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NY Jets News: Todd Bowles preparing for London

ByLuis Tirado Jr.|

Head coach Todd Bowles is preparing for his first AFC East rivalry game of the season with the NY Jets in London against the Miami Dolphins.

The Jets are heading into their Week 4 matchup with the Dolphins with several player injuries that will directly impact this game. Some were limited in practice this week while others were unable to suit up at all. Out of all the injuries, Darrelle Revis, Eric Decker and Chris Ivory are the notable players that will have a major impact if they play or not against the Dolphins.

Bowles know if his Jets are to bounce back from their Week 3 loss last week at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, they’ll need all their impact players ready to put the team in a great position to leave London with a victory over the Dolphins.

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Thanks to the Media Relations Department of the Jets, they sent us a full transcript on what Bowles had to say about the latest injuries, what to expect from the Dolphins and much more. Read it in its entirety below as well as my thoughts in italics on key quotes. Enjoy!

On player injuries…

(Darrelle) Revis, (Eric) Decker, Jaiquawn (Jarrett) were limited. (Chris) Ivory was full. (Darren) Walls didn’t practice, (Trevor) Reilly didn’t practice, Willie (Colon) and (Jeff) Cumberland.

On if he’s encouraged by Decker practicing today…

I’ll be encouraged if he does more tomorrow.

On which players not practicing will travel to London…

Cumberland and Willie are not going. Reilly may go.

On if Antonio Cromartie was full…

Cromartie was full.

On Cromartie’s hip during Wednesday’s practice…

It was sore. He practiced some, we just kept him out some plays. But he did practice.

On if Cromartie’s hip will require maintenance…

Yes.

Sep 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) is tackled by New York Jets corner back Antonio Cromartie (31) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

To have both Revis and Cromartie in the Jets’ starting lineup is definitely a must since quarterback Ryan Tannehill is capable of airing it out. I’d hate to see history repeat itself like it did last week against the Eagles if the Jets underestimate the Dolphins in this matchup.

Keep in mind the Dolphins have lost their past two games and got completely embarrassed last week by the Buffalo Bills. They’ll be playing with a huge chip on their shoulders to come into this game swinging for the fences.

It’s important that the Jets learn from last week and really bring it to a team that simply doesn’t have as much talent as they do. The Jets on paper have a favorable matchup to really outscore and outperform the Dolphins in all aspects if they can play like they did at the start of this season.

On the effect Chris Ivory has on the offense…

He’s probably heavier than the other two backs. He runs a little more violently, but the other two runners are just as good, just a mental thing. We just got to open holes for him and run. When he’s healthy he gives us a spark hopefully. We just got to open holes regardless of who is back there.

On if he’s optimistic that Decker will play on Sunday…

I don’t know. I’m up in the air right now. I’ve got to see him do a little more, but he was limited today so that was encouraging.

On if Ivory will play on Sunday against Miami…

Ivory was full. He’s scheduled to go.

On his impression of Devin Smith’s first game since his injury…

Yes, I mean it was his first time out. He was hurt, he hasn’t played much. He hadn’t practiced much, so the chemistry has got to be there. He’s got to get better. He’s got to get in better winded shape. The chemistry has got to come for him, but that’s expected the first game. He did some good things, he did some not so good things.

On if contingency plans have been made for the possible hurricane…

We’ve got to wait and see what the weather is. I’ll let the people who are smarter than me come up and answer that.

On what improvements are needed for the run defense…

We need to stay in our gaps, number one. We need to stay in our gaps and play off of each other, rather than play individual football.

On if he is confident in Revis playing despite being limited during practice…

Yes and I think that’s with a couple people. Obviously, people get nicked during the year. Nobody’s going to be 100 percent, it’s just more maintenance.

On Jarvis Landry…

He’s tough, he’s quick. He’s mentally tough. You face those types of receivers, he’s got a Steve Smith type of attitude. He’s going to be tough because you know he’s never going to back down, he’s never going to quit. They move him around a lot and they don’t let you get a beat on him. So, it presents quite a few challenges covering this guy.

On his expectations for the matchup between Buster Skrine and Landry…

It’s going to be a good matchup. (Landry’s) He’s a good guy for them, Buster’s a good guy for us. We’ll just let it play out.

