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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- It took nine games, but TE Dustin Keller finally got back in the end zone.

Keller caught four passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns -- his first since Sept. 18 vs. Jacksonville in Week 2 -- in his team’s 28-24 win over Buffalo on Sunday.

“I think we did some good things and there were a couple things I could’ve done better,” Keller said. “There were some balls that were tough catches, but those are things i can come up with so I can make it easier on him. It’s just things we need to go through and get some repetitions in practice. You have to tip your hat to Mark [Sanchez] because he found mismatches.”

Keller capped off a 10-play, 78-yard drive in the second quarter with a three-yard score. He hauled in an 18-yard TD in the third quarter. It was the third multi-touchdown performance of his career and first since Oct. 3 against this same Bills team.

Keller got off to a great start this season, catching 16 passes for 249 yards and two TDs in his first three games. But in his next seven coming into Sunday’s game, he had just 16 receptions for 203 yards and no scores.

Fortunately for the Jets, he picked the perfect time to have another standout performance.

“This was huge,” Keller said. “If we let this game slip, who knows what the situation would’ve been. It’s just a matter of taking it one game at at time. We may have to win out.”

• Brad Smith returned to MetLife Stadium -- and he certainly made his presence felt against his former team.

Smith led all Bills receivers with 77 yards and added an acrobatic 36-yard touchdown to boot.

With 2:11 left in the third quarter and Buffalo trailing New York 21-14, Smith had a pass thrown his way down the right sideline with Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie in coverage. The ball deflected up into the air, and Smith alertly came down with it and ran into the end zone.

“I thought I got a piece and tried to knock it down,” Smith said. “I don’t know if he went the other way or if our hands kind of met, but it got tipped up. “I saw it hanging, ‘Cro kind of slipped and I just went and grabbed it.”

Smith was surprised at the warm reception he got from the Jets fans. He clearly wanted to stay with the team, but things just didn’t work out.

“It was unreal. I was just surprised that the fans were so supportive,” Smith said. “They were saying some nice things. I’ve always got love for the people here in New York and the Jets fans. Hats off to them and their team for getting a win.”

ORCHARD PARK -- It's a postcard day at Ralph Wilson Stadum, where the Jets and Bills will kick off at 1 p.m. There's a decent wind, so that could be a factor. A few quick takes on what I'll be looking for:

1. The Jets are going to run the ball, but I'm curious to see if they'll be as successful as they were in their last four meetings against the Bills. Chances are, the Jets will see eight-man boxes. Will Mark Sanchez throw in those situations? He should, but the Bills are a takeaway machine.

2. Bills RB Fred Jackson will be a tough cover for the Jets. If he splits out as a receiver, how will the Jets cover him? They don't have a linebacker that stay with him, unless they use Josh Mauga in that role. Mauga is good in coverage.

3. The Jets' cornerbacks have to be loving this matchup. They're going to get a chance to play a lot of bump-and-run coverage, their specialty. The Bills' passing game is predicated on quick throws and timing, and the Jets' corners will get a chance to strut their stuff.

4. RB Joe McKnight will have an expanded role. I don't think you'll see him in the backfield too much -- unless he's the Wildcat -- but you will see him split out as a receiver.

5. It's Aaron Maybin's homecoming. Will he record a sack in the stadium that was a house of horrors for him?

6. The Jets will see old friend Brad Smith. After years of enjoying Smith's versatility, especially as the Wildcat, they now will understand the headache he poses to the opposition.

The Bills have come a long way since last Jan. 2, when they were embarrassed by the Jets' jayvee team in a meaningless season finale. Here's a quick take on the Bills (5-2), one of the surprise teams in the NFL:

• For the Jets, it's all about stopping two players, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Fred Jackson. Fitzpatrick, the Harvard man, is the sixth-leading passer in the NFL (97.8 rating) and Jackson (721 yards, 5.5 ypc) is the fourth-leading rusher. Jackson, one of the most under-rated players in the league, has five 100-yard rushing games.

• The Bills are what the Jets wanted to be on offense, a relatively balanced attack that spreads the field and can beat you with the run or the pass. (Run-pass ratio: 45-55.) They use three- and four-receiver packages the entire game, relying on Fitzpatrick's ability to deliver the ball quickly and accurately. When they run, they exploit defenses that have only five or six players in the box. The Jets won't be in their base defense much at all.

