Jets Stick It To Vick

East Rutherford, NJ (WFAN)  -- This was probably the first time ever that the Jets final preseason game was the top story in sports, but it had nothing to do with the Jets. Michael Vick made his return..well FULL return to football...sort of. On the same day that Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that Vick would be eligible to return to the field in Week 3 of the season, the former Falcon got some real game action and even though it was a preseason game and he was playing against mostly backups he tasted real football again for the first time in over 2 years. And did he taste it! He was chased and hit and somewhat roughed up. He finished 7-11 for 26 yards in the air, 7 carries for 35 yards including a 2 yard touchdown but threw an interception, fumbled and was sacked 4 times. He was flushed out of the pocket a LOT. He looked rusty without a doubt. The Jets defense looked good, but it's so hard to gauge when it's 2nd, 3rd, 4th stringers as well as guys who won't even make the team. Or maybe it's really not..Vick looked a bit out of sorts. But the talent is there. This we know and this we've seen. Calvin Pace agreed.



While on the topic of Pace...He saw his final work before he sits the first 4 games because of the suspension. He's not going to be slacking while he is out and ensured he will be ready to go when he is eligible to play again on October 12th in Miami.



Vernon Gholston has been an enigma to put it mildly since he was drafted last year. He was a "monster" at Ohio State (the words of Pace) as a defensive end and his expectations have been high and he has disappointed. But he recorded his first sack against Vick and definitely looked rejuvenated out there and showed some signs of extra "spice" and "spunk"..so maybe he will be ferocious in his opportunity to play some real football come week 1. Who knows..he hasn't shown that yet. He is almost too "nice"...and "nice" doesn't equate to "monster" as Pace called him. Coach Rex Ryan was encouraged by his play and called his sack "the first of many" we shall see. He has his shot...now he's gotta go get it.

Mark Sanchez looked fab in his one and only series. Even though the Eagles only had one starter on defense, Sanchez still was on the money with zip on all his throws. He went 5-5 for 67 yards and capped the drive with a 21 yard strike to Jerricho Cotchery. Yes, it's preseason..but the kid looks good....really good (shaking my head). He just does..we'll really see soon enough I reckon, and yes, I did just say "reckon".

And how about Danny Woodhead. WHO? Right...He went to Chadron State. WHERE? Right again...a Division 2 school in Nebraska. He actually is in the NCAA record books. He is 2nd to Bryan Westbrook in all purpose yards. Westbrook with 9,512 and Woodhead 9,259. He rushed for 7,441 yards in college and holds the NCAA all-divisions record for rushing. Enough about his history. He was undrafted in the 2008 draft and signed by the Jets. He has looked good in training camp and has a great burst. And he busted out against the Eagles rushing for 158 yards on 18 carries including 2 touchdowns the longest a 55 yarder. The 158 yards were the second most ever in a preseason game. He is small at 5'8", but he has some pop and he might have run himself to a spot on the 53 man roster which will be set on Saturday.

Coach, your thoughts on Woodhead?



Now it's wait and see time. Once the roster is set it's time to start preparing for Houston.