The New York Dragons will be holding a press conference today at 1:45 p.m. ET at the Sports Museum of America to unveil the franchise’s new logo, team colors and helmet as well as introduce the new Dragons’ Advisory Board. The board includes New York Jets Safety Kerry Rhodes and New York Giants Linebacker Danny Clark.

This will be the first opportunity to meet the key members of the new New York Dragons ownership and management team, including new managing partner Steven Silva and new chief operating officer Tim Kelly. Dragons head coach Weylan Harding and All-Arena defensive back Billy Parker will also be in attendance.

The New York Jets have re-signed P Ben Graham and waived WR Marcus Henry. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Graham (6-5, 235/Deakin (Australia)/Geelong/Victoria Australia) originally signed with the Jets as a free agent in 2005, and was waived on Sept. 16. He has appeared in 49 career games for the Jets, averaging 43.7 yards on 222 punts for 9,704 yards, with 24 touchbacks and 67 inside the 20-yard line. He played Australian Football professionally for the Geelong Football Club for 12 seasons before joining the Jets.

Henry (6-4, 207/Kansas/Lawton, OK) was the Jets sixth-round draft pick (171st overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. Inactive for the first two games, Henry finished his collegiate career with 104 receptions for 1,598 yards and 13 touchdowns in 46 games.

Injury update: Punter Reggie Hodges (left thigh) has been downgraded to out for the game at SD, 9/22.

The New York Jets, the New York City Department of Education, and Lime Connect (Lime), an organization that connects people with disabilities for employment, will launch “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities tomorrow, September 16, at 12.30 PM at J.H.S. 167 in Manhattan. In the essays students will reflect on concepts of achievement and success as they move to complete their secondary education and prepare for the challenges of the life beyond high school.

WHAT: Launch of “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson, Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan, DOE Deputy Chancellor Dr. Marcia Lyles, J.H.S. Principal Jennifer Rhen, teachers, and students.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

TIME: 12:30 PM

WHERE: J.H.S. 167 Robert F. Wagner

220 East 76 St., Manhattan
(School library)

Losing Star QB for Season Will Effect Entire Conference

Where it used to be the New England Patriots and then everyone else in the AFC, the season-ending knee injury suffered by quarterback Tom Brady in the first quarter of the season opener has changed everything. The team that was the preseason favorite to win it all will have to defend their conference title without their field general.

No matter how good a head coach Bill Belichik may be, losing the reigning league MVP may be more than even he can overcome. No slight against Matt Cassel, but he will be making his first start since high school come this Sunday on the road against the Jets.

The former back-up nearly found himself on the unemployment line following a dismal performance in the Pats’ four exhibition losses. Now he is being asked to step in for a team that went 16-0 last season.

Cassel was able to lead the team to a 17-10 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs after taking over for Brady. Under normal circumstances, New England would have dominated a weaker opponent like the rebuilding Chiefs. They barely hung on and if that is any indication of what is in store, first place in the AFC East will not be for long.

“I would still consider them the favorite,” Jet linebacker Eric Barton said in response to a question posed to him about the Pats and the Super Bowl. “Absolutely. I think the last time they were in a situation like this they won the Super Bowl,” he continued, reflecting on the time Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe on September 23, 2001 and promptly led 14-point underdog New England to a shocking victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Brett Favre agreed with Barton’s assessment. “I think the Patriots are the team to beat until proven otherwise,” the veteran quarterback said. “They have dominated this division as well as this league for a long time.”

From one QB to another, Favre isn’t buying into what people are saying about the Pats being lost without their marquee player in the lineup, but did acknowledge there will be a difference. “Matt Cassel played great the other day when he came in,” he said. “They assume he will do that. Tom Brady is Tom Brady. So that does give us a better chance.”

According to Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the new starter has enough weapons around him to carry the load. “It’s a very efficient offense,” he said. “Matt will do an excellent job for them. He’s been there a long time. I was there when he got there.

“He’s very similar to what I’ve experienced with a lot of the quarterbacks in terms of the way he approaches things, how disciplined he is and how much he studies. He’s got a strong arm. He can make plays with his feet. I think he’ll do a really, really good job.”

Heading into the season, most of the experts were putting New England, Indianapolis and San Diego at the top of the heap. Both the Colts and Chargers lost at home in Week 1 to underdog NFC teams.

An interesting campaign just got a lot more interesting. How all of this plays out is anyone’s guess at this early juncture, but no Brady can make for a very different season than what has been considered the ‘norm’ for New England.

The New York Jets have signed eight players to the practice squad. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

All eight of the players spent time with the team during training camp.

WR Larry Brackins, (6-4, 221/Pearl River CC/Dothan, AL)
RB Jehuu Caulcrick, (6-0, 254/Michigan State/Findley Lake, NY)
OL Stanley Daniels, (6-4, 320/Washington/San Diego, CA)
DB James Ihedigbo, (6-1, 202/Massachusetts/Amherst, MA)
OL Matt McChesney, (6-4, 307/Colorado/Santa Cruz, CA)
DE Ropati Pitoitua, (6-8, 290/Washington State/Spanaway, WA)
WR Paul Raymond, (5-10, 185/Brown, Miami, FL)
LB Brandon Renkart, (6-2, 236/Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ)