sunday, expect speedster WR David Clowney to get some looks. His big play day (4-76yds) was capped by a 33 yard TD grab. This in place of the injured WR Jerricho Cotchery who is practicing again, after having missed two straight games with a hamstring injury. If Braylon Edwards was quiet last week then TE Dustin Keller was invisible. Both were not on the same page with Sanchez. The receiving corps needs to begin to step up despite the fact that the Jets are quickly becoming a run oriented offense.

A win against their bitter AFC East rivals would put the Jets at 5-3 going into their bye week. With games against the Pats, Falcons, Colts and AFC central leading Bengals awaiting them in the second half, the Jets need to beat the last place Dolphins at home. Otherwise reaching  the playoffs becomes a daunting task. Shutting down the Wildcat is not easy to do.  For the Jets, just slowing it down is essential if they want to change the outcome that they encountered in week 5.

The last time that the Dolphins exited the Meadowlands,  in December of 2008, former Jet Chad Pennington helped lead Miami off the field and into the tunnel  with the AFC East title. The loss, capping a Jet-like season ending nosedive that saw  Gang Green go from 8-3 to 9-7, put an end to the brief Eric Mangini-Brett Favre era. Sunday, the Jets can somewhat repay the favor by sending the Fish back to Miami half out of water and clinging to life.

THREE KEYS TO MIAMI:

STOP THE WILDCAT: Stopping it means slow it down. The Jets can’t let Ronnie and Ricky gain a bunch on first downs all day this time around. If they do, expect another long day.

THE INVISIBLE TWINS NEED TO RE EMERGE: Braylon, Dustin, where are you?

Edwards was brought here to stretch the field and force coverage to roll his way. Fair enough but why is Keller not feeding off of the addition of one of the top big wideouts in the NFL? Maybe it’s too soon. Edwards got here only three weeks ago. Still, just a  little production from those two will help keep fast paced LB’s  Channing Crowder and Joey Porter from keying in solely on Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. The dependable Jerricho Cotchery’s may be back. Miami starting two rookie cornerbacks may help as well. It’s time for the Jet passing game to re emerge a bit.

JUSTIN MILLER AND MIKE WESTHOFF : Miller, the former Jet return man, who had some great moments in 2006, was re signed days after Washington was put on IR. I bet he’s got alot to prove since being released by the Raiders earlier this month. Wouldn’t it be nice to catch lightning in a bottle from a guy who has to be playing with a chip on his shoulder? It would only be natural if Miller came out to prove so many that they were wrong about him. Miller is reunited with Special Teams coaching legend Mike Westhoff who is on fire calling those fake punts in 2009. Could there be another trick play on the way? Does it involve Miller?

follow tj rosenthal and the jets all week on twitter @ thejetreport

The real story of Sunday’s swoon can be picked up with the Jets on top 13-3 and seemingly on cruise control. Thomas Jones had already broken off two giant runs of over 70 yards, one a TD. The Jets defense had sent Bills QB Trent Edwards off In an ambulance after suffering the 2nd concussion of his career. The cold and windy Meadowlands conditions made it hard to throw quick deep strikes. Midway Into the 3rd the Jets simply needed to move some chains, play some defense, and wait for a Bills mistake in order to gain a short field and put the game away: like good teams do. Instead, the Jets started creating a blooper reel worthy of a best short film nomination at the Cannes film festival next year. This allowed Buffalo back into a game they were out of.

After tying It 13-13 on a Lee Evans TD, The game remained tied until the final minutes. The Bills drove down,  wound the clock down and had a 47 yarder to win It into the wind on the last play. Yet K Rob Lindell missed it, forcing OT and a reprieve. In OT, both teams had chances on the other side of the 50, and threw them away. Both QBs trading interceptions before the Bills settled down and drove for the game winning FG. The game winner  by Lindell coming after Sanchez’s mind boggling 5th pick, at the Bills 42 with 6:25 left. The Jets had a 49 yard FG attempt into the wind minutes before with Jay Feely (who nailed a fg Sunday to for a new Jet record) but punter Steve Weatherford bobbled the snap. A Dwight Lowry Int of backup Ryan Fitzpatrick thwarted the ensuing Bills drive before the fatal Sanchez pick gaveIit back to the Bills for the final time.

