NEW YORK -- The Petty Plan began to take shape a few weeks ago.New York Jets coach Todd Bowles was toeing the fine line between trying to win games and preparing for the future.So, about two to three weeks ago, Bowles decided that if his teams playoff hopes were over, he would turn to Bryce Petty at quarterback for the final four games and send Ryan Fitzpatrick to the sideline.We knew if we were out of contention and out of the running, Bowles said during a conference call Tuesday, in my mind and in my head, I told the coaches that we would give (Petty) the last quarter of the season to try to make progress and get better week by week.The Jets were mathematically eliminated from the postseason picture on Monday night, and in epic fashion while getting blown out 41-10 by the Indianapolis Colts .Bowles announced after the loss that he was going with Petty the rest of the season . Until late Monday night, the coach had justified starting Fitzpatrick the past few games by saying he thought the veteran gave New York the best chance to win.He was asked Tuesday if playing Petty was a shift in that philosophy.Just trying to win, Bowles said, and its trying to see what I have at quarterback with Bryce.Despite the plan, Bowles acknowledged a winning streak that would have kept the Jets in the playoff hunt would have postponed the move a bit -- maybe even until the final game of the season.Obviously, we would have stuck with Ryan, Bowles said. But now that were not in contention, we want to get (Petty) some experience, so were going to play him a little more.Fitzpatrick, in what could have been his last game action for the Jets, was 5 of 12 for 81 yards with an interception against the Colts. He was ineffective, as was the rest of the offense, so Bowles pulled him and went with Petty in the third quarter.Petty finished 11 of 25 for 135 yards with a touchdown to Robby Anderson and two interceptions. He made his first NFL start three weeks ago in place of an injured Fitzpatrick, and was mostly mediocre in a 9-6 loss to Los Angeles. Petty, a fourth-round draft pick out of Baylor last year, will now get a four-game audition to show whether he can be the Jets quarterback of the future.I think its a great opportunity for me, but I didnt want it to be this way, Petty said after the game. I would much rather have us in the same situation we were in last year -- on the brink of making the playoffs. What I do know is that opportunities are few and far between in this league, so youve got to capitalize on them any chance you get.Petty has shown a big arm at times, but he also can be erratic. Hes a second-year player still learning at this level, and the little details will take some time.Just trying to get my mind and my feet in sync, he said. I still think my mind is a little bit faster than my feet sometimes. Im getting better at seeing things. Now Ive just got to (think), now, OK, I see it, heres the throw. You know? And go back to, this is what I do. Thatll get easier every time I get out there. Ill get better.Bowles said Fitzpatrick will serve as Pettys backup for at least the next few weeks. He added that rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-round pick whos generally still considered a project, likely will not see any game action this season, barring an injury to Petty.When Bowles announced to the media after the game that Petty would be under center the rest of the season, there was some confusion over whether the quarterbacks knew -- and when.On Monday, Bowles acknowledged that he could have done a better job of communicating things to Fitzpatrick, who appeared to not know that it would be Pettys job the last four games, regardless of the outcome Monday night.I didnt talk to him -- the coaches told him, Bowles said. I was meaning to talk to him and I got tied up with a few things. Ill make sure we talk (Wednesday) morning.Those few things were giving his team an earful after its embarrassing performance in front of a national TV audience.He tried to cover for me, Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. Like I said, I had a lot on my mind. I got some things off my chest. It kind of went over the wrong way, definitely.Game notes Bowles said its possible C Nick Mangold could be shut down for the rest of the season after aggravating an ankle injury. Mangold returned Monday night after missing four games. ... After ripping his teams effort after the game, Bowles backpedaled a bit after watching the film. Actually, I thought the effort was a lot better, he said, but I thought we made some bonehead mistakes that cost us. ... Bowles on the lack of DL Sheldon Richardsons snaps in the second half: It was just game plan.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Vapormax Cheap . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Nike Vapormax Wholesale . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. http://www.vapormaxoutlet.com/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Cheap Vapormax China . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Air Vapormax Free Shipping . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. DENTON, Texas -- Carlos Henderson scored five touchdowns for the second time this season, and Louisiana Tech pulled away from North Texas in a 45-24 win over North Texas on Saturday night.Ryan Higgins threw a 12-yard pass to Henderson for his fourth TD with 7:13 to play in the third for a 38-24 lead. Higgins found Henderson again on a 9-yard pass with the fourth quarter just underway.Higgins threw for 253 yards and Jarred Craft had 24 carries for 120 yards and a score.Louisiana Tech (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) has woon six straight.ddddddddddddMason Fine was 23-for-34 passing for 207 yards with a touchdown and interception for North Texas (4-5, 2-3).Jeffrey Wilson had a 1-yard run for the Mean Green to tie it at 7. After Henderson ran for a 24-yard scored, Fine threw a 32-yard TD to Terian Goree to tie it at 14. Higgins later threw a 10-yard score to Henderson to give the Bulldogs the lead for good. ' ' '