NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

September 14, 2015

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Fitzpatrick, Ivory lead Jets to 31-10 win over Browns (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................... 3

Manziel, Browns fall to Jets 31-10 in season opener (Mike Farrell) .......................................................................... 4

Jets' Mauldin hospitalized with concussion, no neck injury (Dennis Waszak) .......................................................... 5

Marshall 'steals' momentum in Jets' 31-10 win over Browns (Dennis Waszak) ....................................................... 6

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Lorenzo Mauldin has concussion but no neck injury (Kimberley A. Martin) ............................................................. 8

Jets quarterback Bryce Petty learns a pizza lesson (Kimberley A. Martin) ................................................................ 9

Antonio Cromartie suffers knee injury (Greg Logan) .............................................................................................. 10

Jets turning point (Newsday) .................................................................................................................................. 10

Jets' offense shows star power (Kimberley A. Martin) ............................................................................................ 10

Jets beat Browns in opener to start Todd Bowles Era on winning note (Kimberley A. Martin) .............................. 11

Todd Bowles gets first win without any bluster (Bob Glauber) ............................................................................... 12

Jets Q&A: Opener special for Todd Bowles' family, friends (Kimberley A. Martin) ................................................ 13

Brandon Marshall makes steal of the week (Barbara Barker) ................................................................................. 14

THE RECORD ........................................................................................................................................................ 16

Jets: Instant replay (Jeff Roberts) ............................................................................................................................ 16

Cromartie has painful return to Jets (Jeff Roberts) ................................................................................................. 16

Jet notes: Chris Ivory looks sharp (J.P. Pelzman) ..................................................................................................... 18

Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin hospitalized with concussion (J.P. Pelzman) ............................................................. 18

Jets beat Browns, 31-10, in season opener (J.P. Pelzman) ...................................................................................... 19

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 20

A Quick Reminder of Football’s Violence (William C. Rhoden) ............................................................................... 20

Big Win but Bigger Worries for Jets (Ben Shpigel) .................................................................................................. 23

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 25

Brandon Marshall brings the heat with buddy Dwyane Wade in the house (Rich Cimini) ..................................... 25

Fireman Ed returns for Jets' opener, to the delight of Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis (Kieran Darcy) ............... 26

Brandon Marshall sparks Jets in season-opening win over Browns (Rich Cimini) .................................................. 27

Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin has concussion, but feeling in extremities (Rich Cimini) ........................................... 28

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 29

How Bowles’ ‘quiet swagger’ can separate him from past failures (Mark Cannizzaro) .......................................... 29

Johnny Manziel’s magic moment turned sour in a hurry (Brian Lewis) .................................................................. 30

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Darrelle Revis’ huge return: Cheers, fumble grab, Fireman Ed love (Brian Costello) .............................................. 31

‘Monster’ Chris Ivory gives hope for huge Jets season (Zach Braziller) .................................................................. 32

The Ryan Fitzpatrick-Brandon Marshall lovefest is on and deadly (Steve Serby) ................................................... 33

Brandon Marshall’s TD had nothing on his play of the game (Zach Braziller) ......................................................... 35

Jets report card: What a day for Todd Bowles — and his staff (Brian Costello) ..................................................... 35

Jets hold breath after LB carted off with scary head injury (Zach Braziller) ............................................................ 36

Jets kick off new era with mauling of Browns — but it has costs (Brian Costello) .................................................. 37

Jets’ Cromartie carted off after dreaded non-contact injury (Brian Lewis)............................................................. 39

Fireman Ed’s hiatus is over: Super fan returns to rally Jets (Zach Braziller) ............................................................ 40

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 40

Calvin Pace says he's happy Jets' defense no longer has to carry their offense (Darryl Slater) .............................. 40

Jets' Brandon Marshall's strip after pick vs. Cleveland Browns wasn't first time he's done that (Darryl Slater) .... 41

Jets report card, as they open Todd Bowles era by pounding Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) ........................... 43

Lorenzo Mauldin update: Jets deliver good news, say he has feeling in extremities (Darryl Slater) ...................... 44

What Jets players are saying about Lorenzo Mauldin's 'scary' neck injury (Darryl Slater) ..................................... 44

Lorenzo Mauldin neck injury: Jets' Todd Bowles says he's 'very concerned' (Darryl Slater) ................................... 46

Jets' Antonio Cromartie to have MRI on injured knee on Monday (Dom Consentino) ........................................... 47

New-look Jets drill Cleveland Browns, 31-10, in Todd Bowles' debut | Instant analysis (Dom Costentino) ........... 47

Jets 31, Cleveland Browns 10: The good, the bad, the ugly -- from Calvin Pryor to Antonio Cromartie (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 49

Jets inquired about Kirk Cousins after Geno Smith got punched, per report (Dom Cosentino) ............................. 50

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 51

Jets LB Lorenzo Mauldin taken to hospital after suffering concussion in fourth quarter (Kevin Armstrong with Seth Walder) ............................................................................................................................................................ 51

Jets earn first win of Todd Bowles era with 31-10 romp over Browns, but key injuries put damper on the victory (Seth Walder) .......................................................................................................................................................... 52

Browns QB Josh McCown suffers concussion vs. Jets, Johnny Manziel takes over for Cleveland (Stephen Lorenzo) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 53

New Jets coach Todd Bowles is all business as he wins in debut (Gary Myers) ...................................................... 54

Jets 31, Browns 10 - Instant Analysis: Chris Ivory earns game ball with 2 TDs, Gang Green ‘D’ forces 4 turnovers (Manish Mehta) ....................................................................................................................................................... 56

Jets looks surprisingly good on offense in season-opening win over Browns (Manish Mehta) .............................. 57

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 58

Brandon Marshall wants Fireman Ed back for good (Kristian Dyer) ....................................................................... 58

Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin goes to hospital with head, neck injury (Kristian Dyer) ....................................................... 59

Marcus Williams steps up as Antonio Cromartie goes down (Kristian Dyer) .......................................................... 59

3 things we learned in the Jets' 31-10 over the Browns (Kristian Dyer) ................................................................. 60

Daily Clips Cont.

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SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 61

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fitzpatrick, Ivory lead Jets to 31-10 win over Browns (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 13, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/fitzpatrick-ivory-lead-jets-31-10-win-over-browns

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Todd Bowles got a big win and a celebratory game ball in his New York Jets debut.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two touchdown passes and Chris Ivory ran for two scores, giving the Jets a 31-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns to open the season Sunday.

"It feels good to get the butterflies out of the way, to get that first one," Bowles said. "It wasn't perfect, by no means, but we did what we had to do to win."

The Jets (1-0) had five takeaways against the Browns, including an interception and two forced fumbles of Johnny Manziel, who came in late in the first quarter for an injured Josh McCown.

"First and foremost," Manziel said, "you can't turn the ball over."

D'Brickashaw Ferguson presented Bowles with the game ball in the locker room as the team got off to a winning start under their new coach. Bowles was hired in January after Rex Ryan was fired following six seasons.

The victory was a bit dampened by injuries, with a scary moment occurring in the fourth quarter when rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was taken to a hospital after being carted off the field. A few hours later, the Jets announced Mauldin has a concussion — but no neck injury, as initially feared — and was hospitalized overnight for observation. The team added that Mauldin was awake and had feeling in all of his extremities.

New York also lost cornerback Antonio Cromartie in the second quarter with an injured left knee. He's scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday.

Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker had touchdown catches for the Jets, who sent the Browns (0-1) to their 11th straight opening-day loss. Cleveland committed 12 penalties for 109 yards to go along with the five turnovers.

"To lose the way we did," Browns coach Mike Pettine said, "it's difficult to swallow it."

Fitzpatrick, who became the starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a punch from a teammate last month, finished 15 of 24 for 179 yards and also threw an interception that ended up being the turning point — for the Jets.

Shortly after Cleveland took a 7-0 lead, Fitzpatrick's throw to Marshall was picked off by Tashaun Gipson. But the Jets wide receiver ripped the ball out of Gipson's hands for a fumble recovery that gave New York the ball at the Cleveland 9. Moments later, Ivory ran up the middle for a 10-yard tying TD.

"That, to me, was the play of the game," Bowles said.

Manziel was 13 of 24 for 182 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin. He also led the Browns with 35 yards rushing on five carries.

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"Obviously, the second half leaves a bitter taste in your mouth," Manziel said. "We'll see what happens this next week."

After struggling to find a rhythm early, Fitzpatrick and the Jets' offense clicked on a nine-play, 72-yard drive that was capped by Decker's 15-yard touchdown catch with 26 seconds left before the half and gave New York a 14-10 lead.

Marcus Williams intercepted a pass by Manziel intended for Brian Hartline in the third quarter and the Jets made the Browns pay. With a short field to work with, starting on the Browns 28, Fitzpatrick connected with Marshall for 17 yards on third-and-2 and then threw a fade to Marshall for a 1-yard TD on third down to give New York a 21-10 lead with 7:51 left in the third quarter.

Ivory sealed the game with a 3-yard run just over 10 minutes left.

The Browns appeared ready to score on their opening drive, but two big hits on one play kept Cleveland out of the end zone — and knocked McCown out of the game.

On third-and-goal from the Jets 14, McCown took off up the middle and dived for the goal line. As he left his feet, McCown was hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis, knocking the ball out of the quarterback's hands and out of the end zone for a touchback.

McCown suffered a concussion, allowing Manziel to get in — amid some hearty boos from Jets fans.

On his fifth play, Manziel lofted a perfectly placed pass down the left sideline that landed right in the hands of Benjamin, who outran Cromartie to give the Browns a 7-0 lead.

NOTES: Browns LB Scott Solomon was carted off in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Pettine had no immediate word on the severity. ... Ivory finished with 91 yards on 20 carries. ... Cleveland is 1-16 in Week 1 games since its expansion return in 1999. ... McCown was 5 of 8 for 49 yards before leaving.

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Manziel, Browns fall to Jets 31-10 in season opener (Mike Farrell) Associated Press September 13, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/manziel-browns-fall-jets-31-10-season-opener

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The game — and perhaps the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation — turned on two big hits on one play late in the first quarter against the New York Jets.

Josh McCown suffered a concussion on a collision, ushering in backup Johnny Manziel, and the Browns dropped their 11th straight season opener with a 31-10 loss Sunday.

Manziel did some good things, such as leading the Browns to a 7-0 lead with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin. But it was mostly downhill from there as Manziel threw an interception and lost two fumbles.

"We'll see what Josh's status is," Manziel said of McCown, who will have to go through the NFL's concussion protocol. "For me, this week is being ready to go, getting in with those guys and get a chance to mesh with them."

On third-and-goal from the Jets 14, McCown took off up the middle and dived for the goal line. As he left his feet, McCown was hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis, knocking the ball out of the quarterback's hands and out of the end zone for a touchback.

Browns coach Mike Pettine defended McCown's decision to go for the score instead of a protective slide.

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"A running quarterback, guys who are mobile who get out in open space, I don't know how many of them would have handled that differently when they get that close to the end zone," Pettine said.

On his fifth play, Manziel lofted a perfectly placed pass down the left sideline that landed right in the hands of Benjamin, who outran Antonio Cromartie to give the Browns the lead.

But the Jets, who started slowly, finished strong in coach Todd Bowles' debut. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two touchdown passes and Chris Ivory ran for two scores.

"It wasn't perfect, by no means, but we did what we had to do to win," Bowles said.

The Jets (1-0) had five takeaways against the Browns (0-1), who committed 12 penalties.

"A disappointing way to open the season," Pettine said. "There are no words to express that. ... To lose the way we did, it's difficult to swallow it."

Manziel was 13 of 24 for 182 yards, including the long touchdown to Benjamin. He also led the Browns with 35 yards rushing on five carries.

"He just needs to show more ball security," cornerback Joe Haden said. "He needs to know that people are coming for him at all times. He'll be fine."

There was a scary moment in the fourth quarter for the Jets when rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was taken to a hospital after being carted off the field. The team announced a few hours after the game that Mauldin has a concussion, but no neck injury. New York also lost Cromartie in the second quarter with an injured left knee.

Cleveland linebacker Scott Solomon was carted from the field early in the game with an ankle injury. Pettine had no immediate update on the severity.

Shortly after Cleveland took a 7-0 lead, Fitzpatrick's throw to Brandon Marshall was picked off by Tashaun Gipson. But the Jets wide receiver ripped the ball out of Gipson's hands for a fumble recovery that gave New York the ball at the Cleveland 9. Moments later, Ivory ran up the middle for a 10-yard tying TD.

"That, to me, was the play of the game," Bowles said.

Marcus Williams intercepted a pass by Manziel intended for Brian Hartline in the third quarter and the Jets made the Browns pay. With a short field to work with, starting on the Browns 28, Fitzpatrick connected with Marshall for 17 yards on third-and-2 and then threw a fade to Marshall for a 1-yard TD on third down to give New York a 21-10 lead with 7:51 left in the third quarter.

Ivory sealed the game with a 3-yard run just over 10 minutes left.

NOTES: Isaiah Crowell, the Browns' No. 1 RB after the trade of Terrance West last week, had just 20 yards on 12 carries. ... Cleveland is 1-16 in Week 1 games since its expansion return in 1999. ... McCown was 5 of 8 for 49 yards before leaving.

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Jets' Mauldin hospitalized with concussion, no neck injury (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 13, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-mauldin-hospitalized-concussion-no-neck-injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin has a concussion — but no neck injury, as initially feared — and was hospitalized overnight for observation after being carted off the field in the team's season-opening win over the Cleveland Browns.

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The Jets announced Sunday night that Mauldin was awake and aware, and had feeling in all of his extremities. The team said tests at the hospital had been completed and confirmed that the neck of the third-round pick out of Louisville was OK.

In a scary scene at MetLife Stadium, Mauldin was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 31-10 victory when Johnny Manziel was sacked by Muhammad Wilkerson. Mauldin, who was originally credited with the sack, appeared to punch the ball out of the quarterback's hands and cause a fumble that Darrelle Revis recovered deep in Browns territory.

Manziel appeared to roll onto Mauldin, who stayed down for several moments right after the play. The linebacker eventually stood, but then immediately dropped to the turf, where he stayed face-down as trainers and medical staff rushed over to him.

"When I was running out on the field, I could see he was getting up but then I just saw him get weak and he fell again," running back Chris Ivory said. "After that, it just looked like his eyes rolled into the back of his head."

As several Jets players stood and watched, some on a knee with their helmets in hand, Mauldin's facemask was removed and he was strapped to a board before being lifted onto a cart as MetLife Stadium fell completely silent.

"He had very little (movement) from what I saw," coach Todd Bowles said.

Several Browns players also came over to Mauldin as he was being examined on the field.

Mauldin made headlines in the offseason when he cried during his conference call shortly after he was drafted by the Jets. He had a tumultuous childhood in which both of his parents served jail time, and he was in and out of about 12 or 13 foster homes in the Atlanta area.

"I'm here to say that I'm not a statistic," Mauldin said during the offseason, "and I'm going to overcome it."

Manziel was in the game because Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown left with a concussion after taking a hard hit late in the first quarter.

McCown was hurt when he was hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis while coming up just short of the goal line on third-and-goal from the Jets 14. McCown dived for the goal line, but was hit hard simultaneously by Davis and Pryor, and the ball came loose and went out of the end zone for a touchback.

Browns coach Mike Pettine said McCown would go through the NFL's concussion protocol before being cleared to practice and play.

Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie left in the second quarter with a left knee injury and will have an MRI exam Monday to determine the nature and severity.

Cromartie's knee buckled on a non-contact play and he needed help to the sideline as he didn't put any weight on his left leg. Cromartie was later carted to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game. He was replaced by Buster Skrine.

Browns linebacker Scott Solomon injured an ankle early in the opening quarter and was carted off the field, and did not return.

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Marshall 'steals' momentum in Jets' 31-10 win over Browns (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press September 13, 2015

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http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/marshall-steals-momentum-jets-31-10-win-over-browns

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Brandon Marshall turned a turnover into a takeaway and a huge momentum swing for the New York Jets.

Shortly after Cleveland took a 7-0 lead Sunday, Fitzpatrick's throw to Marshall was picked off by Tashaun Gipson. But the Jets' wide receiver ripped the ball out of Gipson's hands for a fumble recovery that gave New York the ball at the Browns 9.

"To me, that was the play of the game," Jets coach Todd Bowles said.

Moments later, Chris Ivory ran up the middle for a 10-yard tying TD. Fitzpatrick finished with two touchdown passes and Ivory ran for two scores, giving the Jets (1-0) a 31-10 victory in Bowles' regular-season debut.

The Jets' offense started slow, and things appeared to be going the Browns' way when Gipson stepped in front of Fitzpatrick's underthrown pass. Refusing to give up on the play, Marshall reached in and ended up with the ball.

"I definitely owe him a soda pop for that one," Fitzpatrick said.

Gipson said he wanted to try to get the Browns (0-1) in better field position and possibly take control of the game — when suddenly he no longer had the ball.

"That has never happened to me," Gipson said.

Marshall, in his first game with the Jets after being acquired from the Bears in March, also had six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Here are some other things to know from the Jets' victory over the Browns:

HERE'S JOHNNY: After Josh McCown left with a concussion late in the first quarter, Johnny Manziel came in and had an up-and-down day.

He finished 13 of 24 for 182 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin. He also led the Browns with 35 yards rushing on five carries. But he also lost two fumbles and threw an interception.

"I can't turn it over," Manziel said when asked what he needed to do differently.

McCown was hurt when he was hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis when he dived for the goal line on third-and-goal from the Jets 14. McCown must go through the league's concussion protocol, leaving the Browns' quarterback situation uncertain.

SCARY MOMENT: Jets rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was taken to a hospital after being strapped to a board and carted off the field in the fourth quarter. A few hours later, the Jets announced Mauldin has a concussion — but no neck injury, as initially feared — and was hospitalized overnight for observation. The team added that Mauldin was awake and had feeling in all of his extremities.

New York also lost cornerback Antonio Cromartie in the second quarter with an injured left knee. He's scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday.

BOWLES' DEBUT: D'Brickashaw Ferguson presented Bowles with the game ball in the locker room as the team got off to a winning start under their new coach. Bowles was hired in January after Rex Ryan was fired following six seasons.

Unlike his predecessor, Bowles is low-key and not easily excitable — except if a certain Motown legend ever shows up.

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"Gladys Knight," Bowles said. "If Gladys comes in here and starts singing or Eddie Levert from The O'Jays, we can talk."

FITZ FITS IN: Fitzpatrick, who became the starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a punch from a teammate last month, finished 15 of 24 for 179 yards with TDs to Marshall and Eric Decker. The veteran QB was acquired from Houston in the offseason, and efficiently led the offense after a sluggish start.

"He does everything right," Marshall said. "It would take us 10 minutes to sit down and talk about everything he does right."

BUMBLING BROWNS: The Browns lost their 11th straight opening game, and sloppiness had a lot to do with it.

Cleveland committed 12 penalties for 109 yards to go along with the five turnovers. The Browns went 0 for 2 in the red zone, while the Jets were 4 for 6.

