NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

August 4, 2016

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Jets sign RB Terry Williams, waive DB Kendall James (Dennis Waszak) .................................................................... 2

Fitzpatrick's new short haircut all the buzz at Jets camp (Dennis Waszak) ............................................................... 2

Jets rookies Jenkins, Lee looking to make immediate impacts (Dennis Waszak) ...................................................... 2

Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman stops by Jets camp (Dennis Waszak) ....................................................... 4

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Mike Catapano has healthy outlook on position switch in second season with Jets (Bob Glauber) ........................ 5

LaDainian Tomlinson predicts big year for Matt Forte, Jets (Bob Gluaber) .............................................................. 6

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s haircut has Jets camp buzzing (Kimberley Martin) ....................................................................... 7

Flamboyant Dennis Rodman a big fan of Jets (Kimberley Martin) ............................................................................ 8

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Jets: Jalin Marshall has something to prove (Chris Iseman) ...................................................................................... 9

Jets notes: Sharper practice Wednesday (Chris Iseman) ........................................................................................ 10

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Are the Jets looking to replace their Folk hero? Say it ain't so (Rich Cimini) .......................................................... 11

Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gets buzz cut, keeps trademark beard (Rich Cimini) ........................................................ 12

Darrelle Revis back on sideline, but it's not a setback, Jets say (Rich Cimini) ......................................................... 14

Dennis Rodman makes cameo at Jets practice, flaunting green fingernails (Rich Cimini) ...................................... 14

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 15

After NFL draft diss, rookie WR proving a threat for Jets (Zach Braziller) ............................................................... 15

Ryan Fitzpatrick lost a bet and a whole lot of hair (Zach Braziller) ......................................................................... 16

Darrelle Revis not about to back down from Tom Brady challenge (George Willis) ............................................... 17

NJ ADVANCE ........................................................................................................................................................ 18

Jets camp Day 6 injury report | Darrelle Revis, Matt Forte, Dexter McDougle (Darryl Slater) ............................... 18

Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick cuts wacky hair prior to training camp practice (PHOTO) (Connor Hughes) ........................ 19

Nick Mangold's daily routine to get ready for Jets training camp (Connor Hughes) ............................................... 20

How Jarvis Jenkins became a Jet before he actually became a Jet (Connor Hughes) ............................................. 21

Jets' Erin Henderson feeling comfortable, sexy as new starter (Darryl Slater) ....................................................... 22

What must Darron Lee do to get more action at Jets camp? (Darryl Slater) .......................................................... 23

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 24

Jets Insider: Ryan Fitzpatrick gets Gang back on track (Daniel Popper/Zachary Ripple) ......................................... 24

LaDainian Tomlinson sees himself in Jets' new RB Matt Forte (Manish Mehta)..................................................... 25

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METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 27

Jets counting on Jace Amaro to take it to the next level (Tony Williams) ............................................................... 27

WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................................... 28

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets sign RB Terry Williams, waive DB Kendall James (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 3, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-sign-rb-terry-williams-waive-db-kendall-james

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets have signed undrafted rookie free agent running back Terry Williams and waived/injured defensive back Kendall James.

Williams starred at Kutztown University, where he scored 14 touchdowns as a senior, including 13 rushing, and ran for 817 yards. Last season, the West Orange native set the school record for the longest run from scrimmage with a 98-yard touchdown against East Stroudsburg. He ran for 1,501 career yards and scored 22 TDs at Kutztown.

James had been on the Jets' active/physically unable to perform list and hadn't participated in a training camp practice. He signed with the Jets in January, and has also been with Minnesota, Houston, San Diego, Cleveland and Detroit.

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Fitzpatrick's new short haircut all the buzz at Jets camp (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 3, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/fitzpatricks-new-short-haircut-all-buzz-jets-camp

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick's freshly cut hair is all the buzz at New York Jets training camp.

The bushy-bearded quarterback reported for training camp last week with a well-coiffed head of hair, sort of a puffed-up pompadour that had his teammates cracking jokes.

Well, they can all cut it out now. Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Fitzpatrick apparently connected with some scissors or clippers, showing up for practice Wednesday with a close-cropped hairstyle that center Nick Mangold told NJ Advance Media had his head looking "like a tennis ball."

The quarterback opted to not comment to reporters on his fresh cut, so it's uncertain if Fitzpatrick cut it himself or was the handiwork of a barber — or a teammate who's handy with hedge trimmers. Wide receiver Eric Decker told the New York Daily News that the shave came as a result of "a wager," but didn't give any details.

"He lost a bet," Decker told the newspaper. "He had to pay the price. That's all I can say."

Oh, and for the beard lovers, have no fear. It's still in midseason, mountain-man form.

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Jets rookies Jenkins, Lee looking to make immediate impacts (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press

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August 3, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-rookies-jenkins-lee-looking-make-immediate-impacts

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jordan Jenkins spent the past few months motivated by the thought of making 31 other teams pay for overlooking him.

The outside linebacker was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets in April after many prognosticators had him pegged to go sometime in the second. That's a fact that still doesn't sit well with him.

"Every day, I think about it," said Jenkins, the 83rd overall pick out of Georgia.

"Sometimes, I'd sit in the house and think, 'Wow, some of the other clubs thought 82 other people were better than me.' That's just a chip on my shoulder I have to keep playing with."

Jenkins is getting a chance to make an immediate impact in Todd Bowles' defense, working mostly with the starters during the early portion of training camp. He is the early favorite to win the job at outside linebacker opposite Lorenzo Mauldin.

"My goal coming in was to try to make as many vets mad as possible," Jenkins said, "because if I'm making them mad, that means I'm doing something worthwhile or just getting after it."

Both Jenkins and Darron Lee, the Jets' first-round pick, are expected to be key contributors right away because of their athleticism and playmaking abilities.

"We just knew that we were going to come after it 100 percent, full-throttle and try to leave people with an impact and just let them know that we're rookies, but we're rookies that want to get after it," Jenkins said. "We like getting dirty. You come at me or whatever, you knock me down, I'm going to get up and keep coming."

Lee was taken 20th overall after a terrific career at Ohio State, where he was a disruptive presence on the field for two seasons.

He's a linebacker who is more like a hybrid, an athlete Bowles can use all around the defense. He can be an inside linebacker during one play, a safety during the next in a nickel package — and who knows where else? The 6-foot-1, 232-pound Lee has flashy speed and a nose for the football.

"He's making great progress," Bowles said. "We're not looking at him for just the nickel. He has got to learn his linebacker stuff, too, on first, second down."

Veteran Erin Henderson is the starter at inside linebacker opposite David Harris, so Lee might not be out there every down at first. But the rookie certainly can give Bowles something to consider if he plays at a high level during the preseason.

"He's working at it right now," Bowles said, "and we've got four games to see how he progresses."

Lee is dealing with the ups and downs of being in the NFL, adjusting to life in the pros and no longer being the star on the field. There's a lot to learn for rookies, and Lee must remain even-keeled during the process.

"I think that would be the hardest part for any rookie, especially me," Lee said. "You're not going to win every rep. This league will humble you. A lot of veterans have told me that: You will be humbled."

Lee has been picking the brains of several teammates, including safety Calvin Pryor, a first-rounder in 2014 who is starting to come into his own as a valuable playmaker for the Jets.

"There were a couple plays (recently) in practice I was just like inches away from making," Lee said.

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"I asked him, 'How do you not get so frustrated about that, because you're so close, you're confident in your ability to play at this level.'

"He's like, 'Hang in there. You've got to be patient with yourself.'"

Jenkins acknowledged that his first few months in the NFL have also been a transition.

"I'm out there trying to do my best, trying to learn everything so I can play fast without having to second-guess myself pre-snap," he said. "I'm just loving the process, loving the chance I've been given and I'm trying to make the most of it."

The 6-3, 259-pound Jenkins believes he can develop into an every-down outside linebacker because he has experience in rushing the quarterback, setting the edge against the run and also dropping into pass coverage.

At Georgia, he was asked to do all of those roles while playing first in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 defensive system, and then Jeremy Pruitt's multiple 3-4 schemes in which Jenkins played outside linebacker and defensive end.

"He's had some up and down days," Bowles said. "He's learning a lot on the run and seeing a lot as the offense installs some more plays. He's had some good plays and some bad plays. But overall he's learning, he's strong, he's eager to learn, and he's confident."

