Rain, wind and an increased chance of Tim Tebow could be in the forecast for tomorrow’s game at MetLife Stadium.
Beginning at kickoff time, there is a 51 percent chance of rain, along with winds that may reach as high as 17 mph, according to accuweather.com, and Jets coach Rex Ryan said the offensive gameplan against the Dolphins may have to be adjusted due to the weather.
“You always have to be ready for that,” Ryan said yesterday. “A crosswind comes in at 50 miles an hour, every defensive coach in the country would be like, ‘Oh, there’s nothing wrong.’ There goes that passing game.”
A reduced passing attack and an increased ground game may be the perfect storm to increase Tebow’s workload, following offensive coordinator Tony Sparano’s comments Thursday he could do a better job of using the backup quarterback.
Tebow said he has not spoken to Sparano about an increase in playing time this week, but he is prepared for the situationwith a skill set that may be ideal for the conditions.
“I think sometimes when you’re going downhill, when the defense could be off-balance, there’s definitely advantages to an offense and the running game,” Tebow said of playing in the rain. “Every week the gameplan is a little different and what your role is, you try and do it well and be effective with it, and hopefully I can do that.”
If given more snaps, perhaps Tebow can help shake the recent results of a poll of NFL players conducted by Sports Illustrated that voted him the most overrated player in the league.
“It really doesn’t bother me too much,” Tebow said. “The same players this offseason voted me in the Top 100 [players on NFL Network], so there’s several ways you can look at it. They’re probably just a little sick of hearing all the talk and everything [the media] has to say.”
* Bart Scott likely will be forced to do something he doesn’t like to do — wait. The linebacker missed practice yesterday for the third straight day due to a dislocated toe and is listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s game. If Scott is unable to play, it would break his streak of 119 consecutive games played.
Running back Bilal Powell (shoulder) and defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (knee) did not practice and were also listed as doubtful. Running back Joe McKnight did not practice (ankle) and is listed as questionable, but said he will play. Ryan said he believes nose tackle Sione Po’uha will play after missing the past three games with a back injury. He is listed as questionable.
* The trash talk subsided substantially yesterday, even if there were things the Jets still wanted to say.
“I’m not going to say what I really want to say about Reggie Bush,” Antonio Cromartie said regarding the Dolphins running back’s comments in which he said that Darrelle Revis’ season-ending ACL injury was karma. “For him to come out and say something like that, it’s unprofessional and it’s not showing any kind of sportsmanship at all.”