Jets-Eagles: First Half

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Randy's Radar

Jets-Eagles: First Half

Published: Thu, August 28, 2008 - 7:52pm EDT
Randy Lange

By Randy Lange

Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.


File Under: Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, David Clowney, Jesse Chatman, Paul Raymond

08/28 — The starting QB matchup is Kellen Clemens vs. Kevin Kolb as expected. But while Kolb plays through the first half, Clemens goes only one series, then gives way to Brett Ratliff, who then returns the ball to Clemens for the third drive.

But one player who looks as if he'll be seeing a lot of action tonight is RB Jesse Chatman. With Thomas Jones and Leon Washington sitting on the sideline and with Musa Smith and Rodney Kinlaw having been released, there is only one other choice for RB tonight and that is rookie Jehuu Caulcrick.

In the early going, though, it's Chatman. No. 22 finds little running room on his first three carries for 4 yards. But then he starts to shake and back — a 7-yard reception from Clemens, followed by runs of 6 and 7 yards, then later a 15-yard bolt off left guard en route to setting up Mike Nugent's 22-yard field goal to cut the Eagles' first-quarter 10-0 lead down to 10-3 four minutes into the second quarter.

The Ratliff comes back in for the Jets' fourth drive and engineers a seven-play, 55-yard drive that produces a touchdown that cuts the Jets' deficit to 13-10.

Two big pass plays from "Ratty." The first is a 27-yard completion to rookie WR Marcus Henry, noteworthy because Henry again reached down and latched onto a low throw with his large mitts, then ran away from Eagles CB Therrian Fontenot for 15 YAC.

Then Ratliff creates the TD with his second-favorite receiver (behind the injured David Clowney). The QB rolls to his right, gestures enough to force Philly DE Jerome McDougle off his feet, cuts inside the former first-rounder and tosses into the end zone — where Paul Raymond is waiting alone for the sliding catch just inside the end line.

It's the third ball Ratliff has thrown for Raymond in the end zone. Raymond, the receiving and sprinting star from Brown University, dropped the first ball that could've beaten Washington, then provided the game-winning TD vs. the Giants.

Clowney and Raymond become the first two-TD receiving tandem in the Jets preseason since Wayne Chrebet and Dedric Ward had two apiece in the summer of 1998. Here are the Green & White receivers with two TDs for the past 10 preseasons (*Raymond's total through tonight's first half):

 Year Receiver TDs
 2000 WR Wayne Chrebet 2
 2004 WR Matt Dominguez 2
 2007 TE Sean Ryan 2
 2008 WR David Clowney 2
 2008 WR Paul Raymond 2

With 1:12 to play, Erik Ainge throws his first pass as a pro, completing a 17-yard screen to Chatman. Chatman goes into the locker room with exactly 100 yards of offfense — 14 carries for 52 yards, five receptions for 48.

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Row Said:

Fri, August 29, 2008 - 5:39pm EDT

"There is no way we Clemens is going anywhere. "

Offensive Comment?

mike audie Said:

Fri, August 29, 2008 - 10:48pm EDT

"If the Jets don't keep Paul raymond, they are making a huge mistake. He is a clutch player who cannot be covered. He will be a great investment for the Jets. Keep him. Give him the ball if you want results. No lip service!"

Offensive Comment?

DonS Said:

Fri, August 29, 2008 - 11:26pm EDT

"Ainge had great poise and presence of mind. Very accurate passer and will develop quickly. Definitely the keeper. "

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