NFL Playoff Capsules: Favre, Manning, Brees — and Sanchez?

NEW ORLEANS — Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees — and Mark Sanchez?

Yep, the rookie from Southern Cal is keeping some heady company. He’s gotten a whole lot further than some of the best quarterbacks in NFL history did in their first seasons, too.

The fifth overall pick in last year’s draft is part of the NFL’s final four, playing for a spot in the Super Bowl just like the game’s career passing leader, the league’s only four-time MVP, and the sport’s most accurate passer.

Sure could be overwhelming.

"This feels right," Sanchez said confidently. "It feels good. It feels the way you dream it would feel just growing up. You get to go play at Indy again for an AFC championship your rookie year, that’s unbelievable."

Maybe not. A rookie quarterback has gotten to the AFC title game in three of the last six years. The other two, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, fell short of the Super Bowl.

Now Sanchez gets his chance.

"I think it’s interesting that, you know, a rookie quarterback last year, Joe Flacco, AFC championship game," said New Orleans’ Brees, who chuckles and changes the subject when asked about his first pro season. "A rookie quarterback this year, Mark Sanchez, AFC championship. I guess Roethlisberger, when he was a rookie, they went to an AFC championship. So there have been a bunch of rookie quarterbacks here over the last five or six years."

The theory that QBs fresh out of college should sit and watch died a while ago. Maybe it began to disappear with Manning, who never has missed a start since being the top selection in 1998.

Favre barely saw the field with Atlanta in 1991, throwing five passes (two were intercepted) before being traded to Green Bay. Brees came along 10 years later and had only one start for San Diego as a rookie, perhaps because the Chargers had been so burned by using Manning contemporary Ryan Leaf early on they were wary of going with a youngster again.

Now, it’s no big deal for the new kid in town to line up behind center from the outset. Or, in the last half-dozen seasons, to play deep into January.

"Every guy wants to be a part of the Super Bowl," said the 40-year-old Favre, who got there in his sixth and seventh season, going 1-1, but has not returned. "As you get older, you appreciate it more. Especially since you’ve been there, you know how difficult it is to get back. I don’t care how good you are. I keep using Pittsburgh as an example, and the Giants a couple of years ago. You never know. Seize the moment."

The Jets have done a lot of seizing recently, winning seven of eight, including four in a row, two in the playoffs on the road — about as difficult a challenge as a rookie quarterback could face. Sanchez met the hurdles thanks as much to the Jets’ strengths around him as to what he has achieved with his arm and legs.

Sanchez is 24 for 38 for 282 yards in wins at Cincinnati and San Diego. Those would be one-game numbers for Favre, Manning or Brees.

But New York’s top-ranked running game and No. 1-rated defense have made Sanchez’s inexperience almost a nonfactor. That’s nearly enough to make a veteran quarterback jealous.

"Obviously he’s got a great team around him: great run game, great defense," Brees said. "He makes plays when he needs to, manages the game well. His offensive coordinator is Brian Schottenheimer, who was my quarterback coach in San Diego. Brian’s done a great job helping him prepare and learn the game and he’s gotten a little faster dose of the learning curve maybe than most."

Sanchez agrees, recognizing that the conservative approach — if letting a rookie be your quarterback from the get-go can be considered conservative — not only has worked for the team, but has been a boon for him.

"It’s worked to this point, and hopefully in the future I’ll be able to take more chances and really get a feel for things," he said. "Right now, it’s better to be smart than good.

"I do feel more comfortable as the days go on and as I get experience each game. There is no substitute for that experience. I think the biggest thing that has made the difference in these last few games is knowing what it takes to win and also knowing what gets you beat."

Those are lessons Favre, Manning and Brees certainly have learned. Sanchez, of course, has gotten a terrific head start in his pro football education. After all, Manning went 3-13 as a rookie, in the same season the Jets last made it to the AFC championship game.

Even if he does outdo those quarterbacking greats now, Sanchez recognizes just how much more he needs to know.

"I’ll get a chance in the offseason to sit back and look at a lot of these games from this year," he said, "and watch (Tom) Brady and Manning and Drew Brees and Favre and take a look at everybody’s game and see how it can be applied to mine."

Colts familiar with Jets' top-ranked defense

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning and his Colts have spent nearly a month preparing for the type of aggressive, 3-4 scheme played by the New York Jets.

Jets owner deals with tragedy amid Super Bowl run

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Woody Johnson watches his team practice as often as he can, standing on the sideline while letting football push the sadness aside for a few moments.

