5 Man vs Man Roster Spot Battles to watch vs the Giants

[Sarge4Tide]

As preseason winds down, there are probably only a handful of job openings left to decide.  There are 5 interesting roster spot battles that might be settled on the field vs the Giants:

BATTLE #1

Irvin Charles vs Brandon Codrington for the "Special Teamer" spot on the Roster
The battle really isn't between Charles and Brownlee for the last WR spot, it's between Charles and Codrington for the mythical "Special Teamer" spot.  Is Codrington good enough to be the full time return specialist?  Can he contribute at CB in an emergency?  Is Xavier Gipson going to be the return specialist again? Is Charles' skillset less important now with the new kick rules? Is there any chance Codrington can slip through waivers onto the Practice Squad?  Stay Tuned!

BATTLE #2

Sam Eguavoen vs Zaire Barnes vs Chazz Surratt for 2 roster spots at LB
This is an interesting battle that has generated some good discussion in various threads.  Mosley, Williams, and Sherwood are locks at LB.  Do we carry 4 or 5?  Either way, at least one, maybe 2 of these three LBs who have played so well in the preseason is going to have to go.  Let's watch who plays the most and best vs the Giants.

BATTLE #3

Takk McKinley vs Jalyn Holmes vs Leonard Taylor vs Eric Watts vs Braiden McGregor for 2 spots on the Defensive Line
There are 6 LOCKS on the defensive line right now:  Williams, Kinlaw, Fotu, Johnson, McDonald, and Clemons. Most people think Solomon Thomas is safe, so that's 7.  If we keep 9, 3 of these bubble players will have to go.  McKinley is a solid vet, Holmes has had a strong preseason (and played well at the end of last season), Taylor has flashed rare interior pass rush potential, Watts was the breakout star of the offseason, but hasn't shown much in preseason so far, and McGregor looks the part.  Expect the Jets to try to keep everyone from this group who doesn't make the team on the Practice Squad, if possible

BATTLE #4

Max Mitchell vs Xavier Newman  vs Chris Glaser vs Kohl Levao for 1 or possibly 2 spots on the OL
We have 4 OTs - Smith, Moses, Fashanu, and Warren, so Mitchell might be the odd man out.  He can also backup at Guard, so that might save him.  Newman and Glaser can both play G/C, so that's always good.  Levao can also play G/C but has been exclusive at G in the preseason.  From that group, I would think Newman is the safest bet.

BATTLE #5

Irv Charles vs Jason Brownlee vs Lance McCutcheon vs Tyler Harrell vs Brandon Smith for 1 or possibly 2 spots at WR.
We have 5 WRs locked in - Wilson, Lazard, Williams, Corley, and Gipson.  Will we start the season with a 6th?  If so will the Jets go with the special teams ace Charles, the inconsistent but athletic Brownlee, McCutcheon who has looked solid in preseason, the untapped potential of Harrell, or the size and steady productivity of Smith?  Aside from Charles, can any of them contribute on special team? I think they would all probably make it through waivers, so maybe we go with 5 WRs and try to have 2 or 3 from this group on the Practice Squad

[Thai Jet]

Thanks Sarge. Roll Tide

[Sarge4Tide]

7 minutes ago, Thai Jet said:

Thanks Sarge. Roll Tide

[Gaffneycatch81]

This is a good post. Thank you for the work you put in to it. 

[EM31]

I have been hoping to see Brownlee emerge for two years now and there have been reports that he has been showing signs but I fear the drops will end his career before it ever begins.  It is a cutthroat business out there and even opportunities to impress are at a premium.  I just don't see where the Jets can risk trusting this player with a roster spot.

Maybe another team gives him a look

[Barry McCockinner]

12 minutes ago, EM31 said:

I have been hoping to see Brownlee emerge for two years now and there have been reports that he has been showing signs but I fear the drops will end his career before it ever begins.  It is a cutthroat business out there and even opportunities to impress are at a premium.  I just don't see where the Jets can risk trusting this player with a roster spot.

Maybe another team gives him a look

You always read about him doing good things in practice but I have yet to be impressed by him in a game. Seems like a total jag to me.

[Barry McCockinner]

29 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

As preseason winds down, there are probably only a handful of job openings left to decide.  There are 5 interesting roster spot battles that might be settled on the field vs the Giants:

BATTLE #1

Irvin Charles vs Brandon Codrington for the "Special Teamer" spot on the Roster
The battle really isn't between Charles and Brownlee for the last WR spot, it's between Charles and Codrington for the mythical "Special Teamer" spot.  Is Codrington good enough to be the full time return specialist?  Can he contribute at CB in an emergency?  Is Xavier Gipson going to be the return specialist again? Is Charles' skillset less important now with the new kick rules? Is there any chance Codrington can slip through waivers onto the Practice Squad?  Stay Tuned!

BATTLE #2

Sam Eguavoen vs Zaire Barnes vs Chazz Surratt for 2 roster spots at LB
This is an interesting battle that has generated some good discussion in various threads.  Mosley, Williams, and Sherwood are locks at LB.  Do we carry 4 or 5?  Either way, at least one, maybe 2 of these three LBs who have played so well in the preseason is going to have to go.  Let's watch who plays the most and best vs the Giants.