"To lose the way we did," Browns coach Mike Pettine said, "it's difficult to swallow it."

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NEWSDAY

Lorenzo Mauldin has concussion but no neck injury (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-shaken-by-lorenzo-mauldin-s-injury-1.10840354

Lorenzo Mauldin was somewhat lucky.

The Jets outside linebacker was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns and taken to the hospital. It initially was believed that he had suffered head and neck injuries, but the Jets later announced that the rookie had a concussion, not a neck injury.

According to the team, Mauldin was awake and had feeling in his extremities. As of Sunday night, all testing was complete and he was to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.

Without any official word on the severity of his injuries, Mauldin's teammates forced themselves to think positively.

"It was tough, man," said Jets safety Calvin Pryor, who played at Louisville with Mauldin. "I went out there and checked on him and he still had his eyes closed . . . so I wasn't able to say anything to him and he didn't respond or anything."

Like Pryor, coach Todd Bowles said he saw "little movement" from Mauldin after the outside linebacker ended up at the bottom of a pile during a Jets fumble return. He eventually made it to his feet but immediately fell forward and was motionless on the turf for several minutes.

"I just saw him get weak and he fell again, and after that, it looked like his eyes rolled into the back of his head," running back Chris Ivory said of Mauldin, who spent most of his life in foster care before being drafted by the Jets in the third round.

Bowles said he was "very concerned" about Mauldin, adding that his college roommate, Anthony Young, was carted off the field during his second year with Indianapolis. "[He] broke his neck. He never played again."

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Linebacker Calvin Pace said he didn't see the collision, just Mauldin trying to get up and falling. He added, "Just hoping for the best. I don't know exactly what it was, but it didn't look good."

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Jets quarterback Bryce Petty learns a pizza lesson (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday August 29, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/bryce-petty-new-york-jets-quarterback-learns-a-pizza-lesson-1.10788616

For a few minutes, it was like the good old days for the Jets' defense. Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie were reunited in green for the first time in two seasons and came flying out of the tunnel one after the other during introductions to leap in the air and chest bump as the fans roared.

But with 8:51 left in the second quarter Sunday, Cromartie crumpled to the turf with a noncontact injury to his left knee. Suddenly, the air was hissing out of the opening-day balloon as Cromartie was carted off and replaced by second-year man Marcus Williams.

"Cro is one of the leaders in the secondary and someone we look up to as young guys," second-year safety Calvin Pryor said. "To see him go down in the first game is definitely a big blow to our defense. But everybody stepped up and started playing for one another after that."

The Jets' defense went on to force four of five Cleveland turnovers, including an interception by Williams, in a dominant 31-10 victory. Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall forced a turnover when he stripped an interception away from Tashaun Gipson.

Cromartie is scheduled for an MRI Monday. "Cro's situation we don't know much," Revis said. "It was sad to see him go down. He's a great friend of mine."

Aside from a slow start, Revis was pleased by the defensive performance, saying: "One of our main characteristics is to create turnovers. That's one of the things we want to harp on."

The Browns' turnovers began on their opening drive with a big hit by Pryor on quarterback Josh McCown, who fumbled at the Jets' 1-yard line. Cromartie recovered in the end zone.

"I knew as I watched film that he doesn't like to get down," Pryor said of McCown. "So I was able to get a shot on him. I think that turned the momentum of the game around."

McCown left the game after that play with a head injury and was replaced by Johnny Manziel, who hit a 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin behind Cromartie for a 7-0 lead. That was the Browns' only big play.

Early in the third quarter, Williams picked off Manziel and returned it 18 yards to the Cleveland 28 to set up a 1-yard TD pass from Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to Marshall for a 21-10 lead.

"Marcus has been making plays all of training camp," safety Buster Skrine said. "It's been noticeable. He did what he's been doing, he stepped up in the big game."

Williams said the situation is comparable to last season when he replaced injured Darrin Walls as the starter. But he knows that with Revis on the opposite side of the defense, he will be a marked man.

"I'm pretty much going to be 'hot' most of the time because they're probably going to stay away from [Revis]," Williams said. "So I've got to be ready at all times. I'm going to keep learning from Revis, picking his brain. He's a good leader."

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Revis expressed confidence in Williams. "Marcus stepped in with a lot of confidence and made plays right off the bat," Revis said. "He has a lot of potential. We've seen that in OTAs and training camp. We have high hopes for him."

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Antonio Cromartie suffers knee injury (Greg Logan) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-antonio-cromartie-sustains-possible-serious-knee-injury-1.10840640

He hasn't played a regular-season NFL game yet, but New York Jets rookie quarterback Bryce Petty has

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Jets turning point (Newsday) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-turning-point-1.10840218

TURNING POINT

Brandon Marshall's quick thinking helped to ignite the Jets' offense. After Ryan Fitzpatrick's pass was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson early in the second quarter, Marshall immediately snatched the ball out of the safety's hands. Two plays later, Chris Ivory scored the first Jets touchdown. "That was huge," coach Todd Bowles said of Marshall's strip. "To me, that was the play of the game."

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Jets' offense shows star power (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-offense-shows-star-power-1.10840845

OFFENSE

A-

Ryan Fitzpatrick made plays when it counted. The quarterback finished 15-for-24 passing for 179 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. But Brandon Marshall made the pick more palatable after he stripped the ball out of the defender's hands and recovered it, helping to set up Chris Ivory's first touchdown. Ivory was dominant (91 yards on 20 carries with two TDs), plus Bilal Powell averaged 5.2 yards after 12 carries for 62 yards. Marshall (six catches, 62 yards) and Eric Decker (one TD) came up big in the passing game, as well as Chris Owusu, the breakout star in training camp. He had a 43-yard reception before Ivory's 10-yard TD in the second quarter.

DEFENSE

B+

Despite a slow start, the unit rebounded after losing defensive leader Antonio Cromartie and rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin. After giving up 10 second-quarter points, the Jets' defense kept the Browns off the board. Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis combined on one devastating hit to knock starter Josh McCown (concussion) out of the game. And despite giving up a 54-yard touchdown pass by backup

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Johnny Manziel (which badly beat Cromartie), the Jets' defense rendered "Johnny Football" ineffective and sacked the second-year QB three times.

SPECIAL TEAMS

C

Nick Folk made all four of his extra points and connected on a 34-yard field goal that put the Jets up 24-10 in the third. But Jeremy Kerley provided little boost in the punt return game (6.5-yard average) and the Jets had just one kickoff return for 13 yards.

COACHING

A

Few would have blamed the Jets had they fallen apart following the emotional injuries to Cromartie and Mauldin. But just as Todd Bowles did in training camp, he kept his players focused. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's play-calling allowed for a strong dose of ground and pound, but he also spread the field and allowed Fitzpatrick to let it rip.

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Jets beat Browns in opener to start Todd Bowles Era on winning note (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-beat-browns-in-opener-to-start-todd-bowles-era-on-winning-note-1.10839366

Calvin Pace couldn't hide his happiness.

For once, the Jets' defense didn't have to shoulder the load alone. This time the offense could be trusted to take care of the football and put points on the board. And as a result, the Jets came away with an easy victory in Game 1 of the Todd Bowles Era.

"Truth be told, man, our offense gave us serious problems in training camp. And that right there showed me that they're for real this year," Pace said after the Jets' 31-10 win over the Browns in Sunday's season opener at MetLife Stadium.

"The running game is strong as usual, but now we've got some threats outside . . . It's good to have a complement on the other side and not to be out there and having to do it all by yourself and try to play a perfect game."

Despite injuries to cornerback Antonio Cromartie and rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin -- both of whom had to be carted off the field -- the Jets remained unaffected by adversity, just as they did in training camp. And that's a credit to Bowles.

"He's a calming presence, but he's also got a lot of fire," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw two touchdown passes. "You look at him on the sidelines and kind of feel at ease. He's very comfortable in who he is and in his role. We certainly feed off that."

Fitzpatrick showed no signs of being just another game manager. He was smooth and in control, and he threw a nice ball, too.

Fitzpatrick finished 15-for-24 for 179 yards. He threw an interception, but his teammates had his back even on the pick. Brandon Marshall stripped the ball out of the hands of safety Tashaun Gipson at the

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Cleveland 17-yard line and reached the 9. Two plays later, Chris Ivory scampered 10 yards into the end zone as the Jets tied the score at 7 with 9:41 left in the first half.

"He made a veteran move," Gipson said. "I can't tip my hat enough to him. I think that play changed the game."

So did Bowles. "That was huge," he said. "Brandon plays everything. He plays offense. He plays defense. He plays aggressive. To me, that was the play of the game."

Ivory rushed 20 times for 91 yards and two TDs. Bilal Powell averaged 5.2 yards a carry, rushing 12 times for 62 yards.

Bowles' defense also made key plays. Though the Browns controlled the time of possession (31:40 to 28:20), they failed to score another point after posting 10 in the second quarter.

Their starting quarterback, Josh McCown, was knocked out of the game with a concussion late in the first quarter as he tried to scramble toward the end zone. He fumbled after a hard, low hit by safety Calvin Pryor and then was sent flying on a midair hit by linebacker Demario Davis. McCown did not return and was replaced by Johnny Manziel, who was 13-for-24 for 182 yards with a touchdown -- the first of his career -- an interception and two fumbles. He also was sacked three times.

The Jets had five takeaways -- their most since the 2010 season finale against Buffalo and their most in a season opener since 1984 at Indianapolis.

"Confidence is everything," said Marshall, who had six catches for 62 yards and a 1-yard TD to go along with Eric Decker's 15-yard score. "Not only in sports but in life. And when you take confidence and turn it into momentum, successful things happen."

It's only one game, but the win was a positive sign for a team that's built "to win now," Pace said. "A lot of the guys that they brought in are going to play an integral role in us trying to get back to the playoffs. It's a team win . . . We've just got to keep building."

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Todd Bowles gets first win without any bluster (Bob Glauber) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/todd-bowles-gets-first-win-without-any-bluster-1.10840750

Chris Ivory had just bulled his way into the end zone for the fourth-quarter touchdown, putting the Jets up 31-10 and finally allowing Todd Bowles a moment to celebrate his first win as the Jets' coach. But he didn't.

Bowles, in a dark green windbreaker and black hat and looking as inconspicuous as any of his assistant coaches wearing headsets, did raise his right index finger. But it wasn't to signify that the Jets are No. 1. It was to signal that he wanted the Jets to go for the PAT kick.

There wasn't even a hint of a smile despite the impressive body of work yesterday by the players he has presided over since replacing Rex Ryan in January. Just business as usual for a straight-talking coach who wants his team -- and not himself -- to be the story on Sunday afternoons.

It was a performance in Bowles' image: tough, aggressive, resourceful and relatively mistake-free.

The revamped defense, which now includes Darrelle Revis, Leonard Williams, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist and some other additions, produced four turnovers against a Browns team forced to use backup

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quarterback Johnny Manziel after starter Josh McCown went out with a suspected concussion after a jarring hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis in the first quarter. That turnover total, plus Brandon Marshall's steal on offense, was more than one-third of the 13 takeaways the Jets came up with last year in 16 games.

The offense was as impressive as one could expect with a quarterback who was scheduled to begin the season as Geno Smith's backup. Ryan Fitzpatrick went 15-for-24 for 179 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, good for a 95.7 rating. Jets running backs compiled 154 yards and two touchdowns. And the Jets committed only four penalties for 30 yards, compared with Cleveland's 12 penalties for 109 yards.

"No-nonsense, straight-to- the-point, get-after-it football? Yes, it had to be," guard Willie Colon said. "We're not about the schematics of games anymore. We have a lot to prove. We have a lot to get done. We're not looking to the future. Winning is right now."

Winning now for a first-year coach taking over a 4-12 team with every built-in excuse for a patient, this-won't-happen-overnight process is as impressive a message as any for a coach who has spent a lifetime preparing for this moment.

From his time as a kid playing in the local parks in nearby Elizabeth, New Jersey, to starring at Temple for Bruce Arians (now the Cardinals' head coach), to a solid NFL career as a safety in Washington, to a years-long apprenticeship as an assistant, Bowles is uniquely prepared to handle life at the top of his profession.

He is as self-effacing and unassuming a coach as you will come across, but he has a commanding presence. He is a man who knows what he wants and won't accept anything less. "He's a calming presence, but he's also got a lot of fire," Fitzpatrick said. "You look at him on the sideline and you try to feel at ease."

"He's very comfortable in who he is and his role and we certainly feed off of that."

Bowles admitted to having some nerves before his first game as the Jets' boss, but it didn't last long.

"I just tried to keep my [emotions] under wraps and understand it's about the team," he said. "Enjoy it and coach the game and not make it about me.

It's as good a start as he could ask, but Bowles understands it is nothing more than that.

"It was a good win, but by no means are we where we want to be. The trick is to try to win while you're trying to get there."

Bowles received a game ball from left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who saluted his new coach in front of the entire team. What did Ferguson say?

"We won, and we appreciate it," he said. "Hopefully, there are a lot more."

Can't imagine there won't be. Bowles knows what he's doing, and his players know it, too.The opening act was surely a promising sign of things to come.

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Jets Q&A: Opener special for Todd Bowles' family, friends (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-q-a-opener-special-for-todd-bowles-family-friends-1.10840811

What was Sunday's game like for Todd Bowles' family and friends?

Doreen Bowles needed this.

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The New Jersey native -- and older sister of the Jets' coach -- had been waiting for months to talk a little trash. And Sunday's 31-10 win over the Browns gave her that opportunity.

"That's all it takes for me,'' she said, smiling, during an interview with Newsday inside the Coaches Club at MetLife Stadium. "I'm a Jets fan. I'm gonna talk junk!''

About 20 family members and friends still were gathered around tables inside the Coaches Club after the Jets' season opener, Bowles' first victory as a head coach.

But Todd Bowles' wife insisted that her husband showed no pregame jitters. That's just not his style.

"Cool as a cucumber, honey,'' said Taneka Bowles, who was accompanied by their three sons as well as her mother and father. "Always even-keeled. That's just him.''

His older sister, a Jets fan for 25 years, agreed. "He's always level,'' she said. "Always been that way from birth.''

The "roller-coaster ride'' that she and the family have been on since his hire has been not only exciting but "humbling,'' she said.

"We grew up in Elizabeth, we were raised by our mom, and my mom has since passed away,'' said Doreen Bowles, who lives in Woodbridge, New Jersey. "And to see my brother, the baby boy, accomplish what he has accomplished is humbling because it lets you know you're blessed.''

Anthony Rose, one of Todd Bowles' best friends, said their hometown is buzzing now that Todd Bowles is back in town.

"My phone is almost dead,'' Rose said of all the text messages he's received. "People are just happy and excited in Elizabeth.''

For the Bowles clan, a win Sunday was a must. But truth be told, they already felt like the victors.

"I was happy because I knew he had won either way,'' Taneka Bowles said. "We won just by being here, honey. We won by just getting the opportunity for him to have this team right here. So I was all right.

"But did I still want the win? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah,'' she said, laughing. "But we won in February when we got here.''

Why was Zac Stacy inactive?

For the first game of the season, Bowles decided to make only two running backs active -- Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. That left Zac Stacy, whom the Jets traded for in May, on the outs. But Bowles thought activating Stacy would be "overkill'' with fullback Tommy Bohanan available as "an emergency'' back.

Other inactives included CB Dexter McDougle, QB Geno Smith, WR Devin Smith, G Jarvis Harrison, OT Ben Ijalana and NT Deon Simon.

Any special guests in attendance?

Sure. There was NBA star Dwyane Wade, Browns great Jim Brown and actors Ray Romano and Bobby Cannavale, but the real star of the afternoon was Fireman Ed. The unofficial leader of the "J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!'' chant returned to MetLife Stadium for the first time since declaring during the 2012 season that he was done.

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Brandon Marshall makes steal of the week (Barbara Barker) Newsday

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September 14, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/brandon-marshall-makes-plays-on-offense-and-defense-in-jets-debut-1.10840648

Brandon Marshall's jaw-dropping style doesn't change much when he steps on the football field.

In the season-opening 31-10 win over Cleveland on Sunday, the flamboyant and outspoken Jets receiver made a strong bid to be the team's most important newcomer with an outsized receiving performance.

Marshall had three huge plays: a touchdown reception over Joe Haden, a third-down reception that kept a touchdown drive alive, and a forced fumble and recovery that set up the Jets' first touchdown.

The forced fumble was exactly the sort of savvy veteran play that shows why Marshall has been to five Pro Bowls and is considered one of the most dangerous receivers in the league.

With the Browns up 7-0 in the second quarter, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hurled a ball downfield toward Marshall. It was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson.

"The guy made an awesome play, had his back to it and turned around at the last second," Marshall said. "When he caught it, the first thing I thought about was getting the ball back."

Marshall ripped the ball right out of the hands of Gipson, who seemed to be stunned by his sudden change of fortune. Both Jets coach Todd Bowles and Cleveland coach Mike Pettine called the fumble and recovery a game-changer.

"That was huge," Bowles said. "Brandon plays everything. He plays offense. He plays defense. He plays aggressive. To me, that was the play of the game."

Marshall's statistics for the game weren't overwhelming -- six catches for 62 yards -- but he proved he had the gift of coming up big when the team needed him most.

Marshall's presence and the fact that he kept Haden, the Browns' best defender, busy for most of the game opened up a lot of other options in the offense.

Eric Decker, the team's other starting receiver, caught two passes for 37 yards and one touchdown. Chris Owusu, who had been cut and then re-signed last week, had four catches for 55 yards.

"Brandon Marshall is a dynamic player and he's a guy that teams have to know where he's at," Decker said. "For him to make the plays he did today, it put us in good situations. Safeties are going to have to key on where he's at. It's going to open up one-on-ones for us. I think even open the running lanes more. It's always nice to have a guy of this caliber on the other side."

Fitzpatrick couldn't be happier to have a tall, athletic target.

On the Jets' third touchdown drive midway through the fourth quarter, the team had taken Marshall out because they were at the Browns' 1. Marshall, on the sideline, told Fitzpatrick he wanted to come back in and that he should throw him the ball.

"I said, OK, let's put Brandon in," Fitzpatrick said. "If we get him the right look, we'll get him the ball. It was just one-on-one out there. He had a huge size advantage and he went up and got it."

Marshall outjumped Haden and scored his first touchdown as a Jet. You can bet it won't be his last.

Fitzpatrick said it's hard not to have chemistry with a player like Marshall, adding: "He's just played a lot of football. I think we understand each other. He understands a lot about this game and my job and that's very helpful for me to have that."

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THE RECORD

Jets: Instant replay (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets/jets-instant-replay-1.1409521

Star of the game

The Jets defense recorded three sacks and forced four turnovers — three fumbles and an interception. That did not include the fumble Brandon Marshall "recovered" when he ripped the football out of Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson’s arms following a Ryan Fitzpatrick interception. The Jets converted three of the five turnovers into touchdowns in a 31-10 season-opening victory. Co-stars included RB Chris Ivory (91 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries) and Fitzpatrick (15-of-24 for 179 yards and two touchdowns) in his Jets debut.