The New York Jets owner is a win away from the Super Bowl, but it has been a bittersweet postseason — one during which he had to bury his daughter, Casey.

"This has been a brutal couple of weeks, personally," Johnson said softly, his eyes watery.

In a 20-minute sitdown with reporters Thursday, Johnson spoke for the first time publicly about the emotional seesaw he has been on during the past month. While his team is in the AFC championship for the first time since the 1998 season, Johnson is still mourning.

"I think what you do is, what I found myself doing, is it's two different worlds," he said. "That's the way you can handle it. One doesn't really help the other. The other's the reality. I mean, I lost a daughter. There's no way to bring her back or any of that."

The oldest of Woody Johnson's five children was found dead in her Los Angeles home on Jan. 4, a day after the Jets clinched a playoff spot. An autopsy on Johnson, 30, was inconclusive and the results of toxicology tests weren't expected for weeks. She lived her life on the tabloid pages with the likes of Paris Hilton, and her sudden death was a major story there as well.

"I don't think it makes it any more difficult for me," Johnson said of his daughter's highly publicized death. "It really doesn't affect the outcome. It's the outcome. I wish I could change it, but I can't."

Johnson acknowledged he has cried plenty the last few weeks, such as in front of the team after coach Rex Ryan presented him with the game ball when the Jets beat the Cincinnati Bengals in their wild-card playoff game.

"That was just too many things hitting me all at once," he said.

It was uncertain if Johnson would even be at that game, considering it was less than a week after his heartbreaking loss.

"I still, just on a personal level, think of it all the time, obviously," Johnson said. "But, so do other players who have played. The reason I went to that game, I thought, 'Geez, it would be kind of weird if I asked the players to come play the game after they've had a tragedy in their family and I don't come.' So I had to do it."

Ryan and his players have chosen to not speak about Johnson's loss, saying only it's a personal matter and they want to respect his wish to grieve privately.

"I'm sure it's got to be tough," center Nick Mangold said.

Long snapper James Dearth, a member of the Jets since 2001, said Johnson made a point of coming to him when his mother, Jan, died earlier this season.

"He gave me his best and said he was sorry for my loss," Dearth said. "He was real comforting and real sympathetic. He told me he was behind me and if I needed anything to let him know."

As it turned out, Johnson has needed his players — especially during this difficult time, when winning has served as a momentary distraction from the tears.

"On a happiness index and judging by looking at the players and the fans the last couple of weeks," Johnson said, "I've never seen anything like it."

Certainly not since he purchased the team 10 years ago for more than $600 million.

"He's a passionate guy and it's always fun to talk to him because he's always excited about something," Mangold said. "That's just infectious."

Johnson spends lots of time before games in the stadium parking lot, talking with fans and trying to get the pulse of the people rooting for his franchise. He accepts the criticism that has accompanied the personal seat licenses for the new Meadowlands stadium, but makes it clear he just wants to win.

"It seems like he gives us everything we need, and he makes it a point to talk to all of the guys," Dearth said. "He knows each and every guy on this team. That's a big deal."

One of Johnson's best moves clearly has been hiring Ryan, who has the Jets in the AFC championship for just the third time since the merger in 1970.

"I guess you've got to be respectful of the good fortune that's fallen our way," Johnson said.

Johnson has enjoyed Ryan's bold approach, never cringing even when it seems as if the coach might have gone a little too far with his mouth.

"It fires me up," Johnson said. "I think he set it up right at the beginning, what his expectations were, and he's accomplished those."

Johnson was still just a fan watching on TV when Vinny Testaverde went to Denver, guided the Jets to a halftime lead, but came up short of leading New York to the Super Bowl.

"I think we'll come closer this year," Johnson said, grinning slightly. "I have a lot of confidence."

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Manhattan unofficially renamed at Jets pep rally

NEW YORK — Manhattan is now Revis Island — at least for a few days.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg unofficially renamed Manhattan after Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis during a rush-hour pep rally for the team on Thursday in Times Square.

The Jets face the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the AFC championship game in Indiana for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Thousands of Jets fans roared their approval when Bloomberg unveiled a large municipal-style sign printed "Welcome to Revis Island" with the team’s logo in one corner. Revis regular guards the opponents’ best receiver one-on-one, and the Jets call being put on Revis Island.

The sign will be posted in Times Square as long as the Jets are in the playoffs.

New York Gov. David Paterson, Jets injured running back Leon Washington, former Jets running back Curtis Martin and New York general manager Mike Tannenbaum also attended the rally.