• The Bills blanked the Redskins, 23-0, their first shutout since 2006, but that doesn't mean that all is right with their defense. Before that, the Bills had allowed at least 400 total yards in five straight games, the longest streak by any team since the 2008 Chiefs. Their perennially awful run defense is slightly better with ILB Nick Barnett and rookie NT/DE Marcel Dareus in the middle, but it's still allowing 4.9 per rush. The Jets are licking their chops, having averaged 279 rushing yards per game over the last four meetings.

• If Mark Sanchez & Co. can avoid turnovers, it will be a significant boost to their chances of winning. The Bills' defense is all about forcing turnovers (we know they're not a shut-down defense), and when they don't create extra opportunities ... well, they lose. The Bills have lost 15 straight when they don't force a turnover. For the record, the Bills and tied for the league lead with 18 takeaways.

• Weird trend of the week: The Bills are only the eighth team in NFL history to start 4-0 at home after starting the previous season at 0-4.

• Former Jets WR/KR Brad Smith has had a limited impact in Buffalo. He's had only 30 touches -- 0-for-1 passing, 19 rushes for 84 yards (out of the Wildcat), five receptions for 43 yards and five kickoff returns for a 20.6 average.

• Like the Jets, the Bills' special teams are always excellent.

Caught up with former Jets all-purpose star Brad Smith, who will face his old team Sunday when the Jets visit Buffalo. A few thoughts from Smith on the game and other topics:

• "Actually, I've been trying not to think about it, but the guys on the team kept talking about it (Monday), so it kind of forced me to think about it. It'll be unreal. Being with the Jets for five years, and now to face against those guys you fought with, and did some good things with ... It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to hitting Eric Smith (a close friend) and seeing those guys."

• Feelings about the Jets: "I have so much love and respect for those guys -- the organization, Mr. (Woody) Johnson and Rex (Ryan), and I mean that. I'm not just saying it to say it."

• On when it dawned on him that his days with the Jets were over: "I don't know if I can pinpoint it, but when free agency opened up, just talking to them and seeing where everybody was ... Time started ticking when you could sign. I started thinking, 'What if I'm not back? What if I'm not playing with these guys next year?' That's when it entered my mind."

• Fondest memories in New York: "So many. The thing that is helping me now is going back to my rookie year (2006), that first draft class when coach (Eric) Mangini was there. We all went through it -- Brick (D'Brickashaw Ferguson), Nick Mangold, Eric Smith, all those guys. It was tough. I'll never forget how all those guys came from different backgrounds, and we really became close, really good friends."

• On his closest friend, Smith, with whom he spoke only a couple of days ago: "He's not allowed to hit me. That's the rule for this week (laughing) ... We're like brothers. You get along with you're going against everybody else, but when you go against each other, there's probably going to be a fight."

• Thoughts on the Tim Tebow controversy/phenomenon (remember, Smith was a college quarterback who was drafted as a wide receiver): "I met him at a high-school quarterback camp in California, where I was a counselor. I got a chance to sit and talk with him and work out with him. He's a good guy. As a quarterback, he deserves a chance to learn and grow, just like any other young quarterback. He definitely deserves a chance."

Continuing our bye-week analysis, we move on to the special teams, a traditional strength for the Jets. A comparison of 2011 (seven games) vs. 2010 (16 games):

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jets: Major categories

Punt return avg -- 2011: 9.4 (17th) ... 2010: 9.4 (20th) ... Difference: Even

Kickoff return avg -- 2011: 30.3 (2nd) ... 2010: 25.2 (3rd) ... Difference: +20.2%

Gross punt avg -- 2011: 43.5 (23rd) ... 2010: 42.6 (23rd) ... Difference: +2.1%

Net punt avg -- 2011: 37.9 (21st) ... 2010: 38.1 (17th) ... Difference: -0.5%

FG pct -- 2011: 100.0 (T1st) ... 2010: 76.7 (T27th) ... Difference: +23.3%

Opponents: Major categories

Punt return avg -- 2011: 8.6 (14th) ... 2010: 11.1 (26th) ... Difference: +29.1%

Kickoff return avg -- 2011: 19.7 (3rd) ... 2010: 19.6 (3rd) ... Difference: -0.5%

Gross punt avg -- 2011: 46.1 (23rd) ... 2010: 45.7 (31st) ... Difference: -0.9%

Net punt avg -- 2011: 38.2 (9th) ... 2010: 40.2 (23rd) ... Difference: +5.2%

FG pct -- 2011: 91.7 (17th) ... 2010: 78.3 (T9th) ... Difference: -13.4%

Analysis: The Jets lost several key special-teams performers in the offseason, but they've improved (or remained virtually steady) in almost every major category. People fretted the loss of KR Brad Smith, but Joe McKnight leads the NFL with a 40.0 kickoff-return average. In fact, the Jets lead the league on kickoffs/average drive start (27.6), and they're second in opponents' drive start (19.5). PK Nick Folk, whose return caused many fans to groan, is 10-for-10 on FGs.

