In Curious Move, Ty Law Returns to Jets

By JOSH ALPER

Updated 9:00 AM EST, Tue, Nov 11, 2008

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The Jets picked a strange way to kick off the short week before the showdown in Foxborough. They signed cornerback Ty Law, who played for them in 2005, and plan on playing him in the game Thursday night even though he hasn't played a game since the end of last season. Law, of course, spent the bulk of his career with the Patriots, so it would be easy to see this as the latest chapter in the long-simmering feud between the two teams.

"This is going to be different playing Thursday night against the Patriots, matching up against my former team and the players I’m used to practicing against," Law said. "I know they’re going to throw at me, but I welcome the challenge."

Law's been out of the game for a while, so forgive his ignorance of the current Patriot roster. The only Patriot offensive player he used to practice against is running back Kevin Faulk. Not that it matters as Law won't be matching up with Randy Moss or any #1 receiver this season. He'll be on the slot receiver, which will be Wes Welker on Thursday, and should remain in that role.

Still, if any part of this move was meant as a tweak to the Patriots, it's a big fail. The Pats have had issues in the secondary all season and Law hasn't found his way to New England. That says something about how much water Law still carries in that neck of the woods.

The other part of this move is what it says about Eric Mangini's confidence in the team's current defensive backs. Dwight Lowery has struggled the past few weeks, but he's not the guy Law will be replacing. Law hasn't had training camp and was signed on a short week with the feeling that he'd play on Thursday. That speaks volumes about the standing held by Drew Coleman, Justin Miller and Hank Poteat.