Sports

TRICKY AL PULLS MO OUT OF HAT

JET NOTES

FOXBORO – Another week, another trick play by these Al Groh Jets.

Faced with a fourth-and-two from the New England 22 late in the second half yesterday while holding a 14-10 lead, Groh sent out the field-goal team.

Holder Tom Tupa, the former Patriot punter, then jumped up behind center while kicker John Hall split out to the left. After a long count, Tupa, a former QB, took the snap and pitched the ball perfectly to linebacker Mo Lewis.

Lewis, on his first NFL carry, gained three yards and a first down. Four plays later, the Jets took a 21-10 lead on a Curtis Martin touchdown.

When it was mentioned how unusual the play was with Lewis rushing the ball, Groh said, “The more unusual they are probably means the harder they are to figure out.”

Lewis said they practiced it three or four times during the week.

“It was something I just figured (the coaches) were going to hold in their pocket,” Lewis said. “I didn’t expect them to come out and call it today, so when they called it I was shocked. I said, ‘Hey guys, I’ve got to just do it. I’ve got to get the first down.'”

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It was a great day for the Jets’ rookie class yesterday, with first-round pick, LB John Abraham, sacking Drew Bledsoe twice and forcing a fumble, and DE Shaun Ellis, a fellow first rounder, recovering the Abraham forced fumble and collecting one sack of his own. Abraham leads the Jets with 4 ½ sacks and Ellis has 4.

Also, rookie WR Laveranues Coles led the Jets with 6 catches for 53 yards, and rookie TE Anthony Becht made the key block on Martin’s first TD run.

Both Abraham and Becht, however, left the game with injuries. Abraham left in the fourth quarter with an unspecified stomach pull, according to the Jets, though, Abraham said he had to have his shoulder checked out. Becht hurt his left knee in the first quarter, returned to play in the second quarter, but didn’t play in the second half.

In other injury news, Jets’ special teamer Bernie Parmalee suffered a pulled hamstring injury in the first half and didn’t return.