Practice Notes: Sanchez, Geno Struggle

[flgreen]

Practice notes: Sanchez, Geno struggle

June, 5, 2013
Jun 5

2:17

PM ET

By  Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
 

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Thoughts and observations from Wednesday's practice, the final OTA session open to the media:

 

1. Shades of 2012: With their top four wide receivers sitting out team drills because of injuries, the Jets' offense was a mess. It's hard to conduct a pass-oriented practice when the top receivers are players with little or no experience. As a result, Mark Sanchez (9-for-19) and rookie Geno Smith (5-for-9, one interception) struggled. The practice ended with an unsuccessful two-minute drill for each quarterback.

 

Sanchez's possession actually lasted 10 plays, but the offense seemed to be stuck in the mud, going nowhere. There were two offensive penalties, a throwaway, a near interception and an errant throw that drilled CB Aaron Berry in the calf. The drive came to a merciful and fitting end, as time expired with the offense -- down by three points, no timeouts remaining -- attempted to line up for a clock play at the opponents' 20. Smith's two-minute drive, which lasted seven plays, ended with a long field-goal miss by Brett Maher.

 

2. Hurting receivers: Santonio Holmes (foot), Stephen Hill (knee), Jeremy Kerley (undisclosed) and Clyde Gates (hamstring) didn't participate in teams drills. In fact, Holmes was nowhere to be found. Hill and Gates are recovering from pre-existing ailments. Not sure about Kerley, who took part in individual drills. Needless to say, it left a patchwork receiving corps.

 

3. Rotating quarterbacks: Sanchez and Smith rotated more than they had in the previous practices open to the media. All told, Sanchez received 25 reps, Smith 14. Both got opportunities to work with the first team. This time, they began team drills in the red zone. For the most part, it was a struggle for the offense, as the receivers failed to gain consistent separation. Sanchez finally hit WR Joseph Collins for a short TD pass on the final play of the period.

 

Smith was intercepted by LB Demario Davis, who caught a ball that bounced off the hands of a receiver (didn't get the number) on a quick slant. Smith threw a fastball, too hot too handle. Another red-zone interception was nullified by a penalty. By the way, Matt Simms and Greg McElroy didn't get any team reps, only a couple of snaps each in 7-on-7 drills.

 

4. Deep thoughts: They devoted the entire 7-on-7 drill to downfield passing. One thing about coordinator Marty Mornhinweg: His track record tells us he likes to take more deep shots than your typical West Coast playcaller. On this particular day, the success rate wasn't very good. The best play came when Sanchez hit Thomas Mayo on a long sideline route, beating CB Darrin Walls. Nice route, great throw. After that, Sanchez and Smith took turns misfiring on deep passes to receivers who probably won't make the team. One receiver, Vidal Hazelton, incurred the wrath of receivers coach Sanjay Lal when he didn't pursue on an interception return.

 

5. No Q at OLB: DE Quinton Coples is making the transition to linebacker, but he hasn't played any base linebacker during the open practices. Weird. Because the defense spent a good part of the practice in nickel, Coples was used primarily as a down rusher. DE Muhammad Wilkerson had a nice day, batting down a Smith pass as he rolled out. NT Kenrick Ellis recorded a "sack."

 

6. No Goodson: Embattled RB Mike Goodson didn't practice and wasn't spotted on the field. His absence had nothing to do with his pending drug and weapons charges; he was out with a stomach bug, according to a source.

 

7. Westhoff's back: Former special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, who announced his retirement after the season, visited practice and watched from the sideline, interacting with players and members of the coaching staff. Westhoff is launching a career in the media; he will be studio analyst for Jets games on ESPN Radio.

[flgreen]

Braylon, BRAYLON, BRAYLON

[jetsjetsjetss]

cut both the qbs and sign brad smith

[flgreen]

Smith struggle with deep ball in Jets OTAs
By BRIAN COSTELLO
Posted: 1:50 PM, June 5, 2013

Mark Sanchez (left) talks to wide receiver Stephen Hill, who did not participate in team drills.
AP

Mark Sanchez (left) talks to wide receiver Stephen Hill, who did not participate in team drills.

The good news is it's only June.

