11/06 — Two days of concentrated bye-week practices have kicked off today and the locale is noteworthy. The Jets are in their bubble.

It was raining this morning, but the precip had stopped and the sun was in the process of returning by the time the Jets went out to practice. But head coach Eric Mangini didn't waver — he took his squad indoors. By a highly unofficial tally, this is only the second time this season and third time in Mangini's two seasons as coach that the Jets have worked in their practice facility.

There was a lot of noise during the 30 minutes of media availability. Not lighthearted noise but the sounds of men working and communicating. LBs coach Jim Herrmann's booming voice could be heard as he worked his group in pass defense. Mangini, who often presides over the entire practice, was in hands-on mode, coaching the defensive backs during bag drills.

Laveranues Coles was back at practice but, as S Erik Coleman had earlier this season, was wearing a red jersey, signifying "don't hit this guy." The Jets and the NFL are taking concussions more seriously than ever.

More on Vilma and Harris

Lots of interesting notes today. Mangini announced at his news conference that LB Jonathan Vilma, already on IR after injuring a knee Oct. 21 at Cincinnati, will undergo surgery in Florida on Wednesday.

David Harris, who moved in at Vilma's inside spot, continues to impress. For the second consecutive week, he is a candidate for the NFL's Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week award. Last week, Harris and his 17 tackles (14 by coaches' breakdown) lost out to Green Bay WR James Jones.

Sunday vs. Washington, he upped his tackle total to 24 (20 by coaches' breakdown, 14 solo), but even he knows the favorite this week is Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson.

"Two hundred ninety-six rushing yards? That's going to be tough to beat," Harris said with a smile today.

Nevertheless, you can vote here for Harris or any of the other four candidates for Rookie of the Week. And you can vote here for Harris or four other candidates for GMC Defensive Player of the Week. Both "polling places" are at nfl.com.

Rashad Departs

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Mangini announced fourth-year S Rashad Washington had been waived. Washington had been a special teams mainstay, but in the past three games he committed four 10-yard penalties (after getting flagged for only one his first three seasons). With the emergence of Abram Elam alongside Kerry Rhodes as the recent safety starters and the presence of Erik Coleman and Eric Smith, the Jets decided to make a move.

"I wish Rashad well. He's a really good person," Mangini said. "All these decisions really are based on what we think is going to give us the best chance to improve the team."

Points of Late Emphasis

There are many statistical trends the Green & White want to work on this week and reverse over the final seven games, and here are two more: The Jets have been outscored by 53 points in their fourth quarters (91-38). The only larger one-quarter margin in the NFL after nine weeks is San Francisco's minus-59 in its second quarters. And the Jets have been outscored by 80 points in their second halves (145-65). The only larger one-half margin in the league is St. Louis' minus-95 in its second halves.

"I don't know," Rhodes said when asked why the Jets are being outscored by that much late in games. "It's tough. You can look at it different ways. ... It's not good, though."

Redskins Rookie Pays

Monday evening, it was reported that LaRon Landry, Washington's rookie safety, was fined $16,764, one game check, for unnecessary roughness with the helmet for his helmet-to-helmet contact with Kellen Clemens on Sunday. Landry was also flagged for roughing the passer on the play. That was one of Landry's few missteps in the game — he, like David Harris, is a Rookie of the Week candidate for his play vs. the Jets.