Cimini: Mims may be on the bubble

[JTJet]

This has been talked about for a couple weeks on here but here we go.. 

https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/87204/jets-denzel-mims-buried-on-depth-chart-raising-questions-about-future

[Rhg1084]

Crazy 

[Action Zachtion]

They gotta wait for preseason games to say that.   Come on now.  

[PS17]

Unreal. I traded two picks for him in my dynasty league a couple months ago. What a f*cking waste.

[FidelioJet]

This is really disappointing.  Was really hoping he was going to be a true weapon.

I get the sense he's just lazy and unfocused and LaFleur doesn't like it.   If that is the problem it's unlikely to change.

[RoadFan]

These quotes from Lafleur and Saleh… “he’s learning, he’s getting better.”  “He’s working through some things.”

They remind me of what Rex used to say about Vernon Gholston.

[RoadFan]

2 minutes ago, FidelioJet said:

This is really disappointing.  Was really hoping he was going to be a true weapon.

I get the sense he's just lazy and unfocused and LaFleur doesn't like it.   If that is the problem it's unlikely to change.

This is exactly the type of stuff I suspected when I watched his tape.  “Something is off.”

[JohnnyLV]

1 minute ago, FidelioJet said:

This is really disappointing.  Was really hoping he was going to be a true weapon.

I get the sense he's just lazy and unfocused and LaFleur doesn't like it.   If that is the problem it's unlikely to change.

We will see a little tonight with how he is being used. I still think he is too good for this to be true and I think everyone is reacting too much to WR rotations. He played very well last year. No way the Jets cut him with his tape from last year. If we do somehow decide to move on he will be traded.

[Joe W. Namath]

Reading btwn the lines is Mims has gotten by so far on his God given talent and not putting in the extra work.  At this level, every has God given talent and its no longer going to be enough.

Mimsy needs to start taking his craft seriously or he is not going to be here long.

[Irish Jet]

This would be hilarious.

[PS17]

Just now, Irish Jet said:

This would be hilarious.

At least we finally have the depth to make bad picks expendable. 

[Jet Nut]

post the article 

Jets' Denzel Mims buried on depth chart, raising questions about future

6:00 AM ET

• 
  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

•  
• FaceboFLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- After some promising moments in an abbreviated rookie season, Denzel Mims is sixth, maybe seventh in the New York Jets' pecking order at wide receiver.

Leapfrogged on the depth chart by three offseason additions, Mims is finding his way in an offensive system that might not be suited to his skill set. If the situation doesn't change in a month, the Jets will have a tough decision: Do they stash him on the roster and give him time to develop? Or, do they see what he might fetch in a trade?

It's hard to imagine Jets general manager Joe Douglas cutting a 2020 second-round pick. No doubt, this will be a storyline for the remainder of training camp and preseason.

Reading between the lines, it seems like the coaching staff wants Mims to push himself harder.

"He's learning, he's getting better," Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. "For him, I told him the other day, 'The more you're on your stuff, the more opportunities you're going to get. And the more you're on your stuff, the more you're going to be the Denzel Mims that we all know.' What I've really liked, he's responded a lot in the last few days. He's had better practices."

Mims is running with the second- and third-team offense. Ahead of him are newcomers Corey Davis, rookie Elijah Moore and Keelan Cole, along with holdovers Jamison Crowder, Vyncint Smith and, occasionally, Braxton Berrios.

The Jets could keep six wide receivers; seven might be a stretch. Special teams will be a factor. Berrios returns punts, Smith can do kickoffs. Mims doesn't do special teams, although he's getting reps in practice -- perhaps a harbinger.

His rookie season was sabotaged by hamstring injuries, which cost him training camp and the first half of the regular season. This offseason, he missed several practices because of an illness.

Aside from the lost time, Mims might not be a scheme fit. Coming out of Baylor, he wasn't known as a polished route runner. He won his matchups with size (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) and speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Now, with a new coaching staff and a new offense, there's an emphasis on route running. Precision is paramount in the West Coast offense.

"It's different because in this system, we are much tighter and we're more in a phone booth as wide receivers," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "It's not just playing out in space and having easy releases and having wiggle room. There's a lot more fighting for leverage. ... Your lower half comes into play a heck of a lot more, especially when you're in a phone booth.

Reading between the lines, it seems like the coaching staff wants Mims to push himself harder.

"He's learning, he's getting better," Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. "For him, I told him the other day, 'The more you're on your stuff, the more opportunities you're going to get. And the more you're on your stuff, the more you're going to be the Denzel Mims that we all know.' What I've really liked, he's responded a lot in the last few days. He's had better practices."