Broadway Joe Namath was the Jets quarterback when the team won their last Super Bowl in 1969 against the Baltimore Colts, before the team’s move to Indianapolis.

Bloomberg said he had placed a friendly wager on Sunday’s game with Indianapolis Mayor Gregory Ballard. If the Jets win, Ballard will send shrimp cocktail from a local steakhouse. If the Colts win, Bloomberg will send a pizza from a Staten Island pizzeria.

Despite the 37-degree temperatures, some fans arrived as early as 3 p.m. Thursday for the rally, about three hours before it began.

"You gotta be a part of history when you can," said self-proclaimed lifelong Jets fan Patrick Freer, 42, of Shelton, Conn., who brought his wife, Kim, and their 8-year-old son, Patrick, to the rally. "We’ll also be at the Jets ticker-tape parade."

Brooklyn resident Urcel Williams, 54, decided to stop by the rally after a doctor’s appointment nearby. On Sunday, she plans to be "frozen right in front of the television, watching the game."

"The Jets have the biggest heart in the NFL and we’re going in as underdogs," explained Rubin Palizzi, 26, of Manhattan, whose face was painted green, white and black, and topped by a wig of spiky green-and-white hair.

"We have the biggest heart in the NFL, and we’re going there as underdogs," Palizzi said. "It’s not who you have on the team, it’s the size of the heart in the team."

-- Virginia Byrne

Rex Ryan sends game ball to Marty Schottenheimer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jets coach Rex Ryan sent a game ball to Marty Schottenheimer after last weekend’s playoff upset of the San Diego Chargers, the team that fired the father of New York’s offensive coordinator following a 14-2 regular season.

Brian Schottenheimer said he was touched when he learned of his boss’ gesture Tuesday — and joked that it didn’t even occur to him to do it.

Marty Schottenheimer was fired in February 2007 after the Chargers lost their first playoff game despite having the NFL’s best record that season. He had 35 wins and two AFC West titles in his last three seasons in San Diego, where his son was quarterbacks coach from 2002-05.

"It felt nice to pick up the phone after the game and talk to my father," Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday.

After Sunday’s 17-14 win, the son has a chance to do something his famous father never did as a head coach: reach the Super Bowl. The Jets play Sunday in the AFC championship game at Indianapolis.

Marty Schottenheimer is coaching college players at the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Fla., this week.

NFC

Vikings, Saints got off-field help from courts

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Get ready for the Bumetanide Bowl, secretly sponsored by your favorite supplement store.

OK, so that’s a stretch, but both the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints had some off-the-field help from the courts this season prior to their arrival at the NFC championship game.

It’s impossible to gauge the theoretical effect a suspension of two starting defensive linemen would have had on each team’s first four games, victories all for the Vikings (13-4) and Saints (14-3).

Minnesota tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and New Orleans ends Charles Grant and Will Smith were all vital players, though, and their collective absences would have hurt.

"They’re huge. They eat double teams," said Vikings All-Pro end Jared Allen, who benefits from the commanding presence of the Williamses as much as any player. "Those two in the middle make it extremely important for us. We can come around the edge all we want, but if the quarterback’s not there we’re just chasing ghosts."

Kevin Williams was also an All-Pro pick this season, and Pat Williams has been to three Pro Bowls. For the Saints, Smith ranked fifth in the league with 13 sacks and led his team with 23 quarterback hurries. Grant, who had 5 1/2 sacks, is out for the playoffs because of a torn triceps muscle.

"If you look across the board, we all had pretty good seasons," Smith said. "Just being able to be out there to help my team to get where we’re at today, I think it plays a huge part. So I’m happy that I didn’t have to miss any time."

The Williamses, Grant and Smith each tested positive in 2008 for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can be used to mask steroid use. They faced a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, before blocking the punishment with legal action.

They’re not accused of taking steroids, but rather a weight loss supplement StarCaps. The label did not list bumetanide as an ingredient, but the league enforced a no-tolerance policy that makes players responsible for what they put in their bodies.

The union and the Williamses argued the punishment was unjust. After a trip though the federal courts, the case is back in state court in Minnesota where they’re contending the suspensions would violate protections for employees under Minnesota law regarding workplace drug testing. The federal courts ruled that the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, which includes drug testing, doesn’t trump state law.

When a state judge decided last year to delay those proceedings until after the season, the NFL also allowed Grant and Smith to play out of fairness and put their suspensions on hold as well.

The case is scheduled to go to trial in March.

