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Schwartz: Finally, Jets Taste A McTouchdown!

By Peter Schwartz
» More Columns

At the end of the day, as the regular season approaches next week, outcomes in August really don't have a bearing on anything.

However, the Jets didn't really want to go the whole preseason without scoring a touchdown.

And they didn't.

After three games, one quarter and another 6:05, Gang Green found the end zone for the first time this the preseason. Greg McElroy fired a 6-yard scoring strike to Terrance Ganaway in the second quarter of the Jets' 28-10 loss to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, finally ending the team's touchdown drought.

"I'm glad we got it," said head coach Rex Ryan. "I would have like to have saved it to tack on next week (for regular season opener vs. Buffalo), but it's good to score. We moved the ball well in the first half. That was good to see."

McElroy started and played into the third quarter. He was 12 of 17 for 90 yards and had a touchdown pass in his first action since the preseason opener against the Bengals.

"It was great to play," said McElroy. "This is the greatest game in the world. The guys in the huddle were listening and ready to go. Everyone was hungry. It was a lot of fun. For a lot of us, it was our only opportunity. Obviously we went out there with the intention and the hope to score some touchdowns, so we were able to get one the execution was great."

McElroy also channeled his "inner-Tebow," as Mark Sanchez said over the summer, and made things happen with his legs. He had five rushes for 33 yards.

The Jets completed an 0-4 preseason, their first winless August since 1993. When you play games, you want to win, but it's also prudent to keep things in perspective.

"I'd much rather be 4-0," said Ryan. "I hate to lose at anything, but they start counting for real next week and we'll evaluate the team then."

Rex is right.

If the Jets go out and light up the MetLife Stadium scoreboard against the Bills in the regular season opener on September 9, all will be forgotten about their offensive woes over the summer.

But if the Jets' offense struggles, the boo-birds will be out.

And not just the ones in the press box who spent all summer trying to create a controversy.

JET LINERS

Nick Folk nailed a 58-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

First-round pick Quinton Coples notched a sack and a half and four tackles, including one for a loss.

All of the Jets regulars who did not play were in uniform on the sideline.

Newly acquired Jason Smith started at left tackle. Austin Howard started at right tackle.

On the Jets' first drive, Jordan White had a bad drop on a third down pass from McElroy that would have resulted in a first down.

The Jets signed cornerback LeQuan Lewis (Arizona State).

After visiting Lincoln Financial Field in Philly, M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, I have come to this conclusion: I don't know how the Jets and Giants CAN'T be embarrassed by MetLife Stadium. It's obvious that some serious planning went into these other stadiums while the Jets and Giants, not always the best of friends, came up with a disaster.

While the venues here in Philadelphia are top notch, it's amazing to me that the operators of the sports complex suffered such a massive brain cramp in planning Thursday's events. They scheduled the Mets-Phillies game for 1 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park and the Jets-Eagles game for 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. The traffic was brutal, especially around 4 p.m., which was just after the baseball game ended and the crowd starting arriving for the football game.

Why couldn't the baseball game start at noon and the football game kickoff at 8 p.m.?

THE TURK WILL BE BUSY ON FRIDAY

NFL teams have until 9 p.m. eastern time Friday to get down to the 53-man roster limit. The Jets will take a look at how some guys performed against the Eagles before deciding on who to keep and who to let go of.

"We'll take a hard look at this film," said Ryan after losing to the Eagles."Some guys stepped up. I thought some guys had an opportunity and I wasn't real happy. But I think we'll have enough depth."

As has been the case in years past, what the Jets' 53-man roster looks like Friday night is not necessarily what it will look like by the end of the weekend. They will certainly pay attention to other cuts around the NFL and see if there is anything out there that they might be interested in. The Jets will likely look around for another offensive tackle, a wide receiver and a tight end. Depending on what's out there, they could also target a linebacker and a running back.

MOORE GOOD STUFF FROM BRANDON

Jets right guard Brandon Moore continues to give back to the community. Through The Moore Family Foundation, Brandon and his wife Regina will be holding a "Back To School Extravaganza" on Tuesday, September 4, at the Boys and Girls Club Newark (1 Avon Avenue in Newark).

The event takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The foundation will be supplying backpacks and school supplies to 100 Newark City kids. After the backpack giveaway, Brandon will take 40 children back to school shopping at the local Target (2235 Springfield Ave. in Vauxhall).

That's all for now! Check back soon for more!

So that's a wrap on the preseason. Know what that means? Prediction time! How will the Jets fare in 2012? Make your case in the comments below...

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