Sep 27, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) is unable to make a catch during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Landry is easily one of the top offensive players on the Dolphins and will be quite the battle for Skrine. If Skrine can shut him down and make him a non-factor, the Jets’ defense should be able to wreak havoc against anything and everything thrown their way.

The Dolphins are more of a pass-oriented team and will look to air it out against the Jets and test their revamped defensive secondary that’s a little banged up.

The Jets’ defense should be able to handle Landry as he’s in a bit of a slump since he’s yet to catch a touchdown reception.

On his expectations for Bill Lazor’s offense…

He came from Philly. There’s some of Philadelphia in it, but they do a little more from a route standpoint. They can throw the ball. They have some different fast ball runs depending on who they play, on opposition who they play, we’ll see something new. He keeps things moving every week. He keeps it different every week. It’s hard to get a beat on him.

On if Ryan Fitzpatrick can improve in throwing a deep ball…

He’s got to put it out there and then guys have got to get open and separate too. It’s not just Ryan, they’ve got to run better routes and get separation. They’ve got to pass protect so the ball doesn’t come out early, then they won’t have people in his face. We’ve got to keep a clear pocket. We’ve just got to be working on all cylinders.

On if Geno Smith is up to speed in learning the offense…

I don’t think everything, but he has a good grasp of what we’re trying to do.

On Miami’s defensive line…

I’ll say the same thing I said yesterday, they’ve got a good defensive line. One sack doesn’t tell the story. I’m not a statistical guy and I know they got some horses up there and they can come get you and we’re expecting that Sunday.

On the effect of Decker’s absence on the passing offense…

Anytime you lose a starting receiver you’re going to go down a little bit, but I thought the other guys stepped up admirably and did a good job.

On if D. Smith’s first game back helped his development…

The more he plays, the better he’s going to get. Every time he steps on the field he’s going to get better. That’s encouraging to see. He had to go out on his first time and get his feet wet.

On if he knew the type of player Brandon Marshall was prior to him joining the Jets…

I knew what I was getting because I’ve known for a long time. I knew the Brandon that was coming in here, so I was fine with it.

Sep 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t let the “worst play in NFL history” lateral pass failure make you think any different of Marshall and everything he’s done so far with the Jets. He’s been a huge difference-maker on the Jets’ offense and has truly pushed the envelope so far this season.

In just three games, Marshall has totaled 272 receiving yards on 23 receptions for 3 touchdowns. He’s only going to get better as the season progresses and has so far been the best acquisition the Jets have made at wide receiver in years.

He’ll bounce back nicely against the Dolphins this week and have a big game that effectively says he’s sorry for his blunder of last week.

On if he’s comfortable with G. Smith being a backup on Sunday…

The more he plays, the more comfortable he gets, the more comfortable I feel.

On if he feels like they completed the amount of work they wanted to before traveling to London…

We got the bulk of it done, like every other week. That’s the good thing about it.

On if they will have a walk through at Wembley Stadium on Saturday…

Yes.

On if they will be at Wembley to test the surface…

Well, we go out there Friday too. When we get to practice, we’ll be over that way.

On if they will be at Wembley Friday and Saturday…

I know for sure Saturday, Friday we’re still working on it.

On if he’s concerned with the surface at Wembley…

When we check it out, I’ll get a better feel for it. I’ve heard that it comes up a little bit and it’s a little soggy. I’ll see how it is when we get there.

On if he wants the team to enjoy London…

They’ve got enough money, they can make it in the offseason (laughing). They will be okay, they will be alright (laughing).They get a little bit of free time, they can do their tour. We’re on a business trip. (If) they want to go back in the off season, hey, have at it.

Oct 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; General view of a NFL Wilson official Duke football at the Tower Bridge and River Thames in advance of the NFL International Series game between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While I’ve never personally been to London yet, I hear nothing but great things about it. Fans out there are passionate about American football as I hope the Jets and Dolphins put on one heck of a game to further increase the NFL’s presence in London thanks to a highly competitive game.

This could very well be another AFC East classic showdown so make sure to set your alarm clocks nice and early for Sunday morning and tune in to this Week 4 matchup as it surely won’t disappoint.

Next: NY Jets News: The long road trip to London

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