Today is the 10-year anniversary of famous "Horses' Asses" speech. In his customary Thanksgiving address to the Jets, the late owner, his team staggering at 2-9, was in a frisky mood and it resulted in perhaps the most memorable quote in team history.

If current owner decides to say a few words tomorrow to his 2-8 team - he's expected to make a Thanksgiving appearance at Weeb Ewbank Hall - he's probably not going to be as salty as his predecessor. That's not his style. But if Johnson is smart, he'll stand before the players and tell them he's standing by Herm Edwards.

The players need to hear that, if only to eliminate the whispering in the locker room. They'll never admit it, but the uncertainty is a distraction. Johnson fueled the uncertainty after Sunday's loss in Denver, declining to answer questions about Edwards' status for 2006.

Johnson could've ended the speculation, but, much like his team, he fumbled the opportunity as he was whisked out of the stadium by his Armani-wearing henchmen.

People familiar with Johnson's thinking say his non-answer shouldn't be interpreted as a knock on Edwards, that the owner simply felt uncomfortable discussing the matter in that setting. The billionaire boss, as we've seen over the years, isn't terribly savvy when it comes to handling us vultures in the media.

From all indications, Johnson still wants Edwards to return. The more compelling question is, does Edwards want to come back? He says he does - you can bet his new heavyweight agent advised damage-control measures after that cryptic news conference last week - but the job landscape can change in a hurry.

Most of the speculation has focused on the anticipated opening with the Chiefs, but Edwards' name is also being mentioned in the college ranks. There are rumblings that Michigan State, a disappointing 5-6 under , might come calling. Other Midwestern schools also may have Edwards on their radar screens.

Edwards would be a terrific recruiter, and the pay is getting much better in the college game. (See .) Currently, Edwards makes about $2 million a year, believed to be in the bottom-third of head-coaching salaries.

He absolutely loves the NFL, and some think Edwards could be just angling for another contract extension, but he could be intrigued by college. He wouldn't be the first NFL head coach to go that route.

If Edwards pulls an , it would be typical Jets luck. They wouldn't even get draft-pick compensation. Then they'd really look like horses' asses.

Unless they experience offensive explosions, the Jets (121 points) and Ravens (116) will be only the 11th and 12th teams since 1978 to fall below the 200 mark. The 16-game schedule went into effect in '78...., asked if the team has lost its winning attitude, replied tersely: "Next question." He sounded like agent .... has 12 turnovers and no TD passes....just punted again....It took 10games for the Jets to finally try an end-around. gained eight yards against the Broncos.... on the team's plight: "If someone looked into a crystal ball at the beginning of September and said, 'You're going to be 2-8,' I would've told you that you're a damn liar."

Uh, oh, there could be some bad news on the front. The USC star, who could be the first or second pick if he enters the draft, said he may need shoulder surgery after the season. Bush underwent a scope last spring. It didn't seem to affect him in last week's performance against Fresno State. The Jets, who'd love to get a crack at Bush, look like serious players in the Bush/ sweepstakes. So are the Saints (2-8), whom they face in Sunday night's thriller.

CB Ty Law may have to reinvent his game. Unable to cope with the crackdown on illegal contact, he has more penalty yardage (73) than interception yardage (50).

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