Jenkins joked that it still hasn't truly hit him that he's in the NFL now, calling it "an out-of-world type thing." That will all change when the Jets play their preseason opener against Jacksonville on Aug. 11.

"I've been counting the days since I came out here," Jenkins said with a big grin. "That's on my mind every second of the day."

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Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman stops by Jets camp (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press August 3, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/basketball-hall-famer-dennis-rodman-stops-jets-camp

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Dennis Rodman thinks the New York Jets will rebound this season.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer stopped by the team's training camp practice Wednesday sporting green-painted fingernails.

Rodman, a five-time NBA champion and seven-time league rebounding leader, was born in Trenton, New Jersey. In an Instagram post on the Jets' account , Rodman told fans he was rooting for the team and made a bold declaration.

"It's time for this team to do one thing, baby," Rodman said. "It's time to take over New York. No more Giants, but the New York Jets. Jets, Jets, Jets."

In a radio interview last week, Jets coach Todd Bowles compared wide receiver Quincy Enunwa to Rodman, saying that he's "a jack of all trades." Bowles also told 98.7 ESPN NY that Enunwa "gets the rebounds, he dives on the floor for loose balls, he does a bunch of things."

Rodman wasn't the only big name who showed up for practice. Former Yankees second baseman and Mets manager Willie Randolph was in attendance , as was former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who works as an analyst for NFL Network.

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NEWSDAY

Mike Catapano has healthy outlook on position switch in second season with Jets (Bob Glauber) Newsday August 3, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/mike-catapano-has-healthy-outlook-on-position-switch-in-second-season-with-jets-1.12130004

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — This was as polished a sequence of games that Mike Catapano can remember from a football career that first flourished at Chaminade High.

Activated from the Jets’ practice squad late last year, Catapano injected a mix of speed and enthusiasm to the defense at a pivotal point in the season. He’d found a niche in the Jets’ defense, playing a combined 53 snaps in his first three games, producing a quarterback hit in a win over the Dolphins and then getting his first sack of the season against Eli Manning in a win over the Giants.

“I went from getting some play time to all of a sudden seeing tons of reps,” Catapano said. “I was probably playing the best and rushing the best. I was really coming along, and then, unfortunately, it got cut short.”

On the series after his sack of Manning, Catapano experienced a sharp pain in his right foot and had to be taken off the field. He had suffered a Lisfranc injury that would eventually require surgery, ending his 2015 season. But Catapano reached a major milestone this week, returning to the practice field for the first time since the injury and reinvigorating his career. And his spirits.

“It feel great, just knocking the rust off,” he said after Wednesday’s practice, his second since returning from the injury. “It’s been a while since I suited up. It’s been a long offseason getting my health back, but I’m feeling great now, taking it day by day. I’m 100 percent, just getting into the swing of things, feeling all the movements and everything.”

The Jets are working in Catapano, and he estimates he’s in on around 25-30 percent of the defensive snaps. He has switched positions and responsibilities this year, moving from defensive end to strong-side outside linebacker, but appears to be adapting nicely.

“It’s a little new, and I’m just learning,” he said. “I’m a full-time outside linebacker. Some of it’s the same [as last year], but there’s a little more to it, and I’m adapting and learning how it fits. But I think it’s going to be a really good transition for me. I think this is a role that I can really excel at.”

He’ll have some occasional responsibilities in pass coverage on tight ends and running backs, but the primary focus is the one he loves most.

“I know they want me to get after the passer, and that’s what I do really well,” he said.

Catapano, who grew up in Bayville, showed plenty of promise as a fullback and defensive end at Chaminade, and wound up playing at Princeton, where he developed into a promising pass rusher and was selected as the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012.

A seventh-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 2013, Catapano spent two seasons in Kansas City before being released last year. He was signed to the Jets’ practice squad on Sept. 8 and was activated Nov. 21 after Sheldon Richardson was injured. Catapano showed enough that game against the Texans to prompt the Jets to release former first-round pick Quinton Coples the day after a 24-17 loss.

The injury was a setback, albeit a temporary one. Once he healed in the offseason, Catapano went through his usual routine of working with renowned mixed martial arts fighter Derek Panza, who runs a facility in Syosset.

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“I’ve been kickboxing every offseason since I was 17 years old,” said Catapano, who turns 26 on Aug. 17. “That helps my hands and aggressiveness, and that translates over to pass rushing. [Panza] is one of a kind. He pushes me. He gets my hands fast. Hands and hips together is pass rushing, so I believe that it translates over to football.”

Now that he’s back on the field, Catapano plays to stay there — and with the Jets — for a long time.

“I think this is a great fit for me,” he said. “I think they’ve liked what they’ve seen out of me so far, and I just want to keep getting better and better and show I can be a tremendous player for this team.”

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LaDainian Tomlinson predicts big year for Matt Forte, Jets (Bob Gluaber) Newsday August 3, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/ladainian-tomlinson-predicts-big-year-for-matt-forte-jets-1.12130185

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — LaDainian Tomlinson visited with the Jets’ newly signed 30-year-old running back Matt Forte a few weeks ago and noticed “the look.” It’s the same look Tomlinson had when he joined the Jets as a thirtysomething running back in 2010.

“I saw it in his eyes,” Tomlinson, the former Chargers and Jets running back, told Newsday at the Jets’ training facility on Wednesday. “He was passionate, he has something to prove, and he was chomping at the bit for the season to start so he can prove people wrong.”

It was the same look Tomlinson had when he signed with the Jets in 2010, after he had been released by the Chargers following a Hall of Fame-caliber nine seasons in San Diego. Tomlinson was 31 at the time, and despite putting up huge numbers with San Diego, he still had a huge chip on his shoulder.

“Even though I was a former MVP and a two-time league [rushing] leader, I still felt like I had something to prove, because I felt like I wasn’t done yet,” said Tomlinson, now an NFL Network analyst. “Yet the majority of the naysayers, they felt like I was pretty much done, so there was no question I was motivated to come here. I got rejuvenated by the style of football that Rex Ryan and this group were playing, and it paid off.”

Tomlinson enjoyed a terrific season in 2010, rushing for 914 yards and six touchdowns, and catching 52 passes for 368 yards. He helped the Jets get to their second straight AFC Championship Game, and played one more season before retiring.

Tomlinson sees Forte, who was not re-signed by the Bears after rushing for 8,602 yards and 45 touchdowns in eight seasons, as having a similar impact for this year’s Jets. Tomlinson also sees a major tactical advantage that Forte provides.

“The thing I like most is that it adds versatility to the offensive group,” Tomlinson said. “Here’s the thing. Defenses always try to key in on formations and different personnel groups. But when Matt Forte is in the game, they cannot do that because he’s equally effective coming out of the backfield [on pass patterns] as he is carrying it. [Defenses] can’t really play those games with this group. The way Chan Gailey runs his offense, we have no idea what Matt is going to be doing.”

While the consensus from most NFL analysts is that the Jets will struggle to duplicate last year’s 10-6 season, especially with a difficult early season schedule featuring five playoff teams in the first six games, Tomlinson is more bullish.

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“I like the balance of this team,” he said. “Offensively, they can get it done, they can score points. They can be balanced with the addition of Forte, all the things that he’s able to do coming out the backfield. But at the same time, defensively they can stop people. They excel in getting off the field, in red-zone defense, in a lot of defensive categories. Because of that, I like this team.”

The one caveat: “My concern, if there is one, is if Ryan Fitzpatrick can duplicate what he did last year. If he can, I don’t see why they can’t contend.”

It also helps that perennial AFC East champion New England must deal with Tom Brady’s four-game suspension to start the season.

“The Jets still have to contend with Brady twice [after the suspension], but I’ll say this: If the Patriots slip up in their first four games, let’s say they go 1-3, and if the Jets, even though they have a tough schedule, if they get off to a 3-1 start, we’re looking at a whole different ballgame,” Tomlinson said. “The Patriots would be chasing them, and that’s very possible. Nobody knows how [Patriots backup QB] Jimmy Garoppolo is going to perform.”

Tomlinson sees another positive for the Jets, for this year and beyond: the coach.

“I think Todd Bowles is one of those guys that just understands the dynamics of running a football team and being the coach,” he said. “He’s a guy that’s played, so he understands the players. But at the same time, I don’t consider him a player’s coach. He’s not going to cater to the players. You’re going to do it this way, this is the way I expect you to do it.”