This loss was a sickening one for the Jets and a typical one for all those who follow Gang Green . How can a team lose when Jones rushed for 210 yards including a 71 yard TD run? Leon Washington even added 99 yards on the ground In the loss.  That’s over 300 yards on the ground. Prized acquisition Edwards managed only 3 catches for 40 yards. Buffalo, a team that managed only a FG the week before in a loss at home to putrid Cleveland somehow found a way with a backup QB, In the winter conditions, to get It done.

To keep pace in a division with Tom Brady, these games must become wins for the Jets. They don’t need to be 59-0 wins like the Pats gave their faithful on Sunday against hopeless Tennessee, but they must be games won by taking control and keeping the pedal to the metal. Maybe the Jets don’t have the talent that the fans thought they had. Maybe Mark Sanchez Is not ready to start in the NFL. Maybe Rex Ryan does not come gift wrapped and ready, and still has some learning to do. These unanswered questions are not a form of panic. They are the result of going out against a Buffalo team that can’t score , whose coach Dick Jauron Is on the hot seat, whose defense is missing key starters, and blowing a 10 point second half lead at home..

“By no means is it over,” Bart Scott said after the loss. “There are a lot of teams having this conversation and they’re 0-6 and they know realistically they can’t win. We are who we are. We’re a 3-3 team.. at the crossroads. We have to go to the West Coast and lay a tough game. We haven’t earned the right to say games are easy. All games are going to be tough. We have to go out there and get it fixed.”

Scott Is on the mark when he says it’s not over. Yet the truth Is this season can go one of two ways from here. Jet fans know the path to the way things usually go from here, downhill with the speed of an an avalanche. Whichever way It goes, It will do so without Jenkins. Let’s see If Rex Ryan can instead carve a brighter direction for a franchise that can never, ever, even for a split second, enjoy prosperity. A team that consistently blows the must win games.  An organization that regardless of the talent that is brought in, invents ways to lose during the few seasons that actually offer hope. Hope that more often than not , turns to a glimmer of promise, before crashing and imploding on the landing pad.

LOOKING BACK ON THE THREE KEYS:

Jet defense needs to rebound: Miami was a disaster:

The wildcat and Chad Henne had their way. Sunday the Jets couldn’t shut down Ryan Fitzpatrick. This after knocking out starting QB Trent Edwards. Fitzpatrick made key throws and moved the chains with his feet as well

Dustin Keller vs Bills LB:

In windy Giants stadium (the Jets are the only franchise on Earth that plays home games in another teams stadium) Keller was the key. The safety valve. The one guy that could provide Sanchez with a rhythm that would extend into confidence. Instead the double digit targets to Keller amounted to two catches. Awful day between the two. Poor communication. These two need to play catch outside In a windy parking lot and forget about cozy Florham Park. This ain’t sunny Los Angeles Mark.

The conditions only worsen as the calendar moves to the winter months.

Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish vs Jets secondary:

The Bills have two speedy WR to go along with Terrell Owens. Shut them down and the Bills are, well, the 2009 Bills. Driving towards FGs. Sunday Evans got loose for the first time all season to tie the score. His first productive game all year. Unable to keep them under warps, the Jets ended up in a 13-13 tie late third quarter after controlling the game all day.

The 1-4 Bills have struggled to say the least on offense. QB Trent Edwards can’t get the ball to speedy WRs Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish and Terrell Owens has been a disappointment to say the least. His ten year streak of catching a pass a game ended games ago, a telling sign that Owens and the rest of the Bills passing game has yet to get on track. Star RB Marshawn Lynch returned last week from a league suspension but a 6-3 home loss to the woeful Browns is proof that not even a top back in Lynch can resuscitate an offense in disarray.

The Bills defense lost two starting LBs for the season last week as well including former Giant  Kawika Mitchell. Jet WR Jerricho Cotchery is out with a hamstring injury but Braylon Edwards who had a great game in his Jet debut (5-64yds 1td) will look to pick up the slack. TE Dustin Keller (0 catches last week) could have a big game as well. Mark Sanchez rebounded beautifully in Miami after throwing 3 picks in New Orleans. His bomb to WR David Clowney could be a sign of things to come for an offense craving for a speedy threat. The rookie’s ability to hold onto the ball was key and will continue to be as the season progresses.

