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Cimini: Jobs on the Line


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Roster re-check: Jobs on the line

August, 8, 2013
Aug 8
11:13
AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
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CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Rex Ryan said there's more roster uncertainty than he's ever experienced, so predicting the final 53 is tougher than usual. Here's a breakdown of where it stands as the Jets prepare to open the preseason Friday night in Detroit:

QUARTERBACK

Safe Bets: Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Greg McElroy

Bubble: Matt Simms

Analysis: The starting job remains up in the air. Simms' arm strength still intrigues the coaches.

RUNNING BACK

Safe Bets: Bilal Powell, Chris Ivory, Joe McKnight

Bubble: Mike Goodson, Lex Hilliard, Tommy Bohanon, John Griffin, Chad Spann, Mossis Madu

Analysis: Goodson's future in football is a huge question mark. Bohanon, a rookie, is giving Hilliard a run for the fullback job. McKnight will stick because of his return ability. Griffin is challenging for a spot.

WIDE RECEIVER

Safe Bets: Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley, Braylon Edwards, Clyde Gates

Bubble: Ben Obomanu, Ryan Spadola, Joseph Collins, K.J. Stroud, Titus Ryan, Zach Rogers, Michael Campbell

Analysis: A lot hinges on Holmes' availability. The odds of him being ready for Week 1 are remote. They will have to decide whether to carry him on the 53 or place him on PUP (six games). There's a spirited battle for the fifth/sixth job. Special-teams ability will be the deciding factor.

TIGHT END

Safe Bets: Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow

Bubble: Konrad Reuland, Hayden Smith, Jeff Pantale, Mike Shanahan

Analysis: Because of his knee, Winslow falls between "safe bets" and "bubble." They don't have a true blocking tight end. Keep in mind that Bohanon can play tight end as well.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Safe Bets: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Stephen Peterman, Nick Mangold, Willie Colon, Austin Howard, Brian Winters, Vladimir Ducasse, Oday Aboushi

Bubble: Caleb Schlauderaff, Dalton Freeman, Will Campbell, Dennis Landolt, J.B. Shugarts, Trey Gilleo, Erik Cook

Analysis: The starting lineup is pretty set -- unless Winters comes on strong to challenge Peterman. The key question is backup center, as Schlauderaff struggles with his shotgun snaps.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Safe Bets: Muhammad Wilkerson, Kenrick Ellis, Sheldon Richardson, Antonio Garay

Bubble: Damon Harrison, Tevita Finau, Leger Douzable, Junior Aumavae, Lanier Coleman

Analysis: It's a thin, four-man rotation at the top. They need another player or two to step up. Quinton Coples will play on the line even though he's listed as a linebacker.

LINEBACKER

Safe Bets: David Harris, Demario Davis, Quinton Coples, Calvin Pace, Antwan Barnes, Garrett McIntyre, Nick Bellore

Bubble: Ricky Sapp, Josh Mauga, JoJo Dickson, Danny Lansanah, Jacquies Smith, Troy Davis, Sean Progar-Jackson

Analysis: Great competition for the backup jobs. Sapp, finally healthy, is having a terrific camp and has a good chance to stick. They could end up keeping nine.

SECONDARY

Safe Bets: Antonio Cromartie, Dee Milliner, Kyle Wilson, Dawan Landry, Antonio Allen, Darrin Walls

Bubble: Ellis Lankster, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Josh Bush, Isaiah Trufant, Bret Lockett, Donnie Fletcher, Royce Adams, Rontez Miles, Mike Edwards

Analysis: There haven't been this many questions in the secondary in a long time. The sleeper here is Jarrett, who could push an unspectacular Allen out of a starting job. They will go five or six deep at corner.

SPECIALISTS

Safe Bets: Nick Folk (PK), Robert Malone (P), Tanner Purdum (LS)

Bubble: Billy Cundiff (PK), Ryan Quigley (P), Pat Scales (LS)

Analysis: Cundiff got off to a slow start, but he's coming on and could make it interesting. Quigley punted well in the scrimmage.

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He has Vlad as a safe bet. That's surprising.

 

Agreed.  There are a number of other "surprising" (code for idiotic) assumptions as well.

 

I don't think Damon Harrison is on the bubble.  Rex seems to like him, and he's had a pretty good camp if what I've read is true.

 

I also doubt that Mauga and Sapp are on the bubble.  Perhaps Sapp was at the start of camp, but he's had a very good, if not great, camp.

 

Trufant is not on the bubble.  That's just outright idiotic.  I also seriously doubt that Jarrett and Bush are either, since Rex has mentioned both as being in the mix and having done pretty well.  Unless the Jets sign two safeties who are camp cuts, neither is going anywhere. I'd also be surprised if Lankster doesn't make it.

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Who the hell are Damon Harrison, Tevita Finau, Leger Douzable, Junior Aumavae, Lanier Coleman?

 

Harrison is "Big Snacks."  Rex likes him and he's done well. Douzable is the veteran DE they just signed a week or two ago.  Finau and Aumavae were UDFAs this year.  I'm not sure about Coleman.

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Harrison is "Big Snacks."  Rex likes him and he's done well. Douzable is the veteran DE they just signed a week or two ago.  Finau and Aumavae were UDFAs this year.  I'm not sure about Coleman.

 

Thanks - I recognize "Big Snacks" now, but not the others.

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I think Cimini is guessing here. I think we have to wait and see how much influence Idzik is going to exert over the roster. He doesn't seem averse to sacrificing short-term fixes in return for long-range prospects.

 

Admit it.  You just don't like that he listed Joe McKnight as a "safe bet".

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Remember a couple years ago when Fat Rex thought he had probowlers top-to-bottom on this roster, and he fostered absolutely no competition for any position? Ah the good ol' days, b2b AFCC games!!! 
 

/woodheaded

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It seems to be pretty mixed around here if this is do or die for Rexy.  I just found it interesting that Cimini is talking about jobs but doesn't touch on the #1 job on the line.

Huh? Mixed?

I think the only thing that's mixed about Rex's future in these parts is whether he actually has a chance to still be the head coach next year. I don't think there's a person here who doesn't believe that Rex needs to prove himself to the new boss this season, or lose his job.

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Huh? Mixed?

I think the only thing that's mixed about Rex's future in these parts is whether he actually has a chance to still be the head coach next year. I don't think there's a person here who doesn't believe that Rex needs to prove himself to the new boss this season, or lose his job.

I've read differently on some threads.

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