Erik Ainge News

After slow start, Coles, Favre connecting

It is a measure of just how far Laveranues Coles and Brett Favre have come in their relationship that Coles can now bust Favre's chops so mercilessly.

Like Wednesday, when the subject turned to Favre's wardrobe. Or, as Coles put it, his lack thereof.

"That's the cheapest quarterback I ever played for in my life," Coles said before practice. "Don't have to ever worry about him not having money. He's the only man I know to make all that cheese and still wear the same clothes every day."

Coles looked into Favre's locker, which is next to his.

"Camouflage shorts, brown khaki with the pockets," Coles said. "Every day."

Coles' next target: Favre's footwear on a recent road trip.

"Ugliest shoes I've ever seen," Coles said. "He could shoot a deer and make some better than that."

My my, how things have changed in this little slice of the Jets' locker room, where quarterback and receiver now get along famously.

From the brooding, unexplained silence that Coles exhibited in the wake of the Aug. 7 trade that sent his close friend and confidant, Chad Pennington, into exile, there is now an ebullience rarely seen from the 30-year-old receiver. Amazing what a three-touchdown performance against the Cardinals can do. Not to mention the possibility of more fireworks to come.

Favre played along with Coles' lighthearted remarks, twice blasting an airhorn near reporters talking to Coles. At one point, Coles was asked to share an important nugget he's learned from Favre.

"I know what I don't want to look like in nine more years," Coles said.

Yuk. Yuk. Funny how a breakout performance can turn even the most churlish player into Chris Rock.

"For me [the Cardinals game] was something that I needed to let myself and the coaching staff know that I can still play, and that is the main thing," Coles said. "I know I can. I go out and do it every day in practice, but it's something I can do on Sunday in front of thousands of people. To show the country and people that I can still play was great."

Yes, even a man with a respected resume needs reinforcement that he can still do it.

"You always need it," Coles said. "It is one of those confidence builders for a player. You say 'I can still play,' and I want people to see I am going to compete on the highest level week in and week out."

There was even a moment when Favre consulted Coles in the huddle and asked which route he wanted to run when the Jets were within striking distance of the end zone. Coles told Favre to throw him a fade. Touchdown.

"He told me that in his whole 18 years of playing football that was the first fade pass he's thrown for a touchdown," Coles said.

"It was one of the weirdest things for me to hear him say that. ... He is starting to get confidence in me and get more comfortable or getting a better understanding for what I feel like I am good at when I see certain things during the game."

The way Favre sees it, the problem has never been a lack of communication. It's been all about practicing together, which they weren't able to do for most of their limited time in camp because of Coles' hamstring strain.

"In training camp we had two days of work together," Favre said. "It's not enough. Some of the touchdowns I threw him the other day he was not the primary read. ... I know the guy is a playmaker. We all know that. Trying to get the ball to him is important."

As for the budding relationship, it's going just fine.

"I've had people ask me, 'Are you and Laveranues OK?' " Favre said. "I don't know where there was ever a problem. Our communication has been great from day one."

Coles will try to appreciate every moment he has with Favre, because he knows their time is limited. There might be only 12 games left -- and maybe the playoffs. "You never know how long he's going to play," Coles said, "so I want to enjoy it while I can."

I asked Coles if he'd ever lobby Favre to stay beyond this year. I said this when Favre was within earshot; when Favre heard the question, he rolled his eyes.

"That's Brett's decision," Coles said. "I'm not going to put any pressure on him."

"After this week," Favre said, "I don't know if he'll want me to stay next week."

Not likely.

