Bayern Trupp » I almost started laughing,

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith appears not ready for prime time, and Mark Sanchez might not be ready for the opener. Now what for the New York Jets? Well, they have less than two weeks to solve their big quarterback question before they face Tampa Bay on Sept. 8 in the regular-season opener. "We said from Day 1 that there was no timetable on us announcing a starting quarterback," coach Rex Ryan said Monday. And, theres no rush, of course -- except when you consider that the preseason is nearly over and the Jets still have no clarity on the situation. Smith was given an opportunity to possibly seize the starting job last Saturday against the Giants, but came up with a dismal performance that included three interceptions and taking a safety when he stepped out of the back of the end zone. Sanchez, who appeared in great shape to win the competition, is now recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in garbage time against the Giants -- and could keep him out for the start of the season. It is conceivable, of course, that the Jets could keep everyone -- the media, fans and opponents -- guessing until the Friday before their game against the Buccaneers. "Well probably have our decision before that," Ryan said. "But as we said, were not going to rush the decision until were completely comfortable with that decision. And, well stay with that. "Hey, I dont know what else to say about it." Ryan is probably a bit surprised hes even still talking about the competition at this point. After all, it was deemed an "open competition" that would be decided when one of the quarterbacks had elevated himself above the other. But, it has been so tightly contested that there was no clear opening, an opportunity for most observers to say, "Thats the guy." Until Saturday night. Thats when Smith showed his inexperience in his first NFL start with some jitters, mistakes and missteps through three-plus quarters. "It (was) pretty uneven," Smith said. "I had some ups and downs. Its all a part of the learning curve." Its a curve that could continue through Thursdays game against Philadelphia and into Week 1 against Tampa Bay. Ryan said the Jets havent yet determined whos playing against the Eagles, but Sanchez will certainly not. Many fans and media assumed Sanchez, with a solid camp and preseason performance, had clinched the starting job after Smiths performance. But then, Ryan wanted to see more of Sanchez, who went into the game and had his right shoulder crunched by Marvin Austin after completing a pass with less than 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Sanchez is day to day with the injury, which neither he nor Ryan would detail. Sanchez is staying positive, though, about potentially being ready for the season opener. "Thats the goal," Sanchez said. "Every injury is different. Its all subjective at this point, and Im going to do everything I possibly can. Thats all I can promise." Sanchez refused to speculate about possibly losing the starting job, which he has held since coming into the league in 2009, because of the injury. He also wouldnt go into what type of rehabilitation process he faces. "Emotionally, youre just upset, and thats really where your heads at," he said. "Youre just upset to be hurt. You never want to be hurt. You work too hard to get hurt and its just a bummer. So, you just rebound, rehab your butt off and get back as soon as possible." And, if hes not ready to go against Tampa Bay, the starter could be Smith -- by default. One things for sure: It wont be either Greg McElroy or Matt Simms, who has had an impressive camp while competing for the No. 3 job. Smith has shown some promise this preseason, and come a long way with improving his footwork and picking up Marty Mornhinwegs offence. The Jets claimed they needed much more film on Smith to better evaluate him after he sat out a game with a sprained ankle, and they certainly got it against the Giants. "With Geno, there was the good, the bad and the ugly," Ryan said. The good was the two scoring drives he led in the 24-21 overtime win, including a 22-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. The bad was the interceptions, although Ryan credited Justin Tuck for making a "great play" on one of them. As for the ugly, that was the safety when Smith lost track of his surroundings on the field. Despite all of that, Smith insisted that if the decision came that he would be the Week 1 starter, hed be ready to lead the Jets. "Yes, I am," he said. "Ive been working hard, extremely hard this off-season. Im preparing myself to be a starter Week 1 and if Im given the chance, Ill be prepared for it." Sanchez, meanwhile, wouldnt say whether he thought he had won the starting job before his injury. "I feel like Ive put together a great camp and its been my best camp," he said. "That decision is going to be up to the coaches. So, well see." ---- NOTES: WR Santonio Holmes, taken off the physically unable to perform list last Friday, participated in positional drills as he works his way back from a foot injury suffered in Week 4 last season. ... CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) rode a stationary bike, along with Sanchez, CB Dee Milliner (calf) and NT Kenrick Ellis (back), during the 30-minute window of practice the media could watch. Air Max Sale .m. on Friday. Granger was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last Thursday for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, but never played a minute for Philadelphia. The 76ers also received a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal. Cheap Air Max For Sale . -- Derek Jeter spoke for 25 minutes, 44 seconds and answered 26 questions about his decision to retire at the end of this season. https://www.airmaxchina.us/. Next up is another showdown with Michigan. Payne scored 18 points, Branden Dawson had 14 and No. 22 Michigan State beat No. 12 Wisconsin 83-75 on Saturday to reach the Big Ten tournament championship. Cheap Air Max .