ESPN

For the second training camp in a row, the Jets will have a player coming from prison. A year ago, it was Plaxico Burress. This summer it will be second-year NT Kenrick Ellis, who will report to a Hampton, Va., jail on June 15 to serve a minimum of 45 days.

Ellis' legal issues, which came under the glare of the New York spotlight when he was drafted 13 months ago, finally got resolved Monday in a Hampton court room. A judge accepted a plea bargain, from felony malicious wounding to misdemeanor assault and battery, and imposed the previously arranged sentence -- 179 days in jail, with 89 suspended. With good behavior, he'll be out in 45 days, according to his attorney.

This worked out rather conveniently for the Jets and Ellis, whose attorney was able to negotiate the timing of the sentence. He won't miss any OTAs or minicamp, which ends June 14, and he'll miss only a few days of training camp. From a football standpoint, he'll be behind in conditioning, but it could've been a lot worse. From a real-life standpoint, it's six weeks behind bars for Ellis, who also got slapped with a $3 million civil suit by the victim.

The Jets took a lot of heat for drafting Ellis, who was looking at five to 20 years in prison at the time. They were desperate for a nose tackle and felt Ellis, despite his legal woes, was worth the gamble. This is what GM Mike Tannenbaum said after picking him: "Maybe his risk is more than others, but if we didn’t feel he’d be successful here, we wouldn’t have taken him."

The Jets probably are breathing a sigh of relief because, take my word for it, Ellis' situation caused a lot of angst within the organization. His situation was complicated by the fact that he's not a U.S. citizen -- he was born in Jamaica -- and a felony assault conviction for a non-citizen means deportation, based on immigration law.

But the Jets shouldn't feel any vindication here. A crime was committed and a player -- one of their players -- is going to prison. That's never a good thing. Tannenbaum & Co. still have to answer for Ellis, who, coming off a disappointing rookie year, still hasn't come close to validating his third-round status.

Kenrick Ellis may have to answer to the NFL as well.

The second-year defensive tackle, who agreed to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and battery from an incident that occurred while he was a student at Hampton (Va.) University, is subject to the league's personal-conduct policy.

The timing of the incident is a factor to be considered, but it is subject to review, a league spokesman said Saturday in an e-mail to ESPNNewYork.com. If a player is found to be in violation of the personal-conduct policy, he could be slapped with a fine and/or a suspension.

Ellis was arrested in April 2010 and later charged with a malicious wounding, a felony in Virginia. The Jets were aware of the charge when they selected him in the third round of the 2011 draft. On Thursday, Ellis accepted a plea-bargain arrangement. If he had been convicted of a felony, he could've been deported because he's not a U.S. citizen.

Ellis is scheduled to appear in court Monday, when the judge likely will approve the plea deal and, possibly, hand down a sentence. The plea agreement includes six months of jail time, S. Howard Woodson, the alleged victim's attorney, told ESPNNewYork.com. Under Virginia law, Ellis would have to serve 90 days, with time served being applied.

Ellis also faces a likely civil suit.

For a profile of new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and his courageous stance against vitiligo, a rare skin disease, check out my story here. In my interview with Dunbar, we also talked football.

Prior to the Jets, Dunbar spent six seasons as the Vikings' DL coach. In that span, the Vikings always had a terrific line, especially from 2008 to 2010. That's when they had the quarter of DE Jared Allen, DE Ray Edwards, DT Kevin Williams and DT Pat Williams. It was an awesome blend of speed and power, unleashed in a four-man front.

The Jets have a long way to go before they're in that category. Plus, it's apples and oranges somewhat because the Jets employ a three-man line. Nevertheless, I asked Dunbar to describe any similarities.

"Here, we rely on our linebackers, Calvin (Pace) and (Aaron) Maybin and (Ricky) Sapp to be those outside rushers," Dunbar said. "What we've done here, to be comparable to Minnesota, we're very athletic inside with Muhammad (Wilkerson) and (Quinton) Coples and (Kenrick) Ellis. Sione (Pouha) reminds me a little bit of Pat Williams, that big, round, stocky body that can plug up that A gap and take on blockers."