Eye-catching

Calvin Pryor prevented a Browns touchdown at the goal line late in the first quarter, drilling QB Josh McCown on a scramble and forcing a fumble. Demario Davis hit McCown immediately after, sending him spinning helicopter-style into the end zone. The hits knocked McCown from the game with a concussion, and Johnny Manziel replaced him. The fumble went out of bounds for a touchback. … The Jets almost scored on the play following Marshall’s fumble recovery, when Fitzpatrick hit Ivory with an apparent 9-yard TD pass. It was negated by a Marshall holding penalty, but Ivory bowled his way into the end zone on the next play, a 10-yard touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7, with 9:41 remaining in the half. … The score was set up by Chris Owusu’s 43-yard reception. … Fitzpatrick threw a perfect fade to Marshall for a 1-yard touchdown in the third to help give the Jets a 21-10 lead. … Mo Wilkerson strip-sacked Manziel, and the fumble was recovered by Darrelle Revis, who returned it 17 yards. It set up Ivory’s 3-yard, fourth-quarter score. … Trevor Reilly strip-sacked Manziel in the fourth, and the fumble was recovered by Quinton Coples.

Costly mistakes

Travis Benjamin torched Antonio Cromartie on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Manziel. Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett also was late in reacting. … Fitzpatrick wasn’t ready for a shotgun snap from Nick Mangold on third-and-7 from the Jets’ 26 in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick recovered it at the Jets’ 3.

Coaching decisions

The Jets went for it on fourth-and-1 from Cleveland’s 45 in the second quarter. But FB Tommy Bohanon was stopped for no-gain. It set up Cleveland’s touchdown. … Jets coach Todd Bowles gambled wrong on his first replay challenge, when an 11-yard Brian Hartline reception was confirmed in the second.

Looking ahead

The Jets (1-0) travel to Indianapolis next Monday night to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts, who lost to Buffalo, 27-14, in Rex Ryan’s Bills debut.

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Cromartie has painful return to Jets (Jeff Roberts) The Record September 14, 2015

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http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/cromartie-s-painful-return-1.1409488

EAST RUTHERFORD — The anguished cornerback buried his face in a white towel and appeared to weep.

He then leaned back, his still-covered head hung low. And Antonio Cromartie took the ride every NFL player fears — the slow, agonizing commute on the back of a cart into the locker room and into the unknown.

This is how Cromartie’s return to the Jets ended on Sunday. And this is how his season well might have ended.

The 10th-year veteran crumpled to the MetLife Stadium turf with a non-contact, left knee injury in the second quarter of the Jets’ 31-10 season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns as he backpedaled in coverage. The team’s carefully re-designed secondary could have been dealt a major blow before it had played two quarters.

Cromartie, 31, will undergo an MRI today. Early indications are that the four-time Pro Bowler could have suffered a significant injury, one that could cost him his season.

"The guy’s a playmaker," safety Calvin Pryor said. "To see him go down like that the way he did, that’s a tough blow for this defense.

"Any time anything like that happens, I always think, ‘That could be me.’"

Cromartie collapsed after awkwardly planting his leg with 8:51 remaining in first half as he attempted to make a cut.

He pounded the turf with his fist in pain or frustration, surrounded by team trainers. He could not put any weight on his left leg when two of those trainers helped him hobble off the field.

"It’s a big blow because he’s a good player," coach Todd Bowles said.

A few teammates surrounded Cromartie on the sideline in a somber gathering. It was the first of two the Jets would hold Sunday, as rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was carted off the field in the fourth quarter after suffering a concussion. The reserve apparently was knocked unconscious, but was awake in the hospital Sunday night.

Cromartie signed a four-year, $32 million contract this off-season, part of a rebuilt secondary that included the return of Darrelle Revis and the addition of slot corner Buster Skrine, a former Brown.

Marcus Williams replaced Cromartie — whose first tenure with the Jets lasted from 2010 to 2013 — and recorded an interception and three passes defensed. His interception of Browns backup Johnny Manziel set up the Jets’ third touchdown, giving them a 21-10 lead in the third.

Williams, who made eight starts last season as a rookie, was targeted often as Manziel avoided Revis.

"It’s definitely going to be big for me, ’cause now I’m pretty much going to be hot most of the time ’cause they’re probably going to stay away from [Revis]," Williams said. "I just got to be ready at all times."

Cromartie was torched on the Browns’ only touchdown, a 54-yard bomb in the second quarter from Manziel to Travis Benjamin. He appeared to have bit on a double move. And safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was late in providing help.

But now the cornerback position opposite Revis could belong to Williams.

He’ll be back…" Skrine said of Cromartie. Then he paused. "I don’t know when though."

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Jet notes: Chris Ivory looks sharp (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jet-notes-chris-ivory-looks-sharp-1.1409500

Ivory looks sharp

Chris Ivory often has put the finishing touches on Jets victories by pounding opposing defenses in clock-killing, fourth-quarter drives. He didn't need to do that Sunday against Cleveland, mostly because he already had put the Browns to bed earlier in the game.

Ivory had 91 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries. His first touchdown run, a 10-yarder in the second quarter, tied the score at 7. His second one, a 3-yarder in the fourth period, finalized the scoring.

Ivory had a 9-yard scoring reception called back because of a holding penalty on the play prior to his first score.

He was asked if he believes this game was a sign of things to come for him this year. Ivory thinks so.

"I like the scheme," he said. "I'm just confident. If you're not confident in yourself, who will be? … I think the opportunity is there. It's just about me making the plays and being healthy."

Johnny Football plays

Cleveland journeyman quarterback Josh McCown left the game after suffering a concussion in the first quarter, leaving the door open for Johnny Manziel to take over. The much-hyped Manziel, who struggled mightily in limited action as a rookie last season, notched his first NFL touchdown pass. It was a 54-yarder to Travis Benjamin that gave the Browns a 7-0 second-quarter lead.

He completed 13 of 24 passes for 182 yards. He was intercepted by Marcus Williams in the third quarter and the Jets capitalized with a short touchdown drive. Cleveland was held scoreless after halftime.

"I did some good things," Manziel said, "but not enough to really get the job done.''

McCown will enter the NFL's concussion protocol.

Brief

WR Brandon Marshall and CB Darrelle Revis gave posgame shout-outs to superfan Ed Anzalone, aka Fireman Ed, who returned to MetLife Stadium after sitting out the past two-plus seasons because of repeated confrontations with other fans.

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Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin hospitalized with concussion (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-rookie-lorenzo-mauldin-hospitalized-with-concussion-1.1409214

EAST RUTHERFORD – Rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin suffered a concussion in the Jets’ 31-10 win over Cleveland on Sunday, the Jets announced. But he was awake and alert Sunday night and has feeling in all of his extremities.

Mauldin will stay in the hospital overnight for further observation, but a team spokesman said testing on Mauldin already had been completed.

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The Jets had feared the injury could be worse. Coach Todd Bowles said after the game he was “very concerned” about Mauldin.

Mauldin, a third-round pick from Louisville, was injured on a play in which defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson had a strip sack of Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel. Mauldin was caught at the bottom of the pile. He stood up after the play, but then fell face-first to the turf.

He was removed from the field on a cart with his arms and legs strapped to a backboard and taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

“He had very little [movement], from what I saw,” Bowles said.

“I’m very concerned right now,” Bowles said, “not knowing anything. When a guy gets carted off, you worry about him until you can find out what happened.”

Running back Chris Ivory noticed Mauldin having trouble physically when the offense took the field after the fumble, which was recovered by Darrelle Revis.

“When I was running out on the field,” Ivory said, “I could see he was getting up. I just saw him get weak and he fell again and after that it just looked like his eyes rolled into the back of his head. After that, I’m not sure what else happened. He was just there, eyes closed.”

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Jets beat Browns, 31-10, in season opener (J.P. Pelzman) The Record September 13, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/news/jets-beat-browns-31-10-in-season-opener-1.1409194

EAST RUTHERFORD — Eric Decker leaped into the stands after his second-quarter touchdown. Brandon Marshall went looking for Fireman Ed after his third-quarter score. (He found him.)

The Jets got up close and personal with their fans Sunday, and also reacquainted themselves with something they didn’t connect with very often last season — a victory.

The Jets overcame a slow start Sunday and routed Cleveland, 31-10, at MetLife Stadium in the season opener for both teams. Ryan Fitzpatrick had two touchdown passes and Chris Ivory ran for two touchdowns in a game filled with bizarre plays, the most important of which benefited the Jets.

Still, it wasn’t all celebration. Veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie suffered a potentially severe left knee injury in the second quarter without contact, and rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin suffered a concussion when he was caught in the bottom of a pile after a fumble by Johnny Manziel. However, the Jets had feared Mauldin’s injury could be even worse, but he had use of his extremities Sunday night, a team spokesman indicated.

Cleveland’s first drive set the tone for a strange day. The Browns drove 77 yards from their 9-yard line but came up empty. On third-and-goal from the 14, quarterback Josh McCown couldn’t find a receiver and scrambled. He reached the 1-yard line before being hit low by Calvin Pryor, whose hit knocked the ball loose.

Demario Davis then hit him high, and an airborne McCown landed hard in the end zone. Meanwhile, the ball went out of the end zone for a touchback. McCown suffered a concussion and was out for the rest of the day.

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“I knew [McCown] wasn’t going to get down,” Pryor said. “I knew he was going to try to go for the touchdown. I just tried to give him the best [hit] possible and I forced a fumble. I think that turned the momentum of the game around.”

It deprived the Browns of a potential seven points, but they still recovered and took a 7-0 lead. That’s when Marshall, of all people, caused a critical turnover.

Fitzpatrick’s underthrown pass was intercepted by Cleveland free safety Tashaun Gipson, but Marshall stripped the ball away as he tackled Gipson. Marshall returned the fumble 8 yards to the Cleveland 9, setting up a 10-yard touchdown run by Ivory, tying the score at 7.

“That was the first thing I thought about,” Marshall said of going for the strip."That’s the first thing I always think about when there’s a turnover, to try to turn into a defender and get the ball back.”

“I’ve never had a receiver try to attempt the strip,” Gipson said. “It was poor ball security.”

Cleveland went ahead, 10-7, later in the quarter, but Fitzpatrick led a nine-play, 72-yard drive that ended with his 15-yard touchdown pass to Decker, who leaped into the stands to celebrate.

“That was nice,” Decker said of the throw. “He put it right where it needed to be and we connected at the right time.”

Fitzpatrick’s second TD throw was a 1-yard fade to Marshall, who beat cornerback Joe Haden for a 21-10 third-quarter lead.

“It was just one-on-one out there,” said Fitzpatrick, who was 15-for-24 for 179 yards with two TDs and one interception. “He had a big size advantage [five inches] and he went up and got it. That makes my job easy, to have a player like that, as competitive as he is, to go and make that play.”

Fitzpatrick added, “I thought it was a great win. To be able to rely on the run game in the second half, to kind of grind out the clock with our defense playing well and creating turnovers, I thought we did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage. That’s going to be a big thing for us this year that we are going to rely heavily on.”

He’s right. That will be a blueprint the Jets will try to use often this season, but most opposing teams will have more impressive weapons than Cleveland’s no-name receivers and running backs. Still, it was a good start.

“It’s always nice to get that win out of the way — the first one,” Decker said.

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NEW YORK TIMES

A Quick Reminder of Football’s Violence (William C. Rhoden) New York Times September 14, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/sports/football/a-quick-reminder-of-footballs-violence.html?ref=football&_r=0

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In Week 1 of a new N.F.L. season and at Game 1 of Todd Bowles’s tenure as Jets head coach, the dark cloud of violence that has been a fixture over the league descended on MetLife Stadium as if it had been waiting for just that moment.

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It took all of 14 minutes for the first concussion to occur, another 25 for a star Jets player to tear up his knee, and three and a half quarters for a player to be carted off the field, motionless, as teammates, opponents, fans and many thousands of TV viewers looked on.

Bowles and the Jets emerged victorious over the Cleveland Browns, 31-10, while the violent pastime that the N.F.L. peddles and packages brilliantly and without shame was on full display.

Cleveland quarterback Josh McCown sustained a concussion on the Browns’ first series. McCown tried to dive for a touchdown and was hit by linebacker Calvin Pryor. He fumbled away the ball and was forced out of the game.

The Jets’ Antonio Cromartie wrenched his knee in the second quarter and was carted off with a towel over his face, presumably to hide the contortions caused by the pain.

Sunday. Football. Stay here for the tackles, touchdowns and everything in between. We'll watch the games and fill you in on all the details.

In the fourth quarter, the Jets’ defense was feasting on Johnny Manziel, Cleveland’s second-year backup quarterback. Facing a third-and-18, he fumbled after being sacked by Muhammad Wilkerson. The crowd roared, music blared and young Lorenzo Mauldin, a rookie linebacker for the Jets, lay facedown, motionless.

A few moments turned into uneasy minutes. Stretchers were summoned, and Mauldin’s teammates walked over, then knelt.

The stadium, bursting one moment in pandemonium, was now gripped by an eerie, uncomfortable stillness as more medical personnel were summoned to attend to the fallen player.

Finally, Mauldin, strapped down, was lifted and carefully placed on the waiting cart to hearty applause. He may have given a reassuring thumbs up, but I didn’t see one.

This was not the N.F.L. of even five years ago, when injuries were often seen as cartoon violence and the scourge of concussions was just beginning to sink in.

That did not stop fans from attending games, and it doesn’t seem to give them pause now. The difference is that today, fans know what they are watching. How they rationalize watching is up to them, but they know.

Mauldin’s injury put a sobering touch on a triumphant day for Bowles, who became the ninth first-year Jets head coach to begin his tenure with a victory.

“For him to go down like that, first, your heart goes out to him and his family,” Bowles said when asked about Mauldin. “After that, it goes out to his teammates. You just hope he’s not seriously hurt.”

He added, “When a guy gets carted off, you worry about him until you can find out what happened.”

Bowles said that he had seen “quite a few” players carted off. His college roommate at Temple, Anthony Young, was taken off the field as a Colts rookie. He had a broken neck. He never played again.

After the game, the veteran offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, asked about the injuries and the hand-wringing that was sure to come, discussed reality.

“Football is a very violent game,” he said. “Every play, we’re hitting somebody, tackling somebody. We hope that we can do it where guys don’t suffer injuries.”

Ferguson did not see the play on which Mauldin was injured.

Daily Clips Cont.

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“Whenever you see a guy taken out on a stretcher, it’s never a good sign,” he said. “You still have to play the game. You still have to go out there, fearless, and not have that in the forefront of your mind. You have to put it to the side, and then execute and do your job.”

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Guard Willie Colon echoed what many players have said when asked about football injuries and violence. They echo my sentiments as well when it comes to football, mountain climbing and participation in extreme sports: You make your choices and live with them.

“We all make a conscious decision to play this game and play it for all it’s worth, and we accept what comes with it,” Colon said.

Colon cited the league’s efforts to make the game safe. The reality is that football is not a safe game, and that is in large part the source of its appeal.

“You have 350-pound men running full speed, banging against each other,” Colon said. “You have some of the most aggressive athletes moving at high speeds. Things are going to happen. I don’t know if there is any way you can stop it or monitor it. You have to realize that it is what it is and pray for everybody who’s out there.”

That makes sense for players, who rent out their bodies in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars, in many cases millions.

What about the fans who flock to stadiums to witness these spectacles? The best way for them to process the potential of a catastrophic injury is to hope that one does not happen on their watch and to breathe sighs of relief when an injured player is removed from view.

The eerie silence on Sunday as Mauldin lay motionless was sandwiched between the roar of the crowd when Manziel was sacked and the euphoria — perhaps the relief — of the crowd four plays later when running back Chris Ivory sealed the opening-day victory with a touchdown.

On Sunday night, the Jets announced, with some relief, that Mauldin had sustained a concussion. He was awake, had feeling in his extremities and would be kept overnight for observation.

As I sat down to write, I noticed that two youth football teams were finishing up a scrimmage on the field where, only 45 minutes ago, McCown had been concussed, where Cromartie and Mauldin had been carted off the field.

These young players are supposedly part of a dying breed, as parents say no to football.

George Kahwaty, a coach with a youth league in Saddle Brook, N.J., said participation was down, “but not as much as most people would think.”

“I think right now, youth football is one of the safest sports a kid can play,” he said. “Way safer than baseball, and by far safer than soccer.”

Kahwaty said his son played for Paramus Catholic and conceded that if his son sustained a concussion, he might not let him continue playing. For now, he plays.

“We’ve been lucky,” Kahwaty said.

So has the N.F.L., and you wonder, on days like this, when the league will run out of luck.

Based on the roar of the crowd, no time soon.

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Big Win but Bigger Worries for Jets (Ben Shpigel) New York Times September 14, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/sports/football/despite-injuries-jets-light-up-in-second-half-to-top-browns.html?ref=football

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Jets wanted to celebrate but could not, at least not the way they wanted. They wanted to smile but did not, at least not as wide. They wanted to crow about all the touchdowns they scored and all the turnovers they forced, their second-half dominance in a 31-10 season-opening victory against Cleveland, but they did not, at least not much.

In the Jets’ locker room late Sunday afternoon, concern and uncertainty prevailed over excitement and enthusiasm.

They were delighted that they won the game but troubled by the sight of the rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin strapped to a spinal board and carted off the field, toward an ambulance waiting to ferry him to a Manhattan hospital.

When running back Chris Ivory saw him, he said, Mauldin’s eyes had rolled to the back of his head. When safety Calvin Pryor, who played with Mauldin at Louisville, saw him, he said, Mauldin was breathing and had a pulse but was not “really responding.” When Coach Todd Bowles saw him, he said, Mauldin had “very little” movement.

MetLife Stadium fell silent and stayed silent for about five minutes as medical personnel attended to Mauldin. The New Jersey State Police escorted the ambulance carrying Mauldin to the George Washington Bridge, where the Port Authority Police continued the escort to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, according to Joe Pentangelo, public information officer for the state police.

About three hours after the game, the Jets announced that Mauldin had sustained a concussion but no injuries to his neck. He was awake and had feeling in all of his extremities, the team said, but was scheduled to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.

“Until you can find out what happened,” Bowles said before Mauldin’s status was updated, “I’m very worried about him.”

Jets Close-Up

Key Play

The Browns’ first drive began at their 9-yard line, consumed nearly 10 minutes and gained 90 yards. But it ended in despair and injury, with Josh McCown scrambling up the middle and helicoptering into the end zone without the ball, which was dislodged at the goal line by Calvin Pryor and bounced out of the end zone for a touchback. Pryor’s hit prevented Cleveland from scoring what would have been a demoralizing touchdown. McCown left with a concussion.

Number of the Week: 5

In Rex Ryan’s six years with the Jets, his team forced as many as five turnovers once, in its 2010 season finale against Buffalo, according to the Pro Football Reference website. It took Todd Bowles one game, as he presided over a group that intercepted a pass and forced — and recovered — four fumbles.

