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53-man roster..a projection,.. post-NFL Draft ~ ~ ~

kelly

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kelly

kelly

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-- Every day after practice at Crespi High School, near Los Angeles, the two wide receivers stuck around and caught passes, honing the skills that one day would land both of them in the NFL, with rival teams, albeit as roster-fringe players.Chris Harper (now with the Jets) and Devin Lucien (now with the Patriots) would spend an hour after their high school practices throwing the ball around. They followed the same routine last year in training camp with the Patriots, who signed Harper as an undrafted rookie in 2015 and drafted Lucien in Round 7 a year later. 

"As long as we could stay out there, we'd just be out there playing catch," Harper told NJ Advance Media. 

Harper has impressed -- especially with his secure hands -- early in Jets training camp. He has the best catch of camp so far -- a one-handed, diving grab, full extension. He made a 55-yard touchdown catch, while wide open, during Saturday night's Green and White scrimmage.The Jets have one of the NFL's most wide-open receiver rooms, as players jockey for roster spots in camp. Could Harper, who signed with the Jets in late May as an afterthought free agent, make the roster and perhaps make an impact for this rebuilding team? 

Just a week of camp has passed, so it's too early to make any predictions. But Harper feels plenty confident in his hands, after spending all those hours working on them."Any ball that's up in the air, I feel like it's mine, or it's nobody's," he said. "I like to think that any time the ball goes up in the air -- no matter if it's deep or if it's short or if I'm contested -- that I can go get it. That's what I take pride in."Harper was with the Patriots until they cut him after last year's training camp. He spent last season with the 49ers. They waived him in May. Harper, who is 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, has 14 career catches (including 13 last year) for 139 yards. 

Though he lacks size, he does wear extra-large gloves, so he has big enough hands. He works on them after every Jets practice, spending time catching balls fired from a Jugs machine."I kind of like to do ball drills every day, regardless of if we have practice, or if it's the offseason," Harper said. "We have those off days that we're not doing anything, and I like to just catch the ball, even if I'm not running routes or working out. It's just something I like to do for fun." He knows the Jets have no consistently proven receivers outside of Quincy Enunwa, so there is a big opportunity for him in this camp.

"With that opportunity, I just want to seize it," he said. "I believe in myself a lot, so I just felt like I was going to stick with the Patriots. But it hasn't happened that way."If both he and Lucien make the Jets' and Patriots' rosters, they could have a Crespi High reunion when the teams meet Oct. 15 at MetLife Stadium. Plus, Harper could stick it to the organization that cut him last year. "With that opportunity, I just want to seize it," he said. "I believe in myself a lot, so I just felt like I was going to stick with the Patriots. But it hasn't happened that way." 

If both he and Lucien make the Jets' and Patriots' rosters, they could have a Crespi High reunion when the teams meet Oct. 15 at MetLife Stadium. Plus, Harper could stick it to the organization that cut him last year. 

>     http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/08/jets_chris_harper_an_early_surprise_at_training_ca.html#incart_river_index

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kelly

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-- Myles White has an interesting way of looking at his performance through 10 training camp practices. The Jets' wideout isn't charting catches, touchdowns, or special teams tackles. Instead, he has taken a carpenter-like approach.

"I'm trying to build a house," White told NJ Advance Media. "Each day, I want to put up another piece of wood. Hopefully, by the end of this thing, I can say I have a home here."

A home.

Get to know White's unique story, and you understand why that's his top priority.

White, who turned 27 in March, wasn't a top pick in the NFL Draft. Not even close. He grew up in Tacoma, Washington, played two years of college ball at Louisiana Tech, then bolted for the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted free agent. He signed with Green Bay, and that's where things get... interesting.The Packers cut him at the end of training camp his rookie year, then added him to their practice squad. In October, they called him up to the active roster, but placed him on the injured reserve two months later. He came back in 2014, but was again cut after training camp, and again added to the practice squad. He remained there the entire season.