The addition of Coples will give them more flexibility, which means you could see a few more 4-3 looks than last season. But the Jets aren't going to dump the 3-4 and become a 4-3 team. You also might see more "46" fronts -- aka the "Bear" front. That's a 4-3 alignment, with a safety coming down as a linebacker -- an eight-man front. The Jets used it a little last season when facing run-heavy teams.

Dunbar is familiar with the 46 defense, having played for Buddy Ryan on the Cardinals in 1995. Ryan is the father of the 46 defense (see the '85 Bears). Rex Ryan was the D-line coach on that Arizona team, so there's the connection. I wouldn't expect a lot of the 46 look. With so many teams using spread offenses, it would be hard to match up with a 46.

But Dunbar definitely has that Ryan gene when it comes to defense.

"Some of the terminology has changed over the years, but we have the same principles," he said. "We’re going to attack and get after you."

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Second-year NT Kenrick Ellis, scheduled for trial next Tuesday in Hampton, Va., on a felony charge of malicious wounding, declined Wednesday to say whether the trial will cause him to miss any voluntary workouts.

In fact, Ellis refused to answer any questions about the trial or his case, repeatedly saying "it's a pending legal matter." After a few questions, a Jets PR official stepped in, asking that questions be limited to football only.

Ellis was arrested in April 2010 for an alleged incident that occurred while he was a student at Hampton. The trial was originally scheduled for last July, but was postponed twice. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Because he's a non-U.S. citizen, born in Jamaica, Ellis is deportable if convicted of a felony, according to immigration law.

B.T. BACK: OLB Bryan Thomas, who tore his Achilles' tendon last October, said he's close to running full speed. His goal is to be 100 percent by the starting of training camp, which gives him two months. Thomas, who turns 33 on June 7, was an unrestricted free agent, but he re-signed for one year.

The Jets didn't add any experienced outside linebackers, so they're counting on him to return. After Calvin Pace and Thomas, they have Aaron Maybin, Garrett McIntyre and Ricky Sapp.

MOUTH THAT BORED: LB Bart Scott refused to talk with reporters, saying: "This is voluntary (workouts). I don't speak voluntary."

HAIRY PREDICAMENT: C Nick Mangold received some razzing from teammates for what he did Tuesday night. He got his chest waxed on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Hmm, wonder if Vince Wilfork will bring that up next time they butt heads in the trenches.

Mangold said he didn't expect it. He said the producer asked him a couple of hours before the show.

"They said, 'Hey, want to do a little skit?'" Mangold said. "Like an idiot, I said yes."

To check out the video, click here.

Second-year NT Kenrick Ellis' legal odyssey could come into focus over the next two weeks.

Ellis, facing a felony charge for malicious wounding, is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Thursday in Hampton, Va., where he allegedly attacked a man in April, 2010. The criminal trial, already postponed twice, is set to begin May 22.

Ellis was a student at Hampton University when the alleged incident occurred. He faces up to 20 years if convicted.

The Jets were aware of the pending charges when they selected Ellis in the third round of the 2011 draft. A potential complication is that Ellis is not a U.S. citizen. Ellis, a native of Jamaica who moved to Florida at the age of 11, has "permanent resident" status. A permanent resident convicted of an aggravated felony is deportable, according to immigration law. People close to Ellis have said the alleged victim harassed his girlfriend and came after him with a baseball bat, prompting the lineman to act in self-defense.

Ellis also is facing a civil suit. It was filed last April by Dennis Eley, who is seeking $3 million in damages. In his complaint, obtained by ESPNNewYork.com, he accused Ellis of beating him unconcious and breaking his nose and jaw, requiring two surgeries.

Eley's attorney, S. Howard Woodson, recently withdrew the suit, but that was only a technicality -- it was about to lapse under Virginia state law -- and he told ESPNNewYork.com he intends to re-file.

Quick thoughts on the first two days of the Jets' draft:

1. In recent years, the Jets have become a size/speed drafting team. That philosophy, which can be dangerous, was never more apparent than with their first two picks -- DE Quinton Coples and WR Stephen Hill. For different reasons, neither player produced a lot last season, but they're big and fast and they performed well in the Underwear Olympics -- a.k.a. the scouting combine. As team officials discussed the picks, the words "athleticism" and "potential" kept coming up. Buyer, beware.

