After watching the Jets starting offense gain 16 yards rushing last Sunday against the Bengals, coach Rex Ryan has a clear area to focus on tomorrow against the Giants.
“I’d like to see us be able to establish our run game a little more,” Ryan said. “Obviously, this will be a huge test for us going against the Giants defense.”
The Jets will get a boost by having starting running back Shonn Greene and right guard Brandon Moore back. Greene missed last week’s game with a skin infection, and Moore has missed the first two preseason games after having offseason hip surgery.
“I’m looking forward to playing,” Moore said. “The practices out here have been fun, working on technique and honing and working on it. But I’m looking forward to taking that into a game situation where the speed is a little faster and it’s more physical.”
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Ryan said wide receiver Plaxico Burress practiced fully yesterday two days after having some pain in his back.
“He looked great,” Ryan said. “He made an unbelievable catch today. He had a couple of them. He wasn’t held out of anything today.”
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The only Jets expected to miss tomorrow’s game are: QB Mark Brunell (right calf), TE Jeff Cumberland (left hamstring), OL Trevor Canfield (left knee) and OL Rob Turner (broken leg).
Brunell has yet to play in a preseason game, but Ryan said he is not worried about the veteran backup.
“This is his 19th year,” Ryan said. “He was with us all last year. I’d probably be much more concerned had he not been with us last year. The fact that this offense is not new to him now I feel OK about that. I like the way our young guy Greg is coming around. I’m not too concerned with that.”
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The Jets and Giants will host a celebration of the newly named MetLife Stadium today at Bryant Park at 1 p.m. Ryan, quarterback Mark Sanchez and cornerback Darrelle Revis will be there as will Giants coach Tom Coughlin, quarterback Eli Manning and safety Antrell Rolle.
— Additional reporting
by Mark Cannizzaro