Rex 'completely happy with staff,' just not the results

BY NICK ST. DENIS

After a week of anonymous members of the New York Jets organization (imagine that) spilling their beans to different media outlets, Jets coach Rex Ryan responded Friday.

The reports ranged from rumors that Rex Ryan sought out to fire offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg multiple times this season (SB Nation) to more practical accounts that there has been "tension" between the two (NY Post).

Ryan denied all of it.

Mornhinweg set on giving Johnson his space

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Chris Johnson signed with the New York Jets two weeks ago under the impression that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and his West Coast style system would allow Johnson plenty of opportunities in the open field.

"We talked about all those things, catching out of the backfield, getting the ball to me in space," the veteran tailback said of his conversation with Mornhinweg prior to signing with Gang Green.

A couple weeks later, Mornhinweg echoed a familiar sentiment -- give Johnson room to run.

RPT: Jets inquired with Eagles about Jackson

BY NICK ST. DENIS

A Philadelphia Eagles reunion is in the works in Florham Park this week. At least that's what it feels like.

Quarterback Michael Vick will be visiting the New York Jets' premises Friday to talk with the team about possibly joining forces. One would assume offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who coached Vick in Philly, will have a voice in that discussion.

And apparently another one of Vick and Mornhinweg's old co-workers is on Gang Green's radar, too.

Why Mornhinweg lets Geno loose after mistakes

BY NICK ST. DENIS

After Geno Smith threw a first-quarter pick-six against the New England Patriots last Sunday, a reasonable expectation was for the New York Jets to ease their rookie signal-caller back into a rhythm with a few handoffs.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg had other ideas.

Mornhinweg put the ball back on Smith's shoulder on the offense's very next play, and Smith completed a 17-yard pass to Stephen Hill before moving the chains on three more throws.

Colon: 'We could have stayed with the run game'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets' tailbacks were rolling early against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg opted to go to the air as the Steelers creeped past the Jets in a field goal battle.

Gang Green ran the ball on their first four plays and on nine of their first 13 offensive calls. Two of the four pass plays on that drive were to running backs. On their second possession, the Jets' drove to the Steelers' 7-yard line with seven of eight plays going to running backs.

The Jets entered the second quarter with a 3-0 lead and left it with a 9-6 deficit. But in that stanza, they ran the ball just three times to eight passes.

Mornhinweg: Geno 'handled the huddle well'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Geno Smith has an arsenal of physical tools required to be a successful NFL quarterback. But the physical aspect is only a part of it.

Smith, who is battling incumbent Mark Sanchez for the New York Jets' starting job, is out to prove he can not only deliver the football, but also take command of the entire offensive unit.

Thanks to some designated focus on other players and positions and the fact that Smith sustained a minor ankle injury, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said he didn't get "much of an evaluation on Geno" in the Jets' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. He did, however, think Smith's first practice rehearsal was more positive than negative.

Mornhinweg: Geno ahead of normal rookie pace

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Geno Smith is inherently behind in the battle for the New York Jets' starting quarterback job. According to his offensive coordinator, he's ahead in the rookie race.

Gang Green drafted Smith, the former West Virginia signal-caller, in the second round in April to compete with incumbent Mark Sanchez for the team's first-string gig. Sanchez is the favorite for Week 1, but Smith will have every opportunity to dethrone Sanchez if he struggles out of the gate.

If Smith continues to develop at the rate coordinator Marty Mornhinweg says he's moving at, Smith will be taking snaps from Nick Mangold sooner than later.

Sanchez tabbed as favorite in Jets' QB competition

BY NICK ST. DENIS

In not-so-news-to-us, Mark Sanchez will enter the New York Jets' 2013 quarterback competition as the favorite.

When speaking to the media Monday via conference call, new Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg put Sanchez at the pole position.

“Mark will probably have just a little bit of a leg up it would appear,” he said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “... There are a select few on this football team that have kind of earned the right to step in there as No. 1 on the depth chart, but I certainly would like competition at all the other spots, including the quarterback spot.” (photo: Nick St. Denis)

Jets tailbacks to be targeted more under Mornhinweg

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Many factors contributed to New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's low completion percentage last season, including but not limited to: hesitation on throws, lack of chemistry with an ever-changing receiving corps, bad decision-making and inaccuracy.

The general lack of a good dump-off/screen option out of the backfield didn't help, either. That was just as much, if not more, a result of the system than it was the personnel. (photo: Brook Ward, Flickr)

At the very least, the latter factor will change under new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, no matter who is calling signals in 2013.

Idzik says Sanchez is 'all about competing' for job

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Mark Sanchez is a New York Jet, and that's about all he can ask for right now.

The much-maligned signal-caller, coming off his fourth and worst season, will head into the 2013 offseason without the starting job in hand for the first time since 2010. (photo: TexCap, Flickr)

“I think he’s champing at the bit,” New Jets general manager John Idzik told WFAN Monday. “And he wants to get going with his new coordinator (Marty Mornhinweg). He’s all about competing. I got a really good feeling from Mark.”

Rex says Sanchez 'needs to erase his hard drive'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Mark Sanchez needs to make some major changes if he wants to remain a starting quarterback -- or any kind of quarterback -- in the NFL. Fortunately for the much maligned signal-caller, he doesn't have a choice.

Sanchez, coming off his fourth and worst year, will be working with his third offensive coordinator in three years in 2013. If three isn't a charm, it could be the end. (photo: Marianne O'Leary, Flickr)

“He’s got to be popping out of his skin,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said Thursday, via the NY Daily News. “... You have a combination of (offensive coordinator) Marty Mornhinweg and (quarterbacks coach) David Lee as coaches. That’s a heck of a start. So I believe Mark needs to erase his hard drive."

Individual game plans key to Pats' D success

When a defense doesn't have an identity, it's usually a bad thing.

For the New England Patriots' defense, lacking identity is what helps them win games.

The Patriots are last in the league in totals yards and passing yards allowed, yet they're in the top-third in fewest points-against. While New England's defense has the luxury of playing opposite a really good offense, the unit has done its part in making timely turnovers and critical stops.