Mims is running with the second- and third-team offense. Ahead of him are newcomers Corey Davis, rookie Elijah Moore and Keelan Cole, along with holdovers Jamison Crowder, Vyncint Smith and, occasionally, Braxton Berrios.

The Jets could keep six wide receivers; seven might be a stretch. Special teams will be a factor. Berrios returns punts, Smith can do kickoffs. Mims doesn't do special teams, although he's getting reps in practice -- perhaps a harbinger.

His rookie season was sabotaged by hamstring injuries, which cost him training camp and the first half of the regular season. This offseason, he missed several practices because of an illness.

Aside from the lost time, Mims might not be a scheme fit. Coming out of Baylor, he wasn't known as a polished route runner. He won his matchups with size (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) and speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Now, with a new coaching staff and a new offense, there's an emphasis on route running. Precision is paramount in the West Coast offense.

"It's different because in this system, we are much tighter and we're more in a phone booth as wide receivers," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "It's not just playing out in space and having easy releases and having wiggle room. There's a lot more fighting for leverage. ... Your lower half comes into play a heck of a lot more, especially when you're in a phone booth.

"Then there's the blocking aspect of it and the strain we ask these guys to block, front side and back side. His route running is improving, it's different because he's coming in from a different location than what he's used to, being out there with normal spacing. He's getting better. ... He's put together a couple of good days and he's working his tail off."

The wide receivers rotate in practice, affording them the opportunity to learn the different positions. On Thursday (they didn't practice Friday), six wide receivers saw first-team work. Mims wasn't among them, which is quite telling. If backups play well, they get rewarded with first-team reps, as we've seen in recent days at cornerback. Maybe Mims will get that chance Saturday night in the annual Green & White practice at MetLife Stadium.

The 2020 draft was rich with wide receivers, so it will be a bad look if Mims doesn't work out. The Jets picked him 59th overall after trading down from No. 48, where they could have chosen Chase Claypool. (He went 49th to the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a very good rookie season with nine touchdowns.) Mims finished with 23 catches for 357 yards in nine games (an impressive 15.5 average), but he had no touchdowns.

The assumption was Mims would return in 2021 as a starter, but Douglas prioritized wide receiver, signing Davis and Cole as free agents and drafting Moore in the second round. That, too, was telling. Moore has displayed more in eight practices than Mims has in a year.

It's not too late for a turnaround, but soon the calendar won't be an ally.

[Untouchable]

I loved Mims coming out last year, but let’s be honest, the dude can’t get separation.

Every time you hear about him occasionally making a play in practice, there’s always some fringe roster DB draped all over him and he’s simply outfighting someone for the ball.

It was the same last year when he occasionally flashed in live game action.

With the Jets now having a ton of depth at wideout, Mims better get it together fast or I honestly wouldn’t have an issue trading him for a mid-round pick.

[RoadFan]

He is at least 6th.
 Mims is not better than Davis.  Not better than Moore.  Not better than Crowder.  Cole seems to be outplaying him.  Berrios is strong on special teams.

He is in trouble…

[rangerous]

i don't see why this is so surprising.  true, mims was a second rounder and has a ton of talent but physical talent is only part of the success equation.  the guy still needs to work hard and understand his role with the team.  hopefully he'll have a come to jesus moment and decide he wants to play football, for the jets.

[Joe W. Namath]

I get the sense there are some off the field stuff going on w/ him too. 

I think theres a bunch of stuff behind the scenes they are not happy with.

[Bronx]

1 hour ago, FidelioJet said:

This is really disappointing.  Was really hoping he was going to be a true weapon.

I get the sense he's just lazy and unfocused and LaFleur doesn't like it.   If that is the problem it's unlikely to change.

He should consult Becton's personal chef. 

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

Lol. Hate these. Cimini is not even stating “sources say”. He just made an article around Lefleurs comments and guessing what might happen. 

Then all of a sudden “he’s on the bubble and may be open to trading him”. 
 

Mims will live on!!

[JTJet]

1 minute ago, Zachtomims47 said:

Lol. Hate these. Cimini is not even stating “sources say”. He just made an article around Lefleurs comments and guessing what might happen. 

Then all of a sudden “he’s on the bubble and may be open to trading him”. 
 

Mims will live on!!

Nobody's denying that. 

Mims MAY be on the bubble. It's just speculation. 

[Irish Jet]

11 minutes ago, PS17 said:

At least we finally have the depth to make bad picks expendable. 

I really doubt he’ll be cut - Even if it means holding on to 7 WR’s. A trade would make more sense if they’re that low on him. Someone would take a flier on him for a mid round pick I’d imagine.

It’s just hilarious though considering how certain posters would jump down your throat if you so much as suggested that Mims had flaws as a prospect. Some genuine delusion here that he was a can’t miss player. Also people acting like it was no big deal that he’s buried down the depth chart when it’s pretty obvious they have at least four guys they’re higher on right now.

