Kerley off to a fast start.

[SenorGato]

es.

As much as I like the DL picks, I've been trying to hype Kerley. He's good. He's going to be really good. That's why they felt secure in releasing Cotchery. Now realize, he's going to be talked about as quick and agile, and he is that right now. Long term, he's very much like Cotchery in that we'll notice how solid he is rather than how athletic he is (though hopefully there's more of a mix with Kerley, no offense to Cotchery who is the man still). Schittenheimer says he "has the right look in his eye." That's something folks, and stuff.

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/08/jets_jeremy_kerley_creating_bu.html

Mike Westhoff’s pre-draft scouting report called Jeremy Kerley “patient,” “solid” and “tough.”

The Jets’ renowned special-teams coordinator graded the TCU receiver and return specialist highly, making the note, “He is a guy that could do a number of things.” But Westhoff, noticing the wide-open holes Kerley scampered through on an undefeated Rose Bowl team, also scribbled down a question: “How good will he be on his own?”

“Is your picture ever going to be up there?” Westhoff demanded, pointing at enlarged prints of his most dangerous special-teams aces in 10 seasons with the Jets. “We’ve had seven return guys here that finished in the top one, two or three in the NFL.”

“I can be No. 8,” the rookie coolly responded.

That is how a 22-year-old wins over one of the toughest coordinators in football. And it didn’t stop with Westhoff: In two weeks of training camp, without the benefit of offseason practices, Kerley’s new head coach decided he has “a chance to be something special,” the franchise quarterback deemed him a “baller” and the offensive coordinator proudly claimed credit for making him a Jet.

What is it about Kerley? Those who watched him grow up in tiny Hutto, Texas, where he was the first resident ever drafted in the NFL, simply say he has the elusive “it” factor. In Florham Park, the fifth-round pick has earned respect — and some reps with the first-team offense — because of his quickness, eagerness to learn and endearing self-confidence.

In Monday night’s preseason opener at Houston, Kerley is expected to be the starting kick and punt returner. He also should have plenty of chances to show the team what he can do on offense, with the starters playing one quarter and receiver Plaxico Burress staying home with a sprained ankle.

“I’m glad they see a lot of potential in me, but I want them to have a confidence in me during game time,” Kerley said. “Your play is everything.”

The Jets traded up eight spots in April’s draft to nab Kerley, worried they were running out of options and might miss out on the versatile player, whose skill set could help dull the loss of free agent Brad Smith.

It was Brian Schottenheimer, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, who flew to Fort Worth for a private workout that ended up being less about TCU quarterback Andy Dalton and more about Kerley. The player ran routes as well as he ever had, and sensed a genuine chemistry in the film room with Schottenheimer while discussing coverages and route breaks.

The feeling was mutual. Schottenheimer saw the “right look in his eye,” and left campus convinced of what seems to be a unanimous sentiment when it comes to Kerley: There’s something special about this kid.

Click on the link if you want more. I just put in the beginning/intro.