flgreen Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Rex Ryan and NY Jets need to give Dee Milliner a chance Ryan’s decision to pull Milliner during the Jets’ 13-10 loss to the Patriots last week wasn’t an admission that the rookie was rushed into the starting role. Kyle Wilson and Darrin Walls filled the gap for one night, but Milliner is the long-term solution to help fill the secondary void in the post-Darrelle Revis years. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Thursday, September 19, 2013, 11:22 PM. Rex Ryan will probably be frustrated with Dee Milliner again this season, but the coach needs to start the rookie and trust that he’ll learn from his mistakes. The Jets’ decision-makers may have turned into Fisher-Price pull-string dolls complete with an assortment of clichés and programmed talking points, but they shouldn’t apologize for breaking their own rules with Dee Milliner. New general manager John Idzik’s continuous competition-at-every-position mantra was never believable, so it’s silly to blame Rex Ryan (or anyone else) for handing Milliner the starting cornerback job opposite Antonio Cromartie. Ryan & Co. shouldn’t let the appearance of hypocrisy dissuade them from starting Milliner. Idzik didn’t draft a project with the ninth pick of this year’s draft. Milliner, who thrived in college football’s fiercest conference — the SEC — is an NFL-ready prospect who should have been the starter from Day One given the Jets’ needs in the secondary. Ryan’s decision to pull Milliner during the Jets’ 13-10 loss to the Patriots last week wasn’t an admission that the rookie was rushed into the starting role. Kyle Wilson and Darrin Walls filled the gap for one night, but Milliner is the long-term solution to help fill the secondary void in the post-Darrelle Revis years. “We’re not down on him at all,” defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said on Thursday. “He’s got a chance to be a hell of a football player. You don’t want a rookie to get out there and get shell-shocked and not be able to come back from it. We were concerned about that.” Milliner played every snap in the season opener before logging only 37 of 65 snaps (57%) in Foxborough due to some mental gaffes. Cromartie admitted that the rookie “still is learning the defense,” but has improved various technique and leverage nuances needed to thrive in the league. Ryan coaches by a simple credo: You lose games fastest at quarterback and cornerback. When Milliner had technique issues and struggled with identifying and adapting to certain checks against Tom Brady, Ryan decided to replace him for the night. He hasn’t publicly named Milliner a starter for Sunday’s home game against the Bills, but made it clear that “it’s not like Dee’s sitting there riding the pine forever.” The Jets’ talking points about endless competition have been met with skepticism within their facility. “Competition seems to be the answer for everything these days,” an organizational source told the Daily News with more than a hint of sarcasm. Milliner’s case is a perfect example of how the Idzik-inspired talking points can come back to unnecessarily make some people look disingenuous. A few weeks after the Jets drafted Milliner, Thurman told fans that the former Alabama star would have to earn the starting job. We feel like he’ll come in and compete with the others, and may the best man win,” Thurman said on a conference call with Jets season-ticket holders on May 15. “We’re always about competition here. You’ve got to go out and you got to compete and you’ve got to earn the job. . . . If he earns the job, great. If he doesn’t, it just means that someone else stepped up and performed at a high level throughout OTAs, minicamp and training camp. We’re going to play the best guys, no matter where they were drafted.” Milliner missed the entire offseason program, including OTAs and minicamp, while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Shortly after Milliner signed his rookie contract a few days into training camp, Thurman toed the company line once again. “He’s got to earn it, like everybody else,” Thurman said on July 30. “He knows that. We know it. We don’t just give anybody anything in this league. You have to earn it.” Milliner, however, immediately began to practice with the starters in the ensuing days. He started in the preseason opener against the Lions after only eight practices. Ryan voiced his displeasure with the rookie after the second preseason game against the Jaguars before a calf/Achilles injury sidelined Milliner for the final two preseason games. Thurman wouldn’t delve into the particulars of why Milliner was thrown into the starting lineup right away. “It was a decision that was made,” Thurman said Thursday. “And we won’t second-guess it. . . . That’s team business.” The Jets may have been hypocritical to give Milliner the starting job even though no objective person would conclude that he earned it, but it was the smart play. If Idzik and Ryan believed that Wilson was the long-term solution, the Jets wouldn’t have drafted Milliner. Milliner attributed his early struggles to “simple mistakes” similar to the ones he made as an Alabama freshman. Nick Saban pulled him in a couple of games. His biggest challenge right now is quickly grasping Ryan’s changing coverages after the initial pre-snap defensive call and sharpening technique. “I’ve just got to move faster and be alert,” he said. Ryan will probably be frustrated with Milliner again this season, but the coach needs to start the rookie and trust that he’ll learn from his mistakes. There’s no reason to apologize for circumventing the rules. Give him a chance to be great. Twitter.com/MMehtaNYDN Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-milliner-time-rex-jets-article-1.1462066?pgno=1#ixzz2fRSHjL31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustInFudge Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Didnt read, but lol @Mehta telling Rex how to run his defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Rex has to stop comparing Milliner to Revis and let the kid play. We spent another #1 on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kay_gee Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 tired of hearing Mehta's opinions on what the Jets "need" to do. no more coddling players, remember? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt39 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 If the dude Walls is outplaying him....no they dont. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 STARSHIP INDEPENDENT REX TAKING HEAVY FIRE FROM THE BORG CUBE IDZIK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Didnt read, but lol @Mehta telling Rex how to run his defense. The thing that's funny about it is that it almost reads like the whole damn article is targeted at arguing with Cimini's article from a couple of days ago that trashed the Jets for handing Milliner the starting job. Perhaps there's trouble in paradise between those two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCarl40 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 No need to rush the kid. Walls is playing well. Let him do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pac Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 this entire article amounts to nothing but limp wristed flailing by Mehta. he's been neutered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 The thing that's funny about it is that it almost reads like the whole damn article is targeted at arguing with Cimini's article from a couple of days ago that trashed the Jets for handing Milliner the starting job. Perhaps there's trouble in paradise between those two. Oh big time Last season Cimini got all over Mehta for stealing his stuff, and making stuff up. Didn't name him, but in the tweet he ended it by saying you know who you are. It was funny stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Oh big time Last season Cimini got all over Mehta for stealing his stuff, and making stuff up. Didn't name him, but in the tweet he ended it by saying you know who you are. It was funny stuff "I'm the biggest douchebag on the Jets beat!" "No way, I'M the biggest douchebag... ever!