Observations from camp so far

[GREENBEAN]

Pretty good read. It's nice to read an article without most of the BS spin of the tabloids and just stating a journalistic observation for the most part.

 

 

 

CORTLAND, N.Y. – On Monday, the Jets will be off from practice for the first time since beginning training camp Thursday. Five days and four practices into camp, there have been some highs and lows. Sunday underscored that.

There is still plenty of time before things get serious with this season – after all, Sunday was just the Jets’ second practice in full pads – but the storylines with this team are beginning to take shape.

So is the drama – or whatever passes for drama in training camp. Sunday was the Jets’ most contentious and energetic practice to date. Again, it was just their second practice in full pads, so things are about to get hot, heavy and fun in the days to come.

The Jets are back on the practice field Tuesday, their first of four straight practices before Saturday’s Green and White scrimmage.

Here now, some observations – not related to Calvin Pryor, Jace Amaro or Willie Colon – from the final practice of this first chunk of training camp.

1. It was a sloppy day, particularly on the offensive side. The quarterbacks themselves weren’t all that bad. Dom Cosentino has your daily quarterback update at this very link. But Geno Smith and Michael Vick were under pressure a few times, forced to scramble. And Smith was victimized by three drops.

Receivers dropping passes wasn’t a problem Saturday, as it was in the first two practices. But on Sunday, drops became an issue again. Stephen Hill, David Nelson, Jeremy Kerley and Shaq Evans all dropped one pass each.

2. Stephen Hill had mixed results. OK, maybe it’s not fair to single out Hill on a day when other receivers were sloppy, too, including Nelson, the man who is competing with Hill for the No. 2 receiver job. But this is a big year for Hill, a second-round pick in 2012, to show he was worthy of being drafted there.

Hill was hampered by injuries in his first two years, but that is no longer the case. Again, Sunday was just one day of practice, but it started poorly for Hill. On the first snap of team periods, Smith rolled right and threw a perfect pass to Hill, who dropped it.

Later in practice, Hill showed off his speed and size by shedding cornerback Dimitri Patterson to catch a deep ball, though it was hard to tell if Hill got both feet inbounds. Hill almost dropped another pass – a Tajh Boyd throw that he bobbled along the sideline before securing it. Fans cheered when he did. They know how important he can be.

3. David Nelson was fired up. Nelson angrily spiked the ball in the end zone after failing to get both feet inbounds on a nice lob from Smith that Nelson secured with one hand. Later, Smith and Patterson had to be separated after they came to blows and jawed at each other. But by training camp fight standards, it wasn’t anything special.

4. Other players looked feisty, too. The Jets concluded practice by putting their backups in a team period that involved tackling to the ground – something they rarely do in camp. This was the first time in camp that the Jets had tackled to the ground.

On what wound up being the final play of practice, rookie linebacker Jeremiah George shoved rookie quarterback Tajh Boyd as he was going out of bounds. Linebacker Troy Davis ran over to George immediately and admonished him, with salty language, to not hit the quarterback. George cursed back at Davis. And so ended practice, on a fittingly flawed note.

Jets coach Rex Ryan was not pleased to see George’s hit. Ryan made this clear to his players when he addressed them after practice. He mentioned George’s play in particular.

“A few guys are a little overzealous,” Ryan told reporters. “We have to protect each other. We don’t have 105 guys or whatever it is in college, so we have to take care of each other, and for us to be at our best we have to be healthy. You don’t ever take advantage of a player that is vulnerable. If you have a guy in a bad position, you hold him up. You don’t throw him down, you don’t throw him over a pile, and you don’t hit a quarterback. We don’t hit our quarterbacks, period. That’s why they’re in the red jersey. Especially, a situation like that (where the) guy’s running. You’ve got to be smart.” 

5. Tajh Boyd had a rough practice. Besides the shove, the sixth-round pick (and hand-picked choice of Ryan) looked sloppy. In a 9-on-7 drill, he attempted to hand off to the right side when everybody else went left. He clearly got the play wrong. Then backup safety Josh Bush picked him off during a 7-on-7 drill.