BATTLE #3

Takk McKinley vs Jalyn Holmes vs Leonard Taylor vs Eric Watts vs Braiden McGregor for 2 spots on the Defensive Line
There are 6 LOCKS on the defensive line right now:  Williams, Kinlaw, Fotu, Johnson, McDonald, and Clemons. Most people think Solomon Thomas is safe, so that's 7.  If we keep 9, 3 of these bubble players will have to go.  McKinley is a solid vet, Holmes has had a strong preseason (and played well at the end of last season), Taylor has flashed rare interior pass rush potential, Watts was the breakout star of the offseason, but hasn't shown much in preseason so far, and McGregor looks the part.  Expect the Jets to try to keep everyone from this group who doesn't make the team on the Practice Squad, if possible

BATTLE #4

Max Mitchell vs Xavier Newman  vs Chris Glaser vs Kohl Levao for 1 or possibly 2 spots on the OL
We have 4 OTs - Smith, Moses, Fashanu, and Warren, so Mitchell might be the odd man out.  He can also backup at Guard, so that might save him.  Newman and Glaser can both play G/C, so that's always good.  Levao can also play G/C but has been exclusive at G in the preseason.  From that group, I would think Newman is the safest bet.

BATTLE #5

Irv Charles vs Jason Brownlee vs Lance McCutcheon vs Tyler Harrell vs Brandon Smith for 1 or possibly 2 spots at WR.
We have 5 WRs locked in - Wilson, Lazard, Williams, Corley, and Gipson.  Will we start the season with a 6th?  If so will the Jets go with the special teams ace Charles, the inconsistent but athletic Brownlee, McCutcheon who has looked solid in preseason, the untapped potential of Harrell, or the size and steady productivity of Smith?  Aside from Charles, can any of them contribute on special team? I think they would all probably make it through waivers, so maybe we go with 5 WRs and try to have 2 or 3 from this group on the Practice Squad

some some highlights of Newman looking really good in preseason so far. 

[peekskill68]

Do we really think Clemons is a lock?

[JKlecko]

Great post!  I hadn't even considered the Jets keeping only 5 WRs.  I had assumed that they would keep 7.  Keeping only 5 would certainly save 2 roster spots that they could use on other positions, but with Williams recovering from a torn ACL, Corley a rookie, and Lazard's play questionable at best, is 5 enough?  I certainly don't think that Harrell or Smith have done enough to make the roster.  I never want to see Charles on the field on offense again, but if he is needed for STs, I could accept his being on the rosters, and expect that Boyer will want to keep him.  I'm torn over Brownlee.  He has potential, but hasn't done anything in preseason.  If he makes the roster, it would be based primarily on potential and his play in practiice, not in games.

It definitely will be interesting to see what the Jets do.

[Jethead]

Izzy and TE4 also in the mix. 

I think Izzy is a keeper. Charles too.

None of these guys should sign a long-term lease!

[varjet]

Brownlee can make the PS and will play during the season.  No one is signing him. 
 

We will keep TE4 for the offense if necessary.  
 

We have enough guys who can do returns.  I would rather keep Charles who will prevent TDs than Coddrington who may score a TD but who may also fumble.  
 

We need to find a way to warehouse CBs we will need next year but may not want to play this year.  Maybe it’s full year IR 

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

17 minutes ago, Jethead said:

Izzy and TE4 also in the mix. 

I think Izzy is a keeper. Charles too.

None of these guys should sign a long-term lease!

My 2.2 cents (inflation):

1. Micheal Clemons is not a lock, and instead a ‘surprise’ cut that shouldn’t be that surprising based on his play 

2. Edge McKinley makes it.  He’s earned it.  Jets also keep Holmes as the 5th Edge.  Jets keep 9 DL

3. Bye Charles.  Hello Codrington

4. Mitchell AND Newman both make it.  Jets keep 10 OL (5 OT; 5 IOL).  Newman has been FANTASTIC and adds versatility 

5. QB Rodgers survives the axe

6. Jets keep 6 CB + 4 Safeties + Codrington (specials)

[JKlecko]

5 hours ago, varjet said:

Brownlee can make the PS and will play during the season.  No one is signing him. 
 

We will keep TE4 for the offense if necessary.  
 

We have enough guys who can do returns.  I would rather keep Charles who will prevent TDs than Coddrington who may score a TD but who may also fumble.  
 

We need to find a way to warehouse CBs we will need next year but may not want to play this year.  Maybe it’s full year IR 

Who would that be?  Hopefully, the Jets don't have a player on the roster who doesn't want to play this year.  Any player that readily agrees to go on IR because he doesn't want to play this year, shouldn't even be considered for a roster spot now or in the future. 

Sauce, Reed, Echols, JBC, Stiggers. MC II are the 6 CBs.  I'm not aware of any other CBs on the roster who have looked good in practice or preseason.  The other 3 CBs on the roster are Tre Swilling, Shemar Bartholomew and Nehemiah Shelton.  If any of them have looked good in practice and preseason, they can go to the PS.  I don't think anyone will grab one of them.

[Jethead]

Sounds like Brownlee had a day today vs Giants. Same with Gipson. May need some 53-man shenanigans like last year to protect some guys on final cut day.