2. The Jets have been doing that a lot in recent years, taking height/weight/speed prospects with questions about productivity, level of competition and football traits -- i.e. Vernon Gholston, Vladimir Ducasse, Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis. It's like they've become infatuated with 40 times and wing spans. Sometimes it works out (Wilkerson), sometimes it doesn't.

3. That said, I like the Hill pick. Yeah, he's raw, having played in a run-oriented offense at Georgia Tech, but his arrow is pointed up. From all reports, he has the right attitude, he's willing to work, he's a tenacious blocker and he has a good football acumen. You'd rather take a chance on a player like that, as opposed to Coples, whose motivation came into question after a lackluster senior year. Both players have high ceilings, but at least Hill is going in the right direction.

4. The Jets had a first-round grade on Hill. A lot of teams did. This is what one NFC scout told me about him: "It's hard to predict [his future]. I saw him catch more balls at the combine than I did during the season, but he's got all the talent. He could be a big-time player."

5. Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm having a hard time with LB Demario Davis in the third round. Why? He's a bit of a projection, a 4-3 OLB becoming a 3-4 ILB. At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, he's undersized for the Jets' 34 front. Their inside 'backers are responsible for taking on guards, and that will be difficult for him. This also wasn't a "need" position. Sure, they can use some young legs behind David Harris and Bart Scott, but they had bigger needs at safety and offensive tackle. The Davis pick has Mike Westhoff's fingerprints all over it; he rated Davis as one of the best special teamers in the draft.

6. In case you're wondering, the Davis pick doesn't mean the end for Scott. GM Mike Tannenbaum, in an unsolicited remark, said Scott isn't going anywhere. But now his heir apparent is on campus.

7. The common denominator with all three picks is speed. The Jets wanted -- and needed -- to improve their team speed, and they've done that. Coples (4.71 in the 40), Hill (4.31) and Davis (4.52) all have above-average speed for their respective positions. Asked about the need for speed, VP of college scouting Joey Clinkscales said, "I'm sure that was in the back of our mind. We wanted to get faster. The league is getting faster with spread offenses and being able to score points. It was important to add that."

8. Obviously, the Jets aren't going to emerge from this draft with an offensive tackle who can pose an immediate threat to embattled RT Wayne Hunter. Does that mean another season of Hunter? You can't get a straight answer from the Jets. Tannenbaum, speaking in code, said Hunter is "still competing for the position." Asked if that means it's an open competition, Tannenbaum said Hunter remains the starter "right now" -- the Tannenbaum kiss of death. Look for them to make a move in post-draft free agency.

9. On Day 3, the Jets will wait -- a lot. They have no fourth-round pick (Tim Tebow trade) and no fifth-round pick (sent to the Seahawks in the trade-up for Hill), so they don't pick until the sixth round. They have five picks left, four of which are compensatory -- and those picks can't be traded.

10. I guess Santonio Holmes doesn't have much pull in the personnel department. They haven't picked any offensive linemen.

This is the seventh part in a nine-part, position-by-position analysis, breaking down the Jets' needs and draft possibilities.

Position: Defensive line

Depth chart: Muhammad Wilkerson (E), Sione Pouha (T), Mike DeVito (E/T), Marcus Dixon (E/T), Ropati Pitoitua (E), Kenrick Ellis (T), Martin Tevaseu (T), Jay Richardson (E).

Not under contract: N/A

Scouting report: The line should be better in 2012 now that some of the young players, namely Wilkerson, Dixon, and Pitoitua, have experienced on-the-job training. DeVito will be healthy after fighting through a knee sprain last season, which hurt the run defense. Wilkerson, who held up reasonably well as a rookie considering he had no off-season program, should grow into a bigger role as a pass rusher. The wild card is Ellis. You knew he'd be raw as a rookie, but he re-defined the meaning of "raw." The Jets are hoping he can blossom under new DL Karl Dunbar.

The bottom line is, the Jets have some good pieces here, led by the run-stuffing Pouha, but this is hardly a stand-pat unit. DeVito is entering the final year of his contract, so they need to take a long-term view at that position. The Jets don't count on the front three for a lot of pass rush, but they need another player that can generate some push on first and second down.

The Last Time: The Jets started to rebuild their line in last year's draft, selecting Wilkerson (first round) and Ellis (third).