To his credit, Boyd seems like an eternally upbeat young man. After practice, he stopped, unprompted, to shake hands and chat with reporters. He is, by all accounts, a solid guy. And he put up prolific numbers in college. But he is still fighting for a roster spot, with Matt Simms. If Boyd can combine his mature demeanor with steadier play, he’ll be fine. That is easier said than done in the NFL, as he is learning.

6. Mike Vick cracked wise. Vick walked off the practice field alongside rookie linebacker Trevor Reilly, who carried three sets of teammates’ pads – part of the duties for a rookie. Vick grinned from ear to ear as he strolled past reporters. He said, to nobody in particular, “You know who the rookie is, know who the veteran is.”

7. Zach Sudfeld looked good. Even before Amaro left with a knee injury, Sudfeld was having a nice day. In a 9-on-7 drill, he blocked Demario Davis, opening a lane for Bilal Powell. Then Sudfeld caught a touchdown pass from Vick in a red-zone team period. Vick later hit Sudfeld for a completion along the sideline.

Sudfeld is a big target (6-7 and 260 pounds), but he probably won’t have a big role this season on offense, with Jeff Cumberland and Amaro being the primary tight ends. Last season, as a rookie, Sudfeld made five catches for 63 yards. But he stood out Sunday.

8. Chris Johnson was back. Johnson sat out team periods in Saturday’s practice, after practicing fully the first two days. Johnson’s surgically repaired knee gets another rest day Monday. He looked sharp in team periods Sunday, as he has throughout camp. The Jets likely will give him another rest day this week. If they want to keep him on the two on, one off schedule, that would mean he will rest Thursday.

9. Jason Babin is trying to catch up. Babin, the Jets’ newly acquired pass rusher, spent some time huddling with assistant linebackers and defensive line coach Jeff Weekes on the sideline. They appeared to be going over plays on a sheet. The Jets acquired Babin on Day 1 of training camp, as they are uncertain about Antwan Barnes’ recovery from a knee injury. Babin jumped offside on one play Sunday. He is not an expert yet, by any means, in the Jets’ defense. But that is to be expected. It’s a process, and part of that involves communicating with his coaches, as Babin did with Weekes on Sunday.

10. Remember the name, if you can. OK, so maybe you don’t have to commit IK Enemkpali to memory just yet. But the rookie linebacker had a solid day Sunday against fellow backups. He beat tight end Chris Pantale off the edge and swatted a Matt Simms throw. A few minutes later, Enemkpali got into the backfield and popped Daryl Richardson after he took a handoff. We’re talking about a sixth-round pick in his first training camp, so let’s not get carried away. But credit to Enemkpali for his good day.

11. Dakota Dozier got yelled at. The rookie offensive guard (a fourth-round pick) was impressive Saturday. And then on Sunday, he was loudly admonished by offensive line coach Mike Devlin for messing up an assignment. Such is the life of an NFL rookie – strong one day, sloppy the next. The conclusion: be wary of drawing too many conclusions when off one potentially eye-widening practice from Enemkpali.

12. Injury update. Rookie wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (hip) remains sidelined. He hasn’t practiced since getting hurt in position drills during the first practice. Also out: Barnes, linebacker Tim Fugger (ankle) and defensive lineman Zach Thompson (shoulder). Ryan said backup running back Alex Green got hit in the chest Sunday, but is good to go for the Jets’ next practice, on Tuesday.

[pointman]

Hill stays healthy, he is gonna do well if Geno can get him the ball.

 

Number 2 says Smith and Patterson got into a scrap. I thought it was Patterson and Nelson?

 

lol. Boyd went to media "unprompted". Attention whore. 

 

Vick just annoys me. He could be sleeping and I would find fault with it.

 

Sudfeld, I hope he is awesome. I hate that the article already says he won't get much play. 

 

I also hope Dozier is that mean bastard that takes over when Colon is gone.

[RutgersJetFan]

Based on everything so far my observations are that excepting Dozier the rookies have been underwhelming, the quarterbacks have looked average at best, and some very mediocre players are talking way too much sh*t. All in all pretty much what we expected.

[faba]

We all know 4  days of training camp defines a football career.

[Matt39]

There's just not enough talent yet on this team. Need another FA class and a draft.....we'll see if Rex is here for the long haul early this year.