The Jet run game got going a little bit last week finally and have added RB Danny Woodhead to the roster. Woodhead had a monster final preseason game and will add depth to a team that could hit its stride against Buffalo and Oakland the following week. Any added injection to the Jet ground game will be an added plus. The Jet defense gave up 413 yards to the Fish last week. It will be interesting to see how the unit responds from such a humbling experience that saw the Wildcat dominate and the inexperienced QB Chad Henne have his way when he was asked to make third down throws.

Sunday at home is a big opportunity for the Jets to get back on track and begin what could be a two game win streak that could land the club at 5-2 before a week 8 rematch with Miami. The weather will be harsh as a winter storm has rolled in this October. For the Jets to be playing meaningful games when the real winter comes around, they’ll need to take care of business and win the games they’re supposed to win. Starting with Buffalo on Sunday.

THREE KEYS TO THE BUFFALO GAME

1-The return of the Jet Defense: This unit dominated Matt Schaub , Tom Brady, Kerry Collins  and Drew Brees  before last weeks hiccup. Trent Edwards has struggled. Now’s the time to regain that swagger.

2-Dustin Keller vs Bills LBs: Two Bills starters are out, so is Cotchery. Keller can help provide alot in the passing game and with bad weather in the forecast will need to be a security blanket for Sanchez in the passing game.

3-Jet secondary vs Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish: The Bills haven’t gone deep all year. At some point they’ll have to try. Ted Ginn Jr beat the Jet secondary last week for a big TD. That can’t happen if the game is tight late in the second half tomorrow.

Not sure if this guy is for real or if that guy can do it again, then dig a little deeper and take a look at the numbers; numbers don’t lie. With week six approaching fast, there’s no time to stumble, take aim because you’ve targeted the right place and we’ve got your fix.

Who’s worried….

Put him in a new uniform and in a new city and the old Braylon Edwards returns making one exciting grab after the other. Monday night was a trip down memory lane for some and a reminder of what Edwards is capable of doing when he gets the opportunity. It looks like the change of scenery is working well for Braylon who finished Monday’s game with five catches, but most notable were the 11 total passes thrown his direction. His total numbers in week five didn’t set any houses on fire, but it looks like this Edwards and “Kid Sensation” could just be getting started.

It took one question about the chemistry between he and his quarterback to spark the Bronco’s second year receiver Eddie Royal. Last week when asked, Orton responded that there were no issues, that he and Royal had a great mix; 15 passes and 10 receptions later and I would say he was right.

It certainly appears that Wes Welker is back or at least Tom Brady seems to think so. Welker has been slowed with a knee injury this season, but that has not stopped his quarterback from calling his number. In Welker’s last two games he’s only total 134 yards receiving with 14 catches, but the truth is Brady has looked his way 26 times. At some point Welker will start putting up his normal numbers, and as long as he’s healthy enough to go, expect to see Brady look his way.

Keep your Eye on these gems…

Last week the rookie in Philly, Jeremy Maclin blew up for big yards and two scores. On the afternoon, McNabb pulled the trigger on his newest weapon eight times and the two connected twice for long strikes; a 51 yard touchdown pass and a 40 yard touchdown pass. Over the past two games Maclin has been targeted just 15 times, but after Sunday’s showcase you can bet that number will rise.

In Denver with so many weapons in the passing game there hardly seems to be any chance for any other receivers not named Marshall or Royal. Well that doesn’t appear to be the case for wide receiver Jabar Gaffney. He’s not been the most productive option in Denver, but he has no fewer that four targets in a single game this season and eight last Sunday were the most. With the offense seeming to be heating up (48 pass attempts last week), Gaffney could become more relevant than what most thought.

Here is the breakdown for fantasy pass catchers (targets) this season;

Through five weeks:

Top-30 Targeted Pass-catchers

Player                                               Targt

Johnson, Andre WR HOU              52

Burleson, Nate WR SEA                 49

Smith, Steve WR NYG                    49

Moss, Randy WR NE                       48

Wayne, Reggie WR IND                 48

Ochocinco, Chad WR CIN              46

Houshmandzadeh, T.J. WR SEA    45

Clark, Dallas TE IND                       42

Smith, Steve WR CAR                    42

Winslow, Kellen TE TB                             42

Holmes, Santonio WR PIT             41

Johnson, Calvin WR DET               41

Welker, Wes WR NE                       41

Ward, Hines WR PIT                      40

Davis, Vernon TE SF                       39

Holt, Torry WR JAC                       39

Daniels, Owen TE HOU                  38

Boldin, Anquan WR ARI                 37

Gage, Justin WR TEN                     37

Marshall, Brandon WR DEN          37

Royal, Eddie WR DEN                     37

Washington, Nate WR TEN           37

Clayton, Mark WR BAL                  36

Cotchery, Jerricho WR NYJ           36

White, Roddy WR ATL                             36

Carlson, John TE SEA                     35

Fitzgerald, Larry WR ARI               35

Gates, Antonio TE SD                     35

Manningham, Mario WR NYG       35

Moss, Santana WR WAS                35

Muhammad, Muhsin WR CAR      35

Check back every week for more “Fantasy Fixx”