In 2015, White returned to Green Bay. After an impressive training camp, he made the initial 53-man roster... but was cut in favor of James Jones. "That was a tough pill to swallow, he said.The Giants claimed White. He spent most of 2015 on their practice squad, and a brief stint on the 53-man roster. He returned in 2016, but New York cut him after camp.The Jets added him to their practice squad on Sept. 5... cut him Sept. 12... added him again Sept. 29... cut him again Oct. 26... added him back Nov. 2... then cut him for good Nov. 8. Two weeks later, the Buccaneers added him to their practice squad, but elected not to sign him to a futures contract after the year.

So the Jets, surprisingly, brought him back.

And that's where he is ... as of Aug. 10, 2017.

"It's been a journey, man, but I love it," White said. "This is what I signed up for. I wouldn't have it any other way. I've had a chance to play with some all-time greats, and soak up everything I possibly can."What I always thought was cool was all of the quarterbacks I got to play with. I was able to see Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Eli Manning(Giants), Jameis Winston (Bucs), and now I'm here with Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. I appreciate that. I've been able to learn, grow and appreciate all the different kinds of quarterbacks."After four years of constant relocation, White may finally be staring at his best opportunity to make a team.. and stay there.

The Jets cut veteran wideouts Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker in the offseason. This week, they lost top wideout Quincy Enunwa to a season-ending neck injury. There are more than a couple spots open at receiver."It's an opportunity for guys to step up," McCown said. "That's the nature of this game, unfortunately. You hate losing guys ... but at the same time, I'm excited for the opportunity that some of these guys are going to get and hopefully they will make the most of it, and we believe in them."

Thus far, White has taken advantage of his increased reps. He made one of the highlights of Wednesday's practice.

In a 7-on-7 drill, McCown went White's way on a post. Despite being held by cornerback Buster Skrine-- referees threw a flag-- White wrestled the ball away for a long completion. Teammates mobbed him after the catch, and coaches offered several forms of praise.It was just another of White's many impressive plays this summer. He -- along with fellow receiver Chris Harper -- are among the more surprising stars of camp.

White figures to play an awful lot when the Jets open the preseason Saturday against the Titans. He has worked with the second-team offense most of camp, behind Robby Anderson, Charone Peake and Jalin Marshall. With a good outing, he could elevate himself even more.But that's not on his mind. At least not yet. He just wants to make the team."This is the life of an undrafted free agent," White said. "We always have to work bottom-up. The deck is stacked against us.

"Like I said, I signed up for this. This is what I wanted to do. I knew how it was going to be, and I'd do it all again if you asked me to."

>     http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/08/journeyman_myles_white_hoping_to_find_permanent_ho.html#incart_river_index

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kelly

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The New York Jets must cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here's a final 53-man roster projection :

QUARTERBACK (3): Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg

After carrying four quarterbacks last season, the Jets will return to normalcy. Petty secured his roster spot with a solid preseason and could open the season as the No. 2 quarterback. Hackenberg is safe for another year because there's no way general manager Mike Maccagnan will cut a second-round pick from a year ago. McCown is preparing for the fifth opening-day start of his 15-year career.

RUNNING BACK (4): Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, Marcus Murphy

The Jets reportedly have shopped Forte, but it would be a shock if he's not on the roster. At 31, he doesn't fit the youth movement, but he still has value on and off the field. They can revisit trade talks as they get closer to the midseason deadline, once they have a better feel for McGuire, who broke a 34-yard run Thursday night in the preseason finale. McGuire (sixth-round pick) is a "Steady Eddie" who, much like Forte, can contribute in the passing game. Murphy will make it because he can return punts and kickoffs, but you get the feeling it will be a season of musical returners.

FULLBACK (1): Julian Howsare

Yes, they will have a fullback this year; it's a necessity in a West Coast-style system. Rookie Anthony Firkser is a better athlete than Howsare, but Howsare brings an element of toughness. It also wouldn't be a shock if they go outside the organization.