See More at www.amny.com

Erik Ainge News:

• Jets' Harris, Smith return to practice
• NJETS CHALK TALK: Top seed there for taking
• New York Jets News & Notes for Friday
• Jets' Favre doesn't mind playing conservatively
• Jets place Chatman, Ainge on IR
• Chiefs' Larry Johnson benched for Sunday's Jets bout
• Gholston improving for Jets
• Game Recap: The Defense Wins A Game
• After slow start, Coles, Favre connecting
• Favre easily the highlight of Week 4
• Jets' Kris Jenkins expected back against Cardinals
• New York Jets CB Lowery a target for opposing QBs
• Former Vol Cottam does well at NFL combine
• Nugent's injury gets Feely back in the game
• Vols looking deep
• The New York Jets Trim Their Roster, But Not Without Some Surprises
• Eric Mangini indicates New York Jets QB Brett Favre will sit
• Jets training camp report
• Jets tight end Franks says Favre still has his old zip
• Daily Fix
• Chad Pennington talks about Favre trade rumors
• 5 reasons the Vols look ready to run in 2008
• Report judges NY Jets among the 10 best fits for Brett Favre
• New York Jets Notes, Quotes
• Erik Ainge: The Education of a Rookie QB
• Vols loading up recruits
• Jets sign S Worrell
• Justin Miller to Start?
• New York Jets Outlook
• Ainge and Henry Join Jets' Passing Attack
• A Vols Fan Speaks on Ainge
• Ainge wants to improve as a quarterback with Jets
• Duke coach defends new Jets quarterback Ainge
• What Erik Ainge Does To The QB Competition
• Erik Ainge drafted by New York Jets in the fifth round
• Where Will Locals Go In NFL Draft?
• Dallas Cowboys NFL draft series: Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge
• Secondary prospers as defense shines
• Draft Keyword: Radar
• Three SEC teams to feature new QBs in ’08
• Bears check out QB Ainge
• Mayo Shines During Vols' Pro Timing Day
• Vols Add VanDerzee to Football Staff
• Former Vol Cottam does well at NFL combine
• Preformance Test
• Scouting Report: Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
• Tennessee Strategy and Personnel
• Thomasville Star QB Commits To Tennessee
• UT To Host Gridiron Bash This Spring
• Tennessee QB Ainge added to Senior Bowl roster
• SEC continues to reign supreme
• Playing wide receiver has a unique set of challenges
• Ainge leads Vols to first 10-win season since '04
• Ainge leads Tennessee past Wisconsin 21-17 in Outback Bowl
• Ainge preparing for his final Tennessee game
• Ainge expresses sorrow Taylor misses bowl trip
• Extra practice Vols' biggest prize
• UW, UT face off on New Year’s
• Big Ten football goes bowling
• COL FB: LSU 21, Tennessee 14
• COL FB: Tennessee 52, Kentucky 50 (4 OT)
• Tennessee 25 Vanderbilt 24
• Tennessee quiets McFadden, keeps SEC East hopes alive
• Vols' offensive barrage leads blowout win of La.-Lafayette
• COL FB: Alabama 41, Tennessee 17
• Recap: Miss State vs. Tennessee
• COL FB: Tennessee 35, Georgia 14
• Georgia vs. Tennessee 'huge' for Vols
• SEC Coaches Performance Report for Week Four
• Tennessee 48, Arkansas St. 27
• Tennessee faces turning point with Arkansas State
• Tebow tosses two TD, runs for two more in rout of Tennessee
• UT, Florida set for a shootout in the Swamp
• UT, Florida set for a shootout in the Swamp
• 24th-ranked Volunteers knock off Southern Mississippi
• Southern Miss looks for first Tennessee win
• Ainge Admittedly Nervous About This Week
• Golden Bears' offense too much for Vols to handle
• Ainge or no Ainge, Cal readies for Vols
• Fulmer worries about Ainge's pinky
• College football: Vols' Karl returns in scrimmage
• Ainge steps up to lead Vols' offense
• Vols football: Ainge told to play like Parker
• Ainge ready to lead Vols to an SEC title
• Top 25 countdown: No. 18 Tennessee
• Vols' Ainge, Hefney, Colquitt Chosen Blue Ribbon Preseason All-SEC.
• Vols' BBal News
  UT-Memphis game is hot ticket in Volunteer State