Next Up

The Jets play next Monday night at Indianapolis, which lost to Ryan’s Bills on Sunday, but the Colts have a quarterback, Andrew Luck, and an offense that should test the Jets far more than Cleveland did.

Daily Clips Cont.

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The same anxiety pertained to cornerback Antonio Cromartie, an integral piece of the Jets’ revamped secondary, who sustained what appeared to be a serious left knee injury in the second quarter without engaging in contact and is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday. The Jets regrouped and thrived without Cromartie, as his replacement, Marcus Williams, grabbed an interception that led to a touchdown.

They were more shaken by what happened to Mauldin, on a play early in the fourth quarter. The Jets were leading, 24-10, in the middle of a 24-point binge, with 13 minutes 5 seconds remaining, when Muhammad Wilkerson sacked Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel — playing only because the starter, Josh McCown, was knocked out with a concussion — and forced a fumble that Darrelle Revis scooped up. As Manziel was jerked down by Wilkerson, Mauldin, joining the play from behind, dived in.

With all three players on the ground, Trevor Reilly lunged into the commotion, though it is unclear when Mauldin got hurt. What is known is that Mauldin tried to get up but fell to the ground and lay there motionless.

“I just saw him get weak,” Ivory said.

“I was really scared,” Brandon Marshall said.

“I didn’t know what it was, but it didn’t look good,” linebacker Calvin Pace said.

When play resumed, Bowles redirected his focus to guiding the Jets to his first victory as coach. But he also thought about his roommate at Temple and one of his close friends, Anthony Young, who, in 1986, sustained a spinal injury before what was to be his second season with the Indianapolis Colts.

“He never played again,” Bowles said.

There is hope now that Mauldin will, and also Cromartie, but the Jets do not know when. The Jets signed Cromartie in March as part of their grand makeover, with Bowles expecting him and Revis to lock down one-on-one coverage outside while the eight-man front unsettles and disrupts the quarterback. With Cromartie out, they can still do that — and will, in all likelihood — but will have to adjust. Bowles praised the backup Williams, calling him one of his favorite players.

For years, the practice fields at the Jets’ complex have absorbed the footfalls of hundreds players, and with them the hopes of an imbalanced team. There were days when quarterbacks fired beautiful passes and receivers grabbed one-handed touchdowns, but these practices, by and large, are ruled by the defense.

It was so under the Jets’ previous coach, Rex Ryan, whose unit felt pressure to perform flawlessly to counter a struggling offense. But in training camp, Pace looked around those fields and took account of the talent he was now forced to contend with.

“That right there showed me that they’re for real,” Pace said.

The unveiling of the new Jets — and improved Jets, supposedly — came Sunday. The demolition featured a remarkably competent performance by Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, a position that has displayed little that was remarkable or competent for some time. It accentuated the skills of Marshall, who thrived in the red zone — catching one touchdown and, in that same area, forcing a fumble on an interception return. It also saluted a defense that accomplished the heretofore alien task of creating turnovers, not just one but five — yes, five — after forcing 13 all of last season.

Whenever the Jets took away the ball in past years, they seemed to punt it back, or turn it over, or figure out some inspired way to sabotage themselves. On the first day of the Bowles era — of the Fitzpatrick era, as well — the Jets converted those turnovers into 21 points.

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“Man, I’m so happy, seriously,” Pace said. He added, “It’s good to have a complement on the other side.”

The flashiest new addition is Marshall, who provided what Revis and Bowles considered the pivotal play of the game without even making a catch. With Cleveland leading, 7-0, Tashaun Gipson intercepted Fitzpatrick deep in Browns territory. Marshall, the intended receiver, recovered to strip the ball and give the Jets possession at their 9. Two plays later, Ivory rumbled into the end zone for his first of two touchdowns.

“He plays offense, he plays defense, he plays aggressive,” Bowles said of Marshall.

Said Gipson, “I’ve never had a receiver try to attempt the strip.”

Marshall surprises his teammates, too. On the Jets’ first series after halftime, Marshall screamed at the coaches, he said, for removing him. He wanted to be on the field, he wanted the ball, and he told Fitzpatrick as much. Matched in one-on-one coverage against Joe Haden, Marshall hauled in a perfect fade.

“That makes my job easy, to have a player like that, as competitive as he is, to go make that play,” said Fitzpatrick, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 179 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. “I think we understand each other.”

That understanding has arrived in stages, after Fitzpatrick was elevated Aug. 11 when a teammate broke the jaw of the presumptive starter, Geno Smith, with a punch.

Both men — Fitzpatrick and Marshall — were part of an off-season renovation, when the Jets remodeled the franchise to such an extent that “Hello, My Name Is ____” tags were needed.

A new general manager, Mike Maccagnan, was followed by a new coach, who was followed by a new scouting staff, which was followed by new players, and all this newness engendered such enthusiasm that even Fireman Ed, who denounced his superfan status after the Thanksgiving night debacle against New England in 2012, returned to mug for cameras and lead the J-E-T-S chant.

That chant rang out loud and long before the game, and the elation still lingered hours later. Only this time, it was tinged with unease, with the sense that there might not be as much to rejoice in, after all.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Brandon Marshall brings the heat with buddy Dwyane Wade in the house (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54118/with-buddy-dwyane-wade-in-the-house-brandon-marshall-brings-the-heat

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brandon Marshall invited a friend from Miami to Sunday’s game, and his buddy showed up rocking a Marshall jersey -- New York Jets No. 15.

Dwyane Wade looked good in green. Marshall looked better.

The Jets opened the 2015 season with a new coach and a new quarterback, but the most dynamic newcomer was Marshall. He scored a touchdown and set up another with a smart, never-quit hustle play -- a forced fumble and recovery on an interception return.

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Marshall did a little of everything in his Jets debut, a resounding 31-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. He also played the role of public-relations man, giving a shoutout to Fireman Ed for returning to his gig after a 2½-year sabbatical.

The Jets haven't had a big, physical receiver like Marshall since Keyshawn Johnson, circa 1999. Clearly, he brings a new dimension to the offense, the kind of weapon that Geno Smith never had during his time as the starting quarterback. The beneficiary was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw two touchdowns and played a solid game in his first start.

For a change, the Jets actually resembled, you know, a real NFL offense. Consider: They hit the 31-point mark only once last season, and that came in the meaningless season finale.

"Brandon plays everything," coach Todd Bowles said after a successful head-coaching debut. "He plays offense, he plays defense, he plays aggressive. That play, to me, was the play of the game."

That play was an underthrown pass by Fitzpatrick, intended for Marshall. Tashaun Gipson made the interception at the Browns' 17, seemingly killing a Jets scoring opportunity. In a nanosecond, Marshall morphed into a defender, stripping the ball and pouncing on it. A few seconds later, Chris Ivory scored the first of two touchdowns to make it 7-7.

"I definitely owe him a soda pop for that one," Fitzpatrick said of Marshall.

It was a terrific play, but Marshall isn't making $9 million this year to create turnovers. His job is to be the Jets' No. 1 receiver, and he filled that role, finishing with six catches for 62 yards. Not bad, considering he didn't touch the ball for the first 27 minutes.

Fitzpatrick forgot about Marshall for nearly two quarters, but the offense came to life when he started feeding Marshall the ball during a successful two-minute drill at the end of the first half. He's a difference-maker when healthy and focused.

Marshall's 1-yard touchdown catch, which made it 21-10 in the third quarter, came over Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden. He used his 6-foot-4 frame to reach over Haden and snatch the pass out of the air.

When's the last time a Jets wide receiver did that?

Marshall wasn't supposed to be on the field for that play, but an officials' timeout gave Fitzpatrick and the coaches a chance to reassess their plan on the sideline. As we all know, Marshall, who moonlights as a headline-making TV analyst, isn't afraid to express his opinions. And he did.

"I was kind of screaming at the coaches a little bit because they took me off the field the play before," Marshall said, smiling. "It was a good feeling when they called me back in there. Once we saw one-on-one, I knew he was coming to me."

Marshall's presence had a trickle-down effect, allowing the Jets to run a balanced offense. Fellow receiver Eric Decker (one touchdown) had a nice day, as did Ivory. It’s amazing what a big-time talent on the perimeter can do for an offense.

Presumably, his buddy, Dwyane Wade, was impressed.

"He just came up to show support," Marshall said of the Miami Heat star.

In response, Marshall showed Wade -- and the world -- the Marshall of old.

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Fireman Ed returns for Jets' opener, to the delight of Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis (Kieran Darcy) ESPN New York

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September 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54089/fireman-ed-back-for-new-york-jets-home-opener

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Fireman Ed has returned to the building, and New York Jets stars Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis are glad for it.

Jets superfan Ed Anzalone, better known as "Fireman Ed," was at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the Jets' 2015 regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns.

It was his first game since "retiring" in November 2012, following the Jets' 49-19 loss to the New England Patriots. That game is best remembered for quarterback Mark Sanchez's butt fumble.

Anzalone didn't give up going to Jets home games because of the team's ineptitude on the field. He said confrontations with other Jets fans led him to call it quits.

But the Jets are beginning a new era under general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, and now they're doing so with Fireman Ed back in the fold, too.

After the Jets' 31-10 win over the Browns, Marshall credited Fireman Ed with inspiring the team to victory.

"There was a lot of energy out there, something that I didn't think we had in preseason," said Marshall, who scored a touchdown. "That was Fireman Ed getting us started -- I know he's been gone for a little bit, and we need him.

"So I hope he's listening to this because there's a lot of talk that he's trying to pass the torch to someone else, but you can't duplicate that. So we need him to get us going. It's not just the offense, defense and special teams. We need that 12th man, and it starts with Fireman Ed. So Fireman Ed, don't pass the torch."

Revis brought him up after the game, too.

"I want to thank the crowd, I want to thank Fireman Ed for coming back, and just being electrifying again," Revis said. "They played a big part in this game."

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Brandon Marshall sparks Jets in season-opening win over Browns (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/54081/brandon-marshall-sparks-jets-in-season-opening-win-over-browns

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Geno Smith never had it this good.

The New York Jets opened the 2015 season Sunday with a new coach and a new quarterback, but the most dynamic newcomer was Brandon Marshall, who scored a touchdown, made an acrobatic catch and set up another touchdown by forcing a fumble on an interception return and recovering it. That last play, in which he stripped the ball out of Tashaun Gipson's hands, was a momentum changer in the Jets' 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium.

The Jets haven't had a big, physical receiver like Marshall since Keyshawn Johnson, circa 1999. Clearly, he brings a new dimension to the offense, the kind of weapon that Smith never had during his time as the starting quarterback. The beneficiary was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw two touchdowns and played a solid game in his first start.

Daily Clips Cont.

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Marshall's stats don't jump off the page -- six catches for 62 yards -- but he didn't touch the ball (save for the fumble recovery) for the first 27 minutes of the game. Maybe the Jets forgot about him. As soon as they remembered, feeding the ball to Marshall during a successful two-minute drive at the end of the first half, the entire offense came to life.

It's also important to note that Marshall was covered by one of the best corners in the league, Joe Haden. In fact, he beat Haden on his 1-yard touchdown catch, a fade route in which he used his 6-foot-4 frame to reach over Haden and snatch the pass out of the air.

When's the last time a Jets' wide receiver did that?

Marshall's presence had a trickle-down effect, allowing the Jets to run a balanced offense. Fellow receiver Eric Decker (one touchdown) had a nice day, as did running back Chris Ivory (two touchdowns). It's amazing what a big-time talent on the perimeter can do for an offense.

Imagine, the Jets scored 31 points. A year ago, they topped the 31-point mark only once -- in the final, meaningless game.

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Jets rookie Lorenzo Mauldin has concussion, but feeling in extremities (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York September 13, 2015

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13647942/lorenzo-mauldin-new-york-jets-carted-locker-room-spinal-board

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who was knocked unconscious Sunday against the Cleveland Browns and taken to a local hospital after a frightening fourth-quarter pile up, was awake with feeling in his extremities at the conclusion of medical tests, according to a team spokesman.

Mauldin was diagnosed with a concussion, but there was no neck injury, the spokesman said. The initial announcement said he left the game with head and neck injuries.

Teammates said Mauldin was unconscious on the field in the fourth quarter. He was strapped to a spinal board and was taken off on a golf cart to a waiting ambulance.

Coach Todd Bowles and players said they saw "very little movement" from Mauldin, who was down for five minutes before he was transported.

Mauldin got caught at the bottom of a pile on a fumble return in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 31-10 win at MetLife Stadium. Several bodies fell on his head, pinning it to the turf. He rose to his feet for a couple of seconds, but crumpled to the ground.

The stadium fell eerily silent as the training staff and emergency personnel tended to Mauldin. No fewer than 10 people stood over him, carefully moving his body to the spinal board.

Several teammates stood nearby, many of them on one knee, praying.

"I was really scared," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "I saw him get up and try to take a couple of steps and he just collapsed right in front of me. It was scary."

Safety Calvin Pryor said Mauldin was unresponsive.

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"It's tough, man," said Pryor, who was also Mauldin's teammate at Louisville in 2013. "I went out there to check on him. He still had his eyes closed at the moment. I wasn't able to say anything or get a response. I'm just praying for the best at this moment."

Running back Chris Ivory said "it looked like his eyes kind of rolled into the back of his head, eyes closed. He didn't look to be doing so good at that time."

Mauldin, a third-round draft pick, is popular among teammates because of his upbeat personality and determination. He spent most of his childhood in Atlanta without his parents, bouncing around to at least a dozen foster homes with his brother.

On the night he was drafted, Mauldin was so overcome with emotion that he cried on a conference call with reporters.

Mauldin missed the last three preseason games with a sprained knee, but he was active for the opener as a situational pass-rusher and special-teams player.

"He was running around, doing some good things, and for him to go down like that, first, your heart goes out to him and his family," Bowles said. "After that, it goes out to his teammates. You just hope he's not seriously hurt."

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NEW YORK POST

How Bowles’ ‘quiet swagger’ can separate him from past failures (Mark Cannizzaro) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/how-bowles-quiet-swagger-can-separate-him-from-past-failures/

Todd Bowles is the calm before the storm. He, too, is the calm during and after the storm.

That even-keel head-coaching trait has a chance to bring a sustainable success to the Jets that has been missing for a long time.

You could have excused Bowles for being jacked up after Sunday’s 31-10 win over the Browns in the season opener at MetLife Stadium on Sunday and showing it. It was, after all, his first win as a full-time head coach and it took place about 20 minutes up the Jersey Turnpike from where he grew up in Elizabeth.

But public displays of emotion are not a part of Bowles’ repertoire. Sunday’s victory was a perfect reflection of Bowles as a head coach.

“No nonsense, get to the point, get after it,’’ is how guard Willie Colon described it.

“I call him ‘Triple C’ — cool, calm and collected,’’ said backup linebacker Trevor Reilly, who had a strip-sack of Browns backup quarterback Johnny Manziel in the fourth quarter.

“You reflect who your leader is,’’ said receiver Eric Decker, who caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the Jets a 14-10 second-quarter lead they would never relinquish. “Todd has a very calm, quiet demeanor, and you can see that confidence [reflected] in the locker room that is a quiet swagger.’’

Sunday’s debut as Jets head coach — after which left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson presented him with the game ball in front of the team to cheers — represented a condensed version of what Bowles has overseen since the start of training camp in that the day was overloaded with adversity.

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The first time the Browns got the ball on offense, they methodically marched down the field on the defense — supposedly Bowles’ strength — 78 yards in 17 plays in 9:59.

What looked like it might be a long day for the Jets’ defense with that Browns’ possession became a turning point when Calvin Pryor separated Cleveland quarterback Josh McCown from the ball and then his senses; he left the game with a concussion.

Creating more turnovers on defense has been one of the things Bowles has emphasized to his players more than anything since he arrived.

In the second quarter, Bowles lost starting cornerback Antonio Cromartie to a left knee injury that could mean the end to his season. Backup Marcus Williams replaced Cromartie and had a huge interception and played better than Cromartie, who was torched by Travis Benjamin for the Browns’ only TD on a third-and-20 play.

Things hit a low point in the fourth quarter when rookie linebacker Lorenzo Maudlin was carried off the field immobilized on a stretcher with a head injury and rushed to the hospital. There was still 12:49 to play in the game and, with Maudlin’s teammates shaken, Bowles helped calm them to finish the job.

This was a lot to deal with for a single game, let alone his first with the team. But Bowles should be used to this by now given the offseason issues he had to power through.

There was Pro Bowl defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson being suspended four games by the league in July for violating its substance abuse policy and then being charged for resisting arrest 12 days later after driving his car at speeds as high as 143 mph.

Then there was Geno Smith, the starting quarterback, being decked in a locker room dispute with then-teammate IK Enemkpali, who broke Smith’s jaw sidelined him for six to 10 weeks. Bowles cut Enemkpali immediately after the incident.

Add to that the loss for the season of starting tight end Jace Amaro, the loss of promising rookie draft-pick receiver Devin Smith to broken ribs, backup safety Antonio Allen lost for the season with a torn Achilles and cornerback Dee Milliner sidelined several weeks after wrist surgery.

Through all of that, Bowles never wavered. So why would he flinch on Sunday?

“So far, he’s been able to stare adversity in the face,’’ Reilly said.

That’s not likely to change.

“He’s never too up and never too down,’’ veteran linebacker Calvin Pace said. “That’s just his personality. I’m not going to say it’s refreshing … but it’s different.’’

When it was all over Sunday and Bowles spoke to reporters, his tone was so low-key you had to lean in to hear his words.

“I drove to the game peacefully,’’ Bowles said. “It was kind of nice and quiet, just trying to keep everything under wraps. And for the most part I did that … just keeping my emotions under wraps and understanding it’s about the team, go ahead and coach the game and not make it about me.

“I just went about my business.’’

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Johnny Manziel’s magic moment turned sour in a hurry (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 13, 2015

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http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/johnny-manziels-magic-moment-turned-sour-in-a-hurry/

Forget Johnny Football. It was Johnny Turnover.

Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel was forced into action when the Jets concussed Browns starter Josh McCown, and coughed the ball up three times in Gang Green’s 31-10 season-opening rout at MetLife Stadium.

The second-year pro finished 13-for-24 for 182 yards, but followed a touchdown to Travis Benjamin on his second pass with an interception and two fumbles.

“That’s tough on any No. 2 quarterback that has to come in and not just play, but play roughly three quarters of work,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said. “That’s a tough spot given our practice rules and how little work that No. 2s actually get. I thought he did some good things; the throw to Travis [Benjamin] was outstanding.

“But he’s got to be more protective of the ball. We can’t turn the ball over and expect to win, so that’s something he’s got to get better control over. Overall, for him coming in cold, he did some good things, and there are some things obviously he’ll regret.’’

Manziel — who came on 45 seconds into the second quarter to boos from the MetLife crowd of 78,160 — hit Benjamin on a 54-yard score, his first touchdown pass as a professional. Then he started coughing the ball up.

