New England Patriots Links 9/17/09 - Patriots Meet The New Jets On 'Super Bowl' Sunday

Christopher Price notes how seriously the Jets are taking next week's game against the Patriots.

Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins racheted up the pregame intensity level for this week’s New England-New York matchup by saying the Jets are approaching this week "like it’s the Super Bowl."

"This is a statement year," Jenkins told the Newark Star-Ledger earlier this week. "Not just for [Jets head coach Rex Ryan]. It’s a statement year for this team. We’re trying to set a precedent here of what is to come for this organization, and that’s something we’re not taking lightly."

Julian Benbow says Brady should have his hands full with Rex Ryan's defense.

"Execution is what it comes down to,’’ Brady said. "You have to be able to block them. You have to account for their different blitz schemes and then get open versus some tight coverage. It’s an aggressive front. It’s very tricky to find out who’s coming. They do a great job disguising. "

Rex Ryan has a signature mark, and they run a very aggressive, attacking style. So it’s an intimidating group. I think they’re playing with a lot of confidence. We’re going to need to play certainly better than we did the other night.’’

J.P. Pelzman (North Jersey Record) Jets on Pats' mind a long time ago.  Ex-Pat Kevin O'Connell spills guts.

"Hey, I know they’re not worried about us," Ryan said Wednesday with more than a hint of sarcasm. "That’s why they were looking at us in March, throwing at our defenses in March. I know [what] the perception is out there, that ‘who cares about the Jets,’ but apparently, they did."

"Hey, I’m no dummy," Ryan said with a smile. "I talk to the quarterback. He’s our quarterback. He’s not New England’s quarterback. O’Connell is our quarterback. So I know they’ve been working on us."

O’Connell, who faced that defense in practice last season as New England’s scout-team quarterback, has given Sanchez as much advice as he can.

Brady admitted the Patriots may have to change some things because of that, but added, "at the end of the day, it comes down to how well you can execute."

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino has the news and notes from the Patriots locker room and Wednesday's practice.
• ESPN's Monday Night Football delivers cable's two biggest audiences of 2009.  Pats-Bills was number 1.
• Patriots Today: Get set for Jets; Mayo update.  (8.25 min. video)
• Patriots Conference Call Tom Brady (11.40 min.) Plus Transcript.
• Jets Conference Calls Rex Ryan (16.13 min.) and Mark Sanchez (8.26 min.)  Plus Transcripts.
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Ian Rapoport focuses on the challenges of Rex Ryan's blitzing ways.
• Christopher Price reports that the Patriots linebackers are prepared to move forward without Mayo.
• Shalise Manza Young gets Adalius Thomas' respect for Rex Ryan as a smart coach, and admiration for what Ryan has already done for the Jets.
• Karen Guregian notes Jets QB Mark Sanchez is wary of the rookie trap and has to be smart with the football.
• Chris Gasper reports that with Mayo out, defensive signal calling will fall to 2nd-year LB Gary Guyton.
• Chris Gasper notes how Rex Ryan has ratcheted up the rivalry between Pats and Jets.
• Shalise Manza Young highlights the Randy Moss - Darelle Revis matchup, noting Revis held Texans'  WR Andre Johnson to 4 catches for ony 35 yards.
• Mark Farinella observes that Randy Moss has completely adapted to the environment of the New England Patriots, as evidenced by his post-game comments Monday.
• Jeff Howe says Belichick isn't concerned that the Jets will learn too much about them from Kevin O'Connell.
• Monique Walker reports S Brandon McGowan's high energy and efforts resulted with him being named the team's practice player of the week. "The Belt" now hangs over his locker.
• Kerry Byrne uncovers why Brady is able to do what he does.
• Frederick Ellis Dashiell reveals the Patriots players reactions to the "Brady Rule" calls Monday night.
• Chris Gasper Patriots Notebook: LB Gary Guyton will be wearing the green-dot helmet on Sunday, calling the signals for the defense; Belichick sees a lot of Baltimore in the Jets; practice and injury report update; LB Derrick Burgess's extra work paid off with a sack on Monday.
• Mark Farinella reminds us why there's really nothing nostalgic about the old Pats teams.  Still too close for comfort.
  

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Bulletin board provides a motivational tack.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Mayo's absence on par with losing Brady.  
• Mike Reiss (ESPNB) Patriots are dangerously thin at linebacker.  A breakdown of Pats LBs.
• Mike Reiss (ESPNB) Patriots defensive snaps; Thomas leads way on defense.
• Mike Reiss (ESPNB) Patriots will need to handle Jets' pressure.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East accumulating sidelinebackers.
• Tom Pedulla (USA Today) Back where he belongs: Brady thrived in Pats' 2-minute drill.
• Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Scouting Report: Jets CB Darrelle Revis.
• NFL Total Access asks whether the Patriots have serious issues to address after beating Buffalo. (2.34 min. video)
• Ross Tucker (SI) Relax, folks: Jumping to week 1 conclusions isn't very smart.
• Howard Bryant (ESPN) The Buffalo Bills: A pathology of losing.
• Jason La Canfora (ESPN) Looking ahead to Week 2 matchups.
• J.P. Pelzman (NJ Record) NFL hits Jets with $100K fine.
• Jerry Sullivan (Buffalo News) As a leader, T.O. dropped the ball.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) T.O. explains Monday night absence.
• Mike Florio (Sporting News) Week 1 is in the books, so move on already.
• Robert Boland (Nat'l Football Post) Sorting out the 49ers-Crabtree stalemate. 

VIEW FROM THE MEADOWLANDS

• Rich Cimini (NY Daily News) Organized chaos: Rex Ryan's defensive system confusing for quarterbacks.
• Gary Myers (NY Daily News) With Bill Belichick and Patriots coming to town, Rex Ryan out to ring in new era for Jets.
• Greg Bishop (NY Times) Opening victory was nice; now comes first real test for Jets.
• Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) Jets treating game like 'Super Bowl.'
• Ian O'Connor (NJ Record) Ryan should win before challenging fans.