NYJets8 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 When New York Jets special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer checked his inbox last season, he'd periodically find an email from Reggie Barlow, one of his old teammates with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Boyer knew exactly what each one contained: Video clips of Trenton Cannon, a touchdown machine at Division II Virginia State. Barlow, the school's head coach, did the work of a skilled PR man, promoting his player by sending out clips to some of his NFL friends. He and Boyer have what he describes as "a real cool relationship" -- Barlow returned punts and kickoffs for the Jaguars and Boyer blocked for him -- so he made sure to keep his buddy in the loop on Cannon. Thanks to the Boyer-Barlow relationship, the Jets developed an affinity for Cannon and drafted him in the sixth round, making him the first player drafted from Virginia State since 1996. They believe Cannon can make an immediate impact as a return specialist, a position that has haunted the Jets in recent years. His first real opportunity will happen Tuesday, when the team conducts its first OTA practice. This is how it goes in scouting. Coaches, general managers and scouts rely on their connections to get inside information on potential sleepers. Everybody knows about the big names such as Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley and Baker Mayfield, prospects whose pro days and combine performances are featured on national TV. It's a different ballgame with small-school players. NFL evaluators need to be like investigative reporters, digging from crumbs of intel. "Brant Boyer did a great job with researching this guy and studying him over the last two years," Barlow told ESPN. "Coach Boyer and I have a relationship where he can trust that we see this guy and we think he's an NFL-caliber player. I think it's great that the Jets did their homework." Trenton Cannon rushed for more than 4,000 yards and 44 touchdowns in three seasons at Virginia State. Julio Cortez/AP Photo Barlow sent a variety of clips to Boyer, showing Cannon as a running back, slot receiver and kickoff returner. Boyer watched every video, often responding to Barlow with an enthusiastic comment about Cannon's potential. There was a lot to like last season as Cannon scored 22 touchdowns -- 17 rushing, three receiving and two on kickoffs. He averaged 33 yards per kickoff return, which excited Boyer, who spent two days at the Petersburg, Virginia, school during the run-up to the draft. He met with Cannon and worked him out, mainly studying his ability to return punts, something he didn't do in college. "He was extremely thorough," Barlow said of Boyer. "He came down, spent some time on campus, watching film. What I thought was really huge was [him saying], 'Let's make sure this guy fits the pedigree of a New York Jet. Let me talk with him.'" So they talked. "Typically, the first-round guys and maybe the second-round guys get that type of detailed attention," Barlow said. "[Boyer] knows how critical that position is to create that positive field position for yourself. I commend him on doing his homework and finding the guy that fits what the New York Jets are all about. He took the time to get to know him as a person." Cannon created a buzz in the scouting community when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds at his pro day at the University of Richmond. It was a chilly day, with temperatures in the mid-40s. The perimeter of the field was covered with snow, but Cannon came out smoking. "This was a guy that really kind of caught [Boyer's] eye, and our scouts liked him, too," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said. "He's an interesting guy. He's very athletic, maybe slightly undersized (5-foot-11, 185 pounds). We're going to use him as a running back, or line him up as a running back, but obviously our focus is to see how he can impact us as a returner. That's the part where we're very interested to see how he does." Let's not sugarcoat it: The Jets are desperate for a competent returner. In 2017, they averaged a league-low 4.5 yards on punt returns, barely exceeding what their leading rusher, Bilal Powell, averaged on runs from scrimmage (4.4). Since 2013, the Jets are ranked 32nd in punt return average and 22nd in kickoff return average. The Jets are one of only six teams since 2013 that hasn't returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown. So, yes, they need an explosive player. Who better than someone named Cannon? "I played in the league for eight years and I know the pyramid you need to fit as far as size, weight, ability and explosiveness," Barlow said. "There aren't very many people I've seen that have that like Trent." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"This was a guy that really kind of caught [Boyer's] eye, and our scouts liked him, too," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said. "He's an interesting guy. He's very athletic, maybe slightly undersized (5-foot-11, 185 pounds). We're going to use him as a running back, or line him up as a running back, but obviously our focus is to see how he can impact us as a returner. That's the part where we're very interested to see how he does."