The first drive for Miami was a sign of things to come. Seven minutes, led by an assortment of runs off of direct snaps to RB Ronnie Brown led the Fish up the field. A Brown TD capped the drive and a 7-0 Dolphin lead. The Jets answered back. QB Mark Sanchez, looking to rebound from his 3-interception performance in New Orleans, led the Jets downfield and finished it with a 3-yard TD pass to Edwards to tie it up 7-7.

Edwards who only logged three days of practice time with the Green and White since coming over from the Browns last week, could become the first true tall deep ball and red zone threat the Jets have had at WR in a long time.  Keyshawn Johnson  and 1980’s Jet star WR Al Toon  come to mind, though Edwards possesses a special athleticism that allows him to grab the tough throws. Catching consistently will be the key for Edwards success  as a Jet. He leads the league in targeted drops over the past season.

In the second quarter, a fake punt snap to all purpose player Brad Smith , the Jets second successful fake punt of the game, led to a Jay Feely FG and a 10-10 tie. Feely added another at the end of the half after Sanchez administered a solid two minute drill. The drill coming on a drive capped by a heady tough run out of bounds by the “San-chize”, stopping the clock to allow time for the kick. The Jets led 13-10 at the half and considering how things started, had to feel good on the road in a divisional game having regained the lead.

The Dolphins however continued to stuff the Wildcat down the Jets throat. A Chad Henne to TE Anthony Fasano TD made it 17-13 Fish. Henne, making his 2nd NFL start threw for 241 yards and two TDs , shocking the Jet coaches with his efficiency in the passing game all night. The Jets had no sacks in the game “We made that guy look like Dan Marino,” Ryan said begrudgingly during the post game press conference.

Down 17-13, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer then unleashed the Manchez. The rookie’s bomb to speedy WR David Clowney put the Jets in the Miami red zone in a flash. The Jets have lacked a quick strike ability for years.  Santana Moss maybe? With slot WR Chansi Stuckey now with Eric Mangini in Cleveland as part of the Edwards deal, Clowney  (4 catches 72 yds) will find time in the slot and give the Jets more chances to score fast.. After the Clowney catch, on third and long, Sanchez threw a great ball down the sidelines that Edwards, heavily covered made a terrific play on before diving for the pilon. The catch was ruled a TD but a Miami challenge took the TD away from Edwards. It left the ball on the one where Thomas Jones punched it in for a 20-17 Jet lead. Another Jet Miami classic was brewing.

The Dolphins then went on another time consuming drive to end the third and on the 1st play of the fourth regained the lead on a Ronnie Brown TD dive. 24-20 Miami. Brown was impossible to stop all night out of the Wildcat faking reverses to Ricky Williams, running off tackle , running sweeps. The Jets defense never got comfortable,  and were unable to throw the Dolphin backs for any big drive ending losses on first or second down. Instead the Fish were grinding 4 yards, 5 yards at a clip all night.

The Jets and Sanchez answered the bell again midway through the fourth. A bomb to Edwards well covered by former Giant Will Allen was called pass interference on the Miami 1-yard line. The Replay showed good coverage, but the Jets capitalized on the call with a Thomas Jones TD plunge and a 27-24 lead. The problem  for the Jets was that there was over five minutes left: too much time left for a tired confused Gang Green defense that to that point had allowed over 320 total yards (Miami finished with 413 total yards). Unable to get to Henne, and lacking the ability to slow down the Wildcat, the Jets needed to induce a Dolphin mistake.