 

The Jets offense looked dismal Wednesday during an organized team activity (OTA) open to the media. Both quarterbacks struggled to complete any deep balls and the Jets defense was constantly in their faces. Mark Sanchez went 9-for-19 with one sack in 25 reps in team drills. Rookie Geno Smith went 5-for-9 with one interception (off a receiver's hands) and a sack in 14 snaps.

 

It was not all on the quarterbacks. They were playing with a wide receiving corps that is limited by youth and injuries. Top receivers Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill did not participate in any team drills. Holmes was not at practice at all as he recovers from foot surgery. Jeremy Kerley missed most of the team drills. Clyde Gates was not involved either.

 

That left a receivers group that included a bunch of undrafted free agents and castoffs.

 

The defense won both sessions of the two-minute drills. The first-team offense got to the 30 but an offensive pass interference call on WR Thomas Mayo pushed them back to the 45 and out of field goal range.

 

The second team attempted a 58-yard field goal by Brett Maher that was wide right.

 

**

Troubled running back Mike Goodson was not at practice, but it was not for legal reasons. Goodson has a stomach virus, according to a source. … Retired special teams coach Mike Westhoff watched practice. Westhoff, who is working for ESPN Radio, watched with the rest of the media members, much to the delight of his former players.

Read more: Sanchez, Smith struggle with deep ball in Jets OTAs http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/jetsblog/sanchez_smith_struggle_with_deep_iBh5oOJfF3H7XGLmfpoCYL#ixzz2VN1PaK00

[SayNoToDMC]

Practice notes: Sanchez, Geno struggle

June, 5, 2013

Jun 5

2:17

PM ET

By  Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com

 

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Thoughts and observations from Wednesday's practice, the final OTA session open to the media:

 

1. Shades of 2012: With their top four wide receivers sitting out team drills because of injuries, the Jets' offense was a mess. It's hard to conduct a pass-oriented practice when the top receivers are players with little or no experience. As a result, Mark Sanchez (9-for-19) and rookie Geno Smith (5-for-9, one interception) struggled. The practice ended with an unsuccessful two-minute drill for each quarterback.

 

Sanchez's possession actually lasted 10 plays, but the offense seemed to be stuck in the mud, going nowhere. There were two offensive penalties, a throwaway, a near interception and an errant throw that drilled CB Aaron Berry in the calf. The drive came to a merciful and fitting end, as time expired with the offense -- down by three points, no timeouts remaining -- attempted to line up for a clock play at the opponents' 20. Smith's two-minute drive, which lasted seven plays, ended with a long field-goal miss by Brett Maher.

 

2. Hurting receivers: Santonio Holmes (foot), Stephen Hill (knee), Jeremy Kerley (undisclosed) and Clyde Gates (hamstring) didn't participate in teams drills. In fact, Holmes was nowhere to be found. Hill and Gates are recovering from pre-existing ailments. Not sure about Kerley, who took part in individual drills. Needless to say, it left a patchwork receiving corps.

 

3. Rotating quarterbacks: Sanchez and Smith rotated more than they had in the previous practices open to the media. All told, Sanchez received 25 reps, Smith 14. Both got opportunities to work with the first team. This time, they began team drills in the red zone. For the most part, it was a struggle for the offense, as the receivers failed to gain consistent separation. Sanchez finally hit WR Joseph Collins for a short TD pass on the final play of the period.

 

Smith was intercepted by LB Demario Davis, who caught a ball that bounced off the hands of a receiver (didn't get the number) on a quick slant. Smith threw a fastball, too hot too handle. Another red-zone interception was nullified by a penalty. By the way, Matt Simms and Greg McElroy didn't get any team reps, only a couple of snaps each in 7-on-7 drills.

 

4. Deep thoughts: They devoted the entire 7-on-7 drill to downfield passing. One thing about coordinator Marty Mornhinweg: His track record tells us he likes to take more deep shots than your typical West Coast playcaller. On this particular day, the success rate wasn't very good. The best play came when Sanchez hit Thomas Mayo on a long sideline route, beating CB Darrin Walls. Nice route, great throw. After that, Sanchez and Smith took turns misfiring on deep passes to receivers who probably won't make the team. One receiver, Vidal Hazelton, incurred the wrath of receivers coach Sanjay Lal when he didn't pursue on an interception return.

