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Jets' backup Ryan earns Mangini's praises
By JAKE THOMASES
THE JOURNAL NEWS
HEMPSTEAD - The Jets opened last Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a two-tight-end set, and yesterday coach Eric Mangini singled out the lesser known of those two for his performance with the first-team offense.
"He's a guy that consistently has the same work ethic, consistently has the same type of motor, and each week improves a little bit more and each week contributes a little bit more, not just on offense, but also on special teams," Mangini said of Sean Ryan, the third-year tight end out of Boston College.
Ryan earned the starting nod as the second tight end because of a foot injury to fullback B.J. Askew that kept him out of the game. Ryan and backup fullback James Hodgins rotated into Askew's spot throughout the Jets' 10-0 loss to the Bears as the Jets flip-flopped between a normal fullback set and a two-tight-end set. Neither caught a pass, although Hodgins was thrown to once.
Askew is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Houston Texans. He did practice yesterday, though with a noticeable limp. Neither he nor Mangini would comment on his progress.
If he can't suit up, it's expected that Ryan and Hodgins will again split time in his spot. Of Hodgins' performance, a terse Askew said only: "I think he did a great job."
An eighth-year fullback out of San Jose State, Hodgins was a starter on four St. Louis teams, including the 1999 Super Bowl champions. He also started for the 2003 Arizona Cardinals, where he caught a career-high 14 passes. He was signed as a free agent by the Jets in late September.
"It was good to be back in the flow of things, get some snaps and, you know, get in rhythm out there," said the 6-foot-1, 265-pounder. "It's hard when you're coming in and out of the game. In this game I was able to get three, four plays at a time together and really get in the flow of the game, so I enjoyed that."
Ryan has caught four balls this year after playing two seasons in Dallas without a reception. Still, he and Hodgins are known more for their blocking.
Askew's ability to carry the ball and catch passes out of the backfield was missed against the Bears. But the Jets prepared for his absence by running all three players through the same drills, schooling them in the same plays.
"We've been working in practice, making sure everyone's on the same page so if someone were to get hurt or something were to happen we each could fill in and everyone knows what to do," Ryan said.
"Really with Sean Ryan, even though Sean is a tight end, he plays in similar type roles as those two guys do," Mangini said. "He can do the same things both those players do. Just like James will do some of the things that Sean does in our two-tight-end sets. You're always trying to build in the flexibility between those two positions so if you have to change who's going into the game, you don't necessarily have to change all the elements of the running and passing game."
By bringing up Ryan unprompted in the opening statement of his press conference, Mangini perhaps dropped a hint to something he wouldn't dare spell out before game day. If the tight end again gets the starting nod, look for him to get more offensive snaps than last week.
Notes: Running back Cedric Houston (knee), who led the team in rushing last week, and cornerbacks David Barrett (hip) and Andre Dyson (neck) are listed as questionable along with Askew. When asked whether Dyson would play, Mangini said, "You know I have a sizable gut, but I try to stay away from gut feelings.'' ... Defensive end Antwan Peek (knee, doubtful) is the only Texan on the injury report not listed as probable. ... Mangini said he was giving special-teams standouts Rashad Washington and Anthony Schlegel a chance to expand their roles on defense. Washington may see time at safety and Schlegel may play some linebacker. ... Running back Leon Washington on the rookie wall: "I haven't hit it yet. Or at least I haven't noticed I hit it.'' ... Hodgins was among six Jets to deliver 100 turkeys plus fixings to Neighbors Together Soup Kitchen. The meal served 300 of the 1.7 million people living below the poverty line in New York City.
Reach Jake Thomases at jtthomas@lohud.com or 914-696-8578.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061125/SPORTS01/611250377/1108/SPORTS01
By JAKE THOMASES
THE JOURNAL NEWS
HEMPSTEAD - The Jets opened last Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a two-tight-end set, and yesterday coach Eric Mangini singled out the lesser known of those two for his performance with the first-team offense.
"He's a guy that consistently has the same work ethic, consistently has the same type of motor, and each week improves a little bit more and each week contributes a little bit more, not just on offense, but also on special teams," Mangini said of Sean Ryan, the third-year tight end out of Boston College.
Ryan earned the starting nod as the second tight end because of a foot injury to fullback B.J. Askew that kept him out of the game. Ryan and backup fullback James Hodgins rotated into Askew's spot throughout the Jets' 10-0 loss to the Bears as the Jets flip-flopped between a normal fullback set and a two-tight-end set. Neither caught a pass, although Hodgins was thrown to once.
Askew is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Houston Texans. He did practice yesterday, though with a noticeable limp. Neither he nor Mangini would comment on his progress.
If he can't suit up, it's expected that Ryan and Hodgins will again split time in his spot. Of Hodgins' performance, a terse Askew said only: "I think he did a great job."
An eighth-year fullback out of San Jose State, Hodgins was a starter on four St. Louis teams, including the 1999 Super Bowl champions. He also started for the 2003 Arizona Cardinals, where he caught a career-high 14 passes. He was signed as a free agent by the Jets in late September.
"It was good to be back in the flow of things, get some snaps and, you know, get in rhythm out there," said the 6-foot-1, 265-pounder. "It's hard when you're coming in and out of the game. In this game I was able to get three, four plays at a time together and really get in the flow of the game, so I enjoyed that."
Ryan has caught four balls this year after playing two seasons in Dallas without a reception. Still, he and Hodgins are known more for their blocking.
Askew's ability to carry the ball and catch passes out of the backfield was missed against the Bears. But the Jets prepared for his absence by running all three players through the same drills, schooling them in the same plays.
"We've been working in practice, making sure everyone's on the same page so if someone were to get hurt or something were to happen we each could fill in and everyone knows what to do," Ryan said.
"Really with Sean Ryan, even though Sean is a tight end, he plays in similar type roles as those two guys do," Mangini said. "He can do the same things both those players do. Just like James will do some of the things that Sean does in our two-tight-end sets. You're always trying to build in the flexibility between those two positions so if you have to change who's going into the game, you don't necessarily have to change all the elements of the running and passing game."
By bringing up Ryan unprompted in the opening statement of his press conference, Mangini perhaps dropped a hint to something he wouldn't dare spell out before game day. If the tight end again gets the starting nod, look for him to get more offensive snaps than last week.
Notes: Running back Cedric Houston (knee), who led the team in rushing last week, and cornerbacks David Barrett (hip) and Andre Dyson (neck) are listed as questionable along with Askew. When asked whether Dyson would play, Mangini said, "You know I have a sizable gut, but I try to stay away from gut feelings.'' ... Defensive end Antwan Peek (knee, doubtful) is the only Texan on the injury report not listed as probable. ... Mangini said he was giving special-teams standouts Rashad Washington and Anthony Schlegel a chance to expand their roles on defense. Washington may see time at safety and Schlegel may play some linebacker. ... Running back Leon Washington on the rookie wall: "I haven't hit it yet. Or at least I haven't noticed I hit it.'' ... Hodgins was among six Jets to deliver 100 turkeys plus fixings to Neighbors Together Soup Kitchen. The meal served 300 of the 1.7 million people living below the poverty line in New York City.
Reach Jake Thomases at jtthomas@lohud.com or 914-696-8578.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061125/SPORTS01/611250377/1108/SPORTS01
