JET NOTES
ORCHARD PARK – Jonathan Vilma, say hello to Willis McGahee.
The Jets’ linebacker knows the Bills’ running back well as former University of Miami (Fla.) teammates, but today it’ll be different when the Jets play the Bills in Buffalo because, as Vilma said, “We’re keeping score now.”
McGahee has two 100-yard rushing games in his two starts for the Bills, including last week when he scored two TDs against Arizona. Vilma has been playing so well in his rookie season that defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson said he’s been “a man among boys.”
The interesting thing about today’s game is that Travis Henry, the back who was unseated by McGahee, had been a Jets killer, rushing for 567 yards and 5 TDs in three seasons entering the teams’ previous matchup. The Jets then held him to 33 yards on 12 carries.
“I’m sure he’s licking his chops to get at our defense,” NT Jason Ferguson said before the last meeting, a 16-14 Jets’ win Oct. 10.
McGahee ran for 42 yards on eight carries against the Jets. Vilma made six solo tackles in that game.
“I think he’s going to be one of the great linebackers to ever come out of the University of Miami,” McGahee said of Vilma. “He gets better and better every year. It’s how smart he is and what school he went to.”
The Jets have been raving about Vilma.
“We like his whole demeanor,” Edwards said. “He’s very calm, not a panic guy. He plays like a seasoned veteran.”
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WR Santana Moss hasn’t scored as TD since December, but he said he’s not alarmed nor does he have any plan to complain, which is admirable.
“As long as we’re winning, why should I sit here and say, oh, man, I’m not getting any touchdowns?” Moss said. “It doesn’t bother me. I want touchdowns, everybody wants them, but if they’re not coming, I have to wait patiently.”
Moss is fifth on the Jets in receptions (14 for 290 yards), quite a change from a year ago when he nearly played himself into the Pro Bowl with 74 catches and 10 TDs. He’s on pace to finish with 32 catches this season.
Getting one pass thrown to him, as he got Monday night, isn’t going to improve those numbers or help make the Jets’ offense more dynamic. The Jets’ philosophy is about spreading the ball around evenly. Entering today’s game, Justin McCareins has had 35 passes thrown to him, Wayne Chrebet 28, and Moss 25. The Jets have gone 14 consecutive games without a 100-yard receiver.
“In high school, I averaged only one catch a game,” Moss said. “I was humbled at an early stage. That’s why it doesn’t get to me.”
Edwards said he needs to get Moss more involved.
“We’ve got a few guys who can make big plays,” Edwards said. “We want to get Santana involved in it.”
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LB Sam Cowart (knee), G Brent Smith (knee) and CB Derrick Strait (foot) did not make the trip to Buffalo.