The New York Jets have announced a new offensive coordinator… well, for at least a few plays tonight.

Coach Rex Ryan has announced that Mark Sanchez will call a few plays tonight in the Jets final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jets will play 36 players tonight, mostly all backups looking to improve their standing with the team.

Look for Santonio Holmes, however, to get about three quarters of action. Holmes will miss the first four weeks of the season.

The Jets QB picture cleared up Tuesday when the team released Kevin O’Connell and re-signed Kellen Clemens.

Clemens, who had a $1.176 million tender, took a pay cut to remain on the team. The Jets would have cut Clemens if he didn’t restructure his 1-year deal.

Clemens will reportedly earn $650,000.

Well well, looks like we have some Sanchez haters.

In an column comparing the Lions Matthew Stafford to Jets QB Mark Sanchez, the sidelionreport comments that Sanchez ”couldn’t have fallen into a better situation if he had picked it himself” and “The difference in team situations and their collective success is about the only thing that separates the performances of Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford in their rookie seasons.”

While a comparison of stats during the regular season showed the two to be fairly equal, sidelionreport couldn’t fully complete the comparison because one stat was missing… Stafford’s postseason numbers. There were none.

http://sidelionreport.com/2010/08/30/matthew-stafford-will-have-to-earn-what-mark-sanchez-has-been-given/

The Jets are in talks with free agent LB Adalius Thomas and look to sign the former Ravens and Patriots after the season begins.

With the loss of Calvin Pace for up to 6 weeks and with the NFL salary structure, the Jets will sign the 10 year veteran Thomas after Week 1 and avoiding any guaranteed money.  Of course Week 1 is the home opener against the Ravens on Monday Night, but business is business.

Thomas’ base salary for 2010 would be a minimum of $860,000.

The Patriots released Thomas this spring; a rare failure for Belicheck.  In 2007, the Patriots signed Thomas as an unrestricted free agent, landing him with a five-year, $35.04 million contract.

Three years into the deal and about $24 million richer, he was released.

On second thought, maybe he wasn’t brought in to replace Santonio Holmes for the first four weeks.

The Jets released Laveranues Coles this weekend, perhaps ending Coles’ 11 year career.  Signed to a 1 year, $850,000 contract, if Coles was on the opening day roster, his money would have been guaranteed.  If the Jets decide to turn around and sign Coles after the season begins (a common practice), the money would not be guaranteed. 

“There’s a lot of players in the league that you’re going to see be released and won’t play that first game and will be on active rosters in Week 2,” Coach Rex Ryan said.

Gotta love the NFL owners.

Calvin Pace suffered a broken right foot in Friday nights Jets loss to Washington.

Obviously a big loss here, Jason Taylor will replace the Jets leading pass rusher, who are already without Darrelle Revis.

Yes, it is the preseason, Yes the coaches don’t give all plays, but something is off here.

The Jets, losers to the Redskins friday night in the Meadowlands have shown the same problems that plagued them the first two preseason games: poor offensive line and problems at QB.   It may be time to start worrying here.  Let’s recap the game:

1. Offensive line needs to give Sanchez more time.  Aside from Ducasse almost killing Sanchez with a non-block, it has been ends Damien Woody and D’Brick who have been oddly slow this season.  In the NFL, the Defensive Ends will have a field day with the blocking we are seeing. The line needs to wake up before Sept. 13 hits;

2. Did you see Sanchez hit Holmes on that quick slant that Holmes would fumble on?  That’s what the Jets needs this season, aside from the fumble.  Quick throws and giving the WRs room to run and make plays.  Look for that play early and often this season;

3. I think it’s officially time to open the checkbook to Darrelle Revis.  The Jets do not seem capable of having Cromartie as the teams number 1 CB with Rookie Kyle Wilson (who has been playing well) as the 2, and Lowery as the 3.  Too tough for them with this blitzing defense.  The Jets need Revis, Cromartie, Wilson and Lowery as 1-4.  There’s no other way.

4. Did Nick Folk really miss that extra point?   Can you imagine if that happens in January?  Oh boy.

5. Calvin Pace is out for a few weeks with an injured ankle. As the Jets leading sacker last season, obviously the loss of Pace is huge. Reight now we don’t know the extent of the injury other than Pace will most likely miss Week 1.  That means Jason Taylor will see his playing time increase from 50% to 100%.  Let’s hope he’s as ready as…

6.  Wow LT looks great.  Not only a fast runner, but a smart runner. LT knows how to cut and knows where he’s going.  So far, he looks like the Jets best pickup this season.

7.  Joe McKnight needs to hold on to the ball.  Looking good on punt returns, McKnight cannot afford to fumble the ball one more time.  This defense is too good to allow opposing teams to drive 80 yards each time. Allowing them under 50 yards is a different story.  The fumbles stop here.

In the last tuneup before real NFL action (starters will probably be extremely limited next week), Rex Ryan plans to have QB Mark Sanchez and the rest of the first team on the field for about 3 quarters tonight against the Redskins.

Looking to improve their fluidity on offense, the Jets need a lot more from their offensive line; both for protection for Sanchez and to open up holes for Shonn Greene and LT.

Offseason Acquisitions

Looking at the key acquisitions in the off-season, the most potential appears to be from Santonio Holmes.  Yes, LT and Cromartie are extremely important to this team and if LT can find his legs then watch out.  (If Cromartie can remain focused all season, he will be a top CB. and if Revis gets signed soon, the Jets will be scary). 

But Holmes is that key WR that the Jets have been missing for the better part of the last 10 or so years. He can stretch the field, make plays and let Edwards and Cotchery face lesser CBs. Not to mention Keller and LT in the backfield catching passes.

Jason Taylor really has shown anything yet, but it is the preseason and Taylor knows how to play the game.

As for K Nick Folk, let’s not make a decision on him until January rolls around. Folk has been solid in preseason making his FGs and actually getting touchbacks on kickoffs (something the Jets are not used to getting).  But we all know the life of a kicker. Let’s see how he responds to real pressure.

File this under the “I wish McNabb were playing” category.

Out with a left ankle injury, Donovan McNabb will not be in the lineup Friday night as the Redskins visit the Meadowlands.

Obviously hoping to get some top QB experience under their belts, the Jets defense will make do with Rex Grossman.

While bad news for Rookie CB Kyle Wilson, and the learning that is to be done as an NFL Rookie, teammates have been impressed with Wilson’s abilities so far.  “As quickly as he has learned this defense, he’s not even a rookie anymore,” Safety Jim Leonhard said.

Homecoming Reunion: 

Former Jets WR Santana Moss, 70 catches for 902 yards last season, will be back in N.J. friday night as the Redskins WR.  Moss is entering his sixth season with the Skins after 4 years with the Jets.

The Miami Dolphins traded wide receiver Greg Camarillo to the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday morning.

No word on what Minnesota is sending to Miami