 

5. No Q at OLB: DE Quinton Coples is making the transition to linebacker, but he hasn't played any base linebacker during the open practices. Weird. Because the defense spent a good part of the practice in nickel, Coples was used primarily as a down rusher. DE Muhammad Wilkerson had a nice day, batting down a Smith pass as he rolled out. NT Kenrick Ellis recorded a "sack."

 

6. No Goodson: Embattled RB Mike Goodson didn't practice and wasn't spotted on the field. His absence had nothing to do with his pending drug and weapons charges; he was out with a stomach bug, according to a source.

 

7. Westhoff's back: Former special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, who announced his retirement after the season, visited practice and watched from the sideline, interacting with players and members of the coaching staff. Westhoff is launching a career in the media; he will be studio analyst for Jets games on ESPN Radio.

 

 

Top 4 receivers, lol. We need to stop letting Mark Sanchez waste Clyde Gates prime

[flgreen]

Jets' Stephen Hill sits out of practice with fluid in knee

 

9 JETS ORR PERLMAN.JPG

Stephen Hill sat out of practice today with fluid in his knee. (William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger By  Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger  
on June 05, 2013 at 1:09 PM, updated June 05, 2013 at 2:49 PM

 
    

 

As Mark Sanchez labored through a two-minute drill situation during OTA's today, he did so without the services of any starting wide receiver from last year.

 

Among those sitting on the sideline was Stephen Hill, who had been fully recovered from offseason surgery on his knee and had been taking team reps. However, the team's medical staff recently discovered some more fluid in Hill's knee and wanted him to dial his workload back immediately.

 

"I was (expected to be cleared by now)," Hill said. "I was going through some team workouts. At first it kind of swelled up on me a little bit and (trainer John Melody) was like, 'we don't need this to happen at all.'"

 

Hill said he expects to participate during next week's mandatory mini camp and go through team reps, although he's not sure how many.

 

* * *

Mike Goodson, who has resumed workouts amid his legal issues, missed practice today with a stomach bug.

[flgreen]

Jets' Quinton Coples still trying to define move to outside linebacker

 

11 JETS ORR PERLMAN.JPG

Quinton Coples is adjusting to, and trying to define his move to outside linebacker. (William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger By  Conor Orr/The Star-Ledger  
on June 05, 2013 at 8:38 AM, updated June 05, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    

 

Quinton Coples jokingly entertained the comparison between himself and Deion Sanders, the greatest cornerback of all time.

At 6-6, 285, Coples, a former defensive end, is an outside linebacker by title now and described his new found menacing ability in pass coverage with some glib bravado. For example, he insists he is to the point in his learning curve where he needs to bait a quarterback into throwing his way.

 

He does not have an official interception during offseason training activities yet, but thinks it could be because the quarterbacks are too scared to test him out.

 

“I’ve been locking it down so they’re looking me off,” he said. “I might give them a little cushion…basically, I would call myself a young Deion in the making. I don’t want to discredit my man, but a young Deion in the making.”

Coples can laugh now, after another long practice session, if only to relieve some stress from a workload that’s growing by the day. He is an outside linebacker by title, but that will not come close to encompassing his responsibilities this season – a laundry list that will still include plenty of interior pass rushing.

 

“The plan from coach Rex Ryan is for me to be a true outside linebacker,” Coples said. “But my snap count will determine whether I’m really an outside linebacker one game or more of a defensive lineman one game.”

He added: “I don’t really know how to put it.”

 

Heading into his second season, the former first-round pick will now have two position coaches – Karl Dunbar (defensive line) and Jeff Weeks, who Coples said, is specifically handling rush linebackers (by title, he is technically an assistant defensive line and linebackers coach). He will now split practices between down lineman and outside linebacker and will be involved in different packages where he’ll toggle roles. As of last week, new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman – a former defensive backs coach – has not mandated he spend some time with the defensive backs to round out his coverage skills. Yet.

 

There will be plays where he is standing up but acting as a defensive end, and plays where he’ll be in a three-point stance before dropping back into coverage.