There’s a reason he nearly fell to the 3rd and probably would have if not for us.

[Matt39]

Called that. Injury and IR redshirt season is probably more likely tho

[Adoni Beast]

If true I appreciate the fact that this coaching staff is not messing around and that JD isn’t above his pride to not even consider trading someone he just drafted.

Disappointing though, but I like that the organization is serious about creating standards.

[DetroitRed]

Sometimes guys just develop slowly.  Corey Davis took awhile. I think he makes the team, but rides the bench this season 

[Jetworks]

14 minutes ago, Joe W. Namath said:

Reading btwn the lines is Mims has gotten by so far on his God given talent and not putting in the extra work.  At this level, every has God given talent and its no longer going to be enough.

Mimsy needs to start taking his craft seriously or he is not going to be here long.

Agreed, that's what I came away thinking as well. Not a dog, just not working harder at this level thinking it'll 'just happen.' 

[Untouchable]

5 minutes ago, Zachtomims47 said:

Lol. Hate these. Cimini is not even stating “sources say”. He just made an article around Lefleurs comments and guessing what might happen. 

Then all of a sudden “he’s on the bubble and may be open to trading him”. 
 

Mims will live on!!

It’s not just speculation 

Outside of one day of practice where they gave him a chance with the 1’s for a little bit, he’s been mostly running with the 3’s.

Guys like Davis, Cole, Moore and Crowder are all firmly ahead of him on the depth chart.

And a guy like Berrios is pretty much a lock thanks to his ST value as a punt returner.

Basically it comes down to Mims vs Vyncint Smith.

And it seems to me that Smith has flashed a lot more than Mims so far in TC. Plus he can return kicks and cover on specials.

Mims could very well be a goner. I’d be shocked if the Jets carried 7 wideouts on the active roster.

[WowOhWow]

Making a high draft pick earn his time send the absolute right message and is another example that this regime is merit based.  You play well...you play.  You don't, you don't.

[JohnnyLV]

10 minutes ago, Untouchable said:

I loved Mims coming out last year, but let’s be honest, the dude can’t get separation.

Every time you hear about him occasionally making a play in practice, there’s always some fringe roster DB draped all over him and he’s simply outfighting someone for the ball.

It was the same last year when he occasionally flashed in live game action.

With the Jets now having a ton of depth at wideout, Mims better get it together fast or I honestly wouldn’t have an issue trading him for a mid-round pick.

Kind of not true. There is a video on YT that shows that Mims was WIDE open last year but Darnold just did not see him or throw it his way. 

@GREENBEAN said in one of his podcasts, that unlike other years when I would not be confident at all in the decisions on who to cut and keep (such as McKnight over Woodhead and the litany of veterans kept over young players) this year I am OK with whatever Saleh and JD decide. If they decided to cut Mims, trade Mims or keep Mims I am confident it will be the right call.

[92ShaunEllis92]

Mims is not a natural fit in this new precision-based scheme that has blocking requisites for WRs and he actually has to put in WORK to excel. He’s relied on natural talent thus far and it’s time to be a profesional to make the cut. Insufficient proficiency in the new offense? That’s on him to learn and master it!

He can excel in this offense with those physical traits and talent, but effort and consistency is what gets you paid. 

[HighPitch]

Jesus h christ cant we watch 4 preseason games before burying this talented kid?

[mrcoops]

The scheme fit question is huge for Mims.

Baylor WRs generally come out fairly raw in route-running terms, and that is certainly the case with Mims.

In college he ran deep routes and made plays with his size and speed. He has never learned the types of precise routes that are so integral to the WCO.

That, coupled with his lack of development last year (abbreviated offseason, crappy coaching staff, injuries), are really major issues for him.

He has raw talent, but he just might not be able to make the most of it for this team, unless he can take a big leap in the preseason.

[Obrien2Toon]

Should’ve traded up for Jefferson like we did for AVT this year 

[jeremy2020]

27 minutes ago, PS17 said:

At least we finally have the depth to make bad picks expendable. 

Jachal Polite says, "Finally?! WTF"

[Green Ghost]

JD isn’t cutting his second pick as a GM after one year.

This kid has to wake up though. Reading how LaFleur got upset with him twice the other day for not lining up correctly was alarming.

[Irish Jet]

6 minutes ago, HighPitch said:

Jesus h christ cant we watch 4 preseason games before burying this talented kid?

In mini camp they said wait until training camp lol

[ScarletKnight89]

It sounds like he's not a good fit for what the Jets want to do on offense.

I thought he looked good last year in the limited time he played as a rookie.