With the Browns trailing just 14-10 and getting the kickoff for the second half, Manziel promptly threw an interception to Marcus Williams and saw the Jets go ahead 21-10 six plays later. The Browns were never in it after that.

“First and foremost, you can’t turn the ball over,” said Manziel, who fumbled on back-to-back snaps in the fourth quarter to help fuel Gang Green’s blowout. “That one throw on the pick, that’s got to be outside. That’s got to be our ball or nobody’s. That kind of slowed our momentum a little bit.

“Obviously the second half leaves a bitter taste in our mouth. But we’ll see what happens throughout this next week. We’ll see what Josh’s status is. For me, going into this week right now, as far as I know [I have to] be ready to go, get in with those guys and get a chance to mesh with them. I haven’t been with the ones a lot since training camp. I’m a little disappointed in the second half.’’

Asked if the Jets’ defense rattled Manziel, Williams said. “He had a few fumbles from scrambles, so that’s a lot of rattling right there. He’s a great player, he’s going to make plays regardless. We just have to go out and do our job.’’

Part of that was attacking Manziel’s Achilles heel … or more accurately, sore elbow. The injury had sidelined him from Aug. 23 through Sept. 7, and saw him limited in practice on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of this past week.

“I know Johnny has kind of a bad shoulder so we knew they were going to try to start running the ball and things like that,’’ said safety Calvin Pryor. “The game played in our favor.’’

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Darrelle Revis’ huge return: Cheers, fumble grab, Fireman Ed love (Brian Costello) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/darrelle-revis-huge-return-cheers-fumble-grab-fireman-ed-love/

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Darrelle Revis made his regular-season return to the Jets, getting a huge ovation from the MetLife Stadium crowd to start the day and recovering a fumble to finish it off.

The Jets signed Revis to a five-year, $70 million deal in March, hoping he could revive the secondary and bring life back to the Jets’ defense. So far, so good.

Revis gave up a few catches, but nothing long. He was welcomed back by the Jets fans, many wearing his No. 24.

“I’m glad the crowd was into it,” Revis said. “I want to thank the crowd. I want to thank Fireman Ed for coming back, and being electrifying in the game. They played a big part in the game, on third downs.”

The Jets’ defense started the game off slow, something Revis said they must correct before they play the Colts next week.

“We wanted to play physical and aggressive,” Revis said. “I felt we started off a little bit slow today, especially in the first quarter, the first drive. They moved the ball pretty well. [Josh] McCown did and he had us on our heels. We finally kind of settled down and started making plays. One thing for us, I say coming out of this game is at the start of the game we need to start a little faster.”

The Browns were rolling on offense on their first drive until Jets safety Calvin Pryor stepped in. Pryor drilled McCown at the goal line, forcing a fumble Antonio Cromartie recovered in the end zone. McCown exited the game with a concussion.

“They’ve got to learn how to get down,” Pryor said. “If you’re going to have a shot on the quarterback … every quarterback in this league doesn’t need to take those hits. But if they want to stay up and run the ball like the running backs, we’re going to take a shot at them.”

The play kept the Browns off the scoreboard.

“The play of the game was Calvin Pryor’s strip,’’ linebacker Trevor Reilly said. “If he doesn’t make that play, maybe we don’t win. That changed the entire complexion of the game.’’

WR Jeremy Kerley was not expected to have a big role, but he barely played offense at all. Kerley was not targeted once in the game. Jets coach Todd Bowles said WR Chris Owusu was a bigger part of the game plan than Kerley this week and that could change in other games.

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‘Monster’ Chris Ivory gives hope for huge Jets season (Zach Braziller) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/monster-chris-ivory-gives-hope-for-huge-jets-season/

Chris Ivory is as likely to demand more carries as he is to seek out notoriety.

The Jets’ running back is unassuming and quiet by nature, without ego, and all about the team. So it was telling when he admitted he sees the chance for a breakout season this fall as the team’s premier back in his third year with the Jets.

“I definitely think there is more opportunity,” Ivory said after his two rushing touchdowns keyed the Jets’ season-opening 31-10 win over the Browns on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. “What they want to do right now is run first, and come to the pass and then get play-action.”

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Ivory, a 27-year-old Texan, received 20 carries on Sunday — tied for his third most as a Jet — and produced 91 yards and touchdowns of 10 and 3 yards, running through and around Browns all afternoon. If not for the lopsided nature of the score, Ivory certainly would have gone over 100 yards.

“Chris is a monster,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “He makes our offense go.”

His productive running opened up the passing game for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who tossed scoring strikes to Marshall and Eric Decker. It forced the Browns to adjust, taking extra defenders out of the box, which led to Ivory pounding them again.

“It leaves the defense with not knowing what to do, got to worry about both the run and pass,” Ivory said.

The Jets’ offensive line loves blocking for Ivory, a running back who doles out punishment instead of taking it. His effort is never in question. He was incredulous when asked why he runs so hard.

“Why not?” he said. “It’s just part of me — it’s part of my game.”

Ivory came to the Jets three years ago from the Saints for a fourth-round pick, and while he has performed well, averaging 4.6 yards per carry two years ago and 4.1 last season, rushing for a combined nine touchdowns and 1,654 yards, he never has been the featured back. He had a career-high 198 carries last year, good for an average of 12.3 per game. After one game, he’s on pace for 320.

He split carries with Bilal Powell in his first season and did the same with Chris Johnson a year ago. He made it clear he doesn’t mind sharing the wealth, and cautioned this game doesn’t mean he will get the ball so frequently from now on. However, by the way new Jets coach Todd Bowles has talked about Ivory, he better get used to a heavy workload. The roles seemed to be set, Ivory the workhorse and Powell the change-of-pace back used primarily on third down.

“I’m just confident now. You’re not confident in yourself, who else will be?” Ivory said. “That’s the only way to prosper or progress in this game. I think the opportunity is there. It’s just about me making the plays and just being healthy.”

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The Ryan Fitzpatrick-Brandon Marshall lovefest is on and deadly (Steve Serby) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/the-ryan-fitzpatrick-brandon-marshall-lovefest-is-on-and-deadly/

If you are going to start a new era, if you are a head coach for the first time, the head coach of the New York Jets no less, you better expect the unexpected. Something unfathomable: your defense knocking a reckless Josh McCown out of the game in the first quarter with a concussion and Johnny Football coming in off the bench and throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass as if he were back at Texas A&M, something like that.

If you are Todd Bowles, you get yourself a game ball handed to you in the locker room by D’Brickashaw Ferguson on a day when you acted like you had been there before because you showed up at MetLife Stadium with a raging Chris Ivory and an offensive line that played Bully Ball. You showed up with an opportunistic defense … but mostly because you showed up with a wise old head at quarterback named Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing the football to a wise old head at receiver named Brandon Marshall, one wily journeyman to another, carrying the rookie coach to Jets 31, Browns 10.

Ice Bowles.

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“He’s a calming presence,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s also got a lot of fire, but you look at him on the sideline and just kind of feel at ease. He’s very comfortable in who he is and in his role, and we certainly all feed off of that.”

The feeling was mutual. It was Marshall’s stunning strip of safety Tashaun Gipson’s second-quarter interception that in the blink of an eye changed momentum and positioned Fitzpatrick at the Cleveland 9, and quickly it was 7-7.

“That play to me was the play of the game,” Bowles said.

Marshall Law.

“When he caught it, first thing I thought about was getting the ball back,” Marshall said.

First thing Geno Smith must have thought about was how much of a difference Marshall (six reception, 62 yards, one touchdown) might have made for him.

“I think that play kind of shows his competitiveness,” Fitzpatrick said. “Definitely owe him a soda pop for that one.”

Fitzpatrick (15-for-24, 179 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) put the fizz in the halftime locker room with an efficient two-minute drive — three passes to Marshall — that culminated in a rifled 15-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker. Jets 14, Browns 10. It was Fitzpatrick’s favorite throw of the day.

“The two-minute drill, having to call that one at the line … me knowing pre-snap what Deck was going to do with the look that we got,” Fitzpatrick said. “ I just felt like there were a lot of things that came together on that one.”

Harvard quarterbacks can figure these things out on the fly.

“He does everything right,” Marshall said. “It’ll take us 10 minutes to sit down and talk about everything that he does right. I just think it starts with the way he takes control of not only the huddle, but the entire building. So he’s a great guy for all of us to follow. We’re fortunate to have him.”

An amazing trust has been built in a short amount of time between Fitzpatrick and Marshall.

“He’s just played a lot of football,” Fitzpatrick said. “And I think we understand each other, he understands a lot about this game, and he understands a lot about the quarterback’s job, and that’s very helpful for me for a wide receiver to have that.”

That trust was on full display after a Marcus Williams pick set Fitzpatrick up at the Cleveland 28 early in the third quarter. On third-and-2, he got rid of the ball under duress to Marshall, whose toe-tap by the sideline got 17 yards.

Now Fitzpatrick had it third-and-goal at the Cleveland 1.

Now Marshall had a 1-yard touchdown catch in the right corner of the end zone.

Marshall: “I was kind of screaming at the coaches a little bit ’cause they took me off the field the play before, and it was a good feeling when they called me back in there. So once we saw one-on-one, I knew he was coming. It was all Fitz. [Joe] Haden jumped inside, Fitz put it only where I can catch it. That was routine.”

Fitzpatrick: “The ref had kin of messed up in terms of the TV timeout, so we had to get back in the huddle. Brandon was on the sideline, told ’em he wanted the ball, I said, ‘OK, let’s put Brandon in, if we get the right look, we’ll give him the ball.’ He had a big size advantage, and he went up and got it. So that makes my job easy, to have a player like that as competitive as he is to go and make that play.”

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Bowles: “He throws them open. Even when they’re covered, they’re not covered.”

Bowles’ so-called Porsche is in good hands.

“So far, it’s running well,” Willie Colon said, and laughed.

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Brandon Marshall’s TD had nothing on his play of the game (Zach Braziller) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/brandon-marshalls-td-had-nothing-on-his-play-of-the-game/

Hero

Brandon Marshall

The Jets big offseason acquisition made his presence felt immediately. In addition to catching six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, Marshall made arguably the play of the game, ripping the ball away from Tashaun Gipson after the Browns safety had picked off quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick deep in Cleveland territory early in the second quarter and the Jets trailing by a touchdown.

Zero

Johnny Manziel

Starter Josh McCown’s concussion forced the lightning rod known as Johnny Football into action early. Manziel started well, throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin, but he struggled the rest of the way. Manziel was picked off by Marcus Williams, lost two fumbles, was sacked three times and completed 13-of-24 passes for 182 yards.

Unsung Hero

Chris Ivory

The Jets’ battering ram, Ivory ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, forcing the Browns to load the box, which opened up the passing attack for Fitzpatrick, Marshall and Eric Decker.

Key Stat: 5

Turnovers the Jets forced after creating just 13 all of last year and five over the season’s first five weeks a year ago. The Jets turned those takeaways into 21 points on Sunday.

Quote of the Day

“That’s the dark side of the league, man. We love the sport. We play so hard. When things like that happens, it puts things in perspective that you can’t take any snaps for granted. We’re praying for [Lorenzo] Mauldin.”

— Jets guard Willie Colon on the rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who was carted off on a spinal board in the fourth quarter and taken to a nearby hospital, though the Jets later received word he suffered only a concussion.

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Jets report card: What a day for Todd Bowles — and his staff (Brian Costello) New York Post September 13, 2015

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http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/jets-report-card-what-a-day-for-todd-bowles-and-his-staff/

Offense

After a slow start, Chan Gailey’s crew really clicked. The offense rolled up 333 yards and had just one turnover. The unit was able to convert turnovers into 21 points, something that has been a problem in the past. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (15-of-24, 179 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 95.7 rating) did enough to lead the Jets to the win. WR Brandon Marshall (6 receptions, 62 yards, one touchdown, one forced fumble) made a huge impact in his first game as a Jet. RB Chris Ivory (20 rushes, 91 yards, two touchdowns) looks primed for a big year.

Grade: A –

Defense

Cleveland put together an impressive opening drive that ended when Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis drilled quarterback Josh McCown at the goal line, forcing a fumble and sending McCown to the locker room. The defense had four of the Jets’ five takeaways, a welcome sign after 2014 when turnovers were rare. The unit limited Johnny Manziel outside of the 54-yard touchdown pass and a few scrambles.

Grade: B+

Special teams

It was a quiet day for this unit. Jeremy Kerley returned two punts for 13 yards and Kellen Davis had a kick return for 13 yards. Nick Folk made a 33-yard field goal and punter Ryan Quigley averaged 43.7 yards on three punts. Nothing good, nothing bad from this unit. Just a quiet day.

Grade: C

Coaching

Todd Bowles got his first win as Jets coach in decisive fashion. Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers get credit for making the adjustments to slow the Browns’ offense down after a fast start. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey called a strong game.

Grade: A

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Jets hold breath after LB carted off with scary head injury (Zach Braziller) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/jets-hold-breath-after-lb-carted-off-with-scary-neck-injury/

Lorenzo Mauldin had described his NFL debut as a “fantasy come true.”

For a few hours Sunday it seemed like his worst nightmare.

The well-liked and gregarious Jets rookie linebacker was carried off on a stretcher in the fourth quarter of the team’s season-opening 31-10 win over the Browns with what was initially termed as head and neck injuries. Mauldin was carted off on a spinal board, his legs and arms strapped down.

“He had very little [movement] from what I saw,” said coach Todd Bowles.

But good news would follow.

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On Sunday night the team announced Mauldin suffered a concussion and no neck injury, and that he has feeling in all of his extremities. He was hospitalized overnight for further evaluation, the team said.

After the game, Bowles had said he was “very concerned” about the team’s third-round pick out of Louisville, while running back Chris Ivory said he noticed Mauldin’s eyes rolling back into his head and then shutting as he lay on the turf.

“When a guy gets carted off and they tape him down, you worry about him,” Bowles said.

With 13:05 left in the game, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson sacked Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel and the ball came loose. Mauldin dove for the ball, which was later picked up by cornerback Darrelle Revis. There appeared to be a pileup with Mauldin in the middle of it. He got up and attempted to return to the sideline, but collapsed to the turf, face-first, like he was shoved from behind.

“It just looked like his eyes kind of rolled into the back of his head,” Ivory said. “Eyes closed. He didn’t look to be doing so good at that time.”

The Jets trainers raced out onto the field to tend to Mauldin. Concerned teammates looked on. MetLife Stadium turned into a library, completely silent.

“I was really scared,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “I saw him get up and try to take a couple of steps and he just collapsed right in front of me. It was scary.”

“It’s a dangerous football game,” said safety Calvin Pryor, Mauldin’s college teammate at Louisville. “Any time something like that happens, I always think that could’ve been me. I’m just praying for the best at this moment.”

Such an incident has happened with the Jets before. In 1992, defensive lineman Dennis Byrd was paralyzed during a game against the Chiefs after running into teammate Scott Mersereau while rushing the passer. Byrd later regained the ability to walk.

Mauldin is a popular player with the Jets and has an inspirational story. He bounced around 16 different foster homes as a child growing up in Atlanta, his birth parents spending most of his young life in and out of jail. On Friday, he said he always dreamed of playing in the NFL one day while watching it religiously as a kid, and promised to make an immediate impact.

“That’s the dark side of the league, man,” offensive guard Willie Colon said. “We love the sport. We play so hard. When things like that happen, it puts things in perspective that you can’t take any snaps for granted.

“We’re praying for Mauldin.”

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Jets kick off new era with mauling of Browns — but it has costs (Brian Costello) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/jets-kick-off-new-era-with-mauling-of-browns-but-it-has-costs/

The only thing uglier than the Browns’ uniforms Sunday was the beatdown the Jets gave them.

Todd Bowles won in his first game as head coach, the defense pounded Cleveland’s quarterbacks and Gang Green just might have an offense again.

After years of struggling to move the ball, the Jets rolled in their opener against the Browns on Sunday, winning 31-10, thanks in large part to the new-look offense that put up four touchdowns and 333 yards.

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Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made some nice throws and very few mistakes. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall scored a touchdown and made the heads-up play of the game. The Chris Ivory-led running game plowed through the Browns’ defense.

In Bowles’ first game, the Jets forced five turnovers, turning them into 21 points. The Jets defenders were thrilled.

“I’m so happy, man,” veteran linebacker Calvin Pace said. “Seriously, truth be told, man, our offense gave us some serious problems in training camp. That right there showed me they’re for real this year. The running game is strong as usual, but now we’ve got some threats outside. Fitz is playing good football. It’s good to have a complement on the other side and not to be out there having to do it all by yourself and try to play a perfect game.”

The Jets fell behind 10-7, but then put up 24 unanswered points. The only negatives in the game were injuries to cornerback Antonio Cromartie (knee) and rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (head). Mauldin’s injury was particularly frightening. He was strapped to a back board and carted off the field, unable to move, but didn’t suffer a neck injury and was later diagnosed with only a concussion, though he was to stay in a hospital overnight.

The injuries put a damper on the victory, but the Jets were still thrilled to get a big win in the opening game.

“We’ve still got some things to clean up,” said Bowles, who was given a game ball by the team. “It was a good win. By no means are we where we want to be. The trick is to try to win while you’re trying to get there. We got this one out of the way.”

The Browns’ offense moved the ball with ease on its first possession, holding the ball for nearly 10 minutes on a drive that almost went the length of the field. It ended when Browns quarterback Josh McCown went airborne at the goal line, but was drilled by safety Calvin Pryor and fumbled, with Cromartie recovering in the end zone. McCown was hit by Pryor and linebacker Demario Davis on the play and exited the game with a concussion.

Johnny Manziel replaced McCown and threw a 54-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin on his first series for a 7-0 Browns lead.

On the next drive, it looked like it might not be the Jets’ day when Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson, but Marshall made a big play, stripping the ball from Gipson to give the Jets first-and-goal at the 9-yard line.

“That was huge,” Bowles said. “Brandon plays everything. He plays offense. He plays defense. He plays aggressive. That play, to me, was the play of the game.”

Marshall said he instantly turned into a defender.

“The guy made an awesome play,” Marshall said. “He had his back to it and turned around at the last second. When he caught it, the first thing I thought about was getting the ball back.”

Chris Ivory scored a 10-yard touchdown two plays later to tie the game up, 7-7.

The Jets trailed 10-7 when Fitzpatrick led them on a nine-play, 72-yard drive just before halftime, capping it with a pretty 15-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker in the back of the end zone.

Fitzpatrick completed 15-of-24 passing for 179 yards, two touchdowns and the one interception. The Jets did not miss Geno Smith on this day.

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“Any win in this league is a good one,” the veteran quarterback said. “We’re thrilled about it and ready to move on to the next one.”

The Jets stepped on the Browns’ throats in the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points, forcing three Manziel turnovers and controlling the clock with Ivory and Bilal Powell running.

The key to the game was the turnovers. After managing just 13 takeaways in 2014, the Jets had five and the offense turned them into points.