Instead , the Fish mixed up their play calling on the final drive to perfection. Henne first hit WR Greg Camarillo for a 9nineyard gain. Short three step drops sprinkled around a devastating run attack allowed Henne the time that no other QB has had against the Rex Ryan Jet defense all season. Speedy rookie QB Pat White was even brought in with three minutes left, to run the Wildcat and gained a big first down on a quarterback draw as the Dolphins marched toward the red zone. A key thrid and long was converted with 1:20 left as Henne hit Camarillo with a bullet, setting up a first and goal inside the Jet 10-yard line. Refusing to expend timeouts, sure his defense wouldn’t give up 6, Rex Ryan left it up to his defense.  A big Kerry Rhodes tackle of Brown, shedding a fullback block on a sweep,  left Miami with a third down; one time out and ten seconds left. A stop would’ve forced Miami to tie it  on 4th down, with a FG forcing OT. Instead Brown powered through the wilting Jet interior and it’s exhausted run killer NG Kris Jenkins, for the 31-27 win. Five lead changes took place in the fourth, the final one leaving NY no time on the clock to respond.

Next up for the Jets is a home date with a Buffalo Bills team  that is 1-4 and in disarray. The pitiful Oakland Raiders then follow the Bills. 5-2 is within the Jets grasp. A re-match with Miami follows these two extremely winnable games. Before the Jets get their chance for payback with the Fish in Week 8, they’ll have to take care of business by doing what all good teams do. They have to smother struggling teams and lesser teams from the get go. After losses to the high powered Saints and the top running team in the NFL in the Dolphins, it’s time to regroup and regain that confidence and swagger that at 3-0, had many including the Jets as one of the top teams in football.

After a 3-1 start and playing the role as team harmony, the Jets hierarchy must feel as if they have enough positive qualities to quell any malcontents. A little thin at wide receiver, general manager Mike Tannenbaum has been actively working the phones trying to bring in a number one target for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

During the summer, he allegedly made an inquiry about trading for Brandon Marshall of the Broncos, who did everything possible to get himself thrown off the team. The Jets were also investigating the possibility of giving Plaxico Burress a look before he was sentenced to jail time for illegal gun possession. Then the 49ers accused the Jets of tampering with their unsigned number one draft pick Michael Crabtree, who was holding out and looking for an outrageously large contract.

The latest wideout on their radar screen was Braylon Edwards of the Browns, who has never endeared himself to the fans or either of his two head coaches, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini. Tannenbaum had been making inquiries about the former Michigan Wolverine and finally landed him, albeit after Edwards’s latest incident when he was reported to have punched a friend of LeBron James early Monday morning outside a Cleveland nightclub.

In exchange for the mercurial receiver, the Jets sent wideout Chansi Stuckey, linebacker/special teams standout Jason Trusnick and two undisclosed draft picks, rumored to be third and fifth round selections.

“They’ve (the Jets) got a lot going on right now,” said Edwards. “(Mark) Sanchez is doing a good job as a rookie and just playing on the opposite side of Jericho Cotchery… [he] is a great receiver. I’ve watched him some time obviously being a friend of Kerry Rhodes. He makes some plays and makes things happen.”

Rex Ryan has already announced that Edwards will be in the starting line-up in the Jets next game, a Monday night affair in Miami. “He better be,” the Jets head coach said in response to a question if his new receiver will be ready. “Here we go. He’s going to be out there one way or the other.”

If he wants to endear himself to his new teammates and fans, then Edwards needs to cut down on his dropped passes. In 2008, he was ‘credited’ with 16, a number that will get him run out of town in New York. Edwards’s best year came in 2007 when he started all 16 games for the Browns and had 80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns, good enough to get him named to the Pro Bowl. So far this season, he had 10 catches for 139 yards through the Browns first four games, all losses.

For Edwards to return to his form of two years ago, he needs to stay on the field. Any potential injuries aside, the NFL still needs to investigate the incident last weekend and disciplinary action could be forthcoming.

“Between all the facts we were able to gather, understanding the league policy and giving all of the information that we had, we have a good understanding of what we think happened and understanding if and when there is discipline, the timeline of that,” said Tannenbaum. “Given all of those variables, as best we could factored into that decision, we were comfortable making the decision that we did.”

Edwards certainly has a bigger upside and the trade was one that – if he produces – will be viewed as a steal. It is entirely up to him. If he becomes a distraction, then it was a gamble not worth taking.

A fresh start as far as coaching goes didn’t work for Edwards in Cleveland. Will it work in New York? We will find out in the coming weeks.

The New York Jets agreed to acquire Braylon Edwards from the Cleveland Browns to bolstering an anemic passing attack.