[GREENBEAN]

There's just not enough talent yet on this team. Need another FA class and a draft.....we'll see if Rex is here for the long haul early this year.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Larz]

txs for posting

 

extremely disappointed in the WR rookies.  I know they were all late picks, but I figured one of them would splash by now.

 

if drops continue to be the story, the results will not change much from last year, no matter if rookie or vet, WR or TE

[Larz]

There's just not enough talent yet on this team. Need another FA class and a draft.....we'll see if Rex is here for the long haul early this year.

 

I think idzik agrees.  I think year 1 was the purge, year two was youth movement, year 3 will be the FA splash, maybe trade for a QB

 

if rex misses the playoffs and survives, it will more or less unprecedented, right ?  that would be 4 straight ?

[#27TheDominator]

Enunwa seemed like a project.  Being hurt so that he can be IR'ed instead of hoping he lasts on the practice squad may end up a blessing.  Evans dropping everything less so.  

[Matt39]

I think idzik agrees.  I think year 1 was the purge, year two was youth movement, year 3 will be the FA splash, maybe trade for a QB

 

if rex misses the playoffs and survives, it will more or less unprecedented, right ?  that would be 4 straight ?

 

Barring it all coming together and a playoff win- I dont see Rex surviving after this year.

[Lupz27]

I think idzik agrees.  I think year 1 was the purge, year two was youth movement, year 3 will be the FA splash, maybe trade for a QB

 

if rex misses the playoffs and survives, it will more or less unprecedented, right ?  that would be 4 straight ?

 

Marvin Lewis!!!!!

[FloridaJetsFan]

There's just not enough talent yet on this team. Need another FA class and a draft.....we'll see if Rex is here for the long haul early this year.

 

But what about heart? We've got alot of heart, right? That might be the thing that makes our boys contenders, no?

[JustInFudge]

Based on everything so far my observations are that excepting Dozier the rookies have been underwhelming, the quarterbacks have looked average at best, and some very mediocre players are talking way too much sh*t. All in all pretty much what we expected.

 

It's day 4 of camp and rookies are underwhelming, oh the horror.  Reports are McDoulge is playing great, Saunders looks to have a place and Dozier has been solid.  They had 100 picks, cant expect them all to be going mental on day 4.

 

What really matters, is what last years draft class has been doing and so far it sounds like Geno is head and shoulders (wink, wink) above last season, Winters seems to really have taken the next step, Milliner's been up and down, Richardson is a monster turning into a leader, Aboushi sounds like he's doing alright and thats what you want to hear.  

 

This is a very young team.  We should be more concerned with the progression of last years picks than we are with rookies on day 4 of their careers.

 

There's just not enough talent yet on this team. Need another FA class and a draft.....we'll see if Rex is here for the long haul early this year.

 

Its getting there, we have some young talent the problem is they need a year or 2 too.  But I agree, one more draft and FA, this could be a pretty loaded squad (assuming some of these guys step it up).

[Matt39]

Dozier beating out Winters would be fantastic.

[Larz]

Barring it all coming together and a playoff win- I dont see Rex surviving after this year.

 

no playoffs, no rexy for sure....unless.....

Marvin Lewis!!!!!

 

cheap owners down there in cincy.  rex' "extension" was only through 2015, right ?

[JustInFudge]

Dozier beating out Winters would be fantastic.

 

Ideally, we find our LG and RG with these two. 

[faba]

Ideally, we find our LG and RG with these two. 

Yes the long term ideal is Dozier to replace Colon

[RutgersJetFan]

no playoffs, no rexy for sure....unless.....

cheap owners down there in cincy. rex' "extension" was only through 2015, right ?

The Browns have pretty much conceded Lewis is running the joint now. I think he's got that job until he retires.

[JetsFanInDenver]

Enunwa seemed like a project.  Being hurt so that he can be IR'ed instead of hoping he lasts on the practice squad may end up a blessing.  Evans dropping everything less so.  

 

Not surprised with Evans performance.

 

And it was always going to be an uphill battle for Saunders to play at the NFL level given his size.

 

I really wanted to see  how Enunwa did because he has decent hands and is pretty physical although very raw at route running. But he seems to be on his personal Tour De France.

[JustInFudge]

Not surprised with Evans performance.

 

And it was always going to be an uphill battle for Saunders to play at the NFL level given his size.