“I thought the defense played lights out,” guard Willie Colon said. “We tried to play complementary football. Every time they got a turnover, we tried to answer. I think we were able to do that to start.”

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Jets’ Cromartie carted off after dreaded non-contact injury (Brian Lewis) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/jets-cromartie-goes-down-in-dreaded-non-contact-injury/

The Jets’ defense led the way in a season-opening win, but suffered a big loss of its own when cornerback Antonio Cromartie was forced out of the game with what appears to be a serious left knee injury.

When asked if he were afraid Cromartie had torn his ACL, Jets coach Todd Bowles replied, “I don’t want to speculate. I hope not.”

But there is a very real chance that the 31-year-old Pro Bowler will be lost for the season.

Cromartie went down in the second quarter with no contact, and didn’t return to the 31-10 rout of the Browns. He has an MRI scheduled for Monday, and even though Gang Green has no preliminary diagnosis, the injury is worrisome.

“Cro has a knee injury. They haven’t given us a report yet,’’ Bowles said. “It’s a big blow because he’s a good player. We brought him in here to be a good player.’’

Now they’re facing the prospect of being without that good player for a while. Cromartie had a busy game before his day was cut short. He recovered a Josh McCown fumble, bit on a double-move by Travis Benjamin for a 54-yard touchdown, and suffered the knee injury with 8:51 left in the second quarter.

On second-and-12 from the Cleveland 18, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel scrambled right and Cromartie crumpled in a heap on the opposite side of the field, banging his fist on the turf in pain.

Cromartie eventually left the field without putting any pressure on the knee, and was carted into the locker room with a towel draped over his face.

“Cro, we’re in a situation where we don’t know much right now,” Darrelle Revis said. “We’ll figure that out [Monday] or in the next couple days. Sad to see him go down. He’s a good friend of mine.’’

After losing Cromartie — who got a four-year, $32 million deal to follow Bowles from Arizona — the Jets may have to deal with a depleted secondary. Marcus Williams replaced him Sunday and played well.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Williams said. “I just talked to him, told him I’m praying for him and hopefully he’s doing well. It’s tough seeing a leader go down and a friend. That’s big. He was a leader, a vocal leader as well. But like Coach says, it’s next man up, so you have to always prepare as if you’re going to play.’’

That’s what Williams did last year, when he worked all the way from the practice squad to the starting lineup by November. Sunday he lit up Andrew Hawkins on an attempted catch, and jumped a comeback

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route by Brian Hartline to pick off Manziel on Cleveland’s opening drive of the second half. Six plays later, the Jets made it 21-10 and never looked back.

“Once he took the outside release I knew he was either going to stop at the sticks or fade,” Williams said. “Seeing that he stopped, I just turned around and tried to make a play.’’

“To be a young player, the game’s not too big for him,” Bowles said of Williams.”He’s just about the business; he understands what he has to do. He’s not scared of anyone out there, he’s not scared to be on an island. I feel like he’s a six- or seven-year player.”

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Fireman Ed’s hiatus is over: Super fan returns to rally Jets (Zach Braziller) New York Post September 13, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/09/13/fireman-eds-hiatus-is-over-super-fan-returns-to-rally-jets/

The prodigal son returned to MetLife Stadium. And so did Darrelle Revis.

Ed Anzalone, the one-time Jets super fan known as “Fireman Ed,” was back leading the “J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets,” chants after a three-year hiatus. Anzalone stop attending games in 2012 — after Mark Sanchez’s infamous Buttfumble game — amid claims he was being harassed and threatened by other fans. But now he’s back.

“The Jets reached out to me and asked me to help out with this,” the 55-year-old Queens native told Metro. “Of course I want to, I want to help this team. I love this team and I love this chant, it’s the best chant in all of professional sports. I’ve been to every game since that Patriots game when I walked away. I will never give up on this team.”

In Anzalone’s absence, the Jets attempted to keep the chant alive by using their “Aviators” drum corps and putting a different fan each game on the big screen to lead the chant.

Jason Koeppel started the BringBackEd.com movement, which pushed for Anzalone’s return. The online petition garnered over 3,600 signatures, according to Metro, and the Jets reached out to Anzalone this offseason after word spread he was interested in leading the chant again.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Calvin Pace says he's happy Jets' defense no longer has to carry their offense (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/calvin_pace_says_hes_happy_jets_defense_no_longer.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — Calvin Pace was smiling. The Jets' veteran strong-side linebacker was considering, during his postgame media interviews Sunday, what his team's offense had just done in a 31-10 victory over the Browns.

The very thought of it all pleased Pace, who has seen far too many middling-to-terrible offensive performances from the Jets in recent seasons.

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"Man, I'm so happy, man," said Pace, in his 13th season. "I'm so happy. Seriously. Truth be told, man, our offense gave us [the starting defense] some serious problems in training camp. That right there showed me they're for real this year. The running game is strong as usual, but now we've got some threats outside.

"It's good to have a complement on the other side, and not to be out there having to do it all by yourself, and try to play a perfect game. Hopefully, they can keep it going, and we step our game up a little bit."

For so long, the Jets' defense has had to carry them (for the most part). Yes, the defense had its own problems last year. But for much of coach Rex Ryan's six-year tenure, the Jets' success resulted largely from defense, rather than offense.

Points and yards aren't the perfect measurements of an offense's complete efficiency. But when you rank as low as the Jets have in those categories lately, it's pretty clear your offense isn't doing its part.

The past three seasons, the Jets finished 28th, 29th, and 28th in the NFL in points — compared to 17th, 13th, and 13th from 2009-11 (Ryan's first three seasons). In yards, the Jets finished the past three seasons 22nd, 25th, and 30th in the league — compared to 20th, 11th, and 25th from 2009-11.

It's too early to say — after one game against a crummy team — that the Jets' offense will be great this year. Despite Ryan Fitzpatrick's solid play Sunday, the Jets' quarterback situation is still far from certain. Sterner tests await this offense. No reason to throw a big party yet about the Jets' offensive transformation.

But it's clear that the offseason acquisition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown Sunday, has given the Jets a serious red-zone threat. And red-zone struggles have nagged this team recently.

The Jets on Sunday scored four touchdowns in six red-zone trips. They got a field goal on another, and ran the clock out at game's end on the sixth. The past three seasons, the Jets ranked 32nd, 27th, and 25th in the NFL in red-zone efficiency.

The Jets' offense didn't gain a ton of yards Sunday (333). But that didn't really matter, because the offense scored 31 points, partly by making the most of the defense's turnovers. (And by succeeding in the red zone.)

The defense forced four turnovers, including three in the second half. The Jets' offense converted one of those second-half turnovers, an interception, into a 28-yard touchdown drive (and a 21-10 lead after a Marshall touchdown catch).

Two Browns possessions later, the Jets' defense recovered a fumble. And the offense cashed in with a 19-yard touchdown drive (and 31-10 lead).

General manager Mike Maccagnan saw the fruits of his offseason work — especially the trade for Marshall — pay off Sunday ... and turn Pace, a 34-year-old, seen-it-all veteran, into a very happy man.

"Obviously, they tried to build to try to win now," Pace said of Maccagnan's moves. "A lot of the guys that they brought in are going to play an integral role in us trying to get back to the playoffs."

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Jets' Brandon Marshall's strip after pick vs. Cleveland Browns wasn't first time he's done that (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_brandon_marshall_strip_browns.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall made a huge play in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Browns, when he stripped the ball, and got it back for the Jets, after quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception.

Marshall's play let the Jets continue a drive that resulted in a touchdown, and tied the game at seven in the second quarter.

It wasn't the first time Marshall has done that sort of thing. In fact, the almost did the same exact thing last year, when he played for the Bears.

Against the Dolphins, Jay Cutler threw an interception that Reshad Jones returned 50 yards. Marshall sprinted down the field and smacked the ball out of Jones' hand from behind. It was a fantastic hustle play. The ball squirted away, and Miami's Koa Misi was able to recover it.

On Sunday against the Browns, Marshall made sure to never let the ball hit the ground. Tashaun Gipson intercepted Fitzpatrick at the Browns' 17-yard line, after Fitzpatrick missed on a deep pass for Marshall. Almost immediately, and in one motion, Marshall pulled the ball away from Gipson and secured it.

Marshall ran toward the end zone, and the Jets wound up with first-and-goal at the 9, on a play that started on the Browns' 37. It was essentially a 28-yard reception for Marshall — on top of the 62 yards he finished with.

Even though the Jets went on to blow out the Browns, Jets coach Todd Bowles raved about the play.

"To me, that was the play of the game," Bowles said. "That turned momentum around. For him to take the ball away made everybody play a little bit faster."

Marshall said "the first thing" he thought about was stripping the ball, after he saw Gipson had picked it off.

"That's the first thing I always think about when there's a turnover, is to try to turn into a defender and get the ball back," Marshall said.

Indeed, it wasn't the first time Marshall has forced a fumble in this manner, but it was the first time he got the ball back for his team while doing it. Marshall, a 10th-year pro, now has two forced fumbles on his NFL ledger — last year against Miami, and Sunday against the Browns, when he bailed out Fitzpatrick's pick.

(During his high school days in Winter Park, Fla., Marshall scored four defensive touchdowns — two after picks, and two after fumbles.)

"It was a play we've been working on for a couple of weeks and had a lot of success on it," Marshall said of Fitzpatrick's initial pass. "Fitz didn't see the underneath coverage, and the guy made an awesome play. [Gipson] had his back to it and he turned around at the last second [to make the pick]. When he caught it, the first thing I thought about was getting the ball back."

Fitzpatrick later made it up to Marshall by hitting him for a 1-yard touchdown pass along the edge of the end zone. That put the Jets up 21-10 in the third quarter.

"I was kind of screaming at the coaches a little bit, because they took me off the field the play before," Marshall said. "It was a good feeling when they called me back in there. Once we saw one-on-one [coverage], I knew he was coming [with a pass]. [Joe] Haden jumped inside. Fitz put it only where I can catch it."

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Jets report card, as they open Todd Bowles era by pounding Cleveland Browns (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_report_card_as_they_open_todd_bowles_era_by_p.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets on Sunday got Todd Bowles' head coaching career off to an auspicious start, with 31-10 victory over the Browns in which the Jets scored 24 unanswered points from late in the second quarter on.

It was an all-around impressive showing, against an underwhelming team the Jets had to beat, especially at home.

So let's grade it.

Offense: A pretty darn good start for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He finished 15-of-24 passing for 179 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. But his best receiver, Brandon Marshall, bailed him out on that pick, by stripping the ball from Tashaun Gipson, and retaining possession for the Jets. They took advantage by scoring a touchdown that tied the game at seven in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick threw a couple pretty balls on his touchdown passes — a 15-yarder to Eric Decker in the second quarter, and a 1-yarder to Marshall in the third quarter, along the edge of the end zone. Great catch by Marshall. The latter pass put the Jets up 21-10 and effectively buried the Browns. Marshall made six catches for 62 yards. He's clearly a legit red-zone threat. Chris Ivory ran 20 times for 91 yards, and was especially bruising and effective in in the second half, when the Jets needed him to help polish off the game — 12 carries for 59 yards. The Jets had just that one turnover, but they managed to get it right back. The Jets didn't gain a ton of yards Sunday — 333 — but they were effective when they needed to be. They converted 7 of 13 third downs and mostly played a clean offensive game. Fitzpatrick saved the Jets from disaster in the second quarter when he fell on an errant shotgun snap by Nick Mangold. Fitzpatrick recovered the ball at the Jets' 3-yard line.

Grade: A-

Defense: The Jets were terrible at gaining turnovers last season. They gained just 13 — fewest in the NFL. On Sunday, they gained five, including four fumble recoveries (with Marshall's strip). The Jets' defense made the Browns' replacement quarterback, Johnny Manziel, look like the raw second-year pro that he is. He threw an interception and lost two fumbles. The Jets sacked him three times. Other than a 54-yard touchdown pass, Manziel completed 12 of 23 passes for 128 yards. The Browns gained 160 combined yards on their first two drives — a near touchdown (that resulted in a lost fumble) and that 54-yard touchdown pass. After that, the Browns gained just 161 yards for the rest of the game, including 112 in the second half. The results of the Browns' second half drives: interception, punt (three-and-out), fumble, fumble, and turnover on downs. That's how a game goes from 14-10, Jets, at halftime to a 31-10 win. The loss of cornerback Antonio Cromartie — however long he's out with a knee injury — could be a big blow to the Jets' defense. But his replacement Sunday, Marcus Williams, had a pick to set up the 21-10 touchdown early in the second half.

Grade: A

Special teams: Nick Folk made his only field goal attempt, a 34-yarder, and adeptly handled the NFL's new, longer extra point. Chris Owusu didn't have a chance to return any kickoffs. Jeremy Kerley returned two punts for a total of 13 yards. Ryan Quigley averaged 43.7 yards on three punts, with a 52-yard long. The

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Jets didn't have any major game-breaking special teams plays — not that they needed them in this game — but they didn't make any major mistakes, either.

Grade: B+

Coaching: Bowles and his staff clearly made some nice adjustments at halftime, to contain Manziel in the second half. Fine work here by the Jets' coaches, since they had prepared to face quarterback Josh McCown, and he only played one drive before leaving with a concussion. Manziel in the first half was 4-of-6 passing for 93 yards, with a touchdown. In the second half, he was 9-of-18 passing for 89 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and two lost fumbles on sacks.

Grade: A-

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Lorenzo Mauldin update: Jets deliver good news, say he has feeling in extremities (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/lorenzo_mauldin_update_jets_deliver_good_news_say.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets on Sunday night delivered good news about their rookie outside linebacker, Lorenzo Mauldin, a second-stringer who was hurt in a win earlier Sunday over the Browns.

Mauldin does not have a neck injury. He does have a concussion. He is awake and has feeling in all of his extremities. He will remain hospitalized overnight.

But medical testing on Mauldin is complete, and he is just staying in the hospital for further observation.

Mauldin's injury, which he sustained in the fourth quarter Sunday, left both coach Todd Bowles and his players extremely concerned.

Mauldin was carted off the field on a backboard. The initial announcement about his condition was that he had head and neck injuries.

But the Jets made it clear Sunday night that he does not have a neck injury. Just the concussion — if you can say "just" a concussion.

It is unclear how long Mauldin will be sidelined. The Jets return to practice Monday, in preparation for next Monday night's game at the Colts.

Mauldin is listed as Quinton Coples' backup at rush outside linebacker, but he can also play the strong-side linebacker spot, where Calvin Pace starts.

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What Jets players are saying about Lorenzo Mauldin's 'scary' neck injury (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 14, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/what_jets_players_are_saying_about_lorenzo_maudins.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was taken off the field on a backboard and rushed to a local hospital with a neck injury sustained while he was at the bottom of a pile during the fourth quarter of the Jets' 31-10 season-opening win over the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

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His teammates, shaken by the sight of their teammate motionless on the turf, are hoping for the best. There has been no word on Mauldin's condition.

With 13:05 remaining in the game, Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson sacked a scrambling Johnny Manziel and forced a fumble. As Manziel was going down and losing the ball, Mauldin dove in from the back side of the play.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis recovered the fumble. (Here is video of the entire play.) After Mauldin dove into the pile of players on the ground, near Cleveland's 25-yard line, there was a collision of some sort.

MORE: Head coach Todd Bowles 'very concerned' about Mauldin

Mauldin got up after the play and tried to walk toward the sideline. Then he collapsed face-first to the turf, as if somebody shoved him from behind. He didn't move.

Trainers rushed out and surrounded him. Players dropped to one knee around him.

"I was really scared," said wide receiver Brandon Marshall. "I saw him get up and try to take a couple steps, and he just collapsed right in front of me. It was scary."

Said rush outside linebacker Quinton Coples: "It's in God's hands, and I think the best will come out of this situation."

Veteran right guard Willie Colon called the injury "the dark side of the league" — another reminder of professional football's brutality.

"Some things are just bigger than a game," Colon said.

Strong-side linebacker Calvin Pace is the Jets' oldest and most experienced player, a 34-year-old, 13th-year veteran. He's seen the NFL's precautionary measures with head and neck injuries evolve of the years.

"It's a different day [now], how they deal with head and neck injuries," Pace said. "A lot of times, you can see a guy get dinged like that, and they're real pre-cautious. It didn't look good."

Pace's hope is that this was simply a case of the Jets' medical staff taking every precautionary measure, and that Mauldin's injury is not as serious as it appeared.

Safety Calvin Pryor, a second-year pro, played with Mauldin at Louisville. They are like brothers, Pryor said.

"Any time something like that happens, I always think that could've been me," said Pryor, who is known for his hard hits. "I went out there to check on him, and he still had his eyes closed at the moment. I wasn't able to say anything to him. He didn't respond to anything. I'm just praying for the best.

"He was breathing, had a pulse and everything, but he wasn't really responding. Had his eyes closed. He just laid there."

Potential spinal injuries resonate with the Jets, because of Dennis Byrd. In 1992, the Jets defensive lineman was paralyzed during a game, after colliding with a teammate. He later regained limited ability to walk, with assistance.

Mauldin is one of the most inspirational stories in the Jets' locker room. His parents were in and out of jail during his childhood. He went to live with a foster family at age 2, and spent time in 16 different foster homes as a kid.

After the Jets drafted Mauldin, he broke down in joyful tears during a conference call with reporters, while vowing to succeed in the NFL.

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"Now that I've got a chance to show NFL teams what I've got, I'm going to show them what I've got — and I'm going to show them more than what I've got," Mauldin said then. "I'm ready. I'm ready to do this. I'm going to shut up all the critics. I'm going to shut up everybody that has ever doubted me. I'm going to do what I've got to do, to get where I need to be in the NFL — and beyond."

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Lorenzo Mauldin neck injury: Jets' Todd Bowles says he's 'very concerned' (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/lorenzo_mauldin_neck_injury_jets_todd_bowles_says.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — Jets coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday's 31-10 season-opening win over the Browns that he's "very concerned" about rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who was carted off during the fourth quarter after sustaining head and neck injuries.

Mauldin, a second-stringer, was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, after being strapped to a backboard on the field. Mauldin's arms and legs were strapped down. Bowles did not notice much movement from Mauldin, 22.

"He had very little [movement], from what I saw," Bowles said.

Running back Chris Ivory got a close look at Mauldin — and was jarred by what he saw while Mauldin was down on the turf.

"It just looked like his eyes kind of rolled into the back of his head," Ivory said. "Eyes closed. He didn't look to be doing so good at that time."

The Jets have yet to announce more details about Mauldin's situation, but could have an update later Sunday. In the meantime, this remains a very scary situation for Mauldin, whom the Jets drafted in the third round, out of Louisville.

"I'm very concerned right now, not knowing anything," Bowles said. "When a guy gets carted off and they tape him down, you worry about him. Until you can find out what happened, I'm very worried about him."

Bowles said his college roommate at Temple, fellow safety Anthony Young, had to retire due to a spinal injury. Young retired in 1986, shortly after he hurt his neck in a preseason game, as he was preparing for his second NFL season.

