Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Jets vs. Giants in preseason: A meaningless game for a silly trophy

A little history lesson on the New York Jets-New York Giants preseason rivalry:

About a half-century ago, Hall-of-Fame coach Weeb Ewbank said the annual summer clashes with the Giants were a battle for "braggin rights." Longtime Jets public-relations man Frank Ramos took the quote and ran with it for a few decades, making it the headline in his press release each year before the game. One year, the late great New York Daily News beat writer Paul Needell wrote a game preview with this memorable lead:

Braggin rights, schmaggin rights.

Cynical, yes, but it captured the essence of the game. The players don't care who wins -- at least not the grizzled veterans. These days, the corporate suits call it the MetLife Bowl, with the Snoopy Trophy at stake. Who can ever forget the awkward scene in 2013, when Rex Ryan had to put on a happy face for the post-game trophy presentation knowing his quarterback, Mark Sanchez, was in the trainer's room with a serious shoulder injury that occurred late in the game?

"We don't care about that trophy," one player said this week, when asked about the Snoopy.

Something tells me Todd Bowles doesn't have an incentive clause in his contract for winning this game. Guard Willie Colon said it best: "We've got bigger goals than playing the New York Giants in the preseason." That the two locals face each other in the regular season -- Dec. 6 -- diminishes Saturday night's game even further.

But football will be played, and it's the most important preseason game because the starters will play at least a half. Storylines:

1. The offense needs situational work: In seven possessions, the starting unit has had only one red-zone opportunity (0-for-1), no goal-line chances, two short-yardage plays (1-for-2) and no two-minute work. This is the last chance to sharpen those areas before the season opener. Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 68 percent of his attempts (good), but his average per attempt is only 6.1 yards (bad).

2. The penalties have to stop: Since last week's 17-penalty debacle, Bowles has placed a huge emphasis on reducing the number of flags. Last week's breakdown: eight penalties on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams. Multiple offenders were tight end Kellen Davis (three), tackle Brent Qvale (two), cornerback Darrin Walls (two) and linebacker Jamari Lattimore (two).

3. Mo's back: After a full week of practice, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) is expected to make his preseason debut. It'll be the first game action for Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and rookie Leonard Williams, the starting three until Sheldon Richardson returns (whenever that is). Look for linebacker Calvin Pace (groin) to sit out the game; he'll be replaced by Trevor Reilly. The starting defense, which has allowed 24 points, improved its tackling last week, but it has communication issues to clean up.

4. Some jobs on the line: Without getting into specifics, Bowles said "some" starting jobs remain up in the air. "Some" might be stretching it a bit; he's probably trying to keep the pressure on some of the younger players, namely Williams and safety Calvin Pryor, who missed a week due to a personal reason. Pryor hasn't had a lights-out camp; he could use a big game. The No. 3 receiver job still is open, with Quincy Enunwa and a cast of hundreds trying to steal Jeremy Kerley's job.

5. Beckham visits Revis Island: Individual matchups are utterly meaningless in the preseason, but you have to admit, the Darrelle Revis versus Odell Beckham, Jr. is an attention grabber. Naturally, Revis downplayed it, saying he doesn't study film on opponents in the preseason. But he knows people will be watching, so his competitive pride may take over. Come Dec. 6, there will be plenty of hype. As linebacker David Harris said, "When that game gets here, I'm sure that'll be the matchup everybody is talking about."

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