Jets CB Revis, LB Pace will go to Denver, but status uncertain

Darrelle Revis and Calvin Pace are coming along for the ride.

Whether the New York Jets' defensive stars play in Denver against the Broncos on Sunday is still up in the air.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Thursday that he wants both players to travel with the team Friday rather than have them stay back at the facility to rehabilitate their injuries. They will be evaluated after the 4-hour flight and the team's walkthrough Saturday.

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"After talking to Darrelle and all that, we're going to take him to Denver, one way or the other, because he wants to be with his team, whether he can play or not," Ryan said. "And that's where I want him, also. Hopefully he'll be ready to play."

When asked if the same plan stood for Pace, Ryan said: "Yeah, both of them will make the trip."

Revis and Pace were limited at practice Thursday after not participating in team drills Wednesday.

"So," Ryan said, "that's an improvement from yesterday."

Revis played in the Jets' 29-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, but he said his left hamstring was "very sore" and bothered him throughout the game. He had been sidelined two games with a strained hamstring.

"He looked good today," Ryan said. "Again, though, it's too early to say he's definitely going to play. I'm still not comfortable with that."

Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine both said the defense will prepare as if Revis will not play, although the All-Pro cornerback practiced a lot with the first-team unit Wednesday. Ryan added that it's possible the Jets could use Revis in a limited role against the Broncos, rather than have him sit out completely.

"If that's what we think ends up being the best thing for us and the best thing for Darrelle, absolutely," the coach said.

Pace made his regular-season debut Monday after missing the first four games with a broken right foot. He was extremely sore Wednesday, but he said he'll be fine to play.

"He felt good today," Ryan said. "Yesterday, he was probably worse than Darrelle. That's how sore he was, but he did really well today, did exactly what was asked."

The Jets have a bye after their game against the Broncos.

Ryan didn't mince words when asked about the matchup between the Jets' offense and Revis' counterpart, Champ Bailey, who will try to stifle New York's 25th-ranked passing offense.

"Champ Bailey is a heck of a player. He used to be the best corner of the league, now he's probably 2 or 3. But we have the No. 1 guy, I think Champ will tell you."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jets CB Revis uncertain for next game with 'sore' hamstring

Darrelle Revis' balky left hamstring is acting up again.

The New York Jets cornerback said his leg was "very sore" after the team's victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. Jets coach Rex Ryan wasn't sure Tuesday if Revis will play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

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"There was added swelling in his leg," Ryan said, "but hopefully he'll be ready to roll."

Revis returned Monday night after missing two games with a strained hamstring, sustained in the first half of the Jets' 28-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 2. He said after New York's 29-20 victory over Minnesota that the hamstring bothered him throughout the game.

"As of right now, we're going to take it day by day, like we've been doing, and see how it goes," Revis told the New York Daily News after the game.

"This process is kind of frustrating, because I've never been hurt during the season," Revis added. "I want to be out there so bad with my teammates and win games. I need to learn patience right now and get back to 100 percent. ... When that happens, I can play the type of ball that I can play."

Ryan said he was unaware that Revis' hamstring was a problem during the game.

"I thought just the opposite," Ryan said. "I thought about challenging him more. I never saw it."

Ryan added that he hadn't spoken to Revis as of early Tuesday afternoon. Ryan also said the team wouldn't rest Revis this week just because its bye is the following week, giving the cornerback more time to recover.

"If he's healthy, we want to play Darrelle," Ryan said. "It's not vacation time. It's time to beat somebody. This is an AFC opponent and we need to win games so we can get into the postseason. That would be my thought. Is he going to be better three weeks from now if we don't play him or all that? I think that still has to be determined."

Ryan insisted that the team didn't rush Revis back and said the wet conditions during the game played no factor in the decision to let him play.

"We wouldn't have put him out there if we didn't think he was healthy," Ryan said. "We thought he was healthy, ready to play. I think he felt he was healthy, ready to play."

Revis wasn't up to his best against the Vikings, as the Jets used cornerback Antonio Cromartie on new Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss. Meanwhile, Revis mostly defended Percy Harvin and Greg Lewis in what Ryan called a "decent football game" by his star player.

"For the standards of Darrelle Revis, let's face it, we expect him to go out, and if this was golf, we expect him to birdie every hole," Ryan said. "That's the truth. Now, if he has a couple of par and a bogey every now and then, what's wrong with Revis, you know what I mean? But hopefully, this injury is not that big a deal."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bailey's future uncertain after Broncos change contract tact

The Broncos have ceased contract negotiations with Champ Bailey, The Denver Post reported Thursday, increasing the likelihood that the nine-time Pro Bowl cornerback is playing his final season in Denver.

"I am disappointed because I want to be here," Bailey said. "We know that, they know that. What's the issue here, really?"

Bailey, 32, is in the final year of a seven-year contract. He said his agent, Jack Reale, and the Broncos were close to finalizing a four-year extension that Bailey didn't really like, but he said he was willing to accept it to stay in Denver.

Then the Broncos suddenly broke off talks Tuesday, according to Reale.

"We were scheduled for a discussion on the contract offer they had recently e-mailed me," Reale said. "Before we had a chance for discussion, I received a call saying they wanted to put it off and wait until the end of the season. That is certainly their option, and while not pleased, since no player likes playing in the last year of his contract, we respect their right to pursue that approach.

"Champ will do what he always does. Play hard, give 100 percent, keep quiet and lead this team."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels declined to comment on Bailey's contract situation.

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Lions QB Stafford ruled out vs. Rams; return date uncertain

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said quarterback Matthew Stafford still isn't healthy enough to play.

Shaun Hill will start Sunday for the winless Lions at home against the St. Louis Rams.

Stafford hasn't played since he injured his right shoulder during the season-opening game at Chicago last month.

Schwartz said Stafford has begun to throw and his rehabilitation is on schedule. The team hasn't provided a timetable for Stafford's possible return.

Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, has played in 11 games and will miss his 10th when he watches Detroit face St. Louis.

Hill has completed 60 percent of his passes for 991 yards and five touchdowns with seven interceptions in four games this season.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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