Tomlinson particularly liked the message Bowles sent the day Fitzpatrick came back to the Jets after a months-long contract impasse.

“One thing he said that caught my ear was about Geno Smith,” Tomlinson said. “[Bowles] said, ‘Hey, [Smith] knew it was coming. You make your own way in this league.’ That right there just tells me a lot about the man.”

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Ryan Fitzpatrick’s haircut has Jets camp buzzing (Kimberley Martin) Newsday August 3, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ryan-fitzpatrick-s-haircut-has-jets-camp-buzzing-1.12129868

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Say goodbye to the “Fitz ’Fro.”

The Jets quarterback trotted out to practice Wednesday sporting a fresh buzz cut after ditching the luscious locks he’s been rocking since training camp began. But the new hairdo wasn’t his choice. According to a source, Fitzpatrick was forced to shave his hair after losing a bet with teammates. It’s still unclear, however, what the wager was over.

Here’s what we do know: Some of the Jets’ biggest stars weren’t fans of Fitzpatrick’s long mane.

“I don’t know what’s going on with the hair and beard. I thought we got past that last year,” receiver Brandon Marshall said last week, after Fitzpatrick arrived with a poofy coif to sign his one-year, $12-million deal.

Fellow wideout Eric Decker also tweaked his quarterback’s appearance after their first practice together. “Full beard, mini ’fro. It looked like he just got off the golf course,” Decker said last week, adding that if Fitzpatrick didn’t address his hair, others in the locker room would.

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Have no fear, Jets fans, Fitzpatrick’s trademark bushy beard is still intact.

But the 33-year-old does look like a completely different quarterback, and on Wednesday, he threw the football like a different one, too. After a poor offensive performance Tuesday, the unit looked crisp and locked in. Fitzpatrick threw three touchdowns in team drills, connecting with Marshall, tight end Jace Amaro and running back Bilal Powell.

Coach Todd Bowles didn’t have much of a reaction to Fitzpatrick’s new look. “I don’t have a comment on that,’’ he said. “It’s hot, so to not have a lot of hair is good. I don’t know.”

He was more focused on the strides being made in practice.

“I like the way they started fast and came out with some energy,” Bowles said. “It was an energetic practice overall, obviously mistakes were made on both sides, but they came out and made some plays early on. Just the energy of the practice was better. I know we have a ways to go, but we need to practice like that almost every day.”

Fitzpatrick, who guided the team to a 10-6 record last year, was just as frustrated by the offense’s sluggish performance Tuesday, and even pulled his receivers aside after that practice.

“It’s just important for us to remember we can’t waste any days,” he said afterward. “We did some good things today, but we did more bad than good today. We’ve got to be able to learn from it. We’ve got to continue to be trending upward. We’ve got to continue to be getting better each practice. We did not perform the way we should have today. There were a lot of reasons, but we’ve got to come out tomorrow and have a better day.”

Fitzpatrick has experienced a career resurgence following his trade to the Jets in March 2015. Since then, his hair, and more specifically his beard, have been the talk of the town. Now his buzz cut has fans and media buzzing again.

Fitzpatrick did not speak to reporters after practice, though, so it’s unclear who had control of the razor — a teammate or a barber.

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Flamboyant Dennis Rodman a big fan of Jets (Kimberley Martin) Newsday August 3, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/dennis-rodman-a-big-fan-of-jets-1.12130497

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman is just the latest person to jump on the Jets’ bandwagon. Rodman not only showed love for Todd Bowles’ team during his Wednesday visit to the facility, but he also took a shot at the Giants.

“What am I doing here? I’m supporting your team,” he said in a video posted to the Jets official Instagram account as he flashed his lime-green nail polish. “Guess what? I’ve got the green on, baby. The green nails. Supporting the Jets right now.”

“Guess what? It’s time for this team to do one thing, baby. It’s time to take over New York. No more Giants. It’s about the New York Jets, Jets, Jets, Jets.”

Former Chargers and Jets running back-turned TV analyst LaDainian Tomlinson also was at practice, along with former Mets manager Willie Randolph.

Revis watch

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A day after making his camp debut in 11-on-11 drills, cornerback Darrelle Revis (wrist) participated only in positional drills. But Bowles insisted Revis didn’t suffer a setback, saying, “We just didn’t want to overdo it.”

Running back Matt Forte also was held out of team drills, but that, too, was part of the Jets’ plan. “It’s just part of the treatment,” Bowles said.

Cornerback Dexter McDougle (hamstring) didn’t practice for a third straight day, while running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) and tight end Zach Sudfeld missed a second straight practice.

Hey, rook

On Monday, first-round pick Darron Lee said he had been warned by the veterans that, “You’re not going to win every rep. This league will humble you.”

Two days later, he learned that lesson the hard way. During goal-line drills, 5-9, 205-pound running back Dominique Williams bowled over Lee (6-1, 232) for an easy touchdown. Offensive players erupted in cheers on the sideline as receiver Brandon Marshall playfully shouted in Lee’s direction: “Welcome to the NFL!”

Jet streams

The Jets signed RB Terry Williams, an undrafted free agent, and waived DB Kendall James.

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THE RECORD

Jets: Jalin Marshall has something to prove (Chris Iseman) The Record August 4, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets/jets-wr-has-something-to-prove-1.1639931

FLORHAM PARK – Jalin Marshall knows he has something to prove.

He was a stud wide receiver and punt returner at Ohio State before forgoing his final two years of eligibility and declaring for the NFL Draft. It didn't work out the way he hoped. The rounds passed. No team called.

Marshall signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent shortly after, giving him a big opportunity.

He isn't wasting it.

"I go out there every day like I was drafted in the first round," Marshall said after practice Wednesday. "That's my mentality until they tell me I can't go no more."

Marshall has opened some eyes through the Jets' first week of training camp. Although there's still a long way to go before the Jets set their Week 1 roster, Marshall is doing everything he can to work his way onto the team.

"It's a good feeling to know that people are seeing me out here doing well. It's also great to know that my teammates see me doing well," Marshall said. "They see me out here wanting to learn, wanting to be here. That's my No. 1 goal, is making sure everybody knows I want to be here and I want to help this team win."

Marshall was a talented dual-threat quarterback in high school. A five-star recruit, he was rated the No. 2 prospect by Rivals and ESPN as a senior.

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But Marshall switched to wide receiver at Ohio State and enjoyed two big seasons after redshirting his first year.

Marshall was the Buckeyes' second-leading receiver during their national championship season in 2014, recording 38 receptions for 499 yards and six touchdowns. Only Hall of Famer Cris Carter had more receptions (41) as an Ohio State freshman.

Then last season, he again was second on the team with 36 catches for 477 yards and five TDs. The Middletown, Ohio, native also was third in the Big Ten with a 13.5-yard punt-return average. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Marshall said leaving the Buckeyes was a tough decision, but one he felt he needed to make.

"My habits didn't align with my goals," Marshall said. "I had to get back to reality and understand what I came here to do, and what God put me here to do and that's play football."

So going undrafted was a disappointment — at the time. Now it serves as motivation.

"I have that chip on my shoulder because I believe nobody can tell you what you can't do," Marshall said. "When you start believing that, that's when you fail."

The 21-year-old said he often seeks advice from receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, and tries to follow their example. He wants to learn about being a receiver in the NFL, but also wants to prove this is where he wants to be.

Still, there's a big difference between a training camp practice and an actual game. Coach Todd Bowles wants to see what Marshall can do "when the lights come on.

"He's doing some good things in practice so far," Bowles said. "But when the lights come on, some people shy away, some people step up."

Marshall is determined to step up.

"There's a lot of players that will stand out," Marshall said. "Hopefully I can be one of those players that stand out and help the team win in the long run."

BRIEF: The Jets signed undrafted rookie free agent running back Terry Williams, a West Orange native, and waived/injured DB Kendall James.

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Jets notes: Sharper practice Wednesday (Chris Iseman) The Record August 4, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-notes-sharper-practice-wednesday-1.1639949

Sharper practice

After a "sluggish" practice Tuesday that included Brandon Marshall punting a ball over the stands in a moment of frustration, the Jets looked much sharper Wednesday.

"I like the way they started fast, and they came out with some energy," coach Todd Bowles said. "It was an energetic practice overall."

It showed early.

Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed long touchdown passes to Eric Decker, Marshall and Bilal Powell during team drills.