Sorry this is later than usual, but it was a hectic Tuesday. Let's take a look at three positives and negatives from the Jets' 17-3 win in the (drum roll, please) MetLife Bowl.

THREE UP

1. David Harris. The $9 million-a-year linebacker dominated on defense, recording seven tackles, an interception and forcing Eli Manning into an interception with a QB pressure. Word of advice to Harris: Ask Santonio Holmes for tips on tight-roping the sideline; he might have scored on his interception return.

2. Special teams. The Jets made the Giants look bad in the kicking game, which isn't that hard to do. Antonio Cromartie had a 70-yard kickoff return, Jarron Gilbert blocked a punt, T.J. Conley won the punting job with a strong game and PK Nick Folk won the kicking job by not screwing up.

3. Jeremy Kerley. The Wildcat is back. It'll be tough to replace Brad Smith, but the rookie from TCU did a fair impersonation. The Cowboys now have something else to worry about in the opener.

THREE DOWN

1. Wayne Hunter. His unnecessary-roughness penalty wiped out a potential scoring drive in the third quarter. I understand why he took a swipe at LB Jonathan Goff, defending teammate Brandon Moore, but a veteran like Hunter should know better.

2. Mark Sanchez. Not all his fault -- he was under pressure at times -- but he committed a turnover, never seemed comfortable and struggled with ball placement (except for the pretty TD pass to Holmes).

3. LaDainian Tomlinson. Not so much for this performance, but the entire preseason. Look, Tomlinson doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, but he hasn't displayed any of that old magic we saw last August through October. He's had 11 rushes for 20 yards. Maybe he's saving himself for the real show. He deserves the benefit of the doubt.

1. The new Wildcat. Brad Smith, the man who made the Jets' Wildcat package so dangerous, too his versatile skill set to the Bills. Now, what? Will the Jets ditch the Wildcat? They're probably not going to use it as often as last season, but it's still will be part of their package. Rex Ryan said Tuesday he has three candidates to replace Smith: Rookie WR Jeremy Kerley, RB Joe McKnight and RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Good luck trying to fill those shoes.

2. As the Ankle Turns. WR Plaxico Burress, he of the tweaked ankle, didn't participate at all in team drills. Based on rep count, that would qualify as a setback, considering he took three reps Sunday. It's unclear if Burress aggravated the injury, but this much we know: The Jets will be ultra, ultra, ultra cautious with Burress throughout the preseason. They don't want to take any chances, and that's smart, but he also needs time with QB Mark Sanchez. Tough balancing act.

3. D-Back is back. It wasn't a headline acquisition, but the signing of CB Donald Strickland could prove to be an important move. He knows the system, having played for the Jets in 2009, and he could push Kyle Wilson for the nickel job. Ostensibly, they signed Strickland, cut recently by the Chargers, to replace Drew Coleman (Jaguars). It wasn't a hard sell job. Said defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, "It was one of those phone calls where we had him at hello."

For several months, it was the hottest topic of conversation among Jets fans: How many of the Big Four free agents can they re-sign? Which ones? Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards? Both? What about Antonio Cromartie? Brad Smith?

In the end, it went pretty much as expected, although there was a little more drama because of the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes.

I always felt Holmes was the No. 1 priority and that the Jets, because of salary-cap considerations, wouldn't be able to keep him and Edwards. That's how it played out. They re-upped with Holmes for five years, $50 million and Edwards remains a free agent, his Jets career finished.

Smith is a terrific football player, but he's not a full-time player and luxuries are hard to keep around. The Jets didn't even make an offer and watched him sign with the Bills for $15 million over four years.

As for Cromartie, the Jets were prepared to move on without him, thinking they could woo Asomugha, but that blew up and they were forced to go back to Cromartie. Early Monday morning, the two sides finalized a four-year, $32 million contract.

