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PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- As far as first impressions go, Bryan Thomas made a pretty good one. In his first NFL game, Thomas blocked a punt and helped force an interception as the New York Jets posted a 16-6 exhibition victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. A speed rushing defensive end out of Alabama-Birmingham, Thomas was selected with 22nd overall pick, a choice that was greeted with boos by the many Jets fans at the April draft in New York. Even though it was just a preseason game, Thomas opened some eyes with his play, blocking Josh Miller's punt in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, he drilled quarterback Tee Martin, leading to an interception by cornerback Marcus Floyd. On the game's first drive, the Jets' LaMont Jordan provided the only touchdown of the contest when he scored on a one-yard run. New York quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who recently sprained his right thumb, directed the scoring drive and completed 6-of-8 passes for 61 yards. John Hall added field goals of 33 and 40 yards in the second and third quarters for the Jets. Danny Boyd connected from 42 yards in the final period. Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart played early into the second quarter and went 5-of-7 for 80 yards and an interception. Backup Tommy Maddox was 12-of-16 for 147 yards. Pittsburgh, which had 14 players with at least one reception, had 353 total yards but managed only field goals of 21 and 31 yards by Todd Peterson. Steelers second-round pick Antwaan Randle El, who was a quarterback as a collegian but has been moved to wide receiver, had four catches for 33 yards. He also ran an end around for 11 yards. |
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