 

“At the end of the day, it’s just what the rep count is that day,” Coples said. “I could have 10 drops and two pass rushes, it just depends on the call, the scheme and what the offense is giving us.”

 

Coples said calling himself an outside linebacker was a way to signify a more universal role. In Ryan’s defenses, roles are traditionally vague to begin with.

 

Still, the move was initially surprising. Coples was not asked to lose a significant amount of weight in the offseason and envisioning a linebacker near 290 pounds covering a running back out of the backfield was tough, especially with a stable of elusive position players within the division.

 

According to the analytical site Pro Football Focus, just 10 of his 516 snaps last year involved a pass drop or coverage situation. The same site graded him as one of the 10 most productive defensive ends per snap in 2012.

 

The drafting of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson allowed the team room to experiment, though. Ryan worked out Coples as an outside linebacker before the draft. Despite repeated insistence that Coples would remain on the line last year, he reneged after taking stock of the personnel.

 

That left Coples with twice the responsibility and twice the coaches to report to. If becoming Deion Sanders was as easy as he says, there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

“I just make sure I’m responding to the coaches the right way,” he said. “Everything else will play itself out.”

[faba]

Why mess with Coples - got to question this move

[flgreen]

Why mess with Coples - got to question this move

They just drafted another DL at 13.  They have to do something with him I guess

[kelticwizard]

Braylon, BRAYLON, BRAYLON

 

NOW,  NOW,  NOW

[Joe Jets fan]

Top 4 receivers, lol. We need to stop letting Mark Sanchez waste Clyde Gates prime

 

watching someone pound the same drum day after day is getting very boring.

 

Starting to hope Sanchez wins the QB job just to see your head explode.

[SayNoToDMC]

watching someone pound the same drum day after day is getting very boring.

Starting to hope Sanchez wins the QB job just to see your head explode.

I'm rooting for Sanchez to start the season bra

[#27TheDominator]

Jets' Quinton Coples still trying to define move to outside linebacker

 

“At the end of the day, it’s just what the rep count is that day,” Coples said. “I could have 10 drops and two pass rushes, it just depends on the call, the scheme and what the offense is giving us.”

 

Coples said calling himself an outside linebacker was a way to signify a more universal role. In Ryan’s defenses, roles are traditionally vague to begin with.

 

 

INSANITY!!!!!

[Larz]

#1 pick here we come !!!!

[CotcheryifyouCan]

we need to add depth at wr. braylon seems logical. lloyd is still out there, but i hear hes a nut. i dont know who else is out there, but we need to add 1 maybe 2 guys. also, where was the wr from seatle we just signed?

[stoicsentry]

I really, REALLY don't understand this stuff some fans are trying to shovel about preferring the talented youth (WHO THE EFF IS THAT? ZACH ROGERS?) to step up rather than signing Braylon. SIGN BRAYLON NOW!

[jorge o8]

yeah i think get braylon now and let him learn the system the faster the better

[Larz]

braylon has a bum knee

 

get over it

 

might as well sign TO or Michael Irvin

[SayNoToDMC]

I would honestly love to know what Braylon did that he seems to be a pariah to the same team that gave Holmes 10 mil a year, made him captain and still has Mike Goodson on the roster. We don't have any talented young players he's taking a spot from, he blocks, is still productive and seemed like a saint in the locker room compared to almost every other receiver we've given money to.

[pointman]

I really, REALLY don't understand this stuff some fans are trying to shovel about preferring the talented youth (WHO THE EFF IS THAT? ZACH ROGERS?) to step up rather than signing Braylon. SIGN BRAYLON NOW!

Yup, ridiculous. They think we are going to run into an onslaught of finds like Cruz. lol. Instead our receiver corp is going to look like something out of a youth detention center.

[pointman]

braylon has a bum knee

 

get over it

 

might as well sign TO or Michael Irvin

Whats wrong with his knee? He can still do a better job than the nobodies on our roster.

 

TO? OK. Irvin? LOL. Like he'd strap it up for us. If he did, hell yeah. Sign the cokehead. 

[LionelRichie]

this could be the worst offense in NFL history.   

[kay_gee]

this could be the worst offense in NFL history.   

 

when was it not possibly the worst offense in NFL history?

[SayNoToDMC]

this could be the worst offense in NFL history.   