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"Obviously, mistakes were made on both sides," Bowles said. "They came out and made some plays early on. Just the energy of the practice was better. I know we have a ways to go. We need a practice like that almost every day.

Revis, Forte sit out

Cornerback Darrelle Revis did not participate in team drills after getting brief work Tuesday. He did participate in individual drills.

"We just didn’t want to overdo it," Bowles said.

Revis said he was glad to get some reps Tuesday, even if they were brief.

"I felt pretty good," Revis said. "It’s good to get out there. I hadn’t gotten any reps since the Buffalo game [Jan. 3]. It was pretty good to get out there with my teammates."

The same was true for running back Matt Forte, who was a non-participant after working in positional drills Tuesday.

Bowles said neither player has suffered a setback.

Well-groomed

Fitzpatrick debuted a new buzz cut, finally ending speculation as to when the quarterback would trim his bushy, unkempt hair.

"I don’t have a comment on that," Bowles said with a laugh. "It’s hot, so not to have a lot of hair is good."

Quote of the day

"You like the effort, you like the spirit they had. We’ve just got to play smarter in certain areas. We gave up some things on both sides, but the effort was there, so I was pleased." – Bowles on his team’s performance during goal-line drills.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Are the Jets looking to replace their Folk hero? Say it ain't so (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 3, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61719/are-the-jets-looking-to-replace-their-folk-hero-say-it-aint-so

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets' kicking competition apparently is real, not just for show.

Nick Folk, who has held the job since 2010, is getting a push from rookie free-agent Ross Martin. Coach Todd Bowles said he's planning to let it play out for at least three preseason games, adding, "It's going to be a competition. They're pretty close there."

Pretty close? That's an interesting comment by Bowles.

Unless his right leg falls off, Folk is the best choice for the Jets. They're a win-now team and there will be a handful of pressure kicks in 2016. You'd rather have a proven vet in those situations than an untested rookie. That's my opinion, anyway.

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Bowles has sent mixed signals. Before his "pretty close" comment, he said of Martin, "He has to make them all. He's going to have to perform in the preseason. Obviously, Folk is going to have to look pretty bad for him. It's a good competition right now -- we're just going to have to see how it plays out."

So, clearly, Folk is the favorite, as he should be. He has faced competition in the past, most notably in 2012, when he outlasted Josh Brown in a fantastic camp battle. The previous coaching staff always believed Folk was at his best when pushed in training camp. The current staff evidently is looking for more than just a push.

Why? Folk, 31, has a $3.3 million cap charge. The cap-strapped Jets could save $2.2 million by releasing Folk and handing the job to Martin, whose cap figure is $452,000. They also could point out that he made only 81 percent of his attempts last season before injuring his quadriceps. But it should be noted that, over the last three seasons, Folk's field-goal percentage (85.7) ranks 12th out of 21 kickers with a minimum of 75 attempts. A top-12 kicker shouldn't be taken for granted.

A younger/cheaper philosophy can work in certain situations, but it's risky when you're talking about a kicker.

Martin, a former standout at Duke, has a big leg. He proved that on Tuesday with back-to-back makes from 50 and 60 yards. Moments earlier, though, he missed from 38 yards.

Break out the microscope, folks. We've got a kicking competition this summer.

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Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gets buzz cut, keeps trademark beard (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 3, 2016

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17210669/new-york-jets-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick-gets-buzz-cut-keeps-trademark-beard

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Less than one week into training camp, the New York Jets have made a significant cut at the quarterback position.

Ryan Fitzpatrick's big hair is gone.

The starting quarterback, who created a stir by reporting to camp last week with overgrown locks in addition to his trademark bushy beard, showed up for practice on Wednesday with a buzz cut.

The beard, though, remains.

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"Clearly, I'm disappointed in him," said center Nick Mangold, known for his long hair and prodigious beard. "He looks like a tennis ball. But, on the other hand, his beard is still intact and I'll take beard over head hair."

Fitzpatrick, still wearing his game face after practice, avoided photographers and declined to meet with reporters. Clearly, he didn't want his new hairstyle to become a big story. These aren't the Rex Ryan Jets anymore, as coach Todd Bowles prefers a businesslike approach.

"I really don't have a comment," Bowles said of Fitzpatrick's new look. "It's hot, so to not have a lot of hair is good."

Wide receiver Eric Decker told the New York Daily News that Fitzpatrick shaved his head because he lost a bet, but he wouldn't reveal any specifics.

Fitzpatrick hinted of a possible haircut on Tuesday, when he told ESPN's NFL Live, "Hopefully, we'll cut it soon. If anything, it's kind of given people something else to talk about other than the contract."

Fitzpatrick's months-long contract dispute ended on the eve of camp, when he signed a one-year deal for $12 million. He said some teammates laughed at his hair when he walked into the first team meeting.

The new 'do was unveiled on a day in which Fitzpatrick enjoyed his best practice of training camp, throwing touchdown passes to four different players. It was quite a turnaround from Tuesday, when the offense sputtered throughout practice. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was so frustrated that he punted a football over the bleachers at the end of the practice.

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A slumping Fitzpatrick made headlines last November when he shaved down his beard and the team promptly started a five-game winning streak. It was the best stretch of his career, and he finished with a team-record 31 touchdown passes.

Maybe it's a good-luck thing.

"I rubbed his head for good luck this morning," Mangold said, "and we carried on."

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Darrelle Revis back on sideline, but it's not a setback, Jets say (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 3, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61731/darrelle-revis-back-on-the-sideline-but-its-not-a-setback-jets-say

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis returned to the sideline Wednesday, but it wasn't because of a setback with his surgically repaired wrist, according to coach Todd Bowles.

"We just didn't want to overdo it," Bowles said.

Revis made his training camp debut Tuesday, participating in a handful of plays in team drills. Afterward, Bowles said the plan is to "inch him little by little" into a full-time role. By that measure, Revis regressed an inch Wednesday, but Bowles didn't seem concerned.

The Jets are taking a deliberate approach, which is the smart play. After all, Revis is one of their most valuable players. We'll learn more about his rehab rate Thursday.

"It felt pretty good," Revis said of his Tuesday cameo. "It was good to get out there. It was my first reps since the Buffalo game [in Week 17]."

In other injury news, running back Matt Forte (hamstring) didn't practice. This came one day after he appeared in positional drills for the first time. Bowles said the plan with Forte is to alternate his practice days with treatment days.

Tight end Zach Sudfeld (knee), cornerback Dexter McDougle (hamstring) and running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) remained on the sideline. Safety Ronald Martin (undisclosed) sat out for the first time. Guard James Carpenter (hamstring) increased his workload in team drills.

The Jets are thin at running back, so they signed Terry Williams, an undrafted free agent from Kutztown. They released cornerback Kendall James (injured).

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Dennis Rodman makes cameo at Jets practice, flaunting green fingernails (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York August 3, 2016

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61729/dennis-rodman-makes-cameo-at-jets-practice-flaunting-green-fingernails

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets attracted a few sports celebrities to their training camp practice on Wednesday. Former Jet LaDainian Tomlinson made an appearance, as did former Yankee Willie Randolph and Dennis Rodman, who displayed his Jets pride by showing up with green-painted fingernails.

What, you're surprised? This is Rodman we're talking about, one of sport's all-time zany characters.

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Rodman, in a video posted on the Jets' Instagram account, said he came out to support the team. He also tweaked the New York Giants in the process.

"Guess what? I've got the green on, baby -- green nails," said the former NBA champion, displaying them for the camera. "Supporting the Jets right now. Guess what?

"It's time for this team to do one thing, baby. It's time to take over New York. No more Giants, but the New York Jets. Jets, Jets, Jets."

Rodman grew up in the Dallas area, but he was born in Trenton, New Jersey. Maybe that explains his thing for the Jets. He gave Todd Bowles a shout-out on Twitter last week, thanking the head coach for a compliment. Bowles compared wide receiver Quincy Enunwa to Rodman, calling him a blue-collar, team-oriented player who handled the dirty work.

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NEW YORK POST

After NFL draft diss, rookie WR proving a threat for Jets (Zach Braziller) New York Post August 3, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/03/after-nfl-draft-diss-rookie-wr-proving-a-threat-for-jets/

Confidence isn’t a problem for Jalin Marshall. He’s got plenty of it, believing he belongs so much and talking so frequently about how he wants to help the Jets, it would seem he has no worries about making the team.