Potential Targets: The two names to watch in the first round are DE Quinton Coples (North Carolina) and NT Dontari Poe (Memphis), one of whom could slip to 16. They're both physical marvels, but neither one was stellar last season. At 6-foot-6, 284 pounds, Coples is a 'tweener in the Jets' 3-4 front. Rex Ryan attended Coples' pro day and personally tested him in OLB drills; he looked terrific, according to a scout that was present. But there are questions about Coples' work ethic and love for the game. Joey Clinkscales, the Jets' VP of college scouting, acknowledged that Coples' play slipped last season. Personally, I'd stay away. Poe (6-foot-4, 346 pounds) blew away the scouting combine, but he produced only five sacks in three seasons. The NFL Network's Mike Mayock said of Poe, "He's a physical freak, no doubt. However the tape is very average." He'd be a value pick, not need.

The Jets brought Michael Brockers (LSU) in for a visit -- another first-round talent. He's massive (6-foot-5, 322), but "he has no technique," one NFC scout told me. "He's like a bull in a china shop." If they don't pick a DLM in the first round, the Jets will look to add one in the later rounds. They've shown interest in Brandon Thompson (Clemson), DE/OLB Josue Ortiz (Harvard), Jake Bequette (Arkansas) and Justin Francis (Rutgers).

Need Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10): 5

Next: Linebacker

The Jets' actions (or non-actions) in free agency will tell us a lot about what they think of their recent drafts. By that, I mean they have a few needs that could be filled in-house -- if they're willing to promote former draft picks that have been waiting in the wings. That's the way it's supposed to be done, the cost-effective way, but we know the Jets have a tendency to throw money at problems.

The dilemmas:

RT Vladimir Ducasse -- Most Jets fans groan when they hear his name, but here's the reality, folks: The front office still holds him in high regard and will give him every opportunity to be the starting right tackle (regardless of what GM Mike Tannenbaum said in a recent interview about incumbent Wayne Hunter).

I was sitting in Tannenbaum's office last season when he told me Ducasse, despite his obvious struggles, will have a "great" career. We'll see if that's just lip service because, if the Jets go out and sign a veteran right tackle, they'd basically be admitting they wasted a second-round pick on Big Vlad.

RB Bilal Powell -- Remember when everyone was scratching their head last April when the Jets drafted another running back? Well, this is the reason why. LaDainian Tomlinson (free agent) isn't coming back, and they need a backup for Shonn Greene.

So it's decision time: Give the job to Powell or hit the free-agent market for stop-gap player like Ronnie Brown. (Joe McKnight apparently is viewed as a better third-down candidate.) Powell's rookie year was basically a red-shirt (13 carries for 21 yards), so there's not much to go on. But they thought enough of him to pick him in the fourth round; now we find out if they have the courage of their convictions.

NT Kenrick Ellis -- We already know what the Jets think about the former third-round pick because the Jets just gave incumbent Sione Pouha a three-year contract. Ellis, out of tiny Hampton (Va.), was overmatched as a rookie. His transition to the NFL will take some time.

QB Greg McElroy -- The Jets won't have to draft a developmental quarterback because they still believe in McElroy and plan to make him the No. 3. It would be too risky to make him the No. 2, so they'll have to seek a veteran such as Chad Henne.

FREE-AGENT BUZZ: Most of the speculation has focused on LaRon Landry (Redskins), but the safety-needy Jets also could make a run at Brandon Meriweather (Bears). They showed interest in Meriweather at the end of last preseason when he was released by the Patriots. He signed a one-year deal with the Bears early last September.

BT EXPRESS: Longtime Jets LB Bryan Thomas, an unrestricted free agent, told the Star-Ledger of Newark that his rehab from Achilles'-tendon surgery is "right on schedule." Thomas could be a fallback option for the Jets at OLB.

"I talked to my agent, I asked, ‘Am I in the plans (for the Jets)?’ He’s going to talk to them," Thomas told the newspaper. "Like I said, I’d love to be back. I appreciate the game, but when you are watching it and not being able to be out there for the first time ever, you appreciate it so much more."

SPEND MONEY: The Jets are expected to be about $14 million under the cap, not counting Pouha's contract.

