Who: New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
When: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Media: TV – WCBS/NFL Network, DirecTV – N/A, Radio – ESPN 98.7 FM, Sirius – 137, Sirius XM – XM 94, Internet Audio – NFL Fieldpass.
Their Previous Meeting: The last time these two teams met, Plaxico Burress was making his return to the NFL and Aaron Maybin was just starting out on his road to redemption. The newly signed Burress caught three touchdown passes en route to a 27-7 romp of the Bengals while Maybin forced a fumble and recorded sack, including interceptions by THE Eric Smith and apparent future pizzeria operator Brashton Satele.

Injury Report: Santonio Holmes (Bruised ribs–Out), Wayne Hunter (Back–Out), Jeremy Kerley (Hamstring–Out), Dennis Landolt (Knee–Out), Sione Pouha (Head contusion–Out), Brett Roy (Concussion–Out), and Ricky Sapp (Ankle–Out).

Inactives
Jets: WR Santonio Holmes, RT Wayne Hunter, WR Jeremy Kerley, LT Dennis Landolt, NT Sione Pouha, OLB Brett Roy, and OLB Ricky Sapp.
Bengals: QB Tyler Hansen, CB Brandon Ghee, CB Jason Allen, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, RB Bernard Scott, CB Shaun Prater, G Matt Murphy, WR Ryan Whalen, DT Pat Sims, and DE Robert Geathers.

Game Captains: C Nick Mangold, FB John Conner, and ILB David Harris.

Links: TJB Chat || Preview || Intel Report || NFL.com Game Center || Jets @ Bengals Game Release || TJB on Twitter

Post Scriptum: The password to the chatroom is case-sensitive and must be entered as shown: vanilla

To say this offseason has been thoroughly exhaustive would be an understatement. What was turning out to be a relatively uneventful few months would suddenly take an unexpected twist when the Jets blindsided the football world by trading for Broncos star Tim Tebow. Since then apparently, in spite of Rex’s vow to lower his bravado several notches, the Jets have been running a “circus” because of practice brawls (but don’t worry folks, it’s ok when Bill Belichick and the Patriots do it THREE TIMES even after the disciplinarian told them to run sprints) and because they have fostered a “quarterback controversy”.

Ultimately stories have to sell and I hate to burst bubbles but there is no controversy. It’s bad enough people complain about Sanchez’s accuracy issues but imagine if Tebow played a full season? I would not want to hear the incessant complaints about Tebow’s accuracy especially given that he has continued to show a penchant for “killing worms” in practices.

While it has been frustrating at times, tonight we can put all that aside, even for a fleeting moment, and finally get a feel for the Jets’ first team and how cohesive they will be with each other particularly on offense which has acquired many new pieces that will be under the direction of new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. We will also get to evaluate the Jets’ depth and how they could potentially help the team this season–every little bit helps, just ask 2011 UDFA Nick Bellore who led the team in special teams tackles last year.

It’s been a longtime coming and I’m happy to re-introduce TJB’s Gamethreads which will house our discussions for another year and more importantly I welcome all of you Jets fans out there back because it’s time for some football!