That’s why he left Ohio State following his red-shirt sophomore year. He felt he was ready for the NFL. But perhaps that’s why the draft was so important for the shifty and speedy wide receiver.

Nobody selected him.

“I think it was good for me,” Marshall said following practice Wednesday. “It allowed me to open my eyes, show me I got a long way to go. Ohio State, winning program, you feel like you’ve done something, but you get a reality check.”

The Jets called the 5-foot-10 Marshall during the fifth round. They wanted to bring him in as an undrafted free agent if he wasn’t selected. By the time the draft ended, Marshall was already a Jet, joining former Buckeyes teammates Darron Lee and Devin Smith.

In the early going of training camp, Marshall has shown, perhaps, he should have been selected. He hasn’t been treated like an undrafted free agent, getting first-team reps through the first six practices of training camp while also getting an extended look as a punt and kick returner. The torn ACL Smith suffered last December could help Marshall make the team, as the fifth receiver behind Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Kenbrell Thompkins and Quincy Enunwa.

“I feel like every day you got to come out here and prove you belong, prove you can help the team win,” Marshall said. “Everybody belongs here, but not everybody can help the team win. That’s something I would like to continue to prove.”

Still, coach Todd Bowles didn’t want to get carried away. For as well as Marshall has performed in the early going of training camp, it’s still only a handful of practices. He want to see what the rookie can do when the games begin.

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“[We] got to see him when the lights come on,” Bowles said. “He’s done some good things in practice so far. When the lights come on, some people shy away, some people step up. I’ll be eager to see him when we start playing [games].”

Marshall smiled when told of Bowles’ comment. At Ohio State, the lights are always on, he said. Marshall played big in some of the Buckeyes’ biggest games — he was a focal part of their 2014 national championship — and produced 13 touchdowns in two seasons while averaging 13.2 yards per catch and 37 receptions a season.

“I’ll keep working hard, and next week when they do turn the lights on,” he said, “I’ll be prepared to put on a show and prove myself.

“I think of all this as a dream come true, a blessing to me. Not everybody gets this opportunity, whether being drafted or undrafted. You still got to make the most of it.”

No matter what happens, Marshall doesn’t plan on forgetting the slights, how the entire league passed on him, all the criticism he heard for leaving school with years of eligibility left.

“I left school early, didn’t get drafted. A lot of people didn’t think I was going to make it. A lot of people didn’t think I would be here today,” he said. “So that’s just motivation to me, help this team win, and do the best I can be on this field.

“I got a chip on my shoulder. Everybody knows that.”

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Ryan Fitzpatrick lost a bet and a whole lot of hair (Zach Braziller) New York Post August 3, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/03/ryan-fitzpatrick-got-a-haircut/

That was one costly bet.

Ryan Fitzpatrick got a crew cut after reportedly losing an unidentified wager, but it seemed to do the trick.

After Tuesday’s poor practice, Fitzpatrick, with his new ’do, was much better on Wednesday, completing 14-of-20 passes and four touchdowns in 11-on-11 team drills.

The Jets quarterback had arrived late last week with a thick, woolly beard and long, poofed-up hair, following a prolonged summer contract standoff. He kept the beard, but shaved off the hair.

“It looks like a tennis ball,” center Nick Mangold joked. “It’s fuzzy. I rubbed it this morning. Hopefully it gives us some good luck.”

Perhaps Mangold is onto something. When Fitzpatrick cut his hair and beard last year, the Jets went on a five-game winning streak.

Fitzpatrick declined to be interviewed about his new hairdo, but coach Todd Bowles thinks it’s a plus.

“It’s hot, so not to have a lot of hair is good,” Bowles said.

Bowles said the absence of cornerback Darrelle Revis (wrist) and running back Matt Forte (hamstring) in practice was part of the planned schedule for both of them. Revis participated in team drills Tuesday and Forte was involved in positional drills. For Forte, one day he will be getting treatment, and another he will be practicing with the team, according to Bowles, while with Revis it was a planned light day.

“We just didn’t want to overdo it,” Bowles said, referring to Revis.

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Bowles was pleased with Wednesday’s practice following Tuesday’s subpar effort. He felt the energy was much better, from both the offense and defense.

“I know we have a ways to go, but we need to practice like that every day,” he said.

Hall of Fame basketball player Dennis Rodman paid a visit to Jets practice and shot a short video for the team’s Instagram account.

“It’s time for this team to do one thing, baby,” Rodman, who grew up in Dallas but was born in Trenton, said. “It’s time to take over New York. No more Giants, but the New York Jets. Jets, Jets, Jets.”

The Jets signed running back Terry Williams and waived/injured defensive back Kendall James prior to practice. … Former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, an analyst with NFL Network, attended the workout, and so did Willie Randolph, the former Yankees second baseman and Mets manager.

Rookie outside linebacker Darron Lee received a welcome-to-the-NFL moment. Lee had backup running back Dominique Williams lined up for a big hit during team drills on the goal line, but Williams did the most damage, pushing Lee back, and scoring a touchdown. Members of the Jets’ offense let Lee, the team’s first-round pick out of Ohio State, know about it.

New nose tackle Steve McLendon broke through the offensive line in team drills on the goal line and crushed Williams. McLendon, a seven-year veteran who started the last three years with the Steelers, was signed to replace Damon “Snacks” Harrison after he left as a free agent and signed with the Giants.

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Darrelle Revis not about to back down from Tom Brady challenge (George Willis) New York Post August 3, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/08/03/darrelle-revis-not-about-to-back-down-from-tom-brady-challenge/

Tom Brady will be suspended for four games to start the season. None of them will be against the Jets, and Darrelle Revis prefers it that way. Jets-Patriots wouldn’t be the same if Brady wasn’t in the mix, Revis said Wednesday at the Jets training facility.

“I feel when we play [against] Brady it makes the game even better,” Revis said about his teammate on the Patriots’ 2014 Super Bowl champions. “The hype around the games and what goes into it makes it more exciting. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing him twice a year.”

Brady will miss the first four games of the season because of his suspension for his role in Deflategate, perhaps the most drawn out conspiracy in sports history. Those games come against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans and Bills. The Jets and Patriots don’t meet until Nov. 27 in the Meadowlands and then again in Foxborough on Christmas Eve.

Ultimately, the Jets benefit when the Patriots lose, no matter who it is against. But Revis said he doesn’t think Brady’s suspension helps the Jets’ chances of winning the AFC East.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “We still have to see him twice a year. It’s not like one of those games that he’s suspended is against us and he’d miss the game.”

The Jets have begun yet another season in their eternal quest to unseat the Patriots, who always seem at their best when the odds and controversy are against them. Losing a quarterback the caliber of Brady would be catastrophic for most teams. But history suggests Bill Belichick and his coaching staff will figure out ways to minimize the loss and maximize everyone else’s effort.

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Realistically, the Jets’ primary goal this season should not be dethroning the Patriots, but making the playoffs in whatever fashion. Losing 22-17 at Buffalo in the regular-season finale last year cost the Jets a chance to make the postseason, a defeat that still haunts Revis all these months later and is serving as a source of motivation in training camp.

“Last year was definitely a bad taste in my mouth how we ended the season,” the All-Pro cornerback said. “We felt we were a good football team. We’re in a tough conference and things don’t go your way sometimes.

“It’s a new year for us now and we can build off that. We still went 10-6. That’s good. We need more wins this year.”

Revis was again more spectator than participant during Wednesday’s spirited practice in full pads. The hitting was especially hard during a goal-line drill, highlighted when former Wagner College running back Dominique Williams ran over first-round pick and former Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee at the goal line. Picture Bo Jackson running over Brian Bosworth.

Full-speed hitting is rare in training camp these days because of the collective bargaining agreement and fear of injury. But Revis says it’s necessary to prepare for the season.

“I think that’s what helps you during training camp to build the team chemistry,” he said. “I know you’ve been to a bunch of training camps where guys get into fights and stuff like that. But the physicality of it is part of the game. We’re doing a good job of taking care of everybody, but still playing physical football.”

The Jets are trying to do a smart job of taking care of Revis, who enters his 10th season. At age 31, he is recovering from right wrist surgery in March. He’s making $17 million this season, coming off a year when there were whispers he may have lost a step even though he had the lowest completion percentage on passes thrown his way (46.5 percent) of any cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

He had the day off Wednesday and watched practice with the eye of a starter on defense, a coach on the field and a leader in the locker room.