The Jets have 11 unrestricted free agents, but there's really only one they can't afford to lose -- nose tackle Sione Pouha.

Sources say both sides are trying to hammer out a long-term contract before the start of free agency next Tuesday, and there's no reason to think it won't get done. This isn't one of those sign-a-deal-or-we'll-tag-you kind of situations. The Jets have no plans to use the franchise tag on Pouha; the deadline is 4 p.m. Monday.

A couple of factors make this an interesting negotiation. Pouha turned 33 last month and he plays arguably the most physically demanding position, so that has to be a concern for the Jets. But take a closer look and you will see that he's not a high-mileage player.

Pouha got a late start in the NFL because of a religious mission in college (he was a 26-year-old rookie in 2005), and he has been a full-time starter for only three seasons. In addition, his snap count is relatively low -- 472, 567 and 627 over the last three years, according to the web site Pro Football Focus. That's only 54 percent of the defensive plays, give or take.

Pouha primarily is a first- and second-down player, offering little in the way of pass rush, but he's one of the best run-stopping nose tackles in the game. You can't run a 3-4 defense if your nose tackle doesn't tie up two blockers, and Pouha does that very well. He's coming off his best year, with 55 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four batted passes.

His stats don't jump off the page, but he doesn't play a "stats" position. He's vital to the defense, particularly in light of the slow development of second-year NT Kenrick Ellis. Ellis is as raw as raw can be, and there's no way he's ready to be a full-time player. That enhances Pouha's value.

Pouha and Paul Soliai (Dolphins), who played last season for the franchise-tag salary (more than $12 million), are regarded as the top two free agents at nose tackle. Antonio Garay (Chargers) also could be in the conversation. Clearly, there would be a market for Pouha, who also happens to be a positive force in the locker room -- and we all know the Jets need guys like that.

The current franchise number is expected to be about $7.6 million. It would cripple the Jets' cap situation to use that on Pouha, so it makes sense to reach a long-term agreement. Prediction: He signs a four-year, $20 million deal, with $11 million guaranteed.

Free agency opens March 13, so consider this the one-month preview. The Jets have 11 unrestricted free agents and, as of now, only $464,000 in salary-cap room. Do the math.

Unlike like last offseason, when several high-profile players were free agents, the Jets' list is relatively modest. It includes only two starters (Sione Pouha and Plaxico Burress) and two former starters/injured (Jim Leonhard and Bryan Thomas).

Here's a breakdown, ranking them in order of importance:

HIGH PRIORITY

NT Sione Pouha -- You can't run a 3-4 defense without a run-stuffing nose tackle, and the Jets have that in Pouha. They will try hard to re-sign him before he hits the open market. Pouha just turned 33, so you have to be careful, but the Jets are stuck between a rock and a hard place because Kenrick Ellis isn't ready.

MEDIUM PRIORITY

None

LOW PRIORITY

S Jim Leonhard -- Ordinarily, he'd be a shoo-in to return, but he's recovering from major knee surgery and might not be a full go for the start of training camp. If the Jets do re-sign him, it probably would be for a minimum contract late in free agency. Obviously, he's not going to draw much interest.

OL Robert Turner -- He missed last season due to a broken leg, but he should be good to go. He has value to the Jets as a key reserve, but he might find a better opportunity elsewhere. Former Jets OL coach Bill Callahan is with the Cowboys, who could be looking for a left guard to replace Derrick Dockery (free agent).

PK Nick Folk -- Folk did a decent job on a one-year contract, but the Jets aren't going to break the bank for a kicker who made only 76 percent of his field goals and failed to get consistent length on his kickoffs.

S Brodney Pool -- Look for a shake-up at the safety position. Pool was an 11th-hour returnee last offseason, so it's hard to imagine them rushing out to bring him back.

CB Donald Strickland -- He was the No. 4 cornerback for most of the season, with the versatility to cover tight ends. He could return in that role, but we're talking minimum contract here.

OLB Bryan Thomas -- The former No. 1 pick deserved better, but here are the cold facts: He's a 33-year-old linebacker coming off Achilles-tendon surgery. Maybe, if his leg checks out, he could be a consideration in training camp for a backup role.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson -- It was a nice, two-year fling, but it's time to move on. The Jets know it, he knows it. That's probably why Tomlinson, 33, was so openly critical recently of the locker-room situation. Gut feeling: He retires. We'll see him in Canton in five years.

