NO CATCH: Miami’s Sean Smith and Yeremiah Bell (37) knock the ball away from Plaxico Burress during the Jets’ 24-6 win last night at MetLife Stadium. Burress had only one catch for 16 yards. (Getty Images)
Did the Jets trade Plaxico Burress, too?
For most of last night’s 24-6 victory over the Dolphins, it seemed like Burress had been exiled like his buddy Derrick Mason. Burress had one catch for 16 yards in the game, and it didn’t come until there was 2:02 left in the third quarter.
Burress was targeted just four times in the game. It looked like the Jets were trying to force the ball Burress’ way again in the fourth quarter.
Up 24-6 with 6:16 left to play, Mark Sanchez launched a 47-yard pass toward Burress in the end zone that fell incomplete. It seemed strange the Jets would still be throwing deep with such a big lead.
Burress has not had more than four catches in a game this season, and the season-high four came in the opener against the Cowboys. He had no catches against the Jaguars in week two and three catches the previous three weeks.
The 34-year-old veteran has not made waves about his limited role but he can’t be happy.
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Cornerback Antonio Cromartie left the game with a groin injury. He said he just “tweaked” the muscle. Cromartie said he will play Sunday against the Chargers, his former team.
“Can’t miss that one,” he said.
Coach Rex Ryan said he pulled center Nick Mangold late because they had a big lead. Mangold is still dealing with a high right ankle sprain.
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Joe McKnight continues to get an increased role with the team. He lined up as a wide receiver several times, and had two catches for 29 yards.
McKnight also returned punts for the first time, fielding three punts. The Jets likely made that move because their usual returner, Jeremy Kerley, now has an increased role on offense as the third receiver.
The Dolphins did not give McKnight many chanes at returning a kickoff. They kicked it short repeatedly with it working perfectly in the first quarter when the ball bounced off blocker Garrett McIntyre‘s knee for a fumble Miami recovered.
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The Jets had some different faces on their active roster last night. Rookie defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis made his debut after being inactive for the first five games.
Ellis, a third-round draft pick, made several impressive plays, including a tackle inside the Jets’ 5 and a backfield tackle of Reggie Bush.
Defensive tackle Martin Tevaseu was active for the first time this season. Tevaseu was active last year in the AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh. Tight end Josh Baker also made his debut, returning a kickoff for 16 yards.
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At halftime, the Jets held a ceremony to honor Al Toon, Freeman McNeil, Gerry Philbin and Larry Grantham as the newest members of the team’s Ring of Honor.