“I’m looking at it as if we’re in a game,” he said, “figuring out what we’re doing and how they’re trying to attack us.”

It won’t be long before he’ll be doing the same against Brady.

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NJ ADVANCE

Jets camp Day 6 injury report | Darrelle Revis, Matt Forte, Dexter McDougle (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 3, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/jets_camp_day_6_injury_report_darrelle_revis_matt.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK — Here is the injury report from Wednesday, when the Jets held their sixth practice of training camp:

• CB Darrelle Revis (wrist surgery): On Tuesday, he debuted in team periods, getting brief work. He didn't do any team periods stuff Wednesday, but got his position drills work, as usual. Revis didn't experience any setbacks from Tuesday, said coach Todd Bowles. The Jets are just bringing him along cautiously. "We just didn't want to overdo it," Bowles said. That's why Revis didn't participate in team periods Wednesday. This is not a big deal. It was just the sixth practice of camp.

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• RB Matt Forte (hamstring): He returned to practice Tuesday, but didn't take part in team periods. He didn't practice Wednesday. No setbacks for him, said Bowles. Same thing as Revis — just a cautious approach, to avoid a lingering issue. "It's just part of the treatment process," said Bowles, adding that the Jets are alternating days when Forte will practice and stay inside for rehab work.

• LG James Carpenter (hamstring): He came off the physically unable to perform list Tuesday and did brief team periods work. He again did brief team periods work Wednesday. The Jets are bringing him along slowly, which is wise, considering their lack of proven depth on the offensive line.

• CB Dexter McDougle (hamstring): He didn't practice for the third straight day — Sunday, Tuesday, and then Wednesday. The Jets were off Monday.

• RB Bernard Pierce (hamstring): Didn't practice for the second straight day.

• TE Zach Sudfeld (knee): Also didn't practice for the second straight day.

• S Ronald Martin (unknown): He was a new addition to the rehab group Wednesday.

• WR Kyle Williams (leg): He exited practice and was icing his leg on the sideline.

• What about the PUP list guys? Still the same, with one exception. The Jets on Wednesday waived roster-longshot defensive back Kendall James with an injury designation. He had been on the PUP list, with an unknown injury. They signed running back Terry Williams to replace him on the 90-man roster.

Here is the updated PUP list: wide receiver Devin Smith (ACL tear), running back Khiry Robinson (leg), right tackle Breno Giacomini (back), and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (leg). Smith and Robinson don't appear close to returning. Bowles hasn't given any indication about when Giacomini and Wilkerson will be ready to practice.

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Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick cuts wacky hair prior to training camp practice (PHOTO) (Connor Hughes) NJ Advanced Media August 3, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/ryan_fitzpatrick_cuts_wacky_hair_prior_to_jets_fif.html#incart_river_mobileshort_index

FLORHAM PARK: Ok, now all is right in Jets Land.

In what has become the No. 1 source of good-natured ribbing by his teammates, Ryan Fitzpatrick made the decision to cut his afro-like hairdo. Gone is the style that resembled a makeup brush, in its place what appears to be a buzz cut.

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Each time a member of the Jets' offense has spoken this summer, somehow, someway, Fitzpatrick's hair has been brought up. Wideout Eric Decker went as far as to say if Fitzpatrick didn't take care of his hair soon, his teammates would.

Connecting the dots, it looks like the message got across.

But that doesn't mean the playful jabs are a thing of the past.

"He looks like a tennis ball," Jets center Nick Mangold told NJ Advance Media after practice. "It's fuzzy. I rubbed it this morning. Hopefully it gives us some good luck because I rubbed the tennis ball."

At Wednesday's practice, the luck seemed to be in the favor of New York's offense.

Following a horrendous outing on Tuesday that led to Brandon Marshall punting a ball, the Jets' offense was much better 24 hours later. Fitzpatrick himself connected on three touchdowns in team drills to the likes of Bilal Powell, Jace Amaro and Marshall. For the first time this summer, the offense had a clear-cut advantage over the defense.

And there may be some correlation between Fitzpatrick's trim and the Jets' offensive outburst. A year ago, with New York in the midst of a mid-season slump, Fitzpatrick cut both his hair and beard. The result? A five-game winning streak.

From slumping to winning in 2015? From ice-cold to red-hot in camp practices this year?

Who knows, maybe the Jets are onto something?

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Nick Mangold's daily routine to get ready for Jets training camp (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 4, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/how_jets_nick_mangold_keeps_body_healthy_during_tr.html#incart_river_index

FLORHAM PARK- This isn't Nick Mangold's first rodeo.

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Or second. Or third. Or fourth.

Eleven years the Jets' center has been playing in the NFL. And for 11 years, he's been one of the league's more durable players. Of 160 possible games, Mangold has started 156.

How the heck does his 32-year-old body handle the physical grind from August through January?

Simple. A whole lot of maintenance.

"You always feel your best the day before training camp," Mangold told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. "Then it's a slow grind to get back to that."

When Mangold first entered the league in 2006, his recuperation process was a bit different than it is now. He would practice for two or three hours, leave the field, shower, eat, "mess around" and then go to bed. It was that way for years. When he was younger, Mangold assumed it always would be. Then, in 2008, the Jets signed veteran guard Alan Faneca.

Mangold watched how Faneca, who was 31 at the time, rehabbed in between practices. It was then he realized his methodology wouldn't last forever.

"I figured that's where you eventually get to," Mangold said. "A couple years ago is when it happened to me. It gradually hits you. You start feeling a little sluggish, so you start to do something else. It just kind of builds from there."

Mangold's routine is now the same every day: He wakes up at 6:30 a.m. and heads to the Jets' practice facility. He stretches, lifts and works with the training staff to get ready for practice. After practice, he stretches some more, hits the cold tub, contrast tub, and recovery booth before evening meetings. Once that wraps up around 10 p.m., he rushes home to get as much sleep as possible. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

In total, Mangold estimates he spends about three hours rehabbing a day. That's not including off days, in which the itinerary includes massages, stretching, more cold tubs and staying off his feet as much as possible.

But even all those hours can't make Mangold completely whole again. When asked the next time he'll be 100 percent healthy, Mangold smiled.

"Next year," he said.

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How Jarvis Jenkins became a Jet before he actually became a Jet (Connor Hughes) NJ Advance Media August 4, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/how_jarvis_jenkins_became_a_jet_before_he_actually.html#incart_river_mobile_index

FLORHAM PARK: The world knew Jarvis Jenkins was signing with the Jets before Jarvis Jenkins agreed to sign with the Jets.

This offseason, the defensive end was enjoying his tour on the free-agent market. A number of interested teams had contacted his agent, and visits were set up. The first on the itinerary? The Jets.

After meeting New York's coaching staff in March, Jenkins left without a contract. At the airport a few hours later, he got a call from his agent saying the Jets made an offer. He was grateful, but wanted to wait to consider all options.

When Jenkins got off the plane, his phone was blowing up with congratulatory texts.

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"A reporter was next to me and overheard my phone call," Jenkins told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. "He heard me say, 'Ok, cool,' and thought I agreed to a contract.

"I didn't actually sign for another week!"

When Jenkins did make his contract with the Jets official, it was a little bit of a surprise. After all, New York was quite deep at the defensive end position, and Jenkins was coming off a career year. Following four underwhelming seasons in Washington -- he had two total sacks -- Jenkins brought the QB down four times in 2015 with the Bears.

A 28-year-old versatile defensive lineman coming into his own? It's no wonder a "good bit" of teams contacted Jenkins' agent wanting to sign him. Several of those teams were even willing to offer Jenkins a starting position.

So why the heck did he pass, choosing instead to be the Jets' fourth-string defensive end?

"You can't look at being a starter," Jenkins said. "Some of those places, yeah, they wanted me to be their starter, but I didn't think I fit in their defense. It wouldn't have worked well. At the end of the day, it's all about fit.

"I put my options on the table, and this is where I felt most comfortable."

That comfort stemmed from the way the Jets rotate their defensive linemen. Whether you're the starter, or fourth string, you see the field. Jenkins said it blew him away how even when Pro Bowlers Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson were resting, the defense was still dominant.

That's what he wanted to be a part of. Now, he is.

"He can be a versatile piece," Jets coach Todd Bowles said. "We're still figuring out some of the things he can do, but right now we're keeping him inside. He has the versatility to go outside, right now we're keeping him inside."