QB Kevin O'Connell -- He could return as the No. 4 quarterback, but that's about it.

WR Plaxico Burress -- He told friends he's done with the Jets and that he's not a believer in Mark Sanchez. The Jets are done with him. For $3 million, they got eight touchdowns and a couple of acrobatic catches.

QB Mark Brunell -- Happy retirement.

In a not-so-surprising move, former Jets defensive-line coach Mark Carrier was hired by the Bengals Monday to serve as their secondary coach.

Essentially, Carrier knew he was being replaced a couple of weeks ago, when reports surfaced that the Jets had hired former Vikings DL coach Karl Dunbar.

The Jets have yet to confirm Dunbar's hiring, but they're expected to announce their finalized coaching staff Monday or Tuesday.

Carrier spent two seasons with the Jets. It was an odd fit because Carrier, a former safety, was previously a secondary coach, never having coached the D-line. Rex Ryan entrusted two rookies last season to Carrier, DE Muhammad Wilkerson and NT Kenrick Ellis. Wilkerson started every game and was solid, not spectacular. Ellis disappointed.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kenrick Ellis' trial for malicious wounding, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed until May 22, according to court records in Hampton, Va.

This marks the third continuance. It was originally scheduled to go to trial last July, three months after he was drafted in the third round by the Jets. The alleged incident took place in April, 2010.

The second-year defensive tackle is charged with attacking another student on the campus of Hampton University. Because he's a non-U.S. citizen (born in Jamaica) and because it's a felony charge, he risks deportation if convicted.

This is part six in a nine-part review of the 2011 season, a position-by-position analysis:

Position: Defensive line

Overall grade: 7.5

Depth chart: Sione Pouha (15 starts/627 Plays), Muhammad Wilkerson (16/606), Mike DeVito (11/456), Marcus Dixon (3/436), Ropati Pitoitua (0/371), Kenrick Ellis (2/69), Martin Tevaseu (0/40).

Gold star: Pouha.

Disappointing: Ellis.

Stat check: The entire defensive line combined for only 7.5 sacks.

Analysis: The Jets didn’t get a lot of production out of the line, but it’s important to remember the scheme is designed for the linemen to do the dirty work, setting up the linebackers. That said, the Jets slipped to 13th in run defense, unusually low for a Rex Ryan defense. Most of the problems were on the perimeter, with the DEs and OLBs struggling at times with their run fits, although the lack of experience on the rebuilt line was evident at times.

Pouha (55 tackles, one sack) was the best of the group, establishing himself as one of the best run-stopping nose tackles. He spearheaded a still-solid interior run defense, using his formidable strength to wear down centers and guards. This was a frustrating year for DeVito (34 tackles, one sack), another blue-collar tough guy. He missed five games with two knee injuries, limiting his effectiveness.

Wilkerson (53 tackles, three sacks) gets high marks for durability, holding up his entire rookie season despite no off-season program due to the lockout. There’s a lot to like about the former first-round pick, but he also has a lot to learn. He must do a better job of getting off blocks and he needs to add more moves to his pass-rushing repertoire. Despite 298 pass-rushing chances, according to Pro Football Focus, he had only nine QB hits, based on the coaches’ film.

Despite limited playing time, Pitoitua (18 tackles, one sack) was fairly productive and should continue to improve. Ditto, Marcus Dixon (14, 1.5). They’re going to need a whole lot more from Ellis (6, 0), who basically had a red-shirt year. The third-round pick was as raw as raw could be, demonstrating a lack of refinement. His pad level was too high and didn’t do a good job of reading blocks. He gets a pass because of his small-school background, but the scholarship is over in 2012.

2012 free agents: Pouha (UFA).

On the bubble: Ellis, Tevaseu.

Note: Play counts, which include penalties, provided by Pro Football Focus.

It was a tactical decision that will be second-guessed for days, maybe weeks. The New York Jets called an all-out blitz at the worst possible time -- and it cost them the game and, ultimately, perhaps a playoff berth.