The heavy lifting is done for GM Mike Tannenbaum, but look for second-tier free agents such as DE Shaun Ellis and S James Ihedigbo to re-sign in the coming days. They'd like to extend LB David Harris' one-year contract, and look for those talks to heat up in the coming days.

If Bart (Can't Wait) Scott were the Jets' GM, he would've gone stir crazy Thursday because ... well, there was a lot of waiting.

The day in review:

• As of midnight, the Jets still were waiting for a decision from free-agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who is taking his sweet time. The Jets are in an excellent position to land Asomugha. One of their competitors, the Texans, dropped out after agreeing to a five-year deal with former Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph.

That leaves the Bucs and 49ers as his other primary suitors. The Bucs have the most cap room, but they just gave OL Davin Joseph a seven-year, $53 million deal and many wonder if the frugal Bucs will cough up big bucks for Asomugha. The Niners' advantage is location; Asomugha has spent his adult life in the Bay Area (Cal, Raiders).

Prediction: The Jets will wrap up an Asomugha deal Friday. If they lose him, they'll try to re-sign Antonio Cromartie, who could become the most expensive consolation prize in free-agent history.

• The Jets suffered their first significant free-agent defection, losing WR/KR Brad Smith to the Bills. A strange choice, indeed, by Smith. Sources say he informed the Jets of his desire to return, but he was told they couldn't make an offer because they were in the Nnamdi holding pattern. Smith will sign a five-year, $14 million contract.

• We're only three days into free agency, but the Jets are a weaker team than a few days ago. They've retained WR Santonio Holmes, RT Wayne Hunter and PK Nick Folk, but lost Smith.

• Meanwhile, up in New England, the rival Patriots added two intriguing names -- DT Albert Haynesworth and WR Chad Ochocinco. For a change, the Patriots -- not the Jets -- made the off-season headlines. That's usually a Jets specialty, but that will change if they secure Asomugha.

• The Jets have reached out to the agents of their draft picks, and the deals will start to trickle in. Don't expect first-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson to get done until over the weekend. Players report to training camp on Sunday.

A look back at the day that was:

• As expected, the Jets wrapped up a five-year deal with WR Santonio Holmes, their No. 1 priority. To celebrate, Holmes gulped a bottle of expensive champagne and tweeted a photo of his chug-a-lug. Hearing that the contract includes a series of one-year options that protect the Jets in the event that Holmes suffers another substance-abuse violation and gets suspended for a year.

• Free agent WR Braylon Edwards, feeling ignored by the Jets, tweeted his unhappiness. Says he would love to return to the Jets, but he doesn't think the feeling is mutual. He wound up deleting the tweet. Edwards becomes an interesting guy now. With Holmes and Sidney Rice (Seahawks) off the market, Edwards moves to the top of the WR board. If he doesn't get the deal he wants, and his value drops, maybe he returns to the Jets. Long shot, but you never know.

• As I wrote around midday, which seems about 20 hours ago, the Jets stepped up their pitch to star CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Looks like a three- or four-team race, with the 49ers, Texans and, possibly, the Cowboys chasing him, too.

• On a conference call with reporters, CB Darrelle Revis gushed about Asomugha, saying they'd make an "awesome" tandem if his friend decides to come to New York. Interesting that Revis was made available to the media. Could that have been a recruiting ploy, knowing Revis would be peppered with questions about Asomugha?

• PK Nick Folk agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Jets, not a very popular move based on the reaction from my twitter followers.

• Former Jets QB Kellen Clemens agreed to a one-year deal with the Redskins. The onetime QB of the future is history.

• All quiet on the CB Antonio Cromartie and WR Brad Smith fronts.

The anticipated first-day frenzy never materialized -- at least not for the Jets. Mostly, there was a lot of hot air, rumors and posturing. Let's recap:

• As of late Tuesday night, the Jets still were negotiating with WR Santonio Holmes, according to a source. From all indications, they have a very good chance of retaining their top free agent.

• As expected, the Jets checked in with CB Nnamdi Asomugha, the crown jewel of the free-agent class. Things are moving slowly with Asomugha, who has many suitors.

• The Jets agreed to a four-year contract with RT Wayne Hunter, who ended last season as the starter. This came as a surprise, with so much speculation surrounding a possible return by Damien Woody, who had the job before injuries last season. Woody has retired, according to the New York Daily News. Woody didn't return messages, but a person close to the lineman told us he believes Woody has decided to hang 'em up.

