10/30 — The technical aspect of turnovers was one of the themes at head coach Eric Mangini's news conference this morning.

The subject comes up because of the Jets' recent struggles in the takeaway/giveaway area. The Jets have lost seven interceptions and two fumbles the last three games while opponents have lost no fumbles and been picked only once. That has produced a minus-8 margin for those three games and a minus-6 (tied for 28th in the NFL) for the year.

"The emphasis isn't on the statistic," Mangini said. "It's the process of getting those turnovers. We had the four sacks [vs. the Chiefs]. Usually when you bring the quarterback down four times, those are great opportunities to get turnovers, because quarterbacks are looking downfield, they tend not to have the best ball security, they hold the ball away from their body, up in the chest."

But the Jets forced no Chiefs fumbles nor any interceptions of Tyler Thigpen, although they came close.

"We thought we had a great chance there on the flat route right toward the end of the half before they hit the draw. Drew Coleman cut underneath the outcut," he said. "We didn't convert on that, so we spent some extra time yesterday working on the JUGS machine and emphasizing to the defensive backs the techniques of catching the ball — thumbs together, looking it into the tuck, all the things that go along with that step before you even worry about running with the football.

"So it's been a heavy emphasis on ball awareness, understanding where the ball is going to be, pressuring the football, being able to convert on those catches, as opposed to 'Hey, we've got to get a lot of turnovers.' "

While the Jets have been TO-challenged except for the Arizona game, the Green & White are in two sets of capable hands in overcoming minus turnover margins to produce wins and even playoff-caliber efforts.

Since 2004, 26 NFL teams started out with a minus-6 margin or lower after seven games, but only four reached the postseason. One was the '05 Patriots, for whom Mangini was the defensive coordinator. Another was the '04 Packers, with Brett Favre at the offensive controls. Here are those four playoff teams with records and margins after seven games and for the regular season:

There's also this: Seven previous times in franchise history the Jets were minus-6 or worse after seven games. Their best records were 2-5 in both 1962 and 1975. This year, of course, they're 4-3.

Weather or Not

Mangini had fond memories of taking the Jets outside of the Atlantic Health Training Center for Wednesday's practice, which featured some slightly extreme weather in advance of the game at Buffalo.

"Yesterday was a good opportunity to get out in the elements," he said. "In Buffalo there are dramatic shifts in weather. So we had a little sleet yesterday, it was cold — all the things we had to get adjusted to. The fellas lobbied pretty hard, seeing that we have such a beautiful indoor facility. We'll get there at some point, just not right now."

Today's weather in North Jersey is sunny and in the upper 40s. At the moment, the Sunday weather forecast for Buffalo is similar: partly cloudy and in the upper 40s. But as they say in Western New York, "If you don't like the weather now, wait a minute." (At least I've been told they say that around those parts.)

Tackle Absence

The injury report will be out after 4 p.m. but Mangini did announce that RT Damien Woody would miss his second straight practice today for personal reasons.

"He'll definitely play on Sunday," the coach said. "He's staying in touch with me and the coaches. He's able to watch practice through the system we have in place. When he does get back, which should be this evening, we'll spend a lot of extra time with him and get him caught up."

While the personal reasons will remain unspecified, Mangini assured: "He's fine himself. There's nothing physically wrong with him."