EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Backup Kellen Clemens was 16-of-22 for 174 yards and three touchdowns – two to Sean Ryan – and the New York Jets beat Atlanta 31-16 in the preseason opener for both.
Clemens, who completed nine straight passes at one stretch, came in for Chad Pennington, who didn’t attempt a pass in his two series.
Joey Harrington, thrust into the starting quarterback job while Michael Vick is away from the team and facing federal dogfighting charges, looked comfortable running the Falcons’ offense. The former Detroit and Miami quarterback was 6-of-9 for 88 yards in his first game action in new coach Bobby Petrino’s offense.
Thomas Jones, acquired by the Jets from Chicago in the offseason, ran eight times for 27 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown that was set up by Leon Washington’s 86-yard kickoff return.
Buccaneers 13, Patriots 10
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Matt Bryant’s 32-yard field goal as time expired gave Tampa Bay the victory.
Jeff Garcia worked two three-and-out series in his debut at quarterback for the Buccaneers. Luke McCown, who didn’t play in 2006 after undergoing knee surgery, played in a game for the first time since the 2005 preseason and completed all seven of his passes for 68 yards and one touchdown for the Bucs.
New England fans didn’t get to see their new passing tandem work together.
Tom Brady started and was in for 13 plays, for New England, while Moss, obtained in a draft day trade with Oakland, sat out as expected with a sore hamstring that’s slowed him during training camp.
Fullback Mike Alstott, out for the season with a neck injury that may end his career, was introduced with Tampa Bay’s offensive starters and received a big ovation when he jogged onto the field wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans and his No. 40 jersey.
MORE
Add A Comment