 

Na, we can be the 1999 Rams if Mark just plays better. Gato told me so

[Greenseed4]

Rex seems pretty high on Clyde Gates and his world class speed. I didn't think he was anything special but there might be a reason we aren't running to the FA-wire to "fix" our WR issues..

1. Maybe Clyde Gates is the answer.

2. The coaching staff is legitimately okay with what we have going forward; hoping injuries to the starting-3 (Holmes, Hill and Kerley) will heal, and that our gem-digging will unearth some promising talent from the UDFA pool in the shape of Zach Rogers and some other yet to be discovered superstar.

3. We are REALLY placing a high value on our future compensatory picks, and selecting our free agents accordingly. This gameplan may be limiting our options at present but not exclude an addition moving forward.

4. We understand our dire staits and have looked into the likes of Braylon, Brandon, and every other once-good, aged player that may not be worth the headache or roster spot moving fwd, and have simply decided to...

5. Patiently waiti for a camp-cut that doesn't have Lloyd's ego, Edwards' history (with Seattle and the "stupid front office" Jets), yet won't impact our comp pick premium. Perhaps we have our eyes on a couple guys and waiting to pounce on them should they clear waivers. Robert Meachum anyone? Austin Collie?

[SayNoToDMC]

Rex seems pretty high on Clyde Gates and his world class speed. I didn't think he was anything special but there might be a reason we aren't running to the FA-wire to "fix" our WR issues..

1. Maybe Clyde Gates is the answer.

2. The coaching staff is legitimately okay with what we have going forward; hoping injuries to the starting-3 (Holmes, Hill and Kerley) will heal, and that our gem-digging will unearth some promising talent from the UDFA pool in the shape of Zach Rogers and some other yet to be discovered superstar.

3. We are REALLY placing a high value on our future compensatory picks, and selecting our free agents accordingly. This gameplan may be limiting our options at present but not exclude an addition moving forward.

4. We understand our dire staits and have looked into the likes of Braylon, Brandon, and every other once-good, aged player that may not be worth the headache or roster spot moving fwd, and have simply decided to...

5. Patiently waiti for a camp-cut that doesn't have Lloyd's ego, Edwards' history (with Seattle and the "stupid front office" Jets), yet won't impact our comp pick premium. Perhaps we have our eyes on a couple guys and waiting to pounce on them should they clear waivers. Robert Meachum anyone? Austin Collie?

 

Agreed

[kelticwizard]

braylon has a bum knee

 

get over it

 

might as well sign TO or Michael Irvin

 

Neither TO or Michael Irvin played well for us a couple of seasons ago, then returned late last year and played well again.

 

When a receiver returns to the team and somehow manages to be immediately functional in an offense that late last year was increasingly dysfunctional, you sign him up for the next season.

[bitonti]

when i read these articles, whether it was a good day or a bad day, it seems like Sanchito is slightly better than Geno. Even the reps are skewing Sanchez'  way...

[Smashmouth]

What blows my mind is we never  seem to get a few days in a row of good QB play in practice. If they cant do it in practice then they can't do it in the damn games. When the **** are we going to hear a QB was tearing it up in practice ? sh*ts getting ******* old.

[Smashmouth]

Rex seems pretty high on Clyde Gates and his world class speed. I didn't think he was anything special but there might be a reason we aren't running to the FA-wire to "fix" our WR issues..

1. Maybe Clyde Gates is the answer.

2. The coaching staff is legitimately okay with what we have going forward; hoping injuries to the starting-3 (Holmes, Hill and Kerley) will heal, and that our gem-digging will unearth some promising talent from the UDFA pool in the shape of Zach Rogers and some other yet to be discovered superstar.

3. We are REALLY placing a high value on our future compensatory picks, and selecting our free agents accordingly. This gameplan may be limiting our options at present but not exclude an addition moving forward.

4. We understand our dire staits and have looked into the likes of Braylon, Brandon, and every other once-good, aged player that may not be worth the headache or roster spot moving fwd, and have simply decided to...

5. Patiently waiti for a camp-cut that doesn't have Lloyd's ego, Edwards' history (with Seattle and the "stupid front office" Jets), yet won't impact our comp pick premium. Perhaps we have our eyes on a couple guys and waiting to pounce on them should they clear waivers. Robert Meachum anyone? Austin Collie?