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Ok now we have GM Mehta giving orders on how to run the team. Can he be worse pretend GM than a sportswriter is the question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 "I'm the biggest douchebag on the Jets beat!" "No way, I'M the biggest douchebag... ever!!!" LOL Yeah kinda like that. Can't remember what it was about exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Mehta needs to choke on a dick. His articles should be banned from JN, he's got a job because he's good at trolling us. If we can do a hands across America thing and band together to ignore him he'll be a penniless hobo we can legally spit on in a year. As a beat writer he has zero task credentials as a journalist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSJets Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 The thing that's funny about it is that it almost reads like the whole damn article is targeted at arguing with Cimini's article from a couple of days ago that trashed the Jets for handing Milliner the starting job. Perhaps there's trouble in paradise between those two. I would start a Kickstarter campaign to construct a huge cage and send Cimini and Mehta into it for a fight to the death. The winner gets reassigned to cover the Bucs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whodeawhodat Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 best players should play. if walls is better than Millner, he should be playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klecko73isGod Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Didnt read, but lol @Mehta telling Rex how to run his defense. I love how all of Mehta's articles are so absolutist these days; "The Jets Need To" or "Rex Ryan Must." Hey Manish, this is your OPINION, not an absolute fact. Learn the difference, dipsh*t. The stories should be "The Jets should" or "Rex Ryan ought to." Notice, I didn't say "the stories have to be." Pfft... asshead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitonti Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 1st round CB not ready let's bench him 2nd round QB not ready let's ride this train to hell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbone Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 The coaches have given Milliner a chance and so far he has looked worse than Kyle Wilson, IMO. I hope to little baby Jesus that changes soon, but until it does you can't send him out there if someone else gives the team a better chance of winning. As of right now, he doesn't look like a top 10 draft pick. Why that's the case, IDK yet. I'm hopeful its because he's missed some time and is taking a little longer adjusting to the speed of the NFL. Milliner may very well be the reason we lost against the Patriots on that blown coverage. We can't risk that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 So let me get Manish's thinking straight, our rookie QB was handed a job he didn't deserve, but our rookie cornerback was deprived an opportunity to grow into the job he was picked to do. Ok, I got it. Sounds like we were damned either way in his book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbone Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 1st round CB not ready let's bench him 2nd round QB not ready let's ride this train to hell I guess you'd prefer to ride the Matt Simms or Brady Quinn express then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoicsentry Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Does Mehta just wait for the Jets to do something and then argue the opposite? Like, if they start Powell this week, will he write an article about how they should have started Ivory? But if they start Ivory this week, will he write an article about how they should have started Powell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitonti Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I guess you'd prefer to ride the Matt Simms or Brady Quinn express then? actually yes. I'd prefer the better QB in preseason play. Because that's how a football team is supposed to work. They gave the job to Mark and now they gave the job to Geno. Neither man earned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Does Mehta just wait for the Jets to do something and then argue the opposite? Like, if they start Powell this week, will he write an article about how they should have started Ivory? But if they start Ivory this week, will he write an article about how they should have started Powell? Yes Then in a day or two he comes up with an unnamed inside source to talk about how much dissention said move is causing on the team. he rides that for another few days, then there's a game, and he starts all over again. See this beat writer stuff is easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Oh big time Last season Cimini got all over Mehta for stealing his stuff, and making stuff up. Didn't name him, but in the tweet he ended it by saying you know who you are. It was funny stuff I missed this...pretty funny actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I guess you'd prefer to ride the Matt Simms or Brady Quinn express then? Don't be ignorant.. he was comparing the two Manish articles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebag Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 why do you azzclowns bother reading this crap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbone Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Don't be ignorant.. he was comparing the two Manish articles. True, but his comment displays a judgment that goes deeper than just the articles mentioned. Perhaps you're too narrow minded to understand that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 True, but his comment displays a judgment that goes deeper than just the articles mentioned. Perhaps you're too narrow minded to understand that. Yeah.. that or you were reaching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbone Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Yeah.. that or you were reaching. Actually, if you care to read his response, I was spot on. I appreciate your valuable input though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Actually, if you care to read his response, I was spot on. I appreciate your valuable input though. Oh.. you were "spot on" ? ...You want a sticker ? And displaying sarcasim .. ? That's a branch of the figurative language tree, how about two stickers ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HessStation Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I thought beat writers were just suppose to report? And columnists were there for the dumb downed opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HessStation Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 1st round CB not ready let's bench him 2nd round QB not ready let's ride this train to hell LOL the guy is beyond incompetent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HessStation Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I guess you'd prefer to ride the Matt Simms or Brady Quinn express then? Er, he was mocking Mehta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbone Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Oh.. you were "spot on" ? ...You want a sticker ? And displaying sarcasim .. ? That's a branch of the figurative language tree, how about two stickers ? I'll take it. What do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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