AUTHOR: Anthony Fucilli TITLE: Jets' running game must get going quick DATE: 9/29/2006 04:42:00 PM ----- BODY:

Just one time I'd like to pull a page out of Eric Mangini's playbook and have Dan Leberfeld taken off the roster and sent packing to the West Coast somewhere. But unfortunately, I can't do that. But you know what, Dan wasn't all wrong last week when he said that the Jets should look for a new running back. I know he's been adamant about Cedric Houston; however, the Jets got it right. They got a few running backs back there. We got to see a little bit of Leon Washington, who rushed for 25 yards on seven carries and also caught two passes for 52 yards, one of which went for 47 yards. We got to see a little bit of Houston, and hopefully we wont' see any more of Kevan Barlow. But I think that's the best way for the Jets right now, as they use Washington out of the backfield as a change-of-pace running back, third-down running back, kind of the way the Giants used to use Dave Meggett. And then maybe, just maybe, they can give the ball to Dan's favorite running back, Cedric Houston, from time to time for the tough yardage. I wouldn't turn the ball over completely to Cedric, and I don't think the Jets will do that either, but I think that they will be able to compliment each other and give the Jets what they sorely need this weekend against the Colts - a running game. Now I've been saying that they need a running game for the first three weeks, and they are 2-1, but here's the problem, this time, like they did last time, they need to keep the Colts' offense off the field. They need to have Peyton Manning sitting on the bench thinking about the stadium and the last time he was here, beating up his little brother. The last thing the Jets need is for Manning and company to be on the field, striking the Jets' defense from all parts of the field. In my book, a running game and significant time of possession is the only way to accomplish that. Now Chad Pennington has been terrific in finding his receivers in a pass control offense, where he throws six yards to Laveranues Coles, seven yards to Jerricho Cotchery, and maybe throws it to his tight end for eight yards. It's not been the big play offense, but it's been pass control. With a running game, that's the best way to keep the Colts in check. I don't think they'll be able to do that, although the Colts' secondary is banged up, and they obviously have some problems on offense with the death of Reggie Wayne's brother, but I think the Colts just have too many weapons and too much talent for the Jets to find a way to pull an upset at home. Now, there seems to be a trend here. The Jets have played very well against offenses that get in the way of themselves. The first week against Tennessee, when Kerry Collins had a weak game, the Jets were able to victimize the Tennessee offense for the most part. Then up in Buffalo last week, J.P. Losman turned the ball over several times, giving the Jets a short field, which also helped them. But in the middle week, when they went up against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, it was a different outcome. It was expected. But unfortunately now, they're going up against the best quarterback in the league. This time it's not Tom Brady. This time, it's Peyton Manning. And for the Jets, if they have any chance at all, they better start running the ball quickly.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Anonymous DATE:9/30/2006 01:18:00 AM Yo fooch, how many super bowls has manning won? Brady > Manning

He's a bum...41-0

Chad Pennington has one less playoff win than Manning.

Don't give me inflated turf stats, because we are playing outdoors on Sunday, and Chad hasn't forgoten who took his starting QB position at Tenn.

Who was on staff for the Pats when they debunked Peyton all those times? ----- --------