But Young was not paralyzed. He even walked off the field under his own power after getting hurt. His injury was later found to be more serious than initially thought.

Mauldin's injury looked serious from the get-go. With 13:05 remaining in the game, Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson sacked a scrambling Johnny Manziel and forced a fumble. As Manziel was going down and losing the ball, Mauldin dove in from the back side of the play, to help contribute to the turnover.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis wound up grabbing the ball. (Here is video of the entire play.) After Mauldin dove into the pile of players on the ground, near Cleveland's 25-yard line, there was a collision of some sort. Manziel was on the ground with Wilkerson and Mauldin. Jets outside linebacker Trevor Reilly also dove in on top of Manziel, after Wilkerson yanked the quarterback to the ground.

Mauldin got up after the play and tried to walk toward the sideline. Then he collapsed face-first to the turf, as if somebody shoved him from behind. He didn't move.

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Trainers rushed out and surrounded him. Players dropped to one knee around him, hoping for the best.

"I was really scared," said wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who was coming out onto the field after the possession change. "I saw him get up and try to take a couple steps, and he just collapsed right in front of me. It was scary."

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Jets' Antonio Cromartie to have MRI on injured knee on Monday (Dom Consentino) NJ Advance Media September 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/antonio_cromartie_injures_knee_in_cleveland_browns.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie left Sunday's 31-10 win against the Browns with a left knee injury. He was helped off the field by two trainers and could not put any weight on his left leg. He did not return.

The Jets provided no immediate diagnosis after the game, but based on the play on which he was hurt (keep reading), nothing about the injury seems promising. Cromartie is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.

"It's sad to see him go down," said Darrelle Revis, the Jets' other starting cornerback, who, like Cromartie made his return to MetLife Stadium after signing back with the Jets as a free agent in the offseason.

"Hopefully," said inside linebacker David Harris, "it's not serious. But we'll see."

If Cromartie's injury turns out to be serious, head coach Todd Bowles said "it would be a blow, because he's a good player—we brought him in here to be a good player. But we've got a lot of young guys that play behind him. We've got a lot of good corners—that's one of our most deepest positions."

Cromartie was injured with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter as he tried to make a cut while defending Browns wideout Taylor Gabriel. The video isn't pretty:

After the play, Cromartie pounded the turf with his fist in a sign of frustration. He seemed to know the injury could be bad.

On the sidelines, trainers appeared to be looking at his left knee before he was carted off to the locker room.

Earlier in the second quarter, Cromartie had been beaten by wideout Travis Benjamin for a 54-yard touchdown on a pass from Johnny Manziel.

Marcus Williams replaced Cromartie at right cornerback. One the Browns' first possession of the second half, Williams intercepted Manziel to set up a touchdown that gave the Jets a 21-10 lead.

Cromartie, 31, had played for the Jets from 2010-13 and spent last season with the Cardinals (and Bowles, who was the defensive coordinator there) after being released in a salary dump. The Jets re-signed him this offseason, but his deal includes no guarantees beyond the $8 million he is scheduled to earn this year.

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New-look Jets drill Cleveland Browns, 31-10, in Todd Bowles' debut | Instant analysis (Dom Costentino) NJ Advance Media September 13, 2015

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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/new-look_jets_drill_cleveland_browns_31-10_in_todd.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets got off to a slow start on Sunday against the Browns in their 2015 season opener. But no one's going to remember that.

What people will remember is the way they turned it on on both sides of the ball—efficient on offense, attacking and forcing turnovers on defense, en route to a 31-10 victory in the debut of head coach Todd Bowles, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

It's one game, but the new Bowles regime, with a roster rebuilt by general manager Mike Maccagnan, is off to a roaring start.

The Jets had scored 24 points by the end of the third quarter. They scored at least 24 points only four times all of last season. Their defense also forced five Browns turnovers, which was nearly half as many takeaways as the 13 they generated in all of 2014, when they finished dead last in the league in that category.

Brandon Marshall's impact. When the Jets traded with the Bears for Marshall, a mercurial wideout, there were concerns about Marshall's tendency to be a locker-room liability. Marshall's talent and game-breaking ability, however, was never in doubt. It's one game, so let's pretend they're out of the woods on this score yet, but Marshall was every bit the player the Jets hoped for: six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on a 1-yard jump ball in the red zone—his speciality. Oh, and after Fitzpatrick threw his only interception, Marshall took it right back by stripping Tashaun Gipson of the ball. Jets running back Chris Ivory scored on a nine-yard run two plays later.

Lots of weird. The first half had a bunch of strange moments. There was Marshall forcing that fumble after Fitzpatrick's interception. There was Browns receiver Brian Hartline making a crazy catch on his knees. There was a bad shotgun snap that sailed past Fitzpatrick's head. There was cornerback Antonio Cromartie getting beaten for a long touchdown, the first of Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel's career. There was the Browns marching 90 yards in 9:59, only to have starting quarterback Josh McCown fumble—and get concussed. And there was Cromartie going down with a potentially devastating knee injury. I think that about covers it.

Ryan Fitzpatrick's debut. Fitzpatrick, starting because of Geno Smith's broken jaw, threw that lone pick that became Marshall's fumble recovery, but he was otherwise solid. The spread system deployed by offensive coordinator Chan Gailey didn't ask Fitzpatrick to throw deep too often, and that seemed to be by design, to get the ball quickly out of his hands. Fitzpatrick finished 15 of 24 for 179 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was not sacked. It helped, too, that running back Chris Ivory pounded out 91 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

Where was Jeremy Kerley? The Jets used a lot of three- and four-receiver sets, but they rarely (maybe one first-half snap?) had veteran wideout Jeremy Kerley in those packages, choosing instead to use Marshall, Eric Decker, Chris Owusu, and Quincy Enunwa instead. Kerley was used as the Jets' punt returner.

Marcus Williams. Williams, signed off the Texans' practice squad last September, filled in for Cromartie and played a terrific game that included an interception and three passes defensed.

Calvin Pryor finds his role. Much maligned during his rookie season, when he frequently played against type by having to play in coverage, the Jets' second year strong safety looked much more comfortable in his strong safety role. Pryor forced McCown's goal-line fumble, and after being picked on a bit early on in coverage, he finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Pryor very much looked like the hard-hitting box safety the Jets drafted in last year's first round.

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Jets 31, Cleveland Browns 10: The good, the bad, the ugly -- from Calvin Pryor to Antonio Cromartie (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media September 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_xx_cleveland_browns_xx_the_good_the_bad_the_u.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Jets on Sunday won their season opener for the fifth straight year, boosting Todd Bowles' career record as a head coach to 1-0.

The result was expected, as the Jets beat the Browns 31-10. This was a game the Jets had to win. They clearly were the superior team, and playing at home.

Now, things get tougher for Bowles and Co. They visit the Colts next week, then host the Eagles. How will the Jets fare in those games if cornerback Antonio Cromartie can't play, after hurting his knee Sunday?

While the Jets ought to celebrate Sunday's win — even though Cromartie's injury will temper the enthusiasm — they ought to remember that wins in the past four openers failed to springboard them to a single winning season or playoff berth.

With that in mind, here's a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from Sunday:

The good: The Jets were resilient. When Cromartie sustained a knee injury and left the game for good, his replacement, Marcus Williams intercepted a pass that set up a 28-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. That score put the Jets up 21-10. When the Browns, on their first possession, drove the ball to the Jets' 14-yard line, the Jets' defense came up with a huge stop — a bang-bang hit by Calvin Pryor and Demario Davis that forced quarterback Josh McCown to fumble while diving for the end zone ... and knocked McCown out of the game with a concussion. When Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception to Tashaun Gipson in the second quarter, Brandon Marshall bailed out Fitzpatrick by stripping Gipson. With the ball back, following an 8-yard advancement by Marshall, the Jets took over at the Browns' 9 and scored a touchdown two players later, to tie the game at seven. Three tough situations for the Jets, but they were able to wiggle their way out of them all.

The bad: Well, the bad would be that the Jets even encountered those aforementioned three predicaments in the first place. Week 1 inevitably brings hiccups, and the Jets endured their fair share. Cromartie, before his injury, got beat for a 54-yard deep ball touchdown pass — Johnny Manziel to Travis Benjamin — that put the Browns up 7-0 in the second quarter. However, it did appear that safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was supposed to help on the play, and didn't get over in time. These are things the Jets' secondary can iron out, but how will that group adjust in the inevitable absence of Cromartie, however long that lasts?

The ugly: Cromartie's left knee injury, in the second quarter, looked awful. It was a non-contact injury, and he had to be carted off the sideline. Those are both really bad signs. Then, in the fourth quarter, rookie outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was carted off the field on a backboard. Mauldin sacked Manziel and knocked the ball away. Mauldin dove for the loose ball, which Darrelle Revis recovered, and Mauldin took a hit while on the ground. He initially got up, but quickly collapsed face-first onto the turf. The cart drove out for him — a scary scene. The early, basic diagnosis on Mauldin was that he sustained head and neck injuries. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. This was yet another blow Sunday to the Jets' defense. The offseason additions of Cromartie and Darrelle Revis were supposed to significantly upgrade the Jets' secondary. So now what, if Cromartie has to miss a long stretch of games,

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or perhaps the entire season? The Jets used both Williams and slot corner Buster Skrine at Cromartie's outside corner spot. When the Jets went to a nickel package, with five defensive backs, they kept Skrine in the slot and had Williams play outside. The Jets appeared to be in their base defense when Williams had his pick. He was playing outside corner on the play. It looked like he got most of the work as Cromartie's replacement outside. Skrine did get some. So is Williams now the starter opposite Revis? The Jets' other candidates are Darrin Walls and Dexter McDougle, in addition to Skrine, though Skrine's current role as the slot corner is a critical one. So the Jets might not want to move him.

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Jets inquired about Kirk Cousins after Geno Smith got punched, per report (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media September 13, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/09/jets_inquired_about_kirk_cousins_after_geno_smith.html#incart_river_mobileshort

EAST RUTHERFORD — Ian Rapaport of NFL Media dropped a Jets-related quarterback item Sunday morning that somehow manages to be interesting, unsurprising, and moot, all at the same time:

Cousins is now Washington's starting quarterback. But on Aug. 11, when Smith's jaw was broken by an IK Enemkpali punch, no one knew that yet. The Jets, obviously, wanted an experienced quarterback to back up Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will start Sunday's opener against the Browns at MetLife Stadium. That the Jets would make inquiries such as this one, then, is no surprise.

Washington's never-ending drama with Robert Griffin III hadn't yet kicked into gear. And the Jets would find out pretty quickly that Smith would only be out six to 10 weeks; the team seems optimistic he'll only

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miss the regular season's first four games. And while the Jets ended up bringing in Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson as possible backups, they cut them both when they set their final roster, choosing instead to go with Bryce Petty as their No. 2.

So, while all of this is interesting and unsurprising, it's also moot.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets LB Lorenzo Mauldin taken to hospital after suffering concussion in fourth quarter (Kevin Armstrong with Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-lb-lorenzo-mauldin-hospital-article-1.2358885

Jets safety Calvin Pryor ran off the field to celebrate a forced fumble during Sunday’s 31-10 victory over the Browns, but then Pryor was informed that rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, also a teammate in college, had not gotten up yet.

“I had to take a deep breath, run out there and check on him,” Pryor said. “When I went out on the field, he was breathing and had a pulse, but he wasn’t really responding. He had his eyes closed. I’m just hoping for the best right now.”

The Daily News reported Sunday night that Mauldin, a third-round pick out of Louisville, was awake with feeling in all of his extremities a few hours after the game. Initial scans came back clean. He was diagnosed with a concussion and was being held overnight in the hospital. The Jets later confirmed the News' report.

There were anxious moments immediately after the play. Mauldin got caught at the bottom of a pile after the turnover, and several players fell on his head. He rose to his feet, but crumpled to the turf after a few seconds. Trainers tended to him on the field, and he was strapped onto a spinal board before being carted away as the stadium fell silent. Teammates wondered about his condition when no immediate clarity came in the locker room.

Coach Todd Bowles, whose college roommate Anthony Young injured his vertebrae while making a tackle for the Colts in 1986, noted that he saw “very little” movement from Mauldin on the field.

“I mean that’s tough because that’s your player,” Bowles said. “He just came back from an injury. He was working hard getting back. He got back to playing the opener. He was running around doing some good things and for him to go down like that, first your heart goes out to him and his family. After that it goes out to the teammates and you just hope he’s not seriously hurt.”

It was a physical game from the start. Pryor knocked the ball loose when Browns quarterback Josh McCown made a beeline for the goal line in the opening quarter.

Pryor said that he knew from watching film of McCown that McCown did not always get down when scrambling.

“These guys better learn how to get down,” Pryor said. “If they gonna stay up like they running backs, then we’re gonna try to take a shot at them.”

Johnny Manziel replaced McCown, who had a concussion of his own. He was loose with the ball, throwing an interception and losing two fumbles.

He was not immediately aware of what happened to Mauldin on the play on which Mauldin was injured.

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“I saw somebody laying on the ground,” Manziel said. “I didn’t get a chance to see what was going on.” Back_to_Top

Jets earn first win of Todd Bowles era with 31-10 romp over Browns, but key injuries put damper on the victory (Seth Walder) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-earn-1st-win-bowles-era-31-10-romp-browns-article-1.2358923

The Todd Bowles Era started off with a bang, but it came at a price.

The Jets beat up on the visiting Browns for a 31-10 season-opening win, but cornerback Antonio Cromartie suffered what looked like a serious non-contact knee injury and Lorenzo Mauldin went down with a scary head injury that required the rookie to be carted off on a back board and immediately sent to the hospital. He later was diagnosed with a concusssion but had movement in his extremities.

If the Jets lose Cromartie for significant time it would be a blow to the expensive secondary that Mike Maccagnan purchased this offseason.

But beyond the injuries, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the Jets, who trampled their visitors after falling behind early.

“It feels good, you get the butterflies out of the way,” Bowles said. “It wasn’t perfect, by no means, but we did what we had to do to win.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick played well, completing 15 of 24 passes, including some tough throws for a pair of touchdowns, along with one interception. Brandon Marshall carried over his strong preseason showing by making some big receptions, including a touchdown on a fade route over Joe Haden. Chris Ivory pummeled Cleveland’s defense for 91 yards and scored twice.

“Truth be told, man, our offense gave us some serious problems in training camp,” Calvin Pace said. “And that right there showed me they’re for real this year.”

The Jets defense — which received an impressive makeover during the offseason — initially struggled against Josh McCown, and then Johnny Manziel after McCown was knocked out via injury as he fumbled diving for the goal line attempting to score the game’s first touchdown.

But eventually, Bowles saw his defense rise to the occasion, forcing four turnovers against the Browns, who reverted back to their punchless ways.

The best play on defense may have come from Marshall in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick’s biggest mistake of the day resulted in an interception to Tashaun Gipson on a pass intended for Marshall. The receiver immediately sprung into action and, as he tackled Gipson, ripped the ball from the defensive back’s grasp to return possession to Gang Green at the Browns’ 9.

“That was huge,” Bowles said. “Brandon plays, he plays everything, he plays offense, he plays defense, he plays aggressive. That play, to me, was the play of the game.”

“He made a veteran move,” Gipson said. “I can’t tip my hat enough to him. I think that play changed the game.”

Bowles said he had fun and was pleased with the win, but, as usual, did not display all that much emotion — a stark contrast to previous coach Rex Ryan.

Daily Clips Cont.

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“Still even-keeled. He smiled a little bit,” Pace said of his coach. “The good thing about him is he’s never too up, never too down. I’m not going to say it’s refreshing, but it’s different.”

Gang Green’s supposedly impenetrable defense looked pretty vulnerable to start the game as the Browns marched down the field and converted on four third downs on their first drive. But finally the Jets made a play with the Browns going in.

As McCown scrambled toward the end zone, Calvin Pryor delivered a jarring hit. McCown then was helicoptered after a second hit from Demario Davis, while the ball flew into the end zone where it was recovered by Cromartie.

The result of the play was not only a turnover, but the removal of McCown from the game with a concussion.

But Manziel entered and he too was able to move the ball. Johnny Football’s first drive resulted in his first NFL touchdown pass: a 54-yard deep ball to Travis Benjamin, who toasted Cromartie, on third-and-19. The score put Cleveland ahead 7-0 early in the second quarter.

“I think we just needed to settle down. We talked about that on the sideline,” Revis said about the defense. “And when we did, I think you kind of saw us a little more poised out there.”

After Marshall ripped the ball away from Gipson later that quarter, Ivory scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

Cromartie suffered his injury before the half, pounding on the turf in pain. Carted off with a towel over his head, he is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

Down by three with the minutes ticking down in the half, Fitzpatrick put the Jets back on track with a nine-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with the veteran throwing a perfect pass to Eric Decker for a 15-yard touchdown to put the Jets ahead 14-10 heading into halftime.

When Cromartie went down, Buster Skrine moved into his role and Marcus Williams became the nickel corner. And in the third quarter, Williams stepped up — picking off Manziel to put the Jets in Cleveland territory for their first second-half possession. They took advantage as Fitzpatrick hit Marshall in the end zone to put Gang Green ahead 21-10.

Up 24-10 in the fourth quarter, Mauldin was in on a sack of Manziel and helped force a fumble that was recovered by Revis. Mauldin was to remain in the hospital overnight.

After he was carted off the field, the Jets scored again as Ivory easily ran in for a 3-yard touchdown. Back_to_Top

Browns QB Josh McCown suffers concussion vs. Jets, Johnny Manziel takes over for Cleveland (Stephen Lorenzo) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/browns-qb-josh-mccown-suffers-concussion-jets-article-1.2358803

Johnny Football got another chance to play quarterback on Sunday, but he quickly transformed into Johnny Fumble.

Johnny Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner turned draft bust, committed three turnovers in the second half as the Browns fell flat and lost, 31-10, to the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Manziel lost a pair of fumbles and tossed an interception.

Daily Clips Cont.

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“Coach (Mike Pettine) nailed it there. First and foremost, you can’t turn the ball over,” Manziel said. “That one throw on the pick, that’s got to be outside. That’s got to be our ball or nobody’s. That kind of slowed our momentum a little bit. Little things. A couple of third-down conversions where we get ’em and then have a penalty or something like that. Just little things that hindered us and nagged us throughout the day that I think finally in the second half caught up to us.”

Manziel entered the game after Josh McCown exited with a concussion. McCown led a solid first drive for the Browns, but coughed up the ball and got hurt as he dove for the goal line.

Manziel looked great on his first possession, floating a 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin to give Cleveland a 7-0 lead. But things quickly began to unravel in the second half as Manziel turned the ball over on three of the Browns’ first four possessions, first throwing an interception to Marcus Williams before losing the two fumbles.

Manziel finished the day 13-of-24 for 182 yards with a touchdown and led the team in rushing with 35 yards on five attempts.

“He just needs to show more ball security,” Cleveland defensive back Joe Haden said.

