Can't throw from your back

SportsLine.com Report
Sept. 6, 2000

Normally, a passing line of 26-for-39 for 216 yards, one touchdown and six sacks doesn't draw rave reviews.

That wasn't the case after the Jets studied videotape of QB Drew Bledsoe's effort in New England's 21-16 loss to Tampa Bay as they prepared to play the Patriots on Monday night.

"I thought Bledsoe played a magnificent game," said coach Al Groh, who prepared for Bledsoe from 1993-96 as New England's defensive coordinator. "With the pressure he was under, that was one of the best games I've ever seen him play."

The Jets players also have the utmost respect for Bledsoe, who is just 1-3 in his last four starts against them but 7-6 for his career. But the 30 hits they say he took from the Buccaneers' pass rush have presented them with a way to topple the Patriots.

"If you give him time to throw the ball, Drew is as good as any quarterback in the league," strong safety Victor Green said. "You've got to rattle him a little bit by hitting him and putting pressure on him. If we do that, we'll give ourselves a good chance to win. If we don't, then it's going to be hard for us to win."

DUNN'S NEW BEGINNING: Considering how Groh has been treating the 47th to 53rd slots on his active roster and his five-man practice squad, it's too soon to predict much from the newest Jet, WR/KR Damon Dunn.

But Groh admitted he was "anxious" to see Dunn handle punt and kickoff returns in Wednesday's practice. And there's a chance Dunn could drop back for some kicks under the hot Monday night lights against New England.

Dunn, who has been to two Jacksonville camps, set receiving records for NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder this spring, then hung with Cleveland until final cuts, and said he's ready if called on.

"I've been playing football my whole life, so it's no big deal," he said. "Pressure is perceived by people who aren't ready. If you're prepared, you're just doing your job."

Sept. 4, 2000

SEIFERT ON REDSKINS: Seifert had this to say about Washington's defensive line play Sunday: "Their defensive line was as good as I've seen one team play against another club. They were outstanding."

The Redskins sacked quarterback Steve Beuerlein six times Sunday and forced six false-start penalties on the offensive line.

SECOND-HALF MELTDOWN: Running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka rushed for 66 yards on six carries in the first half, but was held to 22 yards on nine carries in the second.

Said Seifert: "The couple plays that we tried were not very effective (in the second half). I think that's part of the thing. The plays that we had called for him in the first half were ... more timely than maybe the plays we called for him in the second half.

"A couple of my ideas that I thought would be stunning turned out to be less than," Seifert said.

NOT TOLERATED: Seifert issued a stern warning to veteran fullback William Floyd on Monday. Floyd was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for attacking linebacker Lavar Arrington on Sunday.

"We talk so much about trying to beat people as a football player, not as a street fighter," Seifert said. "I mean, if you want to street fight, there's a league for that. And William knows that. And I don't expect that to happen again, basically."