Among Several Omens, David Harris Is Active
Published: Sun, December 7, 2008 - 3:42pm ET
By Randy Lange
File Under: David Harris, Nate Clements, San Francisco 49ers, Candlestick Park
12/07 — The Jets are making up for lost time here in the San Francisco Bay area. Seven weeks after traveling to Oakland for the first time since 2003 to play the Raiders, they are back in the neighborhood and readying today to take on the 49ers at Candlestick Park (yes, that's what it's being called these days) for the first time since 1998.
Many Jets fans will remember that game all too well. The hopes and schemes of a season began with Glenn Foley at quarterback matching point for point with Steve Young in the '98 season opener. John Hall's field goal as time ran out in regulation sent the game into overtime tied at 30-all. And Garrison Hearst's 96-yard bolt off right tackle 4:08 into OT sent the Jets home frustrated — before they got their ship righted and headed to a 12-4 regular season and a path all the way to the AFC Championship Game at Denver.
Coincidentally, Ed Hochuli is today's referee. He's called a dozen Jets games since 1993 but none since 2005. One of the games he officiated was that 1998 AFC title game against the Broncos.
More omens: The Jets are wearing their road warrior outfits — white jerseys, green pants. They have a three-game away winning streak in that combo, with victories at Buffalo, New England and Tennessee.
However, the last time they wore white/green on the West Coast, they suffered their 16-13 overtime loss at Oakland, about 11 miles to the west as a seagull flies on the other side of the bay. Pick your favorite omen.
But there's a good sign on the Jets' inactive front is that LB David Harris isn't. Harris is suited up and ready to go for the first time since injuring his groin in the first half of Game 8 vs. Kansas City. The Jets have announced no starting lineup changes, so it could be David Bowens alongside Eric Barton at ILB, but Harris figures to be a player today.
The Jets' inactives are K Mike Nugent, WR David Clowney, RB Marcus Mason, S Eric Smith, CB David Barrett, LB Jason Trusnik and TE Bubba Franks. Brett Ratliff is the third quarterback.
The 49ers' IA list has KR/PR Allen Rossum, CB Nate Clements, S Dashon Goldson, LB Ahmad Brooks, C Cody Wallace, T Jacob Bender (the Jets' sixth-round pick in 2007) and WR Josh Morgan. The Niners have announced that Bryant Johnson will start at WR for Morgan and that Donald Strickland will start at CB for Clements.
Gametime is less than a half-hour away.
Will Said:
Sun, December 7, 2008 - 8:38pm ET"I don't know who hurt us the most today, Ed hochuli and crew or the coaching staff. What happened to our offense? Can we please get a defensive coach who can make adjustments on the fly"
wayne Said:
Sun, December 7, 2008 - 9:12pm ET"It's not Sutton but he'll take the bullet. We got a head guy trying to imitate Belichick, but he has none of Belichick's substance. We're all waiting for Rob Ryan to come save the defense, but Al Davis aint letting him go. Jets staff need to ask themselves why they can't pick leaders or develop them. They have to go get them from other teams: Jones, Faneca, Favre, Jenkins. The others? "
nyjet Said:
Mon, December 8, 2008 - 1:56pm ET"On any given day, even the weakest team can beat a champion. But in the case of the JETS, they are mediocrity and will continue to play as such (unless Coaching changes are made). I hate Belichek, but can you imagine where the JETS would be if you had a guy like him in charge? The talent is there! Randy?????????????"
wayne Said:
Sun, December 7, 2008 - 4:04pm ET"Time for some players not named;Favre, Washington, Jones,Jenkins,Revis,Elam to make some plays.........."
Offensive Comment?