"There are not a lot of people willing to fight the boss the way Kevin and Pat have been willing to fight the NFL," said New York-based attorney Peter Ginsberg, who is representing the Williamses. "We’re confident that Kevin and Pat will ultimately prevail. It’s been a battle worth fighting, and it’s great to see them still playing football."

The NFL asked a federal appeals court for a rehearing of the case to keep it out of state court, but that was denied. The NFL has not decided whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, said league spokesman Greg Aiello, but the NFL pointed to a split 7-4 decision by the appeals court as support for its side.

League commissioner Roger Goodell even went to Congress to argue the point that pro sports need uniform anti-doping standards and can’t be subject to different sets of state laws for each team.

So, as the legal wheels continue to turn ever so slowly, the Vikings will play the Saints on Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl. As for the potential diversion of a pending court case, well, forget it.

"I don’t worry about that. That’s a couple years old," Pat Williams said. "Whatever happens happens. That’s out of my mind now."

His backup, Jimmy Kennedy, was even more adamant.

"We don’t talk about it, and to be honest I don’t think we care," Kennedy said. "It’s a distraction that people probably bring up now that we’re in the playoffs."

All the Vikings are worried about is the value their run-stuffers in the middle add to their defense.

"Their presence creates a dilemma for offenses," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "Some of the things they would normally have success with running the ball you’re not going to have success with, unless you say we’re going to double team both of those guys every down, which allows our linebackers to have some success in run defense. They just create some issues because they’re so dominant at their positions."

-- Dave Campbell

Saints’ defense won’t abandon risk-taking style

METAIRIE, La. — Gregg Williams says yards allowed is a statistic for others to worry about.

New Orleans’ defensive coordinator says the only defenses that matter in the NFL are ones that are feared. He says he wants his unit playing a hard-hitting, high-speed style that gives the Saints the best chance to turn an opponent’s mistake into points.

When the Saints had key starters injured late in the season, they gave up more than 400 yards in three of their last five games, losing two.

New Orleans rebounded in its playoff-opening 45-14 win over Arizona, forcing six punts, two turnovers and getting a sack while holding Kurt Warner without a TD pass. New Orleans will try to do the same against Minnesota’s Brett Favre in the NFC title game Sunday.

Injuries

Kevin Williams, Edwards, Harvin miss practice

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Just three days away from the NFC title game, the Minnesota Vikings’ injury situation isn’t looking any better.

Defensive tackle Kevin Williams and defensive end Ray Edwards missed their second straight practice on Thursday because of knee trouble.

Receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin also was not present. After practicing on Wednesday, he got another migraine headache, a problem that has plagued him all season.

Harvin missed a game against Cincinnati in December because of the headaches and visited the Mayo Clinic to address the recurring issue. While Harvin has been headache-free for more than a month, coach Brad Childress said it was unrealistic to think that the problem had been solved.

"I think it’s just a matter of trying to slow the onsets," Childress said. "For a while he had them pretty often. This is the first time one’s raised up (in a while). We expect him to be OK."

The Vikings sure could use him on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Associated Press’ offensive rookie of the year is a key part of the Vikings’ offensive game plan with his ability to lineup in the backfield as a running back and out wide as a receiver.

"We’re trying to put Percy in as many places as we can," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "We want to make sure we don’t have him just lined up in one spot where you can take him away. ... It’s important to get the ball in his hands, sometimes to throw it (to him) and sometimes the easiest way is just to hand the ball to him."

Edwards had three sacks and five quarterback hurries in last weekend’s win over Dallas and Williams is a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Williams is a force against the run and also provides pressure on the quarterback up the middle.

If the Vikings are going slow down the league’s highest scoring offense in New Orleans, Williams and Edwards figure to play a big part in it.

"They are vital cogs to our success on defense," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "So we need the both of them. You’d like to have them at 100 percent. Not sure if that will be the case. But just their presence will make a difference."

Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield said his injured right foot is feeling "a lot better" from when he first returned from a six-game absence on Dec. 13 against the Bengals.

Winfield said he still expects to spend most of his time against the Saints’ high-flying offense on Sunday lined up as the nickelback in the slot. The Vikings made that adjustment — and move nickelback Benny Sapp outside — when Winfield returned to reduce the stress on his foot as we worked his way back.

For the first time on Thursday, Winfield acknowledged his foot was fractured, and not sprained, against Baltimore on Oct. 18.

"Once I fractured my foot, I really couldn’t condition, really couldn’t lift (weights) with my lower body," Winfield said. "The last couple weeks, I feel myself getting my strength back and getting close to 100 percent."

-- Jon Krawczynski