On a beautiful Friday night in Tampa, Florida, the New York Jets began the Eric Mangini era with a preseason match-up against the Buccaneers.  Following a good showing in the first half, the Jets fell behind to the Buccaneers in the third quarter and eventually dropped a 16-3 decision.

Chad Pennington received the much-anticipated start at quarterback for the Green & White and performed well on his two possessions while completing nine of 13 passes for 54 yards, but the Jets were unable to put any points on the scoreboard despite driving into Tampa territory both times. 

“We did some good things, but at the end of the day we didn’t punch any points on the board,” Pennington said.  “I am disappointed about that, but we’ll keep working hard and learn from our mistakes.”

Mangini received strong first team efforts from his first string units, but the Bucs got on the scoreboard first.  After a Jets’ turnover, the Buccaneers turned to their run game and marched 73 yards on 15 plays.  The Jets stiffened inside their own 10, which eventually led to a 25-yard chip shot from kicker Matt Bryant.  Backup quarterback Tim Rattay completed only one pass on the scoring possession but his sole connection with Ernest Graham covered 26 yards.  Graham produced 29 rushing yards on the drive and finished the night with 69 yards on his 17 carries.

New York was victimized by a costly fumble on its second possession at the Tampa five as Pennington was sacked and lost the ball on a third down play.  Pennington didn’t have time to set-up as he looked to the left and then absorbed a big hit from defensive back Kalvin Pearson.  The ball was jolted loose and was recovered by Tampa linebacker Barrett Ruud.

Pennington completed his first five passes on the opening drive including three quick connections with Laveranues Coles for 15 yards.   The Jets mixed up their offensive looks under first-year coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, featuring four wide receivers with tight end Chris Baker out wide and a clever misdirection pitch from Pennington to Derrick Blaylock.  They moved the ball to the Tampa 36 before the drive stalled on three consecutive incompletions, forcing a Ben Graham punt. 

All of the Jets’ receivers got into the act in the opening 30 minutes with Jerricho Cotchery totaling three receptions for 36 yards, Tim Dwight grabbing four balls for 28 yards and Laveranues Coles chipping in 27 yards on five receptions.  The rookie from Oregon completed 10 of his 14 pass attempts for 92 yards.

“I like the effort,” said Mangini at halftime.  “We are playing hard and trying to do the right thing.  We just have to continue to focus and execute.”

The Jets went to the locker room tied at three.  Kellen Clemens, who entered the game with 5:16 remaining in the half, moved the Jets downfield in his second possession and Mike Nugent nailed a 20-yard kick prior to intermission.  Clemens played with poise and completed seven of his first 10 passes for 57 yards. 

But the Buccaneers took the second half kickoff and drove 80 yards in 16 plays, culminating on an 11-yard Paris Warren touchdown reception.  Rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, a Toledo product, threw only five passes on the third quarter drive but completed four including the scoring pass to Warren.  Tampa’s lead was widened to 14 in the fourth following a pretty Gradkowski fade to wideout Maurice Stovall. 

After the one-sided second half, the Buccaneers finished with a 306-185 edge in total yards.  Patrick Ramsey played one series for the Jets and Brooks Bollinger did not take any snaps.  

Game Notes Jon Gruden’s Buccaneers out-rushed the Jets by a margin of 168 to 44 and the Pewter Pirates held the ball for more than 36 minutes…Derrick Blaylock (nine touches, 26 yards) started at running back for the Jets and B.J. Askew lined up at fullback…. With Erik Coleman still out of the lineup, Derrick Strait started at safety opposite second-year defensive back Kerry Rhodes … The Jets continue their rotation at linebacker as both Victor Hobson and Bryan Thomas started on the outside.  Matt Chatham and Trevor Johnson then entered the game, but Hobson and Thomas re-entered in the third period… Mondoe Davis, a converted linebacker, saw game action at safety for the first time…Ray Mickens, making a return to New York, played cornerback in the first quarter and Justin Miller moved to the inside at nickel… Norm Katnik, an offensive lineman from USC, moved in for Pete Kendall and saw action with the offensive line… Adrian Jones started at right tackle and then moved to left tackle when the second team entered the game…The temperature at kickoff was 88 degrees…. Curtis Martin, who remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), list did not join the team…  Press box statistics had newcomer Brad Kassell, a free acquisition, leading the Green & White with seven tackles (six solo)…Veteran ‘backer Victor Hobson nearly had two interceptions for the defense… The Jets return to the practice field Sunday with two workouts scheduled for 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.