Through organized team activities, minicamp and now two weeks of training camp, the Jets are exceeding Jenkins' expectations. He came in knowing the defense would be good, but the competitiveness has been a pleasant surprise. In the defensive line meeting room, everyone pushes everyone. It doesn't matter if you're a Pro Bowler, or undrafted rookie.

"Every single person in there thinks they're the starter," Jenkins said. "It's great because iron sharpens iron. You got guys, young guys, competing like they're the starters and making plays. That drives you."

With the regular season fast approaching, the Jets' defensive front is starting to develop chemistry. In a full-contact drill Wednesday, there were more than a few big hits that sent all into a frenzy.

And Jenkins says it's only the beginning. The sky's the limit for the Jets in 2016.

"We can be a dominant unit," he said. "We just have to put our mind to it."

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Jets' Erin Henderson feeling comfortable, sexy as new starter (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 4, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/jets_erin_henderson_feeling_comfortable_sexy_as_ne.html#incart_river_mobileshort_index

FLORHAM PARK — Jets inside linebacker Erin Henderson had just spent a few minutes, after Wednesday's practice, discussing how he's getting into a rhythm with the guy who starts next to him, David Harris.

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Henderson had offered some insights into the process of being a new starter with the Jets, as he replaces Demario Davis, who signed with the Browns.

At the end of the interview, Henderson was asked if there's anything pertinent about his progression that he wanted to add. He paused.

"I'm probably one of the sexier guys on the team," he told NJ Advance Media.

Then he smiled and jogged away.

Well, OK then.

It's clear Henderson, a ninth-year veteran, is feeling comfortable and confident (or at least in a jovial mood) as he prepares to start for the first time since 2013 with the Vikings. Henderson was a backup last season, his first with the Jets.

There are things that he and Harris — the Jets' longtime middle linebacker — still must work on, as they establish chemistry.

"Our blitz packages," Henderson said. "Just working on our timing and different things like that. Mentally, I think we're starting to get on the same waves. From there, it's just understanding the timing of some of the things that need to get done when it comes to our blitz scheme and our blitz packages, and just understanding disguises. I think that's the next step for us."

The Jets' linebackers struggled in coverage last season, but Henderson likes where the group is headed right now.

"We're getting better," Henderson said. "We're trying some different techniques out right now. Practice is about trying to figure out what you can do and what you can't do, what situations you can put yourself in and still be successful."

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What must Darron Lee do to get more action at Jets camp? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media August 4, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/what_must_darron_lee_do_to_get_more_action_at_jets.html#incart_river_mobileshort_index

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets are still very early in training camp, six practices in, so there is plenty of time for inside linebacker Darron Lee to carve out a role during his rookie season.

Lee was the Jets' first-round draft pick this year, and so far in camp, he hasn't gotten any reps with the starting base or nickel defense units. Erin Henderson has a firm grasp on the starting job next to middle linebacker David Harris.

But how might Lee fit in as a sub packages player early this season?

That remains unclear. Yet coach Todd Bowles made it clear after Wednesday's practice that Lee is still very much in the Jets' plans.

"He's making great progress," Bowles said. "We're not looking at him for just the nickel. He has got to learn his linebacker stuff, too, on first, second down.

"We said Erin was the starter going in. You've got to take somebody's spot, more or less, if they have a spot. So he's working at it right now, and we've got four [preseason] games to see how he progresses."

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Henderson, while competing with Lee, is more than happy to mentor him. And Henderson isn't concerned at all about Lee's demeanor, while the rookie works exclusively with the backups during 11-on-11 periods. Henderson noticed Lee's professional, personable demeanor from the moment he arrived in Florham Park.

"Look at him right now, and tell me if he's still keeping that demeanor," Henderson told NJ Advance Media after Wednesday's practice.

Henderson gestured toward Lee, who was carrying veteran players' pads off the field — a standard rookie task.

"He's right there," Henderson said. "Just dropped off all our pads. He understands. He's a good kid. He doesn't ask any questions as far, 'Why do I have to do this?' He does what we ask him to do. That's why I don't have a problem with helping him in any way, shape, or form."

Henderson, though, must look out for himself first, rather than assess what's up with Lee's progress toward a potentially bigger role.

"It's training camp," Henderson said. "I don't really have that kind of time right now. It's go time for me, as well. I have to be responsible for myself and make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Any questions he asks, I still answer them for him. I still help him. I watch, I pay attention, and I'm always here for him. But I definitely have to worry about me and myself first.

"I'm diagnosing my game and trying to figure out what I need to do in order to stay on the field. You're trying to figure out how to get D. Lee on the field. And I'm trying to figure out how to stay on the field. You see what I'm saying? I've just got to continue to do my part, to try to keep him at bay, and help him out to the best of my ability when he needs it. My main competition is me. My main focus is me."

Henderson was good-natured about all of these questions, not upset. He has done everything, so far, to maintain a firm grasp on his starting job. Surely, he knows he is in good position on this defense. But he also gets that a first-round pick is his understudy, even if that first-round pick has yet to emerge as a major factor.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets Insider: Ryan Fitzpatrick gets Gang back on track (Daniel Popper/Zachary Ripple) New York Daily News August 3, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-arrival-ryan-fitzpatrick-gang-back-track-article-1.2737695

One day can make all the difference.

After being disappointed with his offense’s “sluggish” performance Tuesday, Jets head coach Todd Bowles was more pleased with the group’s effort Wednesday.

“I liked the way they started fast and they came out with some energy,” Bowles said after Gang Green’s sixth practice of training camp at One Jets Drive. “It was an energetic practice overall.”

A big reason for the offense’s improvement was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who expressed similar discontent with his unit’s play Tuesday and responded by coming out sharp early in 11-on-11 drills Wednesday.

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On the second play of the afternoon, Fitzpatrick dropped a finesse throw into Eric Decker on a deep out, fitting the pass into a tight window before

Decker dragged both his feet and stumbled out of bounds. Later in the same series, Fitzpatrick connected with Decker on a long touchdown down the left sideline.

In his second round, Fitzpatrick hooked up with tight end Kellen Davis for a nice gain over the middle, then beat the blitz by lofting a high-arcing pass into the hands of Bilal Powell, who was streaking down the left sideline in single coverage. Powell scored easily.

Later, Fitzpatrick threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Marshall, who fooled cornerback Juston Burris off the line and was wide open.

“Obviously mistakes were made on both sides, but they came out and made some plays early on,” Bowles said of the offense. “The energy of the practice was better. I know we have a ways to go, but we need practice like that almost every day.”

REVIS STALLS

Darrelle Revis was not in pads, a day getting his first 11-on-11 reps of training camp. Revis participated in positional drills but sat out team drills.

Bowles said the break was scheduled and is just part of the team’s plan to monitor Revis’ progress following offseason wrist surgery.

“We just didn’t want to overdo it,” Bowles said, emphasizing that his cornerback didn’t suffer any setbacks. “We got him some work yesterday, so we just had him do individuals today.”

Despite being relegated to a spectator role, Revis said the defense looked strong. While he was focused on picking up on the team’s play-calling in various in-game situations while sidelined, he liked seeing his teammates’ intensity.

“I think the good thing is the contact, guys getting physical,” he said. “I think that’s what helps you during training camp to build the team, build chemistry. We’re doing a good job of taking care of each other but still playing good, physical football.”

RODMAN IN FLORHAM PARK

Former NBA star Dennis Rodham was at One Jets Drive to take in practice. He left the team a supportive message on Instagram and showed off his nails, which he painted green.

“It’s time for this team to do one thing, baby,” Rodman said in a video. “It’s time to take over New York.”

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LaDainian Tomlinson sees himself in Jets' new RB Matt Forte (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News August 3, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ladainian-tomlinson-sees-jets-new-rb-matt-forte-article-1.2737774

LaDainian Tomlinson looked at Matt Forte and instantly understood.

Six years ago, one of the greatest running backs in history felt the same blend of anger, anxiety and disbelief bubbling underneath the surface as the only team he had every played for delivered this sobering message: We don’t want you anymore.

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As Forte and Tomlinson sat in the NFL Network studios this offseason watching a video clip of a fantasy football “guru” discuss the declining skills of the newest Jets ball carrier, the tension was palpable.

“You should have seen his eyes,” Tomlinson told the Daily News Wednesday during Jets practice. “He’s like, ‘That’s what I’m talking about. It’s all those people that keep talking about what I can’t do. But we’ll see.’ … You know when a player is rubbed the wrong way. That day, that little video piece got underneath his skin.”

