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A Cannon ball! Why Jets took the plunge for a small-school RB


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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 DarnoldSaquon 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.

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."

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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 

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This is their 2017 schedule:

017 VIRGINIA STATE TROJANS SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT RESULT/TIME RECORD/TICKETS
Sat, Sept 2 1-0 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 9 --
Sat, Sept 23 --
Sat, Sept 30 --
Sat, Oct 7 --
Sat, Oct 14 --
Sat, Oct 21 --
Sat, Oct 28 --
Sat, Nov 4 --
Sat, Nov 11 --
Sat, Nov 18

 

 

They beat some good HS teams.  #notimpressed

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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. 

 

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