New York dealt special-teams player Jason Trusnik, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and undisclosed draft picks to Cleveland for the pro bowl receiver.

There have been many New York sports acquisitions that have carried more baggage than Edwards. Still, that doesn’t mean Braylon’s bags aren’t loaded.

Edwards has been involved in several off-field incidents in recent months. Recently, he was accused of assaulting a friend of Lebron James, the NBA’s most valuable player, outside a Cleveland nightclub two days ago. The case is still under investigation by the National Football league. He also was out with former Brown receiver Dante Stallworth in Miami the night of his drunk driving incident that killed a pedestrian.

Edwards also received a fine for driving at 120 miles per hour. He was assigned 30 hours community service last November.

Edwards on the year has 10 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns in four games for the winless Browns.

He has 238 receptions for 3,697 yards and 28 scores in five seasons with Cleveland. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 but has failed to return to form since then.

The Jets certainly hope he can be a deal breaker for their offense and the outlet Mark Sanchez needs to get the job done.

General manager Jerry Reese has not yet made a major attempt at signing a receiver in free agency, but will certainly address that in the draft. The Giants had college prospect Percy Harvin in for a workout last week. But there have to be other names on the radar. One such name should be Cal-Poly’s Ramses Barden before the Super Bowl no one even knew who he was except for a handful of scouts. Barden is the only receiver in this draft at 6′5″ or above (6′5-1/2″-229lbs) and while he is still a bit raw, he has the potential to go a long way in the pros. We wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Barden heard his name called mid to late on day two of this year’s draft. The other is Rutgers’ WR Kenny Britt. I’m not so totally sold on Mr. Britt.  Although he is 6′4″, he only weighs about 212 pounds, hardly someone who can out muscle larger defensive backs over the middle. He can jump, but would need to learn the mechanics of the “Jump Ball” game in the end zone. Another option is Browns WR Braylon Edwards.

The NY Jets never seem to be happy with what they already have. If they feel that Kellen Clemens will never run the Jets Offense on a regular basis, try trading him for the extra draft pick. Then people will take you seriously when you say you need a QB. Until then, people only see the Jets as further behind the Giants in PSL sales.

I’m not so sure they were ever seriously considered a factor in the “Jay Cutler” Saga. The three way deal between the Broncos, Titans, and the Jets was talked about for all of five minutes and then dismissed at least on NY sports talk radio.

Up In Buffalo, Terrell Owens has already missed a “voluntary” off season work out with his new team of choice. So I ask you, is this the way to start off on the right foot with your new team and coaching staff? I would thing you’d want to do everything you can to show the people of upstate NY that you’re happy to be there. Sure the workouts are “voluntary”, but it is also “strongly suggested” that players attend.

Down I-95, the Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb isn’t too happy that so many veteran players are leaving. One media vet tells us that it’s been building up to this for years due to poor management on the part of the Eagles front office. You have to feel bad for Donovan because he puts his heart and soul into trying to make the Eagles a winner. It’s shameful that the front office won’t give them the tools to do so.

Some of the area college programs have already released their schedules for 2009. The Liberty Cup match-up between Fordham University (Patriot) and Columbia University (Ivy) is sure to be hotly contested as always. Columbia’s Head Coach Norries Wilson is one of the hardest working coaches to grace New York City’s college football scene in some time. He also gives a great post game press conference no matter what the outcome of the game, and always has a high quality of Insight into all phases of the game. As a college player, Coach Wilson played in two bowl games at the University of Minnesota as an offensive lineman. Fordham’s head man Tom Massella has been around winning football for years, and while the Rams had a tough 2008, they were the 2007 patriot league champs. Both teams also work hard on the recruitment front each year. Circle your calendars for September 19th at 6pm at Fordham’s Jack Coffey field.

The NFLPA elected a new executive director 3 weeks ago named DeMaurice Smith. Mr. Smith is a talented litigator, but has no other football related experience other than being a rabid Redskins fan. So maybe there is some truth to the story that the election may have been “jerrymanded” by player association lawyers Kessler and Berthlesen. At least one retired player who is part of the suit against the NFLPA to recognize the lack of health care benefits to retired players believes it is true, and has gone on record to anyone who will listen. There is even another story that the 28.1 million dollar settlement will be reduced by 50% to the players.

As comedy man Yakov Smirnoff says, “What a country this America is.”

Visit Dr. Bill on his site or listen to his radio show.