Hurricane Irene knocks out power at Jets' facility
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. AP - The New York Jets' training facility in Florham Park lost
power Wes Welker Jersey Authentic Sunday as a result of Hurricane Irene, and is operating off an existing
generator.Areas critical to team operations, such as for coaching, and personnel, plus
team meeting rooms, the training room and football video room are working with backup
power. The Jets' media relations and ticketing departments have also been working out of
the training facility.The Jets briefly held meetings at the facility earlier Monday
before they headed to MetLife Stadium for their preseason game against the Giants that
was originally scheduled for Saturday.Starting Tuesday, the majority of the Jets'
business support staff will work out of the stadium. Copyright
2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the
express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited.
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Sparano gives OL vote of confidence
DAVIE, Fla. AP - The Miami Dolphins have rested their best blocker for much of
training camp. They have a rookie starting at center, Wes Welker Jersey Dark Blue a newcomer at right tackle and a
right guard adjusting to a new position.So far, it shows.The Dolphins are averaging 2.9
yards per rush through three exhibition games, and Chad Henne was sacked three times in 2
1/2 quarters Saturday at Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers' first-team defense spent a lot of
time in Miami's backfield, raising doubts whether the Dolphins will be able to block New
England in the season opener Sept. 12.Coach Tony Sparano said Monday there's no cause for
worry about the offensive line."I personally feel very comfortable right now," he said.
"This group has shown me plenty to get themselves ready to play for the season."The
Dolphins invested a first-round draft pick in the line by taking Florida center Mike
Pouncey, and while he has been left spinning a few times Wes Welker Jersey Red in exhibition games, he's
expected to start. Marc Colombo, a 10th-year pro signed this month after being released
by Dallas, has struggled with pass blocking at right tackle. There have also been lapses
by Vernon Carey, who is still adjusting to a recent switch from tackle Wes Welker Authentic Jersey to right guard.On
the left side, Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long sat out the first three weeks of camp, raising
doubts he's fully healthy after nursing knee and shoulder injuries last year.The fifth
starter, left guard Richie Incognito, conceded Tampa Bay's stunting defense gave the
offensive line trouble."We've got some big strong guys, and we definitely didn't play up
to our ability," Incognito said. "The talent is there. It's squarely on our shoulders to
play well."Sparano bristled Monday while fielding several questions on the subject, and
said it's unrealistic to expect any front five would mesh at this point in the
preseason."Defensive lines will be way further ahead," he said. "You guys think this can
happen overnight. My watch doesn't say that. It takes a long time to get an offensive
line prepared to play."The NFL lockout curtailed preparation time, and now only one
exhibition game remains for Miami - against Dallas on Thursday. Sparano said he's
uncertain Premier Wes Welker Jersey Dark Blue how much his starters will play.It would be ironic if blocking proves to be the
Dolphins' downfall, because Sparano was an offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys
before he took over the Dolphins in 2008. But Miami's offensive line play has been patchy
the past two seasons, and it has developed into the biggest question mark on this year's
team.The most glaring concern at the start of camp was quarterback Chad Henne, but he
continued his strong preseason play with a fine showing at Tampa. Henne's statistics - 10
for 13 for 175 yards and a touchdown - were especially impressive considering the fierce
pass rush he faced."Chad was outstanding," Sparano said. "He played really well, played
really fast and had a really good plan with the ball. He threw it with good purpose and
made good decisions."Henne has averaged 9.9 yards per attempt during the exhibition
season, and his quarterback rating of 93.4 compares with a career rating of 75.3.Rushing
statistics are less impressive. Miami did run for 164 yards in the second preseason game,
but that was against the Carolina Panthers, who sat many of their starters and lost 14
games last year.On Saturday, Dolphins newcomer Reggie Bush was held to minus-1 yard in
five carries. He's expected to share carries this season with rookie Daniel Thomas, who
has netted only 73 yards in 23 Wes Welker Jersey Replica carries during the exhibition season.Thomas, a second-
round draft pick from Kansas State, said he's still adjusting to the NFL game."It's a
more physical game, and faster," he said. "The holes are there and gone in a split
second."The Dolphins ranked third worst in the NFL in 2010 in yards per carry and rushing
scores. That motivated Miami to acquire Bush and Thomas as replacements for Ronnie Brown
and Wes Welker Jersey Black Ricky Williams, the team's top two rushers each of the past three seasons."We'll see
how the running game goes," Sparano said. "You can be discouraged about it. I'm not. Not
at all." Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.
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