East Rutherford, N.J. ? Herm Edwards is still as quick-witted and entertaining these days as he was when he was with the New York Jets.

After hearing a few familiar voices on the other end of a conference call with New York reporters, the Kansas City Chiefs coach came up with a grand plan that drew big laughs – like back in the old days.

“We need to get some marshmallows and do some s’mores,” Edwards said. “That’s what we need to do.”

Edwards’ return to the Meadowlands won’t exactly provide any kumbaya moments, but he has needed to maintain his sense of humor in a season like this. After all, he’s facing his old team without his top two quarterbacks or his Pro Bowl running back and with a besieged defense that has let opponents run all over it.

“This can’t take a toll on me,” Edwards said. “I’m OK. When you get into this, you know there’s going to be times when there are going to be situations like this. I’ve had a couple of them in my career so far as a head coach. You deal with it. You learn a lot about yourself, where you stand and what you stand for when you go through times like this.”

Edwards coached the Jets from 2001-05 and led them to the playoffs three times before leaving to take the job with the Chiefs. He returned to Giants Stadium for the first time last season, when the Jets won, 13-10 in overtime, to end disappointing seasons for both teams.

This time around, Edwards’ Chiefs (1-5) are flailing while the Jets (3-3) are facing a game that many believe they need to win if they have any plans on being a playoff-caliber team.

Brodie Croyle (left knee) and Damon Huard (right hand) both suffered season-ending injuries in last week’s 34-10 loss to Tennessee. Third-stringer Tyler Thigpen, who threw three interceptions in a blowout loss to Atlanta in his only NFL start, will get the chance to lead the Chiefs for at least this weekend.

The Chiefs will be without Larry Johnson for the second straight week as punishment for violating team rules.