The Jets' coordinators — Brian Schottenheimer (offense), Mike Pettine (defense) and Mike Westhoff (special teams) — speak with reporters every week. Here are highlights of their news conferences Thursday afternoon:
BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER
Mark Sanchez is getting healthy quickly and is getting more reps, but no decision was made Thursday concerning the rookie quarterback's status Sunday.
"He did 50 percent yesterday, then 75 percent today," said Schottenheimer of Sanchez's practice work this week. "He made some good throws, he moved around a little bit. I think he feels comfortable with the braces that he's got. But again, after two days of work, the question is how will he feel tomorrow?"
When No. 6 wasn't behind center, he was still keeping his mind working as if he was.
"Even though he's not calling it in the huddle, he is reading it out to Kellen," Coach Schotty said.
As far as the playcalling, that doesn't change with the QB.
"We make the plan based on the opponent we're playing," he said. "We will tailor some things based on 'This might get moved up in the call sheet, this might get moved back,' depending on who the guy is that's going to play for us."
As a playcaller used to a balanced attack, Schottenheimer has had to scale back some of his "creative thoughts" because of the play selection this year. Fifty-seven percent of the Jets' offensive plays this season have been runs compared to last season, when they ran the ball 43 percent of the time.
"I just want to call the plays that I think give us the best chance to win," he said. "Right now with how we're running the football, I would be hard-pressed to go away from that formula."
The coordinator is using his playcalling creativity other ways because of his knowledge of reading defenses. On Thomas Jones' 33-yard touchdown run last week, the first TD of the game, Schotty "adjusted the play" on third-and-1 to catch the defense "by surprise." It worked and the Jets were in control, 16-0.
MIKE PETTINE
The D-coordinator agrees with head coach Rex Ryan on Darrelle Revis' candidacy for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award.
"I would be surprised if there was a guy who's had as big an impact on a season as Darrelle has," said Pettine.
Pettine has been around a few AP Defensive POYs while on the Ravens staff — LB Ray Lewis in 2000 and 2004 and S Ed Reed in 2005.
"I'd, too, put Darrelle up with those two as far as his ability to change a game," he said. "If quarterbacks are smart, a lot of times they won't throw that way. A lot of times his effect is a little bit more muted than maybe a Ray or an Ed."
That may have something to do with why a cornerback hasn't won the award since Deion Sanders in 1994. That season, Sanders played in 14 games for San Francisco and had six INTs — the same number as Revis so far this season, although "Primetime" returned three to the house — and 14 PDs, less than half of Revis' total.
But QBs still throw in his direction.
"He's such a talent that I think schemewise we've been able to kind of play to that as well," said the D-coordinator. "We've basically vacated his area and loaded the zone or played man coverage with extra help elsewhere, and put him on that island where the quarterback, everything that the quarterback's been taught, his read tells him to go there."
Lito Sheppard has played a big role in No. 24's success as well.
"Both corners have been on top of their game," he said. "We're playing a lot more of what teams have called single-high coverage, instead of having to lean towards Lito or roll the zone towards Lito."
On Sunday at Tampa Bay, the Jets D started the game with Jim Leonhard, Kerry Rhodes and Eric Smith. Expect more of that three-safety look this week against the Falcons.
"I think we've gotten to a point where we've gotten a good rotation," Pettine said. "I'm thrilled with our depth."
MIKE WESTHOFF
A high snap helped ruin kicker Jay Feely's perfect day last Sunday, as he went 4-for-5 on field goals at Tampa, hitting from 40, 24, and 49 twice.
"That was a mistake," said the ST coordinator. "We hate to see that because James [Dearth] is a very great snapper. He just got that one up a little bit. Jay hit it exceptionally well. He just missed it. But he's been really, really solid and is someone that we all count on that can make kicks."
So what makes a Pro Bowl kicker?
"Sometimes a guy can make it ahead of another guy because he's had some gigantic kicks to win games," said Westhoff. "But usually it's percentage."
On the season Feely has hit 25 of 29 FGs (10-of-13 from 40-plus) for 86 percent accuracy that ranks fifth in the AFC.
