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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Todd Bowles spent one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, a life-shaping year that the New York Jets coach will carry throughout his career. Bowles was hired by coach Andy Reid as the Eagles' defensive backs coach in 2012 and took over as the defensive coordinator halfway through the season when Juan Castillo was fired. Philadelphia went 4-12 that year and Reid was also let go. But more than the wins and losses, it was the way Reid dealt with the death of his son Garrett to a drug overdose during training camp that has stuck with Bowles. "It was probably one of the biggest learning experiences I went through from a leadership standpoint," said Bowles, who became Arizona's defensive coordinator after that season. "Watching Coach Reid stand up there and address the team every day with the tragedy that happened to him and the way the team was going, and not bat an eye, just made everything status quo and go on as usual showed true leadership." As Bowles prepared his Jets (2-0) to take on the Eagles (0-2), now coached by Chip Kelly, he remembered how Reid never made his personal struggles a focal point. He also credited owner Jeffrey Lurie and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman, then the general manager, for how they handled their business. "That taught me a great deal about respect," Bowles said, "about leadership and about humility." So, it makes sense that Bowles has remained even-keeled throughout his first several months on the job in New York. Meanwhile, Eagles fans are concerned with their team's early season struggles. The offense has not been the expected quick-strike, up-tempo nightmare for opponents yet, Sam Bradford has been mediocre at quarterback and running back DeMarco Murray has been a non-factor. Still, Kelly -- like Bowles -- refuses to echo the anxiety of the fanbase, which is in near-panic mode. "We're always concerned about everything here, whether we start 0-2 or 2-0," he said. "We don't approach things any differently. We have to come back and go to work. You don't pat yourself on the back when you're 2-0 and you don't change everything if you're 0-2." Here are some things to know as the Eagles and Jets get set to play Sunday at MetLife Stadium: MURRAY'S STATUS: After tweaking a hamstring in practice Wednesday, Murray will be a game-time decision. He was the NFL's leading rusher last season with the Cowboys, but has just 11 yards on 21 carries in the first two games after signing with the Eagles as a free agent. If he can't go, backup Ryan Mathews is expected to start with Darren Sproles also likely seeing an increased role against the Jets' solid run defense. Mathews has 4 yards on four carries, while Sproles has rushed for a team-leading 46 yards on six attempts. CAUSING TURNOVERS: A large part of the Jets' success in the first two games has been their ability to take the ball away from opponents. New York has 10 takeaways to lead the NFL, and is just three off last season's total over 16 games. They are plus-8 in turnover margin and have scored 31 points off takeaways. "It's not easy for an offense to identify what they're doing every snap," Bradford said. "I think that's why we have to spend some more time watching tape this week to try to get a view on what they're doing." GROUNDED JETS?: Cornerback Darrelle Revis didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday with what the team said was a groin injury, and his status was uncertain for the game. Wide receiver Eric Decker is dealing with a sprained knee and could sit out, which means Jeremy Kerley and rookie Devin Smith -- who has yet to play while recovering from broken ribs suffered during training camp -- could play major roles opposite Brandon Marshall. Running back Chris Ivory could be a game-time decision as he deals with a quadriceps injury. GETTING OPEN: Bradford's longest pass play has been 32 yards to Jordan Matthews and he's averaging just 9.5 yards per completion. Part of the problem is not having a deep threat and wideouts are simply not getting open enough, forcing Bradford to check down and throw short passes. While Matthews, the slot receiver, has 16 catches, outside receivers Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff and Riley Cooper have 11 catches combined. THE SANCHIZE RETURNS: Mark Sanchez is back to face the team he led to the AFC championship game his first two seasons in the NFL. Though Sanchez is Bradford's backup, he's an injury or possibly an ineffective half away from playing against the Jets. Sanchez revived his career in Philadelphia last year after Nick Foles was injured and had his best statistical season. Considering Bradford has struggled in two games, New York reporters asked Kelly if Sanchez might play. After the third question about Sanchez, Kelly quipped: "Are you Mark's agent?" --- AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed. --- AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL
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