As the Jets prepared for tomorrow’s game in St. Louis, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and defensive end Shaun Ellis both went full-speed at practice yesterday. That’s good news for Gang Green, which is hoping to take another huge step forward by knocking off the high-scoring Rams, the last undefeated team in the NFL.
Chrebet had suffered a concussion Sunday against Miami, left practice early Wednesday with a headache and sat out Thursday. But after undergoing a baseline test yesterday, Chrebet – who didn’t appear on the injury report – pronounced himself fit for duty.
“I don’t know if they grade it or what they do, but I felt fine out there,” Chrebet said. “They’re the only undefeated team for a reason. That offense is written about as one of the best ever established and I agree with that. Their [defensive] free agents make them a completely balanced team. We have to play a near-perfect game to beat them; but we have a chance. We have a great team ourselves.”
Ellis, who was listed as questionable with an injured hip, also returned after missing two days of practice. He played through the injury last week, and said it wouldn’t be a problem tomorrow.
“Yeah, it was just [precautionary]. It was just sore,” said Ellis, who watched Giants’ defensive end Michael Strahan abuse injured Rams right tackle Ryan Tucker last weekend. He was salivating at the thought of going against Tucker’s replacement, Rod Jones. “You’ve got to be able to hit the quarterback; you’ve got to rush the passer. They’re going to throw 50 times a game. That’s a defensive lineman’s dream, to rush the passer all game.”
They’ll need to rush the passer to get that near-perfect game. Herm Edwards said the Jets’ ability to contain the Rams’ wide receivers and make plays in the red zone would decide the game. Gang Green leads the NFL with a plus-15 turnover ratio, are second in redzone scoring percentage (62.9 percent) and fourth-best defensively (35 percent).
“It’s very important you play great red zone defense, and that’s one thing I’ve stressed,” Edwards said. “You understand where they’re trying to go with the ball and you try to make them do other things. When you can do that, you have an opportunity to win.
“Vice versa, offensively you have to score. You can’t go in the red zone kicking field goals: That’s like shooting a BB gun. You better score. Our offense has done a nice job in the redzone of converting TDs. That’s why we’ve won three games: We’ve created turnovers, we’ve played pretty good redzone defense, and we do a nice job of scoring in the red zone.”
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Rams RB Marshall Faulk hasn’t practiced all week, even though he has said he wants to play against the Jets. The team hasn’t declared him out, but coach Mike Martz said he will use rookie Trung Canidate. Martz did, however, leave the door open for Faulk to play, saying a decision will be made tomorrow.
Edwards said the Jets are preparing as if “Faulk’s playing. That’s how we’ve got to look at it.”
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Jets RB/KR Chad Morton (ankle) is doubtful and DT Steve Martin (foot) questionable . . . Jets DE John Abraham said he would appeal his socks fine.
