Dave Hutchinson with the New York Jets

by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 8:24 PM

Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerFireman Ed gets a shout out from Jets NT Kris Jenkins.

Star-Ledger Jets beat writer Dave Hutchinson gives us some insight from practice Wednesday:

FAVRE SAYS GROUND GAME PASSES WITH FLYING COLORS

Brett Favre has made his mark flinging the ball downfield, but he insists he has no problem with going to the short passing game that is driving the offense these days.

Or running the football.

In the past three games, the Jets quarterback has thrown just one interception while completing 65 of 84 passes (77.3 percent) for 649 yards and five touchdowns.

"Well, I'm sure to a certain degree that's true," Favre said Wednesday when asked if there's a correlation between the Jets going to a short passing game and his decrease in interceptions.

Favre, however, was also quick to credit the Jets' suddenly dominant running game for his recent success and that of the offense. The Jets rank second in the NFL in points (323) and are closing in on the franchise record of 419, set in 1968.

The Jets have averaged 179.3 yards rushing in the past three games.

"I think the fact that the key in all of this to me is that our running game has really dominated," said Favre. "The fact we've been able to run the football at our discretion has made all the difference.

"For a quarterback, if you can run the football the way we're running it, it sort of dictates to the defense. Do they bring an extra guy in the box? If they do that, then a slant should be there, a go route, a back-shoulder throw or whatever.

"We have guys from our receiving corps that can catch the ball at the line of scrimmage, get 10 or 15 yards. If you're a defensive coordinator, you're scratching your head, going, 'What do I do?'"

Quick slants and go routes have been Favre's ticket to greatest. He explained that teams are trying to walk a safety down in the box late to disguise their coverage, but it's not working.

"You'd better get down there early," said Favre. "That's kind of our thought process. We're going to run it until you stop it, but we'll also mix in the quick passing game, screens, things like that."

Said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan: "What (the Jets) have is they have great balance. You have a good running attack and you have a good passing attack. Brett is able to take what the defense gives him. He doesn't always have to go downfield, but he's got the ability to do it. To me, that's what great quarterbacks do."

SHOUT OUT TO FIREMAN ED

Jets NT Kris Jenkins said Wednesday that he's excited about playing in front of the home fans on Sunday, in part, because he enjoys Fireman Ed.

"I miss the little guy with the fire hat doing his little signs on the video screen," said Jenkins. "I like that. He gets me excited actually. I know some guys on the team asked why I get excited. ... I never got to experience something like that. We have some intense fans here and I'm glad to be a part of that experience."

QUICK HITS

RG Brandon Moore, the only non-first-round draft pick on the starting offensive line, continues to have an impressive season. He and RT Damien Woody sprung RB Leon Washington on his 61-yard TD against the Titans. In week eight against the Chiefs, Moore made the key block that set Washington free on his 60-yard TD run.

LB Vernon Gholston, the team's first-round pick, played 15 snaps versus the Titans and had one tackle.

Coach Eric Mangini is expected to stay with K Jay Feely over Mike Nugent this week. Feely has hit 10 straight kicks.

Veteran CB Ty Law, who had been out of football for 11 months, is in superb shape, weighing 206 pounds, just 6 pounds off his rookie weight.

The Jets will practice Thursday.

LB David Harris (groin surgery) and S Eric Smith (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday. Harris is unlikely to play. Smith is a possibility.

Broncos S Marlon McCree (ankle) and WR Eddie Royal (toe) didn't practice. CB Champ Bailey (groin), LBs Nate Webster (knee) and D.J. Williams (knee) and RB Selvin Young (groin) were limited. Bailey is expected to play after missing four consecutive games.