• Free agent WR Brad Smith, in a radio interview, said he has heard from several teams, including the Jets.

• All quiet with WR Braylon Edwards, who will jump to the head of the free-agent class once Holmes and Sidney Rice (Vikings) are signed.

• S Eric Smith, a part-time starter, was contacted by the Jets. They want him back, but nothing is imminent.

• Various reports linked the Jets to LB Antwan Barnes (Chargers) and CB Draylon Florence (Bills). Barnes is strictly a backup type. Florence is a step down from Antonio Cromartie, but a serviceable starter. Looks like the Jets are shopping the high-rent district (Asomugha) and the middle-class neighborhood for a potential Cromartie replacement.

Four-plus hours into free agency, and still no "major" deals. But here's a Jets update:

• Former Jets RT Damien Woody, cut by the team before the lockout, is drawing significant interest from the Jets, according to a source. Makes sense because, as of now, untested second-year OLM Vlad Ducasse is pencilled in to start at right tackle. Don't expect an immediate outcome here; it may take a few days.

Speaking Monday night on 1050 ESPN New York Radio, Woody made his preferences clear, saying, "It's Gang Green or nothing." At 33, he could opt for retirement. On the radio, he said his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon is doing just fine. If the Jets fail to re-sign Woody, they could turn to free agent Wayne Hunter, who did a respectable job late last season as Woody's replacement.

• Interesting tweet Tuesday from Redskins CB Phillip Buchanon, who said, "Redskins or Jets?" Does that mean the Jets are showing interest in the 30-year-old corner? If so, it means the Jets are lining up potential replacements in the event they lose Antonio Cromartie. Buchanon has played for five different teams, but he began his career with the Raiders, who were coached by Bill Callahan, now the Jets' assistant head coach/offensive line coach.

• As expected, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith are drawing interest from numerous teams. Hearing that the Redskins -- no shock -- already are on to Holmes and Edwards. Smith has been contacted by numerous teams, according to a source.

• The Jets' rookie cap, per ESPN's John Clayton, is $3.4 million. They have to squeeze six draft choices under that amount.

• The Jets haven't announced any undrafted-free agent signings, but various reports say they have finalized deals with TE Josh Baker (Northwest Missouri State), SS Davon Morgan (Virginia Tech), OL Chris Stewart (Notre Dame), CB Julian Posey (Ohio), G Zane Taylor (Utah), WR Courtney Smith (South Alabama), LB Nick Bellore (Central Michigan) and TE Collin Franklin (Iowa State).

Again, these deals are unofficial.

Let the record show that the Jets' first acquisition of 2011 (at least the first one to come out publicly) is an undrafted free agent named Josh Baker, a tight end formerly of Northwest Missouri State. The Jets agreed to terms Monday night with Baker, according to NFL Draft Insider.

Teams can't begin to sign players until 10 a.m. Tuesday, per the post-lockout rules.

Because of the unusual circumstances, these UDFAs are going to be overhyped (at least until the veterans start signing), but Baker actually has an interesting back story. Baker (6-2, 244) caught 66 passes for 838 yards in his only season at NWMS -- previously, he played at Delaware, where he caught passes from Joe Flacco -- and sometimes lined up in the Wildcat package.

In fact, Baker scored three touchdowns as the "Wildcat." That, of course, will fuel the Brad Smith-is-a-goner speculation. Smith, as everybody knows, will be a sought-after free agent. The Jets also drafted a potential Wildcat, former TCU WR Jeremy Kerley. If you didn't know better, you'd think the Jets were preparing for Smith's departure. Maybe they are.

The NFL released its list of free agents Monday night. No surprises here -- the Jets have 16 unrestricted free agents (four or more accrued seasons) and one restricted free agent (three accrued seasons). Here you go:

UNRESTRICTED

FB Tony Richardson
DE Trevor Pryce
DE Shaun Ellis
WR Braylon Edwards
OL Wayne Hunter
S Brodney Pool
QB Kellen Clemens
CB Drew Coleman
CB Antonio Cromartie
WR Santonio Holmes
LB Lance Laury
WR Brad Smith
S Eric Smith
P Steve Weatherford
PK Nick Folk
S James Ihedigbo

RESTRICTED

OL Robert Turner