SwimCoach

They had a new coach, a new offensive line and new running backs, but it still looked like the same old Jets after they squandered a 16-point fourth quarter lead.

But with Eric Mangini making his NFL debut as head coach, the Jets showed a resiliency lacking from last year. Chad Pennington broke open a tie game with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Baker with 2:15 remaining, and the defense forced Titans quarterback Kerry Collins to turn the ball over on downs to secure a dramatic 23-16 victory over Tennessee at LP Field.

Entering the season opener, the Jets (1-0) predictably struggled to replace Curtis Martin. With Derrick Blaylock getting the start and Kevan Barlow sharing the load, the running game struggled to average more than two yards per carry. While questions at tailback only multiplied, Pennington provided many more answers for the passing game.

In his first regular season action since last September, Pennington looked like the accurate passer he was before two surgeries on his right shoulder, throwing for 319 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner to Baker in the left corner of the end zone after the Titans had tied the game and regained momentum.

"In the NFL, it comes down to one drive and one team making more plays than the other," Pennington said to reporters in Nashville. "Luckily, we were able to do that."

He was aided by a standout performance from Laveranues Coles and his game-high eight receptions for 153 yards, including a 41-yard downfield strike late in the third that set up a field goal attempt.

"Chad has done a great job in preparing himself and getting himself back to the point of being our starting quarterback," Coles told the Associated Press. "I'm just happy that he now has a game under his belt and showed he's back."


Collins, who was named the starter by Jeff Fisher shortly before the game, struggled to get his timing down in the first-half but finally showed a familiarity in leading a fourth-quarter comeback. The former Giants star lead a nine play, 80-yard drive that was capped by Travis Henry

PaullyInNYC

The new york jets could certainly use this bye week this weekend. They need to sit back and wonder how they willl close this season. They are sitting at 4-4 which is not bad compared to what most people thought the NY Jets would be. I think they need to go out there and get some revenge on losing to Cleveland last week by beating a team with a winning record such as chicago or new england. They need to show they can beat a playoff caliber team before i start saying they will make the playoffs. If they use this bye week to their advantage and rest up I dont see why they cant come out beating new england.

My first half of the season analysis is this, they simply need to be consistent and play a full smart 60 minute game. There are times where the New York Jets are down going into the second half and they have to claw their way back. They need to start playing games with the mentality that they are down at the start of the game, maybe that will give them motivation to step it up a notch at the start of every game. Just be consistent already!!

PaullyInNYC

I remember posting this and I cant believe i never commented back but i was right the NY Jets did come out of that by week and beat the Patriots in New England. I am def psyched for this upcoming '07-'08 season. Hope we start off with a win.