“Obviously the second half leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” Manziel said. “We’ll see what happens throughout this next week, see what Josh’s status is ... I’m a little bit disappointed in the second half, but there were some good things despite the turnovers.”

M.I.A.

Jeremy Kerley returned punts for the Jets, but the wideout barely played on offense.

“We had (Chris) Owusu in the game plan this week,” Bowles said. “That could be a different guy each week according to what we think we can do.”

Kerley has been a solid player for the Jets but the new regime has severely reduced his role.

FILLING IN

After a strong training camp, Marcus Williams was a major contributor for the Jets on Sunday after Antonio Cromartie suffered a knee injury. Williams, a former undrafted free agent whom John Idzik picked up last year, intercepted Manziel.

“He is not scared of anyone out there,” Bowles said. “He is not scared to be on an island. I feel like he’s a six- or seven-year player. He’s one of my favorite players.”

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New Jets coach Todd Bowles is all business as he wins in debut (Gary Myers) New York Daily News September 14, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-todd-bowles-ball-happy-jets-debut-article-1.2359194

D’Brickashaw Ferguson was in the middle of the locker room with a football in his hands as his teammates were gathered around rookie head coach Todd Bowles.

Just before the players got ready to break it down and head to their lockers following the season-opening 31-10 victory over a really bad Browns team, Ferguson, the most senior Jet along with Nick Mangold, handed the ball to Bowles.

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“Here’s the game ball for your first win. Congratulations,” Ferguson said. “Hopefully it will be the first of many.”

Bowles is as low key as Rex Ryan is loud, but he got caught up in the moment as the players celebrated around him. “He was very excited,” Darrelle Revis said. “We’re looking for more wins for him.”

It’s not as if Bowles was then hoisted on the shoulders of the offensive linemen and taken back into the stadium for a victory lap. But for a team that won only four games last year and had lost its way with Ryan, it was a nice way to start.

“It feels good,” Bowles said. “You get the butterflies and the first one out of the way.”

Really, if the Jets couldn’t beat the Browns before a charged up home crowd in the first game of the season in the much anticipated return of Fireman Ed, exactly who were they going to beat?

When a team changes head coaches, it usually goes for the opposite personality. Ryan was a showman. He was entertaining but he also created a circus atmosphere. Bowles is all business. Can you imagine the hysteria if Geno Smith getting punched out by a teammate came under Ryan’s watch? All hell would have broken loose. Bowles dealt with it and moved on. Maybe in the back of his mind, he knew the Jets would be better off with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.

Bowles’ sideline demeanor Sunday came as advertised. No nonsense. He placed on his headset, communicated with his coaches and never let his emotions take over. But since his first mentor when he began his coaching career was Bill Parcells, he has some risk-taker in him.

He went for it on a fourth-and-1 from the Browns 45 one minute into the second quarter, and although the Jets failed to pick up the first down — bad play call by Chan Gailey, by the way, giving the ball to fullback Tommy Bohanan when Chris Ivory was unstoppable — it showed he is not afraid.

“I like the fact that he made a bold decision,” GM Mike Maccagnan said. “He will be a very good head coach. He’s a very disciplined guy, he’s a tough-minded guy and when you deal with adversity, he is very steady.”

Starting in 1997, the Jets head coaches have been Parcells, Al Groh, Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, Ryan and now Bowles. The first five all had winning records in their first season. Edwards, Mangini and Ryan made the playoffs in their first year. All but Edwards won their first game.

Bowles played for Joe Gibbs in Washington and coached for Parcells with the Jets and Cowboys. That’s an impressive resume. He was 2-1 as the interim head coach of the Dolphins at the end of the 2011 season. He knew there would be a new coach after the season. This is his team. He has a lot more on the line.

He slept in Sunday morning. “I drove to the game peacefully,” he said. “It was nice and quiet. I was trying to keep everything under wraps and for the most part, I did that. The coaches kept me loose.”

His message to the defense: Be aggressive and come up with turnovers. The Jets came up with five against the Browns. They had a total of three in their first nine games last season.

The defense picked off Johnny Manziel once, came up with two Manziel fumbles and forced a fumble by Josh McCown on a huge goal line hit by Calvin Pryor with the ball rolling out of the end zone for a touchback.

Brandon Marshall also forced a fumble by free safety Tashaun Gipson in the second quarter after Fitzpatrick threw his only interception. Bowles said Marshall made the biggest play of the game. Marshall picked up the ball and ran eight yards to the Cleveland 9. After a penalty brought back Fitzpatrick’s touchdown pass to Ivory on first down, Ivory ran it in from 10 yards to get the Jets to 7-7. After the Browns took a 10-7 lead, the Jets scored the final 24 points.

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At the final team meeting Saturday night, Bowles showed Jets highlights from the last few preseasons and told his players they “have to come out and answer the bell,” guard Willie Colon said.

The players loved playing for Ryan. It wasn’t until he was gone that stories about a lack of discipline emerged from the locker room. Bowles has the respect of his players. He played a long time in the NFL. He started at corner in Super Bowl XXII for Washington. He was a long-time assistant in the league.

“Todd is not about wasted energy,” Colon said. “He’s not about wasted words. What he says is what he means. What he demands is what he expects of us. He’s a businessman.

"He gives us the orders and we go out and get it done. It’s very black and white. It’s not about the rah-rah stuff. He knows football. He’s played the game. He knows what it looks like.”

The Jets are 1-0 and Bowles went home with a game ball. That’s a nice look.

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Jets 31, Browns 10 - Instant Analysis: Chris Ivory earns game ball with 2 TDs, Gang Green ‘D’ forces 4 turnovers (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 13, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-instant-analysis-jets-31-browns-10-article-1.2358910

What we learned:

The Jets actually appear to have a real offense. Imagine that. A professional quarterback. Two legitimate receivers. One nasty S.O.B. at running back. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Chris Ivory each contributed to make Todd Bowles' head coaching debut a successful one.

The Jets defense, by the way, forced four turnovers.

Game ball:

Ivory is Bowles' version of Beast Mode. The bruising back scored a pair of touchdowns as the focal point of Gailey's offense.

What this means:

The Jets can beat bad teams. For all the good things that Bowles' squad showed in the season opener, let's remember that we're talking about the Browns, who aren't exactly world beaters.

Good sign:

Ryan Fitzpatrick made smart decisions for the better part of the afternoon. Other than his lone interception (that was quickly erased by Brandon Marshall's strip of the poor guy who made the pick), the bearded wonder was on point. Fitzpatrick made a pair of beautiful throws on a 15-yard touchdown to Decker and perfect 1-yard fade to Marshall for a score.

Bad Sign:

Antonio Cromartie, coming off a shaky camp and preseason, didn't return after going down with a non-contact left knee injury early in the second half. Cromartie was turning his body when he crumpled to the ground in pain. He couldn't put weight on his left knee and was eventually carted off into the locker room.

The veteran cornerback was beat earlier in the quarter by Travis Benjamin on a 54-yard touchdown (on 3rd down and 20) to put the Jets in a 7-0 hole. It's unclear whether Cromartie was expecting safety help

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over the top, but Johnny Manziel didn't really care. It was Johnny Football's first career passing touchdown.

Next week: An angry Andrew Luck, who was embarrassed by Rex Ryan's defense in a season-opening loss to the Bills, will be waiting on Monday night. Luck is unofficially about 1,000,000,000,000 better than Johnny Football.

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Jets looks surprisingly good on offense in season-opening win over Browns (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News September 13, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-surprisingly-good-offense-opener-article-1.2359017

The picture that materialized before Sunday’s sunset at MetLife Stadium prompted the few remaining old heads in the Jets locker room to pinch themselves. This couldn’t be real.

No chance. No way.

Surely, the football gods that cursed this franchise with horrific offenses in the past wouldn’t allow Todd Bowles to enjoy such prosperity in his first real game.

For reasons not yet fully understood, the Jets actually looked dangerous on the side of the ball that induced migraines for the better part of the Rex Ryan era. It’s a wonder what one veteran quarterback, two professional wide receivers and a nasty S.O.B running back can do for a team.

The Jets spread the wealth in an explosive 31-10 season-opening rout of the Browns that had the oldest player on the roster practically giggling in disbelief… and relief.

“I’m so happy, man,” 34-year-old outside linebacker Calvin Pace said. “Seriously. Truth be told, our offense gave us some serious problems in training camp. That right there showed me that they’re for real this year.… It’s good to have a complement on the other side and not be out there having to do it all by yourself and try to play a perfect game.”

The Jets defense, expected to be the anchor, forced four turnovers, but such performances in the recent past guaranteed nothing thanks to lost offenses under the previous staff.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was the triggerman for a unit that could be much better than most of us believed a few months ago. He made one glaring mistake that was fixed by buddy Brandon Marshall in about two seconds.

The rest of the veteran quarterback’s afternoon was filled with smart choices and timely pinpoint throws to his top two pass-catching options. He also leaned on bruising back Chris Ivory (20 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs) and his offensive line to do the dirty work.

For one day at least, Fitzpatrick was the anti-Sanchise and anti-Geno. In some ways, he was also the anti-Fitzpatrick.

Mark Sanchez once rattled off back-to-back 26-turnover seasons. Geno Smith has 39 turnovers in 29 career starts. Even Fitzpatrick, the Harvard Man with a degree in economics, wasn’t quite what you’d call a cautious signal- caller in the past. Time has provided additional wisdom.

Fitzpatrick’s gunslinger days appear to be over. He’s more than happy to let his supporting cast carry the mail. On one pivotal play early in the second quarter, he got some much-needed assistance from Marshall, who made a critical impact in his first game with his new team, too.

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After Fitzpatrick’s pass intended for Marshall was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson at the Browns 15-yard line, Marshall forced a fumble and recovered it at the 9. Ivory rumbled in for a 10-yard touchdown to tie it at 7 apiece two plays later. Bowles didn’t sugarcoat the importance of Marshall’s act: “Play of the game,” the coach said.

“He saved us,” offensive lineman Willie Colon said.

Marshall (6 catches, 62 yards, TD) didn’t have a reception until late in the first half, but his presence was obvious. “That play in a nutshell shows his competitiveness,” Fitzpatrick said. “I definitely owe him a soda pop for that one.”

Marshall grabbed a 1-yard touchdown over Pro Bowler Joe Haden on a perfectly executed fade route midway through the third quarter. For the first time in a long time, the Jets have a legitimate difference maker at wideout.

“We understand each other,” Fitzpatrick said. “We had a couple nice ones today where I had to trust what he was going to do… and he did what I thought he was going to do.”

Fitzpatrick’s seamless chemistry with Marshall and Eric Decker, who caught a 15-yard touchdown to cap a near-flawless 72-yard, two-minute drive right before halftime, has been the most unexpected consequence of the Geno Smith-IK Enemkpali mess last month.

Fitzpatrick wasn’t a statistical force (15-for- 24 for 179 yards, 2 TDs and 95.7 passer rating), but his ability to quickly mesh with Marshall and Decker bodes well for the immediate future.

“He does everything right — the way he takes control of not only the huddle, but the entire building,” Marshall said. “He’s a great guy for all of us to follow.”

He’s also wise enough to turn to Ivory, who ran around and (mostly) through defenders en route to his second two-touchdown game in 33 games with the Jets.

“Chris is a monster,” Marshall said.

For Bowles’ first four quarters, there were many monsters on his offense.

It was a sight for sore eyes.

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METRO NEW YORK

Brandon Marshall wants Fireman Ed back for good (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 13, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/brandon-marshall-wants-fireman-ed-back-for-good/zsJoin---UzvdiezDjRgDY/

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Fireman Ed made his return on Sunday, twice appearing on the big screens at MetLife Stadium to lead the "J-E-T-S" chant. And his presence made the impression on one New York Jet, who was making his debut in green and white in what was the Jets 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Brandon Marshall played his first game as a Jet after being acquired this past offseason in a trade. He finished with six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, also creating a fumble after quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception in the second quarter.

But for Marshall, it was all about Fireman Ed and his return after two years away from leading the chant.

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"There was a lot of energy out there, something that I didn't think we had in preseason and that was Fireman Ed getting us started. I know he's been gone for a little bit and we need him so I hope he's listening to this because there's a lot of talk that he's trying to pass the torch to someone else but you can't duplicate that," Marshall said.

"We need him to get us going. It's not just offense, defense and special teams, we need the 12th man and it starts with Fireman Ed. So Fireman Ed, don't pass the torch."

Fireman Ed, born Ed Anzalone, stepped down from the role of leading the chant in 2012 after being physically threatened by fans at the stadium during what was a very bad season for the Jets. He led the first chants on Sunday, prior to kickoff, then two other fans led the chant on the big screen for the rest of the game.

Marshall attempted to give Anzalone his game ball following the Jets win.

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Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin goes to hospital with head, neck injury (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 13, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/jets-lorenzo-mauldin-goes-to-hospital-with-head-neck-injury/zsJoin---QrY6h0UAZ3yGM/

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Early in the fourth quarter, New York Jets rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin went down and was stretchered off the field with head and neck injuries.

In his first NFL game, Mauldin had just made an impact play, forcing a fumble then went down hard. As he looked to get up, he fell down again and laid motionless on the field. On the play, it looked like he led with his head to strip Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel of the ball.

He laid on the field for several minutes then was stretchered off the field. He was taken immediately to the hospital and it was later announced that he suffered head and neck injuries.

It was a scary moment was Mauldin didn't visibly show any type of movement or even a flinch.

"He had very little from what I saw," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said when asked if he saw movement from his player. "It's tough because that's your player who just came back from an injury. He was working hard at getting back. He got back to play in the opener. He was running around, doing some things and for him to go down like that, your heart goes out to him and his family. after that, it goes out to his teammates. You just hope he's not seriously hurt."

Mauldin was the Jets third round pick this past spring.

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Marcus Williams steps up as Antonio Cromartie goes down (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 13, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/marcus-williams-steps-up-as-antonio-cromartie-goes-down/zsJoin---WXdVWTAPFdP6U/

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J - The New York Jets may have lost Antonio Cromartie with a second quarter non-contact injury but they seem to have a more than capable replacement in Marcus Williams. However, that's something known around these parts for a long time.

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An undrafted rookie free agent out of North Dakota State, Williams was signed last year after being cut from the Houston Texans, one of the few good signings by fired general manager John Idzik. Last year, Williams had an interception, seven tackles and three passes defended in a 17-16 home loss to the New England Patriots in Week 16, all part of a second half of the season where he put together solid displays.

With 10:42 left in the third quarter, Williams stepped up and had an interception that set the Jets to go up 21-10. It was an instinctual play from Williams.

"It was third-and-8 and I was backside. It was 'Cover 1' and you know you're hot. Pretty much knew he was going to stop at the sticks," Williams said.

"I didn't know. Once he took the outside release, I knew he could either run a stop at the sticks or keep going for a fade. Seeing that he stops, I turned around and tried to make a play."

Now with Cromartie out potentially long-term following that injury, it could be Williams who is again in a position to step into a prominent role.

Williams calls Cromartie a teammate "but also a friend." While Cromartie has taken on a mentorship role in his return to the Jets after a year away with the Arizona Cardinals, the veteran had a difficult preseason and was struggling throughout training camp. Now with this injury, Williams likely went from a contributor to someone who will be opposite Darrelle Revis next week when the Jets play the Indianapolis Colts.

His experience last year with eight starts and 36 tackles will help as he attempts to replace Cromartie, a Pro Bowl cornerback last year.

"Because I knew I've been here before, that's the main thing. Last year someone got hurt, I think it was Darrin Walls and it was time for me to come here and step up," Williams said.

"Like I said I always prepare myself as if I'm going to be a starter. I prepared myself well this week and went out there and performed."

Williams finished the game with that third quarter interception as well three tackles and three passes defended, tied for a career high.

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3 things we learned in the Jets' 31-10 over the Browns (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York September 13, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/3-things-we-learned-in-the-jets-31-10-over-the-browns/zsJoim---wKtYwAAxi6g7M/

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The first game of the Todd Bowles era and it was a win for the New York Jets head coach, his team looking tidy on offense in a 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The win over the Browns represented the fifth straight season opener won by the Jets and for Bowles, who was interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins for the final four games of 2011, it improved his coaching record to 4-1.

It started off shaky in the first half as the Browns moved the ball methodically down the field, picking apart the Jets defense. Johnny Manziel, who entered the game in the second quarter after Josh McCown left with a concussion, threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travis Benjamin over a hapless Antonio Cromartie. But from there, the Jets would settle down.

The Jets would answer back, a 10-yard touchdown from Chris Ivory and then a beautiful 15-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Eric Decker gave the Jets a 14-10 lead heading into halftime.

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After Marcus Williams intercepted Manziel early in the third quarter, the Jets marched down the field and Fitzpatrick threw his second touchdown pass of the afternoon, this one a one-yard pass to wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It was the first touchdown reception for Marshall in a Jets uniform. Then Ivory had a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to ice the game.

Fitzpatrick Can Do Well In This Offense – He may have gotten the starting nod due to a broken jaw suffered by Geno Smith but Ryan Fitzpatrick looked the part in his Jets debut. His first pass attempt went for 22 yards to Eric Decker and it was late in the first half, a 15-yard touchdown pass where he threaded a needle to find Decker, that put the Jets up 14-10 right before halftime. Fitzpatrick wasn't magic and he did have a first half interception but he was overall solid. He also has a growing comfort level with Brandon Marshall, including a one-yard touchdown pass to put the Jets up 21-10 midway through the third quarter.

Johnny Football Is Still Reckless – With Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a concussion, it was time for Johnny Manziel to take over the reigns of the offense. He made an instant impression as he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass that torched Antonio Cromartie over the top. He locked in early in the third quarter on a Marcus Williams interception and looked rattled at times in the second half as the Jets brought pressure. He fumbled three times in the second half.

Brandon Marshall Showed the Goods – It won't be any catch that he'll be remembered for in this game but rather the fumble he forced. In the second quarter and with the Jets piecing together a decent drive, Ryan Fitzpatrick's long pass to Marshall was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson. But Marshall had the presence of mind and sheer athleticism to track down Gipson and strip him of the ball, then he picked up the fumble and ran it to the 9-yard line. It was a tremendous play from Marshall in his Jets debut, who also showed tremendous body control in staying in bounds on a 17-yard pass in the third quarter. Then a couple plays later, he had a one-yard touchdown pass to put the Jets up 21-10.

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SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL American League

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Acquired INF Darwin Barney from the Los Angeles Dodgers for C Jack Murphy. Designated RHP Scott Copeland for assignment.

National League

LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Recalled INF Ronald Torreyes from Oklahoma City (PCL).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled RHP Erik Davis and INF Wilmer Difo from Harrisburg (EL).

FOOTBALL Canadian Football League

CFL — Fined Hamilton coach and general manager, Kent Austin, $5,000 for inappropriate conduct during the fourth quarter of Friday night's game in Toronto.

COLLEGE

RUTGERS — Suspended WR Leonte Carroo indefinitely as a result of an incident outside the Scarlet Knights' stadium following a Sept. 12 game.

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