Rod Boone---Today's OTA Report

[flgreen]

The Boone Docks

New York Jets news, commentary and insider info from beat writer Rod Boone

• Printer-friendly posts
  

June 3, 2009

Putting a bow on the last week of OTAs

We're live out here at The Hangar today for the final availability of the Jets Offseason Training Activities. The team has one more practice scheduled for tomorrow but this was our last opportunity to see them before next week's mini-camp.

Things certainly seemed a bit more crisp today than they were last week. All three quarterbacks threw the ball pretty well -- some better than others -- but we'll get to them a little later.

First, we'll begin with the popular theme over the last month or so, and that involves the team's top two running backs. We were all looking forward to seeing Leon Washington out on the field for the first time in three weeks and were hoping to hear what he had to say about his boycott of OTAs as he seeks a new contract. So as the running backs were going through their drills, we scanned the field but didn't see Washington.

That's when we were told that Washington wasn't present. But he had a good excuse: his fiancee Charity gave birth to the couple's new son, appropriately named Noel, this morning. What's the big deal about the name Noel, you ask? That's Leon's name spelled backwards. Pretty cool, huh?

According to Alvin Keels, Washington's agent, the bouncing baby boy checked in at seven pounds and 10 ounces. No word yet on what position he'll be playing.

"I missed my second kid being born and it's tough to get over that one," coach Rex Ryan said, drawing laughter. "Let me tell you. Every time it's his birthday, my wife gives me a different look. So I think he (Leon) made a great decision to be there."

For those keeping score at home, that's two babies delivered around practice in a matter of less than a week. Kellen Clemens darted off the practice field last Thursday when his wife's water broke and she had the couple's second child some 24 hours later. Getting in ample sleeping time won't be easy and I asked Clemens if he's had enough in the last few days.

"I've been doing pretty good," he said. "Between my wife and my mother in-law, they're helping out a little bit. When I have practice the next day, they let me sleep and they take the night shift. I'm getting what sleep I can. It's a precious commodity right now."

Anyway, back to Washington. We won't get to know his true feelings on his contract situation until Tuesday at the earliest, when the Jets begin their three-day mini-camp. Then again, we still don't know what's on Thomas Jones' mind either. He practiced today, but didn't break his silence and once again elected not come into the locker room while the media had access.

Now, on to the rest:

■ A quick bit of injury news. LB David Harris sat out and Ryan said he expects him to be kept away from contact for the next few weeks. While standing on the sidelines at last Thursday's practice, Harris was clobbered in the mouth by Jim Leonhard while Leonhard was running down a high-arching directional punt. Harris had a towel up to his face as he walked off the field and never returned that day. Ryan said Harris has a couple of stitches in his lip and a few loose teeth, but he should be OK. The feeling is they would rather be safe than sorry.

■ RB Shonn Greene took a shot in the stomach area (it might've been a little lower than that) and was on the ground writhing in pain for a few seconds. But the rookie only sat out for about two plays before returning to action. I know he was practicing last week as well, but today I had my eye on him a little more and the cat looks like he could be a beast. His bruising style is perfectly suited for late-game poundage.

Ryan said: "If you are going to say, 'Well, what quarter do you think is going to be Shonn Greene's quarter?' I'd say it's the fourth. So when you're ahead, just say, 'Here you go.' Everybody in the ballpark knows. 'Here Shonn, jump on in there.' Let him pound it."

■ Just like last week, when the offense went to a three wide receiver set during 11-on-11s, Chansi Stuckey and Brad Smith were lined up opposite of Jerricho Cotchery. Smith has been taking a lot of reps with that unit so the coaches are getting a good, long look at him in the role of the third wideout.

■ I touched on this at the beginning of the post. Clemens, Mark Sanchez and even Erik Ainge all had their moments today. Clemens had the best day of them all, going 3-for-5 in 11-on-11s.

As for Ainge, he had some nice touch and loft on his passes. The placement of his throws were mostly on point. Much, much better overall than what we saw from him last week.

Sanchez was more like the weather over the last few days -- hot and cold. He was 3-for-9 and those numbers include two drops, a quarterback spike and two near interceptions (he also almost threw another potential INT, when he threw into triple coverage looking for Stuckey over the middle).

Nevertheless, Sanchez thought it was the best of his seven practices.