ljr Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Anyone know why he didn't return punts in college? Hope he has enough intuition with "judgement" for when to try and run the ball & when a fair-catch is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prime21 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 He could be that spark that is needed when the offense needs a boost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 I see a ST steal in Cannon. I wish so much the Jets could find another Leon Washington, Brad Smith? If Cannon is even half the players those two turned out to be, in the 4th and 5th round no less, the Jets ST will suddenly be much more exciting again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 His first real opportunity will happen Tuesday, when the team conducts its first OTA practice. Yeah baby! Kinda almost football this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 50 minutes ago, ljr said: Anyone know why he didn't return punts in college? Hope he has enough intuition with "judgement" for when to try and run the ball & when a fair-catch is needed. Think he fielded 3 punts, put one on the ground Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 25 minutes ago, Jetscreen said: I see a ST steal in Cannon. I wish so much the Jets could find another Leon Washington, Brad Smith? If Cannon is even half the players those two turned out to be, in the 4th and 5th round no less, the Jets ST will suddenly be much more exciting again. I'm with you. There's just something about a punt or KO return for a TD that just ignites a team. Same as a pick 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDL_JET Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 I don't know. Just looking at highlights on youtube, I don't see anything special. But....that's just me looking at youtube, so what the hell do I know. Hopefully i'm wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Sooner or later one of these reaches will work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurnleyJet Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Leon Washington/Danny Woodhead I hope he's like. Even the Dark Lord in New England knows the value of what we used to call a scatback. He resigned Burkhead this off season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 3 minutes ago, BurnleyJet said: Leon Washington/Danny Woodhead I hope he's like. Even the Dark Lord in New England knows the value of what we used to call a scatback. He resigned Burkhead this off season. Im hoping more like Darren Sproles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nycdan Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 But does he have butcher knives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 1 hour ago, Thai Jet said: I'm with you. There's just something about a punt or KO return for a TD that just ignites a team. Same as a pick 6. I felt compelled to post the KO return TD by Brad Smith. Don't know if you're aware, but that specific game against the Steelers is the ONLY time the Jets have ever beaten them in Pittsburgh. That KO return on the opening kickoff was truly a sign that the Jets were going to break new ground. That was truly electric in a snow storm no less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 1 hour ago, MDL_JET said: I don't know. Just looking at highlights on youtube, I don't see anything special. But....that's just me looking at youtube, so what the hell do I know. Hopefully i'm wrong. Did you see much from Leon Washington's college film? Even if you did, I don't think anyone saw that sudden burst of speed thatWashington exhibited? He had football speed and instincts that just can't be measured during a track meet that is the NFL combine. So regardless of what you think you see, you must take that chance with a 6th rounder no less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drums Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 I don’t even remember what a good returner looks like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 5 hours ago, flgreen said: Think he fielded 3 punts, put one on the ground Something to work on. Hopefully he gives is 4-5 years of returns for TDS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roscoeword Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Our kickoff return success back then was also party do to westhead. Brad smith, leon and before them, justin Miller was returning kickoffs for td's for us. Even mcknight was pretty good back there, returning a few in those days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTownsell1 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 4 hours ago, joewilly12 said: Sooner or later one of these reaches will work out. Not many undrafted free agents produce like Robby Anderson has... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 4 hours ago, joewilly12 said: Sooner or later one of these reaches will work out. Anderson, Chrebet, Snacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Island Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 This is their 2017 schedule: 017 VIRGINIA STATE TROJANS SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT RESULT/TIME RECORD/TICKETS Sat, Sept 2 @ Norfolk State W 14-10 1-0 (0-0) Sat, Sept 9 @ Johnson C Smith W 44-6 -- Sat, Sept 23 vs Winston-Salem W 33-27 2OT -- Sat, Sept 30 @ Livingstone W 56-18 -- Sat, Oct 7 @ Elizabeth City St W 56-0 -- Sat, Oct 14 vs Bowie State W 47-35 -- Sat, Oct 21 @ Lincoln (PA) W 73-21 -- Sat, Oct 28 @ Chowan W 26-23 -- Sat, Nov 4 vs Virginia Union W 40-39 -- Sat, Nov 11 vs Fayetteville St W 42-19 -- Sat, Nov 18 vs West Georgia They beat some good HS teams. #notimpressed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Island Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 44 minutes ago, roscoeword said: Our kickoff return success back then was also party do to westhead. Brad smith, leon and before them, justin Miller was returning kickoffs for td's for us. Even mcknight was pretty good back there, returning a few in those days Westhoff https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Westhoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MehlFreeman Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 While I do like Cannon, has anyone seen film on Green from FSU? I think he can be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 3 hours ago, flgreen said: Anderson, Chrebet, Snacks. 3 out of many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RESNewYork Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 1 hour ago, MehlFreeman said: While I do like Cannon, has anyone seen film on Green from FSU? I think he can be better. I liked green and Enware. I thought he was signed as an UDFA. Where is he now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 8 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: 3 out of many. How many 6+ round draft picks hit for any team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MehlFreeman Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 1 hour ago, RESNewYork said: I liked green and Enware. I thought he was signed as an UDFA. Where is he now? Good question. Last I knew was we signed him. Not sure if he'll be in camp or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 It’s difficult to get excited about a player from such a small school until he plays in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slats Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 On 5/20/2018 at 8:25 AM, prime21 said: He could be that spark that is needed when the offense needs a boost. Or sparq... https://3sigmaathlete.com/rankings/running-back/ Barkley is #1 on the RB list, Cannon is #3. A score of 50 means an average NFL athlete for the position, Cannon scored an 88.8. Both impressive and intriguing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.