With the Jets offense struggling the last three games — except when it’s in a hurry-up, two-minute mode — Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer hinted yesterday that he might employ the two-minute offense earlier in the game against the Browns if a jumpstart is needed.
For whatever reason, five of Jets last six scoring drives over a span of three games have come in the final two minutes of the first, game or in overtime.
It’s clear that Mark Sanchez thrives in the two-minute offense, based on his recent performance.
“Mark likes to go fast,” Schottenheimer said. “He likes to have a tempo to him. It puts him at ease. He gets people moving and he’s comfortable and confident, knowing, ‘Hey, I’m dictating the tempo of the game and they’re going to have to adjust to me.’ ”
Even running back LaDainian Tomlinson noted “we definitely feel like those are some of our best situations” when in the two-minute offense.
“We’re able to speed up our tempo,” Tomlinson said. “This offense really thrives on that. It could be something we try to do.”
Sanchez, who calls the two-minute drill “the ultimate fast-break situation” and lobbied for Rex Ryan to stay with it in overtime against the Lions, sounded like he’d play the entire game in it.
Will the Jets use it to shake things up? “It’s always in our hip pocket,” Schottenheimer said.
*
Several players are going to see more playing time Sunday, including CB Kyle Wilson, the No. 1 draft pick, who’ll likely rotate in at nickel back.
Coach Rex Ryan said yesterday that Wilson, who had fallen out of the defensive back rotation of late, has earned playing time.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said Wilson “has worked his way back into the rotation” with good practices.
The question now is where Wilson’s confidence is after his rocky start.
“It’s a position of confidence,” Pettine said. “The hard thing is the thing [a rookie] needs most is to play, but it’s hard to get experience when you’re in a position where you can’t hide. You’re an instant target.”
Pettine said Wilson’s “frustration was obvious” when he struggled early on.
“I probably have a better understanding of how people are trying to attack me,” Wilson said. “I’m just going out there having fun. I got to prepare like I’ll be out there [starting].”
*
Masterminded by special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, the Jets during practice put out a chair with the label “Captain Kotwica” taped to its back for special teams assistant Ben Kotwica.
It was the Jets Veterans Day salute to Kotwica, who served in the Army and was a helicopter platoon leader in Iraq.
“I couldn’t be happier for him to give him that type of tribute,” Westhoff said. “I have tremendous respect for Ben and what he’s done. Now he has to put up with me. It was probably easier in Iraq.”
*
Jets DE Vernon Gholston will play more Sunday. Ryan said Gholston’s recent play has warranted more playing time. The Browns are also a big, physical running team and the Jets want big, strong bodies out there to combat that and Gholston is one of them.
“He may start,” Ryan said. “Vernon is a big contributor to our defense and you’re going to see it probably moreso this week than you have all season.”
*
It looks like rookie RB Joe McKnight will be on the active roster for the second time this season on Sunday. With CB Marquice Cole out with a hamstring injury, McKnight will have a role on special teams.
Westhoff praised how McKnight, after a rocky start to his NFL career with a poor training camp and preseason, for getting better every week in practice.
“Since the season starter, I’ve seen him improve in everything he’s done,” Westhoff said. “He deserves to play.”
*
Jets LG Matt Slauson, who sat out Wednesday’s practice with a sore right knee, returned to practice yesterday and will play Sunday. . . . LB Josh Mauga (hamstring) sat out practice.
*
Browns linebacker Marcus Benard was released from a hospital after collapsing in the locker room yesterday.
Benard was sitting in a chair in front of his cubicle when he suddenly fell to the carpeted floor. Some of his teammates, who were getting dressed for practice, thought he may have been joking before linebacker Matt Roth yelled for a trainer.
Benard had his hands near his face, but he did not appear to lose consciousness and his eyes were open as three members of Cleveland’s training staff checked on him. He was taken to Southwest General Hospital by ambulance for tests and released at 8:15 p.m.
In a statement, the Browns said he will undergo further evaluation on Friday.
The 25-year-old Benard, who leads the Browns with 4½ sacks this season, was sitting up and appeared alert when he was wheeled out of the team’s facility on a stretcher at 12:25 p.m. be medical personnel. He collapsed just as the 45-minute media interview period was ending.
Benard made Cleveland’s roster last season as an undrafted free agent from Jackson State.