“He’s motivated like never before, because he feels like he’s been slighted, Chicago gave up on him and nobody believes in him anymore.”

Tomlinson sees a bit of himself in Forte. It wasn’t long ago when critics pronounced him D.O.A. upon signing with the Jets in the twilight of a dynamic career that will land him in Canton next year.

One foolish headline writer probably giggled while crafting “LaDainian is LaDone” that summer. The joke, of course, was on him when a 31-year-old Tomlinson racked up 1,288 total yards with 52 receptions and six touchdowns to help the Jets reach a second consecutive AFC Championship game.

The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since that day, but Forte has enough quality play left in his 30-year-old body to help his new team make a realistic run to the postseason.

His sliding ADP in fantasy football drafts notwithstanding, Forte remains a dual threat, a nuisance for defensive coordinators smart enough not to overlook one of the most versatile running backs of the past decade.

“He’s a mismatch whenever he walks out on the football field,” said Tomlinson, an NFL Network analyst. “Matt Forte will still be a mismatch when he comes out of the backfield (against) linebackers or safeties. He still will be a valuable asset in that way. Chan (Gailey) likes to run it too. I really think teams are going to have to pick their poison. Early on they’re going to say, ‘You know what? We’re not going to let these guys throw the football. We’re not going to let Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall beat us.’ So, they’re going to give Matt room to run. That’s why I think he’ll be successful.”

Mike Maccagnan would do back flips in the Flor-ham Park Starbucks parking lot if Forte duplicated Tomlinson’s 2010 production. Tomlinson was a transcendent talent, but he had much more mileage (888 more touches) when he came to the Jets than Forte, who didn’t practice Wednesday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury suffered in the run-up to training camp.

Forte, one of the most durable ball carriers since entering the league (eight missed games in eight seasons), will be an invaluable piece to the Jets’ offensive puzzle as long as the brain trust manages his touches. Tomlinson averaged 18 touches per game in his first season with the Jets.

“In Chan Gailey’s offense, I think he can be very productive,” Tomlinson said. “I’m talking 1,300 total yards. I think he’ll be a 1,000-yard rusher. They need him. When you look behind Matt Forte, there’s not much depth. There are question marks about the second guy. Can Bilal (Powell) handle that role or is he going to continue to be a third-down back? Because of that, I think Matt’s going to get plenty of opportunities.”

Tomlinson believes the Jets are “slightly better” by swapping Chris Ivory for Forte, whose versatility provides a new dimension. Sometimes there’s nothing more dangerous than a perturbed former Pro Bowler left for the scrap heap.

“When you have had success in this league and you know how to get it done, it doesn’t go downhill in just one year,” Tomlinson said. “It doesn’t happen like that.”

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Forte is ticked off just like Tomlinson was six years ago, a proud proven player ready to show his critics that they have no idea what they’re talking about.

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METRO NEW YORK

Jets counting on Jace Amaro to take it to the next level (Tony Williams) Metro New York August 21, 2016

http://www.metro.us/new-york/jets-counting-on-jace-amaro-to-take-it-to-the-next-level/zsJphc---ngj3OO3qrZ5AY/

The Jets finally have their offense intact, with the re-signing of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

And with stellar holdovers in wideouts Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker already in tow -- not to mention the addition of pass-catching maven, running back Matt Forte – the Jets really have the look of a potent passing offense that can rival any in the league.

That being said, there’s still one hole in their aerial attack, and that’s tight end. This is where Jace Amaro joins the equation. Entering his third season, the former Texas Tech star hasn’t quite yet lived up to his draft billing as a second round pick. While his rookie year wasn’t bad (14 games played, 38 catches for 345 yards, and two touchdowns), it was marred with drops. And his second season was a complete bust, as he missed the entire campaign due to a torn labrum suffered in the team’s first preseason game.

Amaro is back in camp and ready to contribute, as he’s put in massive amount of time re-configuring his catching technique, and almost as important, his blocking. Standing a hulking 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Amaro has the look of a tenacious blocker, but his time at Texas Tech mainly featured his pass-catching wares. The Red Raiders run a spread offense where the tight ends see blocking merely as an option. It’s where Amaro picked up bad habits, but hopes to break them to become a complete tight end to help balance the Jets’ offense.

Run blocking will have to be a huge part of Amaro’s tool box if he wants to stay on the field. It’s his primary weakness in a skill set that physically matches with any tight end in the league. He knows that pass catching is his best asset, but is also aware that if he can’t help open holes for Forte, he won’t be of any use.

"Obviously, if I want to play, I can't just catch the ball. I've got to be able to do both,” Amaro said. “If I'm able to do both, I feel like I could fit right in with this team. I feel like I'm strong enough and big enough to be able to block anybody out here.”

Marshall and Decker – and to an extent Forte – will see the lion’s share of targets from Fitzpatrick. And while the blocking needs to improve, Amaro knows the real reason why the Jets selected him so high.

He noted his offseason work of catching “roughly 400 balls a day” back home in San Antonio has truly honed his skill. The tight end said the advice given to him by Marshall in how to train his eyes and hands, so he could better attack the ball in the air also helped. It’s now to the point where Amaro said he feels “natural” catching the ball. And thanks to his arduous work this summer -- beginning with offseason OTAs – he’s “been catching the ball really well, a lot better. I just feel a lot smoother. I'm not really worried about that [drops] part anymore.”

His pass-catching work ethic was a question mark entering the 2014 draft, even though he was a unanimous All-American and set the record for Division-1 single-season receiving yards by a tight end in

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2013. He reasoned that he used to just rely on his athletic ability and never really thought about technique. But now that he’s a professional, and everyone is a great athlete, he needed to find a way to get him past the competition.

It’s the main reason why he’s fine tuning his technique and working hard after practices with the Juggs machine. And hopefully for the Jets and their Gang Green faithful, that hard work helps Amaro’s emergence, as the offense continues to form into a well-rounded green machine.

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WEDNESDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

American League

CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Placed OF Charlie Tilson on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF J.B. Shuck from Charlotte (IL).

DETROIT TIGERS — Placed RHP Mike Pelfrey on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Monday. Reinstated OF J.D. Martinez and LHP Daniel Norris from the 15-day DL and optioned Norris to Toledo (IL).

KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Omaha (PCL). Recalled OF Billy Burns from Omaha.

TEXAS RANGERS — Optioned 3B Joey Gallo to Round Rock (PCL).

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Released RHP Blake McFarland. Optioned RHP Bo Schultz and 2B Ryan Goins to Buffalo (IL). Recalled RHPs Mike Bolsinger and Danny Barnes from Buffalo.

National League

ATLANTA BRAVES — Placed RHP Julio Teheran on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Sunday.

CHICAGO CUBS — Placed RHP Jason Hammel on the bereavement list. Recalled RHP Jason Grimm from Iowa (PCL).

LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Optioned RHP Josh Fields to Oklahoma City (PCL). Placedf LHP Rich Hill on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 18.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Placed LHP Tyler Lyons on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Sunday. Recalled LHP Dean Kiekhefer from Memphis (PCL).

FOOTBALL

CINCINNATI BENGALS — Signed CB Corey Tindal.

NEW YORK JETS — Waived-injured DB Kendall James. Signed RB Terry Williams.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Waived QB Dan LeFevour. Signed OL Caylin Hauptmann.

HOCKEY

NEW YORK RANGERS — Named Keith McCambridge assistant coach of Hartford (AHL).

SOCCER

NEW YORK RED BULLS — Completed the transfer of M Daniel Royer from FC Midtjylland (Superliga-Denmark).

PHILADELPHIA UNION — Signed M Alejandro Bedoya.

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COLLEGE

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN — Named Jim Stintzi director of track and field and cross country.

CLEMSON — Named Heather Bowie Young women’s assistant golf coach.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE — Named Kenneth Lassiter assistant trainer.

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY — Named Billy Cameron assistant lacrosse coach.

MISSOURI — Named Sarah Reesman interim athletic director.

NEW JERSEY CITY — Named Reggie James, Jr. men’s and women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field coach.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Named Ethan Hooker assistant sports information director.

RANDOLPH-MACON — Named Chris Hamilton men’s assistant basketball coach.

SHENANDOAH — Announced the resignation of women’s assistant basketball coach Meghan Sullivan, to become head coach at Keystone College.

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