 

If Zach Rogers turns into Wayne Chrebet and Stephen Hill turns into Keyshawn Johnson I'll be happy. But how can they turn into anything when our QB's can't even perform in practice ?

[Greenseed4]

If Zach Rogers turns into Wayne Chrebet and Stephen Hill turns into Keyshawn Johnson I'll be happy. But how can they turn into anything when our QB's can't even perform in practice ?

It's a whole, chicken/egg scenario.

Are the WRs bad because of mediocre (to poor) QB play, or are the QBs struggling because the WRs aren't performing well?

Great QBs make everyone look better, but great route-running WRs (who catch...with their hands) can get enough separation to make the reception easier on them AND the QB.

Mark has a poor history of under-throwing his receivers, or rocketing passes in close quarters, or throwing difficult passes to catch...but his "Weaponz" (thx Gato) haven't exactly lit the world on fire either.

It doesnt matter if Payton Manning played with Mardy Gilyard and Jason Hill...they'd still be out the league this year.

[Greenseed4]

Chaz Schilens. Ha ha.

Chaz

[pedro55]

It's a whole, chicken/egg scenario.

Are the WRs bad because of mediocre (to poor) QB play, or are the QBs struggling because the WRs aren't performing well?

Great QBs make everyone look better, but great route-running WRs (who catch...with their hands) can get enough separation to make the reception easier on them AND the QB.

Mark has a poor history of under-throwing his receivers, or rocketing passes in close quarters, or throwing difficult passes to catch...but his "Weaponz" (thx Gato) haven't exactly lit the world on fire either.

It doesnt matter if Payton Manning played with Mardy Gilyard and Jason Hill...they'd still be out the league this year.

 

  Fitzgerald is still great with QBs worse than Sanchez.. He might not put up his numbers, but he's still a great WR.   

And who gave a crap about Wes Welker before Brady? Half the WRs Manning and Brees and Rodgers throw to nobody ever heard of.

 

  The Jets have an offense problem.  No legit RBs.  No legit WRs. No legit QBs.   We heard the "it's only preseason for years" excuse.  Now it's gone even further to "it's only June."   Eventually you get to the point that this team just doesn't know how to build an offense.

[bitonti]

  Fitzgerald is still great with QBs worse than Sanchez.. He might not put up his numbers, but he's still a great WR.   

And who gave a crap about Wes Welker before Brady? Half the WRs Manning and Brees and Rodgers throw to nobody ever heard of.

 

  The Jets have an offense problem.  No legit RBs.  No legit WRs. No legit QBs.   We heard the "it's only preseason for years" excuse.  Now it's gone even further to "it's only June."   Eventually you get to the point that this team just doesn't know how to build an offense.

 

Chris Ivory is a legit RB. and so is Goodson if he stays out of Jail. 

[Maxman]

Rex seems pretty high on Clyde Gates and his world class speed. I didn't think he was anything special but there might be a reason we aren't running to the FA-wire to "fix" our WR issues..

1. Maybe Clyde Gates is the answer.

2. The coaching staff is legitimately okay with what we have going forward; hoping injuries to the starting-3 (Holmes, Hill and Kerley) will heal, and that our gem-digging will unearth some promising talent from the UDFA pool in the shape of Zach Rogers and some other yet to be discovered superstar.

3. We are REALLY placing a high value on our future compensatory picks, and selecting our free agents accordingly. This gameplan may be limiting our options at present but not exclude an addition moving forward.

4. We understand our dire staits and have looked into the likes of Braylon, Brandon, and every other once-good, aged player that may not be worth the headache or roster spot moving fwd, and have simply decided to...

5. Patiently waiti for a camp-cut that doesn't have Lloyd's ego, Edwards' history (with Seattle and the "stupid front office" Jets), yet won't impact our comp pick premium. Perhaps we have our eyes on a couple guys and waiting to pounce on them should they clear waivers. Robert Meachum anyone? Austin Collie?

 

 

Jordan White caught 22,000 passes in college.  Granted it was a low level but still he caught everything.  Clyde Gates couldn't catch a cold.