The blitz accomplished only two things: It gave the Denver Broncos a 17-13 victory and added to Tim Tebow’s rapidly growing legend

On a third-and-4 from the Jets 20, with the Broncos already safely in range for a potential game-tying field goal, Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine rushed eight players. Tebow eluded the rush, beat safety Eric Smith around the corner and ran 20 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 58 seconds left -- a play that will keep the city of Denver buzzing for days.

It was a curious call. Afterward, a shaken Rex Ryan refused to reveal the exact call, saying, “I’d rather not.” It was a rare no comment by Ryan, who usually is more than happy to share specific game strategy.

Maybe he was too embarrassed.

It was a risk-reward call, but the potential reward didn’t justify it. Even if they had sacked Tebow, the Broncos still would’ve been in field-goal range. Afterward, a few players said they expected Tebow to run. “They basically had the field goal and were going to tie the game, but we called an all-out pressure -- and that’s what happened,” Smith said.

The Jets rushed eight, including Smith and fellow safety Jim Leonhard. Three players were in man-to-man coverage -- Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson, all of whom were downfield because their men ran vertical routes.

It was “Cover Zero.” In other words, there was no deep safety.

“You have to catch him because nobody else is around,” Smith said. “Everybody is running, running up the middle and in coverage with their back to the quarterback.”

Smith allowed Tebow to get to the outside. Smith chased him down and made a diving tackling attempt at the 5, but it was no use. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Tebow, the size of a fullback, wasn’t going to be stopped.

It was a crushing end to an otherwise brilliant performance by the Jets’ defense, which held the Broncos to 134 total yards for the first 55 minutes. Up stepped Tebow, who delivered The Drive II -- with football czar John Elway in the house, naturally.

It went 12 plays, 95 yards, and all Tebow did was rush for 57 yards and pass for 35. He improved to 4-1 as a starter. If he ran for mayor, he’d win in a landslide.

The frustration among the Jets’ defensive players was palpable. Linebacker Bart Scott refused to speak to reporters. Ditto, linebacker Calvin Pace, who said, “I’ve got nothing to talk about, not one single thing.”

“You know Tebow is going to keep it in that situation, that’s what he does,” Ryan said. “You’re going to keep the ball in your playmaker’s hand. We thought he was going to carry it and he did ... He’s a competitor and he makes big plays with the game on the line. That’s why you’ve got to give him credit.”

If they expected him to run, the Jets could’ve stayed with a more conservative defense. But it was their second all-out blitz of the game, according to Tebow.

“We were kind of expecting it,” Tebow said. “They were going to be aggressive and try to stop us, and could also [have] been expecting a quarterback run or quarterback draw, or something inside. So we had a great play against it ... and I was thankful I was able to get around the end.”

The Jets abandoned their defensive strategy on the final drive, using an extra defensive back on 11 of the 12 plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Previously, they used their 3-4 base defense on 32 of 44 plays and limited the Broncos to eight punts, a lost fumble, a turnover on downs and a field goal.

With the game on the line, with everything on the line, the Jets strayed.

“It absolutely hurts,” Ryan said. “You’re thinking they’re going to kick the field goal and maybe go into overtime. You weren’t expecting the guy to pop out there like he did. He made a great run.”

On a questionable call by the Jets.

New injuries/status change in bold

JETS

Did not practice: WR Plaxico Burress (back), KR/RB Joe McKnight (toe), S Brodney Pool (knee).

Limited participation: DL Marcus Dixon (shoulder), LB Josh Mauga (low back).

Full participation: CB Antonio Cromartie (finger), DT Mike DeVito (knee), DT Kenrick Ellis (ankle), RB Shonn Greene (head, groin), WR Santonio Holmes (foot), OT Wayne Hunter (finger), C Nick Mangold (ankle), LB Calvin Pace (groin), DT Sione Pouha (finger), LG Matt Slauson (neck), CB Isaiah Trufant (hamstring).

PATRIOTS

Did not practice: S Patrick Chung (foot), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), OL Ryan Wendell (concussion).

Limited participation: CB Kyle Arrington (foot), DE Shaun Ellis (rib), RB Kevin Faulk (knee), RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), LB Gary Guyton (shoulder), LB Jerod Mayo (knee), WR Taylor Price (hamstring), OT Sebastian Vollmer (back), WR Wes Welker (rib).