WIDE RECEIVER (5): Robby Anderson, ArDarius Stewart, Chad Hansen, Kenbrell Thompkins, Charone Peake

This could be the worst receiving corps in the NFL. It's so thin that Thompkins, whom the Jets cut last preseason, is now considered the veteran presence. Look for Maccagnan to work on the bottom of the depth chart over the next few days. Frankly, he should address the top, too, but it would be a surprise if he makes a significant move. Peake has slipped on the depth chart and could be in trouble. This might surprise some, but Jalin Marshall -- suspended for the first four games -- is on the bubble. They also have to make a decision on Lucky Whitehead (broken foot), who has value as a return specialist.

TIGHT END (2): Eric Tomlinson, Jordan Leggett

This is a mess. Presumptive starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins faces a two-game suspension, leaving Tomlinson as the only experienced tight end -- and he's dealing with an undisclosed injury. Chris Gragg was trending toward a roster spot, but he suffered a potentially serious knee/ankle injury on Thursday night. Leggett (fifth round), coming off a foot injury, isn't ready to contribute. The front office is studying other rosters, looking for potential waiver pickups. Keep an eye on the New York Giants, who have depth. Will Tye is on the bubble and would be an upgrade for the Jets. This position could look dramatically different on Monday.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Kelvin Beachum, James Carpenter, Wesley Johnson, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell, Ben Ijalana, Brent Qvale, Jonotthan Harrison, Dakota Dozier

It looks weird without Nick Mangold, doesn't it? There's uncertainty at center and both tackle spots, although the hunch is that Johnson, Beachum and Shell and will emerge as starters. You may disagree, but the Jets really like their offensive line, especially the depth. Craig Watts, a hard-nosed guard, will be a tough cut.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Leonard Williams, Steve McLendon, Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Lawrence Thomas, Deon Simon, Kony Ealy

The Jets could trade Richardson if they get the right offer, but that seems unlikely. He's one of their best players, but he's in a contract year and could bolt as a free agent next March. Ealy, picked up last weekend on waivers, recorded a strip sack in his debut. He can be a situational pass-rusher and rotational player. Mike Pennel is a tough cut because he's a massive run-stuffer. The Jets need a lot of bodies because, let's face it, the defense will spend a lot of time on the field.

LINEBACKER (9): Darron Lee, Demario Davis, Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin, Dylan Donahue, Bruce Carter, Julian Stanford, Freddie Bishop, Frank Beltre.

It looks weird without David Harris, doesn't it? There's a lot of that going around. The first five are on solid ground, but anything can happen after that. The news here is that Lorenzo Mauldin, a third-round pick in 2015, isn't on the roster. He's battling a back injury and probably will end up on injured reserve -- or released outright. Look for a committee approach at rush linebacker, with Martin and Donahue sharing time.

SECONDARY (10): Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, Juston Burris, Darryl Roberts, Rontez Miles, Shamarko Thomas, Terrence Brooks, Derrick Jones

They've already jettisoned one veteran cornerback, Dexter McDougle, and Marcus Williams will be the next to go. He's due to make a non-guaranteed $2.75 million, too high for a No. 5 corner. They will try to trade him before cut-down day. The crazy thing is, they still need a starting-caliber corner. There are only two long-term answers in the secondary: Adams and Maye. Everybody else is fighting for their future. Miles has an eye injury and could be an injured-reserve candidate.

SPECIALISTS (3): PK Ross Martin, P Lachlan Edwards and LS Thomas Hennessy

Martin outkicked Chandler Catanzaro and deserves a roster spot. The Jets have a tough call to make at long-snapper, with Hennessy and longtime incumbent Tanner Purdum. Their weeks-long search for a replacement suggests that Purdum, 33, has slipped. They traded for Hennessy, which shows a sense of urgency.

>       http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/70744/jets-53-man-roster-projection-excludes-matt-forte-as-purge-continues

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Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer 

Let's set the stage today for the Jets : The roster stands at 76, which means they have to clear 23 spots. Players on the bubble: LB Lorenzo Mauldin (IR candidate), CB Marcus Williams, LS Tanner Purdum, WR Jalin Marshall (could go on suspended list), KR Lucky Whitehead (IR candidate), DL Mike Pennel and S Shamarko Thomas. They're also looking to make a move for a tight end, I'm told, either a trade or waiver pick up.

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