JET NOTES

Vinny Testaverde set the bar pretty high in 1998, throwing 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions and playing his way all the way to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl.

So, even with the Jets flying high at 3-0 entering this week’s game in Tampa Bay, Testaverde residing at 11th in the AFC passer ratings has raised some alarms. Testaverde completing only 48.7-percent of his passes has raised some red flags. So, too, has his throwing one interception per week.

Despite not being statistically sound, though, Al Groh reasoned yesterday that the only thing that matters is the standings.

“Quarterbacks in this league are judged by two things – getting their team into the end zone and scoring more points than then other team,” Groh said. “In that respect, he has established a pretty good record with the Jets.”

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For good reason, Groh was critical of the Giants Stadium playing field, which represented more of a sand pit than a natural-grass field Sunday. “I think in the NFL, you should expect to play on a better field than that,” Groh said. “I really haven’t concerned myself with why [it’s like that], just what they’re going to do about it.”

Apparently, they’re going to replace the chewed-up portion of the middle of the field in time for Sunday night’s Giants-Redskins game. The Jets’ next game there is their post-bye week Oct. 8 encounter with the Steelers.

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Groh was still talking about the Hail Mary jump ball that CB Marcus Coleman caught for a 45-yard TD Sunday.

“We call it ‘jump ball,’ borrowing that from another sport,” Groh said. “Usually, in that other sport, given the option, you’d like to use your tallest, best jumper. Marcus is our tallest, best jumper.”

The only player who appeared to be banged up in Sunday’s game was TE Fred Baxter, who had a left thigh bruise. Groh yesterday insisted Baxter was “fine” and indicated that he’ll have no trouble playing Sunday.