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week. Cheap Real Air Max . This week, topics cover the World Series champion Red Sox, John Farrell and what to look forward to this off-season.CHICAGO - A series which once seemed firmly in the hands of the Los Angeles Kings has been stretched to the limit. Now the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks will try to complete a monumental comeback when they host the Kings in Sundays Game 7 battle at United Center. You can listen to all the action on TSN Radio 1050 beginning at 8pm et/5pm pt. The Kings grabbed a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals after Mondays 5-2 home victory, but Chicago has responded with two close victories to even this best-of-seven set at three games apiece. The winner of Sundays clash will meet the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals, after the Blueshirts eliminated Montreal in six games for the Eastern Conference title. Chicago, winner of two of the leagues last four Stanley Cup titles, first staved off elimination with a 5-4 double-overtime win Wednesday on home ice and did it again with Fridays 4-3 decision in Los Angeles. The Blackhawks hope to complete the comeback Sunday in the Windy City, where the club boasts an 8-1 record this postseason and a 19-3 mark since the start of the 2013 playoffs. The Blackhawks also hold a 13-0 mark after Game 4 in each of the past two postseasons and is seeking another successful comeback from down 3-1 after recording the first one in franchise history last spring. Chicago lost three of the first four games in last years conference semifinals against Detroit, but won the final three tilts and claimed Game 7 in overtime en route to winning its second Cup since 2010. If Chicago wins Sundays contest it will become just the second team in NHL history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit and win the conference finals. Only the 2000 New Jersey Devils, who beat Philadelphia, have overcome a 3-1 series deficit in a conference final and advanced to the fourth and final round. The Kings, meanwhile, hope to regroup Sunday and avoid being eliminated by Chicago in the West finals for a second straight year. Los Angeles, the 2012 Cup champions, fell in five games to the Blackhawks in 2013 and appeared well on its way towards exacting revenge for that loss before the last two games. With the Game 6 loss, L.A. became just the third team in NHL history to have its first three playoff series advance to a seventh game in one playoff year. The 1993 Toronto Maple Leafs and 2002 Colorado Avalanche previously saw each of their in-conference playoff matchups reach Game 7s, with the Leafs losing to the Kings and Avs to the Red Wings. "Weve got to win. There is no other option," Kings star defenseman Drew Doughty said of Game 7. "I think were going to have our best effort of the series next game. All of the guys are going to step up to the plate. Our leaders are going to lead the way. Everyone else is going to follow. Were going to have our best effort." The Kings, of course, were only the fourth team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series when they beat San Jose in the opening round and then came back from 3-2 down to eliminate Anahheim in seven games during the conference semis.dddddddddddd Both of L.A.s previous Game 7 victories in this postseason also came on the road. "We know theyre a resilient group," Chicago forward Patrick Kane said after leading his team to the Game 6 triumph. "Theyve won two Game 7s on the road in their first two series. Its going to be a tough one. Right now were happy we got the win, but it doesnt mean anything because we havent won anything yet. Well get ready for the next one and we know theyll bring the best for Game 7." Kane, last springs Conn Smythe winner, has been a big part of Chicagos revival in this series, recording seven points over the last two games. After notching four assists in the Game 5 victory, Kane scored two goals and added an assist on Friday. Kane assisted on the tying goal in Game 6 and then netted the game-winning score late in the third period to force tonights winner-take-all battle. The speedy forward had been held without a point in the first three games of this series, but has amassed eight points (2G, 6A) over the last three contests. Ben Smith and Duncan Keith added Game 6 tallies for the Blackhawks, while Corey Crawford picked up the win thanks to 26 saves. Los Angeles scored the only goal of the first period before Chicago carried a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. The Kings then grabbed a 3-2 lead with a pair of goals in the first eight minutes of the third period before the Blackhawks mounted a comeback. "I dont think anyone lost confidence or got down after those two goals they scored in the third," Crawford said. "If anything we kept pressing even harder. Some great shots by Duncs and Kaner, some great plays, and we were able to shut then down at the end." Kanes slick pass on the left wing found Keith at the inner edge of the circle for a successful wrister to knot the game with 8:26 showing. Kane struck once more with 3:45 left in regulation. He trailed a Brandon Saad rush on the right wing, accepted a back pass, then moved from the circle into the middle and beat Jonathan Quick with a wrister to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 edge. "Its unbelievable, I looked at him, I think it was about a minute left, I think there was a stoppage of play and I almost started laughing," Toews said of Kane. "Its amazing what he can do in these big games, when our season is on the line and nobody else seems to be able to do it the same way he does it, its pretty amazing." Doughty, Dwight King and Alec Martinez scored for the Kings, while Quick stopped only 21 shots in defeat. Doughty has collected seven points (3G, 4A) in the last five games. The loss didnt deter Doughty from adding confidently: "Weve had two chances to close out this series and were not going to blow the third one." The Stanley Cup Finals will begin Wednesday night with the Rangers visiting the winner of Sundays Game 7 for the first two tests of the championship round. ' ' '