 

I really wanted to see  how Enunwa did because he has decent hands and is pretty physical although very raw at route running. But he seems to be on his personal Tour De France.

 

The reports I've been reading it that Saunders plays much bigger than his size.  He sure played that way in college.  However, with reports coming out that Ford really seems to be playing well, I dont see where Saunders will fit unless he really comes up on ST's.

[Integrity28]

Barring it all coming together and a playoff win- I dont see Rex surviving after this year.

Woody could have hired Cowher. Instead he chose to hire Rex and give him as long as Cowher was given to win a SB, but with the new goal of floundering the team to perpetual .500 records.

[Larz]

Woody could have hired Cowher. Instead he chose to hire Rex and give him as long as Cowher was given to win a SB, but with the new goal of floundering the team to perpetual .500 records.

 

 

Bill Cowher will not be in the running for the New York Jets' head coach vacancy.

A high-ranking Jets official told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the Jets reached out to Cowher on Tuesday about the job, but Cowher's agent called back to tell the Jets that his client had no interest in the opening. "After reaching out to coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed tonight that he is not a candidate for the position," Jets spokesman Bruce Speight told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. Initially, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported that Cowher told the Jets he was not interested because he wanted his own personnel director. The Jets official's response indicated the team was willing to let Cowher replace current general manager Mike Tannenbaum with his own candidate. A Jets source also said Tannenbaum said he was willing to adjust his position to accommodate Cowher. Cowher had not given the Jets the impression he must have total control of personnel, a person familiar with the search told AP. Still, Cowher took his name out of the running without a formal sit-down.

 

 

he's waiting for the pitts job to pen up again, or he will do TV until he retires, imho

[Integrity28]

Bill Cowher will not be in the running for the New York Jets' head coach vacancy.

A high-ranking Jets official told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the Jets reached out to Cowher on Tuesday about the job, but Cowher's agent called back to tell the Jets that his client had no interest in the opening. "After reaching out to coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed tonight that he is not a candidate for the position," Jets spokesman Bruce Speight told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. Initially, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported that Cowher told the Jets he was not interested because he wanted his own personnel director. The Jets official's response indicated the team was willing to let Cowher replace current general manager Mike Tannenbaum with his own candidate. A Jets source also said Tannenbaum said he was willing to adjust his position to accommodate Cowher. Cowher had not given the Jets the impression he must have total control of personnel, a person familiar with the search told AP. Still, Cowher took his name out of the running without a formal sit-down.

 

 

he's waiting for the pitts job to pen up again, or he will do TV until he retires, imho

 

Well, that went over your head like semen goes over Tomshane's tonsils.

[Larz]

Well, that went over your head like semen goes over Tomshane's tonsils.

 

oh.

[sirlancemehlot]

Well, that went over your head like semen goes over Tomshane's tonsils.

I can stick up for TS here and advise you that Tom Shane does not have tonsils.  I mean, I don't think he has tonsils.  At least I've never felt them.  

[T0mShane]

I can stick up for TS here and advise you that Tom Shane does not have tonsils. I mean, I don't think he has tonsils. At least I've never felt them.

Because you always put it in my ear.

[BroadwayJoe12]

Because you always put it in my ear.

Does that cost extra?

[Jets Voice of Reason]

Because you always put it in my ear.

Huh, interesting. Must be a silent r.

[roscoeword]

Maybe Sudfeld can be our Gronk.

[Integrity28]

I can stick up for TS here and advise you that Tom Shane does not have tonsils.  I mean, I don't think he has tonsils.  At least I've never felt them.  

 

lol

 

Because you always put it in my ear.

 

So he avoids your butt and goes for the ear. At least you aren't at risk for brain damage.

[The Crusher]

Huh, interesting. Must be a silent r.

LOL after the 45 seconds it took to sink in.

[SoFlaJets]

I know Hill hasn't been too great and all and nobody has been a bigger critic of him than me, BUT , having said that I went back and started comparing Belichick's drafts  where he took WR's in the second or early 3rd round and found out that maybe the "experts' should start making note of "The Genius'" draft day blunders at that position, and near that position in the draft.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnBe00.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackCh00.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TateBr00.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DobsAa00.htm