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Sunday Scoopage: Hidden intrigue behind Patriots-Jets

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Jay Glazer

Senior NFL Writer Jay Glazer is one of NFL's top insiders. In addition to providing breaking news, columns and video, he appears weekly on FOX NFL Sunday. Visit Jay's exclusive page for hot scoops and watch MMAthetics and The After Party.

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Updated Sep 20, 2009 6:01 PM ET
     
 
It wasn't the trash talk that helped the Jets beat the Pats Sunday. It was the chalk talk.

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Sure, the Jets talked tons of smack going into their battle vs. New England, and who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned, violent, trash-talking rivalry? But take the trash out of the equation for a minute. The real dirty work was done with some behind-the-scenes intrigue on the part of the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan. This week Ryan used former Patriots QB and Tom Brady understudy Kevin O'Connell to prepare for the Pats. Team sources told FOXSports.com that Ryan took O'Connell and pretty much passed him around from coach to coach this week to give a group-by-group tutorial of New England's tendencies. In fact, he was so helpful that Ryan named O'Connell team captain for today's game. That's right, a No. 3 QB as team captain. And the Jets showed how good they can be with a little captain in 'em. "It was just another shot across their bow," said one team source of why Ryan made the surprising move. Sources said while the former Patriot QB was revealing in helping with tendencies of different players and schemes, he was most helpful in revealing the tendencies the Patriots use to adjust against different blitz packages the Jets will try to employ. Basically, he's able to say, "Hey, when you use this blitz they like to check it over here. When you use that blitz their tendency will be to use this guy, here." In addition to the strategic assist, O'Connell also revealed something else that Ryan could sink his teeth into for motivational purposes. Brady's former backup informed the Jets coach that New England began intently breaking down and studying Ryan's defense all the way back to March. Players say Ryan used this info to deliver this message: "You don't think they aren't worried about us? They're definitely thinking about us!" At this point whether or not O'Connell's scoopage helped is nowhere near exciting as how much it adds to what is a very entertaining re-charged rivalry.

The word on Crabtree

The 49ers-Michael Crabtree holdout affair will now run into Week 3 of this season. The problem is that Crabtree wants a deal at least equal to that of the Raiders' Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was chosen three slots in front of Crabtree. The 49ers are apparently willing to increase his money with incentives and can increase his money based on performance-type of criteria. While they are willing to go up in this respect they will, in exchange, look to decrease the guaranteed money. Word around the league is that Crabtree's camp believes if he stays put and goes back into next year's draft, he can get a team to give him a deal with approximately $40 million in guaranteed money. Problem is if the 49ers trade him prior to next year's draft, the team that gets his rights will not get an increased rookie salary cap allotment. This makes it very sticky in getting a deal done. If they don't trade him and he gets drafted, he'll face the same problem he did this past year unless he's a top five pick. But why would he be a top fiver next year if he wasn't this year? Plus, because of the threat of a future rookie wage scale, expect this year's draft to be loaded with underclassment hoping to take advantage of the current system.

Donovan's pain in the ...

Donovan McNabb has a broken rib that kept him out Sunday. The question now is if he will play next week. It makes most sense to sit him versus Kansas City because their bye is one week later. Could they shoot it up? Yes, but it makes it dangerous in case the rib re-breaks and punctures the lung. If it's numb he may not be able to tell. Sources say McNabb has gone far and away the extra mile to rehab the area and will try to push to play next week. However, the Eagles training staff and Andy Reid are very sensitive to not pushing guys to play through things if they could put themselves in future jeopardy. McNabb's rib had broken and displaced but apparently was healing well enough to where playing next week is a possibility. Would I do it? Not considering the circumstances of their next couple of weeks.

Incognito not flying under league's radar

Lost in a slew of fines last week was a hefty $12,500 tab given to Rams fiery lineman Richie Incognito for unnecessary roughness. Not only did he get the week's top fine for a player, the league also issued a warning that any future similar infractions the league will consider a suspension. Incognito, according to teammates, had actually calmed a lot this preseason with plays like that, but obviously fell back in during Week One.
Tagged: Raiders, Rams, Richie Incognito, Donovan McNabb, Patriots, Jets, Tom Brady, Eagles, 49ers

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