"Just more completions," Sanchez said, "balls in the right places, the right reads, seeing the defense and feeling more comfortable, being able to talk about the play fluidly right after instead of asking too many questions. And remembering each play at the end of practice, remembering, 'Aw man, I missed that third play of 7-on-7s. Let's work on that one. Ok, what's the read again? Let me go through it right.'

He continued: "Before, I had to wait for Schotty (offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) to tell me the different plays. Now, I'm starting to remember them after practice and know each situation and exactly what happened. That's important, just getting comfortable. But it was the most completions and I felt good in the two-minute situations, so it was good."

■ P T.J. Conley was out on the field 30 minutes before the start of practice, working on his punting form. Still, he didn't punt as well as he did last week and neither did Eric Wilbur. I'm not sure the Jets are totally convinced either can be good enough to get the job done, so don't be shocked if old friend Reggie Hodges comes back on board.

■ Judging by a few comments on the bottom of the last thread, some of you might've heard Ryan earlier this afternoon on WFAN. He had already finished up with us by the time the interview was conducted so we couldn't ask him about the comments. He didn't hold back when talking about the Patriots and Bill Belichick.

"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings," he told the FAN. "I came to win, let's put it that way. So we'll see what happens. I'm certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else."

How's that for a zinger? What do you think about those words, Jets fans? Let me hear ya.

■ DT Anthony Harris was waived. Hoping to stay on as a long snapper, he had a bad snap during a punting drill at practice today that obviously didn't help his cause.

■ That amateurish photography you see is Ryan playing quarterback during some of the drills with the defensive lineman. Ryan is to the left of the picture with his back to the camera. I snapped it just as he released the ball. He was calling out the signals before he took the snap and everything. He went deep once, and yes, it should've been picked off.

■ And now sit back in your seat for the next installment of the Rex Ryan Comedy Hour. Ryan had another New England barb during his session with us. While discussing Harris and the fact that he needed stitches to close the cut sustained last week, Ryan couldn't help himself.

"I don't know how many," Ryan said. "We're keeping that from New England."

[THOP]

"The Hanger" ? I remember someone having a contest to name the new facility( I think It was on Cimini's blog) I submitted "The Hanger" And nobody Liked it. Nice to see it caught on somewhere.

[Thai Jet]

"The Hanger" ? I remember someone having a contest to name the new facility( I think It was on Cimini's blog) I submitted "The Hanger" And nobody Liked it. Nice to see it caught on somewhere.

And Ryan looks like a blimp who'd just barely fit in a hanger.

[SouthernJet]

While discussing Harris and the fact that he needed stitches to close the cut sustained last week, Ryan couldn't help himself.

"I don't know how many," Ryan said. "We're keeping that from New England."

Thats why I love the guy....

I think he just will have the mentality of tellin his guys, 'screw that NE secret crap, lets just go out there and kick thier asses and maybe hurt them a wee bit also'

2009 will be a growth year, especially if we go with Sanchez, but watch out NFL 2010.

[#27TheDominator]

The Boone Docks

■ RB Shonn Greene took a shot in the stomach area (it might've been a little lower than that) and was on the ground writhing in pain for a few seconds. But the rookie only sat out for about two plays before returning to action. I know he was practicing last week as well, but today I had my eye on him a little more and the cat looks like he could be a beast. His bruising style is perfectly suited for late-game poundage.

Ryan said: "If you are going to say, 'Well, what quarter do you think is going to be Shonn Greene's quarter?' I'd say it's the fourth. So when you're ahead, just say, 'Here you go.' Everybody in the ballpark knows. 'Here Shonn, jump on in there.' Let him pound it."

How are they rating his "bruising style"? Aren't these "voluntary" workouts supposedly non-contact? They are in shorts and helmets. That's not exactly the prime conditions to rate a guy's ability to wear out a D.

[sirlancemehlot]

How are they rating his "bruising style"? Aren't these "voluntary" workouts supposedly non-contact? They are in shorts and helmets. That's not exactly the prime conditions to rate a guy's ability to wear out a D.

Yeah, so far the only one exhibiting a "bruising style" is Leonard. Hope Harris likes his new braces.

[Vudu]

When are we gonna hear good news about Sanchez' performance in these OTA's. All I've been reading have been mostly negative.

[StillerPaul]

When are we gonna hear good news about Sanchez' performance in these OTA's. All I've been reading have been mostly negative.

He'll be fine. Rookie QB's take time to develop. I'm kinda hoping he gets to start from day 1. Nothing beats experience imo.